Tag: Make In India

  • India To Develop 5th-Gen Stealth Fighter Jet Capable Of Supersonic Cruise Speed |

    India has now decided to end its reliance on foreign fighter jets with the  Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearing a long-pending proposal to indigenously design and develop a fifth-generation deep penetration Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in line with the futuristic requirement of the Indian Air Force. According to reports, the swing-role AMCA will be capable of achieving supersonic cruise speed. The initial cost of the project will be Rs 15,000 crore. This would be India’s another ambitious project after developing Light Combat Aircraf Tejas. This comes as a boost for Make In India in Defence.

    India’s Fighter Aircraft Project

    India has so far not built Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft and for its security needs, it often relies on France and Russia. India has 36 Rafale aircraft and it has expressed interest in buying 26 more aircraft from France.  The Indian Air Force (IAF) manages a diverse range of aircraft fleets, comprising over 1,700 aircraft, which includes more than 900 combat aircraft. Most of these aircraft are of foreign origin.

    LCA Tejas Project

    The Light Combat Aircraft trainer is a lightweight, all-weather, multirole aircraft. Tejas aircraft is a potent platform for air combat and offensive air support missions while reconnaissance and anti-ship operations are its secondary roles. This is the first time ever that an indigenous twin-seat fighter has been designed, developed and manufactured in India. The first version of the aircraft was inducted into the IAF in 2016. Currently, two squadrons of IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas. An order worth Rs 36,468 Crore for delivery of 83 LCA Mk 1A aircraft has been placed with HAL and delivery is scheduled to begin by March end this year. HAL has the current capacity to build 8 LCA aircraft per year. This is being increased to 16 aircraft every year by 2025 and further to 24 aircraft every year in the next 3 years.

    Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft Project

    While India has developed LCA Tejas, it has been working to develop and build an ambitious AMCA jet. Indian firms are working to develop a medium-weight deep penetration fighter jet with advanced stealth features to bolster its Air Force’s power capability. At present, only selected countries like the US, Russia and China have fifth-generation stealth fighter jets. Under the project, five prototypes of the AMCA will jointly be built by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with support from private industries.

    Other Projects In Pipeline

    The CCS also accorded in-principle approval to procure 34 Dhruv advanced light helicopters for the Coast Guard and the Indian Army. On the other hand, the Indian Air Force is also in the process of procuring 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). The IAF will acquire 114 jets at a cost of around $18 billion.

  • Safeguarding India’s Digital Frontier: Unveiling Ransomware Challenges And Cybersecurity Strategies |

    The global expansion of the technology ecosystem has led to a significant rise in cybersecurity challenges. India, too, faces these challenges, underscoring the crucial need for robust measures and collaborative initiatives to ensure the safety, integrity, and continual growth of our cyber ecosystem.

    Recent findings from the Data Security Council of India (DSCI), an active consortium of cybersecurity ecosystem participants, reveal a projected demand for 64,000 cybersecurity professionals in India. The DSCI anticipates a substantial increase in the demand for cybersecurity products and services, expecting the workforce to grow from 1.10 lakh employees in 2019 to over 10 lakh employees by 2025-26. Despite the rising demand and salaries in the cybersecurity industry, a notable concern is the projected 30% demand-supply gap by the end of 2023.

    The alarming gap in the cybersecurity workforce isn’t confined to national borders but spans globally, reaching an impressive 4.7 million by 2023. Despite this, the workforce gap has notably widened, experiencing a substantial 26.2% year-on-year increase in 2022. This underscores the pressing need to urgently address and narrow the expanding imbalance within the cybersecurity workforce.

    Ransomware attacks have become increasingly common. When asked why they predominantly affect SME and MSME sectors, Kaushik Ray, COO of WhizHack Technologies, explained, “The SME and MSME sector, lacking regulation, face heightened cyber threats. Sophos’ report reveals that 83% of targeted organizations have under 1,000 employees, with missing logs in 42% of attacks. Despite holding valuable data, limited resources and a false sense of security make them vulnerable. The improved cybersecurity infrastructure is evident in a 44% decrease in ransomware ‘dwell time.’ However, with the rising sophistication of attacks, SMEs, adopting technology at just 36%-37%, remain at risk. A crucial shift in mindset and substantial technology adoption is necessary for robust cyber defense.”

