CDS Bipin Rawat Helicopter Crash: In an extremely tragic incident, an Indian Air Force helicopter with some senior officers, including India’s highest military officer, the country’s first chief of defence staff General Bipin Rawat, has crashed in the Nilgiri hills in the coonoor district of southern state of Tamil Nadu.
Amir Peretz IAI Chairman: In a major reshuffle at Israel’s state owned defence and aerospace giant – Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the board of directors of the company cleared the name of the country’s former defence minister Amir Peretz as the new chairman of the IAI Board.
India AK-203 Rifle news: Two days before the India visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government Saturday cleared the deal to manufacture more than 5,00,000 AK-203 Kalashnikov rifles in India through a joint-venture company – Indo-Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) located in Korwa town in Amethi district in north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, where the government is developing a defence manufacturing hub.
Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar: Admiral R Hari Kumar on Tuesday took charge as the new chief of the Indian Navy after incumbent Admiral Karambir Singh retired from service. Admiral Kumar was serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command before taking the reins of the force.
Indian Navy INS Vela: In a major boost to its underwater warfare capabilities, Indian Navy Thursday commissioned INS Vela, the fourth submarine of Scorpene class which has been built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders under the Project-75.
Hensoldt’s MUSS Self Protection System: Germany’s sensor and radar developer Hensoldt is expanding the capabilities of its multifunctional self-protection system MUSS for armoured vehicles to detect and ward off new and emerging threats. MUSS is already in use on German Army’s Puma infantry fighting vehicles jointly produced by German defence giants Rheimetall and Kruss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW).
EMT Luna NG UAV: German defence giant Rheinmetall has acquired Bavaria based unmanned aerial vehicle maker EMT as part of its digitization strategy. Rheinmetall AG of Düsseldorf is taking over the activities of EMT, an agreement to this effect has now been signed by both parties, said the company.
Indian Air Force GSAT-7 Satellite: India’s apex defence procurement body, the defence acquisition council, Tuesday approved a $300 million (INR 2,236,00,00,000) proposal for procuring a dedicated made in India satellite and establishment of ground hubs for boosting real-time connectivity of software defined radios used by Indian Air Force.
In a late night tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose government last year announced a highly ambitious Atma Nirbhar Abhiyan (a self-reliant India) to cut down the country’s dependence on imports in crucial sectors, including defence, reiterated that the defence modernization will continue with full vigour.
Indian Navy INS Visakhapatnam: India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh Sunday inducted INS Visakhapatnam in the Indian Navy. The stealth destroyer has been locally designed by the navy’s in-house design bureau and is being built by the state owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuliders in Mumbai.
India’s Light Combat Helicopter (LCH): In a big boost to indigenous defence manufacturing, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Friday handed over locally developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) produced by the state-owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a special programme to mark the 75th year of the country’s independence in north-Indian city of Jhansi in Uttar Pradesh.
Lynx Infantry Fighting Vehicle: German defence company Rheinmetall, the largest supplier of military vehicles to the Australian Defence Force, has successfully completed demonstration trials of the Soucy Composite Rubber Track (CRT) system on the Lynx KF41 Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV).
Rook Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV): Israeli defence company Elbit Systems and unmanned ground vehicle manufacturer Roboteam Tuesday launched a six-wheeled multi-payload unmanned ground vehicle ROOK UGV for military users.
Rafael-KMW-GDELS JV EuroTrophy: German defence giant Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW), Israeli defence company Rafael and GDELS, the European subsidiary of the US defence company General Dynamics, Thursday announced signing of an agreement to setup a new defene company EuroTrophy in Germany which will manufacture Rafael’s famous Trophy Active Protection System in Europe.
Russia’s Ka-226T Helicopter: Russia’s state owned helicopter manufacturer Russian Helicopters Tuesday said that its deeply modernized Ka-226T light helicopter has started flight tests and completed the maiden flight testing complex of the National Helicopter Center Mil and Kamov.
Elbit Systems UK Royal Navy Contract: Israel defence company Elbit Systems Tuesday said its subsidiary Elbit Systems UK was awarded a $100 million contract (£73 million) by Babcock International Group to provide the British Royal Navy with new Electronic Warfare capabilities.
