Armée Indienne / Indian Armed Forces

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Citation :

L'Inde veut cesser d'être le premier importateur mondial d'armement

L'inde de veut cesser d'être le premier importateur mondial d'armement et porter d'ici cinq ans à 70% la part de son équipement militaire produite sur son sol, a indiqué mercredi le Premier ministre indien Narendra Modi lors du salon aéronautique et de défense de Bangalore.

Le Premier ministre, qui a promis de relancer l'investissement, en particulier grâce à sa campagne "Make in India", a assuré que son gouvernement favoriserait les fournisseurs produisant en Inde lorsqu'il s'agira d'octroyer des contrats militaires.

"Nous avons la réputation d'être le premier importateur d'équipement militaire au monde", a-t-il dit à l'occasion du salon Aero India qui se tient tous les deux ans à Bangalore.

"C'est peut-être une musique qui est familière à certains d'entre vous présents ici. Mais c'est un domaine dans lequel nous aimerions ne pas être numéro un", a-t-il ajouté.

"Nous réformons notre politique d'approvisionnement en matériel de défense et allons accorder une préférence nette au matériel fabriqué en Inde", a dit Modi devant des centaines d'industriels indiens et étrangers.

L'Inde exprime depuis des décennies sa volonté de réduire sa dépendance envers l'industrie de défense étrangère mais n'y est pas parvenue, le pays devant en outre faire face à un équipement en voie d'obsolescence.

Depuis son arrivée au pouvoir en mai, le gouvernement de Modi a relevé à 49% la participation que peut détenir un investisseur étranger dans un groupe de défense en Inde.

Le Premier ministre a indiqué vouloir porter de 40% actuellement à 70% d'ici 2020 la production d'équipement matériel produite sur son sol.

"Une nation disposant d'une forte industrie de défense ne sera pas uniquement plus sûre. Elle en retirera également d'importants bénéfices économiques", a dit Modi.

"Environ 60% de notre matériel de défense continue d'être importé et nous dépensons des dizaines de milliards de dollars dans des acquisitions à l'étranger", a-t-il poursuivi.

"Certaines études montrent qu'une réduction de 20% à 25% de nos importations pourrait créer directement 100.000 à 120.000 emplois hautement qualifiés en Inde".

Le salon de Bangalore réunit des centaines de groupes de la défense et de l'aéronautique pendant cinq jours, notamment Dassault, Airbus ou Boeing.

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LCH completes 'hot and high' trials

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly
08 September 2015

India's Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) successfully completed high altitude trials in the Himalayas in late August in the latest step towards completing its flight certification.

Officials from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which has developed the LCH, said weapon trials were scheduled for mid-2016 but that initial operational clearance (IOC) - delayed by over three years - would be achieved by December.

HAL is expected to begin series production of the LCH by early 2017, to complete orders for 114 helicopters from the Army Aviation Corps (AAC) and 65 from the Indian Air Force (IAF).

In an official statement on 3 September HAL stated that the 'hot and high' trials, featuring the third TD-3 LCH prototype, took place over several days in August at altitudes of between 3,200 and 4800 m, in temperatures of 13-27 o C.

"The flight trials have established hover performance and [the] low speed handling characteristics of the LCH under extreme weather conditions at altitude," HAL chairman T Suvarna Raju said.

He added that the platform had been tested under its basic configuration of electro-optical pods, rocket launchers, turret gun and air-to-air missile launchers.

The trials followed the successful completion of LCH test flights at sea level in Chennai in 2013 and high altitude cold weather trials - also in Ladakh - in January.



In June the LCH undertook low-altitude hot weather trials in the Rajasthan desert, where temperatures were measured at 42 o C outside and near 60 o C inside the helicopter cabin.

The trials were conducted by AAC and IAF pilots along with representatives from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in Bangalore and the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA).





http://www.janes.com/article/54079/lch-completes-hot-and-high-trials

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India, Oman mull greater naval co-operation

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
08 September 2015



ndia and Oman are exploring options for improving bilateral naval co-operation, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 7 September.

The statement came while the Commander of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO), Rear Admiral Abdullah bin Khasim bin Abdullah al-Raisi, is conducting an official visit to India, which concludes on 10 September.

Areas for potential enhanced co-operation being explored include training, the exchange of 'white' shipping information, and the bilateral biennial exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr', which takes place in the North Arabian Sea.

In a statement, the MoD said the two navies "share a robust relationship, with the Indian Navy being the major partner in undertaki

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Indian Army pushes ahead with Excalibur rifle programme

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

10 September 2015


The Indian Army is supporting the OFB's Excalibur 5.56 mm assault rifle programme. Source: OFB


The Indian Army is fast-tracking the development and induction of the indigenously designed Excalibur 5.56 x 45 mm assault rifle as it looks to plug a major operational void.

