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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC), a premier laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the “Supply of Hardware Simulators of Avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for Integration and Testing of the Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite of SU-30MKI.” This initiative is a critical step in advancing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Super Sukhoi upgrade program, aimed at modernizing its fleet of 272 Sukhoi SU-30MKI multirole fighters with an indigenous, state-of-the-art EW suite to enhance survivability and combat effectiveness.

The RFP underscores the need for an advanced Avionics Rig to facilitate rigorous testing of the indigenous EW suite in a high-fidelity integrated environment. The SU-30MKI, the backbone of the IAF, is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade to incorporate cutting-edge avionics, radar systems, and weaponry, including a gallium nitride-based Virupaksha Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the DR118 Digital Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). The EW suite, which includes radar warning, electronic countermeasures (ECM), and electronic support measures (ESM), is designed to counter modern air defense systems and enhance the aircraft’s ability to operate in contested environments.

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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

To strengthen its air defence capabilities against a wide array of aerial threats, the Indian Army has initiated the procurement of 10 Low Level Lightweight Radar (LLLWR) systems. These advanced tactical surveillance systems are designed to detect low-flying threats, including swarm drones and miniature aerial vehicles, and can be deployed across diverse terrains and operational conditions. This move underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its air defence network to counter evolving threats in a rapidly changing security landscape.

Low-level radars are critical tactical assets used to detect aircraft and other aerial objects flying at low altitudes, where larger, more powerful strategic radars may face limitations. Acting as gap fillers in the air defence ecosystem, these systems provide crucial situational awareness by identifying threats that evade high-altitude radar coverage. With adversaries increasingly deploying low-flying drones, swarm drones, and other miniature aerial vehicles, the LLLWR systems are poised to play a pivotal role in safeguarding Indian airspace.

The Indian Army’s specifications for the LLLWR highlight its focus on countering modern threats, including micro-drones with an exceptionally small radar cross-section (RCS) of just 0.001 square meters. This capability is vital in addressing the growing menace of small, agile, and hard-to-detect unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that can be used for reconnaissance, sabotage, or direct attacks.

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SOURCE: AFI

A senior official from the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) has confirmed to idrw.org that India now possesses the technical know-how and foundational capability to independently develop a 5th generation fighter jet engine. However, despite the readiness, there is currently no formal demand for such a program, and GTRE is instead channeling its efforts into the co-development of a next-generation 6th generation engine for the ambitious AMCA program.

The statement marks a critical milestone in India’s indigenous jet engine development journey, especially in light of the technological strides made through the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE)—a 4th generation engine being fine-tuned to meet multiple future applications.

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SOURCE: AFI

India is accelerating efforts to acquire the X-Guard fibre-optic towed decoy system from Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to enhance the survivability of its Rafale fighter jets in contested airspace, according to a report by The Economic Times. The move comes as the Indian Air Force (IAF) seeks to strengthen the self-defense capabilities of its 36 Rafale jets, which have proven their mettle in high-stakes operations like Operation Sindoor in May 2025. However, supply chain disruptions and geopolitical instability in West Asia have delayed delivery schedules, prompting India to prioritize swift procurement of this cutting-edge electronic warfare system.

The X-Guard is a state-of-the-art, reusable towed decoy system designed to protect fighter aircraft from advanced radar-guided air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles. Integrated with the Rafale’s SPECTRA electronic warfare (EW) suite, the X-Guard mimics the aircraft’s radar signature, creating a false target that diverts incoming missiles away from the jet. Housed in a pod attached to the aircraft’s hard point, the decoy is deployed mid-flight via a 100-meter fibre-optic cable, which ensures real-time communication with the cockpit, unaffected by enemy jamming attempts.

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SOURCE: AFI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming visit to the United Kingdom later this month is poised to mark a significant milestone in India-UK defence relations, with a key focus on advancing talks for the co-development of jet engines for India’s next-generation fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The visit, set against the backdrop of the India-UK ‘2030 Roadmap,’ is expected to accelerate discussions on a strategic partnership that could see British engine-maker Rolls-Royce collaborate with India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to power the AMCA, a cornerstone of India’s indigenous defence ambitions.

The AMCA, India’s indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter, is a flagship project under the “Make in India” and “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives, aimed at bolstering the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) combat capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign platforms. A critical component of the AMCA program is the development of a high-performance jet engine with 110–130 kilonewton (kN) thrust, capable of powering a stealth aircraft with supercruise and advanced maneuverability. The DRDO has been exploring partnerships with global engine manufacturers to bridge technological gaps and accelerate development.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Central Research Centre (CRC) under the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers) [R&DE(E)] of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has initiated a critical vendor engagement program to advance composite fabrication and structural testing for next-generation combat airframes.

The program focuses on on-site Resin Film Infusion (RFI) composite fabrication and bolted joint characterization, aimed at validating process integrity and ensuring superior structural performance for advanced aerospace applications, including fighter jets and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This initiative underscores India’s push toward indigenous development of cutting-edge materials and manufacturing techniques to enhance the performance, stealth, and durability of its future combat platforms.

