INDIAN NAVY
SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) has been given the green light by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to complete the Critical Design Review (CDR) for the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, specifically tailored for the Indian Navy’s aircraft carrier needs. In an exclusive interview with idrw.org, ADA officials expressed optimism about the potential for a modified version of the TEDBF to serve the Indian Air Force (IAF), should there be interest.
The TEDBF, a 26-ton aircraft designed for naval operations, could be adapted for Air Force use by removing features like the folding wings and the heavy-duty undercarriage and landing gear, which are essential for carrier operations. This adaptation process, according to ADA officials, could be accomplished in less than two years, presenting a significant opportunity for the IAF to leverage indigenous technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Maharatna defence Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), is making significant strides towards securing a contract for the supply of Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) to the Indian Army and Indian Air Force. The contract is expected to be signed in the second quarter of 2025, marking a major step towards replacing the aging fleet of World War II-era Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
The LUH is designed and developed by HAL’s Rotary Wing Research and Design Centre, with the goal of addressing the operational requirements of the Indian Army Aviation Corps and the Indian Air Force. The helicopter has already received the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) for the Indian Army from the Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) in February 2021, a milestone that has paved the way for the ongoing finalization of its certification.
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In a revealing conversation with idrw.org, an Indian Navy official stated that the Rafale M, which the Indian Navy plans to acquire from France, significantly outclasses China’s modernized J-15B and J-15D carrier-based combat aircraft in all combat capabilities. This assessment comes amidst ongoing evaluations of naval aviation assets and their strategic implications in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Rafale M, a naval variant of the renowned French Rafale fighter, is designed specifically for carrier operations and is equipped with advanced avionics, weaponry, and a robust airframe suited for the rigours of naval combat. According to Navy officials, the J-15B and J-15D, derivatives of the Soviet-era Sukhoi Su-33, still grapple with numerous inherited design issues that have not been fully resolved despite significant Chinese investment.
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In a strategic move to optimize defence resources and promote Indigenous manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is poised to integrate the Indian Air Force (IAF) into the Indian Navy’s Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter (TEDBF) program. This decision aims to address the substantial funding and production requirements of the TEDBF project, which are comparable to those of the IAF’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program.
The TEDBF program, designed to replace the ageing MiG-29K fleet onboard the Indian Navy’s aircraft carriers, requires significant investment. The Navy has outlined a need for approximately 145 units. However, the MoD has initially approved the procurement of 80 units. To ensure the financial viability of this project and to attract private sector involvement, it’s estimated that around 200 jets need to be produced.
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In a landmark stride towards bolstering maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region, India and the United States have unveiled plans for co-production of U.S.-designed sonobuoys, aimed at enhancing Undersea Domain Awareness (UDA) for the Indian Navy. This collaboration marks a significant advancement in the realm of high-end technology, specifically tailored for tracking submarines in the vast and deep waters of the world’s oceans.
The announcement was made as part of a comprehensive fact sheet titled ‘The U.S. and India Committed to Strengthening Strategic Technology Partnership,’ released on January 6, 2025, following the visit of U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan to India. This visit was centered around deepening defense innovation and industrial cooperation between the two nations.
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In a significant development for India-France defense relations, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is poised to finalize the purchase of 26 Rafale M jets during his anticipated visit to Paris in February. The visit coincides with the AI Action Summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, which aims to harness artificial intelligence for global progress.
Last month, India’s Ministry of Defence gave the green light to acquire these 26 Rafale-M fighter jets alongside three additional Scorpène-class submarines from France. The Rafale-M deal, a government-to-government transaction, includes 22 single-seat jets and 4 twin-seat trainers, along with comprehensive support packages such as equipment, weapons, simulators, spare parts, crew training, and logistical support.
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The Indian Navy is actively exploring the development of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of sustained surveillance over the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) while offering quicker reaction times. This move is part of a broader strategy to strengthen maritime domain awareness and bolster capabilities in monitoring naval activities in the region.
The Navy has already set plans to acquire the MQ-9 Reaper drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) roles. However, officials are also looking at larger, jet-powered unmanned platforms that can address gaps in operational speed and range. A naval official, speaking to idrw.org, highlighted the limitations of High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAVs powered by turboprop engines, which, while suitable for persistent monitoring, lack the speed required to rapidly reach distant areas of interest.
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India’s defence capabilities are set to scale new heights with the development of the S5-class SSBN (Submersible Ship Ballistic Nuclear) submarines. With a proposed submerged displacement of 13,000 tons, the S5-class submarines will mark a significant advancement in India’s nuclear triad, ensuring a robust second-strike capability. These submarines are designed to carry a formidable arsenal of 16 ballistic missile tubes, equipped with K-5 and K-6 MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) SLBMs, with ranges of 5,000 to 8,000 kilometres.
