Latest news with #AMCA
The Print
5 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
Defence Secy bats for competitive bidding, says Centre cut red tape to save up to 69 weeks
He revealed that the 'government has already cut timelines across multiple stages of the procurement process, potentially saving up to 69 weeks'. Speaking at the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) Annual Business Summit held here Thursday and Friday, Singh emphasised the defence ministry's ongoing efforts to reduce procurement delays and implement structural reforms aimed at boosting private sector participation in the defence economy. New Delhi: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh has stressed the need to move away from the traditional nomination-based, cost-plus procurement model—historically dominated by public sector undertakings (PSUs)—and adopt competitive bidding to create a level playing field for both public and private defence manufacturers. He added that the ministry is currently revising the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 to better align with operational realities and expedite decision-making. Implementations of these reforms are underway in key programmes such as shipbuilding and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. As ThePrint reported in March, the ministry had then approved a proposal to nearly halve procurement timelines—an initiative expected to feature in the updated DAP, anticipated later this year. Among changes under consideration are introduction of deemed licensing beyond a defined time frame to ensure accountability, removal of outdated practices such as product reservation for defence PSUs and streamlining of procedural bottlenecks that have historically slowed defence acquisitions. Defence Secretary Singh's comments come at a time when delays in defence production and delivery remain a pressing concern. Earlier at the same event, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh also alluded to these challenges, citing constant delays in defence projects and failure to stick to delivery schedules, especially of fighter jets. 'While signing the contract itself, sometimes we are sure that it is not going to come up, but we just sign the contract. Uske baad dekhenge kya karna hai (we'll see what to do about it later). Of course the process gets vitiated,' he said. This was a direct reference to the contract for the 83 Tejas Mk-1A contract signed in 2021, delivery of which is yet to begin. ThePrint had in 2021 reported that while the IAF signed the contract with state-owned HAL, the fear was that the delivery would not begin on time. The first aircraft was to be handed over to the IAF in February last year. While assuring the private sector of improved ease of doing business and a level playing field, the defence secretary further stressed the importance of long-term investments in research and development, saying that the future of India's defence sector will rest on the depth of its innovation capacity. He underlined that companies without adequate engineering manpower, capital equipment or willingness to invest in R&D would have limited relevance in the country's strategic ecosystem. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief Dr Samir V. Kamat, who also spoke before him at the summit, echoed these views, stating that both the government and private sector must increase their R&D outlays. 'Today, we spend 5 percent of our defence budget on R&D. The Raksha Mantri has promised that in the next five years, this will be scaled up to 10 percent,' he said. He further stressed that the private sector must also match this commitment by dedicating a similar proportion of their budgets to research. Further, Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, during his remarks urged the industry to voluntarily commit a tenth of their budgets to innovation. Drawing a parallel with the Sikh practice of 'dasvandh', the tradition of donating one-tenth of one's earnings for collective welfare, he said such a step was necessary to build credible self-reliance in defence. (Edited by Amrtansh Arora) Also Read: India used this battlefield hack to keep Soviet-era missile systems firing against Pakistan in Op Sindoor
India Gazette
7 hours ago
- Business
- India Gazette
MoD slashed timelines for some processes in procurement cycle, saving about 69 weeks: Defence Secretary
New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has significantly shortened timelines for key processes in the military equipment procurement cycle as part of sweeping reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and advancing India's goal of 'Aatmanirbharta' in the defence sector, as per an official release. Speaking at a defence conclave in the national capital on Friday, Singh stated that the decision will save an overall 69 weeks, noting that the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 is being revisited to reflect current realities, shifting from the traditional nomination-based cost-plus procurement to a competitive pricing model where both public and private sectors can vie for orders. This approach is already being implemented for shipbuilding and recently for the AMCA project, he added. Singh's remark followed serious concerns raised by the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh during his address at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 on Thursday over persistent delays in defence projects, the systemic issue of unrealistic timelines, and their impact on operational readiness. Air Chief Marshal pointed at the recurring pattern of delays in project execution and criticised the practice of committing to unachievable deadlines in the context of the reported ongoing challenges with projects like the delivery of the aircraft. Singh emphasised the critical role of self-reliance in preserving India's strategic autonomy and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat while urging private industries to