SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has expressed keen interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) to bolster its Sukhoi-30MKM fighter fleet. The Mach 3 capable missile, with a range of 290 kilometers, will come as a significant upgrade for the RMAF’s Naval strike capabilities.

However, integrating the BrahMos ALCM into the Su-30MKM platform is not a straightforward process. The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Su-30MKI had to undertake a complex structural hardening process for its aircraft before carrying the 2.5-ton missile. This involved extensive modifications to the aircraft’s airframe to withstand the immense launch forces.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program faces setbacks due to supply chain constraints impacting GE Aerospace’s production of the F404 engines. While GE aims to resume deliveries of the first batch of engines next month, achieving the annual production rate of 16 engines, as per the agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is expected to take significantly longer.

Industry sources close to idrw.org report that GE Aerospace might require an entire year to reach the contracted production rate. The company acknowledges the challenges and anticipates improvement by mid-2025, but a full capacity of 90% is not expected until the end of 2025, with normal operations resuming only in 2026.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to breathe new life into its fleet of Mi-26 heavy-lift helicopters after years of grounding. The once-mighty workhorses, essential for airlifting troops and equipment, are undergoing a comprehensive overhaul at the No. 3 Base Repair Depot (BRD) in Chandigarh, with crucial assistance from Russian engineers.

Earlier, these behemoths were to be sent to Russia for maintenance, a process marred by delays that led to their technical life expiring. To address this, the IAF opted for a domestic overhaul, leveraging the expertise of Russian Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engineers on Indian soil. A meticulous process of dismantling, inspection, and replacement of worn-out components is underway, aiming to extend the helicopters’ operational life by another decade.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant boost to India’s maritime capabilities, Japan is set to supply advanced naval ship antennas to its Quad ally. Developed by NEC and other Japanese companies, the NORA-50 antennas are renowned for their ability to rapidly detect missiles and drones, a critical capability in modern naval warfare.  

These cutting-edge antennas, currently deployed on Japan’s most advanced escort ships, offer a unique combination of functionalities. Integrated into a single, horn-shaped structure, they house multiple antennas for tactical data link, TACAN, and communication purposes. This design significantly reduces the radar cross-section (RCS), making the equipped vessel harder to detect by enemy radar systems.  

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant development, General Atomics has agreed to increase the Indian content in its MQ-9B HALE UAVs from the initial 7-8% to a substantial 16-20%. This decision comes after the Indian Ministry of Defence expressed dissatisfaction with the earlier level of indigenous content.

India is in the process of acquiring 31 MQ-9B UAVs for its tri-services, a deal valued at over $3 billion. The increased focus on indigenous content is in line with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative, aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) ambitious plan to acquire 114 new fighter jets through the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program faces a significant hurdle: global supply chain disruptions. This critical issue is impacting the production rates of existing fighter jets and affecting the availability of engines that power them.

International aerospace companies are grappling with a shortage of special alloys, a key component in fighter jet manufacturing. This shortage has led to production slowdowns for current fighter jet programs, potentially impacting timelines for the MRFA tender.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has given the green light to a proposal by the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) to transform its SWIFT UAV technology demonstrator into a full-fledged mini-UCAV bomber program.

Originally conceived as a 1-ton technology demonstrator for the larger Ghatak UCAV, the SWIFT UAV has rapidly evolved due to the increasing significance of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in modern warfare. The ADE’s proposal to convert it into a mini-UCAV bomber is a strategic move to bolster India’s aerial capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

A French Air Force Rafale fighter jet that encountered technical difficulties during the recent Tarang Shakti exercise in Tamil Nadu was rapidly returned to service thanks to the robust cooperation between India and France.

The unexpected repair was made possible through the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA) signed by the two countries. This strategic partnership allows for the sharing of logistics and services between the armed forces of both nations.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant stride towards enhancing the survivability of its armoured forces, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is actively developing an advanced active armour system. This breakthrough technology aims to replace the traditional passive steel plates on tanks and armoured personnel carriers with a more dynamic defensive shield.

India’s Armoured fleet, comprising over 3,500 tanks including Indigenous Arjun and Russian-origin T-72 and T-90, is set to benefit from this cutting-edge development. The core concept revolves around equipping these vehicles with sensors capable of detecting incoming anti-tank missiles, whether launched from the air or ground. Once a threat is identified, the system will autonomously deploy countermeasures to neutralize the rocket.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is seeking assistance from Boeing to determine the financial viability of repairing an Apache attack helicopter that made a hard landing in Ladakh earlier this year. The incident, which occurred at a high altitude of 12,000 feet in snow-bound terrain, resulted in significant damage to the aircraft.

The Apache reportedly lost power during its operational sortie, forcing the pilots to perform an emergency landing. The harsh conditions and rocky terrain caused extensive damage to the helicopter’s undercarriage. Recovering the aircraft from the remote valley took weeks for the IAF.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

General Electric’s Power Conversion business has proposed its Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) system for the Indian Navy’s upcoming aircraft carrier. This advanced propulsion system promises enhanced efficiency, survivability, and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional propulsion methods.

GE’s IFEP system employs a dual electric motor configuration for each drive train, paired with VDM25000 power converters equipped with three independent channels.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant boost to India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, the French Naval Group, the partner in the Scorpene submarine project, has announced that the combat management system (CMS) for the upcoming three Scorpene submarines will be indigenously developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). While the core technology will be based on French architecture, the actual system will be designed and built in India.

This development marks a pivotal moment in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence. The CMS is the brain of a submarine, integrating various sensors, weapons, and systems. Until now, India has been dependent on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for this critical component. The indigenous development of the CMS will not only reduce dependency but also create high-skilled jobs in the country.