text:
Saturday, April 7, 2012
More DEFEXPO 2012 Highlights
71 comments:
But why does the BSF require artillery? You mean to tell me that during cross border firing incidents with Bangladesh and pak,BSF have the option to retaliate using 105mm arty.
regarding the BEL-upgraded ZSU-23-4 Schilka,is this being proposed only or has it been implemented already.
about the MAWS being offered for su-30MKI.is this an upgraded version
or does su-30mki lack a Missile Approach Warning system altogether right now?
- April 7, 2012 at 2:42 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To Hoods: Why not? Border clashes and unprovoked firing incidents are always resorted to by the Pakistan Rangers, for instance, and not by the Pakistan Army. The same goes for the India-Bangladesh border. Only up north are the ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles face-to-face with the PLA. The BSF not only has 105mm howitzers, but also 81mm mortars. The 48 upgraded ZSU-23-4s are already in delivery. The Su-30MKI never had MAWS, only RWRs. Only the Su-30MKMs have MAWS. The Super Su-30MKIs will be the first ones to have MAWS.
- April 7, 2012 at 3:16 AM
- LEE said...
- April 7, 2012 at 6:54 AM
Prasun Da, has the BEL-upgraded ZSU-23-4 Schilka(with two Python-5 missiles) already operational in the Indian Army? If yes then in what numbers?
- April 7, 2012 at 8:29 AM
Thank you for your response.Being a army brat,even I was not aware that a paramilitary force like BSF has arty in its possession. Got something new to learn today thanks to you.
Does Assam rifles being fashioned like the Army also posses this capability?
- April 7, 2012 at 9:12 AM
Prasun with reference to your previous answer. What technological advancements does the XM1203 NLOS offer over the current systems. For a tracked gun if given a choice between the the DONAR and XM-1203 NLOS mounted on a T-72 Chassis which one would you pick. I believe both of them wold be in the same weight category more or less.
- April 7, 2012 at 10:24 AM
So Prahaar NLOS-BSM TEL will also be used in AAD ?
How many NAMICA are on order and how much is IA's requirement ? Also when the hell is this T72M1 upgrade deal going to be signed and how many MBTs will be upgraded under this ? Also is the Raytheon-LnT upgrade offer favorite for this program ?
Also i heard once that after these 3-4 EMB-145 based AWACS, DRDO is gonna chose some bigger platform. So is DRDO thinking of making Phalcon category heavier AWACS after these medium category AWACS ? Also the things you mentioned like fuselage-mounted AESA antenna capable of interleaved airspace surveillance and maritime surveillance; and a belly-mounted AESA antenna for air-to-ground battlespace surveillance inclusive of real-time ground moving target designation and the SATCOM for MALE UAVs, are these also present in Phalcon or DRDO is planning this multi-purpose AWACS ?
Does this Mahindra design looks like BAE SEP ?
Is there any more Quasi ballistic missile planned in the future like may be Shaurya 2 or something ?
Did you heard about the anti-Aircraft Carrier version of Brahmos (its basically block 3) ? I wanted to know whether its true or not because both speed and explosive in Brahmos doesn't really look enough to effect an AC ?
- April 7, 2012 at 12:12 PM
Hi, when will the Sukhoi-30 Super upgrade programme take off? Will the upgraded Sukhoi feature a laser emission Warner , an IR jammer and the Virgilus AESA jammer? Will the MiG-29 UPG have the Cassidian MAWS that will go abroad Super Su and a laser emission warner? The poster of the Cassidian MAWS shows six maw systems. Does this mean that 6 MAWS will be fitted to the Sukhoi to provide all angle coverage ? Also is the Ariel TRD is reusable or a single use radar decoy . Will it be carried on one of the hardpoints or be integrated into the airframe? Pls reply.
- April 7, 2012 at 6:02 PM
Hi, What standoff weapons and tactical air- surface ground weapons are the IAF purchasing for increasing it's offensive capabilities ? What is the present no of Kh-59 and IAI AGM-142 in the IAF inventory? I think the no is not more than 100 each. We are already lagging behind the PAF. They have the H-2/ H-4 glide bombs which enable their jets to attack targets outside the range if our existing MR and QRSAM such as Spyder SR , Akash mk1 and mk2. The IAF on the other hand has no such standoff weapons. Instead it is still relying on LGBs . Also no efforts are being made to develope standoff weapons or purchase them offshelf. Then how re IAF jets going to engage static and moving targets in deep battle. Also we donot possess subsonic terrain hugging cruise missiles like the Babar and Raad to strike enemy airbases , supply depots. So it's left to the IAF . Is the IAF purchasing any standoff weapons such as glide bombs, tactical missiles? Will the IAF order the AASM in bulk ( in thousands ) and use them on the Sukhoi-30, MiG-29, Jaguar and MiG-27 other than Rafale and Mirage 2000? Also are we purchasing the Taurus KEPD 350, Storm shadow ALCM in bulk to increase and enhance our offensive capabilities ? Any news if purchasing MBDA Brimstone? Also can the Kh-31 be used for attacking high value land targets in high clutter environment . Pls reply and pls tell about IAF's standoff ground munitions aquisition program . Pls reply pls reply Prasun.
- April 7, 2012 at 6:06 PM
Looks like lch td-2 got some design changes, take a look
Regarding the changes in design of the wings(and probably the landing gear too), is it for increasing weapon load or just to loose some weight? also what is that "yellow thing" added both side under the canopy? Eagerly waiting for your opinion.
- April 8, 2012 at 2:13 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To Shaurya: The stub-wings don't seem to be strengthened. The pylons for the 2.75-inch rocket pods have been redesigned, but the landing gear design stays the same. The twin protrusions below the cockpit bay are fitted with pitot tubes, presumably for the flight-test phase. The fitments for laser warning receiver & MAWS (same as those on the Dhruv Mk4/Rudra) are still missing. The LCH's designers would be well-advised to remove the nose-mounted COMPASS FLIR turret (from ELBIT Systems) and in its place house a millimetre-wave radar and just in front of the front cockpit install the Selex Halileo-built miniaturised Skyward IRST sensor.
- April 8, 2012 at 4:56 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To Hoods: Assam Rifles, unlike the BSF, is not a border protection force, but a counter-insurgency force and therefore comes equipped with only small arms (including hand-held 40mm AGLs), Carl Gustavs & bunker-bursting LAWs.
- April 8, 2012 at 5:02 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To firstname.lastname@example.com: Read my reply @3.16AM to Hoods.
- April 8, 2012 at 5:04 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To email@example.com: Left to me, I would forego the tracked option altogether & instead get the Donar's turret installed on a truck, as KMW of Germany has done. Between a 39-cal howitzer & a 52-cal system, the latter will definitely come out tops.
- April 8, 2012 at 5:08 AM
- KSingh said...
Prasun, can you shed some light on the current tenders for helos of the IN. How many separate tenders are out? Will the ASW/SOAR/Utilty MRHs be different platforms or a common helo say the S-70B? Also how many helos in total is the IN looking to induct?
You mentioned previously that the P-15's induction is being delayed because of a lack of trained personal are speedy measures being taken to correct this as this situation where the finance and even the SHIP are ready but the crew are not is just UNBELIEVABLE and inexcusable and will similar delays be inflicted on future IN projects because of the same idiotic reason?
Do you see a Indian version of JSOC coming up anytime soon? Or atleast a proper separation of PARA SF and regular PARAs. And either way is their a plan to increase the number of regular PARA battalions as AFAIK right now there are MORE PARA SF btns than non-SF btns which is crazy and means that in war SFs could end up doing jobs regular PARA could do for if not for want of manpower. And IMO there is not enough distinction/awareness of the difference between regular PARA and PARA SF the two have very different mission profiles (with some overlap naturally) but are generally (especially by the media) grouped together.
And how would you rate Indian SOFs (PARA SF/MARCOs/Garuds) against foreign SOFs (especially Western) in terms of training and equipment?
Also do you see any military market for the V-22 in India at all be it IAF/IN in the future?
And recent reports have said certain MPs have raised issue with the selection of the Rafale and EADs is constantly stating they are ready to step in, do you see the IAF's/MoD's decision being changed? If not when can we see the Rafale deal being signed?
In the light of criticisms of the IA's modernisation efforts what future do you see for the IA? Is it bright and fruitful or are we in for more painful revelations and inactivity, or by 2020 will the IA be a truly world-class force with modern gear able to give hell to anyone anytime?
And what exactly is going on between the IA-MoD as it can't all be Media hyped who leaked the letter and are the allegations against Bikram Singh true/relevant?
- April 8, 2012 at 6:16 AM
What a post. Thank you!
You said that there is no chance of war between India and Pakistan/China in the next 5 yrs. Keeping that in mind lets see what India will have in terms of air defense, artillery, air force on 2017.
Artillery: At least 300 new artillery piece - including light weight howitzer (M777); OFB manufactured Bofors guns; new 45/53 cal acquisition. Also there will be additional upgraded/up gunned M-46 field guns.
Is there any way to revive the Bhim self-propelled howitzer, keeping in mind that a work around has been invented to by pass the blacklisting of arms manufacturer. Can't an Indian private defense manufacturer, build the South African Denel T6 turret endogenously(!) and put it on Arjun turret?
Around 200 T-90 and Arjun MK II.Additional artillery locator radars, at least preliminary TCS making at least a rudimentary network centric battlefield architecture. Brahmos (500 KM), Sourya BM, Prahar, new subsonic cruise missile (?).
Air defense: Barak LR-SAM and an additional regiments of Akash (II?); Skyranger; QR-SAM; GroundMaster series of radars, Iron dome (?); additional EL/M-2084; additional Rohini.
Air force: additional Sukhois, upgraded Mig 29s and MIrage 2000; Tejas MKI; 1 squadron of Rafale(?)
Army: I think the real game changer will be the F-INSAS - hopefully India will have at least two dedicated satellite and enough hardware to set up working TCS in both eastern and western front.
I'm keeping Navy out of it as in limited war, Navy's role will be limited as most(if not all) of the maneuvers/action/deployment will be on land.
What is your opinion?
- April 8, 2012 at 9:10 AM
I was reading your articles. Last year this is what you wrote :
In short according to you, Mazagaon Dock was offering a design based on Fincanteiri's Andrea Dorea Class DDG and GRSE was offering FREMM design and they tied-up with DCNS. What happened in 12 months that MDL managed to force everyone to use the same poor P17 design and why the hell someone not go for the new stealthy design and opt for an old design which frankly isn't that stealthy in comparison to European designs ? In addition to this we are talking about India, things doesn't changes so quickly here. In short either your previous article of May was just bogus or MDL crossed all the lines of stupidity and took MOD and IN with them. They not only got santions for a FFGs worth more than a billion $ for each ship and they are f--king giving us a slight modern version of Shivalik Class ? I think we should scrap P17a and join Britain's Type 26 FFG, we get a world class new FFG in 500 million$, put some expensive weaponry, lets say 700 million $, that would also save more than 300 million$ per FFG.