    With each passing day, hackers are advancing their techniques in tandem with technology. It raises the question of whether there’s a standard module or if hackers employ diverse techniques to target businesses. Ray said, “These attacks evolve constantly, with hackers keenly aware of defense levels. They possess a well-developed playbook to navigate defenses. SMEs are especially vulnerable to spam, phishing, DDoS attacks, ransomware, and corporate account takeovers. As MSMEs shift to the cloud for digital transformation, the risk of cyberattacks on cloud services increases. Security experts note that smaller organizations using Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) are particularly susceptible to cyber extortion attempts, where ransomware encrypts files, demanding payment for decryption keys.”

    Regarding the sophistication of ransomware attacks, he said, “India has faced a surge in state-sponsored attacks, a concern we’ve highlighted since our inception. Over the last three years, these attacks have increased by 278%. State-sponsored attacks inherently possess complexity and sophistication. Until September, service companies in India, particularly in IT and BPO, reported the majority of these incidents. The same report notes a 460% increase in attacks on government agencies and a 508% rise in the SME sector. Ransomware attacks are proliferating in the cybersecurity sector, evolving beyond existing defenses. The most severely impacted and vulnerable is the SME sector. Modern cyberattacks utilize advanced tactics, circumventing traditional malware detection and operating within the intricacies of their targets’ environments, aiming to steal data, install ransomware, encrypt data, and cause widespread disruption.”

    It’s evident that the cyber attacks on MSMEs and SMEs are very common now and affect the entire economy at a large scale. Kaushik believes that India’s position is not very good. The WhizHack COO further said, “Once again, based on the numbers, globally, state-sponsored attacks stand at 68%, while India stands at 72%. Many Indian SMEs, integral to the nation’s growth, face heightened susceptibility to global ransomware attacks, exposing them to risks such as service disruptions, delivery delays, and significant financial losses. To address these threats, organizations need to proactively prepare and establish recovery strategies in anticipation of potential attacks. There is a significant dependency on threat countermeasures and reactive approaches, such as firewalls and anti-malware software, which are proving insufficient against increasingly sophisticated attacks. Simple yet cost-effective practices, which organizations often overlook, need to be implemented. The starting point is creating awareness.”

    Talking about how vulnerable the MSME and SME sectors are to these cyber attacks, the WhizHack COO added, “Ransomware attacks have affected a significant portion of respondents in the last two years, with 73% reporting an incident. Among those affected, 28% admitted to paying the ransom, while an additional 42.5% acknowledged the possibility of considering such payments. Cybercriminals are now also attempting to exfiltrate intellectual property from companies, victimizing industries like BFSI, Chemicals, Automobiles, Airlines, and Food & Beverage. A study revealed that industries considering ransom payments include Construction (74%), Technology (51%), and Energy (43%). Regarding the impact on specific sectors, Legal (92%), Financial Services (78%), Manufacturing (78%), and Human Resources Services (77%) were most likely to have experienced ransomware attacks. Construction companies, in particular, may find themselves compelled to pay due to potential losses of crucial plans, disrupting large contracts, and jeopardizing deadlines and downstream projects. In terms of impact, the Manufacturing and Technology industries ranked highest for ransomware incidents, with Retail and Wholesale experiencing a notable increase in victims throughout the year, rising from 9th place to the top three.”

    Now it is a fact that the government’s involvement and policy efforts have a significant ability to improve the susceptibility of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to ransomware. Yet, the effectiveness of these actions depends on how carefully they are put into practice, how easily they are accessed, and how well they address the specific challenges faced by the sector. A well-thought-out and complete plan that includes these elements can greatly strengthen SMEs against ransomware attacks.

    Government involvement and strategic policies can significantly enhance SME resilience against ransomware. Meticulous implementation, accessibility, and tailored solutions are crucial. “To initiate this process, providing financial support for cybersecurity measures, implementing training and awareness programs, establishing regulatory standards and compliance support, offering incident response and recovery assistance, and fostering collaborative information sharing are essential components,” he suggests.

    There’s a significant need for an approach that equips the sector to confront and mitigate the threat of ransomware more effectively. It is high time when it must accelerate technology adoption, necessitating a mindset shift. “Addressing naivete, a lackadaisical cyber defense approach, and distrust is imperative. Adopting best practices is crucial, including employee training, robust password use, Multi-factor Authentication (MFA), regular software updates, and investing in effective Firewalls and Antivirus Software. Continuous technology review and updates are essential, as cybersecurity is an ongoing commitment. Like a virus, cyber threats evolve, demanding a proactive defense. Well-planned data backup mechanisms and regular cybersecurity drills are equally vital, akin to fire drills.”, says Kaushik Ray.

