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In a resounding victory for Indian innovation, Whizbee Technologies has emerged as the champion of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC 9). Their solutions for secure data transfer in air-gapped networks and a browser plug-in to detect phishing emails impressed judges, earning them the opportunity to co-create with the Indian Defence and contribute to safeguarding national security.

This triumph comes at a crucial juncture, as the digital landscape undergoes rapid transformation. With cybersecurity threats and challenges no longer confined to the digital realm, they have become paramount concerns for national security. The Ministry of Defence (MoD), recognizing the gravity of the situation, actively seeks to harness cutting-edge technologies and foster innovation and R&D within India’s cyber domain.

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A tug-of-war is brewing between the Indian Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) over the continuation of emergency procurement powers granted after the 2016 Uri attack. These powers were designed to bypass the notoriously slow bureaucratic process and expedite critical acquisitions amid heightened security concerns.

The Army, Navy, and Air Force argue that emergency procurement has been crucial in plugging critical capability gaps and ensuring operational readiness, particularly along the volatile borders. They highlight the streamlined procedures, faster decision-making, and flexibility in choosing vendors as key advantages. Recent deals for Light Specialist Armoured Vehicles and anti-drone systems are cited as successes facilitated by these powers.

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In a major boost for India’s burgeoning space technology sector, iDEX (Innovation for Defence Excellence) has awarded the coveted DSIC 8 Challenge to SISIR Radar. Their winning proposal? A revolutionary duo of technologies – an L/P band Continuous Wave SAR payload and an Origami-based unfurlable antenna – both designed for use in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) small satellites.

The L/P band Continuous Wave SAR payload promises to be a game-changer in satellite radar technology. This powerful system can penetrate obstacles like clouds, rain, and foliage, providing unparalleled all-weather, day-and-night Earth observation capabilities. This opens up a vast array of potential applications, from disaster management and weather forecasting to resource exploration and maritime surveillance.

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Sensing an opportunity after Russia’s T-72 struggles in Ukraine, India has unveiled the Atharva, a hybrid tank merging the T-72 chassis with the T-90’s more powerful turret. This upgrade boosts firepower, armor, and situational awareness, potentially addressing concerns raised by the war.

The T-90 turret brings increased firepower, thicker armor, and improved situational awareness, making the Atharva a more formidable opponent. India could offer this modernization package to other T-72 users seeking to revitalize their fleets without replacing them entirely.

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The 2nd India-Kenya Defence Exhibition & Seminar was held in Nairobi from January 30-31, 2024. The event was co-organized by the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) and the High Commission of India (HCI). Kenyan Defence Minister, Hon. Aden Duale, EGH, and Vice Chief of Defence Forces, KDF Lt. Gen J Mwangi, were among the attendees.

More than 21 Indian defence manufacturers showcased their products at the event, including armored vehicles, weapons, and ammunition. Indian companies also gave live demonstrations of their latest technologies.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is looking to significantly expand its fleet of Flight Refuelling Aircraft (FRA) to enhance the operational range and flexibility of its fighter jets. This move comes amidst a focus on bolstering India’s airpower capabilities, particularly in light of potential two-front scenarios.

Currently, IAF fighter jets often operate from high-altitude airfields due to their all-weather capabilities. However, these airfields have limitations on the weight of weapons that can be carried due to thinner air at higher altitudes. By deploying FRAs, fighter jets can refuel mid-air, allowing them to take off from hinterland airfields with their full payload and extend their operational range deep into enemy territory.

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Indian micro-turbojet engine startup Dg Propulsion Private Limited (DPPL) has achieved a major milestone in the country’s quest for self-reliance. The company successfully completed endurance test runs of its indigenously developed J40 jet engine, marking a significant step towards its potential integration into various applications.

The J40 engine, powered by DPPL’s in-house-developed Electronic Control Unit (ECU), has demonstrated impressive capabilities during testing. Notably, it has consistently cruised at a remarkable 84,000 rpm, showcasing its stability and power. This achievement bodes well for the engine’s potential applications in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up for a new era of aerial warfare, setting its sights on armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to bolster its offensive capabilities. Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary recently announced the IAF’s interest in acquiring larger UAV platforms capable of carrying out targeted strikes, marking a significant shift in the country’s defense strategy.

