Indian Army (IA): Equipment and News

AlfaT8 wrote:

Militarov wrote:"Ministry of Defence of India  and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems finalized deal for for Spike anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) systems, reported by www.israeldefense.co.il.

India will acquire 275 launchers and 5,500 Spike missiles in completed and kit form along with an undisclosed number of simulators. The deal also includes a technology transfer to India’s state-owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) to build another 1,500 systems and around 30,000 additional missiles. The contract is likely to be confirmed before or during the visit of Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to India later this year.

Deliveries are expected to be completed 48-60 months thereafter, while BDL will continue to license-build the Spike for the next 20-25 years.

In the early stages of the negotiations, India approved the acquisition of 1,914 ATGM launchers and 37,860 missiles. It was later published that they only want 321 launchers and 8356 missiles. The meaning of the new agreement is that India prefers to produce the systems and the missiles itself rather than to rely on direct procurement from Rafael."

Source: http://defence-blog.com/news/ministry-of-defence-of-india-and-israel-finalized-deal-for-spike-missiles.html

Price?

$525 million was the number i saw few months ago being mentioned.

The defence ministry paved the way on Saturday for purchase of 145 M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer artillery guns, worth about $750 million, from the US and also approved bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the first acquisition of such a weapon systems by the Indian Army in three decades since the Bofors scandal.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired defence minister Manohar Parrikar, took up 18 proposals including new schemes worth Rs 28,000 crore for discussion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to upgrade the country’s military hardware by replenishing its range of artillery weapons after years of delays in ordering new equipment.

But Modi wants deals with foreign companies to include the setting up of factories and plants in India to boost the local industry.
Another key project that got an Acceptance of Necessity (AON), which will now allow the Indian Navy to issue tenders, was the proposal to build six next generation missile vessels under ‘Buy Indian’ category for Rs 13,600 crore.

“DAC has approved progressing of ongoing case of procurement of 145 ultralight howitzers through the foreign military sales (FMS) route from US. DAC directed independent progressing of offset. The delivery of these guns will be in India which will help in substantial saving of transportation cost,” a senior defence ministry official said.

The DAC has also shortened the supply period of the guns, with a strike range of 25km, sources said though the exact period could not be known.
Explaining the process, the officer said that India had sent a letter of request to the US government showing interest in buying the guns which will be deployed in high altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, bordering China.

The US had responded with a letter of acceptance and the DAC looked into the terms and conditions and approved it.

This letter will now be sent back to the US and the process for the payment of first instalment will begin.

The offsets, under which BAE Systems, manufacturer of the gun, will invest about $200 million, will be pursued independently.

While 25 guns will come to India in a fly away condition, the rest will be assembled at the proposed Assembly Integration and Test facility for the weapon system in India in partnership with Mahindra.

The DAC also noted the “satisfactory progress” in manufacture of indigenous Dhanush guns, also known as Desi Bofors.

“While three guns would be delivered for user exploitation by June 30, three more will be handed over by September end. DAC also cleared bulk production of 18 guns to enable better exploitation and setting up of indigenous production,” the officer said.

The gun, a towed howitzer with a strike range of 38-km, has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata, after going through the design and voluminous documents running into more than 12,000 pages which were delivered to India under the first phase of Transfer of Technology as part of the Bofors gun deal in late 80s.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-clears-deal-to-buy-145-artillery-guns-at-750-million-from-us/story-0YFAFCsejkMb8IixPV1KIO.html

Pinto wrote:The defence ministry paved the way on Saturday for purchase of 145 M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer artillery guns, worth about $750 million, from the US and also approved bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the first acquisition of such a weapon systems by the Indian Army in three decades since the Bofors scandal.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired defence minister Manohar Parrikar, took up 18 proposals including new schemes worth Rs 28,000 crore for discussion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to upgrade the country’s military hardware by replenishing its range of artillery weapons after years of delays in ordering new equipment.

But Modi wants deals with foreign companies to include the setting up of factories and plants in India to boost the local industry.
Another key project that got an Acceptance of Necessity (AON), which will now allow the Indian Navy to issue tenders, was the proposal to build six next generation missile vessels under ‘Buy Indian’ category for Rs 13,600 crore.

“DAC has approved progressing of ongoing case of procurement of 145 ultralight howitzers through the foreign military sales (FMS) route from US. DAC directed independent progressing of offset. The delivery of these guns will be in India which will help in substantial saving of transportation cost,” a senior defence ministry official said.

