SOURCE: AFI
The Indian government has received the final Letter of Offer (LOA) from the US for the purchase of 31 armed MQ-9B drones. This follows the State Department’s initial notification on February 1st and a 30-day window for potential objections from US lawmakers.
The final LOA includes the negotiated price between the US and the manufacturer for the drones. The Indian Navy, the lead agency in this acquisition, will now review the details. If the price is deemed satisfactory, the proposal will be forwarded to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The US intelligence community believes China intends to establish additional military bases and access agreements globally, including locations near India. According to a March 11th report titled “The Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community,” China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aims to “project power and protect China’s interests abroad” through this expansion.
Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar are identified as possible targets. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Seychelles are mentioned as potential locations. Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Tajikistan, and Tanzania are also listed as potential areas of interest for China.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A recent live-fire exercise conducted by China near the contested border with India has heightened existing tensions between the two nations. Chinese state media reported that a female missile platoon successfully launched a missile against a “subsonic target aircraft” at high altitude on the Karakoram Plateau.
India has reportedly bolstered its military presence along the LAC in recent months. News outlets like Bloomberg have cited the deployment of an additional 10,000 Indian soldiers to the disputed border.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In a major capability boost, the Indian Army on Friday raised its first Apache attack helicopter squadron in the desert sector in Jodhpur near the Pakistan front. The squadron was raised today in Jodhpur in the presence of Director General Indian Army Aviation Lt Gen Ajay Suri and officials from the original manufacturer Boeing along with other senior officials, Indian Army Officials told ANI.
The Indian Army Apache helicopters would camouflage desert colours and the first batch of choppers would arrive and join the fleet by May this year, they said.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
At the NDTV Defence Summit 2024, Arun Ramchandani, Executive Vice-President of L&T Defence, delivered a compelling address shedding light on the critical need for India to modernize its shipbuilding capabilities to keep pace with global counterparts, particularly China. Ramchandani’s insights underscored the urgency for India to adopt cutting-edge technologies and streamline processes to enhance the speed and efficiency of its shipbuilding endeavours.
Ramchandani’s assessment of India’s shipbuilding capacity painted a stark picture, highlighting the significant gap between India and China in this critical sector. He emphasized that to bridge this disparity, India must embrace modern technologies and foster a conducive ecosystem that facilitates rapid scale-up and deployment of naval platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a new initiative through iDEX ADITI Edition 1.0, specifically targeting Indian startups. This challenge seeks the development of a next-generation underwater vehicle – a prototype AUV based on the Indian Navy’s “Jalkapi” design.
The Jalkapi AUV is envisioned as a self-sustaining underwater vehicle capable of extended missions at sea. This initiative aims to leverage Indian expertise to develop a functional prototype that fulfils the following critical requirements:
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) of India has taken a significant step forward in missile technology by issuing an Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop a Laser Beam Rider Guidance System with an Eye-safe Laser Range Finder (LBRG System with ELRF). This pioneering system aims to provide precise line-of-sight laser guidance to missiles, enhancing their accuracy and effectiveness in various operational scenarios.
The Laser Beam Rider Guidance System offers a sophisticated approach to missile guidance, utilizing a spatially encoded laser beam to convey critical information necessary for the missile to determine its position relative to the beam and navigate towards the intended target. This innovative technology holds particular relevance for short-range air defence and anti-tank systems, where precision and agility are paramount.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Security Committee of the Council of Ministers of India has greenlit an ambitious venture – the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. With a staggering investment of 1.8 billion dollars earmarked for its development, India is set to embark on a journey to bolster its military capabilities in the aerospace domain. This move signifies a significant departure from India’s historical reliance on Russian military technology and marks a decisive step towards self-sufficiency in defense.
