Anti-tank missiles Helina and Dhruvastra successfully tested, ready for induction in armed forces

 

India on Friday successfully test-fired the Army and Air Force versions of Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) from desert ranges indicating the readiness of the weapon systems for an early induction in the armed forces.

Defence sources said joint user trials of Army version Helina and Air Force version Dhruvastra missile systems were carried out from the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) platform. Five missions were carried out for evaluating the capabilities of the missiles in minimum and maximum range.

Indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missiles were fired in hover and max forward flight against realistic static and moving targets.A couple of missions were carried out with warheads against derelict tanks. A mission was also carried out against a moving target from a forward flying helicopter," sources said.

The helicopter launched Nag (Helina) is a third generation ATGM that can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode. The system, which operates on fire and forget mode, has all weather day and night capability.

The weapon system can defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as with explosive reactive armour. The missile will equip the weaponised version of the ALH Dhruv, HAL built combat helicopter Rudra and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH).

While the Nag missile has a maximum range of 4 km, the Helina has an extended strike range of about 8 km. Guided by imaging infrared seeker, the missile operates on lock-on-before launch mode, which helps extend its strike range.

Secretary of Department of Defence Research and Development and DRDO Chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy said Helina is one of the most-advanced anti-tank weapons in the world. Now the missile systems are ready for induction, he said.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, the Indian Army and Indian Air Force for the successful trials.

The New Indian Express

Third Scorpene class submarine delivered to Indian Navy

 

The Mazagaon Dock Limited (MDL) on Monday delivered the third Scorpene-class submarine to the navy after two years of sea trials. The submarine was launched in January 2018 for sea trials and will be commissioned as INS Karanj, said a naval officer.

MDL chairman and managing director Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad (retired) and Rear Admiral B Sivakumar, Western Naval Command’s chief of staff officer (technical), signed the acceptance document.

INS Karanj is India’s third of the six Scorpene-class submarines with superior stealth and combat capabilities. The diesel-electric attack submarine has been built under MDL’s Project-75 in collaboration with a French firm.

The first such submarine INS Kalvari was launched in October 2015 and commissioned in December 2017, five years behind the schedule. The second, INS Khanderi, was launched in January 2017 for sea trials and commissioned in September 2019. INS Vela was launched in May 2019 and is undergoing sea trials. INS Vagir was launched in November 2020 and is also undergoing sea trials. The sixth submarine INS Vagsheer is at the stage of outfitting.

Scorpene submarines can undertake multifarious missions like anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare as well as intelligence gathering, mine laying, area surveillance, etc.

They are designed to operate in all theatres, with means provided to ensure interoperability.

The state-of-the-art technology utilised for the construction of Scorpene class submarines has ensured superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimized shape, and the ability to launch an attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons. The attack can be mounted with both torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles, at the same time as underwater or on the surface.

The stealth of this strong platform is enhanced by the special attention given to various signatures. These stealth features give it invulnerability, unmatched by most submarines.

“Two SSK submarines built by MDL in 1992 and 1994 are still in service after more than 25 years, a clear testimony of MDL’s quality of construction. MDL has also achieved expertise in submarine refits by successfully executing the medium Refit-cum-Upgradation of all the four SSK class submarines of the Indian Navy. It is presently carrying out the Medium Refit and Life Certification of INS Shishumar, the first SSK submarine,” said an MDL statement.

“MDL has always been at the forefront of the nation’s progressive indigenous warship building programme. With the construction of the Leander and Godavari class frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Missile Boats, Delhi and Kolkata class destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, the SSK submarines and the Scorpene submarine under its belt, the history of modern day MDL almost maps the history of indigenous warship building in India.”

Hindustantimes

'LAC disengagement in India’s favour, China will vacate most prickly parts'

 

Once concluded, the disengagement at Pangong Tso will work well for India as it means vacation of the most prickly part of Chinese intrusions along the Line of Actual Control that defied resolution during the long military stand off since May last year.