The DAC has also shortened the supply period of the guns, with a strike range of 25km, sources said though the exact period could not be known.
Explaining the process, the officer said that India had sent a letter of request to the US government showing interest in buying the guns which will be deployed in high altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, bordering China.

The US had responded with a letter of acceptance and the DAC looked into the terms and conditions and approved it.

This letter will now be sent back to the US and the process for the payment of first instalment will begin.

The offsets, under which BAE Systems, manufacturer of the gun, will invest about $200 million, will be pursued independently.

While 25 guns will come to India in a fly away condition, the rest will be assembled at the proposed Assembly Integration and Test facility for the weapon system in India in partnership with Mahindra.

The DAC also noted the “satisfactory progress” in manufacture of indigenous Dhanush guns, also known as Desi Bofors.

“While three guns would be delivered for user exploitation by June 30, three more will be handed over by September end. DAC also cleared bulk production of 18 guns to enable better exploitation and setting up of indigenous production,” the officer said.

The gun, a towed howitzer with a strike range of 38-km, has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata, after going through the design and voluminous documents running into more than 12,000 pages which were delivered to India under the first phase of Transfer of Technology as part of the Bofors gun deal in late 80s.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-clears-deal-to-buy-145-artillery-guns-at-750-million-from-us/story-0YFAFCsejkMb8IixPV1KIO.html

Hmmm.. a wise choice from the weight alone, although when did India start caring about weight, this is the same country that made that god forsaken Arjun tank and doesn't usually give a damn about logistics, this seems like a stopgap for the Dhanush.

AlfaT8 wrote:

Pinto wrote:The defence ministry paved the way on Saturday for purchase of 145 M777 Ultra Lightweight Howitzer artillery guns, worth about $750 million, from the US and also approved bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the first acquisition of such a weapon systems by the Indian Army in three decades since the Bofors scandal.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired defence minister Manohar Parrikar, took up 18 proposals including new schemes worth Rs 28,000 crore for discussion.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to upgrade the country’s military hardware by replenishing its range of artillery weapons after years of delays in ordering new equipment.

But Modi wants deals with foreign companies to include the setting up of factories and plants in India to boost the local industry.
Another key project that got an Acceptance of Necessity (AON), which will now allow the Indian Navy to issue tenders, was the proposal to build six next generation missile vessels under ‘Buy Indian’ category for Rs 13,600 crore.

“DAC has approved progressing of ongoing case of procurement of 145 ultralight howitzers through the foreign military sales (FMS) route from US. DAC directed independent progressing of offset. The delivery of these guns will be in India which will help in substantial saving of transportation cost,” a senior defence ministry official said.

The DAC has also shortened the supply period of the guns, with a strike range of 25km, sources said though the exact period could not be known.
Explaining the process, the officer said that India had sent a letter of request to the US government showing interest in buying the guns which will be deployed in high altitude areas in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh, bordering China.

The US had responded with a letter of acceptance and the DAC looked into the terms and conditions and approved it.

This letter will now be sent back to the US and the process for the payment of first instalment will begin.

The offsets, under which BAE Systems, manufacturer of the gun, will invest about $200 million, will be pursued independently.

While 25 guns will come to India in a fly away condition, the rest will be assembled at the proposed Assembly Integration and Test facility for the weapon system in India in partnership with Mahindra.

The DAC also noted the “satisfactory progress” in manufacture of indigenous Dhanush guns, also known as Desi Bofors.

“While three guns would be delivered for user exploitation by June 30, three more will be handed over by September end. DAC also cleared bulk production of 18 guns to enable better exploitation and setting up of indigenous production,” the officer said.

The gun, a towed howitzer with a strike range of 38-km, has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata, after going through the design and voluminous documents running into more than 12,000 pages which were delivered to India under the first phase of Transfer of Technology as part of the Bofors gun deal in late 80s.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-clears-deal-to-buy-145-artillery-guns-at-750-million-from-us/story-0YFAFCsejkMb8IixPV1KIO.html

Hmmm.. a wise choice from the weight alone, although when did India start caring about weight, this is the same country that made that god forsaken Arjun tank and doesn't usually give a damn about logistics, this seems like a stopgap for the Dhanush.

nah bro this deal is specifically for newly raise mountain division for china border, so weight was an issue to deply it in rough terrain unlike india-pak plains

India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has completed price negotiations with the Indian private-sector company Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the supply of 100 modified South Korean K-9 self-propelled howitzers (SPHs) for around USD750 million.

