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GOA SHIPYARD BEGINS PRODUCTION OF STEALTH FRIGATES FOR NAVY, DELIVERY LIKELY BY 2026
New Delhi. Goa Shipyard Ltd, September 21, commenced production of the two guided missile frigates, which are being built in collaboration with Russia’s Yantar Shipyard for the Indian Navy. GSL expects to deliver the first ship to the Navy by 2026. Though the frigates are based on a Russian design, they will have significant indigenous content, including an Indian-built radar, sonar systems and sensors, communication suites and antiship BrahMos missile systems. Initiating the production process, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar said that the frigates would help the Navy meet maritime challenges. India and Russia entered into a government to government agreement for four stealth frigates, with two being built in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard. The stealth frigate project is the largest contract in GSL’s history and represents a quantum leap in the shipyard’s capabilities.
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New Delhi. In a major step towards tackling future war scenarios with focus on space wars, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning a national programme on directed energy weapons (DEWs) like high-energy lasers and highpowered microwaves, which are increasingly being considered crucial around the world for the contactless conflicts of the future. The national programme will have short, medium and long-term goals, with the eventual aim being to develop different DEW variants of up to 100 kilowatt power, in collaboration with the domestic industry, sources said.
DRDO BEGINS PREPARING FOR CONTACTLESS CONFLICTS OF FUTURE, PLANS STAR WARS-STYLE WEAPONS AMID SINO-INDIAN STANDOFF; INDIA PLANS TO ACQUIRE MQ-9B SKY GUARDIAN, UPGRADE HERON
New Delhi. With the continuing standoff along the Sino-Indian border for almost five months, India has decided in favour of the weaponised MQ-9B Sky Guardian drone from the US and to upgrade its existing Israeli Heron fleet with satellite communication capability in an attempt to enhance its range as well as surveillance capabilities. The face-off between the Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has spurred the Indian private sector and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to start manufacturing short-range tactical drones as well as anti-drone systems to boost border defences. The three services have come to a conclusion that India should opt for a weaponised drone rather than the 22 reconnaissance and surveillance Sea Guardian drones approved in 2017 by the US administration for supply to India, according to highly placed sources.
RAFAEL DISPLAYING VARIETY OF LAND, AIR AND NAVAL TECH PROWESS AT HEMUS 2020
Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is all set to showcase its land, air and naval technology prowess at HEMUS 2020 International Defense and Services Exhibition at Plovdiv in Bulgaria from September 30 – October 3. The company also congratulated Bulgaria for holding the exhibition. At HEMUS 2020, Rafael will exhibit a variety of its solutions, for air, land and naval applications, with special focus on Bulgaria’s defense programs and requirements. This includes the country’s planned 8X8 combat vehicle program, offering a complete package of systems to enable and enhance full ground combat vehicle survivability, maneuverability and lethality.
VIETNAM BOOSTS SURVEILLANCE OF COASTLINES, ORDERS ISEA-25HD FROM ISRAEL’S CONTROP
Hanoi. In a development aimed at heightened intelligence gathering in its costal areas, Vietnam has awarded a contract to Israel’s Controp for the supply of observation and surveillance systems for new ships built in Vietnam and India. The latest move also underscores Hanoi’s increased assertiveness in securing its coastal lines. The Israeli company, which specializes in lightweight electro-optics, has been an active player in Vietnam for several years; and in 2017 it had won a contract for the supply of electro-optic and infrared payloads.
In the latest deal, Controp is slated to supply the iSea-25HD, a lighter version of iSea30 and iSea50, which has been designed such that the entire system is contained in a single unit for medium-sized boats.
ROHDE & SCHWARZ OFFERS PORTFOLIO FOR PRECISE AESA TESTING
New Delhi. In order to reduce complexity, costs and efforts for TRM testing, Rohde & Schwarz concentrates on test and measurement solutions to maximise the performance of AESA designs with highest precision instruments and automation of complex test scenarios. Modern active electronically scanned array (AESA) radars are a strong focal point of the global aerospace and defense industry. The performance of state-of-the-art AESA radar systems depends strongly on the performance of the individual transmit-receive-module (TRM) assembled in the antenna array. Rohde & Schwarz offers new test and measurement solutions for TRM performance validation, enabling the customer to maximize their radar system capabilities.