invest heavily in research and development (R&D) and capital equipment to strengthen the domestic defence ecosystem. Deliberating upon India's Defence Vision, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that it centres around Aatmanirbharta for preserving the strategic autonomy of the country. It is also critical in achieving the broader goal of Viksit Bharat, such as expanding our GDP from the current 4 Trillion Dollars to 32 Trillion Dollars by 2047, growing our manufacturing sector, enhancing India's start-up culture and widening our industrial base, generating employment and also its spin-off benefits that come from the dual use of technology. He underscored the impact of indigenisation over the past decade, stating that India has transitioned from being the top importer in 2015 to becoming one of the top 25 exporters today. Over 100 Indian companies are now exporting to 100-plus countries. The list of products includes missiles such as Brahmos, rocket launchers like Pinaka, simulators, armoured vehicles, the Dornier aircraft, different types of ships, offshore patrol vessels, etc. The upsurge in exports can be gauged from the fact that our exports have grown 30 times in the last ten years to Rs 23,622 crores in the last financial year. Our defence industry today includes 16 Defence PSUs, 430 licensed companies and approximately 16000 MSMEs. Domestic defence sales also increased from Rs 43746 crores in 2014 to Rs 127000 crores in 2023-24. Singh also highlighted record achievements in the financial year 2024-25, noting that the MoD has completely utilised the defence modernisation budget for the first time in the past five years and signed contracts worth a record Rs 2 lakh crores during the last financial year, which is the highest ever achieved and double that of the figures for 2023-24. This would ensure that the armed forces' modernisation process keeps pace. It would also help the Ministry demand a higher share in the union budget, leading to a minimum defence to GDP ratio of 2.5 per cent in five years as a first step and thereafter to 3 per cent in the medium term. (ANI)
The Print
12 hours ago
- Business
- The Print
All about J-35A, the Chinese fifth-generation stealth fighter Pakistan plans to acquire
Pakistan, the reports suggest, placed its official order in December 2024, with delivery of over 30 fighters anticipated between August 2025 and early 2026. Islamabad is said to have finalised the purchase of up to 40 of these stealth fighters from China. If the delivery takes place, it will mark the first international export of the aircraft which was unveiled in Zhuhai Air Show in November last year. New Delhi: The Chinese imprint on Pakistan armed forces is set to deepen further as reports suggest that Beijing is fast-tracking the delivery of its fifth-generation J-35A stealth fighter jet to its long-time ally. The deal is being hailed in the two countries as a game-changer for the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). The aircraft will complement and enhance the PAF's modernisation drive, which includes recent inductions of the JF-17 Block III and J-10CE fighters. Currently, India is pursuing its own project to develop a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet–the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA). On Thursday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced the approval of the AMCA programme execution model. Developed by Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC), a subsidiary of the state-owned Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), the J-35 is a twin-engine stealth multirole fighter evolved from the FC-31 Gyrfalcon prototype—a once privately funded project aimed at the export market after SAC lost the J-XX program bid to Chengdu Aircraft Industry Group. First introduced as the 'F-60' at a Beijing innovation contest in September 2011, the FC-31 took to the skies on 31 October 2012. Although initially outside China's official military development stream, growing interest from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) and the PLA Navy prompted the FC-31's transformation into two formal variants: a land-based J-35A for the PLA Air Force (PLAAF) and a carrier-based version for the PLA Naval Air Force (PLANAF). As of now, China is the only country besides the US (F-22 and F-35) to field two operational fifth-generation stealth fighters—the Chengdu J-20 'Mighty Dragon' and the Shenyang J-35. While the J-20 is tailored for long-range air superiority, the J-35A offers multirole versatility with a lighter footprint and greater export potential. Also Read: From non-delivery of fighters to constant delays & 'black sheep', IAF chief speaks out Copy cat? The J-35A is reported to come with next-generation avionics, sensor fusion systems, and a weapons payload capacity of up to 8,000 kg—2,000 kg internally and 6,000 kg externally. What catches the eye is the striking similarity it shares with the F-35 that often led to the accusation of the Chinese copying the American stealth fighter, a charge that has stuck with the Asian powerhouse given its notoriety of cloning technology either borrowed or stolen from Russia and the West. While both the J-20 and J-35A feature stealth and advanced avionics, they serve distinct roles. The J-20, with its larger airframe, more powerful WS-10C or future WS-15 engines, and extensive sensor suite, is designed for long-range air dominance. In contrast, the J-35A offers multirole agility and is tailored for medium-range missions. The J-20 remains China's flagship stealth platform, while the J-35A opens new possibilities for China's defense exports and allied force multipliers. The arrival of the J-35A in Pakistan will be a defining moment in South Asia's military landscape. Analysts suggest that the new stealth fleet could give the PAF a 7–14 year advantage in fifth-generation capability over India, depending on the AMCA timeline. The platform's success will depend heavily on seamless integration with Pakistan's existing infrastructure and China's continued support in training, logistics, and maintenance. Once operational, the aircraft will not only elevate Pakistan's aerial combat abilities but also underscore China's growing influence as a global defense supplier and stealth aircraft innovator. Aditya Shrikhande is an intern who graduated from ThePrint School of Journalism. (Edited by Tony Rai) Also Read: In wake of Jamnagar crash, a look at chequered legacy of IAF's SEPECAT Jaguar
