News Story: India Signs $737M Ultralight Howitzer Contract

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India has signed a much awaited $737 million contract for the procurement of 145 M777A2 LW155 ultralight howitzers. 

The deal was inked Wednesday with the original equipment manufacturer, the US subsidiary of BAE Systems. 

A formal Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement will be signed with the US government on Thursday, according a top Ministry of Defence (MoD) official.

BAE Systems executives here were unavailable for comment.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: No Timeline Put Aside to Lift Ban on Blacklisted Defense Companies

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — Even after the public release of its new blacklisting policy, India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) has not set a timeline for lifting the ban on those defense companies already blacklisted, with a top MoD official saying that in "some cases" the blacklisted status may continue. 

The MoD on Monday released its new policy, "Guidelines of the Ministry of Defence for Penalties in Business Dealings with Entities," meant to ensure that scrutiny and transparency exist in future defense deals. 

Under the new guidelines, current blacklisted companies that are under investigation, as well as former blacklisted businesses, will be examined and a new grading system of penalties will be determined, the MoD official noted. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: India's DAC Approves Blacklisting Policy, Other Procurement Projects

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India's Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) on Monday approved a new policy regarding the blacklisting of defense companies charged with corruption. The agency also approved $12.61 billion worth of new homemade defense projects. 

The formal blacklisting policy guideline will be published on the website of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in the next few days. DAC falls under the purview of Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar. 

Companies alleged to have been involved in corrupt practices or illegally influenced defense contracts will be severely punished, and the blacklisting of a company will comprise several levels of punishment and embargos, said a senior MoD official. 

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: India Changing Policy on Blacklisting of Foreign Defense Companies

By: Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — India will not implement blanket blacklisting of foreign defense companies charged with corruption under a newly finalized policy that likely will be made public this month, said an Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) official. 

Since 2005, India has blacklisted six overseas companies from operating here in response to allegations of corruption while doing business in the country. Instead of blocking a business from defense deals, India will impose an economic penalty on the company. 

The MoD official would not say if those companies already blacklisted will be allowed to participate in future defense projects after the new policy is enacted. However, the official did say the MoD is in favor of allowing those companies to participate in defense projects so long as they agree to deferred prosecution. The official would not expand on this approach. 

The ruling government believes the blanket blacklisting policy, which was used by the previous United Progressive Alliance government, led to shortages of ammunition and artillery guns and hampered the acquisition process, according to the official.

Read the full story at  DefenseNews

News Story: Elbit and ST Kinetics introduce LAND 400 CRV contender Sentinel II

by Robert Nutbrown

Team Sentinel, primed by Elbit Systems of Australia, has shown off its offering for LAND 400 Phase 2 in Tasmania, where Elphinstone would manufacture the Sentinel II combat reconnaissance vehicle, if successful.

The 8×8 Sentinel II vehicle – complete with Tassie devil paint scheme – is based on the Singapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics) TERREX 2 hull and driveline as shortlisted for the US Marine Corps’ Amphibious Combat Vehicle Phase 1, Increment 1 (ACV 1.1) program. Also known as the TERREX 2-35, because it has a gross vehicle mass of 35 tonnes, the Sentinel II is fitted with an upgraded drivetrain and more powerful engine.

The Sentinel II is equipped with a variant of Elbit’s manned (but convertible) MT30 turret, fitted with a 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster cannon. This turret could be changed over to the unmanned UT30 configuration in four to six hours; for instance, such a decision could be made once a vehicle has been deployed. The UT30 Mk2 has been put on vehicles for Brazil, the Philippines and Israel.

Sentinel II is fitted with the latest generation of Elbit’s battle management system, integrated with the weapons systems and defensive systems to create Weapon Integrated BMS (WINBMS).

Read the full story at ADBR

News Story: Singapore Concludes Busy Week of Exercises and Meetings

Terrex ICV (Image: Wiki Commons)

Wendell Minnick

Terrex 2 Moving Forward

TAIPEI – The 22nd Exercise Cope Tiger, a trilateral air exercise between the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), and the U.S. Air Force concluded on March 18 during a closing ceremony at Korat Air Base, Thailand.

According to a press release issued by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), this year’s exercise included 87 aircraft, 48 ground-based air defense systems, and around 2,000 personnel, including Singapore’s Israeli-built Heron-1 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).

According to MINDEF, the Heron-1 is a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAV for strategic reconnaissance and surveillance operations and built by the Israel Aerospace Industries. It was inaugurated into the Singapore’s UAV Command in 2012 to replace the Searcher-class UAV for the 119 Squadron at Murai Camp. The Searcher had been in service since 1994. Singapore’s Heron-1 also participated in the 2015 Forging Sabre Exercise in Phoenix, Arizona. The Singapore UAV Command also operates the Israeli-built Hermes 450 UAV, which is stationed with the 116 Squadron at
 Tengah Air Base.