Similarly what happened to SMX-25 ? It was you who told us about the participation of the design and being IN's favorite and now suddenly the whole Project 75(India) is cancelled ?
And what happened to Nirbhay UAV ? I don't know where you got this information man, but how is it possible that DRDO, MOD and all the news agencies are wrong and considering it a cruise missile while you are the only person who calls it a UAV ?
You go around spreading shit about other bloggers but if you read your own previous articles you will see that you retract alot of your own statements.
- April 8, 2012 at 9:59 AM
"Left to me, I would forego the tracked option altogether & instead get the Donar's turret installed on a truck, as KMW of Germany has done."
1) How much does the truck mounted Donar's turret system weigh ?
2) Will it be light enough like the Caesar to carry on a C-130 ? (not much data is available on the net for the truck mounted system. Can you guide to a link)
3) Donar's Turret like the Archer is fully automated. You particularly mentioned the IA doesn't need such a Hi-tech system (Weight being other valid reason for Archer) So can IA manage a Fully automated system such as DONAR be it truck or tracked system.
- April 8, 2012 at 12:42 PM
"Below is Mahindra Defence's sole exhibit showing its involvement with the FICV project. Rather disappointing when compared with what TATA had showcased."
Depends on what the base for this IFV is! If it is the BAE SEP, then Mahindra might offer the most advanced FICV offer, since it will be a modular design, with different mission modules, that are interchangable between 6x6, 8x8 and even this tracked base. The JV with Rafael also gives the chances of adding Trophy, SPIKE NLOS and Israeli weapon stations to it, if not also electro optics.
- April 8, 2012 at 3:21 PM
@ Anonymous 3:21 PM
The Donar is an automatic system that houses nearly twice as much ammo than a CESAR system, so of course it is heavier than a CESAR.
If weight is an issue for IA, the Archer with it's big truck platform which weighs around 30t, just like the tracked Donar wouldn't be a wise choice. But since IA evaluated the Denel G6 with the PZH 2000 turret, that weighs more than 40ts, weight or air transportability, is not a requirement for them, which is a very silly decision. The Donar here is the compromise of a system that requires less crew, with good ammount of ammo and light weight to be air transported in numbers.
- April 8, 2012 at 3:36 PM
@Sancho its anon 3:21 PM. CESAR carries 18 rounds where as DONAR carries 30 rounds. 12 additional rounds won't add couple of tons weight to the system. Its the automatic system which adds a major portion of the weight. For your info CESAR's on board ammo was reduced deliberately inorder to fit the C-130. It can carry more if its not being airlifted by C-130.
My specific question was how much does a truck mounted DONAR turret system weigh.
Regarding Automation PSG stated IA doesn't need it. I am curious why.......is it because Western forces use more automation due to lack of manpower where as IA has a dearth of them. Or is it due to our terrain & meteorological conditions that make these equipment prone to failure.
- April 8, 2012 at 10:10 PM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To KSingh: The total number of naval helicopters of all types cleared for procurement by the Defence Acquisition Council is 56. Of these, only the first 16 (10-tonne MRHs) have been tendered for. The S-70B comes in various versions, and even the ASV/ASW variant can be used as a MRH. Why do you find the manpower shortages of the IN unbelievable? Just look at what happened after the surge in piracy along the Horn of Africa and after 26/11, when the Navy took on additional responsibilities pertaining to maritime security. And what does one expect when the Navy's existing OPVs are constantly utilised by the DRDO as tracking vessels for its ballistic missile tests? All these illustrate a total lack of long-term planning. Firstly, the Navy and DRDO should have pooled their resources to acquire at least four ocean-going missile tracking vessels that could not only be utilised for the DRDO's ballistic missile R & D projects, but also be employed for monitoring similar activities of India's neighbours. This would have made the Navy's existing OPVs available for escorting civilian merchantile shipping along the Horn of Africa, instead of deploying expensive warships for constabulary duties. Secondly, post-26/11, the Govt of India made the terrible mistake of making the Navy overall in-charge of maritime security—a constabulary job that could easily have been fulfilled by the Coast Guard provided the MHA and not the MoD were to be made responsible for speedy force modernisation-cum-expansion of the Coast Guard. However, in reality, intense turf wars continue to prevail, and despite the Coast Guard's crying need for medium-range MPAs for the past 15 years, the Navy dominates all decision-making (since for ridiculous reasons the Commandant of the Coast Guard continues to be a three-star Vice Admiral on deputation from the Navy even after 33 years of the Coast Guard's formation) and therefore the Coast Guard's force expansion plans are always played down. Even now the requirement for amphibian aircraft for SAR purposes is more suited for the Coast Guard, but the Navy remains stubbornly opposed to it and instead wants to be in the driver's seat. Only when you examine all such prevailing dysfunctionalities does an overall picture emerge and the manpower shortages begin making sense.
- April 8, 2012 at 11:02 PM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To KSingh: I don't foresee the emergence of entities like JSOC unless and until there's total integration of the three armed services at the theatre-level. Until then, each of the three armed services will continue to have their own standalone war-plans meant for fighting piecemeal and uncoordinated battles. In terms of capabilities & proficiency, Indian SF formations are battle-tested entities and are therefore on par with those of India's neighbours and Western counterparts. In some areas like the Ghatak platoons, the West has nothing comparable to offer. But there's always room for improvement when it comes to acquisition of latest military hardware. There's definitely a need for platforms like the V-22 Osprey, especially for high-altitude warfare, but its cost is still prohibitive as of now. Give it another five years and things could get serious for the V-22 with respect to the Indian market. The Rafale deal will definitely be signed in this current fiscal year. The IA's future definitely will be bright & fruitful, that's not the issue. But whether or not by 2020 all the problems will be overcome, no one can say. The core problem is not about the IA and MoD, but about the outrageous system being followed by the MoD since the 1960s under which DPSUs were created and given contracts without any competitive bidding for absorbing screwdriver technologies. Over the years, these DPSUs haven't graduated into enterprises capable of offering indigenous solutions and worsely, are now totally dependent on offsets obligations in order to stay afloat, and have no indigenous in-house solutions to offer. But what is worst is that these DPSUs are constantly lobbying with the MoD's Dept of Defence Production & Supplies for preserving their monopolies are doing everything possible to prevent the entry of private-sector firms into military-industrial areas. This is what has now gotten exposed thanks to the BEML-TATRA scandal. The situation can still be redeemed IF a Defence Minister has the intellect & balls to undertake structural reforms by allowing strategic disinvestments under which the private-sector buys shares of these DPSUs and become equal industrial stakeholders, instead of being competitors. For instance, Pipavav should be allowed to buy into MDL, while MDL begins mentoring Pipapav in warship construction. Pipavav could then well supply warship gulls in modular form to MDL for final assembly & systems integration. Likewise, L & T should buy into BEML, Mahindra Defence should into OFB, while TATA should buy into HAL, and TATA & HCL should buy into BEL,ECIL, ITI etc. The overall idea should be to create industrial synergies. Such a formula for strategic industrial consolidation should have been announced at the same as the Defence Procurement Procedures were unveilled. Since this was not done, what you now have is needless industrial rivalry, discredited monopolies and wasteful competition.
- April 8, 2012 at 11:02 PM
Dear Anonymous @ 12:42 PM
I don't think Mr. Prasun realises that he just contradicted himself. I agree with you. Infact Donar will be more Hi-tech system and if IA doesn't need an already built solution like Archer then why go to the length to make a new system that will be more automated and possibly more heavier than Archer itself.
I also think considering quality of Bofors(BAE) guns and IA's liking of these systems, i would say Archer is not our of race yet until said by IA or MOD. Considering it now sold by BAE and not Bofors, its chances are more to win rather than the chance of an unknown system CAESAR by not so famous company in India (Nexter).
In short i think Archer has the maximum chances of winning the wheeled SPG deal.
I also wanna tell everyone, there are reports coming that we can use INS Chakra in the war time also unlike what Mr.Prasun said. According to the news, some people just assumed that the new Chakra SSN is coming with the same restrictions as the old one but its not true. So celebrate people, we can use the INS Chakra for whatever role we want in any situation.
He used disappointing because while Tata sowed what will be there FICV design, Mahindra on the other hand showed the picture of BAE SEP, which might just be showing their involvement in FICV project and not exactly the design of Mahindra's FICV.
In short the picture in the poster might not be the FICV.
As far as your approval for BAE SEP is there, yeah its a good new generation platform but India has a very different terrain than UK and SEP has to pass all the filed trials inorder to win this program while Tata build it from scratch so they must have build it by taking these things into account. You cannot just bring SEP and expect to win, you will have to be extrmely lucky and hope that SEP passes all the tests also.
- April 8, 2012 at 11:11 PM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To NR: The T-6 turret's design can indeed be bought over by TATA and then optimised for installation on the hull of a T-72M1 which is fitted with a 1,000hp V-92S2 engine (the same as that on the T-90S & T-72CIA Ajeya). It will then be a lot cheaper than what it was when the T-6 was mated with Arjun MBT's hull to create the Bhim. But the problem here is the the MoD's precondition (under DPP guidelines) of competitive bidding, under which the Bhim will now have to be pitted against the Samsung Techwin & K-9 and BEML/Konstructa Defence AS' ARZU (which is being offered on the Arjun's hull, as was shown in BEML posters during DEFEXPO). The only way out of this is to specify in the GSQR that only turrets mounted on upgraded T-72M1 hulls will be considered. Both TATA/Denel & BEML/Konstructa will then be reqd to bid competitively. But one thing is sure: the T-6/Arjun combination (the Bhim) is now totally out of the reckoning since BEML has lobbied successfully with the MoD & DRDO to develop the ARZU variant. Even so, there's no escape from the competitive bidding process. Consequently, the original Bhim SPH is now truly dead.
For air-defence, the IAF component is strong, given the confirmed orders for Akash Mk1 & Barak-8 LR-SAM. What the IAF now needs are additional SpyDer-SRs to replace the OSA-AKMs. The Army's ground-based air-defence assets are truly obsolete and it's surprising why orders for the Akash Mk1 (mounted on T-72 hulls) haven't yet flowed in. While the OSA-AKMs do need to be replaced by SypDer-SRs, an upgrade package for the Strella-10Ms can be easily acquired, for which the laser-guided SOSNA offer from Rosoboronexport State Corp will be a truly cost-effective solution. The Mistrals are expected to be procured to replace the existing Iglas and eventually the Igla-S.
