Rafale Deal: French aerospace giant Dassault Aviation on Thursday rejected fresh allegations of corruption in the Rafale fighter jet deal with India, saying no violations were reported in the frame of the contract. Dassault’s rebuttal comes days after a French website ‘Mediapart’ alleged that the company paid nearly one million Euros to an Indian middleman.
General Naravane Bangladesh Visit: Indian Army Chief General MM Naravane Thursday reached Dhaka on a five-day official visit to neighbouring country Bangladesh. General Naravane’s visit to the country comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the country late last month to participate in the golden jubilee celebrations of the country’s independence from Pakistan.
Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ), a DRDO laboratory, has indigenously developed three variants of this critical technology, Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR), Medium Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR) meeting the Indian Navy’s qualitative requirements, the DRDO said in a statement.
Russian Helicopters: The Kazan Helicopters of the Russian Helicopters holding company, which is a part of state owned Rostece Corporation, received approval from the Federal Air Transport Agency (Rosaviatsia) to install an onboard hoist winch on the Ansat helicopter, the company announced on Friday.
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.
“This initiative would accrue advantages in terms of saving of manpower, economise utilisation of resources, besides financial savings. It would enhance joint inter-operability between Services and go a long way in improving the logistics processes of the Armed Forces to enhance jointness between the three Services,” the defence ministry said.
HAL: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited clocked a record $3.01 billion (Rs 22,700 crore) in gross revenue in the financial year 2021-22 (April-March period) despite the outbreak of Covid-19 global pandemic that disrupted supply chains as the company also had to suspend operations for a month due to the lockdown imposed by…
NAL Hansa-NG trainer aircraft: India’s state owned National Aerospace Laboratory rolled out a new generation two-seater aircraft called ‘HANSA-NG’ in Bengaluru on Wednesday. The two-seater trainer aircraft, developed by NAL-CSIR, is completely made of composite material, a first for the country.
HAL-Myanmar Military Dealings: India’s state owned aircraft manufacturer HAL has rejected the reports, which claimed that the company was a major supplier to Myanmar military, which has ousted the civilian government in early February this year and resorted to large scale crackdown on civilian protestors.
The German Bundeswehr has placed the order for supply of MELLS antitank guided missile system with EuroSpike GmbH, a joint venture of Rheinmetall and its partners Diehl Defence and Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The latest order is worth around €88 million. Rheinmetall will be supplying key components to EuroSpike, maker of the MELLS, a multirole-capable lightweight guided missile system.
PM Modi Bangladesh Visit: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Dhaka, capital of Bangladesh, on Friday on a two-day state visit to the country during which the Indian leader will attend the golden jubilee celebrations of the country’s independence, the birth centenary of ‘Bangabandhu’ Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and hold talks with his counterpart Bangladesh…
Elbit Systems XACT nv33 Night Vision Device (NVG): German government has selected a Germany based subsidiary of Israel’s advanced technology company Elbit Systems to supply XACT nv33 Night Vision Goggles (NVGs) for the German Federal Police following a competitive bidding, the company said on Thursday.
The NGI program is an element of the MDA’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense System (GMD) which is the primary U.S. missile defense system used to defend the country from long-range ballistic missile attacks. Northrop Grumman and Raytheon Missiles & Defense currently provide the interceptor booster, kill vehicle, ground systems, fire control and engagement coordination for the country’s GMD system.
The $3.7 billion contract for Next Generation Interceptor is the first step in the development and demonstration phase delivering on the Missile Defense Agency’s requirements to modernize the current Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system, said the US defence and aerospace giant.
Mahindra Light Specialist Vehicle: In a big boost to local defence industry, India Monday awarded a $146 million order to local automobile company Mahindra Defence Systems Limited (MSDL) for supply of 1,300 Light Specialist Vehicles to the Indian Army. The order value is estimated at Rs 1,056 crores ($146 million).
Lloyd Austin India Visit: The strong relationship between the world’s two largest democracies, India and the US, is a stronghold of a free and open Indo-Pacific region at a time when the world is facing a global pandemic and growing challenges to an open and stable international system, said US defence secretary Lloyd J Austin.
Indian Army Milan-2 T ATGM Missile: India’s defence ministry Friday awarded order for supplying 4,960 Milan-2T anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) to state owned Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL). The order value is estimated at around $164.19 million (Rs 1,188 crore).
