SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

In a significant diplomatic move, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has proposed cooperation with India on the development and co-production of advanced defense technologies, including drones and electronic warfare systems. During a recent discussion with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President Zelenskyy expressed Ukraine’s readiness to collaborate closely with India in these critical areas, which are crucial for both nations’ defense capabilities and technological advancement.

President Zelenskyy emphasized Ukraine’s willingness to share its expertise and technological advancements in defense, particularly in the fields of drones and electronic warfare systems. “We will be very ready to share with you these products, and we will be happy if it can be co-production,” Zelenskyy conveyed to Prime Minister Modi. He highlighted the importance of starting collaborative efforts immediately, noting that teams from both countries would begin to work on various aspects of this proposed partnership.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a historic arrival in Poland on Wednesday evening, becoming the first Indian Prime Minister to visit the European nation in 45 years. This landmark visit follows in the footsteps of former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, who last visited Poland in 1979. Modi’s visit comes at a critical time for Poland, a country that has significantly bolstered its defense capabilities amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and rising regional tensions.

Poland has been proactive in enhancing its national security, placing a substantial purchase order worth nearly $24 billion for advanced weaponry. This move reflects Warsaw’s commitment to strengthening its defense capabilities in response to the escalating conflict in neighboring Ukraine and the broader regional security concerns, particularly with Belarus siding with Moscow.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Indian Navy has reportedly raised concerns over L&T Navantia’s bid for the prestigious Project-75I submarine program. The core issue revolves around the Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, a critical technology for submarine endurance.

While L&T Navantia has touted its new Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology (BEST) AIP system as a game-changer, the Indian Navy is insistent on a sea-worthy AIP system that is already integrated into a submarine. The Spanish company’s AIP trials were conducted on a land-based facility, a fact that has not impressed the naval brass.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

Defence Analyst Ranesh Rajan, speaking to idrw.org, has suggested that Pakistan’s plans to procure the Chinese FC-31 fifth-generation stealth fighter jet following its recent acquisition of the J-10CE indicate that India’s purchase of Rafale fighter jets has unsettled the top brass of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF). This development comes after the PAF’s acquisition of 25 single-seat J-10CEs, which was initially portrayed as a counter to India’s acquisition of 36 Rafale jets.

The PAF’s procurement of the J-10CE, a single-engine multirole fighter, was viewed as a reaction to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) induction of the Rafale, a twin-engine multirole fighter with advanced capabilities. However, Rajan points out that the real motivation behind the purchase was the poor performance of the PAF’s JF-17 fighters, which have reached the end of their product development stage and underperformed during the 2019 conflict with India.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The United States Department of State has approved the potential sale of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) sonobuoys to the Government of India, valued at an estimated $52.8 million. This approval was announced by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) in a notification to Congress.

The Indian government has requested the purchase of AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys, AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys, technical publications and data documentation, US Government and contractor engineering and technical support, and other related logistics and program support services.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

In a significant step to bolster maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Japan have agreed to co-develop an advanced underwater surveillance system. The decision was announced during the recent 2+2 Foreign and Defence Ministerial meeting between the two countries.

The proposed system will have the capability to monitor not only surface vessels but also underwater movements of platforms. This development comes amid growing concerns over China’s increasing submarine activities in the region. Japan has been particularly wary of Chinese underwater platforms being used for surveillance and intelligence gathering.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of India has developed the guided Pinaka system, a highly accurate artillery rocket system with a range of 90 kilometers. This system is now attracting significant attention from Eastern European countries. While DRDO remains tight-lipped about the specific countries involved, sources indicate that negotiations are ongoing with at least two nations in the region.

The growing interest follows India’s success in exporting the Pinaka system to Armenia, a deal that has spurred interest in other countries as well, including those in Southeast Asia. The guided Pinaka system, which was initially an unguided rocket, has been transformed into a high-precision weapon through the integration of a Guidance, Navigation & Control (GNC) kit developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a laboratory under DRDO.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

Marine Electricals (India) Limited has entered into a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Cummins India to jointly manufacture and supply pumps for Indian Navy ships. This collaboration aims to strengthen India’s indigenous defense capabilities and meet the growing requirements of the naval fleet.

