SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s state-owned shipyard, Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), has embarked on an ambitious initiative to indigenously design and develop hovercraft for military operations. As part of this effort, GRSE has sought collaboration from the private sector to build a prototype with high indigenous content, aligning with the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative to reduce dependency on foreign manufacturers and strengthen India’s defense capabilities.
Hovercraft, also known as Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs), are highly versatile and can traverse a range of terrains, including sand, marshes, mud, ice, and water. Their unique ability to glide over various surfaces without the need for specialized infrastructure like harbors or docks makes them invaluable for military operations. However, India currently lacks expertise in hovercraft design, relying heavily on foreign technology and equipment. This reliance on foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) not only creates logistical challenges but also limits the ability to tailor hovercraft to the specific operational needs of the Indian military.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy is taking a significant step toward enhancing its future combat capabilities by seeking the design and development of a High-Power Laser Source with an output greater than 10 kW. This initiative is aimed at fostering collaboration with private sector companies, who will receive naval funding to bring this cutting-edge technology to life. The Navy’s goal is to leverage laser-based technologies for both weapon systems and sensors, positioning itself at the forefront of next-generation naval warfare.
The Indian Navy has outlined specific requirements for the High-Power Laser Source that private sector companies must meet in order to secure development contracts. The primary requirements are as follows:
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s pursuit of strengthening its air defense capabilities includes acquiring 114 multi-role fighter jets under the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. Dassault Aviation’s Rafale fighter jets are considered a leading contender, following the successful procurement of 36 Rafale jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in recent years. The critical question arises: would it be more economical to purchase additional Rafale jets in batches directly from France, or to manufacture them domestically in India?
This article explores the cost factors involved in these two options and offers a price comparison, considering inflation, upgrade costs, and long-term sustainability.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Larsen & Toubro (L&T), India’s leading engineering and construction conglomerate, has secured a pivotal role in the development of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) at the Ship Building Centre in Visakhapatnam. Following clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the project, estimated to cost around Rs 45,000 crore, is set to mark a significant step forward in India’s naval capabilities and indigenous defense production.
L&T, which has previously demonstrated its expertise in fabricating the hull for India’s Arihant-class nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), will leverage its experience to play a crucial role in the Next-Generation Nuclear Attack Submarine (SSN) program. With its proven track record in complex naval projects, L&T is the only private-sector company in India that possesses the required expertise to fabricate the hull for nuclear-powered submarines, a critical component for the success of this ambitious endeavor.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
NASA has successfully completed the necessary repairs and modifications to the radar antenna reflector for the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) mission. The reflector, which was flown back to the United States in March due to insufficient thermal protection coating, is now ready to be shipped to the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SHAR) in India.
Due to the ongoing eclipse season, which will continue through February, the launch of NISAR has been rescheduled to March 2025. The alternating periods of sunlight and shadow during solar eclipses can negatively impact the deployment of the radar reflector and boom, necessitating a delay in the launch.
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The Indian Army Corps of Engineers Task Force has successfully recovered an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) that was submerged in the floodwaters of the Lakhandei River in Muzaffarpur, Bihar.
According to images released by the Army, the ALH appears to have sustained significant damage to its left side, while the tail and other sections of the helicopter remain largely intact. This suggests that there is a possibility of restoring the helicopter to operational status through repairs.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Electropneumatics & Hydraulics (I) Pvt. Ltd (EPHL) has made significant strides in providing realistic firefighting training, particularly for naval personnel. Their Fire Fighting Training Facility (FFTF) is a state-of-the-art facility designed to replicate the challenges and conditions encountered on actual ships.
The FFTF is an independent facility that boasts a 3 Deck Ship Like Structure, Underground Propane Yard, Water Hose Training Range, Water storage, Handling & Purification System, and associated Civil Works. This comprehensive setup provides a highly immersive training environment for naval personnel.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin from October 22-23 to attend the 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan.
The BRICS Summit in Kazan is being held under the chairmanship of Russia, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). During his visit, PM Modi is also expected to hold bilateral meetings with his counterparts from BRICS member countries and invited leaders in Kazan.
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Evaluating Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence (ETAI) Framework and Guidelines for the Armed Forces were launched by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat in New Delhi on October 17, 2024. The ETAI Framework and Guidelines mark a pivotal role in the country’s approach to integrate Trustworthy AI into critical defence operations.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Staff underscored the urgent need to incorporate trustworthy AI, pointing out that recent global conflicts have demonstrated how AI is revolutionising modern warfare. He stressed that it is essential to ensure these systems not only work as intended but are also resilient to attacks from adversaries. He congratulated Scientific Analysis Group for developing the ETAI Framework and praised their efforts in advancing the trustworthiness of AI in defence applications.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
An Indian R&AW official was involved in a plot to kill a separatist Sikh American national last summer in and around the state visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, federal prosecutors alleged on Thursday in a damaging indictment filed in a US court in New York.
The official identified as Vikash Yadav, 39, was employed by the Cabinet Secretariat, which houses India’s foreign intelligence service, the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), the federal prosecutors claimed.
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India has extended a new line of credit amounting to Rs 487.60 crore to the government of Mauritius for financing of a water pipeline replacement project, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
“This is the first-ever rupee-denominated Line of Credit to have been extended by India for project financing to any country under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS),” the ministry said in a statement.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has urged the Sikh community here to speak out as they continue to investigate allegations linking the Central government to a campaign of violence on Canadian soil.
In an interview with Radio-Canada on Tuesday, RCMP Commissioner Mike Duheme urged people with knowledge relevant to the investigation they are doing to come forward, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation reported.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister of Media Khalid bin Abdulqader Al-Ghamdi has lauded the contribution of Indians residing in the country. Al-Ghamdi’s statement comes after Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Media launched the ‘global harmony’ initiative in Riyadh as part of the “Quality of Life” Program to attain its Vision 2030 objectives.The Riyadh season started on October 13.
The events and activities in the Riyadh season represent the cultures of 11 countries including – India, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, Yemen, Sudan, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Bangladesh, and Egypt over 45 days. The activities include concerts, cultural, entertainment and family events, traditional foods, and various handicraft exhibitions.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Union government has ordered the complete withdrawal of the counter-terrorist commando force NSG from VIP security duties and handing over its nine “high-risk” VIPs to the CRPF by the next month, official sources said Wednesday.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has also sanctioned a fresh battalion of specially trained personnel, recently withdrawn from Parliament security duties, to be attached to the CRPF VIP security wing.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) recently showcased a model of a submarine it is offering to the Indian Navy, which bears a strong resemblance to the Type 212CD currently under development for Germany and Norway. However, TKMS has not confirmed if this submarine is indeed the Type 212CD or a variant specifically tailored for India.
The model’s striking resemblance to the Type 212CD raises curiosity, particularly due to its faceted outer hull, a radical stealth design that represents a significant departure from previous submarine designs. Despite the visual similarities, insiders from TKMS suggest idrw.org that while the exterior mirrors the cutting-edge 212CD, the internal systems will be based on the older Type 214 submarine platform, combined with a new Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system that is still under development.
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