SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is planning to offer Maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) to all Su-30MKI/MKM, MKA, and SM operators as Russian OEM continues to face economic sanctions as operators of the fleet struggle to pay off the supply of spares and equipment due to lack of open banking channels.

HAL will seek Russian permission to take over as OEM role in providing overhauls and other facilities to existing customers of Su-30s that are largely built on baseline Su-30MKI that is operated by India. Many of the current operators do not have the facility to carry out major overhauls or mandated checks by the OEMs locally that have to be sent to Russia.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) located at Avadi in Chennai will commence upgrades on the original batch of T-90 Bhishma Main Battle Tank (MBT) that had come from Russia in Completely Knocked Down (CKD) / Semi Knocked Down (SKD) condition that is up for a complete overhaul. Automatic target tracker (ATT), digital ballistic computer, and auxiliary power unit (APU) are some of the main systems that will be upgraded.

ATT and APU will be upgraded to an indigenous system that will now also include see-through-armour. commander’s panoramic sight and driver’s night sight already have been developed for the Arjun MBT program and will now will replacing older systems in T-90MBTs.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

After maiden trials of the AD-1 Interceptor missile, which is part of India’s Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence Shield, DRDO has commenced work on the fabrication of the AD-2 Interceptor missile that can intercept IRBM (Intermediate-range Ballistic Missile) targets with a range between 3000 to 5500 kilometers.

AD-2 will start trials sometime in late 2023 or in early 2024 as confirmed by Dr. Samir Kamat, Chairman of the DRDO. By 2025, DRDO wants both the Interceptor missiles to be tested and validated including new long-range radars with a scanning capability of over 1,500 km.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Tri-Service will be issuing Trial clearance certification to Private sector companies that had offered their weapons systems for user trials so that they can offer this weapon to the export market even if this weapon is not procured by Indian Armed Forces.

idrw.org has been told that many Private sector companies bid and offer trials of their weapon systems and the Indian Armed Forces after lengthy trials may which may not procure them immediately due to various reasons that often effects export chances of the weapon systems. Trial clearance certification will be only given to companies whose weapons or products that were offered for trials cleared the Internal evaluation of the Indian Armed Forces.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Indian Air Force (IAF) will be soon fast-tracking the integration and upgradation of Squadrons that are equipped with Su-30MKI fighter type so that can be cleared for using India’s Astra Beyond Visual range air-to-air missiles. idrw.org has been told that a few weeks back few frontline squadrons started receiving Astra BVRAAMs and the missile is now operational.

Astra BVRAAMs integration requires some hardware and software upgrades on the Su-30MKI fighter Jets, initially pace was also due to limited production runs of the missile system but now the production pace is picking up after the recent round of orders and more missiles will be enabled Squadrons wise in next few months and complete process is likely to be completed by late 2023 or early 2024.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Pune-Based Bharat Forge is in talks to bid to be the technology partner for the upcoming Engine consortium company in India that will be in charge of the joint development of a new 110-130kN Class of jet engine for India’s AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program.

Engine consortium company will be led by the Defence PSUs like ADA (Aeronautical Development Agency), GTRE (Gas Turbine Research Establishment), HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics), and Private sector companies participation is expected so to be part of the Tier-I and II supply chain of the engine components when it is under production.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Mumbai-based, Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt in close coordination with the Indian Navy is working to develop a swarm of autonomous underwater minehunting drones while avoiding obstacles autonomously that are designed to detect, locate and identify mines using an array of sensors so that the Indian Navy can destroy them.

The lightweight autonomous mine hunting vehicles will help detect mines in the waters off its coast operating effectively at depths of up to 100m. Mine hunting drones can identify underwater mines and saves human divers from doing the dangerous job of clearing them that are time-consuming and imprecise.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

DRDO officials in an interview with News18 have claimed that the Dry Kaveri engine that is under testing will be cleared for certification by 2024 and will have 80% Indigenous content.

