SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Russia is making renewed attempt to woo India with its Su-75 Checkmate light fighter jet, positioning it as the ideal successor to the aging MiG-29 fleet. This comes as India, along with several other nations, grapples with the need to replace their MiG-29s. The Su-75 Checkmate, unveiled in 2021, is a single-engine, lightweight stealth fighter that Russia touts as the ideal replacement for the MiG-29. Last year, design patents revealed a potential redesign, hinting at ongoing development efforts.
Russia has its sights set firmly on India, a long-standing partner and a nation actively seeking a replacement for its MiG-29 fleet. A 2021 Checkmate advertisement featuring pilots from potential buyer countries, including India, underscored Russia’s strategic marketing approach.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is gearing up to host its first-ever multinational air exercise, Tarang Shakti-2024, this August. The event, featuring participation from ten countries including the US, Germany, and France, is set to be a stage for a fierce competition between Boeing and Airbus for a lucrative aerial refueling contract.
The IAF is actively seeking to bolster its aerial refueling capabilities, aiming to acquire six new tanker aircraft to complement its existing fleet of Il-78MKIs. This push comes as India seeks to project its airpower further and maintain operational flexibility in its vast region.
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The Indian Air Force (IAF) is contemplating acquiring a fleet of pre-owned Mirage 2000 fighter jets from Qatar, along with spare M53 engines, to fortify its ageing fighter squadrons. This potential deal comes amidst concerns about the longevity of the IAF’s existing Mirage 2000 fleet, many of which are nearing the end of their service life due to engine limitations.
Qatar has proposed selling its fleet of 12 Mirage 2000-5 fighters, including nine single-seat 2000-5EDAs and three dual-seat 2000-5DDAs. These jets are particularly attractive because they come with 14 Snecma M53-P2 afterburning turbofan engines – vital components for extending the operational life of the IAF’s current Mirage 2000 fleet.
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The Indian Navy’s much-anticipated INS Vagsheer, the sixth and final Kalvari-class submarine, is set to see a delay in its induction. Launched in April 2022 from the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, in collaboration with the Naval Group of France, the submarine was initially expected to join the Indian Navy in early 2024.
The INS Vagsheer began its sea trials in May 2023, a crucial step before its official commissioning. However, recent reports suggest the induction has been pushed back to November or December of this year. While the official reasons for the delay haven’t been disclosed by MDL, sources speculate it might be due to the integration and testing of indigenous equipment.
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Alex Zino, Director of Business Development and Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce, has set the record straight regarding the engine for India’s Zorawar Light Tank. He confirmed that the MTU 8V199 TE21 engine is indeed powering the Zorawar tank. Zino also confirmed that engine was delivered to L&T OEM of the Light Tank Program .
Earlier media reports suggested a switch to a Cummins engine due to delays in obtaining German export clearance (BAFA) for the MTU engine. Mr. Zino clarified that while there were initial delays, these have been resolved. The MTU engine delivering a powerful 600 kW (804hp) output, has now been integrated into the Zorawar platform as per information given by Mr. Zino to Indian Media.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively seeking the expertise of Indian private sector companies to undertake substantial repairs on two of its IL-76 aircraft, which have sustained significant damage to their undercarriage and associated airframe structure. These aircraft are currently grounded at the Chandigarh airbase, and the IAF is looking for an industrial partner to carry out the necessary repairs on-site.
The two IL-76 aircraft, essential for the IAF’s transport and logistics capabilities, have been rendered non-operational due to heavy damage. This situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has disrupted the supply chain and repair services from Russia, the original equipment manufacturer of the IL-76 aircraft.
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Rolls-Royce, the engine manufacturer for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Jaguar fighter jets, has acknowledged that the decision on the future of these aircraft rests with the IAF. The company has expressed its commitment to supporting the IAF’s choice, regardless of whether it involves continued operation or eventual retirement of the Jaguar fleet.
The IAF holds the unique distinction of being the world’s only remaining air force to operate Jaguar fighter jets. These aircraft are powered by the Rolls-Royce Turbomeca Adour Mk.102 afterburning turbofan engines.
