November 2018

India signs contract for two homemade Russian Grigorovich class frigates

India and Russia, on November 20, signed a contract for two built-in-India Grigorovich class (Project 11356P/M) advanced guided missile frigates. The frigates will be constructed at the government owned Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). This is a follow on contract to the last month’s deal for import of the two Russian built vessels of the same class. The Grigorovich class is an advanced Talwar class frigate.

Indian Navy operates six Talwar class ships.

Russia wins shoulder fired air defence competition

The Russian man-portable air defence system (MANPAD) Igla S has won the Indian Army’s competitive bid for very short range air defence (VSHORAD) system defeating French MBDA Mistral and Swedish Saab’s RGS 70NG. Indian Army is looking for around 5100 VSHORAD missiles to replace its existing arsenal of Russian Igla missiles inducted some four decades back.  

Near Space Surveillance and Beyond

The advent and proliferation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles(UAV) enabled commanders to “Look Over the Hill” and kindled “Precision” in firepower delivery. UAVs with their ability to carry out surveillance, acquire targets and direct/deliver firepower accurately heralded a new trend of “One Warhead One Target”. From this trend, the“Hunter Killer” UAV concept came into being.

Develop Niche Technology to Fight Future Wars

Matthew Symonds argues that “War is still a contest of wills, but technology and geopolitical competition are changing its character”. In the 19th century, it was considered that the army that can mobilize fast and fire artillery guns would win decisive wars. Mobility changed the way wars were fought because military commanders could manoeuvre their forces to an advantageous position to surprise the enemy. In the 20th century, the focus was on attrition through superior firepower to achieve a decisive victory.

HTT 40 Successfully Begins Spin Testing

The HTT 40 (Basic Trainer Aircraft) began the most awaited phase of the `spin test’ by successfully entering in to two turn spin and subsequently recovering with the appropriate controls.  Two test pilots undertook the first ever spin entry testing today at around 1.30 pm. The aircraft was piloted by Gp Capt (Retd) KK Venugopal, DGM-Test Pilot (FW) from front cock pit and Gp Capt S Chaki (Retd), Sr. Test Pilot (FW) from rear.

Silver Jubilee SIMBEX-18 kicks off at port Blair

The 25th edition of SIMBEX, an acronym for “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise” is scheduled from 10th to 21st November 2018 off Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal. Bilateral cooperation between Singapore and India was first formalised when RSN ships began training with the Indian Navy in 1994. What began as a modest endeavour to exchange best practices in the field of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), has in the recent years evolved into a complex high stakes exercise with both nations attaching premium in terms of time, complex advanced exercises and type of platforms involved.

China- emerging AI-power

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a significant technological tool to achieve superiority in global military competition. China’s military has focused on the development of AI-based military technologies to address its security challenges in the 21st century. AI-based defence technologies are expected to provide an advantage to China to overtake the United States in producing advanced weapon system for future military conflicts. China’s Top leadership has highlighted AI and its various applications multiple times in their speeches. 

PM felicitates crew of INS Arihant on completion of Nuclear Triad

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received today the crew of Strategic Strike Nuclear Submarine (SSBN) INS Arihant. The submarine recently returned from its first deterrence patrol, completing the establishment of the country’s survivable nuclear triad.

Stressing the significance of the successful deployment of INS Arihant for the completion of India’s nuclear triad, the Prime Minister congratulated the crew and all involved in the achievement which puts India among a handful of countries having the capability to design, construct and operate SSBNs.

UAC to Actively Participate in the Airshow China Exhibition

From November 6 to 11 UAC will take part in the international Airshow China Exhibition taking place in Zhuhai, China. The airshow is the largest in the region being held since 1996 under the patronage of the State Council of the Peoples Republic of China and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.

UAC’s stand in the pavilion D (№ Н4В3-1) will showcase the Corporation’s civil, military and special purpose products such as the Su-35, Su-32, MC-21-300, Yak-152, Yak-130, IL-96-400M, IL-112V, MMTA, Be-200, Be-103, Superjet 100 and CR929.