DefINsights - Sugosha Media Jul 2021

DefInsightsVol.5Issue2-Jul2021
A SUGOSHA MEDIA PRESENTATION

PLATFORM ANALYSIS

FUTURE COMBAT VEHICLES

CONTENTS

COVER STORY

Future Combat Vehicles Industry Buzz

P 08 P 17

FICV DAP 2020 Primer : Part 3

P 11 P 20

2 Business Opportunities

2 | DefInsights | Jun 2021 P 22

From the MD’s Desk

Dear Friends and A&D Professionals,

Sugosha Media brings you a crisp round up of all that has happened in the month
preceding.

June hosted a DAC on the 04th June 2021, an Indo-Sweden government and
industry meet, a seminar from CENJOWS on Air and Missile Defence, besides few
other interesting developments as elucidated in succeeding paragraphs.
Mrs. Shanti Kuber
The DAC, approved proposals concerning Capital Acquisitions of various
equipment for modernisation and operational needs of the Armed Forces amounting to approx. Rs 6,000
crore. These included BOSS (Border Surveillance systems); retraction of RDF for 120 trawls, and in its
place approved tender for 176 x T-72 and T-90 trawls under the IDDM route. In addition, approval for
issue of RFP for construction of six Conventional Submarines under Project P 75 (I) under the Strategic
Partnership (SP) Model. This project envisages indigenous construction of six conventional submarines
equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs 43,000
crore.

This is a landmark approval, being the first case processed under the Strategic Partnership model. This
would be one of the largest ‘Make in India’ projects and will serve to facilitate faster and more
significant absorption of technology and create a tiered industrial ecosystem for submarine construction
in India. From a strategic perspective, this will help reduce current dependence on imports and gradually
ensure greater self-reliance and dependability of supplies from indigenous sources. With accord of this
approval, the country will be enabled to achieve its 30-year Submarine construction programme
envisioned by the Government to acquire national competence in submarine construction and for the
Indian industry to independently design and construct submarines in India. The availability of new
technologies and advanced manufacturing capabilities to the Industry will be an important step towards
enhancing the nation’s quest for self-reliance in modern conventional submarine construction and
sustainment activities whilst creating direct and indirect job opportunities in India. This project under SP
Model provides a unique long-term opportunity and planning certainty for the industry to invest and
support submarine construction. It will also infuse the latest technology and weaponry for submarines in
India through strategic tie up between Indian Industry and leading foreign OEMs.

There was a long pending need of the Indian Army for modernisation of its Air Defence guns. These had
been earlier procured only from foreign sources. With the continued thrust of Ministry of Defence
towards ‘ÁtmaNirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’, an enthusiastic response from about a dozen Indian
companies was received. All of them have expressed their willingness and commitment to manufacture
this complex gun system and associated equipment by ensuring technology assimilation in India.
Accordingly, the DAC accorded approval of procurement of Air Defence Guns and Ammunition at an
approx. cost of Rs 6,000 crore under the Buy & Make (Indian) category. This is the successor for the L-70
guns.

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Further to better equip the Armed Forces to meet the operational challenges and facilitate faster induction
of required arms and ammunition, the DAC extended the timelines for progressing urgent Capital
Acquisitions under the delegated powers to the Armed Forces up to August 31, 2021. This will enable the
Armed Forces to complete their emergent and critical acquisitions.

Thus DAC laid the foundation of a mega program in ship building, while also pushing a 6000 cr program in
Guns for land systems. We still await the approval for the NASAMs as well as the SP ADGMS programs.

Three major contracts, first one, is the signing of a contract with M/s Mahindra Telephonics Integrated
Systems Ltd., Mumbai for procurement of 11 Airport Surveillance Radars with Monopulse Secondary
Surveillance Radar for Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard on June 03, 2021. The procurement, at a cost of
Rs 323.47 crore, will be made under the ‘Buy & Make’ category. The installation of these radars will increase
the air domain awareness around airfields and enhance safety & efficiency in flying operations of Indian
Navy and Indian Coast Guard. The signing of this contract is an achievement of the Government towards
‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ and the objectives envisaged in the programme. This would enable
absorption of technology, skill development and indigenous manufacture, boosting employment
opportunities.

Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for construction of two Pollution Control
Vessels (PCVs) for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of about Rs 583 crore, on June 22, 2021. These Special
Role ships will be indigenously designed, developed and built by GSL. The acquisition is under ‘Buy Indian -
Indigenously Designed Developed & Manufactured (Buy Indian-IDDM)’, the highest priority category for
defence capital procurements. The acquisition will significantly augment the capability of ICG to respond to
Oil spill disasters at sea and also enhance Pollution Response (PR) efficiency. These two vessels are
scheduled for delivery by November 2024 and May 2025 respectively.

At present, ICG has three PCVs in its fleet at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Porbandar to carry out dedicated
Pollution Surveillance, Oil spill monitoring/Response operations in Indian EEZ and around islands. The new
PCVs planned are for pollution response requirements in Eastern and the ecologically sensitive Andaman &
Nicobar Regions. The vessels, with capability of operating helicopter onboard, will have many advanced
features with modern PR equipment of niche technology for containing, recovering and dispersing of marine
oil spill.

A contract for additional 6 x P8 I was also signed on the last day of April from M/s Boeing at a cost of $ 2.4
bn.