Kalyani-Rafael Joint Venture (KRAS): India-Israel joint venture Kalyani-Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) Tuesday delivered the first missile parts for India’s medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM). The mid-section of the MRSAM missile, which that would be in service of both Indian Air Force and Indian Navy, has been manufactured at the KRAS plant located near Hyderabad Airport.
DRDO Fuel-Cell based Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP): India’s state owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved an important milestone in the development of Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) System by proving the land-based prototype on Tuesday, said the ministry of defence.
China-Japan Senkaku Island Face Off: Amid escalating tensions in the disputed East China Sea, Japan is considering to send its self-defence forces to deal with the surge in Chinese activity at the Senkaku Islands, according to a report in the Hong Kong based South China Morning Post (SCMP). China claims sovereignty over the islands, known as Diaoyu in the country.
DRDO Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) Missile: India’s state owned Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Friday successfully tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology from Integrated Test Range Chandipur off the coast eastern state of Odisha.
Brahmos Missile Export: India on Tuesday signed a key pact with the Philippines for the sale of “defence material and equipment”, which are likely to include BrahMos cruise missiles. Philippine Defence Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, who was also present at the pact’s signing ceremony in Manila, has reportedly said that his country is buying BrahMos missiles.
Italian Navy NFS Submarine Contract: Italy based defence and aerospace giant Leonardo has signed a contract with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri to provide combat management system for two U212 Near Future Submarines (NFS), the first of which is due to join the Italian Navy fleet in 2027, Leonardo said in a statement.
Italian Navy NFS Submarine Contract: The Trieste based Italian shipbuilding giant Fincantieri has won €1.35 billion contract to design and build two new generation submarines for the Italian Navy as a prime contractor of the programme, the company said on Friday.
Airbus-LTTS Skywise Partner Programme: L&T Technology Services (LTTS) Thursday announced that the firm has been selected by European defence and aerospace giant Airbus, as a part of the Skywise Partner Programme, to provide technology and digital engineering solutions to Airbus and its partner Airlines.
Argos-4 Satellite: General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has signed a contract with Rocket Lab to launch the GA-EMS developed Orbital Test Bed (OTB) satellite carrying the Argos-4 Advanced Data Collection System (A-DCS) hosted payload, the company announced on Tuesday.
Indian Army Arjun M1 A MBT: In a major boost for the indigenisation in the defence sector, the Defence Ministry on Tuesday cleared the acquisition of 118 Arjun Mark1A tanks for the Indian Army at a cost of more than Rs 6,000 crores ($829.20 million), said defence ministry officials. The 58-tonne weight DRDO-developed tanks would…
DRDO Helina, Dhruvastra ATGM: India’s apex defence research organisation DRDO conducted joint user trials for Helina and Dhruvastra anti-tank guided missile systems from HAL’s Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) platform in desert ranges. The anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) has been designed and developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Trophy APS for Germany Army’s Leopard Tanks: Israel’s defence giant Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Tuesday announced that it has won an order from Germany’s Federal Ministry of Defense to equip the Bundeswehr’s Leopard 2 MBTs with Rafael’s Trophy Active Protection Systems (APS).
EDGE Loitering Munitions: UAE based leading defence manufacturer EDGE Group Sunday unveiled its family of multi-rotor loitering munitions, the QX range at IDEX Dubai. The company also launched Shadow 50 and Shadow 25, Rash 2 gliding munition kit, new variants of the RW24 range at the prestigious defence expo.
IAI-Matrix Defense MoU: Israel’s leading defence company IAI and Matrix Defense Monday signed an agreement to establish a joint AI excellence center. The two companies will co-develop AI, machine learning (ML) and Big Data-driven solutions to be integrated into IAI’s satellite and space systems, defense and attack systems, missiles, homing heads, electro-optical payloads, and additional…
Bharat Forge Kalynai M4 Vehicle: Global Aerospace and Technology company Paramount Group and India based Engineering &Technology conglomerate Bharat Forge Limited announced a cooperation that will see them join the technologies, capabilities and expertise of both groups in order to manufacture Armoured Vehicles in India.
Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI): In a move aimed at boosting indigenous defence industry, Saudi Arabia’s State-owned Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI) aims to generate annual revenue of US$5 billion by 2030, said its chief executive Walid Abukhaled.