Indian Navy Scorpene Class Submarine INS Vela: The Indian Navy got its fourth Scorpene class submarine INS Vela, which will be commissioned this month. Scorpene class submarine Vela, which was launched on May 6, 2019, completed all major harbour and sea trials including weapon and sensor trials despite COVID restrictions, said the Defence Ministry on Tuesday.
German Leopard MBT Trophy APS: Last week, the government procurement office of Germany, in cooperation with Israel Ministry of Defense, and supported by Rafael and KMW completed a series of challenging live firing tests of the TROPHY on the LEOPARD 2 tank, which was integrated into the German services after a government-to-government agreement was reached in February.
Tiger Attack Helicopter: German defence giant Rheinmetall and French high-technology defence company Thales have won the order to maintain Tiger helicopter simulators in France and Germany through December 2025. Rheinmetall said a contract to this effect was awarded through OCCAR, the European procurement organization in summer this year.
Indian Navy Vishakhapatnam Class Destroyer: The lead ship of Project 15B stealth guided-missile destroyers being built at Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on October 21, 2021. The contract for four ships of Project 15B, as the Visakhapatnam class ships are known, was signed on 28 January 2011.
India Agni-5 Missile: Indian authorities Wednesday successfully testified Agni-5 long range surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of over 5,000 kilometers, saying that the missile has high level of accuracy which is in line with the country’s stated policy of maintaining a credible minimum nuclear deterrence against its adversaries.
US Army High Energy Laser Weapon System: US electromagnetic and electric power system company General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has partnered with another US defence and aerospace giant Boeing to develop a 300kW-class solid state Distributed Gain High Energy Laser Weapon System for the US Army, GA-EMS announced on Monday.
India-UK Konkan Shakti Military Exercise: Indian Military and the UK defence forces have been engaged in a series of complex maneuvers as part of the first ever tri-service military exercise Konkan Shakti, which is conducted in Arabian Sea this week. The Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group (CSG) led by its largest warship HMS Queen Elizabeth and several other front-line ships of the two navies are participating in the week-long war games off the Konkan coast in Western India.
India-UK Konkan Shakti military exercise: India and UK started their first ever tri-service military exercise Konkan Shakti off the Mumbai coast in western state of Maharashtra on Thursday. The maritime component of the seven-day Konkan Shakti exercise will be conducted in two phases – harbour phase and at sea phase in Arabian Sea.
Rolls Royce MT30 Naval Engine: British engine maker Rolls Royce will pitch its naval engines to Indian Navy for its future ships. The company will showcase its capabilities to design, build and deliver customised power and propulsion solutions for India’s naval modernisation requirements during the Royal Navy ship HMS Elizabeth India tour off Mumbai coast.
Indian Navy Boeing P-8I Maritime Aircraft: US defence and aerospace giant Boeing has delivered the 11th long range maritime reconnaissance patrol aircraft to Indian Navy, the company announced on Monday. Indian Navy was the first international aircraft for the long-range patrol and anti-submarine aircraft, which was inducted in the navy in 2013.
OFB Corporation News: On October 15, 2021, the Government of India dissolved more than three centuries old British era Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and converted 41 OFB factories into seven fully government owned defence companies.
Noting the glorious past of Indian ordnance factories, Prime Minister Modi said the upgradation of these companies was ignored after independence, and now these seven defence companies, which have been reconstituted as fully owned government companies, will play a major role in changing this situation.
Rheinmetall-UVision Hero Loitering Munition: German defence giant Rheinmetall and Israeli UAV manufactuer UVision Air Limited Tuesday signed a strategic partnership agreement for development and manufacturing of loitering munitions to meet the growing demand for precision weapons in Europe.
India-Japan Military Exercise: Indian Navy and Japan Maritime Self Defence Forces (JMSDF) Friday concluded a three-day bilateral maritime exercise JIMEX in Arabian Sea. The war games between the two Quad navies come at a time when both India and Japan are facing an increasingly aggressive China, from Ladakh region in high Himalayas to Senkaku Island in East China Sea.