ALH MK III helicopters feature an array of systems previously seen only on heavier, multi-role helicopters of
the Indian Navy. These helicopters are fitted with modern surveillance radar and electro-optical equipment,
which enable them to undertake the role of maritime reconnaissance in addition to providing long-range
Search and Rescue, both by day and night. In addition to special operations capabilities, ALH MK III is also
fitted with a heavy machine gun to undertake constabulary missions. A removable Medical Intensive Care
Unit (MICU) is also fitted on ALH MK III helicopters to airlift critically ill patients. The helicopter also has a
host of advanced avionics, making it truly an all-weather aircraft. Three indigenously built ALH(Maritime
Reconnaissance and Coastal Security (MRCS) helicopters), were inducted into “322 Dega Flight”. The ALH Mk
-III marine version has been designed and developed with in-house customisation of 19 additional
equipment by HAL to meet ICG requirements. The HAL will supply 16 ALH Mk-III to the ICG by mid next year.
The helicopters are capable of undertaking embarked operations from ships which will enhance Coast Guard

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capabilities towards sea-air co-ordinated search, interdiction capabilities, coastal security, search and rescue
operations, medical evacuation, humanitarian missions, pollution response missions, etc.

For the first time, MoD also approved the policy on archiving, declassification and compilation/publication
of war/operations histories by the Ministry of Defence. The policy envisages that each organisation under
the Ministry of Defence such as Services, Integrated Defence Staff, Assam Rifles and Indian Coast Guard, will
transfer the records, including war diaries, letters of proceedings & operational record books, etc., to the
History Division of Ministry of Defence (MoD) for proper upkeep, archival and writing the histories. The
responsibility for declassification of records rests with the respective organisations as specified in the Public
Record Act 1993 and Public Record Rules 1997, as amended from time to time. According to the policy,
records should ordinarily be declassified in 25 years. Records older than 25 years should be appraised by
archival experts and transferred to the National Archives of India once the war/operations histories have
been compiled.

MoD also approved the budgetary support of Rs 498.8 crore to Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) -
Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) for the next five years. The budgetary support will provide a big
boost to the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as iDEX–DIO has the
primary objective of self-reliance and indigenisation in defence & aerospace sector of the country. The
creation of the iDEX framework and establishment of the DIO by the Department of Defence Production
(DDP) is aimed at creating an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in defence and
aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes &
academia and provide them grants/funding and other support to carry out R&D development which has
good potential for future adoption for Indian defence and aerospace needs. The scheme, with budgetary
support of Rs 498.8 crore for the next five years, is aimed at providing financial support to nearly 300 start-
ups/MSMEs/individual innovators and 20 partner incubators under the DIO framework. It will support
increased awareness in the Indian innovation ecosystem about defence needs and, conversely, in the Indian
Defence establishment about the potential of the Indian innovation eco-system to deliver innovative
solutions to meet their needs.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the progress of construction of first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
(IAC) built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd., at Kochi on June 25, 2021. He was also appraised of the progress
achieved on integration of a number of other navigational, communication and operational systems since
then, as it prepares for its maiden Contractor Sea Trials (CST) which is expected in the forthcoming
months. The IAC would be commissioned as INS Vikrant in the first half of 2022, which would be the most
potent sea-based asset. The ship shall operate MiG-29K fighter aircraft, Kamov-31 Air Early Warning
Helicopters, the soon to be inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter and the indigenously manufactured
Advanced Light Helicopters. It would offer an incomparable military instrument with its ability to project Air
Power over long distances, including Air Interdiction, Anti-Surface Warfare, offensive and defensive Counter-
Air, Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare and Airborne Early Warning.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested a New Generation
Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Agni P from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha, Balasore at

Jun 2021 | DefInsights | 5

at 1055 hrs on June 28, 2021. Various telemetry and radar stations positioned along the eastern coast
tracked and monitored the missile. The missile followed text book trajectory, meeting all mission objectives
with high level of accuracy. Agni P is a new generation advanced variant of Agni class of missiles. It is a
canisterised missile with range capability between 1,000 and 2,000 kms.

Continuing the development of Artillery Rocket Systems, Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) successfully test fired extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-
Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on 24th and 25th June 2021 at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the
coast of Odisha.

Twenty-five Enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched in quick succession against targets at different ranges.
All the mission objectives were met during the launches. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket
System can destroy targets at distances up to 45 kms.

All the flight articles were tracked by Range instruments including Telemetry, Radar and Electro Optical
Tracking System deployed by ITR & Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE).

The rocket system has been developed jointly by Pune based Armament Research and Development
Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) with manufacturing support
from M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur. The development of Enhanced Pinaka system was taken up
to achieve longer range performance.

An MoU was signed between the Indian Navy and M/s Bharat Electronics Limited, for creation of a joint
Technology Incubation Forum (TIF). The TIF, reflects the joint vision of Indian Navy and Bharat Electronics
Limited towards innovative and creative thinking and fostering development of Emerging Technologies. The
broad charter of the TIF includes technology development in the domain of Weapons & Sensors,
Information Technology and Emerging Technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning,
Quantum Computing, Autonomous Platforms/ Robotics, Image Processing and Cognitive Radio. The TIF will
spearhead mission mode development of deployable products under the Government's 'Atmanirbhar
Bharat' initiative with involvement of Industry, Academia and Start-Ups.

A number of inter National exercises and relief operations such as Op SAGAR for Sri Lanka, INS Airavat
bringing relief from Singapore and Vietnam, medical casualties evacuation off Goa, INS Taraksh bringing in
Oxygen and medical equipment, Indo-Thai coordinated patrol (CORPAT), IN and EU exercise, in Gulf of Aden,
IAF with US Navy and IN with US Navy, IN and Japan NSDF, so plenty of movement and exercises in military
cooperation.

