Monthly Archives: October 2024
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian aerospace industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards self-reliance with the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program. According to Prabhulla Chandran VK, director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Tejas Mk2 is poised to achieve a remarkable 90% indigenous content when it enters production in 2031.
The journey towards self-reliance for the Tejas Mk2 will be a staged ascent. The initial prototype, expected in 2026, will boast over 70% indigenous components. This impressive feat signifies substantial progress compared to its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1A, which is expected to reach 70% indigenous content within the next four years.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The competition for India’s prestigious P-75(I) submarine tender has taken an unexpected turn, with Spain’s Navantia challenging the leading position of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany. Navantia has urged the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to decide the winner of the contract based on a price discovery method, rather than relying on the results of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system field evaluation trials (FET). This move could significantly impact the outcome of the tender for six submarines, a contract that is crucial for modernizing the Indian Navy’s underwater fleet.
Price discovery is a method where the market price of an asset is determined through the interaction of buyers and sellers. Navantia’s call for the Indian MoD to prioritize pricing in the decision-making process reflects a belief that they can offer the S-80 Plus submarines at a more competitive cost compared to TKMS. While this could be advantageous for India from a financial perspective, it diverts attention from the technical evaluations, especially the critical AIP systems that would provide submarines with enhanced endurance and stealth capabilities underwater.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) ambitious HLFT-42 program, introduced in 2023 as the “Next-Gen Supersonic Trainer,” is undergoing further design refinements. With plans for additional wind tunnel testing, HAL aims to fine-tune the platform, which captured widespread attention for its impressive capabilities and potential to meet both training and combat needs for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The HLFT-42 is designed to be much more than a typical supersonic trainer. With a 4.5-ton weapon payload capacity and a 16.5-ton Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), the aircraft promises to not only provide advanced pilot training for 4th and 5th-generation fighter jets but also serve as a light combat jet. This versatility offers the potential for multi-role missions, making the aircraft a valuable addition to the IAF’s fleet, particularly for combat teaming scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Optiemus Unmanned Systems (OUS), a subsidiary of Optiemus Infracom, has announced the development of its latest innovation in unmanned aerial technology—the OPTIEMUS Abhedya Unmanned System. The new platform is designed to cater to high-endurance missions, offering advanced capabilities in surveillance, geo mapping, and reconnaissance. With its stealth-shaped flying wing configuration and turbojet propulsion, the Abhedya UAV marks a significant leap in India’s indigenous unmanned aerial systems (UAS) sector.
These features allow the Abhedya to operate in both civilian and military environments, providing essential data for geo mapping, long-range surveillance, and monitoring critical infrastructure.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is calling upon the private sector to design and develop cutting-edge technologies for Autonomous Docking Operations aimed at enabling On-Orbit Maintenance and Refueling (OOMR) of space assets. This ambitious initiative is part of the IAF’s broader efforts to enhance the operational longevity and capability of India’s space-based assets through innovative space servicing technologies. The project represents a significant leap in the country’s space capabilities, particularly in the areas of spacecraft refueling, maintenance, and upgrading operations while in orbit.
As space becomes an increasingly critical domain for defense, communications, and surveillance, maintaining the health and operational effectiveness of satellites and spacecraft is paramount. To address this, the IAF has launched a project to develop Autonomous Docking Technologies for on-orbit servicing of space assets, including refueling, maintenance, and upgrading operations.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In light of recent conflicts highlighting the increasing threat of drone warfare, the Indian Army is actively seeking to enhance the anti-drone capabilities of its Armored Fighting Vehicles (AFVs). The existing 12.7mm Anti-Aircraft Gun, while effective against larger aerial targets, falls short when dealing with smaller drones.
To address this vulnerability, the Indian Army is exploring several avenues, including:
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant display of indigenous military technology, the South Western Command of the Indian Army recently showcased the Akash Weapon System. However, the highlight of the event was the first public appearance of the Akash Missile Replenishment Vehicle, a crucial support component that had previously remained under wraps.
