That India will continue to be one of the biggest defence markets for some time to come is obvious to the world. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) heading to India in droves are a natural corollary and Defexpo 2012 made an emphatic statement to that effect.

Defexpo 2012, jointly organised by the Ministry of Defence and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), brought 567 exhibitors from 32 countries (up from 412 in 2010) for the country’s biggest-ever land, naval and homeland security systems exhibition at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi, from March 29 to April 1.

India focus

The mantra at the seventh edition of Defexpo 2012 was to enhance private sector participation and revitalise the public sector to accelerate defence production in India. The agenda for this was set by the Defence Minister, A.K. Antony, who inaugurated the event. The editorial team of SP Guide Publications which spoke to a number of OEMs and defence officials found that they were enthused by the market prospects.

Defence outsourcing hub

With the introduction of the Defence Offset policy, India is gradually becoming a key outsourcing hub for the global defence industry. The Minister of State for Defence Dr M.M. Pallam Raju said that the introduction of the new category of acquisition ‘Buy and Make (Indian) is a major shift enabling Indian industries to enter into joint ventures with foreign OEMs. The route opened up ways for technology transfer.

Oto Melara

Oto Melara is looking for a greater share of the Indian naval, land and defence market and is eyeing the larger calibre gun segment besides the unmanned turret for the armoured vehicles. Accordingly, the company will participate in a tender for the supply of a large calibre gun to be installed on board the new Indian Navy vessels. The gun offered is a state-of-the-art system, including capability to fire the extended range Vulcano guided ammunition with a range of over 100 km. The supply would also include transfer of technology on the lines of its collaboration with the Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited for manufacture of the 76/62 SR naval gun. The company has also showcased its 127/64 LW large calibre gun at the show.

Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei (WASS)

WASS unveiled the Flash Black torpedo during the Defexpo 2012, which according to the company is the world’s first next generation lightweight torpedo. The torpedo which is yet to be developed has finished the design stage and will take 26 months from the start of the development. WASS is planning to talk to the Defence Research and Development Organisation for possible collaboration. The design of the Flash Back is highly versatile with the capability to be launched from multiple platforms (underwater and AUV, UUV and USV), against any target and in any environment, including littoral waters and extremely shallow bottom depths and in the presence of the most sophisticated countermeasures.

Mahindras enter into JVs

Mahindra & Mahindra Limited announced two joint ventures —first with Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and the other with Telephonics Corporation, subsidiary of the North America’s Griffon Corporation.

Selex Galileo

Selex Galileo has signed a contract with the Indian Navy to provide support and service solutions through to 2022 worth £21 million ($34 million). The agreement will see Selex Galileo supporting the avionics facility at the Centre for Avionics Repair and Software Development (CARES) at India’s Naval Aircraft Yard in Kochi.

DCNS

DCNS has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for cooperation in education and research programmes in naval defence and energy.

Tata’s showstopper

The Tatas had many products on display including the LPTA 5252 12X12 Prahaar missile system, the 8X8 Pinaka container, the 8x8 and 6x6 carrier and the mine protected vehicle (MPV).

SAAB at Defexpo 2012

In an interaction with SP’s Naval Forces, Inderjit Sial, Managing Director, Saab India Technologies Pvt Ltd stated that with Saab’s exports rising steadily, the company was exploring options worldwide.

At the exhibition this year, Saab’s primary focus was on land and naval systems, with emphasis on the RBS 70 NG missile system. Saab also displayed its underwater AUV systems and the C4I systems, along with camouflage and a variety of other parts of the product portfolio. Saab has also responded to a RFP for electronic defence systems for the Indian Army’s T-90 upgradation programme.

Saab has offered the Saab 2000 mediumrange maritime patrol aircraft, the Sea Gripen carrier version of the single engine fighter aircraft, self-propelled underwater acoustic target with the modular and reconfigurable autonomous underwater vehicle, AUV 62 and the Sea Giraffe. The other systems for the Indian Navy include heavy weight and light weight air and surface launched torpedoes as portable diver detection and interdiction and hull inspection systems. Saab is also offering the anti-ship missile, RBS-15, in response to Navy’s requirements for mobile coastal missile systems.

Raytheon’s Athena multi-domain awareness system

During the show, Raytheon carried out an exclusive briefing for SP’s Naval Forces to highlight the benefits of Project Athena.

Athena is a network-centric, multidomain C4ISR system for high performance situation awareness, fusion, and analysis and knowledge management.

Mk 54 light weight torpedo

Mk 54 is a light-weight torpedo designed for operating both in deep waters and littoral environment. MK54 can be deployed on surface ships, helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft to track, classify and attack underwater targets. It is integrated onboard the MH-60R maritime helicopter and is its primary weapon for ASW capability. Recently, it has been successfully launched by the US Navy from the P-8A Poseidon aircraft, which the Indian Navy is also acquiring.

ATK’s array of products

The company has many systems and components which are deployed on naval platforms. ATK produces the solid divert and attitude control system (SDACS) for the Standard Missile 3 which is a ship-based missile system as a part of Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense System. ATK provides missile propulsion for Trident II, RIM-116 Rolling Airframe Missile, SM-3, RIM-162 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, Harpoon and many others. ATK also provides a wide range of medium-calibre gun systems, ammunition and motion stabilised remote weapon systems for water craft of all sizes.

Indigenous Shipbuilding Industry

Mazagon Dock Ltd (MDL): MDL, the leading defence shipyard of the country is flushed with orders for warship construction for the Indian Navy for the next 15 years and beyond. The first ship of Project 15A, the Kolkata class is expected to be delivered within a year’s time. The balance two ships are scheduled for delivery in 2013 and 2014. Likewise, the first destroyer under Project 15B is planned for delivery during 2018 and the remaining three ships at intervals of two years i.e. 2020, 2022 and 2024. Another prestigious project of seven stealth frigates, contract for which is expected to be awarded during 2012, entails joint construction of frigates at MDL and the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE).

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd: GRSE is currently engaged in construction of anti-submarine warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes under Project 28. First of the four ASW corvettes of 2,500- tonne each is schedule to be commissioned by end 2012.

Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL): GSL has been exporting non-lethal vessels to many countries, some of which include Yemen, Mozambique and Oman. GSL now aspires to export vessels which have greater complexity.

Hindustan Shipyard Ltd (HSL): HSL is the latest to join the defence shipyard of the country. Currently, HSL has orders for 13 inshore patrol vessels for the Coast Guard and 20 minor crafts for the Indian Navy. The shipyard has also been nominated for construction of two amphibious warfare ships, called the landing platform dock. Since HSL is already doing the refit of INS Sindhukirti, a kilo class diesel-electric submarine, upgrading the infrastructure for submarine construction would not be difficult.

Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering Company Ltd: Pipavav Shipyard is the only Indian yard which has a 688 m Quay and can accommodate vessels ranging from OPVs to corvettes, LPDs, frigates, destroyers, submarines and even aircraft carriers. The yard has recently built and commissioned a 75,000 tonne commercial carrier, till now the largest vessel ever to be built in India. The shipyard’s second dry dock is under construction and once completed, it will be the largest dry dock in the world with dimensions of 740 m x 90 m. Pipavav Defence has emerged as the first private sector shipyard to be awarded a licence by MoD to manufacture warships. Subsequently, the shipyard has secured an order to build five NOPVs for the Indian Navy.

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