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India, Israel Need To Collaborate In Drone Technologies

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India, Israel Need To Collaborate In Drone Technologies
Israel is a leading developer of drones, unmanned aircraft, and autonomous vehicles, with versatile capabilities in this sector

Israel is a leading developer of drones, unmanned aircraft, and autonomous vehicles, with versatile capabilities in this sector. It is well known for its related military technological sector when it comes to the use of unmanned aircrafts (UAVs), as well as to the respected uses for autonomous drones in the civilian sector.

There is a strong linkage between the long history of UAV manufacturing under the defence industry and the advanced positioning the civilian industry enjoys now. Such technology transfer allows civilian implications of similar technology perfected earlier

Out of the different innovative technology-driven solutions and platforms, ‘drones’ must be one of the most intriguing and mind captivating in nature. In other words, a very ‘cool’ one. It is very easy to appreciate the unique angle they provide on things and to imagine the endless opportunities they can offer.

However, it is another thing to actually create such solutions in a practical manner or that are economically viable. Moreover, it is even harder to ‘translate’ the relevance of it to the end users, should it be a small farmer or a construction worker.

It is not surprising then that the global interest in drones’ civil applications is growing at an exponential speed. Beyond the obvious commercial applications, advancements in technology and reduced costs, together with their respected advantages (including reach and versatility) are some of the reasons fuelling this rapid growth.

In this respect, it is well understood why the recent announcement by The Ministry of Civil Aviation on the liberalisation of ‘Drone Rules’ was so well received and perceived as a bold and welcoming move, from which India could soon emerge as a global drone hub.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi voiced on Twitter: “The new Drone Rules usher in a landmark moment for this sector in India. The rules are based on the premise of trust and self-certification. Approvals, compliance requirements and entry barriers have been significantly reduced”.

The Prime Minister also added that, “The new Drone Rules will tremendously help startups and our youth working in this sector. It will open up new possibilities for innovation & business. It will help leverage India’s strengths in innovation, technology & engineering to make India a drone hub”.

As in so many other technology-driven aspects, India and Israel would find a mutual benefit in collaboration. The two very different economies tend to complement one another and leverage each other especially when making deep-tech more accessible and scalable, and relevant for the respected domestic markets as well as to global markets.

Israel is a leading developer of drones, unmanned aircraft, and autonomous vehicles, with versatile capabilities in this sector. It is well known for its related military technological sector when it comes to the use of unmanned aircrafts (UAVs), as well as to the respected uses for autonomous drones in the civilian sector.

There is a strong linkage between the long history of UAV manufacturing under the defence industry and the advanced positioning the civilian industry enjoys now. Such technology transfer allows civilian implications of similar technology perfected earlier. With dozens of drone tech start-ups supported by the Israeli innovation ecosystem, drone-based solutions, and services are introduced in a variety of fields including agriculture, construction, transportation, e-commerce and many more.

Such activity is encouraged by the government. For example, earlier this year, the Israeli Innovation Authority together with Transportation Ministry, the Israel Aviation Authority, Ayalon Highways Co., and the Prime Minister’s Office commissioned a pilot drone project that will see hundreds of drones from a variety of companies test out their technologies in different sectors over shared airspace in the next two years.

Over the course of the project, the drones from a variety of firms will make 300 flights a day in the designated area, each vehicle simulating the execution of a range of increasingly complex tasks: food delivery, transport of medicine and medical equipment, transport of packages and agricultural services.

The drones are also put to test in several non-commercial initiatives too. Recently, the Ministry of Environmental Protection became the first ministry in Israel to set up a drone unit to fight extensively against environmental offenders. It is also looking into Green Policing using drones with specialised cameras that can record videos at night using infrared or thermal vision.

Furthermore, in Israel, during the pandemic the drones were extremely helpful in enforcing the Covid-19 protocols. In the past one year, Israel has heightened its drone operations with over 3000 flights supporting countrywide efforts to fight Covid-19.

One of the most interesting sectors and perhaps the most relevant for collaboration between Israel and India would be the agriculture front. There is a great potential for drones in promoting precision-based agriculture and in the improvement of sustainable agriculture. Drones offer effective solutions to complicated challenges and allow users to use innovative methods to reduce risk and uncertainty.

Current cutting-edge technology allows Israeli companies to offer solutions and services based on drones that provide better, cheaper and safer solutions. Drone can be used for administering pesticides and dealing with specific pests, monitoring fields and detecting crop disease at an early stage. The development of high-resolution, low-distortion multispectral camera solutions for agriculture allows the synchronization of multi-camera imagery from fast-flying drones with a single camera, providing advanced modelling.

The operation of a fleet of airborne robots provides an autonomous solution for crop management and harvesting including picking, thinning, and pruning as well as enables fruit sorting at the source with better access to treetops and an ability to work in complex terrain, such as narrow or mountainous plantations.

Machine Learning based data-driven solutions are available for analysing tree health, helping the users to identify the weak trees, tree clusters, and the health status of trees using artificial intelligence and drone imaging technologies.

As in many other fields of technology Israel and India can push through together, the use of drones (especially in agriculture) could be one of the more exciting ones.

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’

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INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’


NEW DELHI: India tested its nuclear capable K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), designed to have a strike range of 3,500 km, for the second time in six days on Friday. The missile test, as the one conducted on January 19, was undertaken from an undersea platform in the shape of a submersible pontoon off the coast of Andhra Pradesh according to a report by Rajat Pandit of TOI.

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.

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.





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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%

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After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%


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.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the upgrade. The upgrade is part of India’s efforts to improve the capabilities of its primary fighter aircraft, it refers to as the “Super Sukhoi”.

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.





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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace

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Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace


According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).

While there is no official confirmation because of the sensitivities involved, documents suggest that the order for the same has already been placed the report further added.
There are nine countries, in turn, which have shown interest in the indigenously-developed Akash missile systems, which can intercept hostile aircraft, helicopters, drones and subsonic cruise missiles at a range of 25-km. They are Kenya, Philippines, Indonesia, UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Vietnam and Algeria reported TOI.

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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