Monthly Archives: December 2024
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to bolster its armored capabilities, India’s Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL) has announced plans to form a joint venture (JV) with Russian firms Rosoboronexport (ROE) and High Precision Systems (HPC). This partnership is aimed at the development and manufacture of an Indian Light Tank, targeting the Indian Army’s requirement for 295 light tanks under the Make-I category of indigenous procurement.
AVNL, along with India Optel Limited (IOL), will hold a majority stake in the joint venture, ensuring that Indian stakeholders maintain significant control over the project. This collaboration will leverage Russian expertise in light tank development, particularly the Sprut-SD design, to compete against indigenous solutions such as the Zorawar Light Tank, which is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with private industry.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (NRT) has rebranded its High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) project as “ARKA” and is preparing for a key endurance demonstration. The scaled-down version of ARKA, spanning 8 meters, aims to showcase a 7-day flight endurance capability in the coming months. This milestone will further establish India’s advancements in HAPS technology, which bridges the gap between traditional satellites and aerial platforms.
NRT has already achieved a significant breakthrough, completing its first ARKA flight, which lasted over 21 hours. This success demonstrates the platform’s potential to maintain prolonged high-altitude operations, paving the way for its next ambitious goal of a week-long solar-powered mission.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
In response to the rising threat of autonomous aerial, surface, and combat vehicles, the Indian Navy has initiated efforts to develop a cutting-edge High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapon system. This advanced weapon system will be designed to counter the growing capabilities of autonomous systems used by adversaries in modern warfare. The Indian Navy’s request emphasizes the need for a High-Power Microwave weapon capable of neutralizing Autonomous Aerial Vehicles (AAVs), Autonomous Combat Aerial Vehicles (ACAVs), and Autonomous Surface Vehicles (ASVs) at ranges exceeding 5 kilometers.
High-Power Microwave (HPM) weapons are emerging as a critical component in modern electronic warfare. Unlike conventional weapon systems, HPM weapons use directed electromagnetic waves to disrupt or disable electronic systems in target vehicles, often rendering them inoperative without causing physical destruction. This ability makes them particularly effective against drones and autonomous systems that rely heavily on electronic sensors, communication links, and control systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant step towards bolstering Indigenous defence capabilities, Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Products Limited (AMPL) has been identified to manufacture the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar (FCR) for the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program.
This development marks a critical milestone for India’s aerospace sector, as it moves away from reliance on foreign radar systems and embraces an advanced, homegrown solution designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Boeing’s F-15EX, a contender for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, is set to offer cutting-edge capabilities with its advanced AMBER Missile Racks. These racks will provide unprecedented versatility and operational flexibility, allowing the aircraft to carry a wide array of weapons for various mission profiles.
The F-15EX, known for its exceptional performance, will be equipped with AMBER missile racks capable of carrying up to 22 air-to-air missiles (AAMs), allowing the aircraft to engage multiple airborne threats simultaneously. This high-capacity weapon load will significantly enhance the IAF’s air superiority capabilities in combat scenarios. The flexibility of the AMBER racks does not stop at air-to-air combat; they also offer the ability to carry a combination of small diameter bombs (SDBs) and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) for precision strike capabilities. Specifically, the F-15EX can carry 8 AAMs and 28 SDBs, or 8 AAMs and 7 x 2,000lb JDAMs for heavier strike missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence manufacturer, is on track to achieve a significant production milestone for its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. In 2020, HAL rolled out the 300th ALH Dhruv from its assembly line, a testament to the platform’s popularity and operational versatility. With steady orders from the Indian Armed Forces, including 34 additional units in the current fiscal year, HAL is confident of reaching the 500-unit mark by 2028 or early 2029.
The journey of the ALH Dhruv began in 1992 when the prototype conducted its maiden flight, showcasing the potential of India’s indigenous helicopter manufacturing capability. The Dhruv platform has since become one of HAL’s flagship products, with significant improvements over the years, particularly in avionics, powertrain, and mission-specific configurations.
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