Defence

New Delhi,5th Feb 2025: Chief Operations Officer (COO), Royal Bhutan Army (RBA) Lt Gen Batoo Tshering meet Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on February 04, 2025, and held discussions encompassing a variety of issues on bilateral relations. During the talks, Raksha Mantri reaffirmed India’s readiness to support Bhutan in capability enhancement for defence preparedness, including provisioning of defence equipment and assets to augment capacities of Bhutan, as per its national priorities and in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy. On his part, Lt Gen Batoo Tshering appreciated Government of India’s continued support and thanked India in assisting Bhutan in augmenting its modern defence capacities and training of RBA. He also reaffirmed RBA’s firm commitment to work closely with India in realising the shared vision for peace and prosperity in the region. COO, RBA was on an official visit to India from February 02-05, 2025. The visit is part of continued high-level engagements between the two sides and has provided an opportunity to further deepen the bilateral defence & security relations. (Courtesy: (MoD/PIB)

São José dos Campos, February 3, 2025: Embraer celebrates today 10 years of the first flight of the KC-390 Millennium, the next-generation multi-mission tactical transport aircraft. The maiden flight, which took place in Gavião Peixoto on February 3rd, 2015, lasted 1 hour and 25 minutes. It provided the crew with an evaluation of the flight characteristics and impressive performance of the KC-390 Millennium. Since then, this fly-by-wire-equipped aircraft has redefined the standards of military airlift, performing a wide range of missions in the most demanding conditions, while achieving remarkable success in global defense markets. In October 2018, the KC-390 Millennium achieved two additional significant milestones: the first flight of the first series-produced aircraft and the receipt of the Type Certificate from the National Civil Aviation Agency (ANAC). This certification marked a critical milestone towards achieving military certification and demonstrated the aircraft’s advanced technological level. “In just one decade, the KC-390 has proven to be an unbeatable combination of versatility, robustness and flexibility, steadily gaining its place in the market and becoming the ideal choice for countries looking for a multi-mission tactical military transport. This aircraft combines the best of aerospace technology with the spirit of Embraer, dedicated to excellence and performance, enabling our customers to execute their missions anytime, anywhere,” says Bosco da Costa Junior, president and CEO of Embraer of Defense & Security. Between August and September 2019, the signing of the contract with Portugal for the acquisition of five KC-390 multi-mission aircraft and the delivery of the first unit to the Brazilian Air Force marked additional important chapters in the KC-390 Millennium’s success story. In 2020, one of the most prestigious aviation magazines, Aviation Week, awarded the KC-390 Millennium the Grand Laureate in the Defense category and the Laureate Awards for “Best New Product” in the Defense category. Some days later, Hungary joined the ranks of countries that selected the KC-390 Millennium to enhance their defense capabilities with Embraer’s state-of-the-art aircraft. “The acquisition of the KC-390 by Portugal and Hungary, two leading NATO members, has enabled the KC-390 Millennium to make significant strides in Europe, showcasing the outstanding flexibility, operational efficiency, and low operating costs of this remarkable aircraft,” said Bosco da Costa Junior. In 2022, the Netherlands announced its choice for the Millennium. In 2023, Austria, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea also selected the KC-390, confirming the success of this game-changer platform. In 2024, Sweden, Slovakia and an Undisclosed Customer have also opted for the KC-390. Since entering operation with the Brazilian Air Force in 2019, the Portuguese Air Force in 2023, and, most recently the Hungarian Air Force in 2024, the KC-390 has proven its capability, reliability, and performance. The current fleet of 10 operational aircraft – seven with the Brazilian Air Force, two with the Portuguese Air Force and one with the Hungarian Air Force – has accumulated over 16,300 flight hours, with a mission capability rate of 93% and mission completion rates above 99%, demonstrating exceptional productivity in the category. The KC-390 can carry more payload (26 tons) compared to other medium-sized military transport aircraft and flies faster (470 knots) and farther, being capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as transporting and dropping cargo and troops, medical evacuation, search and rescue, air-to-air refueling both as a tanker and a receiver, firefighting and humanitarian missions, operating on temporary or unpaved runways, such as packed earth, soil and gravel.

