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
French aviation giant Dassault is caught in a conundrum. With a staggering backlog of 211 Rafale fighter jets 141 for export and 70 for the French Air Force by the end of 2023, the company is yearning to ramp up production to meet the surging demand. However, a combination of factors threatens to turn this ambition into a ten-year wait for deliveries.
Dassault aspires to increase production from the current rate of 13 jets per year to 20. This would significantly reduce the backlog, but even at this pace, clearing the current queue would take a decade. Potential new customers, particularly those seeking swift deliveries, might be discouraged by this extended wait time.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program is taking a significant leap forward with state-owned MIDHANI and DRDO’s Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) at the forefront of developing next-generation alloys for its stealthy aerostructures. These cutting-edge materials will be instrumental in making the AMCA a formidable 5th-generation fighter jet, evading enemy radar detection.
MIDHANI is no stranger to contributing to India’s indigenous aircraft development. They have already successfully developed and supplied crucial materials for the AMCA program, including 12 slabs of titanium. This showcases their expertise in crafting specialized alloys that meet the demanding specifications of advanced fighter jets.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Nearly twelve years have passed since India first tested its Agni-V Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) in 2012, marking a significant milestone in the country’s strategic defense capabilities. Since then, the Agni missile series has undergone several advancements, culminating in the recent testing of the Agni-V Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) variant in 2024.
The journey of the Agni missile series began with the testing of the Agni-V ICBM in 2012, providing India with the capability to strike targets anywhere within mainland China. Despite capping its range at 5000km initially, subsequent advancements and modifications have enhanced the missile’s capabilities significantly. Though officially capped at 5,000 km, analysts believe the technology could potentially reach 8,000 km with a lighter payload.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s fleet of IL-76 heavy transport aircraft, procured from the Soviet Union in the 1980s, are nearing the end of their service life. To address this, India is in discussions with Russia to undertake a significant overhaul program.
The IL-76 fleet, nearing 40 years of service, faces issues with Low availability due to Existing D-30KP engines that contribute to limited operational time along with that it also has Outdated avionics that are Incompatibility with modern civilian air traffic control systems that restricts its operation in international airspace.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently showcased a new weapon system at Exercise Bharat Shakti: a 250kg High-Speed Low Drag (HSLD) bomb equipped with a Range Extension Kit (REK).
The REK extends the operational range of the HSLD bomb, allowing Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots to engage targets from a safer distance. The REK integrates with the HSLD bomb’s existing guidance systems, including GPS and Inertial Navigation System (INS), for precise targeting.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At the NDTV Defence Summit 2024, Arun Ramchandani, Executive Vice-President of L&T Defence, delivered a compelling address shedding light on the critical need for India to modernize its shipbuilding capabilities to keep pace with global counterparts, particularly China. Ramchandani’s insights underscored the urgency for India to adopt cutting-edge technologies and streamline processes to enhance the speed and efficiency of its shipbuilding endeavours.
Ramchandani’s assessment of India’s shipbuilding capacity painted a stark picture, highlighting the significant gap between India and China in this critical sector. He emphasized that to bridge this disparity, India must embrace modern technologies and foster a conducive ecosystem that facilitates rapid scale-up and deployment of naval platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a new initiative through iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0, specifically targeting Indian startups. This challenge seeks the development of a next-generation underwater vehicle – a prototype AUV based on the Indian Navy’s “Jalkapi” design.
The Jalkapi AUV is envisioned as a self-sustaining underwater vehicle capable of extended missions at sea. This initiative aims to leverage Indian expertise to develop a functional prototype that fulfils the following critical requirements:
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India has taken a significant step forward in missile technology by issuing an Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop a Laser Beam Rider Guidance System with an Eye-safe Laser Range Finder (LBRG System with ELRF). This pioneering system aims to provide precise line-of-sight laser guidance to missiles, enhancing their accuracy and effectiveness in various operational scenarios.
The Laser Beam Rider Guidance System offers a sophisticated approach to missile guidance, utilizing a spatially encoded laser beam to convey critical information necessary for the missile to determine its position relative to the beam and navigate towards the intended target. This innovative technology holds particular relevance for short-range air defence and anti-tank systems, where precision and agility are paramount.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The French Air and Space Force has decided to extend the operational life of its Mirage 2000D fighter jets comes as welcome news for countries like India, which rely heavily on this aircraft. The move ensures a continued supply of spare parts and potentially delays the jet’s overall retirement, benefiting nations with Mirage 2000 fleets.
France, the world’s largest Mirage 2000 operator, had previously planned to transition entirely to the Dassault Rafale. However, recent discussions with Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, have focused on securing a steady flow of spare parts and equipment to extend the Mirage 2000D’s service life into the mid-2030s.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has unveiled a new challenge through iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0, specifically targeting Indian startups. This initiative focuses on the development of a next-generation defensive technology for the Indian Air Force (IAF) – an Expendable Active Decoy (EAD) swarm with electronic warfare (EW) capabilities.
The primary objective of this challenge is to develop a swarm of high-speed drones equipped with chaff dispensers and electronic warfare payloads. These drones would be deployed to overwhelm and confuse enemy air defence systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India has signed a crucial contract with Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research & Technologies (NSRT) under the iDEX initiative. This agreement marks a significant step towards strengthening the Indian Navy’s surveillance capabilities with the design and development of an indigenous High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS).
This project aligns perfectly with the Government of India’s vision of “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India). Developing a domestic HAPS program reduces dependence on foreign technology and fosters indigenous innovation in the critical aerospace sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) has achieved a significant milestone in the development of the upgraded Su-30 MKI fighter jet. LRDE has confirmed the effectiveness of its Vapor Cycle Cooling System (VCM), designed to manage the heat generated by the aircraft’s powerful new Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
The VCM, designated G2A, is a closed-loop system capable of absorbing a substantial 10.5 kW of heat load. This innovative technology is crucial for ensuring the proper functioning of the AESA radar, which generates significant heat during operation. A prototype of the VCM was successfully showcased at the Aero India 2021 exhibition, demonstrating its readiness for integration.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is gearing up for a technological leap with significant investments in unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) to solidify its control over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This strategic move aims to safeguard Indian interests and deter adversaries from exploiting vulnerabilities in the region’s vast underwater domain.
A key focus will be the development of next-generation IUSS (Integrated Undersea Surveillance System) Seabed arrays. These advanced sensor networks will blanket the seabed, providing real-time, comprehensive monitoring of maritime traffic. This will significantly enhance the Navy’s situational awareness and ability to detect potential threats.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is accelerating production of the LCA-Tejas Trainer aircraft. The state-owned aerospace company aims to deliver six Tejas Trainers this year, part of an 18-aircraft order from the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Following the delivery of the first Tejas Trainer (LT-5201) last October, HAL has prepped two more (LT-5202 & LT-5203) for delivery. These aircraft have successfully completed low-speed taxi trials, with a fourth (LT-5204) nearing completion.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India and Germany recently held their High Defence Committee (HDC) meeting in Berlin, marking a significant step forward in their bilateral defence partnership. During the meeting, officials from the German company Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) presented a proposal for India’s Mounted Gun System (MGS) tender.
KMW’s proposal centers around the AGM Iveco 8×8, a mounted gun system built on an 8×8 wheeled chassis. This system boasts several features that cater to the Indian Army’s specific requirements:
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