Video: Indian Air Force Day: The world’s fourth largest air force, the Indian Air Force, celebrated its founding day on October 8. The IAF was established in October 1932. With its potent combat fighter jets and helicopters, which include French Rafale fighters, Russian Sukhoi-30 MKI jets, Mig-29 fighters, indigenous Light Combat Aircraft Tejas manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Mig-21, the Indian Air Force is a force to reckon with.
Hensoldt Kalaetron Attack Radar Jammer: German sensor giant HENSOLDT has developed a new jammer known as Kalaetron Attack that can actively jam enemy radars in an extremely wide frequency band and can also be used passively as a reconnaissance sensor. It combines artificial intelligence, digitisation, active electronically scanning array (AESA) and 3D printing technologies, Hensoldt said on Thursday.
“We must demonstrate to the nation that external forces will not be allowed to violate our territory. I pledge to do all I can to provide you with clear direction, good leadership and the best of resources that I can muster,” said the top air force officer who assumed the command of the world’s fourth largest air force early this month.
HAL-ISRO semi-cryogenic propellant tank: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturer Thursday handed over the heaviest Semi-Cryogenic propellant tank (SC120- LOX) to the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). The semi cryo-liquid oxygen (LOX) tank – the first developmental welded hardware is a part of the SC120 stage intended for payload enhancement by replacing the L110 stage in existing Mk-III launch vehicle.
Estonia Blue Spear Missile: Estonian Centre for Defence Investment has signed a contract with Proteus Advanced Systems, a joint venture company of Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and ST Engineering Land Systems, to equip the Estonian Defence Forces with Blue Spear missile, a 5th generation surface-to-surface missile system.
Rheinmetall, Navistar Canada Army Logistics Vehicle Modernisation Programme: Rheinmetall Canada and Rheinmetall MAN Military Vehicles have joined hands with Navistar Defence Canada to jointly bid for Canada’s Logistics Vehicle Modernization (LVM) project, an initiative that will revitalize the Canadian Army’s light and heavy logistics vehicle capabilities.
Elbit Systems America US Army HMD Order: Elbit Systems Wednesday announced that its US subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, was awarded an indefinite delivery and indefinite quantity contract from the US Army to provide Integrated Helmet and Display Sight System for the AH-64 Apache helicopter fleet. The contract, with a maximum potential value of up to approximately $76 million, will be performed over a five-year period.
India S-400 Missile System: Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, who took charge this week, said India will receive Russian-made S-400 anti-missile defence system very soon, adding that the force was ready to fight a two-front war, an oblique reference to a simultaneous war with the country’s arch rivals China and Pakistan.
DRDO Dare to Dream Awards:India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh Monday handed over three indigenously developed defence solutions to the military, a video processing switching module that will help in development of the fifth generation fighter jets, a sonar performance modeling solution, and an indigenously developed bund blasting device to remove obstacles in the way of mechanized columns of Indian Army.
Rafael BNET Nano Software Defined Radio: Israel’s leading defence technology firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Monday unveiled a new palm-sized software defined radio (SDR) known as BNET Nano Software Radio. The new radio shares the same technological advancements of the BNET family that include scalability, multi-channel reception, and spectrum superiority among other things, said the company.
HAL ITSOA certification for Air Data Computer: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturer HAL has received Indian Technical Standard Order Authorisation (ITSOA) certificate from the civil aviation regulator Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGCA) for its avionic equipment – Air Data Computer (ADC) for outside air temperature probe for civil platforms.
Kalashnikov Rifles India: Russia has waived royalty in favour of technology transfer for AK 203 assault rifle. The plan to manufacture famous Russian Kalashnikov series rifles has been under discussion for almost two years, with the contract stipulating 100% transfer of technology. Though the factory in Amethi was inaugurated in 2019 but production has not yet started due to differences over the issue of pricing and royalty to be paid to the Russian side.
Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari: India’s newly appointed Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari Friday said that he will ensure the safety of the country’s sovereignty and integrity at any cost by appropriate and correct use of air power.
Indian Navy BHEL SRGM Gun Contract: In a major boost to Defence Production under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and towards achieving self-reliance in the critical field of Defence equipment, state-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) has won the first order from Goa Shipyard to supply an upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) systems to Indian Navy.
India’s defence export: India’s defence exports have crossed $5 billion (Rs 38,000 crore) mark in the last seven years with more than 10,000 Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) having joined the defence sector and there has been an increase in research and development, start-ups, innovation and employment, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday.
