Change of guard at HAL: Raju takes command | Promises to make HAL a tech powerhouse

HAL's new Chairman T Suvarna Raju.

(Unedited HAL Release)

Mr. T. Suvarna Raju who has a distinction of being granted the first patent in HAL in January 2002 has been entrusted Addition Charge as Chairman, HAL. He took over from Dr. R.K. Tyagi here today. “Given the high expectation built around the Company, my priorities would be to concentrate on operational excellence, and build the company as technology powerhouse”, says he. He is committed to set the HAL as one of the best examples that align with “Make-in-India” endeavour of the Government of India and he believes that doing so may be a challenging job in the aviation filed, however not impossible because he strongly believes that “the Best of Technologies can never be bought, it can only be developed”. “I would like HAL to grow as knowledge based organization”, he emphasises.

Born in a humble village of P. Vemavaram of Tanuku (West Godavari) district in Andhra Pradesh (A.P.), Mr. Raju, an Engineering Gratudate, joined HAL on June 26, 1980 as Management Trainee. Unfazed by the extreme work hours and challenging goals, Raju not only continued to deliver and meet his professional goals and targets, but also continued perusing is academic interests. Raju, attended prestigious Indian Institute of Technology at Chennai. Raju was selected and attended the elitist National Defence College. Raju also undertook academic program at National Law School of India University relating to Intellectual Property Rights. He obtained his Masters in Business Administration as well as Masters of Philosophy in Deference and strategic Studies.

The combination of professional responsibilities and academic exposures provided Raju an edge in leading a number of new initiatives and out of box solutions. Under the leadership of Raju, INDIA achieved self-reliance producing 25kN turbofan engines. Raju led drafting of HAL’s first R & D policy, HAL has now applied for an unprecedented 1000 patents in last two years. He also conceptualised, prepared and implemented a number of automation and real-time systems. Raju is recognized for his achievements time to time. One of the feather in has cap is the Dr. Biren Roy Trust Award by the Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) for his unstinted efforts in planning and establishment of new technologies at HAL.

Under his leadership Raju heralded a new era in research and development programmes that covered LCA, LUH, LCH, IJT, HTT-40, Jaguar DARIN-III, Mirage Upgrade etc., Significant milestones have been achieved on R&D front with delivery of first series production LCA-Tejas aircraft and ground test vehicle run of LUH. He implemented the concurrent engineering to facilitate the development and production of new aircraft. He also developed the concept of performance based logistics for military aircraft.

Mr. Raju has been instrumental in taking various path breaking measures to make R&D set up of HAL more competitive. He was responsible for drafting of first ever R&D policy of the Company that has shaped various policy initiatives in last few years. With his leadership, all the design centres were brought under the ambit of Committee of Institutional Network (COIN) to synergize the learning across the organization. The policy has enabled creation of a corpus for the R&D by keeping aside 10% of Operating Profit after Tax.

He also contributed towards success of Jaguar production and overhaul facilities establishment at HAL. He has the distinction of having experience in Design & Development, Manufacturing, Maintenance and Upgrade of various types of platforms. Mr Raju was instrumental in establishing production line of Hawk Mk 132 aircraft and its record delivery. He managed the Mirage 2000 aircraft maintenance project which has the distinction of on time deliveries without any cost over-run.

Mr. Raju has been member of various High Level Teams formed by Ministry of Defence (MoD) for assessing the Techno-economic viability of acquisitions. He has been a member of various studies constituted by Indian Defence services and has received commendations for his professional involvement and contributions.

Currently, Mr. Raju is the Chairman of the Bangalore Chapter of AeSI and is the first Member Secretary of Design Development Management Board (DDMB) established by Ministry of Defence (MOD). He is also Member Secretary, National Aeronautics Co-ordination Group.