Industry sources said the tender for the K-9 Vajra (Thunderbolt), which is an L&T-modified version of Samsung Techwin's K-9 155 mm/52-calibre tracked SPH produced under a collaborative agreement, will now go to the Cabinet Committee on Security, headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for approval before being signed.

The option for an additional 50 K-9s is to be included in the contract, which is likely to be signed before the end of the current financial year, in March 2017.

The 47-tonne K-9 SPHs, which are being procured for the Indian Army under the 'Buy Global' category of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), would be built at L&T's Talegaon plant near Pune in western India as part of a joint venture (JV) with Samsung.

However, the SPH's supplementary K-10 munitions supply vehicle, built on the K-9 platform, is not part of the tender.

L&T sources said the SPHs would include 50% indigenous content. This would involve fabricating the K-9's hull and turret structure and locally developing 14 sub-systems such as the fire control and communication systems.

In service with South Korea, Poland and Turkey, the K-9 was shortlisted in trials in early 2014 that featured Russia's MSTA-S 152 mm SPH upgraded to a 155 mm/45-cal standard.

Powered by a German-designed MTU MT881 Ka 500 V8 water-cooled 1,000 hp diesel engine coupled to a fully automatic US-origin Allison transmission system, the K-9 is operated by a crew of five.

Capable of firing various projectiles with strike ranges of between 18 and 40 km, the K-9 has an operational range of 450 km, while its hydro-pneumatic tracked suspension and high ground clearance ensure good mobility across rough terrain.

http://www.janes.com/article/61971/india-completes-price-negotiations-for-100-modified-k-9-self-propelled-howitzers

NEW DELHI: Army has launched a fresh hunt for a new-generation assault rifle all over again. Rejecting the 5.56x45mm calibre Excalibur rifle offered by the DRDO-Ordnance Factory Board combine, the force has now decided to go in for a 7.62x51mm gun with “higher kill probability and stopping power”.

In the race to acquire high-end weapon systems, from submarines and fighters to howitzers and helicopters, basic weaponry and protective gear for ordinary foot-soldiers often do not get the requisite attention and push by the brass.

But the Army says it means business this time, shrugging aside failed attempts to acquire new rifles over the last decade.

The RFI (request for information) for the new 7.62mm assault rifles is going to be issued soon to elicit responses from around the globe. “The GSQRs (general staff qualitative requirements) or technical parameters for the rifles will then be formulated before the actual tender is floated to invite bids,” said a source.

It was in April that the Army commanders’ conference first discussed whether the force required a 7.62mm rifle that “killed” or a 5.56mm rifle that “incapacitated” enemy soldiers, as was then reported by TOI.

“The decision has now been taken to go for 7.62x51mm rifles with a higher kill probability and accuracy at an enhanced effective range of 500-metre,” said the source.

The military wisdom till now was that the 5.56mm rifle was better for conventional war because it generally injured an enemy soldier, tying down at least two of his colleagues to carry him in the battlefield. Conversely, the 7.62mm rifle was better for counter-insurgency since terrorists had to be killed at the first instance, eliminating the risk of “suicide bombing”.

Soldiers largely use the 7.62mm AK-47 rifles for counter-insurgency operations in Kashmir and the northeast, even though the infantry is saddled with the indigenous glitch-prone 5.56mm INSAS (Indian small arms system) rifles.

The fully-automatic Excalibur, which fires 5.56x45mm ammunition, is a much-improved version of INSAS rifle that entered service in 1994-1995. But the Army now wants 7.62mm rifles for greater lethality.

The Army’s overambitious experiment to induct rifles with interchangeable barrels, with a 5.56x45mm primary barrel for conventional warfare and a 7.62x39mm secondary one for counter-terrorism, miserably flopped last year.

As was first reported by TOI in May last year, the proposed mega project was junked since the rifles on offer by armament firms like Colt (US), Beretta (Italy), Ceska (Czech) and Israel Weapon Industries were not found cost-effective or suitable after extensive trials.

Under the project, 65,000 rifles were to be directly acquired from the selected vendor to equip the 120 infantry battalions deployed on the western and eastern fronts. The OFB was to then subsequently manufacture over 1,13,000 such rifles after getting transfer of technology from the foreign company .

http://www.defenceupdate.in/army-hunts-lethal-assault-rifle-junks-drdos-excalibur/

https://in.rbth.com/economics/defence/2016/07/14/india-russia-to-jointly-produce-artillery_611525

General Director of the "Uralvagonzavod" corporation Oleg Sienko and the CEO of the Indian company Bharat Forge Kalyani of the Kalyani Group signed a memorandum of understanding providing for the establishment of the co-production of self-propelled artillery units (SAU) in India.