    WhizHack Technologies, a 100% Make in India firm, offers services and solutions to businesses to mitigate ransomware-related vulnerabilities and is actively making changes to enhance the integrity of its services. 

    “By simulating a ransomware attack, one can not only enhance awareness of ransomware security within a company but can also assess the effectiveness of systems in preventing and detecting ransomware, and provide customized advice to improve overall defense against ransomware. This simulation involves a proactive and controlled exercise designed to replicate a genuine ransomware attack in a secure setting. It serves as a deliberate test by organizations to assess their preparedness and response to a simulated cyber threat without causing any actual harm to their systems or data,” said Ray.

    It is believed to a large extent that cybersecurity is very expensive, which is why the SME sector players have been fence-sitters in adopting and upgrading their cyber defense. It is good that Swadeshi companies are working to help the MSME and SMEs by building a safe cyber-ecosystem and software in India.

  • Make in India is need of the hour: Prime Minister Modi

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said Make in India is the need of the hour and appealed to the industry to reduce dependence on imports and boost domestic manufacturing.

    He urged the industry to make efforts to cut imports of goods that can be manufactured in India.

    “Today, the world is looking at India as a manufacturing powerhouse,” Modi said while addressing DPIIT’s webinar on ‘Make in India for the World’.

    The Prime Minister said that announcements in the Budget for Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India are important for the industry and Indian economy.

    The Make in India campaign is the need of 21st century India, and it gives an opportunity to show our potential, Modi said, adding that “we should work with full force to build a robust manufacturing base”.

    Make in India is the need of the hour in sectors such as electric vehicles, speciality steel, and medical equipment, the Prime Minister said, adding the opening up of coal, mining and defence sectors have opened up huge opportunities for industries.

    The industry should talk about ‘vocal for local’ and ‘Make in India’ in their product advertising.

    India has huge young talent and skilled manpower, and this can be used to promote Make in India, Modi said.

  • Make-In-India push: Government bans import of drones; provides certain exceptions

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Wednesday banned import of foreign drones with certain exceptions as part of efforts to promote domestic manufacturing of drones in the country.

    Import of drones for R&D, defence and security purposes have been exempted from the ban but such imports will require due clearances.

    “Import of drone components, however, shall not require any approvals,” the civil aviation ministry said in a release on Wednesday.

    The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the commerce and industry ministry has issued a notification banning the import of foreign drones.

    “Import policy for drones in CBU (Completely Built Up)/CKD (Completely Knocked Down)/SKD (Semi Knocked Down ) form is prohibited with exceptions provided for R and D, defence and security purposes,” DGFT said.

    Import of drones by government entities, educational institutions recognised by central or state government, government recognised R&D entities and drone manufacturers for R&D purpose will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form.

    This will be subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

    Import of drones for defence and security purposes will be allowed in CBU, SKD or CKD form subject to import authorisation issued by DGFT in consultation with concerned line ministries.

    The civil aviation ministry said that in order to promote Made in India drones, import of foreign drones has been prohibited with effect from February 9, 2022.

    The ministry came out with liberalised drone rules in August 2021.

    After the rules, the ministry issued the drone airspace map and PLI scheme in September 2021, UTM policy framework in October 2021.

    Besides, drone certification scheme and single window DigitalSky Platform were put in place last month.

  • Indian Navy set to issue Rs 50,000 crore tender for 6 stealth submarines

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: In a major push for the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Indian Navy is all set to issue the tender worth around Rs 50,000 crores to build six stealth submarines as the Defence Ministry is expected to discuss the project in detail on Friday at a high-level meeting.

    Sources confirmed that the Request for Proposal (RFP), to be issued to the Indian companies identified as Strategic Partners, will be discussed in a high level meeting slated for Friday. “This will set the Tender process rolling if the approval for the RFP is given.” a source said.  

    It was after a long delay that the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh finally on January 21, 2020 nominated two domestic shipyard companies — state owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) and private sector firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T) — as Strategic Partners for the Project 75-I programme.

    Under Project 75-I programme, six new stealth submarines will be constructed in collaboration with global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) providing a major boost to the indigenous design and construction capability of submarines in India, in addition to bringing in the latest submarine design and technologies as part of the project.

