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UNITED KINGDOM AND NATO
19 Sep 23. UK commits to F-35 retrofits. The United Kingdom has committed to retrofit its fleet of Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft to the latest Technology Refresh-3 (TR-3) Block 4 standard. Answering questions in the House of Commons on 18 September Minister of State at the Ministry of Defence (MoD), James Cartlidge, said a decision to bring the country’s fleet of aircraft up to the latest standard had been made.
“I can confirm the [MoD] intends to upgrade the UK F-35B Lightning fleet with Technology Refresh-3 [and] Block 4 modifications,” Cartlidge said.
TR-3 is a suite of hardware and software built around an L3Harris core processor, a new memory system, and an open mission systems architecture. It includes a new cockpit display, with increased computing power being required for the upcoming F-35 Block 4 standard aircraft. (Source: Janes)
20 Sep 23. The cost of new armed drones for the UK military has jumped more than 40 per cent in part due to attempts by the Ministry of Defence to find savings in its budget two years ago. The price tag to buy and operate a fleet of 16 US-made Protector pilotless aircraft has risen to £1.76bn, up from a 2016 estimated total lifetime cost of £1.25bn, according to official figures. The extra costs of the programme were revealed in a series of ministerial answers to written parliamentary questions presented by the opposition Labour party over recent months. A decision by the defence ministry in 2021 to delay the programme by two years, which allowed the department to claim unspecified in-year savings, added £187mn to the overall cost, according to the documents. Other issues that raised the cost included a late alteration to the specifications of the drone that involved changing its primary sensor to avoid future obsolescence. The drone is made by General Atomics of the US and has a wingspan of 24 metres, which is bigger than most business jets. It is packed with sensors used for surveillance and targeting and armed with 500lb laser-guided bombs and air-to-ground missiles capable of hitting fast-moving vehicles. Protector was originally expected to enter service towards the end of the past decade but has suffered several delays. It is now due to enter service late next year but ministers have yet to confirm when it will be declared fully operational. It will replace the Reaper drones in service with the Royal Air Force, which have been involved in controversial targeted strikes in Syria, including the killing of a British jihadi in 2015. As a result of the delay, the MoD is extending the lifetime of the existing Reaper system at a cost of £49mn, which the government said it is offsetting through funding previously allocated to the Protector programme.
The MoD’s latest assessment of its big projects has given the programme an “amber” confidence rating and warned that it still faces “significant challenges”. Labour shadow defence secretary John Healey said the rising cost of Predator was an example of the MoD’s “broken” procurement system and wasteful attitude to taxpayers’ money. Conservative MP and former defence minister Mark Francois, who sits on the Commons defence select committee, agreed that Protector was “yet another in a long litany of MoD procurement programmes that have performed very poorly in keeping to time and cost”. It follows severe problems with the £5.5bn Ajax armoured vehicle and the £3.2bn Morpheus battlefield communications system. Francois called on Grant Shapps, who was appointed defence secretary last month, to consider “wholesale reform” to the way the ministry acquires new systems. Francis Tusa, editor of the Defence Analysis newsletter, said Protector was “a pretty inglorious programme”, adding: “If you change the specifications once you’ve signed the contract the costs are only going to go one way — up.” Recommended Harlan Ullman Britain’s armed forces must adapt radically to meet future threats The war in Ukraine, Tusa added, had shown that drones needed to be disposable. With the “system costing tens of ms of pounds a pop, is this a price you want to pay?” he asked. The MoD said: “All procurement decisions are made with best value for the taxpayer in mind. The MoD upgraded Protector’s primary sensor, enhancing its battlefield capabilities beyond what was originally planned which contributed to an increase to the original programme cost.” General Atomics did not respond to requests for comment. (Source: FT.com)
EUROPE
19 Sep 23. New EDA Project to Advance Work on Hybrid Drive Trains for Military Vehicles. To improve the sustainability of future defence mobility while retaining the highest performance demanded by military vehicles, the European Defence Agency (EDA) has been working on the development of hybrid drive trains for military use. EDA has formally kicked-off the HybriDT II (Hybrid Drive Train Demonstrator-phase 2) – project which involves the design of full-scale wheeled and tracked military purpose demonstrators with hybrid drive trains.
The aim of HybriDT II is the design of demonstrators to verify simulation results and allow for tactical and logistic testing of new technologies.
