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The sixth bi-annual Defence Exposition (Def Expo) was inaugurated by Indian defence Minister A K Antony, in New Delhi. Starting Feb. 15, Defexpo 2010 will exhibit Land and Naval systems of national and international firms. The Def Expo 2010 is organized by the Indian Defence Ministry and it will be the largest ever defence exposition in Asia.
The Def Expo 2010 is a four-day event which will have about 650 companies from over 35 countries, who are displaying weapon systems for Army and Navy. Major participants are from the USA, UK, Russia, Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Korea, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine, Germany, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Israel, Italy, Malaysia and South Africa.
United States is the biggest exhibitor, represented by 25 companies. US firms are steadily making inroads into the Indian defence sector, having already bagged the $962 million contract for six C-130J Super Hercules planes and the $2.1 billion one for eight Boeing P-8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft. The US is now set to clinch the $2.2 billion deal for 10 C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlift aircraft.
Among the major US firms are Northrop Grumman Corporation, which is highlighting its range of industry-leading capabilities in airborne early warning and control systems for maritime reconnaissance, fire control radars, unmanned aircraft systems, coastal surveillance and marine navigation, and ships. It will display a model of the AN/APG-80 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar for the F-16IN Super Viper multi-role fighter aircraft.
The company is also promoting its LPD San Antonio-class Amphibious Warfare and Transport ship and the International Patrol Frigate, a versatile warship based on the multi-mission National Security Cutter currently operated by the U.S. Coast Guard.
American defence contractor, and leading missile developer and manufacturer, Raytheon Co, is showcasing its wares in the Def Expo 2010. Raytheon will partner Indian engineering and construction giant, Larsen & Toubro, in a bid to upgrade up to 1,000 Indian Army T-72 battle tanks.
In an important development, Raytheon will launch the “Fish Hawk”, an anti-submarine warfare weapon system at the Def Expo 2010. The ‘Fish Hawk’ has been developed as a solution for a high altitude anti-submarine weapon. The wing kit allows torpedoes to be launched from great distances and altitude. The kit is attached to Raytheon’s Mk-54 lightweight torpedo and is designed to be deployed on the P-8A Poseidon Multi-Mission Maritime Aircraft, of which the Indian Navy has ordered eight. The system allows a torpedo to be released at 20,000 feet, well outside the range of submarine launched anti-aircraft missiles, and glide for 10-15 kilometres, coming down to about 300 feet altitude, where the glide kit is jettisoned. The torpedo then enters the water and begins the terminal chase of the hostile submarine. Other features will be the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye and the multi-role electronically scanned array (MESA) radar.
BAE Systems of UK is also participating in the Def Expo 2010. BAE Systems is the premier global defence, security and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services.
BAE Systems is promoting its local tactical information system (LATIS), an innovative product that provides 360 degree see-through armour capability, enabling ground forces to have a complete field of view while staying protected under their own armour. Company officials inform that LATIS imagery provides a clear field of view in all weather and degraded visual environments, with the ability to identify objects and people with unmatched clarity, thus allowing the soldier to focus on their mission. This technology is internet-based and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), delivering a low-cost solution that reduces obsolescence issues. BAE Systems has also developed the on-board vehicle power system on armoured vehicles to provide utility power directly on the platform.
As for Israel, it is acquiring the most substantial space in the Def Expo 2010, since it is one of the leaders in supplying weaponry and equipment to the Indian defence forces since 1999. Israel is represented by various firms including Elisra, a world leader for over 4 decades in the field of Electronic and Information Warfare as well as Intelligence and C3 systems. The company develops, designs, manufactures, integrates and supports advanced EW, Intelligence (RF and IR based technologies) and Communication solutions, for air, sea and land applications. Elisra, 70% owned by Elbit Systems Ltd., and 30% by Elta Systems Ltd. (an IAI subsidiary), comprises of Elisra Electronic Systems, Tadiran Electronic Systems and Tadiran Spectralink. At the Def Expo 2010, Elisra will showcase the ground breaking, third generation COMINT receiver called TSR-2300, designed to answer existing, new, and emerging communication signals threats, and go well beyond. The TSR 2300 (Tadiran System Receiver) provides myriad capabilities; including location, listening in, recording, data dissemination and jamming support of communications signals of all types, performing COMINT (Communications Intelligence) and support COMJAM (Communications Jamming) missions in any environment, onboard any tri-service platform simultaneously, in real time against communication signals threats, both military and civilian.
