SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Indigenous air warfare capabilities leapt forward on May 29th with the successful test-firing of the Rudram-II air-to-surface missile. Launched from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jet off the coast of Odisha, this marked the first full-configuration test of the weapon.
The 800kg missile can carry a 200kg warhead 200kg warhead, is designed as a “universal weapons system.” This means it can be seamlessly integrated into various Indian fighter jets, including the upcoming Tejas MkII and potentially the Rafale in the future.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is inching closer to its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) program with the upcoming third and final RLV landing experiment (RLV LEX).
“We’re progressively raising the difficulty level with this mission,” said Dr. Unnikrishnan Nair, highlighting the increasing complexity of the tests. The RLV-LEX missions involve an unmanned winged prototype, named Pushpak, being taken to a predetermined height and released for a controlled landing under various conditions. In the upcoming LEX-03 mission, Pushpak will be carried to a height of 4.5 kilometers, but with an added challenge – it will be released 500 meters sideways from the runway, compared to the 150 meters in the previous LEX-02 mission.
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The Johnnette JF-2, a lightweight hand-launched fixed-wing drone, recently impressed during a military exercise in Rajasthan. This drone, deployed by a tank crew, showcased its capabilities as a valuable tool for land forces.
The Johnnette JF-2 boasts several features that make it ideal for battlefield use. First and foremost, its lightweight design and hand-launching mechanism allow for easy deployment by soldiers in the field. Furthermore, its extended 90-minute endurance enables troops to gather vital intelligence over a sustained period.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
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India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is accelerating production of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jet, aiming to build 24 aircraft annually. This announcement by HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan signifies a significant boost to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fighter strength.
Previously, HAL operated under a “Contracted Schedule” with a production rate of 16 Tejas Mk1A jets per year. The new plan, dubbed the “Enhanced Delivery Schedule,” leverages HAL’s existing three production facilities: two Bengaluru lines (each producing 8 aircraft) and a new line in Nashik with an identical capacity. This combined capacity allows HAL to reach the target of 24 jets annually.
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The Indian Navy is inching closer to acquiring a variant of the renowned Rafale fighter jet specifically designed for aircraft carrier operations – the Rafale M. This single-seat variant is expected to cost around Euro 91.07 million per unit, comparable to the previously acquired Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force.
While sharing the core capabilities of the Rafale A, the Rafale M boasts crucial modifications for carrier operations. A key difference lies in the extended and reinforced nose section, designed to withstand the powerful launch mechanisms of aircraft carriers. Additionally, the undercarriage is strengthened to handle the demanding take-off and landing cycles on a moving platform at sea.
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India’s National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) is soaring towards the next stage of its high-altitude platform (HAP) development. Building on the success of a recent sub-scale test flight, CSIR-NAL is set to construct a full-scale prototype equipped with cutting-edge features.
The May 7th test flight of a sub-scale vehicle proved to be a valuable learning experience. The flight saw the vehicle reach an altitude of 3,000 feet while carrying a synthetic aperture radar payload developed by the Indian start-up Galaxeye Space. Following the payload drop, the vehicle climbed even higher, reaching an impressive 25,000 feet.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Safran Helicopter Engines, a French leader in helicopter engine manufacturing, have embarked on a collaborative effort to develop a new engine for India’s indigenous Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) program. This initiative signifies a significant step towards self-reliance in India’s defense aviation sector.
The joint venture between HAL and Safran will not only ensure local production of the IMRH engine but also grant India intellectual property rights (IPR) for the technology. This crucial aspect allows India to further develop and manufacture the engine and its variants without requiring continual approval from Safran.
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Vivek Krishnan, CEO of SSS Defence, recently made a compelling statement about the company’s readiness to address critical defense needs for India with indigenous, high-standard weaponry. This declaration comes in response to remarks made by former Jammu and Kashmir police chief Shesh Paul Vaid, who highlighted a request from the Indian Army’s Northern Command for 50 snipers equipped with Australian rifles to counter Pakistani sniper attacks.
