Development of Personnel for Offset Implementation

Offsets is a specialized field. You may have military knowledge, industry knowledge, required dynamism and will to contribute to the system long-term in a transparent and ethical manner with probity , but still not be able to serve as an effective Offset Manager / Consultant in the Industry.

We train You in concert with our JV Partner in the US, Tucson Transatlantic Trade Inc. Holding Group, www.ttthg.com

Defence Ventures with Foreign Entities to Face Closer Scrutiny

The Govt. is planning guidelines for defence sector joint ventures (JVs) between Indian and foreign firms. And these will be similar to foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for defence collaborations in certain developed countries.

The idea is to institute security and auditing procedures for JVs and their supply chains. The norms will apply to JVs based on ‘threat perception’ and the sensitivity of products to be manufactured. Such JVs will have to seek prior separate security clearances from the home ministry regarding subsidiaries, directors and foreign nationals (if engaged).

The JV companies must be owned and controlled by Indian residents and their companies. Despite the 26% FDI cap, the defence sector has attracted top overseas defence equipment manufacturers like the UK’s BAE, European consortium EADS, US-based Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin,etc.

Read Report: Defence Ventures with Foreign Entities

PPP for ICVs in India

The MOD/India has thrown open its doors for private players to bid for a project to build the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle(ICV).

Two companies will be shortlisted and asked to build one prototype each—the manufacturing of these will be funded 80 % by the Govt.

The Army needs about 2,600 ICVs over 20 years. All four bidders—Tata Motors, Mahindra Defence Systems, L&T and the Government-owned Ordnance Factory Board (OFB)—have presented their designs. The evaluation is set to move to the final phase within a month. The Rs 50,000-crore order is likely to be divided between the winner and runner-up.

Challenges

• The systems integration of the FICV is likely to be a big challenge. The platform, the software and electronics have to be integrated for the vehicle to function well. Indian companies have little experience in this.

• Keeping it local. All the four bidders are likely to have foreign partners. The fear is that the high-end work will be done abroad defeating the purpose of the exercise. Russian aircraft have been assembled in India for decades—yet the design and development of every new generation plane was done in Russia.

Read More: PPP for ICVs in India

DAC/MOD Eases the Offset Fulfillment Policy

As per media Reports , the MOD on 02 Apr 2012 eased its defence offsets norms with the value of technology transferred under a deal could be written off against the offset The offsets clause is expected to bring in investments of $30 billion in ‘cash or kind’ over the next decade. The revised provisions also make a distinction between equity and non-equity route, that is investment in "kind" made by the OEM for discharge of offset obligations.

"Investment in kind in terms of TOT must cover all documentation, training and consultancy required for full TOT (civil infrastructure and equipment excluded)", the Report said.

The TOT should be provided without license fee and there should be no restriction on domestic production, sale or export. The offset credit for TOT shall be 10 per cent of the value of buy back by the OEM during the period of the offset contract, to the extent of value addition in India.

The guidelines also noted that the technology acquisition by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for a list of specified technologies will be treated as an eligible offset with a multiplier up to three.

It has already been decided to allow the tier-I sub-vendors under the main procurement contract to discharge part of the offset obligations on behalf of the main vendor. However, the overall responsibility for discharge of the offset obligations shall rest solely on the main vendor. The agreement between the OEM, vendor and tier-I sub-vendor and the Indian offset partner will mandatorily be subject to Indian laws.

The revised guidelines are said allow offset obligations to be discharged within a time frame that can extend beyond the period of main procurement contract by a maximum period of two years. The overall cap on penalty will be 20 per cent of the total offset obligations during the period of the main procurement contract. There will be no cap on penalty for failure to implement offset obligations during the period beyond the main procurement contract, which may extend to a maximum period of two years.

The period of validity for banked offsets has been increased to seven years.

In the discharge of offset obligations relating to direct export, foreign direct investment and technology transfer or investment in 'kind' in Indian enterprises through non-equity route, a multiplier of 1.50 will be permitted where micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) are the Indian offset partners. The monetary limits specified by the Indian government's department of MSME shall be applicable for identification of the MSME.

"In exceptional cases, the competent authority may permit change in offset partners or offset components provided the value of offset obligations remains unchanged. This will provide greater flexibility in implementation", the Report said.

Formal Govt. Guidelines are Awaited.

Mahindra JV with Rafael

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd, a manufacturer of defence systems for air, land, sea and space applications, today agreed to form a Joint Venture in India to develop and manufacture products such as Anti Torpedo Defence Systems, Electronic Warfare Systems, Advanced Armouring Solutions and remotely operated weapon stations for Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICV).

Rafael will make investments in Mahindra's existing Naval Systems division in Pune which will also be the location of a production facility which will be set up to meet the long-term requirements of the JV company.

The companies have also approached the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) for creation of a 74:26 company, the company statement said.

Link: Mahindra JV with Rafael