SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
During National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s recent visit to Paris, crucial discussions took place between Doval and top French officials regarding strategic defense cooperation. Among the key topics was France’s offer to assist India in the development of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) for the Indian Navy. This cooperation could mark a significant leap forward in India’s naval capabilities, as France has proposed sharing Pump jet propulsion technology and other non-nuclear technologies from its Barracuda-class SSN submarine program.
Sources familiar with the talks revealed that France’s offer goes beyond just technical assistance. Paris has expressed its willingness to cooperate on a range of submarine technologies, including the Pump jet propulsion system—a technology that enhances the stealth and efficiency of nuclear submarines. While it remains unclear if France has formally offered the complete design of its Barracuda-class submarines, all non-nuclear technologies integrated into these advanced vessels are reportedly on the table.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
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The restoration of the Indian Navy’s warship INS Brahmaputra, which was severely damaged by a fire at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard, is set to be a lengthy and technically challenging process. According to officials familiar with the situation, the recovery could take over a year, as specialized machinery and technical expertise will be required to make the ship seaworthy again. The damage, exacerbated by water accumulation during firefighting efforts, has made the vessel difficult to upright, prolonging the recovery timeline.
On July 21, a fire broke out aboard INS Brahmaputra while the ship was undergoing a refit at the Mumbai Naval Dockyard. The fire caused significant damage to the 24-year-old guided-missile frigate and tragically claimed the life of one sailor. Though the fire was eventually brought under control, the vessel remains tilted toward the shore due to the weight of the water that was pumped in to extinguish the blaze. This excessive water ingress has added to the complexities of the salvage operation, making the ship extremely heavy and difficult to stabilize.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s Kaveri engine program, which has long been the backbone of the country’s indigenous fighter jet propulsion ambitions, has yet to reach the level of operational readiness required for deployment in frontline fighter aircraft. However, recent discussions have emerged about the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) being an ideal platform to test and develop the Kaveri engine, given its unique technical specifications and strategic importance for India’s naval aviation future.
The TEDBF, a multi-role carrier-based fighter aircraft being developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), is set to replace the Indian Navy’s aging fleet of MiG-29K fighters. It offers a twin-engine configuration, which presents an ideal opportunity to integrate and test the indigenous Kaveri engine alongside a more proven powerplant like the General Electric F414 engine. This combination can provide the Indian aerospace industry a reliable and secure flying testbed for further refining the Kaveri engine, leading it toward eventual operational deployment.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s geopolitical position is increasingly being tested as diplomatic tensions with the West rise, particularly with the United States and Canada. Both nations have been criticized by New Delhi for allegedly allowing Khalistani extremists to operate freely from their soil, ignoring India’s repeated concerns. The recent escalation in hostility has led to discussions on whether India should approve arms sales to Russia as a strategic response, a nation that remains a key defense partner.
India has been the largest producer of Russian weaponry outside of Russia for decades, with Indian defense facilities producing major Russian-designed systems like the T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI fighter jets under license. However, India has historically avoided selling domestically produced arms directly to Russia, maintaining a balanced foreign policy aimed at preserving strategic autonomy. This policy has been challenged by the unfolding international dynamics, particularly the diplomatic spat with Canada and growing unease with the United States.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) has successfully completed the development of the advanced Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) radome, a critical component for India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This cutting-edge radome technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing the stealth capabilities of the AMCA, ensuring it can operate effectively in complex combat scenarios.
The FSS-radome is designed to exhibit exceptional transmission characteristics in the X-band frequency range while providing sharp roll-off characteristics outside the X-band, covering a frequency spectrum from 2 to 18 GHz. These features are crucial for maintaining the aircraft’s low radar cross-section (RCS), thereby enhancing its survivability against enemy radar systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development for India’s defense industry, the country has successfully exported a range of small arms to the Moroccan Armed Forces. The consignment, manufactured by the Ordnance Factory Varangaon, includes rifles chambered in 5.56x45mm, 7.62x39mm, and 12.7x108mm calibers.
This export marks a crucial milestone for India’s efforts to expand its defense exports and position itself as a reliable supplier of military equipment on the global stage. The Moroccan Armed Forces’ decision to procure Indian-made small arms underscores the growing recognition of the quality and reliability of India’s defense products.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Optiemus Unmanned Systems (OUS), a subsidiary of Optiemus Infracom, has achieved remarkable success at the Him Drone-A-Thon 2024, held in Leh-Ladakh from September 16th to 24th. The event, organized by the Indian Army, showcased the nation’s most advanced unmanned systems and their capabilities.
