Aerospace and Defence News

---

MILITARY AVIATION

Northrop Grumman and EADS Unveil Euro Hawk UAV 14 October 2009

On October 08, US aerospace major Northrop Grumman and Germany’s EADS Defence & Security together unveiled Germany’s first unmanned reconnaissance aircraft – the Euro Hawk, which resembles the US UAV Global Hawk. Equipped with signal intelligence mission system developed by EADS Defence & Security, the Euro Hawk will be provided a SIGINT ground station to receive and analyze data from it as part of an integrated system solution, which will be developed and tested by EuroHawk GmbH. The ground-based mission control along with the launch and recovery systems will be provided by Northrop Grumman. The Euro Hawk will provide the Luftwaffe new capabilities and is expected to remain at Edwards Air Force Base for extensive flight test programme for the next two years. It will be transferred to the German Air Force in 2011.

Boeing Bids for IAF Helicopter Tender 23 October 2009

In response to tenders by India for military helicopters, Boeing submitted two proposals for the supply of attack and heavy-lift helicopters in a deal worth $2 billion. Boeing has offered 22 AH-64D Longbow Apache attack and 15 CH-47F Chinook heavy-lift helicopters. The company has already been contracted by the Indian Navy to supply eight P-8I maritime reconnaissance and airborne warning aircraft costing $2.1 billion. Global manufacturers, such as Russia’s Kamov and Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant, Italy’s Agusta Westland, a unit of Finmeccanica SpA, Textron’s Bell Helicopter, Eurocopter, the helicopter manufacturing unit of European Aeronautic Defence & Space Company and Sikorsky Aircraft had earlier expressed interest in the deal. While Sikorsky Aircraft plans to bid for heavy-lift helicopters, Eurocopter will pitch its Tiger attack helicopter. Industry sources estimate that the Indian government will spend more than $30 billion over the next five years to modernise and upgrade its defence systems.

BAE-HAL Software JV Projects 29 October 2009

IT solutions JV between global major BAE Systems and India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), BAE-HAL Software Ltd, has finalised software projects to the tune of $40 million to be delivered by 2020. The JV, inked in 1993, has since developed software for Aerospace & Defence (A&D) companies. BAE-HAL Software Ltd has also delivered solutions for real-time projects, simulation, engineering services and software testing, mostly to Indian firms in recent times and in the process, has balanced out its clientele by increasing focus on the growing local market. BAE-HAL focuses on software development business worldwide and has by now established a major presence in the UK, Germany, and France. The JV company has major software projects in hand from the Indian Armed Forces and has already developed avionics and flight simulators for MiG-21 aircraft as well as an inter-locking safety software system for the Indian Navy.

Their international clients include Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Bombardier, British Airways and Thales among others. Local firms include Tata Motors, state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) and the Indian Space Research Organization. BAE-HAL has also entered into a strategic alliance with the US-based Datastream Systems Inc to market the latter’s asset life-cycle management solutions to the defence, aerospace and aviation sectors in the Indian sub-continent.

Boeing on ToT for F-18IN Production 29 October 2009

After successfully completing the second phase of trials for the 126 Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender, Boeing is ready to transfer technology which would allow production of its F/A-18IN Super Hornet fighter jets in India. Boeing plans to build 18 aircraft in the US and the rest in India, and continue transfer of technology so as to manufacture part of the aircraft in India. Lockheed Martin, the world’s biggest defence contractor, is in the running with the Block 60 version of the F-16, dubbed the F-16IN Super Viper. Currently the most advanced version of the aircraft is in service with the UAE Air Force. Meanwhile, Boeing’s F/A-18IN, has completed the first two phases of trials. While the first phase was completed in the US, the second phase was conducted at various locations around India – Bangalore, Jaisalmer and Leh. The last phase i.e. weapons phase trials will be conducted in February 2010 in the US. The other aircraft competing for the $11 billion MMRCA tender are the French Rafale, Saab Gripen from Sweden, Russia’s MiG-35 and the European Eurofighter Typhoon. As per the tender, the IAF will acquire 18 aircraft in fly-away condition with the rest being manufactured by HAL under a Transfer of Technology deal with an option to enhance the size of the deal. The aircraft are meant to replace the IAF’s ageing MiG-21 fleet. Field trials of the six combat aircraft competing for the contract are expected to be completed by July 2010.

IAI’s Heron for Afghanistan 30 October 2009

After Canadian, Australian and French Armed Forces who employ the Heron as one of their main Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) sources in Afghanistan, Germany has signed a contract with Rheinmetall Defense and its partners at Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to provide an unspecified number of Heron UAVs to enhance the ISR capabilities of the German Bundeswehr (German Army). Under the lease agreement, the Bundeswehr will retain the UAV system for a year with an option for a two year-extension. With a wingspan of 16.6 meters and a takeoff weight of 1,200 kg, the Heron can climb to an altitude of 40,000 feet for over 24 hours. Scheduled to be operational by mid-March 2010, the Heron will provide, even in severe weather conditions, wide area real-time reconnaissance and surveillance data for German International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) troops to enhance situational awareness. With the help of satellite communications, the system would cover the entire area of operations of the German ISAF contingent.

