SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is setting its sights on a groundbreaking tactical innovation: deploying loitering munitions from its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules military transport aircraft. This concept, already being explored by the United States Air Force (USAF), has the potential to transform the IAF’s offensive capabilities.
Loitering munitions, also known as kamikaze drones, are small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) armed with explosives. They can loiter over an area for extended periods, waiting for targets before attacking.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to enhance the underwater capabilities of the Indian Navy’s Kilo-class submarines with the upgraded USHUS-2 sonar suite. This state-of-the-art system, developed by the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), will replace the older USHUS sonars on the remaining 3 Kilo-class submarines.
Currently, five of the nine frontline Kilo-class submarines, also known as EKM-class, are equipped with the earlier version of the USHUS sonar system out of which Two have been retired or transferred.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has issued an Expression of Interest (EOI) for comprehensive maintenance services for its fleet of 73 PC-7 MKII aircraft. This tender, identified by the reference number AirHQ/85902/1/ENGBT(LGSPC7), falls under the Miscellaneous Services category and will be conducted as a single-stage bidding process.
The EOI seeks to engage qualified contractors who will be responsible for delivering extensive maintenance services for the PC-7 MKII aircraft. These aircraft are integral to the IAF’s training operations and are stationed at two key locations which are Air Force Academy (AFA) Hyderabad and Air Force Station (AFS) Tambram.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A technical snag on an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI fighter jet led to the inadvertent release of an “air store” near the Pokhran testing range in Rajasthan, causing a blast and creating a crater at the impact site. Fortunately, no damage to life or property has been reported, but the incident has raised concerns about the safety protocols of military exercises conducted near populated areas.
According to India Today reports, the practice bomb fell in an open area near a village close to the Pokhran Field Firing Range. The explosion created a loud noise, and a crater was visible at the impact site. Eyewitnesses described hearing a loud bang and feeling the ground shake. However, idrw.org suggest that the wreckage found at the site does not resemble that of a typical practice bomb, but rather appears to be from a missile system.
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The Indian Navy is set to significantly enhance its strike capabilities with the induction of the indigenously produced Long-Range Artillery (LORA) missile system. Developed jointly by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the LORA is a game-changer in precision land attack weaponry.
Initially procured directly from IAI, the LORA is now being manufactured domestically, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in defense production. This naval variant of the missile is designed to be deployed from warships, offering a potent long-range strike capability.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is at the forefront of India’s technological advancement, and its ambitious Project STAR (Systems & Technologies for Advanced Robotics) is a testament to this commitment. With a focus on developing a future-ready robotic army, DRDO’s R&DE labs are working tirelessly day and night to bring this vision to fruition.
Central to Project STAR is the development of a bipedal system, laying the groundwork for humanoid robots that could potentially revolutionize warfare. These advanced machines are envisioned to operate in complex terrains, carrying out tasks that are too dangerous or demanding for human soldiers.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
On the evening of August 22, 2024, India conducted a successful night user trial of its nuclear-capable Prithvi-II ballistic missile from a defense facility off the coast of Odisha. The launch took place at approximately 7:46 pm and marked another significant milestone in India’s strategic defense capabilities. Developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Prithvi-II missile is designed to destroy targets at a range of up to 350 kilometers, playing a crucial role in India’s nuclear deterrence strategy.
The night trial was part of a series of tests aimed at validating the missile’s performance under various operational conditions. The user training launch was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), which is responsible for managing India’s nuclear arsenal. The test successfully demonstrated the missile’s ability to strike its intended target with high accuracy, thereby validating all operational and technical parameters.
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The Indian Navy has significantly enhanced its surveillance capabilities by installing a state-of-the-art radar on its INS Mysore, a Delhi-class guided-missile destroyer. The newly integrated Lanza-N 3D air surveillance radar, developed by Spanish company Indra, forms part of the vessel’s comprehensive mid-life upgrade.
