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DRDO boosts private sector with 7 new defence projects

The Indigenous development of these technologies will strengthen the military-industrial ecosystem…reports Asian Lite News

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has awarded seven new projects to industries under the Technology Development Fund scheme for various requirements of the Armed Forces and aerospace and defence sectors.

These project sanctions are a testimony to the continuing endeavour of DRDO in nurturing Industries, especially MSMEs and start-ups, in the defence and aerospace domains.

The Indigenous development of these technologies will strengthen the military-industrial ecosystem.

The Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit project involves the development of an indigenous toolkit for simulator training of pilots in realistic scenarios.

This will help in full mission planning and large-force engagement. The project has been awarded to start-up, Oxygen 2 Innovation Pvt Ltd, Noida.

The Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle project relates to versatile marine battlefield accessories that can be deployed in multiple combat roles.

The objective is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The project has been awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd Pune.

Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles for Detection and Neutralisation Vehicles are dual-use systems that will enable the detection, classification, localisation and neutralisation of underwater objects while keeping the key assets away from the suspected operational area.

The project has been awarded to a start-up, IROV Technologies Pvt Limited, Kochi.

The development of the Ice Detection Sensor for Aircraft project aims to detect icing conditions inflight, caused by supercooled water droplets that freeze after their impact against the aircraft’s external surfaces and are utilised by the aircraft for turning on the aircraft Anti-icing mechanism. It has been awarded to Craftlogic Labs Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru.

The development of a Radar Signal Processor with an Active Antenna Array Simulator project will enable the deployment of multiple target systems for test and evaluation of multiple short-range aerial weapon systems.

It serves as the basic building block for larger radar systems. The project has been sanctioned to Data Pattern (India) Limited, Chennai.

Development of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based Timing Acquisition and Dissemination System project has been sanctioned to Accord Software and Systems Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru.

It aims to enable the indigenisation of timing acquisition and dissemination system, the use of Indian Constellation for acquiring time and the development of a customised and flexible timing system as per range requirements.

Development of Graphene-Based Smart and E-textiles for Multifunctional Wearable Applications The start-up, Alohatech Private Limited, Coimbatore has been sanctioned the project.

It will develop conductive yarn and fabric-making processes using graphene nanomaterials and conductive inks. The outcome will be advanced nanocomposite materials-based E-textiles utilising the inherent advantages for practical clothing applications. (ANI)

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DRDO, Indian firms showcase India-made weapons, tech in Paris

A large number of Indian companies are taking part in the show with the DRDO showcasing 11 major defence technologies and products…reports Asian Lite News

Indian defence sector firms from both public and private sectors are participating in the EUROSATORY 2024 defence show in France.

The exhibition is showcasing Indian products like the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system and the LCA Tejas fighter aircraft.

The India pavilion at the show was inaugurated on Monday, June 17 by Indian Ambassador to France Jawed Ashraf.

Bharat Electronics Limited Directors Manoj Jain and K V Suresh Kumar, Brig Zubin Bhatnagar, Defence Attache of India to France, and senior Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials were present on the occasion, Bharat Electronics Limited officials said.

A large number of Indian companies are taking part in the show with the DRDO showcasing 11 major defence technologies and products.

One of the prime attractions from the Indian side is the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system which has already been exported by India to a friendly foreign country.

The DRDO is also showcasing its Airborne Early Warning and Control System, LCA Tejas, Astra beyond visual range missiles and the highly successful Akash air defence system.

The Arjun main battle tank and the Wheeled Armoured Platform along with the Varunastra heavy-weight torpedo are also on showcase.

A large number of Indian private sector companies like Nibe Defence, Bharat Forge among other small and medium enterprises are also participating in the show.

Eurosatory-2024 is being held in Paris, France and is one of the largest defence shows in Europe.

The show is taking place at a time when almost all the countries in that region are looking to expand their defence spending in view of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. (ANI)

ALSO READ-DRDO Launches Indigenous Assault Rifle ‘Ugram’

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DRDO Launches Indigenous Assault Rifle ‘Ugram’

The rifle, with a calibre of 7.62 x 51 mm, has been designed, developed, and manufactured in collaboration with a private industry partner…reports Asian Lite News

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has launched an indigenous assault rifle named ‘Ugram’, intended to meet the operational requirements of armed forces, paramilitary, and state police entities.

The rifle, with a calibre of 7.62 x 51 mm, has been designed, developed, and manufactured in collaboration with a private industry partner.

The first operational prototype of the rifle was unveiled at the DRDO’s Armament and Combat Engineering Systems in Pune. It has an effective range of 500 metres and weighs less than four kilograms.

In a press statement from the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), it was said “The Aarmament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) developed 7.62x51mm Assault rifle UGRAM through private industry was launched by Dr S V Gade, Director General (Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster) in the presence of A Raju, Director (ARDE), other senior scientists of the lab and industrial representatives.”

