SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) notification for a surface to surface missile launch at the Andaman & Nicobar Islands for the period from 26 – 28 Oct 2021 as per information provided by Twitter user @detresfa_. Danger Zone mentioned is similar to what was notified last year for the land-attack version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile that was tested in islands.

Indian Army along with the Defence Research and Development Organisation-developed Missile system has been testing and validating BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles with an extended range of 450km in the last few years and it seems to the ongoing trial of the Land and Anti-ship version of the BrahMos that has seen range extended from 390km to 450km.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

Israeli company Aeronautics has won a $200 million contract to supply unknown units of the maritime version of the Orbiter 4 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for the Indian Navy as claimed in Israeli media. Orbiter 4  runway-free aircraft suits all operational needs and is capable of being launched and recovered from small warships and was first offered to Indian Navy in 2018.

The Orbiter 4 is an advanced multi-mission platform that features an open architecture configuration and has been designed to carry and operate two different payloads simultaneously.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

The public sector undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bengaluru-based start-up Newspace and the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) proposed High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) dubbed as Infinity as part of a drone warfare program for the defense forces will be cleared soon by the government of India at the estimated cost of over Rs 700 crore.

Initial seed money of around 50 crores is likely to be cleared in the next few days which HAL plans to use for advance design and research work of HAPS and 700 crores will be needed in phases in the next 3-4 years to start a developmental trial of the prototype.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

The Indian Air Force Sukhoi-30MKI was recently snapped at Chabua Air Force Station located in the state of Assam, close to the China border with Israeli Spice 2000 guidance kit-enabled bombs on board coming as major boosts to the offensive capabilities of the jet. This is the second non-Russian and non-indigenous weapon to be integrated on the Su30 MKI after British Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM).

This picture was tweeted by National Security Analyst, Nitin A. Gokhale thus confirming successfully integration of the Spice 2000 after IAF in 2019 took decision to equip them also on the Su30 MKI fleet after IAF had used the five Spice 2000 bombs to successfully strike a Jaish-e-Mohammed terror camp in Pakistan’s Balakot in 2019 from Mirage-2000 jets.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

Russia’s Defense Ministry and Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov recently speaking to Russian media listed out Some African countries along with India and Vietnam has few promising countries where it plans to sell nearly 300 of these jets. Checkmate’s potential market is estimated at 300 pieces and India has been listed out as a likely initial export customer of the jet with an order book over 100 jets in near future by the Russian Defense Ministry.

Borisov also confirmed that Sukhoi-75 flight tests are scheduled for 2023 and the Mass production may begin in 2025-2026 if it can get India or Vietnam on abroad the program. Sukhoi-75 was presented at the MAKS air show last July and Rosoboronexport officials had told that they are keen to brief Indian military planners about the capabilities of the new jet.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

India’s Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) in 2020 had developed Advanced Self Protection Jamming Pod (ASPJ ) and had manufactured 8 Prototypes to be part of the Sukhoi-30MKI fleet that was also displayed at the Aero India 2021 that had happened earlier this year but as per latest tender documents, DARE is now working on a light Advanced Self Protection Jamming Pod (ASPJ ) for the LCA-Tejas Mk1A program too.

Smaller ASPJ is shorter by 1000mm and weighs 50kg less but the diameter remains the same at 300 mm. Lighter ASPJ seems to be carried underslung and not to be carried on wing pylon like ELL-8222WB jamming pods that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has ordered from Israel for the Tejas Mk1A.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a launch of an experimental flight vehicle in the Bay of Bengal for the period from 23 – 24 September 2021 as per information provided by Twitter user @detresfa_. Danger Zone has been defined for 3000km leading to speculation that it will be a fresh test of either a new ballistic missile or a Submarine-launched ballistic missile.

India in June earlier this year had tested next-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni Prime that has a range of 2,000 kilometers. DRDO reportedly is also working on Agni-4P that is an advanced next-generation nuclear-capable ballistic missile with a range of 4000km to replace the existing missile Agni-4 that is a non-canister variant.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

The Cabinet Committee on Security on Wednesday approved Netra AEW&C Block 2 program to be mounted on Six Airbus 319 aircraft to be provided by the state-owned Air India developed by the DRDO under an Rs 11,000 crore project. Six Airbus 319 aircraft would be modified to fly with a radar that will give 300-degree surveillance capability to the defense forces with Airbus Defence and Space as the prime contractor for the conversion of this aircraft.

