Defence

New Delhi, October 26, 2022: The Technology Development & Acceleration Cell of the Naval Innovation Indigenisation Organisation (“NIIO”) under the Indian Navy and Drone Federation of India (“DFI”) have come together to collaboratively work towards promoting indigenous development, manufacturing and testing of drone, counter-drone, and associated technologies for the Indian Navy. As a part of this collaboration, TDAC and DFI will increase the Navy-Industry-Academia synergy, source technology development challenges towards component indigenisation. A special maritime drone testing site shall also be earmarked for the Indian drone industry to facilitate faster development and testing of drones especially in maritime environments thus enabling development for a host of applications. Additionally, programs on sensitisation and skill development shall also be undertaken as a part of this collaboration. “TDAC has been working towards accelerating the development of indigenous technologies to be utilised by the Indian Navy. Our collaboration with the Drone Federation of India will help us in developing a deeper industry connection as well as help us create a stronger roadmap for induction of drone platforms in the Indian Navy in a time-bound manner.” said Cmde A P Golaya, VSM, OiC TDAC, Indian Navy. “It is a proud moment for the Indian drone industry to have established a partnership with the Indian Navy to build and test superior drone platforms. The maritime testing site being developed under this initiative will accelerate the development of versatile and reliable drone platforms for advanced maritime use cases like maritime patrol, drone landings on moving ships, ship to ship deliveries, ship to shore deliveries, etc.” said Smit Shah, President, Drone Federation of India.

Bengaluru, October 16, 2022: At Defexpo 2022 to be held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat, BEL will showcase state-of-the-art products and systems spanning every domain of its business.The products and systems to be on display during Defexpo 2022 have been clustered as ‘Air Defence & Surveillance’, ‘C4I Systems’, ‘Artificial Intelligence-based Products’, ‘Non-Defence & Diversification Products’, ‘Radar Systems’, ‘Communication Systems’, ‘Airborne Products & Systems’, ‘Homeland Security and Cyber Security’, ‘Futuristic Technologies’, ‘Missile Systems’, ‘EO & Laser-based Products’, ‘Outdoor Display Products’ and Indian pavilion. In addition, BEL will also showcase its R&D capabilities by launching/demonstrating some of its new products / technologies. BEL’s display in the area of ’Air Defence & Surveillance” will include Hexacopter, Tethered UAV, Robotic Surveillance and D4 Anti-drone Systems. The display in the area of ’C4I Systems will include C4I technologies, Combat Management Systems and Navigational Consoles. Also on show will be the complete range of products and systems for ‘Non-Defence & Diversification’. BEL will showcase its ‘Radar Systems’ including Battle Field Short Range Active Electronically Scanned Array (BFSR-AESA) Radar, Air Defence Fire Control Radar, Mountain Fire Control Radar, Weapon Locating Radar, etc. BEL’s display in the area of ‘Communication Systems’ will include High Capacity Radio Relay, Manpack High Frequency Software Defined Radio (SDR), Point to Multi Point Radio, SDR Hand Held Naval version, and a whole lot of other products. Other ‘Futuristic Technologies’ on display include Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast System, Position Indicator – G3I, Hand-Held Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, Extended C-Band Block Up-Converter, Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit (15 types within one enclosure), etc. The highlight of BEL’s outdoor display will be Hexacopter, Tethered UAV, Swarm of UAVs, Robotic Surveillance Platform, HLS CIBMS, BFSR AESA, FMCW based DDR, Hydrogen Based scooter and Ultra Light Weight Enclosure with Platform. The entire set of state-of-art equipment on offer will be a force multiplier for any Defence force and civilian requirements.

