Defence

New Delhi, 23 DEC 2021 DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of Indigenously developed High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) Abhyas from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast, Odisha. During the flight trial, High subsonic speed trajectory at a very low altitude with high endurance was demonstrated. Two boosters provided initial acceleration during launch and a small turbo jet engine is used to sustain high subsonic speed with long endurance. The indigenous data link designed by Bengaluru based Industry partner has been successfully flown and tested during the flight. The performance of the system during the entire flight duration has been confirmed from the data captured by various Range instruments deployed. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), bengaluru based DRDO laboratory along with other DRDO laboratories has developed this indigenous unmanned aerial target system to meet the requirement of aerial targets of Indian Armed Forces. The aircraft is controlled from a ground based controller and an indigenously developed MEMS based Inertial Navigation System along with the Flight Control Computer which helps it to follow the pre-designated path in a fully autonomous mode. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh said that the successful test is noteworthy testimony of synergy between scientists and industry. Secretary DD R&D & chairman DRDO complimented scientists of the laboratory, their team members and associated industry partners for the successful development efforts. (News Received from PIB Delhi.)

Bengaluru, December 16, 2021: The LCA Tejas Mk1A programme got a shot in the arm today as Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) received an order worth Rs. 2,400 crores from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture and supply of 20 types of airborne electronic systems to be fitted on the fighter aircraft. The order was received by Mr Manoj Jain, General Manager (EW&A)/BEL-Bengaluru from Mr E P Jayadeva, General Manager (LCA Tejas), HAL, in the presence of Mrs Anandi Ramalingam, CMD, BEL, and Mr R Madhavan, CMD, HAL. The order spanning five years from 2023 to 2028 involves supply of critical avionic Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) related to Digital Flight Control Computers, Air Data Computers, Weapon Computers, LRUs related to Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Head Up Display. The LRUs have been indigenously designed and developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO Labs, Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), Combat Aircraft Systems Development and Integration Centre (CASDIC) and Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO). This is the biggest ever order received by BEL for Avionic Systems and will go a long way in ensuring the Indian Air Force‘s Air Superiority and giving a boost to the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of an ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The order for supply of Avionic Systems for 83 Tejas MK1A fighter aircraft will be executed by two Strategic Business Units (SBUs) of BEL: Electronic Warfare & Avionics, Bengaluru, and BEL-Panchkula, Haryana. All the systems will be delivered by BEL to HAL in a ready-to-board condition. Mrs Anandi Ramalingam, CMD, BEL, said: “We are pleased to receive this order from HAL for the prestigious LCA Tejas Fighter aircraft programme. It will give a big boost to the Government of India’s indigenisation drive. BEL is all geared up to supply the critical Avionics LRUs as per the delivery schedule. We look forward to continue our strong partnership with HAL for more such programmes.” Mr R Madhavan, CMD HAL, congratulated BEL for the order and said: “The LCA Tejas programme is an excellent example of the synergy between eminent Indian Defence establishments such as HAL, DRDO and BEL. The current order for the development and supply of 20 types of critical Avionics LRUs for Tejas Mk1A is a shot in the arm for the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives of the Government of India.”

