DRDO, PSU and Private Defence Sector News

[nitesh]

DRDO plans to form commercial arm by year-end - India - DNA

 

[gogbot]

May be they can finally get some decent PR for their products now.
Looking forward to this.

 

[nitesh]

The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Science : IISc. to install ‘synchrotron' on Chitradurga campus

"The facility will fill a huge gap in research infrastructure in the country. The absence of a next-generation synchrotron is beginning to bite," he told The Hindu. "It is a vital tool for building scientific capability within the country rather than having to use such facilities elsewhere." The synchrotron will be in the range of 2.5-6 GeV (Giga electron Volts). China's Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility, for instance, is 3.5 GeV.

A 2.5 GeV synchrotron, called Indus II, was being readied in Indore, Professor Vijayan said. "The new generation synchrotron in Chitradurga will upgrade the country's synchrotron facilities. We need at least two such facilities."

 

[pavanvenkatesh]

what is a Synchrotron and its applications?

 

[nitesh]

what is a Synchrotron and its applications?

the first hand answer is in the link only

In a synchrotron, electrons move at high speeds close to the speed of light through a circular tunnel generating bright beams of electromagnetic radiation, including intense X-rays that are used in both fundamental and applied sciences such as X-ray spectroscopic studies and diffraction studies in material science, and in protein crystallography.

 

[EagleOne]

what is a Synchrotron and its applications?

Synchrotron - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[nitesh]

Vizag to build torpedoes | Deccan Chronicle | 2010-09-28

 

[sesha_maruthi27]

NIce to here that INDIA is concentrating on its NAVY also.:emot112:

 

[Anshu Attri]

BAE Systems accepts System Integration Facility Clause enabling 74 per cent FDI in Defense
:emot112:
:: Bharat-Rakshak.com - Indian Military News Headlines ::

2010-09-28 Global defence security and aerospace major BAE Systems is ready to accept Government's rider that 74 per cent FDI in defence sector be allowed only if a foreign bidder sets up its hi-tech system integration facility in India. In its recent discussion paper, the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) suggested that foreign direct investment in the defence production be raised from 26 per cent to 74 per cent, subject to system integration facility (SIF) in India.

It had said that whenever the Ministry of Defence invites the "Requests for Proposals (RFP)" for its future weaponry requirements, it must be with the condition of SIF in the country. However, according to sources, doubts were raised in certain government quarters whether such terms would be acceptable to global defence vendors, which have remained reluctant to share technology.

"The imposition by the MoD of a condition in an RFP that the successful bidder set up a SIF (or use an already existing facility) in India with a certain minimum percentage of value addition in India would be consistent with encouraging OEMs to commit resource, capability and capital India's growing Defence industry," BAE Systems said in its response to the discussion paper to the DIPP.

Besides, BAE, a mega European aerospace is "in talk with the government on the SIF issue and seem to be ready to toe our line," a senior official said.

As one of the largest users and importers of conventional defence equipment, India's cumulative defence budget has been growing at 13.4 per cent since 2006-07 rising up to Rs 1,47,344 crore (USD 31.9 billion). Of this, about 40 per cent is the capital expenditure and 70 per cent of which is met through imports.

- PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

 

[Patriot]

DRDO Opts To Retain Food Lab | AVIATION WEEK

India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has decided to keep the Mysore-based Defense Food Research Laboratory (DFRL) within its stable, despite speculation that it and other life sciences facilities would be moved elsewhere.

DFRL supplies ready-to-eat rations to soldiers deployed in extreme and hostile conditions like Siachen, Rajasthan and during the Antarctica expedition. All its food-processing technologies have been passed on to Indian industries under transfer of technology.

Some observers had expected the facilities to be moved out of DRDO and placed under the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research as part of the recent restructuring of DRDO announced by the defense ministry (Aerospace DAILY, May 14). A faction within DRDO also felt that the labs could be moved out, primarily due to the overlap of work being done by them. But Dr. Prahlada, DRDO's chief R&D controller for aerospace & services interaction, confirms to AVIATION WEEK that DFRL will stay with DRDO.

