SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is setting its sights on a groundbreaking tactical innovation: deploying loitering munitions from its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft. This concept, already being explored by the United States Air Force (USAF), has the potential to transform the IAF’s offensive capabilities.
Loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones, are small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) armed with explosives. They can loiter over an area for extended periods, waiting for targets before attacking.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to enhance the underwater capabilities of the Indian Navy’s Kilo-class submarines with the upgraded USHUS-2 sonar suite. This state-of-the-art system, developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), will replace the older USHUS sonars on the remaining 3 Kilo-class submarines.
Currently, five of the nine frontline Kilo-class submarines, also known as EKM-class, are equipped with the earlier version of the USHUS sonar system out of which Two have been retired or transferred.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for comprehensive maintenance services for its fleet of 73 PC-7 MKII aircraft. This tender, identified by the reference number AirHQ/85902/1/ENGBT(LGSPC7), falls under the Miscellaneous Services category and will be conducted as a single-stage bidding process.
The EOI seeks to engage qualified contractors who will be responsible for delivering extensive maintenance services for the PC-7 MKII aircraft. These aircraft are integral to the IAF’s training operations and are stationed at two key locations which are Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad and Air Force Station (AFS) Tambram.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
The Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its surveillance capabilities by installing a state-of-the-art radar on its INS Mysore, a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer. The newly integrated Lanza-N 3D air surveillance radar, developed by Spanish company Indra, forms part of the vessel’s comprehensive mid-life upgrade.
This installation marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s modernization efforts. The Lanza-N radar, renowned for its long-range and precision, will provide the INS Mysore with superior situational awareness, enabling it to detect and track aerial threats at greater distances.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has announced that user trials for the HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) are set to commence within the next year. The HELINA, a third-generation fire-and-forget missile, will be integrated onto the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Vinod Kumar, GM at BDL, confirmed that developmental trials of the HELINA have been successfully completed on the ALH-Rudra Weapon System Integration (WSI) helicopter. The upcoming user trials will evaluate the missile’s performance on both the ALH-Rudra WSI and the LCH-Prachand.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is steadily fortifying India’s defence capabilities with the progressive development and deployment of its Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. The nation is now under a multi-layered shield, designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at various altitudes.
Phase I of the BMD program has seen the deployment of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor systems across the country. These systems are designed to intercept ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km, providing a robust shield against medium-range threats. The deployment of these interceptors enhances India’s defensive capabilities and demonstrates the country’s progress in indigenous missile defence technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation is making a significant move to take full ownership of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), located within Nagpur’s MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This bid comes as Dassault aims to secure a contract for manufacturing Rafale jets in India under the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, this proposal is encountering resistance from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Dassault’s pursuit of 100% ownership of DRAL is driven by its desire to have absolute control over the supply chain within India. The French firm argues that this control is crucial for meeting both domestic and export demands efficiently. While parts for Rafale jets are already being sourced from DRAL, the facility requires significant investment and expansion to be capable of assembling the jets domestically.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the Indian aviation market, Brazil’s Embraer has offered its E195-E2 aircraft to HAL-Mahindra for domestic production of the aircraft for the regional market. While The move underscores the South American nation’s emphasis on technology transfer and local manufacturing capabilities, talks are still being held with many Indian companies by the Embraer.
The Embraer E195-E2, is the largest aircraft in the E-Jet E2 family, is renowned for its efficiency and profitability on high-density routes. Its advanced wing design and aerodynamic enhancements contribute to a remarkable 10% reduction in fuel consumption compared to its predecessors.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
The highly anticipated BrahMos-NG supersonic cruise missile, a joint venture between India and Russia, is set to commence testing within the next two years. This announcement was made by A. Maksichev, co-director of the BrahMos joint venture on the Russian side, in a statement to TASS news agency.
The BrahMos-NG is a formidable weapon, weighing in at 1.3 tons and capable of being launched from any fighter aircraft. It is particularly designed to integrate seamlessly with the Indian Air Force’s Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. With a remarkable range of 290 kilometers and a blistering speed of Mach 3.5, the BrahMos-NG is poised to become one of the deadliest air-launched cruise missiles in the world.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
The Indian Army has initiated a Request for Information (RFI) to bolster its domestic defense capabilities by seeking indigenous production of advanced 125mm Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) ammunition. This critical component is essential for enhancing the firepower of the country’s T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks.
The RFI emphasizes the need for ammunition with superior Depth of Penetration (DoP) capabilities, a crucial factor in defeating modern armored vehicles equipped with advanced protection systems. By localizing the production of this essential munition, the Indian Army aims to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and create opportunities for domestic defense industries.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s military modernization, the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has confirmed the existence of Project Virupaksha, an ambitious project aimed at upgrading the Su-30MKI fighter jets with advanced Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars.
According to Dr. B.K. Das, the Director General for Electronics and Communication Systems at DRDO, Project Virupaksha will equip the Su-30MKI with a state-of-the-art AESA radar, offering enhanced capabilities such as simultaneous radar functionalities, air surveillance, air-to-ground targeting, and weapon control.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a strategic move to deepen defence ties, India has proposed a modified version of its Nilgiri-class frigate to the Brazilian Navy. This offer comes as Brazil is expanding its naval capabilities with the Tamandaré-class frigate program.
Currently, Brazil operates one Tamandaré-class frigate, the ‘Jerônimo de Albuquerque’, with three more under construction. Built by ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, these ships have a displacement of around 3,500 tons. In contrast, the Indian-built Nilgiri-class frigate is significantly larger, boasting a displacement of 6670 tons.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Dassault Maintenance and Repair Organisation, India (DAMROI) is set to significantly bolster the Indian Air Force (IAF) with the establishment of a new maintenance hub in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. This state-of-the-art facility will specialize in servicing the IAF’s fleet of Mirage-2000 and Rafale fighter jets, promising faster turnaround times and cost-efficiency.
Currently, the IAF operates around 50 Mirage-2000 aircraft, acquired in the 1980s, and two squadrons of 36 Rafale jets, recently inducted into service. The new DAMROI facility will play a crucial role in ensuring the optimal operational readiness of these fighter aircraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
A fierce competition is brewing for the Argentine Army’s upcoming utility helicopter acquisition program. European aerospace giant Airbus Helicopters has officially submitted a bid for its H145M multi-purpose helicopter to replace the aging Bell UH-1H Iroquois fleet.
The H145M, renowned for its versatility and advanced avionics, is set to face stiff competition from India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), which has offered its ALH-Dhruv helicopter. This development marks a significant opportunity for both companies to expand their global footprint.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
The Indian Army is taking significant steps to enhance the survivability of its fleet of T-90 main battle tanks (MBTs) in the face of evolving battlefield threats. To counter the growing menace of shaped grenades, guided missiles, and FPV drones, the Army plans to equip these tanks with specialized mesh screens and nets. These protective measures will shield the engine and transmission compartment, as well as the vulnerable aft part of the turret.
India operates approximately 1,100 T-90 MBTs, which are undergoing phased upgrades to the MS configuration. This modernization initiative aims to bolster the tanks’ capabilities across multiple domains. Earlier this year, a notable milestone was achieved with the delivery of the first batch of 10 T-90 Mk-III MBTs by the state-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL).
Continue reading