HENSOLDT’s solutions enable military Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Civil Air Navigation Providers (ANSPs) to safely expand the use of their airspace and integrate Unmanned Airborne Vehicles by using the latest and most advanced ATM technology. HENSOLDT enables efficient Air Traffic Movement (ATM) – Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) airspace integration in both military and civil domains while ensuring robust flight safety by using latest technology products such as ASR-NG (ATC surveillance radar), TwInvis (passive radar surveillance) and Xpeller (Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems – CUAS). Our ATM – UTM solution enable green economy such as Wind Farm installation or/ and Hydrogen supported power generation while maintaining safe air traffic control and air space capacity. TwInvis – a non-emitting, non-cooperative surveillance radar – reduces the emissions and installation footprint while supporting an increased air situational awareness. In an Interview with Aviation World, Mr.Tarique Anwer, Director BD & Marketing,talks about the ATM and UTM Marketplans of HENSOLDT in India Can you please share more about ASR-NG Radar from HENSOLDT? The airspace worldwide is shared between civil and military users, between general aviation traffic and sports or leisure time aircraft. To avoid safety-crucial situations, state-of-the-art ATC radars have to deliver excellent detection performance, from the smallest aircraft like ultra-light gliders to the largest passenger airliner. Modern radars also have to be capable of differentiating between slow-moving rotary-wing aircraft and fast-moving military supersonic fighters without any significant blind speed gaps. ASR-NG can detect the smallest 0.5m² as well as 10.000m² targets with uppermost probability of detection. It offers exceptional no-blind speed coverage between 0 to 1.200 knots. ASR-NG is a multi-beam 3D S-Band solid-state approach control primary and secondary surveillance radar and en-route control sensor, fulfilling ICAO Annex 10 Volume III/IV and EUROCONTROL Surveillance Standard Requirements. The system implements a fully digital Doppler detection and tracking solution with flexible and self-learning clutter and site-optimisation capabilities. The ASR radars consist of an integrated primary and secondary radar system. The primary radar helps to detect non-cooperative objects such as small aircraft without transponders or hostile aircraft. It is based on a semiconductor transmitter and includes special signal processing techniques for wide-area surveillance and wind farm mitigation. The secondary radar, MSSR 2000 I, ensures the automatic identification of cooperative aircraft. What Differentiates HENSOLDT ASR-NG from other products in the market? In the rapidly growing presence of cluttered environment like one generated by wind farms or telecommunication interferences such as 4G/5G LTE mobile networks, it is of utmost importance for air traffic control radars to cope with those to keep on ensuring safety of ATC. While previous generations of ATC radars could not suppress false alarms originating from wind farms, ASR-NG provides highest detection, resolution and tracking performance by the use of its worldwide-first, concurrent, triple-beam processing and electronic beam forming capabilities. Its detection and tracking of small rotary-wing aircraft over wind farms is field-proven, witnessed by the UK Ministry of Defence. Using a third horn antenna feed the ASR-NG also provides a unique feature of 3D target detection. This third beam allows the measurement and calculation of altitudes of uncooperative targets such as aircraft with either no transponders or defect/disabled Identification Friend-Foe (IFF) signals – for instance during military exercises or flight operations. With nearly no preventive maintenance, the ASR-NG system has been designed for fully autonomous, unmanned and completely remotely controlled 24/7/365 operation. The transfer of maintenance knowledge to the customer or a preferred local partner serves as standard logistic support approach. Fixed-price support agreements and supply guarantees are provided for 25 years and more. Do you have a deployable version of AS-NG? A modular and scalable deployable ASR-NG, with the same superior performance was developed for civil and military ATC, being transportable by land, sea and air to be deployed all over the world. The deployable ASR-NG exploits the superior detection performance and accuracy of the stationary ASR-NG variant combined with small airlift footprint being air transportable in one transport aircraft and a deployment time of less than six hours. The versatility of our new product combined with ASR-NG’s superior performance makes it ideally suited for ATC purposes in joint and combined missions of expeditionary units. The deployable ASR-NG has been already contracted by a European NATO member and has finished its first acceptance tests during delivery. This ATC proven technology will enable the Customer to provide state of the art ATC services to their forces using the deployable ASR-NG for example during out of area missions. What is the TwINVIS Radar ? The TwInvis is a multistatic coherent passive radar that supports the airspace surveillance and enables a detection of up to 200 aircraft in 3D within a radius of 250 km in a non-cooperative scenario without any emission and without the need of a transponder onboard of the aircraft. An air situation picture is generated by analyzing reflected signals from existing third-party sources such as radio and TV stations and provides additional primary radar information to the air traffic controllers with an update rate of 1 second. Can you tell something more on the UTM and Counter UAS Solution of Hensoldt? Our Xpeller counter – UAS Solution provides protection from the ever-increasing threat posed by drones, both in the military and the civil sector. Xpeller uses a combination of sensors to detect track, track and classify many different types of drones and assess its threat potential at ranges from a few hundred meters up to several kilometers. If it’s a serious threat, it can be then countered by choosing the appropriate countermeasures. In addition, the Xpeller can be the back bone of a future UTM system providing non cooperative surveillance to ensure no disruption of future traffic drones that may occur due to rogue operations. What are your plans for India Market? India is a vast country with challenging geography. We are also aware of India’s uncompromising focus on self-reliance through the “Make in India” initiative. Our proposed approach is to offer complete products and solutions to Indian customers. Through a

