DEFENCE

1.SOLID FUEL DUCTED RAMJET (SFDR) TECHNOLOGY

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested SFDR booster.

The SFDR (Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet) is a missile propulsion system developed under a joint Indo-Russian R&D project. It includes a thrust modulated ducted rocket with a reduced smoke nozzle-less missile booster. The system utilizes a solid-fueled air-breathing Ramjet engine, which takes up oxygen from the atmosphere during flight, making it lighter in weight and able to carry more fuel.

The first flight of SFDR was tested in 2018, achieving a speed of Mach 3. The system has a range of air targets in the ranges of 70 – 340 km. Overall, SFDR is an advanced missile propulsion system that combines the benefits of solid-fuel rockets and Ramjet engines, making it an efficient and effective weapon for air combat operations.

Difference between Ramjet, Scramjet and Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ)

Engine Type	Operational Speed Range	Method of Achieving Thrust
Ramjet	Subsonic to Supersonic (up to Mach 5)	Aerodynamic Compression
Scramjet	Hypersonic (above Mach 5)	Supersonic Combustion
Dual Mode Ramjet (DMRJ)	Subsonic to Hypersonic (Mach 0.5 to Mach 6)	Combination of Aerodynamic Compression and Supersonic Combustion

2.CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF (CDS)

Lt General Anil Chauhan appointed next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the highest-ranking military officer in India and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating the activities of the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces – the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force. The CDS acts as the principal military adviser to the Government of India and also heads the Department of Military Affairs, which was created in 2019 to ensure better coordination between the services and to promote jointness in operations. The first CDS of India was General Bipin Rawat, who assumed office on 1 January 2020.

3.GSAT 7 SERIES SATELLITES

Indian Army Tests Satellite-Based Systems under Operation Skylight

Indian Army using GSAT-7A for Communication, Proposal for GSAT-7B Cleared by Defence Acquisition Council to Meet Army’s Communication Needs;

GSAT-7 Series Satellites Developed by ISRO to Meet Defence Services’ Communication Needs.

GSAT-7 primarily used by Indian Navy for secure, real-time communication.

GSAT-7A used by IAF for boosting connectivity between ground radar stations, airbases, and AEW&C aircraft. GSAT-7B will fulfill the communication needs of the Army, enhancing surveillance in border areas.

4.BRAHMOS

Philippines signed a deal for purchase of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles.

BrahMos – Long Range Supersonic Cruise Missile System for Land, Sea, and Air Launch against Surface and Sea-Based Targets. Collaboration between India’s DRDO and Russia’s NPO Mashinostoyenia, named after Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers. Two-stage missile with solid propellant booster engine as the first stage and liquid ramjet as the second stage, operates on a fire and forget principle. Range originally capped at 290 km under MTCR obligations, but extended to 450 km after India’s entry into MTCR in 2016 with plans for further extension up to 600 km.

5.MISSILES IN NEWS

• Agni missile:India conducted a successful training launch of its Agni-3 missile, which is an intermediate-range ballistic missile. It can travel over 3000 kilometers and carry a payload of over 1.5 tonnes. The Agni missile series is essential for delivering India’s nuclear weapons, and it was developed as part of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
• S-400 : India is expected to receive a sanctions waiver from the US for its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile system. The S-400 is a long-range surface-to-air missile system that is mobile and can engage different types of targets such as enemy aircraft, ballistic missiles, and Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) planes at varying ranges up to 400km. It is also capable of simultaneously engaging up to 80 targets with a response time of 9-10 seconds.
• Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) : The DRDO has successfully test fired laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) from the Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun. The ATGMs use a tandem high explosive anti-tank warhead to defeat armoured vehicles that are protected by explosive reactive armour. They also have the capability to be launched from multiple platforms.
• Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM): The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully conducted a test flight of the final version of the MPATGM anti-tank missile. This missile is made in India and is designed to be lightweight and easy to use. It can be launched from a portable launcher that comes with a thermal sight. The missile has a small infrared camera and advanced electronics that help it navigate to its target without requiring any additional guidance from the operator.
• HELINA:The DRDO has developed a new anti-tank guided missile called HELINA, which can be launched from a helicopter. This missile is a third-generation, fire-and-forget type of missile, meaning that once it is launched, it can automatically track and hit its target without requiring any further input from the operator. The HELINA is mounted on the Advanced Light Helicopter, and it has the ability to operate in all weather conditions, including day and night.
• Astra Mk-I beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missiles :
• The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL) for the production of Astra Mk-I missiles. The Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has shared the technology with BDL to manufacture these missiles and their associated systems.
• The Astra Mk-I missile is a Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile, which means it can engage targets beyond the visual range of 37 kilometers. These air-to-air missiles are designed to be fired from fighter jets like Sukhoi-30 MKI and Tejas of the Indian Air Force and the Mig-29K of the Indian Navy. The primary purpose of these missiles is to destroy airborne targets.
• Pralay Missile :
• The DRDO has conducted a successful maiden flight test of the Pralay missile, which is a surface-to-surface missile developed in India. The missile has a range of 150-500 kilometers and can hit its target with an accuracy of less than 10 meters.
• The Pralay missile has an advanced guidance system that includes state-of-the-art navigation mechanisms and integrated avionics, which help the missile navigate accurately towards its target.

6.SUBMARINES

Fifth Scorpène-class submarine Vagir was delivered to Navy.

Six Scorpene-class submarines are being built indigenously in India under Project-75 by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited with technology transfer from Naval Group of France. These submarines include Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, Vela, and Vagsheer.