Major opportunities pitched into the future are in the form of RFIs for the FICV (Future Infantry Combat
Vehicle). MoD has issued an RFI to procure approximately 1770 FRCVs in a phased manner, with expected
induction by 2030, along with Performance Based Logistics, Transfer of Technology, Engineering Support
Package and other Maintenance and Training requirements. The FRCV platform is planned to be procured
under the ‘Strategic Partnership’ route within the provision of Chapter-VII of DAP 2020.

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MoD reserves INR 17,500 crore for private sector buys this year, nearly 25% of the total domestic
procurement will be from the private industry. This would translate to INR 17,500 crore reserved for the non
-public sector.

Australian firm Cyborg Dynamics has taken the opportunity at the Land Forces 2021 exhibition held in
Brisbane from 1 to 3 June to unveil a new anti-tank guided missile (ATGM)-equipped concept demonstrator
of its tracked Warfighter unmanned ground vehicle (UGV), tentatively called the Warfighter Spike UGV. The
Warfighter UGV is based on BIA5’s tracked OzBot All Terrain Robot (ATR) chassis.

Russia is building its first naval ship that will be fully equipped with stealth technology. The hull of the
Mercury naval corvette dubbed project 20386 has already been built and the vessel is expected to be
delivered to the navy next year. The warship will be armed with cruise missiles, anti-aircraft missiles and
artillery, as well as being capable of searching for and destroying submarines.

Other snippets include, Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M) are working on a
project to develop a vessel traffic software (VTS) that will help monitor maritime traffic. Professor Shailesh
Ganpule from Mechanical and Industrial Engineering Department (MIED), Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)
Roorkee has been conferred with the ‘NSG Counter-IED and Counter-Terrorism Innovator Award 2021' for
his contribution and innovation in the design and development of Blast-Resistant Helmet. India has
extended a USD 100 million Line of Credit to Sri Lanka to help the island nation finance various projects in
the solar energy sector and ensure that the country's 70% power requirements are fulfilled by renewable
energy sources by 2030.

Malaysia's Ministry of Defence announced on 22 June 2021 that it has launched a tender for the Royal
Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF's) Light Combat Aircraft/Fighter Lead-In-Trainer (LCA/FLIT) programme. it has
been reported that the RMAF wants eight of these platforms to be primarily configured for lead-in-fighter
training, while the remaining 10 would be LCAs. The programme is part of the RMAF's ‘Capability 55' plan.
Launched in 2018 the plan calls for the procurement of 36 LCA/FLIT platforms in two phases, with 18 aircraft
set to be purchased from 2021 and the rest from 2025. The 36 aircraft are intended to equip one LIFT and
two LCA squadrons.

The first production lot of 12 Short Span Bridging System (SSBS)-10 m, designed and developed by DRDO,
has been inducted into Indian Army on 2 July 2021. The SSBS-10 m plays a crucial role of bridging the gaps
up to 9.5 m as a single span providing a 4 m wide, fully decked roadway, ensuring faster movement of the
troops. Research & Development Establishment (Engrs) Pune has designed and developed the system in
association with M/s L&T Ltd. The 12 bridges are part of 102 SSBS-10 m from M/s L&T Ltd, which is the
production agency.

The NewSpace India Ltd, the commercial arm of Department of Space (DOS) apart from buying satellites
from ISRO can also lease assets from the latter. NSIL will acquire three communication satellites- GSAT 20,
GSAT 22 and GSAT 24- made by ISRO. The company will be the owner and operator of the satellites. ISRO is
thinking about asset transfer on lease basis. Presently there are about 17 communication satellites, eight
navigation satellites (six under operation, two in messaging services) and 17 earth observation satellites of
ISRO under operation.

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FUTURE COMBAT VEHICLES

Quest For The Next Gen Armoured Vehicles

The Request for Information (RFI), for approximately 1750 Tracked Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles
(FICV), to replace the BMP-2 fleet has been issued on June 24, 2021. The RFI comes in the wake of 1770
Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) which would replace the existing T-72 tank fleet in a phased manner,
and the 350 light tanks. Earlier, in November 2019, the RFI for 198 Wheeled Armoured Fighting Vehicles
(AFVs) had been issued. All these RFIs, issued so far for big ticket procurement, support the realisation of
’Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
The Indian Army’s quest to procure the next generation of armoured vehicles is more than a decade old
now. The FICV has been on the procurement anvil since the Acceptance of Necessity was issued out in
October 2009. The FRCV project was first conceptualised in 2013-14 by the Indian Army. It was a welcome
move at the time to have our country’s own main battle tank (MBT) as per our own war doctrine, strategy
and requirements. To date, India has been importing AFVs (with the exception of Arjun) irrespective of
whether it meets our design philosophy and requirement or not.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Defence had granted approval to the Army’s proposal to procure 118
indigenously-manufactured Arjun Mark 1-A ‘Hunter Killers’ at a cost of Rs 8,380 crore.
While a variety of equipment and weapon systems has its challenges in terms of maintenance and
serviceability, the Indian Army would be very much alive to the problem while orchestrating the timelines of
development and induction. Indigenous sources for procurement of equipment, with or without foreign
technological collaborations, is the way forward to ensure a more homogeneous mix of defence platforms.

