News Beat
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 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to elevate its Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program to Phase 3, with a focus on countering next-generation hypersonic threats. With the development of two cutting-edge interceptor missile systems, AD-AH and AD-AM, India will join an elite group of nations capable of neutralizing hypersonic projectiles.
While detailed specifics of the program remain under wraps, the introduction of these interceptors marks India’s ambition to join an exclusive club of nations capable of neutralizing hypersonic threats. Hypersonic weapons, travelling at speeds above Mach 5-9, present a unique challenge due to their speed, manoeuvrability, and the fact that they operate within the Earth’s atmosphere, evading traditional missile defence systems that are optimized for engagements in outer space.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) offical has told that the Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) HJT-36, known as the Sitara, is on track to enter full production by 2028. This update comes after a series of rigorous trials and modifications aimed at meeting the stringent requirements set by the Indian Air Force (IAF). Speaking to idrw.org, a HAL official confirmed that most user-mandated tests, including critical spin and stall trials, have been successfully conducted.
The journey to this point has been fraught with technical challenges, particularly with the aircraft’s spin characteristics. Initially deemed “unfit” for service by IAF officials due to these issues in 2017, HAL has since undertaken significant design modifications.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant decision that has implications for the future operational capabilities of its air force, India has turned down an offer from Russia to equip its 84 “Super Sukhoi” configured Su-30MKI aircraft with the advanced AL-41F engines. These engines, which provide superior thrust and a better Mean Time Between Overhauls (MTBO) compared to the current AL-31FP engines, were proposed as part of an upgrade package for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
An official from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), speaking to idrw.org, confirmed that the decision to stay with the AL-31FP engines was predominantly made by the IAF. Despite the AL-41F’s compatibility with the Su-30MKI, as demonstrated by the Russian Air Force’s transition to these engines on their nearly identical Su-30SM aircraft, several factors led to this choice.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a strategic move to optimize defence resources and promote Indigenous manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is poised to integrate the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the Indian Navy’s Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program. This decision aims to address the substantial funding and production requirements of the TEDBF project, which are comparable to those of the IAF’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
The TEDBF program, designed to replace the ageing MiG-29K fleet onboard the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, requires significant investment. The Navy has outlined a need for approximately 145 units. However, the MoD has initially approved the procurement of 80 units. To ensure the financial viability of this project and to attract private sector involvement, it’s estimated that around 200 jets need to be produced.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
BrahMos Aerospace is in discussions with the Indian Army to develop a ground-based variant of the upcoming BrahMos-NG cruise missile. This variant would feature a booster stage and could be mounted on 8×8 Heavy Mobility Vehicles (HMVs). The lighter and more agile configuration aims to address specific operational needs, particularly in high-altitude terrains.
The IAF has already expressed strong interest in the BrahMos-NG program, particularly for its air-launched configuration. The lighter weight and smaller dimensions of the NG missile make it compatible with a wider range of aircraft, including smaller platforms like the LCA Tejas Mk1A.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a landmark stride towards bolstering maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, India and the United States have unveiled plans for co-production of U.S.-designed sonobuoys, aimed at enhancing Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in the realm of high-end technology, specifically tailored for tracking submarines in the vast and deep waters of the world’s oceans.
The announcement was made as part of a comprehensive fact sheet titled ‘The U.S. and India Committed to Strengthening Strategic Technology Partnership,’ released on January 6, 2025, following the visit of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to India. This visit was centered around deepening defense innovation and industrial cooperation between the two nations.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India-France defense relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to finalize the purchase of 26 Rafale M jets during his anticipated visit to Paris in February. The visit coincides with the AI Action Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, which aims to harness artificial intelligence for global progress.
Last month, India’s Ministry of Defence gave the green light to acquire these 26 Rafale-M fighter jets alongside three additional Scorpène-class submarines from France. The Rafale-M deal, a government-to-government transaction, includes 22 single-seat jets and 4 twin-seat trainers, along with comprehensive support packages such as equipment, weapons, simulators, spare parts, crew training, and logistical support.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to bolster its diminishing combat strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have agreed to establish a committee tasked with expediting the procurement of fighter jets, focusing particularly on the long-stalled Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. According to sources from idrw.org, a major decision on this front might be reached by May 2025, driven by the urgency to prevent the IAF’s squadron strength from falling to a critical low of 28, which would be just 3-4 squadrons more than the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by the year’s end.
