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Technology Absorption For GE-F414 Engine Co-Production To Take About 3 Years Says HAL Chief

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Technology Absorption For GE-F414 Engine Co-Production To Take About 3 Years Says HAL Chief


Bangalore: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will likely need a three-year timeframe to absorb the technology for its ambitious co-production of GE-F414 jet engines for the Indian Air Force, Chairman and Managing Director of the Indian public sector aerospace and defence manufacturer CB Ananthakrishnan said.

“We have already initiated the discussions (with GE Aerospace). As you are aware, the MoU was signed in the month of June for the transfer of technology. And then, subsequent to that, GE also has to get the necessary approvals from their government (the US administration), which has also been approved, is what we understand. And now the next step will be that we will sign a manufacturing licence agreement with GE,” the HAL CMD told ANI in Bengaluru.

“And once that licencing agreement is signed with the GE, subsequent to that, GE will submit to us a formal proposal for the design and development of these engines within the country, for the transfer of technology of the engines within the country. And thereafter, we will start negotiating with them. We will finalise the contract, and the GE will start working on this transfer of technology processes, and we will absorb the technology in the next three-year timeframe,” Ananthakrishnan said.

The HAL top officials also apprised the Prime Minister of the progress of the coproduction of GE-F414 jet engines here in India.

In a major announcement coinciding with PM Modi’s state visit to the US in June, GE Aerospace and HAL had inked a MoU to produce fighter jet engines for the Indian Air Force.

These state-of-the-art jet engines, known for their endurance and durability, once produced in India, will further enhance the capacity of the Indian Air Force. GE Aerospace then said it had by far delivered more than 1,600 GE-F414 engines globally.

Further, HAL CMD spoke about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s last week’s visit to its headquarters in Bengaluru, where he had flown a sortie in the indigenously made TEJAS Twin Seat Light Combat Fighter.

The sortie was carried out from the Aircraft Systems Testing Establishment, Bangalore. During the 30-minute sortie, the capabilities of the fighter aircraft TEJAS were demonstrated to the PM. This is the first time an Indian Prime Minister has flown a fighter aircraft sortie.

The first version of the aircraft was inducted into the IAF in 2016. Currently, two squadrons of IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with TEJAS. An order worth Rs 36,468 crore for the delivery of 83 TEJAS MK-1A aircraft has been placed with HAL, and delivery is scheduled to begin by February 2024.

HAL has the current capacity to build eight TEJAS aircraft per year. This is being increased to 16 aircraft per year by 2025 and further to 24 aircraft per year in the next 3 years.

“The expression of the Prime Minister was that he was quite satisfied and happy. His tweet (after the sorties) would convey the sense of satisfaction the honourable PM had. After having the sortie, he visited the HAL facilities, and when he had seen the facilities, we took him across. He also appreciated the efforts put in by the HAL engineers. And this is really a motivating factor. What more can we expect when the Prime Minister of the country appreciates the efforts of HAL and the product that HAL has produced?” the HAL chief said.

Asked how many such TEJAS could be produced annually, he said the HAL intends to take it to 24.

“At present, we have our capacity at around six in numbers. Our TEJAS division as well as the aircraft division are producing; there are two lines over there that are capable of producing 16 numbers. So this is what has been planned as per the contracted delivery schedule. But we wanted to increase this capacity to 24 numbers at the minimum,” he explained.

The additional capacity, the CMD said, would help it deliver the end product to customers at least one year ahead of the original contractor delivery schedule.





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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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