SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
Advanced Weapon Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) is set to significantly bolster the Indian Army’s artillery capabilities with the delivery of 200 upgraded Sharang cannons within the next two years. This substantial order, valued at Rs 6000 crore, underscores AWEIL’s growing stature as a key player in India’s defense manufacturing landscape.
The Sharang, an indigenous upgrade of the 130mm M-46 artillery gun to a 155mm/45 caliber platform, represents a significant leap forward in artillery technology. The enhanced range of over 36 kilometers, compared to the original 27 kilometers, coupled with increased explosive capability, provides the Indian Army with a potent weapon system capable of neutralizing a wider array of targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India is significantly increasing its efforts to train military personnel from abroad, aiming to bolster defense partnerships with a range of “friendly foreign countries.” This initiative involves providing training to cadets and military officials from nations in the Gulf region, Southeast Asia (ASEAN), and Africa, in addition to India’s immediate neighbors.
The Indian Army spearheads this program, currently training over 3,100 foreign personnel annually from more than 100 countries. Africa holds a significant share of these trainees, with approximately 450 participants each year. The Army offers specialized training programs at various institutions, including the Counterinsurgency and Jungle Warfare School located in Vairengte, Mizoram.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to embark on a major overhaul of its Sukhoi-30MKI fleet, transforming them into formidable ‘Super Sukhois’. These upgraded aircraft will boast capabilities that closely mirror those of fifth-generation fighters, with the exception of stealth technology.
A key feature of the Super Sukhois will be their ability to operate in tandem with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T). This advanced capability will significantly enhance the aircraft’s situational awareness, combat effectiveness, and survivability.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development, Armenia has surpassed other nations to become India’s largest arms importer, according to a recent survey conducted by the Finance Ministry. The surge in arms purchases is primarily attributed to the supply of advanced weapon systems like the Pinaka rocket launcher and indigenously developed Akash missiles.
Data from the Ministry of Defence reveals that Armenia’s total arms imports from India have reached a substantial $600 million by the beginning of the current fiscal year, 2024-25. This substantial increase underscores the growing strategic partnership between the two nations.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Mistral Solutions Pvt. Ltd., a leading technology design and systems engineering company under the AXISCADES Group, has been bestowed with the esteemed Defennovation Award 2024 for Excellence in Research and Development (SME) by ELCINA. This recognition underscores Mistral’s exceptional contributions to the advancement of R&D within the Indian defense sector.
The ELCINA Defennovation Awards, established in 2018, honor outstanding achievements in strategic electronics across R&D, design, and manufacturing. A distinguished panel of industry experts meticulously evaluated nominations before selecting the winners. Mistral’s pivotal role in the development of the ARUDHRA RADAR, a cutting-edge indigenous radar system designed by DRDO, was instrumental in securing this prestigious award.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
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India’s frigate INS Brahmaputra suffered a major setback on Monday after a fire onboard caused extensive damage and left the vessel tilted on its side at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai. The incident, which began on Sunday, tragically resulted in one sailor missing, with search efforts ongoing.
The fire, while extinguished, took a heavy toll on the frigate. Experts believe the hull itself remains intact, but significant damage has occurred to the combat system blocks. While repairable, these repairs will likely take a significant amount of time, with Indian Naval veterans estimating the INS Brahmaputra will be out of service for at least 12-18 months.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) today took a significant step towards self-reliance in ammunition production by signing a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rosoboronexport, Russia, and MSK Business Solutions Pvt. Ltd. The collaboration aims to license the production and supply of indigenized 30 mm ammunition (HEI & HET), 40 mm ammunition (VOG-25), and 30 mm grenade ammunition (VOG-30 D).
This strategic partnership leverages the combined expertise of BEL and Rosoboronexport to bolster India’s ammunition manufacturing capabilities. By indigenizing the production of these critical munitions, the collaboration aligns with the government’s ‘Make in India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiatives.
