DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Firms Set Teams For Helicopter Tender

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Indian Firms Set Teams For Helicopter Tender

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Vivek Raghuvanshi ~ DefenseNews

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 12, 2015:  In (NEW DELHI) India's first helicopter competition reserved for domestic defense companies, teams have been established between top defense companies Larsen & Toubro with Airbus Helicopters and Tata Advanced Systems with Sikorsky Aircraft to produce a light utility helicopter (LUH).

Other corporate arrangements include Mahindra Defence Systems teaming up with Bell Helicopter and Punj Lloyd with Russian Helicopters. The domestic companies have to respond by Feb. 17 to a request for information (RFI) they received in October to provide the helicopters on a Buy and Make (India) basis in the $2.5 billion tender.

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics also is negotiating a tie up with Russian Helicopters.

None of the overseas or domestic companies would discuss their partnerships.

A Ministry of Defence official said there is no certainty that the helicopters built by the domestic companies would be cheaper than importing them directly.

"The idea is to build capabilities in India to build the defense industrial base and have in-house life-time support and maintenance," the official added.

While the RFI describes purchase of 197 light utility helicopters — 133 for the Army and 64 for the Air Force — India has a requirement for more than 400, said an Air Force official.

Defense analyst Nitin Mehta, however, is not sure if the program will ever take off in the domestic sector.

"The fresh procurement process for LUH, which has begun after the cancellation of the earlier global tenders, will further delay the acquisition of the much-needed helicopters. The domestic private sector companies, having no experience in making helicopters and will begin from scratch, will add to the delay which will ultimately prove counterproductive," Mehta said.

"At [some point] India will have to buy the much-needed LUH from the global market on a fast-track basis," Mehta said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, during talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi Dec. 11, had offered to build in India the Ka 226 LUH for domestic and export purposes. However, the government decided to pursue an open competition.

The RFI says the LUH will be needed for reconnaissance and surveillance, to direct artillery fire, for quick-reaction teams for special missions, aerial photography, serving a scout role in conjunction with attack helicopters, and to monitor nuclear, biological and chemical incidents.

The tie ups only represent an initial intent to partner in the helicopter tender and become formal only after responding to the RFP.

When the Modi government came to power in May 2014, it canceled a 2009 global re-tender to purchase 197 LUHs and instead issued the RFI only to domestic defense majors as part its policy to build domestic industry capabilities. At the time of cancellation of the tender, Eurocopter's (now Airbus Helicopters ) AS550 helicopter was in competition with Russia's Ka-226T built by Kamov.

In August, the MoD also canceled a 2012 tender to buy 56 naval utility helicopters in which Airbus Helicopters and AgustaWestland were competing.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources By Vivek Raghuvanshi ~ DefenseNews
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - DEFEXPO 2014 INDIA: Airbus To Highlight Choppers, Aircraft Offered To India

DTN News - DEFEXPO 2014 INDIA: Airbus To Highlight Choppers, Aircraft Offered To India 

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources The Economic Times

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - January 17, 2014: Helicopters and transport aircraft offered to Indian Armed Forces would be the focus of the European Airbus Group at the four-day DEFEXPO 2014 starting February 6. 

In a statement, Airbus said in its first participation in any defence show under its new brand-name Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters, it will highlight its AS550 C3 Fennec and AS565 MBe Panther choppers, which are in race for Army and Navy tenders respectively for replacing their light helicopter fleet. 

"Defexpo is an important land, naval and homeland security exhibition for us as it provides an excellent platform to interact with customers and potential partners. From January 1, EADS has rebranded and reorganised to Airbus Group, this will be our first international show under the new brand," said Yves Guillaume, President India, Airbus Group. 

"We are investing in expanding our industrial and engineering footprint here because we regard India as a strategic resource hub for the Group and not just as a market. It is this message of partnership that we would like to take to our audience here via the show," he said. 

Airbus Group comprises three divisions namely Airbus, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters. While Airbus focuses on commercial aircraft business, Airbus Helicopters (previously Eurocopter) handles all commercial and military helicopter activities. 

