SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
G. Ramamohana Rao, Director of the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), recently announced significant advancements in the development of the WhAP 8×8 Amphibious Wheeled Armoured Vehicle. Rao highlighted that VRDE is aiming to increase the indigenous content of the WhAP to over 80% in its next iteration, with plans to further raise this to 85-90% within the next 18 months, just before the vehicle enters full-scale production.
The DRDO has already unveiled the second-generation Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), which features a host of improvements over its predecessor. According to Rao, the Indian Army, which has taken delivery of 18 first-generation WhAP 8×8 vehicles, has expressed complete satisfaction with their performance.
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In a significant development, the Czech Republic has committed to procuring more ammunition from India to support Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia. The announcement follows the successful delivery of Indian-made 125mm HE shells and 20mm mortars to Ukraine from Czech Republic in June.
Earlier this year, India exported a 50,000 of 125mm HE shells and 80,000 120mm mortars to the Czech Republic as part of a defense deal. The Czech Republic has now expressed its intention to increase these orders, leveraging funds from the frozen Russian assets held by the European Union.
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The Indian Navy is poised to finalize a significant deal with the US-based company HawkEye 360, a leader in geospatial analytics, as part of the broader QUAD Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). This collaboration marks a crucial step in bolstering the Indian Navy’s capabilities to monitor and secure the vast and strategically important Indo-Pacific region.
HawkEye 360 is a commercial operator of remote-sensing satellites, known for its cutting-edge technology in detecting, characterizing, and geolocating radio frequency (RF) signals. These signals are emitted by various electronic devices used in communication, navigation, and security systems, making HawkEye 360’s capabilities vital for monitoring maritime activities.
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In a recent interview, Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), provided key updates on India’s advancements in hypersonic missile technology. Kamat revealed that DRDO’s Hypersonic Glide missile is expected to be ready within the next 3-4 years, encompassing both the completion of its development and its induction into the armed forces.
This significant progress marks a major milestone in India’s defence capabilities, as hypersonic missiles offer unparalleled speed and manoeuvrability, making them a formidable asset on the battlefield. Once operational, the Hypersonic Glide missile will further enhance India’s strategic deterrence and defence posture.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after securing deliveries of eight GE F-414 engines. HAL is planning to procure additional engines directly from General Electric (GE) to ensure that the developmental trials of the Tejas MkII, scheduled to begin in March 2026, remain on track.
While the initial batch of eight F-414 engines is already in HAL’s possession, the company recognizes the importance of having a sufficient stockpile of engines to support the extensive testing and trials that lie ahead. To this end, HAL plans to acquire an additional 12-20 engines directly from GE. These engines will be kept as reserves, ensuring that the Tejas MkII program can proceed without delays, even in the event of engine-related issues during the developmental phase.
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Russia has expressed its intent to participate in India’s ambitious plan to procure 76 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the tri-services. To this end, the country is offering its advanced Orion-E drone for consideration.
In a strategic move to deepen defence cooperation, Russia is proposing a joint venture with an Indian defence company to manufacture the Orion-E domestically. This partnership aims to achieve a high localization rate of nearly 80%, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
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The long-awaited IJT-36 Sitara trainer aircraft, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), continues to be a source of both hope and frustration for the Indian Air Force (IAF). While HAL claims to be nearing the end of the development phase, the program has faced significant delays and setbacks over its two-decade-long journey.
Initially envisioned as a replacement for the aging Kiran Mk II, the Sitara has encountered numerous hurdles, including critical design flaws that necessitated major modifications to the tail and undercarriage sections. These issues resulted in failed spin tests, a crucial parameter for any trainer aircraft.
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Indian aerospace startup, DG Propulsion Private Limited (DPPL), has announced that its DG J40 jet engine is in the final stages of production. The company’s Director, Prateek Dhawan, confirmed that the engines are currently undergoing final tuning and are ready for mass production. While DPPL is eager to showcase the engine’s capabilities, customer confidentiality restrictions prevent them from publicly displaying specific applications at this time.
This development comes on the heels of DPPL’s recent selection as an iDEX winner, a significant milestone that will see the DG J40 powering high-speed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The engine’s performance and reliability have garnered significant attention, positioning DPPL as a key player in India’s growing aerospace and defense sector.
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The Indian Navy has recently disclosed new information regarding its upcoming PGLRSAM interceptor missile system, currently under development by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This next-generation missile system is set to significantly enhance the naval air defence capabilities of the Indian Navy’s frontline warships.
The PGLRSAM interceptor missile is projected to have a range exceeding 250 kilometers, more than double the range of the existing MR-SAM (Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile) interceptor, which is deployed on Indian warships and has a range of 90-100 kilometers. This substantial increase in range will provide the Indian Navy with a broader operational envelope to engage aerial threats at greater distances, thus enhancing the overall defence perimeter of its vessels.
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India has submitted a bid for the Philippines’ tender to acquire 40 fighter jets, offering its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Tejas Mk1A. The deal is estimated to be worth between $5.3 billion and $7.1 billion.
The Philippines is seeking “faster and more lethal” multi-role jet fighters to complement its existing fleet of South Korean FA-50s. The government aims to award the tender as soon as possible, provided that their financial requirements are met.
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India’s Ministry of Aviation is exploring the potential to convert military aircraft designs for use in the civilian aviation sector. This move could boost domestic aircraft production and contribute to the expansion of regional air travel under the UDAN scheme.
Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu hinted at this initiative, suggesting that a civilian variant of the C-295M transport aircraft might be developed. Notably, Tata-Airbus is set to manufacture the C-295M for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Gujarat.
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India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) indicating an upcoming missile test scheduled to take place between September 9th and 13th, 2024. The designated area for this test, spanning approximately 75 kilometers, suggests that it could be a trial of a surface-to-air defense system.
NOTAMs are standard procedures used to alert pilots of potential hazards in their flight paths. In this case, the restricted airspace will be enforced to ensure the safety of both civilian and military aircraft during the missile test.
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Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) has confirmed its participation in the Indian Army’s tender for 400 advanced 155mm/52 caliber Towed Gun Systems (TGS). The company is developing a lighter version of its acclaimed Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), specifically designed to meet the army’s requirement for a gun weighing under 15 tons.
The new Autonomous Light-Towed Artillery Guns (ALTGS) are essentially modified ATAGS systems that incorporate lighter materials such as titanium. This modification has successfully reduced the weight from 18 tons to 15 tons, making it eligible for the army’s tender.
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India’s nuclear submarine fleet is set to grow significantly in the coming years, with the commissioning of two new ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs). The third SSBN, INS Aridaman or S4, is scheduled to join the navy next year, followed closely by a fourth SSBN codenamed S-4(star).
The S4 class of submarines, to which both Aridaman and S-4(star) belong, are stretched variants of the Arihant class. These submarines boast a submerged displacement of 7000 tons, an increase of 1000 tons compared to their predecessors. This additional displacement provides greater internal volume, allowing for the integration of advanced systems and weaponry.
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Vinod Kumar, General Manager (NP & OP) at Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), has announced that the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) clearance for the production of the Astra Mk1 missile marks a significant milestone for the company. This clearance is expected to bolster BDL’s efforts to scale up production of the beyond-visual-range (BVR) missile, which is a key component of India’s air defence capabilities.
BDL, as the designated production agency for the Astra Mk1, is already in discussions with the IAF for a larger order of the missile. The IAF is keen to expand the deployment of the Astra Mk1 across its fleet, recognizing the missile’s superior performance in terms of range and Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) capabilities compared to the Russian R-77 BVR missile, which has long been a staple of Russian fighter jets globally.
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