"Our Indian partners have extensive experience in cooperation with the Ministry of Defence. We have extensive experience and expertise as part of creation of self-propelled artillery. We plan to gradually transfer the documentation as part of the Make in India program to jointly produce the installation "- said General Director of Uralvagonzavod. He also noted that the assembly line will be the first stage of cooperation to create the SAU, whose production is now carried out on the "Uraltransmash" (part of "Uralvagonzavod" corporation).

пустым не оставлять!!
Russian artillery in action
The Russian Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov and his Indian colleague Nirmala Sitharaman were present during the signing of the document. Technical cooperation between the two countries was planned to be developed in the framework of the Make in India program, providing for the creation of modern industries in India for various military and civilian equipment.

The Russian 2S19 self-propelled guns "MSTA-S" production "Uraltransmash" and South Korean K9 Thunder Samsung Techwin Company are competing as part of the ongoing tender for the purchase of self-propelled artillery of the Armed Forces of India. In total, India intends to spend $ 2.4 billion for the purchase of 814 artillery systems in the next 10 years, 100 of which will be purchased abroad (with 50 of them assembled in India), and the rest are to be manufactured in India.

First published in Russian by Lenta.ru.

http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/india-positions-tanks-in-eastern-ladakh-to-take-on-possible-chinese-threat-1432981



Ladakh: Tipu Sultan, Maharana Pratap and Aurangzeb are surveying the vast open valleys hugging the mountain ranges of eastern Ladakh, ready to counter any threat from China, which lies just across the border. If you are wondering how the three rulers, separated by hundreds of years, have come together, these are the names of three tanks of a regiment the Indian Army has positioned about six to eight months ago in eastern Ladakh.

India did briefly use tanks here in the 1962 India-China war (five were air dropped) but they were withdrawn after the humiliating defeat. Now, the tanks of the Indian Army are back in Eastern Ladakh for good.

For strategic and security reasons, NDTV will not identify the tank base in Eastern Ladakh just a few kilometres from the India-China border. Nearly 100 tanks have been positioned near the border; more are expected soon. "The vast flat valleys along the mountain ranges allow for armoured movement; besides, there has been an increase in the force levels across the border as well," a senior officer who didn't want to be identified told NDTV.

But maintaining tanks in these heights isn't easy. "The air is rarified and temperatures go down to -45 degree Celsius, these affect the performance of the tanks," Colonel Vijay Dalal who commands the tank unit told NDTV. The Indian military uses special lubricants and fuel to keep the tanks running, he said, and added that at least twice every night, the engines are revved-up to keep the systems in order. "It is indeed a very difficult task, but we have worked out a process to overcome these challenges," he said as a set of three tanks maneuvered into potential attack positions.

The weather and the terrain are exacting for the soldiers. The air, thin in oxygen, makes it difficult to breathe. The fierce winds amplify the chill. The accidental touch of a piece of metal can lead to chilblains and other injuries. "We work, therefore the machine works," quipped Major S Singh, the second-in-command of the unit who
christened his tank Tipu Sultan.

With repeated incursions at different points of the border, China has signalled its aggression. Its hefty investments in roads and airstrips have left India playing catch up in strategically crucial regions. The positioning of the tanks is meant to prove that India is determined to assert its authority and rights over parts that China tries to claim as its own.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/third-regiment-of-t72-tanks-to-be-moved-to-ladakh-soon/article8867212.ece


This deployment of tanks in these remote heights comes almost five decades after India made a desperate effort at tank battle during the 1962 war.

As the winter night wraps itself around the remote mountains along the disputed border with China, personnel of the Indian Army start their T-72 tanks. The winter drill is not an inimical action against China, but a necessity to keep the Russian tanks running at those heights.

As India catches up with China’s aggressive military and infrastructure build-up across the border, among the most unusual steps initiated by New Delhi is to deploy the T-72 tanks on the barren heights of Ladakh.

After the Army’s desperate and futile bid to use tanks at those heights during the 1962 war with China, this is the first time that they are being deployed again at these freezing altitudes. Then six AMX-13 tanks were airlifted to Ladakh in AN-12 transport aircraft. But they failed to make any significant impact as the crew were not acclimatised to the environment and the tanks were not equipped to operate in the rarefied atmosphere.

