SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

At the recently held India Today Conclave, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal (ACM) AP Singh addressed swirling speculation about the potential acquisition of the U.S.-made Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet, firmly stating, “No comments.” He further clarified that the IAF has not given any thought to purchasing the aircraft, nor has any official offer been made by the United States to India.

Emphasizing the need for a thorough analysis before considering such a significant procurement, ACM Singh noted that the IAF has yet to evaluate the F-35 fully or determine whether even a limited acquisition—such as 10 aircraft—would meet its operational requirements. This statement puts to rest, at least for now, the ongoing buzz about India potentially joining the global F-35 program, while highlighting the IAF’s cautious and methodical approach to fleet modernization.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In the shadow of the ongoing border tensions with China, the Indian Army is sending a clear and urgent message to both public and private sectors: innovate, collaborate, or source – but deliver. The Army’s current fleet of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), predominantly of Israeli origin, is ageing and in dire need of replacement and enhancement to keep pace with modern warfighting requirements.

The Indian Army currently operates around 50 drones, including the Heron Mark-I, Mark-II, and the Searcher-II, all sourced from Israel. These drones have been pivotal in maintaining surveillance and reconnaissance along the volatile Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. However, the relentless operational demands have taken their toll on these machines. In a recent move to bolster its capabilities, the Army has inducted four new satellite communication-enabled Heron Mark-II drones, which are expected to significantly enhance the surveillance capacity at the border.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), under the aegis of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is making significant strides in the realm of underwater technology by focusing on the development of a Fuel Cell-based Capsule Power Plant for the High Endurance Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (HEAUV). This project aims to bolster India’s maritime capabilities with a focus on stealth and endurance.

NMRL endeavours to craft a power plant that not only extends the operational life of underwater vehicles but does so silently, making them less detectable and more effective for strategic naval operations.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India’s largest private-sector defense manufacturer, is signaling its intent to play a pivotal role in addressing the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) pressing fighter jet shortage. Jayant Damodar Patil, L&T’s head of aerospace and defense, recently hinted at the company’s interest in establishing a production line for manufacturing indigenous fighter jets, though he refrained from specifying which aircraft might be involved. This statement comes amid growing urgency within the IAF, underscored by Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh’s candid remarks that the “shoe is beyond pinching” when it comes to the force’s dwindling squadron strength—a situation demanding immediate action.

The IAF currently faces a shortfall of nearly 200 fighter jets, with its operational squadrons hovering around 31 against a sanctioned strength of 42. With 250 more aircraft—MiG-21s, Jaguars, and early Mirage 2000s—slated for retirement by 2040, the IAF requires approximately 450 jets over the next 15 years. This stark reality has prompted the Air Chief to repeatedly emphasize the need for accelerated procurement and production, a call that Patil sees as an opportunity for the private sector to step up. “The shoe is pinching now, and that’s the reason the Air Force Chief has spoken out the way he has,” Patil remarked, suggesting that this urgency could “enhance the role which the private sector is already playing” in programs like the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant development for India’s air combat capabilities, Anglo-French missile manufacturer MBDA is currently engaged in discussions with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to broaden the integration of the Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM) into more Indian-made fighter jets. Until now, the Meteor has been exclusively deployed on the 36 Rafale jets acquired by India from France and is slated for integration with the upcoming 26 Rafale M aircraft for the Indian Navy.

According to sources close to idrw.org, the talks aim to extend the Meteor’s capabilities to India’s indigenous platforms, notably the Tejas Mk1A and the forthcoming Tejas MkII. The Meteor, known for its unparalleled performance in air-to-air engagements, boasts a significant “no-escape zone” due to its advanced ramjet propulsion, making it a game-changer in modern aerial warfare.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a significant milestone with its Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS) announcing that the 5kW Continuous Wave (CW) Fiber Laser has successfully passed its initial trials and is now poised to enter production. This development marks a crucial advancement in India’s directed energy weapons (DEWs) program. Kochi-based SFO Technologies has emerged as the prime candidate to manufacture this innovative system.

CHESS, under DRDO, has been at the forefront of research and development in high-energy laser systems, focusing on creating robust laser materials, components, and systems. Their work with high-power lasers has led to the development and delivery of advanced DEW systems, which are pivotal in modern warfare, offering capabilities to counter threats like missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with minimal collateral damage.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a groundbreaking development, a high-level Defence Ministry committee has accepted the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) recommendation to potentially include 5th-generation fighter jets in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 110 jets, according to sources close to idrw.org, this marks the first time India could see offers for 5th-generation platforms under the MRFA framework, with provisions for some level of Transfer of Technology (ToT) and local manufacturing. While the move signals a strategic leap in India’s air combat capabilities, uncertainties linger over which 5th-generation jets will come with ToT and the establishment of a Final Assembly Line (FAL) in the country.