Under the terms of the MoU, Marine Electricals will be responsible for manufacturing pumps specifically designed for naval applications. Cummins India, a global leader in power solutions, will provide its expertise and technology to support the manufacturing process. The partnership will also include supply, commissioning, and after-sales services for the pumps, ensuring their optimal performance and reliability.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its surveillance capabilities by installing a state-of-the-art radar on its INS Mysore, a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer. The newly integrated Lanza-N 3D air surveillance radar, developed by Spanish company Indra, forms part of the vessel’s comprehensive mid-life upgrade.

This installation marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s modernization efforts. The Lanza-N radar, renowned for its long-range and precision, will provide the INS Mysore with superior situational awareness, enabling it to detect and track aerial threats at greater distances.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has announced that user trials for the HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) are set to commence within the next year. The HELINA, a third-generation fire-and-forget missile, will be integrated onto the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

Vinod Kumar, GM at BDL, confirmed that developmental trials of the HELINA have been successfully completed on the ALH-Rudra Weapon System Integration (WSI) helicopter. The upcoming user trials will evaluate the missile’s performance on both the ALH-Rudra WSI and the LCH-Prachand.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The highly anticipated BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between India and Russia, is set to commence testing within the next two years. This announcement was made by A. Maksichev, co-director of the BrahMos joint venture on the Russian side, in a statement to TASS news agency.

The BrahMos-NG is a formidable weapon, weighing in at 1.3 tons and capable of being launched from any fighter aircraft. It is particularly designed to integrate seamlessly with the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. With a remarkable range of 290 kilometers and a blistering speed of Mach 3.5, the BrahMos-NG is poised to become one of the deadliest air-launched cruise missiles in the world.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Indian Army has initiated a Request for Information (RFI) to bolster its domestic defense capabilities by seeking indigenous production of advanced 125mm Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition. This critical component is essential for enhancing the firepower of the country’s T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.

The RFI emphasizes the need for ammunition with superior Depth of Penetration (DoP) capabilities, a crucial factor in defeating modern armored vehicles equipped with advanced protection systems. By localizing the production of this essential munition, the Indian Army aims to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and create opportunities for domestic defense industries.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

A fierce competition is brewing for the Argentine Army’s upcoming utility helicopter acquisition program. European aerospace giant Airbus Helicopters has officially submitted a bid for its H145M multi-purpose helicopter to replace the aging Bell UH-1H Iroquois fleet.

The H145M, renowned for its versatility and advanced avionics, is set to face stiff competition from India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which has offered its ALH-Dhruv helicopter. This development marks a significant opportunity for both companies to expand their global footprint.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Indian Army is taking significant steps to enhance the survivability of its fleet of T-90 main battle tanks (MBTs) in the face of evolving battlefield threats. To counter the growing menace of shaped grenades, guided missiles, and FPV drones, the Army plans to equip these tanks with specialized mesh screens and nets. These protective measures will shield the engine and transmission compartment, as well as the vulnerable aft part of the turret.

India operates approximately 1,100 T-90 MBTs, which are undergoing phased upgrades to the MS configuration. This modernization initiative aims to bolster the tanks’ capabilities across multiple domains. Earlier this year, a notable milestone was achieved with the delivery of the first batch of 10 T-90 Mk-III MBTs by the state-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL).

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

William L. Blair, Vice President & Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin India, recently highlighted a significant advantage that the F-21 fighter jet could offer to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. The F-21, Lockheed Martin’s advanced version of the F-16V, is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engine. This engine, Blair noted, could provide an added edge due to the IAF’s existing familiarity with General Electric’s engines, specifically the F404 and F414 engines that power India’s Tejas Mk1A and MkII fighter jets.

Although the F110-GE-129 engine is not directly based on the F404 and F414 engines, Blair emphasized that the growing General Electric (GE) supply chain in India, which is being developed to maintain and support the F404 and F414 engines, will play a crucial role. This supply chain infrastructure will enable India to manage and maintain the F110-GE-129 engines more effectively within the country, reducing reliance on external support and enhancing operational efficiency.