Dry Kaveri which can generate 46kN of thrust and is presently going through ground tests and altitude tests and soon will commence engine endurance testing which will be the final part of the certification of the engine that is required by the CEMILAC (Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Pravaig Dynamics, a Bengaluru-based startup, better known as Pravaig has started testing its Electric Tactical vehicle for the Indian Military that will have a range of 423km and superior acceleration of 0-100kmph in less than 5 seconds with an appropriate fast charger, it would be able to charge it up to 80% in just 30 minutes.

The prototype of the Electric Tactical vehicle by Pravaig has been seen testing around Bangalore Airport lately. The company is planning to introduce its Pravaig electric SUV to be showcased in a near-production form for the Civilian market that will have a range of 504 km on a single full charge, and a top speed of 200 km/h.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Private Sector Company, EDITH Defence Systems is developing Stringer 400, A C-UAS hardkill-n-capture system driven by computer vision and AI. The company claims that the 2kg system is in its 4th iteration of mechanical system design and will be integrated with TBone co-axial drone that company is also developing.

Stringer 400 will neutralize the threat by launching a non-explosive, air-powered projectile timed to deploy in front of the target and entangle it in its net. Stringer 400 will have a range greater than 300 meters and will be capable of repeated use in quick succession which will come in handy to neutralize drone swarms.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

After placing orders for indigenous Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, anti-tank missiles, Swathi Radars, and ammunition from India, last week Armenia placed orders for 70+ units of 155mm 39-caliber artillery system manufactured by Bharat Forge, a private defense firm part of Pune. Armenia is now set its eyes on Indian-made Air Defence Systems as per information provided to idrw.org and is currently evaluating two Air Defence systems that are on offer for purchase.

Armenia is looking to procure a mid-range air defense system from India for which it is looking at offers from India of its Akash Mk1/Mk2 and Akash NG Air defense systems that might soon be agreed upon. Armenia also has shown interest in Indian-made loitering ammunition and counter-drone systems.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Brazilian small arms manufacturer Taurus Armas has tied up with Indian defense company Jindal Defence and will be bringing out top-of-the-line pistols, carbines, and submachine guns for the Indian armed force that will be made in India under the transfer of technology.

Taurus Armas and Jindal Defence have decided to produce small arms at its Haryana factory that will start with Taurus 9mm pistols, 5.56 x 45mm carbines, 7.62 x 39 mm rifles as well as 9 x 19 mm submachine guns are some of the products that will be available for the Indian forces soon.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

BrahMos Corporation after bagging orders from Philipines has scaled up its plans to develop and manufacture BrahMos-NG (Next-Generation) Cruise missile that will begin testing from 2024 onwards and is based on the tech that has been developed for its bigger sibling.

idrw.org has been told that BrahMos-NG is getting a lot of attention due to its small size and supersonic punch due to which many countries have shown not only interest but also are keen to have talks to procure them when it is ready for export.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Brigadier General Date Lau Kong Cheng who had a long career as a fighter pilot in Royal Malaysian Air Force has slammed his government and claimed in local Malaysian media that the proper Open International Tender process for the 2 systems is not adhered to and has been deviously aimed and manipulated towards selecting pre-determined systems i.e. Anka UAS [drones] and FA-50 FLIT-LCA [aircraft].

Cheng said that this has prevented all Tender bidders from Fair, Transparent, and Professional Evaluation and Comparisons of their Tender bid systems. These unscrupulous decisions and collaborated actions amount to an abuse of power and are indications of corrupt practices. These treacherous actions, if not prevented may result in the nation being denied the choice of the best performing, most value for money, cost-effective, and long-term viable systems for future credible defense.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

DRDO developed ATAGS and has been in news for having an excellent focus on targeting and fire control but its ignition was still based on the pyrotechnic primer and igniter materials to achieve reliable ignition. Most of the recent generations of the self-propelled howitzer have moved on to the laser ignition system, which has neither of these drawbacks of conventional primer and igniter that must be replaced each time the gun is fired.

DRDO has taken up work for the fabrication of a breech-mounted laser ignition system that already has been developed and soon will be tested on the ATAGS Gun. laser ignition system will last a long time and is useful when resupplying primer and igniter to the front lines of a battle to sustain combat operations, pose a significant environmental hazard and logistics burden.