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Combat Vehicle Requirement of the Indian Army

Infantry combat vehicles, or infantry fighting vehicles as they are called in the west, are armoured vehicles
that are the main means of transport of 'mechanised infantry'. These vehicles can carry anywhere from five
to 10 soldiers into battle, while also being capable of engaging targets on the ground using guns and anti-
tank missiles. IFVs often serve both as the principal weapons system and as the mode of transport for
a mechanized infantry unit.
The bulk of the Indian MBT force today is provided by the 2,400+ T-72M1 “Ajeya” co-produced with Poland
and Russia together with 1,250 T-90S “Bhishma” with Russia. The Arjun only counts for a only a few in this
total due to a much higher price tag and its higher weight classification. Nonetheless, Arjun still remains the
most modern tank in the Indian Army.
Modern Indian IFV supplies came from co-produced BMP-1 and BMP-2 “Sarath” IFVs (1200+). The Sarath
(BMP-2) has been also derived into the CMT mortar carrier version, as well as the DRDO Armoured
Ambulance, and the NBC Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRBN). Also related are a few PRP-3, or NATO BMP
M1975 Battlefield surveillance systems .
As indicated the T-72 and BMP II fleet will complete its lifecycle in the next few years and need to be
replaced with modern platforms equipped to handle the existing and future operational requirements of the
armed forces.
The need for procuring light tanks has risen due to the adversaries in the East. There seems to be a necessity
of inducting light armour, because light tanks in especially in the Western sector of the Sino-Indian border in
Ladakh are likely to be in the forefront of ground operations.

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FRCV

Indian Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for the Procurement of a new generation ‘Future
Tank’ platform namely Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV), approximate quantity 1770 in a phased
manner, with expected induction by 2030. RFI says that the FRCV platform is planned to be procured under
the ‘Strategic Partnership’ route within the provision of Chapter-VII of Defence Acquisition Procedure.
FRCV, is an armoured platform and when inducted in the Indian Army, will be used primarily as the Main
Battle Tank (MBT) of the Mechanised Forces.
Indian Army has laid out some of the Broad Operational concepts for Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV)
 FRCV should incorporate systems to negate ISR systems, counter the new threats and enhance its

operational performance using technology, to ensure staying power and victory of the Land Forces in
any conflict.
 FRCV should incorporate niche technologies i.e. Artificial Intelligence, See Through Armour, etc., and can
operate in a network-centric & EW environment.
 FRCV should be able to operate in all-terrain and have the agility and high mobility and is likely to be
employed in varied terrain configuration, as existing in the Indian Sub-continent including High Altitude
Areas, Plains/ Riverine and Deserts / Semi-Deserts Terrains under varied Temperature Conditions.
 FRCV should be a Medium Weight Class Tank and the design should be modular and physical dimensions
should not impede its transportability by in-service rail, road, air, and ship.
 FRCV should have a crew configuration of 2/ 3 with Crew Pod Concept.

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 FRCV should have a Large Calibre, Lethal, Modular, and upgradeable weapon system with the capability
to destroy and offer countermeasures to varied threats and a digital fire control system, to incorporate,
AI-enabled target acquisition / Multiple-Auto Target Tracker with hunter-killer capability and eye-safe
laser range finder.

 FRCV should have STANAG level of all-round protection including top, bottom, sides, and frontal- against
current/future KE/CE threat, Mines with a combination of other survival means (ERA, APS, etc).

 Most importantly, Army is looking for a platform that would lend itself to development of a family of
combat vehicles, like Recovery Vehicle, Bridge Layer Tank, etc., based on modularity and standardisation
of platform.

Since the FRCV program falls under the Strategic Partnership model, it is a partnership between a Foreign
OEM and an Indian manufacturing company. The likely FOEM contenders and their respective products are:

France Leclerc Nexter; Russia’s T-90 & T-14 Armata Uralvagonzavod marketed by Rosoboronexpo (ROE);
South Korea K1 Hyundai Rotem; USA M1AX (Abrams) General Dynamics; Germany Leopard KMW and
Rheinmetall; Ukraine T – 84 Malyshev Plant marketed by Spectstechno Expo; Italy Ariete Consortium Iveco
and Oto Melara (Leonardo); Serbia M – 84 Yugoimport; Israel Merkava Mantak/ Israel Ordnance Corps; UK’s
Challenger; Turkey’s Altay Otokar.

FICV

For the third time the Indian Army has issued a fresh Request for Information (RFI) for Future Infantry
Combat Vehicle (FICV). These vehicles are going to be the mainstay of the mechanized forces for a long
time. The Indian Army is keen to get 1750 FICV, a project which is expected to cost around Rs 60,000 crore.
There were two Expression of Interests in the Make/Make-1 category, change to the Make-2 category, and
has now finally fructified in a new RFI in the Buy & Make or Buy (Indian-IDDM) category. Major Indian
Industry leading houses, along with their foreign partners, had already put in design & development efforts
towards the earlier cases and will look forward to this case moving on.
The Indian Army intends to use the FICV to replace the 1980s-vintage BMP-2, which is a Soviet-designed
infantry combat vehicle.
The Indian Army intends to deploy the FICV on the "plain and desert terrain as occurring along Western
Borders of India and High Altitude (up to 5000 meters altitude)/Mountain terrain as occurring along
Northern Borders (Eastern Ladakh/ Central Sector / North Sikkim) of India".
The procurement is proposed to happen in phased manner as follows:
• The Stage-I is for Limited Series Production (LSP). In this around 10 per cent of the total number of

vehicles will be delivered over a period of two years. This means 75-100 per year.
• The Stage-II is going to be Product Improvement. And around 40 per cent of the total number of

vehicles are expected to be delivered spread over a period of six to seven years.
• Stage-III, with technical upgrades and product improvement for the balance number of vehicles