The Group will also showcase its C295 tactical transport aircraft, which is being offered by Airbus for IAF's requirement for replacement of the Avro aircraft. 

In UAV section, it will put on display the Tanan 300 is a diesel engine-powered tactical vertical takeoff and landing UAS especially suited for maritime surveillance. 


*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources The Economic Times
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Laser Weapons Among Futuristic MBDA Products

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: Laser Weapons Among Futuristic MBDA Products

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Y. Mallikarjun   The Hindu 
(NSI News Source Info) KOTTAKKAL, Kerala, India - November 3, 2013: High energy laser weapons, light weight shoulder-launch missiles and scalable warheads through dial-a-yield technology are among the hi-tech futuristic products for military applications being developed by the MBDA group, a consortium of European missile manufacturers.

During a recent visit to the missile production and integration facilities of MBDA Germany at Schrobenhausen, 90 km from Munich, and MBDA U.K. at Lostock, near Manchester, a group of Indian journalists were briefed on the wide range of advanced missiles and warheads being produced by the two entities.

Vice-president Operations of MBDA Germany Walter Stammler said a very light weight missile with a 2-km range that could be fired by an infantry soldier from his shoulder was tested in demonstration firings. The low cost, high-precision weapon with all the elements of a missile weighed just 6-7 kg.

The future generation-flexible response warheads using scalable technology would provide armed forces with a unique option of pre-selecting the detonation of only a part of the explosive and thereby reducing the degree of lethality. These warheads would provide high operational flexibility and could be used effectively in avoiding collateral damage during Military Operations in Urban Terrain.

TDW, a subsidiary of MBDA, has a license agreement with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for producing warheads for anti-tank guided Milan missiles. Under the agreement signed in 2007, it had transferred the know-how to BDL to produce warheads for Milan.

Meanwhile, with MBDA awaiting India’s response for its offer of air-to-ground PARS 3 LR missile, Dr. Stammler claimed that during field evaluation trials of the weapon in Sweden in 2012 for the Indian Army and HAL officials, all requirements were fulfilled. The missile is planned to be mounted on ALH Dhruv combat helicopters.

Dr. Stammler said that to meet Indian requirements for the PARS 3 LR missile, a twin-engine launcher was designed and developed in collaboration with an Indian company. Four launchers, each carrying two missiles, would be mounted on the helicopter. The prototype of the twin launcher was seen by HAL officials soon after the field trials.

The project manager of PARS 3LR Munition, Walter Mackrodt, said PARS 3 LR was a high-precision fire-and-forget weapon that could be fired in salvo mode from the helicopter, and four missiles could be launched in 10 seconds to engage as many targets.

Keywords: MBDA group, hi-tech futuristic products, laser weapons, shoulder-launch missiles, dial-a-yield technology, scalable technology.

*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Y. Mallikarjun   The Hindu 
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*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: India Considers Buying More Boeing Apaches Helicopters

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: India Considers Buying More Boeing Apaches Helicopters

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 4, 2013: Boeing could snare yet another big order from India as the Indian Army has asked the Defence Ministry to acquire an unspecified number of AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, according to an MoD source.

Last year, the Indian Air Force purchased 22 Apaches for US $1.3 billion. Beyond the Indian Army request, a third order of helicopters could be in the offing for India’s planned Mountain Corps.

Boeing executives in New Delhi were unavailable for comment.

US companies have already won contracts worth more than $8 billion over the past four years, and most of the weapons and equipment supplied to India have come through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. India has bought 10 Boeing C-17 aircraft, 12 Boeing P-8I maritime surveillance aircraft and six Lockheed Martin C-130J transport planes.

The Indian Army wants its Apaches to be exclusive to the service and not associated with the Air Force’s 22 helicopters.

The MoD source added that, instead of inviting fresh bids, the MoD is considering a repeat order, which he said could be finalized by the end of the year. The size of the order is not known.