Rheinmetall Defence and its partner IAI will provide full in-theatre logistical and maintenance services. Heron missions will be performed and controlled by Bundeswehr personnel.

Mahindra Satyam Inks Deal with Saab 04 November 2009

Indian major Mahindra Satyam Ltd clinched an IT outsourcing contract worth $300 million from Swedish defence and aerospace firm Saab to develop applications and technology solutions in India for the global defence and security market for the next five years. Mahindra Satyam and Saab will jointly address the Battlefield Management System (BMS) for the Indian Army. Mahindra Satyam has already initiated the establishment of a Centre of Excellence for Network Centric Warfare (CoE-NCW), which will offer comprehensive skills and a repository of tools, systems, middleware, integration platforms and system showcases in the field of NCW. The company hopes to tap the potential market for nationwide security for which the Indian government has large investment plans. The Centre, which will be accessible to both the partners, is for mission-critical applications and command, control, communications, computers and intelligence solutions for global opportunities. The capabilities of the Centre will also span areas of Homeland Security to provide end-to-end security solutions.

Mahindra Satyam’s top clients include Citigroup, GE, GlaxoSmithKline, Cisco Systems Inc and Nissan while Saab is one of the six companies vying for the 126 multi-billion-dollar Medium Multi Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) for the Indian Air Force. It has offered the Gripen NG (Next-Generation), with increased combat range and endurance, a more powerful engine, super cruise capability, additional weapons carriage stations and increased payload.

Boeing C-17 Globemasters for India 07 November 2009

The MoD is reportedly negotiating a deal with Boeing for the purchase of 10 C-17 Globemaster Heavy-Lift aircraft from the US through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. The deal, pegged at around $1.7 billion, is likely to be finalised by early 2010. The IAF recently familiarised itself with the transport aircraft in the joint exercise between the Air Forces of the two countries in Agra from October 19 to 23, 2009. With the induction of the C17, India will be adding a new aircraft to its transport fleet at three times the comparable cost. Sources feel that the Globemaster’s ease of handling when compared to the IL-76 and its ability to operate from short and unprepared airstrips, may have tipped the scales in its favour.

If the $1.7 billion deal is finalised, it would be Boeing’s second-largest deal with India after the $2.1 billion agreement finalised in January 2009 for the supply of eight P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to the Indian Navy. Given the looming threats it faces from the North and West and the growing problem of internal security, officials believe that India needs to significantly enhance its airlift capability. India has already contracted for six Lockheed Martin C-130J aircraft from the US, the delivery of which is expected to begin by 2011. With over AN-32s, India has signed a $400 million contract with the Ukrainian military export agency Ukrspetsexport in July 2009 for the upgrade of its fleet of 100 AN-32 aircraft.

Last BAE Hawk AJT to IAF 09 November 2009

BAE Systems delivered the 24th UK-built Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer (AJT) HT001 to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The aircraft made a 3,000 mile journey from its home base and reached Air Force Station Bidar to join the rest of the Hawk fleet stationed there. The first Hawk having been delivered to the IAF in November 2007, the other deliveries were completed in 2008. Although the latest delivery marks the completion of commitment to deliver 24 aircraft by BAE Systems to the IAF, the former will continue to provide support services and work closely with its industrial partner HAL to meet the IAF’s training needs. The HT001 had served as a flight test platform and proving ground for the integration of new systems and capabilities for the IAF’s Hawk fleet for nearly three years. This aircraft was also used to train flying instructors from the IAF. The delivery of the HT001 also marks the delivery of the 860th Hawk across the globe.

Lockheed Martin’s F-35 for Japan 23 November 2009

In a bid to boost its air-defence capabilities against China, which is developing its own next-generation aircraft, the Japanese Ministry of Defence has selected the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning-II as its next mainstay fighter jet. 40 of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which has stealth features, would be inducted by Japan. Contract for these ‘high-tech’ fighters will be formalized only in 2011, by which time the jet’s actual capabilities as against stated capabilities, should be evident. The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, single-engine, stealth, multi-role fighter that, currently, is estimated to cost $101 million each. It is being jointly developed by the US, Britain, Australia and other countries and will begin extensive flight testing in 2010. So far, it has reportedly completed a mere three per cent of its total flight tests. Current US export regulations prohibit export of the US F-22 Raptor, which Japan had initially wanted to acquire. The F35 was competing against Boeing F/A-18, F-15FX and the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles from DRDO 26 November 2009

The Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced that it will develop an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) with surveillance as well as combat capabilities. The project, which is to be taken up by the Bangalore based Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) will involve private industry participation. The programme will include developing know-how for stealth design and composite construction UCAV for demonstration of technical feasibility, military utility and operational value of high performance.

