Defense Updates

Fire on Indian Navy Warship

• Incident: Fire broke out on board the INS Brahmaputra
• Location: Mumbai Naval Dockyard
• Current Status: Ship resting on its side
• Rescue Efforts: Teams searching for a missing junior sailor

China Constructs Bridge

• Completion: China has built a bridge in territory it controls
• Location: Overlooks the Pangong Tso in Eastern Ladakh
• Significance: Provides quicker access to conflict zones & Indian positions around the lake

ISRO’s Success with Scramjet Propulsion

• Demonstration: Successful test of the Max 6 scramjet air-breathing propulsion system
• Platform: Mounted on RLV-TD experimental rocket

Indian Air Force's AEW&C Procurement

• Request for Information: Ministry of Defense seeks 6 airborne early warning and control systems
• Specifications: 360° coverage, operational altitude of 40,000 ft+

Record Defense Exports

• Achievement: India’s defense exports reached $2.5 billion
• Rank: Among top 25 arms exporter nations

CRPF Vehicle Delivery

• Completion: Vehicle Factory Jabalpur delivered final lot of 11 modified MPVs to CRPF

Counter UAV Solution Development

• Collaboration: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers signed MoU with Merlin Hawk Aerospace
• Objective: Develop Counter UAV solution using EO Fire Control System with CRN 91 gun

Surveillance UAV Demonstration

• Company: Vrinda Aerospace
• Demonstration: Showcased 100 km range RYUV to high-level delegation from Congo

Production of Guided Supply Drop Parachutes

• Company: Gliders India Limited
• Development: Preparing to produce India’s first GPS-equipped supply drop parachutes

MRFA Competition Insights

• Current Scenario: Concerns over technology transfer policies
• Discussion: Entry of F-15EX into competition vs. acquiring a fifth-generation platform like F-35
• Implication: Need for aircraft relevant for 40-50 years vs. short-term benefits of older models

Mounted Gun Systems Evaluation

• Indian Army: Evaluating bids for 8814 mounted gun systems
• Contenders: Including Kalyani Strategic Systems and others
• Process: Upcoming user trials are critical

RUDRAM-2 Anti-Radiation Missile

• Update: Additional trial plans announced over the next 6 months
• Production: Expected to be ready for series production by 2025
• Induction: Anticipated in IAF by mid-2025

Development of Drone-Based ELINT System

• Company: Bharat Electronics Limited
• Focus: Electronic warfare capability
• Status: Specifications finalized, hardware procured

Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV)

• Current Status: On track for user trials later this year
• Competitors: Other companies developing prototypes for bidding process