Indian Air Force C-295MW Aircraft: India’s ministry of defence Friday signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space, Spain for acquisition of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, said the government. The MoD has also signed an offset contract with Airbus Defence and Space through which Airbus will discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and services from Indian Offset Partners.
Indian Army Arjun Mk-1A Main Battle Tank: In a big boost to Indian Army’s firepower, the ministry of defence Thursday placed a formal order with the government owned Ordnance Factory for procurement of 118 Arjun Mk-1A battle tanks, which have superior firepower, all-terrain mobility and night-fighting capabilities, among other features. The order is worth over $1.02 billion dollar (INR 75 billion).
Elbit Systems US Army Night Vision Device: Elbit Systems of America, a US subsidiary of Israeli defence major Elbit Systems has been awarded a $54 million contract to supply Enhanced Night Vision Goggle, known as Binocular (ENVG-B) systems to the US Army. The contract also entails supply of spare parts, providing logistics support and test equipment to the Army, the company announced Thursday.
Indian Air Force Air Marshal VR Chaudhari: Indian government Tuesday named Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal VR Chaudhari as the next Air Force Chief who will succeed Chief of Air Staff Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria who will demit office on September 30.
Egypt Defence Exhibition EDEX 2021: Egypt will hold the second exhibition of the country’s defence and military industry exhibition Egypt Defence Expo (EDEX 2021) in November this year. The four-day event will be organized from November 29 to December 2 at Egypt International Exhibition Center. The second edition of EDEX was to be hosted in last year, however, the event was postponed due to the outbreak of Covid-19 global pandemic.
Both the defence companies will work to leverage Leonardo’s expertise in rotorcraft and Northrop Grumman’s capabilities in advanced aeronautics and next generation autonomous uncrewed aerial systems, the companies will focus on jointly addressing global opportunities in the VTOL UAS market.
Rheinmetall DSEI 2021: German defence giant Rheinmetall and its UK joint venture Rheinmetall BAE Systems Land (RBSL) displayed Boxer mechanised infantry vehicle, HX3 self-propelled howitzer and Mission Master land unmanned vehicles at the prestigious British defence exhibition DSEI held in capital London.
IAI Barak MX Missile Saar 6 Corvettes: Israel’s leading defence technology company Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is integrating its Barak missile on Israeli Navy’s Sa’ar 6 corvettes, which will provide both offensive and defensive capabilities and usher a new era for the Navy, said the company on Tuesday.
The REX MK II, already sold to customers worldwide, is an unmanned land vehicle adapted to a range of ground missions with advanced maneuverability and ability to carry a load of 1.3 tons. The new hybrid electric platform, all-wheel drive, supports combat forces in gathering intelligence, providing logistical support, and helps execute remote attacks.
According to Haifa based defence company, the ARCAS provides infantry and Special Operation warriors with combat capabilities that were not available earlier. It includes a passive range measurement system, automatic ballistic correction, detection of fire sources, video motion detection, the ability to shoot around the corner and from the hip among other things.
The country’s apex decision making body for defence procurement, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), Wednesday approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain. While 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within four years of signing of the contract, remaining 40 aircraft will be manufactured in the country by a consortium led by India’s TATA Group within ten years of signing of the contract.
Indian Air Force – ISRO: Use of space as an extended battle ground has become a new reality and maintaining situational awareness in space is need of the hour, said a top Indian Air Force officer, adding that lack of an indigenous observation facility in outer space affects India’s defensive and anti-satellite capabilities.
IAI recently reopened the production line following increased worldwide demand for the F-16 Block 70 and F-16 Block 72. IAI will produce F-16 wings that will be shipped to the F-16 final assembly line in Greenville, South Carolina in the USA.
Indian Navy-BEL Naval Anti Drone System (NADS): Indian Navy has signed contract with India’s state owned defence company Bharat Limited (BEL) for supply locally designed and developed Naval Anti Drone System (NADS) with both hard kill and soft kill capabilities, said the ministry of defence.
