Endangered

India, Israel hold joint working group on terror

Jerusalem, March 14 (PTI): Observing that terrorism is a global phenomenon that can strike any country, India and Israel have held a meeting of thVe Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terorrism pledging to cooperate in the fight against the growing menace.

"The two sides discussed terrorist threats in the regional and global contexts as well as national counter-terrorism measures, combating terrorist financing, transfer of weapons to terrorists, menace of narco-trafficking and cooperation at multilateral fora", a statement from the Israeli foreign ministry said.

The Israeli delegation at the meeting was led by Miriam Ziv, Deputy Director General, Strategic Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while the Indian side was headed by K C Singh, Additional Secretary (International Organisations) at the MEA.

The meeting held in New Delhi yesterday was the sixth since the inception of JWG. It was preceded by third round of dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation on Monday. "The two sides had an extensive exchange of views on different issues related to disarmament and non-proliferation", the statement said.

"The dialogue was productive and useful. It provided an opportunity to underline the commitment to non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and the means of their delivery", it added.

The next meeting of the India-Israel Joint Working Group on Counter-Terrorism and dialogue on Disarmament and Non-Proliferation will be held in Israel.

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Wild Wild Web

Endangered

Panel suggests foreign tie-ups for DRDO

The committee conducting a peer review of the Defence Research and Development Organisation has suggested that the organisation enter into collaborations with foreign companies in R&D. The committee is headed by Dr P Padma Rao.

Defence Minister AK Antony told Parliament recently that one of the terms of references of the committee was to "utilise the expertise of selected non-resident Indians and foreign consultants, particularly those with experience in military-related research and development".

"The Rao committee would also explore opportunities of collaborative efforts with foreign academic and R&D institutions and military industries in the environment of liberalised economy," Antony said.

The panel is expected to recommend on how to maximise the participation of private partners in manufacturing of defence systems and products. The committee comprises seven members, including one each from the three-armed wings of the military.

The committee will also recommend on the modernisation of administrative, personnel and financial systems to achieve speedier implementation of projects and on development of cooperation with sister R&D agencies and academia to keep pace with advances in science and technology.

URI

Endangered

INS Viraat service life likely to be extended

NEW DELHI, MAR 15 (PTI)

Navy is exploring the possibility of extending the service life of its flag warship aircraft carrier INS Viraat till 2012.

"A study group has recommended that the extension of service life of the warship is possible up to 2012," Defence Minister A K Antony told Rajya Sabha in a written reply today.

He said the group had suggested that this was possible subject to certain repairs being undertaken in addition to routine periodic maintenance.

Presently, INS Viraat, inducted into the Navy in 1983, is its lone aircraft carrier. With a displacement of 28,000 tonnes, Viraat carries eight Sea Harriers and four Sea King anti-submarine warfare helicopters.

The carrier since its induction has gone in for as many as six major and minor midlife refits to keep it afloat.

India is expecting to induct its second carrier of 44,000 tonnes displacement Admiral Gorshkov by August next year.

Gorshkov, which has been re-christened INS Vikramaditya, is currently going in for an extensive refit in a Russian shipyard.

Endangered

Indian Army's advice on Bell-407, Eurocopter accepted

New Delhi, March 15 The trials of the Bell-407 and Eurocopter helicopters have been completed and the defence ministry has accepted the Indian Army's recommendations on the two machines, parliament was informed Thursday.

'The government has received a trial report of Bell-407 and Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter to be incorporated in the Indian Army,' Defence Minister A.K. Antony said in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.

'The trials have been completed and the general staff evaluation of the trial report approved by the Indian Army has been accepted by the ministry of defence,' he added.

There was no indication which machine had got the nod.

Informed sources said the details would be revealed only after negotiations between New Delhi and Washington were concluded, as the sale would be governed under the US law on foreign military sales.

The Indian Army has projected a requirement for a helicopter that can carry loads of up to 75 kg heights of 23,000 feet on the Siachen Glacier in Jammu and Kashmir. Flying at these heights poses unique challenges due to the rarefied atmosphere. The 197 helicopters the army proposes to purchase are meant to replace it's ageing fleet of Chetaks and Cheetahs, some of which were inducted more than three decades ago.

