Defence

Japan,30th January 2023: The inaugural edition of the bilateral air exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) concluded in Japan, on 26 January 2023. The JASDF participated in the exercise with its F-2 and F-15 aircraft, while the IAF contingent participated with the Su-30 MKI aircraft. The IAF fighter contingent was complemented by one IL-78 Flight Refueling Aircraft and two C-17 Globemaster strategic airlift transport aircraft. During the joint training spanning 16 days, the two Air Forces engaged in complex and comprehensive aerial manoeuvres in multiple simulated operational scenarios. The exercise involved precise planning and skillful execution by both the air forces. IAF and JASDF engaged in air combat manoeuvring, interception and air defence missions, both in Visual and Beyond Visual Range settings. Aircrew of the two participating Air Forces also flew in each other’s fighter aircraft to gain a deeper understanding of each other’s operating philosophies. Exercise ‘Veer Guardian 2023’ provided the two Air Forces with an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding. The exercise also witnessed numerous ground interactions between IAF and JASDF personnel wherein various aspects were discussed by both sides. This enabled the participating contingents to obtain an invaluable insight into each other’s best practices and learn from each other’s unique capabilities.

Taufkirchen, 25 January 2023: Defence industry tech player meets “third wave” AI specialists: With sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT and AI company 21strategies, two of Europe’s leading innovators in their industries agree on a strategic collaboration. The aim is to jointly drive the development of next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) for defence systems. To this end, HENSOLDT is participating in 21strategies’ financing round, which will give the cooperation a strong foundation. Artificial intelligence is crucial to the performance of many HENSOLDT products. The agreed partnership will take HENSOLDT’s AI competencies to a new level. Because with new AI approaches of the so-called Third Wave, such as cognitive AI, decisions in combat situations and the reaction to unknown threats can be decisively accelerated. In addition, interesting synergies result from the combination with HENSOLDT’s existing Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) competencies, which will further increase the performance of AI in the future. “As a technology company in the defence industry, we have special requirements for AI,” says Celia Pelaz, Board Member and Chief Strategy Officer at HENSOLDT. “In order to optimally enable highly complex defence systems, we need to master artificial intelligence in its entire range. To this end, we develop many AI competencies in-house and supplement them in a very targeted manner by working with specialised partners such as 21strategies. As a strategic investor, we are able to provide the company with significant support in the defence sector and benefit from the targeted and rapid further development of the technology. Because we at HENSOLDT are convinced: The defence systems of tomorrow will be created at the interface of artificial intelligence with the deep knowledge of the application scenarios of our customers. The minority shareholding in 21strategies is the first of its kind at HENSOLDT. This is right in line with our policy of working with young and dynamic high-tech companies with strong cooperation potential.” 21strategies trains next-generation AI for optimal decision-making at machine speed, enabling users to make and implement tactical decisions quickly and efficiently in complex and uncertain situations. The two companies are already working closely together on the GhostPlay project for the German Armed Forces Digitisation and Technology Research Centre (DTEC.Bw). GhostPlay creates a high-performance, synthetic simulation environment (= Ghost) in order to develop decision-making procedures taking into account different parameters (= Play) by means of AI and in interaction with opponents who have different performance profiles. As a sensor solutions provider and expert in defence systems for all branches of the armed forces, HENSOLDT is in a special market position, generating large amounts of data that play a crucial role in customers’ situational awareness and defence capabilities. The technological approach of 21strategies complements HENSOLDT’s AI competencies and strengthens its performance profile in the areas of sensor management and cognitive electronic warfare. This includes, among other things, the development of multistatic and distributed sensor technology. “Already working for military research labs in the past, the 21strategies team had proliferated third-wave AI for currency and commodity hedging – these days, as you can see, more than ever a national security and preparedness issue. Through the successful cooperation with one of the most innovative representatives of the defence industry, we are once again making our AI tech stack available for defence as well. In doing so, it is of great concern to us to offer AI systems that meet our clients’ requirements for the legal and ethical compliance of AI. HENSOLDT will therefore also benefit greatly from our expertise with value-based engineering,” says Yvonne Hofstetter, CEO and Co-Founder of 21strategies.

