Monthly Archives: October 2024
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), India’s premier organization for the development of jet engines, is currently in discussions with several foreign aerospace Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for the joint development of a new 110kN engine to power India’s ambitious 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Each potential partner has presented unique proposals, including the use of modified flying test-bed platforms, adding an interesting dynamic to the engine development process.
Flying test-beds are crucial in testing jet engines under real-world conditions. These aircraft allow engineers to gather in-flight data, monitor engine performance, and identify areas for improvement. The use of flying test-beds also provides a controlled environment for testing new engines before they are integrated into the actual fighter jet.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant statement that could shape the future of the Indian Air Force’s procurement strategy, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the newly appointed Chief of Air Staff, suggested that the aircraft selected under the much-anticipated Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets should follow the “Jaguar model.” This model refers to the autonomy the Indian Air Force (IAF) has enjoyed in upgrading its fleet of SEPECAT Jaguar jets without relying on assistance from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), a feature that has allowed the IAF to enhance the aircraft’s capabilities through multiple phases of indigenous upgrades.
The Jaguar has been a cornerstone of the IAF’s operational capability for decades, undergoing numerous upgrades that extended its service life and enhanced its combat effectiveness. When the Jaguars first joined the IAF, they went through several rounds of upgrades, all carried out by Indian engineers, particularly through the efforts of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE), without the need for external intervention from the OEM. These phases of upgrades culminated in major programs like the Darin-I and Darin-II standards, which significantly boosted the aircraft’s operational capabilities by incorporating indigenously developed technologies.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Mumbai-based Anadrone Systems Private Limited, a company primarily known for manufacturing licensed QinetiQ Banshee aerial target platforms in India, has now developed a new indigenous kamikaze drone called Shakti. This drone is designed to carry out long-range precision strikes, with an impressive endurance of 6 to 7 hours and an operational range of 500 kilometers, making it a formidable addition to India’s growing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capabilities.
The Shakti drone can carry a payload of up to 30 kg of explosives, designed to deliver significant damage in combat scenarios. It utilizes a rear pusher propeller engine, a propulsion system that is both efficient and well-suited for the drone’s long-endurance missions. This configuration helps improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, ensuring that the Shakti can remain airborne for extended periods and cover a vast operational area.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The French-speaking military online portal, Avions Legendaires, has reported that Lockheed Martin is positioned as the primary challenger to Dassault in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets. The report claims that Lockheed Martin has offered its F-16V Viper, rebranded as the F-21 for India, as a strong competitor to Dassault’s Rafale fighter jet.
What makes Lockheed Martin the main challenger to Dassault is not entirely clear from the report, but the portal hints at significant backing from the U.S. administration, which is allegedly exerting diplomatic pressure on India to select the American fighter jet. The F-16V Viper, a modernized version of the legendary F-16, has already seen international success, with Taiwan purchasing 66 units from Lockheed Martin.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A major setback for Russia’s drone program: A heavy attack stealth drone, believed to be an S-70 Okhotnik, has been destroyed in what appears to be a friendly fire incident over the Donetsk front. The drone was allegedly shot down by a Russian Su-57 fighter jet near Konstantinovka.
Footage circulating on social media shows the aftermath of the incident, with severe damage to the drone and surrounding area. The red star on the drone’s wing is clearly visible, confirming its Russian origin. Ukrainian sources claim the drone was downed in Ukrainian-controlled territory, approximately 10 miles behind their lines.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant achievement, the South Western Command of the Indian Army has completed the maiden flights of Air Target Imitators (ATIs) in a high-altitude area, marking a pivotal moment in the Army’s efforts to enhance operational readiness. This breakthrough demonstrates the Army’s commitment to pushing technological boundaries and utilizing innovative methods to train air defense troops in challenging environments.
The deployment of the ATIs in high-altitude areas opens up new opportunities for air defense troops to train in a realistic combat environment. These air target imitators are designed to replicate the flight characteristics of piston-engined or jet-propelled aircraft, emitting energy in the infrared wave band to simulate a wide range of aerial threats.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Green Aero Propulsion, a leading innovator in sustainable aviation technology, has announced a significant milestone in its development of hydrogen-based aero engines. The company has successfully test-fired its first hydrogen-based combustor, showcasing a major step towards a cleaner and more efficient future for aviation.
