In Parliament today..mil sats, capital expenditure on modernization, ALH

Posted by Neelam Mathews

Dec 14, 2011

Defense Minister AK Antony answered questions in parliament today.

The satellite requirements of the Indian Armed Forces are being met from the existing satellites. Steps have also been taken for provision of dedicated satellite facilities for the Armed Forces. An Integrated Space Cell (ISC) under Headquarters Integrated Defense Staff (HQ IDS) has been constituted in August 2009. The ISC is coordinating action for acquiring the requisite space capabilities.

Government has mechanisms in place to effectively exploit space resources for the Defense and Security of the country.

Arms and equipment are available in adequate quantity in the Armed Forces. Shortage of aircrafts, ships and other equipment, as and when reported, is adequately addressed through indigenous production and import.

Modernization of the Armed Forces is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational challenges, technological changes and available resources. The process is based on a 15 year Long Term Integrated Perspective Plan (LTIPP), five year Services Capital Acquisition Plan (SCAP) and Annual Acquisition Plan (AAP), Procurement of equipment and weapon systems is carried out as per the AAP in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure. The Twelfth Five Year Plan has been finalized in respect of Air Force and is under finalization in respect of Navy.

The Capital expenditure on modernization of Air Force and Navy as percentage of total expenditure on these forces was: Year Air Force Navy 2007-08 53.60% 55.40% 2008-09 53.50% 54.10% 2009-10 53.20% 59.00% 2010-11 58.10% 62.80%

Minister Pallam Raju said-

ALH is a Helicopter which has been designed and developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). It is assessed that 69% of the material used in Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) is procured from foreign sources. However, in terms of the number of components involved, around 90% of the components are indigenously manufactured,

HAL has been constantly trying to indigenize manufacture of components, electronics, avionics etc. As a result, critical items like Rotor Blades which were being imported earlier are now being manufactured indigenously by HAL. The Company is also manufacturing power transmission systems like the main gear box.