Showing posts with label P-8I. Show all posts
Showing posts with label P-8I. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

News Roundup: Proejct 75I submarines, P-8I LRMRASW Aircraft, Towed AD Guns, Project 11356 Griogorivich Class Frigate

Rubin Design Bureau Amur 1650 (Russia) Project 75I contender

Project-75I Submarine Acquisition Could Involve Multiple Types?


VCNS Vice Admiral P. Murugesan told the press on July 14, 2015 that Project 75I submarines could be built at more than one shipyard, suggesting that multiple types of subs maybe acquired under the project.

"It [Contracted vendor] will not be only one shipyard... there will be a competitive process, the [defense] ministry may agree to all of them, or some of them," he said.

Murugesan said award of contract would follow DPP and estimated construction would start in around 2 years.

It was earlier reported that the MoD has shortlisted 5 Indian shipyards out of the 7 that it evaluated for infrastructure and technical competence to construct Project 75I submarines.

The OEM - submarines combinations in contention are


  1. DCNS Scorpene
  2. Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems HDW Type 214 (Germany)
  3. Rubin Design Bureau Amur 1650 (Russia)
  4. Navantia S-80
  5. Saab Kockum A-26
IDP Sentinel members can read more at Project 75I Submarines (IDP Sentinel)

VCNS Confirms Negotiations to Acquire Project 11356 Grigorivich Class Frigate Construction Tech

VCNS Vice Admiral P. Murugesan confirmed on July 14, 2015 that India was negotiating with Russia to purchase technology to construct Project 11356 Grigorivich class frigates in India.

"As per the maritime perspective plan, we have to build a certain number of ships in a certain time...we are exploring the possibility to expedite (acquisition of) certain number of ships," he told reporters.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at Project 11356 Talwar Class Missile Frigates (IDP Sentinel)

Six Indian Firms to Compete for 428 Towed AD Guns

The DAC on July 14, 2015 approved procurement of 428 towed AD guns at a cost of Rs 16,900 crore.

The guns are to be procured under 'Buy and Make in India' category. A tender is to be issued to 6 private and public sector firms - Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Electronics, Tata Power SED, Punj Lloyd, Ordnance Factory Board and Bharat Forge. 

No Indian firm has yet demonstrated the capability to make the gun, but they are free to tie up with foreign majors holding up to 49 per cent stake in the bidding JV. 

The Indian Army is planning to procure towed Air Defense (AD) Guns and ammunition along with Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MToT). The project involves manufacture of 1,102 AD guns over the next 15 years to replace 1950s vintage L-70 guns acquired from Swedish firm Bofors and Zu-23mm guns acquired from USSR's Podolsky Electromechanical plant.

In the first stage, the manufacturer will have to supply the army with 428 guns over the next five years. Several lakh rounds of ammunition would need to be manufactured in India.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at Towed Air Defense (AD) Guns (IDP Sentinel)

DAC Approves Purchase of 4 Additional P-8Is

The DAC on July 14, 2015 approved a deviation from the offsets policy to exercise the option to purchase four additional P8i maritime surveillance aircraft from the US. 

Earlier, the CNC recently wrapped price negotiations with Boeing for 4 additional P-8Is.  The case will now be progressed to MoD (Finance), and then MoF. 



Thursday, July 9, 2015

News Roundup - Updates on INS Arihant, P-8I Project, Agni-VI, Assault Rifles and NMRH


Sea King NMRH helicopter of the IN

INS Arihant SSBN Weapons Trials


DRDO Chief S Christopher told The Tribune on July 9, 2015 that the Arihant will launch just the B-05 missile during its currently ongoing sea trials. The sub will not launch the longer range still under development K-4 SLBM.

Despite its 700-km range , the BO 5 is a formidable missile that is difficult to intercept because it does not follow a ballistic trajectory.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at the links below

INS Arihant SSBN - IDP Sentinel
Sagarika BO 5 (K-15) SLBM - IDP Sentinel

CNC Wraps Price Negotiations with Boeing for 4 Additional P-8i


The Hindu reported on July 7, 2015 that the CNC recently wrapped price negotiations with Boeing for 4 additional P-8Is.  The case will now be progressed to MoD (Finance), and then MoF.

In October 2010, MOD cleared the purchase of 4 more P-8I aircraft that were on option, taking the total procurement to 12. The order is expected to be placed within FY 2011-12.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma told India Strategic defence magazine's December 2015 issue that the Navy planned to procure 12 more P-8Is for offshore surveillance and protection, bringing the total order to 24.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at

P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) Aircraft - IDP Sentinel

DRDO Progressing Case for Agni-VI with GoI


DRDO Chief S Christopher told The Tribune on July 9, 2015 that DRDO will progress the case for Agni-VI with the government.

"We have to now present our case to the government for explaining the need for such a missile," Dr Chirstopher said. This will be an Inter-Continental Ballatic Missile (ICBM) like AGNI-V.

Christopher told The Tribune that India can have a missile that can travel a distance of 10,000 km, albeit with a smaller warhead than the AGNI-V.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at

Agni-VI (IDP Sentinel)

DRDO Bags Multi-calibre Assault Rifles Order


The Indian Army (IA) has initiated procurement of 220,000 assault rifles from the DRDO.

The IA is currently using DRDO developed 5.56x45 mm INSAS  (Indian Small Arm System) rifles, but discontinued further procurement of the weapon in 2009 after encountering frequent failures.

In December 2011, the IA released a global tender for 66,000 multi-caliber assault rifles for around INR48.48 million (USD764 million).

On June 15, 2015, IA scrapped the tender opting instead to procure the DRDO developed Excalibur 5.56x45 mm assault rifle, an upgraded variant of the INSAS. [via Janes]

Developed at DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, the upgraded rifle is now called MIR (Modified INSAS Rifle).

IDP Sentinel members can read more at

Procurement of Assault Rifles - IDP Sentinel

Sikorsky Seeks 3x Escalation in Price of 16 Naval MRH


The TOI reported on July 9, 2015 that Sikorsky has demanded a steep hike in price from India to cover the delay in contract finalization.

The project cost for the 16 heavy-duty helicopters was pegged at Rs 1,760 crore at the time of AON in 2008. Factoring in the additional 3-4 years that it will take to fulfill the contract, Sikorsky has asked for three times the AON cost!


IDP Sentinel members can read more at

Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) - IDP Sentinel