SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
The Indian Air Force (IAF), set to celebrate its centenary in 2032, has embarked on an ambitious journey to bolster its aerial capabilities through the integration of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and Loyal Wingman systems. This initiative, known as the Manned-Unmanned Program, represents a significant leap in advancing the IAF’s air power in the region.
One of the prominent projects within this program is the Ghatak UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle). The Ghatak program aims to develop a formidable 12-ton Unmanned Stealthy Strike UCAV, powered by the indigenous Dry Kaveri engine. This cutting-edge UCAV is designed to operate stealthily and carry out precision air strikes deep within enemy territory. Its capabilities will enable the IAF to conduct operations behind enemy lines with unprecedented efficiency and precision.
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Mumbai-based startup Sagar Defence has introduced its cutting-edge “Vamana” Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV), specially designed for the Indian Navy. The unveiling took place at the Indian Defence Expo (iDEX), showcasing India’s growing prowess in autonomous underwater technology.
The Vamana AUV is a remarkable addition to India’s naval capabilities. It boasts the capability to operate independently or as part of a coordinated swarm. This flexibility makes it a versatile asset for various maritime missions, including surveillance, reconnaissance, mine detection, and more.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Chairman of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), Dr. Sameer V Kamath, has categorically denied the existence of any Agni 6 missile program. Speaking at the inauguration of the DRDO Excellence Regional Center at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT-BHU), Dr Kamath clarified that there is no official Agni 6 missile project, and the government of India has not sanctioned any such program.
Dr Kamath’s statement was in response to questions from the media regarding recent reports suggesting the development of an Agni 6 missile by DRDO. He emphasized that any news of the Agni 6 missile program is purely speculative and lacks official confirmation.
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The Indian Navy is set to achieve a significant milestone in its pursuit of self-reliance in defence technology with plans to equip its second Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-II) with locally manufactured arresting gears and braking machines. These critical components were previously imported from the Proletarski Zavod (Proletarian Factory) in Russia for the first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
The IAC-II project is a vital part of India’s naval modernization efforts, aiming to bolster the nation’s maritime capabilities. As part of this endeavour, the Indian Navy has determined the need for three sets of arresting gears and braking machines for the IAC-II aircraft carrier, which is slated for development and certification by 2026-27.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking strides towards enhancing the safety and performance of its pilots by seeking private sector collaboration for the development of a state-of-the-art Anti-G Suit (AGS). This initiative falls under the iDEX Open Challenge format, a flagship initiative of the Indian Ministry of Defence aimed at fostering innovation and advancements in defence technology.
The current generation of anti-G suits offers protection to pilots up to 6 Gz, whereas modern aircraft are designed to withstand up to 9 Gz. This discrepancy creates the risk of G-induced loss of consciousness, reduced pilot attention, fatigue, and compromised combat effectiveness during high-G manoeuvres. To bridge this gap, the IAF is committed to developing an advanced AGS that can automatically protect up to 9 Gz without imposing additional strain on the pilot.
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In a significant move earlier this year, the Indian government announced its choice of the Navy Rafale to bolster the Indian Navy’s naval air capabilities. The acquisition of these state-of-the-art fighters reflects India’s commitment to enhancing its air and naval superiority.
The Indian Navy’s procurement of 26 Rafale aircraft will complement the 36 Rafale already in service with the Indian Air Force (IAF). These aircraft have proven highly effective, earning the satisfaction of the IAF and solidifying India’s position as the first country, outside of France, to operate both variants of the Rafale. This strategic decision is aimed at strengthening India’s aerial and maritime dominance and safeguarding its sovereignty.
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The much-anticipated trailer for Kangana Ranaut’s upcoming film, “Tejas,” was released on Indian Air Force Day, generating significant buzz. However, it didn’t take long for online users to express their disappointment and criticism of the trailer’s CGI quality and inaccuracies in its action scenes.
One of the notable inaccuracies pointed out by viewers was the depiction of the launching of a Laser Guided Bomb (LGB) against what was supposed to be a Pakistani Air Force F-16 aircraft in an air-to-air missile scenario. Such technical inaccuracies can be jarring for viewers who are familiar with military operations.
