New copters to enable tech transfer

New copters to enable tech transfer

News:

1. The Defence Ministry will soon release project-specific implementation guidelines for the 111 naval utility helicopters to be procured under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model.

Important facts:

1. According to some foreign companies, there is still some clarity required on crucial legal, liability and technology transfer issues like legal.
2. Under the SP model, Indian private companies will get to tie up with global original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and build major defence platforms in India under technology transfer.
3. So far, it was defence public sector undertakings (DPSUs) which played the lead role.
4. Apart from the helicopters, the projects to be processed under the SP model are fighter aircraft, P-75I submarines and armoured vehicles.
5. All procurements under the SP model would be executed by specially constituted empowered project committees (EPC) to ensure timely execution.
6. The liability issue was one of the major reasons the earlier medium multi-role combat aircraft(MMRCA) deal for 126 jets got derailed.
7. Recently, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared project-specific implementation guidelines for the naval helicopters.
8. These guidelines would lay emphasis on transfer of technology and high absorption of indigenous content.
9. The guidelines and the qualification guidelines are yet to be communicated to the industry.
10. Way ahead:

• There is need for some clarity from the MoD on production transfer and technology transfer as well.
• Large infrastructure present in the country with DPSUs must be utilized for the benefit of both the country as well as form a business sense.