Chinese portal claims ships sailed into the eastern Indian Ocean this month, India says nearest Chinese Navy force is on routine duty in the Gulf of Aden.
Ventures by Japan, South Korea and Taiwan illustrate how the race for REE security is accelerating, powered by both geopolitical tension and industrial strategy.
ThePrint had previously reported that India & Russia are talking about 5 more regiments of the S-400, but no contracts are to be signed during the Russian president's visit.
It is a brilliant, reasonably priced, and mostly homemade aircraft with a stellar safety record; only two crashes in 24 years since its first flight. But its crash is a moment of introspection.
Just take the example of ‘man on the moon’ mission announced by president Kennedy of the US. NASA did not have enough funds, so they tied up with all companies in the US to carry out research. I do not have details of the agreements but whatever was discovered was licenced back to those or other companies for further development and scaled production. things like carbon fibre, hardening of electronic devices against different radiation in space, fibre glass for data transmission different kinds of industrial plastics and a host of many other inventions came about and were put to commercial and military use. NASA got the royalty and used it for further R&D. These applications were used in everyday life because these were not regarded as secrets and put in closets. Now, if we can also licence our findings, the labs will get the funds ans others will find the commercial and military use. This is utterly lacking in our country. What is invented, is put in closet and never monetised. This is the 1 st hurdle.
I live next to the DRDO in Bangalore. While I dont get to see their ‘research’ activities I find that their administrative component is far to high compared to their R&D component. They have sports teams that take part in tournaments and have a huge establishment for administrative duties. I dare say that even in the number of junior and middle level scientists and engineers are far too many and wonder what contribution they make.
On the other hand compare the more sophisticated missile division. They are far ahead thanks to Abdul Kalam. They are maintaining a high level of proficiency. They are also a branch of DRDO.
Also in comparison take the case of ISRO. They have by and large delivered far latest more sophisticated space technology at unbelievably low cost. How do they manage that? Do they have more freedom than our DRDO establishments?
The Govt and its bureaucrats need to re organise DRDO into a leaner and more efficient organisation. Theyalso need to encourage companies like L&T, HCC, Kalyanis and others to invest and develop weapons and sophisticated technologies even with foreign collaboration.
Admiral has hit the nail on the head. We owe current state to military leadership, for selling their souls to politicians and baby’s. I can see some changes with under Modi leadership. Tx
I would like to add a Strategic Defence Review at the top of the what is to be done list. Unless we do this and account for everything- threats, imperatives and choices given the stringent fund availablity, we cannot succeed either as a munitions user or producer. Surprisingly, only the venerable K Subramaniam talked about the importance of a SDR lead review and restructuring of India’s defence and defence research-production complex. I have not heard one serving or ex service chief talk about the SDR or its importance.
I want complete privatization of defence manufacturing. A defence insider told me that Indian defence industry is like 20 to 40 years behind that of Western world and our technology is crap. Privatization will make us competitive.
A very good article. Comments of readers are also top class. The Print must be congratulated for not debarring these comments from getting published which has become a trend in Indian media.
Since their Total Technical Life has been completed, IAF is planning to retire 10 squadrons (at least 160 aircraft) of MiG-21 fighter-interceptors and MiG-27 ground-attack aircraft, by 2024. This was announced by Subhash Bhamre, Indian Minister of State for Defence in Lok Sabha on Dec. 27, 2017.
HAL plans to ramping up production capacity from 8 to 16 Mk-1A LCAs per annum. But… even if they stick to production schedules, that would just be 64 LCAs by 2024. We’re still going to have a huge shortfall of around 100 aircraft. Then, there’s the Navy’s requirement of 57 carrier-borne aircraft.
We need to be producing at least 36 LCAs annually, just to satisfy the Air Force’s requirement. On account of the high maintenance requirement of the Sukhoi Su-30’s Saturn AL-31FP engines only around 55-60% of the IAF’s 210+ Su-30s are available for use, against the expected 75%. So, it is very unlikely that IAF will be ordering any more Sukhoi Su-30s. The HAL’s Nashik plant should be repurposed for making Tejas LCAs.
It is very evident that HAL is simply unequal to the task — at least as things are now, so somebody — maybe the Defence minister should take the bull by the horns.
GE Aviation’s F414-INS6 afterburning turbofan engine — 57.8 kN (13,000 lbf) dry thrust / 98 kN (22,000 lbf) with afterburner, which powers the twin engine Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and single engine Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen, seems to be the engine selected to power the home-grown Tejas Mk-2 single engine fighter.