Mahindra Defence Anti-Submarine Warfare Suit: India’s automobile and defence giant Mahindra Group has been awarded a contract for supply of 14 integrated anti-submarine warfare defence suite (IADS) for Indian naval ships under the self-reliant India policy of the government. The $185 million (Rs 1,350 crore) contract will be executed by Mahindra group company – Mahindra Defence Systems Limited (MDS).
Malabar Naval Exercise 2021: Indian Navy Thursday morning started the sea phase of Malabar Naval Exercise with the navies of three other Quad nations, the US Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the Royal Australian Navy in the Western Pacific. This is the 25th edition of Malabar naval exercise, which started in 1992 as two-nation naval exercise involving Indian Navy and US Navy.
Indian Army Multi-Mode Hand Grenades: The first batch of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades (MMHG), manufactured by a private defence company, Economic Explosives Limited (EEL), was handed over to the Indian Army on Tuesday. These multi-mode hand grenades, which can be used in both offensive and defensive roles, have been produced following a transfer of technology from Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
In case of 22 problems submitted by the public sector defence companies, state owned aircraft manufacturer HAL submitted highest number of problems. HAL sought solutions for the 9 problems faced by it. Shipbuilder GRSE shared 4 problems, Bharat Electronics Limited (3), Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (3), Hindustan Shipyard (2), and Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited shared one problem.
DRDO Advanced Chaff Technology: India’s apex defence research and development organisation, the DRDO Thursday announced that it has developed advanced chaff technology for Indian Air Force to protect fighter aircraft from hostile radar and other threats.
GE-HAL Engine Contract: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited Tuesday signed a $716 million (Rs 5,375 crores) contract for supply of 99 GE F404 engines for India’s light combat jet programme. In January this year, the government has approved procurement of 83 LCA Tejas combat jets at a cost of Rs 48,000 crores (over $6 billion at present exchange rate.)
HAL’s Hindustan-228 Aircraft: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Sunday successfully carried out the ground run and low speed taxi trials (LSTT) of the Hindustan-228 (VT-KNR) aircraft for DGCA type certification, HAL said on Monday.
Sunny Guglani Airbus: European aircraft manufacturer Airbus has appointed Sunny Guglani as the new Head of Airbus Helicopters for India and South Asia. Guglani succeeds Ashish Saraf who joined French defence and high-technology giant Thales to head its India operations in June this year.
India-Saudi Arabia Naval Exercise Al-Mohed Al-Hindi: Indian Navy has started the groundwork for first ever bilateral military exercise with Royal Saudi Navy as Chief of Indian Navy’s Western Fleet Rear Admiral Ajay Kochhar called on Rear Admiral Majdi Al Qahtani, the Fleet Commander of Royal Saudi Navy’s Eastern Fleet on Tuesday.
Rheinmetall Fuchs Armoured Vehicle: German defence giant Rheinmetall has won a follow-up order from an international customer to supply material kits for the Fuchs (Fox 2) wheeled armoured vehicle, the company announced on Wednesday. This new order, which also encompasses an initial supply of spare parts, is worth around €250 million. Delivery will take place during the 2021-2023 timeframe, with production to be carried out in the partner’s country.
Rheinmetall Mission Master Unmanned Ground Vehicle: Düsseldorf based German defence company Rheinmetall and Spain’s machine manufacturer Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (EM&E) have unveiled two new modules for Rheinmetall Mission Master Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicle (A-UGV) equipped with EM&E sensors and weapons systems.
IAC-1 INS Vikrant Sea Trial: Indian Navy’s indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant has successfully completed its five day long maiden sea trial successfully and came back to the yard in Kochi in Southern Indian state of Kerala, the defence ministry said. The ship had sailed from the Cochin Shipyard Limited’s yard in Kochi on Wednesday (August 4) and returned to the CSL’s yard on Sunday (August 8).
According to Navantia, now it will participate in the Viability Phase in order to propose a design that further adjusts to the requirements of the Armaments Inspectorate of the Polish Ministry of Defence. The final decision on the contractor is expected in 2022. The offer made by Navantia is based on the design of the F-100, in service for the Spanish Navy, which has been the starting point for successful export contracts to Norway and Australia.