Ulm/Germany, 20th January 2025: Airbus Defence and Space equips in close collaboration with HENSOLDT the “German Airborne Weapon Systems Electronic Warfare Center” with new up-to-date software and hardware to provide a streamlined, service-oriented approach to improve the support of mission-specific “Electronic Warfare Mission Data” for the aircraft operated by the German Armed Forces. This joint effort ensures that weapon systems are tailored to each mission and maintain the readiness of the “German Airborne Weapon Systems Electronic Warfare Center” in face of current and future threats. The agreement starts in January 2025 and includes mission-critical software solutions. The highly integrated system will offer an increased amount of automation and allows reduced response times to the end user. Airbus` state-of-the-art operating systems will enhance usability while integrating future-proof technology compatible with advanced weapon systems. It not only paves the way for future integration with additional platforms, but also increases mission effectiveness and enables efficient mission preparation and conduction seamlessly. HENSOLDT provides essential IT services and deployable hardware for mobile operations, including server hardware and workstation computers for personnel. The collaboration between Airbus and HENSOLDT marks a significant step in strengthening Germany’s defence capabilities, ensuring mission effectiveness and readiness in a complex and technology-driven defence environment.

Delhi, 25th Nov 2024: Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) launched its NeuSPHERE Innovation Acceleration Program in India. Rooted in IAI’s commitment to promoting technological leadership, the NeuSPHERE Program provides a platform for Indian deep-tech startups to co-create cutting-edge innovation, accelerate their growth and expand globally. IAI’s NeuSPHERE Innovation Acceleration Program focuses on the Indian technology startup community, in particular inventive deep-tech startups focusing on big data, signal and image processing, advanced navigation systems, AI and autonomy, XR-maintenance and training, green energy, advanced production, quantum, edge computing, Human Machine Interfaces and wearable technology. It will provide the participating Indian startups access to advanced resources and technologies, including global mentorship and guidance, networking and funding, to accelerate their market-ready solutions. Through IAI’s NeuSPHERE Program, IAI reaffirms its commitment to India’s innovation ecosystem, propelling Indian startups towards global competitiveness and technological excellence. Brig. Gen. (Res) Eytan Eshel, Executive Vice President of Technology, Chief Technology Officer (CTO), R&D and Innovation of IAI: “The NeuSPHERE Innovation Acceleration Program in India is a significant step towards fulfilling IAI’s strategic vision of collaborating with India’s startup ecosystem. We recognize the tremendous technology talent in India and are very excited about this program and to work together to help these companies scale their offerings. This program is part of our efforts to create a worldwide network of technological excellence and drive forward the future of aerospace and defense.”

New Delhi, 12th Nov 2024: ‘Antariksha Abhyas – 2024’, a three day Exercise to war-game the growing threats from and to Space Based Assets and Services, is being conducted by the Defence Space Agency of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff from 11 – 13 Nov 24. Exercise Antariksha Abhyas is a first of its kind exercise being conducted and is expected to help secure national strategic objectives in space and integrate India’s space capability in military operations. In his opening address, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said, “Space, once considered the final frontier is now the critical enabler of India’s defence and security apparatus. With its rich legacy of space exploration and growing military capabilities, India is well positioned to navigate the challenges posed to space based capabilities”. Highlighting that space was becoming increasingly congested, contested, competitive and commercial, the CDS impressed upon the military leadership to secure our national interests in space by fostering innovation and developing cutting edge technologies and state of the art systems in collaboration with DRDO, ISRO and Academia. The Space Exercise aims to provide enhanced understanding of space based assets and services and to gain understanding of operational dependency on space segment between stakeholders. In addition, it intends to identify vulnerabilities in conduct of operations in the event of denial or disruptions of space based services. It will have participants from the Defence Space Agency and its allied units along with personnel from the Army, Navy and the Air Force. Specialist branches under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff viz Defence Cyber Agency, Defence Intelligence Agency and Strategic Forces Command would also be active participants in conduct of the exercise. Representatives from Indian Space Research Organisation and the Defence Research & Development Organisation will also take part in it.