Tel Aviv, Israel – Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) innovative ADA Anti-Jam GPS System, designed to protect GPS/GNSS navigation from jamming, has been integrated into advanced platforms used by the Israeli Air Force (IAF), including into F-16 fighter jets and various types of UAS. The ADA System has demonstrated operational maturity and is in use by a number of international customers on various airborne, land, and marine platforms. ADA is combat proven in providing immunity against GPS jammers, most recently demonstrating its effectiveness in ‘Operation Guardian of the Walls’ last May.”Electronic warfare poses an evolving threat to satellite navigation systems. The integration of the ADA System to protect various platforms against GNSS jammers is an essential component to any platform or mission system that uses GNSS receivers in general and GPS receivers in particular. As such, it constitutes a critical element of any modern army’s operational organization,” said Jacob Galifat, IAI’s VP and General Manager of the IAI-MALAM Division. “As a center of excellence for development of technologically advanced weapon systems, IAI takes pride in providing ADA to the IAF and to our worldwide customers, and continues to adapt it to evolving threats and customer needs, including land and marine users. Given its proven capability in providing a solution to such significant operational challenge, we believe ADA has strong business potential for numerous countries and customers.”

05 October 2021; Visakhapatnam As part of Birth Centenary celebrations of the Father of the Nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, His Excellency Mr Muhammad Imran, High Commissioner of Bangladesh honoured 10 Indian Naval War Veterans from across the country acknowledging their contribution in the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971 at a function hosted onboard BNS Somudra Avijan at Visakhapatnam on 05 Oct 21. Rear Adm Tarun Sobti, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet was the Chief Guest for the event which was attended by Rear Adm Jyotin Raina, NM, VSM CSO (Ops) and other senior officers of the ENC.

24 SEP 2021, NEW DELHI: Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space, Spain for acquisition of 56 C-295MW transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force, on September 24, 2021. The MoD has also signed an Offset Contract with M/s Airbus Defence and Space through which M/s Airbus will discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and services from Indian Offset Partners. These contracts were signed following the approval accorded by the Cabinet Committee on Security earlier this month. The induction of C-295MW will be a significant step towards modernisation of the transport fleet of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro transport aircraft of IAF. The aircraft is capable of operating from semi-prepared strips and has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops & cargo. The aircraft will give a major boost to tactical airlift capability of IAF, especially in the Northern and North-Eastern sector and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The project will provide a major boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of the Government that offers a unique opportunity for the Indian private sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation industry. Out of 56, forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium. All the deliveries will be completed within ten years of signing of the contract. All 56 aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. After completion of the delivery, the subsequent aircraft manufactured in India can be exported to countries which are cleared by the Government of India. The project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft. The program will also involve development of specialised infrastructure in the form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway. This programme is a unique initiative of the Government to strengthen the indigenous capabilities and boost ‘Make in India’.

21 SEP 2021.NEW DELHI Government has decided to appoint Air Marshal V R Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, presently Vice Chief of Air Staff, as the next Chief of the Air Staff after the retirement of Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC on 30th September, 2021. Air Marshal V R Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, was commissioned into the Fighter stream of Indian Air Force on 29th December 1982 and has held various Command, Staff and Instructional Appointments at various levels including the present one as Vice Chief of Air Staff. This Air Officer is decorated with PVSM, AVSM, VM. ( PIB)

