SOURCE: AFI

Air Marshal AP Singh, Vice Chief of Air Staff, underscored the critical need for agile and flexible air forces in the face of rapidly evolving technological landscapes at the Air & Missile Defence India 2024 conference. The event, jointly organized by the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS) and Indian Military Review (IMR), brought together industry leaders, military experts, and policymakers to discuss the challenges and opportunities in air and missile defense.

Highlighting the increasing complexity of the aerial threat spectrum, Air Marshal Singh emphasized the importance of self-reliance in India’s air defense ecosystem. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts between the DRDO, DPSUs, and the private sector to develop innovative technologies and out-of-the-box solutions.

SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka has addressed recent media reports concerning the country’s submission to the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (UNCLCS) in New York, and matters related to the International Seabed Authority (ISBA) in Jamaica regarding exploration activities at the Afanasy Nikitin Seamount.

SOURCE: AFI

India and China, powerful Asian giants, share a rich history but a complex relationship. While the 1962 war is often etched in collective memory, a lesser-known conflict in 1967 offers a crucial piece of the puzzle. This 1967 clash, fought on the Himalayan heights of Sikkim, marked a turning point. After the 1962 defeat, India’s victory in 1967 restored a sense of balance and national pride.

Following the 1962 setback, India craved a chance to reassert itself. This opportunity arrived in 1967 at Nathu La and Cho La passes along the Sikkim border. The spark? A disagreement over fencing the border, with China viewing it as an Indian encroachment.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant step towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has awarded the development of a Radar Signal Processor with an Active Antenna Array Simulator to Data Pattern (India) Limited, based in Chennai. This cutting-edge project aims to deploy a multiple target system for the test and evaluation of various short-range aerial weapon systems, serving as a foundational element for more extensive radar systems in the future.

Radar signal processing is a vital component in modern defense systems, enabling the detection, tracking, and identification of aerial targets. The integration of an Active Antenna Array Simulator will significantly enhance the capability to simulate complex radar environments, facilitating the development and refinement of advanced radar systems.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s indigenous air defense system, the VL-SRSAM, is set for a significant upgrade with a redesigned Vertical Launch Unit (VLU). This new design addresses limitations identified during testing of the previous iteration.

The most notable change involves the plenum uptake chamber (PUC) duct. Previously, a single large duct served all eight missile canisters. The new VLU employs four smaller, individual PUC ducts, each equipped with twin hatch doors.

SOURCE: AFI

Retired Rear Admiral Sudarshan Shrikhande, a former Indian Navy chief of staff and naval intelligence head, expressed concern about Pakistan’s potential nuclear ambitions in a recent interview with NEWS9.

Shrikhande focused on the Hangor-class submarines, an export variant of China’s Type 039A Yuan class, being acquired by Pakistan. These diesel-electric attack submarines are equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes and reportedly have the capability to launch nuclear-armed Babur-3 cruise missiles with a range of 450 km.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is bolstering its anti-tank capabilities with the integration of advanced thermal imaging technology on its Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). This upgrade equips the Konkurs-M with the Sarisa LWIR thermal imager, developed by the Indian company Tonbo Imaging.

The Sarisa LWIR thermal imager is a significant upgrade for the Konkurs-M ATGM system. This cooled Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) imager offers superior detection, recognition, and identification of targets at extended ranges, even in challenging day and night conditions or adverse weather.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent development in the Tejas Mk-1A program has revealed that the maiden flight of the LA 5033 series aircraft, which took place in late March, was powered by a Category B engine rather than the anticipated new F404-IN20 engine. These Category B engines are reserve units that may have been used previously or remained unused from earlier GE supply contracts for the Tejas series.

Despite this, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) remains optimistic about delivering the aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) before the Independence Day deadline on August 15th. The company asserts that most of the mandated trials for the new equipment integrated into the aircraft have been successfully completed.

SOURCE: AFI

The era of the formidable submarine INS Sindhudhvaj, which served the Indian Navy with distinction for 35 years, is drawing to a close. The Russian-built vessel, part of the Sindhughosh class based on the Kilo-class submarine, was decommissioned in 2022 and has now arrived at the Azhikkal shipbuilding and repair centre of Steel Industrials Kerala Limited (SILK) for dismantling.

This marks a significant milestone for SILK, as it is the first time a naval submarine is being dismantled in South India. The company, under the leadership of chairman Muhammad Iqbal and managing director T G Ullas Kumar, has secured the contract from Sithara Traders, a Visakhapatnam-based private firm that purchased the submarine.

SOURCE: AFI

The ambitious project of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to establish a missile launch center at Junput in East Medinipur district has hit a roadblock due to local opposition. Work on the center, which was initiated in July, has been abruptly halted following protests from fishermen and local residents.

The project, similar to the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha, is crucial for India’s missile development program. However, the local community has raised concerns over potential environmental impact, livelihood disruptions, and lack of transparency. Fishermen, in particular, are apprehensive about the restrictions imposed on their activities during missile tests.

SOURCE: AFI

A landmark agreement was inked today between the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising MIDHANI Group, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, PTC Industries Limited, and Yantra India Limited. The collaboration aims to establish a state-of-the-art Defence Testing Infrastructure (DTI) within the Lucknow node of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).

The momentous signing ceremony took place at Lok Bhawan, Lucknow, under the esteemed presence of Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh; CEO of UPEIDA; and Dr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, C&MD of MIDHANI Group.

SOURCE: AFI

The Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, has accused China of displaying hegemonic ambitions through its actions in Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. He pointed to the recent renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh by China and the ongoing tensions in Ladakh as clear indicators of Beijing’s aggressive posture.

Tsering’s comments came in the wake of the US passing the Resolve Tibet Act, which challenges China’s long-held claim that no nation recognizes Tibetan independence. The Tibetan leader believes this act significantly undermines China’s narrative on Tibet.

SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced a significant step forward in the development of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF Mk-2. The company has signed an amendment to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), expanding its role in the program.

Under the revised MoU, HAL will be responsible for completing the LCA AF Mk-2 development and securing operational clearance during the Full Scale Engineering Development (FSED) Phase-3. This crucial phase of the project is valued at a substantial Rs. 2970.00 Crores, including a Foreign Exchange component of Rs. 285.00 Crores.

SOURCE: AFI

Redon Systems Private Limited announced a major milestone in the development of its Canister Launched Loitering Munition, Achuk. Successfully tested at an altitude exceeding 4500 meters in Leh, under the watchful eye of the Northern Command, Indian Army, Achuk has demonstrated unparalleled capabilities in high-altitude environments.

Designed with an impressive endurance of 50+ minutes and a payload capacity of 1.5 kg (available in HE and HEAT variants), Achuk stands out as a potentially unique loitering munition capable of operating in such extreme conditions. The rigorous trials conducted between 3500 to 4600 meters showcased Achuk’s exceptional performance and robustness.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant step towards bolstering India’s air defense prowess, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has embarked on the development of a cutting-edge technology: the Distributed Aperture System-HD (DAS-HD).

The Instruments Research and Development Establishment (LRDE), a premier DRDO lab, is spearheading the DAS-HD project. Issuing tenders for development signifies a critical milestone towards equipping future Indian Air Force (IAF) fighter jets with this game-changing system.