Senior army officials told IHS Jane's that 200 prototype Excalibur rifles, fabricated at the Ordnance Factory Board's (OFB's) Rifle Factory Ishapur (RFI) in eastern India, would undergo user evaluation trials later in 2015.

Once approved, the army plans to induct over 600,000 Excalibur for around INR36 billion (USD541 million), or around INR60,000 each.

The army opted for the Excalibur after scrapping its 2011 tender for 66,000 multicalibre assault rifles in June, as none of the four foreign models tested met its qualitative requirements.

The Excalibur is a retrofitted version of the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) assault rifle, designed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and rejected by the army in 2010 for being "operationally inadequate".

The gas-operated, fully automatic rifle has a foldable butt, Picatinny rail for sights, sensors, and bipods, and its polycarbonate magazine is superior to that of the INSAS rifle, which was known to frequently crack in extreme hot and cold climates.

The Excalibur's barrel is 4 mm shorter than that of the INSAS and its hand guard is smaller.

Indian Army Chief of Staff General Dalbir Singh is strongly backing Excalibur as it is a 'Make in India' programme and so fits in with the government's preference for locally manufactured equipment. He has posted infantry officers at RFI to conduct test firings and offer advice on design improvement, sources said.

On 1 September Gen Singh, accompanied by Lieutenant General Sanjay Kulkarni, Director General Infantry (DGI), visited the RFI and personally conducted the 'water' and 'mud' tests on the rifle, which it reportedly cleared. Both officers also proposed ergonomic alterations to the rifle to render it more user-friendly.

The OFB aims to begin series producing Excalibur on modified INSAS production lines at RFI in 2016 .

Meanwhile, the army has still to decide the outcome of the 2010 tender for 44,618 close quarter battle (CQB) carbines, trials for which concluded in 2013. These featured Beretta's ARX 160, IWI's Galil ACE carbine, and Colt's M4.

The Indian Army has been without a carbine since 2010 when it removed the licence-built Stirling 1A1 9 mm sub-machine gun from service.

http://www.janes.com/article/54148/indian-army-pushes-ahead-with-excalibur-rifle-programme

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India has started talks with Russia for the purchase of T-90MS main battle tanks
By Dylan Vosman - Sep 11, 2015





India has started talks with Russia for the purchase of T-90MS main battle tanks. “Negotiations are under way on the possibility of signing a new contract with new conditions – to supply India T-90MS”. This was reported by a representative of the corporation “Uralvagonzavod”. It’s reported that the Indian army will place a fresh order for purchase of more 300 latest T-90MS tanks, which will be allocated to the six tank regiments deployed in the border region between China and India, including two tank brigades and a mountain strike corps. Earlier Russian Army has decided to Upgrade its T-90 Tanks. The T-90MS well protected by the new Relikt ERA system. Although this export variant does not feature the Shtora APS in the configuration offered by UVZ, this element can also be added, should the Russian Army wish.

Read more at: http://defence-blog.com/army/india-has-started-talks-with-russia-for-the-purchase-of-t-90ms-main-battle-tanks.html

parait que les forces aériennes indiennes ont acheté deux IL-76 uzbek pour que IAI les installent le radar Phalcon AEW.

https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/israel-to-expand-aew-fleet-for-india-416598/
en même temps, profitent pour modernizer amplement des IL-76 e IL-78.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iaf-moves-rs-4000-crore-proposal-to-upgrade-il76/78-transport-fleet/articleshow/48676134.cms

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Russian defense firm signs contract to deliver spare parts for T-72 tanks to India

Military & Defense September 14, 12:27


YEKATERINBURG, September 14. /TASS/. The Russian defense enterprise Uralvagonzavod signed a contract worth millions of US dollars at the Russia Arms Expo -2015 arms exhibition for the delivery of spare parts for T-72 tanks to India, Uralvagonzavod Deputy CEO Alexei Zharich told TASS on Monday.
"As a result of negotiations, a multimillion contract was signed with the Republic of India at the Russia Arms Expo exhibition for the delivery of spare parts for T-72 tanks. The contract is designed for 2 years," he said.
Uralvagonzavod CEO Oleg Siyenko said in an interview with TASS earlier that the company had submitted its proposals to India on the upgrade of T-72 and T-90 tanks operational in the Indian Army.
"The Indian side said it was going to modernize a large number of tanks, both T72s and T-90s. We transferred all the proposals on the modernization packages both for the first and second types of tanks," he said.
The Russia Arms Expo-2015 exhibition was held in Nizhny Tagil in the Urals on September 9-12 and brought together delegations from over 65 countries, including the United States, China, India and European countries. Overall, the exhibition was attended by almost 50,000 people.

