SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
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.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
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.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Cmde A Madhavarao (Retd), CMD, BDL, and Lt Gen Mohamed Hegazy, the Egyptian Air Defence Commander of The Arab Republic of Egypt, held a fruitful discussion about cooperation in the field of Air Defence during Egypt Defence Expo – 2023 in Cairo.
The two leaders discussed the potential for India to supply Egypt with its indigenously developed Akash surface-to-missile defence system. Madhavarao also presented a scale model of the Akash missile system to Hegazy.
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The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Airbus-321 fleet has commenced frequent sorties to calibrate the equipment being installed on the aircraft as part of the Netra Mk2 program. The program involves converting six Air India A321 commercial planes into Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft.
The Airbus-321 fleet has already been stripped out of its commercial avionics and upgraded to military-grade. The aircraft will start receiving airborne sensors along with the main AESA radar from DRDO from next year.
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Tesscorn, a leading provider of high-speed imaging systems and solutions, has been instrumental in supporting India’s Aerospace and Defense (A&D) missions by providing cutting-edge technologies that enable precise and reliable tracking of missiles, rockets, and other airborne objects.
The company’s TrackEye6DoF motion analysis software plays a crucial role in validating the separation of missiles and rockets from Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN) fighter aircraft. The software utilizes advanced algorithms to track objects in three dimensions, providing accurate data on their trajectory, velocity, and acceleration.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to showcase its rich legacy in the design, development, and production of a diverse range of avionics systems at the Avionics Expo-2023. The Expo will be held at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi from December 7-8, 2023.
The Expo will be inaugurated by the Chief of Defence Staff. It will witness cutting-edge avionics systems, engaging panel discussions, live demonstrations of avionics products and systems, and offer networking opportunities to the participants.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to commence work for the Establishment of the TPE331-12B Engine Facility for HTT-40 in the Engine Division, HAL (BC). This comes after HAL signed a contract worth over US$100 million for the supply and manufacture of 88 TPE331-12B engines/kits along with maintenance and support services to power the Hindustan Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) last year.
The HTT-40 prototypes are powered by TPE331-12B engines and have been serving well since 2014. Last year Entering into this “Manufacturing & Repair license agreement for Honeywell TPE331-12B Turboprop engine” marks a major milestone in the execution of a 70 HAL HTT-40 aircraft contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF).
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In an interview, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar stated that the LCA-Navy program has successfully served as a technological demonstrator, providing valuable data and insights for the development of the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) fighter jet. He further confirmed that work on the TEDBF program is progressing, and the Navy intends to soon present a compelling case for its development to the Defense Ministry.
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has estimated that the TEDBF program will require funding between 13,000 and 14,000 crores. The Indian Navy envisions procuring 45 TEDBF units to meet the requirements of a single aircraft carrier. Additionally, the Navy plans to acquire another 45 units for its proposed third aircraft carrier.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making significant progress in the development of the next-generation UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM) V3. This advanced missile system will enhance the Indian Armed Forces’ capabilities in precision strikes against various targets.
The ULPGM V3 is a significant upgrade over its predecessor, the ULPGM V2 which is also under development. V3 features a range of enhancements, including an improved transceiver electronics system that extends its communication range to 10 kilometres. This enhanced communication capability will enable more precise and effective targeting.
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The mighty Tejas light combat aircraft has been spotted sporting a new and potent weapon: the MBDA-developed ASRAAM Close Combat Missile (CCM). This marks a significant development in the jet’s arsenal, adding a third Within-Visual-Range (WVR) missile to its already impressive repertoire.
Earlier this week, MBDA officials confirmed that the integration of ASRAAM onto Tejas is progressing smoothly, with test flights expected soon. This integration will transform Tejas into a true triple threat in the WVR arena, joining the ranks of the Russian R-73 and Israeli Python-5 missiles.
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In a significant milestone, the installation of the EL/M-2248 MF-STAR, a multifunction active electronically scanned array (AESA) naval radar system developed by IAI Elta, has been completed on India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. This marks a crucial step towards the carrier’s operational deployment, slated for mid-2024.
The MF-STAR radar, also known as the “eyes of the ship,” is a state-of-the-art system that provides the carrier with superior situational awareness and surveillance capabilities. It can detect and track multiple air and surface targets simultaneously, even in challenging weather conditions.
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In a recent interview, Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar announced the Indian Navy’s plans to acquire 26 Rafale M fighter jets. The contract for these jets is expected to be finalized in 2024, with deliveries commencing in 2027.
The Rafale M is the naval variant of the Dassault Rafale fighter jet, which is currently in service with the Indian Air Force. The Rafale M is designed to operate from aircraft carriers and will provide the Indian Navy with a significant boost in its offensive and defensive capabilities.
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