Top government sources said concerns that India was giving up hard-won tactical gains of control of the heights along the south bank of the lake were misplaced as the Chinese were now removing the considerable infrastructure, including a helipad, they had set up in the ‘Finger’ area.

The Indian positions on the strategic heights on the south bank had nullified the Chinese positions and were a key factor in the PLA agreeing to withdraw from the area.

In the past, the Chinese side had called on Indian forces to wind down its presence before reciprocating while now the disengagement is graded and mutual.

The Indian presence on heights is clearly a change in status quo that would need to be wound down as part of any agreed withdrawal. It was being ensured that PLA troops are well east of Finger 8, sources said. The decision not to have any patrolling in the Finger areas under discussion was being incorrectly read as ceding of Indian rights, the sources said.

The measure was temporary and it was important to note that a future agreement would be concluded by military and foreign ministry officials to their satisfaction. It was pointed out that while Indian patrols did go till Finger 8, this had become more contentious with run-ins with Chinese troops since the Kargil war when PLA, taking advantage of India’s preoccupation with Pakistan’s aggression, fortified its positions by building a motorable road.

The next round of military talks will see a discussion on Patrolling Point 17 and the Gogra-Hot Springs areas where the number of troops involved is less and where Indian soldiers have taken positions that will be seen as “intrusions” by the Chinese.

A bigger discussion awaits on the Depsang Plains where Indian patrols are being obstructed. The argument that no relaxation should have been permitted at Pangong without Depsang being resolved failed to see the cruciality of the PLA getting out of the Finger area.

Economictimes

First test of air-to-air missile Astra Mk II likely on February 18

 

India’s latest Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile Astra Mk II is all set to move out of the drawing board as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is likely to conduct its first developmental trial this week.

Defence sources said the indigenously developed missile will be flight tested from a ground launcher being set up at launching complex III of Integrated Test Range (ITR) off Odisha coast on Thursday.  The initial trials of the successor of Astra Mk I will be to test the weapon system’s ballistic performance. Once the safe release of the missile from the ground launcher and its propulsion and navigation are validated, it would be test fired from a fighter aircraft.

A team of defence scientists and technical officers are camping at the test facility for the much awaited mission of the year. “The test window is from February 18 to 20. The missile has already been integrated with the launcher and the final check-ups are on. If everything goes as per plan, the missile will be fired on the first date,” sources said. The go ahead for Astra Mk II came nearly seven months after the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved the procurement of Astra Mk I for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Navy. 

While the previous version of Astra missile has a range of about 110 km, its advanced variant can strike targets 160 km away. Equipped with improved jammer resistance and dual pulse motor having thrust vector control, the Astra Mk II is latest among the air-to-air missiles of its class. The DRDO has developed an indigenous seeker to improve the performance of the missile and replace the Russian radio frequency seeker used in the Astra Mk I. 

Sources said the missile will be powered by Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR), which will enhance its performance and increase the strike range.Procurement of Astra Mk I for the IAF was approved after it completed ground tests and air trial from a Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft. Process is on to integrate the missile with the Made in India Tejas fighter jet. 

Meanwhile, prior to the Mk II test, the DRDO has decided to evacuate people residing within two km radius of the ITR as a safety measure. As many as 8,000 people from at least seven hamlets will be shifted to temporary shelters ahead of the test. 

Balasore district administration has been asked to make arrangements and complete the evacuation of villagers before 8 am on the scheduled date. The people shifted for the mission will be compensated as per Ministry of Defence (MoD) norms.

newindianexpress

Will India Dare To Buy Russian T-14 Armata Tanks With Mounting US Pressure?

 

The Armata Tank, a mean fighting machine, was unveiled for the very first time in 2015, at Moscow. The Defense Ministry of Russia is slated to purchase around 100 Armata Tank T-14s by 2020. The Armata Tank boasts of a highly computer integrated equipment, an un-manned turret and an independent armour capsule; making it an effective combat vehicle.

Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat started his six-day visit to Russia recently in what is being seen as an attempt to enhance India-Russia defence bilateral relations. The visit coincides with a bilateral annual summit between Indian PM Modi and Russian President Putin scheduled for October 5 in New Delhi during which defence deals worth over $10 billion are likely to be signed.