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    Under Project 75, six Scorpene Class submarines are already being built in India by the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

    The Navy plans to acquire 24 new submarines, including six nuclear attack submarines, to bolster its underwater fighting capability. It currently has 15 conventional submarines and two nuclear submarines.

    As per the requirements stated by the maritime force, it wants the submarines to be equipped with heavy-duty firepower as it wants the boats to have at least 12 Land Attack Cruise Missiles (LACM) along with Anti-Ship cruise missiles (ASCM).

    Sources said that the Navy has also specified that the submarines should also be able to carry and launch 18 heavyweight torpedoes in the sea.

    Compared with the Scorpene, the firepower required in the next line of submarines is many times more than what is being put on the Scorpenes which have the heavyweight torpedoes and the Exocet surface to surface missiles as their main weapons. 

  • India in talks with manufacturers abroad for local production of COVID vaccines: Foreign Secretary

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI: Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that India was in talks with manufacturers abroad for local manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines and that the Ministry of External Affairs is making all efforts to increase supplies, especially from the US.

    “We are also part of the discussions with major vaccine manufacturers like Pfizer, Johnson & Johnson and Moderna about sourcing and possible local manufacturing of their vaccines in India. We have also helped expedite the introduction of Sputnik V vaccines,” Shringla said during an address at the WHO’s South-East Asia Regional Health Partners’ Forum.

    Saying that India was fighting an exceptional second wave of the pandemic, the foreign secretary said that MEA has been working to ease regulatory disruptions to the supply chains. India’s vaccine manufacturing hit a hurdle after the US in February last year invoked the Defence Production Act for vaccine ingredients.

    According to the act, all the resources in the US must be prioritised for Americans first. India has been demanding easier access to raw materials necessary for vaccine production.

    Shringla also said India would create global scale capacities needed to tackle the pandemic. “A number of serious global conversations are underway on this in platforms such as the G7, G20, Quad, BRICS, the UN and the WTO itself,” he said.

    Meanwhile, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is engaged with the US administration to ensure that necessary components and raw materials for vaccine production in the country are readily available.

    “This was taken up recently during the External Affairs Minister’s US visit,” he said. India was also awaiting US allocations from its surplus stockpile of 80 million Astra Zeneca vaccines, he added.

  • From aircraft to submarines, Navy takes local route to boost operation capacity

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  Indian Navy has gone for local to boost the country’s maritime operational capacity.  

    There have been orders placed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for fixed wing aircraft and rotary wing helicopters. Shripad Naik, Minister of State (MoS), Defence said on Wednesday: “Indian Navy has placed orders for Aircraft 12 Dorniers, 16 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH MK III), 8 Chetak helicopters by (HAL).”

    MoS Defence was replying in Lok Sabha to a question asked by Ravindra Kushwaha, MP from Salempur in UP.  

    The minister admitted delays into the delivery process and also informed about delays in delivery of the submarines being constructed in Mazgaon Dockyard Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

    “Six Scorpene class submarines are built by Mazagon Dock and Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) under Project-75,” the minister said. He added there have been delays in the projects. The pandemic has further impacted the delivery schedule.

    Aircraft deliveries have been delayed due to supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic and delays in submarine delivery have been caused due to defects observed during trials.

    “In the interest of national security, details cannot be divulged,” Naik.

    “However, the existing submarine fleet is being maintained combat worthy through life extensions and modernization/ upgradation.”

    Indian Navy has been facing issues of obsolescence in underwater combat capabilities.  Projects 75 and 75 (India) will plug this gap.

  • Make in India epitomises trade hurdles, says US report

    By Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  A report sent to the US Congress, the first on the Joe Biden administration’s trade agenda, has said that the Narendra Modi government’s Make In India initiative has epitomised the trade-restrictive challenges confronting the two countries while adding that the Biden administration’s priority would be removing trade barriers.

    “Recent Indian emphasis on import substitution through a ‘Make in India’ campaign has epitomized the challenges facing the bilateral trade relationship. Opening markets and reducing trade barriers are fundamental to any trade agenda. This will be a priority for the Biden administration, particularly since export-oriented producers, manufacturers, and businesses enjoy greater than average productivity and wages,” the report, titled ‘2021 Trade Policy Agenda and 2020 Annual Report’, stated.

    It also throws light on the negotiations that took place between the two countries in 2019 and 2020 to finalise a trade agreement and called them a package of meaningful market access outcomes.

    “While India’s large market, make it an essential market for many US exporters, trade-restrictive policies have inhibited the potential of the bilateral trade relationship,” it said.