SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s defence and aerospace industry, Germany is in talks with partner nations that could allow India to join the 6th-generation Future Combat Air System (FCAS), or Système de Combat Aérien du Futur (SCAF) program, as an observer country.
However, before India can gain this status, Germany needs approval from France and Spain, both of whom are co-developers in the program. If granted observer status, India would gain unique insights into the development of a next-gen fighter system while also opening up opportunities for its private sector to participate in the program’s supply chain.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Boeing Defense has indicated that it may soon withdraw its F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet from contention in the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets. This potential decision comes as Boeing faces the prospect of shutting down the Super Hornet production line by 2027, primarily due to a lack of new orders and limited interest from potential international customers. Consequently, Boeing is shifting its focus to the F-15EX, a platform it hopes will have broader appeal in India and other markets.
In response to reduced demand, Boeing has already planned a gradual winding down of its F/A-18E/F Super Hornet production line in St. Louis. Initially scheduled for closure in 2025, a recent order from the U.S. Navy for 17 additional Super Hornets has extended production to early 2027. These new aircraft are expected to be delivered from late 2026 through spring 2027. However, the limited contract represents the final push for the Super Hornet, and Boeing has been slowing the production rate, from two aircraft per month to around one-and-a-half, as it prepares to transition its workforce toward other programs.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant development for India’s artillery modernization program, Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) has agreed to match the lowest bid (L1) price set by Bharat Forge Ltd for the ?6,000 crore contract to supply 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) to the Indian Army. The contract will now be split between the two companies, both of which were development partners of the gun, in a 60:40 ratio.
Bharat Forge, which emerged as the L1 bidder, will produce 184 ATAGS units, while TASL will manufacture 123 units. The split, based on their contributions to the gun’s development under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), will see Bharat Forge handling a larger share of the order valued at over ?4,000 crore, while TASL will manufacture guns worth approximately ?2,000 crore.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Sergey Korotkov, Deputy General Director of United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), a subsidiary of Rostec, has announced that the Su-75 Checkmate, Russia’s fifth-generation light single-engine stealth fighter, is progressing at an advanced stage of development. Speaking to Russia’s state-owned TASS News Agency, Korotkov emphasized the growing international interest in the aircraft and its potential market appeal.
“There are customers among foreign partners considering the purchase of fighters in this class. The corporation is still engaged in the development of the aircraft, and the market, in our opinion, is in demand for such equipment. We demonstrated the prototype. But the units are at a good stage of development,” Korotkov stated.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Bharat Forge Ltd. has secured a significant contract worth over ?6,000 crore from the Indian Army to supply 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS). This development paves the way for the production of the ATAGS, a state-of-the-art artillery system developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Both Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) and Bharat Forge have been instrumental in developing their own variants of the ATAGS, leveraging the technological know-how shared by the DRDO. While both companies have showcased impressive capabilities, Bharat Forge’s variant has been selected for production.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Nearly four months after a devastating fire engulfed the Indian Navy warship INS Brahmaputra at the Mumbai naval dockyard, the restoration process has reached a significant milestone. The ship, which was undergoing a refit at the time of the July incident, has been successfully moved from the site of the fire.
The fire had caused extensive damage to the warship, tragically resulting in the loss of one sailor’s life. The vessel also suffered severe structural damage, leading to a significant list and ultimately sinking. Despite concerted efforts, the ship could not be righted.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s military capabilities have received a significant boost with the successful development and deployment of the indigenous P-7 heavy drop parachute system. This advanced system, engineered by the Ordnance Parachute Factory (OPF), will enable the Indian Army to rapidly deploy critical equipment and personnel to remote and inaccessible locations.
A significant contract for 146 units of the P-7 system was awarded to Gliders India Limited (GIL) during a recent ceremony in Delhi. This DPSU will be responsible for the manufacturing of the P-7 system, which is designed to safely deliver loads weighing up to 9.5 tonnes from an altitude of four kilometers using IL-76 aircraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
ISRO Chairman S Somanath on Wednesday highlighted the need to manufacture car sensors domestically instead of relying on imports. Speaking at a session on space technology and defence during the Bengaluru Tech Summit, which also saw the launch of the Draft Karnataka Space Tech Policy, Mr Somanath emphasised the importance of cost-effective production.
He pointed out that while India invests significantly in producing rocket sensors, the high production cost of car sensors makes domestic manufacturing less viable.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
General Anil Chauhan, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), addressed an audience at the International Centre on Wednesday, highlighting the transformative changes in modern warfare driven by technological advancements.
Speaking at the C.D. Deshmukh Auditorium, he elaborated on the evolving nature of warfare and India’s preparedness for future conflicts. CDS Chauhan identified three major technological trends reshaping future warfare: robotics and automation, celerity (speed and velocity), and the intelligentisation of warfare.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday held delegation-level talks with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun in Vientiane, weeks after Indian and Chinese militaries completed disengagement of troops from two last face-off points in eastern Ladakh.
The meeting took place in the capital city of Laos on the sidelines of a conclave of 10-nation ASEAN grouping and some of its dialogue partners.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
The leaders of Italy, Japan and Britain have discussed a potential broadening of the GCAP jet fighter project to other countries, the office of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Tuesday.
Italy, Britain and Japan agreed in December 2022 to collaborate to build an advanced front-line fighter to enter service around the middle of the next decade.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Six landmines, planted along the Line of Control (LoC) in J&K’s Poonch district, exploded in a forest fire on Wednesday, officials said, adding the blaze, which originated from the other side could be a “deliberate attempt” to cripple the defence system to enable an infiltration bid by terrorists.
The six landmines were part of an anti-infiltration obstacle system, the officials said. “The forest fire started from across the border in the afternoon and spread to this side of the LoC in the forward areas of Krishna Ghati sector of Mendhar sub-division. Six blasts were heard at regular intervals over the past few hours after the fire activated the landmines, but there was no report of any casualty. Efforts are on to control the flames, the cause of which is yet to be clearly ascertained,” an official said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Balwant Singh Rajoana, a death row convict in the assassination of the then Punjab chief minister Beant Singh in 1995, on Wednesday asked the Sikh community to unite and strengthen Sikh organisations for the protection of its rights.
Rajoana was addressing a gathering during the ‘bhog’ ceremony of his brother Kulwant Singh Rajoana at a gurdwara at his native place in Rajoana Kalan in Ludhiana. His brother died on November 4.The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday granted Rajoana a three-hour parole to attend the ‘bhog’ ceremony (prayer meet) in Ludhiana on Wednesday.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi embarked on a four-day visit to Nepal on Wednesday to further ramp up the already close defence and strategic ties between the two countries against the backdrop of the evolving regional security situation.
Gen Dwivedi will be conferred the honorary rank of “General of the Nepal Army” by Nepalese President Ramchandra Paudel on Thursday in continuation of an age-old tradition that first started in 1950, reflecting the strong ties between the two militaries.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Karnataka Internal Security Division DGP Pronab Mohanty on Wednesday said that the encounter with Moaist Vikram Gowda was not planned but perfect.
Addressing media in the Udupi district after visiting the encounter spot in Hebri police station limits, Mohanty said that there was an exchange of fire at 6 PM on Monday, adding that there are two to three houses in the forest area and the encounter was carried out in the confrontation between the police and Maoists.
Continue reading