Phase two will work to identify the best technology for a modular and scalable hybrid architecture best fitting for military purpose which meets the objectives of significant weight saving, and space claim, thermal radiation reduction and fuel consumption reduction. Wheeled vehicles will be the primary focus of the research, with 8×8 and 6×6 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs) will be considered. In addition, tracked vehicle applications will be investigated just within simulation.
The kick-off meeting, held on 6 September, has officially started the second phase of the project (HybriDT II) that involves Germany, as lead contributing Member State, Austria, The Netherlands, Poland and Slovenia as contributing Member States. This phase of the project has a duration of 15 months and a total budget 1,7 M€. In the expected follow-on phase (HybriDT III), one or more demonstrators will be developed, manufactured and tested according to the results obtained in HybriDT II.
Pan-European consortium
The project will be executed by a consortium composed of thirteen industrial and research entities: the AVL List as project leader and General Dynamics European Land Systems – Steyr from Austria; the German AVL Schrick, AVL Software and Functions and Institute for Chemical Technology Fraunhofer; DNV, TNO and VDL from The Netherlands; the Polish Military University of Technology and Huta Stalowa Wola Ironworks; AVL Slovenia, Elaphe Propulsion Technology and University of Ljubljana (Slovenia).
Hybrid II project, prepared in the CapTech Ground Systems at EDA’s Research and Innovation Directorate, contribute to develop innovative propulsion and drivetrain systems, which could fulfil production of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV), by introducing the most advanced technological trends in transportation.
EDA’s wider role
EDA supports all EU Member States in improving their defence capabilities through European cooperation. Acting as an enabler and facilitator for Ministries of Defence willing to engage in collaborative capability projects, the Agency has become the hub for European defence cooperation with expertise and networks spanning the whole spectrum of defence capabilities.
Member States use EDA as an intergovernmental expert platform where their collaborative projects are supported, facilitated, and implemented. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/EDA)
USA
18 Sep 23. Lockheed Martin Reduces 2023 F-35 Delivery Plan, but Maintains Build Rate. Lockheed Martin recently indicated that it will deliver only 97 F-35s in 2023. The company had originally planned to deliver 147-153 F-35s during the year, but subsequently reduced this target in July 2023 to 100-120 aircraft. Lockheed Martin delivered 141 F-35s in 2022.
The revised delivery plan is a result of a delay in certification of the Technology Refresh 3 (TR-3) upgrades that are needed to power capabilities of the F-35’s new Block 4 configuration. TR-3 upgrades include a new integrated core processor with greater computing power, a panoramic cockpit display, and an enhanced memory unit.
The initial delivery of a TR-3 equipped F-35 is now planned to occur in the April-June 2024 timeframe, postponed from the previously planned target date in 2023. The 97 aircraft still slated for delivery in 2023 are being built in the older TR-2 configuration. Lockheed Martin has a longer-term plan to deliver 156 F-35s annually, starting in 2025. Despite the cutback in planned deliveries for 2023, Lockheed Martin is continuing to build the F-35 at a rate of 156 aircraft per year, and placing undelivered aircraft into storage pending availability of the TR3 updates. (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Forecast International)
18 Sep 23. US Air Force Seymour Johnson AFB seeks C-UAS operations training services. The U.S. Air Force, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base (SJAFB), has been tasked to identify potential sources, market capabilities and market conditions for the acquisition of Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) Operations Training Services.
“The purpose of this sources sought is to gain knowledge of interest, capabilities and qualifications of members of the Small Business Community, to include Section 8(a), Historically Underutilizes Business Zones (HUBZone), Service Disabled Veterans-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business’s (EDWOSB) to compete for this requirement,” according to the request for information posted on the www.sam.gov contracting website.
“The objective of the 4th Fighter Wing Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (c-UAS) Operations Training is to prepare and provide a live fly training experience in support of the 335th Fighter Squadron’s preparation to support OPERATION SPARTAN SHIELD in November of 2023.
Specific Objectives:
Provide training that develops the capability for F-15Es to Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage and Assess multiple UAS targets during a three day period. Current F-15E simulators do not have the capability to replicate the specific threat systems utilized in this live fly training.
Provide training that allows F-15E aircrew to utilize on board sensors to detect and track an air picture consisting of multiple Group 2 and 3 UASs along a single threat axis during a VUL.
Provide training that presents representative communication with outside agencies to build the UAS kill chain.