 ADE is already developing a Medium Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial Vehicle called ‘Rustom’ for the Indian armed forces. The 1800-kg Rustom with a wingspan of 20m, has a maximum speed of 225 km per hour and can operate at altitudes up to 30,000 ft. Taking off for the maiden flight from the airfield at Taneja Aerospace and Aviation Ltd at Hosur, the prototype crashed on November 16, possibly due to a faulty remote control unit.

Airbus A400M on Maiden Flight 11 December 2009

After repeated delays, Airbus Military’s all-new four engine transport aircraft, the A400M, undertook its maiden flight from Seville Airport in Spain on December 11, 2009. At the controls was Chief Test Pilot Military, Edward “Ed” Strongman, with Experimental Test Pilot Ignacio “Nacho” Lombo in the right-hand seat. With a take-off weight of 127 tonne, the aircraft carried 15 tonne of flight-test equipment including two tonne of water ballast and its performance was monitored in real time by engineers in Seville and Toulouse.

Four all-new Europrop International (EPI) TP400D turboprop engines producing a massive 11,000shp each power the air lifter. The maiden flight marked the beginning of a test flight programme that will involve about 3,700 hours of flying by a fleet of five aircraft. The test flight schedule is expected to be complete by end-2012 when it is expected to enter service with the armed forces of Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Spain, Turkey and the UK.

New Engine for Tejas LCA 12 December 2009

Eurojet, a part of Eurofighter engine manufacturing consortium and American aerospace major General Electric, has submitted its bids to supply 99 EJ200 and the GE414 engines respectively for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) valued at $750 million. To meet with the requirements of transfer of key technologies, Eurojet has obtained the necessary clearances from the Eurofighter consortium as well as the Tornado Management Agency. It is understood that GE has also acquired necessary approvals from the US government for technology transfer for the LCA programme. Eurojet is also willing to form a joint venture with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. or with private companies to fulfill its offset obligations as also to discuss transfer of other technologies.

Saab-2000 AEW&C System for PAF 30 December 2009

With the induction of the Saab-2000 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft into its fleet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) joined the exclusive club of countries that can boast of such a capability. The AEW&C aircraft has the capability to detect any ground moving and air moving objects including drones. The system is aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of Pakistani air defence capability apart from changing its operational concept and deployment. The AEW&C system will provide the PAF with major advantages as it will be able to detect and identify aircraft well before they enter the Pakistan air space. In case of hostilities, the system would also serve as a force multiplier to check air intrusions by enemy aircraft and missiles and also enable tracking of enemy radars, missile sites and ships, besides controlling combat missions. The Saab surveillance system is hailed as one of the most advanced airborne early warnings and control systems available with sophisticated sensors and communication suites.

PAF is in talks with China for the supply of four AWACS planes, which are to be handed over from 2011 into 2012. These would be Il-76-based platforms, a derivative of the Russian Beriev A-50 Mainstay system, which it has copied.

The PAF is also scheduled to receive 18 new F-16 planes equipped with several new weapons by July 2010, and would also receive surface-to-air missile systems by the end of next year. The new JF-17 Thunder squadron is to be made operational by June 2010.

F-35B Joint Strike Fighter for UK 31 December 2009

Lockheed Martin has announced that UK has sanctioned the purchase of its third F-35B Lightning II operational test aircraft. This decision reinforces UK’s continued commitment to the Joint Strike Fighter programme. Having invested $2 billion in the development of the F-35, the UK is the largest contributor among the eight partner nations.

More than 100 British companies including BAE Systems are involved in the programme to produce the craft fuselage and tail. Rolls-Royce is developing and manufacturing the shaft-driven lift fan and other propulsion components for the F-35B STOVL variant and Martin Baker is providing the ejection seats. The F-35 is a supersonic, multi-role, fifth-generation stealth fighter. Lockheed claims that the three variants derived from a common design, developed together and using the same sustainment infrastructure worldwide will make the Lightning II the most cost-effective fighter programme in history.

Honeywell Outsourcing Engines from HAL

Phoenix-based Honeywell plans to outsource the manufacturing of 600 turboprop engines to Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). The Honeywell-HAL collaboration, already a quarter century old, has HAL manufacturing 225 units of the 13,000 units of the TPE331 engines. The TPE331 engines operate on over 80 aircraft platforms around the globe. Some of these are currently in use by the Indian Coast Guard, Navy and Air Force. The Indian region continues to be an important part of the company’s global growth strategy as a manufacturing location, export hub and centre of engineering and R&D excellence. Honeywell recently invested $34 million to set up a technology centre dedicated to refining and petrochemical processing in Gurgaon. Earlier this year, a $50-million R&D and engineering facility was inaugurated in Bangalore.