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FICV developed by OFB Medak

The RFI issued by the Indian Army specifies that it intends to procure up to 1,750 FICVs in three versions.
The three versions are a 'gun version', a command version and a command and surveillance version. The
'gun version', which is primarily meant for combat operations, will constitute the bulk of the intended order
quantity (55 per cent). Command versions of infantry combat vehicles are used by battlefield commanders
to direct operations and correspond with superiors.
Broad Operational Requirements laid down in the RFI
 FICV will have amphibious capability in terms of mobility
 FICV will have high protection levels in the frontal arc at STANAG 5 against 25mm APDS, which can be

upgraded to STANAG 6 against 30mm APFSDS, with removable armour panels. It also lays down STANAG
4, against 14.5mm AP, on the sides & top as also STANAG 3B, 8kg mine explosive under belly.
 FICV should have a power to weight ratio of 30HP/Ton
 the gun version of the FICV should be capable of housing a crew of three and carrying at least eight
soldiers, the remaining two variants should have a crew of three and should carry four soldiers.

 FICV should be equipped with at least a 30mm main gun and anti-tank missiles.

 Command versions of the FICV should be capable of carrying drones for surveillance and also suicide
strike missions (known as 'loitering munitions').

 New systems like loitering munitions and mini-UAV for targeting and battlefield awareness

The main Indian contenders are The Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), BEML, Mahindra Defence, Ashok
Leyland, Larsen and Toubro, Reliance, Bharat Forge and others. DRDO has also developed an FICV platform
called Abhay.

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Light Tank

Indian Army issued RFI to procure 350 Light Tanks in April 2021. The RFI states why the need for this
platform “In the foreseeable operational scenario, the need for an agile and mobile light platform, with
adequate firepower, protection, surveillance and communication capabilities is increasingly finding its
operational relevance”
Broad Parameters
 The tank is to weigh no more than 25 tons and have a power to weight ratio not less than 25:1
 Light tank will be able to carry a crew of 2-3 members
 Capable of operating in mountainous terrain
 Multiple, Modular and upgradable weapon system with capability to destroy and offer countermeasures

to varied threats
 Multiple weapons for anti-air craft and ground role with different calibre assisted with Remote Control

Weapon Station.
 STANAG Level of all round passive protection including top, bottom, sides and frontal.
According to news reports, India is keen on the 18-tonne Sprut from Russia because it shares the gun of the
T-90 tank and fires the same kind of ammunition.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Larson & Toubro are in talks with each
other to possibly convert another tank — the K9 Vajra 155mm/52 calibre Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer —

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AFV

The ‘Buy Indian’ RFI for wheeled armoured fighting vehicles reconnaissance and support (abbreviated to
WH AFV [R&Sp]) was released late 2019. It enunciated the need for 198 vehicles for army reconnaissance
and support battalions located in the plains of Punjab and Rajasthan, regions along the Pakistani border.
Broad Parameters of AFV
 Amphibious 8x8 solution ‘should be provided with high mobility, adequate armour protection and

[an] armament configuration suitable to destroy enemy tanks and undertake local protection
 AFV to be mounted with twin ATGMs with a minimum range of 4km.
 Armour protection should attain STANAG Level II ballistic (Level III on the front via modular armour)

and Level IIB for blasts.
 Turret weapons for the WH AFV (R&Sp) are specified as a 30mm cannon, a coaxial 7.62mm machine

gun and a 81mm smoke grenade discharger system. An RWS is mentioned as being preferable.
 The four-crew vehicle has to be transportable in an Ilyushin Il-76 or Boeing C-17 Globemaster III

aircraft.
Tata Motors developed the Wheeled Amphibious Armoured Platform, also known as the Kestrel, in
conjunction with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is arguably the only
indigenous solution ready for this tender.

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INDUSTRY BUZZ

MoD signs contract with GSL for construction of two Pollution Control Vessels for Indian Coast Guard

Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for construction of two Pollution Control
Vessels (PCVs) for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of about Rs 583 crore, on June 22, 2021. These Special
Role ships will be indigenously designed, developed and built by GSL. The acquisition is under ‘Buy Indian -
Indigenously Designed Developed & Manufactured (Buy Indian-IDDM)’, the highest priority category for
defence capital procurements. The acquisition will significantly augment the capability of ICG to respond to
Oil spill disasters at sea and also enhance Pollution Response (PR) efficiency. These two vessels are
scheduled for delivery by November 2024 and May 2025 respectively.

At present, ICG has three PCVs in its fleet at Mumbai, Visakhapatnam and Porbandar to carry out dedicated
Pollution Surveillance, Oil spill monitoring/Response operations in Indian EEZ and around islands. The new
PCVs planned are for pollution response requirements in Eastern and the ecologically sensitive Andaman &
Nicobar Regions. The vessels, with capability of operating helicopter onboard, will have many advanced
features with modern PR equipment of niche technology for containing, recovering and dispersing of marine
oil spill.

DRDO successfully test fires Enhanced Pinaka Rocket

Continuing the development of Artillery Rocket
Systems, Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired extended
range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket
from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on
24th and 25th June 2021 at Integrated Test Range
(ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

Twenty-five Enhanced Pinaka Rockets were launched
in quick succession against targets at different ranges.
All the mission objectives were met during the
launches. The enhanced range version of Pinaka Rocket System can destroy targets at distances up to 45
kms.

All the flight articles were tracked by Range instruments including Telemetry, Radar and Electro Optical
Tracking System deployed by ITR & Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE).

The rocket system has been developed jointly by Pune based Armament Research and Development
Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) with manufacturing support
from M/s Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur. The development of Enhanced Pinaka system was taken up
to achieve longer range performance.

