SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up for a potentially high-stakes procurement of 114 Medium Range Fighter Aircraft (MRFA). While the Rafale, having already proven its mettle in Indian skies, is a formidable contender, the Boeing F-15EX is steadily emerging as a formidable challenger.

The last MRCA tender, which saw the Rafale emerge victorious, also included the Eurofighter Typhoon as a strong contender and as L2 Bidder that met all Technical round. However, the political landscape has shifted significantly since then. Germany’s veto power over arms exports has cast a long shadow over the Typhoon’s prospects.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making strides in developing a new generation anti-tank weapon system – the BMP-2K NAMICA Mk2. This project, spearheaded by the DRDO’s Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), aims to enhance India’s armored fighting capabilities.

The NAMICA Mk2 is an upgrade of the existing NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier) system. The original NAMICA, based on a modified BMP-2 chassis, served as a platform for launching Nag anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).

SOURCE: AFI

Dehradun-based startup Star Aerospace has made a significant contribution to the operational readiness of the Assam Police by delivering a substantial quantity of AK Mod Kits. This press release highlights the features and functionalities of these upgrade kits.

Star Aerospace has supplied approximately 3,000 AK Mod Kits to the Assam Police, bolstering their existing AK rifles. These upgrade kits offer a comprehensive modernization package, equipping the rifles with various tactical features.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) role in the 1999 Kargil War was pivotal. This article explores a lesser-known challenge faced by the IAF during its night strikes – Pakistan’s deployment of “balloon barrages” along the Line of Control (LoC) in the Kargil Sector.

The summer of 1999 saw the IAF conduct its first-ever nighttime missions along the LoC to dislodge Pakistani intruders from Indian territory. However, their operations faced an unexpected hurdle – numerous balloons tethered at various points. While the balloons themselves posed some threat, the real danger came from the thin, nearly invisible strings attaching them to the ground. These strings posed a severe risk of entanglement for low-flying aircraft.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has categorically denied recent media reports suggesting a blanket ban on military exports to India by Turkey. During a regular press briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal dismissed the claims as “disinformation at best.”

The reports had alleged that Turkey’s decision to halt arms and military equipment exports to India was aimed at benefiting Pakistan and further escalating tensions between the two South Asian neighbors.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant boost to India’s naval capabilities, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is poised to greenlight the procurement of eight additional Nilgiri-class frigates under the Project-17 Beta (P-17B) program. Building upon the successful Project-17 Alpha (P-17A) frigates, the P-17B vessels are expected to incorporate several enhancements to address evolving maritime threats.

The upcoming frigates are likely to feature a robust suite of anti-drone measures, including advanced jammers and hard-kill systems to counter both sea-based and airborne drones. To bolster its anti-air capabilities, the P-17B frigates are anticipated to be equipped with the Vertical Launch System for Short Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (VLS-SAM) alongside a longer-range missile system, such as the Barak-8 or ERADS.

SOURCE: AFI

India is engaged in high-stakes negotiations with GE Aerospace for the transfer of technology (ToT) for the F-414 engine, a critical component for its indigenous fighter aircraft program. While this marks a significant step forward, the country’s past experiences with ToT agreements for the RD-33 and AL-31F engines raise concerns about its ability to effectively leverage such partnerships for domestic engine manufacturing.

While ToT can undoubtedly provide access to advanced technologies and manufacturing processes, India’s track record suggests that mere transfer of knowledge is insufficient to build a robust domestic engine industry. The country has struggled to convert acquired technologies into indigenous capabilities, resulting in limited value addition to its supply chain.

SOURCE: AFI

The Western Command of the Indian Army recently witnessed a capability demonstration of the Akashteer Control Centers by the Air Defenders of the Rising Star Corps. The Army Commander commended the troops for their operational preparedness.

