------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Svipja's Offset Practice

Our Offset Practice helps high-tech Defence and Aerospace Industry in offset projects. www.svipja.com/ refers.

We also empanel Offset Consultants with Industry knowledge in A & D. You could fill Your 'Resume' on http://www.svipja.com/careers.php , or 'Join as a Consultant' on www.indiandefenceindustry.com/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steps in Our Offset Process

Step 1: Acquaint Yourself first on Offset business. Please visit www.IndianDefenceIndustry.com , its connected Blogs and www.svipja.com in addition to other subject matter elsewhere. Offset Partnership and projects go thru rigorous 'Due Diligence' / 'Gate Reviews' by Vendors / Obligors.

Step 2: Register online on www.IndianDefenceIndustry.com using Internet Explorer to be part of the database of the Defence Industry. We are developing a consortium of MSMEs globally with India focus for them to participate in Aerospace and Defence direct and indirect Offset Projects.

Step 3: Obtain Industrial License, if required.We take Advisory on Products / Services to target, Capacity Creation, JV and Capital tructure incl FDI & Technology Agreements, etc.

Step 4: Become Industrial Sector Partner (ISP) of Svipja / India. We will guide the ISP firms go through qualified vendor registration process for Supply Chains of aerospace & defence firms.

Some of these steps could be attempted concurrently.

Commercials

1. Yearly Membership Fee for Registering on the Site and using e-Marketplace Engine for Buying/Selling, and accessing Info System, is as indicated in Tariffs on the Site. Fee is variable.

2. Separate Fee for Offset Consulting / Industrial Co-operation would apply. Contact svipja@gmail.com for further details.

3. Addl Fee will apply in case of market research, study and other services.

Conditions

1. Svipja provides guidance to the Indian ISP on project suitability and document/plan preparation for the Gate Review Process, and it's Presentation as required.

2. Svipja does not take responsibility for offset fund allotment to ISPs. This is decided by A &D Major Company based on the capability of the ISP to meet the needs of the A & D Major.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Boeing Wants India to be Part of Its International Supply Chain

Boeing plans to bid for defence projects worth up to USD 30 b (Rs 1,43,480 Crore) in India over the next 10 years. Space, Homeland Security and UAVs are some of the big businesses the company is targeting. Vivek Lall, in an interview, to the Financial Express commented on various issues covered in the succeeding paras.

‘Over the last four-five years, we have entered the defence segment. We come into the market with aspirations to be India's preferred partner. The Apache and the Chinook CH-47 are shortly going for summer trials. The US Congress has been informed about the possible sale of 10 C-17 Globemaster strategic air lifters, potentially valued at USD 5.8 b. This strengthens the growing partnership between the two countries.’

‘The competition for the MMRCA deal is very significant for all companies involved. We have completed all of the three trials. I think it is a very strategic acquisition, considering the number of competitors, but the Ministry of Defence has done a great job and done a thorough process. We want to establish a strong India footprint, regardless of the platform sales. This is a very important dimension to our company.’

‘We have a USD 600 m plus (Rs 2,777 Crore) commitment on offsets for the P-81. A USD 4.7 m (Rs 22 Crore) contract with HAL has been signed to provide weapon bay doors for the eight P-81 long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine warfare aircraft for the Indian Navy. We have an engagement strategy for India and want to make it part of our international supply chain. We want to be partners in India's mission to become self-reliant and a net exporter of defence products. As part of our F/A-18E/F campaign, we have signed 13 MoUs with Indian companies. This conglomerate has signed up with a cross section of 38 Indian companies for offsets. We have been looking at SMEs too.’

‘India's Defence procurement process is very forward-looking. We applaud the policy. The MoD introduced banking offsets. It is a welcome addition as it incentivises the original equipment manufacturers to work with the Indian partner. The buy-and-make clause shows the government's confidence in the industry. We've done USD 40 b (Rs 1, 85140 Crore) worth of offsets in over 30 countries and never defaulted. Fifty per cent of offset is a challenge. We are now looking forward to DPP 2010.’