The Indian military delegation led by General Rawat is scheduled to meet the top officials of the Russian Armed Forces. Russia’s T-14 Armata FRCV is likely to figure in the discussions between the two militaries.

“The visit is yet another milestone in giving impetus to the strategic partnership between India and Russia and taking forward the military to military cooperation to the next level,” an Indian defence ministry statement reads.

Besides visiting the Mikhailovskaya Artillery Military Academy, the Headquarters of Western Military District in St. Petersburg and General Staff Academy, the Indian officials will also visit the headquarters of a motorized rifle division in Moscow.

The procurement process for FRCVs was launched by the Indian Army as part of a plan to acquire hundreds of armoured vehicles similar to the Russian T-14 Armata and South Korean K2 Black Panther MBTs. According to the recommended acquisition plan, the FRCVs will be manufactured in India by a private company in partnership with the overseas original equipment manufacturer.

Eurasian times

Safran, HAL consider assembly of Rafale M88 engine in India

 

The French manufacturer Safran Aircraft Engines and the Indian aviation company Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to study the manufacturing of components and the assembly of the M88 engine designed by Safran in India. A transfer of technology is being considered.

That initiative would help power a potential second batch of Dassault Rafale fighter jets ordered for the Indian Air Force, or “any aircraft manufactured in India by HAL fitted with M88.” Indian authorities and their French counterparts are reportedly discussing an arms contract that could include a second batch of 36 Rafales.

Additionally, the agreement includes a partnership between HAL and Safran for the elaboration of the indigenous design of a 110 kN high thrust engine. Such a component could power the future Advance Medium Combat Aircraft [AMCA], a 5th generation fighter-bomber developed by HAL.

“Considering the country’s future requirement of fighter aircraft, this augurs well for self-reliance in the engine domain and also opens up possible opportunities for India to export,” commented Safran.

Indian defence news

Collins Aerospace looking to continue collaboration with HAL on LCA-MK1A

 

Collins Aerospace, a unit of the Raytheon Technologies and one of the world’s largest suppliers of aerospace and defence products, has been involved in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme and is interested in the avionics side of the business especially sensors and display systems, said Sunil Raina, MD, Customer & Account Management. He said the company is looking at expanding its presence in the civil aviation industry.

“In addition, we are also working with LCA for our mechanical, aerostructure and power control equipment on the aircraft. We are able to offer a complete solution on these platforms and have been in multiple discussions with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on these hi-tech products. This is also true for LCA-MK1A,” Mr. Raina told The Hindu.

At the Aero India early this month, HAL was awarded a ?47,000-crore contract for 83 LCA — 73 of them higher capacity LCA-Mk1A variant — with deliveries scheduled to begin in early 2024. This takes the LCA jets on order to 123. The indigenous content is about 52% and HAL is looking at ways to increase it to 65%.

Collins serves a substantial customer base in India, including local and international governments, aerospace original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and defence contractors, and is betting big on the civil aviation sector too.

Stating that Collins is the largest exporter of aerospace products, Mr. Raina said the Indian team has produced over 235 patents which cover inventions across all strategic business units and disciplines. “We helped India become a major aerospace manufacturing hub — with a thriving ecosystem within the region — by developing suppliers and offering better products and services.”

Mr. Raina said their Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) partnership enabled them to become one of the first Indian entities to domestically produce and export an aviation product to the U.S. “In addition, we successfully designed, developed and qualified the power door opening system for the A320neo and Bombardier C-series at our Bengaluru facility.”

At the Aero India, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said the aero components sector is set to double to ?60,000 crore by 2024.

With over 100 airports at the moment and projections of up to 300 airports in the future according to the government, Collins is actively participating to bid and implement the airport systems in the long term, particularly for contactless passenger processing systems, Mr. Raina said. “Our engineering and manufacturing centres in India have the capability of developing and customising solutions locally to meet customers’ requirements.”

