Indian Army Air Defence Corps : Updates & Discussions

After Russia protests, MoD to take call on $2.5 bn deal

By Manu Pubby
Jan 07, 2020, 07.10 AM IST

The high-powered Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) is expected to look into the matter this month and decide on a way ahead for the critical purchase of self-propelled air defence gun missile system (SPAD-GMS), people aware of the development said.
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After extensive trials in all terrains, including the deserts, the only system to qualify for the 104 systems contract was the K-30 Biho (Flying Tiger) developed by South Korea’s Hanwha Defense.

NEW DELHI: The defence ministry is set to take a call on a $2.5-billion purchase of new air defence systems for the Army after Russia strongly protested the selection of a South Korean manufacturer and sought a re-evaluation, claiming it was unfairly disqualified.

The high-powered Defence Acquisition Committee (DAC) is expected to look into the matter this month and decide on a way ahead for the critical purchase of selfpropelled air defence gun missile system (SPAD-GMS), people aware of the development said.

The Indian Army wants five regiments of the guns that can be deployed with forward moving forces and can be quickly relocated on the basis of threat perception.

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After extensive trials in all terrains, including the deserts, the only system to qualify for the 104 systems contract was the K-30 Biho (Flying Tiger) developed by South Korea’s Hanwha Defense. Two separate systems offered by Russia — upgraded Tunguska M1 and Pantsir missile systems — failed the tests, with the most critical being mobility trials where they could not perform as per the requirements, sources said.

While Hanwha was shortlisted early last year, the case has not moved ahead to the next stage of price negotiations mainly due to several objections and complaints by the Russian side, including a formal complaint to the ministry’s internal monitoring committee that monitors acquisition cases.

Russia is seeking another chance for field trials to prove its systems meet all technical requirements.

The Army, however, has been satisfied with the quality of the trials and is believed to be in favour of moving on the acquisition case to the next stage of price negotiations, sources said.

Selection of the K-30 Biho came as a shock to the Russian side that has been the traditional supplier of mobilised ground systems to the Indian Army.

A final call on the matter will have to be taken by the DAC, where the issue is expected to come up shortly. Report of the internal monitoring committee will be taken into consideration before a final decision is made.

The case for acquisition of the air defence systems commenced in 2013, with all competitors going through several rounds of trials that took two years to complete. The selection of K-30 Biho was the second major win for a Korean system in India, after the procurement of the K-9 `Vajra’ self-propelled artillery systems.

After Russia protests, MoD to take call on $2.5 bn deal
 
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CDS should look into it, and make IA and IAF to jointly procure this system. Larger order will improve our position , similar approach should be taken for AAA procurement.

IAF does not use this system

It is a Mobile Anti aircraft QRSAM for IBGs and Strike Corps
 
The OSA as of atleast 2019 1st quarter is operational with IAF. Was it upgraded or not, cannot say for sure.
Originally IAF had 25 S125 squadrons and 6 OsaAK squadrons.

6 squadrons of Akash were ordered after 2010. 2 were previously in service. And recently another order of 7 more squadrons is in pipeline.

Cannot say for sure if any of these Akash units have replaced any Osa units.

3 or 4 Spyder squadrons should be there. If any Osa unit has been retired, it's likely been replaced by any 1 or 2 squadrons of Spyder.

MR SAM orders when start coming will likely replace the still left S125 units out there.
 
India Will Be Picking Up Artificial Intelligence-Enabled Military Tech From South Korea At The Defexpo 2020

By Prabhjote Gill
Feb 4, 2020, 16:11 IST
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South Korea-based Hanwha's Hybrid Biho, self-propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System

Defence minister Rajnath Singh announced that India and South Korea may be singing some new deals during the DefExpo 2020. He also emphasised the importance of artificial intelligence (AI) and its military applications. Hanwha Defence, one of the South Korean companies which will present at DefExpo 2020, plans to bag $2.5 billion in new deals.

Defence minister Rajnath Singh hinted that India and South Korea may partner to develop AI-enabled military technology at the DefExpo 2020. The expo is set to kick off tomorrow in Lucknow. Although he didn't mention what expertise will be exchanged, he claims that the agreement will "leverage mutual strengths and digital application and other advanced technologies."

Singh met with South Korea's defence minister, Jeong Kyeongdoo-Doo in New Delhi earlier today. The countries exchanged a list of possible areas for defence cooperation.

At the time of writing this article, the Korea Defence Industry Association, Korea Aerospace Industries and Hanwha are the three South Korea defence manufacturers confirmed at the 5-day event. However, Business Korea claims that ten companies, including LIF Nex1, will be present at the DefExpo.

