Interview: ThyssenKrupp Marine ready for complete transfer of stealth and composite technology

08 Mar 2010 8ak: ThyssenKrupp Marine’s Rear Admiral (retd) Jonathan Kamerman in an exclusive conversation with 8ak mentioned, that Thyssenkrupp was ready for complete Transfer of Technology (ToT) to India. “As a basic business philosophy we transfer technology fully, meaning complete transfer of design expertise, local construction expertise, technical assistance, follow up, post sales support etc. to our customers,” said Kamerman. 

On the programs in India, he said that besides its main product offering, the frigates, ThyssenKrupp was also involved in developing high-tech materials like providing composite materials for existing warships having problems with steel and stability. Referring to India’s ship building infrastructure, Kamerman said that India had a wide and mature ship building base, but had declined in logistical and technological modernity. Adding further he said that it was in the latter area that they could help India. 

On the commercial front, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems is in the process of selling a majority stake in its Greece-based Hellenic shipyard, which is also the largest shipyard in the country to Abu Dhabi Mar (ADM) group. Full news

In terms of submarines, the company is signing a contract by Kockums AB, a part of ThyssenKrupp Marine, with FMV (the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration), for the design phase of a next-generation submarine, to be known as the A 26 class. 

8ak interview: Eurocopter's Yves Berenguer speaks about Indian RFPs; also sale of 7 helicopters to Pawan Hans & partnership

06 Mar 2010 8ak: Eurocopter’s Yves Berenguer spoke to editor of 8ak, Manu Sood, on the programs his organisation was bidding in India and the plans of the company in the future. He elaborated on the possibility of tie ups with other private companies and its partnership with defence public sector undertaking, Hindustan Aeronautical Limited (HAL). He revealed to 8ak that the company was bidding for the ongoing 197 light utility helicopter (LUH) program. Apart from the LUH program, the company is looking forward to the Multi role helicopter program for which they are proposing the E-725 platform, which can serve the purpose of all three wings of the armed forces. He also told 8ak that the company was not bidding for the attack helicopter program the Indian requirements are too stringent.

In addition, India’s state owned Pawan Hans helicopters has announced the purchase of 7 new Dauphin AS 365 N3 helicopters from Eurocopter. The companies have further signed two MoU's for setting up a Maintenance Repair and Overall (MRO) of Dauphin helicopters targeting South Asia and also a flight training simulator centre. At Aviation India, Hyderabad, Eurocopter and Pawan Hans spokespersons expected that both agreements would be operationalised before the end of 2010.

Mr. R. K. Tyagi, Chairman & Managing Director, Pawan Hans said, “As the Indian helicopter market expands, we see tremendous opportunity for Pawan Hans in the oil & gas, tourism and corporate travel segments."

Separately, the Hindu reports that Indocopters, a Vectra Group company and distributor of Eurocopter in India, is planning to invest about Rs. 150 crore in expanding its 3 MRO centres in India.

Sagem looking for Indian partner for Felin, the French Soldier Modernisation program

23 Feb 2010 8ak: At Defexpo 2010, the French Naval Industry Group (GICAN) brought along some soldiers equipped with the 'Felin' suite of products that are France's version of a modernised soldier. Captain Maurel gave Manu Sood, 8ak a demonstration of the equipment that goes in to making a modern soldier. The system comprises various new developments but we noticed the ergonomic body armour, latest generation of optronics and C4i systems for the digitised battlefield. The last of these is the most important as the solider can transmit data (photos, location, conversation etc) to-and-fro central command. The total weight of this system is 26kg including everything right down to the laces.

The lead contractor in developing this system was Sagem. While the program was initiated in 1993, Sagem's Denis Pinoteau said (see video) that they have been extensively testing the system in various continents in the last 6 years. Based on this experience and having built the entire system with indigenous technology, Sagem is now looking for an Indian partner to jointly sell the system in India.

Late last year the French ministry ordered another 16,454 FELIN suites for the French Army from Sagem taking the total to 22,588 systems and a reported development cost of close to Euro 1 billion (~6,600 crore).

Afghanistan: U.S. mine protected vehicle blown up in Marjah

22 Feb 2010 CBS News: (This is not an 8ak video) The IEDs are getting more and more powerful in Afghanistan. Only a matter of time before they reach India. It is surprising how important the war in Afghanistan is to Indian security but next to no coverage in mainstream media.

Sri Lanka war hero and defeated presidential candidate arrested

10 Feb 2010 8ak: Sri Lanka war hero and defeated presidential candidate General Sarath Fonseka was arrested by the military police from his office in Colombo. The arrest was made on Monday evening under the provisions of 57(1) of the Army Act. Under the Army Act an Army officer can be punished within six months of retirement for incidents he is responsible for while holding the position.

Soon after the 26 January elections concluded, the stage had been set for the former chief’s arrest after President Rajapaksa had accused Fonseka of planning a plot to assassinate him and his family, a charge which was refuted by the army chief. The relations between the president and Lankan General, who was elevated to the ceremonial post of country’s only four star General as the Chief of Defence Staff after leading his forces to victory against the LTTE, marking an end to 30 year old civil war, turned sour after he was asked to step down by the Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa amidst fears of coup.

Even during the elections, the campaign was marred by a series of personal attacks wherein, the general was accused of corruption in arms deal by favouring his US-based son-in-law’s company. IBN reports Fonseka's wife's claim that the Sri Lankan government is framing him whereas Indian Express reports that media people will be questioned over the alleged coup plot. 

Raytheon's small win in UAE underscores the growing tensions in the Middle East & North Africa

08 Feb 2010 8ak/Raytheon PR: Raytheon has bagged US$170 million US air force order for producing AGM-65D and AGM-65G2 infrared-guided Maverick air-to-surface missiles for the United Arab Emirates through Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route. “The Maverick family is a best-value solution for the warfighter who needs a direct-attack weapon and the infrared-guided Maverick is ideally suited to counter high-speed manoeuvring sea targets such as swarming boats," said Harry Schulte, vice president of Raytheon Missile System's Air Warfare Systems' product line.

Stratfor recently reported that the U.S. is speeding up arms sales to middle-east countries to be better able to protect themselves against a nuclear Iran. Analysts believe that this is the only way to stop the entire region from going nuclear. Making the area more volatile is the fact stated by U.S. President Obama that large sections of some of these countries like Yemen are not under government control. 

The issues are complicated by the large number of nations with their own agendas. Huffington Post had a good overview of the various conflicts that Israel has engaged itself in with its neighbours. Russia continues to grow its arms sales in North Africa with a US$1.8 billion arms sales to Libya.