SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
In a significant move towards diversification, Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL), a state-owned Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) in India, has announced plans to develop 4×4 protective mobility vehicles (MPVs). These MPVs, similar in concept to the iconic HUMVEE used by the US Army, are part of AVNL’s strategy to broaden its product range and meet the evolving needs of the Indian Army.
The Indian Army has expressed interest in acquiring more MPVs in the light to medium category class. These versatile vehicles are known for their ability to operate in a variety of challenging terrains while providing crucial protection to personnel. To align with the modernization efforts of the Indian Army, AVNL aims to co-develop these MPVs with cutting-edge powerpack technology.
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S. Somnath, the Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), In an interview with Asianet News Tamil, Somnath shared an intriguing anecdote about ISRO’s SPF. ISRO’s SPF left such a profound impression that NASA, the renowned United States space agency. ISRO had send its SPF to United States for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite project. To everyone’s surprise, NASA was so impressed by the SPF’s capabilities that they decided to retain it after the request.
Designed and developed in-house by ISRO’s U R Rao Satellite Centre (URSC), this fixture plays a crucial role in the Assembly, Integration, and Test (AIT) of spacecraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
As the Indian Air Force (IAF) looks toward its future needs, it has identified a critical requirement for strategic airlift aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of IL-76MDs, which were procured in the mid-1980s from the Soviet Union. These aircraft have served the IAF well but are now reaching the end of their operational lives.
Sources familiar with the matter have informed idrw.org that efforts to upgrade the existing IL-76MDs, particularly with modern PS-90A-76 turbofan bypass engines, have faced challenges and have not materialized as planned. Consequently, IAF is now undertaking studies to assess its strategic airlift aircraft requirements and identify suitable options to maintain its cargo-moving capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has taken a significant step in advancing the capabilities of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Air Force Mark 2 (MK-2) by issuing tenders for the Design, Development, Qualification, Supply, and Integration of a Low-Profile Head-Up Display (HUD). This critical development marks a milestone in enhancing the avionics systems of the LCA AF MK-2 aircraft.
The Scope of Work (SOW) outlined in the tender document delineates the responsibilities of both ADA and the selected vendor in this endeavour. The key points within the tender include:
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a candid and exclusive interview with “Uday India,” Dr Samir V. Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), provided insights into India’s aero-engine development capabilities, highlighting the progress made by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE). Dr. Kamat discussed GTRE’s efforts to develop a new 110kN thrust engine, shedding light on the challenges and potential collaborations that could expedite this critical project.
GTRE, a key player in aero-engine research, has been diligently working on the Dry Kaveri engine. Over the years, significant advancements have been achieved, addressing many of the engine’s technical challenges. The engine has demonstrated an impressive 46kN of thrust during tests at a High Altitude facility in Russia, a noteworthy accomplishment in itself.
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The Bharat Drone Shakti-2023 exhibition at Hindan Air Base in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, has provided more information about India’s Tactical Interdiction and Attack Air Vehicle (TIA-AV). This low-observable, multi-role autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is currently under development by Bengaluru-based NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt Ltd for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The technical specifications of the TIA-AV have been unveiled, showcasing its impressive capabilities. The UAV will have a service ceiling of 6 km above mean sea level (AMSL), a cruise speed of 170 kmph, an endurance of over 6 hours, and a range of 400 km. These specifications make it a versatile and potent asset for various missions.
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The Indian Navy’s INS Kolkata (D63), the lead ship of the Kolkata-class destroyer, made a significant stop at Tanjung Priok Port in North Jakarta. This visit carries important implications, especially in the context of promoting the BrahMos supersonic missile system, a collaborative Indo-Russian project.
During its stay in Jakarta, INS Kolkata demonstrated its strategic capabilities by opening its front Vertical Launch System (VLS). This impressive display was met with keen interest from Indonesian Navy officials who had the opportunity to board the ship.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Bengaluru-based drone startup NewSpace Research is making waves in the world of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) with its groundbreaking concept, the Technologies Collaborative Combat UAS ‘Abhimanyu.’ This revolutionary UAV is designed to excel in Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), kinetic attack, decoy, and electronic warfare (EW) missions, redefining the capabilities of modern drones.