http://tass.ru/en/defense/820861

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Photo of Indian «Kestrel» wheeled armoured amphibious platform By Dylan Vosman - Sep 16, 2015




The «Kestrel» wheeled armoured amphibious platform  designed Tata Motors. The Kestrel has a scalable 22.5 ton to 26 ton gross vehicle weight and can carry 10+2 people inside. The design includes a front left engine placement that enables better space utilization. The vehicle has an 8×8 under chassis driveline with a double wishbone type independent hydro pneumatic suspension, with the front two axles being steerable. The Kestrel has a turning radius of 19 metres and the tyres have the run flat capability, with the central tyre inflation system (CTIS) coming as standard. The Kestrel’s ballistic protection has been designed to protect the occupants from threat levels ranging from Stanag I to Stanag IV, depending on the application. The monocoque comprises of a welded armour steel hull with applique and inner composite spall liner. The protection modules can be replaced in a short time frame to increase or decrease the protection level. The bottom of the hull is guarded by blast protection up to Stanag III. The seats are designed to reduce the impact of any external force, providing additional protection. A complete NBC (nuclear, biological, chemical) protection system ensures safety for the crew from any kind of NBC threats, ensuring the ability to operate even in contaminated areas. The driver & commander have their own roof hatches for ingress / egress. The rear personnel compartment is accessible through the rear door and roof hatches. The Kestrel is capable of carrying a 30 mm remote weapon station with 2 fire and forget missiles or with the turret-mounted cannon and missiles. In addition, the vehicle will house one 7.62 mm co-axial MMG and an automatic grenade launcher. The Kestrel measure 7.8 metres in length, 2.95 metres in width, and 2.28 metres in height, with a ground clearance of 0.45 metres. The engine produces 600 horsepower, enabling the vehicle to hit a top speed of 100 km/h on land and 10 km/h in amphibious conditions.





Read more at: http://defence-blog.com/army/photo-of-indian-kestrel-wheeled-armoured-amphibious-platform.html

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India, US move ahead with M777 deal

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi and James Hardy, London - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
17 September 2015



India and the US are jointly drafting a letter of acceptance (LoA) to fast-track the long-delayed sale of 145 BAE Systems M777 155 mm/39 calibre lightweight howitzers for the Indian Army via the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route.

Official sources told IHS Jane's that the LoA was in the process of being finalised following broad agreement on its content between India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Pentagon.

Other than the upwardly revised tender price of around USD700 million, the LoA includes delivery schedules, guarantees, and after-sales technical, materiel, and spares support.

Industry sources said the MoD had also instructed BAE Systems to submit by the end of October its offset agreements with local companies, which are valued at 30% of the overall contract value and estimated to be worth around USD200 million.



http://www.janes.com/article/54522/india-us-move-ahead-with-m777-deal

Citation :

17/09/2015

Le 75ème Pilatus PC-7 MKII pour l’Inde !




Stans, l’avionneur suisse Pilatus a tenu sa promesse de livraison du premier lot de 75 avions école Pilatus PC-7MKII à l’Inde dans les délais. L’Inde a choisi le PC-7 MKII au printemps 2012. Le challenge de l’avionneur pour ce contrat était de pouvoir livrer les appareils en un temps record, tout en respectant des qualités de fabrication exceptionnelle.

En février 2013, l’avionneur suisse livrait le premier exemplaire du PC-7 MKII à l’école de l’Indian Air Force et allait continuer à fournir l’avion de manière exemplaire. L'introduction du nouvel avion-école de base dans l'inventaire de la Force aérienne indienne (IAF) s'est déroulé sans problème et avec une ponctualité des livraisons sans faille. Le moins que l’on puisse dire à ce jour, c’est qu’au sein de l’Académie de vol indienne la satisfaction semble être générale.

Malgré des difficultés rencontrées en matière de conditions météorologiques défavorables dues à l’arrivée de la mousson, les premiers vols en solo ont été réalisés avec succès au cours des trois premières semaines de formation au pilotage.

A la fin des deux premiers mois de formation, les instructeurs et les cadets ont exprimé une grande satisfaction face à l’environnement d’enseignement que procure le PC-7MKII. Les instructeurs ont mis en avant les grandes qualités de l’avion, sa facilité de mise en oeuvre et sa fiabilité. D’une manière générale, le PC-7MKII a considérablement renforcé la qualité de l'enseignement au sein de l’Indian Air Force. Les premières analyses de fond montrent que l’avion suisse et son avionique moderne forment une plateforme idéale pour l'apprentissage des jeunes équipages de la Force aérienne indienne pour leurs tâches difficiles à l'avenir.