This installation marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy’s modernization efforts. The Lanza-N radar, renowned for its long-range and precision, will provide the INS Mysore with superior situational awareness, enabling it to detect and track aerial threats at greater distances.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has announced that user trials for the HELINA anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) are set to commence within the next year. The HELINA, a third-generation fire-and-forget missile, will be integrated onto the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Vinod Kumar, GM at BDL, confirmed that developmental trials of the HELINA have been successfully completed on the ALH-Rudra Weapon System Integration (WSI) helicopter. The upcoming user trials will evaluate the missile’s performance on both the ALH-Rudra WSI and the LCH-Prachand.
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South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has officially launched the initial manufacturing phase of the KF-21 ‘Boramae’ multirole fighter aircraft, marking a significant milestone in the country’s indigenous defense capabilities. The commencement of production follows a substantial contract awarded to Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in June, valued at KRW 1.96 trillion (approximately USD 1.4 billion). This contract, which extends through August 2027, covers the manufacturing of an initial batch of 20 KF-21 aircraft.
DAPA has outlined a clear timeline for the production and delivery of the KF-21 aircraft. The first batch of 20 aircraft is scheduled for delivery to the Republic of Korea Air Force (RoKAF) starting in late 2026. This initial phase is expected to set the stage for further production, with DAPA indicating plans to award a second contract for an additional 20 KF-21s in 2025. If this plan is executed, South Korea will have 40 KF-21 fighter jets by the end of the decade, significantly boosting its air combat capabilities.
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India’s defense exports have witnessed a meteoric rise, with the United States emerging as the primary destination for Indian-made defense goods. The government’s strategic focus on expanding defense exports to countries in Africa and other regions, coupled with easier lines of credit and diplomatic efforts, has significantly contributed to this growth.
According to recent data, defense exports in the first quarter of 2024-2025 surged by a staggering 78 percent compared to the previous year. The value of exports during this period reached Rs 6,915 crore, up from Rs 3,885 crore in the year-ago period.
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A groundbreaking launch is set to take place on August 24 from the Chennai shores. Space Zone India, a Chennai-based startup, will be launching a reusable hybrid rocket, a first for India. This innovative rocket will carry three CubeSats and 50 PICO satellites into sub-orbit to monitor and collect data on various atmospheric conditions.
The project, named ‘Mission Rhumi -2024’, is guided by the renowned Mylswamy Annadurai, former ISRO director and fondly referred to as the “Moon Man of India”. The launch is scheduled for around 7 am from the TTDC Ground on East Coast Road.
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In a significant development underscoring the deepening naval cooperation between India and Russia, a high-level Russian delegation led by Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy, Admiral Aleksandr Moiseyev, visited the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) today. The visit included an inspection of an under-construction warship and an exploration of the MDL Heritage Gallery, followed by strategic discussions with the MDL leadership team, headed by Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) Narayan Prasad.
Admiral Moiseyev’s visit to MDL, one of India’s premier shipbuilding yards, reflects the ongoing commitment between the Indian and Russian navies to collaborate on various defense projects. MDL has a long-standing history of constructing advanced warships and submarines for the Indian Navy, many of which have been developed with Russian technological assistance. This visit not only strengthens the existing ties but also opens new avenues for future cooperation, particularly in the domain of shipbuilding and naval technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is steadily fortifying India’s defence capabilities with the progressive development and deployment of its Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system. The nation is now under a multi-layered shield, designed to intercept incoming ballistic missiles at various altitudes.
Phase I of the BMD program has seen the deployment of the Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV) and Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor systems across the country. These systems are designed to intercept ballistic missiles with ranges up to 2,000 km, providing a robust shield against medium-range threats. The deployment of these interceptors enhances India’s defensive capabilities and demonstrates the country’s progress in indigenous missile defence technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation is making a significant move to take full ownership of Dassault Reliance Aerospace Ltd (DRAL), located within Nagpur’s MIHAN Special Economic Zone (SEZ). This bid comes as Dassault aims to secure a contract for manufacturing Rafale jets in India under the Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF). However, this proposal is encountering resistance from the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Dassault’s pursuit of 100% ownership of DRAL is driven by its desire to have absolute control over the supply chain within India. The French firm argues that this control is crucial for meeting both domestic and export demands efficiently. While parts for Rafale jets are already being sourced from DRAL, the facility requires significant investment and expansion to be capable of assembling the jets domestically.
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