Monthly Archives: October 2024
SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s indigenous fighter program, Bengaluru-based Varchas Aerospace Private Limited has been selected by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to replace a critical component of the Tejas Mk-1A aircraft. This move comes after a recent Danish export blacklist on a previously sourced engine charge amplifier threatened to delay the Tejas program.
The blacklisting was due to concerns regarding potential re-export to Russia in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. To address this challenge and ensure program continuity, HAL entrusted Varchas Aerospace with the development of a locally manufactured engine charge amplifier.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
ADE, a leading developer of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), is actively working to indigenize critical components of its UAV fuel systems. To ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to the engine at all altitudes, attitudes, and airspeeds, these systems rely on various Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) such as pumps and valves. However, many of these components are currently manufactured exclusively by foreign manufacturers, hindering India’s self-sufficiency in UAV technology.
To address this challenge, ADE has identified ten essential long lead components that need to be indigenized:
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant move to enhance its precision-strike capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has selected JSR Dynamics, an emerging defense technology company, to develop Range Extension Kits (REK) for its 250kg High-Speed Low-Drag (HSLD) bombs. The project falls under the ADITI 1.0 industry challenge, initiated by the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program. This selection marks a step forward in the IAF’s modernization efforts, aimed at increasing the operational effectiveness of its existing munitions.
The Range Extension Kits (REK) developed by JSR Dynamics will be assisted with a booster and an Electro-Optical Infrared (EOIR) terminal guidance system. This combination is expected to increase the range of 250kg HSLD bombs by over 150 kilometers, significantly enhancing the standoff strike capabilities of the IAF. With these kits, Indian aircraft will be able to release munitions from a safe distance, avoiding enemy air defenses while achieving greater precision in targeting.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the newly appointed Chief of Air Staff, announced on Friday a significant advancement in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) modernization efforts with the development of the Netra MkII Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS). The project will be based on Airbus A321 aircraft, which will undergo extensive modifications to serve as airborne surveillance platforms. Negotiations between the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Airbus are ongoing, with Airbus tasked with converting the commercial jets into high-tech reconnaissance aircraft while DRDO focuses on developing the mission systems.
Airbus Defence and Space (ADS), headquartered in Spain, has been selected as the lead contractor for the critical task of converting six pre-owned A-321s, acquired from Air India, into the advanced Netra MkII AEW&CS platforms. These aircraft will undergo a comprehensive transformation at Airbus’ Military Aircraft Design and Engineering department in Getafe, Madrid, transitioning from passenger jets into sophisticated airborne surveillance systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Drones Tech Lab, a Kolkata-based technology firm, has emerged as the winner of the iDEX ADITI 1.0 challenge, a prestigious initiative aimed at fostering innovation in India’s defense sector. The company’s groundbreaking development of a helicopter-launched weaponized drone has earned them recognition and support from the Ministry of Defense (MoD).
The iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0 challenge, launched by the MoD, sought to identify Indian startups capable of creating a cutting-edge weapon system for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The desired system was a helicopter-launched drone equipped with Man-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capability with a range of 40km.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Telangana-based Simpliforge Creations and the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad have teamed up with the military engineer services (MES) to set up the Indian Army’s largest and Madhya Pradesh’s first 3D printed building at Morar Cantonment in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh. The building, which will house barracks for jawans with a capacity to accommodate 14 jawans, was built to demonstrate efficient housing solutions for troops in remote and challenging terrain.
Simpliforge Creations co-founder & CEO Dhruv Gandhi said while the foundation work for the 11-11.5 ft tall structure, spread over around 2500 sq ft, was done using conventional construction techniques, the 10-ft tall portion above the ground, excluding the beam, was all 3D printed in just a month’s time.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a surprising policy reversal, Maldives’ newly elected President Mohamed Muizzu has agreed to continue defense cooperation with India, allowing New Delhi to deploy defense platforms in the Indian Ocean archipelago. This comes shortly after Muizzu’s government initially requested the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives, a move that was seen as a fulfillment of his election promise to reduce foreign military presence.
President Muizzu, who came to power on an “India Out” campaign, initially pushed for the withdrawal of Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives for humanitarian and disaster relief operations. These personnel had been deployed as part of a longstanding agreement between the two nations to bolster regional security and humanitarian assistance in times of crisis.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “strong leader”, John Bolton, the US National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Donald Trump from 2018-2019 and a former US Ambassador to the United Nation, believes that the India-US relationship could be the “defining event” of the 21st century as India continues its rise as a major global power.
Speaking exclusively to the IANS on Wednesday ahead of the crucial US Presidential elections next month, Bolton reflected on PM Modi’s leadership, the significant role being played by India to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine and Indian PM’s camaraderie with Trump.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
National Conference Vice President Omar Abdullah Wednesday said hoping for the restoration of Article 370 from the very people who snatched it would be “foolish,” but his party would keep the issue alive and continue to raise it.
Our political stand will not change. We have never said that we will remain silent on Article 370 or that Article 370 is not an issue for us now,” Abdullah told reporters here when asked what the stand of the party would be on the matter after government formation.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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The US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said on Tuesday (local time) that regional issues, including Bangladesh, are often discussed during talks with the Indian government.
However, he refused to provide any specific readout regarding the meeting between US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar which was held last week in Washington, DC.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In a strong message to China, the top brass of the Indian Army led by Gen Upendra Dwivedi would be meeting in Sikkim near the Line of Actual Control. where they would be addressed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. This is the first time that the crucial meeting of the top Army commanders would be held at a location close to the Line of Actual Control, defence officials told ANI.
The meeting planned to be held in Sikkim from October 10-11 would be addressed by the top defence brass including Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, they said. The meeting would be taking stock of the sensitive situation along the LAC especially in Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh where the two sides have been getting engaged in stand offs and face-offs on a regular basis.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The CRPF is undertaking a “massive” exercise of realigning more than 130 of its battalions spread across the country to improve the operational efficiency of the force and provide quality “family time” to its troops deployed extensively in operations and hard duty areas, official sources said.
The mega exercise is being carried out after eight years. It was approved by the Union home ministry last week. As part of the realignment, a total of 137 battalions of the force out of the total 248, will be attached with those group centres (GCs) that are geographically closer to their place of deployment, as per a blueprint accessed by PTI.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Security forces on Wednesday recovered the bullet-ridden body of a missing soldier from Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said here.
The body of Territorial Army jawan Hilal Ahmad Bhat, who was reported missing on Tuesday from Shah, was recovered from Sanglan forest area in Utrasoo area of Anantnag, the officials said. They said the body has been taken to a hospital for medical formalities.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said that 128 Bangladeshi nationals, who were trying to cross over to India illegally, were pushed back in the last two months. Two Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended by the security forces along the India-Bangladesh border and pushed back to the neighbouring country in the wee hours on Wednesday.
The persons were identified as Babul Hussain and Sakib Mia. Taking to social media platform X, CM Sarma wrote, “Maintaining strict vigil along the Indo-Bangla border, @assampolice has pushed back 128 infiltrators across the border in last two months.”
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act or AFSPA was extended in four districts of Assam for six months in view of the “recent disturbances” in Bangladesh and its potentially inimical effect on the internal law and order situation, according to a notification issued on Tuesday.
The districts of Tinsukia, Dibrugarh, Charaideo and Sivasagar will remain “disturbed area” under the AFSPA, it said.
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