Indian Defense
The Man Who Created Armies of Space Scientists
DESTINY chose Professor Satish Dhawan to succeed the legendary Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and lead India’s space programme into the next generation. Destiny chose him as the most capable follower of Dr. Sarabhai’s footprint in creating generations of capable scientists and administrators of India’s space programme. And Destiny chose him to be regarded as Father of India’s experiential fluid dynamics research. But there were raised eyebrows when the young Prof. Satish Dhawan returned to India and joined the country’s fledgling science programme. But then, that was the call from Destiny. For, he was a man of Destiny, later to be known as a leading architect of India’s future success in space science and exploration. It is not without reason that the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has named its satellite launch centre at Sriharikota after Prof. Satish Dhawan.
That he gave a fund of creative ideas to India’s space programme is actually and paradoxically smaller of his contributions. For, Prof. Satish Dhawan’s real contribution was in creating scientists and research leaders of his calibre — in the true Indian tradition of Guru. Looked at from that angle, Prof. Satish Dhawan was no doubt a leading scientist himself. But more importantly, he created a galaxy of leaders who subsequently led India into the difficult fields of rocket science — and man-management. As the nation celebrates his birth centenary, it is fully worth the while to recall his extremely meritorious academic achievements and professional accomplishments. Here is a scanty list, though: Prof. Satish Dhawan was not just a master of STEM (Science/ Technology/ Engineering/ Mathematics) subjects alone, but also enjoyed a legendary proficiency in English literature in which he held a Master’s degree.
Dhawan was a graduate of the University of Punjab in Lahore, a BSc in Physics and Mathematics; BE in Mechanical Engineering; Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; BE in Aeronautics from the California Institute of Technology; Double PhD in Mathematics and Aerospace Engineering under the supervision of his advisor Hans W Liepmann in 1951. Prof. Dhawan joined the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, in 1951 as faculty and became its director in 1962. At the age of 52, in the year 1972, Dr Satish Dhawan became Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and Secretary to the Government of India at the Department of Space. But again, all this tells only half his story. The other half talks of his legendary leadership skills and capabilities of grooming young scientists — that include most of the later-year leading lights of India’s space programme, including Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. Even after he retired officially from ISRO, Prof. Dhawan continued his association with ISRO and kept guiding the space programme into higher generation exploration and technology-application. Unfortunately, however, the story of such a remarkable man is not told in our schools and colleges and homes.
One wonders what right does the community of educators have to deprive the youngsters of the story of such brilliance. That remarkable man was a patriot of rare virtue. He never bragged about himself but never missed a chance to establish India’s point of view at every forum possible around the world. If there was to be anybody to succeed Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, then it had to be Prof. Satish Dhawan. If there was to be anybody to act as the most authentic symbol of India’s prowess in space science after Dr. Sarabhai, it had to be Prof. Dhawan. Those who knew Dr. Sarabhai also know what all this means. In other words, Prof. Satish Dhawan was as tall as his predecessor — in every which the way.
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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