DRDO Seeks Partners to Co-Develop Kaveri Engine for LCA Tejas Fighter Jet

In the process of scouting for a partner to develop higher thrust engine for its ambitious Light Combat Aircraft and
the present version will take to the skies in 2010, Defence Minister A K Antony said on Saturday.

"LCA will be a reality. For higher thrust engine, we must have a new engine. We are looking for a partner to develop this," he told reporters after inaugurating the new campus of Defence Avionics Research and Establishment (DARE), a premium research unit for avionics at DRDO complex. IAF and DRDO are working jointly towards this, he said.
IAF has already placed orders for 20 LCA and orders for another 20 was in the pipeline, Antony said, and denied that IAF was not interested in these aircraft. Earlier, addressing the gathering, Antony stressed the need for developing indigenous technologies to counter the challenges posed by import restrictions and technology transfers. He said the country would have to face problems if scientists did not develop indigenous technologies and the state-of-the-art equipment in the field of aeronautics.

DRDO located in Bangalore, an IT and technology hub, has been entrusted with the task for delivering high precision system to IAF, he said. Antony said scientists should aim to minimize costs and cut down time with minimum dependence on foreign assistance. "Our endeavor is to develop cutting edge technologies and we will give required support," he said.

Indian Army Officers to be Trained for Optimal Utilization of Space Based Resources

set to make forays in use of space applications, the Indian Army will take a leaf out of US forces' experience to train its officers in optimizing the effective use of space-based resources to meet its operationalrequirements.

A week after India announced setting up of an integrated cell to co-ordinate all military operations based on space assets, the Army's Directorate of Perspective Planning (DoPP) will organize a training programme on Monday for officers to make them understand the tricks of the trade, Army sources said today. To be inaugurated by Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) General Deepak Kapoor, the seminar would also look into the role of space-based applications in recent conflicts around the world.

"In particular, the use of space-based assets by the US forces in Afghanistan and Iraq would be debated. Army officers would learn the practices adopted by the US forces in utilizing space applications to counter enemies in its battles in Iraq and Afghanistan," sources said.

The meet, to be organized in association with the Centre for Land Warfare Studies (CLAWS), would witness officers discussing and imbibing "space-based application used by military's of the space-faring nations," sources said.

"It is imperative that Indian Army, being the largest user of space, exploits space-based resources optimally to meet its operational requirements," a note prepared by the DoPP to organize a day-long training for officers, said.

france Looking to Make Inroads in Indian Defence Market

After having made inroads in to the Indian armed forces’ air and sea segments, France is now making a determined bid to supply equipment to the army.

"France is willing to co-produce high technology weapon platforms with its strategic partners," said French Defence Minister Herve Morim, while inaugurating Eurosatory 2008, the world's largest land weapon systems exposition in Paris on Tuesday. India and France became all weather all-issues strategic partners in 1998. The relationship was reiterated during French President Nicolas Sarkozy's visit to India in January this year and will be given an impetus during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to France later this month.

Leading the French showcasing of its land weapon systems to senior Indian Ministry of Defence officials here is Nexter, known earlier by the more recognised name of Giat. Paris believes that New Delhi would be comfortable in dealing with this company since it is fully owned by the government.

The Nexter has already bagged an order for supplying turrets to the army but the order is again for the air segment. It is now eyeing the much more lucrative tender for self-propelled artillery guns that will replace the ageing Bofors howitzers.

On offer is the Caesar, a truck mounted artillery gun, accompanied by full transfer of technology.

As opposed to towed and tracked artillery guns, truck mounted howitzers are considered the spearhead of the 21st century artillery although for reasons known to itself the Indian Army is tendering for all three versions. The company offers a look into its recent past to argue that the offer to pass on technology will be matched when it comes to practice.

Along with the change in name from Giat to Nexter, the company downscaled its workforce from 18,000 to just 3,500.

“So we now make only core products not available in the open market. That means for the Indian army, we are totally open to full transfer of technology and co-development,” argues Laurent Nicholas, the company’s business chief for Asia and Australia. “We are also totally open to India offering its chassis, whether by the Tatas or anyone else. But we need time to work with the local industry.”

The time schedule required to indigenise the product is a “serious issue” not understood by New Delhi, added Mr. Nicholas, seeking to speak for the defence industry world-wide dealing with India.

