|
The Platform for Indian Defence Industry
|
|
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF'S NOTE
A lot is happening in J&K as also along the LoC and the IB. The situation in the Valley seems to be stabilising. While the burning of schools is an issue of great concern, the reaction of the people to this atrocious crime definitely isn't with the terrorists. The Army launching raids and search operations along with the local police, seems to be paying off, too. The stone pelters have also lost heart. The political process has been given an impetus with the visit of the Home Minister to Srinagar.
At the LoC, exchange of fire has been on the rise along with attempts at infiltration. The Pakistanis have reportedly used 120 mm Mortars, essentially an artillery weapon that opens up the possibility of further escalation. Artillery firing across the LoC was a regular feature till the ceasefire agreement of 2003 and both sides have suffered numerous casualties. While volatility at the LoC was expected as a sequel to the surgical strikes, apparently the casualty figures on their side are climbing more steeply than on the India side. As far as the Indians are concerned, the policy of leaving it to local commanders to decide on the response has surely allowed them to raise the costs for the Pakistani Army.
The long awaited Blacklisting Policy, as a part of DPP 2016, has been finalised. The policy is consistent with global practices and is based on grading the offence and penalisng the offender based on the gravity of the act. The policy will also apply to old cases of blacklisting, thereby allowing affected companies to apply for fresh tenders.
Certain major purchases have also been approved in the last Defence Acquisition Council Meeting on 07 November, 2016. These include 83 Tejas Mk 1 jets and 464 tanks. It also gave approval for 17 Light Combat Aircraft. The Tejas approval gives the assurance of adequate marketing opportunities to HAL. Hopefully, HAL will also be able to export the aircraft as it undertakes continuous product upgradation. The T 90 tanks approved will go a long way in modernization of our armour. Along with the additional 124 Arjun tanks already ordered, it should be possible for us upgrade the equipment profile of close to 50 tank regiments. The DAC also gave an approval to 598 mini UAVs, thus enhancing the surveillance capabilities at the battalion level. The artillery has been sanctioned to float tenders for six Pinacca Regiments. These 12 barrel rocket launchers have a range of 65 km, bringing within range, important communication centres in PoK.
We are in the process of conducting a survey on the DPP 2016. I will request you to kindly participate in the project and help us conduct an assessment of the DPP 2016, objectively. With the document having been released over eight months back, and the issue of Blacklisting also addressed, it's time to debate its contents. Either way, the Defence Minister had reiterated that it is a dynamic document and would evolve further, as it's put into practice.
As we go in for printing, the Prime Minister has announced his Surgical Strike on black money. Hopefully, his managers will be able to navigate through a maze of vested interests that would also sing in a chorus for status quo ante.
The other big news is Donald Trump winning the US presidential elections. The world will watch the trail that US-Russian relations traverse. The war in Syria, US pivot to the East, Russia's next steps in Ukraine, possible further dilution of US - Pakistan partnership and of course the trajectory of India - US relations will all be on the table, the next few months.
We look forward to providing you with more information and analysis on subjects of import to the Indian Defence Industry. Do stay tuned in.
|
|
|
|
SOME OF OUR SPECIAL FEATURES THIS MONTH
|
|
Pervasive Intangible Challenges for the Indian Navy
Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan (Retired)
The author expresses the apprehension that while tangible challenges that the Indian Navy's new Chief of Naval Staff faces are issues that often find great focus, intangibles often do not receive the attention that is required. Thus, while equipment and technology induction are often planned for, nurturing leadership development, integrity and pride in the Navy of the men and women who form the rank and file need also to be prioritised, equally. Read More... |
|
|
Need for Indigenization Of Defence Technology and 100 Per Cent FDI In Defence Manufacturing
Major General P K Chakravorty, VSM (Retired)
To be a world power one has to be self-reliant economically and in the field of Defence manufacturing. Despite all efforts we continue to import 70 percent of our defence equipment. The new Government has instituted numerous measures in terms of Make in India, Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) with the United States, a new Defence Procurement Policy (DPP) 2016 and working on a new Defence Procurement Manual. There is also a new approach with the Raksha Mantri listening to suggestions made by various agencies. Read More... |
|
|
Make In India: Maximising The Dividends
Lt Gen Rameshwar Yadav (Retired)
The Ministry of Defence has embarked on a process that holds out the hope of force modernization. The long pending demands of the armed forces are being addressed. But, as we switch gears, there is the necessity to ensure that at the core of the endeavour is the objective of self-sufficiency. Undoubtedly, cent percent indigenisation is no professional's mirage. However, we have to ensure that the billion plus dollars that we spend, gives our forces the teeth and our defence industry the capability and competence to be globally competitive both technologically and costs wise. The author, in his article, attempts to navigate through the maze to an institutionalized acceptance of a policy that rests on the marriage of our public sector's experience with the private sector's pace. Read More... |
|
|
New Blacklisting policy will ease procurement delays
Brig. SK Chatterji (retd)
The Indian Defence procurement has been plagued by delays for a decade, with large number of companies being blacklisted by the MoD on account of some or the other wrong doing. The role of middlemen, often serving without scruples, has supposedly been the main cause. Read More... |
|
|
|
|
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar interacted with the audience at the 'FINS Dialogue with Raksha Mantri' in Mumbai on October 12, 2016. FINS, or the Forum for Integrated National Security, is a think tank working on issues of national security. Moderated by BharatShakti.in founder Nitin A Gokhale, the Minister took several questions from the audience on Indian's defence preparedness and welfare measures for defence personnel. Parrikar said his biggest challenge in his two-year old tenure was dealing with old scams. He said defence production companies get blacklisted and procurements sometimes are stopped completely.
You can watch some of the videos here:
|
|
|
▪ Nitin A Gokhale speaking at FINS Dialogue with Raksha Mantri Manohar Parrikar in Mumbai
|
|
|
▪ Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar speaking at FINS Dialogue on 'Strengthening India's Defence Capabilities' (Mumbai - October 12, 2016)
|
|
|
▪ Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar in Dialogue with Shri Nitin Gokhale & Adv Bal Desai (Sec Gen FINS) on Strengthening India's Defence Capabilities at first FINS Dialogue in Mumbai on October 12, 2016.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