Krishnan emphasized that the company can provide indigenous weapons that meet international standards, devoid of the restrictions and complications often associated with foreign arms deals. He pointedly criticized the bureaucratic and diplomatic entanglements typical of such procurements, which include end-use guarantees, licensing issues, and high costs, often compounded by diplomatic pressures and critiques of India’s human rights record.
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In an era marked by escalating maritime tensions and the rapid expansion of China’s naval capabilities, the need for enhanced naval power and cooperation among like-minded nations has never been more pressing. A strategic proposal should be that Four nations come together for a collaborative effort between India, France, Japan, and South Korea to build a fleet of advanced aircraft carriers. some for the arguments for the Quad Carrier Cooperation is that.
China’s rapid naval expansion and future ambitions, including the development of larger aircraft carriers and advanced technologies like EMALS, pose a significant challenge to regional security. To maintain a strategic balance, India, France, Japan, and South Korea will need more and larger aircraft carriers equipped with cutting-edge technologies. The collaborative construction of these carriers is aimed at ensuring that the participating nations can effectively counter China’s growing naval capabilities.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) chief has announced a significant design feature of the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft – a cockpit tailored to fit 90% of Indian Air Force (IAF) pilots.
This design prioritizes pilot comfort and ergonomics. The cockpit adheres to anthropometric requirements, ensuring a suitable fit for pilots within the 5th to 95th percentile range. This translates to a more comfortable and efficient flying experience for a vast majority of IAF pilots.
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The debate surrounding the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and its ability to compete with the Pakistani Air Force’s (PAF) fighter jets has been a topic of much discussion. This article aims to shed light on the Tejas’ capabilities and their role in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
While the PAF possesses a mix of F-16 variants, including older models, the core argument focuses on the Tejas Mk1/A’s ability to engage modern threats. It’s important to recognize that the Tejas Mk1 isn’t pitted solely against outdated F-16s. The IAF rightfully expects its aircraft to be prepared for a wider range of potential adversaries, including the JF-17, J-10CE, and even newer F-16 variants.
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Flight Lieutenant Kambampati Nachiketa, Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja, and Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman—these names evoke stories of bravery and resilience. They also share a common thread: each had to eject from their fighter jets and landed in Pakistani-Occupied Kashmir (POK) during critical missions, whether in the Kargil War or the 2019 air skirmish.
These incidents underscore a crucial issue in modern aerial warfare: the need for advanced systems to prevent Indian fighter jets from straying into enemy airspace. In response, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is implementing several technological advancements to tackle this problem effectively.
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A video currently going viral on social media platform X has sparked a flurry of speculation and concern. The footage shows the remains of a missile, reportedly fired by Israeli aircraft at a United Nations shelter in Gaza, bearing the label “Made in India.” This has led to widespread debate and controversy regarding India’s involvement in the manufacturing and supply of weapons used in the ongoing conflict.
As the video gained traction online, many were quick to jump to conclusions about India’s role in supplying arms to Israel. The “Made in India” label visible on the missile remnants suggested to some viewers that India might be directly involved in providing weaponry used in the attack on the UN shelter. The video rapidly went viral, prompting intense scrutiny and calls for clarity from various quarters, including international observers and political analysts.
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The Indian Army has taken a significant step towards self-reliance in defense technology by awarding a contract to Johnnette Technologies Private Limited. This strategic deal involves the procurement of 150 state-of-the-art loitering munitions, known as the JM-1, marking a major milestone under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
Johnnette Technologies, a leader in indigenous defense solutions, developed the JM-1 specifically for tactical operations. This precision-guided loitering munition leverages advanced technology to enhance the Indian Army’s tactical edge. The JM-1’s unique AI-powered algorithm enables it to precisely strike targets even at high altitudes exceeding 18,000 feet.
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The race for India’s next-generation fighter jet engine has intensified as French aerospace giant Safran has upped its offer. Following their proposal for complete technology transfer (ToT) for the joint development of an engine for the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) program, Safran has extended the same offer for the much-anticipated 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
This move by Safran positions them as a frontrunner in the competition, which also includes established names like General Electric (US) and Rolls-Royce (UK). The key differentiator is the 100% ToT, including Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), offered by France.
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