May 2020

Time to fine tune strategy against Pakistan

A sudden increase in terrorist activities in the Indian state of Jammu & Kashmir during the preceding few weeks forced everyone to take note of the situation. Loss of five soldiers of elite Special Forces in early April followed by loss of a Commanding Officer along with another officer, two soldiers and a police officer in another terrorism-related incident did sound alarm bells.

New measures for self-sufficiency in defence – industry perspective

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on May 12, in his address to the nation called for a self-sufficient India (Atma Nirbhar Bharat). He also announced an economic relief package equivalent to 10 per cent of Indian Gross Domestic Product.

Talking about the pre and post COVID worlds, Prime Minister observed that in order to fulfil the dream of making the 21st century India’s, the way forward is through ensuring that the country becomes self-reliant.

Tracks Changing For Indian Armed Forces

The Pandemic Effect

The Pandemic is a watershed event of 21st Century. The eventual normal is more than 4-5 years away. In between there will be many false normals. Major upheavals in geopolitics, economies and lifestyles on the cards. While the Indian economy is under the pump, this period also represents a period of economic opportunity for India as we seek ‘Atma Nirbhartha’.

MoD approves defence testing infrastructure

In order to give a boost to domestic defence and aerospace manufacturing, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has approved the launch of  Defence Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) with an outlay of Rs 400 crore for creating state of the art testing infrastructure for this sector. The Scheme would run for the duration of five years and envisages to setup six to eight new test facilities in partnership with private industry. This will facilitate indigenous defence production, consequently reduce imports of military equipment and help make the country self-reliant.

LM receives manufacturing order for India bound MH-60R

United States, on Thursday, awarded ‘firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee’ contract for 21 MH-60 Romeo to Lockheed Martin for India Navy’s multi-role helicopters programme. Lockheed will get $791,700,000   from US government for the Indian programme.

On April 2, 2019, US approved “Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to India of twenty-four (24) MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters for an estimated cost of $2.6 billion.

Rostec hands the first Ansat helicopter over to EMERCOM of Russia

Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) supplied the first Ansat helicopter for EMERCOM of Russia. The rotorcraft was handed over to the Fund supporting the development of state authorities in civil defense, emergencies and elimination of consequences of natural disasters (the Fund). The helicopter has already been handed over to the North-Western Aviation and Rescue Center of EMERCOM of Russia, and is located on Kasimovo Airfield.