SOURCE: AFI
India’s ambitious 5th-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program has garnered significant attention in the global defense community. With a focus on stealth, advanced avionics, and supercruise capabilities, the AMCA is poised to position India among the elite group of countries with indigenous 5th-generation fighter jets. However, as India invests heavily in the development of this next-generation aircraft, the question arises—should India open the doors to other countries to join the AMCA program, following the examples set by South Korea’s KF-21 and Turkey’s Kaan fighter programs?
Both the South Korean KF-21 Boramae and the Turkish Kaan programs have gained traction through international collaboration. The KF-21, developed by Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) with technological support from Lockheed Martin, benefits from Indonesia as a development partner, which not only shares the financial burden but also positions the KF-21 as an attractive option for future exports. Similarly, Turkey’s Kaan program, spearheaded by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), has generated international interest, with countries such as Pakistan reportedly keen on collaboration.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
At Swavlamban 2024, a landmark event showcasing India’s push toward defence self-reliance, one particular exhibit caught attention—the Multi-Utility Long Endurance (MULE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) developed by Pune-based Altair Industrial Technologies Pvt. Ltd for the Indian Navy, this unmanned aerial platform is poised to expand the boundaries of maritime technology and power the Indian Navy’s naval self-reliance mission. As the MULE prepares for its developmental trials, speculation has emerged about the origin of its design, raising important questions about its local development and external influences.
The MULE RPA is a cutting-edge unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed for a variety of maritime roles, from intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) to strike missions using its missile armament. With an endurance of 120 minutes and a range of 300 kilometers, it is expected to offer a versatile platform for the Indian Navy, enhancing its capabilities in maritime patrolling, monitoring of adversarial movements, and potential engagement with enemy assets. MULE aims to fill critical gaps in India’s maritime defense ecosystem, particularly as the Indian Navy increases its focus on unmanned platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A has recently been spotted for the first time equipped with the ELL-8212/ELL-8222 Self Protection Jamming Pod, in addition to a pair of Astra MkI Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missiles. This development marks a significant enhancement in the Tejas Mk1A’s defensive and offensive capabilities as it prepares for deployment with the Indian Air Force (IAF). The integration of these systems demonstrates the ongoing modernization of India’s homegrown fighter program to meet the demands of modern aerial warfare.
The ELL-8212 and ELL-8222 Self-Protection Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) pods, developed by Israel’s ELTA Systems, are designed to enhance the survivability of fighter jets and other military aircraft by providing robust protection against a wide range of air-to-air (A/A) and surface-to-air (S/A) threats. These threats typically come from radar-guided missile systems, which form a dense and complex challenge for any aircraft in contested airspace.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), a leading Indian shipyard, has achieved a significant milestone by indigenously designing and constructing the first-ever Double Lane Portable Steel Bridge in the country. This bridge, featuring a spacious 7.5-meter-wide carriageway, has been supplied to the Border Roads Organization (BRO), a prestigious government agency responsible for developing infrastructure in India’s border areas.
The development of this innovative bridge is a testament to GRSE’s engineering prowess and commitment to supporting the nation’s strategic infrastructure needs. The bridge is designed to be highly portable and can be easily transported and installed in remote and challenging terrains, making it an ideal solution for BRO’s operations in border regions.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday successfully completed the development trials of its indigenously developed 4th Generation Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORAD). Conducted at the Pokhran Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, the trials saw three consecutive successful flight tests, marking a major milestone for India’s air defense capabilities.
The VSHORAD system, designed as a miniaturized man-portable air defense system (MANPADS), is the latest addition to India’s growing inventory of indigenous defense technologies. This 4th Generation missile system is developed to provide mobile, short-range air defense against aerial threats such as fighter jets, helicopters, drones, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). DRDO’s achievement reflects its commitment to enhancing India’s defense self-reliance, aligning with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
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Military drones have become a game-changer in modern warfare, fundamentally altering battlefield dynamics. From the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict to the Syrian Civil War and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine tensions, these unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are indispensable tools in shaping the future of war. This trend highlights a significant gap in India’s military capabilities.
Despite being a major world and regional power, India currently lags behind many countries, including smaller ones, in terms of drone technology. A recent report by idrw.org estimates India possesses only around 625 UAVs and drones, with the majority being the 2019-introduced Spylite model. While India acquired 10 Heron 1 drones from Israel, its entire current fleet relies on Israeli technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) tender, often dubbed the “mother of all defense deals,” saw two of Europe’s premier fighter jets, the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon, go head-to-head. Both aircraft showcased exceptional capabilities, with the Eurofighter clearing stringent technical rounds of the IAF, while the Rafale ultimately emerged as the winner due to a combination of factors, notably pricing.
This article will compare the Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon in terms of price and capabilities to understand why the Rafale secured the deal and why the Eurofighter, despite its merits, fell short.