Though tanks are primarily meant for operations in the plains, the Indian military has adopted several unusual tactics to beef up its presence. This has resulted in non-standard procedures to keep the tanks operational, among them the repeated switching on during the nights in winter to prevent freezing.

Specific fuel

“What we have done is that we have procured special additives and lubricants for high altitude terrain such as winter grade diesel and additives for the lubrication system, which prevents it from freezing in the tank,” says Colonel Vijay Dalal, Commanding Officer of a tank regiment.

As part of recent force accretion measures, two regiments of T-72 tanks have been deployed — the first in 2014 and another late last year. A third regiment will be moved in soon, forming a full brigade.

The Ladakh region is lined with plains in between the mountain ranges and the mechanised units add a major punch to the increased boots on the ground. India has already deployed tanks in Sikkim.

China too has major mechanised units on its side of the frontier and the brigade is expected to ensure offensive parity.

Operating and maintaining tanks at such low oxygen conditions has significant challenges. There is severe degradation in the performance of these tanks as the cold temperatures and high altitude affect several parts and sub-components of the tanks.

While the tanks and crew have acclimatised, they have not been able to test their fire power here due to lack of firing ranges.

“Some training is done here but we cannot do the entire range of exercises due to limitations in ranges,” said an officer.

One of the key obstacles is the denotification of the Mahe field firing range near Nyoma in December 2013 due to its proximity to the Changthang wildlife sanctuary.

The Army now sends its crew to the training centre at Ahmednagar, which is in the plains and has much different conditions.

Sources in the Army said they were now in the process of setting up a simulator for use by both the armoured regiments. As part of efforts to deepen military-to-military cooperation, India has proposed to host the second round of tactical level Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises along the India-China border.

HIGHLIGHTS

*The govt has given the final go-ahead for the Army to induct an advanced version of the BrahMos missile

*The missile will serve as a conventional deterrent against China

*PM Modi cleared this fourth BrahMos regiment at a cost of over Rs 4,300 crore

NEW DELHI: The NDA government has given the final go-ahead for the Army to induct and deploy an advanced version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with "trajectory manoeuvre and steep-dive capabilities" for mountain warfare, in the northeast as a conventional deterrent against China+

Sources said the Cabinet Committee on Security, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, cleared this fourth BrahMos+ regiment at a cost of over Rs 4,300 crore. The regiment consists of around 100 missiles, five mobile autonomous launchers on 12x12 heavy-duty trucks and a mobile command post, among other hardware and software.

The 290-km range BrahMos is a tactical or non-nuclear missile with "nine times more kinetic energy than sub-sonic missiles" for greater destructive potential. Jointly developed with Russia, it has become the preferred precision-strike weapon for the Indian armed forces.

From 2007 onwards, the Army has progressively inducted three regiments of BrahMos with largely Block-I and II missiles developed to hit a specific small target with a low radar cross-section in a cluttered environment, as earlier reported by TOI.

The missile's Block-III "steep-dive" version will now be deployed in Arunachal Pradesh to counter China's huge build of military infrastructure all along the 4,057-km Line of Actual Control. Flying at a velocity almost three times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8, the missiles also have "a combined high-low trajectory" to evade enemy defence systems.

"This BrahMos variant can take a steep dive up to 75 degrees. Defence scientists are already working on achieving a 90-degree steep-dive capability, which in the future can lead to acquiring an aircraft carrier-killing capability," said a source.

The latest Rs 4,300 crore contract takes the overall orders placed for the BrahMos missiles to over Rs 31,000 crore. The Navy has already installed the missile on 10 frontline warships, including the latest stealth destroyers and frigates.

BrahMos chief Sudhir Mishra had earlier told TOI that the plan was to begin testing the missile from Sukhoi-30MKI+ fighter jets this year. The air-launched version of BrahMos, which at 2.5 tonnes is lighter than the 3-tonne land and sea variants, has already undergone "carriage trials" on a Sukhoi in June. The "missile separation trials" are likely to take place later this month.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Army-to-get-steep-dive-BrahMos-missile-regiment-for-China-front/articleshow/53514581.cms

http://in.rbth.com/economics/defence/2016/08/05/russia-india-agree-to-jointly-produce-bmp-3_618341


The Indian train manufacturer, T, has signed a memorandum of understanding with Rosoboronexport. This document concerns an agreement on the licensed production of Russian armoured vehicles by the Indian company, according to various news reports.

The agreement was signed to facilitate the transfer of Russian technology during implementation of joint projects. This involves the repair and modernization of armoured vehicles, currently being used in the Indian Army, launch of the co-production of the BMP-3 and the “development and production of futuristic models” of armoured technologies.