For the Army, the real gamechanger will be the integrated battlespace concept inclusive of the TCS, BMS, BSS and ACCCS, all of which will feed into the CIDSS. F-INSAS will first be fielded in a pilot form with the 66,000-strong Rashtriya Rifles, while CIDSS and all its components will be first fielded with a Pivot Corps in the western sector. It is planned to connect the CIDSS with a military communications satellite and with the battlespace surveillance platforms (JSTARS-type) of the type the CABS wants to develop (as I've state above). This will ensure total battlespace transparency and remove the fog of war. Only then will both the IA and IAF be able to wage persistent and relentless knowledge-based warfare (hopefully by 2022), instead of the present-day estimates-based warfare.
- April 8, 2012 at 11:29 PM
@ Anonymous 10:10 PM
"Its the automatic system which adds a major portion of the weight"
That's exactly what I said, this and the additional rounds combined in a very small modul adds much to the weight. Not to mention that the 30t include the weight of the tracked platform. According to KMWs website, the gun modul alone weighs 12t, now add it to one of Ashok Leyland trucks and you will have a lighter version as well.
The Cesar is air transportable in a C130, but as a system it is far inferior to the Donar. It needs 3 time the crew to operate it, can be used to fire only in a range of 30° to both sides, or the whole vehicle needs to be repositioned, the firing range and rate is lower and as mentioned, it carries far less ammo and needs to rearm more often.
@ Rudra
The SEP just like the CV90 are actually developed by the swedish company hägglund and according to swedish requirments. BAE Systems just took over the company and now sells them as their own.
Not sure what he thought, but as mentioned, if BAE offers the SEP the possible modular design would be the biggest advantage for IA to replace 1000s of different vehicle, but reduce costs and logistics at the same time.
The TATA FICV on the other side, seems not to be very special, two different designs, one wheeled one tracked and the only commonality we know so far is the turret, which is German and not developed for Indias requirement.
Another point that speakes for the SEP proposal is, that it is far closer in size and weight to the BMPs, while the TATA FICV seems to be aimed at other western designs, above 20t. That offers advantages in terms of transportability too.
However, we will have to wait and see and there will be other offers as well. So far Mahindra just seems to have gathered the best partners with BAE and Rafael.
- April 8, 2012 at 11:42 PM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To RUDRA: Much as you would like to believe that everything works according to a choreographed script, in the real world, things don't, and policies always change due to various reasons, often within 24 hours, leave alone 12 months, and especially in India! In this area I've been there and seen it all with my own eyes and can therefore claim to have eaten more salt than all the rice you may have consumed so far! PRIOR to the MoD's final decision around last October, there were indeed OEMs like Fincantieri & DCNS that were offering their respective FFG designs. The situation changed by mid-2011 when the MoD concluded that the workforce at MDL engaged at that time in P-17 FFG construction would become idle after the third P-17 FFG's delivery because the P-17A design had not yet been selected and even if it were selected then, contract negotiations would take another three years to complete. Hence, it was decided by the MoD & Navy HQ to modify the existing P-17 FFG's design into a P-17A with Fincantieri's assistance. You in your all-knowing self-righteous wisdom may consider the P-17's design as being "poor" or "old" or "frankly isn't that stealthy in comparison to European designs", but that does not mean your opinions are the gospel truth, unless you can prove yourself beyond reasonable doubt by producing comparative radar/acoustic signatures of the P-17FFG and its European counterparts.
The Project 75I was never suddenly cancelled. In fact, the Project 75I's Project Office in Navy HQ was disbanded as far back as 2005—ask the Navy's Directorate of Submarine Warfare at Navy HQ and get it confirmed yourself. Don't hold me responsible for all the fantasies conjured up by the 'desi' mass-media entities about P-75I over the years! The Indian Navy was opposed to the policy of operating two different types of SSKs in the 1980s, and does so even today. Consequently, the plan always was to build upon the gains made by the Scorpene programme by sticking to solutions from DCNS, be it the SMX-21/25 or a 'Super Scorpene' gitted with AIP. As it now happens, the MoD has decided to order an additional four Scorpenes, and the situation became clearer early last February AFTER the Rafale's selection of the M-MRCA, following which it became possible to enter into serious negotiations with France regarding the Barracuda SSN, something which you ought to read more about at: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/the-stealth-queen/933127/0
Regarding the 'Nirbhay", you ought to read up more at: http://trishul-trident.blogspot.in/2012/02/is-nirbhay-n-capable-alcm-being-co.html
By now you should have realised that I'm the ONLY ONE that has to date reproduced any kind of official MoD-vetted and approved material concerning the Nirbhay, as opposed to blind-firing shit by "other bloggers". At least I don't go around pasting the term 'Nirbhay' on a Tomahawk T-LAM illustration.
- April 9, 2012 at 12:11 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To firstname.lastname@example.com: You can read all about it at: http://www.kmweg.de/10843-bD1lbg-~PRODUKTE~artillerie~agm~agm.html
It is possible to develop motorised 155mm/52-cal solutions that weigh no more than 18 tonnes, like the Caesar, the AGM & the truck-mounted system from Serbia's Yugoimport SDPR. Of these, only the Caesar can go on board the C-130J, but not the AGM. Even without automation, both the Caesar & NORINCO's SH-1 have demonstrated MRSI capability. I therefore would not bet on spending more on automated features when they don't offer any greater operational advantages.
To SANCHO: The baseline design is indeed that of the SEP, but what ought to be borne in mind is that the Indian Army's FICV reqmt is for a tracked vehicle, and not wheeled, therefore design modularity won't give the SEP any edge. TATA's tracked FICV design is derived from a Rheinmetall DeTec-developed base design. Rheinmetall's solution (Denel G6 with the PZH 2000 turret) was for an earlier reqmt (of 1999-2008 vintage) for wheeled howitzers, which has since been merged with the reqmt for mounted gun system. Consequently, the solution being sought is for motorised (truck-mounted) howitzers and that's why both TATA, Punj Lloyd & L & T are now offering only truck-mounted solutions. Earlier, during DEFEXPO 2008, L & T had shown a K-9 Thunder turret mounted on a wheeled chassis, but this year it confirmed at DEFEXPO 2012 that this option was no longer being considered by Army HQ, since the wheeled SPH reqmt has been shelved and given way to the Mounted Gun System (like the Caesar shown at Nexter Systems' booth adjacent to L & T's pavilion).
- April 9, 2012 at 12:33 AM
@ Sancho;
My guess for truck mounted DONAR system (Ashok Leyland or TATA) should weigh some where near 20-22 tons. May be with some investment and R&D into this arrangement might eventually bring the weight down under 20 Tons inorder to fit the C-130.
Looks better bet then the CESAR. PSG Plz give your opinions.
- April 9, 2012 at 12:40 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To RUDRA: Archer is definitely out of the race, and that's why it wasn't even shown in any form at DEFEXPO 2012. Read the IA's GSQR for the Mounted Gun System and you'll know why. As for the INS Chakra 'can' used in wartime, what you ought to take note of is that in rules of engagement, there's no such thing as can or could or should. Either one will, or one won't. There's no room for subjective terms like 'can'. Furthermore, in terms of using such a weapon in wartime, the question you've failed to ask is, in what manner will this SSGN be used? Because here too the rules of engagement need to precise. Will it be used only as a stalker, will it be authorised to go on the offensive and take part in active hostilities, or will it only have the right to undertake a retaliatory strike in self-defence? What I therefore suggest is you go back to those who've reported that "we can use INS Chakra in the war time" and "for whatever role we want in any situation" and ask them to give you far more precise reports, before you get delirious and start wandering around like a headless chicken. Better still, ask that any 'desi' journo how come the INS Chakra remained totally submerged while exiting the South China Sea to enter the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. This was the same question that Heberian had asked, citing UNCLOS regulations, and he's still waiting for his reply from a particular 'desi' journo. Chances are that he'll never get a reply, since this 'desi' journo is obviously unaware of India's treaty obligations under UNCLOS.
To email@example.com: The DONAR turret weighs 12.5 tonnes and it would indeed be possible to mount it on an Ashok Leyland-built 6 x 6 truck, since Ashok Leyland and KMW have an industrial partnership agreement. Regarding transportability on a C-130, it all depends on the width and height of the AGM in mounted configuration. I've uploaded above the motorised AGM's photo (the bottommost).
- April 9, 2012 at 1:13 AM
- KSingh said...
Prasun, thank you so much for replying to my Qs- much appreciated. Regarding the TATRA issue, do recent issues mean we will not see a single TATRA inducted into the Indian armed froces from now on? Because AFAIK the TATRA is the platform for many key pieces of equipment in Indian forces such as the Pinka MRLS and BRAHMOS. Or will future orders be placed but with high degrees of scrutiny? Surely this will significantly slow down the induction of key techs. And you say in some cases Indian private company trucks can be used but are TATA 6X6/8X8 really comparable and as good as the TATRA trucks? If so then it begs the question why didn't the TATA trucks become inducted far earlier. And where do you see the TATRA issue progressing from here? As India as A LOT of these trucks and issues with supplies could be a massive blow to national security.
And you have said in a reply the IA is no longer interested in MRAPs but JLTV type vehicles, where exactly is the procurement of these type of vehicles for IA at? I mean this is a gaping gap in the IA. And where exactly is the replacment for the Gypsy for all armed forces? There have got to be 10,000s of these 70s jeeps in service in all wings of the forces and they just have no place in a military trying to look to the future.
Thanks in advance.
- April 9, 2012 at 5:14 AM
Hi PRASUN, why did the new GSQR for artillery abandoned the wheeled artillery requirement like the Archer, Denel G-6, Zuzana? Will the IA go for automated motorized howitzers or manually loaded systems like the CAESAR? The one offered by the joint venture of TATA and Denel has burst fire capability and is able to fire 3 rounds in 18 sec. Isn't the Soltam ATOMS 2000 not participating in the mounted gun requirement? The ATMOS can fire 3 rounds in 15 secs. Also according to the old GSQR 400 155/52 cal towed artillery were to be procured off the shelf ans another 1400 were to NE license produced by OFB. What about this? Will the IA procure tracked SPH? WHat will be the nos? Is the Panzer 2000 being evaluated for tracked SPH because it is the best tracked SPH on offer.
