SOURCE: AFI

In a significant step towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has awarded the development of a Radar Signal Processor with an Active Antenna Array Simulator to Data Pattern (India) Limited, based in Chennai. This cutting-edge project aims to deploy a multiple target system for the test and evaluation of various short-range aerial weapon systems, serving as a foundational element for more extensive radar systems in the future.

Radar signal processing is a vital component in modern defense systems, enabling the detection, tracking, and identification of aerial targets. The integration of an Active Antenna Array Simulator will significantly enhance the capability to simulate complex radar environments, facilitating the development and refinement of advanced radar systems.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s indigenous air defense system, the VL-SRSAM, is set for a significant upgrade with a redesigned Vertical Launch Unit (VLU). This new design addresses limitations identified during testing of the previous iteration.

The most notable change involves the plenum uptake chamber (PUC) duct. Previously, a single large duct served all eight missile canisters. The new VLU employs four smaller, individual PUC ducts, each equipped with twin hatch doors.

SOURCE: AFI

Retired Rear Admiral Sudarshan Shrikhande, a former Indian Navy chief of staff and naval intelligence head, expressed concern about Pakistan’s potential nuclear ambitions in a recent interview with NEWS9.

Shrikhande focused on the Hangor-class submarines, an export variant of China’s Type 039A Yuan class, being acquired by Pakistan. These diesel-electric attack submarines are equipped with six 533mm torpedo tubes and reportedly have the capability to launch nuclear-armed Babur-3 cruise missiles with a range of 450 km.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is bolstering its anti-tank capabilities with the integration of advanced thermal imaging technology on its Konkurs-M anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs). This upgrade equips the Konkurs-M with the Sarisa LWIR thermal imager, developed by the Indian company Tonbo Imaging.

The Sarisa LWIR thermal imager is a significant upgrade for the Konkurs-M ATGM system. This cooled Long-Wave Infrared (LWIR) imager offers superior detection, recognition, and identification of targets at extended ranges, even in challenging day and night conditions or adverse weather.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent development in the Tejas Mk-1A program has revealed that the maiden flight of the LA 5033 series aircraft, which took place in late March, was powered by a Category B engine rather than the anticipated new F404-IN20 engine. These Category B engines are reserve units that may have been used previously or remained unused from earlier GE supply contracts for the Tejas series.

Despite this, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) remains optimistic about delivering the aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF) before the Independence Day deadline on August 15th. The company asserts that most of the mandated trials for the new equipment integrated into the aircraft have been successfully completed.

SOURCE: AFI

The era of the formidable submarine INS Sindhudhvaj, which served the Indian Navy with distinction for 35 years, is drawing to a close. The Russian-built vessel, part of the Sindhughosh class based on the Kilo-class submarine, was decommissioned in 2022 and has now arrived at the Azhikkal shipbuilding and repair centre of Steel Industrials Kerala Limited (SILK) for dismantling.

This marks a significant milestone for SILK, as it is the first time a naval submarine is being dismantled in South India. The company, under the leadership of chairman Muhammad Iqbal and managing director T G Ullas Kumar, has secured the contract from Sithara Traders, a Visakhapatnam-based private firm that purchased the submarine.

SOURCE: AFI

The ambitious project of the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) to establish a missile launch center at Junput in East Medinipur district has hit a roadblock due to local opposition. Work on the center, which was initiated in July, has been abruptly halted following protests from fishermen and local residents.

The project, similar to the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha, is crucial for India’s missile development program. However, the local community has raised concerns over potential environmental impact, livelihood disruptions, and lack of transparency. Fishermen, in particular, are apprehensive about the restrictions imposed on their activities during missile tests.

SOURCE: AFI

A landmark agreement was inked today between the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA) and a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) comprising MIDHANI Group, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, PTC Industries Limited, and Yantra India Limited. The collaboration aims to establish a state-of-the-art Defence Testing Infrastructure (DTI) within the Lucknow node of the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).

The momentous signing ceremony took place at Lok Bhawan, Lucknow, under the esteemed presence of Shri Manoj Kumar Singh, Chief Secretary, Government of Uttar Pradesh; CEO of UPEIDA; and Dr. Sanjay Kumar Jha, C&MD of MIDHANI Group.

SOURCE: AFI

The Tibetan Prime Minister-in-exile, Sikyong Penpa Tsering, has accused China of displaying hegemonic ambitions through its actions in Tibet, Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. He pointed to the recent renaming of places in Arunachal Pradesh by China and the ongoing tensions in Ladakh as clear indicators of Beijing’s aggressive posture.

Tsering’s comments came in the wake of the US passing the Resolve Tibet Act, which challenges China’s long-held claim that no nation recognizes Tibetan independence. The Tibetan leader believes this act significantly undermines China’s narrative on Tibet.