Russia proposed in 2012 that India purchase the BMP-3, but the Indian side rejected this offer. The new agreement indicates that India has in fact accepted the earlier Russian proposal.


In December 2013, the media reported that India had refused to purchase the infantry combat vehicles being proposed by Russia (this also involved licenced production), having decided to build its own armoured vehicle – the FICV (Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle). However, the task of building its own armoured vehicles posed difficulties for Indian industry, with no clear ideas as to when this could be accomplished.

Currently, the Indian armed forces operate Soviet-made BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles, but Indian military commanders are no longer satisfied with this old technology. Reports have also appeared that India was planning to conduct large-scale modernization of its BMP-2 fleet.

First published in Russian by Vzglyad.

The $5.2 billion contract is intended for Army and Navy

SAAB of Sweden has begun training engineers of Bharat Forge under a proposed joint venture in anticipation of a contract to supply air defence systems to the Army.

The move comes even as SAAB is gearing up for confirmatory trials for the Very Short Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORAD) tender, while it makes an aggressive pitch for the Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) tender.

These systems are meant to replace the legacy Russian air defence systems in service and have seen repeated delays.

In June, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the highest authority for defence procurements, reviewed the status of both air defence programmes and decided to “keep the ongoing procurement process going in a multi-vendor situation.”

Missiles and launchers

The VSHORAD tender is intended for the Army and Navy and worth over $5.2-billion for 5,175 missiles and 1,276 single and multi-launchers with stipulated technology transfer requirement for the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSU).

There are three contenders — SAAB, MBDA of France and Rosoboronexport of Russia. SAAB has fielded its RBS 70 system for the tender. The trials which began in May 2012 are still ongoing.

“Trials will continue on the VSHORAD which are called confirmatory trials in the coming months. Since all three vendors have been called for new trials all have some non-compliances,” said Bo Almqvist of SAAB, who handles air defence systems for the Swedish defence and aerospace major which clocked $3 billion in sales in 2015. Explaining their non-compliance, he said according to the Request for Proposal (RFP), the missile should weigh 25 kg, man portable firing station 25 kg and sight with power pack 20kg. “We have that in a different order. Our sighting system includes the beamer and weighs 25 kg and the firing station includes the stand with the power pack which is 20 kg. That is our non-compliance,” Dr. Almqvist added.

The stand itself was redesigned after inputs from the Indian Army that it was too heavy, he said adding that the lighter variant was now standard feature for all systems under production.

Dr. Almqvist said that both their systems are “command line of sight” which means the target is tracked till impact due to which the system is “jamming resistant” and can be aborted after launch.

Joint venture

The SRSAM requirement is for two regiments consisting of 52 missile firing units, 18 radars and 1980 missiles and is worth about Rs.12,000-14,000 crore.

SAAB has fielded its BAMSE system with a range of 20 km which is mounted on an Ashok Leyland truck. In anticipation of the order, it has begun training engineers from Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd (KSSL), the defence arm of Bharat Forge at its facility in Karlskoga, company officials said.

“The idea is to set up an Assembly, Test and Integration (AIT) facility and some part of production as part of our long term commitment under Make in India,” Dr. Almqvist said.

The possible location of the JV is Satara in Maharashtra which will be finalised once the winner is announced likely by end of this year. KSSL is already supplying rear steering fins for the BAMSE missile by 3D printing.

The Army which is inducting the indigenously developed Akash SRSAM with a range of 25 km is looking for a quick reaction missile for which the current tender is under way.


http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/armys-vshorad-tender-to-go-for-reconfirmatory-trials/article9204513.ece

The USD 650-million deal for the 145 howitzers is critical, and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is likely to consider proposals for acquiring 145 M777 ultra light howitzers from the US.

The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is likely to consider proposals for acquiring 145 M777 ultra light howitzers from the US. The proposal has been in the pipeline for several years now, despite being cleared more than thrice by the Defence Ministry under Parrikar as well as his UPA predecessor, AK Antony.


The USD 650-million deal for the 145 howitzers is critical because the Army plans to deploy these guns along the mountainous lines bordering both Pakistan and China.


"The DAC is expected to discuss the progress in this deal and may also consider certain deviations from the procurement procedure involved in the deal," sources in the Defence Ministry claimed.


THE DEAL IS ON HOLD


The deal has been put on hold since 2010, when the Indian Army set out to exorcise the ghost of Bofors to induct its first howitzer. However, it has always been stalled for one reason or the other.
Army officials claim that the progress in the deal was last cleared in June in the DAC, post which it was to be sent to the CCS for final clearance.