EXPEDITING DEFENCE DEALS WITH OTHER COUNTRIES, GOVERNMENT DOES AWAY WITH OFFSETS FOR G-TO-G AGREEMENTS
New Delhi. In a move to speed up defence deals with countries, the government has done away with offsets for government to government defence deals as the policy has failed to bring critical technology into the country and has resulted in loading extra costs on contracts, an official said. The new Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP), cleared by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on September 28, has done away with the need of foreign companies investing at least 30 per cent of the contract value in the Indian manufacturing sector if the deal is being processed under the government to government or single vendor case.
PHILADELPHIA. Boeing is delivering new technologies and performance improvements to US Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with the Block II Chinook helicopter. Boeing’s Philadelphia team recently delivered the first MH-47G Block II Chinook to SOCOM on time. “This delivery marks a major step for the Chinook program,” said Andy Builta, vice president and H-47 program manager. “The new Chinook will give US Special Operations Forces significantly more capability for extremely challenging missions and will enable them to conduct those missions on the future battlefield.” The company is on contract for 23 more MH-47G Block II Chinooks, having signed a contract with SOCOM in July. Boeing has more than 4,600 employees in Pennsylvania supporting Chinook, the V-22 Osprey, MH139A Grey Wolf and a number of services and engineering efforts. Including suppliers and vendors, Boeing’s activities support an estimated 16,000 jobs in Pennsylvania.
BOEING DELIVERS SOCOM’S FIRST NEXT-GEN CHINOOK HELICOPTER
DRDO HANDS OVER AHSP RESPONSIBILITY OF PINAKA WEAPON SYSTEM TO DGQA
INDIA TO ORDER 2 MORE ISRAELI PHALCON ‘EYES IN SKY’ FOR US$1 BILLION
New Delhi. An important milestone was achieved on September 25 when Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) responsibility of Pinaka weapon system was handed over by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Directorate General Quality Assurance (DGQA). AHSP transfer marks successful establishment of production of Pinaka rockets, Launchers, Battery Command Posts, Loader Cum Replenishment and Replenishment Vehicles as well as successful establishment of Quality Assurance processes. AHSP handing over took place at ARDE, Pune wherein the documentation required by various Production agencies, Quality Assurance agencies, Maintenance agencies and Users were formally handed over by ARDE, HEMRL and VRDE to CQA (A).
New Delhi. With high costs having been the stumbling block for acquisition of “Falcon” aircraft, India is now finally going to seal the long-pending of about US$1 billion deal to acquire two more “Phalcon” airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft from Israel. According to sources, the acquisition of the two AWACS, with the Israeli Phalcon early-warning radar system mounted on Russian Ilyushin-76 heavy-lift aircraft, is all set to get the final nod from the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) after extensive inter-ministerial consultations. New Delhi. Undeterred by the questions raised by government auditor Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) over non-completion of high end technology transfer as part of the Rafale fighter jet offsets deal, there are reports that a new fighter jet engine complex spearheaded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in the works, with advanced discussions on for a completely new engine for future Indian fighters with a French manufacturer. The new engine complex is being set up as a national mission to develop a 110 kilo newton powered engine for the future class of advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) and could produce the engine within seven years of starting work.
CAG REPORT AFTERMATH: NEW FIGHTER JET ENGINE COMPLEX COMING UP, FRENCH ASSISTANCE LIKELY ON RAFALE OFFSETS
IAI SIGNS DEAL TO ACQUIRE 50 PER CENT EQUITY IN UAV DEVELOPER BLUEBIRD AERO SYSTEMS
Tel Aviv. Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) on September 24 signed an agreement to acquire 50 per cent of the equity of BlueBird Aero Systems. BlueBird, a leading UAV developer and integrator in the small tactical arena, has been providing its solutions to Israeli forces and worldwide customers for close to two decades. As part of the transaction, IAI is acquiring the holdings of Piramal Technologies SA from India, as well as additional shares from Fiberless Access and Ronen Nadir. Ronen Nadir will continue to hold 50 per cent of BlueBird shares and serve as the company’s CEO.
