British Defence Minister seeks closer aerospace ties

[r@ven21]

More than two lakh business visitors would participate in the event as a special area will be created to facilitate B2B meetings.

Mrs Harriett Baldwin
Bengaluru: Britain's defence minister, Mrs Harriett Baldwin, and her counterparts of several countries as well as service chiefs and heads of department are heading to Aero India 2017, billed as Asia's biggest aerospace and aviation exhibition, commencing here on February 14, to explore opportunities for partnership, collaboration, investment and transfer of technology during the five-day event.

An Indo-UK round table has been scheduled to discuss collaboration and investment in aerospace and related fields during the event while inveterate aviation enthusiasts could look forward to stunning aerobatics by Evolvkos Aerobatic Team from Britain.

Defence delegations from other countries include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, USA and Uzbekistan at the exhibition, the biggest since Aero India commenced here in 1996, with the total gross area increase from 2,50, 000 square meters to 2, 60,000 square meters to accommodate 72 aircraft and military equipment of more than 500 firms from 51 countries across the world.

In addition to the Indo-UK round table, an Indo-Swiss business meet and an Indo-Polish business meet are also scheduled during the event. Under the Make in India initiative, "Indian Aerospace: Investor's Meet" and "Make in India in Aerospace: Are MSMEs geared for it? - Reflections and the Way Forward" are scheduled for February 15.

Official sources said more than two lakh business visitors would participate in the event as a special area will be created to facilitate B2B meetings. The home state, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala will set up exclusive SEZ pavilions for attracting investments.

Besides the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams, the Scandinavian Air Show Team from Sweden will enthral visitors with breath-taking manoeuvres during the air show.

UK companies to step up game
Led by their government, companies from the United Kingdom are looking to make an impression at Aero India 2017.

British Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin will lead the UK delegation at Aero India 2017 as Britain and India focus on partnership, collaboration, investment and technology transfer.

Mrs Baldwin, the Minister for Defence Procurement, joined 20 UK companies at the aerospace exhibition held at Air Force Station Yelahanka. Showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the defence, aviation and security sections, these cutting edge businesses will be forging long-lasting industrial partnerships and joint ventures with Indian companies.

"The UK and India have much to offer one another in defence; from manufacturing collaboration and simplified export controls, to military cooperation, training and research partnerships.

As Britain steps up globally, we will work together with India to build knowledge, security and prosperity through a close industrial, military and economic partnership," said Mrs. Baldwin.

The Minister for Defence Procurement added that, ""The UK has a significant range of world class products across the air, land, maritime and security sectors and we are encouraging UK and Indian companies to develop and sustain long term industrial partnerships, to meet our future requirements and to launch new products into the global marketplace."

The minister's visit is set to build on the Defence and International Security Partnership (DISP) agreed in November 2015. Mrs Baldwin was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to India; Lieutenant General Mark Poffley, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Military Capability in the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD); and Sophie Lane Regional Director for India in the Department of International Trade's Defence and Security Organisation (DSO).

UK's defence exports in 2015 were worth £7.7bn making the UK the second highest defence exporter in the world. UK's security exports in 2015 were worth £4b.

 

[mike2000 is back]

More than two lakh business visitors would participate in the event as a special area will be created to facilitate B2B meetings.

Mrs Harriett Baldwin
Bengaluru: Britain's defence minister, Mrs Harriett Baldwin, and her counterparts of several countries as well as service chiefs and heads of department are heading to Aero India 2017, billed as Asia's biggest aerospace and aviation exhibition, commencing here on February 14, to explore opportunities for partnership, collaboration, investment and transfer of technology during the five-day event.

An Indo-UK round table has been scheduled to discuss collaboration and investment in aerospace and related fields during the event while inveterate aviation enthusiasts could look forward to stunning aerobatics by Evolvkos Aerobatic Team from Britain.

