SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased the first-ever Mahindra Mahindra-developed Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) variant of the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) at the Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024.

Speaking to idrw.org, DRDO officials revealed that the Mahindra WhAP variant incorporates valuable feedback received from the Indian Army. This “second-generation” WhAP boasts of several improvements over earlier iterations developed by Tata Advanced Systems.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) innovative Surface Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) system has garnered significant interest from various countries, according to IAF officials at the MSME Defence Exposition in Pune.

SAMAR is a unique air defense system developed by the IAF to utilize its stock of aging Russian-origin R-73 and R-27 air-to-air missiles (AAMs) that are no longer deemed fit for deployment on fighter jets. By repurposing these missiles, SAMAR offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for bolstering air defense capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Lockheed Martin, a leading global aerospace and defense company, has expressed its intention to select a local partner for its C-130J offer to the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Make in India initiative.

Nicholas Smythe, Lockheed Martin’s head of international business development for the tactical airlifter, confirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with an Indian entity. This partnership aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” program, which aims to promote domestic manufacturing and self-reliance in the defense sector.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Army’s ambitious plans to replace its T-72 tanks with 1,700 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) have ignited debate, particularly around the weight limit of 55 tons (+/- 5%). Indian Army plans to issue an RFP for the Next-Generation Main Battle Tanks later this year, but Defence analyst Ranesh Rajan believes this restriction could limit potential offers from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

Rajan argues that the 55-ton limit excludes most recently developed tanks from Europe and the US, potentially leaving the field open only to the Russian T-14 Armata, South Korean company Hyundai Rotem developed the K2 Black Panther, Type 10 developed by Japan and DRDO’s design.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

JSR Dynamics Private Limited, a Nagpur-based company specializing in airborne guided weapons, has unveiled a miniature ground-launched missile drone decoy designed to revolutionize air defense training and countermeasures. This innovative system boasts a powerful 150kgf turbojet engine, a range of 300km, and advanced capabilities that mimic real fighter jets.

150kgf turbojet engine provides exceptional speed and maneuverability, making the decoy a realistic target for air defense systems.  The extended range allows for more complex training scenarios and countermeasure deployments over larger distances.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), India’s leading producer of missiles, is in talks with a Sukhoi-30 operator country to potentially export its indigenously developed Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). This news marks a significant milestone for India’s defence export ambitions and highlights the growing capabilities of its domestic aerospace industry.

Developed by DRDO and manufactured by BDL, Astra has been lauded as a superior alternative to the widely used Russian R-77 BVRAAM. With its extended range and advanced counter-electronic measures (ECM) resistance, Astra offers improved aerial combat capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF), in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is embarking on a significant upgrade of its Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets.

This ambitious program signifies a major stride towards achieving self-reliance in defence technology, aiming to equip the aircraft with advanced Indian-made systems to bolster its overall capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant development aimed at bolstering India’s air defence capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has greenlit a multimillion-dollar project for the acquisition of advanced engines and the extension of service life for its fleet of MiG-29 frontline fighter jets. This strategic initiative involves collaboration between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian partners.

The approved deal, valued at approximately Rs 5,300 crore, will see the production of new advanced engines for the existing MiG-29UPG fighters in the IAF fleet.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s upcoming “Tarang Shakti-2024,” its first-ever multinational air exercise, is set to witness a fascinating rematch between two of the world’s most advanced fighter jets: the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Rafale. This exercise, scheduled for August 2024, will see participation from prominent air forces, including Germany, France, Italy, and the United States.

Both Germany and France have confirmed their participation in Tarang Shakti-2024, bringing their respective Eurofighter Typhoon and Rafale jets to Indian skies. This is significant as both aircraft are currently vying for a major deal with the IAF under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program, which seeks to acquire 114 fighter jets.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The ambitious plan to develop a 90-seater regional transport aircraft (RTA) for India faces a major roadblock: a lack of funding. C.B. Ananthakrishnan, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), confirmed that the project is currently stalled due to the $2 billion funding requirement yet to be approved.

Ananthakrishnan outlined two potential approaches: a clean sheet design and a derivative design based on an existing aircraft. While the clean sheet design, offering more flexibility but higher costs, would require two phases of development (engineering & prototype manufacturing), the derivative option might be more cost-effective. However, both options remain dependent on securing the necessary funds.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Army is poised for a major shakeup in its armoured fleet as it grapples with the impending retirement and storage of over 50% of its T-72 tanks within the next 7-8 years. These Soviet-era workhorses, serving as the mainstay of the Indian Army since 1982, are approaching their end of life, while their replacement program, the Future Main Battle Tank (FMBT), remains stalled after a decade of delays.

The Army currently operates around 2,400 T-72 tanks, most of which have exceeded their 30-year service life. While extensive overhauls provided an extra 10-15 years, these tanks lack the modern capabilities needed for contemporary warfare. The situation is further complicated by the Russia-Ukraine war, hindering access to critical spares for maintenance and repairs.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) are nearing a major deal with GE Aerospace Defence & Systems for the F414 engine, a significant step forward for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programs.

GE President Amy Gowder last month confirmed progress on the deal, stating that a detailed technical proposal will be submitted to HAL soon. The final contract, including component specifications and costs, is expected before summer, paving the way for engine production.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Asian race to develop 5th generation fighter jets is heating up, with South Korea and Turkey achieving significant milestones in their respective programs, the KF-21 and TF-X (TAI KAAN). This raises concerns about India’s own AMCA program, which appears to be lagging behind despite the country’s need for advanced fighter aircraft.

Both South Korea and Turkey have demonstrated remarkable urgency in their 5th gen programs. Both programs received national priority status, enabling faster development and overcoming bureaucratic hurdles. While the KF-21 lacks an internal weapons bay (IWB) and initial deployments will be limited, it serves as a stepping stone towards a fully fledged 5th gen fighter within a decade. Similarly, the TF-X, despite relying on older American engines for now, is actively developing its own powerplant.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The United States’ proposal to co-produce the Stryker Armoured combat vehicle in India continues to gain momentum. A recent visit by a US team aimed to finalize specific requirements for the Indian Army’s needs. However, the project faces both potential and roadblocks.

While the Army evaluated the Stryker favorably during joint Indo-US military exercises, concerns exist about its current form. Reportedly, the smaller engine hinders its suitability for high-altitude operations. The project has also drawn criticism from Indian private and public sectors who claim they can deliver a comparable solution at a lower cost. Three local companies have proposed DRDO’s WhAP platform, while DRDO itself is developing the New Advanced Armoured Platform (AAP-Wheeled).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The indigenously developed DRDO DATRAN 1500 engine is inching closer to powering India’s main battle tanks, but it won’t be a quick drop-in replacement. The engine, boasting 100hp more than the current MTU MB 838 Ka-501 engines in Arjun tanks, requires modifications before seamless integration.

idrw.org has been told by the people familiar with the program Challenges that DRDO is working on for seamless integration into the Arjun tanks.