11 projects shortlisted, 6 of these valued at Rs 17,640 crore. List to be shared with pvt sector this week.
From short-range, unmanned aerial vehicles for border patrol to advanced robotic surveillance systems to track terrorists and new generation tank missiles for conventional warfare, the Army is ready with a list of 11 mega projects it wants the private sector to take up this year.
The list is expected to be shared with the private sector at a conference on 12 August.
A ‘Make In India’ list, drawn up by Army Headquarters and approved by the defence ministry last month, details the immediate requirements of the force that public sector units are not able to meet. Just six of these contracts are valued at Rs 17,640 crore. The rest do not carry any indicative pricing.
The largest of the 11 projects that has been given an indicative pricing of Rs 10,000 crore is for modular engines for the Army’s T-90 tanks.
Another major project that has been cleared by the government for the private sector is a Rs 3,000 crore requirement for Short-Range Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS).
The five projects that have not been given indicative pricing include a robotic surveillance platform for the counter-insurgency Rashtriya Rifles force. This system is needed to track terrorists, especially in urban or built up areas.
The Army is expected to decide on the indicative pricing of the five projects after a dialogue with the industry.
Another requirement for Rashtriya Rifles is an individual protection system that will basically be a sensor-based impact and blast resistant shield for deployments in operational areas.
The list is part of a larger effort being made by the defence ministry to encourage the private sector with firm orders and long-term commitment. This after the industry complained about unpredictability that reduces a defence company’s ability to plan for infrastructure and skilling of workers.
Earlier this year, the defence ministry also came out with a list of seven tenders for ammunition for the private sector. The tenders were for supply to the armed forces annually for the next 10 years.
However, the ammunition project has run into difficulties with the industry pointing out that clauses on banking guarantees are very restrictive and PSUs ensuring that their demand to also compete is fulfilled.
A list of the 11 projects the Army wants the private sector to take on this year:
Robotics Surveillance Platform for Rashtriya Rifles
Rashtriya Rifles will be facing threats in the built-up and super built-up areas. Wants a robotics platform to be developed and made in India.
Requirement: 544 units
1200-1500 HP Modular Engine for Tank T-90 S/SK
New engine needed for the T-90 S/SK tanks to give them high battlefield agility and the ability to manage system upgrades being planned.
Requirement: 2011 engines costing Rs 5 cr each.
Short-Range Unmanned Aerial Vehicle
Remotely-controlled aerial surveillance platforms for real-time imagery and electronic data supply to fighting formations during operations.
Requirement: 44 aerial vehicles at a total cost of Rs 3,000 cr.
3rd Generation Missile for 125mm Gun Barrels of T-90 And T-72 Tanks
New gun barrels for next generation missiles with enhanced capability for deep penetration and Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) engagement.
Requirement: 3,000 barrels at Rs 40 lakh per unit.
Armoured Fighting Vehicle Protection and Counter-Measure System for T-90 Tank
On-board protective and warning system to warn the crews of impending attacks and creating a physical interference between the vehicle and threat.
Requirement: 1,657 units with total cost of Rs 2,485.50 cr.
Advanced 30mm Cannon Ammunition for BMP – 2/2k
Advanced 30mm cannon ammunition to replace existing ammunition on BPM – 2/2K being held by the Army.
Requirement: Nine lakh rounds per year at Rs 10,000 – 15,000 per round.
Individual Protection System: Multi-Applicable Smart Sensor Based Impact and Blast Resistant Protective Shield
Individual protection gear of the soldiers in all operational areas.
Requirement: 59,825 units.
Light-Weight Body Armour
New-age light-weight body armour for protection against varied threat levels.
Requirement: Being ascertained.
Programmable, Pre-Fragmented, Proximity Ammunition (3P) Ammunition for 40 mm L-70 Gun
Enhanced lethality and accuracy over the current air defence ammunition of L70 anti-aircraft gun system.
Requirement: 3,30,000 rounds over the next 12 years.
Multi-Target Tracking System (MTTS) for Tanks
High technology tracking system which can detect and track multiple targets and enable commander to prioritise targets with Gunner’s Main Sight (GMS).
Requirement: Being ascertained.
Indigenous Fuzes for All Variants of Pinaka Rockets
Indigenous fuzes for all variants of Pinaka multi-barrel rockets being used by the artillery.
Requirement: Being ascertained.