Indian Defense
TATA Motors Among Big Firms Shortlisted To Bid For BEML
Ashok Leyland Ltd, Bharat Forge Ltd, Tata Motors Ltd and Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL) are among potential bidders shortlisted to buy a 26% stake in state-run defence equipment maker BEML Ltd, said two people aware of the matter.
Others who made it to the shortlist could not be ascertained immediately.
These four companies among others had submitted expressions of interest (EoIs) to purchase the government’s stake in BEML. After selection, they have been issued the request for proposal (RFP) document and given access to BEML’s data room and production sites, said one of the two people cited above said, requesting anonymity.
BEML, the maker of military hardware such as the Prithvi missile launcher, operates in three major business segments—defence and aerospace, mining and construction, and rail and metro. It has nine plants across Bengaluru, Kolar Gold Fields, Mysuru, Palakkad and Chikkamagaluru.
SBI Capital Markets Ltd is the transaction adviser for BEML’s divestment plan. The shortlisted firms were earlier asked to disclose any business ties with either China or Pakistan due to the strategic nature of BEML’s operations.
“Bharat Forge, Tatas, Ashok Leyland and MEIL have been selected post EoI and are in the RFP stage. They have cleared the qualification criteria and are doing due diligence,” said one of the two people cited above.
The government, which owns 54% in BEML, invited EoIs on 4 January to partly sell its stake in the company and also transfer management control. The department of investment and public asset (Dipam) had initially set 1 March as the deadline for submitting interests, but later extended it to 22 March.
A spokesperson for SBI Capital Markets declined comment.
A spokesperson for Ashok Leyland in an emailed response said, “As a policy, we do not comment on speculation.” A spokesperson for TATA Motors in an emailed response said,
“We have no comments to offer on this at present. Do note that as a policy, we don’t comment on speculation.”
Queries emailed to the spokespeople for the finance ministry, Dipam, Bharat Forge and MEIL on Sunday night remained unanswered.
Mint had earlier reported about companies such as TATA Motors and Ashok Leyland looking to seek control of BEML as part of their strategy to grow their defence manufacturing businesses and cut dependence on the core commercial vehicle business, which is cyclical in nature.
“We want to extract the maximum value (from the stake sale),” a senior government official said, requesting anonymity.
The government seeks to raise ₹1.75 trillion from asset sales in FY22, sharply higher than the ₹32,845 crore raised through disinvestments of state-run firms in FY21, when India, along with other nations, was hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The government’s ambitious strategic disinvestment program has gained traction with ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steel company; Sajjan Jindal-led JSW Steel; MEIL and Tata Steel among shortlisted bidders for Neelachal lspat Nigam Ltd.
The other big-ticket privatization plans are for Air India and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
Disinvestment receipts, which touched ₹1 trillion in 2017-18, declined to ₹84,972 crore in 2018-19 and further to ₹50,299 crore in 2019-20.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
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.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
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.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
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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