Boeing’s future Plan calls for ‘An increase in UAV capabilities. We will engage in discussion with the forces here in conjunction with the government. We also have Homeland Security Solutions to offer.’

‘The good thing about the FMS Route, even though sometimes it is hard to understand, is that it brings with it the full support of the US Govt. If we get that, then we can hopefully show the Indian government the commitment of the US government. This is important.’

Svipja Technologies
Credit: USIBC and Its Agencies

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

US High-Tech to India Stumble on Safeguards

The Communications Interoperability and Security Memorandum of Agreement (CISMoA); and the Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement for Geo-spatial Cooperation (BECA) are the stumbling blocks for high-tech systems transfer from the US to India.

Indian establishment possibly feels that it may compromise security in today’s Information Warfare scenario. These concerns need to be ‘prudently' addressed and negotiated.

Article by Ajai Shukla in the Business Standard on ‘US high-tech arms to India stumble on safeguards’ details various blocks in the high-tech transfers from the US.

Click: ‘US High-Tech to India Stumble on Safeguards’

Svipja Technologies

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

India’s First Light Combat Helicopter( LCH) Flight-Tested

India's first indigenous attack helicopter took to the skies on 23 May 2010, Sunday morning, marking the country’s entry into a league of select nations that can design and manufacture the complex rotary wing attack aircraft.

The twin engined LCH has been derived from the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH). The LCH programme was given clearance by the government in October 2006.

The LCH, which has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It will now go through a series of tests and evaluations over the next few years before its planned induction into the Army and Air Force by 2014-15.

Pse Click for the full Report: India’s Light Combat Helicopter Flight-Tested

Svipja Technologies

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

DRDOs AGNI-II Successful

Agni II Long range nuclear capable Ballistic AGNI-II Missile has been successfully launched on 17 May 2010 (Monday) from the Wheelers Island in the Bay of Bengal off the coast of Orissa. Indian Navy ships tracked the missile and confirmed the Missile hitting target. It meets the mission objectives fully.

The two stage solid propellant based AGNI-II Missile has 2000 kms range with a pay load capability of one ton. The missile is equipped with a state-of-the-art Navigation System for taking the Missile towards its designated target. Number of Radars and electro-optical tracking systems, located along the coast of Orissa have monitored the path of the Missile and evaluated all the parameters in real-time. Strategic Forces Command carried out the launch under supervision / guidance of the DRDO.

DRDO officials and senior officers of the Strategic Forces Command witnessed the launch.

Svipja Technologies

Saturday, May 15, 2010

DRDO Being Revamped

India will set-up a new Defence Technology Commission to provide a major boost to Defence R & D in the country. The Govt. also decided to go for the second generation of main battle tank 'Arjun' and 'Akash' surface-to-air missile. It is a welcome step!

Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will continue to design and development of combat aircraft, and continuation of the Kaveri aero-engine programme.

Management of the DRDO will be de-cetralised with a view to make it a leaner organisation by merging some of its laboratories with other public-funded institutions with similar discipline, interest and administrative system. It will form technology domain-based centres or clusters of laboratories, numbering Seven, each headed by a DG. The DGs will be responsible for time-bound delivery of the programmes.

Present DRDO Director General would be re-designated as 'DRDO Chairman' with Directors General at centres and Chief Controllers of Research and Development (CCsR&D) at the HQ DRDO reporting to the DRDO Chairman, the head of the organisation.

Budget for rejuvenating research should be 5 per cent of DRDO's budget for a period of three years.

The new Commercial Arm of DRDO would be a Private Limited Company with a seed capital of about Rs 2 Crore. It would deal only with spin-off products and technologies meant for civilian use. It will not take up any manufacturing activity, public or private sector industry will do it.

Svipja Technologies

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Indian-designed Data Link for P8I of Boeing for the Indian Navy

BEL has begun supplying communication technology to Boeing to install in P-8I long-range maritime reconnaissance and anti-submarine ac it is building for the Indian Navy.

