SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

In a strategic last-minute move, the American company Cummins has played a crucial role in powering India’s upcoming indigenous Zorawar light tank prototype. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) in India approached Cummins to supply a 1000Hp engine for the tank, and the company swiftly responded, showcasing its commitment to supporting India’s defense capabilities. This development comes as a response to the Indian Army’s demand for 350 Light Tanks, pending successful completion of the Zorawar prototype’s Summer and Winter Trials.

Originally, the German company MTU was the first choice to provide engines for the Zorawar light tank program. MTU, renowned for supplying engines for India’s Arjun Main Battle Tanks (MBT), was well-positioned to contribute to this new endeavor. However, due to bureaucratic hurdles in securing BAFA clearance from the German Government, Cummins stepped in to fill the gap.

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Aritra IITM team from the Marine Autonomous Vessels (MAV) Laboratory in the Department of Ocean Engineering, IIT Madras, has emerged as the champion in the 2023 Virtual RobotX (VRX) challenge. The Virtual RobotX (VRX) challenge is an annual international competition that tests the autonomy and control systems of surface vessels in simulated challenging marine environment conditions. This year’s competition was hosted by RoboNation USA in collaboration with Open Robotics and the Office of Naval Research. The VRX challenge drew participation from 33 teams worldwide, including MIT and NSU.

The Aritra IITM team successfully secured first place for their excellent proficiency in autonomy algorithms for tasks such as station-keeping, waypoint tracking, obstacle avoidance, perception, and autonomous docking. Their innovative autonomy algorithms enabled them to navigate the challenging simulated marine environment conditions with precision and efficiency.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted the second test of the NASM-SR, or Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range, a helicopter-launched anti-ship missile. The missile was tested from a SeaKing helicopter and successfully hit its target. This is a significant milestone for India’s defense program, as the NASM-SR will provide the Indian Navy with a much-needed capability to defend its coastline from enemy ships.

In addition to the NASM-SR, DRDO is also working on the development of the NASM-MR, or Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Medium Range. This missile will have a longer range than the NASM-SR and will be capable of being launched from fixed-wing fighter jets and maritime patrol aircraft. DRDO is currently developing five prototypes of the NASM-MR.

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In a joint effort, Prasenjit Das, an Assistant Professor at the Department of Physical Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Mohali, and Prof. Prodyut Das, a former Professor of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Kanpur, have achieved success with the design of the D9 Hawkmoth. This electric aerobatic aircraft secured the top spot in the Royal Aeronautical Society’s Aircraft Design Contest 2023.

The D9 Hawkmoth is a two-seat, side-by-side, all-metal aerobatic electric sesquiplane that meets the stringent requirements of the Royal Aero Soc. 23 competition. The aircraft boasts a solid design with carefully considered aerodynamics, structure, and construction, earning praise for its excellent handling characteristics.

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In a strategic move to bolster its defense capabilities, the Indian government, in March of this year, placed an emergency procurement order for Elbit Systems’ Hermes 900 StarLiner unmanned aircraft systems (UASs). The order, aimed at enhancing the reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities of the Indian Army and Indian Navy, reflects India’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for national security.

The procurement order, while deemed urgent, consists of only two Hermes 900 drones each for the Indian Army and Indian Navy. However, the significance lies not just in the quantity but in the capabilities these medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) bring to the Indian defense apparatus.

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The Indian Navy is set to enhance its submarine fleet with the completion of the Medium Refit with Life Certification (MRLC) for the Sub-Surface Killer (SSK) class submarine, INS Shishumar. Sanjeev Singhal, the Director of Finance at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), recently confirmed that the retrofitting process for INS Shishumar is expected to conclude by the end of this year.

INS Shishumar, the first submarine in its class, has been a stalwart in the Indian Navy since its induction. Built by MDL in 1992, it continues to serve the nation more than 25 years later. The MRLC process aims to not only extend the submarine’s operational life but also equip it with a modernized weapon suite.

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Kanpur-based MKU Limited has recently introduced the Kavro Doma 360, a groundbreaking rifle-rated ballistic helmet that has swiftly captured attention for its promise of unparalleled protection against formidable firepower, particularly from rifles like the AK-47.

