SOURCE : AFI
The Australian government has inked a significant agreement with the Indian space agency, ISRO. An $18 million memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), ISRO’s commercial arm, paves the way for an Australian satellite launch aboard an Indian rocket.
The partnership, announced by Australian High Commissioner Philip Green in New Delhi, will see Australian firm Space Machines launch a satellite inspection and observation payload. This mission, slated for 2026, will hold a special place in Australian space history – it will be the largest Australian satellite launched to date, riding aboard ISRO’s Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV).
Continue readingSOURCE : AFI
Four Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets have touched down at Andravida Air Base in Greece, marking a significant moment for international military cooperation. Stationed with the 117th Fighter Wing, these jets are gearing up for NATO’s prestigious Ramstein Flag exercise – the first time it will be held outside of Germany.
Since their arrival last Thursday, the Indian Rafales haven’t wasted any time. On Saturday, they conducted their inaugural joint training session alongside Greek Rafales and Mirage 2000-5s from the 114th Fighter Wing’s 335th and 336th Squadrons. Exclusive photos captured by Stamatis Pitta for Enikos offer a glimpse of three of the Indian jets participating in these joint maneuvers.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Bangladesh has agreed to boost its purchases of Indian-developed weapon systems in a move seen as a diversification of its military suppliers. This decision comes after Bangladesh faced logistical challenges due to spare parts shortages and low availability of its existing weaponry, much of which was previously acquired from China.
According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), between 2010 and 2020, China dominated Bangladesh’s arms imports, accounting for a whopping 72% of the total value. Russia followed at a distant second with 12%, with the remaining 16% coming from various other nations. This latest agreement signals a significant shift in Bangladesh’s military procurement strategy.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) Palakkad and Mandi have joined forces to create a state-of-the-art underwater robotic vehicle (URV) capable of diving up to 300 meters deep. This collaborative project, funded by the National Mission of Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) under the Central Department of Science and Technology, marks a significant stride in India’s marine exploration capabilities.
The IITs have put the URV through its paces with comprehensive testing in various settings. Initial trials were conducted at depths of 30 meters within simulated marine environments. Subsequently, real-world testing took place in lakes and dam reservoirs, with invaluable support provided by the Indian Navy. These tests have validated the URV’s performance and capabilities in diverse underwater conditions.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
NewSpace Research (NSRT), a rising star in the Indian drone industry based out of Bengaluru, has recently unveiled a modernized design for its highly anticipated Abhimanyu UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle), drawing inspiration from the legendary warrior known for his bravery.
The most striking update lies in the engine configuration. Gone are the external podded engines featured in previous iterations. The new Abhimanyu boasts a sleek and streamlined design with internally mounted engines housed within strategically placed trapezoidal side intakes. This shift promises enhanced performance and potentially improved stealth capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Greece has proposed a collaborative approach with India for negotiating the purchase of additional Rafale fighter jets from French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation. This strategy leverages the combined buying power of both nations to potentially secure a more favourable deal.
Greece argues that a united front of two or more countries at the negotiating table would strengthen their bargaining position and potentially lead to a better price per jet. This bulk purchase approach is a common tactic used by nations to obtain discounts on expensive military equipment.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Ameya Precision Engineers has been awarded a contract to supply Empty PCB Warhead Assemblies for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s advanced Rudram III missile. The delivery is expected to take place before the end of this year, marking a significant milestone in India’s indigenous missile development program.
Rudram III is an air-to-surface missile with a remarkable range of 550 kilometres and a peak terminal speed of Mach 5. Designed to neutralize heavily fortified military installations, this missile can engage a variety of targets, including radiating targets and ground-based infrastructure such as bunkers, buildings, and shelters.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Boeing’s recent unveiling of the REVOLVER launcher system has sent ripples through the defense world. This innovative system, designed to fit within the C-17 Globemaster III aircraft, has the potential to transform this workhorse cargo plane into a formidable hypersonic missile carrier.
The key to REVOLVER’s transformative ability lies in its dual-drum design and electromagnetic catapult mechanism. This allows for the rapid launch of up to 12 Boeing X-51A Waverider hypersonic cruise missiles, each capable of exceeding Mach 5 speeds. This combination of speed and precision significantly enhances the aerial strike capabilities of any nation that possesses it.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is undergoing a modernization drive, with a gradual shift away from older Russian fighter jets towards indigenous alternatives. This strategic move is set to see the Su-30MKI remain the mainstay of the IAF’s fighter fleet for decades to come.
The IAF is bidding farewell to its veteran MiG-21Bis fighters. Two squadrons are scheduled for retirement by 2025. These will be replaced by the indigenously developed Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. The MiG-29UPG fleet, while receiving a service life extension until 2035, will eventually be phased out as well. These MiG-29UPG squadrons are expected to be transitioned to the more advanced Tejas MkII fighter jets.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Lobsang Sangay, the Sikyong (political leader) of the Tibetan government-in- exile, expressed skepticism about China’s plans to deploy Tibetan recruits in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) near the Indian border.
Sangay believes that Tibetan soldiers forced to join the PLA would likely defect to the Indian side due to their cultural and ethnic ties with India. He questioned the level of trust PLA officers would have in Tibetan troops, especially those coerced into service.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Korean War (1950-1953) was a brutal conflict, but amidst the fighting emerged a powerful image of compassion. This photograph depicts two Indian soldiers gently carrying a weeping Chinese prisoner-of-war (POW) towards an exchange point in Panmunjom, North Korea.
While not directly involved in the fighting, India played a significant role in the Korean War through its participation in the United Nations (UN) peacekeeping effort.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army has recently showcased an upgraded variant of the BMP-2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs), featuring a unique configuration designed in-house. The most notable upgrade includes the integration of a single-launcher 3rd Generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), providing a significant boost in firepower.
The upgraded BMP-2 IFVs now sport a single-launcher 3rd Gen ATGM, a testament to the innovative capabilities of the Indian Army’s in-house design team. This modification aims to enhance the vehicle’s anti-tank capabilities, ensuring that it remains a formidable asset on the battlefield. Additionally, a twin-launcher configuration for the ATGMs has also been developed, offering even greater firepower and versatility. This twin-launcher setup will be implemented in the interim, providing the Army with enhanced strike capabilities until a comprehensive upgrade is completed.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Traditionally, military ties between India and Germany have been limited. However, with a changing global security landscape marked by Russia’s war in Ukraine and China’s growing assertiveness, both nations are re-evaluating their defence partnership.
This renewed focus on collaboration comes after recent amendments to Germany’s defence export laws. This shift has opened doors for potential joint ventures between Indian and German defence industries.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army is gearing up to deploy its first batch of robotic MULES (Multi-Utility Legged Equipment) – dog-shaped machines designed for surveillance and logistics in challenging terrain.
According to sources within the defense establishment, a September 2023 emergency procurement order secured 100 of these robotic companions. A pre-dispatch inspection of the first 25 MULES has been completed, paving the way for their imminent induction into the Army.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
An Indo-Russian company’s vendor, M/s BSS Material from Amethi, has filed a petition in the Delhi High Court contesting its exclusion from the bidding process for a massive ?12,000 crore contract to supply close-quarter battle carbines to the Indian Army.
The crux of the petition revolves around alleged “ambiguity” in the bidding process. M/s BSS Material claims the technical evaluation committee (TEC) mistakenly considered their financials instead of those of the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), IRRPL.
Continue reading