DRDO IDENTIFIES 108 PLATFORMS FOR INDUSTRY TO DESIGN, DEVELOP AND MANUFACTURE TO ACHIEVE ‘ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT’
New Delhi. In keeping with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for self reliance or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has taken several initiatives to strengthen the indigenous defence ecosystem. As part of this, a DRDO delegation met Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 24 to apprise him about 108 systems and subsystems which have been identified for designing and development by the Indian industry only.
NRDC, NAL TO INCUBATE AEROSPACE ENGINEERING START-UPS
New Delhi. Start-ups are the initiative to bring innovation in mainstream. The action plan is to focus on simplification and hand-holding. Another important aspect of startups is industry-academia partnership and incubation. Looking at these aspects National Research Development Corporation (NRDC) and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) joined hands to establish an Innovation cum Incubation Centre with external private funding to promote start-ups in the emerging area of Aerospace technologies. Under this programme start-ups in the area of Aerospace engineering would be incubated, mentored and supported for product and prototype development and their validation. The agreement was signed by Dr. H. Purushotham and Dr. Jitendra J. Jadhav, Director, CSIR-NAL and was exchanged by the representatives of both the organisations in the presence of Dr. Shekhar C Mande, Secretary Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Director General CSIR, R Vaidheeswaran, Joint Secretary, DSIR and other senior officials of CSIR and NAL at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi.
AMID INCREASING BORDER TENSION AT LAC, ARMED FORCES SOUND ALERT OVER CHEETAH, CHETAK HELICOPTERS
New Delhi. With increasing tension along the Sino-Indian border in Eastern Ladakh, the armed forces have once again sounded the alarm over their ageing and virtually obsolete Cheetah and Chetak helicopters, stressing that the ‘total technical life’ of these light utility choppers will begin ending from 2023 onwards. They have urged the government to fast-track two long-pending ‘Make in India’ projects to build such light utility helicopters as well as ensure Defence PSU Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) delivers its own under-development choppers in requisite numbers within the required time-frames.
MAKE IN INDIA BOOST: MOD SIGNS CONTRACT WORTH RS 409 CRORE WITH INDIAN COMPANY FOR SUPPLYING MULTI-MODE HAND GRENADES
New Delhi. In a boost to the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative in the defence sector, Acquisition Wing of Ministry of Defence (MoD) on October 1 inked a contract with M/s Economic Explosive Ltd (EEL) (Solar Group), Nagpur for supply of 10,00,000 Multi Mode Hand Grenades to the Indian Army at an approximate cost of Rs 409 Crores. These grenades will be replacing the hand grenade design of World War-II vintage, in use with the Indian Army.
The Multi-Mode Hand Grenade has been designed by DRDO/ Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratories (TBRL), and is being produced by M/s EEL, Nagpur. The Grenades have a distinctive design, in that, they can be used in both offensive and defensive modes. This is a flagship project showcasing public-private partnership (PPP) under the aegis of Government enabling “Atmanirbharta” in cutting edge ammunition technologies and accomplishes 100 per cent indigenous content.
AMID ESCALATING SINO-INDIAN BORDER TENSION, INDIAN ARMY SEEKS ICVS WITH NIGHT VISION
New Delhi. As the border tension with China continues, Indian Army has sought upgrade of its ageing BMP-2/2K infantry combat vehicles (ICVs) with better fire power as well as nightfighting capabilities. The ageing Russian-origin BMP vehicles, which have anti-tank missiles, cannons and machine guns but suffer from nightblindness, have also been deployed along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh to counter the build-up by the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA).
UNSC REFORM BEING “HELD HOSTAGE” AND USED AS A “CONVENIENT SMOKESCREEN” BY SOME NATIONS: INDIA
United Nations. India has sought tangible action to achieve the long-delayed reforms of the United Nations saying that intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform are being “held hostage” and used as a “convenient smokescreen” by countries that do not wish to see any changes in the most powerful organ of the multilateral organisation. India also underlined that it will take steps to see how the goal can be realised in the next session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA). In a letter to the President of the 74th Session of the General Assembly of the world body Tijjani Muhammed-Bande, India’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, Ambassador K Nagaraj Naidu, conveyed New Delhi’s strong disappointment over the decision regarding roll-over of the intergovernmental negotiations (IGN) on UNSC reforms into the next session of the General Assembly that begins in September.
