DRDO, PSU and Private Defence Sector News

[cobra commando]

New Delhi: In yet another controversy to hit DRDO, the project director of nuclear- capable Agni 5 missile programme RK Gupta has been moved out following which he has complained to the Defence Ministry alleging victimisation. While DRDO sources termed the transfer as "routine", the officer has alleged that he was singled out by two senior officials within the organisation including former chief Avinash Chander, who demitted his office on January 31. The incident came just days after the successful canister launch of the inter-continental missile on January 31. Gupta has complained to the Ministry that he received the letter, dated January 9, only on February 2 when he reached his office after the successful launch. "With all humility and respect, I wish to bring to your notice that on February 2, I was relinquished from the post of project director Agni-V. I am shocked that such bad treatment is meted out to such a senior scientist with an excellent track record throughout service tenure," he said in his letter to Defence Secretary RK Mathur, who is also holding the additional charge of DRDO. Incidentally Gupta's name had come up in connection with the sudden termination of Chander's contract by the government, 15 months ahead of his tenure. It was then rumoured that one of the reasons for Chander's removal was three complaints filed by individuals including by Gupta who has denied any such move. DRDO sources insisted that such transfers are routine when a project enters into a different phase. "The Agni 5 is no longer in development phase. It is in production and induction phase and hence transfers are routine since the services of an officer can be used somewhere else. A new person to take care of production is also brought in," a source said.
Agni 5 project director moved out; alleges victimisation - IBNLive

 

[Bheeshma]

Instead of Do-228 I wish they would speed up Saras and Saras-L

 

[ladder]

Instead of Do-228 I wish they would speed up Saras and Saras-L

But where is Saras? I haven't heard any news of it since a year. It's better to ditch it. NAL should partner with Mahindra for their Gippsaero GA-18 plane.

 

[cannonfodder]

Parrikar is the MoD that India deserves; says thing bluntly and uses his technical understanding. "Make in India" campaign need people like him who can make DRDO and PSU's pull up their socks.

In span of 5 years, I hope the work culture at all PSU's and DRDO will change significantly and projects will executed more efficiently. :thumb:


Parrikar pulls up DRDO for delays in key projects | idrw.org

 

[ezsasa]

Parrikar is the MoD that India deserves; says thing bluntly and uses his technical understanding. "Make in India" campaign need people like him who can make DRDO and PSU's pull up their socks.

In span of 5 years, I hope the work culture at all PSU's and DRDO will change significantly and projects will executed more efficiently. :thumb:

i like this bit from the article.

"A case in point would be the Combat Free Fall System that DRDO supplies to the armed forces. Parrikar informed DRDO officials that the Army had brought it to his notice that imported parachutes could be used for around 100 times while the DRDO Combat Free Fall System had a life of just 40 uses.

While the visibly nervous DRDO officials remained mum, they did point out to the TOI correspondent that their system had been in place for 20 years and till date none of the armed forces had complained and DRDO had instead received commendation for the system."

Basically they agree that it is a 20 year old technology and still feel bad when somebody says improvements are required. To me it shows they have become complacent living in their own well.

 

[ersakthivel]

Invisible planes next on DRDO’s radar! | idrw.org

REALLY?

 

[ersakthivel]

i like this bit from the article.

"A case in point would be the Combat Free Fall System that DRDO supplies to the armed forces. Parrikar informed DRDO officials that the Army had brought it to his notice that imported parachutes could be used for around 100 times while the DRDO Combat Free Fall System had a life of just 40 uses.

While the visibly nervous DRDO officials remained mum, they did point out to the TOI correspondent that their system had been in place for 20 years and till date none of the armed forces had complained and DRDO had instead received commendation for the system."

Basically they agree that it is a 20 year old technology and still feel bad when somebody says improvements are required. To me it shows they have become complacent living in their own well.

TOI correspondents led by rajat turdit are all liars when it comes to defence reporting.
Right kind of reporting is to compare the cost benefits of both systems and write a detailed piece. Otherwise it is as good as their partisan pro AAP stand.

 

[mseven]

Invisible planes next on DRDO's radar! | idrw.org

REALLY?

Just some scientist high on pseudo science. I don't think it is to be taken seriously. It will be exactly that- "invisible" Do you see what I mean?:sarc:

 

[cannonfodder]

Well when questioned by Parrikar, they must themselves point pros and cons of the equipment right?? They are the experts in the system then they should be aware of different competitive systems at that point and present arguments to support their products and the roadmap for improvement. No one expects DRDO to produce the best product since it not that well funded compared to western countries

TOI correspondents led by rajat turdit are all liars when it comes to defence reporting.
Right kind of reporting is to compare the cost benefits of both systems and write a detailed piece. Otherwise it is as good as their partisan pro AAP stand.