This move comes amid the IAF’s satisfaction with the domestic development of smaller drone technologies. “We are happy with the development of swarm drones and loitering ammunition by private sector companies,”. Several orders have already been placed for these agile and cost-effective options, ideal for reconnaissance, surveillance, and close-range attacks.

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Initial reports claiming the US Congress blocked a $3.1 billion drone sale to India have been refuted. India’s Ministry of Defence now expects to receive the Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from the Biden administration soon, paving the way for the delivery of 31 MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones.

News circulated suggesting the US Congress blocked the drone sale due to concerns regarding India’s cooperation on American CIA assets and alleged involvement on Plot to kill US-based pro-Khalistani activist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun. However, these reports have been deemed inaccurate.

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The Indian Navy is set to receive a major boost with the imminent return of the INS Sindhukirti submarine after a Rs 934 crore refit at the Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. This marks a significant milestone for the Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, which has been out of service for several years undergoing upgrades.

The INS Sindhukirti, commissioned in 1989, had previously undergone a mid-life refit between 2006 and 2015. However, that project faced delays and criticism due to shipyard mismanagement and issues with Russian experts. This time around, the focus has been on ensuring a smooth and efficient refit process, with an emphasis on modernizing the submarine and extending its operational life.

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The Indian defense landscape is witnessing a paradigm shift in the development of High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). After the Tapas MALE UAV program’s closure, the Defense Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) that has proposed to develop a HALE Platform is also facing Challenges that might see MoD opening doors for private players to take the lead in this crucial domain.

Tata Advanced Systems (TAS), a subsidiary of Tata Aerospace & Defence, has proposed converting its existing TATA HA-ISR aircraft into a fully unmanned ISR platform. This aircraft boasts an impressive range of 1800 nautical miles, an endurance of 6-7 hours, and a maximum payload capacity of 1000 kg. It is designed to operate at an altitude of 41,000 feet, making it ideal for HALE operations.

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The Indian Army Design Bureau (ADB) is rapidly becoming a powerhouse of innovation, spearheading close to 350 defense programs in collaboration with 450 Indian defense private and public sector companies. Modeled after the Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (WDB), the ADB has taken on the mantle of spearheading major Army-related research and development, with impressive results.

The Indian Army has ambitious plans for the ADB, envisioning it to evolve into a major project developer, akin to the WDB which designs and builds warships and submarines for the Navy. This shift towards self-reliance is a key strategic objective, driven by lessons learned from the pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up for a significant boost in its offensive power with the upcoming BrahMos-NG Air-Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM). In a recent interview, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari expressed the IAF’s keen interest in the missile, highlighting its potential to transform strike capabilities.

The BrahMos-NG ALCM stands out for its significantly lighter weight compared to its predecessor, the BrahMos-A. While the BrahMos-A tips the scales at a hefty 2.5 tons, limiting its compatibility to Su-30MKI fighters, the BrahMos-NG sheds nearly a ton, bringing its weight down to around 1.5 tons. This crucial reduction in weight unlocks a game-changing advantage: universality.

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In a significant stride towards innovation in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology, Kanpur-based Endure Air Systems has introduced the Sabal-10 and Sabal-20 small electrically propelled tandem-rotor aerial vehicles. Engineered primarily for cargo and observation applications, these drones promise to redefine logistics and surveillance capabilities. With a distinctive design and advanced features, the Sabal series showcases the potential of electrically powered UAVs in addressing contemporary challenges.

The Sabal series stands out with its tandem-rotor configuration, offering enhanced stability and maneuverability. These compact drones are equipped with a unique boom rail system, allowing users to attach cargo securely. The boom rail innovation plays a pivotal role in the autonomous operation of the UAVs. Users can load cargo onto the boom rail, and the drone will autonomously fly to its designated destination, execute a precise landing, release the cargo by raising its boom rail hooks, and then return to its next point of take-off.

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A recently leaked image online has sparked discussions about the Indian Army’s latest defensive measure for its T-72 tanks: the “Cope Cage” armor. This metal framework, seen earlier on T-90 MBTs last year, aims to provide overhead protection against anti-tank threats.

The new “Cope Cage” design on the T-72 stands out from the earlier, hastily fabricated versions seen on T-90s. The consistent build quality suggests it’s not a crew-improvised solution, but rather a standardized one, potentially hinting at official Indian Army adoption.