The army, which had issued its request for information (RFI) in 1999, had shortlisted the Bell-407 and the Eurocopter in its request for proposal.

The two machines underwent a series of extensive trials in the Siachen Glacier and the deserts of Rajasthan, where they will primarily be deployed.

According to an official, the army wants to buy 60 helicopters outright with the remaining 137 being licensed manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

URI

Endangered

MiG-23MFs to be phased out, last flight on March 20

AHMEDABAD, MAR 16 (PTI)

The MiG-23MF fighters of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will take to the skies for one last time on March 20 before being phased out.

Four of the only five existing MiG-23MF fighters of the IAF will fly for the last time from the frontline Jamnagar airbase in Gujarat before entering the annals of Indian military aviation history, official sources said today.

The fifth aircraft will be kept on display, they said.

Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi and South Western Air Command chief Air Marshal P K Mehra will be among those present to bid adieu to the fighters that were inducted into the IAF in the 1980s.

The MiG-23MF is a swing-wing interceptor able to vary the angle of its wings in three different positions to increase or decrease flying speeds, the sources said.

The fighter has a top speed of 2.35 Mach (approximately 2,500 km per hour) and was the first IAF aircraft to be equipped with beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missiles.

The last flight of these aircaft is special as they are part of the 224 squadron (nicknamed the Warlords) which was among the only two units (the other being 223 squadron) to have ever operated the swing-wing variant of the MiG-23s in countering possible threats from Pakistan's F-16s.

While 223 squadron switched over to MiG-29ASF jets in May 89, the Warlords continued operating the jets till date.

After this last symbolic flight, the 224 squadron will take a brief hiatus till the IAF buys new aircraft to equip the formation, sources said.

The sources these MiG variants, which are arguably the world's most powerful single-engine fighter jets, will be kept as gate-guardians or become part of the IAF's aviation history.

Some of the aircraft will be sent to the Air Force Academy at Dundigul in Hyderabad and the Air Force Museum in New Delhi. One each will be given to Vadodara and the army while another will be put up as a gate-guardian in Jamnagar, the sources said.

The MiG-23MFs carried 96 rockets or 1.5 tonnes of bombs of 100, 250 or 500 kg and had the ability to also assume air defence and ground attack roles.

With their MiG-23s, the Warlords had participated in various operations including the air defence of the Siachen glacier during 1985-86.

The 224 squadron was adjudged the best overall fighter unit of the Western Air Command in the same year.

The Warlords had the unique distinction of operating the first fighter aircraft from Thoise airfield in Ladakh on October 28, 1995.

During Operation Safed Sagar, the IAF's participation in the 1999 Kargil confilct, the squadron operated a six- aircraft detachment in the western sector and undertook round-the-clock air defence of Saurashtra and Kutch regions in Gujarat.

Endangered

Trials of 155-mm towed-guns complete: Antony

New Delhi, March 16 (PTI): Without specifying the choice, the Government on Thursday said that trials of 155 MM towed-guns had been completed.

This information was given by Defence Minister, A K Antony, to the Lok Sabha in reply to a question.

The Swedish SWS Defence Bofors and Israeli Soltam guns are in contention for Indian Army's project to acquire 400 upgraded 155MM .52 calibre guns at an estimated price of $ 4 billion.

Emphasising that the modernisation of the Corps of Artillery was an on-going process, the Minister said "this will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure as applicable from time to time."

"Induction of equipment is done only after ensuring compliance with the above procedures," Antony told the House.

The Indian Army has held an unprecedented four rounds of trials for the selection of the towed guns between 2002 and 2007, but political controversy seems to have bogged down the acquisition of the guns badly needed by it.

Endangered

Yet another milestone for LCA

Bangalore: The Aeronautical Development Agency's (ADA's) prestigious but delayed Light Combat Aircraft programme crossed another important milestone on Saturday with the first of the limited series production (LSP-1) aircraft successfully undertaking its low speed taxi trial.

