The contract for eight P-8I (P-8A Poseidon) from Boeing under FMS for USD 2.1 billion was signed in 2009. MoD placed a follow-on order for additional four P-8I in 2016. Indian Navy is getting ready to receive one of the four P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft. With an additional P-8I aircraft in its fleet,...
BEL Plans Diversification
Bharat Electronics (BEL) plans diversification into energy storage products, unmanned systems, space electronics, seekers & missiles, network & cyber security, arms & ammunitions, railway/metro solutions, software, composites, healthcare solutions and solar cells/power plants with the fast changing technological advancements and increased competition. The company has got orders of Rs 5,000 crore in the...
Bharat Forge to Build Hovercrafts
Bharat Forge is in the process of building hovercrafts. It had imported a hovercraft last year for technology absorption and product development. A hovercraft is an air-cushion vehicles, amphibious craft capable of travelling over land, water, mud, ice, and other surfaces. The Indian Coast Guard uses 18 hovercrafts. Six of them were built...
India – Bangladesh Defence cooperation
A memorandum of understanding signed between India and Bangladesh on Defence cooperation and partnership to engage in the areas of shipbuilding for both commercial and defence requirements including exporting and coproducing heavy defence equipment such as missiles, radars and artillery guns. The MOU signed in 2017 also includes a US$500 credit line to...
Leasing of Military Platforms
Leasing of Military Platforms
Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 allows leasing of military platforms, to mitigate short-term capability gaps. Wet lease of platforms could be used for peacetime use and dry leasing for operational requirements. The Services are exploring options of leasing the following platforms:-
- Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and surveillance...
Varunastra Torpedo
Varunastra, the heavy weight torpedo, has been designed and developed by NSTL, and the production agency as BDL, for the Indian Navy. BDL is production agency for Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM), for which, trials were conducted successfully recently, and for Astra Air- to- Air Missile System and has commenced production.
Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM)
India successfully test-fired its Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) system for the second time in four days. The QRSAM weapon system, which can operate on the move, consists of indigenously developed subsystems.
Sea Trials of 1st Indigenous Aircraft Carrier
The Indian Navy is set to begin sea trials of its 1st Indigenous Aircraft Carrier, namesake of INS Vikrant in January 2021. The aircraft carrier is being constructed by Cochin Shipyard. IAC-1 Vikrant has a capacity to carry a total of 40 aircraft and is expected to carry MiG-29K fighter jets. The ship...
Drones Directorate in DGCA
India now has a dedicated Drones Directorate that will solely focus on managing the drones ecosystem in the country. It will help in creating more focus on the drones’ ecosystem, given that both DGCA, and the Civil Aviation Ministry have traditionally prioritised civil aviation operations over drones.
Auxiliary Power Unit for Tank under Make II
The Indian Army is processing for the development and supply of Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) under Make II guidelines of the Ministry of Defence to procure Quantity 3257 Nos APU’s costing more than INR 1325 Crore (USD 190 Million) the present inventory of T-72, T-90, Arjun Tank and BMPs post trials and approval.