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16 | DefInsights | Jun 2021

INDUSTRY BUZZ

DRDO & AICTE launch regular M. Tech. Program in defence technology
A regular MTech. Program in Defence Technology has been launched by Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) to impart necessary
theoretical & experimental knowledge, skill and aptitude in various defence technology areas. Secretary
Department of Defence R&D & Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy and Chairman AICTE Prof Anil D
Sahasrabudhe launched the program during a virtual event organised by AICTE, New Delhi on July 08, 2021.
The program will motivate the aspiring engineers to start their career in defence technology.

This MTech. defence technology program can be conducted at any AICTE affiliated Institutes/Universities,
IITs, NITs or private engineering institutes. Institute of Defence Scientists & Technologists (IDST) will provide
support to the institutes for conducting this program, which can be conducted in online as well as offline
formats. The program has six specialized streams - Combat Technology, Aero Technology, Naval Technology,
Communication Systems & Sensors, Directed Energy Technology and High Energy Materials Technology. The
students will also be provided opportunities to conduct their main thesis work in DRDO laboratories,
Defence PSUs & Industries. The program will be helpful to students seeking opportunities in ever expanding
defence research and manufacturing sector.

Jun 2021 | DefInsights | 17

INDUSTRY BUZZ

Shri Ajay Bhatt takes over as Raksha Rajya Mantri

Shri Ajay Bhatt took over as Raksha
Rajya Mantri on July 08, 2021. After
assuming charge, he called on Raksha
Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at his office
in South Block. Defence Secretary Dr
Ajay Kumar and other senior officials
of Ministry of Defence received Shri
Ajay Bhatt and welcomed him into his
office. In a tweet, Shri Ajay Bhatt
thanked Prime Minister Shri Narendra
Modi for giving him the responsibility,
saying that he will strive to build the
‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ of the
21st century.

Shri Ajay Bhatt is a Member of Parliament from Nainital-Udhamsingh Nagar constituency, Uttarakhand. He is
the member of Standing Committee on Defence; Consultative Committee, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare; Committee on Subordinate Legislation; Joint Committee on the Personal Data Protection Bill 2019
and Committee on Estimates. He had, earlier, served as Cabinet Minister in Uttarakhand government, holding
portfolios such as Parliamentary Affairs, Health and Disaster Management. He was also the Leader of
Opposition in Uttarakhand Legislative Assembly.

DRDO successfully flight tests New Generation Agni P Ballistic Missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO) successfully flight tested a New Generation
Nuclear Capable Ballistic Missile Agni P from Dr APJ
Abdul Kalam island off the coast of Odisha, Balasore at
1055 hrs on June 28, 2021. Various telemetry and
radar stations positioned along the eastern coast
tracked and monitored the missile. The missile
followed text book trajectory, meeting all mission
objectives with high level of accuracy.

Agni P is a new generation advanced variant of Agni
class of missiles. It is a canisterised missile with range
capability between 1,000 and 2,000 kms.

18

18 | DefInsights | Jun 2021

INDUSTRY BUZZ

DRDO’s Short Span Bridging System-10 m inducted into Indian Army

The first production lot of 12 Short Span Bridging System (SSBS)-10 m, designed and developed by Defence
Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been inducted into Indian Army by Chief of the Army
Staff General MM Naravane during a ceremony held at Cariappa Parade Ground, Delhi Cantt. on July 02,
2021. Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy was present on the
occasion.

The SSBS-10 m plays a crucial role of bridging
the gaps up to 9.5 m as a single span
providing a 4 m wide, fully decked roadway,
ensuring faster movement of the troops.
Research & Development Establishment
(Engrs) Pune, a premier engineering
laboratory of DRDO, has designed and
developed the system in association with M/s
L&T Ltd. The 12 bridges are part of 102 SSBS-
10 m from M/s L&T Ltd, which is the
production agency.

The Project Short Span Bridging System involved the development of two prototypes of 5 m SSBS on Tatra
6x6 chassis and another two prototypes of 10 m SSBS on Tatra 8x8 re-engineered chassis. Both the systems
have undergone rigorous Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA), MET and User trials and after
successful completion of all the trials, the systems were recommended for induction into the services. This
bridging system is compatible with Sarvatra Bridging System (75 m), where the last span requires covering
gaps less than 9.5 m. The deployed bridge is of the load classification of MLC 70. The system will help in
quick movement of troops and enhance the mobilization of resources.

MOU BETWEEN INDIAN NAVY AND M/s BEL FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION FORUM (TIF)

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Navy and M/s Bharat Electronics
Limited, Bangalore on 29 June 21at Integrated Headquarters, Ministry of Defence (Navy), New Delhi for
creation of a joint Technology Incubation Forum (TIF).

The Technology Incubation Forum reflects the joint vision of Indian Navy and Bharat Electronics Limited
towards innovative and creative thinking and fostering development of Emerging Technologies. The broad
charter of the TIF includes technology development in the domain of Weapons & Sensors, Information
Technology and Emerging Technologies such as Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Quantum
Computing, Autonomous Platforms/ Robotics, Image Processing and Cognitive Radio. The TIF will spearhead
mission mode development of deployable products under the Government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative
with involvement of Industry, Academia and Start-Ups.

Jun 2021 | DefInsights | 19

Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 Primer

Part 03 – Acquisition Categories - Chapter I

With this edition of DefInsights, we continue our series on analysis of the Defence
Acquisition Procedure 2020, from where we left Chapter I.

