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The Platform for Indian Defence Industry
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S NOTE
It's been a turbulent month since we published the last newsletter. At the top of the chart in terms incidents that shook us all, was the Chemical attack on the rebel held small township of Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib, Syria. As per the Americans and those aligned to them, Syrian aircrafts took off from Shayrat airbase and dropped the Sarin bomb. As per the Russians, rebel forces holding Khan Sheikhoun had a chemical arsenal which was hit during a Syrian air attack leading to the Sarin bomb being activated.
The Chinese PM was in US on a visit and was dining with President Trump when 59 Tomahawks left the decks of their mother ships in the Red Sea to flatten Sha yrat Airbase. As they flew, they generated a few pertinent messages about Trump's foreign policy and employment of American resources, globally.
Much of the so called Trump - Putin relationship has since been trashed. Russians are exactly where they were in Obama's perceptions. The rift between them and the Americans has hardly ever been more pronounced.
The Tomahawks also delivered a stern message to North Korea. How far will the North Koreans push the envelope, is yet to be seen.
The Bangladesh PM Begum Hasina was in Delhi for a state visit. The bigger issues of Defence Agreement with India and a Teesta Water Sharing Agreement didn't materialise, however, there is still a lot to cheer. PM Modi's big gesture was opening a $5 billion line of credit for Bangladesh. A total of 13 deals and 24 MoUs were signed during the visit. Bangladesh will elect its new Jatiyo Sangshad in 2018. It's in our interests that she wins and continues with her anti terrorism policies.
Amongst other important news is the issue of Kulbhusan Jadhav being sentenced to death by a military court in Pakistan. The individual, a businessman essentially, who has been a naval officer earlier, has been treated as a spy by Pakistan. Meanwhile, another twist has been added to the story with a retired Pakistani Lt Col missing in Nepal. On both sides, the knives are out. Hopefully, Jadhav will return home to his family and friends shortly.
As far as modernisation of the Indian armed forces is concerned, the Navy has decided to go in for three more Scorpene class submarines. Apparently, K9 155mm Howitzers order to L&T is also through. The deal for Kamov helicopters being manufactured in India is yet to progress enough to have the Russians and Indians signing on the dotted lines.
India has signed a mega agreement for an advanced defence system of medium-range surface-to-air missiles, launchers and communications technology, with the state-owned Israel Aerospace Industries. The Indian PM is also scheduled to visit Israel in July, 2018.
As we go into print, there are reports of the North Korean missile test having failed. The regime seems to be preparing for a nuclear test, though. Meanwhile two US aircraft carriers are stationed strategically, keeping open all available options open.
We have added to our policy page two more documents of interest to the defence industry. These are the Army Design Bureau's Future Core Technologies and Problem Statements, and also Compendium Problem Statement Vol II. You will certainly find both documents most comprehensive and useful.
» Future Core Technologies and Problem Statements
» Compendium Problem Statement Vol II
We will continue to provide you with more information and analysis on issues of import to the Indian Defence Industry. Do make our site a daily habit.
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SOME OF OUR SPECIAL FEATURES THIS MONTH
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Human Angles Of Defence Procurement
Lt Gen P R Shankar (Retd)
DPP 2016 was hailed as a path breaking document. It was meant to loosen the reins of an overbearing bureaucracy, usher in transparency, speed up the procurement process, provide impetus for FDI in defence and a lot more. However, inspite of the new policy being quite path breaking, industry leaders have not stopped complaining, timelines for procurement continue to elude us and there seems to be yet too much bureaucracy in the business. The author refers to the human dimension that is decisive in making any process work and identifies lack of knowledge as being the greater impediment. Read More...
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Impact of Recent Pakistan-China Collusive Tango
Maj Gen Harsha Kakar (Retd)
Pakistan announcing its intention of converting Gilgit-Pakistan to be their fifth province has fanned objections from all quarters. It's not just the Indian government, even separatists in J&K, the populace of these areas, terrorist groups and even Baloch leaders have opined against it. Pakistan would surely have anticipated the response such a move would generate, but were possibly pushed by the Chinese to do so with the China Pakistan Economic Corridor passing through the region. The Pakistani move displays its lack of commitment to resolving the Kashmir issue holistically, as the terrorist groups perceive. Read More... |
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Loose Springs of the Arab Spring
Anil Trigunayat
The narrative post the Arab Spring has neither been what the masses wanted nor exactly as the leadership would have desired. It has led to much bloodshed even as the aspirations of the people have not been fulfilled. The author provides a narrative of the cascading affects of Arab Spring engulfing the whole region, only for Tahrir Square to lose relevance as events unfolded, thereafter. Read More... |
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Perils of Not Indigenising Ordnance and Exploring The Export Option
Rear Admiral Sudarshan Y Shrikhande, IN (Retd)
In the first article on the subject published on this website on 7 Dec 2016, a historical review of some others' wars led the author to inferences that it would be extremely unwise for India to be so heavily dependent on ordnance imports in almost every category. Today, the refrain seems to be that India needs to be prepared for a short but intense war, perhaps along two-fronts. Read More... |
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At BharatShakti.in, our RFI/RFP pages attempt to inform you of business opportunities. While the Industry Capabilities listing page gives you details of various IDIs, their product range, niche capabilities and contact information, thus easing your search for the right partner for your business activities. Our Policy page is a repository of knowledge, hosting relevant government and departmental documents required for transacting in the area defence production. It also devotes space to FAQs on defence procurement that would be updated.
We at BharatShakti.in invite you all to be a part of our team. Do visit our pages regularly. Write to us, list your defence capabilities with us and engage with us. It's BharatShakti's faith and belief that the Indian Defence Industry is capable of addressing most of the requirements of Indian Armed Forces.
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