Quick notes:F-16 tech, Defence manufacturing...

• F-16 minus tech?  US firms would retain control over sensitive technology. Saab’s Gripen NG offer could be equally problematic since it, too, has American technology, including the GE F414 engine that powers it. Sweden and Saab can only part with non-American technology.



• F-16: Obsolete and exposed, says Bharat Karnad: “Upgraded avionics cannot make the F-16 fly and maneuver better than the version of the aircraft with the Pakistan Air Force. PAF long ago passed on an F-16 to China for its aircraft designers to study and to reverse engineer many of its technologies. So this plane is an open book for India’s two adversaries – a bad situation for any ‘frontline’ IAF aircraft to be in.”



• Defence manufacturing mission: Manohar Parrikar had earlier set up a small defence firm supplying hydraulic systems and parts to a defence public sector unit. Under him, the ministry of defence drafted an out-of-the-box strategic partnership model by building on recommendations of several expert committees and groups.
  
  According to the model, for each of these SP (strategic partnership) verticals—single-engine fighter planes, helicopters, air independent propulsion submarines and armoured fighting vehicles/main battle tanks—the government will choose a few foreign OEM  partners as well as local Indian firms. Indian firms will then team up with foreign OEMs and bid for RFPs (request for proposals) under the strategic partnership policy on a competitive basis. The bid winner will manufacture the products and service them through the life cycle, locally—creating jobs, and building infrastructure and indigenous capabilities. 



• Tackling drones: Lockheed’s Laser Cannon Shoots Drones Out of the Sky, No Fuss




• Alt-E: India’s record-low Wind and Solar prices may not be sustainable. Some Chinese module suppliers are now reneging on price agreements,



• Carbon Pricing: Shell bashes bans on gasoline cars, proposes carbon pricing instead



• Beef: U.S. beef production roughly equals the annual emissions of 24 million cars



• After JLR: Tatas looking to buy another luxury auto brand. Maserati or Alfa Romeo possible.



• My Journey from Islam to Hinduism: