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In a major step aimed towards bolstering the 'Make in India' initiative, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rolls Royce Solutions of Germany for manufacture of high quality marine diesel engines. The MoU was signed on January 27, 2023 by Cmde. PR Hari, IN (Retd), CMD, GRSE and Shri GS Selwyn, MD, MTU India in the august presence of Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Materiel of the Indian Navy.

In a major boost to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Fuel Cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP)  system of DRDO’s Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL) will soon be fitted onboard INS  Kalvari. An agreement was signed between senior officials of NMRL and Naval Group France in  Mumbai on January 23, 2023 to extend cooperation to enter into the detailed design phase for  integration of indigenous AIP in the Kalvari class submarines. As part of the agreement, Naval  Group France will certify the AIP design for integration in the submarines.  

 ICGS Kamla Devi, the Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) designed, built and delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd to the Indian Coast Guard a few days ago, was commissioned in Kolkata on January 12, 2023. DG V S Pathania, PTM, TM, Director General, Indian Coast Guard, was present as Chief Guest during the ceremony that took place at GRSE's Fitting Out Jetty.

Keel laying of the two warships (Yard 3033 and Yard 3036) of Anti-submarine Warfare Shallow Craft (ASW SWC) project under construction by GRSE, Kolkata, was undertaken on 31 Dec 22 by Shri Giridhar Aramane, IAS, Defence Secretary.

‘Arnala’, the first of eight Anti Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC) Project, being built by GRSE for Indian Navy was launched on 20 Dec 22 at M/s L&T, Kattupalli, Chennai. She made her first contact with water of Bay of Bengal at 1040 hrs at the Launch Ceremony graced by Smt Rasika Chaube, Financial Adviser (Defence Services), Ministry of Defence. In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Smt Rasika Chaube launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda.

The fifth submarine of the Project – 75, Kalvari Class submarines, Yard 11879 was delivered to the Indian Navy today, 20 Dec 22. Project – 75 includes indigenous construction of six submarines of Scorpene design. These submarines are being constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai, under collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.

Y 12705 (Mormugao), the second ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 24 Nov 22. The contract for four ships of Project 15B was signed on 28 January 2011.

In line with the country’s Make in India commitment for sourcing equipments and systems from indigenous firms including MSMEs, Indian Cost Guard laid the keel for two Coast Guard Pollution Control Vessels, GSL Yard 1267 & 1268, on 21st November 2022 at the Goa Shipyard. The two Pollution Control Vessels are indigenously designed and developed by the Goa Shipyard, to be delivered by February 2025 and August 2025 respectively.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invited investment from domestic industry and Foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the Indian defence sector and take advantage of the opportunity to integrate global supply chains, during the ‘Invest for Defence’ investor outreach event organised during the day.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated DefExpo 2022 at Mahatma Mandir Convention and Exhibition Centre in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on October 19, 2022. At the India Pavilion, the Prime Minister also unveiled HTT-40 - the indigenous trainer aircraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited. The aircraft has state-of-the-art contemporary systems and has been designed with pilot-friendly features.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has exhorted startups and innovators to come up with new ideas to modernise the Armed Forces through research & innovation and contribute in making the nation strong, prosperous & ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, is all decked up to host India’s biggest-ever defence exhibition till date - DefExpo 2022 – between October 18-22, 2022. This 12th edition of the event has been organised on the theme ‘Path to Pride’.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will host the Defence Ministers of African Nations during the India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) on October 18, 2022 on the sidelines of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The broad theme of the dialogue is ‘India-Africa: Adopting Strategy for Synergising and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation’.

The iconic brand value of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), which shaped the growth of Defence electronics in India, has been celebrated by the country’s premium media house as “The Economic Times - Iconic Brand of India Award - 2022”. Dinesh Kumar Batra, CMD, BEL, received the award on behalf of the company at the awards ceremony, organised recently in Mumbai.   

Dinesh Kumar Batra, Chairman & Managing Director (Additional Charge), of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), along with Manoj Kumar, Executive Director (National Marketing), BEL, presented the 150 percent Final Dividend cheque of Rs 1,86,89,60,967/- (Rupees One Hundred Eighty-six Crores Eighty-Nine Lacs Sixty Thousand Nine Hundred Sixty-seven only), payable on the shares held by the President of India, to the Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, at New Delhi on September 28, 2022.

DRDO conducted two successful test flight of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile on 27 Sep 2022 from a ground based portable launcher at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the coast of Odisha.

The President of India, Droupadi Murmu inaugurated HAL’s Integrated Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing Facility (ICMF) here today and said it is not only a historic moment for HAL and ISRO but for the whole of India. “India is the sixth country in the world to have Cryogenic Engine Manufacturing capabilities. The glorious past of HAL and ISRO gives us an assurance that they will play a crucial role in the future”, she said.

Two Diving Support Vessels (Nistar & Nipun) being built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, Visakhapatnam were launched on 22 Sep 22 by Mrs Kala Hari Kumar, in presence of Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff who presided the ceremony as Chief Guest.

Navratna defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) is participating in the Investors Outreach Program in the Middle East (Dubai & Abu Dhabi) under the aegis of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), from September 12-15. Dinesh Kumar Batra, CMD, Director (Finance) & CFO, has been making presentations to potential investors in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on why they should invest in BEL.

The fifth Stealth Frigate of P17A 'Taragiri', being built at MDL was launched , on Sunday. In compliance with the notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India declaring a state-mourning on September 11, the event was limited to a Technical Launch as the event is tide dependent, any change in the schedule was not possible.

HAL is proud to be associated with India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier, IAC-1 Vikrant which was commissioned recently as INS Vikrant by the Prime Minister at Kochi.

HAL-L&T consortium bagged Rs 860 crore contract for end-to-end realisation of five Polar Satellite Launch Vehicles (PSLV) over a period of four years from the NewsSpace India Limited (NSIL).

Indian Navy has created maritime history today by taking delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. Designed by Indian Navy's inhouse Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India's first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war.

avratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) yesterday signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence, Government of India, worth around Rs. 250 crores, towards supply of nine Integrated ASW Complex (IAC) MOD ‘C’ Systems. IAC MOD 'C' is an Integrated Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) system for all surface ships of the Indian Navy.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched Y- 3023 Dunagiri, Project 17A frigate built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders Limited (GRSE) in Kolkata on July 15, 2022. 

Maiden flight of the Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator was carried out successfully by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga, Karnataka on July 01, 2022. Operating in a fully autonomous mode, the aircraft exhibited a perfect flight, including take-off, way point navigation and a smooth touchdown.

The first flight of Advanced Light Helicopter (Wheeled Version) with segmented MRBs (Main Rotor Blades) and MRH (Main Rotor Head) in pre-cone configuration was carried out in Bengaluru, recently.  The flight was carried out by Wg. Cdr. Unni Pillai, ED (CTP-RW).

The keel for the seventh ship (Y- 12654) of the prestigious P17A of Indian Navy was ceremoniously laid on 28 Jun 22 by Rear Admiral GK Harish, Director General Naval Design (Surface Ship Group) at M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., Mumbai. The ceremony was performed in the presence of senior officials of the Indian Navy and MDL.

In a major boost to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Ministry of Defence, on May 31, 2022, signed a contract with Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for supply of ASTRA MK-I Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Air to Air Missile (AAM) and associated equipment for the Indian Air Force & Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 2,971 crore under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category.

‘Nirdeshak, the second of the four Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project being built by GRSE in collaboration with L&T shipbuilding for Indian Navy was launched on 26 May 22 at Kattupalli, Chennai. She made her first contact with water of Bay of Bengal at 1038 hrs at the Launch Ceremony graced by the Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command. In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Smt Sarbani Dasgupta, launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh launched two frontline warships of the Indian Navy - INS Surat and INS Udaygiri - at Mazagon Docks Limited (MDL), Mumbai on May 17, 2022. INS Surat is the fourth Guided Missile Destroyer of P15B class, while INS Udaygiri is the second Stealth Frigate of P17A class. Both warships have been designed in-house by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built at MDL, Mumbai.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd that has built and delivered over 100 ships to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard and the 1st shipyard in the country to have exported a warship,  has achieved another milestone by launching the Fast Patrol Vessel (GRSE Yard 2118) being built for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). Today, the FPV was christened Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) “Kamla Devi” by Smt.

HAL has commenced the Main Airframe Fatigue Test (MAFT) of LCA Mk1 airframe at its Ground Test Centre of the Aircraft Resyearch and Design Centre (ARDC) in Bengaluru.

HAL and BEL signed a contract for co-development and co-production of Long Range Dual Band Infra-Red Search and Track System (IRST) for Su-30 MKI here today under the MAKE-II procedure of Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, as part of  the ‘Make in India’ initiative.

Yard 11880, the sixth and last submarine of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class submarines of Project 75 has been launched today at the Kanhoji Angre Wet Basin of Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL). Dr Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary was the Chief Guest at the ceremony and the submarine named ‘Vagsheer’ was launched by Mrs Veena Ajay Kumar, in keeping with Naval traditions of launch/ naming by a lady.

HAL paid the second interim dividend of Rs. 653.36 crores for the FY 2021-22 to the Government of India.

HAL has and will continue to play a significant role in India’s current and future space program including the Gaganyaan manned mission to space, given the skills and knowledge base within the company said Mr. S. Somanath, Chairman ISRO. He identified indigenisation and cost reduction as major challenges in the space missions and said apart from HAL private players will have a role in achieving these goals.

HAL records highest ever revenue of over Rs. 24,000 crores (provisional and unaudited) for the financial year ended on March 31, 2022 registering a 6% revenue growth over the previous financial year. The corresponding figure for the previous year stood at Rs. 22,755 crores.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), Government of India, on Tuesday, March 29, 2022, signed two contracts worth totally Rs. 3,102 Crores with the Bengaluru and Hyderabad Units of Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), at New Delhi.

The MoD and BEL-Bengaluru concluded a contract for supply of Advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suite for fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. The overall cost of the contract is estimated to be Rs. 1,993 Crores.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh inaugurated a seven-storeyed Flight Control System (FCS) Integration facility at Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in Bengaluru, Karnataka on March 17, 2022. The state-of-the-art complex has been constructed in record 45 days, with in-house hybrid technology consisting of conventional, pre-engineered and precast methodology.

BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL) signed a contract with the Department of National Defence of the Republic of Philippines on January 28, 2022 for supply of Shore Based Anti-Ship Missile System to Philippines. The BAPL is a joint venture company of the Defence Research and Development Organisation. The contract is an important step forward for Government of India’s policy of promoting responsible defence exports.

The contract is signed by BrahMos CEO&CMD Atul D. Rane and H.E. Delfin Lorenzana, Secretary, Deptt. of National Defence, Phillipines.

In-line with Government’s vision to boost defence exports to friendly foreign countries, HAL signed a contract with Govt. of Mauritius (GoM) for export of one Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH Mk III) for Mauritius Police Force. The Govt. of Mauritius already operates HAL built ALH and Do-228 aircraft.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile, with increased indigenous content and improved performance, was successfully test-fired from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at 1030 hrs on January 20, 2022. The launch was conducted by Brahmos Aerospace in close coordination with the teams of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In this text-book flight, the missile followed the predicted trajectory meeting all mission objectives.

Philippines is all set to become the first foreign operator of the Indo-Russian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. On the last day of the last year, Brahmos Aerospace received ‘Notice of Award’ from the Department of National Defence, Philippines. The order worth over USD 374 million is for the unspecified number of missiles and systems and support.

The Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT), designed and developed by HAL for stage –II training of IAF pilots has successfully demonstrated the capability to carry out six turn spins to the LH and RH sides. The aircraft was piloted by Gp. Capt HV Thakur (Retd) and Gp. Capt A Menon (Retd).

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone for Defence Technology & Test Centre and BRAHMOS Manufacturing Centre, established by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh on December 26, 2021.

Outstanding DRDO Scientist Shri Atul Dinkar Rane has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of BrahMos Aerospace, the India-Russia JV entity producing the world-class BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile system. Rane assumed charge as the new DG of BrahMos Aerospace on Monday, December 20, 2021. 

In a major boost to indigenization, HAL signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for development and supply of 20 types systems for the LCA Tejas Mk1A program here today.  The five-year contract spanning from 2023 to 2028 is valued at Rs 2400 crores.

Successful tests of Pinaka Extended Range (Pinaka-ER), Area Denial Munitions (ADM) and indigenously developed fuzes have been carried out at various test ranges. The Pinaka-ER Multi Barrel Rocket Launcher System was successfully tested at Pokharan range. The system is jointly designed by laboratories of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) - Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune.

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) today formally recognized Tata-Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited (TLMAL) as a potential future co-producer of fighter wings. A ceremonial event marking the first fighter wing prototype built at the TLMAL facility in Hyderabad was attended by Shri. K.T.

Air version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from the supersonic fighter aircraft Sukhoi 30 MK-I at 1030 hrs from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on December 08, 2021. In this copy book flight, the missile launched from the aircraft followed the pre-planned trajectory meeting all mission objectives.

‘Sandhayak’, the first of the four Survey Vessels (Large) project being built for the Indian Navy, was launched in Kolkata on December 05, 2021. These Vessels have been designed and developed by Defence Public Sector Undertaking, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, which is among the leading warship building companies in India. ‘Sandhayak’ made her first contact with the waters of Hooghly River at 1410 hrs at the Launch Ceremony graced by Shri Ajay Bhatt, Hon’ble Raksha Rajya Mantri.