Delhi, 10th Oct 2022: IAI INDIA PVT LTD, a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., will showcase its advanced technologies, industry-leading air-defense systems and ground-combat solutions at DefExpo 2022, which will be taking place in Gujarat on 18th-22nd October. IAI INDIA PVT LTDis leading a strategic transformation to provide fast direct access to IAI’s superior solutionsin full support of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat vision of a self-reliant country. Boaz Levy, IAI President and CEO: “IAI is proud and excited to be exhibiting at this year’s DefExpo, emphasizing our commitment to the local Indian defense ecosystem. We have been innovating and delivering state-of-the-art technologies thathave expanded our partnerships and collaborationwith India’s industry-leading companiesin both the public and private sectors. For the last three decades, we have been jointly developing tailor-made, cutting-edge solutions to meet India’s unique challenges. As a trusted partner in India, IAI’s elite technological solutions are deployed throughout the Indian defense forces. As we celebrate thirty years of friendship with India, we are re-pledging our commitment to India’s self-reliance campaign and seek opportunities to further advance the ‘Make in India’ vision. We look forward to meeting our friends and partners while exhibiting our cutting-edge technologies to the Indian, Asian, and global markets during this prestigious defense exhibition.” IAI INDIA PVT LTDwill be showcasing a wide array of aerial systems, including its Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) strategic Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Heron TP, and its most advanced UAS to date, the Heron MK II. In addition, IAI will exhibit its unique Vertical Take-Off and Landing capabilities with the WanderB VTOL, developed by IAI’sBlueBird Aero Systems subsidiary, alongside IAI’s advanced tactical loitering-munition designed for both ground and naval units, the Mini Harpy. IAI’s long-range artillery weapons systems, the LORAprecision strike surface-to-surface missile, will also show IAI’s strike capabilities. IAI’s Zibar family of all-terrain tactical utility vehicles will be shown alongside IAI’s cutting-edge future armored fighting vehicle – the Carmel. IAI will also exhibit its TERRA radar and M19 and MOSPsensor payloads, among other advanced systems. IAI is excited to highlight its technologies and deep-rooted partnerships with India’s defense ecosystem.

New Delhi, 28th Sept 2022: A P8I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy participated in the Multinational Maritime Exercise Kakadu 2022 hosted by Royal Australian Navy in Darwin from 12 to 25 Sep 22, along with INS Satpura. The exercise had the participation of 34 aircraft from over 20 nations. The maiden participation of the P8I provided an enhanced exposure to the aircrew, augmenting the understanding of the varied nuances of collaborative Anti-Submarine and Anti-Surface Warfare operations in a complex multi-threat scenario. The seamless operations conducted by P8I in consonance with the exercise theme ‘Partnership, Leadership, Friendship’ along with USN and RAAF P8s enabled refining joint SOPs and enhance interoperability and reaffirm Indian Navy’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific.

New Delhi, 28th Sept 2022: DRDO conducted two successful test flight of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile on 27 Sep 2022 from a ground based portable launcher at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha. VSHORADS is a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD) designed and developed indigenously by DRDO’s Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian Industry Partners. VSHORADS missile incorporates many novel technologies including miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, which have been successfully proven during the tests. The missile, meant for neutralizing low altitude aerial threats at short ranges is propelled by a dual thrust solid motor. The design of the missile including launcher has been highly optimized to ensure easy portability. Both the flight tests have completely met the mission objectives. Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh complimented and appreciated the efforts of DRDO and industry partners and said that this new missile equipped with modern technologies will give further technological boost to the Armed Forces. Secretary DDR&D and Chairman DRDO congratulated the entire VSHORADS team for this tremendous success.