BEL delivered the Indian-designed Data Link II, a communications system that will enable exchange of tactical data and messages among Indian Navy aircraft, ships and shore establishments. Boeing will install the system on P-8I at its facility in Renton, Wash.

India inked the $2.1 billion deal with Boeing for eight customized P-8A Maritime Multi-Mission Aircraft, designated P-8I, in January 2009. India will get its first P-8I in late of 2012 or early 2013, with delivery of the remaining seven aircraft expected by 2015 -16. India is the first international customer for the P-8 aircraft.


Svipja Technologies
Credit: DefenseNews

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Time and Cost Overruns in DRDO Projects

DRDO will use a consortium approach for design, development and fabrication of critical components, Project Monitoring Reviews and joint funding by the military services to try to overcome delays in Defence Projects/Pgmes, as per the Indian Defence Minister.

Some of the DRDO projects that have missed their original timelines include:

• The LCA Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) Program – Phase II was approved in 2001. It has overshot its budget by almost 100%. It was to be completed by 2008; the latest probable completion date is 2012.

• The Full Scale Engineering Development Program for the Naval Light Combat Aircraft (LCA-Navy) also overshot its budget and timeline by four years, from 2010 to 2014.

• The Interception, Monitoring, Direction Finding and Analysis System (IMDFAS) – Divyadrishti. Started in 2002, it was to be completed in 2008. The new date for completion is 2010.

• The Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP), begun in 1983, was to be completed by 1995. The revised date is 2010.

• The Kaveri Engine for LCA was approved in 1989 with a completion date of 1996. The latest schedule is 2010.

Reasons for delays and cost escalation include “technical/technological complexities; sanctions imposed, increase in scope of work, creation of more infrastructure, test facilities and their maintenance; change/enhancement in user requirements during development; deviations/failures during testing; [and] extended and long-drawn user trials.”

The R & D in any country does take time. This should not unduly alarm Us. We should however project realistic timeframe and funding needs at the time of project /pgme approval. Tendency in the Organisations to get the projects approved ‘at low outlay and least project timeline’ needs to be checked with a firm hand.

Svipja Technologies
Credit: Aviation Week.

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

National Seminar on Defence Acquisition by the IDSA

There are many stakeholders in India’s defence industrial base and acquisition, but the Armed Forces remain central to it. The Forces have valid concerns about time-bound delivery of arms and systems to them. Any delay in any supply is counterproductive and thus has to be checked.

As per me, Defence Acquisition in India is plagued with ‘lack of transparency’, ‘deal money or corruption’, and ‘undue advocacy by vendors and their team’, as elsewhere. Cumulative effect of this results in delays. We need to check this.

The existing Acquisition Procedure(s) with sound trial system and ‘dispersed’ indep checks and balances, is considered highly adequate provided we lay down realistic timeframe, and adhere to it. Lapses in failing the timelines must be made accountable, and punishable.

There is a need for an integrated process and time-bound smooth acquisition. This does not mean creating yet another organisation /agency. It could happen from the present ‘desks’; just move integratedly. Seminar Summary can be read at:

http://idsa.in/event/NationalSeminaronDefenceAcquisition2010

We need not justify our ‘failures’ to deliver in-time, but endeavour to handover the right equipment at the right time to the Forces.

Svipja Technologies

Mahindra-BAE Defence JV Gets Operational

Defence Land Systems, India, a 74:26, JV between Mahindra and BAE Systems was declared operational on 04 May 2010 at its first Board Meeting. Mr Anand Mahindra was elected as Chairman of the JV.

The Company starts functioning with existing products, business and facilities, and the present Team with Brigadier (Retd) Khutub Hai as MD & CEO .

"It is intended that the Company will become a National Centre of Excellence for design, development, manufacture, final assembly, integration and test of artillery systems in support of the Indian Army's Field Artillery Rationalisation Plan and upgrade programme for artillery," a press release said. The company is focused on the manufacture of up-armoured light vehicles, specialist military vehicles, mine protected vehicles, artillery systems and other selected land system weapons, support and upgrades.

Svipja Technologies