The MRFA tender, which has been languishing since 2019, aims to procure 110 advanced fighter jets. However, the committee’s mandate does not extend to reviewing the progress of existing indigenous fighter jet programs like the Tejas or the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Instead, it’s primarily focused on strategies to swiftly increase the number of operational squadrons.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant boost to its artillery capabilities, the Indian Army is set to receive the first batches of the Guided Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) system later in 2025. This development follows the successful completion of flight tests conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in November 2024, which were aimed at validating the system against the Provisional Staff Qualitative Requirements (PSQR).
On November 14, 2024, DRDO announced that the flight tests of the Guided Pinaka were completed in three distinct phases across various field firing ranges, marking a crucial milestone in the system’s development. These trials not only confirmed the rocket’s enhanced range, extending it to over 75 kilometers, but also validated its accuracy, consistency, and rate of fire for engaging multiple targets in salvo mode.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has begun manufacturing the second prototype of the Zorawar Light Tank, marking a significant stride in India’s indigenous defense capabilities. This development comes as the Indian Army gears up to conduct extensive trials on the first prototype of this new light tank, designed specifically for high-altitude warfare.
The second prototype’s manufacturing signifies an acceleration in the development process, providing the army with an opportunity to compare and refine the tank’s design based on feedback from the ongoing trials. The Indian Army has expressed intentions to induct up to 354 units of this tank, highlighting its strategic importance in modernizing the country’s armored forces for operations in rugged and high-altitude areas where traditional heavy tanks struggle.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official, speaking to idrw.org on the condition of anonymity, has shed light on the delayed timeline for the Su-57E, the export variant of Russia’s fifth-generation stealth fighter. The official stated that the Su-57E equipped with the latest AL-51F engine and 2D Thrust Vector Control (TVC) nozzles is at least 4–5 years away from production readiness.
Russia has showcased the Su-57E with a stealth engine casing and other enhancements, but it remains unclear if the export version offered to India would include these upgrades. Even if these features are incorporated, the production timeline for such a variant would extend well into the latter half of this decade.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The next-generation BrahMos-NG missile, currently under development, is slated to enter its trial phase by late 2027 or early 2028, according to an official closely associated with idrw.org. This advancement marks a significant step in enhancing India’s aerial strike capabilities with a missile designed for versatility across various fighter jet platforms, including smaller aircraft.
The official revealed to idrw.org that “the project is progressing smoothly. The design blueprint for the new missile has been finalized, and we are now moving towards the development phase.” This phase will see BrahMos Aerospace conducting captive flight trials starting in 2026. “If integration and these captive flight trials are concluded smoothly, then the first developmental test firing could take place by 2027,” the source added.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a key division under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is reportedly seeking clearance to work on an upgraded Kaveri engine capable of generating 90kN of thrust. This engine, intended for the Tejas Mk1A fighter program and potentially for the Tejas MkII, requires significant advancements, including the development of an entirely new core and substantial funding for the project.
The existing Kaveri engine core can produce a thrust of 46-49kN, which falls short of the requirements for next-generation fighter platforms. To achieve the targeted 90kN thrust, the new Kaveri engine will need to deliver nearly 60kN of thrust in dry power, with afterburners providing the additional boost. Achieving this capability demands the design of a new core that can sustain higher pressure and temperature ratios while maintaining reliability and efficiency.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has recently experienced a notable increase in inquiries from various countries looking to procure spares for the AL-31F engines, which power the Su-30 family of fighter jets. This uptick in interest is largely due to delays in Russian supply chains, exacerbated by the ongoing conflict and the heavy operational use of the Su-30SM in frontline engagements.
The AL-31F, developed by Russia’s Ufa Engine Industrial Association (UMPO), is a critical component of the Su-30 aircraft, including the Indian variant, the Su-30MKI. Known for its reliability and performance, the engine has been integral to the operational capabilities of numerous air forces worldwide.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is actively exploring the development of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of sustained surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while offering quicker reaction times. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen maritime domain awareness and bolster capabilities in monitoring naval activities in the region.
The Navy has already set plans to acquire the MQ-9 Reaper drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. However, officials are also looking at larger, jet-powered unmanned platforms that can address gaps in operational speed and range. A naval official, speaking to idrw.org, highlighted the limitations of High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAVs powered by turboprop engines, which, while suitable for persistent monitoring, lack the speed required to rapidly reach distant areas of interest.
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