SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Israeli defense manufacturer Elbit Systems is positioning its Autonomous Towed Howitzer Ordnance System (ATHOS) as a competitive contender in the Indian Army’s quest to procure 400 Towed Gun Systems (TGS). The ATHOS is a long-range 155mm/52 caliber artillery system renowned for its advanced capabilities. Elbit has pledged to achieve 70% indigenization, significantly lowering costs to make the ATHOS more attractive than the indigenous Dhanush 155mm x 45 caliber gun.
Elbit faces stiff competition from Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and Bharat Forge, who are jointly developing a 15-ton variant of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS). The ATAGS is a DRDO-developed gun with advanced features such as a higher firing range and quick deployment.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
India’s aerospace research community has achieved a major milestone with the first detailed diagnostics of a single cup sector of a modern annular combustor. The experiment, linked to the Kaveri Engine Program, represents a pivotal advancement in understanding combustion dynamics and stability. This high-resolution diagnostics effort involves leading experts Prof. Saptarshi Basu, Dr. Pratikash Panda, and Prof. S. Chaudhuri. Their work is expected to significantly enhance India’s capabilities in developing efficient, stable, and low-emission combustors for aviation.
The experimental rig for this research is a to-scale 20º sector of an annular combustor designed to emulate the real operational conditions of a combustor used in the Kaveri engine. Notably, the combustor test rig has been equipped with optical access points in both the primary and exhaust zones, enabling a precise view of the combustion process. This optical access is essential for observing flame stability and flow characteristics in a high-speed environment.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Armenia is reportedly in advanced discussions with Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the defense arm of Bharat Forge, for the procurement of 78 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). This follows the successful performance of the six ATAGS units previously supplied to Armenia, which have demonstrated exceptional capabilities across a variety of terrains in the country.
The initial batch of six ATAGS howitzers underwent extensive trials across Armenia’s diverse topography, including high-altitude mountainous regions and plains. These trials confirmed the gun’s adaptability, long-range precision, and robust operational reliability, prompting Armenian authorities to explore a larger procurement.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In 2019, India opted not to proceed with a plan to develop the indigenous Kaveri fighter jet engine in collaboration with the French company Safran as part of the Rafale offsets deal. This decision came after extensive discussions, where the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) found the financial terms for technology transfer to be prohibitively high. Safran, the French aerospace engine manufacturer responsible for developing the M88 engines that power Rafale jets, had proposed to assist India with developing the Kaveri engine technology. However, the project, initially seen as a promising solution for India’s longstanding quest for a domestic jet engine, ultimately stalled due to cost concerns and unmet offset obligations.
India’s indigenous jet engine program, known as Kaveri, has been a decades-long endeavor led by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), a laboratory under DRDO. Initially launched in the 1980s, the Kaveri engine was intended to power India’s Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA). However, the engine encountered persistent challenges, such as achieving adequate thrust and addressing issues with high-temperature materials and overall reliability. By the mid-2000s, it was clear that the Kaveri engine required substantial upgrades and foreign expertise to meet the performance standards required for modern fighter jets.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy is intensifying efforts to achieve complete self-reliance in propulsion systems for its warships, aiming to transition to fully indigenous marine and diesel engines by 2047. This ambitious goal aligns with India’s broader Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers and bolster domestic defense manufacturing.
India currently relies heavily on external suppliers for marine propulsion systems. Ukraine has been a key provider of marine engines for several frontline warships. GE Aerospace and Rolls-Royce supply advanced engines, including gas turbines, for high-performance naval platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s burgeoning defense sector is showcasing its capabilities across a range of indigenous platforms, making the country a rising exporter of weapon systems and military equipment. However, for India to truly cement its place as a global defense player and stimulate international interest in its weaponry, it may be time to explore reciprocal trade or “barter deals” with countries like France, Brazil, and others. Such agreements could allow Indian-made weapons to be exchanged for defense equipment procured from these nations, offering strategic and economic benefits for India while diversifying its defense exports.
