SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Small aerial drones have become a ubiquitous sight on the modern battlefield, with the Ukraine conflict highlighting their effectiveness. However, DRDO officials told idrw.org that he believes this is a temporary advantage, and anti-drone technology is rapidly evolving to counter this threat.
DRDO officials acknowledges that current limitations in anti-drone tech have allowed these “cobbled-together” drones some free rein. However, they emphasize that this is a fleeting window. Russia’s Electronic Warfare (EW) and jamming systems have reportedly neutralized nearly 75% of such drones in Ukraine, showcasing the growing effectiveness of counter-drone measures.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Brazilian Army is aiming to bolster its air defense capabilities with the acquisition of new Medium Altitude/High Altitude Air Defense Artillery Systems. This project is part of the Army’s Strategic Program for Air Defense.
In April 2024, General Tomás Miguel Paiva, the Army Commander, expressed concerns before the Committee on Foreign Relations and National Defense (CREDN) of the Chamber of Deputies. He highlighted the lack of sophisticated medium and high-altitude air defense systems in Brazil. While acknowledging “relative protection” up to 3,000 meters, he emphasized the need for advanced technologies to safeguard the nation’s airspace.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy recently completed its evaluation of Navantia’s S80 submarine, a contender for Project 75I, a program to acquire six next-generation submarines. The evaluation took place at a shipyard in Cartagena, Spain, last week.
A key highlight was Navantia’s showcase of their Bioethanol Stealth Technology (BEST) Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system. This land-based demonstration offered a glimpse into their 3rd generation AIP technology, which the company claims surpasses the fuel-cell based AIP offered by its competitor, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) of Germany.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
French aircraft manufacturer Dassault Aviation SA is making a strategic move in the Indian market. The company is reportedly acquiring land near Jewar International Airport for a dedicated Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility to service India’s Mirage 2000 and Rafale fighter jets.
This development comes alongside Safran SA, the engine manufacturer for Rafale, establishing a similar MRO facility specifically for Rafale engines at their existing LEAP engine facility in Hyderabad. This facility, expected to be operational by 2025, caters to civilian aircraft but could potentially handle Rafale engine needs if the numbers justify it.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
According to sources close to idrw, the Indian Army’s evaluation of contenders for its new 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle program has hit a snag. Local offerings, including DRDO’s WhAP 8×8, reportedly received negative feedback, with the Army favoring the American Stryker for its superior design and protection.
Reports suggest the Army views the Stryker as a more robust platform compared to indigenous alternatives. This contradicts DRDO’s stance, which positioned their WhAP 8×8 as superior to vehicles like the Stryker, Fuchs 2, and Piranha 3 based on a comparison chart.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
A DRDO team recently visited Naval Group France to discuss the progress of integrating an indigenous Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system into Kalvari-class submarines. This collaboration marks a significant step towards India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” (Self-reliant India) initiative in the defense sector.
Last year, DRDO and Naval Group signed an agreement to equip INS Kalvari with a fuel cell-based AIP system developed by DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL). The agreement includes certification by Naval Group to ensure the safe and effective integration of the AIP system within the submarines.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The joint development and production of the latest Stryker armoured infantry combat vehicles between India and the US face a hurdle: engine incompatibility. While both nations expressed interest in the project, India’s demanding terrain necessitates a more powerful engine than the current offering.
The Indian Army requires an engine capable of handling the harsh conditions of its borders, particularly the high altitudes of Ladakh and Sikkim. Caterpillar’s C7 engine, used in current Stryker models, falls short with its 300 horsepower output.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), has proposed an intriguing prospect for India’s shipbuilding industry. If TKMS is chosen for the Indian Navy’s Project-75I tender, Burkhard envisions India becoming a hub for TKMS submarines in the Asia-Pacific region.
TKMS has joined forces with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) to submit a bid for Project-75I. This collaborative effort focuses on building six advanced submarines for the Indian Navy, with an estimated cost exceeding Rs 45,000 crore.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force, operating under the Ministry of Defence, has issued a call for Expressions of Interest (EoI) from Indian firms for the repair, refurbishment, and life extension checks of X-31P air-launched missiles. This initiative falls under the category of ‘Missiles with Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Support’ and aims to involve Indian firms through joint ventures (JV) or memoranda of understanding (MoU) with the OEM of the missile. The following paragraphs detail the proposal and its scope.
The primary objective of this initiative is the comprehensive repair, refurbishment, and life extension of life-expired X-31P missiles currently held in various categories. The life extension process will encompass all aspects assigned by the OEM, including but not limited to.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s defence exports have reached a historic milestone, clocking in at a record Rs 21,083 crore in the financial year 2023-24. This marks a significant achievement and highlights the growing capabilities of the Indian defence industry.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has set a new target for the future – exporting over Rs 50,000 crore worth of defence equipment by 2028-2029. This ambitious goal reflects the government’s commitment to fostering a robust domestic defence industry and positioning India as a major player in the global arms market.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is gearing up to bolster its amphibious capabilities with a fleet of Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) built indigenously. This follows a Request for Information (RFI) issued in 2021. Two Indian shipyards, Cochin Shipyards Ltd (CSL) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), have thrown their hats in the ring with their own designs. Additionally, L&T Shipbuilding and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) have proposed designs based on collaborations with international OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers).
The LPDs envisioned by the Navy will boast an impressive capacity. Each vessel is expected to accommodate a crew of 540 sailors and carry up to 900 troops. These behemoths will measure approximately 200 meters in length and displace up to 8 meters of water when fully loaded. In terms of speed, a cruising speed of 14 to 16 knots is desired, with a remarkable range of 10,000 nautical miles at economical speed for extended deployments.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is setting its sights on self-reliance in underwater warfare with Project-76, an ambitious initiative to design and develop a new generation of indigenous conventional submarines for the Indian Navy.
Project-76 will be a collaborative effort between DRDO and the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy. The WDB’s expertise in naval design will be crucial in shaping the submarine’s form and function.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian aviation industry witnessed a significant milestone on March 28th, 2024, with the successful maiden flight of the first Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. This marks a crucial step towards bolstering the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities.
Following its successful maiden flight, the Tejas Mk1A had to undergo a series of mandatory trials. These tests were crucial in ensuring the aircraft meets all operational requirements and performs flawlessly under various conditions and also validates many of the newer technologies in the jet.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Former IAF Marshal Anil Chopra’s suggestion of revisiting the Sukhoi/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) has sparked debate. However, sources close to idrw report no reconsideration of the FGFA program for procurement.
Experts maintain India’s decision to exit the FGFA, based on the Russian Su-57, was justified due to technical shortcomings. The FGFA reportedly failed to meet several key requirements, leading to deficiencies unexpected in a 5th generation fighter.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India boasts a vast and growing missile production capability. However, a critical question lingers: are stockpiles sufficient for a large-scale conflict? While some missiles have steady orders, others, particularly anti-tank and shoulder-fired variants, could be rapidly depleted in wartime. Traditional production methods might struggle to replenish stockpiles quickly, leaving a potential supply gap.
Here’s where 3D printing emerges as a game-changer. This technology offers a faster and more scalable solution for producing specific missile components, particularly rocket motors.
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