RAKSHA ANIRVEDA
IN NEWS GOA SHIPYARD BEGINS PRODUCTION OF STEALTH FRIGATES FOR NAVY, DELIVERY LIKELY BY 2026 New Delhi. Goa Shipyard Ltd, September 21, commenced production of the two guided missile frigates, which are being built in collaboration with Russia’s Yantar Shipyard for the Indian Navy. GSL expects to deliver the first ship to the Navy by 2026. Though the frigates are based on a Russian design, they will have significant indigenous content, including an Indian-built radar, sonar systems and sensors, communication suites and antiship BrahMos missile systems. Initiating the production process, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar said that the frigates would help the Navy meet maritime challenges. India and Russia entered into a government to government agreement for four stealth frigates, with two being built in Russia and two at Goa Shipyard. The stealth frigate project is the largest contract in GSL’s history and represents a quantum leap in the shipyard’s capabilities.
DRDO BEGINS PREPARING FOR CONTACTLESS CONFLICTS OF FUTURE, PLANS STAR WARS-STYLE WEAPONS New Delhi. In a major step towards tackling future war scenarios with focus on space wars, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is planning a national programme on directed energy weapons (DEWs) like high-energy lasers and highpowered microwaves, which are increasingly being considered crucial around the world for the contactless conflicts of the future. The national programme will have short, medium and long-term goals, with the eventual aim being to develop different DEW variants of up to 100 kilowatt power, in collaboration with the domestic industry, sources said. 126
AMID SINO-INDIAN STANDOFF; INDIA PLANS TO ACQUIRE MQ-9B SKY GUARDIAN, UPGRADE HERON New Delhi. With the continuing standoff along the Sino-Indian border for almost five months, India has decided in favour of the weaponised MQ-9B Sky Guardian drone from the US and to upgrade its existing Israeli Heron fleet with satellite communication capability in an attempt to enhance its range as well as surveillance capabilities. The face-off between the Indian Army and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has spurred the Indian private sector and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to start manufacturing short-range tactical drones as well as anti-drone systems to boost border defences. The three services have come to a conclusion that India should opt for a weaponised drone rather than the 22 reconnaissance and surveillance Sea Guardian drones approved in 2017 by the US administration for supply to India, according to highly placed sources.
RAFAEL DISPLAYING VARIETY OF LAND, AIR AND NAVAL TECH PROWESS AT HEMUS 2020 Plovdiv, Bulgaria. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. is all set to showcase its land, air and naval technology prowess at HEMUS 2020 International Defense and Services Exhibition at Plovdiv in Bulgaria from September 30 – October 3. The company also congratulated Bulgaria for holding the exhibition. At HEMUS 2020, Rafael will exhibit a variety of its solutions, for air, land and naval applications, with special focus on Bulgaria’s defense programs and requirements. This includes the country’s planned 8X8 combat vehicle program, offering a complete package of systems to enable and enhance full ground combat vehicle survivability, maneuverability and lethality.
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