Annual Acquisition Plan (AAP)

By Sohil Patel The AAP will comprise of four sections;

Part A contains a list of all carry-over acquisition proposals from the previous year
and those for which AoN has been accorded during the year,

Part B will include acquisition proposals likely to be initiated for AoN in the forthcoming year,

Part C will list out cases under the ‘Make’ and ‘Design & Development’ category and

Part D will list out procurements planned under OCPP

Acquisition proposals not included in the AAP may also be initiated by SHQs on account of unforeseen
circumstances and will be included in the relevant section of the AAP after grant of AoN.

Miscellaneous Issues

1. Independent External Monitors (IEMs). Complaints arising at any stage of the acquisition process could
be examined by a panel of nominated IEMs based on referral by the MoD (Acquisition)/any other
Department of the MoD or suo-moto complaints by the vendors/any other agency.

2. Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). SMEs from the fields of academia, legal, finance or industry
associations may be approached at various stages of the acquisition cycle. Details of all such
interactions will be highlighted in the respective minutes/reports as applicable at that particular stage
of acquisition.

3. Institutionalised Training of Personnel. In order to increase efficiency of all entities involved in the
acquisition cycle, personnel of SHQ and various departments of MoD, including MoD (Finance)
associated with the acquisition process will be imparted training with regards to the nuances of all
acquisition processes at training institutions in the country and abroad. Subsequently, formalised
training on the subject will be planned as part of the curriculum of Indian National Defence University
(INDU). Industry associations should also conduct training of their personnel on the nuances of the
Acquisition process and the DAP from time to time.

4. Incorporation of Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is a rapidly growing field of technology with potentially
significant implications for national security. HQ IDS will examine the possibility of inclusion of AI in
various platforms/systems and apprise the SHQ of the same from time to time.

5. Military Materials. (New in DAP 2020) Indigenous availability of high-end Military Materials and Special
Alloys is an important facet of self-reliance in defence sector. Guidelines for promotion of use of
materials already available in the country and development/manufacture of materials for future needs
are as follows: -

a. Ongoing Projects In order to promote the use of Military Materials known to be available in the

20

20 | DefInsights | Jun 2021

country, acquisition projects, other than ‘Buy Global’ projects, for platforms and major
equipment, with substantial material component may be examined by SHQ at RFI stage, to
ascertain the feasibility of using and rewarding use of indigenous materials.

b. Development for Future Needs. As an ongoing process to achieve phased development/
manufacture of materials within the country for use in future projects, DPSU/ PSU platform
manufacturers, R&D establishments and SHQ are to carry out environment scan and identify
various materials that can be developed in the country by various methods

 Phased development of materials by platform manufacturers and R&D establishments
through own resources or Indian Industry.

 (ab) Inclusion of ToT for manufacture and validation of materials in licensed
manufacture projects by Production Agencies (PAs) or suitable Indian Material
Manufacturers.

 (ac) Seeking and prioritising/ promoting ToTs for military materials against Offsets
through Indian industry.

 (ad) Taking up Make or Technology Development Fund (TDF) projects for development
of materials.

c. Development For Future Needs of Indian Material Manufacturers. Indian Material
Manufacturers can identify suitable military materials to meet the future requirements and
share the details with DPSU/PSU platform manufacturers, Research and Development (R & D)
establishments and SHQ for factoring in their developmental plans. Further, they may take up
projects under Technology Development Fund (TDF)/iDEX for consideration by stakeholders.

6. Indigenous Software. In order to leverage the highly developed indigenous software expertise existing in
the country, it is pertinent that maximum equipment should function with indigenous software
(certification by the Statutory Auditor of the Bidder that the software has been developed within India)
driving the desired applications while the backend software i.e. Operating Systems continues to be OEM
defined. The RFI process should clearly identify availability of indigenous software for running applications
on the equipment/system and should be included in Buy (Indian – IDDM) and Buy (Indian) cases
mandatorily or as Enhanced Performance Parameters (EPP).

7. Aero-engines and Fabrication Plants (Fab). Aero engines and Fab( facilities manufacturing silicon wafers)
manufacture need to be taken up as projects of National importance. Aero engines and Fab manufactured
in India will mandatorily be procured for applicable defence equipment as Buyer’s Nominated Equipment
(BNE)/ sub-assemblies. These procurements will not be considered as Single Vendor Cases (SVC).

Project Management Unit (PMU)

30. As part of the Defence Reforms announced in the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, setting up of a PMU has
been mandated to support contract management so as to usher in faster decision making and time bound
defence acquisition process. The PMU will facilitate obtaining advisory and consultancy support in specified
areas to streamline Acquisition process. The case for establishment of the PMU and its charter and
responsibilities are being processed separately and further details will be promulgated accordingly.

To be continued...

21

Jun 2021 | DefInsights | 21

Business Opportunities : Jul 2021

SL TENDER TITLE SUBMISSION ORGANISA- TENDER ID ENQUIRY
CLOSING DATE TION/ A/30248/FAT/GS/ /Arty-5 TYPE
NO AGENCY
02-09-2021 Army AIR HQ/DPROC/W2125028 RFI
1 RFI FOR PROCUREMENT OF HIGH 4BRD/ISC/RFP/06/2021-22
MOBILITY VEHICLE (HMV) 6x6 FOR 31-08-2021 Army RFI
GUN TOWING VEHICLE (GTV) FOR Open
155 MM TOWED GUNS 28-07-2021 IAF RFP
11:00
2 RFI FOR FUTURISTIC INFANTRY IAF
COMBAT VEHICLE (TRACKED) 22-07-2021
10:00
3 PROCUREMENT OF SPARES FOR
MIRAGE AIRCRAFT