L&T-BUILT SEVENTH AND LAST OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL FOR INDIAN COAST GUARD LAUNCHED
Kattupalli (TN). In an impressive function at Larsen and Toubro Ltd (L&T Ltd) shipbuilding at Kattupalli in Tamil Nadu, the Indian Coast Guard seventh Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was launched on October 6 in keeping with maritime tradition by Hema Somanathan, wife of Dr TV Somanathan, IAS, Secretary (Expenditure), Ministry of Finance.The OPV is the last in the series of OPVs being built by L&T Shipbuilding under the contract signed between Ministry of Defence and L&T, Ltd on March 30, 2015. It was the first time that the contract for building an OPV Class of Vessel was awarded to a Private Shipyard, i.e. in line with the Government’s policy of “Make in India”.
The OPV is likely to be inducted into Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in March 2021 after completion of extensive trials and testing for the equipment and machineries fitted onboard.
The length of the OPVs is 98 metres and breadth 14.8 metres with gross tonnage of 2,100 tonnes. The endurance of the vessel is 5,000 nautical miles at cruising speed. The cruising speed of the ship is 12-14 knots and maximum speed of 26 knots can be achieved. The ship will be fitted with indigenous 30 mm 2A42 gun and two 12.7 mm gun. The ship has been designed to carry integral Twin Engine Helicopter which will enhance its operational, surveillance, search and rescue capability.
The OPV would be utilised for day and night patrol/ surveillance along with anti-terrorist/ anti-smuggling operations in Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and Coastal Security. The Vessel will have two Navigation Radars and ultra-modern technology including sophisticated navigational and latest communication system which are capable of operating in tropical conditions. The expected life span of the ship is more than 25 years. The ship would be manned by 102 crew, including 14 Officers and 88 Subordinate Officers and Enrolled Personnel. Despite the restriction and constraints faced by Industries across the world due to COVID-19, the coordinated efforts of ICG Overseeing Team with L&T Shipbuilding have resulted in timely launching of the Vessel. This milestone will ensure timely delivering of the Vessel to ICG which is the need of hour in today’s existing security scenario.
GOVT GRANTS PERMANENT COMMISSION TO WOMEN OFFICERS IN INDIAN ARMY
New Delhi. Ministry of Defence (MoD) has issued the formal Government Sanction Letter for grant of Permanent Commission (PC) to Women Officers in the Indian Army paving the way for empowering Women Officers to shoulder larger roles in the organisation. The order specifies grant of PC to Short Service Commissioned (SSC) Women Officers in all ten streams of the Indian Army i.e Army Air Defence (AAD), Signals, Engineers, Army Aviation, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), Army Service Corps (ASC), Army Ordnance Corps (AOC), and Intelligence Corps in addition to the existing streams of Judge and Advocate General (JAG) and Army Educational Corps (AEC).
F/A-18 SUPER HORNET IS UNDERGOING SKI JUMP TRIALS FOR INDIAN NAVY
New Delhi. Boeing has been flying an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet off a ground-based ski jump at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland as part of a demonstration effort for the Indian Navy to show that the aircraft can operate from short take-off but arrested recovery configured (STOBAR) aircraft carriers, such as the INS Vikramaditya and the future INS Vikrant. “Boeing and the US Navy are in the beginning phases of operating an F/A-18 Super Hornet from a ski jump at Naval Air Station Patuxent River to demonstrate it is STOBAR compliant for the Indian Navy,” Justin Gibson, a Boeing spokesperson, said.
SECOND BATCH OF 4 RAFALE FIGHTERS TO ARRIVE NEXT MONTH: SOURCE
New Delhi. The second batch of Rafale fighter jets — likely to be four in number — is set to arrive at the Ambala Air Force Station in October as part of the Rs 59,000-crore deal with the French government, according to indications. “The next set of fighters, which are likely to be four in number, will arrive in the country in October,” a source said. Five Rafale jets, including two twinseaters, had landed on July 27 at the Ambala Air Force Station, home of the first squadron of the French fighters.
INDIAN ARMY ISSUES TENDER FOR 7.62MM AMMUNITION FROM PRIVATE SECTOR
New Delhi: In a move to take forward the long-delayed process of opening up ammunition manufacture to the private sector, the Indian Army has issued a Request for Information (RFI) for procurement of five different types of 7.62mm caliber ammunition to meet the annual requirement for the next 10 years. The RFI was issued by the Army’s Master General of Ordnance, and gets particular focus following the 101 negative import list announced by the Defence Ministry that includes a range of ammunition.