Moscow, 7th Nov 2024: JSC ROSOBORONEXPORT (part of Rostec State Corporation) is organizing a large-scale demonstration of the most advanced samples of the Russian aviation, helicopter assets and air defence means at the China Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition Airshow China 2024. The airshow will be held in the period from November 12 to November 17 on the territory of the China International Aviation & Aerospace Exhibition Center in the city of Zhuhai, China. “Airshow China is one of the biggest events for civil and military aircraft manufacturers worldwide. It was held for the first time in 1996 and Russia took part in all the airshows. For ROSOBORONEXPORT Airshow China is a hallmark event. The Russian special exporter, established on November 4, 2000, began its exhibition activities in Zhuhai exactly,”- said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of ROSOBORONEXPORT. – “The Russian exposition at Airshow China in 2024 organized by ROSOBORONEXPORT features a wide range of weapons and military equipment on display. For the first time the 5th generation fighter Su-57E will take part in the flying program abroad, state-of-the-art guided missiles and aerial bombs will be presented, as well as advanced weaponry of the Ka-52E helicopter, the best reconnaissance and strike helicopter in its class.” More than 20 of the country’s defence enterprises specializing in the development and production of military aircraft, helicopters, air-launched ordnance, air defence and antiballistic missile defence systems and assets, electronic warfare suites, engines and avionics representing the joint Russian exposition will unveil their products. In the combat aviation segment airshow visitors will see on display the advanced multi-functional fighter Su-57E which will take part in the flying program of the exhibition. The airshow will include the maiden demonstration flights abroad by the 5th generation fighter Su-57E developed and made by PJSC United Aircraft Corporation (part of Rostec State Corporation). Besides, the Russian Knights Group (“RusskieVityazi”), always welcomed very warmly by Chinese spectators, will perform aerobatic maneuvers on the Su-35 type fighters. The Su-57E will also be on display on the static parking lot along with the state-of-the art air-launched ordnance developed and produced by the JSC Tactical Missiles Corporation. These may be included as part of the aircraft armament suites of the 4++ and 5 generation fighters, both Russian and foreign-made. Among the novelties there are a multi-functional stealth missile of a new generation Kh-69 and an anti-radar missile Kh-59UShKE demonstrated abroad for the first time, guided missile “GROM-E1” aerial bombs: smart bomb K08BE and guided glide bomb UPAB-1500B-E. ROSOBORONEXPORT will show in its booth the Ka-52E combat reconnaissance and strike helicopter. The company will demonstrate the possibility of integrating into its weapons suite a tactical anti-ship missile Kh-35UE designed to defeat combat ships and transport vessels, as well as an aerial modular guided missile Kh-38MLE intended to destroy infrastructure facilities, hardened ground targets and water surface targets in the coastal zone exhibited out of Russia for the first time. In the air defence segment ROSOBORONEXPORT will present the S-350E AD missile system “Vityaz” made by the JSC Concern VKO “Almaz-Antey” which under realistic combat conditions showed a high capability of destroying a wide range of air targets, including when operating in the fully automatic mode. At the Airshow China 2024 ROSOBORONEXPORT will continue the promotion of a unique project related to forming units of airborne troops within the structure of the armed forces of foreign partners. Within the framework of this proposal the company will present a refuelling aircraft Il-78MK-90A capable of being converted into a military transport plane, an airborne fighting vehicle BMD-4M and a 125 mm self-propelled modernized anti-tank gun 2S25. The military hardware of the airborne troops may be air-dropped with a parachute on a pre-selected site. ROSOBORONEXPORT is prepared to render assistance in the organization and staffing of airborne units, in building the necessary ground infrastructure, in outfitting with all types of weapons and equipment, in the training of personnel. Within the framework of the Airshow China 2024 business program ROSOBORONEXPORT will hold meetings and negotiations with the representatives of China’s People’s Liberation Army and delegations of countries friendly to Russia on the issues of cooperation and strengthening of the military and technical potential.

Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil,Nov 05, 2024 : Saab’s fighter jet is a highlight at CRUZEX 2024, the largest multinational operational training exercise in Latin America, organised by the Brazilian Air Force (FAB).Over two thousand military personnel from Brazil and 15 other nations from across Latin America, Africa, Europe and the United States are gathered for one of the largest operational air exercises in the Southern Hemisphere, CRUZEX 2024.Held from 3 to 15 November at the Natal Air Base in Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, the exercise features over 100 combat aircraft. The main highlight of this edition is the debut of the F-39E Gripen in high-complexity scenarios. “It is a true honour to see Gripen E’s debut at CRUZEX. We have eagerly awaited this moment marking Gripen E’s first participation in a multinational military exercise. We are delighted that this impressive inaugural event is hosted by our valued customer and partner, the Brazilian Air Force,” said Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab. As the most advanced fighter in service in Latin America, F-39E Gripen will execute a broad range of tasks in Composite Air Operations (COMAO), where a large number of aircraft with different objectives operate simultaneously against an enemy to saturate its defences, enhancing mission efficiency. “At CRUZEX, we are acting both as enemy and friendly forces, the latter being our primary role. In this context, we will conduct Offensive Counterair operations (OCA), in which F-39E Gripen will protect friendly forces while they carry out actions within enemy territory, as well as air operations, and Defensive Counterair operations (DCA) aimed at defending against enemy attacks,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Aviator Ramon Lincoln Santos Fórneas, commander of the 1st Air Defence Group (1º GDA), the pioneering unit to operate the Gripen in the Brazilian Air Force. In operation since December 2022, F-39E Gripen incorporates cutting-edge technologies, some of which are unprecedented in the Brazilian Air Force, such as the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar and the Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) passive targeting sensor. These sensors, along with its manoeuvrability, performance, communication, navigation, and electronic warfare systems, position F-39E Gripen as a strategic capability for maintaining the sovereignty of Brazilian airspace.