Meanwhile, an Indian Army official said the newly sanctioned Mountain Corps of roughly 30,000 troops, which could be deployed along the China border, would also be equipped with yet another purchase of attack helicopters.

The Cabinet Committee on Security, the highest decision-making body on weapon purchases and security, approved the additional troops this month.

The attack helicopters for the Mountain Corps would be in addition to the order being considered by the MoD for the Army. The Indian Army, however, must still decide when and how to procure the additional unspecified numbers of attack helicopters for the Mountain Corps, which is expected to be in operation in about 10 years, the Indian Army official said.

India has, meanwhile, developed an indigenous light combat helicopter. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will build 60 Rudra helicopters for the Army and Air Force.

The Rudra is powered by a new Shakti engine, jointly developed by Hindustan Aeronautics and French engine manufacturer Turbomeca. The new engine will allow the Rudra to fly above 20,000 feet.

The multi-mission AH-64D Apache Longbow is the next-generation version of original AH-64A Apache. With its fire-control radar, the aircraft is known as the AH-64D Apache Longbow. Without the radar, the combat-proven aircraft is called the AH-64D Apache.

AH-64A Apache
Between 1984 and 1997, Boeing produced 937 AH-64As for the U.S. Army, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The combat-proven AH-64A is still in service and includes the following features:
*Two high-performance turboshaft engines and maximum cruise speed of 284 kph
*Laser, infrared, and other systems (including target acquisition designation sight/pilot night vision sensor) to locate, track, and attack targets
*A combination of laser-guided precision Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets, and a 30mm automatic cannon with up to 1,200 high-explosive, dual-purpose ammunition rounds
AH-64D Apache and AH-64D Apache Longbow
The combat-proven AH-64D Apache and AH-64D Apache Longbow share the following history and characteristics:
*Testing in the late 1990s, delivery in 1997, in production for the U.S. Army and several international customers
*Selection by the U.S. Army, Egypt, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, The Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Republic of Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom (as the AH Mk1)
*Ability to assimilate advancements in digital connectivity, sensors, weapon systems, advanced training devices, and maintenance support systems
AH-64D Apache Longbow Enhancements
The radar-equipped AH-64D Apache Longbow features numerous enhanced capabilities, including:
*Longer-range weapons accuracy and all-weather/night fighting
*Detection of objects (moving or stationary) without being detected
*Classification and threat-prioritization of up to 128 targets in less than a minute
*Integrated sensors, networking, and digital communications for situational awareness, management of the combat arena in real time, and digital transmission of images and target locations to joint operations battlefield commanders

The AH-64 Apache has been developed since its inception using incremental technology insertions at regular intervals to ensure that the world's most capable multi-role combat helicopter meets the needs of the warfighter today and in the future.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Boeing
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DTN News - CHINA SECURE ITS ENERGY/OIL SUPPLY IN AN UNETHICAL MANNER: China Grabs India's Land

DTN News - CHINA SECURE ITS ENERGY/OIL SUPPLY IN AN UNETHICAL MANNER: China Grabs India's Land
*China is eyeing to become Hans empire on Soviet Union era set up by grabbing, annexing, claiming and bullying its neighbors and has territorial disputes with Bhutan, North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Brunei, India by showing off its newly acquired military might to secure its energy/oil supply in an unethical manner

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith also sourced from Deccan Herald

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - April 29, 2013: The area along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China has 'shrunk' over a period of time and India has lost 'substantial' land in the last two decades, according to an official report.

At a recent meeting in Leh, attended by officials from the Jammu and Kashmir government, Union Ministry of Home Affairs and the Army, it was agreed that there was difference in the maps of various agencies and that there was lack of proper mapping of the area.

Crossing the line

*Lack of institutional memory in various agencies

* China grabbing Indian land by inches in a slow process

* Chinese threaten the nomadic people in the Dokbug area

* LAC with China has “shrunk” over a period of time *

* Lack of proper mapping of the area

The meeting was chaired by Commissioner (Leh) A K Sahu and attended, among others, by the 14 Corps Brigadier General Staff Brig Sarat Chand and Colonel Inderjit Singh.