Prithwish Kundu, founder and CEO of Green Aero Propulsion, expressed his excitement about this achievement. “This is a truly remarkable moment for our team,” he said. “Converting theoretical concepts from textbooks into tangible, working hardware is incredibly rewarding. Our hydrogen-based combustor is a testament to the dedication and expertise of our engineers.”
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI PR
HSL successfully completed the refit of Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel 7 days ahead of schedule, despite a 35% increase in Scope of Work (SoW). This accomplishment marks HSL’s 19th consecutive on-time refit delivery in the last 2.5 years, solidifying its reputation for reliable and top-notch ship repair services.
The experienced team at Ship Repair Complex innovatively undertook the task, achieving notable milestones: ? ?Locally machined propeller blade footings using CNC machines •? ?Installed shaft bearings and deep sea seals without removing shafts ? ?Procured and supplied 85 machinery spares with seamless PNC completion •? ?Completed 33 AWRFs HSL’s operational efficiency reduced engine load demand by 10%.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Maritime Exercise Malabar 2024 is set to commence on October 8 in Visakhapatnam. The exercise, which is hosted by India this year, will also have participation from Quad nations, which include Australia, Japan, and the US. The exercise will take place in two phases, beginning with the Harbour phase in Visakhapatnam, followed by a sea phase. A ‘Distinguished Visitors’ Day’ is also planned for October 9 2024 during the Harbour Phase, during which the delegations from all four nations, would be hosted by Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
The exercise will also feature a Joint Press Conference as part of the Harbour phase, co-chaired by heads of delegations from all participating countries. Notably, Exercise ‘Malabar’, which began in 1992 as a bilateral naval drill between the United States and the Indian Navy, has now evolved into a key multilateral event aimed at enhancing interoperability, fostering mutual understanding, and addressing shared maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific region.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meetings with the top leaders of Russia and Ukraine were “beginnings of a communication process” between two countries engaged in a serious conflict that has had enormous consequences, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.
In an interactive session at The Conclave 2024 organised by news channel Pratidin Time, Mr Jaishankar said Prime Minister Modi was one of the very few world leaders who has the “ability” to speak to both the leaders, who “trust” him.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The SAARC is “not moving forward” and meetings of the regional grouping have not happened in the last few years as one of its members is practising “cross-border terrorism”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Saturday.
The EAM’s remarks on the stalling of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), without naming any country, comes ahead of his scheduled visit to Pakistan mid-October to attend a key meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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Iranian ambassador to India, Iraj Elahi, said on Saturday that New Delhi can play a constructive role in the peace process and can convince Israel to stop genocide in Gaza. “We believe that India can play constructive role despite India has good relations with Israel, so it can convince Israel to stop genocide in Gaza, to stop escalation in the region,” Ilahi told ANI.
The Iranian envoy also mentioned that India is an emerging and big power that has big responsibility on its shoulder. “India is founder of NAM. India claims autonomous Strategy And recently India raised the flag of voice of the south So, this puts some responsibility on the shoulder of India,” he added.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu is all set to begin his five-day (October 6-10) state visit to India on Sunday following an official invitation extended by his Indian counterpart Droupadi Murmu, an official said.
After assuming office, this will be Muizzu’s first bilateral visit, during which he is scheduled to hold high-level meetings with President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other senior officials of the Indian government.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Indian Army’s Romeo Force seized a huge cache of weapons and explosives in the Jhullas area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said on Saturday. According to the Army officials, a search was launched based on a tip-off and the weapons and explosives were recovered from a suspected terrorist bag. The officials said that the recovered items included AK 47 and Pistol rounds of Pakistani origin and sophisticated explosives like RCIED, Timed destruction IED, Stove IED, explosives for IED and Chinese Grenades.
The officials said that the recovered items included AK 47 and Pistol rounds of Pakistani origin and sophisticated explosives like RCIED, Timed destruction IED, Stove IED, explosives for IED and Chinese Grenades.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A 24-year-old Agniveer died due to an explosion in a fire extinguisher during a mock drill in Rajasthan’s Bharatpur, police said Saturday. During a mock drill in a training camp of Golpura Army Area on Friday, a fire extinguisher exploded and Agniveer Saurabh Pal got injured, DSP Anil Jasoria said.
Pal, a resident of Bhakhara village in Uttar Pradesh’s Kannauj, succumbed during treatment at a hospital, he said. His father Rakesh Pal was informed about the incident and the body was handed over to the family today, the officer said.
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