Bharat Forge Kalyani M4 Armored Vehicle: A day after its announcement of entering into an agreement with global aerospace and technology firm Paramount Group to manufacture armoured vehicles, Pune-based Indian private sector conglomerate Bharat Forge Limited (BFL) has received an order worth Rs 177.95 crores ($24.6 million) from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for supply…
EDGE-Lockheed Martin MoU: UAE based defence technology group EDGE Tuesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US defence and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin to explore industrial participation opportunities across the UAE’s aerospace and defence industry.
Indian Army K9 Vajra Guns: India’s Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane Thursday flagged-off the 100th K9 VAJRA 155mm/52 calibre Tracked Self-Propelled Howitzer from L&T’s Armoured System Complex (ASC) located at Hazira, near Surat, in the state of Gujarat.
Defence Ministry said that as per the approval, under Other Capital Procurement Procedure of Defence Acquisition Procedure-2020, financial powers up to Rs 100 crore ($13.77 million) has been delegated to General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief at Services Command and Regional Commanders, of Indian Coast Guard.
Border Road Organisation (BRO): With an eye to improve border road infrastructure on China border, where Indian Army faces an increasing belligerent China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA), Indian government has hiked the allocation for the Border Road Organisation (BRO) by over 7% for the next financial year beginning in April.
DEFEA 2021 new dates: In view of the prevaling Covid situtation in Europe, organisers of prestigious European defence exhibition, Defence Exhibition Athens (DEFEA) have rescheduled the event to July this year. According to the earlier revised schedule, the DEFEA was to be organised in May this year but as per the new revised schedule, the DEFEA defence exhibition will now be organised from July 13 to July 15, 2021 in Athens.
In his statement in the Rajya Sabha, India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh said as part of the disengagement process in the Ladakh region, China has agreed to move its forces back to Finger 8, and Indian Army will move back its troops to its permanent post, Dhan Singh Thapa Post, near Finger 3 on the north bank of Pangong Tso lake in Eastern Ladakh.
India-US Yudh Abhyas military exercise: Indian and US Armies have started their regular joint training exercise Yudh Abhyas (Practice of Warfare) in desert state of Rajasthan in western India, Indian Army said on Monday. Yudh Abhyas military exercise is being conducted in Mahajan Field Firing Range in the state.
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.
Rafael’s Spice 250 ER Missile: Israel’s leading defence technology giant, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems unveiled a variant of its SPICE 250 air-to-surface munition, with the addition of an integrated turbojet engine at India’s prestigious defence and aerospace exhibition Aero India 2021. The new variant dubbed SPICE 250 ER (Extended Range) is based on the smallest…
The crude bomb, which appeared to have been packed in a soft-drink can, went off near the Embassy of Israel on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Road in New Delhi on Friday evening at around 5 pm local time, shattering the windscreens of three cars on the road, Delhi Police said.
As the prime contractor, Elbit Systems will supply the Sabrah light tank solution based on the tracked ASCOD platform that is manufactured by General Dynamics European Land Systems Santa Bárbara from Spain (GDELS),” Elbit Systems said.
DRDO Akash-NG Missile: The Akash-NG (New Generation) Missile was successfully launched by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Sunday and intercepted the target with ‘textbook precision’, the DRDO said in a statement.
India-China Naku La Sikkim Clash: In a clear sign that the ongoing tense stand-off between the two Asian giants is not going to resolve anytime soon, Indian Army and Chinese PLA soldiers once again clashed in the border area last week. In the violent clash that took place on Wednesday (20 January), both sides sustained injuries. Though the Chinese side remained silent on the issue, Indian Army officially confirmed on Monday that both sides clashed in Naku La area in North Sikkim, saying that the face-off was resolved at local commanders’ level.
Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon SAAW: In yet another milestone, India’s apex defence research organisation, DRDO, successfully conducted captive and release trial of indigenously developed Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from Hawk-I of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) off the Odisha coast on Thursday.
Indian Army SIDM MoU: An MoU was signed between the Indian Army and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) on Thursday to provide further impetus to indigenisation under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (a self-reliant India in defence) and to achieve strategic independence by reducing dependence on foreign origin equipment.
