Brahmos Facility UP, FA-50 vs Tejas for Malaysia, IAC-3 by 2045, Fatah-1 Test, Russian Stealth Frigate Delivery By Mid-2023

Russia to deliver first stealth frigate by mid-2023

The first of two additional Krivak class stealth frigates being built by Russia is expected to be delivered to India in the middle of 2023, according to the head of United Shipbuilding Corporation of Russia.

Due to Pandemic situation Russia had delays in execution of some of the stages of construction. There was an approximately eight month delay. The first ship should be delivered in the middle of 2023.

In October 2016, India and Russia signed an Inter Governmental Agreement for four Krivak or Talwar class stealth frigates, two to be procured directly from Russia and two to be built by the Goa Shipyard Limited after which a $1 billion deal was signed for the direct purchase.

Pakistan conducts test of Chinese A200 rocket systems calls it ‘indigenously developed’ Fatah-1 guided MLRS

Pakistan Army on Tuesday conducted a successful test of indigenously developed “Fatah-1” guided Multi Launch Rocket System (MLRS).

The extended range rocket system was capable of delivering a conventional warhead. The weapon system will give Pakistan Army capability of precision target engagement deep in enemy territory.

The guided MLRS was primarily developed to hit targets without leaving behind unexploded ordnance. The extended range guided MLRS is a developed variant of the guided MLRS family, usually with an extended range of up to 150 kilometer.

The development of a conventional system by Pakistan seems to be a response to the Indian focus on the development of its conventional capabilities, besides improving response options to India’s Cold Start Doctrine.

FA-50 or Tejas could emerge winner in Malaysia

India’s LCA-Tejas, produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, and the FA-50 Golden Eagle, made by South Korea’s Korea Aerospace Industries. one of the two could likely emerge as a winner to the tender floated by the Royal Malaysian Air Force to fulfill a light combat aircraft requirement, which already got a response from 7 other contenders.

General Electric F404 engine used in the FA-50 Golden Eagle and LCA-Tejas gives its clear advantage over the Chinese-Pakistan offer of the JF-17 that is powered by a Russian Klimov RD-93 engine that due to serviceability issues with the related engine of Malaysia’s MiG-29s won’t be preferred.

FA-50 Golden Eagle has an edge over LCA-Tejas due to non-Israeli components that will be an issue unless India will be ready to offer local system for the Royal Malaysian Air Force since Malaysia doesn’t have an official diplomatic relationship with Israel.

Recently RMAF scrambled its Hawk 208s in response to what it considers to be an incursion of Malaysian airspace by 16 PLAAF aircraft. since then chances of JF-17 winning a Malaysian contract have fallen considerably and FA-50 Golden Eagle seems to be in the driver seat while HAL Chief recently claimed that LCA-Tejas has good chances at export order from Malaysia.

Why Nuclear IAC-III should be considered at this stage by the Indian Navy?

INS Vikrant, India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 ( IAC-1 ) recently completed its first leg of sea trials while it plans to accomplish 5 more before it is cleared for induction next year in 2022 but already Tongues were wagging about India going for the development of a 65000 tons IAC-2, that due to budgetary concerns has been put on hold but Navy is planning to raise funds for the projects from its budget that might see the induction of sister ship of INS Vikrant that might become IAC-2.

India has made no plans for Super Aircraft Carrier which are usually classified when they cross or are close to 1,00,000 tons in its displacements and usually requires nuclear propulsion to power such a mega warship but if it plans to have one in 2040, it needs to start investing in the technology that will be required for the construction of the such a mega warship in our dry docks.

As per an estimate, India will need a third aircraft carrier by 2040-45 to replace its aging INS Vikramaditya. Budget allocation for the IAC-2 at this stage will decide if the Navy will have funds to develop and manufacture an IAC-3 that will be a super aircraft carrier powered by nuclear propulsion.

BrahMos Aerospace proposes facility in Lucknow for BrahMos-NG project

BrahMos Aerospace has proposed to set up a state-of-the-art production facility in the Lucknow node of UP’s Defence Corridor for its next generation missile project.

The facility comes under the aerospace firm’s expansion for the BrahMos Next Generation (BrahMos-NG) Missile project. The establishment of the facility will make UP an aerospace and defence hub of India as it will bring in niche technologies.

It will also put Lucknow prominently on the world map as a manufacturing hub for top notch technologies.

The plant would come up with an approximate investment of 300 crore and provide direct employment to 500 engineers and technical staff. Besides, around 10,000 people will get indirect employment.

In three years, the plant will have the capacity to manufacture 100 BrahMos missiles.