The Army has not procured a single howitzer ever since the Bofors guns were acquired from Switzerland in the 1980s.



THE OTHER PROPOSAL


The other important proposal that the DAC may consider is the acquisition of almost 5,000 combat net radio sets for tactical communication of Army troops.


The DAC is to consider if the radio sets should be procured under the Make in India scheme or to be bought from the Israeli firm Elbit, according to the Army proposal.



The Indian Air Force is also likely to put up its proposal to upgrade its unmanned aerial vehicles that would be enhanced to combat platforms under the top secret Project Cheetah.


IAF officials declined to comment on the top secret project, which is likely to cost Rs10,000 crore.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-likely-to-reconsider-acquiring-m777-ultra-light-howitzers-with-us/1/791090.html

Pinto wrote:The USD 650-million deal for the 145 howitzers is critical, and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is likely to consider proposals for acquiring 145 M777 ultra light howitzers from the US.

The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar is likely to consider proposals for acquiring 145 M777 ultra light howitzers from the US. The proposal has been in the pipeline for several years now, despite being cleared more than thrice by the Defence Ministry under Parrikar as well as his UPA predecessor, AK Antony.


The USD 650-million deal for the 145 howitzers is critical because the Army plans to deploy these guns along the mountainous lines bordering both Pakistan and China.


"The DAC is expected to discuss the progress in this deal and may also consider certain deviations from the procurement procedure involved in the deal," sources in the Defence Ministry claimed.


THE DEAL IS ON HOLD


The deal has been put on hold since 2010, when the Indian Army set out to exorcise the ghost of Bofors to induct its first howitzer. However, it has always been stalled for one reason or the other.
Army officials claim that the progress in the deal was last cleared in June in the DAC, post which it was to be sent to the CCS for final clearance.


The Army has not procured a single howitzer ever since the Bofors guns were acquired from Switzerland in the 1980s.



THE OTHER PROPOSAL


The other important proposal that the DAC may consider is the acquisition of almost 5,000 combat net radio sets for tactical communication of Army troops.


The DAC is to consider if the radio sets should be procured under the Make in India scheme or to be bought from the Israeli firm Elbit, according to the Army proposal.



The Indian Air Force is also likely to put up its proposal to upgrade its unmanned aerial vehicles that would be enhanced to combat platforms under the top secret Project Cheetah.


IAF officials declined to comment on the top secret project, which is likely to cost Rs10,000 crore.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/india-likely-to-reconsider-acquiring-m777-ultra-light-howitzers-with-us/1/791090.html

I really dont know why India is buying these, surely their arms industry could produce howitzers. I why dont they buy Russian Msta-B surely they would be cheaper, or even D-20's Russia must have loads in storage that they could sell cheaply and with modern ammo are just as effective. I think India as a whole have made some really silly purchases over the last couple of years and their defence industry is a shambles, they should try focusing on key areas like small arms, ATGW, artillery, Mortars, logistical support vehicles, and wheeled and tracked armoured vehicles, get this right first before going for other aspects. Anything they buy from USA will be highly overpriced. India best option is to buy licences from Russia, they could scrap their light heli's in favour for Ansat and Ansat 2RC which are better, as for the Tejas they would be better to have spent their money on Mig-29SMT or Mig-35, the Mig-29SMT ordered in large numbers or even offered to built them in India would have probably worked out to be the same cost as the Tejas and if you think how much money they have pumped into Tejas they could bought 100's of Mig-29SMT. and this is just a couple of examples.

India's Defense Acquisition Council Clears Ultralight Howitzers Purchase From US

NEW DELHI — India's Defence Acquisition Council, headed by Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, has cleared the purchase from the US of 145 M777 ultralight howitzers through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.

A senior Ministry of Defense (MoD) official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that following intense negotiations with the US subsidiary of BAE Systems, a price has been settled on and offset problems related to the acquisition of the howitzers have been resolved.

The BAE subsidiary, which is the original equipment manufacturer, has agreed to all MoD conditions without increasing the price, the MoD official said, adding that now the case will be put up before the Cabinet Committee on Security for final clearance, followed by the official awarding of the contract.

The MoD issued a letter of request to the US government in 2013 expressing interest in buying the M777 artillery guns.

Under the deal, the US subsidiary will supply 25 M777 ultralight howitzers in fly-away condition, and the remaining will be assembled in India in partnership with the private sector company Mahindra Defence Systems.