New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 13 launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) through an online webinar. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries were also present at the event. The NIIO puts in place dedicated structures for the end users to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
BUSINESS CONGLOMERATE ADANI ENTERPRISES ACQUIRES 51% STAKE IN PLR SYSTEMS
Mumbai. Adani Land Defence Systems and Technologies, a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises Ltd (AEL), acquired 51 per cent equity shares of PLR Systems from Fouraces Systems. The transaction was completed by way of a cash transaction with one of the existing shareholders of PLR, Adani Enterprises announced. PLR Systems, incorporated in 2013, is engaged in manufacture and supply of indigenously manufactured defence equipment to the armed forces in India and other countries. The statement said, PLR Systems’ authorised share capital is Rs 13 crore and paid-up share capital stands at Rs 12.04 crore.
GRSE CONTINUES STRONG PERFORMANCE IN 2019-20; REVENUE FROM OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES STANDS AT RS 1433.30 CRORE
Kolkata. The performance of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), a Government of India Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence (MoD) continued to be strong and the company’s revenue from operations stood at Rs. 1433.30 crore during the year 2019-20 as compared Rs. 1386.42 crore over the corresponding period in the previous year thus resulting in a percentage increase of 3.38 per cent. The result was declared at GRSE’s 104th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on September 11 through VC/OAVM. The Meeting was attended by Rear Admiral VK Saxena, IN (Retd), Chairman & Managing Director and other Directors, along with shareholders.
EDGE TO ACQUIRE LOCKHEED MARTIN SHARES IN WEST ASIA’S LEADING MRO PROVIDER AMMROC
Abu Dhabi, UAE. EDGE, the Abu Dhabi based advanced technology group for defence and beyond, on July 24 announced that it has entered into a conditional agreement to acquire the remaining 40 per cent stake currently held by Lockheed Martin Corporation and Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, in Advanced Military Maintenance Repair and Overhaul Center (AMMROC). AMMROC is the leading provider of military Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services in the West Asia region. Both Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky have been shareholders in AMMROC since its inception in 2010, helping to develop military operation skills and capabilities within the country.
IN A FIRST, NAVANTIA LAUNCHES CORVETTE FOR SAUDI ARABIA
Riyadh. Spanish shipbuilding major Navantia successfully carried out at 17:22 hours (local time) on July 22 the launching of AL-JUBAIL, the first of five corvettes built for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF). The ceremony was held in slipway number 2 at the San Fernando shipyard, and was chaired by the Commander of RSNF, Vice Admiral Fahad Bin Abdullah Al-Ghofaily; by the Chairwoman of Navantia, Susana de Sarriá; by the Acting CEO of SAMI, Eng. Walid Abukhaled; and by the Admiral of Logistics Support Bay of Cadiz of Spanish Navy, Vice Admiral Ricardo A. Hernández López (Alardiz).
TOKYO. Boeing and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) recently signed a Direct Commercial Sale agreement to support upgrades to Japan’s F-15J fleet. The contract is part of a larger $4.5 billion modernization program, announced by the US Government in October 2019. The upgrades will introduce state-of-the-art electronic warfare and weapons. An all-new advanced cockpit system, running on the world’s most advanced mission computer, will deliver pilots enhanced situational awareness.
BOEING, MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES PARTNER ON STATE OF THE ART UPGRADES TO JAPAN’S F-15J FLEET
GERMAN DEFENCE AND SECURITY ELECTRONICS PIONEER HENSOLDT DEVELOPS SELF-PROTECTION SYSTEM MUSS
Taufkirchen, Germany. Germany-based HENSOLDT, a pioneer of technology and innovation in the field of defence and security electronics, has developed Multifunctional Self-Protection System (MUSS). MUSS is a soft kill-based active protection system (APS). “We have fundamentally revised and repositioned our technology,” explained Dr Oliver Rudow, Head of Business Line Countermeasures & Ground Protection Systems.
