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News Beat reporting is an idrw.org initiative to let our Readers to report News Based on Actual facts but some how has not been reported in Main Stream Media .

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s ambitious Loyal Wingman program, which aims to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to support manned fighter jets, is taking a significant leap forward with the development of a new generation of air-to-air missiles.

The program’s UCAVs, also known as Loyal Wingmen, will be equipped with the Next-Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM), a local variant of the ASRAAM Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). This ensures compatibility with existing Indian Air Force (IAF) weaponry.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is taking a multi-pronged approach to strengthen India’s tank defenses. While actively developing an Active Protection System (APS) for tanks, DRDO is also exploring its potential to counter the growing threat of swarm and FPV (First-Person View) armed drones.  

An APS is a crucial defensive suite designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming threats before they can damage a tank. Traditionally, these systems focus on neutralizing ATGMs, tank rounds, and other infantry anti-armor weapons. However, the recent war in Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of Armoured vehicles to drone attacks, particularly highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones.  

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Army is actively exploring the potential of weaponized robot dogs to bolster its capabilities against drone threats. Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have highlighted the growing need for advanced anti-drone technologies.

The army has already inducted a robot dog equipped with a machine gun and RPG, demonstrating its interest in employing robotic platforms for military operations. Now, the focus is on harnessing these capabilities to counter drone threats effectively.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarking on a significant modernization program to transform its fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets into veritable “missile trucks.” As the development of long-range air-to-surface weapon systems accelerates, the Su-30MKI’s ability to stay airborne for extended durations and carry substantial payloads of missiles or bombs is becoming increasingly valuable.

This enhanced firepower will significantly expand the IAF’s capabilities, supplementing the limited missile-carrying capacity of other fighter jets in its inventory. The RudraM series of air-to-surface missiles, under development at a rapid pace, will play a crucial role in this transformation. The Rudram-3 and Rudram-4, in particular, are poised to become heavy hitters in the IAF’s arsenal and will be exclusively available for the Su-30MKI platform.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy is ramping up efforts to enhance the stealth capabilities of its warships by focusing on reducing the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of exposed weapons and sensor equipment. In a strategic move to maintain an edge in naval warfare, the Navy has called upon its design teams to work closely with weapon and sensor suppliers to minimize the RCS of equipment mounted on its vessels.

This initiative is part of the Navy’s broader efforts to incorporate advanced stealth features into its warships, particularly those being developed as part of its Made in India campaign. By reducing the detectability of its ships on enemy radar systems, the Navy seeks to significantly enhance the survivability and combat effectiveness of its fleet in modern maritime conflicts.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

With ongoing delays and a lack of progress in the procurement deal with Russia for the Kamov 226T helicopter, the Indian Army is reportedly considering a significant increase in its order for the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This shift comes as the Army prepares to phase out its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters over the next decade.

In 2015, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for at least 200 Kamov 226T twin-engine utility helicopters. The initial plan was to import 60 units directly from Russia, while the remaining 140 were to be manufactured locally by HAL. The Ka-226T was chosen for its twin-engine design, which is considered safer for high-altitude operations, particularly in challenging terrains like the Himalayas.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s nuclear attack submarine program recently received Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approval for the construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs), a critical step forward in strengthening India’s maritime defence capabilities. New details, as reported by the Times of India (TOI), suggest that these submarines will have a displacement of nearly 10,000 tons, significantly larger than previously speculated figures of 6,000-7,000 tons.

The increased displacement of India’s nuclear attack submarines places them in the same league as the American Virginia-class submarines, specifically the SSN-774 Block V variant, which displaces around 10,200 tons. This would make India’s SSNs comparable to some of the most advanced nuclear attack submarines (SSNs) in the world in terms of size and potential capability.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In response to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) call for expedited development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to commence initial trials of the Air-Launched Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (ALLCM) program from 2025 onwards.

The ALLCM, based on the subsonic cruise missile designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) for the Indian Army, will be launched from IAF’s Sukhoi-30MKI jets. The IAF variant will be approximately 1.3 tons lighter due to the removal of the first-stage solid rocket booster.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The exit of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2021 paved the way for ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) to make a strong comeback in India’s prestigious P75I submarine project.