Le 75ème PC-7 :

Cette semaine, le dernier appareil du premier lot est actuellement en cours d’essais sur les installations de l’avionneur à Stans. Doté d’une livrée spéciale (voir photo) pour commémorer cette livraison, l’avion rejoindra prochainement l’école de pilotage de l’IAF, selon le calendrier prévu.

Seconde tranche :

Mais du côté de Pilatus, on se prépare déjà à la seconde tranche de 38 Pilatus PC-7MKII, dont le contrat a été officialisé en mars dernier, pour un montant de 230 millions de francs suisses.


Photos : 1 le 75ème PC-7 MKII @ Stephan Widmer 2 PC-7 MKII @ Pilatus Aircraft

http://psk.blog.24heures.ch/archive/2015/09/17/le-75eme-pilatus-pc-7-mkii-pour-l-inde-859754.html

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Ahead of Modi's visit, India set to buy choppers worth $3bn from US


Shishir Gupta, Hindustan Times, New Delhi | Updated: Sep 19, 2015 11:19 IST



India is set to acquire 22 Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters. (Photo: US Army)


The finance ministry has finally given a green signal to acquisition of 22 Apache attack and 15 Chinook heavy deployment helicopters worth $3.1 billion from US defence major Boeing after a delay of nearly three years and 13 price extensions.

The deal is expected to cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) next Tuesday, before Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarks on his United Nations General Assembly visit to New York.

With Boeing and US Army Security Assistance Command threatening to escalate the price after September 30 by nearly 40% after holding it steady since 2009, finance minister Arun Jaitley, defence minister Manohar Parrikar and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval put their heads together this week.

“We have conveyed our no objections to the deal being considered by the CCS,” said a senior finance ministry official.

India plans to purchase 22 Apache AH 64D Longbow helicopters with purchase option of another 11 at the cost of $2 billion. This state-of-the-art attack helicopter will be acquired with Hell Fire missiles and around 8,000 rockets.

The helicopter has night vision capability, stealth characteristics and beyond visual range missiles.

Apart from this, India will acquire 15 CH-47 Chinook helicopters with options of another six at the cost of $1.1 billion. A twin-rotor helicopter, Chinook has proved its worth in US operations in Afghanistan and Iraq and will be used by Indian Air Force for rapid insertion of troops in high altitude areas.

India has vintage attack and heavy deployment helicopters only on paper.

The acquisition process of the two helicopters was started in 2009 and was expected to be completed by December 2012. However, due to bureaucratic delays both in the defence ministry and finance ministry, the acquisition has been virtually hanging fire since 2013, following completion of all negotiations.

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Indian Air Force involved in ‘Operation All Out’ to eliminate Bodo militant group


By Dylan Vosman - Sep 20, 2015



The Air Force is involved in “Operation All Out”, operating since January, along with the Army, paramilitary forces and state police to eliminate NDFB (Songbijit) militants from lower Assam.

Gajraj Corps GOC Lt Gen Sarath Chand told the media after an anti-insurgency Unified Command Structure meeting that about 3,500 troops of the Army along with the IAF, Assam Police, and paramilitary forces have launched a massive operation against NDFB(S) covering Ripu, Chirang, Manas, Sonai Rupai and Behali reserve forests in Kokrajhar, and Chirang, Baksa and Sonitpur districts of lower Assam.

The operation has been primarily launched to eliminate remnants of the group by protracted and sustained actions for an extended period of time, he said.

A roadmap for ‘Operation All Out’ was planned to carry out the relentless and well directed operation to decimate the group, instill faith among the local populace and bring normalcy in the region, he added.

The troops on the ground have been sensitized about carrying out specific intelligence-based operations and not to cause any inconvenience to the local populace, the GoC said.

The need of the hour, he said, is to continue with the operations against the notorious NDFB(S) till they are totally wiped out, the General said.

Assam director general of police Khagen Sarma, answering queries on operations by Islamic fundamentalist outfits in the state, said, “The NDFB(S) compared to the pan-Islamic groups is much lower. We are keeping a very strict vigil.”

A defence spokesman said as a result of the intelligence-based operations, 18 terrorists were neutralized, 539 terrorists and workers related to them were apprehended along and 175 assorted weapons, 180 hand grenades and 7 IEDs seized.