 

[blueblood]

Invisible planes next on DRDO's radar! | idrw.org

REALLY?

Next on the list, Karn's "KAVACH" for F-insas and then "Brahmastra" for strategic response. And also "Raths" for Indian army cavalry regiments.

 

[Archer]

When one goes through the list of the projects, it is also mind boggling to realise how most of the projects are at least 20 -30 years old - Kanchan Armour, APDSFS, Fuzes, Explosives, Rockets.. night sights etc etc. Never ever to reach completion and production stage.

Imagine how DRDO have drawn money in the name of night sights over last 30 years. Not only that - DRDO blocked Forces acquiring night sights because they were about to develop that ...

Overall loss _ Forces efficiency and national defence. But who cares...

your claims are completely off base..but then again, thats pretty much all your posts. lets take this "Kanchan armor is 20-30 years old". So? Its been constantly updated. DRDO instead of making it Kanchan Mk1, Mk2, Mk3 kept updating it to newer tech & using newer processes. Thats what sensible countries do. kanchan was an armor program developed for the original MBT-80. would you have drdo sit on their thumbs and keep calling the armor new names each time army generals came up with a new requirement asking for new designs? variants of kanchan are used now on arjun, T-72 and even T-90. its all "kanchan".

Its like saying ERA is 20-30 years old. err.. actually more than that. newer variants keep appearing. the "Chobham armor" or whatever its now called on Abrams has little relation to what was originally fielded in the first batch of tanks.

FSAPDS is 20-30 yrs etc etc. actually DRDO stopped making/developing FSAPDS because IA decided to go the import route. once the import route turned out to be a complete disaster (none of the israeli TOT ever worked) and on top of it IMI got blacklisted (which meant pure imports were stopped), Army ran to russia for obsolete FSAPDs which russia agreed to sell at 4x the market rate. urgent requirements and all. after that army approached DRDO and requested them to restart FSAPDS program which btw has reached user trials stage within 3 years already with 2 revisions. arjun FSAPDS is being revised now because army never bothered placing orders for the tanks themselves. CAG has now pointed out Army purposefully delayed Arjun induction by relaxing standards for T-90s and doing opposite for Arjun. without firm orders, what point upgrades. after mk1 was ordered, mk2 rounds development was started and have cleared trials within 3 years. reasonable timeframe.

the rest of your claims are equally baseless.

somewhere along the way, you have developed a tendency to spew vitriol but facts be darned.

if you were a bit more sensible, the details show that there are multiple programs delivered and now mk2 versions or mk3, 4 are in development or delivery. thats how every sensible country works. clearly though. you neither understand or attempt to understand such stuff.

 

[Archer]

i like this bit from the article.

"A case in point would be the Combat Free Fall System that DRDO supplies to the armed forces. Parrikar informed DRDO officials that the Army had brought it to his notice that imported parachutes could be used for around 100 times while the DRDO Combat Free Fall System had a life of just 40 uses.

While the visibly nervous DRDO officials remained mum, they did point out to the TOI correspondent that their system had been in place for 20 years and till date none of the armed forces had complained and DRDO had instead received commendation for the system."

Basically they agree that it is a 20 year old technology and still feel bad when somebody says improvements are required. To me it shows they have become complacent living in their own well.

instead of depending on some prize idiocy the times news guy reports (and which shows parrikar to be a dunce as well, what kind of defence minister goes around asking questions at an arms fair as versis relying on detailed classified inputs?) why don't you check the details yourself?

CFFS is available in various variants for a while now. latest version is being supplied to the army. what that means is the product may have existed for 20 odd years, doesn't mean the same product is being supplied today.

if DLRL says we are supplying electronic items for 40 years, does that mean its 40 year old technology? think guys think.

that report is just plain stupid.

a quadcopter which can fly for a hour or two is stated as 8 hours. gyan is given by DM about developing 24 hour UAVs. errr... rustom 2 is in that class. the defence minister goes and asks akash team who say we have a long range missile.. err.. its a 25km missile whereas the MRSAM is 70 km.. the context of that event has been mangled and the reports are garbled.

either DM comes across as somebody clueless asking questions like some internet forum wannabe or the reporter is putting his own spin on things. go figure.

