Indian Defense
First Unit of Indian Space Station Can Be Up In Just 5 Years; Lunar Roadmap By 2047 Says ISRO Chief Somanath
![First Unit of Indian Space Station Can Be Up In Just 5 Years; Lunar Roadmap By 2047 Says ISRO Chief Somanath First Unit of Indian Space Station Can Be Up In Just 5 Years; Lunar Roadmap By 2047 Says ISRO Chief Somanath](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaWTzhKE7xywl68poAT4QzY9SO91FbmhHGGlIX_Bus81lyRTmYFiONhbzW2_-Lkit6Zf_7aFojLGuMBLCjuKGFM2X3Umg7sbSCE1RInnP_rJThuKjA1o10NGx9n_rAsX-TPFmTtZnVub48RJ3Qp0oh8Emtg2g3DlUeKr8r4zyFtVbyOTXRUD7t7lJyyGw/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Indian_Space_Station_3.jpg)
A simulation of the proposed Indian Space Station in earth’s orbit
Bangalore: Just weeks after the PMO made India’s space roadmap public in October, ISRO appears confident of building the first unit of the space station in just five years. In fact, ISRO, whose roadmap for 2047 — 100 years of Indian Independence — has multiple lunar missions planned, is also planning to eventually offer Moon tourism.
A space station and the technologies ISRO would have realised to make it a reality will serve the space agency well in implementing human mission to Moon, while Gaganyaan, which is being implemented in phases, will also give ISRO a host of new technologies.
Earlier, initial plans show that ISRO is looking to build a space station — at an altitude of 120 km to 140 km — that can hold at least three astronauts in space for a period of time. These plans are subject to change.
If the first unit is ready by 2028 as Somanath has anticipated, India should be able to build the whole station as per the 2035 target announced by the PMO with a margin of a year or two.
NGLV Key For Station
“…We are very clear that the first unit will be achievable by 2028 as it is possible to do that using our current launch vehicle. Subsequently, we’ll need a bigger launch vehicle, the NGLV (Next Generation launch vehicle). We are hopeful that the NGLV will be ready around 2034-35. This is crucial to build the full station,” Somanath said.
A big team from ISRO is already working on the proposed NGLV, whose architecture has been finalised. The team has even submitted a preliminary report which elaborates on what the rocket should look like — the technological input, approaches to be followed, where it should be done, what kind of manufacturing, etc,.
Somanath had said earlier that ISRO wants it to be at least partially (the boosters) reusable, use new generation propulsion, have cryogenic propulsion in case ISRO needs to improve payload and it must be manufacturable using the materials currently available in India.
Further, as per ISRO plans made public by Somanath, the space agency’s roadmap for 2047 is dominated by several lunar missions, divided into three major phases: “Technology build up phase (2023-28), lunar reach-out phase (2028-40) and lunar base phase (2040-47)”. This journey would be punctuated by several other missions like development of a newer rockets, human-rating of the same, building of the space station and more.
While work on Chandrayaan-4, a sample return mission, is already afoot, ISRO has plans of launching Chandrayaan-5, 6 and 7 in the ‘lunar reach-out phase’. “There will be several uncrewed lunar missions before we attempt the human mission to Moon,” Somanath said.
In Chandrayaan-5, ISRO hopes for a long term mission that employs radioisotope heater units (RHUs) — small devices that can provide heat through radioactive decay — and other technologies to manage the extreme temperature variations on Moon. By Chandrayaan-6, the plans are to look at building habitats while the follow-up Chandrayaan-7 would look at scaling up infrastructure building on Moon.
None of these missions are final or approved by the government as on date. But going by how aggressive Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been on using Space, ISRO is expected to get the required backing at least at present.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
![INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’ INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZma1qWeuxixzWQNFcr4E4SAi5H75pCMZo9JakaQJiVRexORL1lXrVoTdk5qG1ZDkW-5fVJWE_6fplkC26hngBLsrFykHim9DHPap9wRCkdY_N749Uwptd47uWs05vhF6gG2R0rXxDyTUddYLuUH9busYEaBLNDmJXJB8Izz9Z5EOpYw7OAPC62TlOJLY/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Missile.jpg)
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
![](https://i0.wp.com/blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj19SGuw5MDtceMDoa0iWWc6lzi_A9iQxNxQL85xBe_cjW19y1MJH_m0JQ6re1ywjpNTyBFKdBQ1cjAHGjteRJrEPDtiAPFF-PKnijwEJh4DyiJ0hcmhl2qzNMeyknnFjFoZlJF4ldSscTnJ67yEy9G1O_gsd9vkL3I9rg19smXdVkwIddBSPQJV9Y3QaQ/s16000/K-4_Submarine_Launched_Ballistic_Missile_SLBM.jpg?w=740&ssl=1)
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
![After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78% After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7gqEMaVLWzwfWoT_TYd9Nq6l_8hzGBwBcYv73-7NyZhMMOVESTbGDkgJ3-och4WjuFOk_g77IqZ4X6X0w9rasItBPQV8nZJXEL4XLy-DjFQbSXdhAkkJnJ3LDFF89t6DWWfsoaB0lH44jZtimqJ1gcelysqmbPAMJE5dRUMhjbOYBH2TG5D8BUPiwQHU/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Sukhoi_Su30MKI_Fighter_1.jpg)
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
![Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DIV1319opVfF8xXfP0sNkvUWwmHz1_Z_uMnNlj6rmFdhUAIsZ3TlJ-SweWhTSzvDmv3bGOZBeWERJE6U8S2Va_JDYmX2_SVcIpjshN1r7OE_efYIvjPOmD0npIS3qa1DhofPsHi41veOUyKwhAGftQmO3iSnldJoWS-JOaTYn8iUKxo4JC7XcN-AZpI/w1200-h630-p-k-no-nu/Akash_Air_Defence_Missile_1.jpg)
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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