- April 9, 2012 at 6:15 PM
I am Anon , April 7, 6:06 pm. I know I am off the topic but am very eager to know about them. Will u kindly ans the queries and sometime layer post an article on IAF's present offensive capabilities and the various PGMs and tactical missiles purchases it is making or the IAF is going to make to beef it's offensive capabilities. Pls reply soon. Waiting patiently for your reply.
- April 9, 2012 at 6:20 PM
Hi, when will the MoD sign a deal regarding purchase of 9 Barracuda SSN ? Will these 9 SSN be exact Barracudas or will feature modifications according to the requirements of the Navy. Some time ago in one of ur comments u said that the IN wants to have a fleet of 5000 t class SSN whereas the MoD wants the SSN to have larger displacement of 9000 tons. So a compromise was reached and the Navy will have 7000 ton SSN. Are the Barracudas we will purchase have a heavier displac, have 6 533 mm tubes instead of 4 present on the current SSN. Will it have VLS for the Brahmos missiles or the Klub-S? Will it have a double hull. Will some Barr be purchased off the Shelf from Dcns ? Pls reply.
- April 9, 2012 at 6:28 PM
@ anon 6:28 PM.
"Will some Barr be purchased off the Shelf from Dcns "
Are you day dreaming !!! Do you really think any nation is going to sell a nuclear sub. You crossed the threshold from wish full thinking to fantasizing.
French will only help India with the Non-Nuclear parts of the SSGN. They won't be giving India the design blue-prints for the Nuclear Reactor. India will end up making some under powered reactor like in the Arihant.
- April 9, 2012 at 10:18 PM
Hi Prasun,
If one casually looks at defense acquisition of the three services (army, navy and airforce) of India in the near past and the near future (say around 3 years), then one sees lack of acquisition on the part of Indian army. The major investment are let me guess - battle tanks, some cruise missile regiments,raising additional divisions, transport aircraft (helicopter and fixed wings), F-INSAS is the biggest thing in the pipeline. Did miss anything here?
Do you think the Hawkeye recoil technology (Kalyani group has a tie up) can be taken up by India to build a naval howitzer?
Thanks in advance.
- April 9, 2012 at 10:47 PM
"...is that the Indian Army's FICV reqmt is for a tracked vehicle, and not wheeled, therefore design modularity won't give the SEP any edge. "
That's not correct! The modular design is a benefit even if it's only for the tracked version, because you still can use a single vehicle in serval different roles, because it can simply change the mission module. Today you have to build many BMPs each for a single role only, which is lostically way more expensive.
Also if the FICV would be only for tracked vehicle, why is TATA clearly advertising tracked AND the wheeled version for the FICV competition:
- April 10, 2012 at 10:01 PM
P.S. "TATA's tracked FICV design is derived from a Rheinmetall DeTec-developed base design"
Which is also not correct, since the vehicle back than was a Denel G6 and not from Rheinmetal, so they can't have any relation, besides that this 8x8 and the G6 6x6 are totally different vehicles.
Also TATAs own press release says:
"At the DEFEXPO, Tata Motors displayed scaled models of its concept Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) (Tracked & Wheeled), including the turret."
So for tracked AND wheeled again!
- April 10, 2012 at 10:13 PM
- LEE said...
AMRAAM Could Not Stand The Heat
- April 11, 2012 at 1:26 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To KSingh: On the contrary, it is the continued reliance on BEML-TATRA heavy-duty vehicles (HDV) for the past 26 years that constitutes the gravest threat to national security, simply because throughout these 26 years, as per the Indian Army COAS' statement, BEML-TATRA never even made any attempt to establish a service centre anywhere in India to cater to the MRO reqmts of such a large fleet! On the other hand, HDBs from TATA & Ashok Leyland not only incorporate the latest technologies, but are fully backed up by in-country service centres for guaranteed through-life product-support, something which BEML-TATRA has never offered, believe it or not.
The reqmts for JLTV have already been drafted by all three armed services and will be procured in the near future under a tri-services acquisition plan.
To email@example.com: The wheeled SPH reqmt, that so specifically for ex-stock G-6s declared as surplus stock by the South African Army, was raised rather suddenly in the midst of OP Vijay in mid-1999 by the Army HQ's Directorate of Artillery at a time when motorised 155mm/52-cal howitzers were not freely available from various vendors. Only the Caesar had been fully developed by then. After OP Vijay, it was realised by 2001 that as per the cost-benefit matrix, going for a motorised 155mm/52-cal solution was much better than opting for a wheeled 155mm/45-cal solution since by then motorised solutions were available from Nexter Systems, DENEL Land Systems, Yugoimport SDPR & Soltam Systems. During DEFEXPO 2002, the SOLTAM Systems' ATMOS was brought to India and evaluated. Other advantages of a motorised solution (what the Army calls the Mounted Gun System) like the Caesar are its ability to be airlifted by transports like the C-130J, and their ability to negotiate with ease the roads straddling the hilly mountainous terrain of India, which wheeled howitzers like the G-6 can't. What matters during war is not the burst-fire rate, but the sustained firing rate. The Pzh-2000 is not being considered at this stage.
To email@example.com: These issues were discussed and highlighted by me way back in October 2008 in my older blog at: trishulgroup.blogspot.com
To NR: Raising of additional divisions is uncalled for, since the problem can be resolved by doing away with the 66,000-strong Rashtriya Rifles, which has outlived its usefulness. While the Army can still stay in charge of the counter-infiltration grids in J & K, the counter-insurgency grids can easily be manned by specially trained CRPF personnel. Instead of raising additional infantry-specific formations, priority should instead be given to a) increasing the firepower available to existing formations, and b) improving the border transportation infrastructure so that such firepower can be brought to effect whenever and wherever reqd.
- April 11, 2012 at 3:35 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To firstname.lastname@example.com: The tracked FICV too will have a modular design and will be built in various versions, just as the BMP-2 has been built in different versions. No one in India to date has built many BMPs each for a single role only. As to why is TATA clearly advertising tracked AND the wheeled version for the FICV, the answer can be acquired by simply talking with TATA, which I suspect you did not and hence your erroneous deductions. While TATA showed its tracked FICV concept for meeting an Indian reqmt, the wheeled FICV concept is meant purely for export markets. That is why Mahindra Defence showcased ONLY a tracked FICV concept. TATA Motors is a multinational company that is only HQed in India and this doesn't mean that its range of military vehicles are meant exclusively for the Indian market. Had you been to anywhere in North Africa you would seen with your own eyes the wide range of military/paramilitary vehicles sold by TATA, Ashok Leyland and Mahindra & Mahindra over the years.
To firstname.lastname@example.com: Again you're comparing apples with oranges. The FICV has no relation to the G-6, which is a wheeled self-propelled howitzer. One cannot compare a tracked design with either a 6 x 6 or an 8 x 8. Besides, the turret designs of both the tracked FICV and wheeled 8 x 8 FICV are totally different.
- April 11, 2012 at 3:36 AM
- KSingh said...
Shiv Aroor is reporting the blacklisting of IMI is going to affect the devlopment of the Arjun Mk.2. Is this true, and if so what kind of delay are we looking at?
- April 11, 2012 at 4:31 AM
What is that...seems very unaerodynamic..
- April 11, 2012 at 10:30 PM
Army Chief says Indian air-defense is 97% obsolete .... do you agree?
- April 11, 2012 at 10:31 PM
What would be its range??
Could it find any real world applications?
- April 11, 2012 at 10:33 PM
Hey Prasun,
Which Small,medium and heavy machine guns does IA employ?
is there any machine gun in joint development with poland??
- April 11, 2012 at 10:34 PM
"On the issue of delay in
delivery of Talwar class-follow-on frigates to the Navy, the Russian diplomat said "better ask about the Scorpene (submarine) delay."
His reply seems to be arrogant...so why is India not buying spares from Russia??
- April 11, 2012 at 10:35 PM
Whats new with that?
cant the anti-ship variant used against aircraft-carriers?
- April 11, 2012 at 10:37 PM
Hey Prasun,
Could he have survived it?
- April 11, 2012 at 10:45 PM
Anon@April 11, 2012 10:33 PM
KSK@April 11, 2012 10:35 PM
Its naive to take a decision based on comment which is presumed to be arrogant. The Russian ambassador has a point, it should be noted that he replied to some journalist, I'm sure he wouldn't say it to any Indian diplomat/official enquiry.
KSKApril 11, 2012 10:37 PM
The same Brahmos with new flight profile/control algorithim where it can make a steep dive on a target the way it has been tested on targets lying on the other side of a hill.
AnonApril 11, 2012 10:45 PM
RPG blast doesn't kill anybody, however the poor guy might loose eye sight. Google what the rebels in Somalia and Afgannistan do to tackle blast from RPG.
- April 11, 2012 at 11:25 PM
Hi, its not what i meant to say. Prasun, u have got me all wrong. What i want to ask was whether the IAF was purchasing long range standoff bombs and,or long range air to ground missiles having terminal guidance. In your October 2008 thread u wrote about the bombs being procured from Russia for the Sukhoi-30 mki. Those are free fall iron bombs with a range of only 5 km. They have either no guidance or are TV guided. With tv guided weapons u cnt strike targets in bad weather. Long gone are the days when one uses such bombs such as FAB-250/500/1500kr for engaging hostile targets. Nowadys integrated air defence systems have come up in Pakistan. The PAF & PA are fielding multilayerd and interconnected sam fields. When using such bombs against targets defended by these Sams as well as various AAA and point defence sams , the delivery platform will nt survive. Standoff weapons are used to bypass such Iads. The PAF has well understood this and is indicting the H-2 and H-4 glide bombs. Also for strikes against heavily defended targets the PAF is indicting the terrain hugging ALCM in large nos. The IAF lacks such standoff weapons. So 1. Will the IAF procure such standoff weapons for it's fleet of Su-30, MiG-29, Mirage 2000 , Jaguar IS and MiG-27. 2. The IAF will procure a variety of standoff PGM as part of it's MRCA deal. The selection of the Rafale means the IAF will procure the AASM , Storm Shadow cruise missiles. My ques is will the no of AASM and Storm Shadow be enough ( in thousands and hundreds respectively) to arm the Su-30, Jaguar, Mirage , Mog-29/27 fleet? OR these are to be procured for arming only the Rafale and Mirage fleet? 3. Will the IAF PROCURE THE TAURAS KEPD-350 cruise missile? 4. CAN THE KH-31 BE USED FOR LAND ATTACK? 5. DOES THE TV GUIDED KH-59 OFFER ALL WEATHER TARGET ENGAGEMENT? CAN THIS MISSILE BE USED AT NIGHT considering it is a TV SEEKER. WHAT ARE IT'S NOS in the IAF? 6. In your old blog u said that IAF uses the Popeye Lite missile for attacking leadership targets. How many are in service with the IAF? Pls reply when u have the time. Waiting in patience.