Provide training that allows F-15E aircrew to utilize on board systems to target Group 2 and 3 UASs out to a 30-50 nautical mile distance.
The expected level of proficiency at training completion is that each Airman has the capability to perform the above tasks at a basic skill level individually and perform the above tasks as part of an integrated team.”
Responses are to be emailed to or mailed and addressed to: 4th Contacting Squadron/PKB attention Aaron VanVynckt, 1570 Wright Brothers Avenue, BLDG 2903, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, NC 27531-2479. Negative responses are not required. Capable and interested sources must respond to this sources sought no later than 1:00 p.m. EST on 22 September 2023. For more information: https://sam.gov/opp/4a2cc693d3c74de4aee8e097ba8eb1e8/view
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
12 Sep 23. USAF seeks C-sUAS electronic drone emulator. In a 7 September ‘sources sought’ announcement, the US Air Force is seeking organisations capable of responding to a requirement for a C-sUAS electronic drone emulator.
No solicitations are currently available – the intent at this juncture is merely to establish potentially competent sources, in order to support a potential competitive procurement. Technical parameters revealed to date include:
- System must be able to receive and detect SUAS RF signals in common communication bands (2.4/5.8 GHz and 400/900 MHz)
- System must be able to validate the successful transmission of a protocol-based RF countermeasure
- System must provide supplemental environmental RF scanning to identify dynamic interference sources
- System must be able to receive support and software updates
- System must be able to be reusued and withstand multiple Electronic Warfare (EW) C-UAS system type tests without alteration to the device.
- System must have an internal rechargeable battery that lasts for a minimum of 3 hours
- System must have built-in display module that reflects user-based input and actions
The ‘sources sought’ inquiry is designated as a total Small Business Set Aside. Responses should be made by email before 09:00 Alaska Daylight Time on 18 September to A1C Felix Prose at
(Source: www.unmannedairspace.info)
REST OF THE WORLD
21 Sep 23. Argentina eyes surplus CH-46 helicopters as Mi-17 replacement.
The Boeing CH-46 medium-lift helicopter, retired from service in the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, may get a new lease on life, this time with the Argentine Air Force.
Talking to local media after a Sept. 15 ceremony, Argentine Air Force chief Gen. Xavier Issac said he’s interested in buying surplus CH-46s currently stored with the 309th Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group in Arizona. He added that the Argentine government has sent a letter of request to the U.S.
Issac said a delegation would visit the 309th in the next few weeks to check the condition of available CH-46s, and hinted that contacts were signed with Columbia Helicopters, a U.S.-based firm able to refurbish, upgrade and modify the helicopter type.
But a military source in Buenos Aires, talking to Defense News on the condition of anonymity to speak freely, said that “even when the potential procurement of surplus CH-46s is aimed to increased vertical lift capacities for a wide range of uses, the first priority would be to replace two Mil Mi-171Es, ordered in 2010 in a contract worth U.S. $26.5 million, and used since 2011 in support of Antarctic operations.”
The source added that both Russian-made Mi-17 aircraft are grounded because maintenance scheduled in the country cannot take, given Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.
“Sanctions applied to Russia made [it] impossible to send the helicopters there and even to transfer the payments,” the source explained. “The possibility to have the works made in Peru, Colombia or Mexico was explored afterward but proved fruitless, as those workshops do not have the certification to work on the engines of the Argentine Mi-171Es.”
Argentina gave up on the maintenance plans in Russia last month, according to the former’s Defense Ministry, leaving the future service of the helicopters in doubt and increasing pressure to acquire replacements.
“The idea is to procure a first batch of four CH-46s, with follow-on orders aiming to add machines to achieve a strength of at least eight helicopters,” the source said. “Not only surplus machines in store are being sought, but also those currently operated by civilian firms that may be available.”
Luis Piñeiro, an independent defense analyst based in Buenos Aires, said it’s a “good idea” to buy refurbished CH-46s, even more so if the reason is to replace the Mi-17s for Antarctic operations, “which are a high priority for Argentina.”
“But it looks unlikely that the current administration led by President Alberto Fernández, which is in its very last months in office, will manage to finalize it. [This] will be in the hands of the next government, to be elected on Oct. 22.”
(Source: Defense News)
20 Sep 23. Australia to focus R&D on asymmetric warfighting, chief scientist says. Australia has two defining military efforts taking shape — the implementation of its Defence Strategic Review at home and the kickoff of a trilateral technology-sharing agreement — that are changing the way the nation’s defense and innovation ecosystems interact.