The test will gladden the hearts of the LCA's end user - the Indian Air Force (IAF) - since the LSP aircraft are that much closer technically to the IAF's `SOP' (standard of production) requirements.

The low speed taxi trial which follows the completion of equally successful ground runs, is a key precursor to the aircraft's maiden flight, which engineers say could happen within a month. "All that is now left before the maiden flight is the clearance from the Safety Test Review Board and two high speed taxi trials."

Though the eight LSP aircraft, along with the two technical demonstrators (TDs) and five prototypes vehicles (PVs), are part of the LCA's flight test programme, they are just a step away from the actual series production aircraft which will fly in the IAF's combat squadrons. The LSP-1 is also the first LCA to be manufactured by the Aircraft Division of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

The LCA project got a boost in recent months with the IAF (that has placed an order for 20 aircraft worth approximately Rs. 2000 crore) steering the programme, engaging with both the design agency (ADA) and the manufacturing agency (HAL), and driving the certification process. The IAF's commitment was also evident when it selected the recently appointed Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal N.Anil Kumar Browne to head the LCA Review Group.

The IAF has decided to support the programme by posting a 14-member LCA Project Management Team to Bangalore that will be led by an Air Vice Marshal. The team, which will report directly to Air Head Quarters and have officers from the electronics, flying and mechanical branches, will according to sources "drive every aspect of the LCA programme to ensure that the LCA matures quickly into an operational platform".

However, according to sources the IAF has also made it clear to ADA and HAL that it will accept "nothing short of what it has contracted for." Among the critical areas that the IAF wants accelerated progress on are the digital flight control computer, the flight control system software, design changes to reduce the noise levels in the aircraft, availability of adequate number of line replacement units (to reduce cannibalising of spares between the existing aircraft), a lessening of the mean time between failures, and fitting of drop tanks. The LCA is probably the only programme where even after 638 sorties the drop tanks are yet to be fitted on the aircraft.

Endangered

Foreign technical know-how demanded for Arjun tanks
New Delhi, March 18: Even seven years after it was cleared for serial production, the country's main battle tank Arjun is yet to pass Army user trials and now recommendations have been made to DRDO to seek foreign tie-ups to overcome shortcomings in the tanks.

Army had put out requirement of 3,500 new tanks for its strike and armoured formations and with the induction of 300 T-90 tanks and upgradation of about 700 T-72 tanks, it is still far short of the mark.

Though the Army has given the nod for 300 more upgraded T-90 tanks to be built at the heavy vehicle factory at Avadi near Chennai, under technology transfer, the remaining Army tank rolls had to be filled by the Mbt Arjun.

Taking exception to what it labelled as "inordinate delay" in induction of these tanks, the parliamentary standing committee on defence has recommended that to remove any flaw or snag, the DRDO should take foreign help.

"The Ministry of Defence should think seriously as how to comply Arjun's requirements in a time-bound manner with the help of private industry-- joint ventureship or otherwise," the high-level committee said in its latest report just tabled in Parliament.

For the past one year, the Army and DRDO have been saying that Arjun would undergo comparative trails against Russian Mbt's T-90 and T-72m, but the exercise is yet to take off.

The committee in its report censured the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) saying it had failed the country in efforts to make it self-reliant in weapons systems and platforms and called for its total revamp by making it accountable through independent performance audits.

"It is perturbing," the committee said, adding "though the government accorded clearance for an indigenous MBT Arjun in May 1974, even after the lapse of 32 years, DRDO could not execute the mission."

"Inordinate delay has escalated the original cost of the MBT project from Rs 15.50 crore in 1974 to Rs 306 crore in 2005," it said, noting "yet no tank in service for all this money".

Army has serious reservation on the tank saying its large silhouette makes it a "sitting duck" in a tank to tank confrontation. Chief of Army Staff Gen J J Singh has said that Army could use the tank in different role in subsidiary sectors of confrontation.

Out of the 124 tanks ordered for production by the government, only 15 tanks have so far been built by the Avadi plant and only five have been given to armoured formations for trials.