4 DEVELOPMENT OF SLEEVE IDENTIFI-
CATION OF M-53 AERO ENGINE
SPARES

5 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL FOR IN- 21-07-2021 IAF 5BRD/5703/17/ISC(BM-II); RFP
DIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OF GAS- 14:30 2021_IAF_611089_1
KET-SPIRAL WOUND, PART NO.
HWK/MJ679339 FOR HAWK AIR- 03-08-2021 IAF 2021_IAF_611676_1 Global
CRAFT. 14:00

6 RFI for Counter Unmanned Aerial
System

7 PROCUREMENT OF SPARES FOR IL- 04-08-2021 IAF AIR HQ/DPROC/ Limited
SERIES AIRCRAFT 11:00
R1825599R535R2025502
8 INDIGENISATION OF REAL TIME 03-07-2021
AIRCRAFT TRACKING SYSTEM RTATS 10:00 IAF 1B/5057/1/25648/39/ISC Limited

9 EXPRESSION OF INTREST FOR IN- 29-07-2021 IAF 5BRD/5703/17/ISB(BM II) EOI
DIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OF BOLT 14:30
PARTR NO. HWK/DSR537311332 OF Army 2021_DoDP_612972_1 Open/Civil
HAWK AIRCRAFT 20-07-2021 works
17:00
10 Construction of velocity tunnel and DRDO ARDE/22ATT027/CMS-II Open
pressure range for proof testing of 28-07-2021
A-7 ammunition in Quality control 10:00 IAF 5BRD/5703/17/ISC(BM-II) EOI
(Proof testing) area inside factory at
Ordnance Factory Varangaon. 22-07-2021
14:30
11 Anti Drone Gun mount assembly as
per spec no DRDO-ARDE-LMG-SPC- Tentative date of issue of AoN
023-2021 RFP is Sep 2021.

12 INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OF
HWK/97500744 Ni-Cad BATTERY
FOR HAWK AIRCRAFT

13 procurement of approx 212 Trailer
50 Ton Tank Transporter.

14 RFI SNIPER TENT 23-07-2021 Army 2021_ARMY_458668_1 RFI
15 RFI SNIPER SUIT 15:00 Army RFI
34119/110(C)/SNIPER
22 23-07-2021 SUIT/21-22/ACSFP/Ord
15:00

22 | DefInsights | Jun 2021

Business Opportunities : Jul 2021

SL TENDER TITLE SUBMISSION ORGANISA- TENDER ID ENQUIRY
NO CLOSING DATE TION/ TYPE
18-08-2021 11:00 AGENCY Air HQ/S 15829/10/Ops
16 INVITATION OF BIDS FOR SUPPLY OF 11-08-2021 12:00 (Off)/Garud Open
STUN GRENADE RFP NO.DTE OF OPS 02-08-2021 10:00 IAF
(OFF)/GARUD/07/2021-22&#x0d 03-08-2021 10:00 Open
13-09-2021 11:00 IAF BRD/INDG/09/2021-22
17 INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OF
LITHIUM BATTERY PACK FOR ELT OF 08-Sep-21 IAF 4BRD/ISC/RFP/08/2021- Open
MI-17 V5 HELICOPTER. IAF 22
13-Aug-21 IAF
18 DEVELOPMENT OF MATCHED PIS- Army 4BRD/ISC/RFP/08/2021- Open
TON AND BEARING FOR M-53 AERO 30-07-2021 14:00 23
ENGINE 09-08-2021 10:00
08-09-2021 11:00 AIR HQ/DPROC/ Open
19 INVITATION OF QUOTATION FOR 10-08-2021 10:00 R2125582 EOI
PROCUREMENT OF SPARE PARTS OF
GLOCK PISTOL Army RFI

20 PROCUREMENT OF SPARES FOR EW IAF 2021_IAF_614323_1 EOI
SYSTEM
IAF 1CIMD/604/63/Tech/BM EOI
21 INVITATION FOR EXPRESSION OF -II
INTEREST FOR PROCUREMENT OF
132 UNITS OF TRUCK MOUNTED IAF AIRHQ/DPROC/ Limited
CRANE FOR M777 A2 ULH REGI-
MENTS R2025528R544/PUR

22 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM IAF AIR HQ /DPUR/I/2125022 RFP
VENDORS FOR AUGMENTATION OF
SAI MOBILE APPLICATION ECOSYSTE

23 EOI FOR INDIGENISATION OF 7817-
0262 RING SPACING FOR MI17 1V
HELICOPTER

24 INDIGENOUS DEVELOPMENT OF
UNIVERSAL PILOT RESCUE LADDER

25 PROCUREMENT OF SPARES FOR MI-
SERIES HELICOPTER

26 SUPPLY OF SPARES OF MAFI SPARES
(125 LINES SPARES)

27 [ANNUAL MAINTENANCE CONTRACT 28-07-2021 Navy 2021_NAVY_458657_1 Tender
OF DRONA SIMULATOR MK III FOR 2 22-07-2021
YEARS 6-08-2021 Navy 2021_NAVY_454731_1] RFP
Army 2021_ARMY_460847_1] Tender
28 [DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF GT
AIR INTAKE FILTER BAGS - P 17]

29 [PROCUREMENT OF SPARES OF T-90,
T-72

30 [PROCUREMENT OF SPARES OF EN- 06-08-2021 Army 2021_ARMY_460827_1 Tender
GINE UTD-20, T-90, T-72

Jun 2021 | DefInsights | 23

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