We should manufacture this engine under ‘Make in India’ and use it to power the Tejas naval variant. The additional 4 kN of power will come in handy during take off from the flight deck.
GE has a manufacturing facility in Pune which contributes 40% engine components. GE has another facility at Bangalure. So, it should have no problem in meeting the mandated 50% requirement of local production for defence contracts within India.
In areas of technology where we are sorely lacking — say, metallurgical expertise needed to make high performance aircraft engines, we need to identity and recruit foreign experts in the field as consultants.
We too could actively consider reverse engineering, which could go on in parallel with research.
In all matters pertaining to defence, incl. defence production units, we need to forget about the ‘quota’ bu!!shit, and select people ONLY ON MERIT.
We also need a competent, go getter technocrat to head defence production, NOT lackeys of the ruling dispensation.
Only then can we hope to get somewhere.
The admiral raises a fundamental question. It has never been treated to date by the security officials of the country, nor by those of yesterday, nor by those of today. Since the establishment of the new government have been announced the launch of reports to define the country’s defense strategy, the creation of a chief of staff, and of course, as always weapons acquisitions here or there. These ads are similar to a dusting policy and can not be likened to a real defense policy. Perhaps it would be appropriate finally to launch a reform of the military administration of the country and in particular of the ministry which pilot it? Why not separate administrative tasks in this department? Why not create within the MOD a direction dealing only with armament. The leadership would be responsible for equipping the armed forces, preparing for the future, and having an overview of weapons systems to ensure their overall coherence. MOD’s current organization dilutes accountability and encourages silo-based operation. It might be time to review this organization!
There is hardly anything to refute or add further to what Admiral has mentioned in this article. In fact, what is shameful is that not only China but other countries such as South Korea, Brazil, Turkey etc have progressed much beyond what India has achieved, despite presence of huge R&D infrastructure. We need to achieve a similar level as achieved by ISRO in the area of defense production. I hope Modi and Amit Shah read this article and understand seriousness of the issue and take appropriate measures. No one else will indeed matter at the political level other than these two!! At the level of armed forces, it is surprising that IAF and Army never bothered to have a similar indigenization initiative as was adopted by Navy and no one ever pulled them for it.
What R&D infrastructure is there, leave aside ‘huge’.
Problem is every one sitting on the bank and keep blaming DRDO for everything and start preaching about Science and Technology without even knowing ABC of S&T. It is more fun for these Retired generals talk all this bullshit blame game on Scientific community. General, before talking of UK, USA, Israel models you should first know that India invest peanuts on Science and Technology and Scientists are least respected in this country.
Just take the example of ‘man on the moon’ mission announced by president Kennedy of the US. NASA did not have enough funds, so they tied up with all companies in the US to carry out research. I do not have details of the agreements but whatever was discovered was licenced back to those or other companies for further development and scaled production. things like carbon fibre, hardening of electronic devices against different radiation in space, fibre glass for data transmission different kinds of industrial plastics and a host of many other inventions came about and were put to commercial and military use. NASA got the royalty and used it for further R&D. These applications were used in everyday life because these were not regarded as secrets and put in closets. Now, if we can also licence our findings, the labs will get the funds ans others will find the commercial and military use. This is utterly lacking in our country. What is invented, is put in closet and never monetised. This is the 1 st hurdle.
I live next to the DRDO in Bangalore. While I dont get to see their ‘research’ activities I find that their administrative component is far to high compared to their R&D component. They have sports teams that take part in tournaments and have a huge establishment for administrative duties. I dare say that even in the number of junior and middle level scientists and engineers are far too many and wonder what contribution they make.
On the other hand compare the more sophisticated missile division. They are far ahead thanks to Abdul Kalam. They are maintaining a high level of proficiency. They are also a branch of DRDO.
Also in comparison take the case of ISRO. They have by and large delivered far latest more sophisticated space technology at unbelievably low cost. How do they manage that? Do they have more freedom than our DRDO establishments?
The Govt and its bureaucrats need to re organise DRDO into a leaner and more efficient organisation. Theyalso need to encourage companies like L&T, HCC, Kalyanis and others to invest and develop weapons and sophisticated technologies even with foreign collaboration.
Admiral has hit the nail on the head. We owe current state to military leadership, for selling their souls to politicians and baby’s. I can see some changes with under Modi leadership. Tx
Yes, before you could feed yourself, the damn power aspiration came in the way. Result after 70 years is neither economy nor power.
I would like to add a Strategic Defence Review at the top of the what is to be done list. Unless we do this and account for everything- threats, imperatives and choices given the stringent fund availablity, we cannot succeed either as a munitions user or producer. Surprisingly, only the venerable K Subramaniam talked about the importance of a SDR lead review and restructuring of India’s defence and defence research-production complex. I have not heard one serving or ex service chief talk about the SDR or its importance.
