TEDBF Vs Naval AMCA: IAF has some suggestions for Navy

IAF Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria who is set to retire by September end, in a meeting with his counterpart, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh recently suggested that the Navy should back the development of Naval AMCA which is the fifth-generation deck based fighter jet variant over the now proposed TEDBF concept.

In 2016 after flexibility studies it was settled that the Navy will instead go for clean slate 4.5 generation TEDBF program instead of going for the development of deck based variant of the AMCA.

Lack of mature technologies were the reasons why TEDBF was proposed. Navy also had cited a highly compromised payload capacity of the jet that in order to maintain its low radar cross section and low clearance of the internal carriage as one of the few reasons why plans to develop a AMCA variant for Navy was dropped.

But Now Navy has decided to back the development of the LCA Mk2 and AMCA Mk1 and Mk2 Program to replace major chuck of the present 4.5 Generation fighter jets of its fleet from 2030 onwards.

India Issues RFI For The Procurement Of Four LPD Amphibious Vessels

The Indian Ministry of Defence issued a request for information intending to procure four Landing Platform Docks LPDs for the Indian Navy.

The LPDs will feature a crew of 540 sailors with a capacity to embark 900 troops. Ships should be up to 200 meters long, and a cruising speed of 14 to 16 knots. The range should reach 10,000 nautical miles at economical speed. The ships are to be provided with an Electric Propulsion System.

In terms of weapons, the LPDs should be equipped with 32 Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile and 16 anti-ship missiles. In terms of guns, the RFI calls for the capacity to embark 4 x AK 630 CIWS with electro optical fire control system, 6 HMGs with stabilized gun control stations, directed energy weapon and 8 medium machine guns. The sensor suite will consist in one E/F Band combined air and surface surveillance one EO/IRST.

The ship should have a deck and be capable of accommodating at least two heavy lift helicopters, 12 Special Operations Helicopters and Naval Ship born Unmanned Aerial System.

Rosoboronexport invited to bid in Indian submarine tender

Rosoboron export has received a request for proposal in the context of the P75i project for the supply of submarines to the Indian Navy.

A tender for the construction of six Project 75i submarines with the air independent propulsion AIP plant was announced on 20 July 2021. The tender is held in the Strategic Partnership format. Mazagaon Dock Shipbuilders and Larsen & Toubro participate in it as strategic partners from the Indian side.

Rosoboronexport has received the relevant requests for proposal from these companies, which are now considered, the total project cost is estimated at about $7 billion. Foreign manufacturers will collaborate with Indian partners within the framework of the Make in India Program and on technology transfer conditions.

India seeks clarity from US on price, technology transfer before finalising $3 billion Predator drone deal

India has sought “more clarity” from the United States about the armed MQ-9B Predator drones before finalising the deal. India plans to buy 30 armed drones, which are designed for long range precision strikes against hostile targets on land and sea, from the US.

New Delhi has now sought to know more about the price fixation, maintenance and transfer of technology in the proposed $3 billion around Rs 22,000 crore deal to acquire these drones.

The Indian government finalised the plan to acquire these 30 drones, also known as SeaGuardian or SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft systems to strengthen its long range unmanned lethal capabilities. The Army, Navy and Indian Air Force are to get 10 drones each, with different payloads to hunt and destroy targets over land and sea.

Japan’s F-X ‘Godzilla’ fighter is taking shape

Godzilla is coming. No, we’re not kidding. Godzilla is indeed coming to Japan. It is, in fact, the nickname for the homegrown Mitsubishi F-X sixth generation fighter jet being domestically developed at a projected cost of around 5 trillion yen (about US $48 billion).

F-X will come with electronically actuated control surfaces. To maintain a low radar profile, space will be tight inside the airframe, Advanced technologies include remote drone control capabilities, a VR style helmet mounted display, a radar that can double as a microwave weapon to fry enemy missiles and serpentine air intakes to help further reduce its radar cross section and heat signature.

The F-X will likely also come with heat shields and likely be made of composite materials and will have an advanced Fx 9-1 engine.