New Delhi, 24th Jan 2023: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh reviewed the preparations of the forthcoming 14th edition of Aero India during the apex committee meeting held in New Delhi on January 24, 2023. He was given a detailed account of the arrangements, which will be held in Bengaluru between February 13-17, 2023.Rajnath Singh exhorted all the stakeholders to ensure fool-proof arrangements for the participants. He said, Aero India 2023 will not just be an event, but a display of the growing prowess of the defence & aerospace sector and the rise of a strong & self-reliant ‘New India’. The five-day event, on the theme ‘The runway to a billion opportunities’, will be the largest-ever aero show organised at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in a total area of around 35,000 sqm. As on date, 731 exhibitors have registered for the event. Defence Ministers’ Conclave, with the theme ‘Shared Prosperity Through Enhanced Engagement in Defence (SPEED)’, and a CEOs Roundtable are among the marquee events. The Manthan start-up event and Bandhan ceremony, which witnesses signing of MoUs, will also be part of the event, along with a fabulous air show on all the five days. It will showcase the paradigm shift the Government has brought in the aim of organising such events, that also include DefExpo. The events have been restructured with focus on increasing defence exports and forging partnerships rather than merely import of weapons/equipment. The RM pointed out that the Indian defence industry is going through a transformational phase and the active participation of the private sector is the biggest catalyst to that change. “Not just the private sector, but R&D establishments and academia are also working together with the Government. Aero India is a medium to provide a platform to all the stakeholders to jointly strengthen the defence & aerospace sector and contribute to Nation Building,” he added. RM emphasised that while Aero India is a business event, it also aims to strengthen India’s relations with other countries. He also underlined the importance of these events for the business ecosystem of the states in which they are organised as well as available opportunities. The RM commended Bengaluru for successfully organising several editions of AeroIndia, saying that the event is shaping Karnataka as an epicenter of aviation and aerospace industry. He described Karnataka as one of the leading states which contributes to the economic growth of the country. “The state is known for its skilled manpower and robust defence manufacturing ecosystem. It is a preferred center for manufacturing and R&D activities for domestic & multinational defence and aviation companies,” he said. Shri Rajnath Singh noted the excellent coordination among the officials of MoD and the Karnataka Government to make the event a grand success. Karnataka Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai and state government officials joined the meeting through video conferencing, while Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and other senior officials of Ministry of Defence attended the meeting physically.

Vadodra; 27th October 2022: In a major boost to ‘Make in India’ and domestic aviation manufacturing, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of a transport aircraft manufacturing project for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at Vadodara, Gujarat on October 30, 2022. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, Minister of Civil Aviation Shri Jyotiraditya M Scindia and Gujarat Chief Minister Shri Bhupendrabhai Patel are among those who will attend the function. It may be recalled that the Cabinet Committee on Security had, on September 08, 2021, approved the procurement of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain. On September 24, 2021, Ministry of Defence signed a contract with M/s Airbus Defence and Space S.A. for acquisition of the aircraft with associated equipment. Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on October 27, 2022, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar said, as part of the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition and 40 will be manufactured in India by the Indian Aircraft Contractor, TATA Consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL. This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The total cost of the project is Rs 21,935 crore. The aircraft can be used for civilian purposes as well. Delivery schedule The first 16 fly-away aircraft are scheduled to be received between September 2023 and August 2025. The first Made in India aircraft is expected from September 2026. Aircraft capability C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF. It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features. The aircraft will strengthen the logistic capabilities of the IAF. Aatmanirbharta The project offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry. It will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports. Also, 96% of the total man hour work per aircraft that Airbus employs at its manufacturing facility at Spain will be undertaken in India by the TATA Consortium. Manufacturing of over 13,400 Detail Parts, 4,600 sub-assemblies and all the seven Major Component Assemblies will be undertaken in India, along with tools, jigs and testers. Various systems such as engines, landing gear, avionics, EW suite etc. will be provided by Airbus Defence & Space and integrated on the aircraft by the TATA Consortium. The aircraft will be tested as an integrated system by the TATA Consortium. The aircraft will be flight tested and delivered through a Delivery Centre at the TATA Consortium facility. All 56 aircraft will be fitted with indigenous Electronic Warfare suite of Indian DPSUs – Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Dynamics Limited. After completion of delivery of 56 aircraft to IAF, M/s Airbus Defence & Space will be allowed to sell the aircraft manufactured in India to civil operators and export to countries which are cleared by the Government of India. Employment Generation The TATA Consortium has identified more than 125 in-country MSME suppliers spread over seven states. This will act as a catalyst in employment generation in the aerospace ecosystem of the country and is expected to generate 600 highly skilled jobs directly, over 3,000 indirect jobs and an additional 3,000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India. Nearly 240 engineers will be trained at Airbus facility in Spain.

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.