HAL to Make Heavy Investments

Speaking to reporters, Ashok Nayak, Chairman, HAL, said the PSU would invest Rs 25,000 crore to enhance production capacity for different models of aircraft in the next ten years. A few of the big ticket projects in the pipeline include commercial aircraft, fifth generation fighter aircraft, multi-role transport aircraft and regional transport aircraft. The prototype of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopter, the lighter version of the weaponised ALH would also be ready in two weeks while its flight tests would continue for over ten weeks. HAL has grounded its MRO facility plan for commercial aircraft in the wake of the slowdown but its Canadian helicopter simulator training facility in Bangalore is expected to be operational by 2011. Presently, the PSU’s order book position stands at Rs 60,000 crore.

CFM Training Centre

As per the agreement signed in October this year, aircraft engine manufacturer, CFM International is set to establish a new CFM56 maintenance training centre and commence operations by late January 2010 at the GMR Aerospace Park to support its customers in the Indian sub-continent. The facility, to be constructed by GMR Hyderabad International Airport Ltd. (GHIAL), will be leased to CFM – a 50:50 joint venture company between Snecma (SAFRAN Group) and General Electric Company, USA. The CFM International’s CFM56 series is a family of high-bypass turbofan engines, which is also one of the most prolific engine types in the world. It has been associated with the Boeing 737-300 for more than 25 years, and the engine still powers the newest variants – the 737-900ER and 737-700ER. Apart from being an option on the Airbus A320 family, the engine is the sole power plant of the A340-200 & -300.

Setting up this maintenance training centre in Hyderabad will benefit the Indian commercial aviation industry immensely to reduce costs and aircraft down time as well as conserve valuable foreign exchange for the country.

NAVAL SYSTEMS

Indian Navy and Boeing P-8I Contract 29 October 2009

Boeing Integrated Defence Systems has entered into agreements with Indian defence public sector companies such as Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Electronic Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) for the supply of equipment which will be fitted on Indian P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft. In January 2009, Boeing won a $2.1 billion contract from the Indian Navy to provide eight P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft, making India the first international customer for the P-8. The deal overtook an earlier $1 billion Lockheed sale of six C-130J Super Hercules military transport planes to the IAF to become the largest US arms sale to India to date.

The P-8I, a variant of the US Navy’s P-8A Poseidon, is a long-range, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft. Boeing is developing the P-8A Poseidon for the US Navy and initial operational clearance is scheduled for 2013. Boeing is to deliver the first P-8I within 48 months of signing the contract and the remaining seven by 2015. A derivative of the Next-Generation 737, the P-8A Poseidon is a long-range anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance aircraft, which is capable of broad area maritime and littoral operations. The P-8A Poseidon is a true multi-mission platform with all sensors contributing to a single fused tactical situation display, which is then shared over both military standard and internet protocol data links, allowing for seamless delivery of information. While CFM International supplies the engine that powers the P-8A, Northrop Grumman provides the directional infrared countermeasures system and the electronic support measures system. The upgraded AN/APY-10 maritime surveillance radar and signals-intelligence solutions are Raytheon manufactured while GE Aviation supplies flight-management and stores-management systems. Spirit AeroSystems builds the 737 aircraft’s fuselage and airframe tail sections and struts.

Midgets for the Indian Navy 02 November 2009

The Indian Navy is believed to have initiated steps to procure five miniature submarines for its Marine Commando force to enhance its capability to carry out special underwater operations on the high seas. Weighing under 150 tonne and called ‘Midgets’, these are used by the advanced navies of the world for covert underwater operations and surveillance missions. With capacity to carry six commandos, Midgets have a diving depth of around 400 m. Equipped with a host of weapons including torpedoes; Midgets are capable of both manned and unmanned missions. 

India’s Nuclear Submarine Programme 03 December 2009

India’s first indigenous nuclear submarine, INS Arihant, will join the Indian Navy (IN) in two years, Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma told reporters ahead of the Navy Day on December 04, 2009. The first submarine to be built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme, Arihant, was launched for sea trials on July 26, 2009 at Visakhapatnam. The Arihant symbolises a quantum leap in the indigenous shipbuilding capability for the IN, which aims to have a potent underwater strategic arm. The IN will acquire in the long-term, three SSBNs (nuclear-powered submarines with long-range strategic missiles) and six SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines). The 6,000-tonne plus INS Arihant will be more a technology demonstrator for the three subsequent follow-on nuclear submarines than an operational SSBN.

Launch of INS Arihant signifies India’s entry into the select group of five nations – the US, UK, Russia, France and China, which possess nuclear submarine building capability. The Navy is also looking for a suitable place to start a second assembly line for constructing six additional submarines in addition to half-a-dozen Scorpenes being built at the Mazgaon docks.

Denying that the Navy’s blue water objectives had been diluted due to the additional brown water responsibilities closer to the shore in wake of the Mumbai terror attacks last year, Admiral Verma emphasised that post 26/11, the Navy has been entrusted with the responsibility of overall maritime security through coordination amongst central and state agencies including Coast Guard, Customs, Marine Police, Central Industrial Security Force and fishermen.