“This weapon is designed to meet the Army GSQR requirements of weight less than 4kg criteria. Special care is taken to ensure reliable functioning with the in-service ammunition. Steel construction of all critical components also ensures ruggedness and intuitive operations. Prototypes were demonstrated to various senior officers from the Army and MHA. The weapons received from the firm will be subjected to stringent trials by an independent expert committee before fielding to user trials,” it added.

The statement further stated that Barrel Manufacturing Facilities for Small Arms is established at Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), a premier laboratory of DRDO, was inaugurated and dedicated to the nation by Dr. S V Gade, Director General (Armament & Combat Engineering Cluster) in the presence of A Raju, Director (ARDE) and other senior scientists of the lab.

The facility is a state-of-the-art setup for manufacturing small arms barrels which are aligned with the project objective to become a nodal centre for barrel manufacturing in the country and to extend the facilities to the private firms.

The Director General stated that the facility will be a technology hub for the design, development and manufacturing of futuristic infantry weapon systems by DRDO. (ANI)

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India, France to co-develop combat aircraft engine

A roadmap on this project will be prepared between French company Safran and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before the end of this year, reports Asian Lite News

In a significant decision, India and France on Friday decided to extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine.

A roadmap on this project will be prepared between French company Safran and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) before the end of this year. They also decided to support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with Safran Helicopter Engine.

The announcement was made after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The two leaders adopted ‘Horizon 2047: 25th Anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, Towards A Century of India-France Relations’.

The statement on partnership for security and sovereignty talked about building sovereign defence capabilities together.

It said that France is one of India’s key partners in the development of a self-reliant defence industrial and technological base.

“India and France are committed to cooperating in the co-development and co-production of advanced defence technologies, including for the benefit of third countries,” it said.

“In line with their outstanding cooperation in military aviation spanning over five decades, India and France welcome the timely delivery of the 36 Rafale ordered by India. In the future, India and France will extend their ground-breaking defence cooperation in advanced aeronautical technologies by supporting the joint development of a combat aircraft engine. (A roadmap on this project will be prepared[TT1] [P2] between Safran and DRDO before the end of this year.) They also support industrial cooperation for motorization of heavy-lift helicopters under the Indian Multi Role Helicopter [IMRH] programme with Safran Helicopter Engine, France,” the statement said.

It said that to enable progress on the IMRH programme, a Shareholders’ Agreement between Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India and Safran Helicopter Engine, France has been concluded for engine development.

“These ventures are in line with the spirit of trust that prevails between India and France in the sharing and joint development of critical components and technology building blocks, based on the successful Indo-French experience in technology transfer,” it said.

India had been in an advanced stage of discussions with French firms for co-developing engines for fifth-generation fighter and IMRH being developed by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.

Discussions with the French firms have going on for co-developing high powered engines for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) being designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation, government sources had told ANI.

The Indian aerospace public sector unit Hindustan Aeronautics Limited had also been in talks with French firms for the co-development of an engine for the Indian multirole helicopter being developed by HAL for multiple roles in the above 12-tonne class.

Models of India’s futuristic indigenous aircraft including 5th Generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, LCA Mark 2 and naval Twin Engine Deck-based fighter jet showcased at the India Pavilion at this Aero India, in Bengaluru on Sunday. (ANI Photo)

The negotiations between the DRDO and French engine maker Safran had been “progressing well” where the deal would be for stronger engines for both the planned versions of the indigenous AMCA aircraft.

The specifications of the AMCA are planned in a way that they would require very strong engines.

The Horizon 2047 statement said that India and France are long-standing strategic partners in the Indo-Pacific.

“Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1947, and the upgrading of the partnership to the strategic level in 1998, our two countries have consistently acted together, building on a high level of mutual trust, shared commitment to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter and common values rooted in international law,” it said.

“To mark the 25th anniversary of the Indo-French partnership, both countries agree to adopt a roadmap to set the course for the bilateral relationship up to 2047, which will celebrate the centenary of India’s independence, the centenary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries and 50 years of the strategic partnership.”

The statement said India and France intend to work together in the interest of international peace and stability and reaffirm their commitment to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.

“They agree to work within the framework of a partnership between equals, in consonance with their respective sovereign and strategic interests, as they have done since 1998. In order to further deepen this Strategic Partnership, and in keeping with universal values of liberty, equality, democracy and the rule of law, India and France have decided to strengthen cooperation in the sectors of the future, so as to reinforce their sovereignty and decision-making autonomy, and to respond together to the major challenges confronting our planet, including through the cooperation between India and the European Union.” (ANI)

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DRDO lab’s tech arsenal expands with GE alliance

The deal may be announced during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in the coming week…reports Asian Lite News

Gas Turbine Research Establishment– a DRDO lab involved in the development of indigenous engines– would be part of the proposed deal with American GE for manufacturing jet engines in India, which would help them gain expertise in the field, government officials said.