Arlington, Va., 22nd Sept,2022: Embraer S.A. and L3 Harris Technologies announced a partnership to develop an “Agile Tanker,” a tactical aerial refueling option to address the U.S. Air Force’s operational imperatives and joint force refueling requirements, especially for contested logistics environments. The companies signed an agreement to expand the capabilities of Embraer’s KC-390 Millennium tactical tanker aircraft. Enhancements include the addition of advanced boom operations and mission systems to support agile basing and sustainment for operations in contested areas, and resilient communications supporting JADC2 requirements. “U.S. Air Force strategic planners have stated agile combat employment will require refueling platforms optimized to support a disaggregated approach to air dominance in contested logistics environments,” said Christopher E. Kubasik, Chair and Chief Executive Officer, L3Harris. “Collaborating with Embraer to develop and integrate new capabilities to the multi-mission KC-390 provides a cost-effective, fast-to-field solution that embodies our trusted disruptor approach.” Aircraft enhancements will complement the tanker’s existing capabilities, which already include the ability to refuel aircraft with a variable speed drogue, receive fuel, and to take off and land from short and improvised runways, allowing for greater mission area coverage. “We continue seeking meaningful and strategic partnerships that generate new developments and expand the KC-390 Millennium’s market reach,” said Francisco Gomes Neto, President and CEO of Embraer. “Our aircraft is capturing the attention of Air Forces around the world, and we’re thrilled by this opportunity to combine Embraer’s state-of-the-art platform and systems with L3Harris’ mission-driven solutions to deliver on the U.S. Air Force’s operational imperatives.” The Air Force operational imperatives are a roadmap for successfully bringing about the new technologies, thinking, and cultures the Air and Space Forces must have to deter and, if necessary, defeat modern day adversaries. The speedy, versatile, customizable KC-390 Millennium can support a range of missions and possesses a high-reliability rate. By combining L3Harris’ experience as an aircraft missionization prime with Embraer’s state-of-the-art jet-powered KC-390 Millennium platform, both companies are ready to provide the next generation of tanker solutions for the Department of Defense and the US Air Force. To support the Buy American Act requirements, the parties are studying the Agile Tanker program production with final assembly in the U.S., followed by aircraft modernization and missionization at the L3Harris’ Waco, Texas, aircraft modification center.

New Delhi, 22nd Sept 2022: The Defence Accounts Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) today with Bank of Baroda and HDFC Bank, to onboard them as Service Centres under the System for Pension Administration (Raksha) (SPARSH) initiative, across more than 14,000 branches throughout India. The MoU was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar, Financial Adviser (Defence Services) Smt. Rasika Chaube and Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA), Shri Avinash Dikshit, by Shri Sham Dev, Controller of Defence Accounts (CDA) Pensions, PCDA (Pensions) Prayagraj and senior executives of Bank of Baroda and HDFC bank. Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar said that the objective is to bring 17 Lakh pensioners out of the total 32 lakh defence pensioners on SPARSH by the end of September, 2022 and the remaining pensioners will be brought to SPARSH at the earliest. He said that the average time in pension settlement has come down significantly to about 16 days. The MoU will onboard more than 7900 branches of Bank of Baroda and 6300 branches of HDFC Bank as Service Centres to provide last mile connectivity to pensioners, especially those who live in remote areas of the country and those who do not have the means or technical wherewithal to logon to SPARSH. For these pensioners, the Service Centers will become an interface for SPARSH and provide an effective medium for pensioners to perform profile update requests, register grievances and seek redressal, digital annual identification, pensioner data verification or also simply fetch detailed information regarding their monthly pension. These centres would further augment the existing network of more than 161 DAD offices and nearly 800 Service Centres provided by State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank branches, and 14 branches of the Kotak Mahindra Bank. More than 4.5 lakh Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) will also assist Defence Pensioners, as part of the Common Service Centres (CSC) network. The access to these service centers would be provided free of cost to the pensioners, with nominal service charges being borne by the Department. Providing impetus to Digital India initiative, SPARSH has grown exponentially with more than Rs 11,600 Crores disbursed in the Financial Year 2021-22, from just about Rs 57 crores in FY 2020-21. The total number of pensioners onboard SPARSH has crossed over one million mark with 11 lakh beneficiaries, which is about 33% of the total defence pensioners in India. SPARSH is a web-based system for processing the pension claims and crediting the pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without any external intermediary. It has been designed to give Defence Pensioners a transparent view of their pension account, through an online portal (https://sparsh.defencepension.gov.in/) which captures and maintains a complete history of events and entitlements of the pensioner – right from the date of commencement of pension to the date of cessation of pension due to the last eligible beneficiary. This system is administered by the Defence Accounts Department through the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Pensions), Prayagraj and caters to all the three Services and allied organization. The system on roll-out is initially catering to the new retirees and subsequently is being extended to cover the existing defence pensioners. PIB