The Centre, he said, is closely monitoring the situation and there would be no let-up in the operations till the time the outfit is completely decimated.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Indian-Air-Force-involved-in-Operation-All-Out-to-eliminate-Bodo-militant-group/articleshow/49026272.cms

http://defence-blog.com/news/indian-air-force-involved-in-operation-all-out-to-eliminate-bodo-militant-group.html

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Photo of Indian Navy MiG-29K operations with STOBAR at Goa By Dylan Vosman - Sep 21, 2015



India’s Shore-based Test Facility (SBTF) at Goa’s INS Hansa air station is a bustling facility now. After launching and trapping Russian-built MiG-29Ks for months now, it launched an LCA Navy in January, and is getting all set for a lot of activity starting March when the second LCA Navy prototype (NP2) heads to Goa to join carrier compatibility tests. There’s a good chance foreign aircraft could use the facility soon too. The SBTF won’t have any shortage of work in the foreseeable future — apart from the Vikramaditya, the country’s first Vikrant-class indigenous aircraft carrier is also a STOBAR boat. The Indian Navy’s vision on moving away from STOBAR into the realm of catapult operations won’t yield anything anytime soon, though the groundwork was recently laid when India and the U.S. decided to work together and talk about EMALS technology, sparking speculation over whether the second or third ship in the Vikrant-class would be reconfigured for CATOBAR operations.






Read more at: http://defence-blog.com/news/photo-of-indian-navy-mig-29k-operations-with-stobar-at-goa.html

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India's GSL moves ahead with MCMV programme

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Navy International
20 September 2015


India's public sector Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has invited responses by 29 September from overseas original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to form a joint venture (JV) to build 12 mine counter-measure vessels (MCMV) for INR328.40 billion (USD5.05 billion).

The expression of interest (EoI), released on 1 September, states that GSL will evaluate the OEMs' ability to design the MCMVs and transfer technology before issuing the shortlisted shipbuilders a request for proposals (RfP) in October.

A contract will be awarded by March 2016 and platform construction will start in 2018.

Delivery of the first MCMV is anticipated by March 2021 with the remaining 11 vessels completed by the end of 2026, the EoI declared.


http://www.janes.com/article/54658/india-s-gsl-moves-ahead-with-mcmv-programme

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Russia ready to export new main battle tank T-14 Armata to China, India and Saudi Arabia.

Defense Company Uralvagonzavod of Russia, manufacturer of defense products as main battle tank is ready to look at possible exports of the new-generation tanks, T-14 Armata, to foreign buyers. The T-14 Armata is the latest generation of Russian-made main battle tank which was unveiled for the first time to the public during the military parade in Moscow, May 9, 2015.



We had a lot of talks with various delegations in the framework of the recent Russian Arms Expo (RAE-2015) - all demonstrated interest in buying these products,"Uralvagonzavod’s director general Oleg Siyenko, told the Ekho Moskvy radio station.

"But so far, it is beyond the current agenda. Our priority is to equip our own armed forces with state-of-the-art hardware. But from the point of view of the economy, undoubtedly, we would like to export these products in future."

He said among potential buyer could be countries with big defense budgets, such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar. "Sure, there is interest from Europe too," he noted.

Earlier, Russian Minister of Trade and Industry Denis Manturov said Russia was ready to discuss with its foreign partners possible supplies of Armata tanks after 2020, when Uralvagonzavod was through with the orders under the state armaments program.




The T-14 main battle tank is based on the Armata Universal Combat Platform. The Armata has more firepower than the latest generation of main battle tank T-90. The Armata is fitted with a new unmanned remote weapon station turret. Russian experts believe that the appearance of the remotely controlled gun would eventually lead to the development of a fully robotic tank which could be deployed as part of a spearhead in the offensive.

The new unmanned remote turret of Armata T-14 is equipped with new generation of 125mm 2A82-1M smoothbore gun with an automatic loader and 32 rounds ready to use. The main gun can fire also new laser-guided missile with a range from 7 to 12 km.

The T-14 Armata is equipped with the Active Protection System (APS) Afghanit which seems similar to the Israeli Trophy able to intercept and destroy incoming missiles and rockets.The system is designed to work against all types of anti-tank missiles and rockets, including handheld weapons such as rocket propelled grenades.

http://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/russia_ready_to_export_new_main_battle_tank_t-14_armata_to_china_india_and_saudi_arabia_12109153.html

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Bharat Dynamics, ECIL sign weapons support MoU

Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - IHS Jane's Defence Industry
21 September 2015



Bharat Dynamics (BDL) and the Electronics Corporation of India (ECIL) have signed an accord to support the production and support of weapon systems in service with the Indian armed forces.

The two state-owned Indian corporations said in a statement on 21 September that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) features co-operation on the provision of "missile electronics" and "weapon support systems" for ongoing and future defence programmes.