Sizzling Saturday | Top 10 frames today's A-V launch

10 frames from today's A-V launch that should inspire you. The pix have been numbered from 1-10. These are painfully smile emoticon captured and processed for your pleasure from an official video released by the DRDO. Enjoy! Red the OneIndia report here: http://bit.ly/1BCBdSi

Video of today's A-V launch: Courtesy: DRDO

Agni-5 canister launch a hit: DRDO

 By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Photos: DRDO

The surface-to-surface Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-5 was successfully test-fired on Saturday morning. This was Agni-5’s third launch and the first from a canister.

Top Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) sources confirm to OneIndia that the missile took off from Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast, at 8.09 am and met all parameters during it --- flight.

As reported by OneIndia earlier, with the successful launch of Agni-5, the Missile Cluster of DRDO gave a perfect and emotional parting gift to its outgoing chief Dr Avinash Chander.

Dr Chander is scheduled to step down from the top post today. 

“All mission parameters were met. It was a dream flight. To us it was 200 per cent successful. We couldn’t have asked for a better result. It’s an emotional day for all of us,” one of DRDO’s Director General’s told OneIndia.

Full report here: http://bit.ly/1BCBdSi

Breaking on Tarmak007

* Agni-V launch successful.
* Significant milestone
* DRDO terms it as a 200/% success.

‘Additional charge’ syndrome grips govt: Mathur for DRDO, Raju for HAL

Mathur offering prayers at Rajghat on the occasion of Martyr's Day.

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Continuing with its stream of ‘Additional Charge Appointments,’ the Narendra Modi Government on Friday sprang yet another surprise.

Defence Secretary R K Mathur was handed over additional charge of Department of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) for a period of three months.

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) too will have a new Chairman from Saturday evening with the ACC handing over the additional charge to T Suvarna Raju, who is currently the Director Design.

The government had on January 2 this year appointed Dr Shailesh Nayak as the Secretary, Department of Space (DoS) and Chairman Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This move came after the retirement of Dr K Radhakrishnan on December 31, 2014.

The Modi government began the innings in May this year by handing over the crucial Defence Ministry’s charge to Arun Jaitely, who had also the responsibility of being India’s Finance Minister. 

• Key decision-making positions must be filled on priority and stand-by appointments will only add to the confusion.

(Abridged version of the story above. Full report here on OneIndia: http://bit.ly/1Df2Cf)

OneIndia Special: Driver’s musical missiles hit Kalam’s heart

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Missile Man Dr A P J Abdul Kalam will probably remember his recent visit to Bengaluru -- a city that’s has gifted him many memorable moments –- for a long time to come. This time, it was not the technological and scientific advancements of the Aviation Capital that inspired him. But, the musical prowess of Nandeeshwar Acharaya, a 52-year-old driver from the VVIP protocol pool of the Karnataka government. 

Nadeshwar Acharaya was assigned to drive Dr Kalam’s bullet proof vehicle on January 19 during the former President’s one-day lighting visit to the city. Little did he realise that the man on the wheels is a master in music, violin and flute.

Sharing details with OneIndia, Dr Kalam said it was a pleasant surprise for him to have a driver with so much of talent. ”After the Parikrama Science Festival at IISc, I was proceeding to attend the next function at a school. We also had a musical event to attend the same day. Once my car started Nandeeshwar told me about his interest in music,” Dr Kalam told OneIndia during an exclusive interaction at Karnataka Raj Bhawan.

* I am thankful to God that I met Nandeeshwar: Kalam* Unsung heroes mattered to ex-Prez always* Driver’s story even in speech copy* Kalam Sir is God for me.

Read the inspiring story of an unsung hero on OneIndia:http://bit.ly/15WucDR

HAL confirms BrahMos trials from Sukhoi

OneIndia link here: http://bit.ly/1uAXmhg

Tejas has put India on a vibrant technology flightpath: HAL Chairman Tyagi

 By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) Chairman Dr R K Tyagi said that the Company is on a steady flight-path to break into the list of Top-20 world Aerospace and Defence firms in the next couple of years. In an exclusive and freewheeling interview granted to OneIndia, the soft-spoken taskmaster of HAL also predicted that Company has all the capabilities to attain the Maharatna status by 2019.