India’s defense export ambitions have been steadily growing, with the United States already becoming one of the largest importers of Indian-made subsystems for American weapon systems and aircraft. For instance, Indian manufacturers supply components for U.S. platforms like the Apache attack helicopters and C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft, signaling a mutual reliance in this sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla has commenced astronaut training at the prestigious European Astronaut Center (EAC) in Germany. He is preparing alongside the crew of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), marking another significant milestone in India’s burgeoning role in international human space exploration.
This training is part of the preparation for a historic mission that will use SpaceX’s Crew Dragon module to reach the International Space Station (ISS). The collaboration exemplifies the growing participation of Indian talent in advanced space missions, further solidifying the country’s reputation in the global aerospace community.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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The first issue in engaging with Pakistan is the cessation of terrorism, India’s envoy at the UN said, underlining that India has been a long-standing victim of cross-border and global terrorism and has zero tolerance towards the scourge.
With Pakistan, the main issue we have is of terrorism, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said during a conversation here on Tuesday. Harish delivered the keynote address on Responding to Key Global Challenges: The India Way’ at an event at Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA).
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Vientiane on Wednesday to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting-Plus (ADMM Plus). He was received by Maj. Gen. Pasith Thiengtham, Deputy Minister of National Defence, Lao PDR at Wattay International Airport. As per official sources, Singh will attend bilateral with three Countries-Malaysia, Laos and China. Later, in the day he will interact with a group of people of the Indian community in Laos.
Prior to his departure from Delhi the Defence Minister said, “I’m leaving for Vientiane to attend the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) in Lao PDR. Various regional & international security Issues will be discussed during the meeting. There would also be separate bilateral meetings with my counterparts from other participating nations. Looking forward to it.”
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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India is unsatisfied with the pace of progress on Security Council reform, the country’s envoy at the UN said, noting that there are countries who prefer the status quo and those that oppose expansion in the permanent category at all costs as they feel their neighbours may have a chance to become a member.
The Security Council structure, as it stands today, is a reflection of 1945. It does not reflect today’s realities, India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said during a conversation here on Tuesday.
Continue readingSOURCE: Daily Sabah
Türkiye’s new unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), Bayraktar TB3, tailored for the country’s first aircraft carrier, became the first of its kind to successfully take off and land on the short-runway carrier TCG Anadolu on Tuesday.
“The Bayraktar TB3 has made history as the first unmanned aerial vehicle to successfully take off and land on the short-runway carrier TCG Anadolu!” Baykar said on X (formerly known as Twitter). TCG Anadolu is Türkiye’s first multi-purpose LHD class amphibious assault and warship, commissioned last year.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
In a ground-breaking achievement, researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhilai have unveiled a cutting-edge “smart injectable ink material” designed specifically for 3D printing applications. This innovative material promises to revolutionize industries by enabling the creation of complex, customized structures with unprecedented precision and efficiency.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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The Indian Army successfully concluded the Multilateral Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise, ‘Sanyukt Vimochan 2024’ held on 18th and 19th November in Ahmedabad and Porbandar, Gujarat. Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, attended this significant event, which showcased India’s disaster response readiness.
“The exercise brought together all agencies involved with disaster relief efforts, signifying the necessity of a whole-government approach. Notably, there were 15 international participants from nine friendly foreign countries. In his closing remarks, COAS brought out that Exercise Sanyukt Vimochan 2024 had successfully showcased the practical execution of rescue and relief plans through an integrated, multi-agency, multilateral disaster response while showcasing indigenous HADR equipment promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat,” ADG PI-Indian Army posted on X.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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Calling Japan a “key contributor” to India’s economic development, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said it is a bilateral relationship of “great trust” and the two countries need to develop “ambitious targets” and work towards realising them.
“In a world under flux, we must deliberate on the urgent need to enhance the quality of our economic cooperation,” the minister said in his virtual address at the 7th India-Japan Indo-Pacific Forum and 10th India-Japan Track 1.5 Dialogue.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Palestine on Tuesday expressed its deep gratitude to India for releasing the second tranche of $2.5 million financial aid to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), thus fulfilling its pledged annual contribution of $5 million for the year 2024-2025.
In a statement, the Palestinian Embassy said, “We extend our sincere gratitude and appreciation to the Government of India for releasing the second tranche of $2.5 million to UNRWA, fulfilling its annual contribution of $5 million for the year.”
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