SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a recent interaction with idrw.org, an Indian Air Force (IAF) official revealed that the IAF is planning to procure 8-9 squadrons of the Ghatak Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) once it enters production. The Ghatak UCAV, currently under development by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is a key component of India’s efforts to enhance its autonomous warfare capabilities.

idrw.org recently reported that ADE and DRDO have commenced the fabrication of the 13-ton stealth UCAV, which is designed for covert operations behind enemy lines. The Ghatak will feature an internal weapons bay to carry a variety of payloads, including precision-guided munitions, enabling it to conduct surgical strikes while maintaining a low radar signature.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has confirmed that it is working closely with General Electric (GE) to resolve the supply chain issues impacting the delivery of GE’s F-404 engines, crucial for India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. The production timeline, however, is set to normalize by 2026, with GE committed to delivering 24-26 engines annually. This supply rate will allow HAL to meet both its domestic orders of 83 jets as well as additional anticipated orders of 97 units within a 7-8 year window, aligning with peak production rates by 2025-26.

The F-404 engine, a cornerstone of the Tejas Mk1A program, has faced delays due to global supply chain disruptions. However, GE has reassured HAL that, starting from 2025-26, deliveries will stabilize at 24-26 engines annually. This output will enable HAL to ramp up production to its peak rate of 24 Tejas Mk1A units per year, meeting the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) demands and laying the foundation for additional export production if required.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The collaboration between Airbus and Tata Advanced Systems for the production of the C-295M tactical transport aircraft marks a significant leap forward in India’s aerospace capabilities. This partnership not only introduces a world-class transport platform for the Indian Air Force (IAF) but also ensures long-term operational reliability and sustainability.

Airbus and Tata have assured the IAF that the availability rate of the C-295M fleet will consistently remain in the 90% range. This exceptional uptime is made possible by a robust supply chain and spare parts ecosystem being established within India. With most components locally sourced and maintained, the fleet is expected to experience minimal downtime. This ensures mission readiness and operational efficiency over its projected lifecycle of 40 years.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Nagpur-based private defense manufacturer, Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), has embarked on an ambitious project to develop a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The initiative has been proposed under the Indigenous Design, Development, and Manufacturing (IDDM) framework, with research already underway. This marks a significant step by a private player to address a critical gap in India’s defense capabilities, which has persisted due to challenges faced by traditional development agencies.

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has struggled to meet the Indian Armed Forces’ technical requirements for MALE UAVs capable of operating at altitudes above 30,000 feet and sustaining flight durations of nearly 24 hours. As a result, the armed forces have relied heavily on imported platforms, a situation the government aims to address through the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) initiative.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, recently confirmed that the government has granted approval for the indigenous development of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs). This significant move highlights the Indian Navy’s growing confidence in the country’s ability to design and produce advanced defense platforms in-house.

Admiral Tripathi also addressed the projected timeline for the SSNs’ delivery, stating that the first nuclear-powered attack submarine is expected to be delivered by 2036-37. This timeline is deemed very realistic, considering the complexities involved in building nuclear-powered vessels from scratch. Following the first SSN’s induction, the second one is expected to be delivered within two years, further enhancing the Navy’s capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Former DRDO Chief Dr. G. Satheesh Reddy, speaking at the Emerging Technologies in Defence event held by the Madras Management Association in Chennai, shared promising insights about India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Dr. Reddy highlighted that the AMCA’s prototype rollout could happen as early as the end of 2026, despite the program receiving production clearance and Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) funding only eight months ago in 2024.

Dr. Reddy attributed this accelerated timeline to the expertise and infrastructure established by the DRDO and HAL over decades of work on the LCA program. These institutions have built a foundation of technological know-how, advanced testing facilities, and a network of supply chains, enabling the AMCA program to progress at an unprecedented pace.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s ambitious fighter jet programs, the Tejas Mk1A and Tejas MkII, are set to share the same state-of-the-art Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar, underscoring a focus on commonality and advanced technology in the country’s defense aviation sector. This decision not only streamlines production and integration but also enhances the operational capabilities of both aircraft platforms.

The Uttam AESA radar, developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), features 912 Transmit-Receive Modules (TRMs) with 896 active elements, and 16 receive-only elements using Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) technology. This radar offers exceptional performance in air-to-air, air-to-ground, and air-to-sea missions, ensuring high levels of situational awareness and targeting precision.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is reimagining its production approach for the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), aiming to meet the burgeoning demand from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF) while fostering the growth of the domestic aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. The LUH, a 3-tonne class, highly agile, new-generation helicopter, is set to replace the legacy Cheetah and Chetak helicopters currently in service.