While the absence of proper maps was agreed upon, the meeting all the same felt: “However, it is clear and accepted that we are withdrawing from LAC and our area has shrunk over a period of time. This process is very slow but we have lost substantial amount of land in 20-25 years.”

According to the minutes of the meeting, it was also identified that “there is a lack of institutional memory in various agencies as well as clear policy on this issue which in the long run has resulted in loss of Indian territory in favour of China.”

The meeting was called to ensure proper protection to nomads who move with their cattle to the Dokbug area of Nyoma sector during the winter months every year. In December 2008, Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had damaged their tents and threatened them to vacate the land.

“They (Chinese) have threatened the nomadic people, who had been using the Dokbug area (in Ladakh sector) area for grazing for decades, in a way to snatch our land in inches. A Chinese proverb is famous in the world — better do in inches than in yards,” a report filed by former sub divisional magistrate (Nyoma) Tsering Norboo had said.

Complaints

Norboo was deputed by the state government to probe the complaints of incursion of the Chinese Army in the Dokbug area and threats to the local shepherds to leave the land as it belonged to them. 

The area has been used by the shepherds to graze their livestock as the area is warmer compared to other parts of Ladakh.

The SDM contended that it was another attempt by the Chinese to term, and claim, the territory disputed in the same fashion as they had taken Nag Tsang area opposite to Phuktse airfield in 1984, Nakung in 1991 and Lungma-Serding in 1992.

Last year, Chinese troops had entered nearly 1.5 km into the Indian territory on July 31 near Mount Gya, recognised as International border by India and China, and painted boulders and rocks with “China” in red spray paint.

The 22,420 feet Mount Gya, also known as “fair princess of snow” by the Army, is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. Its boundary was marked during the British era and regarded as International border by the two countries.

Before this, Chinese helicopters had violated Indian air space on June 21 along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region and also dropped some expired food.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith also sourced from Deccan Herald 
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DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF In Mountain Strike Corps To Counter Chinese Might

DTN News - INDIA DEFENSE NEWS: IAF In Mountain Strike Corps To Counter Chinese Might

Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Rahul Datta ~ The Pioneer
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - December 1, 2012: Keeping China’s growing military prowess in mind, the Indian Air Force (IAF) will now be part of India’s proposed mountain strike corps that will be based in Uttarakhand and the North-East.

This move came about after the Government turned down the Army’s Rs 60,000-crore proposal seven months back on the grounds that it was too Army-specific and that the three Services should jointly put up the proposal.

The new proposal sent to the Defence Ministry by Chairman Chief of Staff Committee Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne 10 days back projects requirements for combat helicopters, radars, anti-aircraft and anti-missile guns and electronic surveillance equipment.

This is besides the Army’s projection of recruiting nearly 40,000 to 60,000 jawans and officers trained in mountain warfare apart from acquisition of artillery guns, howitzers and long and short range infantry weapons including rifles.

Incidentally, the earlier proposal was drafted by the Army alone after the Government gave an approval in principle more than a year back. However, the Finance Ministry later sent back the proposal to the Defence Ministry and asked it to come up with a joint proposal by the three Services, sources said here on Wednesday.

Explaining the rationale behind the objection on the Army’s proposal, sources said given the magnitude of the project with huge expenditure involved, the Government wanted to avoid a scenario where the IAF and the Navy also put forward their requirements at a later stage. Against this backdrop, the Government asked the Chairman Chief of Staff Committee to draw a joint proposal about the strategy to meet the challenge of China’s growing military prowess and listing their requirements in a synergised manner for the strike corps, officials said.

The new proposal reinforces the need for setting up the corps at the earliest with air elements including combat helicopters to provide cover to advancing troops from enemy and destroy its fortified positions and gun locations.  Moreover, the new plan also gives details of the deployment of frontline IAF fighter jets in forward bases in the North-East and Uttarakhand and requirements to upgrade these bases to aid the proposed corps, sources said.

