SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), under the leadership of Chairman and Managing Director, Mr. D.K. Sunil, is moving forward with plans to maintain its production momentum for the Tejas Mk1A aircraft despite the ongoing delay in the delivery of the GE F-404 engines. According to a HAL official who spoke exclusively to idrw.org, HAL is taking proactive steps to ensure that the Tejas Mk1A aircraft remain on track for delivery to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the time the engines arrive in the country.
With the delay in the arrival of the GE F-404 engines, HAL is preparing to build and store Tejas Mk1A aircraft with Category B F-404 engines for the initial pre-delivery flight testing. The Category B F-404 engines, a temporary solution, will enable the aircraft to undergo initial flight testing before more GE F-404 engines are integrated into the aircraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move toward strengthening defence cooperation, India and Brazil are reportedly in discussions to finalize a government-to-government deal for the procurement and local manufacturing of the Akash-NG (Next Generation) Air Defense system.
Developed by India’s Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), the Akash-NG represents a major advancement in India’s indigenous air defence capabilities. The system is designed to intercept highly manoeuvrable, low-observable aerial threats, making it an ideal candidate for enhancing Brazil’s air defence framework.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant enhancement to its aerial capabilities, the Israel Ministry of Defense (IMOD) finalized a deal on Wednesday to acquire 25 next-generation F-15 fighter jets from Boeing at a total cost of $5.2 billion. This acquisition marks Israel’s commitment to bolstering its air combat fleet with state-of-the-art technology and greater firepower. The contract includes modernized versions of the F-15, equipped with advanced avionics, sensors, and weapons systems to meet Israel’s evolving defense needs.
This article will break down the per-unit cost of the F-15 aircraft in this deal, analyze potential pricing for the Indian Air Force (IAF) if a similar acquisition were made under India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, and compare it with the cost of the Dassault Rafale, which has been a leading contender in India’s fleet modernization plan.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
SASTRA Deemed University’s research entity, Pancha Tejas, has achieved a significant milestone by successfully testing India’s first indigenous electric towbarless towtug. This innovative technology is designed to revolutionize ground operations at Indian Air Force bases, offering numerous advantages over traditional towing methods.
The electric towbarless towtug is a state-of-the-art vehicle that eliminates the need for physical towbars, ensuring smoother and more efficient aircraft towing operations. This technology not only reduces the risk of accidents but also significantly improves operational efficiency.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant stride for India’s small arms industry, Bengaluru-based SSS Defence has successfully developed a new indigenous submachine gun (SMG) chambered in 9×19mm. This new firearm, designed to meet the operational needs of Indian armed forces and law enforcement, is currently undergoing intensive internal trials to assess its reliability, accuracy, and durability under rigorous conditions.
The new SMG by SSS Defence is a 9×19mm weapon tailored for close-quarter battle (CQB) scenarios, which require quick maneuverability, compact design, and high rate of fire. Submachine guns are crucial in close-combat environments, where versatility and firepower must be balanced with accuracy and low recoil.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
SpaceFields, a leading aerospace company, has recently been granted a patent for its groundbreaking Wired Propellant Grain technology. This innovation promises to revolutionize the field of propulsion systems, offering enhanced performance and safety.
Wired propellant grains are a type of solid rocket propellant that incorporates embedded wires or fibers within the propellant matrix. These wires act as heat sinks, influencing the combustion rate of the propellant. By strategically placing and configuring the wires, engineers can precisely control the burning rate and thrust profile of a rocket motor.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
As part of its capacity-building engagements with friendly foreign nations of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), the Government of India gifted two water-jet propelled Fast Interceptor Craft (FIC) to the Government of Mozambique on 08 Nov 24. The FICs were transshipped from India by INS Gharial.
The Handing Over Ceremony was attended by the High Commissioner of India in Mozambique, Shri Robert Shetkintong, India’s newly appointed Defence Adviser at Maputo, Colonel Puneet Attri, and the Commanding Officer of INS Gharial, Commander Rajan Chib. The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of National Defence, Mr Augusto Casimiro Mueio, formally accepted the vessels on behalf of the Government of Mozambique.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Wang Wen, Dean at the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China, said that the West (western nations) wants to maintain their influence by keeping India and China divided. He emphasized that both countries have much to learn from one another, with India offering valuable insights in areas like international communication, cinema, and culture, while China could contribute knowledge on infrastructure, development, and poverty alleviation.