Let’s delve into the key features that make the Kavro Doma 360 a standout innovation in the realm of protective headgear:

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In a significant technological advancement, the Defence Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur has successfully developed a Radar Absorbing Paint designed to be applied on its own fighter aircraft and various platforms. This groundbreaking innovation aims to reduce the radar signature of these aircraft, enhancing their stealth capabilities and minimizing the detection capability of enemy radars.

The Radar Absorbing Paint developed by DRDO’s Defence Laboratory represents a pioneering solution in the realm of stealth technology. The primary objective of this paint is to mitigate the radar signature of fighter aircraft and other platforms, thereby making them less susceptible to detection by enemy radar systems.

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The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a division of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), has taken a significant step towards enhancing indigenous defense capabilities. GTRE has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) to select Indian industry partners for the production of the STFE (Small Turbo Fan Engine) expendable engine.

The EOI outlines the production requirements, specifying an approximate quantity of 300 units over a span of 5 years. GTRE aims to collaborate with Indian industries to meet this production demand, contributing to the expansion of the country’s defense manufacturing ecosystem. The production quantity will be strategically distributed among industries identified by GTRE, fostering a collaborative and inclusive approach to defense production.

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At the recent ‘International Conference and Exhibition on Aerospace and Aviation in 2047’, organized by the Aeronautical Society of India to commemorate its 75th year, a significant milestone was unveiled – India’s indigenous development of submarine-launched cruise missiles. This breakthrough achievement showcases India’s growing prowess in the realm of advanced defense technologies.

The DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization) has developed two variants of these submarine-launched cruise missiles: the Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) and the Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM). These missiles are designed to provide India’s naval forces with a versatile and potent offensive capability, capable of striking both land and sea targets with precision and stealth.

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The much-anticipated face-off between the Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Chinese-developed, Pakistan-operated JF-17 took center stage at the Dubai Airshow, captivating aviation enthusiasts with breathtaking aerial displays. In a rare spectacle, these nimble fighter jets showcased their agility and capabilities, leaving spectators in awe. While the question of superiority remains subjective, the airshow provided a unique opportunity for a back-to-back comparison of the two aircraft.

The Dubai Airshow served as the arena for the first-ever meeting between the LCA Tejas and the JF-17, allowing aviation enthusiasts to witness their aerial prowess in a direct comparison. Both aircraft performed exhilarating displays, demonstrating their agility, speed, and maneuverability.

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NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) has achieved significant milestones in its collaboration with the Indian Army, successfully demonstrating the operational viability of its cutting-edge technologies during a recent wargame. This collaboration has resulted in several notable firsts for NRT, showcasing its ability to deliver innovative solutions that meet the evolving needs of the Indian military.

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According to Russian Media report, The Russian Navy has proposed to scrap the damaged nuclear submarine “Nerpa” of the project 971U “Shchuka-B”. The submarine was leased to the Indian Navy for 10 years, but was returned early in 2020 after an explosion on board.

According to available Russian Report, before that, in April 2020, an explosion of a high-pressure air cylinder occurred on board the submarine, as a result of which both of its hulls were damaged. Radio-electronic weapons and hydroacoustic equipment were also damaged. After that, the submarine was prematurely returned from the lease. The agency’s interlocutor noted that after the accident, Indian specialists completed the repair of both hulls of the submarine, after which it was returned to Russia.

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The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) made a significant impact at the Dubai Air Show by unveiling the scale model of the Indian Navy’s forthcoming Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF). This marked the first public appearance of the scale model, drawing attention for its unique design.

The TEDBF, weighing 26 tons, is slated to replace the Russian-supplied Mig-29K for fighter operations from Indian aircraft carriers starting in 2035. The aircraft’s design sparked discussions among visitors, with some noting its resemblance to the French Rafale, while others pointed out similarities to the Euro Canard configuration found on the Eurofighter Typhoon.

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The collaboration between Germany’s Motoren- und Turbinen-Union (MTU) and India for supplying engines to power the Light Tank prototypes has encountered a significant hurdle. MTU, under the deal, was expected to provide engines for the development of India’s Light Tank, a crucial project led by DRDO-L&T. However, due to unforeseen reasons, MTU was unable to fulfill the supply, prompting DRDO-L&T to turn to American Cummins for its powerpack engine to propel the four prototypes of the Light Tank.

The snag in the collaboration with MTU arises from the German company’s failure to secure export clearance from the German government. This development exposes a certain level of hypocrisy within the German administration, considering earlier statements by German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius expressing willingness to support reliable partners like India.