The MRFA tender, valued at over $20 billion, aims to bolster the IAF’s dwindling squadron strength—currently at 31 against a sanctioned 42—by replacing aging MiG-21s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s. Traditionally focused on 4.5-generation fighters like the Rafale, F/A-18 Super Hornet, and Eurofighter Typhoon, the tender’s expansion to include 5th-generation options reflects growing regional threats, notably China’s J-20 stealth fleet and emerging 6th-generation prototypes.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy is gearing up for a significant overhaul of its submarine fleet, with plans to retire its Shishumar-class submarines once newer vessels from Project-75I begin to join the service from 2033 onwards. This strategic decision was highlighted by naval officials in discussions with idrw.org, marking a pivotal shift in the Navy’s underwater capabilities.

Currently, the Indian Navy operates a quartet of Shishumar-class submarines, which are based on the German Type 209 design. These submarines have been a vital part of India’s naval strength since their commissioning between 1986 and 1994.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Russia, which is yet to deliver the final two squadrons of the S-400 air defence system to the Indian Air Force (IAF), is now keen to offer India the Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the system. This proposal aims to enable India to locally manufacture S-400 components for replenishment and inventory expansion.

India had placed an order for five S-400 squadrons in 2018 under a $5.43 billion contract. So far, three squadrons have been delivered and fully operationalized, with deployments in the northern and eastern sectors. These squadrons have already participated in aerial defence exercises, enhancing India’s ability to counter airborne threats. However, the remaining two squadrons are still awaited, and their delivery timeline remains uncertain due to geopolitical and logistical challenges stemming from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant development aimed at bolstering the Indian Army’s air defence capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to propose an innovative Self-Propelled Air Defence Gun Missile System (ADGM-SP) based on the Light Tank Zorawar platform. This move comes as the Army seeks to enhance protection for its mechanised formations, including tanks and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs), against aerial threats. The DRDO’s proposal, if accepted, could see the rollout of a prototype within 18 months, though full production clearance might take over four years, according to an official familiar with the program speaking to idrw.org on March 1, 2025.

The proposed ADGM-SP system integrates a twin 30mm gun configuration with the Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), a man-portable air defence missile, creating a hybrid platform capable of engaging a wide spectrum of aerial targets—drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. Mounted on the Light Tank Zorawar chassis, a 25-ton platform developed by DRDO and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for high-altitude operations, this self-propelled system promises mobility, firepower, and adaptability tailored to India’s diverse operational theatres.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has officially begun the development of external fuel tanks, or ‘drop tanks’, for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) AF Mk2. These tanks are pivotal in extending the aircraft’s operational range, offering strategic flexibility in mission profiles.

Drop tanks are auxiliary fuel containers that can be attached to an aircraft to significantly increase its fuel capacity and, consequently, its range. The ability to jettison these tanks during flight provides pilots with the option to lighten the aircraft for enhanced manoeuvrability or in emergency scenarios.

SOURCE: IANS

As of January 31, a total of 144 fishermen from Gujarat remain in Pakistani jails, the state government informed the Legislative Assembly on Wednesday. In the one year from February 1, 2023, to January 21, 2024, Pakistan released 432 Gujarat fishermen. However, no fishermen have been released since then.

The number of arrests of Gujarat fishermen by Pakistan has drastically decreased, the government said. Between February 1, 2023, and January 31, 2024, only nine Gujarat fishermen were detained by Pakistani authorities. In the following year, 13 fishermen were arrested, marking a slight increase.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are embarking on an ambitious initiative to integrate the Tejas MkII fighter jet with semi-autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), commonly referred to as CATS Warrior “loyal wingmen.” This cutting-edge project aims to leverage advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for real-time coordination and mission execution between manned and unmanned platforms.

Equipped with state-of-the-art AI, these drones will seamlessly collaborate with the Tejas MkII, sharing mission data and dynamically adapting to evolving combat scenarios. This capability is particularly valuable in high-threat environments, where coordinated manned-unmanned operations can outmanoeuvre and overwhelm adversaries.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Navy has expressed interest in the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) to bolster the defensive capabilities of its frontline warships. This advanced system, originally designed for land-based applications, is being considered for adaptation as a Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), enhancing the Navy’s ability to counter a wide range of aerial and surface threats.

The VSHORADS is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) equipped with advanced technologies, including a dual-band infrared seeker and a lightweight design for high mobility. When modified for naval applications, the VSHORADS-based CIWS will provide an additional layer of defence, complementing existing missile systems like the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).