The Scorpene-class submarines are designed to operate in a variety of missions, including anti-warship and anti-submarine operations, intelligence gathering and surveillance, and naval mine laying. They have a wide operating range and are expected to enhance the Indian Navy’s capabilities in the maritime domain.

7.SUBMARINES, SHIPS AND AIRCRAFT CARRIERS IN NEWS

• INS Vikrant:
• India has built its first-ever Indigenous Aircraft Carrier called INS Vikrant. It was designed by the Indian Navy and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. Unlike previous Indian aircraft carriers which were built by British or Russians, INS Vikrant is entirely made in India.
• INS Vikrant has over 76% indigenous materials and equipment onboard. It operates using a Short Take Off But Assisted Recovery (STOBAR) aircraft-operation mode, which means that it launches aircraft using a ski-jump.
• Project 15 B :
• Recently, two ships from Project 15B, Mormugao and Surat, were launched. Project 15B is a continuation of the Kolkata class destroyers, which were part of Project 15A. The ships under Project 15B are being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited and include four ships named Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat.
• These ships are called stealth guided missile destroyers, meaning they are designed to have a reduced radar signature to avoid detection and can launch guided missiles.
• Project 75(I): Project 75(I) is a strategic initiative by the Indian government, aimed at building six advanced conventional submarines equipped with modern technology and torpedoes. The project has been approved under the ‘Make in India’ initiative and the strategic partnership model, which emphasizes indigenous construction and local manufacturing of advanced military equipment. The extension of the proposal deadline indicates the government’s commitment to ensuring the highest standards of quality and efficiency in the construction of these submarines, which are expected to enhance India’s defense capabilities and contribute to its self-reliance in the field of defense production.
• Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vagsheer:The Vagsheer submarine, which is the sixth and final submarine of Project 75, has been launched. It is a diesel attack submarine designed to perform sea and access denial warfare. Project 75 is a part of the Indian government’s plan for indigenous submarine construction, which includes two lines of submarines – P75 and P75I – with technology taken from overseas firms. The first four submarines under P75 – Kalvari, Khanderi, Karanj, and Vela – have already been commissioned, while sea trials are currently underway for the fifth submarine, Vagir. The construction of these submarines has been carried out by Mazagon Dock Ltd. This project is a significant step towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities and achieving self-reliance in the field of defense production.

8. AIRCRAFTS, DRONES AND HELICOPTERS IN NEWS

• Dornier (Do-228) Aircraft flight :The Ministry of Civil Aviation has announced that the first commercial flight of the made-in-India Dornier-228 aircraft will be launched. The aircraft has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and delivered to Alliance Air, which will become the first commercial airline to operate an Indian-made aircraft for civil operations. The aircraft will connect five remote towns in Arunachal Pradesh to Dibrugarh in Assam. This is part of the Indian government’s UdeDeshkaAamNaagrik (UDAN) regional connectivity scheme, which aims to enhance regional connectivity and make air travel more accessible and affordable for all citizens.
• Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) :The Indian Air Force has inducted the indigenously developed multi-role LCH-Prachand helicopter, which has been developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. With this development, India has become the seventh country in the world to manufacture attack helicopters. The LCH-Prachand helicopter is equipped with advanced features such as a range of 550 km, an endurance of over 3 hours, and a service ceiling of 6.5 kilometers. It is also the only combat helicopter in the world that can land and takeoff at an altitude of 5,000 meters. The helicopter is equipped with a countermeasure dispensing system that protects it from enemy radars or infrared seekers of the enemy missiles, making it an advanced addition to the Indian Air Force’s fleet.
• Indigenous stealth drone :A new indigenous stealth drone, also known as an Unmanned Combat Airborne Vehicle (UCAV), has successfully made its maiden flight. This UCAV is a prototype for the Ghatak armed stealth drone program, known as AURA (Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft). AURA is a self-defending, high-speed, reconnaissance UAV with the ability to fire weapons. The UCAV has been developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment, and it is an important step towards enhancing India’s defense capabilities and achieving self-reliance in the field of defense production.
• Chinook helicopters :The US Army has temporarily grounded its fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters after discovering a risk of engine fires. The Chinook helicopter is a versatile, vertical-lift platform that is used for transporting troops, equipment, and supplies across difficult terrain. It is also used for humanitarian and disaster relief operations. The Indian Air Force inducted the Chinook helicopter into its fleet in 2019, and it has been an important addition to India’s military capabilities.
• Tejas Mark-2:The Cabinet Committee on Security has approved the Tejas Mark-2 project, which is an improved version of the Tejas light combat aircraft. The Tejas is a supersonic fighter jet that is highly agile and can perform various roles. The Tejas Mark-2 will have 70% indigenization and will be equipped with more powerful GE-414 engines. This will allow it to have a longer combat range and carry more weapons than the existing Tejas Mark-1. Overall, the Tejas Mark-2 is considered a 4.5-generation aircraft. It was designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under DRDO and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited.
• Kamikaze Drones:The army is planning to introduce kamikaze drones in eastern Ladakh. These drones are small, unmanned aircraft that are loaded with explosives. They can be flown directly towards a tank or group of troops and explode upon impact, destroying the target. These drones are also known as Switchblade drones, because their wings spring out like blades upon launch.
• Hermes Starliner unmanned system :Israel has become the first country to permit the use of drones, specifically the Hermes Starliner, in civilian airspace. This means that the Hermes Starliner drone will be allowed to fly in areas where civilian aircrafts also fly, rather than being limited to areas designated for drone use only.