SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s state-owned aerospace company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has outlined its plans to roll out the first Pre-Production Tejas Mk2 prototype by late 2024. This rollout, however, has been delayed by over a year. Subsequently, HAL intends to roll out five more Pre-Production Tejas Mk2 aircraft at regular intervals, with each rollout occurring in less than eight months. The objective is to complete the developmental flight trials of the program by the end of 2028.
The Tejas Mk2, weighing approximately 17.5 tons, will see the development of six Pre-Production aircraft, each incorporating over 75 per cent indigenous content from the early stages of production. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will actively participate in the developmental flight trials, including User Assisted Trials, starting from the third aircraft in the series.
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Embraer Defence & Security is actively monitoring developments in India and engaging in discussions with various Indian entities, including both government and private stakeholders. These discussions pertain to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) project. Joao Bosco da Costa Junior, the President and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security, has confirmed the company’s interest in participating in this project.
Embraer has responded to the IAF’s Request for Information (RFI) for 40-80 Medium Transport Aircraft, offering its C-390 Millennium aircraft for consideration. The company is committed to selecting an Indian partner by the end of this year, a crucial step in forging collaboration with the Indian defence industry.
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The Indian Army is exploring the possibility of acquiring the Garuda 105 V2, an ultra-lightweight artillery gun system, to enhance its capabilities for high-altitude warfare. This artillery system is based on the locally developed 105mm/27 calibre light gun and has undergone rigorous testing in challenging high-altitude environments such as Sikkim.
The Garuda 105 V2 artillery gun is being considered for procurement due to its exceptional performance during field trials. According to the Kalyani Group, the manufacturer of the system, the gun has successfully fired more than 2800 rounds during testing, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making significant strides in its pursuit of the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s quest for self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the current Chief of the Air Staff, recently confirmed that the IAF has received responses to its Request for Information (RFI) for the MRFA tender, which seeks to acquire 114 advanced fighter jets. This development underscores the IAF’s commitment to modernizing its aerial fleet and bolstering its defense capabilities.
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India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, is on track to achieve full operational status by the end of this year. The carrier has recently been equipped with the Israeli EL/M-2248 MF-STAR multi-function active electronically scanned array radar and 32 Israeli-origin Barak-8 Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM), manufactured in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)-Elta by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
To become fully operational, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the builder of INS Vikrant, must complete the installation of the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) system and the MF-STAR radar by next month. This will allow the carrier to undergo testing and be cleared for official operational duties by the end of the year. The installation process typically takes 45-60 days, and the ship needs to be brought into dry dock for these final preparations.
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In a bold and forward-looking move, India is set to embark on an ambitious journey to develop state-of-the-art air-launched anti-radiation combat swarm drones, representing a monumental advancement in its defence capabilities.
These cutting-edge drones are purpose-built for the critical mission of suppressing and neutralizing enemy airdefences, a role known in military terms as SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) and DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses).
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The Adani Group’s Land Systems, Defence & Aerospace division has achieved a significant milestone by securing orders from the Indian Navy for the “Drishti 10 (Starliner),” an Elbits Hermes 900 MALE (Medium Altitude Long Range) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) designed for export markets.
Ashok Wadhawan, the Head of Land Systems, Defence and Aerospace at Adani Group, confirmed that the Drishti 10 has been localized by the company, enhancing its capabilities to meet specific Indian Navy requirements. This achievement marks a significant step toward promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India.
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India’s ambitious “Super Sukhoi” Program has gained official backing from the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant milestone in the upgrade package for the entire Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. The program, which commences with 86 units and will eventually cover the entire fleet, focuses on enhancing the performance and longevity of these formidable aircraft.
One crucial aspect of this program involves discussions between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to incorporate performance and longevity improvements into the AL-31F engines, which are a vital component of the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly enhance its indigenous fighter jet fleet over the next two decades. The objective is to reduce reliance on foreign sources and achieve greater self-sufficiency in defense capabilities. By 2040, the IAF aims to operate more than 50 percent of its fighter fleet composed of locally developed fighter jets, with a more ambitious target of 80 percent by 2050. This strategic shift marks a pivotal moment in India’s defense strategy.