ORLANDO, Florida. The US Army recently awarded LONGBOW Limited Liability Company (LBL), a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman Corporation, four Foreign Military Sales contracts to provide the AH-64E Apache helicopter AN/APG-78 LONGBOW Fire Control Radar (FCR) to Morocco, Netherlands, UAE and India armies. The addition of Morocco, the Netherlands and India armies expands the LONGBOW customer base to include 16 foreign militaries and 14 nations. UAE is updating from the AH-64D to the AH-64E aircraft. These contracts are a direct result of the five-year production requirements contract the US Department of Defense awarded to LBL in 2016.
New Delhi: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated the hypersonic air-breathing scramjet technology with the flight test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstration Vehicle (HSTDV) at 1103 hours from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Launch Complex at Wheeler Island, off the coast of Odisha on September 7. The hypersonic cruise vehicle was launched using a proven solid rocket motor, which took it to an altitude of 30 kilometres (km), where the aerodynamic heat shields were separated at hypersonic Mach number. The cruise vehicle separated from the launch vehicle and the air intake opened as planned.
MOROCCO, NETHERLANDS, AND INDIA TO GAIN LONGBOW FIRE CONTROL RADAR FOR AH-64E APACHE HELICOPTERS
DRDO SUCCESSFULLY FLIGHT TESTS HYPERSONIC TECHNOLOGY DEMONSTRATOR VEHICLE
ORDNANCE FACTORY TIRUCHIRAPPALLI LAUNCHES STABILISED REMOTE CONTROLLED GUN
New Delhi: The Ordnance Factory of Tiruchirappalli (OFT) has launched an indigenously manufactured weapon named stabilized remote controlled gun (SRCG). A dedicated assembly and testing facility were also opened for manufacturing the weapon here. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the weapon through videoconferencing on August 10 as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan (self-reliant India mission).
New Delhi: Rajnath Singh Defence Minister, GoI today launched BEML’s Indigenously designed & developed products such as BH150E 150 Ton Dump Truck; BE1800E 180 Ton Electrical Excavator; BD50HST Heli-Portable Dozer; and Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle ‘GAUR’ (MBPV) coinciding with Atmanirbharta Saptah. The launch ceremony was done virtually in the presence of Secretary Defence and Secretary Defence (Production) among others.
THAI ENVOY ANNOUNCES THE ROYAL THAI ARMY’S PURCHASE OF 600 TATA MOTORS DEFENCE TRUCKS
New Delhi: The announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi of ‘vocal for local’ signals that products be made competitive vis-a-vis global brands. Tata Motors – India’s leading auto brand – seems to have solidified the brand’s stance for the ‘Vocal for Local’ initiative, by manufacturing high-end military support vehicles not just for the country, but one that fits the purpose of international defence deals. More recently, Thai ambassador to India Chutintorn Sam Gongsakdilauded India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative by announcing the purchase of 600 Tata motors military trucks.
ELBIT-BUILT MULTI-ROTOR VTOL MINI UAS ‘THOR’ PASSES MULTIPLE TESTS BEFORE DELIVERY TO SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATION
Tel Aviv. THOR, a multi-rotor Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) mini Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), manufactured by Elbit Systems successfully completed a series of environmental qualification tests ahead of the delivery of more than a thousand of units to an army in Southeast Asia. Company was awarded a US$153 million contract to provide a networked multi-layered UAS array to an army in Southeast Asia, including more than 1,000 THOR VTOL mini-UAS, as per announcement made on October 6 last year.
RUSSIAN HELICOPTERS SIGN CONTRACT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF MODERN SHIP-BORNE HELICOPTER
Moscow. Russian Helicopters holding company (part of the Rostecstate corporation) has signed a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense for the development of a modern ship-borne helicopter. A signing ceremony was held as part of the International Military-Technical Forum “ARMY-2020”, which is taking place in the Patriotic Park of Recreation and Leisure “Patriot” in the Moscow Region.
JINDAL ALUMINIUM INCREASING FOCUS ON DEFENCE, AEROSPACE SEGMENTS: MD
Bengaluru: As the government is focussing on Atmanirbhar Bharat or self reliance in the defence sector with encouragement to private sector putting embargo on 101 defence items, India’s largest aluminium extrusion firm Jindal Aluminium, which controls over 30 per cent of the domestic market, is increasing its focus on the defence and aerospace segments, says a senior company official. The Rs 3,000-crore Bengaluru-based company with 52 years of history is also the second largest maker of aluminium flat rolled products, producing 50,000 million tonnes of rolled products, giving it 10-12 per cent of the market; and 1,20,000 million tonnes of extruded products per annum.
