SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Ministry of Defence of the Government of India has unveiled its intention to procure 170 Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV) built on a tracked platform. This strategic move is poised to strengthen India’s military capabilities by ensuring swift recovery and repair of armoured vehicles under various challenging terrain and weather conditions.
This Request for Information (RFI) is a pivotal step in the procurement process, aimed at finalizing the Specific Qualitative Requirements (SQRs), determining the appropriate procurement category, and identifying potential Indian vendors capable of commencing ARV supply within two years of the contract award. The intended production rate is a minimum of 50 ARV vehicles per year, underscoring India’s commitment to expedited reinforcement of its military infrastructure.
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Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL), based in Mumbai, has taken a significant step towards enhancing India’s naval capabilities by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Navy’s Submarine Design Group. The MoU, signed on August 25, 2023, paves the way for joint efforts in the research and development of cutting-edge technologies and equipment for submarines and other underwater vehicles.
This collaborative venture is poised to bring together the expertise and resources of the Indian Navy and MDL, aligning their efforts towards the indigenous design and development of submarines and underwater vehicles. Such a partnership is expected to make substantial contributions to India’s “Atmanirbhar Bharat” initiative, which emphasizes self-reliance and indigenous development in various sectors, including defence.
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Recent collaborative testing between the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and India-based aerospace start-up NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT) has yielded results that corroborate experimental wind tunnel data. These findings align with wind tunnel modelling predictions conducted in India, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between AFRL and NRT.
The collaborative testing took place at the AFRL Vertical Wind Tunnel facility located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. The CRADA between AFRL and NRT is part of the Defense Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), which aims to foster technical progress for both partners. CRADAs are valuable mechanisms for partnering with innovative small businesses both domestically and internationally.
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India’s Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) has witnessed a significant reduction in its unit cost as production stabilizes and orders surge from both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Navy. The missile, designed for air combat superiority, is becoming a cost-effective alternative in its class.
Initially cleared for production at a rate of $1 million per unit, the Astra Mk1 BVRAAM has rapidly become more competitive in terms of pricing. The recent influx of orders, totaling 250 units from the IAF and the Indian Navy, has contributed to the falling cost. It is now available at a much more budget-friendly rate of approximately $0.7 million per unit.
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The latest satellite images reveal that India’s overseas military base on Agalega Island in Mauritius has reached completion. This strategically significant facility features a deep-sea port capable of accommodating destroyers and frigates, along with an airbase equipped with a 3-kilometer long runway and facilities suitable for operating fighter jets and naval surveillance aircraft like the P-8I.
Agalega Island, comprising North and South Agaléga, is situated in the southwestern part of the Indian Ocean. This region has been a blind spot for the Indian Navy, and the construction of this military facility aims to expand India’s maritime domain awareness.
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Despite reservations expressed by Air Chief Marshal Vivek R Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, regarding the procurement of Armed Drones due to their vulnerability in contested airspace, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively exploring the development of stealthy Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) and Loyal Wingman systems, driven by the rapidly evolving landscape of modern warfare.
The IAF’s strategic outlook is shaped by the changing dynamics of warfare, with a focus on the “Contours of Future Wars” and the rise of multi-dimensional hybrid warfare, which has been observed in recent global conflicts.
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The Indian Navy’s forthcoming Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization Seminar, Swavlamban, scheduled for October 4-5, 2023, is generating considerable buzz and excitement within defence and aerospace circles. The seminar promises to unveil cutting-edge indigenous naval air assets that are currently in development, sparking intrigue and anticipation among defence enthusiasts and industry experts.
One notable figure contributing to the excitement is Harsh Vardhan Thakur, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) pilot and a distinguished test pilot with the state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Thakur, in response to the anticipation surrounding Swavlamban, extended an invitation to attendees, hinting that the event would showcase the future of Indian-origin naval air assets.
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India’s Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile is set to undergo a series of rigorous tests in the coming months, despite its recent successful test launch from the LCA-Tejas LSP-7 aircraft off the coast of Goa. These tests are crucial for clearing the missile for operational use and ensuring its effectiveness in combat scenarios.