The IN is all set to go nuclear with the 12,000-tonne K-152 Nerpa Akula-II Class submarine to be acquired on a 10-year lease from Russia This sub is expected to arrive in India in March 2010 and will be rechristened ‘INS Chakra’. Apart from being deterrence, Nerpa will train Indian sailors in the complexities of operations, maintenance and deployment of nuclear submarines. The Nerpa, Design 971, is a third-generation submarine with a top speed of 30 knots, a maximum depth of submergence at 600m and sea cruise endurance of 100 days. The submarine’s armament comprises four torpedo tubes of 533mm calibre and four 650-mm torpedo tubes.

Ship-based Dhanush Test Fired 14 December 2009

On December 13, 2009, the Indian Navy successfully test fired a Ship-based, Short-range Ballistic Missile (SRBM), ‘Dhanush’ from INS Subhadra anchored off the coast of Orissa. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the nuclear-capable ‘Dhanush’, a naval variant of the land-based Prithvi SRBM, has a range 350 km and a payload capacity of 500 kg. The missile followed a pre-designated trajectory for 520 seconds to cover 350 km and was tracked by radar systems of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located along the coast as also two naval ships anchored at appropriate locations. Maneuverability of the 10-metre long, six-ton single-stage missile was enhanced through the use of liquid propellant. With a Circular Error Probability (CEP) of less than 10 m, the Dhanush is primarily configured for a conventional role.

Gorshkov Refit Price Settled 17 December 2009

Just a week or so after the conclusion of the Indo-Russian summit in Moscow, a $2.3 billion final price may have been agreed upon for refurbishing the Admiral Gorshkov carrier. It is being suggested that India may have asked for some additional equipment to be supplied for the price and Russia may have obliged.

India may have also agreed to take delivery of the carrier by 2012 without levying any penalty on the shipyard. The figure of $2.3 billion takes credence from comments being attributed to unnamed Russian sources saying that the agreed price was ‘close to what the Indian Navy wanted’. Delays in re-furbishing the aircraft carrier and huge cost overruns turned out to be a source of great irritation in bilateral relations.

India had already paid $600 million at the time of the contract, and another $122 million in August 2009. The Sevmash shipyard, which is performing the repair work on the Gorshkov, has also received $250 million as credit from the Russian government to ensure that work on the carrier continued uninterrupted.

The original contract, signed in 2004, was for a sum of $974 million for refurbishment of the ship and a separate one of $600 million for the supply of 16 Mig-29K carrier borne aircraft, the first four of which have been delivered in a semi-knocked down condition. The MiG-29Ks will be based at the INS Hansa naval air base in Goa. The Indian Navy is believed to have submitted a proposal for additional 29 Mig-29K aircraft.

RFI for Carrier-based Fighters 29 December 2009

The Indian Navy has issued a Request For Information (RFI) for state-of-the-art, multi-role, new generation carrier-based fighter aircraft to four global aerospace firms, including Sweden’s SAAB for their fighter the Sea Gripen, which is a navalised version of the Gripen JAS-39. Others on offer are the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) for their Eurofighter Typhoon, the Boeing Integrated Defence System for their F/A-18 Super Hornet and France’s Dassault for its Rafale.

The new aircraft is likely to be deployed aboard the Navy’s second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), which is expected to be commissioned around 2018.

Of the four, both the American Super Hornet and the French Rafale have been developed as carrier-based platforms from the conception stage itself. The Typhoon and the Gripen will require a certain amount of modification.

The new aircraft will be in addition to the 16 MiG-29K that India is acquiring, as well as the naval version of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas which is currently under development.

Weapons Fit-out Commences on Indian Stealth Frigate 30 December 2009

Under a $1.6 billion deal signed between India and Russia in 2007, the process of installing weapons on the first of three stealth frigates, INS Teg, has been begun by Russian naval shipyard Yantar. The Krivak-class stealth frigate ‘INS Teg’ was ‘floated out’ by the yard recently.

Earlier ships of the Krivak 1135.6, or the Talwar Class, were supplied by the St Petersburg-based Baltiisky Zavod shipyard. INS Talwar was the lead ship followed by INS Trishul and INS Tabar. The contract for the three follow-on ships was given to the Yantar shipyard and these have been designated as INS Teg (Sabre), INS Tarkash (Quiver) and INS Trikand (Bow). These names continue an Indian naval tradition of naming warships of the same class beginning with same letter. The first ship, INS Teg is scheduled to be delivered to the Indian Navy in 2011, while the other two frigates are to be handed over in 2012.

LAND SYSTEMS

Anti-tank Defence System from IMI : 09 October 2009

From lessons learnt by the Israel Defence Forces in the 2006 Lebanon campaign against the Hezbollah as well as from Operation Cast Lead in Gaza against the Hamas, Israel Military Industries (IMI) have developed a new defence system to protect infantry and armoured forces from anti tank-missiles. Dubbed “Shock Absorber”, the system, claimed to be the first of its kind in the world, intercepts and deflects anti-tank missiles that have gained popularity amongst guerrilla forces and terror groups worldwide due to their increased accessibility and capability to cause greater material damage. Militaries around the world have expressed keen interest in the portable anti-missile system which can be deployed within minutes.