OUS’s Vajra 100 quadcopter drones proved to be standout performers, demonstrating their versatility and effectiveness in various mission scenarios. The drones showcased their potential as loitering munitions, capable of delivering payloads with precision, as well as their exceptional long-range surveillance capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
India on Tuesday inked a mega deal with the US to procure 31 Predator long-endurance drones from American defence major General Atomics under the foreign military sales route at a cost of nearly USD 4 billion to boost Indian military’s combat prowess along the contested borders with China.
The deal, signed in presence of top defence and strategic brass of India in the national capital, marks a significant upswing in military ties between the two countries, officials told PTI.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Counsellor Eldos Mathew Punnoose exercised India’s right of reply against Pakistan at the Joint General Debate on decolonization at the United Nations on Monday. Punnoose condemned Pakistan’s “unsubstantiated allegations” regarding the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.
He emphasised the need for Pakistan to cease its ongoing human rights violations in Pakistan-occupied Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.
Targeting Pakistan, he said, “Unsubstantiated allegations by Pakistan largely pertain to the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. India would like to reiterate that Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh are, were and will be an integral and inalienable part of India. Clearly, Pakistan does not merit a response on the internal affairs of India.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Amid the diplomatic row between India and Canada, the US State Department has announced that an Indian investigation team would travel to Washington DC on October 15 to investigate a plot to kill a US citizen in New York. An Indian enquiry committee is set to visit the United States on Tuesday to investigate the involvement of an Indian government official in a foiled plot to assassinate a US national, the US Department of State said. According to the State Department statement, an Indian enquiry committee “is actively investigating the individual” and that India had informed the US it was looking in to “other linkages of the former government employee.”
Notably, Indian national Nikhil Gupta is accused of being involved in the alleged failed murder plot of India-designated pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Amid tensions in India-Canada relations over the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Prime Minister Trudeau’s former coalition partner New Democratic Party (NDP) leader Jagmeet Singh on Monday claimed that there is fear among Canadian Sikhs and urged the Canadian government to take action against India, specifically demanding diplomatic sanctions.
In a statement, he said, “We support today’s decision to expel India’s diplomats and we once again urge the Canadian government to impose diplomatic sanctions against India, ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) network in Canada, and seek the most severe punishment for anyone who participates in organised criminal activity on Canadian soil.”
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
India has a plan to carve out a beachhead in the battle for commercial space, officials say: crunching space data, building small satellites and launching them cheaply into orbit rather than challenging heavyweights such as SpaceX head-on.
In particular, it is taking aim at providing cost-effective services and hardware to sectors such as communications, agriculture and commodities, where high-quality data is a precious resource. At stake is a launch market worth $14.54 billion by 2031, and a related data services market pegged at $45 billion by 2030.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Indian Navy is preparing for the foundation stone laying ceremony of its Very Low Frequency (VLF) Station at Pudur village under the Damagundam reserve forest block in Vikarabad on Tuesday, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to be the chief guest, people from different sections are intensifying their protest against the project and demanding the State government to rethink its permission for the land to the Navy.
The Navy utilizes VLF communication stations to connect with personnel on ships and submarines. This will be the second such station in India, following the INS Kattabomman Radar Station in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu, which has been operational since 1990. The Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam identified Telangana as a suitable location for the second radar station.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Honeywell Automation India Ltd (HAIL) will provide the airfield ground lighting system for the Noida International Airport. The contract covers the supply, installation, commissioning, and maintenance of the system on runway 10L-28R and the associated taxiways at the airport, which is expected to start commercial operations early next year.
In a release on Monday, HAIL said its visual aids will play a crucial role in helping aircraft maneuver the tarmac in difficult weather conditions and will support landing and on-ramp safety.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
ISRO said on Monday its Chairman S Somanath has received the International Astronautical Federation’s (IAF) prestigious World Space Award for Chandrayaan-3’s remarkable achievement. “This recognition celebrates India’s contributions to space exploration. Celebrations underway in Milan (Italy) as we continue to strive for new frontiers,” the national agency headquartered here said in an online post.
According to the IAF, Chandrayaan-3 mission by ISRO exemplifies the synergy of scientific curiosity and cost-effective engineering, symbolising India’s commitment to excellence and the vast potential that space exploration offers humanity.
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