Other big participants of the Def Expo 2010 include SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company, which is working closely with the Defence Research & Development Agencies in India and with Indian industries in order to jointly collaborate in the creation of new products and capabilities both for the armed forces of India and for the wider export market. SELEX Galileo is scouting projects in the maritime patrol and surveillance domain, related to retrofit programmes for the Sea King and Kamov-28 helicopters of the Indian Navy. Its ATOS (Airborne Tactical Observation and Surveillance) system provides wide area and targeted surveillance (overt or covert), anti-submarine warfare and environmental and border control. ATOS can be integrated with Seaspray, the Company’s cutting edge Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Radar technology. For Unmanned Aerial Systems and for helicopters, SELEX Galileo offers the smaller, lighter PicoSAR AESA radar, which provides an unrivalled all weather capability. In the Land & Battlespace sector, SELEX Galileo is also pursuing various programmes for the upgrading of armoured vehicles as well as those for the enhancement of land troops’ awareness, effectiveness and protection where equipment can be linked together within a common tactical network. An offered solution is the battle-proven Laser Inertial Navigation and Pointing System (LINAPS), which provides pin-point navigation and pointing accuracy for artillery and is in service, and in theatre, with several armed forces. The Company’s other solutions include the modular and proven 3rd Generation Fire Control System TURMS/T which is a significant upgrade for Main Battle Tanks such as the T-72, the electro-optic suite for the dismounted soldier, and the acoustic hostile locator HALO.
Among the Indian defence firms, the state-owned Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) will showcase the sub-machine carbine (SMC), a lightweight 5.56mm calibre weapon which allows soldiers to fight close-range battles with terrorist or similar opponents. The SMC was developed by the Armaments Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a DRDO laboratory based in Pune. The SMC is a lightweight compact automatic gun with a small barrel. It fires rapidly and is suitable for close quarter combats. The SMC programme is part of the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) family, which was started in 1982 to build indigenous small arms weapons family for India
Bharat Electronic Limited (BEL) will display its Network Centric Warfare (NCW) capabilities and solutions at Defexpo 2010. NCW solutions on display at the BEL stall are: tactical communication system, battle field management system, networked battled field surveillance radar – short range and coastal surveillance system. BEL is also arranging technology demonstrations, multi sensor data fusion for Army application, and the correlator and coastal surveillance security for CSS.
Among other products on display will be the Multi-Function HHTI HandHeld Thermal Imager (HHTI). It is a cooled Thermal Imager based integrated day/night sight with in-built eye-safe Laser Range Finder, Digital Magnetic Compass, Colour CCD and GPS. This equipment is capable of giving range, azimuth and elevation and also co-ordinates of the target. This is highly useful to the Infantry, Artillery and Mechanised Forces for effective engagement of targets.
BEL will also display a model of Akash, the guided missile air defence weapon system. The Akash Weapon System is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile system, which provides air defence against multifarious air threats to mobile, semi-mobile and static vulnerable forces and areas. It is among the best in the SAM class of weapon systems. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has ordered an additional 750 Akash medium-range surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) comprising of six squadrons from Bharat Electronics BEL at a cost of $925 million.
Meanwhile, the TATA group company NOVA Integrated Systems Limited, will team up with TAMAM, a division of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), to evaluate opportunities to manufacture, integrate and maintain the MINIPOP Electro Optic system and to integrate the off-the shelf ADNAV lightweight navigation system in India. Both these systems have been successfully installed and integrated on TATA Motors’ new Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV), by a joint NOVA-TAMAM team and will be unveiled in the TATA Pavilion HALL 12 at the DEFEXPO 2010. NOVA Integrated Systems Limited and IAI – TAMAM Division will exhibit the field-proven light weight EO (electro-optical) sensor and Inertial Navigation System as a package on the TATA Motors Mine Protected Vehicle (MPV) at the DEFEXPO New Delhi. The MiniPOP is a dual axis, gyro-stabilized electro-optical system, which includes up to four different sensors, a day colour camera, a thermal imaging camera, a laser range-finder and a laser pointer.
India is considered one of the world’s biggest arms markets and it is slated to spend $50 billion on the purchase and upgrade of weapon systems over the next five years. India meets nearly 70 per cent of its weapons and equipment needs through imports, and out of an annual budget of around $30 billion, only 40 per cent is cut for fresh purchases.
According to the Indian defence production Secretary Raj Kumar Singh, Def Expo 2010 will showcase India’s emergence as an attractive destination for investment in the Defence Sector and act as a platform for alliances and joint ventures in Defence industry. There will also be almost 40 official foreign delegations who will interact with the Indian defence brass as well as explore tie-ups with DRDO and defence PSUs.
Several major contracts are still being pursued by India, like the project to acquire 126 multi-role combat aircraft for IAF is now in the final field trials of the fighters offered by six aviation majors. The Indian Navy is initiating its Rs 30,000 crore project for six new-generation submarines, after the ongoing Rs 18,798 crore French Scorpene submarine project. The Indian Army, in turn, is pushing its Rs 20,000 crore artillery modernisation programme to acquire 1,580 towed guns, 814 mounted gun systems, 180 self-propelled wheeled guns, 100 self-propelled tracked guns and 140 air-mobile ultra-light howitzers. The armed forces are also looking to induct around 800 helicopters, ranging from VVIP and heavy-lift to attack and light utility, almost half of them from aboard. This includes the $1.2 billion deal signed with Russia for 80 advanced Mi-17 medium-lift helicopters as well as the ones for 12 three-engined Italian AW-101 VVIP helicopters for Rs 3,726 crore and five Russian Kamov-31 early-warning helicopters for Rs 950 crore.
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