China Curious About Agni-V 16 October 2009

Having embarked on an ambitious defence programme, China has expressed concern India’s inter-continental, nuclear-capable Agni-V missile. This comes at a time when China is under extreme pressure from military powers around the world to be more transparent about its military expenditure and related development programme. Even as China seeks to cast her lot with the developing nations in world economic forums, she fails to provide adequate explanation about the huge funds utilised for the development of military hardware, especially the Dong-Feng (DF) 31A. Chinese media reports highlighted that India’s Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) had made the Agni-V missile highly road-mobile which would bring Harbin, China’s northernmost city, within striking range. The reports compared the Agni-V, planned to be test-fired in 2011, to the DF-31A presented on China’s National Day Military Parade.

The DF-31A, which reportedly has a range of 11,200km, can deploy three warheads, each capable of a 20-150 KT yield. It also has the capability to deploy decoys aimed to defeat missile defence systems. US Intelligence reports indicate that 15 such missiles have been deployed. The Agni-V, a three stage solid fueled missile, will carry multiple warheads (MIRV) which will also deploy countermeasures against anti-ballistic missile systems. In order to reduce weight and increase range, two stages of this missile are of composite material. The Agni-V will be similar to the DF-31A in that it will be a canisterised, road-mobile missile. The Agni-V will carry 3 to 10 MIRVs or separate nuclear warheads.

Arjun MBTs for the Indian Army 28 October 2009

The Indian Army will receive 124 Arjun Main Battle Tanks (MBT) by April 2010, according to W Selvamurthy, Chief Controller (R&D), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Arjun, a state-of-the-art MBT, has been designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) at Avadi in Tamil Nadu.

Defence Procurement Procedure 2009 28 October 2009

India’s new Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2009 will allow domestic private companies to bid for tenders for the armed forces alongside Public Sector Defence Units (PSDU) as well as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). Domestic manufacturers may subsequently join hands with foreign manufacturers for co-production through joint ventures. So far the DRDO and the PSDUs were the only domestic agencies bidding for the tenders jointly with foreign firms.

Addressing a seminar on Defence Acquisition, Defence Minister AK Antony emphasized that the current review of the DPP was aimed at ‘promoting and facilitating’ the Indian industry and ‘transparency and integrity’ in defence acquisitions. The review of the DPP would henceforth be carried out on an annual basis instead of biennially as done previously.

Under terms of the DPP 2008, tender papers were issued only to foreign vendors, who were required to transfer technology to an Indian defence firm, called production agency, under a ‘Buy and Make’ category. This does not promote setting up joint venture or co-production arrangements in India by big foreign original equipment manufacturers. In order to obviate the above shortcoming, the Buy and Make (Indian) category is being introduced, which allows issue of request for proposals to Indian industries having requisite financial and technical capabilities to absorb technology and undertake indigenous manufacture through transfer of technology and not through research and development.

Advanced APCs for Indian Army 11 November 2009

Unconfirmed reports suggest that the Indian Army may have issued a global Request for Information (RFI) for the supply of at least 100 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs). Reports suggest that these vehicles would be sourced from the manufacturer and the rest produced under a technology transfer agreement.

Russia is already exporting the BMP-3 ‘Troyka’ infantry combat vehicle, which is a more advanced version than that in service with the Indian Army. This is one of the most heavily armed infantry combat vehicles in service, fitted with a low velocity 2A70 100 mm rifled gun, which can fire conventional HE-Fragmentation shells or 9M117 (AT-10 Stabber) Anti-Tank Guided Missiles, a 2A72 dual feed auto-cannon with 500 rounds and a rate of fire of 350 to 400 rpm, and a 7.62 mm machine gun with 2,000 rounds, all mounted coaxially in the turret. There are also two 7.62 mm bow machine guns, again with 2,000 rounds each. The amphibious BMP-3 is capable of engaging targets out to 5,000-6,000 meters with its ATGM weapon system. But these are command-guided missile systems and not fire-and-forget systems. As a fighting vehicle, the $1.5 million Stryker will not offer much advantage over the Russian BMPs except in the critical area of networking. Strykers are networked vehicles which allow commanders to update themselves about the battlefield from each vehicle and also keep all vehicles under their command in the picture of the progress of ongoing combat.

M&M to Bid for Defence Projects 24 November 2009

Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), a unit of M&M will bid for defence projects in India worth $3.5 billion over the next seven years. MDS hopes to increase revenues from the current $21.7 million to $430 million by 2016 through joint ventures. In March 2009, M&M had sought shareholders’ approval to spin off two divisions of its defence unit into separate subsidiaries by transferring the land systems and naval systems divisions of MDS into separate companies.

