India’s Airborne EW and Control (AEW&C) System

Embraer has unveiled the first of three EMB-145s ordered by DRDO as testbeds for an indigenously developed Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) System. The three EMB-145 AEW&C testbeds will also be used for a range of tests including cold-weather trials in Alaska.

The first aircraft, equipped with the antenna structure for the phased-array radar under development by DRDO’s Bengalaru-based Center for Air Borne Systems (CABS), is ready for flight testing at Embraer before its scheduled delivery to India in Aug, 2011.

Once delivered, CABS will begin integration of the AEW&C Mission System, which includes the active, electronically scanned array radar, electronic support measures, satellite communications, datalinks and operator workstations.

The full configuration is expected to fly in 2012.

The Indian aircraft incorporates several improvements. These include an in-flight refueling probe; a new electrical generation system with a second auxiliary power unit for the mission suite; and a new cooling system.

Read full Report on Aviation Week: India’s Airborne EW and Control (AEW&C) System


Svipja Technologies

Raytheon Initiative for India

Raytheon Company is vying for a pie of India’s potential $80 billion defence market in the next ten years. The company is trying to hardsell the Silient Guardian Protection System, the Javelin and the Patriot missile systems and is involved in the coastal surveillance project being carried out by the coast guard, William. L. Blair, the incoming CEO of Raytheon India, said.

Missile transfers are Government to Government engagement. Raytheon is working through the US Government process to determine what we can provide to India by way of technology transfer. In missile systems, there are layers that constitute a systems capability. Raytheon’s approach towards India is likely to be to figure out what weapons we can co-develop with India. All this would be subject to US Govt. approvals.

Raytheon has established relationships with companies such as the Tatas, Godrej, Larsen & Tubro (L&T) and many different Indian companies in the public and private sector to create at least a context in how we can operate. We have also established some pilot projects with some of those partners, where we are actually working on some manufacturing specific to what we will be delivering under the MMRCA, should a platform with our content be selected. We are working very actively with L&T on the T-72 upgrade and with Tata Power Stretegic Electronics Division (SED) for upgrading the infrastructure of the IAF.

Read the full Interview: Raytheon Initiative for India


Svipja Technologies

Offset Process for MSMEs

India’s aerospace and defence sector is throwing up huge entrepreneurial opportunities worth several hundred million dollars in the form of offsets.

An offset agreement is a stipulation made between a foreign supplier(Obligor) and a local company, which requires the supplier (Obligor) to fulfill certain offset commitments in that country as part of a Prime contract. For the Air India deal, Boeing’s offset commitment is to invest $1.7 billion and for P-8I maritime recce aircraft deal, it is $630 million, President Boeing said.

Boeing has already partnered with TCS , Wipro , Infosys, HCL, Infotech, Tata, etc. The Tier-I companies in the US/EU need to partner with several hundred small companies in India for offsets. As of now, mid-tier companies in India such as Maini, Dynamatic and QuEST support the A & D supply chain directly or indirectly. Opportunities exit for other similar companies to supply to US/EU A & D Companies.

A & D Sector needs skilled labour, capital, technology transfer, equipment and military or civil certification, as appropriate, in US/EU to be part of the chain.

“Entrepreneurs need to have a very good business plan supported by experts in the field. They also might need to partner with Tier-I companies. So, find partners, have a good plan, validated by experts in the field. In this business, there is no reward, if you can’t take risks”, the President said.

TTTHG-Svipja helps You develop business plan in concert with experts in the field from US/EU for You to be capable of becoming part of the supply chain of US/EU A & D Majors. Please read our Industrial Sector Partnership (ISP) Process on this Blog.

Read the Interview of President, Boeing India: International Co-operation and Offsets


Svipja Technologies

Tata Offset JVs

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, a subsidiary of Tata Sons Ltd, signed an agreement with Lockheed Martin Corp. to form a joint venture (JV) company, Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures, to build aerostructures for the C-130 aircraft produced by the US firm. The Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures facility will come up near the Hyderabad airport in the later part of 2011.

Tata Industries Ltd has formed a joint venture with Boeing Co. in 2008 to manufacture defence-related aerospace components in India for export to Boeing and its clients worldwide.

Tata Advanced Systems has also teamed up with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and United Technologies to manufacture S-92 helicopter cabins in India.

Report: Tata Offset JVs

Svipja Technologies

Defence Offset ' Pinks '

It may be difficult to ‘swallow’ an argument that Indian Defence Industry, Govt. and Civil, are not ready to absorb offsets accruing from the ongoing defence projects. Similarly, it may not be a very valid take that any co-development/co-production, low-tech or high-tech, for a system would not develop/build the indigenous defense industry capability; technologies can be put to multifarious usage, contracts permitting.

Recent changes in the Offset Policy in DPP 2011 are to be welcomed. Civil aviation, homeland security and training – equipment, academies, etc – could help our Industry manifold. We need to ensure that we regulate and manage the offsets pragmatically.

The Govt. had initially permitted Direct/Quasi-Direct offsets, but review(s) of the Policy has brought in new areas where offsets can also be discharged. We need not unduly burden ourselves with ‘likely scams syndrome’; just play sincerely and transparently. Everything will fall in place.

Offsets for any major pgme like MMRCA/Others would encompass a fair mix of products/services delivered by an Obligor in certain % in the Offset Programs. These could relate to:

Co-development & Co-production, say about 40%.
Direct Offset Pgms including Infrastructure, say about 30%.
General Indian Defence Industry , say about 20%.
General Security, Training and Civil Aviation Pgms, say about 10%.

DAC/MOD, I am sure, would prioritize, and fix % of offsets delivery in various areas in discussions with the Obligors. And monitor implementation of the pgmes effectively.

Advocacy/Any Fear Psychosis should not derail our acquisition pgms.

Svipja Technologies