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SOURCE: AFI

Over the past three decades, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has suffered significant losses due to accidents and crashes, with at least 152 pilots and 534 aircraft lost, according to research by aviation expert Anchit Gupta. The data, compiled from Parliament’s question-and-answer archives dating back to 1989–90, highlights the challenges faced by the IAF in maintaining operational safety amid an aging fleet and complex operational environments. However, Gupta’s findings also point to a positive trend: a steady decline in the number of accidents over the years, reflecting improvements in training, maintenance, and technology.

Gupta’s research, shared via Twitter (now X) in 2022, provides a sobering overview of IAF aircraft attrition from 1989 to 2022. The data reveals that the IAF lost 534 aircraft, including fighters, trainers, helicopters, and transport aircraft, in accidents and crashes over this period. Tragically, these incidents claimed the lives of at least 152 pilots, underscoring the human cost of maintaining one of the world’s largest air forces in diverse and often demanding conditions.

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SOURCE: PTI

India’s import of crude oil from Russia rose to an 11-month high in June as refiners topped up tanks amid the Israel-Iran war, analysts said. India imported 2.08 million barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in June, the highest since July 2024, according to vessel tracking data from global commodity market analytics firm Kpler.

“While India’s global imports of crude oil dropped by 6 per cent in June, Russian volumes saw an 8 per cent month-on-month rise to their highest levels since July 2024,” European think tank Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air said.

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SOURCE: IANS

After 18 days of intense science experiments at the International Space Station, it is time for farewells and feasts for Shubhanshu Shukla and three other astronauts of the Axiom-4 mission who are set to begin their return journey to Earth on Monday. The Axiom 4 (Ax-4) crew—Commander Peggy Whitson, Pilot Shubhanshu “Shux” Shukla, and Mission Specialists Slawosz “Suave” Uznanski-Wisniewski and Tibor Kapu—are nearing the completion of their research and preparing to undock no earlier than at 7:05 am ET (4:35 pm IST) on Monday.

“Arrival back to earth…. splash down scheduled for 15th July at 3:00 PM IST,” Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh said in a post on X.

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SOURCE: IANS

The Indian Army has denied it had carried out drone attacks on the eastern headquarters of the banned insurgent group United Liberation Front of Asom-Independent (ULFA-I) in Myanmar. The banned ULFA-I on Sunday claimed that its eastern headquarters in Myanmar had been targeted by the Indian Army with drones in the early hours.

The banned outfit in a press statement claimed that in these cross-border strikes, their 19 cadres have been killed and another 19 injured.

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SOURCE: PTI

The proscribed ULFA(I) on Sunday claimed drone attacks on its camps along the Myanmar border by the Indian Army, though there was no confirmation about the development from the armed forces. The ULFA(I), in a press statement, said the attacks were carried out with drones in the early hours at several mobile camps. A senior leader of the proscribed outfit was killed in the attacks, while around 19 others were injured, it claimed.

When contacted, a defence spokesperson here told PTI that there was no information of any such incident. “There are no inputs with the Indian Army of such an operation,” Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said.

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SOURCE: PTI

Think tank Digital India Foundation on Friday said it has strongly objected to Pakistan AI Technology Centre’s application for the membership of AI Alliance Network. Digital India Foundation is a founding member of the AI Alliance Network (AIANET) comprising 17 international organisations, of which three are from China.

In a letter to AIANET, the DIF said that given Pakistan’s systemic support of terrorism, the ongoing scrutiny of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the potential weaponisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through AITeC’s specialized labs, and the lack of institutional accountability or ethical oversight in Pakistan’s AI ecosystem, pose a serious threat to India’s national security

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SOURCE: PTI

Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Saturday (July 12, 2025) rejected the idea of a nuclear exchange during the recent conflict with India, saying his country’s nuclear programme was for “peaceful activities and self-defence”.

Mr. Sharif made the comments while addressing a group of Pakistani students in Islamabad.

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SOURCE: PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Saturday that the Indian armed forces have the special blessings of Goddess Kali and during Operation Sindoor, they displayed amazing valour, courage and bravery in destroying terrorist camps on Pakistani soil.

The senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader also said the spiritual and cultural symbols and centres of India were targeted during the British rule and thus, after independence, it was necessary to rebuild those.

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SOURCE: INDIAN NAVY

Hellenic Navy Ship Psara, the third of four MEKO 200 class frigates in service with navy GR , was on her maiden port call at Mumbai from 11- 13 Jul 25. The ship is commanded by Cdr Iosif Bazinas. During his official call on RAdm Vidyadhar Harke, VSM, Chief Staff Officer (Operations),
IN_WNC on 11 Jul 25, the Commanding Officer discussed avenues for enhancing mutual maritime cooperation.

Harbour activities in Mumbai included social engagements and cross deck visits.
These interactions will further strengthen multi-domain cooperation between India and Greece, with a common aim of progressing shared interests.

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