MDS is a current supplier of the entire range of light combat/armoured vehicles and their derivatives for defence/security forces. It also is the largest private sector company supplying bullet-proof vehicles and sea mines. The company has been awarded industrial licenses by the government of India for Light Armoured Multi Role Vehicles, simulators for weapons and weapon systems, mobile surveillance platforms, sea mines, small arms and Up-armoured vehicles. With the Indian government changing its policy and allowing Indian firms to bid for large defence contracts, domestic companies can make inroads into the country defence market, which is expected to be nearly $100 billion over the next decade.

Mahindra – BAE Systems JV 30 November 2009

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and BAE Systems have signed an agreement to create a land systems-focused joint venture defence company in which Mahindra will have a 74 per cent equity and BAE Systems will have 26 per cent, the limit prescribed under the current foreign investment guidelines for the defence sector. Initially, the parties will invest $21.25 million in the project of which BAE Systems’ share will be $5.83 million. With its headquarters in Delhi, the manufacturing facility will be located in Faridabad.

BAE Systems is the global number one land systems defence company while the $6.3 billion Mahindra Group is the market leader in multi-utility vehicles in India apart from being the only Indian company among the top tractor brands in the world. It has also entered the passenger car segment with the Logan. Existing projects of the JV include the high mobility vehicle ‘Axe’ as well as up-armoured and bulletproof Scorpios, Boleros, Rakshak, rapid intervention vehicles and the ‘Marksman’ light armoured vehicle. The two partners have already been working on a new project to develop a mine protected vehicle designed for the Indian armed and paramilitary forces.

The companies have produced a prototype vehicle using the proven mine defeating technologies of BAE Systems South African RG series of vehicles and Mahindra’s knowledge of Indian requirements and conditions. The prototype vehicle currently named Mine Protected Vehicle India (MPVI) will eventually be manufactured at the JV facility in Faridabad using indigenously produced materials. The JV company also plans to enter a number of future artillery programme, including the M777 light weight howitzer and the FH77B 155mm howitzer.

NUCLEAR & SPACE TECHNOLOGY

India-IAEA Safeguards Agreement 16 October 2009

With India formally notifying its ‘Separation Plans’ to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Safeguards Agreement with the IAEA has become operational. The ‘Separation Plan’ formally separates India’s civil and military nuclear establishments.

Approved by the IAEA Board of Governors in August 2008, the agreement will become operational as the IAEA receives written notification from India that its statutory and/or constitutional requirements for entry into force have been met. The IAEA has currently applied safeguards to six nuclear reactors in India under the Safeguards Agreements concluded between 1971 and 1994. According to the international watchdog body additional reactors are expected to come under safeguards in the future under the aegis of the newly-signed agreement. Observers feel that activation of the Safeguards Agreement is likely to speed up negotiations for the reprocessing agreement currently underway between India and US; that the move by India to implement the ’separation plan’ is likely to put an end to criticism of the Indo-US civil nuclear treaty in the current US administration.

ISRO’s Oceansat-2 Data for NASA News 20 November 2009

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has signed an agreement with the Indian Space Research Organisation for use of data from Indian satellite Oceansat-2, which was launched on September 23, 2009 from Sriharikota using the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Oceansat-2 is designed to provide service continuity for operational users of the Ocean Colour Monitor (OCM) instrument on Oceansat-1. The agreement, signed in Washington, will lead to the use of data from Oceansat-2 for various US agencies for research, education and weather forecasting. Oceansat-2 contains eight bands of the OCM to study ocean biology, Ku band pencil beam, scatterometer to measure sea surface wind vectors and radio occultation sounder for atmospheric conditions.

ISRO’s Semi-cryogenic Technology 27 November 2009

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has set larger objectives for itself in areas of national development and space science as it seeks to create synergy between space, defence, aeronautics and atomic energy sectors, according to the Chairman, K.Radhakrishnan.

According to Radhakrishnan, India’s first launch vehicle with an indigenous cryogenic engine, the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D3), was in the final stages of preparation and was scheduled for launch in December 2009. Indian space scientists have also been developing semi-cryogenic propulsion technology, which will use kerosene and allow Indian launcher rockets to carry payloads of up to six tonne, nearly three times the current capability. Semi-cryogenic technology uses pure aviation-grade kerosene in place of liquid hydrogen while cryogenic technology uses liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

Indigenous Cryogenic Engine for GSLV-D3 05 December 2009

With the launch of its 49m tall, 414-tonne Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV), in January 2010, India will join a select group of countries such as the US, Russia, France, Japan and China, to possess cryogenic engine technology. The GSLV-D3 will carry as its payload, the GSAT-4, a two-tonne communication satellite, which will carry a multi-beam Ka-band bent pipe and regenerative transponder and navigation payload in C, L1 and L5 bands with the capability to guide civil and military aircraft.