As part of this strategic plan, the IAF is working on expanding its order book for the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. The order is set to swell to 223 units by 2032, signaling a robust commitment to the domestic defense industry. Additionally, the IAF has already committed to procuring 120 LCA-AF MkII platforms once they are ready for production, which is expected to commence from 2032 onwards. These steps are crucial in boosting India’s self-reliance in fighter jet production.
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NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) is set to embark on an exciting journey, as it initiates discussions with Indian Ministry of Defence (MOD) stakeholders to develop the revolutionary Abhimanyu Collaborative Combat Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). This cutting-edge concept represents a significant leap forward in the realm of unmanned military technology, with the potential to reshape the landscape of defense operations.
Building upon NRT’s successful TIA-AV UAS design philosophy, the Abhimanyu UAS is poised to be a game-changer. It is designed to be low-cost, intelligent, and expendable, making it a versatile and cost-effective platform. The modular approach of Abhimanyu allows it to excel in various missions, including Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), Kinetic Attack, Decoy, and Electronic Warfare (EW).
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In a significant development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has received the first trainer version of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, marking a milestone in the country’s indigenous fighter aircraft program. The formal handover ceremony took place in the presence of CAS Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and HAL Chief C B Ananthakrishnan.
This delivery is part of the initial order for 18 LCA Tejas Trainer aircraft that the IAF had placed in a previous contract. However, the IAF is set to expand its fleet of Tejas Trainer aircraft further with the upcoming contract for 97 more Tejas Mk1A jets.
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Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, has confirmed that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has embarked on the development of the Mk2 variant of the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH). This move comes in response to the Indian Army’s request for certain improvements to be incorporated into the indigenous LUH, which it has already received.
The Mk2 variant of the LUH will come equipped with an autopilot system, one of the specific requirements put forth by the Indian Army. Additionally, HAL is working on implementing several minor improvements as per the Army’s recommendations.
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In the last five years, Russian and Chinese arms exports have witnessed a significant decline in their global market share. This shift in the global arms trade landscape has provided India with a unique opportunity to position its own weapons systems in key African and Middle Eastern arms markets.
Russia’s dip in weapons exports can largely be attributed to the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, which has strained its international standing. On the other hand, China has seen its global market share shrink from 5.6 per cent to 5.2 per cent. The decline in demand for Chinese weaponry is due to several factors, including the perception that Chinese-made weapons are technologically inferior and largely untested on the battlefield.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the verge of concluding the developmental trials for the Astra-Mk2 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), a pivotal step in its quest to establish the Astra-Mk2 as the primary BVRAAM on all fighter jets. The Astra-Mk2 missile, once fully integrated, is set to become the cornerstone of the IAF’s BVR missile arsenal, bolstering India’s air defense capabilities significantly.
The Astra-Mk2 missile program has already achieved critical milestones. Initial tests included a static firing without guidance, showcasing its propulsion capabilities. The upcoming phase of trials will focus on comprehensive testing in full missile configuration, involving live firings against towed targets at various ranges. These tests will validate the missile’s accuracy, range, and overall performance.
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Johnnette Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a pioneering Defence-Tech Startup headquartered in Noida, achieved a remarkable milestone on October 4th, 2023, in Astana. The company successfully conducted a demonstration flight of its cutting-edge product, the Johnnette JM-1 Loitering Munition (LM), for the Kazakhstan Ministry of Defence.
The star of the demonstration was the Johnnette JM-1, a state-of-the-art, purpose-built Loitering Munition designed to serve Land and Naval forces with precision and efficiency. The JM-1 boasts a pneumatic ground-based canister launch mechanism, where the LM is securely mounted onto the launch-pipe. Once pneumatically fired, the JM-1 can loiter autonomously for up to 30 minutes, scanning the surroundings for potential targets. When a target is identified, it can be precisely guided to neutralize the threat with its onboard explosive payload. The entire operation is fully autonomous, equipped with an abort feature for safety, and can be seamlessly recovered using a Net recovery system.
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