Defence delegations from other countries include Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brazil, Brunei, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Sudan, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, the UAE, USA and Uzbekistan at the exhibition, the biggest since Aero India commenced here in 1996, with the total gross area increase from 2,50, 000 square meters to 2, 60,000 square meters to accommodate 72 aircraft and military equipment of more than 500 firms from 51 countries across the world.

In addition to the Indo-UK round table, an Indo-Swiss business meet and an Indo-Polish business meet are also scheduled during the event. Under the Make in India initiative, "Indian Aerospace: Investor's Meet" and "Make in India in Aerospace: Are MSMEs geared for it? - Reflections and the Way Forward" are scheduled for February 15.

Official sources said more than two lakh business visitors would participate in the event as a special area will be created to facilitate B2B meetings. The home state, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Kerala will set up exclusive SEZ pavilions for attracting investments.

Besides the Indian Air Force (IAF)'s Surya Kiran and Sarang aerobatic teams, the Scandinavian Air Show Team from Sweden will enthral visitors with breath-taking manoeuvres during the air show.

UK companies to step up game
Led by their government, companies from the United Kingdom are looking to make an impression at Aero India 2017.

British Defence Minister Harriett Baldwin will lead the UK delegation at Aero India 2017 as Britain and India focus on partnership, collaboration, investment and technology transfer.

Mrs Baldwin, the Minister for Defence Procurement, joined 20 UK companies at the aerospace exhibition held at Air Force Station Yelahanka. Showcasing some of the most innovative technology in the defence, aviation and security sections, these cutting edge businesses will be forging long-lasting industrial partnerships and joint ventures with Indian companies.

"The UK and India have much to offer one another in defence; from manufacturing collaboration and simplified export controls, to military cooperation, training and research partnerships.

As Britain steps up globally, we will work together with India to build knowledge, security and prosperity through a close industrial, military and economic partnership," said Mrs. Baldwin.

The Minister for Defence Procurement added that, ""The UK has a significant range of world class products across the air, land, maritime and security sectors and we are encouraging UK and Indian companies to develop and sustain long term industrial partnerships, to meet our future requirements and to launch new products into the global marketplace."

The minister's visit is set to build on the Defence and International Security Partnership (DISP) agreed in November 2015. Mrs Baldwin was accompanied by the British High Commissioner to India; Lieutenant General Mark Poffley, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Military Capability in the UK's Ministry of Defence (MOD); and Sophie Lane Regional Director for India in the Department of International Trade's Defence and Security Organisation (DSO).

UK's defence exports in 2015 were worth £7.7bn making the UK the second highest defence exporter in the world. UK's security exports in 2015 were worth £4b.

Good to see we are expanding our ties around the world post brexit. Hopefully our defence industry and giants will help us maintain our position as the world's second largest defence exporter after our U.S ally. Any Win-Win relation is always welcomed.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Good to see we are expanding our ties around the world post brexit. Hopefully our defence industry and giants will help us maintain our position as the world's second largest defence exporter after our U.S ally. Any Win-Win relation is always welcomed.

Outside of the Hawk, there is little penetration of British arms industries in India and I don't see this being changed in the future- what Britain offers is not really what India intends to buy.

Britain has well and truly missed the boat with India.

 

[mike2000 is back]

Outside of the Hawk, there is little penetration of British arms industries in India and I don't see this being changed in the future- what Britain offers is not really what India intends to buy.

Britain has well and truly missed the boat with India.

Yes, surprisingly, British defence companies cooperation and exports with India hasn't been as high/close as the one we have with other countries, giving our historical ties, it should have been closer. The fact that India didn't go for the Typhoon and choosed the rafale instead didn't help either. Had the typhoons been choosed then I believe this would have unlocked many other sectors for cooperation between our defence companies. Hopefully defence ties will keep improving giving economic ties between both sides are quite close.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Had the typhoons been choosed then I believe this would have unlocked many other sectors for cooperation between our defence companies.

I agree totally, that would have been a foothold that would have been exploited by both sides, but alas it was not to be.