- April 11, 2012 at 11:37 PM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To KSingh: Design of the Arjun Mk2 was completed two years ago and IMI's involvement with CVRDE was successfully concluded for the R & D phase. The blacklisting of IMI will now affect only the supply of Iron Fist APS & WAVE-300 RCWS for the Arjun Mk1A & Arjun Mk2, but if IMI is clever enough, then it will find a way out of this fairly quickly by teaming up with an Indian company (like DENEL has teamed up with TATA) and designating this Indian company as the prime contractor to the CVRDE & HVF Avadi fior supplying the Iron Fist APS & WAVE-300 RCWS. Solutions are always available.
To email@example.com: The Army Chief never said that. What he said was that the assets at the disposal of Army Air Defence (AAD) was 97% obsolete, and he's right, since the existing 30 Regiments of L-70s need to be replaced ASAP.
To KSK: I don't think that's an arrogant answer. He is factually right, after all. Will post accurate data soonest on the reasons behind the delayed delivery of the Project 1135.6 Batch-2 FFGs. As for India not buying aircraft spares from Russia, this question needs to be put to Indo-Russian Aviation Ltd (IRAL), the JV between HAL & Russia's United Aircraft Corp. It is this JV that's responsible for procuring and stocking up spares for all Russia-origin aircraft in service with the IAF. As to why this JV has been unsuccessful in fulfilling its mandate, I can only blame it on corporate mismanagement, which hopefully the CAG will be able to identify and reveal. Last year I had already explained this issue in great detail and explained exactly why the Indian Navy faces no such spares shortages.
To KSK: Of course the existing BrahMos-1's Block-1 can be employed against aircraft carriers. What Dr Pillai was explaining was the feasibility of using the BrahMos-1's Block-3 variant for the same role.
To email@example.com: Since when have the PAF & PA begun fielding multi-layered and interconnected SAM fields? Pakistan's financial situation being far more worse than India's, there has hardly been any air defence-related hardware induction by the PAF and PA since 2007. Pakistan's ground-based air-defence network is far more worse off than India's. H-2/H-4 glide bombs can be detected fairly early as their launch aircraft are launched from altitudes that are always covered by long-range airspace surveillance radars and such munitions can easily be neutralised by SHORADS. Pakistan's stocks of terrain-hugging Ra'ad ALCMs do not exceed 100 and here too they're easily detectable by radars like EL/M-2084/Arudhra and can therefore be successfully intercepted by SpyDer-SR SHORADS. The procurement of a few hundred CALCMs like the Taurus KEPD-350 for the upgraded Mirage 2000s, upgraded Jaguar IS/DARIN-3, and Rafale is now assured and will be more than adequate.
- April 12, 2012 at 1:38 AM
- sbm said...
Prasun, why is the INSAS regarded by the media as a substandard rifle ? It seems to have been accepted quite well. I mean the M-16 in its early decades had a lot of problems. So why beat up on the INSAS ?
- April 12, 2012 at 1:56 AM
Y DRDO/MOD is running Pinaka-Prithivi-Prahar project simultaneously. Cant they be merged into one...when +/- their objective is same.Like they could develop a MBRLS PINAKA with a range of 30-40km, 50-80km, 80-150km,150-350km...as China is doing successfully. Y wasting Tax Payers money for same type of projects. DRDO seems slowly trying to become OFB.
- April 12, 2012 at 2:24 PM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To SBM: Interesting, wise and right choice of words indeed! Specially the term "by the media". But ask the end-users, be it the armed forces or CAPFs, and there won't be any such criticisms. My best guess is that the media is ill-advised, ill-informed, and subsequently ill-capable of arriving at objective conclusions. It is like their allegations about the Army's MBT fleet suffering from night-blindness, when it is crystal-clear that there's no such thing. ALL MBTs and ICVs of Soviet/Russia origin come equipped with IR searchlights in order to navigate and acquire their targets at night. What ought to have been said was that not all MBTs have third-generation digital hunter-killer fire-control systems, but this vital fact has been overlooked by the 'desi' media.
To THINK TANK: The Prithvi project was concluded three years ago and what's left are only surplus rounds for test-firing. As far as NLOS-BSMs go, only the Prahaar is under development. Pinaka is not a NLOS-BSM, and the only new element being developed is the 40km-range rocket. There's a new MBRL under development with a range of 120km. So there's no duplication and no waste of resources. NLOS-BSMs are totally different from MBRLs.
- April 12, 2012 at 6:27 PM
Hello Prasun,
What is the role of "standing committee on Defense"? Is this committee is more powerful than the service chiefs?
Since this committee consists of MPs, I wonder, whether these MPs will influence programs that matter to Armed services such as procurements, purchases, etc, thus increase the corruption? Any sensitive documents pass through these committee members, who may sell to our enemies for money/women/gifts, etc?
- April 12, 2012 at 11:12 PM
is it enough?
- April 12, 2012 at 11:13 PM
Hi Prasun, thanx for replying regarding the procurement of TAURAS KEPD 350 fir the Rafale, Jaguar and Mirage. EADS offered the KEPD -350 as an ALCM fir the Sukhois. So aren't the Su-30 MKI fleet be equipped with this . Will the IAF not procure the 250 km MBDA Storm Shadow for it's fleet of Rafale, Jaguar , Mirage, Mig-29 and Sukhoi. Regarding the Sagem AASM will it not be purchased in large nos for Rafale and Mirage 2000? I want to know whether the IAF order the AASM in bulk ( in thousands ) and use them on the Sukhoi-30, MiG-29, Jaguar and MiG-27 other than Rafale and Mirage? Pls ans. Pls mention the no of Popeye Lite and Kh-59 in IAF service . Pls reply PRASUN. Waiting forward for your ans.
- April 12, 2012 at 11:21 PM
sir, i am really looking forward to more pics. i am sure that your four day hard work cannot be covered by 2 posts
looking forward to new posts. also is there going to be new engines for Arjun mk.2
- April 13, 2012 at 2:02 AM
The AASM has become the standard air-ground PGM of the French Airforce. Will the Iaf adopt it as its principal air delivered PGM by procuring in bulk? The AASM has a small range = 55 when compared to other rocket powdered glide bombs such as Denel Raptor? Will variants of the AASM having 500lb and 1000, 2000 lb and 60 and 120 km range like the Raptor be developed? 2. Is the ARDE of DRDO developing glide bombs like the US Walleye and rocket powered glide bombs having IIR seeker like the Raptor? 3. How can u be so sure that the PAF has 100 Raad and not more than that? If the no of Baburs is not very high then the no of Spyder SR in service with the combined Iaf & IA is sufficient for neutralising all the threat from H-2, H-4, Babur and Raad cruise missiles in case of a high intensity conflict with Pakistan. Thanx in advance. WAITING FOR YOUR REPLY.
- April 13, 2012 at 9:06 AM
Does Indian Army has any tracked amphibious carrier like the Russian PTS-2
Also you promised more pics from the defense expo. When can we expect them.
- April 13, 2012 at 6:13 PM
- KSingh said...
Prasun, it has been reported that Rafeal are offering the Trophy APS for the Arjun Mk.II but I thought the Iron Fist had already been selected for the Mk.II? And which system is superior in respect to the Iron Fist vs Trophy/ what are the various pros and cons of each system?
- April 13, 2012 at 7:48 PM
- LEE said...
- April 13, 2012 at 7:53 PM
What now ?
what weapons will be used in the scorpene?
- April 13, 2012 at 8:42 PM
What happened to this project?
- April 13, 2012 at 9:37 PM
- DynaDemos said...
Is it really HAL's fault that they have still not developed a basic modern trainer aircraft on the lines of pilatus -7 mk2 /pil-9 with a good engine.Costly taxpayer's money are going waste in the process and rupee fluctuations are gain not helping .
And what is the update on sitara/hjt-36.
- April 14, 2012 at 12:13 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To KSingh: The Iron Fist APS was chosen more than two years ago by both the CVRDE & Army HQ. What IMI should now do is form a cartel with Rheinmetal Air Defence, DENEL Group & ST Kinetics and as a united group tell India's MoD in no uncertain terms that either provide incontrovertible proof any wrongdoing committed by these companies, or else remove these companies from the blacklist. If the MoD does not budge, then these companies must sue the MoD or seek monetary compensation after referring the case for international arbitration. This is the only way to teach an everlasting lesson to the MoD.
To KSK: Only those weapons certified for use by the Scorpene SSK have to be acquired. This includes the Black Shark torpedoes. No two ways about it.
To DynaDemos: HAL had developed the HTT-35 BTT as far back as 1994, but the prototype never took off. The project was shot down by the MoD and IAF HQ. Therefore, the MoD has to take the blame for India now importing the PC-7 Mk2 and wasting the Indian taxpayer's money. As for the HJT-36 IJT, the IAF will have no use for the IJT once the PC-7 Mk2s are bought. Between the PC-7 Mk2 and Hawk Mk.132 AJT, there's no need for an IJT. An IJT would have been reqd only if there was a gap to be filled between a piston-engined ab-initio primary trainer and an advanced jet trainer. But since the PC-7 Mk2 is a basic trainer powered by a turboprop engine, the gap to be bridged between it and the Hawk Mk.132 does not require the services of an IJT. Instead, what's required now is the mass-production of at least 60 Tejas Mk1 tandem-seat lead-in fighter trainers to bridge the gap between the Hawk Mk132 and the tandem-seat Su-30MKIs & Rafales.
- April 14, 2012 at 1:49 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To firstname.lastname@example.com: It was thankfully terminated with extreme prejudice lest it waste any more of the Indian taxpayer's money.
- April 14, 2012 at 1:50 AM
How do you compare akula-2/3 INS Chakra with the latest akule russian have Gepard. Are they same?(excluding weapon load) Or whichone is more advanced specially in terms of sonars and other sensors? And what will be the use of nerpa for the russians once the 10 year lease is over? I mean if they want to keep it and use it for long term they they have to modify the sub once again to change her weapons load. Isn't it?
- April 14, 2012 at 2:53 AM
- Prasun K. Sengupta said...
To Shaurya: The INS Chakra/K-152 Nerpa is of more recent vintage compared to the Gepard. When talking to the five-odd Russian OEMs present at DEFEXPO 2012 who are vendors for the INS Chakra, the combat management system & integrated platform management system are far more advanced than those on the Gepard. In addition, the bulbous structure at the rear of INS Chakra houses both a LF thin-line towed-array sonar as well as a winch-operated ELF comms antenna incorporated specially for the Indian Navy (since the Chakra will be used mostly for escorting the Arihant and its follow-on S-3 & S-4 SSBNs during their sea-trials as well as their operational patrols). That's the reason why the Arihant was awaiting the arrival of INS Chakra and can now at last proceed for here sea-trials.