Conducted annually since 1994, Cope Tiger is a two-phase exercise conducted first, December 8-11, at the Multinational Operations and Exercise Center in Changi Naval Base, Singapore, then, March 7-18, with a flying training exercise at Korat Air Base, Thailand.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: Team Sentinel's Land 400 Bid revealed

Team Sentinel, primed by Elbit Systems of Australia (ELSA), has put forward their SENTINEL II platform in response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s Land 400 Mounted Combat Reconnaissance Capability (MCRC) request for tender.

The SENTINEL II is an integrated combination of the in-service Singapore Technologies Kinetics TERREX 8X8, the in-production Elbit Land System’s MT30 turret, and a networked combat system forming the next generation generation of the Australian Army’s current Battle Management System. 

“The SENTINEL II is optimised for mounted close combat with the capability and capacity to meet emerging and future threats. It is a highly protected, lethal and flexible combat reconnaissance platform with a battle proven networked combat system at its core,” Dan Webster, Managing Director of ELSA said.

Named after the first Australian built armoured fighting vehicle, the SENTINEL II will be manufactured and supported in Australia by a team of Australian partners with proven experience in advanced manufacturing capability and delivery. Team Sentinel has plans to produce and further develop the SENTINEL II in Australia, ensuring ongoing sustainment and growth of Australian defence technology skills and capability.

Read the full story at Australian Defence

Editorial: India’s Artillery Procurement Saga

M-777 Howitzer (File Photo)

By Debalina Ghoshal

A deal with the US appears to have fallen through. Could a local supplier be ready to step up?

Napoleon once said, “God fights on the side with the best artillery.” There is little doubt that the Indian Army’s artillery is in urgent need of modernization. That much was clear after the Kargil War, where artillery played a decisive factor. But delays in procurement are hindering the process. Take 155 mm towed howitzers, a key element of India’s artillery. India hasn’t purchased a new system since the Bofors in 1980s. Senior Indian army officials have also raised concerns over shortages of modern artillery systems, which they believe would be a crucial drawback in any future conflict. Even though the Bofors proved its utility in the Kargil War, the Army has been notably lackadaisical when it comes to acquiring these types of guns, with tenders cancelled in 2007, 2009 and 2010.

So in 2012, with then Indian Army Chief, General V.K Singh warning of gaps existing in India’s military preparedness, the Ministry of Defence cleared a $647 million deal to acquire 145 M777 155-mm 38-caliber howitzers under Washington’s Foreign Military Sales program, after the Army conducted a “series of rigorous trials” of the gun.

In October 2013, however, it was reported that British multinational BAE Systems would be closing the U.S. factory that manufactures the gun, due the “absence of any order or commitment from New Delhi.” If New Delhi wants the guns, it will have to pay to reopen the line, raising the price to as much as $885 million. A recent strengthening of the U.S. dollar makes the deal even more expensive. Washington points out that if India had been able to move more quickly, it could have had the guns at the lower price.

Read the full story at The Diplomat

News Story: New Indian Govt. Eases Standards on Company Blacklisting

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — India’s newly elected government will not cancel defense contracts or blacklist overseas defense companies until charges leveled against them are proved by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a Defence Ministry source said.

That decision came in the form of a directive from Indian Defence Minister Arun Jaitley during a recent meeting of senior MoD officials.

Between 2005 and 2009, the ousted United Progressive Alliance government had barred Singapore Technologies Kinetics, Israel Military Industries (IMI), Zurich-based Rheinmetall Air Defense, Corporation Defense Russia and South African company Denel from doing defense business in India for the next 10 years.

While the CBI recommended barring these companies, none of the charges that they received kickbacks have been proved.

Even the chiefs of the Indian Army, Air Force and Navy who had met Jaitley criticized the blanket blacklisting and cancellation of orders of some overseas defense companies, the MoD source added.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

News Story: ST Engineering Parades New Defense Products and Deals at Air Show

By WENDELL MINNICK

SINGAPORE — Singapore-based ST Engineering exhibited a variety of new systems and equipment at the Singapore Airshow in what was the largest exhibition space at the show — 2,000 square meters.

“The exhibits are a concrete demonstration of the group’s response to the needs and requirements of modern military and paramilitary forces,” said an ST Engineering press release.