Initially, the S5-class SSBN was planned to feature 12 missile tubes, with six on each side of the submarine. However, the design has been revised to accommodate eight tubes on each side, increasing the submarine’s capacity to carry 16 long-range ballistic missiles. This significant enhancement underlines India’s commitment to maintaining a credible and potent deterrence in a rapidly evolving strategic environment.
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Spanish shipyard Navantia has proposed an unprecedented offer of complete Transfer of Technology (ToT) for its cutting-edge AIP system, the Bio-Ethanol Stealth Technology (BEST). Designed to enhance stealth and operational capabilities, the BEST AIP system is at the forefront of submarine propulsion technology. Navantia’s proposal positions it as a strong contender in India’s strategic submarine programs, including the ambitious Project-75 (I) and future initiatives such as Project-76.
The BEST system is an advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) technology that allows submarines to recharge their batteries while submerged. This eliminates the need for periodic snorkelling, a manoeuvre during which the submarine must surface, exposing itself to detection and potential attack. The innovative system uses a bioethanol reforming process, a renewable fuel derived from organic feedstock, to produce a hydrogen-rich stream. This hydrogen is combined with pure oxygen in a fuel cell, generating electrical power silently and stealthily.
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India’s growing nuclear submarine fleet is set to receive a significant upgrade with the integration of Conformal Flank Array Side Array Sonar systems. These advanced sonar arrays, designed for passive acoustic monitoring, will play a pivotal role in enhancing the detection and tracking capabilities of India’s nuclear attack submarines (SSNs). By incorporating this sophisticated technology, Indian submarines will be better equipped to detect potential threats, such as enemy submarines, destroyers, and torpedoes, that could jeopardize their safety during covert operations.
Flank array sonars are a type of side sonar system that utilize hydrophones strategically placed along the hull of a submarine. These arrays are integral to the submarine’s acoustic detection capabilities, providing 360-degree passive monitoring of its surroundings. The main advantage of flank arrays lies in their ability to provide a larger aperture for sound detection, as they extend along the submarine’s hull. This increases the submarine’s acoustic sensitivity over a wider area, without compromising the hull’s integrity or requiring the added complexity of a towed array system.
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In a recent statement, J.D. Patil, CEO and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T) expressed the company’s readiness to undertake the simultaneous construction of submarines under the Project-75I program, should the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the Indian Navy deem it necessary. This commitment is contingent on L&T winning the prestigious tender, which aims to bolster the Indian Navy’s underwater combat capabilities with next-generation submarines.
L&T, in collaboration with Spain’s Navantia, has submitted a proposal for the Project-75I submarine program, offering a platform based on Navantia’s advanced S-80 class submarine design. The S-80 class is renowned for its state-of-the-art technology, stealth capabilities, and endurance, making it a strong contender for India’s submarine modernization efforts.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) program, which is set to become a cornerstone of India’s naval airpower, is on track for a Critical Design Review (CDR) by mid-2025. This milestone will be key to ensuring the viability of the program and will precede the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) clearance for the required funding.
Despite being classified as a 5 Minus Generation fighter, the TEDBF will be a highly advanced platform, drawing on technological advancements from India’s AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program, but tailored to meet the unique demands of naval operations.
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The Indian Navy has laid out an ambitious vision for its future, focusing on expanding and modernizing its carrier fleet to ensure maritime dominance in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This strategic initiative, which could eventually see India operate three to four aircraft carriers by 2040, reflects the country’s growing economic power and commitment to strengthening its defence capabilities, especially in the face of increasing maritime threats from neighbouring nations like Pakistan and China.
India’s current naval strategy centres around operating three aircraft carriers by 2040. The first two carriers, INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, are already in service, while the third, INS Vishal, is in development, with plans to have it operational in the coming years. These carriers will form the backbone of the Indian Navy’s strategic reach in the Indian Ocean and beyond.
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The upcoming Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF), a flagship project of India’s indigenous defence aviation programs, is set to leverage Artificial Intelligence (AI) to a significant degree, inheriting advanced features from the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. One standout capability is the AI-assisted automatic landing and take-off system, designed specifically for carrier operations. This feature is poised to elevate the safety, efficiency, and reliability of naval aviation operations, making the TEDBF a leader in its class.
Carrier-based fighter operations are among the most demanding in military aviation. Landings, in particular, involve high stress and razor-thin margins for error due to factors such as Limited deck space, Moving carriers affected by waves and wind and Unpredictable weather conditions.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi has confirmed that the ambitious Project-76 program is in its preliminary stages, focusing on the development of a new class of indigenous conventional diesel submarines. This project is poised to be a significant step forward in India’s journey toward self-reliance in submarine technology, incorporating advancements from previous programs like Project-75 and Project-75I.
Sources revealed to idrw.org that the design phase for Project 76 is already underway, with the final blueprint expected to be ready by 2028. Once the design is finalized, the project will seek approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), which is anticipated around 2033-34, paving the way for construction to commence.
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