The statement added that the MoU provides a framework for the two groups to "harmonise business opportunities" in areas related to missile systems and underwater weapons.

IHS Jane's understands that an initial focus of the MoU will be collaboration on the Akash surface-to-air missile, which is produced by BDL.


http://www.janes.com/article/54696/bharat-dynamics-ecil-sign-weapons-support-mou

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Indian Coast Guard commissions patrol vessel, interceptor craft

Ridzwan Rahmat, Singapore - IHS Jane's Navy International
21 September 2015



The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) has commissioned its 14th Aadesh-class fast patrol vessel and a coastal interceptor craft, coastguard public relations official Commandant Ajay Kumar Pande, confirmed to IHS Jane's on 22 September.

The vessels were commissioned on 21 September at the Mumbai naval dockyard, in a ceremony presided over by the Indian Navy's Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command Vice Admiral SPS Cheema.

"These ships bear testimony of how India is growing as a maritime power", said the admiral in an address at the ceremony.



http://www.janes.com/article/54728/indian-coast-guard-commissions-patrol-vessel-interceptor-craft

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Rafale : des commandes… étalées


Industrie et matériels 24 septembre 2015

Les négociations entre Dassault et ses partenaires indiens pour l’achat par l’Inde de 36 Rafale se poursuivent et devraient connaître une issue proche. La question des responsabilités a été tranchée et l’Etat français s’est engagé à garantir l’exécution du contrat en cas de défaillance de l’avionneur.

Les discussions portent donc désormais essentiellement sur les prix. Et il ne devrait vraisem­blablement s’agir que d’un premier lot d’appareils. L’incertitude planant sur l’avenir du programme T-50 (l’avion de Sukhoi est encore loin d’être opérationnel) et l’acquisition de 110 chasseurs J-10 par le voisin et rival pakistanais placeraient en effet, selon des sources indiennes, le Rafale comme une option sérieuse pour le remplacement d’une partie de la flotte de MiG-21 Fishbed dédiée à la défense aérienne.

L’avionneur russe MiG vient d’ailleurs de dévoiler que l’Indian Air Force (IAF) souhaite maintenir ses Fishbed en service jusqu’en 2020 et a signé un accord prévoyant la fourniture de pièces détachées à cet effet. Un deuxième lot de Rafale pourrait donc être commandé pour remplir cette mission cruciale pour l’IAF.

Parallèlement, des négociations se sont poursuivies avec les Emirats Arabes Unis en début de semaine lors du déplacement de Jean-Yves Le Drian à Abou Dhabi. Des négociations qui portent, outre le Rafale, sur la participation de l’Emirat au programme franco-britannique de drone de combat du futur (FCAS).

Mais qu’il s’agisse d’une commande indienne ou émiratie, il semble que, pour l’avionneur français, rien ne presse. En effet, compte tenu des commandes égyptiennes et qataries, des besoins prévus pour équiper l’armée de l’air française, sans parler des demandes des clients quant aux délais de livraisons des premiers appareils, une deuxième chaîne se révèlera indispensable. Elle est à créer. Et l’étalement des nouvelles commandes le permettra !

http://www.ttu.fr/rafale-des-commandes-etalees/

RIP

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Indian tank officer killed during firing drills

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

24 September 2015


An Indian Army tank officer died after being hit by shrapnel during practice firing in Rajasthan's desert region on 22 September, officials said.

Army spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Manish Ojha said Major Dhru Yadav of the 75 Armoured Regiment was hit by a 'splinter' during a firepower demonstration involving Arjun main battle tanks.

An official inquiry had been ordered into the accident, he added.

Army sources said preliminary inquiries had revealed that the 32-year old officer was struck, either by a splinter from a misfired 125 mm round from a tank behind Major Yadav's, or by shrapnel from an artillery shell fired from nearby.

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India looks for EW suites for Mi-17 helos

Rahul Bedi, New Delhi - IHS Jane's Defence Weekly

27 September 2015


India is looking for advanced electronic warfare suites for its fleet of Mi-17V-5 helicopters.
Source: Russian Helicopters


The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued a request for information (RfI) to local companies equip its fleet of 139 Mil Mi-17V-5 'Hip' medium-lift helicopters with advanced electronic warfare (EW) suites.

The 16 September RfI, which is aimed at private and public sector companies and has a deadline of 15 December, requires the EW suites to comprise radar warning receivers (RWRs), missile approach warning systems (MAWS), and countermeasure dispensing systems (CMDS).

"The integrated EW suite is intended to provide capability of intercepting, identifying, prioritising, and displaying airborne and ground-based threats from radars and missiles to the pilot," the RfI states.