ST Engineering showed off the new STK 5.56 Bullpup multirole combat rifle and the STK conventional multirole combat rifle, a new family of rifles with multirole capabilities; the bionic regenerative active energy system, which converts the mechanical energy generated by the soldier from moving during missions into electric energy to power soldier systems or other low-power electronic devices; and the new USTAR family of modular unmanned aerial vehicles.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

Industry: New 40mm ammunition for Australia

DSEI, London, 11th September 2013 - Australian Munitions and Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics) have signed an agreement to cooperate in Australia and New Zealand for the development, manufacturing and marketing of ST Kinetics’ world-leading 40mm low velocity, extended range, and air bursting ammunition.

The two companies will focus on making new 40mm capabilities available to the Australian Department of Defence and establishing supply from within Australia. They will also look to introduce an innovative supply chain approach which includes reciprocation of supply. 

ST Kinetics designs and manufactures a comprehensive range of 40mm weapons and ammunition, Fire Control Units and ammunition as systems, and has an unrivalled pedigree in this essential battlefield capability. Its innovative 40mm ammunition solutions also include air bursting, camera surveillance and even self-destruct rounds. The company’s 40mm ammunition is currently in service with a number of ABCA (American, British, Canadian, Australian) countries.

Thales

News Story: India-Singapore Defense Ties Strong Despite Industry Blacklisting

By Vivek Raghuvanshi

NEW DELHI — The blacklisting of ST (Singapore Technologies) Kinetics in 2009 on alleged involvement in kickbacks with the Indian Ordnance Factories Board will not affect defense ties between India and the Indian Ocean island nation, says visiting Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

Speaking at a lecture organized here Nov. 20, Hen said, “Singapore has a working mechanism where even defense companies recognize that they have to work themselves as per international norms, and ST Kinetics is well poised to defend itself.”

However, Indian Defence Ministry sources said Singapore raised the issue of blacklisting at the diplomatic level in the past when India canceled a tender for light howitzer guns in which BAE systems and Singapore Technology were competing.

Read the full story at DefenseNews

ST KINETICS’ TERREX SELECTED BY THE U.S. MARINE CORPS FOR THE DEMONSTRATION PHASE OF THE MARINE PERSONNEL CARRIER PROGRAMME

TERREX (Wiki Info - Click to Enlarge)

Singapore, 6 November 2012 – ST Kinetics’ TERREX, an advanced generation all-terrain 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) has been accepted by the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for the demonstration and studies phase of the Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) programme as part of a consortium led by Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC), a global Fortune 500 scientific, engineering and technology company based in Virginia, USA. The SAIC team will be supplying a customised version of the TERREX and basic hulls to be put through a 12-month period of performance trials and testing that includes the areas of mobility, swimming capability, troop-carrying capacity and survivability.

“The selection of the TERREX for the demonstration and testing phase of the USMC MPC programme along with three other 8x8 vehicles from established defence industry players is a firm recognition that the TERREX has come into its own in the highly competitive APC space. We are very glad to be part of the SAIC team to offer the TERREX as an effective and affordable solution for the MPC programme.” ~ Patrick CHOY, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, ST Kinetics

The TERREX 8x8 APC meets the demands of the warfighter for superior mobility and high survivability. It is designed to allow technology insertions such as a battlefield management system, and data and communications systems for full integration into the modern networked battlefield. With its integrated all-round camera system, the TERREX provides its crew excellent situational awareness even during closed-hatch operations under demanding conditions.

ST Kinetics

ST Kinetics and SAIC Team For Marine Personnel Carrier Programme

TERREX 8x8 (Wiki Info)

Singapore, 23 March 2012 - ST Kinetics, the land systems arm of ST Engineering, and Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) today announced they will team for the upcoming U.S. Marine Corps Marine Personnel Carrier (MPC) programme.

The MPC will provide U.S. Marine infantry formations with an advanced generation eight-wheeled armoured personnel carrier.  The MPC is intended to be a highly protected and swim-capable vehicle, with requirements shaped to provide a balance of performance, protection, and payload to ensure it is effective across the full range of military operations.  The MPC programme calls for the production of approximately 100 units per year for up to 7 years, with initial awards for the testing and demonstration phase expected in April 2012.

"The SAIC and ST Kinetics team will base its offering on the modern TERREX 8x8 Armoured Personnel Carrier already fielded by the Singapore Armed Forces.  By using existing and proven technology, tailored to Marine expeditionary requirements, we will be able to quickly deliver a simple, elegant, enduring and USMC-usable capability to meet the programme's critical needs and schedule." ~ Dan ZANINI, Senior Vice President and Landforce Systems Operation Manager, SAIC

Under the teaming agreement, SAIC will serve as the prime contractor for the MPC programme, with both companies combining their ground vehicle integration, design, production, fielding, and support expertise to field and provide the best solution to the U.S. Marines.

