SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy’s plan to develop a 26-ton carrier-borne fighter jet, the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF), seems to be hitting turbulence from the Indian Air Force (IAF). The IAF has reportedly shown little interest in the Navy’s proposal for an Air Force variant named Omni-Role Combat Aircraft (ORCA).
According to a senior IAF official (who requested anonymity), developing the ORCA would be a redundant exercise. The IAF is already heavily invested in the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a domestically developed 5th-generation fighter jet in the same weight class (around 25 tons) as the ORCA.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan’s visit to France marks a significant milestone in the deepening of bilateral defence cooperation between India and France. During his visit, General Chauhan was given a scheduled tour of the French submarine base at Brest, with a possible extension to Toulouse, showcasing France’s advanced naval capabilities and technology.
The French submarine base at Brest holds strategic importance as the homeport of the ballistic missile nuclear-powered submarines (SSBNs) of the French Navy, known as the Marine Nationale. Notably, four Triomphant-class submarines stationed at L’Ile Longue comprise France’s Force Océanique Stratégique (FOST), which forms the backbone of France’s nuclear arsenal.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy has set its sights on a future of self-reliance, aiming for complete indigenous construction of its warships by 2040. This ambitious goal signifies a significant step towards India’s strategic autonomy in maritime defence.
Despite advancements in domestic shipbuilding, the Indian Navy still relies on imported components for its warships. Crucial elements like gas turbine engines, sourced primarily from Ukraine or the United States, and key sensors acquired from Israel or Germany, remain a part of the current infrastructure.
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Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a leading Indian defense Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), has set its sights on a new market in Central Asia. BEL has established partnerships with Uzbekistan’s key defense procurement agencies, UzTechTrade and the Defence Industry Agency, to promote its indigenous defense electronics products for the Uzbek military. This strategic move signifies BEL’s commitment to expanding its market reach beyond India.
Lieutenant Colonel Muhammad Tuhtanazarov, the Military Attaché of Uzbekistan to India, recently toured BEL’s Ghaziabad Unit. This high-level visit underscores Uzbekistan’s keen interest in exploring BEL’s range of defense electronics products.
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Veera Dynamics is proud to announce the successful testing and launch of their revolutionary Tardigrade line of technical apparel. This marks a significant advancement in protective gear technology, offering exceptional versatility and resilience for various industrial applications.
The Tardigrade line is the world’s first technical apparel made with Veera Dynamics’ in-house developed soft composite material. This innovative material sets itself apart with its unmatched temperature operating range, functioning effectively in extreme environments.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
According to leaked internal reports from the USAF, the true capabilities of China’s PL-15 Very Long Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) might be overstated. While China claims a range of 200 kilometers, the USAF report suggests this may be significantly reduced due to launch restrictions.
The report indicates that achieving the advertised 200km range hinges on a critical launch condition: the fighter jet firing the missile must be travelling at Mach 1.2 at an altitude of 10km. However, real-world combat scenarios often involve different launch conditions.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Steel Authority of India Limited’s (SAIL) Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) is playing a critical role in India’s indigenous underwater defence capabilities. The plant is pioneering the development of next-generation steel specifically designed for the S5 class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs).
SAIL-Bhilai’s expertise in high-grade steel is not new. The plant previously developed special steel plates for the prestigious Vikrant-class aircraft carrier program. Now, they’re leveraging this knowledge to create an optimized variant specifically for submarine construction.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is actively exploring innovative solutions to address the shortage of minesweeper boats in its fleet. One such solution is the deployment of Micro Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (Micro AUVs) for minesweeping operations.
Developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), these Micro AUVs are designed for efficiency and manoeuvrability. With a length of only 2.5 meters, they can navigate areas inaccessible to larger vessels. Their endurance of 7-9 hours allows them to conduct extensive mine clearance missions.
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India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is setting its sights on the high seas with a project for a mobile, sea-based missile launch platform. This innovative concept promises to revolutionize missile testing, particularly for smaller missiles in the initial development stages.
Traditionally, missile testing occurs at dedicated launch pads located inland. While these facilities serve their purpose, they come with limitations. Testing a new missile, especially one with a higher risk of malfunction, often necessitates clearing nearby villages for safety reasons. This disrupts communities and can be a logistical nightmare.
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India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is making strides in developing a next-generation combat drone – the CATS Warrior. This loyal wingman program aims to provide the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a powerful unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for seamless cooperation with manned fighter jets.
The CATS Warrior will boast a composite airframe, a key factor in maintaining its low observable characteristics – a critical aspect of modern aerial warfare. The airframe is constructed from advanced composite materials, ensuring the platform maintains low observable characteristics. This translates to a reduced radar signature, making it harder for enemy defenses to detect.
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Germany has taken a significant step in its defense relationship with India by lifting restrictions on the sale of small arms. This move opens the door for the Indian military and state police forces to directly purchase German-made weaponry.
Previously, strict German regulations limited small arms exports to NATO countries and close allies. However, recent developments signal a shift in policy. Earlier this month, Germany approved a request from India’s elite National Security Guard (NSG) to acquire spare parts and accessories for their existing MP5 submachine guns, manufactured by the renowned German firm Heckler & Koch.
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India’s quest for self-reliance in its defense sector takes a significant step forward with collaborative efforts between French engine manufacturer Safran and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This partnership holds promise for both local production of key engine components and the establishment of an advanced MRO facility for Rafale fighter jets.
Negotiations between Safran and HAL pave the way for the potential local manufacture of certain M-88 engine components. The M-88 engine is the powerhouse behind the Rafale fighter jets recently inducted into the Indian Air Force. This move signifies India’s commitment to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for critical components and foster its own aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Defence, led by Executive Vice President and Head Arun Ramchandani, has confirmed a key aspect of its joint bid with Navantia for the Indian Navy’s Project 75I tender. The bid proposes the S-80 Plus class submarines, with a significant focus on maximizing local Indian content.
If their bid is chosen, L&T-Navantia promises that nearly 60% of the components used in the S-80 Plus submarines constructed for India will be sourced locally. This signifies a substantial commitment to India’s “Make in India” initiative, promoting domestic manufacturing and technological expertise.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Dassault Aviation, the French manufacturer of the Rafale fighter jet, is making a strategic move to secure a larger role in India’s aerospace industry. The company has reportedly conveyed to Indian Air Force (IAF) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials that it can begin Rafale production in India, but with one key condition: acquiring a 100% stake in Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL).
Dassault’s proposal is enticing. The company claims its Indian facility, upon receiving full ownership, could achieve a production rate of two Rafale jets per month. This translates to potentially delivering the entire 114 jets envisioned under the IAF’s upcoming Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender within five years.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
NewSpace Research and Technologies (NRT), a Bengaluru-based company, has sent ripples through the defence industry by hinting at two significant additions to its swarming platform portfolio. While details remain scarce, NRT’s unveiling of Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) and Unmanned Surface Vehicle (USV) integrations with their MOSAIC intelligence suite suggests a bold step towards more comprehensive unmanned warfare solutions.
NRT’s MOSAIC suite has garnered considerable attention for its ability to orchestrate swarming tactics in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This technology empowers UAVs to collaborate in decentralized fused teaming missions, making them highly adaptable and effective.
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