While Arjun has been face teething problems, the country's main adversary Pakistan has produced and inducted the MBT al Khalid and Chinese Red Army has already produced fourth of the series of MBTs.

DRDO officials try to make light of the defects claiming that Arjun is far superior to both T-90 and upgraded T-72 tanks boasting of a second generation thermal imager to give it capability to engage targets at 2,500 metres.

"The tank has now been made capable of firing homing anti-tank Lahat missiles from its gun barrel, a capability which only T-90 has," the officials said.

While Pakistan has secured orders for export of al Khalid tanks to Persian Gulf and Arab states, the DRDO is saying that MBT Arjun has a good potential of exports to some "African countries".

They say the entire bulk of 124 tanks would be produced in 2008, but as per figures placed before the Defence Ministry, the Indian tank, priced at Rs 17.20 crore, is proving to be far costlier option than Russian T-90 tanks which the Army is currently buying for just Rs 12 crore a piece.

But for the Army, Arjun seems to be poser as the tank weighs 60 tons compared to 50-ton T-90 and T-72 tanks.

DRDO officials said once they get the Army nod, the heavy vehicle factory could roll out 50 tanks a year by 2009 and they are saying that initial snags could be rectified when future version of Arjun rolls out.

Endangered

N-submarine may be operational by 2012

NEW DELHI: After a series of technical hiccups, India's long-running project to build nuclear submarines is finally gaining momentum. As per the revised target, the Navy is likely to get the first such operational submarine by 2012.

Sources said this was the "general assessment" at a top-level meeting to review progress of the hush-hush Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) programme on Friday, which was attended by defence minister A K Antony, among others.

Though official word is hard to come by on the secretive ATV project, which formally kicked off in 1983 but has made excruciatingly slow progress since then, it's learnt that the first prototype of the nuclear-powered guided-missile attack submarine would be "launched" in the "near future".

"And if there are no more hitches, the first of the two ATVs should be ready for being commissioned into Navy by 2011-2012. The overall project cost has been hiked by 30% to take it to around Rs 14,000 crore, with ultimately five ATVs planned by around 2025," said a source.

The work on the ATV project revolves around the Vishakhapatnam naval dockyard, where the basic submarine hull and structure are fabricated, and the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research at Kalpakkam, where PWRs (pressurised water reactors) for the submarine's propulsion system are tested.

One of the main reasons for the long delay has been the technical problem of designing and fitting a miniaturised PWR and its containment vessel in the submarine's hull. After the PWRs designed by Bhabha Atomic Research Centre failed to pass muster, India had turned to Russia for two 90-megawatt PWRs and related parts. There are also some Israeli, French and German imprints in the project.

"There were some problems with the integration of the Russian PWRs also. Work is now going ahead with a mixed design for the propulsion system," said the source.

The entire aim behind the ATV programme is to have nuclear-powered submarines, armed with nuclear-tipped cruise or ballistic missiles, to ensure "credible" second-strike capabilities in consonance with India's "no-first use" nuclear doctrine.

Nuclear-powered submarines have higher speeds and can stay submerged much longer than conventional diesel-electric submarines - which have to surface or snorkel frequently to get oxygen to recharge batteries - and thereby provide a much more invulnerable launch pad for nuclear weapons.

Though India already has nuclear-capable aircraft and mobile land-based missiles like Agni-I and Agni-II, it's hoped the ATV project will finally provide it with the third leg of the nuclear triad.

Endangered

MIG-23 is history, bids adieu to IAF

New Delhi: Indian Air Force’s MiG-23 MF fighters jets, which played a key role in countering threat from Pakistan's F-16s for the last 25-years bid adieu with one last ceremonial flight on Tuesday.

The last MiG-23 flight took place at the Jamnagar airbase in the presence of top IAF officials, including Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi. The fifth jet was ceremonially towed in front of the guests.

During the ceremonial flight, a MIG-23 MF aircraft flew from the airbase carrying a banner behind it that read: "End of an era".