Tyagi’s three-year tenure can be marked as a period that witnessed minimum controversies, though his fierce critics within still opine that he could have ‘done more.’ 

“Yes, I do agree I could have done more, but I would appreciate if a man’s worth is marked by what he did within the available time and constrains. I have taken criticisms head-on and never feared to justify my stand. I took over as HAL Chairman at a time when the Company was going through a series of uncertainties, which you might have reported extensively.

My main aim was not only to bring new-tech to HAL in the name of modernization, but also to upgrade the skills of my people, right from the shop-floor, through a series of HR reforms,” Tyagi was candid with his take-off remarks.

* HR reforms remained main focus

* Modernisation got more teeth

* Bold steps for a better future

* More Tejas to justify Make in India dream

Read the full interview on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1wAE5Mx

Inspiring images from Republic Day Parade

All photos: MoD | More photos can be viewed on Tarmak007 @ FB here.

Jan 26 Special | Not just Barack Obama, young naval officer Sub Lt Chippy is also a R-Day star

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

When US President Barack Obama witnesses the Republic Day Parade on Rajpath on Monday, he might not be aware of the story of a young naval lady officer, who will be part of one of the marching contingents. It will be day filled with mixed emotions, pride and great sense of satisfaction for Sub Lt Chippy K Devasia, who will be among the 148 strong Naval Marching Women Contingent, during the R-Day Parade. Chippy and her colleagues will also march into the history books for being the first all-women naval marching contingent ever during the R-Day Parade. Similar to the Navy, the Army, and the Indian Air Force are also fielding all-women contingents this year, drawing inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision to exhibit ‘Nari Shakti’ on January 26.

* Her’s is a story of determination

* Life took a different turn at INA Ezhimala

* Her father’s Bhagavd Gita lessons gave her strength

* Bonding at its best during R-Day Parade 

* Pride of Tricolour matters the most

To read the above starred sub-headings in detail and to know more about Chippy's inspiring life, hit the OneIndia link, here: http://bit.ly/1yHjNqn

Also read: Lt Cdr Priya & team ready to steal the show at Rajpath

OneIndia Exclusive | My job is to clear all hurdles for forces: Manohar Parrikar

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Thirteen hours of non-stop meetings, facility visits, speeches in between, listening to attention-seeking officials, visitors and photo sessions hardly seemed to have frazzled India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. 

Parked a few metres from his make-shift office was a Service aircraft ready to transport him and the battery of officials to the next destination. “The take-off is at 8 pm,” reminded one of his aides.

Parrikar adjusts his reading glasses and says matter-of-factly. “You go ahead with your questions, I am listening.”

He takes a look at the watch. “It’s 7.40 (pm). Okay, go-ahead,” he says, nodding his head. It was time for a really supersonic interview before the scheduled take-off at 8 pm. Excerpts from the interview granted to OneIndia.

* IAF keen on Tejas squadron at the earliest

* My job is to clear all the hurdles

* Forces need to be motivated

* ‘I don’t need any publicity’

Read the above bullet points in detail on OneIndia: http://bit.ly/17WKIo2

Parrikar gets tech taste; IAF gets first Tejas

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Jan 17: Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar got a taste of the technologies being trumpeted by DRDO, HAL, BEML and BEL during a 13-hour supersonic visit to Bengaluru on Saturday. As reported by OneIndia earlier, Parrikar also handed over documents of the first Tejas series production (SP-1) aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha.

HAL must think out-of-the-box:  While patting HAL for giving thrust to the Tejas project in the last couple of years, Parrikar reminded the DPSU to be smart in their thinking process.

“I want HAL to think out-of-the-box so as to meet the time-line challenges. HAL must also apply the right management tools,” the minister said.

Parrikar wanted HAL to give thrust in the areas of research and technology by exploiting the existing knowledge base. “One does not achieve everything over-night. But by modifying our work culture and by adopting better technology and tools we can achieve the results better,” he said.

