INS Arihant

India Russia likely to sign deal for 4 more stealth frigates

After a long hiatus, Russia is once again set to emerge as India’s top military hardware supplier with a slew of big ticket defence deals set to be announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit starting on Thursday. Collectively, the defence deals to be announced during Modi’s visit would be worth upwards of $10 billion.

According to official sources, India is likely to sign a multi-billion dollar deal for four improved Krivak or Talwar class stealth frigates with Russia — expected to cost upwards of USD 3 billion — during the PM’s visit. This will be in addition to the two helicopter deals expected to be signed and the announcement on purchase of five S-400 Triumf air defence systems. With these deals Russia is likely to emerge once again as the top supplier of military hardware to India which in the last few years was taken over by the U.S.

India had earlier procured six frigates of the same class in two different batches and has been very pleased with the performance of the 4,000 tonne state of the art frigates which pack a lot of firepower in comparison to their size.

Like the earlier ships, these will also be built by Yantar shipyard but will additionally involve an Indian partner in line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ push. Officials said Pipavav shipyard owned by Anil Ambani’s Reliance group is likely to be the Indian partner in the deal. Incidentally Russian Navy too has recently ordered these ships for its Baltic fleet. Both sides have been in discussions for the additional frigates for some time but the deal was delayed as India insisted on building it through the ‘Make in India’ route. The deal was also partly delayed due to the engine issue. The engines are built by Zorya Nashproekt of Ukraine and after the crisis in Crimea, Ukraine has refused to supply engines to Russia. However, officials said the issue has been sorted and Ukraine has no reservations in supplying engines to India.
CEO team
The 18-member Indian CEO delegation accompanying Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia includes four company heads from defence companies.

These include Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance group; Baba Kalyani, Chairman and MD of Bahart Forge; Sukaran Singh, CEO of Tata Advanced Systems; and Suvarna Raju, Chairman of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Reliance is likely to partner Russian helicopters to build Kamov-226T utility helicopters in India and is also a contender for the ship project. Tata is in advanced stage of talks with Sukhoi to set up a Joint Venture to manufacture spares for Sukhoi fighters in India.

Finally! Price negotiations begin for the S-70B Seahawks for the IN

IN set to negotiate purchase of multi role helicopters

New Delhi: The Indian Navy is finally set to open price negotiations with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for buying 24 Seahawk S-70B shipboard multi-role helicopters (MRHs) for its operational requirements.

Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources told India Strategic defence magazine that although the helicopters were selected in December 2014, there were some issues over cost escalations due to the delay in the procurement process, and the Connecticut, US-based company’s insistence that it could not hold the prices it had offered in 2008. Recently, however, Sikorsky had relented and its team is due to be invited soon for an early conclusion of the price negotiations.

The subject is also likely to be on the agenda during Defence Minister Manohar Parikkar’s visit to Washington on December 9-10.

Notably, the Indian Navy had invited bids in 2008 from Sikorsky for S-70B and European NH Industries (NHI) for NH 90. There was some hesitation in opening the latter’s bid, as Finmeccanina, which got embroiled in controversy over the acquisition of VVIP helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF), is a major partner in this European consortium.

Sikorsky accordingly had a walkover, but it asked for revision in prices as the selection process had taken more than twice the stipulated timeline and the delivery, in any case, has to be three years after the price negotiations conclude and a contract is signed. That is roughly 10 years after its offer was submitted.
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As for the current status in negotiations with the Indian Navy, the chief of the naval staff, Admiral Robin Dhowan, when asked about the Seahawks, replied that the process was now in an “advanced stage”.

Notably, the tender, or Request for Proposals (RfP), had sought 16 helicopters with an option for eight more. But Admiral Dhowan had told India Strategic earlier that as the navy was short of these machines, the deal could be for all the 24 machines
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Great news! Finally all set for the test launch of the LR-SAM from P-15A INS Kolkata.

All set for LR-SAM missile launch from INS Kolkata

..Naval sources said the MFSTAR and related components aboard the 7,500 tonne Kolkata-class ships were being calibrated right now and that Indian Navy was keen to take delivery of the missile from BDL.

Meanwhile, plans were afoot to take the programme forward with the development of an extended range surface-to-air missile (ERSAM) which would greatly enhance its range form the present 70 km, they indicated.