New Delhi: 8th September 2021: Cabinet Committee on Security approved the procurement of fifty six C-295MW transport aircraft from M/s Airbus Defence and Space S.A., Spain for the Indian Air Force. C-295MW aircraft is a transport aircraft of 5-10 Tonne capacity with contemporary technology that will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF. The aircraft has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo. Sixteen aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition from Spain within 48 months of signing of the contract and forty aircraft will be manufactured in India by TATA Consortium within ten years of signing of the contract. This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. All fifty six aircraft will be installed with indigenous Electronic Warfare Suite. The project will give a boost to aerospace ecosystem in India wherein several MSMEs spread over the country will be involved in manufacturing of parts of the aircraft. The programme will provide major boost to the `Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ of the Government as it offers a unique opportunity for the Indian Private Sector to enter into technology intensive and highly competitive aviation Industry. The project will augment domestic aviation manufacturing resulting in reduced import dependence and expected increase in exports. A large number of detail parts, sub-assemblies and major component assemblies of aero structure are scheduled to be manufactured in India. The programme 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 3000 indirect jobs and an additional 3000 medium skill employment opportunities with more than 42.5 lakh man hours of work within the aerospace and defence sector of India. It will involve development of specialized infrastructure in form of hangars, buildings, aprons and taxiway. During the process of manufacturing in India, it is expected that all the suppliers of TATA Consortium who will be involved in special processes will gain and maintain globally recognized National Aerospace and Defence Contractors Accreditation Program (NADCAP) accreditation. Before completion of deliveries, ‘D’ Level servicing facility (MRO) for C-295MW aircraft are scheduled to be setup in India. It is expected that this facility will act as a regional MRO hub for various variants of C-295 aircraft. In addition, the OEM will also discharge its offset obligations through direct purchase of eligible products and Services from Indian Offset Partners giving further boost to economy. This programme is a unique initiative of Government of India to strengthen indigenous capabilities and boost ‘Make in India’.

This contract will mark HENSOLDT entry in Ballistic Missile Defence capabilities Taufkirchen, Germany, 24 August 2021: Sensor solutions provider HENSOLDT, together with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), is supplying new radars to the German Navy to modernise the sensor technology of the F124 air defence frigates. The Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and Operation (BAAINBw) has placed an order worth approximately 200 million euros for the delivery and installation of four sensor systems consisting of radar and IFF system respectively. With this order the F124 frigate’s radars will be refurbished to overcome obsolescence of electronics components. The order also marks the start of the development of national capabilities in the field of Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD). It includes a shore facility that is a fully functional copy of the ship’s radars. It not only enables training for users and service technicians, but also allows further developments to be tested on land prior to onboard installation. To this end, HENSOLDT has entered into a strategic cooperation in the field of BMD-capable wide-range radars in S-band with IAI subsidiary ELTA Systems Ltd. This supplies the German customer with a combination of a national partner for certification and long-term support, as well as market-available systems that have been tried and tested in the field. Previously, the contract for the modernisation of land-based air surveillance in the HADR NF programme, also based on a cooperation with IAI’s ELTA, was awarded to HENSOLDT. The radars used in both projects are largely identical in construction and thus also offer the customer advantages in terms of logistical supply and thus the long-term operation of the systems. In this way, further developments can also be used cross-sectionally and thus be introduced more cost-effectively.

Moscow / August 24, 2021 Russian Helicopters Holding Company (a part of Rostec State Corporation) at the international military and technical forum “Army-2021” has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation to supply the first modernised attack helicopters Ka-52M. The first rotorcrft is to be delivered already in 2022. Scheduled deliveries for the modernized helicopters to begin after state joint tests have been completed, which starts in August. “The Ka-52 is one of the best attack helicopters in the world, but even the best aircraft needs timely modernization, which will expand its combat capabilities,” said Andrey Boginsky, Director General of Russian Helicopters Holding Company. ¬– With updated version development, our designers drew on the experience of Alligator’s operation, including in real combat situations. Therefore, everything in the modernized attack helicopter is aimed at improving combat effectiveness in all weather conditions. Under an agreement with the Russian Ministry of Defense, preparations for serial production have already begun at the AAC ”Progress” facility in the Primorye”. Ka-52M has received a modernized avionics complex, equipped with more powerful computers for better performance. With its support, the weapon’s application capabilities have been expanded, including in night conditions. The target range of detection and recognition at night has been doubled. The helicopter has installed and tested advanced missile weapons. The Ka-52M is adapted to work in conjunction with UAVs. The data obtained from the drones will help the crew to increase situational awareness on the battlefield and help significantly improve intelligence gathering at a greater distance. To increase the helicopter’s efficiency, intensive work is underway to install a radar station with an active phased antenna array (APAR). The combat radius has been increased. The helicopter is also equipped with an upgraded BLC (On-Board Load Control System).