DRDO Holds Parleys with Tata, L&T, BEL for Howitzers

Major Indian private and public sector players including Tata, Mahindra, L&T and BEL are holding parleys with DRDO for developing an indigenous advanced artillery howitzer for the Army.

The premier defence research agency recently held an interaction with the stakeholders to explore the feasibility of involving Indian industries in the development of Advance Towed Artillery Guns System (ATAGS), DRDO officials said.

"Objective of the interaction was to explore and encourage participation of Indian industries in the ATAGS project and generate a base for its design, development, manufacturing and integration," they said.

DRDO is currently developing the 155 mm, 52 calibre ATAGS at the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).

Some of the major private and public sector firms which participated in the interaction were Tata Power, L&T, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Defence System, BHEL and BEL, the officials said.

Improved firepower at longer ranges, higher accuracy and enhanced survivability are some of the primary requirements for this gun system, they said.

India in Search for a Foreign Engine Maker to Improve Kaveri Program

The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) is planning to attract an international partner for the development of the troubled Kaveri jet engine program, through an international, open tender, after the joint program with French engine maker Snecma failed to deliver the expected results. Under the planned bid, major global aero engine manufacturers will compete in a global tender to partner the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) — the Bangalore-based DRDO engine laboratory — in refining the Kaveri engine to the level where it can power the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), an indigenous, fifth-generation fighter that is on the MoD’s long-term horizon.

“We are abandoning the plan for co-development with Snecma. We still need an overseas partner. But it will not be Snecma on a single-vendor basis. We will select our partner through competitive bidding,” says Dr CP Ramnarayanan, director, GTRE told the Business Standard. “To develop a more powerful Kaveri engine quickly and to become self-reliant in engine design, we need a foreign partner which can bring in core technologies. Otherwise the next cycle of engine development could take another 15-20 years,” Ramnarayan said. Requests for Proposals (RfP) will be issued to engine makers worldwide.

After years of development, the Kaveri jet engine still delivers significantly less power than what a modern fighter requires. In 27 flight-test performed last year at the Gromov Flight Research Institute (GFRI) in Russia, the Kaveri’s maximum thrust (termed “wet thrust”) was measured at 70.4 KiloNewtons (KN). High-performance fighters like the Tejas or the AMCA need engines that generate at least 90 KN of thrust.

New Delhi Rejects Mahindra-Rafael Anti-Torpedo Team

 The Indian government has rejected a proposed joint venture between Israel’s Rafael and Mahindra Defence Systems to produce anti-torpedo systems, a move that surprised Mahindra officials and could undermine future foreign teaming efforts with private Indian companies.

Indian Defence Ministry sources said the ministry opposes such teaming projects if they involve the Indian private sector in strategic programs. Instead, the ministry supports establishing relationships for such sensitive projects only through the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Mahindra already has a joint venture with BAE Systems to manufacture defense land systems products.

The joint venture proposal would have given Mahindra 74 percent equity and Rafael 26 percent. It was turned down by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) last month, said Khutub Hai, a retired Indian Army brigadier and CEO of Mahindra Defence systems. The company is “unhappy” with the decision by the Indian government, which gave no official reason for its denial.

“Both Mahindra and Rafael are surprised at the decision as both are reputable companies which have extensive engagement with the government of India on projects related to defense and homeland security. We will be seeking clarification on the reason for this rejection,” Hai said.

DRDO in dialogue with major Indian firms to develop howitzers

NEW DELHI (PTI): DRDO is in talks with major private and public sector firms like Tata, Mahindra, L&T and BEL for developing an indigenous advanced artillery howitzer for the Army.

The premier defence research agency recently held an interaction with the stakeholders to explore the feasibility of involving Indian industries in the development of Advance Towed Artillery Guns System (ATAGS), DRDO officials said. "Objective of the interaction was to explore and encourage participation of Indian industries in the ATAGS project and generate a base for its design, development, manufacturing and integration," one of the officials said.