Indian Military News, Reports, Data, etc.

[
In a major shift, the Defence Ministry has decided to purchase all 12 US-2 amphibious aircraft from Japan in flyaway condition under government-to-government deal, much like India is pursuing the Rafale fighter procurement.

This is for the first time after the World War-II that Japan will be exporting its equipment to a foreign military. The decision to shift the procurement process from ‘Buy and Make (Global)’ to ‘Buy Global’ was initiated this month, sources in the Defence Ministry told UNI.

“Procurement concept for 12 US-2 amphibian aircraft for the Indian Navy changed from ‘Make in India’ to a direct import,” said the sources, adding that the decision was guided by the realisation that Indian Industry was not in a position yet to absorb such huge project with its viability also under doubts.

The decision to acquire the aircraft was taken during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Tokyo in 2014. A joint working group had been discussing the deal to fine tune the contract.

“The sale of military hardware to foreign country by Japan is an example of close chemistry Prime Ministers of the countries share between them,” said the sources. UNI

Revised procurement process for the deal, which may run into Rs 11,000 crore, will give an added impetus the purchase, the sources said.

In order to encourage the domestic industry, the Ministry has added a component of 50 per cent offset, they said.

The deal is important for the Indian Navy as the aircraft has a range of 4,500 km. The aircraft is likely to be based in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, giving a long handle to Indian Navy for surveillance of vast area in the Indian Ocean Region.

The deal may be extended to 18 aircraft, going by the requirements of the Indian Navy, said the sources. The contract for 12 aircraft would have a clause of a follow-on order of six more in future, they said.

The aircraft, which is capable of taking off and land at sea surface is currently operated by the 31st Fleet Air Wing (71st Air Force, 71st Flight Squadron) at Iwakuni air base and Atsugi air base.

The aircraft is world’s only amphibian capable of landing on rough seas with a wave height of 3 meters. The US-2 and its predecessor model US-1A are currently in operation by Japan’s Ministry of Defence as STOL Search and Rescue Amphibian.
/QUOTE]

Click to expand...

New Delhi, Feb 1 (PTI) Japan's ShinMaywa Industries, the manufacturer of US-2 amphibious aircraft that India is eyeing, is betting big on the 'Make in India' initiative and has offered to set up a plant here to cater to international demands.

The move comes as the Navy plans to procure six such aircraft, under a government to government deal, between 2017 and 2022. Six are proposed to be bought in the next phase.

"The deal when inked will have a 30 per cent offset clause. Under this offset clause, ShinMaywa wants to set up a plant in India to cater to the global market since the demand for the aircraft is high," defence sources said.

The project has been in the works since 2011 but got a renewed push following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Japan in 2014 and a return trip by Japanese PM Shinzo Abe here last December.

Sources said the deal could be be a "government to government" exercise with the initial purchase being off the shelf.

"It is not simple to start manufacturing here. There has to be the necessary infrastructure and expertise," sources said.

If the deal goes through, it would be the first major export of Japanese defence item after it lifted decades-long self-imposed embargo on export of weapons.

The aircraft, which can land on choppy waters and have long-range civilian and military applications, are being sought by the Navy to monitor India's vast coastline, islands and for use is disaster relief.

Sources said that for the Indian Navy, the next priority project is the P-75 India, under which it plans to build six more conventional submarines.

Also on priority are six nuclear-powered submarines for which the Cabinet Committee on Security had given the go ahead last February.

"P75I and nuclear submarines are the main focus right now besides the development of next indigenous aircraft carrier," sources said.

Amphibian aircraft can take off and land on both land and water. Seven of these aircraft are operated as Search and Rescue Amphibians by Japanese military.

Including its predecessor US-1, the amphibians have been dispatched over 900 times to rescue victims of maritime accidents.

A ShinMaywa representative said it has not tied up with any Indian firm for the project but has been in talks with several of them since 2011.

Click to expand...