The officials said the American firm in an “unprecedented move” is sharing manufacturing technology for engines which is 80 per cent by cost. GTRE is a Defence Research and Development Organisation laboratory based in Bengaluru and has developed the Kaveri engine which was supposed to originally power the LCA Tejas aircraft variants.

Due to delays in the project, India has been forced to go for the GE-404 engines for the initial 113 LCA aircraft and GE-414s for the LCA Mark 2 and the fifth generation planes planned to be produced in India.

Government officials said, subsequently the percentage of the Transfer of Technologies (ToT) is expected to increase further.

With this Transfer of Technology, the parts will be made in the country and GTRE will be receiving all the know-how including that of processes and coatings for the crystal blades etc will be transferred.

Officials said the proposed ToT is unprecedented and GE has not transferred this level of ToT even to their NATO allies.

India has plans of going in for another bigger jet aircraft engine to power its futuristic versions of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft for which it has been in talks with the French side.

However, the present status of the talks between the two sides on the matter is not clear.

The deal may be announced during PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the US in the coming week.

Last month, Secretary Department of Defence R-D and Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Samir V Kamat assured all possible support to make India a net defence exporter.

Secretary Department of Defence R-D and Chairman DRDO chaired the open brainstorming session ‘Chintan’ on May 27, in which more than 180 industries participated. DRDO Chairman assured the industry that DRDO will extend all possible support to them and will play the role of a mentor in building their capabilities to make India a net defence exporter, the Ministry of Defence stated.

The DRDO Chairman emphasised the need to undertake such initiatives on a regular basis as these events provide a renewed impetus to boost the Indian defence manufacturing sector to achieve complete self-reliance, it stated. (ANI)

ALSO READ-DRDO, Indian Navy conduct successful trial of BMD Interceptor

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DRDO, Indian Navy conduct successful trial of BMD Interceptor

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and Industry involved in successful demonstration…reports Asian Lite News

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy on Friday successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of a sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal.

The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into the elite club of Nations having Naval BMD capability, a Defence Ministry release said. Prior to this, DRDO successfully demonstrated land-based BMD system with the capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats, emerging from adversaries.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO, Indian Navy and Industry involved in successful demonstration of ship based Ballistic Missile defence capabilities.

Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO Samir V Kamat complimented the teams involved in the design and development of the missile.

He said that the nation has achieved self-reliance in developing highly-complex network-centric anti-ballistic missile systems. (ANI)

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DRDO launches testing, evaluation facility for Sonar Systems  

DRDO office Defence Research and Development Organisation. (Credit : Handout)

This will be mainly utilised for evaluating sonar systems, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers…reports Asian Lite News

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) launched Hull Module of Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterization & Evaluation (SPACE) facility at Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) Kochi.

The move is aimed at giving impetus to the ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ and India’s ‘Make in India’ commitment. It is a state-of-the-art testing and evaluation facility for sonar systems developed for use by the Indian Navy on board various platforms, including ships, submarines and helicopters.

The SPACE facility is based on the concept design and requirements projected by NPOL and has been constructed by L&T Shipbuilding, Chennai.

This will be mainly utilized for evaluating sonar systems, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers.

The Ministry of Defence in a statement on Monday said that the SPACE is one-of-a-kind facility in the world. The uniqueness of this facility lies in the specially designed submersible platform, which can be lowered up to depths of 100 meters using a series of synchronously operated winches.

The design and construction of the platform meet all the statutory needs of Indian Register of Shipping and the vessel classifying authority and strictly adhere to the inspection and registration criteria as per Kerala Inland Vessel Rules.

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DRDO finalises design for new missile to counter China’s arsenal

China has built an arsenal of conventional land-based missiles with its 4,000 km range Dong Feng 26 that can target even an American air force base in the US territory of Guam in the Indo-Pacific…reports Asian Lite News

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has finalised the design for a 1,500-kilometer range conventionally armed ballistic missile with an anti-ship variant to counter the threat from China’s rapidly expanding missile arsenal.

The DRDO is now awaiting the go-ahead from the Narendra Modi government to move to the development stage of the still unnamed conventionally armed missile which aims to counter China’s land-based threat from across the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Yunnan provinces as well as deter any ship-based threat in the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Arabian Sea.

While India has an arsenal of nuclear cruise and ballistic missiles to tackle threats from land and sea it does not have any conventional ballistic missile for this role.

The missile will not only deter any carrier-based strike group from threatening India from the Indian Ocean but also provide land-based protection to its own aircraft carriers in the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea through coastal deployment, the Hindustan Times report states.