The Defence Strategic Review, released publicly in April, “is a significant change in posture for Australia” that asks the country to take an asymmetric approach to deterring or winning a conflict in the Pacific, Tanya Monro, the chief defence scientist at the Australian Department of Defence, said Wednesday during a Center for a New American Security event in Washington, D.C.
Instead of focusing on capability gaps, the review instead asks what Australia can invest in that would cause a potential adversary to question its approach or incur more cost, she said.
The review highlighted innovation, science and technology as priorities, with six areas of focus: long-range fires; directed energy; hypersonics; trusted autonomous systems in all domains; quantum technologies, such as quantum-assisted precision navigation and timing and quantum-aided communication tools; and information warfare and automated intelligence systems.
“All of these areas have the potential to disrupt the way our forces operate now, and allow us to leap ahead technologically so that we can do things differently when we work with our allies,” Monro said.
But as part of the defense review, Australia has also shifted to a mindset where “warfighter problems are at the center of what we do, that they’re crafted as problem statements that are technology-agnostic, and then allow us to harness the creativity and good ideas of our whole ecosystem.”
And that approach doesn’t quite line up with the Australia, U.K. and U.S., or AUKUS, Pillar 2 effort that includes working groups devoted specific advanced technology areas rather than warfighting problems.
‘Star shots’
That’s leaving Australia to determine what development priorities it has that it wants to pursue with its closest allies, and which it would like to pursue on its own, to make the most of its limited innovation resources.
In 2020, Australia released a “More, Together” science and technology strategy that included eight “star shots,” or specific warfighting capabilities the service chiefs wanted to have by 2030. The star shots defined the end capability, such as undersea surveillance or resilient satellite constellations, not the technology solution that would get the military there; with this strategy, “our aim has been to align the work done in our universities and in our industry” so these researchers would help address national needs, rather than develop technology for technology’s sake.
Monro said Australia’s innovation sector, unlike in the U.S., largely resides in university labs and with small- and medium-sized companies, rather than large prime contractors that can devote attention to future tech — so Australia determined it was important to focus its limited resources on the most important needs of the military.
The Defence Strategic Review doubles down on this, with the creation of an Advanced Strategic Capabilities Accelerator that officially began its work July 1. Monro described this new organization as “quite a bit of [Strategic Capabilities Office] flavor, a lot of [Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, and a sprinkling of [Defense Innovation Unit].”
ASCA, which will receive $3.4bn in funding over the next decade, will take tech-agnostic military problems and look to solve them within two or three years.
To get an early win, Monro said, the group put out a call to Australian industry to create a sovereign drone ecosystem, after the government determined it was not safe to use Chinese-made DJI small drones for military or government purposes. Monro said ASCA received more than 250 responses, from companies offering drones to components to software, all of which will be pulled together to help address small unmanned aerial system needs in the Australian Defence Force.
Though this example is one where Australia needed to pursue the effort alone, Monro called out autonomy more broadly as an area where close coordination among the AUKUS allies is critical: she highlighted an early effort the countries already demonstrated, where they not only operated autonomous systems side by side but also passed control of the vehicles among different users.
More information on the Pillar 2 effort and the tech areas it includes will be released this fall. Monro said it would be important to get problem statements, or warfighting requirements, from each of the three militaries to contextualize the need for these advanced tech areas — “and make sure that technology development done under each of those working groups aligns with our warfighters’ highest priority problems. That has been a bit of a forcing function for winnowing down what we do.”
More information on ASCA’s focus areas, too, will be released shortly, Monro said.
“We’re working through the process of which of the problem statements [for ASCA] press an AUKUS button, or another bilateral or multilateral piece. So you can understand there’s a little bit of work between us deciding what’s most important to us, and us deciding what we’re doing alone and what we’re doing together,” she said. (Source: C4ISR & Networks)
20 Sep 23. Australian surface fleet review response on hold until 2024, says Conroy. The federal government will hold off publicly responding to the independent analysis of surface combatant fleet capability until next year, according to Defence Industry Minister Pat Conroy.
Review findings for the “Surface Fleet Review”, recommended by the Defence Strategic Review, are expected to be completed and a report delivered to government before the end of September this year.
