Aerospace Diary

IMPS - Maritime Security 24th January 2018 - 02:01 GMT | by Neelam Mathews in Delhi Having initiated its 30-year submarine-building plan two decades ago to raise operational and indigenous construction capabilities, modernisation of the Indian Navy (IN) underwater fleet has been slow but rewarding. Chief of Naval Staff Adm Sunil Lanba related, ‘Way back we took a call that we’re going to be a ‘builders’ navy rather than buyers’ navy. We’ve built over 200 ships...read more in ShephardMedia

Neelam Mathews Feb 12, 2013 The Acceptance of Necessity (AON), for Project 75-I  is due to expire for the second time (next month). However, there is hope on hand as the  Defense Acquisition Committee (DAC) meets tomorrow. The navy, we hear, is all set to issue a Request for Proposal for a new line of six submarines with AIP (Air Independent Propulsion) capability.  The new Project 75-I submarines are estimated at around $10 billion. At present, six new Scorpenes under Project 75 are being built for more than $5 billion (Rs 23,562 crore) by the state-run Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL) under licence from French DCNS .

Posted by:  Neelam Mathews Jan 8, 2012   Even as India is believed to have given a June deadline to Dassault to present its offset plans, LaTribune reports Brazil, yet to decide on its MMRCA, has said Rafale’s maintenance costs are higher compared to its competitors, the Gripen (Saab) and F-18 (Boeing). “This does not mean that the Rafale is out of play,” it notes. (French to English translation of the article in Google of the Tribune  isn’t the world’s best! Apologies) But, here goes- some major points: There are many supporters of the Rafale that say:. "This is the most technologically advanced aircraft……We have many things to learn from cooperation with Dassault Aviation…..But the French offer must be better explained or otherwise improved," said an official to the Tribune. “As for the F/A-18 Hornet (Boeing), another rival for the Rafale, it benefits from euro / dollar rate to be competitive with the French aircraft,” quotes the paper. Like...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews March 24, 2012 DCNS India has signed a contract with SEC Industries worth Rs 310-cr (approximately €50 million) for the indigenization of equipment for the P75 Scorpene submarines. The contract with SEC Industries is for the manufacture of equipment (hull hatches, cofferdam doors, knuckle hoses, ballast vent valves, High Pressure air cylinders, weapon handling and storage system). Over the next few years, SEC will manufacture equipment under a TOT provided by DCNS India and they will be progressively delivered to DCNS customer, Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), for integration onboard the P75 Scorpene submarines.  The contract with SEC is part of the indigenization program implemented by DCNS India under the P75 Mazagon Purchased Materials (MPM) contracts. Through this indigenization effort, we are developing strong industrial partnerships and capabilities for the P75 and future programs. “Together with our partners, we are positioning ourselves for the ...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Feb 28, 2012 The shipyard Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) has received the first Indian made equipment for the Scorpene submarines programme (P75). MDL has congratulated this successful industrial performance during the recently held Government to Government (G2G) meeting between India and France. MDL is producing six SSK Scorpene submarines (P75) under transfer of technology (ToT) from DCNS. Simultaneously, DCNS India, DCNS Group’s subsidiary in India, is working at the selection and qualification of Indian companies as partners for local production of the Scorpenes’ equipment. In June 2011, DCNS India signed a contract with Flash Forge India Pvt. Ltd. under the Scorpene submarines programme (P75). “We are providing our Indian partners with know-how and technical assistance to manufacture equipments which will be installed onboard the Scorpenes. Together with MDL, we are qualifying the suitable companies which are meeting the rigorous specifications nee...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Courtesy- DCNS/Thales Oct 27, 2011 DCNS and Thales have launched a supplementary phase for the Technology Demonstration of a system for automatic landing and deck-landing of UAVs (D2AD), which has just been notified by the French Defense Procurement Authority (DGA). Sea trials of the demonstrator are planned for 2012 using a French Navy frigate and a Boeing, H-6U Unmanned Little Bird rotorcraft.    This notification follows on from the successful landing and deck-landing trials conducted in the U.S last June and July using a moving platform. This new design study is to be conducted in the context of risk reduction for future tactical UAV programs to be managed by the DGA on behalf of the French Navy and the French Army*. The next trials are aimed at demonstrating automatic deck-landing of a UAV on the deck of a frigate in total safety even in high sea state and low visibility, says DCNS. The system must demonstrate its capability for in...

