SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
DRDO’s Hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV) has successfully demonstrated hypersonic combustion for nearly 02 km/second for more than 20 seconds in its previous test and now has lined up a trial of the scramjet engine for a longer duration that will be soon tested from a ground test facility in Bangalore for a longer duration.
The scramjet engine will be tested for 100 seconds and later for 400 seconds which will be taken up to 600 seconds followed up with 1000 seconds being the final goal. scramjet engine needs to perform in a textbook manner for further long-duration sustained tests that will lead to the development of a full-fledged Hypersonic Cruise Missile program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO) has begun Prototyping work on India’s first dedicated Anti-Torpedo-Torpedo (ATT) system that is designed to protect Naval Warships, submarines, and Coastal Boats against torpedo attack. Anti-Torpedo-Torpedo is a “Hardkill” Torpedo Defence system that will either defeat Torpedo with its explosive warhead or by physically slamming into it.
Anti-Submarine Rocket systems are only “Hardkill” options that are available on frontline warships against Torpedos but the effectiveness of such torpedo defense systems and their kill probability is not satisfactory in Modern warfare where Torpedos threat is increasingly diverse and getting harder to detect.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
Group captain (R) Mohonto Panging, the first Sukhoi-30K pilot from North-East India shared how while performing combat air patrol over Naliya near Gujrat border with Pakistan, He spotted Pakistani F-16 rushing towards the International border for the possible intercept of this aircraft and hostile behavior of the PAF F-16 was countered by Radar lock on the aircraft to drive home a message to the Pilot that he will be shot down if he tries any stunt.
On this date that year, on 10 August 1999, Pakistani Naval aircraft, Flight Atlantic-91, a French-built Breguet Atlantic plane was shot down after it entered Indian airspace just a month after the Kargil conflict had ceased. With tensions still running high, IAF ground radars picked up what was positively identified as French-built Atlantique with the Pakistan Navy when it breached the International border which was quickly followed up by a scramble of Two Mig-21 from the Naliya base of IAF.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW NEWS NETWORK
Following the release of a Request for Information (RFI) to the industry in June 2020 by the Royal Australian Air Force for lead-in fighter trainer (LIFT) aircraft to replace its fleet of 33 BAE Systems Hawk 127 trainer aircraft that was responded by the Boeing with its T-7A Redhawk, Korean Aircraft Industries (KAI) with the T-50, Lockheed Martin with the T-50A version of the T-50, Leonardo with the M-346 Master, Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) with the LCA-LIFT, RAAF has begun process to start technical screening of the aircraft on offer.
RAAF plans to retire its BAE Systems Hawk 127 from 2031 onwards but has started the process to streamline OEM offers that were received on its RFI. The government of India (GOI) had offered G2G (Government to Government) deal for the supply of LCA-LIFT Trainer aircraft to Australia earlier this year but that was rejected since RAAF is yet to frame the technical requirements that it wants from the LIFT that it plans to acquire.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
The Ambassador of Spain to India, José María Ridao Domínguez speaking to the media has confirmed that Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company, Navantia is in the race for the supply of six next generations under the P75(I) project for which it is offering S80 plus, only submarine in the world that has a displacement of 3000 ton and has proven AIP system. Domínguez said that the submarine offered to India will not only meet its requirements but also exceed its requirements and is the closest among all shortlisted competitors.
S80 plus meets surface displacement requirements set by the Indian Navy as India is looking for a submarine that has a displacement of 3000 tons, Koreans have pitched their DSME-3000 which is an export variant of the KSS-III, which also has a 3000-ton displacement that is also equipped with lithium-ion batteries and a fuel-cell powered AIP system.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
Defense Public Sector Undertaking Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) recently revealed plans to sell nearly 220 units of Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) aircraft in the foreign market for which it plans to develop an Extremely Rugged Light Attack Aircraft based on the HTT-40 platform that is fully integrated with EO/IR system that can be used for Border Patrol, Interdiction and Counter Air, and Armed Reconnaissance (Recce) operations.
Indian Air Force is looking to procure 70+36 Basic Training Aircraft to be used for imparting Advanced Training for new pilots at Stage-I. IAF is not looking to procure the Light Attack Aircraft variant that was proposed by the HAL. HAL instead now wants to focus on the sale of Light Attack Aircraft variant to other countries.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
A high-level delegation with senior officers from the Indian navy and the Ministry of Defence will participate in the Expo-Naval scheduled to take place from November 29- December 3, 2022, in Chile with intend to meet the top leadership of the armed forces not only from the region but other countries too to promote Indian Naval systems like Warships, fast patrol vessels and Anti-ship BrahMos in Coastal variant.
India is eying South American countries to further expand its weapons export in the region and is eyeing a pact with Chile and Brazil to maintain its fleet of Scorpene class submarines that are operated by their respected Navy.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAJESH AHUJA / FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
Last year I opined on why India should work on the development of a Medium-Range Stealth Bomber (Can India work on Kaveri Powered Medium-Range Stealth Bomber?). recent reports hint at the possibility of India leasing the Tu-160 strategic bomber, dubbed the White Swan (“Belyj Lebe”) from Russia to be used by India’s SFC command that is in charge of nuclear delivery mechanisms ranging from ballistic missiles to fighter jets.
