SOURCE: AFI

On the second day of the Army 2024 International Military-Technical Forum in Russia, Mr. Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Federation Security Council, was given a comprehensive briefing on the BRAHMOS weapon system. The briefing was conducted by Mr. Alexander Maksichev, Joint Managing Director, and Mr. Praveen Pathak, Director (Marketing Promotion & Export) at BrahMos Aerospace, at the BrahMos pavilion, where the supersonic cruise missile was showcased in various configurations.

During the briefing, Mr. Maksichev and Mr. Pathak highlighted the recent achievements and progress of the BRAHMOS weapon system, which continues to be a cornerstone of India’s defense capabilities. The supersonic cruise missile, co-developed by India and Russia, is known for its precision strike capabilities and versatility across multiple platforms, including land, sea, and air.

SOURCE: AFI

Sagar Defence Engineering is thrilled to have been selected to participate in the iDEX Startup and Innovation Showcase under INDUSX in Delhi. This prestigious event, focused on fostering a robust defense innovation ecosystem, provided a platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies developed by startups and MSMEs.

Our CEO, Mr. Lakshay Dang, and VP Business Development, Mr. Amit Singla, had the distinct honor of engaging with Ms. Isabel Casillas Guzman, the 27th Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), along with esteemed Indian officials Shri Amit Satija, Joint Secretary (Defence Production), Shri Vivek Virmani, PO(G), COO of DIO, and Capt Roy Joseph PD/DIO. This international platform offered invaluable opportunities for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and gaining crucial guidance and support.

SOURCE: AFI

Big Bang Boom Solutions Private Limited, a leading cybersecurity firm, recently welcomed a high-level delegation from the Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC) of the Republic of Mozambique. Mr. Abubakar Abdul Azize Bin Abudou and Mr. Armando Francisco Billa Serviço visited the company’s Chennai headquarters for a comprehensive overview of its cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions.

The visit provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the evolving cybersecurity landscape and the shared challenges faced by nations worldwide. The delegation expressed keen interest in Big Bang Boom Solutions’ innovative projects, recognizing the potential for collaboration to enhance Mozambique’s cybersecurity infrastructure.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s state-owned National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) has recently unveiled an indigenous kamikaze drone, a significant advancement in the country’s defense technology. According to a report by NDTV, this drone is equipped with a home-built engine, enabling it to cover a distance of up to 1,000 kilometers.

The kamikaze drone, a crucial addition to India’s unmanned aerial capabilities, measures approximately 2.8 meters in length with a wingspan of 3.5 meters. Weighing around 120 kilograms, it can carry an explosive payload of 25 kilograms. The drone is powered by a 30 HP Wankel engine, which allows it to maintain a maximum speed of 180 kilometers per hour while flying continuously for up to 1,000 kilometers.

SOURCE: AFI

The ongoing Tarang Shakti exercise at Sulur Airbase has witnessed a unique camaraderie between the French and Indian Air Forces. French Rafale pilots, participating in the multinational air combat exercise, have expressed their admiration for the indigenous Indian Tejas light combat aircraft (LCA).

Several French pilots have drawn parallels between the Tejas and the Mirage 2000, highlighting the agile maneuverability and impressive performance of the smaller fighter jet. The LCA, despite its size, has proven to be a formidable opponent in simulated combat scenarios, showcasing its capabilities alongside larger and more advanced fighters.  

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reportedly leaning away from acquiring heavy category fighter jets, similar to its existing Su-30MKI, for its upcoming Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. This preference could significantly impact Boeing’s bid for the F-15EX, a heavy fighter, in this competition.

The IAF’s reluctance towards heavy fighters stems from several operational and economic considerations.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s defence exports have witnessed a commendable rise in recent years, with the government setting an ambitious target of ?35,000 crore by FY25. While the nation has managed to achieve ?21,000 crore in FY24, concerns linger about the sustainability of this growth trajectory.

A significant portion of the recent export surge can be attributed to the pressing needs of countries like Armenia and Ukraine, which have faced geopolitical challenges. While these orders have provided a much-needed boost to the domestic defence industry, experts caution that relying heavily on such short-term demands could hinder long-term growth prospects.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent video that has sent ripples through the defense community, India’s homegrown light tank, the Zorawar, has made a stunning appearance. For the first time, the tank showcased its unique spaced armor configuration, a design feature that could potentially revolutionize tank protection. Additionally, the video demonstrated the tank’s remarkable speed, surpassing the capabilities of typical main battle tanks.

