Indian Defense
Russia’s Heavy-Lift Proton-M Carrier Rocket Blasts Off With ISS Module ‘Nauka’
Proton-M rocket lifts-off from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan
Russia’s current heavy-lift rocket, the Proton-M, has had a nearly 10
percent failure rate in more than 100 launches since it entered service in
2001, creating pressure to reorganise and improve the space program.
ROSCOSMOS space agency said that a Russian Proton-M rocket carrying the new
Nauka laboratory module for the International Space Station blasted off from
the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
The Russian space agency released images showing the carrier rocket taking
off at 1458 GMT, taking into orbit the first Russian ISS module in 11 years.
‘Nauka’ (Science) module will provide the astronauts at the ISS with
additional storage space, technical equipment, including for water and air
regeneration.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, ‘Nauka’ module also supplies the
station with ERA manipulator which will allow astronauts to avoid some of
the open-space missions.
The module’s long-planned journey to the ISS will take eight days. It is
expected to dock to the nadir port of Russia’s Zvezda service module on July
29, ROSCOSMOS said in a statement in early July.
The assembly of the 20-ton Nauka multipurpose laboratory module started back
in the 1990s but its launch, initially scheduled for 2007, has been
continuously delayed.
Pending a successful launch on Wednesday, Nauka will replace the Pirs module
after twenty years in service, which is expected to detach from the ISS on
Friday and burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.
Russia’s space program has been dogged by mishaps in recent years, including
failed cargo delivery missions into space and the aborted launch in October
of the manned Soyuz mission to the International Space Station.
Russia’s current heavy-lift rocket, the Proton-M, has had a nearly 10
percent failure rate in more than 100 launches since it entered service in
2001, creating pressure to reorganise and improve the space program.
The International Space Station is currently operated by NASA astronauts
Mark Vande Hei, Shane Kimbrough and Megan McArthur; Oleg Novitsky and Pyotr
Dubrov of Russia’s ROSCOSMOS space corporation; Japan Aerospace Exploration
Agency astronaut Akihiko Hoshide and European Space Agency astronaut Thomas
Pesquet.
In 1998, Russia launched the station’s first module, Zarya, which was
followed in 2000 by another big module, Zvezda, and three smaller modules in
the following years. The last of them, Rassvet, arrived at the station in
2010.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
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.
Indian Defense
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.
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
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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