SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the first trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, marking a milestone in the country’s indigenous fighter aircraft program. The formal handover ceremony took place in the presence of CAS Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and HAL Chief C B Ananthakrishnan.

This delivery is part of the initial order for 18 LCA Tejas Trainer aircraft that the IAF had placed in a previous contract. However, the IAF is set to expand its fleet of Tejas Trainer aircraft further with the upcoming contract for 97 more Tejas Mk1A jets.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, has confirmed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has embarked on the development of the Mk2 variant of the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). This move comes in response to the Indian Army’s request for certain improvements to be incorporated into the indigenous LUH, which it has already received.

The Mk2 variant of the LUH will come equipped with an autopilot system, one of the specific requirements put forth by the Indian Army. Additionally, HAL is working on implementing several minor improvements as per the Army’s recommendations.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In the last five years, Russian and Chinese arms exports have witnessed a significant decline in their global market share. This shift in the global arms trade landscape has provided India with a unique opportunity to position its own weapons systems in key African and Middle Eastern arms markets.

Russia’s dip in weapons exports can largely be attributed to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has strained its international standing. On the other hand, China has seen its global market share shrink from 5.6 per cent to 5.2 per cent. The decline in demand for Chinese weaponry is due to several factors, including the perception that Chinese-made weapons are technologically inferior and largely untested on the battlefield.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarking on a transformative journey to enhance the capabilities of its formidable Su-30MKI fighter jets. The “Super Sukhoi” upgrade program, valued at over $7 billion, aims to equip these aircraft with cutting-edge avionics, radars, and electronic warfare suites.

India’s fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets, ordered from Russia, constitutes a vital component of the IAF’s combat fleet, totaling 272 aircraft. These multi-role fighters have demonstrated their prowess in various missions and are known for their versatility and adaptability. However, to ensure their relevance in modern warfare scenarios, comprehensive upgrades are essential.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, has confirmed that the follow-up orders for 97 Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft will see some minor improvements while maintaining the overall design. This announcement comes amid plans by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to increase the indigenous content in subsequent batches of the Tejas Mk1A.

Currently, the Tejas Mk1A has a significant indigenous content of 65 per cent. However, HAL intends to raise this percentage to over 70 per cent in the 97 Tejas Mk1A aircraft that are slated to be ordered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) later this year.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to enhance its strategic airlift capabilities with the recent induction of the C-295M Transport Aircraft. Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, the Chief of Air Staff, has not ruled out the possibility of acquiring additional units of this versatile aircraft, which promises to play a pivotal role in India’s military logistics.

India’s collaboration with Airbus to procure 56 C-295M Transport Aircraft is a significant step toward strengthening its airlift capabilities. The first of these aircraft arrived in India after being manufactured in Spain, marking the beginning of a transformative partnership. The Airbus-Tata facility in Gujarat is set to locally manufacture 40 of these aircraft, contributing to the “Make in India” initiative.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is charting an ambitious path for its fighter jet fleet, with plans to acquire a mix of indigenous and foreign-made aircraft. Recent confirmations by the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, have dispelled speculations about the impact of additional Tejas Mk1A orders on the procurement of the LCA-AF Mk2 and the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) program.

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari clarified that the follow-up orders for Tejas Mk1A will not impact the procurement of the Light Combat Aircraft-Air Force (LCA-AF) Mk2. The IAF has committed to acquiring 120 LCA-AF Mk2 fighter jets once they receive clearance for production, expected by 2030.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a recent development, the Indian Army is progressing towards the selection of new Self-Propelled Air-Defense Gun Missile Systems (SPAD-GMSs) to enhance its air defence capabilities. The army had initiated the procurement process earlier this year, specifically seeking systems that could operate as “Mobile Terminal Air-Defense Systems” to bolster close air defence protection for its mechanized units.

South Korean defence conglomerate Hanwha has re-emerged as a strong contender to secure this vital contract. This comes after a similar bid by Hanwha in 2018, which nearly succeeded against competing Russian offers, including the Tunguska M1 and Pantsir missile systems. According to sources, the K30 Biho, a key product in Hanwha’s portfolio, aligns well with the requirements outlined in the Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), a prominent Government of India undertaking, has recently issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) aimed at forging a technology tie-up for the development of a Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicle (Tracked) Gun Version, intended for the Indian Army. This strategic move aligns with the Ministry of Defence’s objective to procure such vehicles under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) Category of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020.

The EoI from BHEL is directed towards prospective technology collaborators interested in establishing a partnership with BHEL through a license and technology collaboration agreement. This collaboration aims to jointly design, engineer, manufacture, assemble, test, supply, field install, commission, repair, service, and retrofit these Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles for the Indian Army.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Boeing, the American aerospace giant, has been actively advocating for the Indian Navy to procure six additional P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) to bolster its maritime surveillance capabilities. The acquisition has been delayed primarily due to the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) pressing for the indigenous development of a medium-class maritime Patrol Aircraft (MMPA) that aligns with the capabilities of the existing P-8I fleet operated by the Indian Navy.

Boeing has been actively promoting the acquisition of six more P-8I MPAs by the Indian Navy. The P-8I, based on the Boeing 737 platform, is renowned for its advanced maritime surveillance capabilities and has proven its effectiveness in various naval operations.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In a significant development, the Indian defence establishment has taken a step closer to strengthening its air defence capabilities with the issuance of a tender for the procurement of 30 units of the indigenous Very Short Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) missile system. These 30 units represent the industrialized version of the missile, signifying a transition from the prototype stage to the production stage.

The procurement of these VSHORAD missiles falls under the Development cum Production Partner (DcPP) policy, a strategic approach adopted by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). Under this policy, DRDO takes charge of designing the product, providing detailed drawings, and sharing technical specifications with either private or public sector industries for the development of a prototype.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Banmali Agrawala, the recently appointed Chairman of Tata Advanced Systems (TASL), is set to steer the company towards the burgeoning Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) market in India. This strategic move follows TASL’s notable success in developing drones and loitering ammunition for the Indian Armed Forces. Known for its expertise in manufacturing aerostructures, and serving clients such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, TASL is now poised to venture into the UAV sector, recognizing its immense growth potential.

While specific details of TASL’s UAV market entry plan have not been disclosed, the company’s decision underscores its commitment to exploring new opportunities and diversifying its portfolio within the defence and aerospace sector. The move aligns with India’s increasing focus on harnessing UAV technology for various applications, including surveillance, reconnaissance, and defence.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) are engaged in discussions that could potentially lead to the procurement of an additional 100 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. These new aircraft are expected to come with a host of improvements aimed at addressing technical obsolescence in the system and increasing indigenous content.

Unlike the previous order of 73 Tejas Mk1A fighters placed in 2021, the upcoming batch is set to feature a significantly higher level of indigenous content. This move aligns with India’s commitment to bolster its domestic defence manufacturing capabilities and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s ambitious foray into the development of its first Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class drone, the TAPAS BH-201, might see a significant reduction in orders from both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.

Technical challenges related to the drone’s weight, design limitations, and performance parameters have raised concerns, prompting a reevaluation of procurement plans as confirmed to idrw.org by people familiar with the matter.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is poised to embark on a significant milestone in its quest to bolster India’s air defence capabilities. In the coming months, as the monsoon season subsides on the eastern coast, DRDO plans to conduct the first phase of its indigenous S-400 equivalent program known as the Extended Range Air Defence System (ERADS) Program.

This endeavor begins with the testing of the Extended Range Surface to Air Missile (ERSAM) Interceptor Air Defence system, boasting an impressive range of 150 kilometers.