Continue readingSOURCE: Xinhua
An international participant in Australia’s Exercise Pitch Black 24 has managed to survive after ejecting from an aircraft on Wednesday morning during flying operations in a remote region of Northern Territory (NT).
A spokesperson from Australia’s Department of Defence told Xinhua that the military personnel responded at 10:45 a.m. local time to an aircraft emergency in the exercise area and coordinated the recovery of the pilot with a search and rescue helicopter.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army is poised to take a significant step towards modernization with the upcoming issuance of a Request for Proposal (RFP) for over 1,750 Futuristic Infantry Combat Vehicles (FICVs) later this year. This follows a Request for Information (RFI) issued in June 2021, outlining the requirements for these indigenously developed armoured vehicles.
The FICV program, approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in 2023, aims to replace the ageing fleet of Soviet-era BMP-1 and BMP-2 infantry combat vehicles. These new FICVs will provide a substantial boost to the Indian Army’s capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Advanced Weapon Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) is set to significantly ramp up production and delivery of the indigenously developed Dhanush 155mm/45 caliber howitzer to the Indian Army. As part of a larger 114-gun order, the company is committed to handing over an additional 48 Dhanush guns by the end of March 2025.
This development marks a crucial milestone in the Indian Army’s modernization efforts. The Dhanush, an upgraded version of the renowned Bofors howitzer, has undergone rigorous testing and refinement to address initial quality concerns. AWEIL has already delivered 32 Dhanush guns to the Army, with the first batch of six guns inducted in 2019.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is making strides to bolster the country’s air defence capabilities. While the development of the VSHORADS (Very Short Range Air Defence System) progresses, DRDO has begun assembling the MPDMS, a more portable variant.
The VSHORADS, designed by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other Indian labs and industry partners, is a significant achievement. This indigenous Man-Portable Air Defence System offers a 7km range and weighs around 20kg (without the tripod) with a length of 2 meters and a diameter of 90mm. While effective, its size and weight limit easy soldier manoeuvrability.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A recently viral image on social media showcases the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) mounted on a rotating platform at DRDO’s Open Range RCS Measurement Facility (ORANGE) situated in Dundigal.
ORANGE serves as a crucial testing facility for both existing defense platforms employed by the Indian armed forces and those futuristic weapon systems currently under development by DRDO. The facility boasts the capability to conduct RCS (Radar Cross Section) measurements in a far-field scenario, along with characterizing onboard antenna characteristics. An official, who preferred anonymity, highlighted this aspect.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Apollo Micro Systems (AMS), a rising star in the aerospace and defence sector, has secured a prestigious contract from the Indian Army. The company was selected based on its capabilities for a Make II project under the Defence Acquisition Programme (DAP) 2020.
This project involves the procurement of a Vehicle Mounted Counter Swarm Drone System (VMCSDS), Version I. In a press release, Apollo Micro Systems described the project as “very prestigious” and their first Make II initiative. The company boasts that the systems developed through this project will be “state-of-the-art” and possess highly futuristic qualities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The battlefield of the future will be dominated by those who can best harness technology. This reality is driving a global arms race, with countries like China and India vying for an edge.
On April 19, 2024, China took a significant step by dissolving its Strategic Support Force (SSF) and creating three independent branches: the Aerospace Force, Cyberspace Force, and Information Support Force. Analysts offer several explanations for this move, but one key factor appears to be adaptability. Established in 2016, the SSF may not have kept pace with the rapid evolution of warfare. By creating specialized forces, China aims to address potential shortcomings and streamline its technological integration.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The United States and India are joining forces to hold a critical summit focused on propelling defense innovation. The INDUS-X Investor Summit, scheduled for September in Silicon Valley, will bring together stakeholders to leverage private capital and accelerate advancements in the defense sector.
This summit marks a significant step forward for the INDUS-X initiative, a collaborative effort between the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the Indian Ministry of Defense. Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary, emphasized the summit’s objective: “harnessing private capital for defense innovation.”
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