Indian Army
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
With a renewed emphasis on the creation of India’s Rocket Force, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is set to significantly ramp up the production of the Pralay Short-Range Ballistic Missile (SRBM). The Pralay, a mobile, canister-based surface-to-surface missile with a range of 150-500 km, has garnered increasing attention from both the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army. Orders for 120 units were placed by each service branch, with an additional order for another 120 missiles currently in the pipeline. As India prepares to strengthen its missile capabilities, production rates are expected to increase substantially over the coming years.
The current production rate of the Pralay SRBM remains in the single digits per year, according to sources close to idrw.org. However, this number is set to rise gradually into double digits as the MoD expands its missile production capacity. The establishment of the Rocket Force, which is expected to require 1,000 Pralay missiles, has created a demand that will drive further production scale-ups. To meet these ambitious targets, outsourcing to private sector companies is being planned, to achieve double-digit production rates by 2027. If necessary, this could eventually increase to triple digits per year.
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Earlier this month, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that sought to halt the export of Indian defense equipment to Israel, citing allegations of war crimes by Tel Aviv in Gaza. The court’s refusal to intervene was rooted in the fact that foreign policy is not within its jurisdiction, deferring the matter to the executive. However, the issue raised by the PIL transcends Israel and touches on a broader debate critical to India’s aspirations to become a major defense exporter.
The question of whether a country should regulate its defence exports based on the actions of its buyers in global conflicts is a normative one. It requires India to balance its moral standing with its strategic and economic ambitions in the global defence market. This debate has gained importance as India seeks to transition from one of the world’s largest arms importers to a competitive exporter of weapons and military systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Major General Rajiv Narayanan, a Professor of Practice at IIT Madras, has announced an innovative project aimed at revolutionizing armored warfare. Collaborating with IIT Madras and Lieutenant General Shankar, Maj Gen Narayanan is working on the development of a tank-fired ramjet-based Fin Stabilized Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot (FSAPDS) ammunition. This groundbreaking project seeks to significantly enhance the lethality and effectiveness of tank munitions against modern armored threats.
With the advancement of armor technology in modern Main Battle Tanks (MBTs), the need for more effective ammunition has become critical. Traditional FSAPDS rounds are already recognized as the most lethal kinetic energy ammunition available, capable of penetrating all known tank armor within a direct shooting range of up to 3000 meters. However, the limitations in range and velocity present challenges, particularly against advanced Active Protection Systems (APS) that are designed to intercept incoming projectiles.
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.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India is set to become the first nation to receive 31 Predator drones equipped with two DAP-6 gun pods, each containing the formidable M134D-H rotary machine gun. This upgrade significantly enhances the Predator drones’ firepower, making them more versatile and lethal in combat roles.
The M134 Minigun, an American 7.62×51mm NATO six-barrel rotary machine gun, is known for its exceptionally high rate of fire, ranging from 2,000 to 6,000 rounds per minute. With its Gatling-style rotating barrel assembly powered by an external electric motor, the M134D-H is designed for sustained and rapid-fire, providing overwhelming firepower in a short period. The “Mini” in Minigun is a nod to its use of rifle ammunition, in contrast to the larger-calibre autocannon shells, like those of General Electric’s earlier 20mm M61 Vulcan.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
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
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
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.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army is actively exploring the potential of weaponized robot dogs to bolster its capabilities against drone threats. Lessons learned from the war in Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East have highlighted the growing need for advanced anti-drone technologies.
The army has already inducted a robot dog equipped with a machine gun and RPG, demonstrating its interest in employing robotic platforms for military operations. Now, the focus is on harnessing these capabilities to counter drone threats effectively.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
With ongoing delays and a lack of progress in the procurement deal with Russia for the Kamov 226T helicopter, the Indian Army is reportedly considering a significant increase in its order for the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This shift comes as the Army prepares to phase out its ageing fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters over the next decade.
In 2015, India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for at least 200 Kamov 226T twin-engine utility helicopters. The initial plan was to import 60 units directly from Russia, while the remaining 140 were to be manufactured locally by HAL. The Ka-226T was chosen for its twin-engine design, which is considered safer for high-altitude operations, particularly in challenging terrains like the Himalayas.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Mumbai-based Anadrone Systems Private Limited, a company primarily known for manufacturing licensed QinetiQ Banshee aerial target platforms in India, has now developed a new indigenous kamikaze drone called Shakti. This drone is designed to carry out long-range precision strikes, with an impressive endurance of 6 to 7 hours and an operational range of 500 kilometers, making it a formidable addition to India’s growing unmanned aerial systems (UAS) capabilities.
The Shakti drone can carry a payload of up to 30 kg of explosives, designed to deliver significant damage in combat scenarios. It utilizes a rear pusher propeller engine, a propulsion system that is both efficient and well-suited for the drone’s long-endurance missions. This configuration helps improve aerodynamics and fuel efficiency, ensuring that the Shakti can remain airborne for extended periods and cover a vast operational area.
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Recent media reports have suggested that the Indian Army has chosen not to deploy its Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters in high-altitude areas due to their limited performance in such regions. However, sources within the Indian Army have clarified to idrw.org that these reports are a misrepresentation of the facts. The Indian Army had never intended to use its Apache helicopters in high-altitude regions, as they were specifically procured to support Strike Corps operations in more suitable terrains.
The Apache AH-64 attack helicopters, globally recognized for their firepower and versatility, were purchased by the Indian Army with a clear operational focus. Contrary to media reports suggesting performance issues in high-altitude environments, Army officials have confirmed that the helicopters were never intended for such roles.
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The Indian Army is gearing up to conduct user trials of the Nirbhay sub-sonic cruise missile. This development comes as the missile nears the completion of its developmental trials, powered by a locally made STFE engine.
Sub-sonic cruise missiles with a range of 1000 km are a crucial component of the upcoming Rocket Force, which is set to become the fourth service wing of the Indian Armed Forces. The Nirbhay missile has already been successfully tested from a truck-mounted system earlier this year.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Armenian Army has completed trials of six units of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 155mm/52 calibre towed guns, supplied by India in 2023. According to Armenian Army sources to idrw.org, the guns have cleared all operational tests conducted in various locations across the country.
The initial batch of six ATAGS guns was programmed with the Armenian language in the Trajectory Computation Module (TCM) as requested by the Armenian Army. Additionally, several other modifications were made to tailor the guns to the specific requirements of the Armenian military.
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In a significant development aimed at enhancing the Indian Army’s capabilities, the military is currently engaged in discussions with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop a new UAV-Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM) V3. The proposed missile, designed to be mounted on Light Motor Vehicles (LMVs), promises to provide infantry units with a potent weapon system for assaulting enemy positions.
The ULPGM V3, a successor to the already inducted ULPGM V1, is expected to offer a significantly increased range compared to its predecessor. While the V1 boasts a range of 4 kilometres, the V3 is likely to have a range of nearly 12 kilometres. This extended range will enable the missile to strike targets at a greater distance, enhancing the safety of troops.
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