The Akash Missile Replenishment Vehicle, seen for the first time, is a vital logistical asset designed to enhance the operational efficiency of the Akash Weapon System. The vehicle is capable of transporting three Akash missiles at once and is equipped with a crane system, enabling the swift and safe transfer of missiles onto the launcher. This functionality is critical in ensuring that air defense units can rapidly replenish their missile stocks during sustained combat operations, reducing downtime between missile firings and maintaining a constant state of readiness.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant step towards bolstering India’s underwater defense capabilities, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has given the green light for the construction of nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). The move marks a major milestone in India’s indigenous defense manufacturing capabilities.
The plan is to initially build two 6,000-tonne SSNs at the Ship Building Centre (SBC) Visakhapatnam. Each submarine is estimated to cost around Rs 15,000 crore. These SSNs will play a crucial role in deterring potential adversaries, particularly China’s growing presence in the Indian Ocean Region.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Bengaluru-based space start-up Bellatrix Aerospace on Wednesday said it will supply its home-built orbital transfer vehicle – Pushpak – for integration with future launch missions of ISRO’s commercial arm NewSpace India Limited.
The Pushpak OTV is a versatile multi-mission spacecraft designed by Bellatrix for in-orbit manoeuvrings, with the flexibility to deploy satellites into various orbits with greater precision and efficiency, a company release said.
Continue readingSOURCE: Bloomberg
American Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, targeted in a foiled ‘assassination plot’ allegedly planned by India said that intelligence agents in New Delhi still want him dead and said that the Biden administration’s “quiet diplomacy” has failed to deter Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. “The risk has increased,” Gurpatwant Singh Pannun said in an interview at his office in New York. “The Modi regime has not faced any consequences. They have not been held accountable.
Why would they stop?” The Indian government has branded him a terrorist and declared that his group Sikhs for Justice — which advocates for a Sikh nation known as Khalistan to be carved out of India’s Punjab state — is an “unlawful organization” that poses a threat to India’s sovereignty. Pannun’s case first disrupted US-India ties late last year.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
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Indian Navy’s frontline stealth frigate, INS Talwar, has arrived at Simon’s Town South Africa, and is participating in the eighth edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise. Indian, Brazilian, and South African Navies are participating in this exercise till October 18. This Naval exercise started on October 6.
“The exercise aims to enhance interoperability and strengthen cohesion between the three navies. The broad concept is based on Blue Water Naval Warfare, encompassing the dimensions of Surface and Anti-Air Warfare,” the Indian Navy informed on Wednesday.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Former US President Donald Trump has revealed what Prime Minister Narendra Modi said when offered help in dealing with a country that threatened India and said the Indian leader remarked “I will do it, I will do it, I will do anything necessary”.
Trump made the remarks in a podcast called Flagrant with comedians Andrew Schultz and Akash Singh.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
As tensions escalate in West Asia, the Deputy spokesperson of Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Alex Gandler said on Wednesday that India has a “voice of reason” and at a time like this it could act in the region, describing the country as an important partner. He urged that a “message of calm” should be sent to Iran, which says it should dissolve its proxies and stop attacking Israel.
While speaking to ANI in an exclusive interview, Gandler said “We have a very good relationship with the Indian government. Great appreciation on the government level but also on the people-to-people level. India is an important partner for Israel. We see India as a voice of reason that could act in this region.” Gandler emphasised on how there are mediators siding with Iran, and stated that instead of this a mediation message should be given to Tehran to stop their rhetoric against Israel.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A UK auction house has withdrawn a ‘Naga Human Skull’ from its lots for a live online sale on Wednesday following outcry in India over the issue.
The Swan auction house at Tetsworth in Oxfordshire had a series of skulls and other remains originating from around the world as part of ‘The Curious Collector Sale, Antiquarian Books, Manuscripts & Paintings. The ’19th Century Horned Naga Human Skull, Naga Tribe’ was slotted as Lot No. 64 and resulted in protests in Nagaland, led by Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio who sought the intervention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to stop the hurtful sale.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
The Government Railway Police (GRP) arrested altogether 257 foreign nationals — 239 Bangladeshi and 18 Rohingyas — in Tripura till September this year, officials said on Wednesday.
Deputy Superintendent of GRP Soumen Sarkar said that they also arrested 54 Indian touts for facilitating foreign nationals in entering India illegally crossing India-Bangladesh borders without any valid documents and passports.
Continue reading