The findings are anticipated to provide insight into Royal Australian Navy’s surface combatant fleet size, structure, and composition to complement capabilities provided by conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
“It’s on track to be delivered to government next week, and then we’ll work through its recommendations,” Minister Conroy said while speaking to the ABC earlier this week.
“It’s an incredibly complex piece of work, detailing recommendations around platforms that cost tens of billions of dollars.
“It really will drive the structure of the Royal Australian Navy for 30, if not 50 years to come, and government will take our time working through its recommendations, and we will respond to it, and we’re aiming to release a response in the first couple of months of next year at the latest.”
That response in 2024 would also coincide with the first commissions of the Royal Australian Navy Arafura Class offshore patrol vessel, designed to replace current Armidale and Cape Class patrol boats.
Minister Conroy also said interoperability will be a critical feature of maritime systems working into the future, in particular, the possibility of interoperability with close neighbour, New Zealand.
“The New Zealand process is they’re still looking at their fleet; that is due basically to reach the end of life in mid-2030s. They’re looking at what their options are,” he said.
“We’re very focused on where we can operate together, so interoperability is a critical feature.
“If there’s opportunities to build platforms together, if they eventuate, then we’re happy to look at it.
“I’m really proud that Australia built the ANZAC Class frigate for both Australia and New Zealand, and that was a very successful project.” (Source: Defence Connect)
20 Sep 23. Australia scraps procurement of the CAMCOPTER S-100. The Commonwealth has shelved plans to procure the Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100, originally selected as part of SEA 129 Phase 5 Block 1, to deliver the Royal Australian Navy with a fleet of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance drones.
The CAMCOPTER was originally single sourced under the previous Coalition government in May 2022, bypassing the tender process for the Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System Continuous Development program.
Alternative contractors to put forward for SEA 129 Phase 5 Block 1 included BAE Systems Australia, Northrop Grumman Australia, and Insitu Pacific.
The CAMCOPTER S-100 bid was supported by Raytheon Australia.
Originally reported by the ABC, the project was costed at $1.3 billion.
The capability was expected to provide intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support to the Anzac Class and Arafura Class ships.
Defence Connect has reached out to the Department of Defence for comment.
(Source: Defence Connect)
20 Sep 23. India approves procurement of additional Su-30s. India’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to procure 12 new Sukhoi Su-30MKI aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), according to the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 15 September.
The AoN signifies the initial approval for the defence acquisition. The AoN is part of an ongoing, four-year effort by the Indian Air Force (IAF) to procure 12 additional Su-30MKIs to replace attrition-related losses. According to data on air accidents assembled by Janes, nine Su-30MKIs have crashed since 2012.
However, an IAF source said the procurement of the 12 new aircraft could also support the formation of a new squadron. “The induction of 12 Su-30MKIs presents a superior capability than [ageing Mikoyan-Gurevich] MiG-21s,” the IAF source added.
Janes earlier reported that the establishment strength of an IAF squadron is 18 aircraft. Acquisition of 12 new aircraft would comprise two-thirds of a new squadron. (Source: Janes)
19 Sep 23. Hanwha Ocean offers variant of KSS-III submarine for Philippine Navy’s requirements. Hanwha Ocean has unveiled its latest, stepped-up proposal submitted for the Philippine Navy’s (PN’s) two-boat submarine requirement.
A computer-generated image (CGI) of the proposal, which has been dubbed as the Jangbogo-III PN submarine, was provided to Janes on 19 September ahead of a media release on the same day.
The vessel is derived from the Republic of Korea Navy’s (RoKN’s) KSS-III submarine, which has been designed and constructed by Hanwha Ocean. The proposed vessel has a surface displacement of about 2,800 tonnes, with an overall length of 77 m, and an overall beam of 9.7 m.
“Building upon the success of the Korean navy’s (RoKN’s) Jangbogo-III submarines, Hanwha Ocean’s proposal, the Jangbogo-III PN (Philippine Navy), offers a proven platform that delivers unparalleled operational capability,” according to a company statement.
“This advanced submarine is equipped with the latest propulsion system and lithium-ion battery technology ensuring the Philippines’ enhanced defence capability to safeguard its sovereign and strategic maritime interests,” the statement added. (Source: Reuters)
19 Sep 23. DAPA: Reports of KF-21 Development Cooperation with UAE Are Unfounded. The Defense Acquisition Program Administration said on the 18th that reports that the government is likely to join hands with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to complete the development of the domestically produced supersonic fighter KF-21 are not true.