“We really think that we should learn a lot from India. India’s international communication capacity, India cinema, industries, India’s culture, traditions. There is a lot. I also think India can learn a lot from China for example infrastructure, development, anti-poverty and push to mutual understanding in mutual learning between China and India.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced plans to retire its ageing fleet of Kiran trainer aircraft starting in 2025. The Kiran, which has been in service for decades, has played a pivotal role in the training of IAF pilots. However, with the aircraft approaching the end of its service life, the IAF is looking to replace it with the Sitara Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), a domestically developed aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Despite the promising potential of the Sitara, its induction into the IAF has faced significant delays, leaving the timeline for its deployment uncertain.
The Kiran aircraft has been the backbone of the IAF’s intermediate pilot training program for over 40 years. Since its introduction in the 1970s, the Kiran has provided a reliable platform for trainee pilots to transition from basic trainers to more advanced combat aircraft. However, as the Kiran’s airframes and systems age, the IAF has decided that it is time to phase it out to ensure that its training program remains modern, effective, and in line with evolving aviation standards.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Chairman and Managing Director, Sunil Kumar, has confirmed that the much-anticipated deal for the procurement of F-414 engines from GE Aerospace is set to take place sometime before Mid 2025, although it is now unlikely to be concluded by the end of this year as initially expected. The deal, which is crucial for the Tejas Mk II program, is expected to be a significant milestone in India’s efforts to boost its domestic aerospace capabilities.
The F-414 engine is the key component for powering the Tejas Mk II, the upgraded variant of the indigenous Tejas Mk I fighter aircraft. The deal with GE Aerospace will involve 99 engines, which will be locally manufactured by HAL with a significant 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT). This represents a major step forward for India’s aviation sector, as the F-414 engines will not only support the Tejas Mk II but also enhance the country’s long-term capability in developing and manufacturing advanced fighter aircraft engines.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s defense manufacturing sector, the French Army is evaluating the Made-in-India Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system to meet its operational requirements. Speaking on the development, French Army Brigadier General Stephane Richou highlighted the growing cooperation between France and India in defense, commending India’s defense industry for its efficacy and high standards.
“We are sharing equipment. When I see the level of individual integration for the development of this equipment, the Indians and French are co-building submarines here in India. Scorpene class submarines are the most complicated systems that man has been able to build. We are doing that together,” Brigadier General Richou stated, emphasizing the deep technical collaboration between the two nations.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant move toward strengthening India’s air defense capabilities, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) and Russia’s Rosoboronexport (ROE) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on variants of the Pantsir air defence missile-gun system. The MoU was signed by Commodore A. Madhavarao (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of BDL, and Mr. Kovalenko German, Deputy Director General of the Naval Department at ROE, on the sidelines of the 5th India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission (IRIGC) subgroup meeting held in Goa in 2023.
This strategic partnership aligns with India’s ongoing efforts to enhance its self-reliant defense capabilities while maintaining strong ties with trusted international partners.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a critical contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the avionics upgrade of the Dornier-228 transport aircraft, marking a significant leap in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational capability. This upgrade project showcases India’s strides toward self-reliance in defense manufacturing, as the avionics sub-systems have been indigenously designed and developed, reflecting a strong push for “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” in defense technology.
The Dornier-228 fleet, originally equipped with basic avionics systems, will receive a comprehensive upgrade that includes state-of-the-art avionics designed to improve operational efficiency, safety, and mission capabilities. Some of the major enhancements include:
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A high-level delegation from Guyana, led by Brigadier General Omar Khan, Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defence Forces, visited Kanpur to explore potential defense collaborations with India’s Troop Comforts Ltd. (TCL). Hosted on the premises of Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL), the visit aimed to showcase the state-of-the-art products developed by TCL for military applications, highlighting India’s advanced manufacturing capabilities and quality standards in defense equipment.
Under the leadership of Mr. Abhishek Kumar, DGM/M&E, the TCL team displayed a range of products that demonstrate India’s progress in high-quality troop comfort solutions. These include protective gear, advanced uniforms, and modular equipment designed to enhance soldier safety and operational comfort across challenging environments.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
DCX Systems, a leading provider of advanced electronic solutions, has secured a substantial international order worth Rs 460.30 crore from Lockheed Martin USA. This significant contract underscores the company’s growing global footprint and its ability to meet the stringent quality and delivery standards of top-tier defense contractors.
The order entails the supply of critical electrical assemblies, which will be integrated into Lockheed Martin’s advanced defense systems. This win builds upon the company’s previous collaboration with Lockheed Martin, where it successfully executed a Rs 16.53 crore order during FY24.
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