As for the future, I'm not sure if any big ticket deals from the UK are ever going to happen now- strangely the UK's arms portfolio just doesn't match up at all with what India is looking to import. But the UK will certainly find success with support service offers.

 

[Sloth 22]

I just e totally, that would have been a foothold that would have been exploited by both sides, but alas it was not to be.

As for the future, I'm not sure if any big ticket deals from the UK are ever going to happen now- strangely the UK's arms portfolio just doesn't match up at all with what India is looking to import. But the UK will certainly find success with support service offers.

Royal Navy is giving up HMS Ocean in 2018.
It has seen just 19 years of service.

We should look to procure it to train ourselves , before the program for 4 LHDs start.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Royal Navy is giving up HMS Ocean in 2018.
It has seen just 19 years of service.

We should look to procure it to train ourselves , before the program for 4 LHDs start.

The IN has no interest in a second-hand platform.

They have all the knowledge they need from INS Jalaswa for LDP/LHD ops.

 

[Baybars Han]

Good to see we are expanding our ties around the world post brexit. Hopefully our defence industry and giants will help us maintain our position as the world's second largest defence exporter after our U.S ally. Any Win-Win relation is always welcomed.

What is all that information security and telecommunications that UK experts I'm very curious.

 

[punit]

Outside of the Hawk, there is little penetration of British arms industries in India and I don't see this being changed in the future- what Britain offers is not really what India intends to buy.

Britain has well and truly missed the boat with India.

one area is Jet engine which Britain can help us.

 

[Abingdonboy]

one area is Jet engine which Britain can help us.

France is already working with India on that (as part of the Rafale deal and the success of that will then lead to a much larger Rafale deal), I don't see how Britain will be attracted to part with their assistence when there is no "carrot" being dangled in front of them.

 

[punit]

France is already working with India on that (as part of the Rafale deal and the success of that will then lead to a much larger Rafale deal), I don't see how Britain will be attracted to part with their assistence when there is no "carrot" being dangled in front of them.

FRANCE is slippery customer. we can always have option as back up.

 

[mike2000 is back]

What is all that information security and telecommunications that UK experts I'm very curious.

They involved cyber security equipment and spy gears etc. British defence companies are one of the leading exporter of such products globally.


International Business Times UK
TECHNOLOGY CYBERSECURITY
British companies exporting advance spy tech to international authoritarian governments
BY INDIA ASHOK ON 8/27/16 AT 11:54 AM
Cyber Warfare: Government-Endorsed SurveillanceIBTIMES UK

British defence and technology firms are exporting advanced spy tech, including powerful surveillance devices and telecommunications interception technology, to authoritarian regimes across the world. The firms, including subsidiaries of British defence giant BAE Systems, were licensed to sell the spy products since early 2015.

Some of the companies licensed to export the products were also granted approval to sell them to authoritarian regimes, such as Saudi Arabia, UAE, Turkey and Egypt which have been criticised for abusingsurveillance technology and for having poor human rights records.

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According to information gleaned from documents obtained by Motherboard via the Freedom of Information Act, companies such as Pro-Solve International, ComsTrac, CellXion, Cobham, and Domo Tactical Communications (DTC) have applied for licences to export products and detailed the kind of devices that were shipped.

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"At a time when the use of these surveillance tools is still highly controversial in the UK, it is completely unacceptable that companies are allowed to export the same equipment to countries with atrocious human rights records or which lack rule of law altogether. There is absolutely a clear risk that these products can be used for repression and abuses," said Privacy International research officer Edin Omanovic.

Mass surveillance products
Among the devices sold are IMSI-catchers, also better known as "stingrays", which pretend to be mobile phone towers to trick nearby communications devices to connect to it. The documents reveal that 31 of the devices were licensed for export to Indonesia and Turkey.

"IMSI catchers are probably one of the most controversial and yet more demanded pieces of surveillance technology marketed today. They are of dubious legality and their use raises serious ethical and privacy concerns due to their invasiveness and wide reach," said Claudio Guarnieri, an Amnesty International technologist.