IAI-ESG MoU: Israeli Aerospace Industries and German based company ESG Elektroniksystem- und Logistik-GmbH and have signed a cooperation agreement to provide the German Armed Forces a proven, agile and robust cross-platform Network Centric Warfare (NCW) solution to meet the challenges of the future, IAI said on Tuesday.
With ‘NEOS’ – Network Enabled Operations Support – ESG and IAI enable joint all-domain operations including airborne, naval and ground platforms.
Clarke began the trip honoring India’s fallen service members by laying a wreath at the National War Memorial. The visit comes at a time when Antony Blinken, United States’ Secretary of State is on an official visit to the country. After the ceremony, Clarke met with Indian defense officials and discussed the ways in which India and the United States can continue working together to improve defense partnerships and grow interoperability.
US Army has selected five defence-manufacturing consortiums to submit digital designs for its Optionally Manned Fighting Vehicle (OFMV) concept that will replace US Army’s nearly 3,800 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFVs). While the five teams will submit their concepts over the next 15 months, prototype building and ground testing of the vehicle is expected to start sometime in 2026.
VEM Technologies is the production partner for ‘Centre Fuselage’ with the support from HAL’s Light Combat Aircraft division. The centre fuselage manufactured by the company has been produced by assembling 1,595 different parts of mechanical and composite structures certified by HAL QC and DGAQA.
Saudi Navy HMS Jazan: Spanish shipbuilder Navantia Saturday launched the fourth corvette Jazan for Saudi Arab’s navy. The ship, which is the fourth in a total order of five was launched by Navantia San Fernando, is named as a tribute to city of Jazan located in Southwest of Saudi Arabia.
Akash-NG Missile: India’s apex defence research and development organisation DRDO Friday tested new generation surface to air missile Akash-NG from from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha, the MoD said. The test, which is the second test of the missile in a span of three days, was carried out against a high-speed unmanned aerial target, which was successfully intercepted by the missile.
DRDO Meta-Stable Titanium Alloy: India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed a high strength meta-stable beta Titanium Alloy containing Vanadium, Iron and Aluminium, Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al on industrial scale for applications in aerospace structural forgings, said the ministry of defence.
Indian Navy Project P-75(I): In a major boost for local defence industry, India’s ministry of defence Tuesday issued the request for proposal (RFP) to two Indian naval yards for construction of six AIP fitted conventional attack submarines in the country under Project P-75(I). In turn, these two shipbuilders – state owned Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders and private sector Indian defence company Laresen & Toubro – will choose one strategic partner from the five submarines builders shortlisted by the government.
Indian Navy MH-60R Romeo Helicopters: Indian Navy Friday accepted the first two MH-60R Romeo Multi Role Helicopters from US Navy in a ceremony held at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego. During US President Donald Trump’s India visit in February 2020, India-US signed a deal to acquire 24 submarine hunter MH-60R helicopters produced by Sikorsky, a unit of world’s largest defence contractor Lockheed Martin.
German Army’s Future Soldier (IdZ-ES): German defence giant Rheinmetall Friday announced that it has presented the German military (Bundeswehr) with the company’s first complete concept for the third generation of the Future Soldier Expanded System also known as IdZ-ES. Düsseldorf based defence company said the presentation was the initial outcome of a comprehensive study contract…
Pratt & Whitney GTF Engine: The US aircraft engine manufacturer Pratt & Whitney Wednesday announced that its Geared Turbo Fanes (GTF) engines have now saved operators more than half a billion gallons (close to two billion liters) of fuel and avoided more than five million metric tons of carbon emissions, accumulated over more than 2.5 million flights.
Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA-2021): Greek Minister of National Defence Nicos Panagiotopoulos Tuesday inaugurated the Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) as scores of senior defence leaders, defence industry executives, diplomats attended the three-day prestigious defence exhibition in a Covid-free environment.
IAI-RTI agreement for OPAL Framework: Real-Time Innovations (RTI), the largest software framework company for autonomous systems, today announced Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), a world-leading aerospace and defense company, has selected RTI Connext DDS for real-time connectivity as part of its Operational Avionics Layer (OPAL) Application Framework. IAI’s OPAL serves as the infrastructure for networking connectivity, data sharing, and operative actions for air, land and naval forces.
