Defence Ministry clears Rs 423 crore deal for MK-54 torpedoes
The Navy will strengthen its anti-submarine capability, with the Defence Ministry signing a contract with the US Government for the procurement of MK-54 Torpedo and expendable (shaff and flares) at a cost of Rs 423 crore.
In April, the US Department of State had approved this
Foreign Military Sale to India at an estimated cost of $63 million. The Navy
will further augment its capabilities with another deal of 10 AGM-84L Harpoon
Block Two air launched missiles and related equipment at an estimated cost of $92
million.
India plans to use the equipment requested in both the deals
on the Indian Navy’s Boeing P8I maritime aircraft. The MK-54 lightweight
torpedoes are used by US surface ships, fixed wing aircraft and helicopters,
and Submarines are their primary anti-submarine warfare weapon. The US has said
this sale will be an important force for political stability, peace, and
economic progress in the Indo Pacific and South Asia region.
18 Tejas Trainers to be Final Operational Clearance FOC Standard,
IFR + BVR Missiles included
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will start the process of
manufacturing the first 4 Tejas Trainer jets from the Third quarter.
18 Tejas Trainer jets ordered by IAF will be of FOC Standard
that will see the inclusion of the mid-air refueling probe for the very first
time and also includes Astra and Derby BVR missiles so that it also makes them
combat capable.
The FOC Standard Tejas Trainer now will also be cleared with
an additional tank with 725 liter capacity installed in the central line, just
at the center of the fuselage. Tejas Trainer will also be cleared to carry two
fixed tanks of 1,200 and 800 litre capacity that will allow it to fly for
longer missions without worrying much about the fuel.
With 10 more Tejas Trainer ordered this year it was decided
all 18 will be manufactured in the same FOC Standard after the conclusion of
deliveries of the 16 FOC Standard Single seater jets next year.
Raksha Mantri shown components meant for AMCA Program
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh while at the inaugural session of
IAF Conclave in Bengaluru was showcased a set of actuators, stabilizers, air
brake servo control modules that were designed and developed for India’s 5.5 Generation
AMCA jet Program.
Aeronautical Development Establishment along with Hindustan
Aeronautics Limited has started manufacturing components like actuators,
landing gear, brakes for the first Technological Demonstrator aircraft that
will be rolled out in 2024.
Aeronautical Development Agency already has developed a
special coating for the Glass cockpit section to reduce its radar reflection
and also confirmed that the Internal weapons bay design has been finalised too
and most of the technologies have been developed.
A full scale 1:1 model of AMCA for Radar testing and
measurement will be sent to the Outdoor RCS Test Facility, “ORANGE”, at
Dundigal and Kautilya Advanced Research Centre at RCI, Hyderabad later this
year. Aeronautical Development Agency simultaneously is also working on Cockpit
and other modules that will go in the aircraft.
‘Abhyas’: DRDO Successfully Tests New High speed Expendable
Aerial Target In Odisha
Strengthening India’s defense capabilities, DRDO successfully
test fired the High-speed Expendable
Aerial Target (HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur off the coast
of the Bay of Bengal in Odisha.
The missile was fired from a ground-based controller in a pre-designated
flight path at subsonic speed. The missile provides a significant advantage as
it can be used as an aerial target for the evaluation of various missile
systems. Moreover, the weapon’s low altitude flight capability with a radio
altimeter in the loop was also demonstrated. Besides, the InfraRed flares were
ignited from the ground station during the test flight.
This marks a significant achievement on the day when Defense
Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Aeronautical Development Establishment in
Bengaluru today. The DRDO in their tweet informed that he inspected various
defence products and platforms developed by DRDO and congratulated the DRDO scientist
for the successful development of various defence products & platforms.
Indian Army displays Pinaka, Smerch multiple rocket launcher
systems in Assam
Amid an ongoing standoff with China at the Line of Actual
Control in eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army on Friday displayed Pinaka and
Smerch multiple rocket launcher systems in Assam.
These systems ensure the delivery of a very high volume of
firepower in a short span. Pinaka and Smerch multi rocket launcher systems are
designed to fire a variety of ammunition.
Quick reaction time and higher accuracy of these systems
ensure delivery of very high volume of firepower on critical and time sensitive
enemies in a short time.
Pinaka is a multibarrel rocket launch system. It has been
developed by the DRDO. The system integrates state of the art technologies for
delivering superior combat performance.
An advanced version of the DRDO developed Pinaka rocket was
successfully flight tested from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast
of Odisha, November 4, 2020.
On the other hand, the Smerch is a 300mm rocket with a range
of 90km. The Smerch launcher is a very potent weapon in the arsenal of the
Indian artillery. It can fire up to the range of 90km. It can fire 12 rockets
in 40 seconds.