"In the first place, we have never gone on record saying that the lab would be moved out," he says. "The report submitted by the committee had many recommendations and we are looking into the same. Life sciences play a very important role and the user demands more products from these labs. DFRL will be with DRDO."

AVIATION WEEK also learned that top brass from the Indian armed forces stood by DFRL and took the matter to the highest level. "The uneasiness expressed by the DFRL officials through various quarters has been taken seriously by the [defense ministry]," a source says. "Also, the army backed the lab's capabilities, which forced the officials to have a rethink."

 

[nitesh]

Guruprasad director of Research and Development Establishment

He was a key member of the design team for Sarvatra, a military bridge and underwater Shourya launcher.

In 1999, he was appointed the project director of BrahMos Platform Systems Project and was instrumental in developing Mobile Autonomous Launcher for Army, and inclined and vertical launchers for warships.

 

[Patriot]

Hylas-1 completes testing in India; ready for spaceport :: Brahmand.com

PARIS (BNS): Following extensive testing in India, the Hylas-1 telecommunication satellite has been given the green signal for shipping to Europe's Spaceport in French Guiana for its November flight.

Hylas, a public-private partnership between ESA and Avanti Communications (UK), will target the high demand for broadband services in Europe that cannot be met by terrestrial networks.

Hylas-1 during qualification testing at the Compact Antenna Test Facility (CATF) at ISRO's Bangalore satellite
centre. Photo by ISRO

EADS Astrium is the mission prime contractor with the satellite platform coming from Antrix Corporation, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

The satellite assembly and qualification testing was carried out in the Indian city of Bangalore. On September 18, the satellite's readiness to begin its scheduled launch campaign was assessed.

Senior officials from Avanti, ESA, Astrium and ISRO/Antrix studied the results of Hylas-1's tests before giving the green light.

The thermal-vacuum testing was carried out in mid-May. The thermal-vacuum test is the most demanding phase of satellite testing. For Hylas, it involved taking the complete satellite between the temperature extremes it will experience in orbit several times over a period of four weeks, ESA said.

A Russian Antonov-124 aircraft will carry Hylas from Bangalore to Kourou in early October, along with all the support equipment. Launch is planned for November on Europe's Ariane 5 ECA, shared with another telecommunication satellite.

 

[Patriot]

Indian Official Says Government-Owned Defense Companies Must Compete

Signaling the end of the monopoly enjoyed by Indian government-owned Defense Public Sector Units, Minister of State for Defense M.M. Pallam Raju has asked DPSUs to shift gears and compete for defense manufacturing work.

Pallam's comments are significant in light of increased participation of private players in the defense and aerospace sectors.

"The [privately owned] Tatas, Larsen and Toubro and Mahindras are already in the defense manufacturing sector now, and they are expanding in a big way," Pallam says. "This is due to the renewed thrust given by the Indian government to increased self-reliance. The DPSUs are no longer in a comfort zone. However, they have shaped up well in the last few years, which is a positive sign."

In Bangalore last week for the golden jubilee raising day celebrations of the 106 Infantry Battalion (Territorial Army) of the Parachute Regiment, Pallam said there are a number of small- and medium-sized enterprises that already participate in this process, and now the Ministry of Defense is looking for bigger companies to step in.

On another matter, Pallam said the defense ministry is considering increasing the number of Territorial Army (TA) units.

"Currently there are about 50,000 personnel in TA units across India, and we are in the process of identifying areas where this could be increased," he says.

A series of steps have also been implemented to strengthen the coastline in the wake of the November 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks.

"Post 26/11, the Indian navy has been made the nodal agency for strengthening surveillance across the country's 5,422-km. coastline," Pallam said. "Setting up of maritime police stations, lighthouses equipped with radars and sensors, induction of patrol boats and automatic identification systems to track small vessels are being planned for enhancing coastal surveillance."

To a question posed by AVIATION WEEK, Pallam says: "The upcoming air show in Bangalore (in February 2011) will showcase a series of indigenous developments. It will be different in many ways, and one would get an up-close [look] on some [of the] latest indigenous developments worldwide."

