SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s growing focus on enhancing its ground forces’ mobility and protection has led to offers from both the United States and Russia for advanced wheeled armoured platforms. Following the U.S.’s proposal to locally produce the Stryker Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), Russia has countered with its Boomerang Wheeled Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and Wheeled Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), based on the Boomerang unified combat platform.
This comes as India explores options to equip its motorized infantry, special forces, and marine units with 198 modern, high-performance APCs that can enhance their operational capabilities in diverse terrains.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), a lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has embarked on developing a new 105mm high-pressure (HP) barrel that will be a key feature of the Zorawar Light Tank. According to sources familiar with the project, the design phase of the 105mm gun has been completed, and an industrial partner has been selected to commence the fabrication process.
The development of the 105mm HP gun comes as part of India’s broader initiative to reduce its dependence on foreign military technology by creating indigenous alternatives. The ARDE-designed 105mm gun is intended to replace the current Cockerill 105mm HP gun (a NATO-standard system) that is currently fitted on the Zorawar Light Tank prototypes.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), in collaboration with Ashok Leyland, has developed a new 600 horsepower (hp) engine, which will soon be tested on the WhAP 8×8 (Wheeled Armoured Platform). The engine, which has undergone extensive and rigorous testing in a controlled lab environment, is now ready to be evaluated in real-world conditions onboard the WhAP 8×8 platform. This marks a significant milestone in the development of Indigenous defence technologies for India’s military vehicle programs.
The WhAP 8×8 is a versatile, amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle jointly developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Tata Motors. Designed to meet the mobility, firepower, and protection needs of the Indian Army, the platform can perform in diverse operational environments, including deserts, mountains, and riverine regions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian government’s consideration of an “open tender” process for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) high-stakes 114 Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) deal is aimed at transparency but risks the protracted complications that plagued the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MRCA) program a decade ago. The MRCA tender process stretched over several years before ultimately selecting the Rafale, a decision that underwent intense scrutiny and delayed the IAF’s modernization. Experts warn that an open tender for the MRFA deal might lead to a similarly prolonged selection process, which could weaken India’s aerial defense capabilities amid an increasingly challenging security environment.
The open tender process invites multiple vendors from various nations, increasing the potential for politicized bidding wars and diplomatic complexities. For a high-profile procurement like the MRFA, it would involve evaluating fighters from the U.S., Europe, and Russia—each with unique advantages and advocates in India. This could extend the timeline as the government navigates through international lobbying, lengthy negotiations, and endless scrutiny.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India has set its sights on a significant expansion of its air force capabilities, aiming to produce approximately 500 fighter jets domestically over the next two decades. This ambitious plan, if realized, would undoubtedly bolster the nation’s military might and strategic influence. However, a critical challenge looms large: ensuring a reliable supply of engines to power these aircraft.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy are banking on these new fighter jets to bolster their air combat abilities and maintain a strategic edge. The fleet, which will vary in terms of strength, weaponry, and range, is projected to include:
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Tata Group has achieved a significant milestone in Indian aerospace manufacturing by commencing production of the C-295M transport aircraft in India. This development not only strengthens India’s domestic defense manufacturing capabilities but also positions the country as a global player in the aerospace industry.
In a further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative, the Tata Group is exploring the possibility of locally manufacturing the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW127G turboprop engines that power the C-295M. These powerful engines, rated at 1,972 kW (2,644 hp), are crucial to the aircraft’s performance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Sources within Spain’s Moncloa, the office of the Spanish President, indicate that a decision regarding India’s P-75I submarine project could be announced soon. This development follows high-level discussions between Spanish officials and the Indian Ministry of Defence, as Spain’s Navantia is one of the prominent bidders vying for the prestigious project. Navantia’s S-80 Plus submarine, featuring cutting-edge Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology, has been offered as a contender for the Indian Navy’s Project-75I, a program critical to augmenting India’s underwater warfare capabilities.
India’s P-75I program, part of its ongoing efforts to modernize and expand its submarine fleet, seeks to add six advanced diesel-electric submarines equipped with AIP systems. These AIP-enabled submarines can remain submerged for extended periods, crucial for stealth operations in contested waters. Project-75I is designed to address India’s security needs by enhancing its capacity to deter and counter underwater threats, especially in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T), India’s largest private-sector defense manufacturer by revenue, is looking to ramp up its aerospace division to strengthen its foothold in the country’s burgeoning private space sector, a senior executive said on Thursday.
The move follows the government’s recent efforts to open its space industry – traditionally led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – to private firms. The success of the Chandrayaan-3 lunar landing and Aditya-L1 solar mission has created new opportunities for companies with advanced engineering capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Sending Diwali greetings, former president Donald Trump, who is the Republican presidential candidate, on Thursday condemned the attack on Hindus in Bangladesh, vowed to strengthen ties with India and described Prime Minister Narendra Modi as his good friend.
Bangladesh, he said, remains in a total state of chaos and alleged that his Democratic rival Vice President Kamala Harris and her boss President Joe Biden have ignored Hindus across the world and in America.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
Canada’s deepening dispute with India over its alleged campaign of violence against Sikhs in Canada could intensify Indian-based cyber espionage and hold back immigration, but analysts and experts see no immediate impact on trade.
Concern about a widening rift between the two countries comes after a senior Canadian official told a parliamentary national security committee on Tuesday that Indian Minister of Home Affairs Amit Shah, a close ally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was the mastermind behind the alleged plots.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
The United States imposed sanctions on Wednesday on hundreds of targets in fresh action against Russia, a signal the U.S. will continue to counter evasion of its measures imposed over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. The action, taken by the U.S. Treasury and State Departments, imposed sanctions on nearly 400 entities and individuals from more than a dozen different countries, according to statements from the departments.
The action was the most concerted push so far against third-country evasion, a State Department official told Reuters. It included sanctions on dozens of Chinese, Hong Kong and Indian companies, the most from those countries to be hit in one package so far, according to the official.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Canada’s allegations against Union home minister Amit Shah are “concerning”, the US said on Wednesday, noting that it would continue to consult Ottawa on the matter.
“The allegations made by the government of Canada are concerning, and we will continue to consult with the Canadian government about those allegations,” state department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said India cannot compromise on even an “inch” of land on its borders, adding the people believe in the strength of its armed forces for defending the country.
India’s enemies “see the end of their sinister plans” when they see the Indian armed forces, he said at Sir Creek in Gujarat’s Kutch district, as he kept up his tradition of celebrating Diwali with personnel of the armed forces.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff, visited Porbandar in Gujarat where he was briefed on the operational readiness and infrastructure development projects, aimed at ensuring maritime security in the region, the Indian Navy said in a release on Thursday.
Addressing the Naval, Defence Civilians and DSC personnel posted in the forward area on Wednesday, Admiral Tripathi conveyed Diwali greetings and lauded their unwavering dedication and efforts in safeguarding India’s maritime security and national interests.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
People’s Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti Thursday said the Union Territory Foundation Day is a “black day” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir as it marks “disenfranchisement and not development”.
J&K Congress president Tariq Hameed Karra also termed the foundation day as a “black day” and said that expecting the people to celebrate it is “asking for too much”.
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