Project Akashteer, an Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System, is a significant milestone in India’s self-reliance journey. This indigenous system will equip the Indian Army’s Air Defence units with cutting-edge capabilities, enabling them to operate seamlessly in an integrated manner.

SOURCE: AFI

On the 20th of July, 2024, a momentous Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) and Ashok Leyland. This significant event was graced by the esteemed presence of Dr. Mohan Yadav, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, and key figures from both organizations, including Shri Sanjay Dwivedi, Chairman and Managing Director of AVNL, and Shri Sanjeev Kumar Bhola, Chief General Manager of VFJ (Vehicle Factory Jabalpur), a unit of AVNL. Representing Ashok Leyland were Shri Krishnan Sadagopan, Senior Vice President, and Shri Ravikanth S, AGM of Defence Vehicles.

The MoU aims to spearhead the collaborative development of Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine (H2ICE)-powered load carriers, specifically designed for the Indian defence forces. This innovative venture marks a pivotal step towards sustainable and advanced defense logistics.

SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a stringent deadline to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to deliver 18 Tejas Mk1A and Tejas Trainer aircraft by March 2025, marking a significant escalation in pressure on the state-owned aerospace giant. HAL has been grappling with substantial delays in the production and delivery of the light combat aircraft, with the first Tejas Mk1A only taking to air only in March of this year.

A primary culprit behind the production setbacks has been the shortage of engines supplied by GE Aerospace. To mitigate this issue, GE Aerospace has pledged to deliver two engines per month starting from September, which is anticipated to alleviate the supply constraint. HAL intends to allocate these new engines to the production of fresh aircraft while utilizing a stockpile of reserved engines to fulfill the MoD’s mandated delivery schedule.

SOURCE: AFI

– The mysterious metal object that washed ashore on Green Head beach in Western Australia last year has found a new home. Confirmed to be the third stage of an Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), the giant metal dome will soon be on display at the Scitech Planetarium.

The discovery of the rocket debris sparked widespread curiosity and speculation when it was found in July 2023. Authorities cordoned off the area while experts investigated its origins. India later confirmed that the object indeed belonged to one of its PSLV rockets.

SOURCE: AFI

The head of Air Combat Command (ACC), General Kenneth Wilsbach, recently indicated the Air Force is on track to select a contractor for its next-generation fighter jet program later this year. This news comes amidst concerns about the affordability of the program, dubbed Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).

NGAD is envisioned as a comprehensive system, not just a single aircraft. It’s expected to include an advanced piloted fighter jet, a fleet of unmanned drone wingmen known as collaborative combat aircraft, a cutting-edge engine, and potentially other integrated technologies.

SOURCE: AFI

In a move towards self-reliance in navigation technology, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has commissioned a Bengaluru-based firm to develop a receiver chip specifically for the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), also known as NavIC.

Developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), NavIC offers an indigenous satellite navigation system for India. It aims to provide precise positioning and timing services to land, rail, and air users, aiding in easier route navigation. Currently, India relies heavily on the US-operated Global Positioning System (GPS) for these services.

SOURCE: AFI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has issued a call for development support, integration, and testing partners for an advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for aircraft applications. While the specific aircraft platform hasn’t been officially disclosed, industry sources suggest that the radar could be intended for the upcoming upgrade of the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet, potentially replacing the existing radar with the indigenously developed UTTAM AESA.

The DRDO’s move signifies a significant step towards enhancing India’s indigenous capabilities in radar technology. By collaborating with industry partners, the organization aims to accelerate the development process and leverage private sector expertise.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) announcing live firing exercises in the lower Bay of Bengal from the 19th to the 24th of this month. The designated area, spanning approximately 730 kilometers, is located off the coast of Sri Lanka and falls directly within a major marine traffic lane.

Due to the nature of the exercise, which is likely to involve ship-based missile tests, maritime traffic in the region is expected to be disrupted. Mariners and aviators are advised to exercise extreme caution and adhere to the restrictions outlined in the NOTAM.