With a combined requirement of nearly 400 LUHs, HAL is gearing up to streamline its production process to achieve a potential peak capacity of 30 units per year at its Tumakuru facility.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant move to bolster its armored capabilities, India’s Armoured Vehicles Nigam Ltd (AVNL) has announced plans to form a joint venture (JV) with Russian firms Rosoboronexport (ROE) and High Precision Systems (HPC). This partnership is aimed at the development and manufacture of an Indian Light Tank, targeting the Indian Army’s requirement for 295 light tanks under the Make-I category of indigenous procurement.

AVNL, along with India Optel Limited (IOL), will hold a majority stake in the joint venture, ensuring that Indian stakeholders maintain significant control over the project. This collaboration will leverage Russian expertise in light tank development, particularly the Sprut-SD design, to compete against indigenous solutions such as the Zorawar Light Tank, which is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in partnership with private industry.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant step towards bolstering Indigenous defence capabilities, Hyderabad-based Astra Microwave Products Limited (AMPL) has been identified to manufacture the Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar (FCR) for the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program.

This development marks a critical milestone for India’s aerospace sector, as it moves away from reliance on foreign radar systems and embraces an advanced, homegrown solution designed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Boeing’s F-15EX, a contender for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, is set to offer cutting-edge capabilities with its advanced AMBER Missile Racks. These racks will provide unprecedented versatility and operational flexibility, allowing the aircraft to carry a wide array of weapons for various mission profiles.

The F-15EX, known for its exceptional performance, will be equipped with AMBER missile racks capable of carrying up to 22 air-to-air missiles (AAMs), allowing the aircraft to engage multiple airborne threats simultaneously. This high-capacity weapon load will significantly enhance the IAF’s air superiority capabilities in combat scenarios. The flexibility of the AMBER racks does not stop at air-to-air combat; they also offer the ability to carry a combination of small diameter bombs (SDBs) and Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs) for precision strike capabilities. Specifically, the F-15EX can carry 8 AAMs and 28 SDBs, or 8 AAMs and 7 x 2,000lb JDAMs for heavier strike missions.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence manufacturer, is on track to achieve a significant production milestone for its Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv. In 2020, HAL rolled out the 300th ALH Dhruv from its assembly line, a testament to the platform’s popularity and operational versatility. With steady orders from the Indian Armed Forces, including 34 additional units in the current fiscal year, HAL is confident of reaching the 500-unit mark by 2028 or early 2029.

The journey of the ALH Dhruv began in 1992 when the prototype conducted its maiden flight, showcasing the potential of India’s indigenous helicopter manufacturing capability. The Dhruv platform has since become one of HAL’s flagship products, with significant improvements over the years, particularly in avionics, powertrain, and mission-specific configurations.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Spain’s state-owned shipbuilder, Navantia, is actively promoting its S-80 Plus submarine with the next-generation Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system, known as BEST (Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology), for the Indian Navy’s Project-75I tender, which seeks to procure six advanced submarines. Navantia officials assert that the BEST AIP system offers substantial advantages over conventional AIP fuel-cell technologies, including those used by Germany’s TKMS, whose U-214NG submarine is also a contender in the same project.

Navantia’s BEST AIP system, which utilizes bio-ethanol fuel, provides a clean, efficient, and stealthy alternative to traditional AIP systems. According to Navantia, the BEST system offers superior endurance, allowing submarines to stay submerged for extended periods without surfacing for air. This endurance capability can be particularly advantageous for stealth missions, as it minimizes the submarine’s detectability.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently made headlines with a significant contract to supply 31 MQ-9B drones to the Indian Armed Forces. This deal, which allocates 15 of these advanced UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) to the Indian Navy, strengthens India’s maritime surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

However, GA-ASI is also promoting its innovative Mojave Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) as a potential carrier-capable UAV for the Indian Navy’s evolving requirements. The Mojave, a short takeoff and landing (STOL) demonstrator, was initially developed to operate from unprepared and compact landing sites but has potential applications in carrier-based environments.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

BrahMos Aerospace, the joint venture between India and Russia, is working on significant upgrades to the current ramjet engine used in the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. The enhancements aim to achieve hypersonic speeds of Mach 5 or above within the next 4-5 years. This marks an exciting phase in the missile’s development, as the company looks to push the boundaries of speed, precision, and strike capability.

The upgraded BrahMos missile will retain the same airframe as the current version but will feature a more powerful ramjet engine capable of achieving hypersonic speeds, with a target of Mach 5. However, it’s crucial to distinguish this from the BrahMos 2K, which is expected to exceed Mach 7 speeds, placing it in the extreme hypersonic category.