Browsing: Public Sector

India awards defence contracts worth $469.5 million to local defence companies

Self-reliance in defence: In a significant boost to the local defence and aerospace companies under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Make in India initiative, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth $469.5 million on Friday (March 1, 2024) in New Delhi. The contracts were exchanged in the presence of defence minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane.

LCA Tejas: Indigenous Digital Flight Control Computer tested successfully

Indigenous Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control System for Tejas: In a major step towards achieving self-reliance in defence sector, Indian scientists and engineers have successfully integrated indigenously developed Digital Fly by Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) in prototype LSP7 on Monday (February 19, 2024). The digital fly-by-wire flight control computer has been indigenously developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Bengaluru for the Tejas Mark-1A fighter jet.

India’s ISRO launches seven satellites for Singapore in PSLV-C56 mission

ISRO’s PSLV-C56 launches 7 satellites in space: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched seven satellites for Singapore in its PSLV-C56 mission on Sunday. The launch took place at 6.30 am from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota. The primary satellite, DS-SAR, is a Radar Imaging Earth Observation satellite developed by Singapore’s DSTA and ST Engineering. It will be used for various applications such as disaster management, urban planning, and environmental monitoring.

India signs Rs 3700 crore order for radars and radar warning receivers for IAF

BEL bags Rs 3,700 order for supply of radars to IAF: India’s ministry of defence Thursday signed two contracts worth over Rs 3,700 crore with the state owned defence electronics company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for supply of radars and radar warning receivers, which will enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The first contract worth over Rs 2,800 crore includes supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the IAF, and the second order, with an overall cost of around Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR).

India’s defence electronics manufacturer BEL achieves a record turnover of $2 billion

BEL’s Financial Results FY 2021-22: India’s state owned defence electronics manufacturer Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)  achieved a turnover of about Rs 15,000 crore  ($1.98 billion), during the Financial Year 2021-22 that began in April last year and ended in March this year. “As per the provisional and unaudited results, this is an increase of 8.55% against the previous year’s turnover of Rs 13,818 crore, despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and global semiconductors shortage,“ said the company.

Indian Navy receives fourth Scorpene class submarine INS Vela

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.

Russia waives royalty for Kalashnikov rifle production in India

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.

India places $1.02 billion order for 118 locally developed Arjun tanks

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).

India’s new aircraft carrier completes maiden sea trial

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).

Indian Navy inducts 3 long-range maritime reconnaissance helicopters

HAL ALH MK-III Helicopter:  Indian Navy Monday inducted three advanced light helicopters in the Eastern Naval Command that is responsible for safety and security of the country’s eastern sea-shores, including Bay of Bengal. The three HAL ALH MK-III helicopters are built by state owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and capable of long range reconnaissance, surveillance, search and rescue operations.

Akash missile manufacturer BEL logs over 6% revenue growth

BEL: India’s state owned defence manufacturer Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) clocked a turnover of about $1.84 billion (Rs 13,500 crores) during the financial year 2020-21 (April-March period), an increase of 6.6% over the BEL’s turnover during the previous financial year, when it was $1.72 billion (Rs 12,608 crores), the company said on Thursday.

India’s HAL, Israel’s Elbit Systems sign agreement for HUD helmets

HAL-Elbit Systems HUD Display System: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturing giant HAL has signed an  agreement with Israel’s high technology defence company Elbit Systems for supply of Digital Overhead Head Up Display Systems (DOHS) during the recently concluded Aero India-2021, the company announced on Monday. The agreement for supply of HUD display has been signed between HAL and Elbit Systems Electro Optics Elop Ltd.

India clears $6.25 billion deal to acquire 83 LCA Tejas combat jets

LCA Tejas News: In a major boost to domestic defence industry, India’s Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi today approved the largest ever indigenous defence purchase of 83 combat jets manufactured by the state owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. This deal will be a game-changer for self-reliance in Indian defence manufacturing, said the defence minister.

DRDO ready to supply 200 made in India howitzer guns to Indian Army in 2 years

India DRDO ATAGS Howitzer: India’s apex Defence Research and Development Organisation – DRDO is ready to supply over 200 Made in India Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers to Indian Army within 18-24 months of placement of the order. DRDO’s offer comes in the backdrop of a choice between an indigenous and foreign option to fulfill Indian Army’s requirement for over 400 howitzers.

Firepower: India’s DRDO testfires long range Pinaka rocket system

“Development of Enhanced Pinaka system was taken up to achieve longer range performance compared to an earlier design with a reduced length,” the defence ministry said. The design and development of this advanced version of Pinaka rocket system has been carried out by Pune based DRDO laboratories, namely  Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).

India’s HAL tests Light Utility Helicopter LUH in high Himalayas

India’s state owned aviation major Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Wednesday announced completion of the testing process of its Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in hot and high weather capabilities in high Himalayas. HAL’s LUH is a new generation helicopter in the 3-ton class helicopters, incorporating the state of the art technology features like a glass cockpit with Multi-Function Displays (MFD).

India’s DRDO successfully testfires Hypersonic Missile HSTDV

In a big boost to India’s offensive military capabilities, India Monday successfully flight-tested a Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), India’s apex defence research and development organisation, DRDO, announced in a a tweet. The test of Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), which is a new frontier in cutting-edge defence technology.

India’s BEML launches heavy trucks, electric excavators and dozers

BEML unveils heavy electrical trucks, excavators: In a big push to manufacture of heavy vehicles in the country, India’s state owned BEML Tuesday launched several heavy vehicles designed and developed in the country. It includes a 150 tonne dump truck BH150E, 180 tonne electrical excavator BE1800E 180, Heli-Portable Dozer called BD50HST, and Medium Bullet Proof Vehicle (MBPV) called GAUR.

Self-reliant India: Home-built missile carrier, anti-material rifle, heavy trucks unveiled

Make in India in Defence: Of these 15 defence equipments, four each have been developed by India’s Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and state owned heavy equipment maker BEML, two products have been developed by public sector electronics major BEL, and one each by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Dynamics Limited, Mazhgaon Dock Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) and GSL.