"This is indeed a very emotional moment for us as these aircraft in which our men have worked for several years will now become a part of aviation history. It is not easy to say goodbye," Tyagi was quoted by PTI.

The Russian-made MiG-23s were phased out because heavy financial costs were being incurred on their maintenance. "Its too costly to maintain them because of the non-availability of spare parts. Maintaining these aircraft was like maintaining vintage cars. Hence, the air force had to take the decision to phase these aircraft out," Tyagi said.

Endangered

Israeli firm to supply night vision equipment to India

Jerusalem, March 21 (PTI): Israeli firm Star Night Technologies Limited's subsidiary, SDS, has won a tender estimated at 30 million dollars to supply night vision equipment to the Indian Army, a media report said.

The order will be supplied over a two-year period and SDS is currently negotiating with Indian authorities on a date for the start of deliveries, business daily 'Globes' reported quoting sources.

Star Night declined to comment on the report, it said.

The company won the tender through a subsidiary, New Noga Light Ltd., which manufactures night-vision equipment and sniper rifle sights, it added.

The report follows an unpublicised visit by Army Chief General J J Singh to Israel about two weeks ago. Singh was given a demonstration of sophisticated weapons systems during his visit and also toured specialised training centres for anti-terror operations.

The Israeli Defence Ministry recently announced that India was its single largest importer of defence equipment worth 1.5 billion dollars last year.

This constituted about 50 per cent of Israel's defence exports and about 30 per cent of India's imports.

URI

Endangered

WITHDRAWAL OF CHETAK AND CHEETAH HELICOPTERS

Rajya Sabha

Government proposes to withdraw Chetak and Cheetah helicopters from the Army, because the existing fleet of helicopters is of 1960s and 1970s vintage and hence, inadequate for the present operational requirement of the Indian Army.

Based on the qualitative requirements framed by the Indian Army, the acquisition process in terms of the Defence Procurement Procedure for procurement of new helicopters compliant with these qualitative requirements, is under way.

This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Smt Jaya Bachchan in Rajya Sabha today.

Endangered

Defence: private sector poised to play a big role

BANGALORE: The Government of India might shortly enter into financial collaborations with the private sector in defence equipment manufacture.

Its investment will primarily be for the design and development of defence products that will be jointly developed, and could amount to a maximum of 25 per cent of the developmental costs.

The Government's financial stake will ensure product quality and assured orders from the armed forces. But the investments will be restricted to manufacturing companies that are listed as `Raksha Udyog Ratnas' (RURs), or "Champions."

According to N.R. Mohanty, former chairman and managing director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Independent Technical Expert on the Defence Ministry's committee that is selecting companies that are to be given the RUR status, the list of such companies could be out as early as April.

Mr. Mohanty said: "Applications have been invited from the companies that have a Rs. 1,000-crore turnover and a capital outlay of Rs. 100 crore. A few companies have made presentations before the committee; some have also been visited (by Engineers India Limited who are providing the requisite technical support) for verification."

Once on the RUR list, a company will be able to compete on a par with public sector enterprises (PSEs) or other RURs for lucrative contracts such as undertaking licence production with transfer of technology from overseas sources and involve in prestigious development projects.

The RUR list could have giants such as Larson and Turbo, Tatas, Reliance, Mahindra & Mahindra and others that have the technical and financial competence to build fighter aircraft, tanks or warships.

Those PSEs, which are not in defence production, but keen on getting into it, could also apply for the RUR status.

Mr. Mohanty disagreed that defence PSEs would be at a disadvantage vis-à-vis their private sector competitors. "This will enhance competition and efficiency in the defence PSEs."

According to Mr. Mohanty, the decision to go in for RURs would not only enlarge the country's technical base, but also create employment and wealth to small and medium enterprises.

"Becoming an RUR naturally means more global business opportunities," he said.

Once recognised as an RUR, a company would enjoy the status for five years, with the possibility of a three-year renewal.

The genesis for RURs stems from the Government's Defence Procurement Policy 2006, under which in a bid to strengthen self-reliance in defence preparedness, it had constituted the Vijay Kelkar Committee "to examine and recommend changes in the acquisition process in order to synergise the efforts of various stakeholders, improve the prospects of indigenous production and to utilise the resources available both in the public and private sector".

