SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) plans to make a strong case for the induction of six more Netra Mk1A airborne early warning and control system (AEW&CS) aircraft in the upcoming year. This upgraded variant will complement the three existing Netra Mk1 AEW&CS aircraft that are already operational with the IAF.
The Netra Mk1A aircraft will be equipped with an enhanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar system, currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). These aircraft will be based on the Embraer ERJ 145 twin-engine platform, similar to the existing Netra Mk1 fleet.
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The Aeronautical Development Establishment’s (ADE) proposed development of the Armed Archer-NG MALE-Class UAV has been met with increased scrutiny from the Indian Armed Forces. The Armed Forces have set stringent benchmarks for the UAV, demanding that it achieves an operational altitude of over 30,000 feet, an endurance of 18 hours or more, and the capability to carry a payload of 300kg, including weapons.
These stringent requirements stem from the shortcomings of the previous Tapas program, ADE’s first attempt at developing a MALE-Class UAV. The Tapas program failed to meet several benchmarks, raising concerns about ADE’s capabilities in this domain.
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Advanced Weapons and Equipment India (AWEIL) is poised to significantly bolster the Indian Army’s artillery capabilities by delivering 26 new Dhanush howitzers during the current financial year. This delivery will bring the total number of Dhanush guns in service to 50, marking a major step towards fulfilling the Army’s order of 114 guns in total.
However, production faced delays due to procurement challenges for a critical spare used in a sub-assembly. As components are sourced from both the private sector within India and overseas suppliers, the specific delay stemmed from an Indian private vendor’s inability to acquire the necessary spare from an international source promptly.
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The Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), based in Ahmednagar, India, has undertaken a project named Mounted Gun System (MGS). This project aims to develop a state-of-the-art artillery system for the Indian Armed Forces.
The VRDE MGS has been compared to other contemporary MGS systems currently in operation around the world. This comparison highlights the strengths and potential of the Indian system.
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India’s Astra Mk1, a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air missile (BVRAAM), is gaining traction among nations that operate Russian Sukhoi Su-30 variants, signaling a growing interest in Indian-developed defense technologies. This surge in interest comes following significant orders from the Indian Air Force (IAF), one of the world’s largest operators of the Su-30 family of aircraft.
The Astra Mk1’s emergence as a viable alternative to Russian BVRAAMs stems from India’s strategic decision to move away from the Russian-made R-77 BVRAAMs. Recognizing the technological edge of Western BVRAAMs, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was tasked with developing the Astra BVRAAM, a missile capable of matching the performance of Western counterparts like the AIM-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM).
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Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) is gearing up to complete its massive drydock facility at its Ravipuram shipyard in Kochi, India. With a capacity to accommodate vessels of up to 70,000-tonne docking displacement, the drydock will be operational by June 2024 and is expected to play a pivotal role in the construction of India’s third indigenous aircraft carrier, IAC-III.
The drydock, constructed for Rs 1,799 crore, boasts a unique ‘stepped’ layout and a design life of 100 years. It was initially designed to accommodate the proposed IAC-II aircraft carrier, which was envisioned to be larger than the Indian Navy’s current INS Vikrant. However, due to budgetary constraints, the Navy opted for a sister ship of INS Vikrant, a 44,000-ton displacement aircraft carrier.
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Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued a challenge under the Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative seeking proposals from private sector companies to design and develop pressurized radomes for Indian Air Force (IAF) radars.
Radomes are protective enclosures that house radar antennas, shielding them from harsh weather conditions and ensuring optimal performance. Pressurized radomes are specifically designed for high-altitude operations, maintaining the necessary atmospheric pressure inside the enclosure to prevent damage to the radar system.
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The Indian Army’s Infantry Combat Vehicle (ICV) BMP-2 Sarath has undergone a significant upgrade, enhancing its combat capabilities. The most notable improvement is the increased capacity to carry two Forget Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) instead of the previously integrated single missile.
