BAE Systems is to sell its stake in Defence Land Systems India (DLSI) to Mahindra Defence Systems less than three weeks after the two issued a statement announcing a strategic review of their joint venture.
While this is the first time the conference is being held in India, the venue is quite appropriate, considering the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy will, together, constitute the largest operator of the aircraft once all deliveries are complete.
The defense ministry has issued a Letter of Request to the US Government for the procurement of 145 pieces of M777 light howitzers, manufactured by BAE Systems.
India’s HAL has issued an RFP to BAE Systems for the license production of 20 Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer aircraft, meant to replace the HJT-16 Kiran Mk II aircraft of the IAF’s Surya Kiran aerobatics team.
A recent French media report offers insight into the French position in the negotiations with the Indian defense ministry on the MMRCA fighter aircraft purchase by the IAF. Here’s an edited translation of the report and an analysis of what it could mean.
The CV90 Light Tank provides high tactical and strategic mobility, and survivability in any terrain or tactical environment. The BvS10 armored all-terrain vehicle provides an unbeatable combination of mobility, payload and protection. The world’s first 155mm Howitzer weighing under 10000lbs (4218kg), the highly mobile M777, on display at DefExpo this year is the subject of ongoing discussions between the Indian and US Governments in relation to a possible sale.
Dean McCumiskey, Managing Director and Chief Executive of BAE Systems’ India operations told StratPost his company would be open to discussing any question of technical assistance the OFB might require, in its attempt to execute the designs and technology documentation transferred to it as part of the old Bofors howitzer procurement.
“The procurement game is a version of snakes and ladders where there is no ladder but only snakes, and if the snakes bite you somewhere, the whole thing comes back to zero,” Singh said.
In the background of these challenges and the defence ministry’s inaction on a decision to blacklist the Singapore-based company, the OFB mandate should not become an excuse for lack of movement on the procurement of artillery by the army. Already, the ministry has been reported to have indicated it cannot move on the procurement as the matter is sub judice. At the same time, it has not decided the issue either, as is evident from the observations of the court. This has held up the acquisition of crucial types of artillery again, after the multiple cancellation of tenders since the Bofors buy.
The US offer of information on the F-35 to India in a report made to the country’s Senate Armed Services Committee comes curiously on the eve of the opening of the commercial bids of the IAF’s MMRCA competition.
US Pentagon: “Should India indicate interest in the JSF, the United States would be prepared to provide information on the JSF and its requirements (infrastructure, security, etc.) to support India’s future planning.” Also read inside: Reality Check: US F-35 offer report
The Indian Navy’s first P-8I, Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft took off on its first flight on Wednesday from Renton field in the US State of Washington, taking off at 1202 hours and landing two hours and 31 minutes later, at Boeing field in Seattle.
Jharkhand Police take delivery of the first of six Mine Protected Vehicles manufactured by Defense Land Systems India (DSLI).
The Delhi High Court has placed a hold on the acquisition of artillery guns by the Indian Army without its clearance. In the course of hearings of writ petitions filed by arms company, Singapore Technologies Kinetics, a bench comprising Justice Sanjay Kishen Kaul and Justice Rajiv Shakdher passed an interim order on May 02, 2011, asking the Ministry of Defense to refrain from awarding the tender without ‘leave and liberty of the court’.
