SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Greece has extended an offer to India to acquire its fleet of French-made Mirage 2000-5 fighter jets. This offer comes amidst a significant modernization effort for the Hellenic Air Force, which recently placed orders for both Rafale and F-35 jets.
General Dimitrios Houpis, Chief of the General Staff of the Defense Forces for Greece, visited India this month and presented the offer as per people familiar with matter told idrw.org. Greece in 2000 purchased 15 Mirage 2000-5s from Dassault Aviation, including five two-seat 2000-5BG trainers and ten single-seat 2000-5EG fighters.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has announced significant progress on its Light Tank project, codenamed Zorawar. Dr. Samir V Kamat, Secretary of Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, confirmed that the tank is currently undergoing rigorous internal testing at Larsen & Toubro’s (L&T) Hazira facility.
Designed for rapid deployment in challenging terrains, the Zorawar prioritizes mobility. It achieves this through a combination of strategic air transportability, extended cruising range, and exceptional maneuverability with low ground pressure. This allows the tank to be swiftly operational in even the most remote locations.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
French defence giant Naval Group has entered the fray for a major Indian Navy contract, offering its M940 Oostende mine countermeasures vessel (MCMV) in partnership with an undisclosed Indian shipyard. This move comes in response to a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Navy last year to bolster its mine-warfare capabilities with the acquisition of 12 MCMVs built in Indian shipyards.
The Indian Navy’s latest attempt to procure MCMVs follows at least three previous unsuccessful endeavours. This renewed push underscores the critical need to modernize the Navy’s mine-countermeasure fleet to effectively safeguard India’s vast coastline.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force’s next-generation Astra Mark II air-to-air missile is reportedly nearing a crucial phase in its development. According to media reports, developmental trials in full configuration will be conducted in the coming months.
The Astra Mark II promises a significant improvement over its predecessor, the Astra Mark I. With an estimated range of 160 kilometers, it boasts a 45% increase compared to the Mark I’s 110 kilometers. This extended reach puts it in the same ballpark as the widely used AIM-120D missile, potentially offering the Indian Air Force a tactical advantage in aerial engagements.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Argentina has taken a significant step in modernizing its air force with the official signing of a deal to acquire 24 ex-Danish F-16A/B Fighting Falcon Multi-role Lightweight fighters. The signing ceremony was led by Argentinian Minister of Defense Luis Petri.
This move comes after Argentina considered offers for the Indian-made LCA Tejas and the Chinese JF-17. However, the ex-Danish F-16s emerged as the frontrunner due to their attractive price tag – reportedly less than $24 million per unit – which is significantly lower than the cost of new Tejas or JF-17s. This competitive pricing likely played a decisive role in Argentina’s decision.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative has issued a challenge to Indian private sector companies. The goal? Develop a groundbreaking software module for predictive maintenance of critical machinery aboard naval vessels.
This innovative module will play a crucial role in ensuring the operational readiness of India’s naval fleet.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Baba Kalyani, the Managing Director of Bharat Forge, has set an ambitious goal for India’s defense sector. He aspires to make India the number one manufacturer of artillery in the world by 2030. This vision comes amidst India’s growing defense exports, encompassing artillery guns, drones, and rifles.
“It is my vision and dream to be among the top three artillery exporters in the world,” Kalyani said. “Now we are number one in the business. So we are targeting that in the artillery sector, we will be the largest manufacturer in the world with the best of technologies.”
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari recently addressed concerns regarding the impact of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the IAF’s fleet of Russian-made aircraft.
Chaudhari highlighted the IAF’s proactive approach towards “Indianization,” a strategy that involves manufacturing crucial components for its aircraft within India. This initiative has significantly reduced dependence on foreign suppliers, including Russia, for spare parts. As a result, the Ukraine conflict has had a minimal effect on the supply of spares for many Russian aircraft operated by the IAF.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s aerospace PSU, has emerged victorious in a new tender for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. This significant order valued at approximately Rs 65,000 crore prioritizes boosting indigenous content within the aircraft.
The contract stipulates a base level of 65% indigenization for the Tejas Mk1A. However, HAL is ambitiously aiming to surpass this target, pushing the figure to over 70% through internal initiatives. This represents a substantial increase from the 55% indigenization achieved in the 2021 order for the Tejas Mk1A. The Tejas Mk1 itself boasts a 59.7% indigenous content by value and an impressive 75.5% by line replaceable units (LRUs).
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Recent satellite imagery has revealed a new radar installation just north-east of Bangalore, India’s IT hub. This has sparked speculation that it could be the deployment site for the second phase of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program.
The new facility is believed to be intended for housing interceptor missiles specifically designed to protect Bangalore and Hyderabad from ballistic missile attacks. While details remain classified, reports suggest the site may also serve a dual purpose. It could potentially function as a radar testing facility and a training ground for crews operating the existing BMD sites in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which are responsible for safeguarding New Delhi and Mumbai in the first phase.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s strategic Chabua airbase, a vital installation for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Eastern Command, is undergoing a significant modernization program. Recent satellite imagery reveals the extensive renovations underway, showcasing the scale and progress achieved at the site.
These upgrades represent a multi-pronged approach to enhancing the airbase’s capabilities that includes Construction of new underground munition storage facilities signifies an increase in the airbase’s capacity to house weaponry. This bolsters the IAF’s firepower and preparedness in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India, boasting the world’s largest thorium reserves, is making significant strides in harnessing this potential game-changer for its energy needs. Thorium-rich beaches along the eastern Odisha coastline and Kerala’s sands hold the key to this clean and abundant energy source.
Thorium’s appeal lies in its abundance – exceeding that of uranium – and its minimal environmental impact. Unlike conventional nuclear fuel, thorium doesn’t emit greenhouse gases and produces less radioactive waste. Scientists at India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DoAE) view thorium as a “practically inexhaustible energy source” for the future.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Airbus is throwing its hat in the ring for India’s massive Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, offering its latest iteration of the Eurofighter Typhoon. This Tranche 5 variant promises a significant leap in capability, aiming to secure a place among the 114 jets India seeks to acquire.
The Block 5 Eurofighter boasts a suite of advanced features, including the E-Scan active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This powerful sensor provides superior situational awareness and target tracking, crucial for modern air combat. Additionally, the Eurofighter benefits from enhanced defensive aids and a human-machine interface (HMI) designed for optimal pilot performance.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has received the green light to develop a critical component for a new long-range, air-launched weapon a Low Observable Air-Launched Cruise Missile (LOALCM). This project signifies a significant advancement in India’s air attack capabilities.
DRDO will develop a cutting-edge Low Observable (LO) Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) seeker. This advanced technology incorporates special materials and shaping to minimize radar signature, making the missile significantly harder for enemy radars to detect. This enhanced stealth capability allows the missile to penetrate enemy defence more effectively and strike high-value targets with greater precision.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Bharat Forge chairman Baba Kalyani has shed light on some of the advanced technologies incorporated into the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) a 155 mm/52 calibre towed howitzer being developed for the Indian Army. These advancements position the ATAGS as a formidable weapon system at the forefront of artillery innovation.
One of the significant improvements attributed to AI involves a reduction in the ATAGS’s turning circle. This is achieved by employing AI techniques that utilize two Linear Variable Differential Transformers (LVDTs) arranged in a triangular configuration connected to the towing vehicle. The AI system likely processes data from these sensors to optimize the gun’s positioning and minimize the space required for maneuvering during deployment.
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