SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s leading shipbuilding company, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) is boosting its research and Development activities in the development of many components and systems that will result in the development of a Truly Indigenous Conventional submarine for the Indian Navy as per Industrials sources close to idrw.org.

MDL that made French Scorpene Class submarines in India under Licensing agreements is developing Lithium-ion battery packs and Battery monitoring systems for current and for the proposed Indigenous Conventional submarine programs.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The long-overdue Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-produced Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) HJT-36 that has completed six turn spins on each side a key milestone in the program last year, has made HAL officials confident that the final certification of the aircraft will happen in the next 12 months as aircraft is set to clear final round of trials in coming months.

idrw.org was told that design issues on the HJT-36 have been fixed but it still requires recertification due to enhancements/ improvements of other systems and subsystems before the aircraft is ready for user trials.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will commence delivery of Tejas Mk1A fighter jets from next February which will see the induction of four Mk1A fighter jets into the Indian Air Force (IAF) with peak production rate to hit 16 units per year from 2026 onwards but HAL is targeting to squeeze in more deliveries from 2026 onwards so that orders for 73 jets can be accomplished before 2029.

HAL already has informed Tier-I suppliers of the main airframe manufacturer that are being handled by Private sector companies to deliver 2-3 units more per year so that production can be ramped up for the possibility of additional orders before the end of 2028.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Army has issued Two separate requests for proposal (RFP) for 100 each Logistic Drones in Light and Heavy Weight classes along with Accessories under emergency procurement through Fast Track Procedure (FTP) under Buy (Indian) category.

In Light Logistic Drone requirements it is seeking drones that have all up the weight of 50kg with a payload carrying capacity of 15kg. Light Logistic Drone should be equipped with Day / Night Camera and has a range of 10km with the ability to operate in Fully Autonomous Mode, Manual Mode and Return to Home Mode in various contingencies.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Russian-origin fleet of Mi-17V5 helicopters in the Indian Air Force as part of their upgrade package will be getting Spike NLOS missile that can take out targets from long ranges and can prove to be very effective against enemy Armoured columns in times of conflict. Mi-17V5 Transport helicopters will soon be equipped with the Israeli Spike Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) missile that has a range of 32km and as per media reports same will also be included in the ALH-Rudra and Prachand light attack helicopter soon.

Spike NLOS can take out targets from long ranges and can be very effective against enemy Armoured columns in times of conflict. Spike NLOS offers superior stand-off range over Air Launched ATGMs, but NLOS will be purchased in limited numbers as the focus remains to get Indian-made Air Launched ATGMs as main armaments of the Indian Attack Helicopters.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni have agreed to explore defence cooperation between the two countries and are looking at the co-development and co-production of defence equipment in India.

In 2021, India formally lifted the ban on Italian firm AgustaWestland and its parent company Leonardo, paving the way for them to take part in multiple ongoing projects and bid for upcoming defence contracts.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

In 2022, HAL officials have confirmed that it is exploring the possibility of setting up a Joint Venture for the manufacture of seats in India as IAF is looking to procure nearly 470 fighter jets and another 70-80 LIFT Trainer aircraft in the next 20 years. HAL to avoid any possible embargo on the export of Indian-made jets has taken up plans to develop them locally for the Indian and Export markets.

idrw.org was told by a HAL official at Aero India 2023 that talks with two companies are progressing well, one is an Indian private sector company and another is an International Ejection seat manufacturer with whom a three-way partnership might be forged.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Archer-NG which was unveiled for the first time at Aero India 2023 will be getting a critical system that will boost its capabilities in Maritime operations. Archer-NG will be equipped with an Israeli Airborne Maritime Surveillance Radar that will further enhance Indian Navy’s Maritime Surveillance and EEZ Patrolling capabilities.

Israeli ELM-2022U, a combat-proven long-range airborne multimode maritime surveillance radar that weighs only 75kg has been chosen to be used for the detection and automatic tracking of small targets in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hyderabad-based VEM Technologies that has developed AsiBal, a third-generation man-portable fire-and-forget ATGM has plans to commence user trials of the ATGM along with support coming from the Indian Army that will grant them a clearance certificate for possible export of the weapons system.

AsiBal has completed internal trials by the company and it’s on offer to Indian Army and also to the export market once it gets clearance certification from Indian Authorities it will be offered to the interested customer while it offers it to Indian Army also which has huge requirements of its own.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Indian Air Force (IAF) recently received 3rd regiment of S-400 `Triumf’ air defence missile system from Russia and will be getting one more S-400 regiment later that year and the last which is the 4th S-400 regiment early next year in January-February.

Russia delayed deliveries of the last 3 regiments of the S-400 due to delays in payment from the Indian side which due to economic transactions by the western prevented the usage of the American-backed SWIFT payment system for transactions with Russia.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently showcased a revised design of the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH) that has multiple changes in the engine housing casing and the exhaust system. IMRH is being conceived as a replacement for Mil Mi-17 utility helicopters, which form the mainstay of the Indian military’s heavy-utility rotorcraft fleet but HAL officials were not so eager to talk about the development of Heavy Class Attack Helicopter for the Indian Armed Forces.

HAL which has completed the development of the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) is focusing on the development of the IMRH along with the Civil variant of the LUH which will remain a company priority for the time being but acknowledged that the IMRH program will provide many building blocks that can be used for other Heavy class helicopter program.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) recently offered to supply six next-generation submarines under Government to government deal to India under the Project-75I Tender that will also involve joint development of some of the customized systems of these submarines received patience hearing from the Indian side and has been asked to provide more information on the offer.

India is keen to know the level of Transfer of Technology (ToT) that the TKMS is willing to give to the India under G2G deal since TKMS has decided to stay away from sending a formal response to the RFP issued by the Indian Navy for its submarine requirements.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

The Bengaluru-based ADE that had shared details of the High-altitude long endurance (HALE) class UAV that is under development with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will play a crucial part in the HAL proposed Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), an Indian unmanned and manned combat aircraft air teaming system program.

HALE UAV which will be powered by a single TPE331-10 Turboprop Engine in a pusher configuration will second HALE Class UAV that will be part of the CATS program as HAL had revealed its plans to develop a HALE Class UAV that will be powered by a Turbo Fan Engine.

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

Indian Navy likely by end of this month or by mid of next month will announce the winner of the 26-deck based fighter jet requirements for which it had tested Boeings F-18E/F super hornet and French Dassault Rafale Marine as a stop-gap measure before its starts inducting homegrown TEDBF fighter jets into its fleet.

Indian Navy is likely to back the purchase of 26 Rafale M which has 70% commonality with the 36 Rafale 3FR that is operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF).

SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG.

According to a report in ” Business Standard”, Indian Army has started the trial process of the Indo-Isreali developed high-precision loitering munition system developed by UVision Air Ltd and Hyderabad-?based Aditya Precitech Private Ltd (APPL) called PALM 400.

PALM 400 is a long-range, high-precision loitering munition system with a low acoustic, optical, and thermal signature that can identify, track, and hit stationary and moving targets. Targets are relocated with pinpoint accuracy and minimal collateral damage.