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
MoD slashed timelines for some processes in procurement cycle, saving about 69 weeks: Defence Secretary
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Delhi [India], May 31 (ANI): Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh announced that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has significantly shortened timelines for key processes in the military equipment procurement cycle as part of sweeping reforms aimed at boosting efficiency and advancing India's goal of ' Aatmanirbharta ' in the defence sector, as per an official at a defence conclave in the national capital on Friday, Singh stated that the decision will save an overall 69 weeks, noting that the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 is being revisited to reflect current realities, shifting from the traditional nomination-based cost-plus procurement to a competitive pricing model where both public and private sectors can vie for approach is already being implemented for shipbuilding and recently for the AMCA project, he remark followed serious concerns raised by the Chief of Air Staff and Air Chief Marshal AP Singh during his address at the CII Annual Business Summit 2025 on Thursday over persistent delays in defence projects, the systemic issue of unrealistic timelines, and their impact on operational Chief Marshal pointed at the recurring pattern of delays in project execution and criticised the practice of committing to unachievable deadlines in the context of the reported ongoing challenges with projects like the delivery of the emphasised the critical role of self-reliance in preserving India's strategic autonomy and achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat while urging private industries to invest heavily in research and development (R&D) and capital equipment to strengthen the domestic defence upon India's Defence Vision, Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said that it centres around Aatmanirbharta for preserving the strategic autonomy of the country. It is also critical in achieving the broader goal of Viksit Bharat, such as expanding our GDP from the current 4 Trillion Dollars to 32 Trillion Dollars by 2047, growing our manufacturing sector, enhancing India's start-up culture and widening our industrial base, generating employment and also its spin-off benefits that come from the dual use of underscored the impact of indigenisation over the past decade, stating that India has transitioned from being the top importer in 2015 to becoming one of the top 25 exporters today. Over 100 Indian companies are now exporting to 100-plus countries. The list of products includes missiles such as Brahmos, rocket launchers like Pinaka, simulators, armoured vehicles, the Dornier aircraft, different types of ships, offshore patrol vessels, etc. The upsurge in exports can be gauged from the fact that our exports have grown 30 times in the last ten years to Rs 23,622 crores in the last financial year. Our defence industry today includes 16 Defence PSUs, 430 licensed companies and approximately 16000 MSMEs. Domestic defence sales also increased from Rs 43746 crores in 2014 to Rs 127000 crores in also highlighted record achievements in the financial year 2024-25, noting that the MoD has completely utilised the defence modernisation budget for the first time in the past five years and signed contracts worth a record Rs 2 lakh crores during the last financial year, which is the highest ever achieved and double that of the figures for would ensure that the armed forces' modernisation process keeps pace. It would also help the Ministry demand a higher share in the union budget, leading to a minimum defence to GDP ratio of 2.5 per cent in five years as a first step and thereafter to 3 per cent in the medium term.
India.com
16 hours ago
- Business
- India.com
Bad news for Pakistan China, Turkey as India is developing not only stealth fighter jet but 5th generation...
Bad news for Pakistan China, Turkey as India is developing not only stealth fighter jet but 5th generation.... The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is currently testing the Kaveri jet engine in Russia. Defence officials have told news agency ANI that the testing of this jet engine is in its final stages. Plan To Use The Engine In UCAV As per reports, only 25 hours of testing of the engine is left. The engine will be ready after the Russian authorities give it the green signal following all the tests. Officials told ANI that India is planning to use the Kaveri engine in its long-range Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). HAL Is Preparing CATS Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is developing the Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) Warrior. It is a 5th-generation unmanned wingman drone which is designed to work in conjunction with fighter jets. This drone is designed to perform a variety of tasks during combat missions. Will Keep Aircraft Pilots Away From Dangers The Indian Air Force's CATS system is designed to protect its aircraft and pilots by enabling the targeting and neutralisation of enemy air defences. The Mission Will Be Accomplished In Collaboration With AMCA The Combat Air Teaming System will carry out missions in coordination with the indigenously built 5th-generation stealth fighter plane AMCA. These CATS warriors will play a crucial role in eliminating the enemy's radar systems and missile launchers.