According to documents obtained from the Danish Business Authority by Lasse Skou Andersen of the Danish newspaper Dagbladet Information, there is an ongoing contract between the BAE Systems' subsidiary and the UAE government, dating as far back as December 2014. The contract reveals an internet surveillance product with "IP monitoring and data analysis" capabilities for "serious crime" and "national security" investigations.

The device can also be used to track a target's social media activities, obtain personal information and communications such as voice and video recordings, messages and more from various devices.

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The authoritarian countries that the spy tech has been shipped to have been accused of abusing surveillance technology to target journalists and dissidentsREUTERS
Government surveillance
"This comes at a crucial time, just before the European Commission [EC] is set to decide whether or not it proposes updates to regulations regarding the export of surveillance technologies," Omanovic told the Intercept. "The fact that the export license was granted by the Danish authorities to the UAE, where human rights abuses are well established, and that this information was not publicly available, underlines why these reforms are urgently needed."

BAE Systems said, "It is against our policy to comment on contracts with specific countries or customers. BAE Systems works for a number of organisations around the world, within the regulatory frameworks of all relevant countries and within our own responsible trading principles."

A spokesperson from the British Department for International Trade said, "The UK government takes its arms export responsibilities very seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. We rigorously examine every application on a case-by-case basis against the Consolidated EU and National arms export licensing Criteria. We draw on all available information, including reports from NGOs and our overseas network as a key part of our assessment."

Cyberspace Cold War
The authoritarian countries that the spy tech products have been shipped to have in the past have been accused of abusing surveillance technology to specifically target journalists and dissidents. For instance, a journalist in Turkey, who was jailed on terrorism charges was later found to have been framed by hackers who infected his computer with malware.

Another instance revealed how UAE dissidents were being targeted with spyware by a cyberespionage group called Stealth Falcon, which was found to have links with the UAE government. In May, Iran's counter-cyberwarfare group claimed that Saudi Arabia-based hackers were behind a targeted cyberattack on the government's websites, which resulted in a temporary outage of services.

ESET security researcher told IBTimes UK, "Cyberspace can definitely be considered a conflict zone, and it has been one for some time. Many scholars consider the 2007 cyberattacks on Estonia as the beginning of the era of cyber conflict. Clearly, the level of conflict has escalated in recent months and I would not be surprised if this became the 'new normal' facing companies and governments who are in any way involved with data that could be of value to adversaries."

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp....ternational-authoritarian-governments-1578329

Don't mind the tone of the article though, it's just the usual leftists/human rights stuffs parotted by some of our leftists media personnel. Lol

 

[Abingdonboy]

FRANCE is slippery customer. we can always have option as back up.

The French are increidible businessmen, they are clearly doing all they can to clinch the follow on Rafale order (>90 units) and the GoI have been smart to dangle that carrot out to them and hold back until they see progress on these offsets.

If India upholds its end of the bargin, the French will do the same- they have never crossed India and have always been there for India.

 

[Crixus]

Rightly said .. Scorpene and Rafale is the big ticket items and French also know that , India is not going to do any reverse engineering and their secrets are safe here ... I thing with Naval and Airforce the count will be more then 90

The French are increidible businessmen, they are clearly doing all they can to clinch the follow on Rafale order (>90 units) and the GoI have been smart to dangle that carrot out to them and hold back until they see progress on these offsets.

If India upholds its end of the bargin, the French will do the same- they have never crossed India and have always been there for India.

 

[Abingdonboy]

Rightly said .. Scorpene and Rafale is the big ticket items and French also know that , India is not going to do any reverse engineering and their secrets are safe here ... I thing with Naval and Airforce the count will be more then 90

I'm being conservative with the Rafale numbers, 90 more (to be made in India ) is what Dassualt and the GoI are offically in talks for right now but if you factor in orginal MMRCA requirements and the IN's needs the total number is another >220++