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India’s state-owned aerospace company, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has outlined its plans to roll out the first Pre-Production Tejas Mk2 prototype by late 2024. This rollout, however, has been delayed by over a year. Subsequently, HAL intends to roll out five more Pre-Production Tejas Mk2 aircraft at regular intervals, with each rollout occurring in less than eight months. The objective is to complete the developmental flight trials of the program by the end of 2028.
The Tejas Mk2, weighing approximately 17.5 tons, will see the development of six Pre-Production aircraft, each incorporating over 75 per cent indigenous content from the early stages of production. The Indian Air Force (IAF) will actively participate in the developmental flight trials, including User Assisted Trials, starting from the third aircraft in the series.
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Embraer Defence & Security is actively monitoring developments in India and engaging in discussions with various Indian entities, including both government and private stakeholders. These discussions pertain to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) project. Joao Bosco da Costa Junior, the President and CEO of Embraer Defence & Security, has confirmed the company’s interest in participating in this project.
Embraer has responded to the IAF’s Request for Information (RFI) for 40-80 Medium Transport Aircraft, offering its C-390 Millennium aircraft for consideration. The company is committed to selecting an Indian partner by the end of this year, a crucial step in forging collaboration with the Indian defence industry.
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The Indian Army is exploring the possibility of acquiring the Garuda 105 V2, an ultra-lightweight artillery gun system, to enhance its capabilities for high-altitude warfare. This artillery system is based on the locally developed 105mm/27 calibre light gun and has undergone rigorous testing in challenging high-altitude environments such as Sikkim.
The Garuda 105 V2 artillery gun is being considered for procurement due to its exceptional performance during field trials. According to the Kalyani Group, the manufacturer of the system, the gun has successfully fired more than 2800 rounds during testing, showcasing its reliability and effectiveness.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is making significant strides in its pursuit of the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, marking a pivotal moment in the country’s quest for self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, the current Chief of the Air Staff, recently confirmed that the IAF has received responses to its Request for Information (RFI) for the MRFA tender, which seeks to acquire 114 advanced fighter jets. This development underscores the IAF’s commitment to modernizing its aerial fleet and bolstering its defense capabilities.
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India’s indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, is on track to achieve full operational status by the end of this year. The carrier has recently been equipped with the Israeli EL/M-2248 MF-STAR multi-function active electronically scanned array radar and 32 Israeli-origin Barak-8 Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM), manufactured in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)-Elta by Bharat Dynamics Limited.
To become fully operational, Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), the builder of INS Vikrant, must complete the installation of the Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) system and the MF-STAR radar by next month. This will allow the carrier to undergo testing and be cleared for official operational duties by the end of the year. The installation process typically takes 45-60 days, and the ship needs to be brought into dry dock for these final preparations.
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In a bold and forward-looking move, India is set to embark on an ambitious journey to develop state-of-the-art air-launched anti-radiation combat swarm drones, representing a monumental advancement in its defence capabilities.
These cutting-edge drones are purpose-built for the critical mission of suppressing and neutralizing enemy airdefences, a role known in military terms as SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses) and DEAD (Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses).
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The Adani Group’s Land Systems, Defence & Aerospace division has achieved a significant milestone by securing orders from the Indian Navy for the “Drishti 10 (Starliner),” an Elbits Hermes 900 MALE (Medium Altitude Long Range) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) designed for export markets.
Ashok Wadhawan, the Head of Land Systems, Defence and Aerospace at Adani Group, confirmed that the Drishti 10 has been localized by the company, enhancing its capabilities to meet specific Indian Navy requirements. This achievement marks a significant step toward promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing in India.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious “Super Sukhoi” Program has gained official backing from the Indian Air Force (IAF), marking a significant milestone in the upgrade package for the entire Sukhoi-30MKI fleet. The program, which commences with 86 units and will eventually cover the entire fleet, focuses on enhancing the performance and longevity of these formidable aircraft.
One crucial aspect of this program involves discussions between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) to incorporate performance and longevity improvements into the AL-31F engines, which are a vital component of the Sukhoi-30MKI aircraft.
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