With Chinese aircraft carriers expected to enter the Indian Ocean area by 2025 in accordance with President Xi Jinping’s ambition to make the country a global superpower, India needs a conventional intermediate-range ballistic missile to target any sea-based threat to the country ‘s over 7,000-kilometer coastline and island territories. The missile will give the Indian Navy more muscle in addition to the existing submarine based conventional ballistic missile like BA-02 with a range of over 700 km.

China has built an arsenal of conventional land-based missiles with its 4,000 km range Dong Feng 26 that can target even an American air force base in the US territory of Guam in the Indo-Pacific.

China also has an anti-ship conventional missile DF 21 D with a range of 1550 km which the country’s media claims as having the capability to take on US Navy aircraft carriers conducting freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea.

ALSO READ-DRDO test fires Army’s surface to air missile

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DRDO test fires Army’s surface to air missile

The flight tests were carried out as part of the live firing trials against high-speed aerial targets….reports Asian Lite News

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful flight tests of the Indian Army version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on Sunday.

As per a press release from the Ministry of Defence, the flight tests were carried out as part of the live firing trials against high-speed aerial targets. The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them completely, registering direct hits at both ranges. The first launch was to intercept a medium-altitude long-range target and the second launch was for proving the capability of a low altitude short-range target.

This MRSAM version is a Surface-to-Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel for use by the Indian Army. The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises multi-function radar, mobile launcher system and other vehicles. The flight tests were carried out with the weapon system in deliverable configuration.

“The performance of the weapon system was validated through the flight data captured by range instruments like radars, electro-optical tracking systems and telemetry deployed by ITR, Chandipur. The flight tests were carried out in the presence of senior officials from DRDO and Indian Army,” added the release from the ministry.

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has congratulated DRDO, Indian Army and industry for the successful flight tests of MRSAM-Army. He said, both the successful tests establish the capability of the weapon system in intercepting targets at critical ranges.

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy complimented the teams involved in the successful flight trial of the Army version of MRSAM and stated that these tests are the major milestones for an ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India). (ANI)

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India tests upgraded Pinaka rocket system at Pokhran range

The Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER) is the upgraded version of earlier Pinaka version which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade, reports Asian Lite News

India successfully tested multi barrel rocket launcher system with extended range at Pokharan range, on Saturday.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in a statement said that successful tests of Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER), Area Denial Munitions (ADM) and indigenously developed fuzes have been carried out at various test ranges.

The system is jointly designed by laboratories of DRDO – Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

The DRDO, after establishing the performance efficacy of the enhanced range Pinaka, transferred the technology of the system to the industry.

The Industry Partner has manufactured enhanced Pinaka Mk-1 rockets with DRDO’s hand holding during the production and Quality Assurance.

In continuation of the Transfer of Technology absorption, rockets developed by the industry have undergone the performance evaluation and quality certification process.

The hand holding during the production, quality assurance and launch coordination for bulk production is being provided by the DRDO design team and quality assurance agencies nominated for the system.

The DRDO, along with the Army, conducted series of performance evaluation trials of these industry produced rockets at Field Firing Ranges in the last three days. In these trials, enhanced range Pinaka rockets were test fired at different ranges with various warhead capabilities.

All the trial objectives were met satisfactorily. A total of 24 rockets were fired for different ranges and warhead capabilities to meet the objectives of accuracy and consistency.

With this, the initial phase of technology absorption of Pinaka-ER by the Industry Partner has successfully been completed making the Industry Partner ready for series production of the rocket system.

The Pinaka-ER is the upgraded version of earlier Pinaka version which has been in service with the Indian Army for the last decade.

The system has been designed in the light of emerging requirements with advanced technologies enhancing the range.

Pinaka

The Area Denial Munition (ADM) variants of munition designed by the ARDE, Pune for Pinaka and manufactured by the industry partners under technology transfer were successfully carried out at Pokhran Field Firing Ranges. These trials are part of performance evaluation under technology absorption.

The indigenously-developed proximity fuzes for Pinaka rockets have also been tested. The ARDE, Pune has developed different fuzes for Pinaka rocket for different types of applications. After design validation trials, dynamic performance evaluation of these fuzes have been evaluated with flight testing. Consistency in performance of fuzes has been established in consecutive flight trials.

These have been developed through dedicated indigenous Research and Development efforts for the first time in the country. These indigenously developed fuzes will replace the imported fuzes and save foreign exchange.

The ARDE has also designed miniaturised fuzes for ADMs. Performance of dual-purpose Direct-Action Self Destruction (DASD) and Anti-Tank Munition (ATM) fuzes were evaluated during the current flight trials and the results were satisfactory. All the mission objectives were successfully in all the above trials.