#HAL #AMCA #automation #aerospace #manufacturing #MakeInIndia
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Tejas MkII, an advanced iteration of India’s indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), is set to revolutionize situational awareness and combat efficiency with its cutting-edge information fusion capabilities. Designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), the Tejas MkII will integrate a suite of sensors and algorithms to create a comprehensive tactical picture, significantly enhancing operational effectiveness.
The Tejas MkII will be equipped with a comprehensive array of sensors designed to provide a multi-faceted view of the battlefield.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has announced that it will showcase an innovative Optionally-Manned Combat Aircraft (OMCA) based on the modified Kiran Mk2 Stage-II Trainer aircraft at the upcoming Aero India 2025. This development is part of HAL’s broader Combat Air Teaming System (CATS), aiming to revolutionize aerial warfare through advanced unmanned and manned-unmanned teaming capabilities.
The OMCA project envisions transforming the venerable Kiran Mk2 trainer, which has been a stalwart in the Indian Air Force (IAF) for decades, into a versatile combat platform. The aircraft will operate in both Autonomous and Ground controlled modes, offering a flexible asset for various mission profiles. The primary use of the OMCA will be as a decoy system, intended to draw out enemy air defense systems by mimicking the signatures of more valuable combat aircraft, thus exposing and engaging these defenses before the main force arrives.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) might be exploring the addition of a second seat to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), India’s ambitious 5.5-generation stealth fighter, specifically to control combat drones. This intriguing development was hinted at in a conversation with idrw.org, where an ADA official neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of a two-seater AMCA variant emerging in the future.
Contrary to conventional two-seat aircraft used for training or conversion purposes, the IAF has not explicitly requested a two-seater AMCA for these reasons. Instead, the discussion revolves around operational enhancements, particularly in drone management.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is poised to take a significant leap forward with the expected finalization of a contract for the joint development of a 6th generation jet engine. The French aerospace company, Safran, has emerged as the frontrunner in this high-stakes collaboration, although both Rolls-Royce from the UK and General Electric (GE) from the US remain keen contenders for this partnership.
According to sources familiar with the matter, speaking to idrw.org, the program is estimated to cost around $5 billion. This substantial investment will not only fund the engine’s development but also cover the establishment of a local production line in India. The funds will facilitate the creation of prototypes and support extensive ground and inflight testing phases, ensuring the engine meets the rigorous demands of modern combat aircraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to bolster its diminishing combat strength, the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) have agreed to establish a committee tasked with expediting the procurement of fighter jets, focusing particularly on the long-stalled Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender. According to sources from idrw.org, a major decision on this front might be reached by May 2025, driven by the urgency to prevent the IAF’s squadron strength from falling to a critical low of 28, which would be just 3-4 squadrons more than the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) by the year’s end.
The MRFA tender, which has been languishing since 2019, aims to procure 110 advanced fighter jets. However, the committee’s mandate does not extend to reviewing the progress of existing indigenous fighter jet programs like the Tejas or the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Instead, it’s primarily focused on strategies to swiftly increase the number of operational squadrons.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious AMCA MkII (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program, spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), is set to mark a significant milestone in the country’s quest for self-reliance in defence technology. To achieve a 90% indigenous component in the AMCA MkII, the project represents a crucial step in India’s broader push for greater indigenization in its defence sector. HAL aims to roll out the first AMCA MkII prototype by late 2028, with a focus on progressively increasing the use of domestic components as the program advances.
The AMCA MkII is designed to be a fifth-generation fighter aircraft, featuring cutting-edge stealth, advanced avionics, and high-performance capabilities. One of the key objectives of the program is to ensure that a significant portion of the aircraft’s components, systems, and technologies are of Indian origin. HAL and ADA have emphasized a target of 90% indigenous content in the AMCA MkII, setting the bar high for local manufacturing and technological development.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s indigenous fighter jet program, the price for the GE-414 engines intended for the Tejas Mark 2 is reportedly on the rise due to cost escalation, according to news agency ANI. This adjustment in pricing comes as part of the negotiations for the technology transfer (ToT) involved in manufacturing these engines domestically.
Sources close to idrw.org have indicated that while the ToT price might increase, the cost for each engine produced locally is expected to hover around $10 million. This estimation aligns with the baseline cost of GE-414 engines observed in the Korean deal for the KF-21 Boramae program, where similar engines are being used.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India has reportedly received offers from Germany and Spain to join their 6th Generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, as well as an invitation from the UK-Japan-Italy consortium to participate in their Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). While these proposals signal the growing recognition of India as a strategic defence partner, New Delhi remains committed to its indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, a 5.5-generation fighter jet project designed to bridge the gap between 5th and 6th-generation technologies.
