DRDO
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Israeli defence technology firm ELBIT Systems has proposed its expertise in developing a new Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) system that could be integrated with India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
ELBIT’s solution aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the AMCA’s pilots by integrating the HMD with the existing DASH helmet system. This advanced HMD could potentially replace the conventional Head-Up Display (HUD) currently featured in the AMCA cockpit simulator developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) continues its efforts to convince the Indian Navy to acquire Naval LCA (Light Combat Aircraft) platforms. In September 2024, the DRDO chief reiterated the organization’s push for an order of 8-10 Naval LCA aircraft, initially intended for pilot training.
However, the Indian Navy reportedly has broader ambitions for the Naval LCA, envisioning roles beyond pilot training for its aircraft carrier operations. This aligns with the Aeronautical Development Agency’s (ADA) plans to showcase the Naval LCA’s potential for Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Adani Defence and Bombardier Defence are reportedly in discussions to offer Global series jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) for its upcoming Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), Airborne Early Warning (AEW), and Electronic Warfare (EW) programs.
The IAF is currently seeking an ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting and Reconnaissance) platform for battlefield and ground surveillance operations. The Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) of DRDO is leading the development of this platform, with reports suggesting it will be based on the Bombardier Global Express business jet platform.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is pushing the boundaries of missile technology with the proposed Hypersonic Missile Development Program under Project Vishnu. As part of this initiative, DRDO has set its sights on developing two long-range hypersonic missile systems. One of the most anticipated outcomes is the creation of the Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM), designed to revolutionize India’s strike capabilities and offer a formidable deterrent.
The Hypersonic Cruise Missile (HCM) will have a range of 1,000 km, and DRDO aims for it to enter production by the late 2020s. Unlike traditional cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, making them nearly impossible to intercept. According to recent developments, DRDO is working to outpace Russia’s 3M22 Zircon, a nuclear-capable hypersonic cruise missile, by targeting a speed beyond Mach 9 for the Indian HCM.
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The Indian Army is set to bolster its strategic capabilities with the deployment of Pralay ballistic missiles starting in 2026. These missiles, capable of striking targets at a range of 150 to 500 kilometres, are designed to counter threats from India’s northern borders.
The Pralay missile, a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile, has been developed with advanced technology to evade interception by enemy interceptor missiles. Its unique design and trajectory make it a formidable weapon system.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is set to initiate flight testing of outer dual rack pylons for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets in 2025, a development aimed at significantly boosting the platform’s close combat capabilities. The new pylons will allow the Tejas Mk1A to carry two Close Combat Air-to-Air Missiles (CCMs), such as the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) or Python-5, on a single pylon, effectively doubling its short-range firepower.
The decision to integrate dual rack pylons followed the successful completion of wind tunnel testing of a scale model of the Tejas Mk1A, equipped with the dual rack configuration. These tests were carried out to gather critical data on aerodynamics and the missile separation process. Additionally, HAL conducted extensive computer simulations to study the effects of dual missile launches on the aircraft’s performance, particularly focusing on the potential for gas ingestion into the engine air intake.
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In a recent address at the Khatre Memorial Talks, Samir V. Kamat, Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development (DDR&D) and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), candidly acknowledged a key misstep in India’s fighter jet development strategy.
Kamat stated, “The mistake we made was to develop an engine (Kaveri) and platform (LCA) together.” This misjudgment significantly hampered the progress of the Kaveri engine and the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), delaying both projects and preventing the Kaveri from becoming the indigenous power plant for Tejas. That’s never done. You design a platform around the available engine and engine development is a continuous process; that was a rookie mistake.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
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Adani Defence, a key player in India’s defence manufacturing sector, is set to commence the production of high-calibre rounds for artillery guns from its facility in Kanpur starting in April 2025. This significant development comes as part of Adani Defence and Aerospace’s broader plans within the Uttar Pradesh Defence Industrial Corridor.