India France Desert Knight Military Exercise: Indo-French military exercise Desert Knight has clearly demonstrated Indian Air Force’s capability to induct a new combat jets like Rafale fighters, and quickly adapt them, said India’s top military officer Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat.
Aero India 2021: Paris based European defence giant Thales will display its latest family of Airmaster C airborne surveillance radars, Talios Pod and Starstreak missiles among other arms and armaments such as counter drone technology at India’s prestigious defence and aerospace exhibition Aero India, said the company, adding that this year the focus will on its Make in India initiatives.
The French side has fielded its own Rafale fighter combat jets, Airbus A-330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), A-400M Tactical Transport aircraft and nearly 175 air warriors of French Air Force. The Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft participating in the exercise include newly inducted Rafale which the force inducted last year, Mirage 2000 which is also of French origin, Russian origin Sukhoi-30MKI air superiority fighters.
Indian Air Force: Grappling with shortage of mid-air refuelling tanker aircraft amid a tense stand-off between India and China, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has sought financial quotes from US defence and aeropsace giant Boeing and the European aerospace major Airbus for leasing of at least two tankers to overcome this shortage.
Aero India 2021: US defence and space giant Lockheed Martin will pitch its F-21 fighter jets to Indian Air Force at India’s prestigious defence and aerospace exhibition Aero India 2021 which will be held at Yelahanka air force station near Bengaluru early next month.
Lynne Doughtie Boeing: KPMG veteran Lynne Doughtie has been elected to the board of Boeing Defense and Space, replacing Caroline Kennedy who has resigned following three years of dedicated service, the US defence giant said on Thursday. Doughtie, 58, retired from KPMG in 2020, after serving as US Chairman and CEO since 2015.
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.
India’s top army officer General Manoj Mukund Naravane Tuesday said Pakistan and China together form a “potent” threat, and the “threat of collusivity” cannot be wished away.
Dan Antal Rolls-Royce: UK based defence and automobile major Rolls-Royce appointed Dan Antal as General Counsel for Defense and Rolls-Royce North America (RRNA), said the company. In this role, Dan will be a key member of the Defense and General Counsel Leadership teams and will be based in our Washington, DC office.
Indian Army: The Chief of Army Staff, General MM Naravane on Friday visited the headquarters of Pune-based Southern Command to get an update on various operational and training related issues. The Army said in a statement that General Naravane was also given an update on the contributions of troops of Southern Command in various humanitarian…
Rafael’s Trophy Active Protection System: US defence company Leonardo DRS, Inc. and Israel’s defence major Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Wednesday confirmed that they have completed the delivery of Trophy Active Protection Systems (APS) ordered by the U.S. Army for installation on Abrams main battle tanks. This marks a major milestone in the Army’s efforts to…
Sylla Dixon Raytheon Technologies: US defence and missile giant Raytheon Technologies appointed Marie R. Sylla-Dixon as chief diversity officer (CDO), said the company. Sylla-Dixon will report directly to Chief Executive Officer Gregory Hayes and serve as a member of the company’s executive leadership team.
Israel’s defence company Elbit Systems has been selected to establish and operate the International Flight Training Center of the Hellenic Air Force following a competitive process, said the company. This selection is a part of an agreement between the Israeli Ministry of Defense (IMOD) and the Hellenic Ministry of National Defense.
US Army Iron Dome Missile: Israel Missile Defense Organization (IMDO) has completed the delivery of the second of two Iron Dome Defense System batteries produced by the Rafael Advanced Defense Systems to the U.S. Army over the weekend, the Israeli defence company said. Israel’s defence minister Benny Gantz said the delivery of the Iron Dome…
In the SKYROS military exercise, Indian Air Force will field its front line Russian origin Sukhoi-30 MKI fighters and Rafale fighters recently acquired from French defence giant Dassault Aviation while the French Air Force will field its own Rafale jets against Indian Sukhois and Rafale combat jets. This is the first military exercise of IAF Rafale fighter jets with a foreign air force.
According to Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, the Royal Thailand Army selected the SPIKE MR (Medium Range) variant after a process of evaluation and procured its first lot of missiles and launchers designated for its 6th infantry division.
The latest version of MRSAM is a Surface to Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO, India and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel for use of the Indian Army. MRSAM Army weapon system comprises of Command post, Multi-Function Radar and Mobile Launcher system.