- April 14, 2012 at 3:45 AM
Some people are trying to prop up BSF against army in-addition Home ministry is quick to grant these police walas without much fuss
- February 15, 2015 at 10:37 PM


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The abrupt changes in classification initiated in the previous rounds culminated in round 10 with a double castling at the top. Both leaders Dzagnidze and Zhao Xue lost with White against their nearest trailers, Ju Wenjun and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh respectively. In the third decisive game of the day, Natalia Zhukova defeated with White Natalija Pogonina, after carrying out an elegant tactic. Nino Batsiashvili - Humpy Koneru, Antoaneta Stefanova - Valentina Gunina and Harika Dronavalli - Pia Cramling ended in draws. After ten rounds, Sarasadat Khademalsharieh and Ju Wenjun share the lead with 7 points, trailed by Nana Dzagnidze and Zhao Xue with 6,5. Round 10 results:
Standings after Round 10
Read full Round 10 reportRound 10 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
The second rest day did not have the same effect on all the players. Some of them returned to the chess board with renewed forces, while others seemed to be taken out of their rhythm. Round 9 maintained the high percentage of decisive games (4 with 2 draws) and marked some spectacular changes in the top configuration. Nana Dzagnidze lost an important point with Black against Pia Cramling and was caught up by Zhao Xue who won with Black against the former leader, Natalija Pogonina. Sarasadat Khademalsharieh obtained her first GM norm by defeating Antoaneta Stefanova with White and Humpy Koneru reached the floating level 50% by winning her second Tartakower QG against Valentina Gunina. Ju Wenjun - Natalia Zhukova and Harika Dronavalli - Nino Batsiashvili ended in draws after fierce defence from Black in the former and White in the latter. The tournament has two leaders, Zhao Xue and Nana Dzagnidze, both on 6.5/9, being trailed by half a point by Ju Wenjun and Sarasadat Khademalsharieh. Round 9 results:
Read full Round 9 reportRound 9 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
The high rate of decisive games (four, with only two draws) persisted in round 8, but the same applies to the frequency of time troubles and the inherent inaccuracies, mistakes and on board upside downs. The central result was Nana Dzagnidze's win with White against Harika Dronavalli, converting the Georgian into sole leader with a margin of a full point. Antoaneta Stefanova obtained her first victory in the tournament against Natalija Pogonina, causing the Russian to drop on a shared 2nd-4th. Natalia Zhukova - Pia Cramling and Nino Batsiashvili - Valentina Gunina ended in wins for Black. The short draw in the Chinese derby Zhao Xue - Ju Wenjun allowed both players catching up with Natalija Pogonina. The other draw of the day was Humpy Koneru - Sarasadat Khademalsharieh.
Round 8 results:
Read full Round 8 reportRound 8 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
The seventh round offered a great, even though far from flawless, spectacle with five decisive games and only one draw, the record of militancy so far. The situation at the top remains intact as both leaders, Natalija Pogonina and Nana Dzagnidze, won with White against Humpy Koneru and Nino Batshiashvili, respectively. Their main followers are the Chinese players who both won today, Ju Wenjun with White against Antoaneta Stefanova and Zhao Xue against Pia Cramling with Black. The youngest player in the competition, Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, continues her ascension as she defeated Valentina Gunina with White. The only draw of the day was Harika Dronavalli - Natalija Zhukova, far from a cordial affair. Round 7 results:
Read full Round 7 reportRound 7 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
The sixth round scheduled a few interesting games, such as an improvised China-India match, won by the former with 2-0 and the Russian derby. It is also worth mentioning that half today's games were practically decided in the opening. By defeating Natalia Zhukova with Black, Nana Dzagnidze caught up with Natalija Pogonina who drew her game (also with Black) against Valentina Gunina. Zhao Xue won against Harika Dronavalli with White and her colleague Ju Wenjun did the same against Humpy Koneru with Black. In Nino Batsiashvili - Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, the Iranian player scored her first full point in the tournament, reaching an excellent +1. Despite the peaceful result, Antoaneta Stefanova - Pia Cramling was one of the most original games so far! Round 6 results:
Read full Round 6 reportRound 6 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
After the refreshing free day, the players started the fifth round with renewed forces. Paradoxically, there was only one decisive game, but this was due to the increased degree of accuracy, as the fighting spirit was as high as ever. Natalija Pogonina's draw with White against Sarasadat Khademalsharieh maintains her on the leading position, while the same result against Zhao Xue keeps Nana Dzagnidze trailing her by half a point. Natalia Zhukova - Nino Batsiashvili, Ju Wenjun - Valentina Gunina and Pia Cramling vs Humpy Koneru were entertaining games despite the peaceful result. In the only decisive game, Harika Dronavalli defeated Antoaneta Stefanova after the Bulgarian chose an uninspired plan at an early stage. Round 5 results:
Read full Round 5 reportRound 5 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
Played on the Valentine's Day, the fourth round was fortunate for Valentina Gunina who recovered from her shaky start with a victory over the experienced Pia Cramling. Natalia Pogonina defeated Nino Batsiashvili with the black pieces, maintaining her lead in the tournament. She is trailed by half a point by Nana Dzagnidze who won, also with Black, against Antoaneta Stefanova. Playing with White, Zhao Xue profited from Natalia Zhukova's time trouble to turn an inferior position into a win. Sara Khademalsharieh - Ju Wenjun and Humpy Koneru - Harika Dronavalli were the only draws of the day, which ended with the same high percentage of decisive games as the first round. Round 4 results:
Read full Round 4 reportRound 4 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
The third round was by far less peaceful than the five draws and one decisive game might suggest. Natalija Pogonina drew with Black against Ju Wenjun, thus maintaining her sole lead. In the only decisive game, Zhao Xue - Nino Batsiashvili, White won after sacrificing a pawn and then a piece! Natalia Zhukova - Antoaneta Stefanova and Pia Cramling - Sarasadat Khademalsharieh featured intense fight, while Nana Dzagnidze vs Humpy Koneru and Harika Dronavalli vs Valentina Gunina had a marked positional character. As a coincidence, in the third round there were... 3 games ending in a three-fold repetition!
Round 3 results
Read full Round 3 report hereRound 3 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstables
Round 2 In chess, and not only in chess, winners need to score points. The alchemy of success is complex but one has to be smart, aggressive, confident and, not least, to avoid making mistakes. So far, the player who seems to have found the best recipe is Natalia Pogonina, who is the only one with 2/2. Even though today we had 'only' two decisive games compared with yesterday's four, the chess spectacle was by no means of lower quality nor lacked the salt & pepper every chess fan is looking for. Round 2 results:
Round 2 photo galleryStandingsPairings & ResultsCrosstablesRead full report of Round 2 here
Round 1 Sometimes coincidence is a plan in desguise. Programmed or not, the first round of Teheran FIDE Women Grand Prix could have hardly found a better day to start its battless: perfect synchronization with the Revolution Day celebrated all over Iran on 11th February! And, as expected, the 'unexpected' happened. No, chess is not and will never (hopefully) be a drawish game, as the percentage of today's round speaks for itself - four decisive results and two hard fought draws is a great start for the chess lovers and for some of the players too...
This is how the chess life wheel is spinning around, with the inherent pressure accumulating before the game and being released move by move, requiring enormous nervous strength to emerge as a winner. The chess world is all gates, all opportunities, strings of tension waiting to be struck. And yet, the participants of the Teheran FIDE Women GP prove the image of a chess player as a ruthless warrior wrong. They are all beautiful, have family lives, university studies… plus, the "genius" label completes the profile too. Read full report herePhoto GalleryPairings & ResultsStandings
Teheran Women's Grand Prix is about to start
"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different", is one of Coco Chanel's principles of success. If she reached the stars thanks to her innovative yet 'simple' concepts, the famous quote could also be the key to unlock the chess queendom's doors, soon to be found in a unique and beautiful location: Tehran. Iran distinguished itself throughout its long chess history with many successful events organized, and is about to enrich its CV with currently one of the most prestigious chess tournaments in the World: the FIDE Women Grand Prix. The media, the players and the entire chess scene is well aware of the high profile, which the FIDE Women Grand Prix circuit has, Tehran being the honored host to warmly welcome the ladies for the 2nd leg of the 2015/2016 series. The playing venue is located in the headquarters of the Iranian Chess Federation (Chess Palace, Hejab Str., Keshavarz Blvd, Tehran, P.O.Box 14145-463, Iran) and for two weeks, between 11-23 February, the tournament hall will witness and delight us with top class chess. Kindly visit the Players & Schedule tabs for more details.Tournament official website. As a sign of respect to the country's culture, rituals and beliefs, the participants will follow the guidelines of the Iranian women attire, emphasizing once again that chess reunites people in a tournament which will not be only different and special but also irreplaceable! The line-up is very impressive in terms of chess strength, with 9 GMs out of the twelve participants, and a good mix of: 1. youth ambition and experience (Pia Cramling, born in 1963 and the local star - Sarasadat Khademalsharieh, born in 1997),2. experts in the Grand Prix series (former women world champions: Antoaneta Stefanova and Humpy Koneru) and newcomers (Nino Batsiashvili and Valentina Gunina)3. warmed up players vs well rested ones...
Most of the participants of the upcoming Tehran GP just finished playing in Gibraltar or Wijk aan Zee and will continue their chess quests with the IMSA Elite Mind Games in China, while the World Championship Match will also be held soon in Ukraine... Women chess is flourishing thanks to the tireless organizers, generous sponsors and tough ladies that have long ago erased words like "too tired" or "too busy" from their vocabulary. If some players will have three (!) strong events in a row, keeping the brain's tabs open and ready, some others prefer the more quiet times, to give it all in the event that matters.


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Paracelsus (1493-1541)
The Swiss physician and alchemist Paracelsus was one of the most influential medical scientists in early modern Europe.
His real name was Theophrastus Aureolus Bombastus von Hohenheim and he was the son of a doctor. After a brief period as a medical student in Italy, he travelled all over Europe and beyond as a military surgeon with the Venetian army, visiting Russia, Arabia and Egypt along the way. Mixing with people from many cultures, he gained considerable knowledge of several folk medicine traditions. 'I have not been ashamed', he wrote, 'to learn from tramps, butchers and barbers.' These influences led him to reject much of university-taught medicine.