This upgrade represents a step towards modernizing the Army’s ATGM arsenal, transitioning from second-generation systems to more advanced third-generation fire-and-forget models. This shift focuses on enhanced accuracy, range, and lethality against enemy armor. Notably, the Army is also actively developing indigenous third-generation ATGMs, further bolstering its self-reliance in this critical area.
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A high-level delegation led by Lt. General Osama Askar, Chief of the General Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces, visited the BrahMos stall at EDEX2023, a major international defense exhibition held in Cairo, Egypt.
During the visit, Lt. General Askar showed keen interest in the BrahMos Weapon System, a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Joshi, Deputy CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, briefed the delegation on the system’s features and capabilities.
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In a bid to bolster its presence in the global aviation market, Russia’s Rosoboronexport is proposing a trilateral co-production plan for its fifth-generation Su-57E fighter jets with India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This strategic move comes at a time when both India and the UAE are considering their options for acquiring next-generation fighter aircraft.
The UAE, which has suspended talks with the US regarding a $23 billion deal for the purchase of 50 F-35 fighter jets, is seeking alternatives to meet its defence requirements. The Su-57E, with its advanced stealth capabilities and impressive performance, has emerged as a potential contender for the UAE’s fighter jet program.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is determined to reduce its reliance on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for the supply of weapons systems. In a significant move, the IAF has decided to seek indigenously developed air-to-air and air-to-ground weapons for the fighter jets selected under the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender.
The MRFA tender aims to procure 114 fighter jets that will be locally manufactured in India. Six OEMs have responded to the request for information (RFI) issued in April 2019, and they have been informed about the IAF’s decision to prioritize indigenous weapons for these jets.
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Chennai-based MRF is expanding its reach into the military-grade tire market with plans to develop and supply tires for Rafale M and TEDBF Deck-based fighter jets. This move comes after the company successfully developed nose wheel and main wheel tires for the Navy’s MiG-29K fighter jets.
MRF’s foray into military-grade tires began in 2014 when it developed tires for the Su-30MKI and MiG-29UPG fighter jets. The company has since developed tires for the Tejas Mk1A and Tejas MkII fighter jets, as well as the IL-76 Transporter, P-8I MPA Aircraft, Seaking, ALH-Dhruv, and Chetak helicopters.
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As the nation eagerly awaits the grand spectacle of the Republic Day Parade in 2024, the Defense Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL) in Hyderabad is preparing to leave a lasting impression with a stunning tableau showcasing a myriad of defense innovations. This tableau promises to be a remarkable visual representation of India’s cutting-edge defense capabilities, capturing the essence of the nation’s commitment to self-reliance and technological advancement in the defense sector.
At the heart of this tableau is a dynamic mount missiles display, featuring meticulously crafted models of various missile systems developed by DRDO. These missile models are strategically positioned on a rotatable stand, allowing them to rotate 360 degrees without touching each other. The tableau’s floor will be transformed to simulate a desert landscape, emphasizing the versatility of India’s defense technology.
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The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, granted approval for the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the procurement of 97 additional LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets on November 30, 2023.
Typically, following the AoN, contracts are negotiated with the manufacturers and then submitted to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by the Prime Minister. However, since the aircraft to be procured were previously ordered in 2021, including a deal for 83 Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, the transaction is likely to proceed smoothly. The Indian Air Force (IAF) does not anticipate requesting any significant changes to the aircraft, and HAL is working to increase the indigenous content from the current 65% to 80% for the second batch.
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In a significant move to bolster India’s maritime prowess, Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar has advocated for the development of a second aircraft carrier based on the INS Vikrant design. This strategic decision comes as the Indian Navy envisions a future with two operational aircraft carriers and a third undergoing routine maintenance.
The Indian Navy’s flagship carrier, INS Vikramaditya, a modified Kiev-class carrier, will be nearing the end of its 25-year lifespan, with its retirement slated for 2038. To fill this void, the Navy will be seeking approval for a third aircraft carrier, which is expected to be cleared before 2030 and take approximately 7-9 years to construct.
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