Abhimanyu stands out due to its Tactical Interdiction and Attack Air Vehicle (TIA-AV) design philosophy. This philosophy emphasizes cost-effectiveness, intelligence, and expandability, making the platform versatile and adaptable to a wide range of combat scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to bolster its artillery capabilities, the Indian Army is set to acquire a substantial number of Towed Gun Systems (TGS) for its Medium Regiment, a crucial part of the Regiment of Artillery. The plan entails procuring at least 20 regiments, with each regiment typically consisting of 18 to 20 guns.
While the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) has garnered attention for its impressive features, weighing approximately 18 tons, it may not be the optimal solution for all types of terrain. To address this concern and ensure the army’s readiness for varied operational environments, the Indian Army is exploring the acquisition of 155mm X 52 Calibre guns that fall below 15 tons.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia has given approval for the country to secure up to USD 2.16 billion in foreign loans, which will be utilized to acquire air-independent propulsion (AIP)-)-capable submarines. This significant move reflects Indonesia’s commitment to bolstering its naval capabilities and enhancing its maritime defence.
Indonesia’s naval shipbuilder, PT PAL, and France’s renowned naval defence company, Naval Group, entered into a preliminary agreement on February 10th to collaborate on the construction of two Scorpène submarines for the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia – Angkatan Laut: TNI-AL). These submarines are equipped with advanced air-independent propulsion technology, which provides increased operational endurance and stealth capabilities, making them a valuable asset for Indonesia’s naval forces.
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Mahindra’s version of the Wheeled Armored Amphibious Platform (WhAP), developed in collaboration with DRDO (Defense Research and Development Organization), is making significant progress as it heads towards user trials conducted by the Indian Army.
The Mahindra-DRDO WhAP is part of a broader initiative to enhance India’s defense capabilities through indigenous manufacturing and technology transfer. While it shares the basic design of the TATA-DRDO WhAP, Mahindra’s version incorporates several distinctive features, differentiating it from its counterpart.
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Skyroot Aerospace, the pioneering Indian space launch startup, has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to launch the Vikram-1 rocket. The company recently completed wind tunnel testing at the CSIR-NAL (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories) facility in Bengaluru, marking a crucial step in the development of the launch vehicle.
The wind tunnel testing process is a pivotal element in the validation and optimization of the Vikram-1 rocket’s design. It provides essential data on the rocket’s aerodynamics, structural integrity, and control systems, allowing engineers and scientists to fine-tune the vehicle for optimal performance during launch.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In an exclusive interview with “Uday India,” Dr Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), shed light on the remarkable performance of India’s indigenous Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) in comparison to the Russian-developed T-90 MBTs. Dr Kamat’s insights underscore the untapped potential of the Arjun MBT and the challenges it faces due to limited orders.
The Arjun MBT has consistently demonstrated its superiority over the T-90 MBTs across various parameters. However, despite its impressive performance, the Arjun has encountered hurdles primarily stemming from the lack of substantial orders from the Indian Army. This has led to a high import content for the tank, resulting in supply chain constraints that have posed sustenance challenges.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarking on a search for used ERJ145 aircraft, a prior generation of Embraer regional jets, to bolster its Netra Mk1A Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&CS) program. This decision comes despite the fact that Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer SA ceased production of this specific aircraft type in 2020.
Presently, the IAF operates two ERJ145 Netra Mk1 AEW&CS platforms, while one remains under the custody of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) for further development and research.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Jorge Tamarit Degenhardt, Vice President and Head of the C295 India Programme at Airbus, recently shared insights into the company’s expectations for the C295 Transport aircraft in India. In an interview with Indian media, he revealed that Airbus is in discussions with multiple Indian agencies, including the Indian Coast Guard, Indian Navy, and Border Security Force (BSF), for the potential sale of an additional 50 to 100 C295 aircraft.
This projection comes after the Indian Air Force (IAF) placed an order for 56 C295 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in India’s efforts to modernize its transport aircraft fleet. However, Airbus believes there is strong potential for additional orders, driven by various requirements from Indian defence and security forces.
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