He changed his name to Paracelsus ('equal to Celsus') to indicate that he wanted to rival ancient medical authorities such as Galen and Celsus. He rejected Galen's claim that health and disease were controlled by the four humours and told doctors to study nature and develop personal experience through experiment. On the other hand, he continued to subscribe to all kinds of folk beliefs such as gnomes, spirits and fairies.
Paracelsus also had some training in alchemy, from which he picked up the principle that metals were the key elements which made up the universe, and that they were subject to control by God, the 'great magician' who created nature.
Paracelsus argued that the body was a chemical system which had to be balanced not only internally, but which also had to be in harmony with its environment. On the basis of this idea, Paracelsus introduced new chemical substances into medicine, for instance the use of the metal mercury for the treatment of syphilis.
In 1526 he was appointed Professor of Medicine at the University of Basel, Switzerland. Paracelsus overthrew convention by publicly burning the books of Ibn Sina and Galen. He also invited ordinary citizens to his lectures, which he gave wearing an alchemist's leather apron rather than an academic gown. His new methods were very controversial, and in 1538 he was exiled from Basel. He died in 1541 in Austria.
Related Themes and Topics
Related links
Techniques and Technologies:
BibliographyH Crone, Paracelsus: The Man Who Defied Medicine: His Real Contribution to Medicine and Science (Melbourne: Albarello, 2004)
Paracelsus (Theophrastus Bombastus von Hohenheim), Essential Theoretical Writings, edited and by A Weeks (Leiden/Boston: Brill, 2008)
C Webster, Paracelsus: Medicine, Magic, and Mission at the End of Time (New Haven/ London: Yale University Press, 2008)
A form of medieval chemistry that incorporated aspects of philosophy. It was concerned with transforming metal, particularly into gold, and potentially creating an elixir to prolong life.
A sexually transmitted infection resulting in the formation of lesions throughout the body.


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Michelle Conway and Hannah Rounds
Final Stats
FRAMINGHAM, MA-Junior right-hander Ashley Felaccio (Acushnet, MA/Fairhaven HS/Massasoit CC) pitched a five-hit shutout and junior catcher Hannah Rounds (Lincoln, RI/Lincoln HS) drove home the only run in the top of the seventh inning as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth's softball team blanked host Framingham State, 1-0, in the second game and earned a split of their non-conference doubleheader at Farley Field Sunday. The Rams won the opener, 5-4.
Felaccio walked three and struck out seven in improving her record to 3-4.
The Corsairs broke a scoreless tie when senior center fielder Michelle Conway (Burrillville, RI/Burrillville HS) led off the top of the seventh with a walk and stole second. One out later, Rounds singled through the left side to drive home the game's only run. Yaya Faria took the loss for Framingham State and fell to 8-6.
UMass Dartmouth took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the opener on an error and a sacrifice by junior first baseman Kaitlin Hogan (Tewksbury, MA/Shawsheen HS). The Rams tied it in the fourth on an RBI double by Christy Ulak and Kasey Phipps' run-scoring single. Junior right fielder Elizabeth Mulready (Rockland, MA/Rockland HS) singled home a run in a two-run sixth for UMass Dartmouth, but FSU took advantage of errors by Rounds and junior third baseman Tracie Calvert (Sandwich, MA/Sandwich HS) to score three unearned runs in the bottom of the sixth. Alysia Morrissette earned the win for FSU and improved to 6-12, while junior Brittany Eldridge (Raynham, MA/Bridgewater-Raynham HS), who relieved Felaccio in the fifth inning, took the loss and fell to 8-20.
The Corsairs are now 11-26, while the Rams are now 14-22. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they visit Bridgewater State Monday. Framingham State will play in the Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference playoffs next week.


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Links for 2008-11-28 [del.icio.us]
Posted: 29 Nov 2008 12:00 AM CST
... a blog recording interesting technology or learning-related snippets... or anything else that takes my fancy. If it makes me stop and think, it'll probably end up here!
Sunday, November 30, 2008
My del.icio.us...
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Stuff I like
Think Google has minimal design licked? Take a look at keyboardr! I am a bit of a keyboard fan for quick navigation so this is right up my street and this actually seems quicker than using Google direct, not least because results appear as you're typing.
If you fancy breaking out of the Google environment for a wee while, this could be a good place to start to see... *whisper*... other ways of searching...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Learning Outcomes - again
Recent Reflection: On less being more at Master's level: "... it does risk becoming formulaic, and also implying that there is a correct procedure for doing it. The more specific the directions, the more restricted the outcomes, and the less the scope for the exercise of individual initiative and creativity (if that is desirable in your discipline, of course!) Master's students are experts, or at least nearly there. They need to be given their heads rather than constrained."
Valuable comment on the trouble with learning outcomes in Higher Education by James Atherton. Yes, I agree. Yes, precision in specification does not mean that we can predict or truly direct outcomes. And while I'm at it... I actually think that in some circumstances they can lead to lazy and superficial learning. What do they really mean? Who dreamt them up? And how can it possibly work that (and I'm thinking of Open University courses in particular here) one party dreams up the learning outcomes, another is supposed to teach to them (even though their interpretation is never questioned) and another is supposed to learn to them. So many areas for potential misinterpretation or misplaced meaning. What point do they serve if "those who knew what they meant when they originally wrote them" are outside the learning loop between student and tutor? Bonkers.
Am thinking of getting myself a placard made up... :o)
Reuters Left Second Life... and I still can't get into it at all
Exclusive: Why Reuters Left Second Life, And How Linden Lab Can Fix It: "It's hard to say what, if anything, Linden Lab can do to make Second Life appeal to a general audience. The very things that most appeal to Second Life's hardcore enthusiasts are either boring or creepy for most people: Spending hundreds of hours of effort to make insignificant amounts of money selling virtual clothes, experimenting with changing your gender or species, getting into random conversations with strangers from around the world, or having pseudo-nonymous sex (and let's not kid ourselves, sex is a huge draw into Second Life). As part of walking my 'beat,' I'd get invited by sources to virtual nightclubs, where I'd right-click the dancefloor to send my avatar gyrating as I sat at home at my computer. It was about as fun as watching paint dry.
But here's how Linden Lab can make Second Life more fun and a better business:
1. Build good newbie-oriented content. Linden has always taken the position they're in the 3D platform business, and can't be expected to build anything with their own tools or even know what others are doing in Second Life. That argument didn't fly when the gambling scandal broke and it doesn't work now. Second Life has a monster learning curve, and Linden Lab needs to hold new users' hands through every step of their first five or six hours. A big content push isn't even that expensive: the company has proven it can pay Second Lifers $10/hr to do these things and have skilled content creators begging for the job.
2. Acknowledge that Second Life's reputation is now a liability. This isn't the worst thing in the world, but it does mean Second Life can't sit back and hope word-of-mouth brings in hordes of new users like it did back in 2006. Second Life needs to advertise, and the ads need to be hip. New CEO Mark Kingdon has an ad background and should have the right résumé to pull off a makeover.
3. Radically simplify the user interface. The Second Life UI is a mess, and there's been no major changes to it in Second Life's 5+ years. Making the Second Life experience easy-to-use, even graceful, isn't a nice-to-have, it's a business imperative.
4. Abandon the idea that Second Life is a business app. I wasn't in Second Life to play, I was there on assignment for Reuters. The login server would crash. I'd try to reach sources, but Second Life's IM window would hang on 'waiting' all day when trying to figure out who was online. 'Teleports' -- the ability to move from point to point anywhere in Second Life -- would stop working and I'd get locked out of my own office. These weren't one-offs, they were my daily, first-hand, happens-all-the-time experiences. For all its bugs, Second Life is tolerable as a playground, but enterprise users will never and should never use it for business. Re-focus on the core mission: Keeping the hobbyists happy and converting potential recruits into hardcore (read: fees-paying) users."
Have to say, a lot of the above resonates with my experience... or lack of... using Second Life. Okay, so, for point 4 substitute education for business and that's more or less my way of looking at it. I like the idea in principle, but the reality I find difficult to use, it has made previous laptops overheat and shut down, it's confusing, unreliable and generally frustrating. The learning curve to get to grips with it is pretty large - and if we're talking about anything more than wandering around lost and vaguely bumping into stuff, then we're talking about a fairly significant investment of time.
Let's put it this way. I turn on my computer and I want to interact with others. I open my e-mail, create a new message, type away, hit send... that's about it. I 'tweet' by typing a short bit of text and hitting the return key. IM - pretty much the same. Most stuff... the same. Second Life and you're confronted with a whole host of gubbins that you need to get your head round to use it as an effective tool. You chose a name for your avatar. You create an outward appearance. You appear in a weird 'not quite right' looking landscape and meander around aimlessly... occasionally harrassed by another avatar... unsure what to do or where to go. I've tried to get my head round it, but it just hasn't intrigued me enough to engage me. It's ever so slightly unsettling. Do I 'know' the people I'm talking to? Do I know their real names rather than the made up ones? 'They' seem to know each other, but I don't know anyone - and I don't even know how to get to know them because I can't seem to control my own feet let alone communicate on any level! I don't feel comfortable in my avatar's skin. I feel comfortable in mine.
Second Life seems to be its own barrier to adoption. The argument that we haven't time for second life because we're too busy dealing with our first one isn't deep enough. Engaging with something which is frustrating to use, unreliable and resource intensive... coupled with the need to spend hours to engage... well, I can see why although those who have overcome those barriers are loyal... I can also see why it would fail to become truly mainstream. Not least because so much of effort required to cllimb the hill to real engagement is a personal investment of time spent outside the office. A quote from a recent report on the use of Second Life in HE - "Personally, I spent over 1500 hours being in-world understanding social interactions between October 2006 and May 2007, to get to grips with how SL works to hopefully help realise the full potential of what we/I could achieve." (Kirriemuir, 2007 - UK HE and FE Developments in Second Life) - and this describes an investment in time... in his own time!
1500 hours? An ouch too far!
Friday, November 21, 2008
The times they are a' changin'... again...
Having a mull about all of this. I wonder why everything has to be so black and white all the time? Now it's in. Now it's not. In. Out. In. Out.
... and so the great Hokey Cokey of education continues... :o)
My del.icio.us...
My del.icio.us...
Links for 2008-11-19 [del.icio.us]
Posted: 20 Nov 2008 12:00 AM CST
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Stephen Downes on Online Learning
Half an Hour: The Future of Online Learning: Ten Years On: "Today, and for the last century, education has been practiced in segregated buildings by carefully regimented and standardized classes of students led and instructed by teachers working essentially alone.