The two companies will jointly set up an assembly integration and test facility for the M777 artillery guns near New Delhi.

http://www.defensenews.com/articles/india-resolves-us-2-aircraft-price-issue-with-japan

India Test-Fires Replacement for Russian SMERCH

"Guided Pinaka was successfully test-fired from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur. The Pinaka Rocket Mark-II, which evolved from Pinaka Mark-I is equipped with a navigation, guidance and control kit and has been transformed to a Guided Pinaka. This conversion has considerably enhanced the range and accuracy of Pinaka," read a statement released by India's Ministry of Defense.

Read more: https://sputniknews.com/military/201701121049535457-india-smerch-russia/

India has reportedly acquired some $3 billion of weapons after quietly purchasing ammunition, tank engines, anti-tank missiles and rocket launchers from Russia and Israel.

Israel furnished a few thousand missiles and advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to India, while Moscow supplied New Delhi with tank parts, a few thousand anti-tank missiles and engines for the T90 tank, Indian’s chief battle vehicle. India also received multi-barrel rocket launchers from Russia.

The exact number of weapons has not been made public, but is said to be enough to arm both the Indian Army and Navy, and includes anti-personnel grenade launchers, high-explosive bombs, and armour for troop-carrying vehicles.

Under the leadership of senior officials, two "empowered committees" were dispatched to Israel and Russia toward the end of 2016 to make quick buys, known as "off-the-shelf purchases." The committees have the ability to negotiate and can make immediate buying decisions.

Most of the shipments are being airlifted from Israel and Russia to India.

The secretive purchases were likely spurred on by recent strikes by Indian Special Forces in Pakistan-controlled Kashmir, as well as the aggressive stance of Islamabad’s military.

An unnamed senior official told Huffington Post India that, "It is wise to be prepared," while another unnamed Ministry of Defence (MoD) senior official suggested that "The emergency purchases are aimed at replenishing and maintaining a minimum level of preparedness for any eventuality."

Earlier this month Indian Army Staff Chief General Bipin Rawat told the media that obsolete weapons and a depleted stock, "in case of a two-front war is of concern.” By "two-front war" Rawat was describing a scenario in which New Delhi would simultaneously engage China and Pakistan in conflict. He added that India’s military is prepared to handle ongoing proxy wars in Kashmir and Jumma.

New orders continue to be placed as existing orders are delivered.

https://sputniknews.com/asia/201701201049795215-india-secretly-buys-billions-weapons/

Will the Indian armed forces countinue to grow? Is it a significant military superpower in the world today? Have they interesting weapons in the army? I think so, they have aircraft carrier and a strong navy and air force, I think they should develop their army and gain more neccesary weapons and equipment, have they alot of armoured tanks? Will they grow their army?

Henrik5927 wrote:Will the Indian armed forces countinue to grow? Is it a significant military superpower in the world today? Have they interesting weapons in the army? I think so, they have aircraft carrier and a strong navy and air force, I think they should develop their army and gain more neccesary weapons and equipment, have they alot of armoured tanks? Will they grow their army?

Will Batman and Robin get out of the jam they are in? Tune in next week to find out!

Indian unmanned armoured vehicle.
Still not convinced that quality and numbers will be produced
https://sputniknews.com/asia/201707311056042785-india-unmanned-tank/

Indian program of the perspective tank FRCV

Twenty-four months after the Indian Army issued a request for information (RFI) on the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) project, it had to reconsider its excessively high demands and send a second request to a less ambitious but more accessible family of heavy Tom Waldwin, an expert at the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), wrote in his article "India's not-quite-ready Future Ready Combat Vehicle".

https://bmpd.livejournal.com/3021432.html

I am not surprised. India needs to give up on its made in India dream they are just wasting money and time. It would be cheaper and more productive to continue buying Russian equipment and doing joint ventures they could still produce ammo and small arms and even have maintenance centres for Russian equipment and also get production rights but as for designing their own just forget it bite the bullet and move on.

I am not surprised. India needs to give up on its made in India dream they are just wasting money and time. It would be cheaper and more productive to continue buying Russian equipment and doing joint ventures they could still produce ammo and small arms and even have maintenance centres for Russian equipment and also get production rights but as for designing their own just forget it bite the bullet and move on.

Whats with the opinion buddy? Still think India is banana republic? Come on, they reached mars. they built the cheapest car in the world, and pretty decent at that. They manage to build some interesting things. They are getting bullet trains from Japan with a lot of offset. Why can't they make in India weapons?