In response to a related question at the Ministry of Defense’s regular briefing on this day, DAPA spokesperson Choi Kyung-ho said, “After checking with all relevant agencies and departments, the information is unfounded.”
An online media outlet recently reported, citing foreign media, that the UAE could replace Indonesia’s unpaid KF-21 contribution. Other media also reported on the 14th that the Tawazun Economic Committee, which is in charge of the UAE’s defense industry acquisition, recently sent a letter to the President’s Office expressing its intention to cooperate with the KF-21.
In response to this, an official from the Presidential Office said, “The report that the UAE directly mentioned cooperation with the Korean fighter KF-21 is not true,” and added, “Considering that matters related to defense industry cooperation with other countries may affect diplomatic relations, we request that you refrain from reporting.” “he said.
Previously, President Yoon Seok-yeol held a summit meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Jakarta, Indonesia on the 8th (local time) and agreed to work closely together to successfully complete the next-generation fighter joint development project.
The two countries are currently carrying out the KF-21 (Indonesian name IF-X) project to jointly develop a fighter jet by jointly covering a project cost of 8.1 trillion won from 2015 to 2026.
In January 2016, Indonesia paid 20% of the KF-21 development cost, about 1.7 trillion won (later reduced to about 1.6 trillion won), until June 2026, and received one prototype and various technical data, and received the fighter jet. It was decided to produce 48 units locally in Indonesia.
However, after paying only KRW 227.2 bn as of January 2019, the contribution was not paid for nearly 4 years due to budget shortages, and only an additional payment of KRW 9.4 bn was made in November of last year and about KRW 41.7 bn in February of this year.
According to plan, more than 1.1 trillion won should have been paid so far, but Indonesia has paid only 278.3 bn won and is currently in arrears of nearly 1trn won. (Unofficial translation by Defense-Aerospace.com) (Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Yonhap News Agency)
18 Sep 23. India Clears $5.4bn Acquisition Package Including Su-30MKI Fighters, Armored Vehicles and More. DAC Approves AoN for Nine Capital Acquisition Proposals for the Armed Forces Worth Rs 45,000 Crore. As part of the latest procurement package approved by India’s Defense Acquisition Council on Sept. 15, the Indian Air Force will be authorized to buy 12 additional Su-30MKI fighters. Other approvals cover air-defense and air-to-ground missiles, light armored multipurpose vehicles and other weapons. -Indian AF photo)
–Procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles, Integrated Surveillance & Targeting System and Next Generation Survey Vessels gets a nod
–Proposals for avionic upgradation of Dornier Aircraft; procurement of Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile & 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft also cleared
–Time to upgrade indigenisation ambitions; We should aim for a minimum 60-65% indigenous content: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for nine capital acquisition proposals of approx. Rs 45,000 crore (approx. $5.4 bn–Ed.). The meeting was held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh on September 15, 2023. All these procurements will be made from Indian vendors under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDMM)/Buy (Indian) category, which will give substantial boost to the Indian defence industry towards achieving the goal of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.
To enhance protection, mobility, attack capability and increased survivability of Mechanised Forces, the DAC accorded the AoN for procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S). The DAC cleared AoN for procurement of High Mobility Vehicle (HMV) Gun Towing Vehicles for swift mobilisation and deployment of Artillery Guns and Radars.
The DAC also approved procurement of Next-Generation Survey Vessels for the Indian Navy which will greatly enhance its capabilities in performing Hydrographic Operations.
The DAC also accorded AoN for proposals of the Indian Air Force which included Avionic upgradation of Dornier Aircraft to improve the accuracy and reliability for operations.
The procurement of Dhruvastra Short Range Air-to-Surface Missile as a potent Indigenous Precision Guided Weapon for indigenously built ALH Mk-IV Helicopters has been cleared by the DAC.
The AoN for procurement of 12 Su-30 MKI Aircraft with associated equipment from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was also accorded.
During the meeting, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that it is time to upgrade the ambitions towards indigenisation. “Rather than a threshold of 50% indigenous content for IDDM projects, we should aim for a minimum 60-65% indigenous content,” he said. The Raksha Mantri directed the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs, Defence Secretary and DG (Acquisition) to work towards increasing the minimum indigenous content threshold in consultation with the Indian Industry.
(Source: https://www.defense-aerospace.com/ Indian Ministry of Defence)
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