India-Japan defence cooperation: In a strong message to an assertive China, Indian and Japanese leaders Tuesday strongly opposed any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo by use of force as it will escalate the tensions in the region. Issues relating to the regional situation figured during a telephonic conversation between India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Japanese counterpart Nobuo Kishi.
A top Indian defence scientist Sunday endorsed the homemade Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) for boosting Indian Army’s firepower as it grapples with an aggressive Chinese PLA in Ladakh region, saying with the gun ready to be produced in the country in short span of time, the army does not need to import the weapon system.
Advanced version of Astra air-to-air missile (Astra Mk 2): India’s top defence research organisation DRDO is working on an extended range of the indigenous beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra. The Astra Mk2 missile will enable Indian combat jets to strike enemy aircrafts at a range of 160 kilometers.
The six new aircraft would be known as the Airborne Early Warning and Control Block 2 planes that would be better equipped than their predecessor NETRA plane and provide 360-degree coverage deep inside the enemy territory during missions, said officials.
HENSOLDT and the IAI subsidiary ELTA will initially offer a long-range radar for use on the F124 frigates of the German Navy. This radar operates in the S-band, which allows much more precise detection of targets in space than other solutions. Later, IAI and Hensoldt will also participate in air and space surveillance projects.
Indian Navy Friday laid Commander Nishant Singh, one of its most accomplished fighter pilots, to rest in Goa with full military honors. Commander Singh was killed in a fatal Mig-29K crash off Goa coast on November 26 but it took 11 days of intensive search to locate his mortal remains 30 miles off the coast.
Till recently, the thrust of Indian Army’s main fighting formations was mainly towards the Pakistan border as the Line of Actual Control with China was not considered to be very active. The balance of the operational preparedness is heavily tilted towards the Western border can be seen from the fact that there are three Strike Corps deployed for offensive there while only one offensive Mountain Strike Corps has been created for the Northern borders.
EDGE Group SIPRI: Within one year of its founding, Abu Dhabi based defence company, the EDGE Group, has entered the list of top 25 defence companies in the world according to a ranking done by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a think tank that specialises in data analysis of military expenditure and arms trade.
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.
Indian Navy – SMASH Smart Shooter: India has awarded the contract for supply of two-thousand Smash fire control systems for Indian Navy, which will use them to counter rogue drones. The contract entails the supply of Smart Shooter’s SMASH 2000 Plus fire control systems, which will be installed mainly on AK-47/103 rifles.
The Passage Exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Navy is aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices between both the friendly navies, and would involve advanced surface and anti-submarine warfare exercises, weapon firings, seamanship exercises and helicopter operations.
Indian Navy’s MH60 Romeo Seahawk helicopter: On the occasion of Indian Navy Day, US defence and aviation giant Lockheed Martin Friday unveiled the first picture of its MH-60 Romeo multirole helicopter for the Indian Navy.
Indian Air Force: Indian Air Force conducted a large scale firing drill of surface to air guided missiles such as indigenously designed and developed Akash missile system and man portable Russian Igla missiles against the expendable aerial targets in southern state of Andhra Pradesh in a 10 day long missile firing exercise that culminated on Tuesday.
HAL-ISRO Cryogenic Engine Tank: The C32-LH2 tank is a developmental cryogenic propellant tank of aluminium alloy designed for improving the payload capability of GSLV MK-III launching vehicle, the HAL said in a statement.
“Despite the restrictions imposed by the lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic, CSL and Indian Navy worked as a cohesive team to ensure timely completion of all essential tasks leading up to basin trials of the Aircraft Carrier,” said an official statement.
Indian Navy Mig-29 K crash: In a tragic incident, Indian Navy lost one of its front-line air superiority Mig29K trainer aircraft in the Arabian Sea on Thursday. Indian Navy operates Russian origin Mig29-K aircraft on its lone aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, a refurbished aircraft carrying cruiser ship procured from the Russia.
Elbit Systems E-Lynx Software Defined Radio: Israel’s defence and electronics giant Elbit Systems has bagged a contract to supply the E-LynXTM Software Defined Radio (SDR) solution to the Spanish Army. Elbit Systems said the new radio network for the battalion level was the first step in the Spanish combat radio network modernization program.