Traditionally, India has maintained close ties with Russia in the defense sector, relying on Soviet-era military equipment and technology. However, recent developments indicate a shift in this paradigm. Despite Russia’s unveiling of the Su-75 Checkmate, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft aimed at markets like India, the response from New Delhi was tepid at best. This lukewarm reception underscores India’s waning reliance on Russian military hardware, signaling a desire to diversify its sources and develop indigenous capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) have joined forces in a significant partnership to supply cutting-edge Communication and Electronic Warfare (EW) sensors and systems to the Indian Navy. The contract, valued at Rs 847.70 crore, underscores the commitment of both companies to bolster India’s defense capabilities through indigenous manufacturing and technological innovation.
Under the terms of the contract, BEL will provide 14 state-of-the-art Communication and EW sensors and systems, all of which will be domestically manufactured. These advanced systems will be installed on three Cadet Training Ships, enhancing the Indian Navy’s communication and electronic warfare capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Pakistan on Thursday urged India to comply with the timeline stipulated in the pre-notification of flight testing of ballistic missiles as it took note of the first flight test of India’s indigenously developed Agni-5 missile.
Responding to a question about India testing a missile capable of carrying multiple nuclear warheads, Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said that Islamabad had taken note of the Indian missile test on March 11 as New Delhi shared its advance notification to Islamabad.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Plans to secure order for the manufacturing of 240 AL-31FP jet engines soon, further bolstering India’s self-reliance in the defense sector. These engines will be used to power the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of Su-30MKI fighter jets, forming the backbone of the nation’s air defense.
The order comes after HAL successfully secured contract for 80 RD-33 engines for the upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter jets. The new AL-31FP engines will replace existing ones on over 110 Su-30MKI jets that have reached the end of their designated operational life. Notably, these replacement engines will boast a higher degree of indigenization compared to their predecessors, signifying a significant step towards India’s goal of self-sufficiency in defense equipment manufacturing.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The stage is set for a significant milestone in India-Brazil relations, as the two nations prepare for their first-ever 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in New Delhi next month. This historic event, confirmed by Brazilian Ambassador Kenneth Haczynski Da Nobrega, underscores the growing importance of defense cooperation within their burgeoning economic partnership.
A key area of collaboration lies in the realm of submarine maintenance and technology. Brazil currently operates Scorpene-class submarines, while India possesses a well-established domestic submarine program. Negotiations are underway between the two navies to potentially sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that would encompass:
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A recent assessment by US intelligence agencies has raised concerns about the possibility of armed conflict between India and China, as well as between India and Pakistan. The annual threat assessment, released by the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), highlights the volatile nature of the border disputes and the potential for miscalculation and escalation.
According to the report, the disputed border between India and China continues to strain their bilateral relationship. While significant cross-border clashes have not occurred since 2020, both sides maintain large troop deployments, and sporadic encounters between opposing forces increase the risk of armed conflict. The report underscores the importance of avoiding miscalculation and de-escalating tensions to prevent a dangerous confrontation.
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The recent threat issued by Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun towards New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters highlights the persistent challenge posed by extremist elements promoting separatism and violence. Pannun, known for his pro-Khalistan activities, has targeted Peters after the latter questioned claims linking India to the killing of separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Canada.
In a concerning development, Pannun issued a threat through a poster advocating violent attacks against India’s top diplomat in Canada. This provocative act underscores the aggressive tactics employed by individuals associated with groups like ‘Sikhs for Justice,’ which have long advocated for the secession of Punjab from India.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The French Air and Space Force has decided to extend the operational life of its Mirage 2000D fighter jets comes as welcome news for countries like India, which rely heavily on this aircraft. The move ensures a continued supply of spare parts and potentially delays the jet’s overall retirement, benefiting nations with Mirage 2000 fleets.
France, the world’s largest Mirage 2000 operator, had previously planned to transition entirely to the Dassault Rafale. However, recent discussions with Dassault Aviation, the manufacturer, have focused on securing a steady flow of spare parts and equipment to extend the Mirage 2000D’s service life into the mid-2030s.
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