Another area that France wants to enter is the armour-plated troop carrying assault vehicles for the mechanised infantry, for long the preserve of the Russians. With Russian origin BMP vehicles ageing, The Nexter wants to push its more modern nuclear warfare proof armoured vehicles that are used to rush the infantry through heavy fire to assault sites.

The exposition saw the company unveiling its ‘Aravis’ 4x4 vehicle for counter-insurgency operations. Developed after the experience of Iraq and Afghanistan, the Aravis can be transported by the C-130 Hercules which will shortly be inducted in the Indian armed forces.

“We can bring it for tests by October 1, should India desire that,” offers Alain Marchand, the company’s business development manager for Asia.

“Tests by India should vindicate our claim that can defeat 10 kg of mines, fire from machine guns, something that is needed for anti-insurgency operations in Kashmir, the North-East and Central India,” he adds.

In case France enters the Indian armed force’s land weapon systems market, it will add another chapter to the unique defence relationship. Till the mid-80s, political ties were lukewarm and indeed at a low ebb in the 50s and 60s when Paris was irritated by India’s support to national liberation movements in Africa and Asia, where France had a substantial colonial footprint. But that did not deter a close defence relationship during which France sold Mystere fighters when none was willing to help, and later the Mirage jets.
Submarines

After the turning point in 1998, France is now building advanced submarines for the Navy, helping India reduce its dependency in this area on Russia. “We are now more than keen to help the Indian Army, more because our ability to supply good quality systems consistently is well known. And that too without any political preconditions,” observes the French Ambassador to India, Jerome Bonnafont.

India To Transfer Three Islander Aircrafts to Myanmar; Train Myanmarese Officers At Kochi Naval Base

Indian newspaper 'The Hindu' reports that India is all set to transfer three Islander aircrafts to Myanmar. These aircrafts are of British origin.

India is stepping up military supplies to Myanmar including training to its military personnel to handle more sophisticated defence equipment such as aircraft. India has also started training officers of the Tamdaw Lay (Myanmar Air Force) at the naval base in Kochi in handling characteristics.

Both sides are discussing the transfer of more Islander planes after firming up maintenance and servicing issues.

It is planning to replace most of these planes with new Dornier aircraft. "The cooperation with our neighbors is in keeping with the Prime Minister's desire to improve relations with them," said a senior officer in the security establishment.The move to gift the aircraft was viewed by Britain as an attempt to bolster the military government.

Indian Navy Chief Visiting Myanmar; Defense Deals Top Agenda

India's Naval Chief Admiral Sureesh Mehra has embarked on a nine-day tour of Burma and Singapore to give a leg up to bilateral ties and military cooperation with the neighbouring countries. His visit begins on Wednesday.

Heading a high level naval delegation, the Navy Chief delegation will hold talks with top leaders of the ruling Burmese military junta during his stay in Rangoon. "The issue of arms transfer to Myanmar is likely to figure prominently during the Naval Chief's parleys with SDPC members," a former naval officer and currently director of India's leading think tank told 'Mizzima News' on condition of anonymity.

India recently supplied Burma with two Islander Naval surveillance aircraft as well as small naval gun boats and light artillery guns as part of its effort to strengthen military ties with Burma.

The strategic importance of Burma in the Indian Ocean has made India look towards naval cooperation with Burma. A number of Indian naval personnel have been visiting Burma off late. Former Indian Naval Chief Admiral Madhvendera Singh had visited the key Burma naval base of Coco Islands in 2003. His successor former Admiral Arun Prakash had visited Burma in January 2006 where he presented a consignment of communication equipment to his counterpart.

Admiral Mehra is the second Indian Navy Chief to visit Burma in a year's time. He will tour Singapore after his visit to Burma , to attend the International Maritime exhibition. The Indian Navy has sent two warships to take part in the exhibition.

Cooperation between India and Burmese navies seems to be forgoing ahead. Two Indian warships, INS Ranjit and ISN Kuthar did joint naval maneuvers with the Burmese Navy in December 2005. The Indian warships' visit to Burma ports was the third, in the past three years.

In December 2002, an Indian naval fleet, comprising a submarine and two destroyers, berthed at the Rangoon Port. Then in September 2003, two more Indian warships carried out four-day joint naval maneuvers with the Burmese Navy. In exchange, a Burmese corvette docked at Port Blair to take part in "Milan 2006." This was the first time in four decades that a Burmese ship had visited a foreign port.