The Army has already started raising the second mountain division (one division has 10,000 men). The first division was raised a year back for Arunachal Pradesh and these two divisions will form part of the strike corps. The raising of a strike corps is the brainchild of former Army Chief VK Singh. The objective was to launch a counter-offensive in Tibet if China carries out a Kargil-type  adventure.

Moreover, rapid modernisation of China’s armed forces and its vastly superior infrastructure in Tibet and other areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) opposite Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh regions was another reason for this strike corps as China has carried out offensive exercises in Tibet Autonomous Region in the past few years.
Besides these factors, the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also expressed reservations about the corps saying such a move may send wrong signals to Beijing and escalate tension in the region.

The PMO felt that China in the last few years has not increased its troop strength along the LAC and any accretions by India will prove counter-productive as both the countries are holding regular dialogue to resolve the vexed boundary dispute. However, the defence establishment maintained that China has improved its military infrastructure backed by excellent sensors and radars and therefore, did not need to have troops on the ground to guard its territory. Enjoying this advantage over India, China has not increased its troop strength in the last few years.

India lacks infrastructure including roads, rail and airfields and has to maintain its presence in the Ladakh region and Arunachal Pradesh throughout the year. While China has built more than a 10,000-km long rail network and airports in the Tibet region and can rush troops and maintain logistical support in case of an eventuality, India is way behind and troops have to be physically present there.

*Link for This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources Rahul Datta ~ The Pioneer
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DTN News: Indian Dhruv Helicopter Gets Italian Makeover

DTN News: Indian Dhruv Helicopter Gets Italian Makeover

Source: DTN News / Business Standard

(NSI News Source Info) NEW DELHI, India - September 14, 2010: The Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) has been widely regarded as a triumph of indigenous military rotorcraft design and manufacturing.

Scores of Dhruvs already flying in army colours will be joined by another 159, which the military ordered last year from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). And, Ecuador's air force chose the Dhruv ALH in an international tender in 2008 for seven helicopters.

But now it emerges that the Dhruv is struggling with a serious problem. The army, which was to be supplied 20 Dhruvs last year, refused to accept any until HAL fixed a problem that was restricting the Dhruv's cruising speed to 250 kilometers per hour, significantly short of the 270 kmph that HAL specifications promise. Unable to find a cure, HAL has brought in a consultant: Italian aerospace propulsion major, Avio.

India's military sets high store by the Dhruv's engine power; the helicopter must operate from tiny landing grounds at 6,500 meters (about 21,000 feet), which is the altitude of Sonam Post, India's highest helipad on the Siachen Glacier.

But even after paying French engine-maker, Turbomeca, Rs 1,000 crore to design the Shakti engine -- - a superb performer at high altitudes -- - the Dhruv's Integrated Dynamic System, or IDS, which transfers power from the Shakti engines to the helicopter rotors, is not performing optimally. That, say HAL engineers, has reduced speed, high-altitude capability, and the life of the IDS.

The Italian consultants will now scrutinise the Dhruv's IDS to diagnose the problem. Avio will start by building a single HAL-designed IDS in Avio's facilities in Italy, using their own materials and tools.

They will then test-run this for 400-500 hours; if it works perfectly, it would be evident that the flaw lies in HAL's manufacturing, rather than the IDS design. On the other hand, if the Avio-built IDS performs poorly during the test run, there is clearly a design problem. Avio will then redesign the IDS.

A senior HAL official explained to Business Standard: "Avio will review the whole design, on a purely consultancy basis. They will give us a redesign... that will be the first phase. We will have to translate that new design into an engineered product. And, after that, we'll have to do the ground testing and the flight-testing. It will be a long-drawn affair."

Avio, Business Standard has learned, was HAL's second choice. But the first choice consultant, an American company, had so much work on its plate that it had to turn HAL away.

Meanwhile, India's army and air force -- strapped for helicopters -- have no choice but to accept and fly Dhruvs, even though they are performing below par and metal keeps chipping off inside the IDS. HAL has itself implemented six changes inside the IDS and 30 helicopters have been flying with these changes for some 400 hours. So far, there has been no major problem.