The Kelkar Committee had in turn recommended that tier-I industries may be identified and systematically encouraged to contribute in defence production, eventually becoming system integrators of large weapon systems and producers of platforms that are required by India's defence forces.

Endangered

Putin asks his govt to speed up defence projects with India

VINAY SHUKLA, MOSCOW, MAR 21 (PTI)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked his government to speed up joint defence projects with India.

"I would ask you to speed up implementation of joint projects agreed during our visit to India in January," Putin said presiding over the meeting of Federal Commission for Military-Technical Cooperation (MTC) with foreign countries at his country residence Novo-Ogoryovo last night.

In his televised opening remarks at the nodal arms export control body meeting Putin underscored that Russia should seek to develop weapons together with foreign partners, including India.

"Our primary objective is to find new forms of cooperation. The priority here is certainly joint weapon development and their subsequent serial production both for the domestic and export markets," he stressed.

During the Russian President's visit to New Delhi in January, India and Russia agreed to jointly develop and produce a fifth generation fighter aircraft and multi-role transport aircraft (MTA) with the involvement of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russia's Sukhoi Corporation.

Putin also lauded the performance of NPO Mashinostroyenia, the Russian partner in the BrahMos Aerospace joint venture with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

According to local defence experts BrahMos Aerospace has been given a green signal by the two governments for the export of its deadly anti-ship cruise missiles to third "friendly" countries.

India and Russia have a long history of military cooperation, which goes back almost half a century. The existing Indo-Russian military-technical cooperation programme till 2010 covers up to 200 projects to the tune of USD 18 billion.

Addressing the MTC Putin said that Russia has defence exports orders worth USD 30 billion.

India and China remain leading importers of Russian armaments, accounting for some 80 per cent of the country's total weapons exports.

But Russia, as local defence experts say is trying to breakout of the "Indo-Chinese ghetto" and has been looking to expand its presence on arms markets in Latin America and the Middle East, and currently supplies weapons to more than 60 countries.

Endangered

Army to get BrahMos missile this year

New Delhi: The Indian Army will start inducting the supersonic cruise missile this year as the tests of the BrahMos complete successfully.

A total of 13 tests were conducted with the missile jointly developed by India and Russia and the Indian Army was satisfied with its "precision hits", BrahMos Aerospace CEO Sivathanu Pillai said in Moscow.

The army will get the missiles mounted on mobile platforms in "large numbers", said Pillai in an interview to weekly Nezavisimoye Voyennoe Obozrenie (Independent Military Review).

India and Russia are the only countries possessing a supersonic cruise missile, which will end the era of the much-hyped US Tomahawk cruise missiles, Pillai said.

Pillai said there were plans for exporting the missile, too. He pointed out that the country had a huge potential for exporting defence products, particularly to Asian countries.

Pillai also indicated that India is going to treble the production of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.

The Indian Navy has already inducted the anti-ship version of the BrahMos. An air-to-surface version is in advanced stages of development and the only task remaining is its integration with the on-board avionics of the platform that will deliver it, he said.

"With a range of 299 km, the BrahMos cruise missile flies at the speed of 2.8 Mach (almost three times the speed of sound), while the Tomahawk is a subsonic cruise missile with the speed of 0.8 Mach," as quoted by PTI, Pillai said.

The US had effectively used Tomahawks during the Gulf war, but active work has been underway across the world since then to counter the missile. However, there are no means to counter the BrahMos, which is much faster than the Tomahawk.

"India and Russia today have a monopoly in the field and BrahMos will end the era of Tomahawks," Pillai said in his interview published under the title "Moskva river becomes tributary of Brahmaputra to drown the much-hyped Tomahawk".

The name for the missile, a combination of Russia's quiet Moskva river and India's furious Brahmaputra, was suggested by President A P J Abdul Kalam, who initiated the BrahMos project as chief of the Defence Research and Development Organisation.