During Angela Merkel’s 16-year tenure as Chancellor, TKMS, despite being a frontrunner for India’s P75I submarine project, faced several obstacles. These challenges included stringent export controls and high demands for technology transfer (ToT) from the Indian Navy. TKMS raised concerns that some of the requirements, such as the high indigenous content percentage and almost unlimited liability for the foreign technology partner, were nearly impossible to meet.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Eurofighter Typhoon consortium has quietly intensified its campaign to secure the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) lucrative tender for 114 fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program. The consortium has reportedly raised concerns with the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) regarding Dassault Aviation’s ability to meet India’s price expectations and delivery timelines for its Rafale jets, which are also competing in the MRFA program.

According to MoD sources cited by idrw.org, Dassault has been facing difficulties scaling up its production of Rafale jets at its facility in France. The French company is expected to reach a production rate of only 24 jets annually by 2025, leading to questions about whether Dassault can meet the stringent delivery schedule outlined by India. Furthermore, Dassault’s plans to produce Rafale jets at a new facility in India face complications. The company reportedly insists on full control over its Indian production plant, a condition that may not align with India’s expectations for technology transfer and local partnership under the “Make in India” initiative.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s quest for self-reliance in underwater warfare takes a significant leap forward with Project-76, a program aimed at developing next-generation, indigenous submarines equipped with a Vertical Launching System (VLS). This marks a major advancement in Indian naval capabilities, offering the potential to launch long-range land-attack and anti-ship cruise missiles, significantly enhancing offensive and defensive capabilities.

Project-76 submarines are being designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) with a targeted displacement of 3,000 tons. This design choice offers greater submerged volume compared to previous classes, allowing for advanced features and increased operational flexibility.  

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official, speaking anonymously to idrw.org, has expressed a preference for private sector companies to be involved in the production of the fighter jet chosen in the upcoming MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) tender. This tender aims to acquire 114 fighter jets for the IAF.

The official cited Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace company, as having a full workload. HAL is close to securing additional orders for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, on top of the 83 already ordered in 2021. Additionally, HAL is responsible for the Tejas MkII program, partnered with the 5.5th generation AMCA program, and will handle the production of the HTT-40 trainer aircraft. Plans also include the HLFT-42 supersonic trainer program.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian aerospace industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards self-reliance with the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program. According to Prabhulla Chandran VK, director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Tejas Mk2 is poised to achieve a remarkable 90% indigenous content when it enters production in 2031.  

The journey towards self-reliance for the Tejas Mk2 will be a staged ascent. The initial prototype, expected in 2026, will boast over 70% indigenous components. This impressive feat signifies substantial progress compared to its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1A, which is expected to reach 70% indigenous content within the next four years.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The competition for India’s prestigious P-75(I) submarine tender has taken an unexpected turn, with Spain’s Navantia challenging the leading position of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany. Navantia has urged the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) to decide the winner of the contract based on a price discovery method, rather than relying on the results of the Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system field evaluation trials (FET). This move could significantly impact the outcome of the tender for six submarines, a contract that is crucial for modernizing the Indian Navy’s underwater fleet.

Price discovery is a method where the market price of an asset is determined through the interaction of buyers and sellers. Navantia’s call for the Indian MoD to prioritize pricing in the decision-making process reflects a belief that they can offer the S-80 Plus submarines at a more competitive cost compared to TKMS. While this could be advantageous for India from a financial perspective, it diverts attention from the technical evaluations, especially the critical AIP systems that would provide submarines with enhanced endurance and stealth capabilities underwater.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) ambitious HLFT-42 program, introduced in 2023 as the “Next-Gen Supersonic Trainer,” is undergoing further design refinements. With plans for additional wind tunnel testing, HAL aims to fine-tune the platform, which captured widespread attention for its impressive capabilities and potential to meet both training and combat needs for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The HLFT-42 is designed to be much more than a typical supersonic trainer. With a 4.5-ton weapon payload capacity and a 16.5-ton Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), the aircraft promises to not only provide advanced pilot training for 4th and 5th-generation fighter jets but also serve as a light combat jet. This versatility offers the potential for multi-role missions, making the aircraft a valuable addition to the IAF’s fleet, particularly for combat teaming scenarios.

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