It also seeks to "effectively provide self-protection to the helicopter against radar-controlled weapons and infrared-seeking missiles, by employing different countermeasures (chaffs, flares, and directed infrared)" it added.

The RFI also wants a 'limited number' of the twin-engine Mi-17V-5s to be integrated with laser warning receivers (LWRs) and directional infrared countermeasures (DIRCM).

Military sources said this would involve 12-14 Mi-17V-5s, which would be diverted to the IAF's Communication Squadron to transport VIPs such as the Indian president, prime minister, and other senior officials.

This follows the termination of the EUR570 million (USD638 million) purchase of 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters for this role in early 2013. AgustaWestland has since been cleared of corruption allegations relating to the deal in Italy, but India's Central Bureau of Investigation is continuing with its own investigation.

In mid-2014 six Mi-17V-5s were temporarily modified for VVIP transportation, but the MoD now wants a larger fleet with advanced EW suites, permanently earmarked for this role.

The RfI, however, is unclear on whether local companies can invite overseas assistance for the EW programme, via a joint venture. It does, however, stipulate that the shortlisted vendor would need to co-ordinate with the helicopter manufacturer to "install and integrate" the EW suite.

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Inde : discussions cruciales avec la France sur le Rafale (responsable gouvernemental)


AFP 29/09/2015

Des responsables des ministères indiens et français de la Défense se retrouvent mardi pour discuter de la vente de 36 avions Rafale à l'Inde, avec l'espoir d'arriver prochainement à un accord, a annoncé un responsable gouvernemental indien.

Ces négociations, qui se déroulent à New Delhi, interviennent après que la France eut accepté le principe d'investir 50% du montant du contrat total du contrat en Inde, rapporte le quotidien Economic Times.

Ces discussions "vont conduire l'accord dans sa phase finale", a dit un responsable gouvernemental indien à l'AFP tout en refusant de commenter les engagements sur les investissements. "Si tout se passe bien, un accord de gouvernement à gouvernement sera bientôt signé. Il faudra encore probablement un mois avant la signature de l'accord final", a-t-il dit.

Le Premier ministre indien Narendra Modi avait annoncé en avril, lors de sa visite en France, une commande de 36 avions de chasse de Dassault "sur étagère", c'est-à-dire prêts à voler. Le montant estimé est de 5 milliards d'euros.

Un point d'achoppement des négociations a été la demande de New Delhi, fréquente dans ses grands contrats d'armement, d'investir une partie de ce contrat en Inde qui serait dans ce cas de 50%, selon le Economic Times qui ne cite pas de source.

Selon le quotidien, la délégation française est conduite par un haut responsable de la Direction générale de l'armement française (DGA), Stéphane Reb.

New Delhi avait initialement lancé en 2012 des discussions avec Dassault pour l'achat de 126 Rafale, dont 108 fabriqués en Inde à travers une opération complexe de transfert de technologie. Devant l'échec de ces discussions, le gouvernement Modi a décidé de revoir ses besoins à la baisse et de négocier avec le gouvernement français et non Dassault.

L'Inde tente d'accélérer la modernisation de ses équipements militaires dans le cadre d'un programme évalué à environ 100 milliards de dollars, afin de répondre aux défis militaires posés par le Pakistan et la Chine. Modi veut en outre que l'Inde abandonne la place de premier importateur mondial de matériel militaire et soit capable de produire 70% de ses équipements d'ici à la fin de la décennie.

http://www.lorientlejour.com/article/946665/inde-discussions-cruciales-avec-la-france-sur-le-rafale-responsable-gouvernemental.html

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Larsen and Toubro selected to supply 100 self-propelled howitzers to the Indian Army

India is finally set to get its own mobile howitzers that will reverse the longheld Pakistani battlefield edge on artillery guns. The guns Pakistan have were supplied by the US ostensibly for the 'war on terror'. In a deal that would also fit the 'Make in India' mandate, domestic manufacturer Larsen and Toubro has emerged as the finalist for a $750-million contract to supply 100 self-propelled artillery guns to the Indian Army.


The 155 mm artillery guns are specially designed for operation in the desert areas bordering Pakistan and have been a longstanding requirement of the Indian Army, officials said. India's concerns over Pakistan acquiring an edge in conventional warfare escalated in 2009 when the US supplied it 115 of the modern M 109A5 cannons as a "reward" for its assistance in the war on the Afghanistan border.

Once signed — the final process could take another six months — the Vajra could be the first new artillery gun to be produced in India since the 1980s when the Bofors was acquired. A parallel effort to procure M777 ultra-light howitzers from the US is under progress.