I want complete privatization of defence manufacturing. A defence insider told me that Indian defence industry is like 20 to 40 years behind that of Western world and our technology is crap. Privatization will make us competitive.
A very good article. Comments of readers are also top class. The Print must be congratulated for not debarring these comments from getting published which has become a trend in Indian media.
Since their Total Technical Life has been completed, IAF is planning to retire 10 squadrons (at least 160 aircraft) of MiG-21 fighter-interceptors and MiG-27 ground-attack aircraft, by 2024. This was announced by Subhash Bhamre, Indian Minister of State for Defence in Lok Sabha on Dec. 27, 2017.
HAL plans to ramping up production capacity from 8 to 16 Mk-1A LCAs per annum. But… even if they stick to production schedules, that would just be 64 LCAs by 2024. We’re still going to have a huge shortfall of around 100 aircraft. Then, there’s the Navy’s requirement of 57 carrier-borne aircraft.
We need to be producing at least 36 LCAs annually, just to satisfy the Air Force’s requirement. On account of the high maintenance requirement of the Sukhoi Su-30’s Saturn AL-31FP engines only around 55-60% of the IAF’s 210+ Su-30s are available for use, against the expected 75%. So, it is very unlikely that IAF will be ordering any more Sukhoi Su-30s. The HAL’s Nashik plant should be repurposed for making Tejas LCAs.
It is very evident that HAL is simply unequal to the task — at least as things are now, so somebody — maybe the Defence minister should take the bull by the horns.
GE Aviation’s F414-INS6 afterburning turbofan engine — 57.8 kN (13,000 lbf) dry thrust / 98 kN (22,000 lbf) with afterburner, which powers the twin engine Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and single engine Saab JAS 39E/F Gripen, seems to be the engine selected to power the home-grown Tejas Mk-2 single engine fighter.
We should manufacture this engine under ‘Make in India’ and use it to power the Tejas naval variant. The additional 4 kN of power will come in handy during take off from the flight deck.
GE has a manufacturing facility in Pune which contributes 40% engine components. GE has another facility at Bangalure. So, it should have no problem in meeting the mandated 50% requirement of local production for defence contracts within India.
In areas of technology where we are sorely lacking — say, metallurgical expertise needed to make high performance aircraft engines, we need to identity and recruit foreign experts in the field as consultants.
We too could actively consider reverse engineering, which could go on in parallel with research.
In all matters pertaining to defence, incl. defence production units, we need to forget about the ‘quota’ bu!!shit, and select people ONLY ON MERIT.
We also need a competent, go getter technocrat to head defence production, NOT lackeys of the ruling dispensation.
Only then can we hope to get somewhere.
The admiral raises a fundamental question. It has never been treated to date by the security officials of the country, nor by those of yesterday, nor by those of today. Since the establishment of the new government have been announced the launch of reports to define the country’s defense strategy, the creation of a chief of staff, and of course, as always weapons acquisitions here or there. These ads are similar to a dusting policy and can not be likened to a real defense policy. Perhaps it would be appropriate finally to launch a reform of the military administration of the country and in particular of the ministry which pilot it? Why not separate administrative tasks in this department? Why not create within the MOD a direction dealing only with armament. The leadership would be responsible for equipping the armed forces, preparing for the future, and having an overview of weapons systems to ensure their overall coherence. MOD’s current organization dilutes accountability and encourages silo-based operation. It might be time to review this organization!
There is hardly anything to refute or add further to what Admiral has mentioned in this article. In fact, what is shameful is that not only China but other countries such as South Korea, Brazil, Turkey etc have progressed much beyond what India has achieved, despite presence of huge R&D infrastructure. We need to achieve a similar level as achieved by ISRO in the area of defense production. I hope Modi and Amit Shah read this article and understand seriousness of the issue and take appropriate measures. No one else will indeed matter at the political level other than these two!! At the level of armed forces, it is surprising that IAF and Army never bothered to have a similar indigenization initiative as was adopted by Navy and no one ever pulled them for it.
What R&D infrastructure is there, leave aside ‘huge’.
Problem is every one sitting on the bank and keep blaming DRDO for everything and start preaching about Science and Technology without even knowing ABC of S&T. It is more fun for these Retired generals talk all this bullshit blame game on Scientific community. General, before talking of UK, USA, Israel models you should first know that India invest peanuts on Science and Technology and Scientists are least respected in this country.
Well said.