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In a significant boost to India’s unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) capabilities, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has approved the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) plans to transition the Stealth Wing Flying Testbed (SWiFT) program from a technology demonstrator (TD) to a full-scale program. The SWiFT, initially conceived as a test platform, will now be developed into a potent 1-ton UCAV, capable of performing mini-bomber roles and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
This decision underscores the IAF’s growing interest in stealth unmanned platforms, which are essential for modern warfare, particularly in contested environments where survivability, precision, and adaptability are critical.
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In a significant move aimed at modernizing its aging fighter fleet, the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) has announced plans to procure the Chinese-made FC-31, a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet currently under development for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The FC-31 is expected to replace PAF’s aging F-16 MLU-15 fighter jets, with the transition scheduled to begin by 2030. This procurement, to be carried out in multiple phases, marks a strategic shift in Pakistan’s defense posture as it looks to acquire cutting-edge technology to maintain air superiority in the region.
The FC-31 is a twin-engine, multi-role fighter jet that boasts advanced stealth capabilities, high maneuverability, and the ability to carry a wide array of weapons, making it a formidable platform in the fifth-generation fighter jet category. Originally developed for the PLAN as a deck-based fighter, the FC-31 has undergone significant modifications to meet the operational requirements of the PAF. While primarily designed for carrier-based operations, the air force variant of the FC-31 will be tailored for Pakistan’s specific defense needs.
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Marking a significant breakthrough in India’s defence manufacturing capabilities, the Small Arms Factory (SAF) in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, has developed a unique metal that meets the stringent GOST (Gosstandart) standards used in Russian weapons like the AK-203 assault rifle. This advancement is a crucial step toward achieving the goal of producing fully indigenous AK-203 rifles, marking a milestone for the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing.
The SAF, a key production unit under the Ministry of Defence and part of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), played a critical role in this achievement. The factory, along with its metal suppliers, worked tirelessly over six months to develop a metal that would meet the demanding specifications required for the AK-203 rifle, a weapon that has become symbolic of India’s efforts to modernize its military with locally produced arms.
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In response to Canada’s persistent non-cooperation with Indian investigative agencies’ requests for information on Khalistani elements settled within its borders, the Indian government is considering a strategic move to share the same list of wanted extremists with the other Five Eyes countries.
Highly placed sources indicate that this action aims to highlight Canada’s uncooperative stance and exert counter-pressure on the North American nation. The Five Eyes nations include the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand, in addition to Canada.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The supply of 99 F-404 engines by GE Aerospace to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under a 2021 contract has experienced significant delays, with deliveries postponed by nearly 10 months. Despite provisions in the contract that allow for financial penalties due to delayed supply, HAL has decided not to enforce these penalties on GE Aerospace. Sources close to the program have indicated idrw.org that the strategic nature of the project, combined with the necessity for continued collaboration with GE for future engine procurement, influenced this decision.
GE Aerospace has not yet delivered any of the F-404 engines meant for the Indian Air Force’s Tejas Mk1A program. However, the company is set to begin deliveries from this month and has committed to accelerating the delivery schedule over the next few months. By 2026, production is expected to ramp up significantly to meet the growing demands of the Tejas Mk1A and the upcoming Tejas MkII program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is reigniting its quest for mid-air refuelling (MAR) platforms, aiming for a significantly larger fleet than previously envisioned. This renewed effort comes after securing approvals for the indigenous Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) program under the Netra Mk1A, MkII, and MkIII variants.
Previously, the IAF sought to acquire six mid-air refuelers. However, the current plan seeks to double that number, bringing the total fleet to 18. This expansion will bolster the IAF’s ability to extend the operational range and flexibility of its fighter jets, particularly crucial in a multi-front scenario.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has issued a tender for the refurbishment of the LCA Tejas Technology Demonstrator 2 (TD2), which was the second aircraft in the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) program’s technology demonstration phase.
The TD2 aircraft, after being stripped of its operational components and systems, now weighs around 6 tons and is slated to be used as a static display on a raised platform at the ORANGE Facility at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad. This facility is renowned for its Outdoor Radar Cross Section (RCS) testing capabilities, serving as a test facility for various aircraft and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
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The Indian Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A continues to solidify its standing as a formidable multirole fighter with the latest integration of the Joint Direct Attack Munition-Extended Range (JDAM-ER). The development, first reported by idrw.org, highlights that the JDAM-ER systems, ordered in 2022, have started arriving from the United States. This addition further enhances the Tejas Mk1A’s already impressive arsenal, which includes advanced smart munitions from various global suppliers, showcasing its versatility and interoperability.
JDAM-ER, a guidance kit developed by Boeing, converts unguided bombs into precision-guided munitions by incorporating GPS guidance. The extended-range variant of JDAM significantly increases the range of the bomb to over 70 km, allowing the aircraft to engage targets from a safer distance. This is particularly advantageous in modern aerial warfare where long-range precision strikes are crucial to mission success. The JDAM-ER will allow Tejas Mk1A to deliver effective strikes with minimal exposure to enemy air defense systems.
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