Tu-160 remains by far the largest and fastest supersonic bomber in service and leasing this behemoth bomber will play a crucial role in not only understanding the concept of operating long-range bombers but also allow India to develop next-generation hypersonic and air-launched ballistic missiles that can deliver nukes to its intended targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
Indian Air Force will soon arm its Russian-developed Su-30MKI fighter jet squadrons with a deadly long-range derivate of the Israeli Derby BVR Air-to-Air Missile with Active Radar seeker as its captive flight trial near completion. I-Derby ER powered by a dual-pulse rocket motor can engage aerial targets in a range exceeding 100Km (140km ).
I-Derby ER contains electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) designed to deal with the challenges of aerial combat in a hostile environment with exceptional operational flexibility and already has been cleared for operations on India’s LCA-Tejas Mk1 Platform.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAJESH AHUJA / FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) had withdrawn from the Indian Navy’s tender for the construction of six diesel-electric submarines due to stringent rules regarding liabilities laws in the contract might be making a come back after India withdrew some of the liabilities clauses that could have made foreign company responsible for the job done by its strategic partner in the country.
India already has extended the bid date by another six months after only Korean and Spanish shipyard offered their submarine design to meet the Indian Navy’s requirements for six next-generation submarines, this one change might now clear the way for the Germans to come back in the race but it will not be easy for Russians and French shipbuilders since Navy is still adamant that only ships with proven Air-independent propulsion (AIP) system will meet technical criteria.
Continue readingSOURCE: NARAYAN APTE/ FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
It Amazes me that the top brass of the Indian Air Force confirm to the national media that even 13 years in the future, IAF will be no way near its sanctioned 42 squadron strength. With the current pace of induction and retirements, the Indian Air Force can only get a maximum of 35 squadrons in the next 10 years, up from the current 31-32. IAF as per its assessment had called the need for having 42 squadrons to protect the western and northern borders with Pakistan and China.
Even to achieve 35 Squadrons by 2035, IAF will need to induct 83 Light Combat aircraft MK1A, 114 MRFA, 106 Tejas Mk2, and at least 40 Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. Any deviation from these plans means IAF will be short by another 4-5 Squadrons which will mean 200 combat jets less in inventory and what’s scarier is that IAF Top brass doesn’t seem to mind having such levels of squadrons to face possible two-front war scenario.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW NEWS NETWORK
The integrated wind tunnel model of the AMCA Mk1 shows some of the design characters that will be included at least in the Mk1 variant of the jet from the start. The scaled Model showcases a Diverterless Supersonic Inlet (DSI) that will addition of the 3D bump will help in concealing engine blades from radar waves from bouncing back to their source, and serpentine air intake will further improve the stealth and design elements of the aircraft.
AMCA sports an advanced Infrared search and track sensor (IRST) in the traditional position installed atop the aircraft’s nose, near its windscreen, there is chatter that the IRST system is retractable which will make it the first of its kind. Although the placement of the IRST sensor will hurt the radar signature on the forward fuselage section, it could be a stop-gap measure at least for the initial prototypes till DRDO can come up with its own Distributed Aperture System (DAS) style system in Mk1 or Mk2 variants of the jet.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
Former Air Chief Marshal (ACM) Arup Raha while delivering a talk on the ” The Chanakya Dialogues” advocated arming India’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC) with a bomber squadron of its own that will be independent of the IAF. The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is the only tri-service functional command that controls, manages, and administers the country’s nuclear weapons.
idrw like to point out that SFC a few years back had suggested it be allowed to operate 40 Sukhoi-30MKI that will be in charge of delivering nuclear payloads independent of the Indian Air Force. SFC is dependent on the IAF’s fleet of fighter jets like Mirage-2000 and Su-30MKI to deliver nuclear payloads then IAF top brass was strongly against the creation of a such separate fleet.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.
Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed the 155mm/52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) with two industry partners, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, and Bharat Forge Ltd, for the first time and will create history when it will be part of the 21 gun salute that historically has been carried out by the World War 2 vintage 25 pounder guns.
Two ATAGS Guns will be part of the 7 25-pounder guns that go off in a closely synchronized action with the unfurling of the national flag and anthem from the first gunfire to the last. All Seven Guns fire three rounds each but this time Two rounds will be fired by Two ATAGS Guns.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW NEWS NETWORK
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari on his two visits to the HAL facility in Bangalore was not only briefed about the progress made on Tejas Mk1A, LCH, and HTT-40 aircraft program but idrw has been told from reliable industrial sources that the Chief was also shown first Tejas Mk2 that is under assembly in a separate facility and was also briefed about the progress made on the program.
Chief last month confirmed that IAF has committed to procure six squadrons of Tejas Mk2 when it is ready for induction and in his meetings with the HAL officials he asked the program to be fast-tracked and also offered his full support to complete its developmental trials, which already has a new IAF team that has been deputed to coordinate with the HAL.
Continue reading