SOURCE: 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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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).
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Rekise Marine Private Limited has secured a significant contract under the Indian Navy’s iDEX Aditi 1.0 Challenge to develop the Jalkapi Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV). This advanced subsea platform is designed for extended underwater survey missions and can operate for up to 45 days without resupply.
The Jalkapi, with its impressive dimensions of approximately 10 meters in length and 2 meters in diameter, is equipped with a robust suite of sensors including EO/IR cameras, multi-beam echo sounders, and sonar systems. The AUV will also incorporate advanced navigation and obstacle avoidance systems to ensure safe and efficient operations.
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Noida-based Raphe mPhibr Pvt. Ltd has emerged victorious in the Indian Navy’s iDEX Aditi 1.0 Challenge. The company has been tasked with developing an indigenous high supersonic to hypersonic propulsion system for fixed-wing flying objects such as missiles and aircraft.
This significant win underscores Raphe mPhibr’s expertise in propulsion technology and its potential to contribute significantly to India’s defence capabilities. Developing such a propulsion system is a crucial step towards achieving self-reliance in advanced aerospace technologies.
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In a significant boost to India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, Russia is set to supply essential metallurgical inputs for the overhaul of the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jet fleet.
State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will undertake the overhaul process at its facility in Koraput, Odisha. The supply of raw materials and processed components, including superalloys, is crucial for the maintenance and upgradation of these aircraft.
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William L. Blair, Vice President & Chief Executive of Lockheed Martin India, recently highlighted a significant advantage that the F-21 fighter jet could offer to the Indian Air Force (IAF) as part of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. The F-21, Lockheed Martin’s advanced version of the F-16V, is powered by the General Electric F110-GE-129 afterburning turbofan engine. This engine, Blair noted, could provide an added edge due to the IAF’s existing familiarity with General Electric’s engines, specifically the F404 and F414 engines that power India’s Tejas Mk1A and MkII fighter jets.
Although the F110-GE-129 engine is not directly based on the F404 and F414 engines, Blair emphasized that the growing General Electric (GE) supply chain in India, which is being developed to maintain and support the F404 and F414 engines, will play a crucial role. This supply chain infrastructure will enable India to manage and maintain the F110-GE-129 engines more effectively within the country, reducing reliance on external support and enhancing operational efficiency.
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Velmenni, a frontrunner in Li-Fi (Light Fidelity) technology, has secured a substantial grant from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) under the iDEX initiative. This funding marks a significant step towards revolutionizing secure wireless communication for the Indian Navy, particularly in addressing the unique challenges faced in modern warfare.
The iDEX program serves as a launchpad for innovation within India’s defense sector. By fostering the integration of cutting-edge technologies like Velmenni’s Li-Fi, this initiative aligns perfectly with national ambitions like Make in India, Startup India, and the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
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The Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) has expressed keen interest in acquiring India’s BrahMos Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM) to bolster its Sukhoi-30MKM fighter fleet. The Mach 3 capable missile, with a range of 290 kilometers, will come as a significant upgrade for the RMAF’s Naval strike capabilities.
However, integrating the BrahMos ALCM into the Su-30MKM platform is not a straightforward process. The Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Su-30MKI had to undertake a complex structural hardening process for its aircraft before carrying the 2.5-ton missile. This involved extensive modifications to the aircraft’s airframe to withstand the immense launch forces.
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India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A program faces setbacks due to supply chain constraints impacting GE Aerospace’s production of the F404 engines. While GE aims to resume deliveries of the first batch of engines next month, achieving the annual production rate of 16 engines, as per the agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is expected to take significantly longer.
Industry sources close to idrw.org report that GE Aerospace might require an entire year to reach the contracted production rate. The company acknowledges the challenges and anticipates improvement by mid-2025, but a full capacity of 90% is not expected until the end of 2025, with normal operations resuming only in 2026.
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