Indian Navy Signs Agreement for Autonomous Armed Boat Swarms under SPRINT Initiative
The Indian Navy inked an agreement with Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt. Ltd for acquiring armed autonomous boat swarms under the 'SPRINT' initiative, which aims to promote development and usage of indigenous defence technologies by domestic companies. The task of development of this technology is one of the 75 challenges that were introduced by the Indian Navy under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav last year (2022).
This is the 50th contract that was signed under 'SPRINT'.
Sagar Defence Engineering has the know-how to create the nation's first armed autonomous unmanned boat with swarming capabilities.
Jan 07, 2023
India Deploys Platoon of Women Peacekeepers in UN mission in Abyei
India, among the largest troop-contributing countries to United Nations peacekeeping, deployed a platoon of women peacekeepers in Abyei.
The move heralded India's intent of increasing significantly the number of women in peacekeeping contingents.
This is be India's largest single unit of women Peacekeepers in a UN Mission since India deployed the first-ever all-women's contingent in Liberia in 2007.
The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 other ranks, forms part of an engagement platoon and specialise in community outreach and performing extensive security-related tasks as well.
Jan 06, 2023
Army to Have Satellite-based System to Monitor and Control Troop Movements in Remote Areas
The Indian Army, which has its elements deployed in multifarious and often difficult terrain, is developing satellite-based systems to track and monitor troop movements and facilities in remote areas.
Thousands of troops and scores of army convoys move each day for operational, logistic and administrative purposes across the length and breadth of the country, while many military facilities are located in areas where communication is a challenge. The systems, with embedded artificial intelligence, will assist in effective monitoring and quick decision-making during contingencies.
The project to develop the systems has been placed in the 8th edition of the Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC) that was issued in December 2022. DISC is an initiative of the Ministry of Defence for supporting start-ups MSMEs and innovators to create prototypes and commercialise products and solutions in the area of national defence and security.
Jan 05, 2023
General Atomics Partners with Bharat Forge to Manufacture Aerostructures in India
San Diego-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI), a subsidiary of General Atomics, announced its partnership with Bharat Forge Ltd. The move is expected to result in significant capability-building for both companies and provide an impetus to the Indian large, unmanned aircraft industry.
It will also help India develop a manufacturing ecosystem for high-end drones. The move will provide India with an opportunity to manufacture main landing gear components, subassemblies, and assemblies of remotely piloted aircraft in the country.
Jan 04, 2023
Captain Shiva Chouhan First Woman Officer to be Deployed at Siachen Glacier
Captain Shiva Chouhan became the first woman officer of the Indian Army to get operationally deployed at Siachen Glacier, the world's highest battlefield.
Hailing from Rajasthan, Captain Chouhan is an Engineer Officer from the Bengal Sappers. She is posted at the "Kumar Post" at an altitude of 15,632 feet where night temperatures are close to -25°C. The Kumar Post on Siachen Glacier is named after Col Narendra (Bull) Kumar, the noted Army mountaineer who led the first expedition to Siachen before India launched Operation Meghdoot in April 1984 to capture the glacier.
IIT-M and DRDO Collaborate to Develop Defence Technology
Strengthening India's Atmanirbhar resolve, premiere tech institute IIT Madras took over a research centre and converted it into a Centre of Excellence (CoE). Operated jointly by IIT-Madras and Defence Research and Development Organization, the CoE, called 'DRDO Industry Academia- Ramanujan Centre of Excellence' (DIA-RCoE) is catering to the defence and security needs of the country.
The DIA-RCoE has been established to carry out targeted research in cutting-edge technologies for defence and security and to establish a premier research facility for the development of cutting-edge technologies. Both DRDO and IIT Madras are working together on Advanced Defence Technologies including Combat Vehicle Technologies.