"This is not dangerous for the pilots", says a senior HAL official. "Heavy chipping of metal would warn us about an impending failure of the IDS. There is a monitoring system inside the IDS, which checks for the presence of tiny metal chips in the oil. There is no danger of sudden, catastrophic failure in flight."

Top officials in the Ministry of Defence have conveyed strong displeasure to HAL over what they consider a "sloppy" work culture. Talking to Business Standard on condition of anonimity, a MoD official points out, "The Avio consultancy will place HAL's work culture under serious scrutiny.

To identify the fault in the Dhruv's IDS, Avio has insisted on auditing HAL's facilities and practices. This will amount to a full external audit, which will highlight systemic and procedural problems that HAL would never have identified on its own."

But the MoD also accepts that the aerospace establishment, hungry for success, developed the Dhruv in haste and introduced it into operational service without adequate testing.

Illustrating this point, the MoD official says: "The IAF asked for about 75 design changes while HAL was developing the Dhruv. This prevented a coherent and systematic design process. And, thereafter, HAL was too eager to introduce the Dhruv into service. It has now emerged that it was unwise of HAL, and of the IAF, to operationalise the Dhruv before the design was fully stabilised."

This year, the army and the IAF will introduce 31 new HAL-built Dhruv Mark 3 helicopters into service. These are part of an order placed on HAL last year for 159 Dhruv helicopters to be supplied by 2015.

Of these, 83 are utility helicopters called Dhruv Mark 3, used for transporting people. The other 76 are Mark 4 helicopters, which will be fitted with cannons, rockets, missiles and electronic warfare equipment. These are called Dhruv (Weapon Systems Integrated), or Dhruv (WSI).

DTN News: India's FMBT (Future Main Battle Tank) - Son Of Arjun Frightens Indians

DTN News: India's FMBT (Future Main Battle Tank) - Son Of Arjun Frightens Indians

