PM Narendra Modi announced an indigenisation list of 101 items

Air India resumes Bengaluru -San Francisco non-stop service

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the ‘Fourth Positive Indigenisation List’ of 101 items during the opening ceremony of DefExpo 2022 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. All the items included in the lists will be procured from indigenous sources as per provisions given in Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. This list provides continuous impetus towards self-reliance in defence.

The key constituents of the Government’s ’Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ are focused on transforming the defence sector to achieve self-reliance and boost the export of Defence items with the active participation of public and private sectors. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has taken numerous steps to achieve ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and Positive Indigenisation Lists is one of the landmark initiatives towards achieving that vision.

The fourth list has been prepared by MoD after several rounds of consultations with three services and all stakeholders, including the industry. It lays special focus on equipment/systems, which are being developed and likely to translate into firm orders in the next five to ten years. Like the first three lists, import substitution of ammunition, which is a recurring requirement, has been given special focus. This fourth list recognises the growing capacity and capabilities of the Indian defence industry and is likely to stimulate the potential of domestic research & development by attracting fresh investment into technology and manufacturing capabilities.

Air India, in line with its vision to strengthen and expand its global footprint, is resuming its nonstop flight connecting Bengaluru to San Francisco. This will connect the world’s two tech hubs – the original Silicon Valley and the Silicon Valley of India. The flight will operate thrice a week on Fridays, Sundays, and Wednesdays with the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft The first flight AI 175 will leave Bengaluru at 1420 hrs. (Local Time/LT) on 2nd December 2022, to arrive in San Francisco at 1700 hrs. (LT) on the same day. The first return flight AI 176 will leave San Francisco on 2nd Dec 2022 at 2100 hrs. (LT) to arrive at Bengaluru on 4th Dec 2022 at 0425 hrs. (LT)+2. The direct distance between Bengaluru and San Francisco is 13,993 km approx. and the cities are diametrically at opposite ends of the world with a time zone change of approx. 13.5 hours. The total flight time on this route will be of more than 17 hours depending on the wind speed on that particular day. The route for this flight will be the safest, fastest, and most economical. This will take Air India’s India-US frequency to 37 non-stop flights per week. At present, Air India operates non-stop flights from Delhi to New York, Newark, Washington DC, San Francisco and Chicago and from Mumbai to Newark. Air India is set to spread its wings further in the United States with the commencement of its first-ever non-stop service between Mumbai and San Francisco and to New York.

AVNL Aims Big in Global Defence Market

Adityanand Srivastava

Chairman and Managing Director, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL)

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) is committed to foray into International Defence Export Market for exploring new ventures and possibilities. AVNL is exploring the export opportunities and interacting with Defence Attaches of various countries and channel partners engaged by the company, said Adityanand Srivastava, Chairman and Managing Director, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL). Speaking to Aeromag, he talks about the business operations and future plans of the company.

Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) has developed a new variant of Mine Protected Vehicle designed for CRPF, which may be useful for other Armed Forces also. Could you talk more about it?

Mine Protected Vehicle 6x6 is the latest product of AVNL. It was designed and developed indigenously at Vehicle Factory Jabalpur, a Unit of Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited (A Govt. of India Enterprise). The MPV (6x6) is powered by 320 HP BS-IV diesel Engine generating a peak torque of 1250 N-m.

The vehicle is designed to provide highest level protection against blast under the hull/tyre, it also provides with blast attenuating seats for all crew members for maximum safety. Entire body of the vehicle is designed to give the highest level of protection against ballistic threats. Tyres are fitted with run flat inserts which can run up to 40 km at 40km/hr speed even after firing. Apart from these there are many safety features like self-recovery winch of 15 ton capacity for toeing/ recovery of vehicle.

The main features of the vehicle include HVAC system with individual ports for all crew, day/night vision camera, Pneumatic operated doors and bonnet, Dual safe braking system, five point seat belt for all crew, Public address system, four remoteoperated rotating search lights, and heatinsulated fire retardant interiors for better comfort of crew.

Vehicle has undergone running trials in plain area for more than 1300 km and hilly terrain (up to 15500 feet) for more than 700 km, and has performed exceptionally well on all performance parameters. No such vehicle has been tested in such extreme conditions of high altitude regions of Himalayas such as Kumzum pass, Lahul and Spiti valley, Kaza Valley and surrounding regions.

It is designed to sustain under-belly blast loads 15 kg, and side blast 10 Kg, with blast attenuating seats, and high mobility power pack it offers an optimal combination of mobility and protection.

Being an expert in armoured vehicle manufacture, what are AVNL’s plans in export sector? How strong is the export arm of the company?

AVNL is committed to foray into

International Defence Export Market for exploring new ventures and possibilities. As a beginning, AVNL exported 14.5 mm Artillery Trainers to Egypt. Further, AVNL is exploring the export opportunities and interacting with Defence Attaches of various countries and channel partners engaged by us. In this regard, AVNL has received export leads worth Rs. 1500 Cr.

How does AVNL support Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative in defence? How does the company support the ongoing modernisation of defence forces?

The biggest strength of AVNL lies in the indigenisation of tanks i.e. T-72 (96%), T-90 (80%) and BMP-II (98.5%). Further, in order to reduce the import dependency and attaining ‘Atmanirbharta in Defence’, AVNL has taken up indigenisation of major 38 Line Replacement Units (LRUs) i.e. major sub-assemblies of Tank T-72, Tank T-90, BMP-II and MBT Arjun. The Source Development Orders / Project Sanction Orders under Make-II have been issued and products are under design & development for test & trials. In 2022, total 6 items as under have already been indigenised- Electric Motor (T-90), Decontamination Set (TDP SET) (BMP-II), Starter Generator 18KW (T-90), Link Loading Machine Assy (T-72, T-90), Gyro Drift Indicator GPK-59 (BMP-II) and Cooling System (T-90)

AVNL strives to be a world class Armoured Vehicles Manufacturer and a trusted Global Brand. How does the company collaborate with foreign companies in terms of R&D and production?

AVNL is enhancing the capacity through modernisation of plant & machinery and planned an expenditure of over Rs. 300 Cr in next 3 years. AVNL continuously strives to achieve further modernization by focusing on areas of Industry 4.0 etc. Our three production units have recently taken projects for Artificial Intelligence (AI).

AVNL is also planning to invest Rs. 60 Cr in next 3 years for in-house R&D activities & projects like Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV), Light Tank, Armament Upgrade of BMP-II, Mobility upgrades of Engine etc. Government of India is strongly backing us and providing us with all support.

AVNL has signed MoUs with various foreign OEMs and other Indian major private players such as Ashok Leyland, Bharat Forge Limited, Tata, L&T etc for co-development of future products or assistance in this regard. Further, AVNL has signed MOUs with DPSUs, Govt. Agencies such as Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO), and academic institutions such as IIT Madras etc. 

Vietnam PM Opens India Pavilion

Prime Minister of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh inaugurating the India Pavilion at Vietnam Defence Expo. Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Mr. Sandeep Arya, Mr. T.Natarajan, Additional Secretary ( Defence Production),Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Govt.of India, Mr. P. Radhakrishnan, Director, Production, Bharat Dynamics Ltd also seen.

The Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, inaugurated the India Pavilion at Vietnam Defence Expo 2022. The inauguration was held in the presence of Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Sandeep Arya, T Natarajan, Additional Secretary (Defence Production), Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India, and P Radhakrishnan, Director, Production, Bharat Dynamics Ltd. The Chairmen and Managing Directors of various Indian companies were also present.