The most striking aspect of the new footage is the Zorawar’s exposed spaced armor slots. This design, where armor plates are mounted at a distance from the main hull, has been proven effective in defeating kinetic energy penetrators. By creating a void between the two armor layers, the impact energy of an incoming projectile is dissipated, reducing its ability to penetrate. While the absence of the actual armor plates in the video might raise questions, it could be indicative of testing or prototype stages.

SOURCE: AFI

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, led a high-level delegation to the BrahMos Pavilion at the 10th International Military-Technical Forum “Army 2024,” held at the Patriot Expo in Russia. The distinguished visitor was welcomed by Mr. Alexander Maksichev, Joint Managing Director (JMD) of BrahMos Aerospace, and Mr. Praveen Pathak, Director (Marketing Promotion & Export).

During the visit, General Giang was provided with a comprehensive overview of the various variants of the formidable supersonic BrahMos missile, a joint venture between India and Russia. The BrahMos missile system, known for its precision and speed, has been a game-changer in modern warfare, offering land, sea, and air-launched capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s largest shipbuilding facility by capacity, is poised for a remarkable resurgence. Under the stewardship of Swan Energy Ltd, the shipyard, which had been dormant for nearly five years following the collapse of RNAVAL, is now gearing up for a grand revival.

A significant milestone is imminent with the dry docking of an Indian Coast Guard ship this month. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for the shipyard, which boasts an impressive 662-meter dry dock, the largest in India and among the world’s top.

SOURCE: AFI

The indigenous prowess of the Indian Air Force (IAF) was on full display as the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand soared through the skies above the Sulur Airbase during the ongoing Tarang Shakti exercise. This international air exercise, which commenced on August 6, 2024, has provided a platform for showcasing India’s advanced aviation capabilities.

The LCH Prachand, a formidable attack helicopter indigenously developed, has been a key participant in the exercise. Its presence underscores India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The helicopter’s exceptional maneuverability and lethal firepower have made it a potent asset for the IAF, capable of operating effectively in diverse terrains and challenging weather conditions.

SOURCE: AFI

Navi Mumbai is set to take a significant step towards becoming a major aviation hub as the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) prepares for its first trial aircraft landing next month.

The Indian Air Force will be conducting the trial run using a C-130J transport aircraft and a Sukhoi Su-30 fighter jet. This crucial exercise will test the airport’s infrastructure and systems before it officially opens to commercial flights in March 2025.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s indigenous supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, is rapidly gaining global recognition. Following the successful sale to the Philippines, the joint venture between India and Russia, BrahMos Aerospace, is currently engaged in negotiations with at least four other countries for the acquisition of this potent weapon system.

Southeast Asian nations, Indonesia and Vietnam, have expressed keen interest in the BrahMos missile, recognizing its strategic value in bolstering their maritime capabilities. Additionally, the Middle Eastern powerhouses, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, are also in discussions to procure the missile.

SOURCE: AFI

Data Patterns (India) Ltd has achieved a significant milestone by successfully developing two critical components for the upgrade of the Naval Dornier 228 aircraft. The company has engineered a state-of-the-art Maritime Patrol Radar and a cutting-edge SIGINT EW suite, both integral to the aircraft’s surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

Impressively, these crucial systems were developed in a remarkably short timeframe of less than a year, showcasing the company’s technical expertise and efficiency. The components are currently undergoing rigorous flight trials to ensure optimal performance.

SOURCE: AFI

Indian space startup, EtherealX, has successfully secured $5 million in seed funding to propel its ambitious project of developing fully reusable medium-lift launch vehicles. The startup is set to revolutionize the space industry with its flagship vehicle, the Razor Crest Mk-1, designed to deliver impressive payloads into orbit.

In its fully reusable configuration, the Razor Crest Mk-1 is capable of transporting 8 tons into low Earth orbit (LEO). The vehicle’s versatility extends to expendable and partially reusable modes, enabling it to carry over 24.8 tons and 22.8 tons, respectively, to LEO. EtherealX’s aspirations reach even further, as the company aims to deliver payloads to geostationary transfer and trans-lunar injection orbits.