By Tejaswi Singh (Twitter @TejForTweet)
News from Day 1 and 2: 5th and 6th February 2020
1) Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) press brief: Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) has got the contract to manufacture 1000 Barak-8 kits to supply to Bharat Dynamics Ltd via Israel Aerospace Industries for further integration as a part of MR-SAM programme. Pini Yungman (Head of Rafael’s Advanced Defense Systems) during a short discussion informed that KRAS has plans to export weapon systems that are manufactured in India. Potential customers for these systems are expected to be countries that are present in South East Asia, Latin America and the East Asia region.
2) Inputs from the interview with Karanjit Chopra (Managing Director, NAMMO): Nammo’s portfolio currently consists of 155mm IM HE-ER (40 KM range) and standard HE (30 KM range from L52 guns). Nammo’s focus is on long-range artillery ammunition, from 40 KM range and further.
Nammo plans to include the 155mm High Explosive Rocket Assisted projectile, having a range of more than 70 km, with course correction fuzes as also a 100 Km+ projectile based on Ramjet Technology, both of which are in development.
Nammo has also partnered with Boeing and has signed a teaming agreement to jointly develop and produce next generation of extended-range artillery projectiles. Both companies are planning to leverage combined expertise in guided munitions, projectiles and ramjet propulsion to provide a superior and affordable capability to countries.
3) Lohia Group’s pavilion: Lohia Group acquired Israel based Light & Strong Ltd, Israel’s largest private producer of aerospace focused carbon fibre composite components. Lohia Group became the first Indian company to acquire and own an international composites company. The company is acquiring an area of 75,000 sq. feet for its greenfield factory. The company will also recruit Israeli composites experts who will work at Lohia’s facility for 2 years for executing the technology transfer from Israel to India.
4) Hanwha Defense Pavilion: Hanwha had exhibited Hybrid Biho and other self-propelled armored platforms in its pavilion. During a very brief discussion with Rupesh Kuchhal (General Manager, Defence Business) and Donghwi Han (Senior Engineer, Air Defence System) various new information surfaced, such as:
• The deal for Biho air defence platform for the Indian Army will take more time to get signed. Estimated to be around 1.5 to 2 years.
• Hanwha is willing to also offer Hybrid Biho or may upgrade Biho to advanced standards in future.
• This is Hanwha's first push for a contract in India. Earlier K9 Vajra deal was under Samsung.
• Hanwha is looking for increasing its market share in India by offering more of its platforms and systems.
• Induction of Biho will decide the company's future plans in India; i.e. whether to exit the Indian market or not.
5) Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited pavilion: India has recently awarded a contract to Kalashnikov Concern of Russia for AK-203 rifles. The rifle is being manufactured by a JV between Ordnance Factory Board and Kalashnikov Concern. The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) owns the controlling stakes of 50.5% while Kalashnikov owns a 42% stake followed by 7.5% stake owned by Rosoboronexport. The representative of pavilion Mr Abhishek Pathak briefed that the deal will take one more year to sign and production to start.
6) Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) pavilion: ADA had displayed Tejas MK I cockpit along with the upcoming Medium Weight Fighter aka Tejas MK II. Mr Suresh Kumar (Head R&D, Tejas programme) said that Tejas MK II will take around 3-4 years to launch its first prototype and around 7-8 years for induction into Indian Airforce. Tejas MK II has significant changes as compared to Tejas MK IA and Tejas MK I. It includes Wide Area Display, controller has been shifted to the right, among others. (Check picture for reference)
News from Day 3 and 4: 7th and 8th February 2020
1) L&T pavilion: L&T had displayed its full range of AUV, ASW rockets and armoured vehicles. K9 Vajra, a self-propelled howitzer manufactured by L&T in partnership with Hanwha Defense was also present. Lt. Col. Rishi briefed on K9 Vajra and talked about the steps Indian Army along with OEM i.e. L&T has taken for the maintenance of K9 Vajra. L&T and the Indian Army are working on employing new technologies such as predictive analytics to reduce MRO turn around time of the platform.
Mr K S Nathan (Vice President, Defence Shipbuilding) while talking about L&T’s new AUV platform ‘Adamya’ shared that the platform is going through various development phases and they are planning to upgrade to more sophisticated AUVs with better controls. Adamya has successfully been inducted into Indian Navy and L&T is also pitching for USVs and ROVs.
