SOURCE: AFI
According to a report by Lenta.ru, Germany is in talks with India to purchase ammunition from the country and transfer it to the Ukrainian armed forces through intermediaries. The report cites Der Spiegel as saying that India is unwilling to openly sell its ammunition to Ukraine due to its friendly relations with Russia.
The German government has not commented on the report.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo concluded on a high note, emphasizing the importance of indigenous production and collaboration with Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, speaking at the closing ceremony, praised the expo for “bringing together several MSMEs” and highlighted the significance of “developing the ecosystem and environment for indigenisation.” He further stated that “Defence Expos facilitate this and encourage indigenous production,” underlining the crucial role such events play in fostering domestic defense capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) showcased the first-ever Mahindra Mahindra-developed Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) variant of the Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) at the Maharashtra MSME Defence Expo 2024.
Speaking to idrw.org, DRDO officials revealed that the Mahindra WhAP variant incorporates valuable feedback received from the Indian Army. This “second-generation” WhAP boasts of several improvements over earlier iterations developed by Tata Advanced Systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) innovative Surface Air Missile for Assured Retaliation (SAMAR) system has garnered significant interest from various countries, according to IAF officials at the MSME Defence Exposition in Pune.
SAMAR is a unique air defense system developed by the IAF to utilize its stock of aging Russian-origin R-73 and R-27 air-to-air missiles (AAMs) that are no longer deemed fit for deployment on fighter jets. By repurposing these missiles, SAMAR offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for bolstering air defense capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Lockheed Martin, a leading global aerospace and defense company, has expressed its intention to select a local partner for its C-130J offer to the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Make in India initiative.
Nicholas Smythe, Lockheed Martin’s head of international business development for the tactical airlifter, confirmed the company’s commitment to partnering with an Indian entity. This partnership aligns with the Indian government’s “Make in India” program, which aims to promote domestic manufacturing and self-reliance in the defense sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Armenia is actively pursuing closer ties with India, aiming to elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, according to an exclusive interview with Armenia’s Labor Minister Narek Mkrtchyan in Mint. “I think our relations are mature enough to be defined as a strategic partnership,” Mkrtchyan stated, expressing his hope for discussions on this matter between the foreign ministers of both countries.
Furthermore, Armenia seeks to strengthen its defense cooperation with India. Mkrtchyan acknowledged existing collaboration in this domain and emphasized the desire to “make our cooperation much deeper.” This statement hints at potential future defense deals between the two nations.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will begin upgrades to 16 of the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) configuration LCA-Tejas Mk1 jets to the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) configuration. This upgrade will add key capabilities to the aircraft, including:
- Beyond Visual Range Missile (BVRM) capabilities
- Air-to-Air Refuelling
- Air-to-Ground FOC earmarked weapons
- General flight envelope expansion
SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
In a move that could significantly accelerate innovation in critical areas like cyber security, hypersonic technology, and maritime systems, several US university labs have agreed to open their facilities to Indian startups for real-world testing. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in the burgeoning US-India innovation partnership, offering Indian entrepreneurs access to cutting-edge infrastructure and expertise.
For Indian startups working on cutting-edge technologies, access to world-class testing facilities can be a major hurdle. These facilities often require significant investment and specialized expertise, which can be out of reach for young companies. By partnering with US universities, Indian startups gain access to:
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
JSR Dynamics Private Limited, a Nagpur-based company specializing in airborne guided weapons, has unveiled a miniature ground-launched missile drone decoy designed to revolutionize air defense training and countermeasures. This innovative system boasts a powerful 150kgf turbojet engine, a range of 300km, and advanced capabilities that mimic real fighter jets.
150kgf turbojet engine provides exceptional speed and maneuverability, making the decoy a realistic target for air defense systems. The extended range allows for more complex training scenarios and countermeasure deployments over larger distances.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army’s ambitious plans to replace its T-72 tanks with 1,700 Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) have ignited debate, particularly around the weight limit of 55 tons (+/- 5%). Indian Army plans to issue an RFP for the Next-Generation Main Battle Tanks later this year, but Defence analyst Ranesh Rajan believes this restriction could limit potential offers from foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Rajan argues that the 55-ton limit excludes most recently developed tanks from Europe and the US, potentially leaving the field open only to the Russian T-14 Armata, South Korean company Hyundai Rotem developed the K2 Black Panther, Type 10 developed by Japan and DRDO’s design.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), India’s leading producer of missiles, is in talks with a Sukhoi-30 operator country to potentially export its indigenously developed Astra Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). This news marks a significant milestone for India’s defence export ambitions and highlights the growing capabilities of its domestic aerospace industry.
Developed by DRDO and manufactured by BDL, Astra has been lauded as a superior alternative to the widely used Russian R-77 BVRAAM. With its extended range and advanced counter-electronic measures (ECM) resistance, Astra offers improved aerial combat capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
Indian defense giant BrahMos Aerospace is making waves at the Singapore Airshow, exploring potential partnerships and export opportunities for its renowned supersonic cruise missiles in Southeast Asia.
Praveen Pathak, Director for Market Promotion and Exports at BrahMos, revealed ongoing discussions with several Southeast Asian countries regarding potential missile supply. He expressed optimism that the Airshow presence will pave the way for “fruitful opportunities” in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas has achieved a notable milestone, logging over 10,000 incident-free flying sorties. This accomplishment underscores the success of the indigenous fighter jet program, despite facing challenges along the way.
Developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Tejas first took flight in 2001 and has since undergone extensive testing and refinement. The IAF currently operates two squadrons of the single-seat variant, with two-seater trainers also being inducted. This achievement signifies the growing operational maturity of the aircraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development aimed at bolstering India’s air defence capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has greenlit a multimillion-dollar project for the acquisition of advanced engines and the extension of service life for its fleet of MiG-29 frontline fighter jets. This strategic initiative involves collaboration between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Russian partners.
The approved deal, valued at approximately Rs 5,300 crore, will see the production of new advanced engines for the existing MiG-29UPG fighters in the IAF fleet.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF), in partnership with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is embarking on a significant upgrade of its Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets.
This ambitious program signifies a major stride towards achieving self-reliance in defence technology, aiming to equip the aircraft with advanced Indian-made systems to bolster its overall capabilities.
Continue reading