"The outlook for Korea's defence industry has been murky for immediate and long-term. The Indian deal can be an impetus," a South Korean industry official told Pulse News.

For South Korea, India is the world's second-largest buyer of weapons having spent $13.9 billion in 2018 — and the DefExpo 2020 is the perfect opportunity for them to try and crack that shell. Not only is the expo the biggest defence industry event in Asia, but it's also the biggest one for India till date.


Hanwha Aiming For $2.5 Billion

Currently, Hanwha collaborates with Larsen & Toubro and the Indian Army to produce the K9 Vajra-T. As much as 80% of the tank is manufactured and produced in India. According to Indian Defence Industries, Hanwha is looking to more opportunities for collaboration — especially in ammunition and defence electronics.

At DefExpo, Hanwha's main attraction will be its self-propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System along with other products like artillery systems K9/K10 and the K200 armoured personnel carrier.

"We are planning to showcase Hybrid Biho at the exhibition for the first time to impress the Indian army officials," a Hanwha Defence official told Korea Times. "We hope it gets recognition for its excellent quality and brings a positive effect to the delayed contract process," he said.

According to the local publication, the Korean defence giant is aiming to bag deals worth $2.5 billion at the exhibition.

KAI Is Looking To The Indian Air Force

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KAI-EUROCOPTER KUH-1 Surion twin-engine, transport utility helicopter

Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) is also looking to bag some new deals at the DefExpo 2020. It plans on putting its KT-1 basic training aircraft centre stage in hopes of wooing the Indian Air Force.

"Currently, the Indian air force is changing its basic trainers and we want to supply our planes there," a KAI official told Korea Times. "We will showcase the FA-05, a light attack aircraft, and Korean Utility Helicopter named Surion too, but the KT-1 will be our main item at DefExpo 2020," he added.

South Korean companies won't be the only ones competing for attention from the Armed Forces. The exhibition will feature international majors like Airbus, Dassault Aviation, Lockheed Martin and Thales.

This will also be the first DefExpo to host an India-Africa Summit. Overall, there will be over 1.000 defence firms from over 40 countries present at the DefExpo 2020.

India will be picking up AI-enabled military tech from South Korea at the DefExpo 2020
 
VSHORAD missile system, SPAD-GMS deal to be placed before Defence Acquisition Council

By Srinjoy Chowdhury | National Affairs Editor
Updated Mar 14, 2020 | 01:01 IST

Several major issues related to the deal will be placed before the DAC, likely on March 18 and perhaps, the last such meeting in this financial year.

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Two much-needed weapon systems, mired in controversy for months after a series of complaints, will be placed before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) very shortly.

Specially appointed monitors have finally 'cleared' the two weapon systems-- the Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD) and the Self Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System (SPADGMS)-- and they can be placed before the DAC headed by defence minister Rajnath Singh and including chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat and the three service chiefs. The green light for both systems came after a recent high-level meeting in South Block. Both are big deals and while the Russians are favourites for the VSHORAD project, the front-runners for the SPADGM system may be the South Koreans. The VSHORAD project is of course for all three services, the SPADGM System could accompany the Army's strike corps during offensive operations. Five regiments are likely to be procured.

VSHORAD missile system, SPAD-GMS deal to be placed before Defence Acquisition Council
 
Another Russian arm twisting we buying outdated shit called igla S where new verba available qudos to all believed in make in India
 
Another Russian arm twisting we buying outdated shit called igla S where new verba available qudos to all believed in make in India

The opposite. The Russians wanted to replace their Igla offer with Verba, but MoD rejected it because it can't be done in the middle of the process.
 
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The opposite. The Russians wanted to replace their Igla offer with Verba, but MoD rejected it because it can't be done in the middle of the process.
What ever we are buying a outdated shit for billions where our on products strands in red tap if Antone questions this governance he will became anti national am not going further I have no intention to derail the discussion but am really disappointed on this government
 
What ever we are buying a outdated shit for billions where our on products strands in red tap if Antone questions this governance he will became anti national am not going further I have no intention to derail the discussion but am really disappointed on this government

Verba is naturally more advanced than Igla-S, but if Igla-S was outdated, then it wouldn't have cleared the army's evaluations. Also, evaluations are conducted by the forces, not the government. So I don't know how you find the govt at fault here.

Although I would also prefer buying the Verba, it's not a big deal anyway. The Igla-S is sufficient for its needs and will be replaced after 2040, when significantly more advanced aircraft will become available. Until then, most of the aircraft the Igla-S will face will be current 4th gen jets. The Verba isn't a significantly more advanced SAM, and the competitors are not next gen either.

Yeah, this is unnecessarily offtopic, but our posts will eventually be moved, so again, not a big deal.