 Posted by- Neelam Mathews Sept 20, 2011 DCNS has started new sea trials with BPC Dixmude, the French Navy's third Mistral-class force projection and command vessel, ordered by the French defence procurement agency in April 2009. The BPC Dixmude is scheduled for delivery to the DGA in early 2012 and will enter service with the French Navy later in the year. The first two BPCs, Mistral and Tonnerre, were built by DCNS and Chantiers de l'Atlantique and delivered in 2006 and 2007 respectively. DCNS is conducting the trials with naval and air support – combat aircrafts, helicopters and other vessels – provided by the French Navy and DGA technical centres. DCNS centres are also providing the technical resources needed to ensure successful completion of the test campaign. This latest test campaign off Toulon is scheduled to last five days and will focus on the ship's communication, surveillance (3D radar), navigation and combat management systems. In this phase of the pro...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Sept 6, 2011 DCNS and South African-KND have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the promotion, construction and sale of offshore patrol vessels in South Africa. The Gowind OPV is used primarily for maritime safety & security (MSS) and counterpiracy missions. DCNS and KND have signed a partnership agreement to promote, build and sell the vessels. The purpose of the agreement is to win new OPV contracts, first in South Africa and subsequently in other sub-Saharan African nations. “We are very … positive that the DCNS OPV is the most suitable solution for Naval applications within Africa,” said James Fisher, CEO of KND. “This MoU reflects DCNS’s commitment to long-term partnership with KND in order to meet the requirements of the South African Navy as closely as possible,” said Pierre Legros, SVP Surface Ships & Naval Systems, DCNS. DCNS has designed and developed an innovative range of ships for maritime safety and security missio...

Posted by- Neelam Mathews July 17, 2011 Even as contenders get set to respond to six diesel-electric submarines for the Indian Navy , DCNS and its partner Odebrecht, through their joint company ICN (Itaguaí Construções Navais), have launched the construction of the first S-BR Scorpene class submarine under the Brazilian submarine program. Russia is said to be making a proposal to India for Amur 650 class submarines. Meanwhile, the ‘first cut’ ceremony, marking the effective implementation of the technology transfer agreement, was held in Itaguaí, Brazil. India is building six Scorpene submarines at  Mazgaon Dockyards Limited (MDL) under a deal with France's DCNS. Its submarine fleet consists of 16 submarines, about 13 of which are operational.  The Brazilian program covers the design and construction of four Scorpene conventional-propulsion submarine submarines, design and construction assistance with the non-nuclear portion of Brazil’s first nuclear-powered sub...

Business Strategies Defense Technology International Feb 01 , 2011 , p. 48 Neelam Mathews New Delhi India’s rigid rules on technology transfer affect bidders Printed headline: Keeping Secrets As the downselect for India’s $10-billion Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) program draws nearer, bidders are beginning to face reality. Technology transfer is the most perplexing issue in the request for proposals (RFP) document. If this issue is not resolved to the satisfaction of foreign companies, many analysts question whether India will be able to achieve rapid development of its defense industry. Russia’s MiG-35 is one of six fighters competing for India’s MMRCA contract. Credit: MIKOYAN The MMRCA contract seeks 126 fighters and is the largest procurement program pending in India. Competitors include Mikoyan’s MiG-35, the Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, Saab Gripen, Boeing’s...

Programs Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Jan 05 , 2011 , p. 17 Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI — The Indian navy has denied it is looking at a follow-on order for three additional Scorpene submarines, despite a statement from an industry official to the contrary. India ordered six Scorpene diesel-electric attack submarines under the Indian navy’s project dubbed P75. The subs are being assembled by a joint venture between French shipbuilder DCNS and the Mumbai shipyard Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL). Patrick Boissier, chairman and CEO of DCNS, who was a part of the delegation accompanying French President Nicolas Sarkozy on his recent visit to India, had said discussions were on with the ministry of defense and Indian navy for a possible future order for subs equipped with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems. A request for proposals is expected in 2011. A purchase order for an additional three optional Scorpenes (w...

Programs Aerospace Daily & Defense Report Dec 07 , 2010 , p. 06 Neelam Mathews NEW DELHI — French shipbuilder DCNS says the first of six diesel-electric Scorpene submarines will be delivered to India’s Magazon Dock Ltd. (MDL) in Mumbai in 2013, now that initial roadblocks concerning technology transfer have been overcome. Scorpene “is one of the biggest transfer of technology [TOT] programs because it is the first time that the TOT starts from the first ship, which is generally built at the OEM premises,” says Patrick Boissier, Chairman and CEO DCNS . “MDL now has the necessary technology for submarine production.” The project has been delayed and costs have escalated as a result of MDL’s learning process. The combat systems have been delivered for the first sub, while the frame of the third, fourth and fifth submarines are in progress. “We are motivated to meet the delivery date,” Boissier says. He was a member of the bus...