Collins began operations in India in 1997 with a manufacturing facility in Bengaluru and has since expanded its footprint with India Design Center in Hyderabad and the Global Engineering Center in Bengaluru. Today, we have over 5,500 employees throughout four locations in India, and we are looking to expand into a new location in Bengaluru’s new aerospace park, Mr. Raina said.

the hindu

Final production batch of LRSAM Missiles flagged off

 

The final production batch of Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM), designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with various industry partners and integrated by BDL, was flagged off at DRDL, A P J Abdul Kalam Missile Complex here on Sunday.

The event was held in the presence of G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development and DRDO Chairman and Rear Admiral V Rajasekhar,Director, Defence Machine Design Establishment,a Defence release said.

LRSAM has been jointly developed by DRDO and M/s Israel Aerospace Industries to equip the latest ships of the Indian Navy. The LRSAM Missile system can provide point and area defence against various aerial targets including fighter aircraft, subsonic and supersonic cruise missiles, it said.

The Missile is powered by indigenously developed dual- pulse rocket motor and dual control system to impart required manoeuvrability at the terminal phase. The LRSAM system end to end performance has been successfully demonstrated through number of user flight trials from Indian Naval ships and has been successfully productionised and delivered to Indian Navy, it said.

Reddy highlighted the importance of indigenous production efforts and complemented the industries that established the manufacturing facilities and successfully executed production orders in achieving the goal towards ''Make in India''. He also commended the efforts of the Missile System Quality Assurance Agency, DG (NAI) in streamlining production activities at various industries across India, leading to delivery of missiles with aerospace quality standards. Rajasekhar appreciated DRDO for successfully completing the production order and strengthening air defence capability of Indian Navy, the release added.

economictimes

Will India buy T-14 Armata tank from Russia?

 

The Russian new agencies believed that India is ready to sign a contract with Russia for the supply of large quantities of T-14 Armata main battle tanks. Where there is no official statement came from both sides.

According to source, Since Russia’s latest generation T-14 Armata main battle tank (MBT) has received an export license, India is ready to sign a contract with Russia for the supply of the above for the army of this country. We are clearly talking about a multi-billion dollar deal because it had previously appeared information about the Indian Armed Forces’ intention to buy 500 tanks of this kind.

Today, the Indian Army still shows full confidence in Russian armored vehicles, the purchase of state-of-the-art Russian tanks with the ability to withstand a direct hit from a large caliber cannon and an attack. by drone (UAV) is very suitable for Indian army requirements.

It should be recalled that information about the Indian Army wanting to buy 500 T-14 Armata tanks appeared in the press in the country since the middle of last year, but since there was no export version of this MBT. The deal is scheduled to be completed in 2021.

If the deal is successful, 500 T-14 Armata tanks and more than 1,000 T-90S Bhisma and T-90MS of the previous generation will make the Indian Army more deadly.

Currently, India remains one of the largest buyers of modern weapons in Russia, in particular, we are talking about the S-400 Triumf air defense missile system, as well as the possibility of New Delhi buying. a large number of fifth-generation Su-57 stealth fighters.

In addition to India, Russia also plans to sell T-14 Armata tanks to media partners such as Algeria, Iran, Belarus … and the apparent interest in these combat vehicles is increasing. all over the world.

defenceview

PM Narendra Modi to dedicate 118 Arjun MK-1A tanks to Army in Chennai

 

The Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday morning revealed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate and lay the foundation stones for several key projects and hand over the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the Army, at Chennai, Tamil Nadu Today. 

The Prime Minister will hand over the state-of-the-art Arjun Main Battle Tank (MK-1A) to the army. The Arjun battle tank has been indigenously designed, developed and manufactured by CVRDE, DRDO along with 15 academic institutions, eight labs and several MSMEs. According to information, 118 Arjun tanks are to join the army. 

The Defence Ministry has approved the induction of all the 118 Arjun tanks, priced at Rs 8400 crore. 

zeenews

Indian Army embarks on a new hunt for carbines

 

The Indian Army has issued a fresh Request for Information (RFI) for a fast-track procurement of 93,895 carbines. This comes five months after the defence ministry revoked the case for procuring a similar number of carbines under the Fast-Track Procedure (FTP).