Indian Navy P8I maritime patrol aircraft: US defence and aerospace giant Boeing Tuesday announced delivery of the 10th P8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Indian Navy. This is the second of four additional aircraft ordered by the ministry of defence under option clause signed in December 2016.
Brahmos Missile Testfiring: In a setback to India’s missile programme, the test of an upgraded version of Brahmos cruise missile failed on Monday as the missile lost its trajectory soon after the firing and fell off after it was fired off the Odisha coast, according to a report. “The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, jointly developed…
Leonardo-CNSAS Rescue Helicopter: Italian helicopter manufacturer Leoardo has joined hands with Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps for join development of new capabilities, the company said on Friday. The helicopter is the indispensable rescue medical vehicle for mountain operations and hard environments. The Italian National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps and Leonardo will work together on the development of even more effective technologies, solutions, and training, said the Italian helicopter manufacturers.
DRDO Short Span Bridge: The first production lot of 12 Short Span Bridging System (SSBS)-10 meter, designed and developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been inducted into the Indian Army by Army Chief General MM Naravane during a ceremony held at Cariappa Parade Ground in Delhi.
Sri Lanka Air Force Kfir Fighter Upgrade: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) recently signed a contract, worth USD $50 million with Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Defense to upgrade Kfir aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force. The deal, valued at USD $50 million, includes upgrades to the Kfir aircraft and enhancement ofoperational capabilities, said the Israeli defence company.
Rafael said Sea Breaker missile provides surgical, pinpoint precision strikes from stand-off ranges of up to 300 kilometers. It features an advanced IIR (Imaging Infra-Red) seeker, ideal for engagement of maritime and land targets, stationary or moving, in advanced Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) arenas, and in littoral or brown water, including archipelago, as well as for engagements in which previous generation RF-seeker-based missiles are not effective.
GA-EMS Lincs System: US defence and high technology company General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) Wednesday said that its Laser Interconnect and Networking Communications System (LINCS) satellites were successfully launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as part of the Transporter-2 mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The satellites were launched in partnership with the Space Development Agency (SDA).
The contract has been issued PSM GmbH, which is co-owned by Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann, each of which holding 50% share in the company. The contract encompasses the upgrade of the first lot of the Bundeswehr’s Puma infantry fighting vehicle, bringing them up to a uniform enhanced design status.
Italy Air Force’s Leonardo HH-139 B Helicopter: Italian Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini and Italian Air Force Chief of Staff General Alberto Rosso Friday attended the acceptance ceremony of an Italian Air Force HH-139B helicopter during an official visit to Leonardo’s helicopter facility at Vergiate in Italy, said the Italian helicopter manufacturer Leonardo.
Rafael Trophy APS: Trophy Active Protection System (APS) developed by Israel’s leading defence company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems has been selected for the next phase of detailed assessment and integration by the UK Ministry of Defence for the Army’s Challenger 3 Main Battle Tank (MBT), said the Israeli defence giant.
Israel airborne laser system: Israel’s ministry of defence, Elbit Systems and the Israel Air Force have successfully intercepted several UAVs using an airborne High-Power Laser Weapon System (HPL-WS). The UAVs were intercepted at various ranges and flight altitudes, Israeli defence company Elbit Systems said on Monday.
Rheinmetall Mission Master XT: German defence giant Rheinmetall Wednesday announced the release of the Mission Master XT, the latest member of its Mission Master family of Autonomous Unmanned Ground Vehicles (A-UGVs). Unlike the Mission Master SP platform, which is already introduced to the market, the Mission Master XT has a diesel-powered engine.
ASEAN Defence Ministers Meet: India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh Wednesday called for an open and inclusive order in Indo-Pacific that is based upon the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, saying that sea lanes of communication in the region are critical for peace and prosperity of the region. Singh told the leaders that Code of Conduction negotiations, that are currently under discussion at the multi-nation forum, will not prejudice the legitimate rights of those nations that are not party to the discussions.
GA Synopta: US defence major General Atomics (GA) Monday announced the acquisition of Synopta GmbH, a leader in the development and production of complex opto-electronic instrumentation for space and terrestrial applications.
India Friday approved a new policy for compilation, declassification and publication of war history. It requires the defence ministry to compile the war history within five years and the information related to a war or operation will ordinarily be declassified in 25 years.