The GSAT-4 will also carry a scientific payload, TAUVEX, comprising three ultra violet band telescopes developed by Tel Aviv University and Israel space agency (ELOP) for surveying a large part of the sky in the 1,400-3,200 angstrom wavelengths. All earlier GSLV missions used Russian cryogenic engines, but this time the indigenously developed cryogenic engine will power the third stage of the GSLV launcher, which will position the GSAT-4 in Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO), at an altitude of 36,000 km above the earth. After two developmental flights, GSLVs with Russian cryogenic engines were designated as operational rockets, but GSLV-D3 will once again be designated a development flight as an ISRO-built cryogenic engine will be powering one of the stages for the first time. While the first stage of the GSLV is a solid fuel booster with four strap-on motors, the second stage is a liquid engine. The third and the last is the cryogenic stage.

The development of the cryogenic engine began in 1986 but ran into a series of problems forcing ISRO to enter into a $120 million contract with Russian space agency Glavkosmos for the supply of two cryogenic engines with transfer of technology arrangements. However, the process was obstructed by the US on the grounds that this transfer violated the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) guidelines, blacklisting both organisations for a while. India’s first cryogenic engine test was aborted after 15 seconds instead of the planned duration of 30 seconds. The data obtained from this test, however, allowed a successful ground test of 480 seconds on August 04, 2007.

With the development of the indigenous Cryogenic Upper Stage (CUS) the organisation has mastered complexities in the fabrication of stage tanks, structures, and engine and its sub-systems and control components. The CUS employs special materials like aluminum, titanium, nickel and their alloys, bi-metallic materials and polyimides. The CUS programme is very significant for India’s space programme as it will help launch a new class of space launchers – the GSLV Mk-III. These vehicles will be capable of initially launching satellites of 4,400 kg weight into Geo-synchronous Transfer Orbit, with capability to subsequently carry payloads of up to 6,000 kg.

Second AWACS from IAI for India in March 2010

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will get its second Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) from Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in March 2010. The first such system was delivered in the middle of 2009. Formalised in 2004, the AWACS project is a $1.1 billion tripartite contract amongst India, Israel and Russia for three Phalcon airborne radars integrated with the IL-76 heavy-lift aircraft. Developed by IAI, this system will significantly enhance the IAF’s capability for offensive and defensive air operations. Negotiations are in progress on the possible sale of another three AWACS, a deal worth $1.5 billion.

The Phalcon, designed and manufactured by Elta, a subsidiary of IAI, includes radar, electronic intelligence systems and communication equipment. IAI has also sold a similar system to the Chilean Air Force. Despite initial problems related to installation of the Elta early-warning radar suite on the Russian aircraft, IAI has been successful in creating an all-weather system with the capability of handling 60 targets simultaneously up to a range of 400 km. This system will provide for early detection of aerial threats as also to serve as a platform to direct interceptor aircraft to counter hostile threats.

SNECMA-GTRE tie-up for Kaveri Engine

As French conglomerate Safran expands its footprint through investments in the Indian commercial and defence aviation markets, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) received Indian government approval for Snecma to ‘partner’ with the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) for jointly developing the Kaveri aero engine. Snecma has indicated that the existing core would be at the heart of the Snecma – GTRE Kaveri engine and that it would take at least five years for the first engine to be produced. The Rs 2,839-crore Kaveri engine programme was launched in 1989 to power the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas. However, GTRE has not been able to develop on its own the Kaveri engine to the level required by the Indian Air Force. Snecma Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Philippe Petitcolin indicated that the technology could be transferred as fast as India could assimilate it, while GTRE Director, Mohan Rao said the capabilities of “the existing French core will be enhanced to suit the requirements of the Indian Air Force.”

The project, that is expected to cost the exchequer at least Rs 1,000 crore, has been delayed considerably on account of lack of consensus amongst the various agencies involved. The Snecma – GTRE Kaveri engine when developed, would replace the GE F404 (IN20) engine that in the absence of an alternative, will power the initial order for two squadrons of the Tejas. The Snecma-GTRE collaboration is expected to be formalised during the French President Nicolas Sarkozy’s forthcoming visit to India in March-April 2010.

CFM56 Training Center in India

CFM International, a joint venture company between Snecma of SAFRAN Group and General Electric Company, has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with GMR Hyderabad International Airport Limited for the establishment of CFM56 Maintenance Training Center at the Rajiv Gandhi Airport in Hyderabad. The new training center located in a Special Economic Zone at the airport dedicated to Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO), would initially provide advanced courses in line maintenance and inspection of CFM56-5B and CFM56-7B engines which power the majority of Airbus A320 family aircraft and all Boeing 737s, respectively. “Hyderabad is ideally located for attracting airline mechanics and engineers from India and South Asia,” said Paul-Andre Chevrin, CFM International (CFM) Vice-president for India. “Once the facility is fully operational, it will be capable of training up to 500 engineers each year.”

Speaking on the occasion G.M. Rao, Group Chairman, GMR Group, said, “This will benefit India’s entire aviation industry and help India’s airline companies to considerably reduce costs, conserve time, valuable foreign exchange and create huge employment opportunities for Indian youth. This is also a significant leap in our vision to develop the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport as a hub for MRO facility in South Asia.”