Delhi Concerned Over High
Cost of Ship Missiles
India plans to further
expand its strategic ties with Israel through more R&D projects to develop
hi-tech weapon systems, as also clinch several deals in the pipeline, but has
expressed concern over the exorbitant costs involved in deploying a
jointly-developed surface-to-air missile system on frontline Indian warships.
Sources said this came
through in the 12th meeting of the high-powered joint working group between the
two countries, co-chaired by defence secretary G Mohan Kumar and director
general of Israeli defence ministry Major General Udi Adam (retd), which was
held in New Delhi on July 13.
Though there has been no
official word on the JWG meeting, sources said defence minister Manohar
Parrikar has red-flagged the “high costs” involved in production of the
medium-range surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) systems called Barak-8 by Israel.
First, there was a huge
delay by DRDO-Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) joint venture to develop and
test the MR-SAM systems, which are to be produced in bulk by defence PSU Bharat
Dynamics Ltd (BDL). Now, the projected costs in deploying them have also raised
eyebrows.
As earlier reported by TOI,
while the naval MR-SAM project was sanctioned by the Cabinet Committee on Security
in December 2005 at an initial cost of Rs 2,606 crore, the IAF one for nine
squadrons worth Rs 10,076 crore was cleared in February 2009. While the naval
system was tested for the first time in November 2014, the IAF one was tested
thrice earlier this month.
With an over 70-km
interception range against enemy aircraft, drones and missiles, the naval
MR-SAM has already been fitted on the three new Kolkata-class destroyers. But
each MR-SAM system is now projected to cost around Rs 1,200 crore for the 12 under
construction warships in Indian shipyards, including aircraft carrier INS
Vikrant, four guided-missile destroyers and seven stealth
frigates.“Consequently, the orders are on hold as of now. A review to cut costs
is in progress” said a defence ministry source.
This has also led to the
estimated Rs 14,000-crore Army project to acquire these MRSAMs, which come with
missiles, launchers, surveillance and threat tracking radars, and fire control
systems, to be kept in abeyance till now.
The JWG also discussed
probable joint R&D projects in fields like high-endurance UAVs (unmanned
aerial vehicles), micro-satellite surveillance systems, armoured vehicles and
different types of missiles and precision-guided munitions, said sources.
Then, there are several
big-ticket deals in the pipeline. These include two more Israeli Phalcon AWACS
(airborne warning and control systems), which are to be mounted on Russian
IL-76 military aircraft, and four more Aerostat radars.
The IAF is also on course
to acquire 164 laser-designation pods or ‘Litening-4’ for fighter jets like
Sukhoi-30MKIs and Jaguars as well as 250 advanced ‘Spice’ precision stand-off
bombs capable of taking out fortified enemy underground command centres.
The Army, in turn, is
looking to acquire the Israeli third-generation Spike antitank guided missile
systems, with an initial 321 launchers and 8,356 missiles, which too is making
slow progress due to the high costs involved. The force is likely to go in for
an initial two regiments of the Israeli Spyder quick-reaction SAM systems to
defend its forward units for enemy air strikes.
Source : The Times of India
(Delhi)