"We are proud to field ST Kinetics' TERREX as the basis for our team's offering for the USMC MPC programme.  We are confident that the advanced design of the TERREX, particularly in the areas of survivability and crew habitability, will underpin an effective and affordable solution usable by the US Marines in a myriad of tough environments." ~ Patrick CHOY, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, ST Kinetics

ST Engineering

ST Engineering's Land Systems Arm Updates its Delhi High Court Hearing

Singapore, 22 March 2012 - Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering)'s land systems arm, Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), refers to the earlier announcements made on 6 and 8 March 2012 in relation to the debarment by Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) from business dealings with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

ST Kinetics wishes to update the outcome of the court hearing on 21 March, which is a continuation of earlier court proceedings on the three petitions it filed with the Delhi High Court.

The Delhi High Court ruled that in light of the OFB Order, the three petitions have lost their relevance and hence disposed off.  It gave directions that ST Kinetics has the liberty to file fresh petitions to challenge both the OFB Order as well as the MoD's earlier decisions to put ST Kinetics' defence business activities on hold.

ST Kinetics intends to vigorously take appropriate actions to clear its name and defend its reputation.

ST Engineering

Update on Announcement on the Debarment (of ST Engineering) by Indian Ministry of Defence

Singapore, 8 March 2012 - Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering)'s land systems arm, Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), refers to the earlier announcement made on 6 March 2012 in relation to media reports on the debarment by Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) from business dealings with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

Further to the announcement, ST Kinetics would like to update that it has since received an Order dated 5 March 2012 from the OFB ordering: (a) the "cancellation of all agreements" with ST Kinetics, specifically a Non-Disclosure Agreement signed on 11 August 2008 with the OFB; and (b) that ST Kinetics be debarred from entering into any contract with the OFB for a period of 10 years.

ST Kinetics is seeking legal advice on the Order by the OFB and intends to vigorously take appropriate actions to clear its name and defend its reputation.

As announced previously, ST Kinetics has never won any defence contracts in India.  This development has no impact on ST Kinetics' defence business as India has not been a market for its defence export sales.

ST Engineering

ST Engineering's Land Systems Arm Clarifies Media Reports on the Debarment by Indian Ministry of Defence

Singapore, 6 March 2012 - Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering)'s land systems arm, Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd (ST Kinetics), refers to various media reports on the debarment by Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) from business dealings with the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB).

While the Indian media has since 2009 reported that Indian authorities have blacklisted seven companies including ST Kinetics in a corruption investigation (alleged blacklisting), there were no official statements or notifications from the Indian authorities to ST Kinetics on the alleged blacklisting.

Since 2009, we have offered the authorities full cooperation and assistance as appropriate to clear our name. We had even offered on several occasions to open our account books for inspection by the Indian authorities but these offers were never taken up by them.  Following the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation's investigation report (First Information Report) made in May 2009 on its corruption investigations, charges were pressed against several companies and individuals for alleged wrongdoings.  However, to-date no formal charges have been made by any Indian authorities against ST Kinetics or any of its employees in relation to the alleged blacklisting.

To seek clarification on the alleged blacklisting and to protest against the arbitrary suspension of ST Kinetics' defence business activities, we have filed three petitions with the Delhi High Court.  The petitions were accepted by the Delhi High Court in March 2011.  In all the court hearings and its affidavits filed, the MoD repeatedly stated that ST Kinetics is not blacklisted, and that the "putting on hold" of ST Kinetics' defence business activities is but an interim arrangement only.

With this latest ruling by the MoD, we will seek legal advice and we intend to vigorously take appropriate actions to clear our name and defend our reputation.

We stress that we have not won any defence contracts in India, now nor in the past, through OFB or the MoD.  This development has no impact on ST Kinetics' defence business as India has not been a market for its defence export sales.

As a responsible public listed company, we abide by all laws and regulations stipulated by the local government and we engage fully in good corporate governance practices.

ST Engineering

News Story: India Blacklists 6 Firms Linked to Bribery Case

By VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI

NEW DELHI — India has formally banned six defense companies — including Singapore Technologies Kinetics, Israel Military Industries (IMI), Zurich-based Rheinmetall Air Defence and Russia’s Corporation Defence — from doing business with the state-owned Ordnance Factory Board and the Ministry of Defence for the next 10 years, the ministry announced.

All six companies are connected with the bribery scandal that led to the 2009 arrest of Sudipto Ghosh, the former director-general of the Ordnance Factory, according to the ministry’s official statement.

Read the full story at DefenseNews