While official discussions between the UK and India regarding GCAP have been confirmed, India has yet to publicly acknowledge the proposals from Germany and Spain.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), being developed for the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, is projected to cost approximately ?250 crores (29-30 million USD) per unit. This figure represents a 61% increase over the base price of the Russian Mi-17-5 helicopters that the IMRH will replace. Despite the higher cost, the IMRH promises to deliver advanced capabilities, enhanced safety, and superior technology, making it a worthwhile investment for India’s defense forces.
The IMRH project, a collaborative effort involving India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and France’s Safran, aims to equip the Indian Armed Forces with a helicopter that surpasses its predecessors in performance, safety, and technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
A senior Indian Air Force (IAF) official, responding to China’s development of its sixth-generation fighter jet, highlighted India’s potential to replicate a similar trajectory by building on the advancements from its fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Speaking to idrw.org, the official emphasized that while China may have incorporated lessons and technologies from its fifth-generation J-20 program into its sixth-generation jet, India can adopt a similar approach to ensure its future fighters remain competitive.
The official underscored the importance of the AMCA program as a stepping stone for India’s aerospace ambitions. The AMCA, which is expected to make its first flight by 2028, is being developed as a 5.5-generation stealth fighter jet with advanced technologies like AI-driven avionics and mission systems, Stealth shaping and radar-absorbent materials and Next-generation sensors and electronic warfare suites.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Tejas MkII program, a significant milestone in India’s indigenous fighter jet development, is progressing smoothly under the collaborative efforts of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). Both organizations are working closely to ensure that the aircraft not only makes its first flight in 2026 but also enters production by late 2029, with deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF) expected to commence in early 2030. This timeline is vital for the IAF, which has specific requirements for its modernization efforts and fighter fleet composition.
For the Tejas MkII to enter production at the desired time, HAL and the IAF must navigate a complex bureaucratic process. A key component of this is obtaining Clearance from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which follows the acceptance of necessity (AON) granted by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). The timeline for these approvals is critical; the IAF will go for CCS clearance by the end of 2027 so that the procurement process can proceed and the aircraft can be in production by late 2029.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has been one of India’s most ambitious and strategic aerospace programs. A key feature of the AMCA is its design for stealth capabilities, and to ensure that this feature is fully realized, the aircraft will be equipped with an Internal Weapons Bay (IWB). This design choice is integral for maintaining low Radar Cross Section (RCS), a critical factor for enhancing the aircraft’s ability to evade detection by enemy radar systems.
Recent developments by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) have provided significant insights into the AMCA’s IWB, particularly its compatibility with India’s Astra BVRAAM (Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missiles). Through extensive computer simulations and data collection, ADA and DRDO have confirmed that the AMCA’s IWB can effectively accommodate both Astra Mk1, Astra MkII and Astra MkII missiles without requiring any modifications to the airframe of the missiles.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) are currently in the throes of the Contract Negotiation Committee (CNC) process, signaling a significant step towards expanding India’s indigenous fighter jet fleet. This move comes after the IAF pushed forward with a proposal to procure an additional 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-1A, bolstering its combat capabilities with homegrown technology.
The proposal received an Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) from the Defence Acquisition Council, paving the way for this substantial investment in defence self-reliance. Estimated at an AoN cost of Rs 65,848 crore, this procurement underscores India’s commitment to enhancing its air force with the advanced variant of the Tejas, the LCA Mk-1A.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has expanded its vision for the Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) program, which was initially conceived to replace the ageing An-32 transporters. Now, the IAF plans to use the MTA program to also replace the Il-76 heavy transport aircraft in its fleet over the next seven years. This strategic shift has influenced the dynamics of the program, particularly in terms of participation by the public and private sectors.
State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), a major player in Indian aerospace, has chosen to allow private sector companies to take the lead in the MTA program for now. According to a HAL official, speaking to idrw.org on the condition of anonymity, HAL has not yet offered any platform for the MTA program, either independently or in collaboration with a foreign original equipment manufacturer (OEM). The official added that HAL may consider entering the fray once the IAF issues a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the tender. However, at this stage, the three leading contenders have already partnered with private Indian companies.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious 5th Generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, designed to enhance the Indian Air Force’s capabilities, has made gradual yet significant strides, according to industrial sources close to idrw.org. The program, which aims to develop a cutting-edge fighter aircraft with stealth features and advanced avionics, is currently progressing well, with key components nearing completion.
Sources revealed to idrw.org that large portions of the AMCA’s airframe are currently under construction, a crucial phase in the aircraft’s development. The airframe is a critical structural element that supports the aircraft’s various systems, and its construction marks a major milestone in the program. With several components already in the works, the AMCA is on track to take shape in the coming months.
Continue reading