SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) in Hyderabad, along with Premier Explosives, has achieved a breakthrough in propellant technology for rockets and missiles. The collaboration resulted in an indigenous process for a key material used in the preparation of CL-20 propellant.
CL-20 is a high-energy material prized for its superior performance compared to conventional propellants. It boasts a better oxidizer-to-fuel ratio than RDX and delivers 20% more energy than HMX-based propellants, translating to increased efficiency and range for rockets and missiles.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Dr. Samir V. Kamat, Secretary DD(R&D) and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), recently announced a significant milestone in India’s aviation capabilities. The country’s ambitious 5th-generation fighter jet program is expected to be ready for production by 2033-34, with induction into the Indian Air Force (IAF) slated for 2035 onwards.
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is set to be India’s next-generation fighter jet, a considerable leap ahead of the current Tejas MkII and Mk1A. The AMCA program promises to bring a host of advanced technologies and capabilities to the IAF, positioning India among the few nations capable of developing and deploying 5th-generation fighters.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning further tests of the SAAW-V2, an indigenously developed smart weapon. The SAAW-V2 is a 120 kg class, a high-precision weapon designed to engage ground targets at a range of up to 100 kilometres. According to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement released in New Delhi, the weapon successfully underwent two different configurations based on satellite navigation and electro-optical sensors in 2021.
This previous round of testing marked a significant milestone, as it included the country’s first-ever electro-optical seeker-based flight test for a bomb of this class. The electro-optic sensor itself is another testament to India’s growing Indigenous defence capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Philippine Air Force (PAF) is prioritizing the Saab Gripen E and the American F-16 V Viper in its selection process to acquire up to 12 new fighter jets. This comes with a total budget of 61.2 billion pesos (US$1.04 billion) allocated for the modernization program expected to run from 2023 to 2027.
The shortlisted options are the Gripen E from Saab and the F-16 V offered by Lockheed Martin. The fate of the offer made by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for its Tejas MkIA remains unclear. HAL has not yet provided an official comment on this development.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Ministry of Defense is gearing up to significantly strengthen the country’s air defense capabilities with the acquisition of nearly 5,000 “Vajra” Air Defense Systems. Developed indigenously by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), this system promises to be a game-changer, offering several key advantages.
The Vajra, which stands for Very Short Range Air Defense System (VSHORADS), is designed to effectively neutralize a range of aerial threats including enemy aircraft, drones, and helicopters. A significant advantage of the Vajra lies in its cost-effectiveness. Being domestically produced, it offers a powerful defense solution without straining the budget.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) unveiled its HLFT-42 (Hindustan Lead-in Fighter Trainer) design at Aero India 2023, generating a wave of mixed reactions. The single-engine aircraft, adorned with a symbolic image of Maruti, the Hindu God of wind, promised a blend of training capabilities and combat prowess. However, several aspects of the design raise questions about its overall strategy.
The HLFT-42 evokes the HF-24 Marut, a past HAL project. While the Marut spirit of power and agility is commendable, some argue that a 4.5-generation trainer envisioned for 2030 or later seems like a niche concept for pure pilot training. This begs the question: is the HLFT-42 truly a fighter trainer, or a trainer with light combat ambitions?
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In 2012, Russia proposed selling several long-range Tupolev Tu-22M3 bombers to India, as part of a comprehensive military package that included the leasing of two Akula-class nuclear submarines and the acquisition of the aircraft carrier ‘Admiral Gorshkov’. Although the deal ultimately fell through due to financial considerations, the implications of such an acquisition by the Indian Navy would have been profound, particularly in the strategic context of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Tupolev Tu-22M3, also known as the Backfire-C, is a supersonic, long-range bomber capable of delivering significant payloads over vast distances. With a range of up to 7,000 kilometers and the capacity to carry three Kh-22 cruise missiles, the Tu-22M3 serves as a formidable platform within the Russian Air Force and Navy. Despite Russian assertions that the Tu-22M3 is “not a strategic” weapon, its operational capabilities suggest otherwise. The bomber’s ability to strike targets far from home bases, coupled with its high speed and payload, would have dramatically enhanced India’s strategic reach.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making strides in improving the mobility of its Vertical Launch Short Range Surface-to-Air Missile (VLSRSAM) launcher. This involves crucial modifications to certain subsystems with the aim of weight reduction.