Source: Strategy Page

(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 20, 2010: India has begun working on its next generation battle tank. Called the FMBT (Future Main Battle Tank), this vehicle aims to build on the success of the last Indian designed tank, the Arjun. This worries many Indian taxpayers, and soldiers. That's because the government recently ordered another 124 Arjuns. That came about because recent competitive tests between the Indian designed Arjun and Russian T-90 tank resulted in an unexpected victory by the Arjun. The Indian Army was compelled (by pro-Arjun politicians) to conduct a field test between the domestically designed (and largely rejected) Arjun tank, and the Russian T-90 (now considered the army's primary tank). Fourteen of each tank were used, and the results were classified. But journalists had no trouble getting unofficial reports that the Arjun managed to best the T-90 in tests of mobility, endurance and gunnery. This was unusual because, until now, the Arjun was considered an expensive and embarrassing failure. Development of the Arjun began in the 1980s, and until four years ago, the army had received only five of them, for evaluation purposes. The evaluation did not go well. Originally, the Arjun was to have replaced thousands of Russian tanks, but after so many delays, the army only reluctantly accepted 128 Arjuns (equipping the 140th Armored Brigade). The new test reports resulted in renewed pressure on the army to buy more Arjuns. This pitted the Defense Ministry weapons development and procurement bureaucrats against the generals. The bureaucrats won this one. But the battle continues. That's because the recent tests assume that the Arjun has really fixed all the problems it was having with its electronics. In this case, it was the fire control system. But Arjun has also had problems with its engine, and that fact that its size and weight prevents it from being used with current tank transporters. Thus the FMBT is to be lighter (50 tons) and based on what works in the Arjun and other modern tanks. The FMBT is expected to replace older Russian tanks. Meanwhile, last year, an Indian factory delivered the first ten (of a thousand) T-90 tanks to the Indian Army. The Russian designed armored vehicles are being built in India under license. Many of the components are Indian made, and some of the electronics are imported from Western suppliers. The Indian-made T-90s cost about $3 million each. India has already bought 700 Russian made T-90 tanks, at a cost of $3.5 million each. The FMBT is expected to cost over $5 million each. The high price is due to a lot of high tech. This includes an active defense system to defeat anti-tank missiles, a much more powerful engine, lots of electronics and a hermetically sealed crew department to provide protection against chemical weapons and radiation. All this stuff is tricky to develop, just the sort of thing DRDO excels as screwing up. This is mostly the fault of the DRDO bureaucrats, who are not very good at using all the technical and manufacturing talent India has. Four years ago, India adopted the Russian T-90 as its new main battle tank. By 2020, India will have 2,000 upgraded T-72s, over 1,500 T-90s, and few hundred other tanks (including a few Arjuns). This will be the most powerful armored force in Eurasia, unless China moves ahead with upgrades to its tank force. The border between China and India is high in the Himalayan mountains, which is not good tank country. India's tank force is mainly for use against Pakistan. The T-90 is a highly evolved T-72. Originally, the T-90 was done as a fall-back design. The T-80 was supposed to be the successor to the T-72. But like the T-62 and T-64 before it, the T-80 didn't quite work out as planned. So the T-72, with a much improved turret and all manner of gadgets, was trotted out as the T-90. Weighting 47 tons, it's 23 feet long, 11 feet wide and 7.5 feet high. Same package, better contents. And with well trained crews, it can be deadly. The Arjun is a larger vehicle (59 tons, 34.9 feet long and 12.7 feet wide). The FMBT will probably be more similar in size to the T-90. Indian armor experts, both military and civilian, are hoping the FMBT is based more on the T-90 than the Arjun. But the most worrisome aspect of the FMBT project is DRDO (Defense R&D Organization), which also developed Arjun. It's feared that the DRDO wonks have not learned from the many errors made with the Arjun. Journalists are digging to find out how legitimate the field tests between the T-90 and Arjun were. It's feared the competition was fixed, something that is not unknown in Indian defense matters. While military procurement is political in all countries, India has had more than its share of problems here. The hope is that the FMBT will not be another DRDO disaster.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

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DTN News: Today In World ~ In India's Jammu & Kashmir State, Rocks Are Weapon Of Choice

DTN News: Today In World ~ In India's Jammu & Kashmir State, Rocks Are Weapon Of Choice

* For a generation of angry young men caught up in a decades-long territorial dispute, lobbing stones in protest has proved deadly, as some Indian forces respond with bullets. Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by Roger Smith from reliable sources including By Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times - Reporting from Srinagar, India(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - August 15, 2010: Down a 15-foot-wide alley of shuttered shops in Srinagar's Batmaloo neighborhood, stone-throwing protesters and police face off under a blazing midday sun. Most of the rocks thrown by demonstrators miss their mark, but when one lands, a loud cheer erupts. Dozens of officers, some with slingshots, answer in kind, roaring with glee whenever their projectiles strike protester flesh.

