SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

In a significant development for India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project, the United Kingdom has renewed its offer to collaborate on the development of a new-generation engine for the fighter jet. This proposal was discussed during the annual India-UK Defence Consultative Group (DCG) meeting held in New Delhi on November 24, 2023.

Defence Secretary, Shri Giridhar Aramane, co-chaired the meeting alongside his UK counterpart, Mr David Williams, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence. During the discussions, the UK reiterates its interest in partnering with India to develop a cutting-edge engine for the AMCA, a fifth-generation fighter jet designed to bolster India’s air defense capabilities.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to take a major step towards bolstering its combat capabilities with the planned acquisition of 97 additional LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. The Rajnath Singh-led defense acquisitions council is expected to grant the ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AoN) for the purchase when they meet on the 30th of this month.

The AoN is a crucial step in the procurement process, signaling the government’s approval for the purchase and paving the way for further negotiations. Once the AoNs are granted, the tendering and commercial negotiations will take place before the three deals are submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for the final nod.

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The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is strategically investing in the development of long-range air-launched weapons systems to counter the growing deployment of advanced air defense systems by India. In particular, the Harbah NG anti-ship cruising missile (ASCM) and the Taimur air-launched cruise missile (ALCM) are emerging as key components of Pakistan’s defense strategy to maintain a robust deterrent against evolving regional threats.

India’s substantial investment in long-range air defense systems has expanded its capability to monitor the entire airspace of Pakistan, including aircraft take-offs and landings. This poses a significant challenge for Pakistan, given the limited depth of its airspace. To address this, the PAF is strategically focusing on the development and deployment of advanced and long-range air-launched weapons.

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After confirming the development and maiden trial of the submarine-launched Cruise missile (SLCM) with a range of 402 earlier this year, DRDO is advancing its work on the development of a Air launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) based Variant that can be launched from Fighter jets.

The 1-ton ALCM will come minus its Solid Booster and will need to be ejected from the Pylon It will reduce weight by 300kg making it efficient to be used on any fighter type that IAF desires. DRDO already developed Two more Variant Land Attack Cruise Missile (LACM) and Anti-Ship Cruise Missile (ASCM) that are based on the SLCM. ALCM will feature slightly different airframes that are optimised for Air Launched.

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Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is intensifying efforts to significantly increase the indigenization content of the Kalvari class submarines, aiming to elevate it from the current 32% to an impressive 60%. Sanjeev Singhal, the Director of Finance at MDL, confirmed this ambitious plan, highlighting the progress made in indigenizing critical components and expressing the commitment to enhance India’s self-reliance in submarine construction.

MDL has undertaken a comprehensive initiative to indigenize key components of the Kalvari class submarines, a crucial step towards reducing dependency on foreign imports. Singhal revealed that out of the Major 165 equipment, 30 have already undergone successful indigenization processes. The ongoing efforts encompass a broad spectrum of components, including combat systems, integrated combat systems, attack periscope, search optronics mast, sonar and navigation equipment, communication equipment, and the essential HP air compressor.

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The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) of India is gearing up for a renewed effort in the development of a thrust vectoring nozzle (TVN) after facing setbacks in its previous attempts. Thrust vectoring technology holds immense significance in enhancing the maneuverability and performance of fighter aircraft, making it a crucial aspect of aero-engine applications.

In the late 1990s, GTRE initiated discussions with U.S. engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney for the development of a thrust vectoring nozzle. However, these talks did not progress further due to the imposition of sanctions on India following its nuclear tests. Subsequently, in 2015, GTRE entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Russian JSC Rosoboronexport/JSC Klimov for joint development of a Multi-Axis Thrust Vectoring Nozzle. Despite these efforts, the challenges persisted.

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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.

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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.