New Delhi, 28th Oct. 2024: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez jointly inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing of C-295 aircraft at TATA advanced systems limited (TASL) Campus in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 28, 2024. Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister remarked that it is the Prime Minister of Spain Mr Pedro Sanchez’s first visit to India and the partnership between the two countries is finding a new direction today. Noting the inauguration of the TATA Aircraft Complex for manufacturing C-295 aircraft, the Prime Minister said that it would not only strengthen the relations between the two nations, but also give momentum to the mission of ‘Make in India, Make for the World’. Modi conveyed his best wishes to the entire team of Airbus and TATA on the occasion. The Prime Minister also paid his tributes to Late Ratan Tata ji. The Prime Minister underlined that the factory of C-295 aircraft is a reflection of the new work culture of New India and said that India’s speed from idea to the execution of any project in the country can be witnessed here. Recalling the foundation stone laying of the factory in October 2022, the Prime Minister said that the facility is now ready for production of C-295 aircraft. Emphasizing the focus on eliminating unaccounted delays in the planning and execution of projects, the Prime Minister recalled the setting up of Bombardier Train Coach manufacturing facility in Vadodara as the Chief Minister of Gujarat and said that factory was ready in record time for production. “Metro Coaches made in this factory are being exported to other nations today”, he added. Shri Modi expressed confidence that the aircraft made in today’s inaugurated facility would also be exported. Quoting the famous Spanish poet Antonio Machado, the Prime Minister remarked that as we start treading towards the goal, the path towards the goal is created automatically. Noting that India’s defence manufacturing ecosystem was scaling new peaks today, Shri Modi said that if concrete steps were not taken 10 years ago then it would have been impossible to reach this destination today. He added that a decade ago, the priority and identity of defence manufacturing were about import and none could imagine that defence manufacturing could take place on such a large scale in India. The Prime Minister remarked that the Government decided to walk on a new path, set new goals for India, whose results are evident today. The Prime Minister said that India’s transformation of the defence sector exemplifies how a right plan and partnership can turn possibilities into prosperity. He underlined that strategic decisions have spurred the growth of a vibrant defence industry in India over the last decade. “We expanded private sector participation in defence manufacturing, made public sector units more efficient, restructured ordnance factories into seven major companies, and empowered DRDO and HAL”, said Shri Modi. He said establishing defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu infused new energy into the sector. Touching upon Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme, the Prime Minister said that it has driven the growth of around 1,000 defence start-ups in the past five to six years. He informed that India’s defence exports have increased 30 times over the past decade, with the country now exporting equipment to over 100 countries. The Prime Minister underlined that he was looking at today’s program beyond the manufacturing of transport aircraft. Highlighting the unprecedented growth and transformation of India’s aviation sector in the last decade, Shri Modi remarked that India was providing air connectivity to hundreds of small cities in the country, while simultaneously working to make India a hub of aviation and MRO domain. He added that this ecosystem will also pave the way for Made in India civil aircraft in the future. Noting that various Indian airlines have ordered 1,200 new aircraft, Modi said that this only meant the newly inaugurated factory will play a major role from designing to manufacturing civil aircraft to meet the needs of India and the world in the future. Noting that Vadodara City was a stronghold of MSMEs, Modi remarked that the city will act as a catalyst in these efforts of India. He added that the city also had a Gatishakti University, which was preparing professionals for different sectors of India. The Prime Minister also noted that there were many companies related to many sectors like the pharma sector, Engineering and Heavy Machinery, Chemicals and Petrochemicals, Power and Energy Equipment in Vadodara. He added that now this entire region was also going to be a major hub of aviation manufacturing in India. Concluding the address, the Prime Minister expressed confidence that today’s event will inspire many new joint collaboration projects between India and Spain. He extended an invitation to the Spanish industry and innovators and encouraged them to come to India and become partners in the country’s development journey. Governor of Gujarat Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishakar were among those present on the occasion. Earlier, in a post on X, Raksha Mantri termed the inauguration as a special day for the Indian aerospace industry. “The C-295 project is a huge accomplishment for the Indian private industry as it is the first project of its kind in which a complete military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company. The project will give a big boost to India’s growing aerospace ecosystem,” he wrote. Background In September 2021, Ministry of Defence had signed a Rs 21,935-crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space SA, Spain for supply of 56 aircraft – 16 to be brought in fly away condition from Spain and 40 to be built in India by TASL. Delivery Of the 16 aircraft, six have already been inducted into IAF at 11 Sqn based at Vadodara. The last would be delivered by August 2025. The first Made-in-India C-295 is expected to be rolled out of the Final Assembly Line