Pallam photo: Defense PRO, Bangalore






Indian Official Says Government-Owned Defense Companies Must Compete | AVIATION WEEK

 

[gogbot]

^^^

MoD has consistently made attempts to include Pvt Sector companies in the bids.
And then made every effort to give the contracts to the DPSU's.

they push for Pvt , but they don't want to hand them contracts.

Too much entrenched Bias towards the DPSU's

 

[nitesh]

news.outlookindia.com | 'Defence Purchase Delays Due to Kickback Scandals'

Defence Minister A K Antony today blamed kickback scandals for the delays in procurement of military equipment and said the Armed Forces has "lost" 20 years as a result of the "past controversies."

Antony also called India's dependence on imports for defence hardware as "a shame" despite having a large industrial infrastructure and wanted a quick solution to remedy this. The country was still relying on imports to meet 70 per cent of its defence requirements, he said.

"There are lot of non-military persons who are concerned over the lack of equipment for our armed forces. But they should not forget the past controversies in defence procurements from 1980s to 1990s that engulfed the governments. As a result, we lost 20 years," Antony said addressing senior armed forces officers here.

But he assured them that the government was trying to change the situation now through its defence production policy that was aimed at curbing corruption in defence deals.

"We will continue that effort and try to get the equipment for the armed forces at the earliest. But I am confident as Defence Minister that our armed forces are ever ready to meet any challenge that the nation faces," he said speaking at the Field Marshal K M Carriappa Memorial Lecture organised by the Army.

Noting that he wanted to flag an issue of real concern, Antony said even with a large industrial infrastructure, "we are still importing about 70 per cent of our defence requirements."

"A large country like India...A fast developing country like India...This large volume of import is not a healthy one. It is a shame for our country. We have to find a solution to this at the earliest," he said.

The government, from now, would try to buy defence equipment from the domestic market in areas in which India could produce them internally within the required time frame, he said, adding that only when that became difficult would the country look at imports to meet the defence requirements.

Pointing out that imports also posed a problem of another nature, Antony said the countries that sold the equipment also imposed conditions after the contracts were signed or did not provide proper product support later.

This was an apparent reference to the US, which had asked India to sign some enabling agreements such as communication interoperability and end-user monitoring after selling military hardware to India, and Russia which had perennially posed problems with spares supplies.

"Many a times, there are pulls and counter-pulls by these countries. Hence we must development a strong defence industrial base within India in coordination with defence scientists. In the long run, indigenous capabilities are the only solution," he said.

 

[gogbot]

The government, from now, would try to buy defence equipment from the domestic market in areas in which India could produce them internally within the required time frame, he said, adding that only when that became difficult would the country look at imports to meet the defence requirements.

This accounts for 70% of the time , see a pattern.

MoD really had the intention to make Indigenous weapons , they would give more contracts to Pvt sector,
Companies that have invested such as L&T are forced to make loss due to their bias towards DPSU's.

Armed forces such as Army Show very little interest in investing in Indigenous weapons , and constantly want foreign systems that are already on the market , which get purchased after Years of Trials and negotiations.

Only half steps towards weapons R&D and then step backwards when a turning point actually arises.

Antony neither has the power of the capability to create reform of this scale.
Even 10 years down the line the best they want to aim for is 50% domestic production.

 

[nitesh]

DRDO Research Center A Key Missile Player | AVIATION WEEK

The Research Center Imarat (RCI), a sensitive and less-discussed wing of India's Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), is playing a key role in India's next-generation missile programs.

RCI is currently involved in air defense systems (ADS) and the Agni-V long-range strategic missile. "The lab has successfully participated in successful demonstration of ADS with over five launches so far," an RCI official says. "The Agni-V, capable of traveling a maximum range of 6,000 kilometers [3,700 mi.], is scheduled for a maiden launch in March 2011. This would further put India among a select group of nations with such advanced deterrent systems."

The Exposition Hall at RCI provides a peek into various missile systems and other platforms that are currently being developed by the lab. DRDO chief V.K. Saraswat has laid down a mandate for RCI to become a leader in missile technologies.

