Defence Ministry Signs Contract with BEL at Aero India 2021
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract for procurement of Software Defined Radio Tactical (SDR-Tac) worth over Rs. 1,000 crore, during the 'Bandhan' ceremony at Aero India 2021 at Air Force Station Yehalanka in Bengaluru.
The SDR-Tac, jointly developed by Navy, BEL, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and DEAL, will bring strategic depth to the Armed Forces.
The delivery will take place within three years. The BEL is already supplying SDR-Naval Combat (NC) and SDR-Air is under user evaluation trial. The DRDO and BEL are planning to provide the latest SDR with security grading to the Armed Forces.
Feb 06, 2021
No Blanket Waiver on S-400, Urge India to Avoid Russian Deals: US
The US has urged India to refrain from military transactions with Russia, saying that there is no blanket waiver under its Sanctions Act for the recent S-400 missile system purchase, in the first detailed comments on the tricky issue after the Biden administration has come to power.
Speaking ahead of the Aero India summit in Bengaluru, the head of the US delegation has said that India is an important and trusted partner for Indo-Pacific security and Washington DC is keen to work with India to develop key capabilities in the quest for self-reliance. On the S-400 issue — India has ordered the Russian surface to air missile system with deliveries expected towards the end of this year — US charged'affaires Don Heflin said that there is a provision for case-by-case waiver of sanctions but no assurance has been given to India.
Historic Defence Order of 118 Indigenous Arjun 1A Tanks on the Anvil
An order for two regiments of the new indigenous Arjun 1A tank for the Indian Army is on the anvil. The two regiments, comprising 118 tanks, have been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and incorporates 71 improvements from the original version.
They are expected to go through the usual route for clearance: The Defence Acquisition Council and the Cabinet Committee on Security. This deal is worth Rs 8,956 crore, not just for the tanks but also, spares and servicing.
The Army already has to regiments of the earlier version of the Arjun. While the T-90, a Russian designed armoured vehicle, is the Army's MBT or main battle tank, the Arjun is being considered suitable for use, particularly in the southern Rajasthan area, in the Thar Desert. Tank movement in the Punjab and northern Rajasthan is now more difficult because of urban settlements, canals and the increase in vegetation.
BEL Delivers Modules to Thales for Radars on Rafale Fighter Jets
Bharat Electronics Limited has delivered transmit/receive (T/R) modules to Thales for the RBE2 radar that is used by Rafale fighter aircraft.
These modules were delivered to Thales by BEL after the French company transferred its technology as per the Rafale fighter jet purchase agreement between India and France.
The BEL's engineers were trained at the French facility of Thales as per the offset agreement.
The modules produced in India (by BEL) are then integrated with the RBE2 radar in France. BEL and Thales teams are, thus working closely to transfer advanced technological know-how.
Feb 05, 2021
HAL all Set to Produce Unmanned Fighter Jet
Public sector giant Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) announced a technological leap by showcasing a programme to make an unmanned fighter jet.
It will be part of a pack of manned jets and will have the capability to go deep into enemy territory and hit the target.
Called "manned-unmanned" teaming, this is the latest concept and technology in aerial warfare. Under the technology, termed combined air teaming system (CATS), an unmanned fighter jet will be controlled by pilots in another jet flying a few hundred kilometres behind.
India Ready to Supply Weapons Systems to Countries in Indian Ocean Region
According to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, India is ready to supply various weapons systems, including missiles and electronic warfare systems, to countries in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Rajnath Singh said that organizing a conclave of countries in the IOR on the margins of the international event "Aero India-2021" shows the importance India attaches to the vision of common growth and stability and constructive engagements with them.
Feb 04, 2021
India and Saudi Arabia to Set up Joint Working Groups on Defence and Security
India and Saudi Arabia held the first meeting of a bilateral committee on political, security, social and cultural cooperation and agreed to create joint working groups on issues ranging from defence and security to the Haj pilgrimage.
The committee comes under the India-Saudi Arabia agreement on a Strategic Partnership Council that was launched during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in October 2019.
The inaugural senior officials' meeting, which was held virtually, discussed and reviewed cooperation in various areas and existing mechanisms.
Both sides agreed to give impetus to the work of existing mechanisms and establish joint working groups for regular dialogue covering various fields such as political, consular, Haj, defence, security, culture, health and education.
Discussions have also been held under the committee on economy and investment between the two sides.
Israel's Rafael Unveils New Variant of Spice Weapon Guidance Kit
Israeli defence major Rafael plans to offer the Indian Air Force its new weapon guidance kit, Spice 250 ER, which has an extended range of at least 150 kilometres.
The new variant from Rafael Advanced Defence Systems, which was unveiled at the Aero India show here, comes with an additional integrated turbojet engine.
Dubbed Spice 250 ER (Extended Range), the new system is the smallest of the Spice family that includes the Spice 250, Spice 1000 and the Spice 2000 guidance kits.
The IAF had used the Spice 2000 during Balakot air strike in 2019.
The Spice 250 ER will incorporate a miniature turbojet engine with an internal JP-8/10 fuel system, providing the weapon a range of at least 150 km, while retaining the same mission-planning system, aircraft interfaces and air crew operation.
Feb 03, 2021
Rajnath Singh Inaugurates New Tejas LCA Production Line in Bengaluru
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the second Light Combat Aircraft- LCA production line of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
During his address at the inauguration, the Union Minister emphasized that India cannot remain dependent on other nations for defending its borders. He also assured that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited- HAL will be getting new orders in the future.
The Defence Minister also added that despite the pandemic, HAL received orders of Rs. 48,000 crores from the armed forces making it the biggest procurement in terms of indigenous defence procurement which will provide new heights to the Indian aerospace sector.
The new facility will help Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to produce 16 LCA's annually and the orders will also help in generating 5,000 primary and secondary jobs across the country.