Indian Defense Weapons Procurement Updates

, Trial Report of Bell 407 and Eurocopter Helicopter 
 
Government has received a trial report of Bell 407 and Eurocopter AS 350 B3 helicopter to be incorporated in Indian Army. The trials have been completed and the General Staff evaluation of the trial report approved by the Indian Army has been accepted by the Ministry of Defence. 
 
Army requirements are worked out on the basis of detailed assessments and threats perceptions. Equipment induction is an ongoing exercise and undertaken as per the projections in the long term, medium term and Annual Accretion Plan of the services under the provision of the Defence Procurement Procedure. 
 
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Sugrib Singh and Shri Kishanbhai V Patel in Lok Sabha today.  
 
Private Participation in Production of Defence Items 
 
Government has issued licenses to various private companies for production of defence items during the last few years. The private companies which have obtained licenses are: 
 
– Ramoss India, New Delhi; 
– Larsen & Toubro Ltd, Mumbai; 
– Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd, New Delhi; 
– Max Aerospace & Aviation Ltd, Mumbai; 
– Anjani Technoplast Ltd, Noida; 
– TIL Ltd, Kolkata; 
– Southern Group Industries Pvt Ltd, Chennai; 
– Automotive Coaches and Cantonments Ltd, Chennai; 
– HBL Power Systems Ltd, Hyderabad; 
– Tata Motors Ltd, Mumbai; 
– BF Utilities Ltd, Pune; 
– TSL Defence Technologies Pvt Ltd, New Delhi; 
– Vectra Engg, Materials Pvt Ltd, New Delhi; 
– RMX Bridport Defence Systems Pvt Ltd, New Delhi; 
– IDT Ltd, New Delhi; 
– Alpha – ITL Electro Optics Pvt Ltd, Bangalore; 
– Alpha Phazotron Radar Equipment & Systems Pvt Ltd, Bangalore; 
– VXL Technologies Ltd, Faridabad; 
– Memory Electronics Private Limited, Mumbai; 
– Indtech Constructions Pvt Ltd, New Delhi; 
– Tata Power Company Ltd, Mumbai, and 
– Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltd, Bangalore. 
 
Under the offset procedure notified as part of Defence Procurement Procedure 2006, offset obligations shall be discharged directly by the foreign vendor by direct purchase of, or executing export orders for, defence products and components manufactured by, or services provided by Indian defence industries. 
 
Substantial benefits are likely to accrue to Indian companies as a result of defence purchases to be made from foreign companies under the offset policy during the 11th Five Year Plan. It is, however, not feasible to estimate the target of work to be allotted to them. 
 
This information was given by the Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Tek Lal Mahto in Lok Sabha today.  
 
Production of Bi-Modular Charge System 
 
Though the House was informed on an earlier occasion in March 2005 that the production of Bi-Modular Charge System (BMCS) would commence from November 2007, due to time and cost overrun in the project the same could not be achieved. 
 
The Government appointed an expert committee in May 2005 to review the project as a whole. After considering the committee's report as well as the requirement of 155 mm ammunition in future, it was decided to resume work on the project. 
 
It is expected that commercial production of BMCS can commence in about 30 months after issue of revised sanction by government for the increase in the cost of the project. There is no proposal to import the ammunition at present. 
 
This information was given by the Minister of State for Defence Production Rao Inderjit Singh in a written reply to Shri Raghuraj Singh Shakya in Lok Sabha today.  
 
MIG-29 Fighter Jets 
 
A contact was concluded with RAC MiG, Russia, in 2004 for purchases of MiG-29 K fighter aircraft for Navy. 
 
No proposal has been received recently from Russia for sale or production of MiG-29 fighter aircraft. 
 
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Adhalrao Patil Shivajirao and others in Lok Sabha today.  
 
INS Viraat 
 
A study group has been constituted to explore the feasibility of extending the service life of Indian Naval ship Viraat till 2012. The study group has recommended that extension of the service life of the ship up to 2012 is possible subject to certain repairs being undertaken in addition to routine periodic maintenance. 
 
Warships are inducted in the Navy for replacement and augmentation of Naval Fleet. This is a continuous process based on the threat perception and international security environment. It will not be in the interest of National Security to divulge the details of the replacement and augmentation of Naval Fleet. 
 
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia in Lok Sabha today.  
 
Trial of 155mm Artillery Guns 
 
The new 155 mm. artillery guns required by the Indian Army have been under trials since 2002. Trials of the 155 mm towed guns commenced in 2002. These have been completed. 
 
Modernisation of the Corps of Artillery is an ongoing process and is being carried out strictly in accordance with the Defence Procurement Procedure as applicable from time to time. Induction of equipment is done only after ensuring compliance with the above procedures. 
 
This information was given by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony in a written reply to Shri Raghuraj Singh Shakya in Lok Sabha today.  
 
Indian Aviation Contingent to Democratic Republic of Congo (Rotation III) 
 
The IAF Aviation Contingent II to Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is scheduled to depart on 18th Mar 07 from Air Force Station New Delhi. The IAF Contingent in IAC II is led by Gp Capt Alok Kumar and comprises 280 personnel. For the first time a lady Medical Officer has also been included in the team. 
 
This Contingent will provide Air Logistic and Air Surveillance support to ongoing UN Operations, operating Mi-17 and Mi-35 helicopters which played a vital role in the recently concluded elections in DR Congo. Helicopter Operations in these territories place a high demand on the IAF personnel. The personnel proceeding for this mission have been given intensive training and briefing for the challenging task ahead. 
 
The IAF