While this may look like a collection of overgrown children, it's a decidedly deadly game. At least 57 protesters have been killed since early June — including two Saturday — by security forces opening fire who opted for guns over stones against unruly mobs. Hundreds more police officers, paramilitary members and civilians have been injured here in the Indian-controlled portion of Kashmir, part of a disputed region that's sparked two wars betweenPakistan and India since 1947. "That was a close one," said a policeman as a rock grazed his padded leg. "They're better shots, because we have to lug these guns." Kashmir, which has witnessed more than 47,000 deaths among militants, civilians and security personnel since 1989, is experiencing its worst social unrest in a generation. "A volcano is coming up," said Bashir Siddique, an attorney who has defended 11 stone throwers. "It can anytime burst." The broader dispute over divided Kashmir has been going on for so long, with so many entrenched interests, that few see an obvious solution. This month, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh acknowledged in a speech the pain and anger many Kashmiris feel. He pledged to organize a group of experts to explore political solutions, and he urged economic development to encourage young people to pick up jobs, not stones. Armed militancy in Kashmir, which peaked in 1990, has dropped sharply in recent years as rocks replace guns for a new generation of angry young men. That's left critics here questioning why 650,000 members of the Indian security forces remain — one for every eight residents — and why stones are answered with bullets when other nations routinely defuse civil unrest without fatalities. Of the at least 57 recent civilian deaths, nearly half were minors, one as young as 9. Security officials counter that stone throwers — "gun-less terrorists," said one commander — are well organized and probably directed and funded by Pakistan-leaning insurgent groups. "Police have to fire on instigators," said Taj Mohiuddin, a state minister. "There are interests and external forces responsible for this." Local anger, meanwhile, remains palpable. On a recent morning a few blocks from the Batmaloo faceoff, several hundred young men gathered at a bypass, burning tires, upending planters and yelling "azadi!" — freedom — after a 17-year-old was allegedly fatally shot by police. Several covered their faces to prevent identification by police photographers. "It's not because I'm a militant and have a gun," said a college student, 23, who called himself Sufi. "If I don't wear this mask, the Indian dogs will come to my house and beat us." Protesters now tend to be better educated, informed and adept at using social networking sites, including Facebook's "Im a Kashmiri Stone Pelter," than in the past. Although several Kashmiris lauded the prime minister's speech, they said Kashmir needs results, not more committees. How New Delhi proceeds now could greatly influence a generation at a crossroads, many without outlets or opportunities in this tightly monitored society. "Sometimes I feel they should have boxing rings or some way to work out their anger," said Zulfiqar Hussein, an attorney. "The same guys who can pick up stones can pick up guns. Something has to be done."

Kani jung, or throwing stones in anger, probably dates to caveman days in Kashmir, as elsewhere. Residents probably used gulail, a device that propels stones from bowed sticks, to defend themselves against 16th century Mughal invaders, said M.A. Wani, a medieval history professor at the University of Kashmir. Rival Kashmiri parties have used rocks on each other, and at various times, Pakistan's founder, Mohammed Ali Jinnah, first Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and last British Viceroy Louis Mountbatten received "projectile greetings" during Kashmir visits. "Now women are using stones, not just young men," said Sheikh Showkat Hussain, a University of Kashmir law professor. "And it's transcending generations." One structural problem, analysts said, is that many security officers are trained to kill insurgents, not control crowds. Residents add that many Indians view Kashmiris as spoiled whiners with militant leanings. "Villagers blame us for everything," said a paramilitary member who declined to be identified. "We're here to protect them, but they like Pakistan. We're just trying to feed our family. We don't want a fight." At Srinagar's Nowhatta police station, the preferred tool against rock throwers for years has been an armored vehicle nicknamed Rani, with an iron-netted windshield and a chassis pockmarked with dents. "Hundreds and hundreds of stones were thrown on her, but she never stopped or gave up on me," said officer Nisar Ahmed, 38, who compared the sound inside during attacks to a fierce hailstorm. "I thank Allah, I love her more than my children." Studies suggest that there's no single stone-thrower type, with some motivated by youthful machismo, others by a sense of belonging, others incensed at the death of loved ones. Hoping to blunt this fury, security officials have tried cricket matches, community policing, even debates among Kashmir's mostly Muslim population on whether stone throwing is Islamic. In recent weeks, they have also rounded up at least 932 young men, charging some with attempted murder or public safety violations, allowing for up to two years' detention without trial. Under Indian law, minors must be placed in juvenile detention centers. But Kashmir has none, so some are housed with hardened criminals, even Islamic militants, human rights officials said, and exposed to police mistreatment. American author Arthur Ward once said that stones can be thrown, complained about, climbed over or used for building. After a summer of discontent, many in Kashmir wonder where down what path the stones will take them.

*Link to this article from source; "In India's Jammu and Kashmir State, Rocks Are Weapon Of Choice - By Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times - Reporting from Srinagar, India" mark.magnier@latimes.com Anshul Rana of The Times' New Delhi Bureau contributed to this report.

*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News, contact: dtnnews@ymail.com

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