SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Dassault Aviation, the French company behind the Rafale fighter jet, maybe throwing a wrench into India’s ambitious plans for its upcoming Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) procurement. This comes even as Dassault enjoys a surge in export orders, with the Rafale backlog exceeding 200 units.

The Indian government has unveiled a new policy for the MRFA program, demanding not just the purchase of aircraft but also the complete production of the chosen jet within India. This signifies a significant shift from past “Make in India” initiatives. Technology transfer and a joint venture with a domestic partner for full-fledged production are now central requirements for any vendor vying for the contract.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Solar Industries, a Nagpur-based defence company, is on a roll. After successfully delivering its Nagastra-1 loitering munition to the Indian Army, the company now sets its sights on the Nagastra-2, its next-generation loitering weapon system.

Nagastra-1 emerged victorious in a competitive selection process, surpassing entries from Polish and Israeli firms. This win not only signifies Solar Industries’ technological prowess but also strengthens India’s domestic defence capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) hunt for a new Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) has taken a turn, with initial estimates suggesting the Embraer C-390 Millennium might hold a cost advantage over its primary competitor, the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules.

According to sources, Embraer’s proposal includes the C-390 aircraft along with a Technology Transfer (ToT) package for local manufacturing, with a unit cost estimated between $140-160 million. This price range appears slightly lower than what the IAF might expect for the C-130J Hercules.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Indian defence giants behind the long-range dual-band infrared search and track (IRST) system for Su-30 MKI fighter jets, are gearing up for crucial trials later in 2024. This indigenous IRST system marks a significant step towards self-reliance in critical defence equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The IAF plans to equip 84 of its upgraded Su-30MKI aircraft, designated as Super-30 MKI, with this new IRST system. These upgraded jets will undergo a local transformation process led by HAL. Currently, these aircraft rely on Russian-origin IRSTs.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

EyeROV, a rising star in India’s marine robotics scene, has delivered its EyeROV TUNA observation ROV to Saudi Arabia. This marks a significant development for the company and showcases the capabilities of Indian innovation on the global stage.

The EyeROV TUNA is designed for underwater observation tasks, reaching depths of up to 100 meters and delivering live, high-definition video feeds. Its dual HD cameras provide operators with a clear and comprehensive view in real time, allowing for efficient underwater inspections.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is inviting bids for the procurement of an Engine Performance Measurement and Monitoring System (PMMS) for its Mobile Test Facility (MTF). This system will be used to evaluate the performance of various gas turbine engines under real-world operating conditions.

The PMMS is expected to be a comprehensive and integrated system capable of acquiring, recording, and analyzing various engine performance parameters.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The hypersonic future of the BrahMos cruise missile system faces a hurdle as India’s BrahMos Corporation and Russia grapple with technical and financial hurdles in developing the BrahMos-2 variant. Talks between India and Russia on BrahMos-2 appear to have stalled. Russia’s hesitance to fully commit to the project is a primary concern. Discussions have reportedly hit roadblocks on several issues, jeopardizing the hypersonic ambitions of the BrahMos program.

The BrahMos-2 was originally envisioned as a hypersonic adaptation of the Russian Zircon cruise missile. However, to address potential export control concerns, the BrahMos-2’s speed was reportedly capped at Mach 6, compared to Zircon’s Mach 8 capability.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India is poised to embark on a significant defence collaboration with a steep price tag, as it prepares for the joint production of Stryker armoured vehicles under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. According to sources from the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw), the initial estimated cost of this ambitious project is projected to exceed $1.5 billion, with each unit priced at a substantial $5 million markup.

A key component of this deal is the transfer of technology (ToT), which will facilitate the local production and assembly of the Stryker Armoured vehicles. This ToT arrangement will include the transfer of technical documentation necessary for the medium-term production of spare parts and the assembly of vehicles from the hull stage.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The development of India’s highly anticipated Archer-NG Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has encountered a setback due to funding constraints. This news comes nearly a year after the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) showcased the Archer-NG in late 2022.

The Archer-NG envisioned as an armed drone with a 300 kg payload capacity for weapons like smart anti-airfield munitions and anti-tank guided missiles, offered significant advancements. Its design, featuring a Single Engine Twin Boom configuration, differed from the Tapas UAV but employed similar equipment.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Last month, Noida-based EndureAir Systems conducted a demanding month-long series of high-altitude tests for our Sabal 20 UAV. Team, led by Mohit Kaushik, a UAV test pilot and systems engineer, ventured to Karu-Leh (3500m AMSL) and Chang La (5360m AMSL) to push the Sabal 20 to its limits.

The tests subjected the Sabal 20 to a rigorous gauntlet of conditions. From extreme temperature fluctuations and varying airspeeds to significant air density changes and diverse load capacities, we gathered a wealth of data that will be crucial for further product refinement.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken a significant step towards developing a next-generation Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) with the successful testing of its SWIFT TD (Stealth Wing Flying Testbed) demonstrator.

This 1-ton flying wing demonstrator serves as a critical test bed for validating the design principles of a much larger, 13-ton UCAV currently under development. This future UCAV envisioned as a potent stealthy strike aircraft, represents a major leap forward in India’s unmanned aerial combat capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is mulling an offer from Greece to acquire 18 Mirage-2000-5 fighter jets. While the operational life of these jets might be limited, they could serve as a valuable source of spare parts for the IAF’s existing Mirage-2000 fleet.

Greece has offered these jets at an undisclosed price, likely reflecting their limited remaining service life. IAF officials will likely assess the condition of the aircraft in Greece to determine their suitability primarily as a source of spare parts.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

NewSpace Research (NSRT), a rising star in the Indian drone industry based out of Bengaluru, has recently unveiled a modernized design for its highly anticipated Abhimanyu UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), drawing inspiration from the legendary warrior known for his bravery.

The most striking update lies in the engine configuration. Gone are the external podded engines featured in previous iterations. The new Abhimanyu boasts a sleek and streamlined design with internally mounted engines housed within strategically placed trapezoidal side intakes. This shift promises enhanced performance and potentially improved stealth capabilities.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Greece has proposed a collaborative approach with India for negotiating the purchase of additional Rafale fighter jets from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. This strategy leverages the combined buying power of both nations to potentially secure a more favourable deal.

Greece argues that a united front of two or more countries at the negotiating table would strengthen their bargaining position and potentially lead to a better price per jet. This bulk purchase approach is a common tactic used by nations to obtain discounts on expensive military equipment.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Ameya Precision Engineers has been awarded a contract to supply Empty PCB Warhead Assemblies for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s advanced Rudram III missile. The delivery is expected to take place before the end of this year, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous missile development program.

Rudram III is an air-to-surface missile with a remarkable range of 550 kilometres and a peak terminal speed of Mach 5. Designed to neutralize heavily fortified military installations, this missile can engage a variety of targets, including radiating targets and ground-based infrastructure such as bunkers, buildings, and shelters.