Indian Navy Predator Drone: In a significant step to reduce the high upfront cost of acquiring latest weapon platforms, Indian Navy this month inducted two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones manufactured by the US defence major General Atomics on lease. These unarmed Sea Guardian drones, a variant of Predator drones, will be used in conducting long range surveillance operations in the Indian Ocean region but can also be deployed in Ladakh on China border, said people familiar with the matter.
Russia’s Defence Export: Russia’s apex weapons trade body, the state owned Rosoboronexport, has sold weapons worth over $180 billion in the last two decades after it was created in the year 2000 by the Russian President Vladimir Putin through a Presidential decree.
“The LCH is a potent platform due to excellent design and development efforts and well supported flight test team. The IAF is keenly looking forward to the induction of this aircraft,” Indian Air Force Chief RKS Bhadauria said.
In a boost to India’s defence industry, Russia’s top defence export body Rosoboronexport has expressed its readiness to give India technology for production of defence equipment. Joint production of Kalashnikov AK203 assault rifles by the specially established Indo Russia Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) rifle manufacturing facility in Korwa, Amethi is the next key focus of both sides.
Ordnance Factory Board: In a major achievement for India’s state owned defence manufacturer, Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) has received an export order from the USA to supply ammunition for 5.56×45 mm NATO rounds.
India’s defence and engineering major Larsen & Toubro Tuesday delivered the 81st K-9 Vajra-T howitzer gun to the Indian Army. With this delivery, L&T Defence is on track to deliver all 100 guns within the delivery schedule of 42 months as permitted under the relaxed criteria following the outbreak of Covid-19 global pandemic that hit the defence industry like any other sector of the economy.
Bengaluru-based defence manufacturer Dynamatic Technologies Limited signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with India’s top engineering institute, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-K) for development of cutting edge Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for military use.
Indian Army Monday awarded a Rs 1,325 crore ($180 million) contract to domestic defence companies to develop and supply auxiliary power units (APUs) for its T-72 and T-90 main battle tanks under the Make-II category of defence procurement guidelines, which require the industry to bear the cost of development.
Rafael Advanced Defense Systems: Israel’s leading defence major Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Limited has appointed Brigadier General Moshe Lipel (retd) as Executive Vice President of Finance and Control. He will replace David Vaish who is retiring after 15 years as the company’s CFO, said the company.
“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).
Indian Air Force has received three more Rafale fighter jets at Jamnagar airbase located in western state of Gujarat near Pakistan border on Wednesday. These three Rafale jets arrived at the airbase after a non-stop 8 hour long flight as they were refuelled thrice by the air-tankers of French air force on their way to India.
Rao, an officer of India’s elite Indian Administrative Service (IAS), was working as an additional secretary in the Department of Defence Production in the ministry before his appointment as DG (Acquisition) by appointments committee of cabinet (ACC).
Bengaluru based private sector defence manufacturer Dynamatic Technologies Monday delivered a key component, a front fuselage with a refuelling probe, for India’s home grown light combat aircraft LCA Tejas to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). This is the first time a complex fuselage section for the Tejas fighter has been delivered by private defence company.
In order to take advantage of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s bid to push for greater indigenisation of defence manufacturing in the country, Pinarayi Vijayan government in Kerala is set to launch first dedicated defence park in Palakkad district of the state.
Tata Power Company Limited has completed the sale of its defence business to Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons Private Limited. Tata Power is expected to receive an enterprise value of Rs 1,076 crore as upfront payment, Rs 1,040 crore as per agreements, which were revised in line with closing adjustments.
Brahmos Missile Test: A Sukhoi-30 MKI air superiority fighter of Indian Air Force Friday flew over 4,000 kilometers in an over four hour long journey, which also involved mid-air refueling, to sink a ship in the Bay of Bengal in a successful test-firing of air launched version of Brahmos supersonic cruise missile.
Malabar Naval Exercise 2020: Indian Navy will begin its flagship Malabar 2020 Naval Exercise off the Visakhapatnam coast in the Bay of Bengal from November 3. Navies from four friendly countries, India, Australia, the US and Japan will commence the first phase of four-day war games on Tuesday, which is seen as a strong signal of the Quad nations to defend the freedom of navigation and peace in Indo-Pacific region.
