SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India is set to commence the delivery of its indigenously developed Akash 1S air defence missile system to Armenia later this year. This marks a significant milestone for the country’s defence exports, as Armenia becomes the first international customer for the advanced missile system.
Manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the Akash 1S is an upgraded version of the existing Akash missile, featuring an indigenous seeker that enhances its target acquisition and interception capabilities.
The system employs a combination of command guidance and active terminal seeker guidance, providing a robust defence against aerial threats such as fighter jets, cruise missiles, and drones.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has initiated a groundbreaking project to develop a cutting-edge Through Wall Imaging Radar (TWIR). This innovative technology is set to revolutionize surveillance and security operations across the country.
Unlike its predecessors, the upcoming TWIR will be designed in both handheld and tripod-based configurations, offering unmatched flexibility and portability to security personnel. This versatility will enable operators to swiftly deploy the radar in a variety of challenging environments, from urban settings to remote terrains.
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India is inching closer to acquiring 31 MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) from the United States. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved amendments to the deal with General Atomics.
These amendments, according to a defence source, are within the scope of the initial agreement and primarily focus on increasing indigenous content. The US has already completed its formalities, including delivering the Letter of Offer and Acceptance to India in early March. India is now in the final stages of the procurement process before the deal is signed by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
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Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) is undergoing a strategic transformation, with a focus on expanding its footprint in the naval, maritime, aerospace, and tank engine sectors.
In a recent statement, the company revealed that it has established dedicated business units for each of these domains over the past six to eight months. BEML envisions these units contributing a substantial 8-10% of the company’s overall revenue in the coming years.
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Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) is set to make a significant stride in India’s defence manufacturing sector with the planned rollout of its first Grob G 180 aircraft by 2026. This twin-engine, high-altitude aircraft will be customized to serve as an Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) platform, a critical asset for modern militaries.
In a strategic move, the Tata Group acquired the intellectual property rights in 2021 for the German-origin Grob G 180 SPn, a platform that never reached full-scale production. TASL plans to leverage this foundation to develop and manufacture an indigenous military aircraft tailored to Indian requirements.
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After rigorous internal trials spanning nearly three years, the Indian Army is poised to place a substantial order for the indigenously developed Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP) 8×8. Reports suggest the order could be in the hundreds.
Developed jointly by DRDO and Tata Advanced Systems, the WhAP 8×8 is a versatile platform with amphibious capabilities, making it suitable for a wide range of operational scenarios. The Army has already inducted a smaller batch of Infantry Protected Mobility Vehicles (IPMVs), a stripped-down version of the WhAP without amphibious features. However, the platform’s full potential has been extensively evaluated through testing of a dedicated WhAP 8×8 prototype.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up to significantly enhance its manufacturing capabilities through substantial investments in automation technology. This strategic move is aimed at reducing the acquisition cost of future fighter jets, particularly the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).
The Indian Ministry of Defence is concurrently engaged in discussions with a private sector company to integrate it into the final assembly line of the AMCA, scheduled to commence production in 2033-34. This collaboration marks a significant step towards leveraging private sector expertise in the aerospace domain.
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Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace, the Bengaluru-based startup, has achieved a significant milestone in the development of its indigenous military-grade bomber UAV, the FWD-200B. The company has successfully completed both low and high-speed taxi trials of the aircraft at the DRDO Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga. This brings the UAV closer to its maiden flight, which is expected to take place soon.
Earlier this year, in March, the company unveiled a scaled mock-up of the FWD-200B, which drew attention for its peculiar round-shaped design fuselage and extremely small landing gears . However, this initial model was a cardboard mockup. The UAV is now in its physical form and has undergone ground testing to assess its performance and systems before taking to the skies.
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On Monday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted approval for the scheduled refit of the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, set to occur later this year.
The refit aims to maintain and enhance the operational capabilities of the INS Vikramaditya, a vital component of the Indian Navy. This initiative reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to sustaining a powerful and modern naval fleet. The refit will involve extensive maintenance and updates to the carrier’s systems and technology.
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Ashish Rajvanshi, CEO of Adani Defence & Aerospace, has announced the company’s intention to participate in an upcoming tender issued by the Indian defence forces. The tender seeks to acquire 97 ‘Made-in-India’ drones for surveillance operations along the borders with China and Pakistan. Adani Defence will offer the Hermes-900 drone, also known as the Drishti-10 Male drone, for this significant procurement.
The Drishti-10 Male drone has already proven its capabilities, with the Indian Army and Indian Navy each acquiring two units for benchmarking and further testing. These drones are expected to play a crucial role in enhancing surveillance and intelligence-gathering capabilities in strategically sensitive regions.
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The Indian Navy is poised for significant expansion with the anticipated clearance from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the development of a second aircraft carrier. This new vessel, modelled after the indigenously built INS Vikrant (displacement over 44,000 tons), will bolster the Navy’s capabilities in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.
However, the Navy’s ambitions extend beyond the second carrier. Discussions are ongoing regarding the development of a third, even larger carrier, boasting a displacement exceeding 65,000 tons. This potential addition to the fleet underscores India’s strategic vision for a robust naval presence in the region.
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India’s indigenously developed Zorawar Light Tank is gearing up for a series of stringent trials to assess its capabilities in diverse terrains and combat scenarios. The tank, currently housed at L&T’s Hazira facility, will initially be transported to the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Avadi for comprehensive testing of its primary 105mm gun.
Subsequently, the Zorawar will be moved to Chandigarh for onward transportation to the Mahe Field Firing Range (MFFR) at Nyoma, strategically located near the India-China Line of Actual Control. This location will serve as the proving ground for the tank’s performance in high-altitude, challenging conditions during the upcoming winter trials.
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In a significant development, Brazil has expressed keen interest in acquiring India’s indigenously developed Akash missile system. Brazilian Delegation already has witnessed live Demonstration of the India’s Akash Missile System in India and soon it will be asking India to send Financial bid for India’s Akash Missile System.
This comes on the heels of India’s successful export of the Akash to Armenia in a substantial ?6,000 crore deal. The Akash, a surface-to-air missile system, has garnered global attention for its advanced capabilities and proven effectiveness. Its ability to intercept multiple aerial targets simultaneously has made it a sought-after defense asset.
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Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is keen on expanding its footprint in India by establishing a passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion facility and an engine maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center. The company is in advanced discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and another undisclosed Indian firm to set up the P2F conversion facility within the next two years.
IAI envisions India as a strategic location for these operations due to the burgeoning demand for air cargo services globally. The company highlights the potential of converting wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777 into freighters, which can carry up to 100 tons of cargo. This capacity surpasses the current limitations of twin-engine wide-body freighters, which typically handle around 60 tons.
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DRDO’s Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) is undergoing a significant redesign as India pushes the boundaries of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology. The latest iteration of the SWiFT, a crucial stepping stone to the larger Ghatak UCAV, features a dramatic departure from its predecessor. The most noticeable changes are in the aircraft’s rear exhaust and air intake systems.
The latest iteration of SWiFT showcases dramatic changes in its aerodynamic profile. The most prominent alterations are in the exhaust and inlet designs. The earlier rounded and hooded rear exhaust has been replaced with a radical new design, expected to enhance stealth characteristics. Similarly, the tridiagonal engine inlet has been transformed into a U-shaped intake, repositioned towards the middle of the fuselage.
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