SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Allison Transmission has been chosen to supply its advanced 3040 MX cross-drive transmission for all three Government-funded original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) participating in India’s Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) prototype programme. This landmark selection underscores Allison’s expertise in delivering high-performance mobility solutions for modern military applications.
The FICV programme is a critical initiative to modernise the Indian Army’s armoured fleet by replacing its aging BMP-II Infantry Fighting Vehicles with cutting-edge, domestically manufactured combat vehicles. Designed to enhance operational capability, the FICV aims to deliver superior mobility, firepower, and survivability on the battlefield.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken a significant step toward advancing the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Airforce Mk2 programme by issuing a tender for the development of its Iron Bird facility. This state-of-the-art facility is designed to evaluate and simulate the Integrated Flight Control System (IFCS) of the LCA Mk2, a critical component in ensuring the aircraft’s performance, safety, and operational readiness.
The Iron Bird facility serves as a ground-based testbed that replicates the aircraft’s subsystems to simulate real-world flight conditions. By recreating the aircraft’s environment on the ground, the facility enables rigorous testing and validation of systems before they are integrated into the actual aircraft. One of the key subsystems being developed for the LCA Mk2 Iron Bird is the Aircraft Hydraulic System, which plays a vital role in powering flight control surfaces, landing gear, and other critical mechanisms.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s indigenous Zorawar light tank recently gained international attention when it was featured in a presentation slide on mountain warfare equipment during an event hosted by the French Army’s 27th Brigade d’Infanterie de Montagne (27th BIM).
The 27th BIM, a specialized mountain infantry brigade, highlighted the Zorawar among other global systems relevant to high-altitude combat, reflecting its recognition as a notable development in this niche domain. While this does not necessarily indicate procurement interest from France, the inclusion underscores the tank’s growing profile as trials progress, with induction into the Indian Army anticipated by late 2027.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s push for self-reliance in defence under the Atmanirbharta initiative has spotlighted the role of private sector companies in transforming the country into a global defence manufacturing hub. However, despite the government’s efforts to integrate firms like Tata Advanced Systems, Mahindra Defence, Larsen & Toubro, and Adani Defence into the defence ecosystem, these companies face significant constraints: shallow financial reserves, limited capacity for independent research and development (R&D), and a preference for acting as outsourcing partners for global giants like Boeing and Airbus.
Compounding these issues is a troubling trend of subcontracting critical defence components to smaller, less-regulated firms, exploiting supply chain loopholes. This practice not only undermines quality and reliability but also incurs recurring costs for reordering or restarting production, jeopardizing India’s long-term goal of building a robust, self-sufficient defence industry.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India is poised to join an elite group of nations—comprising only the United States, Russia, and China—by acquiring Russia’s state-of-the-art Voronezh Over-the-Horizon (OTH) radar system, a move that could significantly enhance its strategic defence capabilities. Priced at a staggering $4.5 billion (approximately ?40,000 crore), the Voronezh radar, proposed for deployment at Chitradurga in Karnataka, offers an unprecedented detection range of 8,000 kilometers vertically and 6,000 kilometers horizontally.
This acquisition, reported by Indian media, would enable India to detect stealth aircraft, fighter jets, ballistic missiles, and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) launched from adversaries like China and Pakistan, providing critical early warning and situational awareness across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond. As India navigates tense border dynamics and regional threats, the Voronezh radar promises to be a transformative asset, aligning with the “Make in India” initiative through 60% local manufacturing.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant step towards strengthening India’s defence ecosystem, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Bengaluru-based DCX Systems Ltd announced the establishment of a new Joint Venture (JV) named ELTX on April 21, 2025. This strategic partnership aims to deliver cutting-edge defence technologies, focusing on the development and production of advanced airborne radars and ground systems for the Indian defence sector. The collaboration, formalized through a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) with IAI’s subsidiary ELTA Systems Ltd, underscores the growing technological ties between India and Israel while aligning with India’s “Make in India” initiative.
ELTX, the newly formed Joint Venture Company (JVC), is poised to become a cornerstone of India’s defence manufacturing landscape. The venture will specialize in high-end defence systems, including airborne maritime radar systems, fire control radar systems, and other radar technologies designed for both airborne and land applications. By leveraging IAI’s global expertise in aerospace and defence technology and DCX Systems’ manufacturing prowess, ELTX aims to facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology to India, enhancing the country’s self-reliance in critical defence capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
On April 23, 2025, Chinese Ambassador to India Xu Feihong posted a message on X expressing condolences for the victims of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 people, mostly tourists. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy of the Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), sparked widespread outrage in India.