The Kanpur facility has already made significant strides in ammunition production, having commenced the manufacturing of small-calibre ammunition from its units. The upcoming production of high-calibre rounds for artillery guns marks the next phase of expansion for Adani Defence in the defence sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious Loyal Wingman program, which aims to develop unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) to support manned fighter jets, is taking a significant leap forward with the development of a new generation of air-to-air missiles.
The program’s UCAVs, also known as Loyal Wingmen, will be equipped with the Next-Generation Close Combat Missile (NGCCM), a local variant of the ASRAAM Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM). This ensures compatibility with existing Indian Air Force (IAF) weaponry.
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The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is taking a multi-pronged approach to strengthen India’s tank defenses. While actively developing an Active Protection System (APS) for tanks, DRDO is also exploring its potential to counter the growing threat of swarm and FPV (First-Person View) armed drones.
An APS is a crucial defensive suite designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming threats before they can damage a tank. Traditionally, these systems focus on neutralizing ATGMs, tank rounds, and other infantry anti-armor weapons. However, the recent war in Ukraine has highlighted the vulnerability of Armoured vehicles to drone attacks, particularly highly maneuverable first-person view (FPV) kamikaze drones.
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The Indian Navy is ramping up efforts to enhance the stealth capabilities of its warships by focusing on reducing the Radar Cross Section (RCS) of exposed weapons and sensor equipment. In a strategic move to maintain an edge in naval warfare, the Navy has called upon its design teams to work closely with weapon and sensor suppliers to minimize the RCS of equipment mounted on its vessels.
This initiative is part of the Navy’s broader efforts to incorporate advanced stealth features into its warships, particularly those being developed as part of its Made in India campaign. By reducing the detectability of its ships on enemy radar systems, the Navy seeks to significantly enhance the survivability and combat effectiveness of its fleet in modern maritime conflicts.
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In response to the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) call for expedited development, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is set to commence initial trials of the Air-Launched Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (ALLCM) program from 2025 onwards.
The ALLCM, based on the subsonic cruise missile designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) for the Indian Army, will be launched from IAF’s Sukhoi-30MKI jets. The IAF variant will be approximately 1.3 tons lighter due to the removal of the first-stage solid rocket booster.
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The Indian aerospace industry is witnessing a paradigm shift towards self-reliance with the Tejas Mk2 fighter jet program. According to Prabhulla Chandran VK, director of avionics and weapons systems at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Tejas Mk2 is poised to achieve a remarkable 90% indigenous content when it enters production in 2031.
The journey towards self-reliance for the Tejas Mk2 will be a staged ascent. The initial prototype, expected in 2026, will boast over 70% indigenous components. This impressive feat signifies substantial progress compared to its predecessor, the Tejas Mk1A, which is expected to reach 70% indigenous content within the next four years.
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Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) ambitious HLFT-42 program, introduced in 2023 as the “Next-Gen Supersonic Trainer,” is undergoing further design refinements. With plans for additional wind tunnel testing, HAL aims to fine-tune the platform, which captured widespread attention for its impressive capabilities and potential to meet both training and combat needs for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The HLFT-42 is designed to be much more than a typical supersonic trainer. With a 4.5-ton weapon payload capacity and a 16.5-ton Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW), the aircraft promises to not only provide advanced pilot training for 4th and 5th-generation fighter jets but also serve as a light combat jet. This versatility offers the potential for multi-role missions, making the aircraft a valuable addition to the IAF’s fleet, particularly for combat teaming scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) are in advanced discussions to repurpose one of the IAF’s MiG-29UPG fighter jets as a Flying Test-Bed (FTB) for the Kaveri engine program. This move comes as the IAF aims to prolong the operational life of its MiG-29UPG fleet and support indigenous jet engine development.
Originally slated for retirement in 2027, the MiG-29UPG fleet will now remain in service for an additional eight years, extending its operational role within the IAF. However, one older MiG-29UPG will be dedicated to the Kaveri engine testing program, with plans to modify it for engine trials.
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