* Reluctant IAF finally toes the line

* Tyagi’s dream finally takes wing

* Parrikar rings the BEL

Full report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/15cNtR7

OneIndia Exclusive: Super-charged Agni-5 farewell awaits DRDO Chief

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Jan 17: A fitting tribute for his four-decades-plus selfless work awaits India’s top missile brain and outgoing Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Dr Avinash Chander.

Top sources have confirmed to OneIndia on Saturday that the much-talked about canisterized version (cold launch) of the surface-to-surface Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Agni-5 will now in all likelihood be held on January 31 from Wheeler Island, off the Odisha coast.

On the same day, Dr Avinash will step down as the DRDO chief following the Modi government’s bolt-from-the-blue decision to terminate his contract, citing his age and ‘inability’ to change the system.

Top scientists from DRDO’s eight labs have begun the preparations for the critical trial of the 5000-km missile, with the launch campaign teams having started to move to Odisha. 

If all plans go as per the script and the missile zeroes in on its target, then it would be an emotion-charged reply by Dr Chander’s shishyas to the ‘Yes Ministers’ in the government.

For Dr Chander too, it will pave the way for a head-held-high exit from the top office, which he otherwise was eligible to occupy till May 2016.

A section of the media had earlier reported that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected to witness the 3rd launch of A5, with no official confirmation coming from the PMO or the Ministry of Defence. 

In short, India will probably witness for the first time the launch of a nuclear-capable missile, tipped with emotion, anger and gratitude.

* Third launch of Agni 5, first from a canister

* Dr Avinash – the main architect of A5 

* Exemplary leadership 

* Father of Indian nav systems

* No media interaction, focused on work

Read the full report, here:  http://bit.ly/1B1zOa9

OneIndia Exclusive: Parrikar to review DRDO, HAL projects in Bengaluru

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Jan 16: Two days after owning up the responsibility for recommending the contract termination of India’s top missile brain and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chief Dr Avinash Chander, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar will touchdown in Bengaluru on January 17 morning for the review of critical projects. 

Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources told OneIndia that Parrikar’s office, currently facing the heat for targeting one of the most-revered defence scientists in India, has given instructions not to have any media interaction during his lightning one-day visit. He is expected to visit the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) during the first half of the day. 

* Empowered Committee on LCA meeting 

* Aero-cluster review also being lined up 

* A low-key Tejas handing over event likely 

* HAL’s proposal with MoD 

* Dr Avninash Chander to be absent 

Read the full report at OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1KQwbt1

Snapshots from Army Day Parade

Also read a OneIndia report on the 515 Army Base Workshop in Bengaluru. Link here: http://t.co/9Fyu4CxCpx

Axe effect on DRDO Chief: Right move, wrong man

https://twitter.com/writetake

Bengaluru, Jan 14: Love your job, but never fall in love with your Company. Because you’ll never know when the Company stops loving you! Not sure whether Dr Avinash Chander, India’s top missile scientist, whose services have been unceremoniously terminated by the government, ever remembered this old adage. Well, the Company in this case, could be the government. 

So Dr Avinash, who is currently the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief, can now plan for his long holidays, read his favourite books and need not wake up early morning to catch a flight. He need not call for a review meeting post mid-night ahead of a missile launch either. And, after January 31, 2015, he will be free to write columns in newspapers and defence magazines on whether India should go for MMRCAs or make more LCAs. Or rightfully, comment more openly on whether India needs a DRDO or not. 

Deserved a gracious exit: Almost 18 hours after deciding to replace Dr Avinash, India’s brand new Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar made a bold statement. “I had recommended that the position should not be held by a person on contract,” he told journalists, owning up the responsibility for the ‘axe effect.’ Not sure whether it was a clever ‘cover-up’ job by Parrikar to divert the resentment being expressed by many in the last 24 hours – all directed at his boss, Mr Narendra Modi. 

Many felt that the top scientist, who delivered the first Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) to the nation, deserved a better treatment. His was appointed by the UPA-2 and was given a three-year tenure purely on his merit. All that will now become history as Dr Avinash, who was left with 15 more months in office, will have to make a silent and sad exit.

Silent because he wouldn’t now probably want a farewell, otherwise reserved for the top chair. Sad as people will now remember him as DRDO’s terminated boss.

Clean track record so far: The Missile Complex in Hyderabad, where most of his pet projects took birth, was in a state of mourning on Wednesday. “There is no charge-sheet against him. He is not involved in any scams, he is neither a fraud. There will be a big void in DRDO’s structure and the cohesiveness will reach an all-time low,” a senior Director of one of the labs told OneIndia.

Dr Avinash, unlike previous DRDO bosses, never bothered to brand himself much and he always backed his men, if the reasons were genuine. “After the partial success of Nirbhay missile, there was tremendous pressure on our team. Many questioned our capabilities and wondered why a Bengaluru-based lab was making missiles. The media reports too played its part. But Dr Avinash constantly told us to stay focused and ensured that he took all the blame all the time,” says another senior scientist.

“And when the missile was a hit during the second launch, he ensured that all the credit was given to us,” says the scientist. 

Delays many and the captain takes the hit: The media selectively picked up PM Modi’s ‘chalta hai attitude’ comment and projected the same as the main reason for Dr Avinash downfall. It unfortunately painted a picture that blamed Dr Avinash for all the ills of DRDO. The innumerable number of delayed projects, senior officials’ grouse against him within the DRDO for not getting promotions, the media’s constant anti-DRDO campaign and a demanding government at the helm of affairs ensured that Dr Avinash’s exit was imminent.

“Young scientists are deeply hurt and demoralized with the government’s decision. He had established a deep connect with us. He always told us the importance of working for the motherland and not chasing money. I still have preserved my resignation letter on which he wrote – No way, we need you,” says a middle-level scientist now part of a team working on a new missile project.

Insiders say that Dr Avinash was identifying all projects that were fetching bad name for DRDO. “He was clear that areas DRDO couldn’t make any breakthrough needed to be closed down and three such projects had already been notified in that direction,” another scientist said.

Did DRDO ignore Modi’s warning bell? While addressing a DRDO event in Delhi last year soon after taking over as the PM, Modi had expressed his wish of DRDO handing over the reins of a couple of labs to youngsters. Though a top Director General had earlier told OneIndia that the process of identifying youngsters had begun, nothing substantial ever came out. Moreover, the DRDO never grabbed Modi’s wish and followed-upon on his dream of running DRDO on new set of tyres.

Parrikar’s statement becomes more meaningful in the context of PM’s wish. “We should introduce in scientific world, slightly younger generation," he said.

However, many online defence enthusiasts are already taking on the government for the surprise move. “What is the logic? If a 64 years old guy is not fit to run an organisation, how is 64 years old Modi fit to run the country,” so goes a comment. “Parrikar’s statement is for media consumption. Why would he not be informed before being removed to bring in young blood? So, his 40 years of service is all waste now?” asks another.

Agni-V will be his best moment: Under Dr Avinash’s leadership, India successfully designed and developed the 5000-km range Agni-5 strategic weapon system propelling the country to the elite Club of five advanced nations having ICBM capability. It brought a quantum jump in technologies such as composite rocket motors, high precision navigation, advanced avionics and world-class mass fractions. He pioneered the design of Multiple Independently Targeted Re-Entry Vehicle (MIRV) and Maneuvering Re-entry Vehicle (MaRV).

His list of achievements is surely long, but he definitely ran out of luck at fag end of career. Modi & Co definitely could have given a better send-off to a man who put India on a map that most nations couldn’t dream of. But then, the DRDO too will have to take the blame for probably not listening to the Master, who is definitely in a hurry to bring ‘Achhe Din.’

Mr Modi deserves a pat on the back for taking a bold step aimed at the much-needed course-correction of DRDO. Just that he probably picked up the wrong guy on the chopping block. And, hence Dr Avinash became a ‘famous scapegoat.’

