SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) for a missile test in the Bay of Bengal between May 6 and May 13, 2024. The designated area for the test is 100 kilometers within the Bay of Bengal.
While details of the test are not officially confirmed, experts speculate it will be either an air-launched or ship-launched missile test. This is due to the issuance of a NOTAM, which is a standard procedure to alert pilots of potential hazards in airspace.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Indian industrial powerhouse Bharat Forge, under the leadership of Baba Kalyani, has announced a significant expansion in its artillery gun manufacturing capabilities. The company has established the capacity to produce 12 artillery guns per month, with the potential to scale up to a staggering 30 – a move that positions them to become the world’s largest artillery gun manufacturer by production capacity.
This ambitious move comes amidst a backdrop of limited orders for Bharat Forge’s artillery systems. While they’ve secured an export order for their MarG 155/39 Mounted Gun System (MGS) to Armenia and are part of the consortium developing the ATAGS 155/52mm gun, a crucial domestic order from the Indian Army remains elusive.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy’s ambitious Project Seabird at INS Kadamba is witnessing significant progress, marking a crucial step towards bolstering India’s strategic and security interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This large-scale project focuses on major upgrades and capacity expansion at the naval base, transforming it into a vital hub for the Indian Navy’s operations.
Located in Karwar, Karnataka, INS Kadamba is strategically positioned on the Arabian Sea coast. Project Seabird represents a comprehensive modernization initiative aimed at transforming the base into a premier naval facility.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The United States and India are collaborating on a potential expansion of their strategic partnership. This involves auditing Kolkata Port to assess its suitability for a new Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA).
An MSRA would allow US Navy warships stationed in the Indo-Pacific to access critical repair and maintenance services at Kolkata Port. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of both nations to establish India as a key hub for US naval upkeep in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) took a significant step towards bolstering cooperation by successfully hosting the 10th edition of Air Staff Talks (AST) from April 29 to 30, 2024.
This high-level meeting, which involved a delegation from the RAFO, proved instrumental in fostering closer relations between the two air forces on a multitude of fronts. Key areas of discussion reportedly included bilateral exercises, training programs, and sporting events.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is reportedly making significant progress on a new 91kN thrust engine derived from the Kaveri engine program. This news comes from sources familiar with the program speaking to idrw.org.
The current Dry Kaveri engine generates 46kN of thrust. DRDO’s plan involves mating it with a new afterburner section, boosting output to 73kN. This modified engine will first be certified for use in older LCA-Tejas LSP variants before integration into the RPSA (Ghatak UCAV) program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
As the global aerospace arena witnesses a race towards the development of sixth-generation fighter jets, India’s strategic focus takes a unique turn with the recent approval for the development of fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by the Indian Air Force (IAF). While some may perceive this decision as a step behind the curve, senior officials within the IAF argue otherwise, shedding light on the pragmatic approach guiding India’s aerospace ambitions.
In an exclusive interview with idrw.org, a senior IAF official, speaking on condition of anonymity, underscored the rationale behind India’s decision to prioritize the development of fifth-generation AMCA over leaping directly to sixth-generation platforms. Contrary to conventional wisdom, the official emphasized that such a leap would entail exorbitant costs and substantial technological challenges, potentially outweighing the benefits.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive a significant boost to its combat capabilities with the planned acquisition of 12 new Su-30 MKI fighter jets. This move comes in response to the need to replace aircraft lost in previous incidents.
In September 2023, the IAF issued a tender to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aerospace and defence company. This deal signifies a potential continuation of the collaboration between India and Russia for the Su-30 MKI program.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
3FVT.jpg)
China’s growing naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region poses a significant challenge for smaller countries. Countering this dominance often requires expensive fleet expansion, which may not be feasible for all nations. Here’s where India’s recently tested Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system emerges as a potential game changer.
Unlike conventional submarine-launched torpedoes, SMART leverages a missile to deliver a torpedo over extended ranges. This could allow smaller navies to engage Chinese warships from a safe distance, mitigating the risk of direct confrontation with China’s superior fleet.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a recent interview, Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge, shared a captivating story highlighting the challenges and triumphs of India’s private defense sector. The anecdote centered around the development of their first artillery gun, the Bharat 52.
Developed in 2012, the Bharat 52 faced a critical hurdle – a lack of testing facilities. Back then, government firing ranges were inaccessible to private companies like Bharat Forge. This meant the company couldn’t test-fire their own gun, essentially stalling its development.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) is gearing up for fresh developmental trials of the indigenously-developed Nirbhay subsonic cruise missile.
According to information obtained by idrw.org, these trials are expected to take place within the next few weeks and will focus on testing the missile’s performance under various parameters and waypoint navigation scenarios. This phase is crucial before the Nirbhay can be offered for user trials by the Indian military.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Recent events in the Middle East highlight the growing threat of drone attacks. Israel’s Oron aircraft, also known as the MARS2 (Multi-Mission Airborne Reconnaissance and Surveillance System), has garnered attention for its role in countering Iranian drone incursions. This system, equipped with Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology, offers valuable insights for countries like India facing similar aerial threats.
The Oron’s AI system reportedly facilitates efficient and automated data processing, enabling real-time generation of actionable intelligence. This translates to a faster response time for the Israeli Air Force (IAF), allowing them to intercept hostile drones before they reach their targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Following the successful delivery of the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines Marine Corps, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is setting its sights on an even larger order from the Philippine Army.
The BrahMos, a joint Indo-Russian venture, has garnered significant interest with its speed, precision, and long-range strike capabilities. The initial delivery to the Marines paves the way for potential expansion into the Philippine Army’s arsenal.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
According to Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge, the Indian Army has a long-term plan to equip itself entirely with 155mm 52 caliber towed artillery guns. This transition is expected to be completed by 2040-45, with the Army requiring nearly 4,000 guns in total.
This shift reflects the growing importance of long-range fire support in modern warfare. The 155mm/52 caliber guns offer a significant advantage in firing range and accuracy compared to older models.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) announced plans to transform its single Bombardier Global 6000 business jet into a stand-off jamming (SOJ) aircraft. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).
The initial hint of this conversion came from the PAF’s latest calendar, which designated the Global 6000 as an electronic warfare (EW) platform. This was later confirmed by the PAF’s unofficial publication, Second-to-None.
Continue reading