DRDO will soon be issuing tender as a formality before a deal is sealed with Airbus Military, and already a joint team of Airbus-IAF has identified six aircraft candidates from the fleet of 19 owned by Air India that will soon move to an Airbus A319 facility in Germany where these commercial airliners go through final assembly. idrw.org has been told main areas of modification are removing of standard avionics, seating arrangements and addition of military communications, and a defensive aids suite.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) earlier this year carried out two successful launches of vertical launch short-range surface-to-air missile (VL-SRSAM) from a static vertical launcher from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur that was meant for the Navy but idrw.org has been told that work on the Truck based VL-SRSAM Quick Reaction Air Defense Systems for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun.

4 cell canister modules mounted on a road-mobile 4×6 Truck to enable 360° slant capabilities with autonomous and net-centric capabilities have been developed, while work on the integration of electro-optical observation payload and wireless data link communication is under process to provide air defense coverage for fixed assets and point and area defense for mobile forces in combat areas.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

According to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Annual report for 2020-21, HAL has Offered Do-228 aircraft to US Navy in July 2020, in response to their Global RFI for Multi-Engine Trainer Aircraft program. USN plans to replace the Beechcraft T-44 Pegasus variant of the King Air 90 that the service has used for the role since 1980 for the US Marine Corps (USMC), and US Coast Guard (USCG) from 2023.

RFIs laid out performance parameters for the candidate aircraft, including a cruise speed of no less than 195 kt, a service ceiling of no less than 20,000 ft, and an endurance of no less than 3.5 hours (while performing certain stated flight profiles). Other specifications included passenger seating numbers and baggage carrying loads.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

According to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Annual report for 2020-21, Design and development of Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) of HAL has started work on TEJAS–MAX (Mothership) cockpit that will act as the mother-ship platform with the embedded air teaming intelligence concepts to demonstrate the fully integrated as well as autonomous wingman platforms and swarming of drones to engage in the mission.

TEJAS–MAX concept showcased earlier this year at Aero India 2021, will be based on Tejas twin-seater aircraft that will have a highly modified second cockpit to act as command and control post for the CATS warrior, a low-observable unmanned wingman, CATS Hunter Air launched cruise missile and CATS Air-Launched Flexible Assets (ALFA), a loitering munition.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

According to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Annual report for 2020-21, Mauritius under the GoI Line of Credit will be procuring one 19-seater Hindustan-228 commercial aircraft that recently carried out a successful ground run and low-speed taxi trials for ‘Type Certification’ by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Hindustan-228 is based on German Dornier 228 defense transport aircraft used by the defense forces in India but is equipped with a digital cockpit which will ensure more accurate readings, precise information, and ergonomic data displays with feedback loops and capability for self-check to alert pilots in emergencies. Hindustan-228 complies with airworthiness requirements prescribed by the US Federal Aviation Authority.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

According to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Annual report for 2020-21, HAL has responded to a request for information (RFI) issued last June for the Air 6002 Phase 1 requirement by the Australian Department of Defence. Canberra plans to replace BAE Systems Hawk 127s operated by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) with Future Lead-in Fighter Training System that in training fast jet aircrew and supporting joint force training.

Some of the major trainer manufacturers, BAE, Boeing, and Leonardo all have reportedly have responded to RFI issued by the Australian DoD. BAE has offered its latest Hawk, Boeing its T-7A Red Hawk, Leonardo its M-346, Korea Aerospace Industries its T-50 advanced jet trainer.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

According to the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Annual report for 2020-21, MoU has been signed by HAL with MMTC who will be channelizing partner for import of palm oil, for likely countertrade for sale of LCA-Tejas to Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Mini-Ratna public sector Metals and Minerals Trading Corporation of India (MMTC) is engaged in the export and trading of Minerals and import of Precious Metals Non-ferrous metals Coal & Hydro Carbons Fertilizers and Agro products and is a leading international trading company in India. Royal Malaysian Air Force’s (RMAF’s) under its Light Combat Aircraft/Fighter Lead-In-Trainer (LCA/FLIT) program is looking for initial 18 aircraft plus 8 aircraft set to be purchased from 2025 onwards.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has received interest from the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) for procurement of indigenously designed and developed Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-DHRUV) and DO – 228 aircraft multi-purpose light transport aircraft. According to the HAL Annual report for 2020-21, the Philippines Coast Guard (PCG) is interested in procurement of 7 ALH and 8 Do-228 aircraft through the Government of India Line of Credit.

PCG was looking for a 5-tonne-class twin-engine helicopter that is specially equipped with weather radar, Bambi bucket, emergency floatation gears, as well as an external loudspeaker, to perform critical missions such as search and rescue, maritime patrol, law enforcement, and fire-fighting.