SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a move that could revolutionize aerial surveillance and communication in India, Abu Dhabi’s Mira Aerospace and Indian startup VEDA Aeronautics have joined forces to develop a strong foothold in the High-Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS) market.
HAPS are solar-powered drones designed to operate for extended periods in the stratosphere, offering a unique combination of benefits over traditional satellites and drones. They can provide persistent coverage over a large area without the complexity and cost of launching a satellite while offering greater endurance than conventional drones.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Leaked sketches have revealed India’s progress on a crucial element of its long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) program. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is developing a mobile High Power Radar (HPR) designed to bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) air defence capabilities.
This HPR system could be a vital component of the upcoming LRSAM program. The radar, with a weight of 30 tons and a transportable antenna measuring 10 meters by 6 meters, will provide superior detection capabilities. The carrier vehicle boasts a 60-ton load capacity and a travel speed of 20 kilometres per hour, ensuring mobility for deployment across various terrains.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
India’s ambitious plans for its 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program take a significant step forward with the hunt for an engine development partner. Sources close to the program reveal that the Defence Research and Development Organization’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is actively courting foreign collaboration.
GTRE aims to finalize a partner by mid-2024, paving the way for a contract later this year or early next year. This partnership is vital for developing a new 5th generation engine capable of generating 110-130kN thrust, a significant upgrade for the AMCA MkII variant.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh emphasized the growing threat posed by drones in modern warfare during a meeting with the Indian Navy’s top brass on Tuesday. He urged the Navy to prioritize preparedness to counter such challenges.
This call to action comes amidst the Navy’s ongoing efforts to integrate drone capabilities into its operations. The planned incorporation of loitering munitions on frontline warships signifies a strategic move towards long-range engagement of sea-based targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
EDGE Group, a leading UAE-based technology and defense company, has expressed its interest in collaborating with India on the production of its AL TARIQ smart weapons. This move signifies a potential boost to India’s indigenous defense capabilities.
EDGE Group’s Managing Director & CEO, Hamad Al Marar, has proposed the transfer of AL TARIQ technology to India, enabling local production by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). This collaboration could lead to significant benefits for both countries.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program will be taking a crucial step towards achieving true aerial dominance. A key feature of the AMCA will be Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) technology, a cornerstone of modern stealth aircraft.
LPI radars are a cornerstone of modern aerial warfare. They function by minimizing an aircraft’s radio frequency (RF) emissions, making them significantly harder to detect by conventional radar systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Dr Avinash Chander, a former head of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has reignited discussions regarding the development of a longer-range tactical ballistic missile. Dr Chander, while speaking to Nitin A. Gokhale of Bharat Shakti, proposed the development of a tactical missile with a range of 1200 to 1500km. He emphasized the potential for a cost-effective approach to this project.
India’s existing tactical missile arsenal includes the Pralay, a short-range ballistic missile with a maximum range of 500km. This missile is specifically designed for battlefield deployment and will be integrated into the Integrated Rocket Force (IRF).
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s BrahMos Corporation is gearing up for a significant advancement in its missile technology with the New Generation (NG) BrahMos cruise missile. This lighter and smaller variant of the existing BrahMos promises enhanced capabilities for the Indian Air Force.
As per recent announcements by Atul Dinkar Rane, Director General of DRDO and CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace, the BrahMos NG is on track for a series of crucial tests. By mid-2025, the program expects to commence drop and dummy testing. These initial trials focus on validating the missile’s aerodynamic design and separation mechanism from the launch platform before progressing to powered flight.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) designating a no-fly zone over the Bay of Bengal, effective from an unspecified date. This restricted airspace spans a significant 1680 kilometers, raising speculation about a potential missile test.
The size of the no-fly zone strongly suggests India might be testing its next-generation Agni-Prime ballistic missile. This missile boasts a reported range of around 2,000 kilometers, marking a significant advancement in India’s indigenous missile technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
Airbus and Boeing are caught in a strategic tug-of-war with the Indian government. As India’s commercial aviation market experiences explosive growth, both companies are under pressure to establish final assembly lines (FAL) within the country.
India is projected to need over 2,000 short-Mediumhaul aircraft in the next two decades, making it a lucrative market neither Airbus nor Boeing can afford to ignore. However, the Indian government desires more than just sales. They want a bigger piece of the pie – a local FAL that fosters domestic manufacturing and technological expertise.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas trainers is steadily growing. Recent images emerging from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) assembly line show the sixth trainer aircraft, LCA Trainer (LT 5206), in various stages of preparation.
This development comes after HAL delivered the first twin-seater trainer (LT 5201) to the IAF in Bengaluru on October 4, 2023. These trainers play a vital role in pilot conversion training within IAF squadrons before graduating to flying the upgraded single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Saab, the Swedish defence giant, is making a major push into the Indian market. In March 2024, they announced the construction of their first-ever manufacturing facility outside Sweden, a 3.6-acre site at MET City, Jhajjar, dedicated to producing the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system.
Saab’s ambitions extend beyond the Carl-Gustaf. They’re exploring the possibility of manufacturing and supplying India with the RBS15 anti-ship missile. This versatile missile boasts land-attack capabilities and a 200kg warhead with a range exceeding 300km.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is gearing up to spearhead two critical engine development programs crucial for India’s defence capabilities. These initiatives include the creation of a homegrown Dry Kaveri engine for Unmanned Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft and a new 110kN engine for India’s ambitious 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet program.
However, despite the progress in engine development, GTRE faces a significant hurdle—the lack of a flying Testbed essential for conducting in-flight trials of these engines. The proposed solution to this challenge has been met with innovation and resourcefulness.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the cusp of a major milestone with the upgraded Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. The first aircraft, LA-5033, has been spotted conducting crucial low and high-speed taxi trials at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facilities. This paves the way for its much-anticipated maiden flight within the next 48 hours.
The Tejas Mk1A represents a significant upgrade over the earlier Mk1 variant. The IAF placed an initial order for these jets in 2021, and a substantial follow-up order for 97 more is expected later this year.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
Indian defence startup EDITH Defence Systems has unveiled a new innovation to improve situational awareness for soldiers on the battlefield – the ThirdEye. This helmet-mounted tactical wireless camera promises real-time benefits for both soldiers and commanders.
The ThirdEye is a camera designed to be mounted directly onto a soldier’s helmet. It captures real-time video footage of the soldier’s surroundings and transmits it wirelessly to a designated command center. This provides commanders with a crucial first-person perspective of the battlefield, allowing them to make more informed decisions and provide better support to their troops.
Continue reading