Rapid Fire August 6, 2012: Indian Offsets | AWOL ANA

• India’s Ministry of Defence announced last week that it was easing offset rules, confirming earlier reports that Transfer of technology (ToT) would be made eligible for offsets. The policy is effective since August 1 and a new office – the Defense Offset Management Wing (DOMW) – has been created to administer them. Perception of these changes by the industry seems cautiously positive so far.

• The high level of desertions in the Afghan National Army (ANA) continues to worry analysts about Afghanistan’s ability to remain somewhat stable after NATO troops leave. On Saturday their parliament voted out the defense and interior ministers. President Karzai is keeping them around in acting positions until he finds replacements, which based on his track record may take quite a while.

• The Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) with the British MoD is about to close its call for proposals for unmanned maritime system technology.