Indian Defense
Centre Seeks Details On Tesla’s Manufacturing And Investment Plans Before Its Debut In India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost the manufacturing sector, has welcomed international investors if they increase domestic production.
While Tesla is getting close to making its debut in India after receiving approval to produce or import four models in the country, automakers around the world are monitoring how New Delhi reacts to the company’s demand for lower tariffs and company’s strategies for the Indian automobile market.
According to Business Standard, a senior government official has revealed that the Centre has asked billionaire Elon Musk’s automobile manufacturing company to share its manufacturing and investment plans in the country.
Tesla met with top government officials about a month ago and the California based electric vehicle maker was requested to submit its proposal in detail.
The source said: “We want Tesla to do business in India. But the relation has to be reciprocal. India should gain in terms of investment, employment.”
The world’s largest electric car manufacturer had received the licence to sell four models in India as of the end of August. Although no release dates or prices have been disclosed, it is expected that electric vehicles would be accessible in the country by the end of the year.
Getting a footing in India’s automotive market will be difficult, given that electric vehicles account for only 1 per cent of the country’s yearly car sales and Tesla vehicles are extremely pricey.
Tesla CEO Musk plans for initial sales in India to consist of imported vehicles. However, since news about Tesla’s local operation in Bangalore leaked, media sites have speculated that the company aims to produce cars in India as well.
In late July, Musk said on Twitter: “If Tesla is able to succeed with imported vehicles, then a factory in India is quite likely.”
While Musk hinted at an Indian plant, which would provide a boost to the country’s economy, he also encouraged the Indian government to make concessions, specifically on the country’s high tariffs on electric vehicles, that range from 60 to 100 per cent.
Musk also responded to a tweet saying that India’s “import duties are the highest in the world by far of any large country!”. However, he also noted that Tesla is “hopeful that there will be at least a temporary tariff relief for electric vehicles”.
Tesla’s proposal for a tax deduction on imported electric vehicles received a mixed response. The move has the support of Volkswagen AG’s India unit and Hyundai Motor India Ltd., while Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. has called for a reassessment of import duties as well as lower domestic levies.
In August, Tata Motors Ltd. Chief Financial Officer P.B. Balaji said the government should keep the existing electric vehicle subsidy plan, which emphasises localization and affordability of electric vehicles.
The Indian government has stated that it does not intend to reduce import tariffs on electric vehicles.
According to Krishan Pal Gurjar, who was just appointed into the cabinet as the Minister of State in the Ministry of Power and Heavy Industries, the Centre has no proposal to smoothen Tesla’s entry into India. He also added that the government is however taking steps to promote the use of electric vehicles by lowering domestic taxes and adding charging stations.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “Make in India” initiative, which aims to boost the manufacturing sector, has welcomed international investors if they increase domestic production.
India subsidises electric vehicles, with the goal of having them account for around 30 per cent of all new vehicles sold in the country by 2030, up from less than 1 per cent now. Suzuki Motors, India’s largest passenger car seller, plans to introduce electric vehicles by 2025.
The Indian government is striving to modernise the country’s electrical mix, which now relies heavily on coal. Electric vehicles are crucial to India’s high-tech and environmental ambitions, which will be aided by the growing usage of renewable energy sources.
As per recent reports, the union government has decided to provide approximately $3.5 billion in incentives to automakers over five years as part of a revised scheme to boost the manufacturing and export of clean technology vehicles.
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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