 

[Archer]

Well when questioned by Parrikar, they must themselves point pros and cons of the equipment right?? They are the experts in the system then they should be aware of different competitive systems at that point and present arguments to support their products and the roadmap for improvement. No one expects DRDO to produce the best product since it not that well funded compared to western countries

of course they would present pros and cons. generally drdo guys tend to be informative and frank about their systems, though of course classified information is not given. they usually dont interact that much with the public etc so its a way for them to actually showcase their work. have seen lady scientists spend hours patiently explaining LCA stuff to a bunch of schoolkids. on the other side, HAWK guys had come with their simulator, from abroad. they shooed off the kids & only spoke to IAF/uniformed folks of a certain rank & above.

PSU guys ..also informative. generally more hierarchical. will refer you to the senior person at the event or direct you to their press contact person.

more important though is why is the newly appointed dm of the country going to some arms fair and ear wagging low level employees and generally throwing around his power? is he on a power trip?

the DM can ask for and receive detailed classified information right at his finger tips from the project heads who will also have the decision making power to make changes, implement things. going around and asking questions of the usual low-mid ranking scientists at a fair and then browbeating them is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

 

[Kunal Biswas]

We already have "Brahmastra" Modified PJ-10, "Raths" is another name for BMP-2 in India also an Recovery MPV ..

I think their is also a Kavach exsisted, Can`t remember it ..

Next on the list, Karn's "KAVACH" for F-insas and then "Brahmastra" for strategic response. And also "Raths" for Indian army cavalry regiments.

 

[blueblood]

We already have "Brahmastra" Modified PJ-10, "Raths" is another name for BMP-2 in India also an Recovery MPV ..

I think their is also a Kavach exsisted, Can`t remember it ..

KAVACH is the chaff dispenser

 

[cannonfodder]

DM can get classified information siting in his office. What is wrong in meeting and asking these questions to concerned people ? He may be wanting to know whether armed forces communicate with DRDO their requirement well enough which he may never know asking for an file... or how prepared/aware DRDO folks are wrt to competitor product. To "make in India" successful; you cannot have DRDO spending more time and money making something armed forces not looking for.

I have good friend who used to work at DRDO as contractor and he does not have much of good experience there. We should not turn an blind eye to this fact that many people join these govt. organizations with "chalta hai" attitude. Infact it is good that parrikar is communicating with folks and getting them out of their comfort zone ... We must appreciate that he is trying to shake the system.

Otherwise you can bring anthony back...!

of course they would present pros and cons. generally drdo guys tend to be informative and frank about their systems, though of course classified information is not given. they usually dont interact that much with the public etc so its a way for them to actually showcase their work. have seen lady scientists spend hours patiently explaining LCA stuff to a bunch of schoolkids. on the other side, HAWK guys had come with their simulator, from abroad. they shooed off the kids & only spoke to IAF/uniformed folks of a certain rank & above.

PSU guys ..also informative. generally more hierarchical. will refer you to the senior person at the event or direct you to their press contact person.

more important though is why is the newly appointed dm of the country going to some arms fair and ear wagging low level employees and generally throwing around his power? is he on a power trip?

the DM can ask for and receive detailed classified information right at his finger tips from the project heads who will also have the decision making power to make changes, implement things. going around and asking questions of the usual low-mid ranking scientists at a fair and then browbeating them is absolutely the wrong thing to do.

 

[ersakthivel]

Well when questioned by Parrikar, they must themselves point pros and cons of the equipment right?? They are the experts in the system then they should be aware of different competitive systems at that point and present arguments to support their products and the roadmap for improvement. No one expects DRDO to produce the best product since it not that well funded compared to western countries

India's defence minister can get all details of DRDO systems by official requests. he need not have to inquire about these in Expos.

 

[ersakthivel]

DM can get classified information siting in his office. What is wrong in meeting and asking these questions to concerned people ? He may be wanting to know whether armed forces communicate with DRDO their requirement well enough which he may never know asking for an file... or how prepared/aware DRDO folks are wrt to competitor product. To "make in India" successful; you cannot have DRDO spending more time and money making something armed forces not looking for.

I have good friend who used to work at DRDO as contractor and he does not have much of good experience there. We should not turn an blind eye to this fact that many people join these govt. organizations with "chalta hai" attitude. Infact it is good that parrikar is communicating with folks and getting them out of their comfort zone ... We must appreciate that he is trying to shake the system.

Otherwise you can bring anthony back...!