The VLSRSAM is a state-of-the-art air defense system designed to counter low-altitude aerial threats like aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles. It utilizes vertical launch technology, allowing for rapid deployment and launch from mobile platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
The Biden administration has taken a key step forward in finalizing a major defense deal with India. Following earlier approval, they have formally notified the US Congress of the possible sale of 31 MQ-9B armed drones to India. This notification formally initiates the congressional review process, paving the way for a final agreement later this year.
The proposed deal, estimated to be worth around $3 billion, is a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities. The MQ-9B Predator drones are known for their long-endurance flights (over 35 hours) and ability to carry a variety of weapons. This acquisition will significantly enhance India’s ability to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions, particularly along its disputed border with China, the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
The Instrumentation Research & Development Establishment (IRDE), Dehradun, has successfully conducted flight trials of the Target Acquisition System (TAS) for the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) at the Pokhran Field Firing Range (PFFR). The trials, held on April 12-13, 2024, demonstrated the capabilities of the TAS, along with Aerosol LiDAR and Cloud LiDAR systems (MS-3 and MS-10).
During the demonstration, users meticulously evaluated the received signals from the LiDAR systems. The performance and features of both the Aerosol LiDAR and Cloud LiDAR systems were appreciated, meeting all required specifications and proving suitable for installation and further trials at their sites.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has achieved a remarkable feat with the successful undocking of a Russian-made EKM-class submarine on June 15th. This accomplishment, completed in record time despite facing challenges, highlights HSL’s growing capabilities and strengthens its position for future submarine construction opportunities under the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative.
This achievement comes on the heels of a significant contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2023. The contract entails a Normal Refit of the Sindhukirti, a Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, at the HSL shipyard in Visakhapatnam. This project, valued at a substantial Rs 934 crore, will revitalize the third submarine in India’s Kilo-class fleet.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Intelligence sources in India have raised concerns about China’s rapid military infrastructure development in the Depsang Plains, a disputed area within India-claimed territory in eastern Ladakh. This development comes amid the ongoing border standoff between the two countries that began in May 2020.
Reports suggest the Chinese army, also known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has significantly accelerated infrastructure projects in the Depsang Plains. This includes the construction of new highways and roads, along with bolstering military installations along the north and south banks of Pangong Tso Lake, which also falls within India’s claimed territory.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a move that could strain relations, Japan is considering imposing sanctions on companies from India, China, the UAE, and Uzbekistan for allegedly helping Russia circumvent existing sanctions. This comes despite India being a close ally of Japan in both business and security matters.
The decision, announced by Japan’s Chief Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, reflects a closer alignment with the US position on the Ukraine conflict. The sanctions would target companies from these four Quad alliance members (India, Japan, US, Australia) that have continued to do business with Russia. This follows a similar move by Japan where it imposed sanctions on activists of Hamas and Hezbollah during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite India’s more neutral stance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development, India is set to host a team of World Bank experts and a delegation from Pakistan for discussions regarding hydroelectric power projects in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) that have been a point of contention between the two nations.
These talks will take place under the framework of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a World Bank-backed agreement that governs water sharing and development of the Indus River system. The treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan for irrigation and hydropower purposes, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) fall under India’s control.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is making significant progress on its unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) program, codenamed CATS Warrior. This project initially focused on the CATS Warrior, a smaller (under 1-ton) UCAV designed to operate as a “loyal wingman” for manned fighter jets and conduct deep penetration strikes.
However, new information by idrw.org suggests HAL is also developing a larger variant: the CATS Warrior II. This heavier UCAV will be a game-changer, boasting a near 5-ton All-Up Weight (AUW). Powered by a domestically produced Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE-25), the CATS Warrior II is expected to carry a substantial weapons payload of 400-500 kg. Additionally, its impressive endurance of over 10 hours and service cruise altitude near 35,000 ft will provide significant operational flexibility.
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