The RFIs were issued on February 10 to multiple Indian and global manufacturers, including Caracal, Colt, SiG Sauer, Beretta, Thales and Adani Defence. In 2018, UAE gun maker Caracal’s CAR 816 carbine had emerged as the lowest bidder in the FTP initiated by the Indian Army for a new compact weapon to replace its World War 2 vintage 9 mm 1A1 ‘Sterling’ carbine. As before, the army wants the new carbine chambered for the 5.56x45 mm cartridge. At just a single page, the army’s new RFI is far simpler compared to its three-page RFI in 2018. The service aims to procure the weapons within a year of the contract signing. The size of this deal is not yet known, but if one were to make estimation from Caracal’s 2018 bid, then it would likely be upwards of $110 million (over Rs 800 crore).

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, who heads the Defence Procurement Board (DPB), finally pulled the plug on the acquisition last September. The earlier deal was questioned by senior defence ministry officials on two grounds—i) the carbines were costlier than the US-made SiG 716 assault rifles also imported under the FTP last year for over Rs 700 crore; and ii) the defence ministry officials noted that no part of the weapons was being manufactured indigenously. Last September, Caracal had offered to manufacture all the rifles in-country as part of the government’s Make in India initiative. The UAE government-owned arms maker said it would also oversee technology transfer.

Top army officials had also explored options for purchasing a smaller quantity of around 25,000 carbines from the UAE manufacturer, but this idea seems to have been abandoned in favour of a fresh contract.

indiatoday

Tanks to shift 20 km from pullback site

 

Even as a debate is raging about the implications of Indian Army tanks vacating the strategic heights south of the Pangong Tso in eastern Ladakh, the ground reality is that these tanks would be located at their home base, less than 20 km from the site being vacated now.

In August 2020, the Army had captured the Rinchen La and Rezang La heights overlooking the Moldo Garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). The area comes under the Kailash range, and its ridgeline is considered as the alignment of the LAC. In October-November 1962, India and China had fought a pitched battle at the base of Rezang La.

Now as part of the disengagement agreement between India and China, the Indian Army and the PLA will vacate the positions occupied in the past nine months from the south and north bank of the Pangong Tso — a 135-km glacial lake.

Back to Chushul

* Prior to April 2020, Indian tanks were positioned in Chushul, which is less than 20 km from the vacated sites at Rezang La

* With Chushul site being a plateau, redeployment will not be an issue in case of any PLA misadventure

* US welcomes India, China efforts to de-escalate situation in Ladakh

The target is to eventually return to the pre-April 2020 positions. In case of India, tanks were positioned in Chushul before April, sources confirmed to The Tribune. The spot is less than 20 km from the Rezang La heights and since it’s a plateau, redeployment would not be an issue in case of a misadventure by the PLA.

During the pre-April deployment, Ladakh had some four regiments of tanks stationed across the terrain. Each regiment has 46 tanks.

As reported in these columns yesterday, Depsang will be crucial and will be addressed in the next phase. On Friday, the Ministry of Defence issued a statement to counter instances of what it termed as “wrongly understood information”.

“India has not ceded any territory as a result of this agreement,” said the ministry as it detailed the future of the disengagement process. “Outstanding problems (are) to be addressed, including those at Hot Springs, Gogra and Depsang. The outstanding issues are to be taken up within 48 hours of the completion of the Pangong Tso disengagement,” it said.

The LAC, as per the Indian perception, is at Finger 8, not at Finger 4 (mountain spurs descending onto the north bank of the Pangong are identified as fingers). “India has persistently maintained the right to patrol up to Finger 8 and has included it in the current understanding with China,” it said.

The Dhan Singh Thapa post at Finger 3 is India’s permanent base while the PLA permanent base is east of Finger 8.

“The assertion that the Indian territory is up to Finger 4 is categorically false. The territory of India as depicted by its map includes more than 43,000 sq km which is under illegal occupation of China since 1962,” the Defence Ministry said.

TheTribune