You look no further than CAG report on Army's dubious double standards regarding Arjun -T-90 trial to know, "How defence forces are communicating with DRDO". DRDO develops system according to the GSQR and ASR from army and air force. Some body is not fit t be a defence minister of the country if he doesn't know this fact. No gyan will blossom on DM's head by asking these questions in def expos. I have repeatedly seen crooked defence reporting in TOI, so this may either be all journo's "vision" about the events happened or as usual a few innocuous questions from DM to DRDO guys at the stall were twisted to give readers the effect of DM down talking DRDO. It is not unusual for TOI guys to do this routine regularly.

I have seen thousands of posts in various forums claiming ,"I have a good friend who worked or a DRDO contraactor, and he says that DRDO is no good." Please avoid these types of posts. You can ask LM or SAAB employee or contractor and get a not so flattering view about things going on there too. Info like this is unreliable and often lead to tons of trolling.

Of late DRDO products are getting things delivered. No doubt about it. From Nirbhay, Akash, Arjun, Tejas Varunastra and so many other things are invariably proving their worth repeatedly and are getting close to global bench marks.

While no harm is done by Parrikar in being proactive, You don't have to rely on two bit TOI reporters who don't know anything about defence matters to know that.It is not the job of DRDO guy in the defence expo to state which system in PAF is equivalent to Akash. parrikar can get a clear answer by asking it to IAF not DRDO guys working on Akash.

 

[ersakthivel]

Next on the list, Karn's "KAVACH" for F-insas and then "Brahmastra" for strategic response. And also "Raths" for Indian army cavalry regiments.

http://idrw.org/archives/57664

The DRDO has claimed that it had spent only Rs 17 lakh from its budget and rest of the amount came as donation from devotees. It was also revealed that it had taken up the project after the bullock pulling the Rath died in front of the DRDO laboratory. Interestingly, the DRDO believes that the expenditure on the "battery-operated Rath", which was donated to a temple in Pune, was not a religious activity or waste of public money but a technological wonder which can solve the problem of "transporting heavy burden in difficult terrains."

S Guruprasad, Director of Research and Development Establishment Labrotary, Pune(R&DE), which manufactured the chariot, has written to the DRDO headquarters in response to the matter raised in the Lok Sabha . In a four-page-long communique dated January 27, 2015 (seen by Express), Guruprasad, while defending his decision said, "The making of Rath (chariot) was not just a devotional activity, but also an interesting technical task. Apart from saving the bullock the burden, there were technology developments of immense value directly as a result of this engagement'.

Explaining the technology used for developing the battery-operated chariot, the DRDO said that the battery power is drawn when going uphill, and it gets charged while proceeding downhill.

"The technology hence developed has a defence application. The trailer-based system can be taken to difficult terrain which is currently not possible"¦The social significance of the design concept and technology especially for the burdened bullock carts are immense," Guruprasad explained.

He said, "Even, if the chariot were not built, the technology development involves building lab prototypes, many times, a number of them until the desired results are obtained. In this case, the chariot became a reason and inspiration for technology development. The expenditure would have incurred anyway for technology development."

Recent reports about RATH reveal how crooked our defence journos are. In a response to RTI query the guy in charge of "RATH" project has said DRDO spending for the project was just 17 lakhs not crores as the lies by DDM folks!!! And even if the RATH was not built they would have to build the tech which recharges the battery of the RATH while going downhill has important defence applications.

So the project is not hobby hour as fake defence journos would like us to believe!!!

 

[cobra commando]

DRDO develops new coatings for Combat Aircraft

February 09, 2015: Importing the special paint coating for combat aircraft for decades, the Indian armed forces will soon have an indigenously developed special coating that its developer, the DRDO, says will have better performance as well as be more cost effective. All special coatings for aircraft are currently imported, the recognisable 'grey', known in IAF circles as Tipnis Grey, after the former chief who chose the precise shade. The DRDO is currently in the process of getting the special coating certified by the Center for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in Bengaluru before offering it to the IAF, Indian Navy and other operators of enforcement aircraft. The colour has been described as 'dove grey' and is said to better imported coatings in terms of not just cost, but also abrasion resistance, impact resistance, flexibility, scratch hardness, elongation and adhesion. The DRDO believes that once the coating is certified, it will be welcomed into the IAF and Indian Navy immediately. The coating will also be used for unmanned aerial systems and helicopters currently in service, as also cruise missiles and other weapons depending on requirement. In a related development, to dissipate the static charge developed due to atmospheric conditions on the radome surfaces of aircraft, the DRDO has developed an anti- static coatings to help performance.

DRDO develops new coatings for Combat Aircraft - SP’s Exculsive