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The Indian Navy’s underwater arsenal is set for a potential boost with renewed talks on acquiring additional Kalvari-class (Scorpène) submarines. State-owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is reportedly in advanced discussions for a deal estimated at a whopping ?35,000 crore (US$4.19 billion).
While the final price might see some reduction after negotiations later this year, each upgraded Kalvari-class submarine is expected to cost between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion. This marks a significant jump of over 62% compared to the six Kalvari-class submarines previously acquired by India at a cost of ?23,652 crore (US$4.1 billion in 2023). This translates to a cost per unit of ?3,942 crore (US$680 million in 2023).
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Bengaluru-based Tardid Technologies Pvt Ltd made a splash at Eurosatory 2024, showcasing its innovative AI-based solution for naval vessels: PRESCRIPTIVE ANALYSIS OF HULL & MACHINERY (PAH&M). Tardid’s motto for PAH&M, “Sweat in peacetime so you can relax in difficult times,” aptly summarizes its philosophy. This system aims to prevent potential problems at sea by proactively monitoring a ship’s hull and machinery.
Naval vessels endure a unique set of challenges compared to commercial ships. They operate in harsh conditions, experience extreme maneuvers, and are constantly exposed to corrosive environments. This results in significantly higher fatigue on a naval vessel’s hull compared to its commercial counterparts. Furthermore, fatigue cracks typically begin on the surface in the short term but move deeper within the metal over extended periods.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made significant progress on India’s indigenous Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM). Following successful trials last year, DRDO reportedly conducted two more tests in the past 12 months, showcasing an improved range.
The latest iteration of the SLCM boasts a range of 500+ kilometers, allowing it to strike targets deep within the enemy territory or at sea. This extended range significantly enhances India’s offensive capabilities.
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The Indian Navy’s plan to acquire additional P-8I long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) has been put on hold. Instead, the Navy has opted to procure nine new Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR) aircraft based on the Airbus C-295 transport platform.
These MRMR aircraft, developed by Airbus, will provide the Navy with enhanced capabilities for various missions including maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, and maintaining maritime domain awareness. Additionally, they will be equipped with DRDO-developed Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communications Intelligence (COMINT), and special operations.
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The Indian Navy is set to receive a boost in its maritime surveillance capabilities with the indigenous Tapas MALE (Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance) UAV. According to reports, the Navy has decided to place an initial order for four units of the Tapas, developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) and manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
These Tapas UAVs will be maritime variants, equipped with navy-specific sensors and electronic warfare (EW) suites. This will enable them to perform critical tasks such as patrolling vast swathes of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and keeping a watchful eye on surface and subsurface activities.
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State-owned Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) is set to license produce the Russian KAMAZ-53949 Typhoon-K vehicle in India. Having successfully completed internal trials of the locally manufactured Typhoon-K, AVNL is now poised to offer this advanced military vehicle to the Indian Army.
The Typhoon-K motor vehicles are designed to provide integrated logistics support to combined arms and special units, including peacekeeping formations, in various environments. These vehicles are versatile, capable of carrying personnel and military cargo, and serve as a basic chassis for mounting various technical systems and weapons.
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India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) restricting airspace usage between July 17 and 26, 2024, sparking speculation about a possible missile test. The designated area encompasses both the ‘AD Launch Site’ in West Bengal and the APJ Abdul Kalam Island launch pad off the coast of Odisha.
This has led analysts to believe that the test might involve the AD-1 Interceptor missile, a crucial component of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Phase-II program. The inclusion of both launch sites in the NOTAM suggests the possibility of interceptor and target missile launches from separate locations.
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The Indian government is poised to equip the Indian Army with a significant boost in firepower. A critical cabinet committee meeting in August is expected to approve the purchase of 100 additional K9 Vajra tracked, self-propelled howitzers.
This repeat order follows the successful delivery of the first 100 K9 Vajras by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) in 2022. These howitzers, built using technology transferred from South Korean defense major Hanwha Defense, were originally intended for desert deployment. However, their adaptability was proven during the 2020 standoff with Chinese troops in eastern Ladakh. To ensure optimal performance in the harsh mountain environment, the Army procured winterization kits for the deployed K9s. These kits, consisting of nine essential items, safeguard batteries, oils, and lubricants from extreme cold (down to -20°C) and prevent freezing.
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