However, the ambassador’s gesture was met with sharp criticism and accusations of hypocrisy from Indian users on X, who highlighted China’s history of blocking India’s efforts to designate LeT and Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) leaders as global terrorists at the United Nations.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), a Hyderabad-based laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has achieved a significant milestone in the field of Hypersonic Weapon Technology. DRDL conducted long-duration Active Cooled Scramjet Subscale Combustor ground testing for more than 1,000 seconds at the newly built state-of-the-art Scramjet Connect Test Facility at Hyderabad on April 25, 2025. The ground-test is in continuation of the earlier test reported for 120 seconds in January 2025. With the successful test, the system will be soon ready for full scale flight worthy combustor testing.
Hypersonic Cruise Missile is a class of weapons that can travel more than five times the speed of sound (> 6100 Kmph) for long duration and is powered by Air breathing engine. Air breathing propulsion systems, having supersonic combustion, plays a critical role for long-duration cruise conditions. This test validates the design of long duration scramjet combustor as well as test facility. It is an outcome of an integrated effort put by the DRDO labs along with industry & academia and paves a strong base for the nation’s Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.
Continue readingSOURCE: Reuters
Pakistan believes an international investigation is needed into the killing of 26 men at a tourist spot in Indian Kashmir this week and is willing to work with international investigators, the New York Times reported on Friday, quoting Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.
Asif told the newspaper in an interview that Pakistan was “ready to cooperate” with “any investigation which is conducted by international inspectors.” India has said there were Pakistani elements to the attack on Tuesday, but Islamabad has denied any involvement. The two countries both claim the mountainous region, but each controls only part of it.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
India could allow foreign companies to take a stake of up to 49% in its nuclear power plants, three government sources said, as New Delhi draws up plans to open up its most guarded sector to help achieve goals to cut carbon emissions. The government has considered changing its nuclear foreign investment framework since 2023. The need to increase nuclear capacity, however, has become pressing as India seeks to replace carbon-intensive coal with cleaner sources of energy.
Investment in the sector has the potential to spur tariff negotiations with the Unites States, although the officials could not say whether the issue would be linked to any trade deal.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A “metal object” that fell from an Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft caused severe damage to a house in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district on Friday, but nobody was injured, police said.
The IAF said it has instituted “an inquiry into the incident”. “The IAF regrets the damage caused today to property on ground, near Shivpuri, by the inadvertent drop of a non-explosive aerial store from an IAF aircraft, and has instituted an inquiry into the incident,” it said in a post on X.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
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Keel laying ceremony for Yard 3040, the fourth (ex-GRSE) Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), was held at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE) in Kolkata, on 24 Apr 25. The ceremony was attended by Vice Admiral Rajaram Swaminathan, Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition, as the Chief Guest. Cmde PR Hari (Retd), Chairman and Managing Director of GRSE, along with other senior officials from the Indian Navy and the shipyard, were also present.
This milestone marks a significant step forward in the construction of the NGOPV, further showcasing India’s indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
In the wake of the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam earlier this week, Iran has expressed its readiness to help foster better understanding between India and Pakistan. Citing its longstanding cultural and civilizational ties with both nations, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is willing to mediate during this challenging time.
“India and Pakistan are brotherly neighbours of Iran, enjoying relations rooted in centuries-old cultural and civilizational ties. Like our other neighbours, we consider them a foremost priority. Tehran stands ready to use its good offices in Islamabad and New Delhi to forge greater understanding at this difficult time,” Araghchi posted on X.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Friday shunned a Pakistani journalist during a press briefing for questioning her over border tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio have made it clear that the US stands with India and have strongly condemned all forms of terrorism, she said.
“I am not going to be remarking on it. I appreciate this, and perhaps we will come back to you with another subject. I will say nothing more on that situation. The President and the Secretary have said things, as have the Deputy Secretary; they have made their positions clear. I will not continue with something of that manner,” Ms Bruce said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said the Indus Water Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan that has been put in abeyance by the Centre in the wake of the Pahalgam attack was the “most unfair document” to the people of the Union territory and they have never been in favour of it.
“Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest we have never been in favour of the Indus Water Treaty,” Omar Abdullah told reporters here after a meeting with various tourism, trade and industry bodies.
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