This refers to Ajai Shukla’s column “None so blind as those who will not see” (Broadsword, January 8). The article is one-sided and does not include any inputs from Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), a Navratna defence public sector undertaking. There is no truth in the statement that the defence ministry is tailoring its future requirements of night-vision devices (NVDs) to what BEL can supply. Nor is BEL aware that the Army indicated a requirement of “third-generation” NVDs.
Further, there seems to be a mix-up by the author, since the requirement of “Figure of Merit” (FOM) 1400 has been spelt out by the Army in the approved GSQR (general staff qualitative requirement) for Night Sight for Carbine (quantity of 45,000 approximately, to which the author is referring).
BEL is the only manufacturer in the country that has been manufacturing image-intensifier (II) tubes since 1991. Based on the requirements projected by the Army, BEL has planned to enhance capacity to meet the requirement of II tubes (which includes NVDs fitted with FOM 1700 in the quantities that the Army wants). In fact, the issue of ToT (transfer of technology) for XR-5 II tube with FOM 1700 is already under discussion with the French authorities in the Indo-French Defence Cooperation meeting. Also, BEL has made no request to the defence ministry for dilution of any specifications in its orders for NVDs. The author has ignored that BEL is the only source that manufactures II tubes indigenously, and its absorption of technology for II tube of FOM minimum 1250 is underway.
It has been confirmed by Photonis, the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of II tubes, that the plant and machinery installed for implementation of the current ToT for XD-4 II tube is also used by Photonis to manufacture the advanced XR-5 II tube with FOM 1600-2017 with certain improvements in processes. The technology for getting the incremental ToT for II tube of FOM 1600-2017, i.e. XR-5 specifications, is under discussion with the French authorities.
Krishna K S, Bharat Electronics Ltd
Ajai Shukla replies:
The key issue raised in my write-up is that the Army is pushing to procure third-generation image-intensifier tubes, with a FOM rating of 1700, and autogating facility. What BEL is offering the Army is significantly lower than that and is seen to be influencing the defence ministry to keep the specifications at FOM 1400. It is noteworthy that the Pakistani and Bangladeshi militaries are procuring FOM 1600 tubes. BEL’s failure to offer FOM 1700 tubes is rooted in its ability to absorb and take forward the technology that it has twice bought, at enormous cost, most recently from Photonis in 2010-11. I stand by the facts in my piece.
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Further, there seems to be a mix-up by the author, since the requirement of “Figure of Merit” (FOM) 1400 has been spelt out by the Army in the approved GSQR (general staff qualitative requirement) for Night Sight for Carbine (quantity of 45,000 approximately, to which the author is referring).
BEL is the only manufacturer in the country that has been manufacturing image-intensifier (II) tubes since 1991. Based on the requirements projected by the Army, BEL has planned to enhance capacity to meet the requirement of II tubes (which includes NVDs fitted with FOM 1700 in the quantities that the Army wants). In fact, the issue of ToT (transfer of technology) for XR-5 II tube with FOM 1700 is already under discussion with the French authorities in the Indo-French Defence Cooperation meeting. Also, BEL has made no request to the defence ministry for dilution of any specifications in its orders for NVDs. The author has ignored that BEL is the only source that manufactures II tubes indigenously, and its absorption of technology for II tube of FOM minimum 1250 is underway.
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BEL has confirmed to the Army that the proposal for procurement of 12,109 PNVDs as product improvement with autogated II tube, is under process by the MGO (Master General of Ordnance) Branch. Trials of NVDs fitted with the upgraded II tube have been carried out successfully by both the user, i.e. Infantry Directorate and the Directorate General of Quality Assurance.
It has been confirmed by Photonis, the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) of II tubes, that the plant and machinery installed for implementation of the current ToT for XD-4 II tube is also used by Photonis to manufacture the advanced XR-5 II tube with FOM 1600-2017 with certain improvements in processes. The technology for getting the incremental ToT for II tube of FOM 1600-2017, i.e. XR-5 specifications, is under discussion with the French authorities.
Krishna K S, Bharat Electronics Ltd
Ajai Shukla replies:
The key issue raised in my write-up is that the Army is pushing to procure third-generation image-intensifier tubes, with a FOM rating of 1700, and autogating facility. What BEL is offering the Army is significantly lower than that and is seen to be influencing the defence ministry to keep the specifications at FOM 1400. It is noteworthy that the Pakistani and Bangladeshi militaries are procuring FOM 1600 tubes. BEL’s failure to offer FOM 1700 tubes is rooted in its ability to absorb and take forward the technology that it has twice bought, at enormous cost, most recently from Photonis in 2010-11. I stand by the facts in my piece.
Letters can be mailed, faxed or e-mailed to:
The Editor, Business Standard
Nehru House, 4 Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110 002
Fax: (011) 23720201 · E-mail: letters@bsmail.in
All letters must have a postal address and telephone number