RCI has been designing and developing state-of-the-art missile technologies for more than two decades. It is DRDO's largest unit responsible for developing missile systems and avionics like inertial navigation systems (INS), control systems, real-time embedded computers, imaging infrared seekers, radio frequency seekers and power supply systems.

Telemetry and teleoperation systems also are developed by RCI to evaluate missile performance during the development phase. "Our focus has been developing world-class, state-of-the-art missile technologies that will produce precise and reliable, indigenous weapon systems to back the needs of the armed forces," RCI Director S.K. Ray says. "We want to be a leader in development of guided missile systems by delivering frontier technologies, multi-disciplinary competence and avant-garde infrastructure leading to self-reliance,"

Located close to the new Hyderabad airport, RCI is spread across 2,100 acres. The lab has successfully produced missile technologies that were denied to India under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) by Western countries, including fiber-optic gyros, ring laser gyros, electromechanical actuators, pressure sensors, rate gyros, lithium and thin film batteries, imaging infrared domes and IIR/RF seekers.

As the crucial unit of India's Missile Complex, RCI has been pivotal in launching the Prithvi surface-to-surface missile, the Dhanush ship-launched missile, the Agni long-range missile, the Akash medium-range surface-to-air missile, the Nag anti-tank missile, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, the Astra air-to-air missile and the submarine-launched K-15 missile. The lab works closely with the Defense Research and Development Laboratory and the Advanced Systems Laboratory, which are both based in Hyderabad.

 

[nitesh]

RCI Nav Systems Now On Multiple Platforms | AVIATION WEEK

Indian armed forces and industry are seizing on an opportunity to equip various Indian platforms with homegrown advanced systems, like navigation systems.

The development is a twist of fate as India tries to overcome obstacles once laid down by the West's Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR).

Satheesh Reddy, director of navigation systems at the Research Center Imarat (RCI), claims that India can now rub shoulders with the best in the business of making missiles. The denial of technology stemming from MTCR also forced the lab to find indigenous ways to develop systems in the areas of fiber optic gyroscopes (control grade and inertial grade) for missile, tanks and aircraft, ring laser gyroscopes for long-range and long-endurance missiles and flight vehicles. The lab also produces high-accuracy accelerometers to meet the accuracy requirements of long-range missiles.

"We learned huge lessons when various critical technologies were denied to us," Reddy tells AVIATION WEEK. "It did put the brakes on our march forward. We went through the grind, faced flak from all corners, but then we never took our eyes off the target. Today our navigation systems are getting onboard not only on missiles, but aircraft, ships and submarines," he explains.

With a major thrust by India's Defense Minister A.K. Antony for indigenous products, RCI has become the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization's flag-bearer in state-of-the-art systems and subsystems for missile programs. The primary focus of the lab was to support various missions by providing systems like inertial navigation systems (INS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (Glonass) receivers. Today, the technology know-how has given confidence to RCI to support different missions with varied requirements of DRDO and users. Having mastered the art of precision hits – the sole objective of any missile program – RCI has graduated to providing navigational support to Tejas, Su-30MKI and Jaguar. The lab is also supporting the Indian Navy for other so-called smart upgrades.

RCI's Navigation System unit is focussing on the development of built-in redundant systems with highly-accurate sensors and single-chip navigation solutions. "The lab has been playing a silent role in contributing to DRDO's sensitive programs, which at this point we wouldn't want to talk about," says one lab official.

 

[Patriot]

DRDO Readying System On Chip For Avionics

India is set to launch a system on chip (SoC) for avionics applications. It is a single chip solution for the existing printed circuit board-based onboard computer.

A select group of scientists are currently engaged in the design and development of the SoC at the Real-Time Embedded Computer Directorate attached to Research Center Imarat under the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The chip will be ready by May 2011.

"The SoC is also going to be an integral part of [a] futuristic, low-cost navigator system [and] homing guidance seekers, besides providing interface with other avionics subsystems," a DRDO source says.

Representation of SoC: RCI





http://www.aviationweek.com/aw/generic/story_generic.jsp?topicName=india&id=news/awx/2010/10/15/awx_10_15_2010_p0-262693.xml&headline=DRDO%20Readying%20System%20On%20Chip%20For%20Avionics

 

[SHASH2K2]