The Astra Mk1 missile, which was successfully tested last month, is an indigenous BVR missile designed to engage and destroy aerial targets at extended ranges. However, before it can be deployed in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) LCA-Tejas operational fleet, it must undergo more stringent testing parameters.
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Indonesia’s Ambassador to India, Ina H. Krisnamurthi, has expressed interest in acquiring BrahMos shore-based anti-ship missiles, marking a significant development in the defense ties between the two nations. This announcement comes after advanced discussions between India’s BrahMos Aerospace and Indonesian authorities regarding a potential deal.
Earlier this year, Atul D. Rane, the CEO of BrahMos Aerospace, revealed that the company was in advanced negotiations with Indonesia for a deal worth an estimated $200 million to $350 million. The proposed agreement would involve the supply of shore-based BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles and a version suitable for mounting on warships.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in the process of finalizing a lease deal for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) from the French Air Force. This strategic move aims to bolster the IAF’s aerial tanker capabilities, providing vital support for its aircraft during missions.
The proposed lease agreement is expected to span a period of five years, during which the IAF will have access to this versatile aircraft. The A330 MRTT is renowned for its ability to serve as both a tanker and a carrier, offering flexibility and adaptability in various mission scenarios.
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India’s indigenously developed Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is poised to make its production debut in 2024. The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has already commenced the production of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets, which will be equipped with the Uttam AESA radar from the 21st aircraft onward. This marks a significant milestone in India’s journey towards self-reliance in defence technology.
The Uttam AESA radar has completed all developmental trials and is now ready for production. An improved variant of the radar was developed to integrate seamlessly with the Tejas Mk1A, incorporating technological advancements achieved over the past few years. This radar system promises to enhance the capabilities of India’s fighter aircraft significantly.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking a strategic approach to streamlining the Medium Range Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender process as it seeks to expedite the acquisition of 114 fighter jets under the “Made in India” initiative with a 100 per cent Transfer of Technology (ToT) clause. The IAF is keen to minimize the time required for issuing the Request for Proposal (RFP), evaluating proposals, and moving on to the technical evaluation phase.
One significant change in the approach is to make the RFP more specific and concise, reducing the extensive documentation that can sometimes run into thousands of pages. By providing clearer and more focused requirements, the IAF aims to expedite the evaluation process.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is expected to withdraw from the Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) program, led by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), to develop a 90-seater turboprop aircraft designed for regional civilian use within India. While the government has granted in-principle approval for the full-scale engineering development of the RTA project and allocated funding to a Special Purpose Vehicle, the IAF’s participation in the program seems unlikely.
The NAL estimates that the RTA project could require funding of up to $2 billion to develop three prototypes for developmental and certification purposes. This decision comes as India’s aviation sector has experienced significant growth in the last decade, with an anticipated need for approximately 300 RTA-class aircraft in the country over the next 20 years.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is engaged in discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to acquire an additional 100 LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. This procurement is part of the IAF’s strategy to bolster its capabilities, particularly along India’s western border with Pakistan.
The IAF’s objective in acquiring more LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jets is twofold. First, it aims to strengthen its presence on the western front to enhance its preparedness and response capabilities in the event of any contingencies. Second, by deploying these advanced aircraft on the western front, the IAF intends to free up some of its Sukhoi-30MKI squadrons for deployment on the eastern border with China.
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The Brazilian Army Commander, General Tomas Miguel Mine Ribeiro Paiva, paid a strategic visit to Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) in Bangalore to explore India’s state-of-the-art Akash surface-to-air missile systems. These missile systems are manufactured by BEL in collaboration with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL).
This visit follows earlier meetings between top Brazilian army officials and the CMDs of BEL and BDL during the LAAD DefExpo in Rio, Brazil. General Tomas Miguel Mine Ribeiro Paiva’s visit to BEL’s facility in Bangalore aimed to gain insights into the capabilities and technology behind the Akash missile system.
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