Sorry Dr Avinash Chander. You deserved a better deal!

Copyright@OneIndia

Modern military needs intellectual inputs, says Marconi Prize winner Dr Paulraj

 

By Anantha Krishnan M

https://twitter.com/writetake

Saturday, 10 Jan 2015 was a historic day for India’s military aviation. It was on this day in 2011, after many delays, debates and doubts, the Indian Air Force (IAF) reluctantly gave the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC-1) to the desi bird – the Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas).

Exactly four years later, Tejas added another chapter to its long list of achievements on 10 Jan 2015, when it flew for the first time fitted with a home-grown electronic warfare suite. Sadly, it was on this day in 1970 that India lost a great Test Pilot in Group Capt Suranjan Das, after his plane -- the HF-24 Mk IR -- crashed in Bengaluru.

For the hardcore devotees of aerospace and defence, 10 January gifted yet another moment. Dr Arogyaswami Paulraj, the man who revolutionised wireless technology for the benefit of mankind and the recipient of the prestigious $100,000 Marconi Prize for 2014, addressed a gathering of military brains in Bengaluru. He was delivering the key-note address to the Second Admiral R L Pereira Memorial Lecture, organized by the Navy Foundation, Bengaluru Chapter.

PMO seeks Dr Paulraj’s suggestions: The Marconi Prize, considered as the Nobel Prize of Information Technology, is instituted by the Marconi Society and Dr Paulraj is the second Indian to have won it after Prof Yash Pal. Dr Paulraj, a recipient of Padma Bhushan, donated the entire prize money back to the Society for undertaking advance research in education.

Prime Minister Naredra Modi is said to have met Dr Paulraj during his current visit to India. The Prime Minister’s Office has sought Dr Paulraj’s help while discussing India’s approach to high tech communication technology. He is currently an Emeritus Professor at the Stanford University and travels extensively to China and the United Kingdom as well.

Full report on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1B3JceD

Navy Chief meets NLCA heroes | NP-2 all set for maiden flight

Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan with the heroes of NLCA project Cmde C D Balaji (Retd) Project Director LCA (Navy), extreme left, and Commodore Jaideep Maolankar, extreme right, the pilot who undertook the historic ski-jump of NP-1 from SBTF, Goa.
(Below) Balaji and Maolankar.  Photos: Tarmak007

Navy Chief Admiral R K Dhowan on Saturday met with the Naval LCA team from Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and congratulated them for the recent successful NP-1 trials in Goa. The NLCA had its maiden flight from the Shore-Based Test Facility (SBTF) in Goa, thereby crossing a critical milestone.

The Navy Chief interacted with Cmde C D Balaji (Retd) Project Director LCA (Navy) and Commodore Jaideep Maolankar, the pilot who undertook the historic ski-jump of NP-1 from SBTF. Later speaking to OneIndia, Cmde Balaji (Retd) said that the second prototype of NLCA (NP-2) will soon have its maiden flight.

“We are done with most of the tests barring a few. We are hopeful that the NP-2 will have its first flight within a weeks’ time,” Cmde Balaji (Retd) told OneIndia. 

Read the detailed story on OneIndia, here: http://bit.ly/1AAZ6vD

Active DAC good news for Indian defence

Manohar Parrikar

By Anantha Krishnan M

OneIndia

Bengaluru, Jan 1: The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has become more active since the Narendra Modi government came to power. The high-level body chaired by the Defence Minister has already taken some major decisions, much to the relief of the armed forces. Most importantly, the DAC has been meeting on a regular basis, fast-tracking crucial decisions.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had signed off Year 2014 by saying that the DAC had cleared deals (projects) worth Rs 78,000 crore in the last few months. “In this, Rs 65,000 crore alone is under the ‘Make in India’ category,” he had said. 

The decision to hold regular DAC meetings has been seen as a positive step by many who are closely monitoring India’s defence matters.