INDO-US DTTI: BENGALURU START UP TO DEVELOP AIR LAUNCHED DRONES FOR ARMED FORCES
New Delhi: In a boost to indigenise defence industry, a Bengaluru-based start-up is part of the first Indo-US technology collaboration project in the aerospace sector and will work with the US Air Force Research Labs to develop future air launched drones for the armed forces. NewSpace Research and Technologies Pvt Ltd, a start-up that lists itself as a 46 member team, is part of a project selected under the Indo-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) to develop air launched unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Hyderabad: With the government banning import of 101 weapons, platforms and equipment, the defence and aerospace sector of Hyderabad, which is key to India’s plans to become selfsufficient in defence manufacturing, is poised to bag orders worth over Rs 1 lakh crore in the next couple of years, said G Satheesh Reddy, secretary of the department of defence R&D and chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) during a virtual conclave on “Make in Telangana” organised by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
RS 1 LAKH CRORE BOUNTY FOR HYDERABAD DEFENCE, AEROSPACE SECTOR
BIG BOOST TO ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT INITIATIVE: BEML BAGS ORDER FOR HIGH MOBILITY VEHICLES WORTH `842 CR
Bangalore. BEML Ltd, a leading defence equipment manufacturer and a ‘Schedule A’ company of the Government of India under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), received a prestigious order from Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of 330 High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) for Pinaka Project at an approximate cost of Rs 842 crore. Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket launcher developed indigenously for the Indian Army and produced in India with the involvement of Public Sector and Private Sector Defence Industries. The multi-barrel launcher system is mounted on the highly rugged BEML truck, much acclaimed for its off-road mobility and would provide the Indian Army with vital manoeuvrability on the battlefield.
MOD ISSUES CLARIFICATION ON INDIGENOUSLY MANUFACTURED ITEMS AMONG NEGATIVE LIST FOR IMPORTS
FIRST ROCKETS PRODUCED BY PRIVATE SECTOR SUCCESSFULLY TEST FIRED
BEL UPGRADES ATDS MAAREECH MANUFACTURING FACILITY WITH AN EYE ON ‘ATMANIRBHAR BHARAT’
New Delhi: A day after releasing 101 items of defence equipment which would be embargoed, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) clarified that after release of the negative list of items, certain queries have been received with respect to inclusion of some of the items like the light combat aircraft LCA Mark 1A, Pinaka rocket system and Akash missile system, which are manufactured in India. An official defence ministry release highlighted that systems like LCA MK 1A, Pinaka rocket system, Akash Missile System, etc. are developed with qualitative requirements framed by Defence Forces. Such systems are also available in the international market.
New Delhi: In keeping with the government’s recently announced Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Make in India got a major boost as the first ever rockets fully manufactured by the private sector were successfully test fired by Indian Army, signalling that single source dependency on Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) will soon be a thing of the past. The Pinaka rockets were tested at a firing range in Pokharan on August 19 and achieved the desired results by accurately hitting targets. The rockets have been manufactured by the private sector after a technology transfer agreement with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Bengaluru/ New Delhi. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on August 10 inaugurated through Video Conference the upgraded, state-of-the-art Maareech Integration Facility. Gowtama M V, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), on the occasion gave a presentation to the Defence Minister on Advanced Torpedo Decoy System (ATDS) Maareech. This initiative by BEL is in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’, a self-reliant nation.
BEML SIGNS MOUS WITH IIT, KANPUR & NASSCOM-COE
New Delhi: BEML teamed up with IIT – Kanpur in the field of UAV and NASSCOM – CoE (Centre of Excellence) for AI & IoT related areas in the virtual presence of Rajnath Singh Defence Minister on August 14. Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Bipin Rawat, PVSM, Secretary (Defence Production) and other senior officials were present on the occasion. Dr. Deepak Kumar Hota, CMD BEML exchanged the signed copies with Sanjeev Malhotra, CEO NASSCOM and Professor A R Harish, Dean, IIT Kanpur after signing the MoUs. BEML will collaborate with IIT Kanpur for joint indigenous development of Pilotless Target Aircraft and tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Both the organizations will synergize respective capabilities and undertake feasibility study, design & development, testing & validations of UAV & PTA.