Over the last ten years, this model has been seen in many quarters to be obsolete. We have seen the emergence of a new model, where education is practiced in the community as a whole, by individuals studying personal curricula at their own pace, guided and assisted by community facilitators, online instructors and experts around the world.
Though today we stand at the cusp of this new vision, the future will see institutions and traditional forms of education receding gradually, reluctantly, to a tide of self-directing and self-motivated learners. This will be the last generation in which education is the practice of authority, and the first where it becomes, as has always been intended by educators, an act of liberty."
Perhaps a curiously Westernized perspective? Either way, the whole essay is worth a read and will get you thinking, agreeing, disagreeing, predicting, reflecting... and generally giving your brain a good scratching as you canter through the world of technology and its role in education and look towards an interesting, tangled future.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
The ignorance of the intelligent
Oxford students in 'bring a fit Jew' party row | Education | guardian.co.uk: "Students in the under-21 rugby squad are said to have attached pretend sidelocks to their heads at the 'bring a fit Jew party'. Sidelocks are worn by Orthodox Jewish men.
The party, at a curry house on Wednesday, has been condemned by the Jewish community as 'at best insensitive and ignorant: at worst blatantly antisemitic'.
The Oxford University Student Union is said to have convinced the team's captain to change the post-match party's theme to 'bring a fit girl'.
But Aaron Katchen, Oxford University's Jewish chaplain, said the original 'theme' had gone ahead. He was contacted by four students who had witnessed it.
The Community Security Trust, which deals with antisemitic attacks together with the police on behalf of the Jewish community, said the party would make Jewish students feel 'isolated and vulnerable'.
A spokesman for the Union of Jewish Students in the UK said: 'The actions of a few students have caused real offence. We are appalled that in 2008 old myths and antisemitic stereotypes are still appearing among supposedly educated students.'
Stupid to have done it (and personally I think that the suggested improved theme of 'bring a fit girl' is in a revolting category all its own)... but... the bit below from someone studying at one of the world's top universities just makes me cringe...
The captain of the under-21 team, Phil Boon, said he 'didn't see what the problem was'. He said Jewish girls had accepted invites to the party. 'I can understand why it might have offended some people, but it would have been an awesome social."
Yeah. "Awesome".
If that was the sound of the generation gap opening a little wider as I failed to understand his viewpoint... well... I'm glad I'm standing on this side of the gap.
*sighs again*
Thursday, November 6, 2008
HE motivation vs. real benefits?
Parents want children to get higher education they missed | Education | guardian.co.uk: "Four-fifths of parents who did not go on to higher education wish they had, and three-quarters of mature students regret not going to university straight after school.
The poll, commissioned by the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills (Dius), found that 16% believe they would now have a better career and 13% that they would have a better future if they had gone on to higher education.
The survey coincides with the launch of a national campaign to raise awareness among parents and their children of the benefits of higher education.
Some 86% of parents say they have actively encouraged their children to consider higher education, or plan to do so, because they regret not going themselves."
I wonder what the figures would be for those who had gone to university? I wonder if they all think it was a good thing or if there's any regret associated there? I also wonder if there are similar number of university-educated parents who want their children to go on to Higher Education because of the benefits it brought them?
Seems to have been a big ol' chunk of research missing because the above is fodder for a 'get your child into uni' campaign rather than a real reflection of its benefits to those who have gone. Me, I don't regret going to university straight from school... but equally I know that the degree choice I made then isn't the one I would have made if I'd waited a little longer.
There's a quote at the end of the article by Higher Education minister, David Lammy:
"We recognise the value that higher education brings, which is why by 2011 we will have increased funding by 30% in real terms since 1997 - spending £11bn a year."
... but I don't actually see that this research gives any weight to that other than revealing regret and perceived missed opportunities. This research reveals nothing about value. Motivation for encouraging your children into HE is one thing... but wouldn't it be nice if it were based on either concrete benefits or real reflections from those who had participated?


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The modern industrial motor is incredibly sturdy and reliable. Nevertheless, motors do fail. The big problem with motor failure isn't the cost of replacing the motor. It's the loss of revenue that occurs while the line is down. Do you know the revenue per hour of each critical process in your facility? That's what your company loses every hour a motor essential to that process is down.
When management reduces the maintenance budget, maintenance managers often compensate by reducing motor maintenance to meet the new numbers. But this inevitably results in motor failure, which means revenue losses and then layoffs. What should you do?
Prepare a single-page summary, backed by graphs, that shows the relationship between maintenance dollars and revenue per line. When managers can see the direct correlation between revenue and that the maintenance keeps the revenue flowing, they can also see that reducing maintenance reduces revenue. Companies generally do not reward for revenue reduction.


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Brad Richards' agent on no-trade clause: 'Brad has to do what's best for himself'
I just talked to Pat Morris, the agent for Brad Richards, and while he would not say definitively that Richards would not waive his no-trade clause before the July 1 free agent deadline, he did say that Richards has to do what's best for himself.
"I'm not aware of another player in this situation who has waived his no-trade clause, and I think there is a reason for that,'' Morris said. "Accepting a move to another team creates an obligation, and you have to be pretty sure about that obligation. I think Brad has to do what's best for himself and keep his options open.''
Richards has worked a long time to earn the no-trade clause and to earn a chance at free agency, and you can't blame him for wanting to utilize that opportunity. He said that so much will go into his decision, and so much is based on his experience already.
"It is difficult to leave Dallas, because it's a city I really like and it's a team where I thought I would have a chance to stay long-term,'' Richards said. "But the ownership situation is what it is, and I've been through that before, and it's something that's really important to me. I want to win, and I think if you look around the league, the teams that win consistently are teams with strong ownership.''
Morris said that Richards will certainly listen to any offers that teams are making to acquire his rights before July 1, but that the situation would have to be perfect.
"In a perfect world, you would love to help out the Dallas Stars and let them get something, but it would have to be the right fit,'' Morris said. "I think that's the best way to view this is that Brad has earned this right and it's not something that should be given away easily. It's a very important time in his career and a very important decision.''
Richards, 31, waived his no-trade clause to be traded from Tampa Bay to the Stars in February of 2008, and he said that was a difficult decision. He said the upcoming decisions would be just as tough.
"I never thought I was going to leave Tampa, so that was a shock, and I really didn't think I was going to leave Dallas, but you have to learn to adjust,'' Richards said. "This is a great opportunity, but it's also a pretty important decision, so I just have to take my time and look at all my options and see what is best for my future.''
Stars GM Joe Nieuwendyk said the Stars made a concerted effort to sign Richards before the NHL trade deadline in March, but that it became clear that Richards was not comfortable with the Stars' ownership situation. The team is owned by a group of lenders and is up for sale. While Vancouver businessman Tom Gaglardi is hoping to put in an official offer for the team very soon, it is unlikely the team will be sold by July 1.
"We felt we made a very fair and honest effort to sign Brad before the trade deadline, but the ownership situation is a real sticking point, and so we have to deal with that,'' Nieuwendyk said.


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In Search of the Novel: Ten Novelists
Chinua Achebe
Albert Chinualumogu Achebe was born in 1930 in Ogidi, Nigeria. Since the 1950s, Nigeria has witnessed "the flourishing of a new literature." Thirty years ago Chinua Achebe was one of the founders of this new literature, and over the years many critics have come to consider him the finest of the Nigerian novelists.
Achebe believes that our ancestors created their myths and told their stories for a human purpose and therefore "any good story, any good novel, should have a message..." Unlike some African writers struggling for acceptance among contemporary English-language novelists, Achebe has been able to avoid imitating the trends in English literature. Instead he has embraced the idea at the heart of the African oral tradition: that art is, and always was, at the service of man. Achebe's feel for the African context has influenced his aesthetic of the novel as well as the technical aspects of his work. As Bruce King comments in Introduction to Nigerian Literature: "Achebe was the first Nigerian writer to successfully transmute the conventions of the novel, a European art form, into African literature." In an Achebe novel, King notes, "European character study is subordinated to the portrayal of communal life; European economy of form is replaced by an aesthetic appropriate to the rhythms of traditional tribal life."
Web Sites
- Books and WritersChinua
Biography and information about his books. http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/achebe.htm
- Quotations from Chinua Achebe
Quotations on reflecting, adopting, and other topics.
- Chinua
Biographical information on the author and an overview of the regional problems of Nigeria


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Maybe Wednesday's shifting winds explained why three British skippers won their qualifying match races in the America's Cup World Series.
"We're used to cold-weather-system conditions and shifty winds," Luna Rossa Piranha skipper Chris Draper said.
Four-time Olympic champion Ben Ainslie made a successful debut in his transition to AC45s. His J.P. Morgan BAR boat beat Team Korea, while Piranha beat Artemis Racing Red, and Luna Rossa Swordfish defeated China Team, all by 2-0 sweeps in the best-of-three format, making for a quick day of racing in moderate 15-knot winds.
"It's about avoiding mistakes," Swordfish skipper Paul Campbell-James said, "and when the breeze is a little lighter it's easier to avoid those mistakes."
There weren't any surprises, even though Ainslie is a novice on these boats while Team Korea has been racing for a year. Ainslie had a crew made up of Oracle Team USA veterans on loan to his team.
His team came from behind in both races to beat Team Korea, skippered by another Olympic gold medalist, Nathan Outteridge, by 13 and 29 seconds.
"The racing is so fast – it's a bit of a blur," Ainslie said. "It's full on for the guys. The whole way around they're maxed out, doing maneuvers, getting sails up and down. As the helmsman, I'm the only one who has time to look around and make decisions. It happens so fast; I was amazed at that. And I was amazed how close the racing was for these boats."
In the second race, he smartly held up Team Korea near the end of the second leg to give his crew time to get a balky gennaker up.
Like Ainslie's boat, Piranha trailed in each of its races. In the second, Artemis Racing Red, skippered by Santiago Lange, drew two penalties for breaking rules on the pre-start.
In Thursday's quarterfinals, Swordfish races against Artemis Racing White, and Piranha faces Oracle Team USA Spithill. On Friday, J.P. Morgan BAR races Emirates Team New Zealand, and France's Energy Team takes on Oracle Team USA Coutts.
The quarterfinals are one-race affairs, as are the semifinals Saturday and the final Sunday. Thursday's first fleet race begins at 2:50 p.m., the second at 3:25 p.m.
Hildebrand gets a ride: Race car driver J.R. Hildebrand, headed for Sunday's GoPro Indy Grand Prix of Sonoma, rode on Jimmy Spithill's Oracle Team USA boat in a practice session. "I got a chance at the end to steer the boat and feel how quickly things change and how quickly the boat can switch direction," the Sausalito native said.