Jaitley set the tone: While handling the twin-post of Finance and Defence, it was Arun Jaitley who had decided to revitalise DAC. He had even a taken a jibe at the UPA regime, which had a shoddy track record of holding DAC meetings.

“The DAC has been meeting every month and hope this practice continues, unlike during the previous government,” Jaitley told in November last. “Since I became the minister, the DAC has been meeting every month and I hope the practice will continue,” Jaitley had said.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in its annual performance release claimed that the DAC has cleared proposals worth over Rs 1.50 lakh crore alone in a single year. “Most of the equipment and platforms, cleared by the DAC, will be manufactured in the country, either by the public or private sector entities, through collaborations and tie-ups with foreign manufacturing companies,” the MoD statement said.

DAC becoming vibrant, a good sign, says Matheswaran: Air Marshal M Matheswaran (Retd), former Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Policy, Planning and Development) and currently an Advisor to HAL, says that the DAC has become vibrant under the Modi regime. 

“The DAC meetings have become very regular now, which is a welcome move. Defence Minister Parrikar seems to be serious in conducting DAC and I am happy to see that the current regime is fixing the meeting dates in advance,” Matheswaran, a leading think-tank on India’s military matters told OneIndia.

Matheswaran said that the government’s decision to increase the FDI in defence to 49 per cent has been the highlight of year 2014. “I am also inspired to see the PM pulling up DRDO and DPSUs for non-performance. Accountability is the key,” he said.

He said through the ‘Make in India’ the government has made its intentions clear to help the private sector. “I would want to see some action on this front now,” Matheswaran added. 

DRDO will have a lot more to offer, says Tamilmani: DRDO Director-General (Aeronautical Systems) Dr K Tamilmani told OneIndia that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will have a lot more to offer in the coming years.

“The aeronautical cluster has done matured technology development over the years. The success of Nirbhay subsonic missile is a pointer towards our complete command over a variety of new-age technologies,” Dr Tamilmani said.

He said the DRDO will be happy to join hands with more private industries to build a vibrant eco system in the country. “The industry and user should be together from day one,” Dr Tamilmani said.

He said the Rustom UAV can be used by the Indian Coast Guard to monitor the international waters. “It is ideally suited to see whether our fishermen are crossing their boundaries. The way-point navigation will be handy for the Coast Guard,” the top scientist said.

Private sector wants more changes: In an exclusive interview (set to be published soon) to OneIndia recently, B V R Mohan Reddy, Founder and Executive Chairman of Cyient, an engineering, network and operations solutions company headquartered in Hyderabad, said that the MoD should create a conducive environment for private companies to do business.

“We are keen to do business with Indian defence organizations. But lots need to change in MoD,” says Reddy. 

Recent decisions by DAC: * Decided that all the 384 light-utility helicopters (LUHs) needed by the Army and Air Force to replace the existing Cheetah/Chetak fleets will be made in India with foreign collaboration.

* To build six submarines in India at a cost of about Rs 50,000 crore and to purchase over 8,000 Israeli anti-tank guided missiles and 12 upgraded Dornier surveillance aircraft.

* Acquisition of 22 Apache attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters from the US will continue. 

* Approved the purchase of Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare Suites (torpedo decoys and active towed array sonars) to be fitted on seven stealth frigates and four destroyers, which are to be built in India. 

* Approved proposals for Rs 4,444 crore, including the purchase of four survey vessels at Rs 2,324 crore.

The all powerful DAC: As reported in these columns earlier, the DAC was set up in October 2001 following recommendations from Group of Ministers (GoMs) on ‘Reforming the National Security System.' The need for DAC was felt post-Kargil conflict and this high-level body is chaired by the Defence Minister.

Other members include: Minister of State for Defence, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Defence Secretary, Secretary Defence Research & Development, Secretary Defence Production, Chief of Integrated Staff Committees (HQ IDS), Director General (Acquisition) and Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

The main aim of the DAC is to fast-track procurement process of the armed forces by optimally utilising the available budget.

Copyright@OneIndia