2) Rafael Advanced Defense Systems’ pavilion: Rafael had displayed its wide range of Spike ATGM and Derby missiles. The company has recently got an emergency purchase order from the Indian Army for its Spike ATGM.
The company has started working in its new facility in Hyderabad for SDR BNET communication systems contract worth USD 30 million.
3) Rolls-Royce press release meeting: Kishore Jayaraman (President, Rolls-Royce India and South Aisa) announced during press release meeting that Rolls-Royce is investing in programmes that will help co-develop products and co-create solutions customized to the security needs for India. Rolls-Royce has already partnered with HAL for Adour Mk804/Mk811 which is successfully operating on Jaguars. The company has also supplied its MT 30 engines to GRSE for its new class of offshore patrol vessels and frigates. The company is also pitching orders for FICV/FRCV engines.
4) Saab’s pavilion: Saab had displayed Unmanned helicopter Skeldar V-200, and scaled model of Gripen NG. The company has been in line for India’s multirole aircraft deal and has partnered with Adani Aerospace. The company had previously completed a contract of supplying Carl Gustaf recoilless rifle to the Indian Army. The representative at the pavilion informed that Saab is also looking to export camouflage systems, fire control systems, remote weapon stations to the Indian Armed Forces.
5) Controp pavilion: Controp had recently won DRDO’s tender for supply of iSky-50HD systems, for use on unmanned air platforms. The pavilion representative during the discussion said that the company won this tender due to their latest technology, and competitive price. Controp is expected to pitch for new contracts for high –performance stabilized observation payloads used for day/night surveillance onboard UAS, small UAS, remote weapon stations, and automatic intruder detection systems.
6) AjnaLens Pavilion: AjnaLens is a new start-up in the field of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality. Their product AjnaLite is designed in a combination of AR and VR in a single wireless headset. Abhishek Tomar (Co-founder & CTO) in the discussion said that the company has already won IDEX context and is preparing their product for various applications such as training & simulation, maintenance, among others.
7) Excerpts from the interview with MBDA representative: MBDA is strongly pushing for various missile deals in India. As part of its Make in India initiatives, local firms now supply key components for new missiles. For instance, L&T has been successfully supplementing MBDA in missile manufacturing in India.
As part of Rafale deals, weapon package MBDA is supplying a varied range of missiles, namely, Scalp, Meteor, MICA, ASRAAM, among others. MBDA is also partnered with IAF in upgrading Mirage-2000 aircraft and supplying MICA for the same. MICA is the only missile featuring two interoperable seekers (active radar and imaging infrared) makes MICA highly countermeasure resistant. MBDA is also working with HAL with the integration of Mistral ATGM system on Dhruv helicopter and Light Combat Helicopter.
MBDA future plans include further development of stand-off weapons, self-protection systems, air-to-air combat missiles, enablers for penetration of adversary defences, among others.
8) HAL Dornier 228 documentation event: HAL received the modification document for the HAL Dornier 228 (Upgraded) civil aircraft from DGCA. HAL had reduced the weight of the aircraft to under 5600 Kgs. Apart from weight HAL has equipped the aircraft with a digital cockpit to ensure more accurate readings , precise information and ergonomic data displays with feedback loops and capability for self-check to alert pilots in emergencies. Integration of a five blade propeller will also significantly reduce noise levels, enable faster engine starts with better damping characteristics.
Bharat Forge Pavilion: Bharat Forge had displayed their lightweight howitzer which is proposed to compete with BAE Systems M777 howitzer. The company has made strong pitching for supplying these heavy weapons to the Saudi Arabian military. The company is sending its Bharat 52, a 155 mm X 52 calibre towed howitzer to Saudi Arabia for trial evaluation by the Royal Saudi Army.
Kalyani Group’s another defence arm Kalyani Strategic Systems Ltd. (KSSL) and Arsenal Joint Stock Company, Bulgaria signed an MoU to form a strategic alliance in India for manufacturing the ‘AR’ 7.62X39mm assault rifle and ‘MG’ 7.62X51mm machine gun series.
10) Interview with Roxel Propulsion Systems: Stephane Catrevaux (VP Sales & Marketing) informed that the company designs, develops, manufactures and supplies solid propulsion systems and associated equipment for all types of rockets and tactical and cruise missiles. The company provides propulsion systems for various missiles, such as EXOCET, ASTER, MAGIC, MICA, MILAN, ASRAAM, RBS15, CAMM, and others. The company is actively looking for greater opportunities in the Indian market.