The Vajra will be produced at L&T's Pune facility and could be considered for exports in the future, along with an expected followon order for more guns for the Army.

The victory is especially sweet for L&T as it was competing in the global category, which was open to all arms vendors around the world.

The Vajra beat its Russian competitor on several technical grounds, including rate of fire, accuracy and mobility trials, officials said. L&T officials, however, refused to comment on the development.

The K9 VAJRA-T is a variant of Southr-Korea's K9 Thunder which is inarguably the world's best 155mm/52 Cal.SPH in terms of number of systems in active service. Currently, K9 Thunder is serving as one of the main conventional deterrent forces for a number of armies including the Korean Army. K9 Thunder has established its superiority through demonstrations and evaluation tests at various proving grounds in extreme weather conditions, jungles, barren deserts and severely cold areas. By demonstrating its ability to handle Indian as well as all NATO standard ammunitions, K9 VAJRA-T has proven its excellent conformability to any field artillery unit.

India's artillery modernisation plans have been stuck since the 1980s after the Bofors kickbacks scandal. Not a single new modern system has been purchased since, seriously limiting the Army's battlefield edge.

Self-propelled guns are vital for their "shoot and scoot" ability as well as a high flexibility of deployment in the battlefield.

While Pakistan managed to procure the American systems in 2009, India's plans for similar systems have been stuck since 1999, with several failed rounds at identifying a gun.




http://www.armyrecognition.com/september_2015_global_defense_security_news_uk/larsen_and_toubro_selected_to_supply_100_self-propelled_howitzers_to_the_indian_army_23009152.html

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Indian Navy Commissions Second Kolkata Class Guided Missile Destroyer INS Kochi

INS ‘Kochi’ was commissioned by the Hon'ble Defence Minister, Shri Manohar Parrikar, at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 30 September 2015. Kochi is the second ship of the Kolkata-class (Project 15A) Guided Missile Destroyers. The contract for three ships of Kolkata class was signed as follow-on of the Delhi Class Destroyers, which were commissioned into the Indian Navy more than a decade ago.





Designed by the Indian Navy's in-house organization, Directorate of Naval Design, and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai the ship is christened after the vibrant port city of Kochi. Although conceived as follow-on of the earlier Delhi class, this ship is vastly superior and has major advancements in weapons and sensors. The ship incorporates new design concepts for improved survivability, stealth, sea-keeping, and manoeuvrability.

With a displacement of 7500 tons, the destroyer spanning 164 meters in length and 17 meters at the beam, is propelled by four gas turbines and designed to achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots. The ship has a complement of about 40 Officers and 350 Sailors. The accommodation and living spaces have been designed with special emphasis on ergonomics and habitability. Enhanced stealth features have been achieved through shaping of hull and use of radar-transparent deck fittings. A bow mounted Sonar Dome, the second of its kind in an indigenous naval platform, has been introduced to enhance sonar acoustic performance.


Kochi is packed with an array of state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, with a significant indigenous component. The ship thus has many lethal weapons to her credit which include the successful fitment of vertically launched missile system for long distance engagement of shore and sea based targets. The ship is one of the few warships of the world and the second in the Indian Navy to have Multi-Function Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar to provide target data to Long Range Surface to Air Missile system. The MF STAR and LR SAM systems are jointly developed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd. To protect against incoming air borne and surface threats, at medium and close in range, the ship has 76 mm and 30 mm gun mounts.

The ship can truly be classified as a ‘Network of Networks’ as it is equipped with Ship Data Network (SDN), Combat Management System (CMS), Automatic Power Management System (APMS) and Auxiliary Control System (ACS). The SDN is the information highway on which data from all the sensors and weapons ride. The CMS performs threat evaluation and resource allocation based on the tactical picture compiled and ammunition available onboard. While propulsion and power management is done using the APMS, remote control and monitoring of machinery is achieved through the ACS.

The ship is equipped to store and operate two helicopters (Seaking 42B or Chetak). In consonance with the national vision of achieving Maritime Security through Self-Reliance, the ships have significantly higher level of indigenization as compared to the Delhi class. Some of the major equipment/systems developed indigenously and fitted onboard include; Ship’s Data Network (M/s BEL, Bangalore), Combat Management System (M/s BEL, Ghaziabad), Bow Mounted Sonar (M/s BEL, Bangalore), Electronic Warfare Suite (M/s BEL, Hyderabad), Close-in weapon System (Gun Shell Factory and M/s BEL, Chennai), Indigenous Rocket Launcher (M/s L&T), Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launcher for ASW (M/s L&T) Boat Davits (M/s L&T) and Automated Power Management System (M/s L&T).

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3131