As part of its Offset commitments under the prestigious C295 aircraft programme of the Government of India, and in line with the ‘Make in India’ policy, Airbus Defence and Space has signed a contract with Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the manufacture and supply of Radar Warning Receiver (RWR) and Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS). This export order, worth 93.15 M USD, is the biggest received till date by BEL.

The lead ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyers, Visakhapatnam (Y 12704) being built at Mazgaon Docks Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 28 Oct 21. The contract for four ships of Project 15B, as the Visakhapatnam class ships are known, was signed on 28 January 2011. This project is a follow-on of the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade.

Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has paid a total dividend of 400 per cent on its paid up capital to the Government for Financial Year 2020-21. Chairman and Managing Director (Additional Charge), BEL Smt Anandi Ramalingam presented the 120 per cent final dividend cheque for Rs 149.52 crore, payable on the shares held by the President of India, to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi on October 27, 2021. The total dividend paid to the Government stands at Rs 498.38 crore.

ABHYAS - the High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested today by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Bay of Bengal in Odisha. The vehicle can be used as an aerial target for evaluation of various missile systems. The performance of the target aircraft was monitored through telemetry and various tracking sensors including Radars and Electro Optical Tracking System (EOTS).

Seven new defence companies, carved out of Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), were dedicated to the Nation at a function organised by Ministry of Defence on the occasion of ‘Vijayadashami’ in New Delhi on October 15, 2021. Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi delivered a video address during the event. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh presided over the ceremony at Kothari Auditorium, DRDO Bhawan.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt visited Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) premier lab, Defence Electronics Applications Laboratory (DEAL) in Dehradun on October 08, 2021.

The heaviest Semi-Cryogenic propellant tank (SC120- LOX) ever fabricated by HAL has been delivered to Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).  

A new version of the Akash Missile – ‘Akash Prime’ has been successfully flight tested from Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha on 27 September 2021. The missile intercepted and destroyed an unmanned aerial target mimicking enemy aircrafts, in its maiden flight test after improvements.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) placed an order with Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi, Chennai for supply of 118 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army on September 23, 2021. The order, worth Rs 7,523 crore, will provide further boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in defence sector and is a big step towards achieving ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had handed over the MBT Arjun Mk-1A to Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane in Chennai on February 14, 2021.

HAL and Rolls-Royce have signed an agreement for Make-in-India Adour engine parts to support Rolls-Royce's international defence customer base.

The 105th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) was held on Friday 10 Sep 21 through VC/OAVM.

In a revolutionary step towards transition from ‘Make in India’ to ‘Make from India’, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), a Mini Ratna Category 1 Defence PSU and a leading warship building company of India, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Naval Group France, a leader in European Naval Defence Industry to collaborate in the field of surface ship that caters to fulfil the requirement of India and Inte

In a major development that could turn out to be a trendsetter uplifting the scenario of the state both economically and socially, UP may soon start manufacturing the Next-Gen state of the art ‘BrahMos missile’.

To establish Uttar Pradesh as the country's largest and advanced defence manufacturing centre, the Defense Industrial Corridor of UP will further gain momentum as Domestic and foreign companies working in the defence sector have taken the initiative to invest in the first Defence Industrial Corridor of the state.

The first batch of Multi-Mode Hand Grenades (MMHG), manufactured by Economic Explosives Limited (EEL) following Transfer of Technology from Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory of Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), was handed over to the Indian Army in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in Nagpur, Maharashtra on August 24, 2021. 

The Vice President, Mr Venkaiah Naidu, paid his maiden visit to HAL facilities accompanied by Mr Thaawarchand Gehlot, Governor of Karnataka here today. “I am assured of our nation’s security and safety after seeing this impressive infrastructure in Aerospace and Defence,” he said in his address to senior officers of HAL and ADA.

HAL has placed an order of for USD 716 million (Rs 5375 crores) for 99 F404-GE-IN20 engines and support services with GE Aviation, USA to power the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.  The contract was signed here today at HAL Corporate Office.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) against hostile radar threats. Defence Laboratory Jodhpur, a DRDO laboratory developed the advanced Chaff material and chaff cartridge-118/I in collaboration with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), a Pune based laboratory of DRDO, meeting qualitative requirements of IAF. The Indian Air Force has started the process of induction of this technology after completion of successful user trials. 

Keels of the first warship of the Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) project and the third warship of Survey Vessel Large (SVL) project for the Indian Navy were laid virtually on 06 Aug 2021 by VAdm SN Ghormade, Vice Chief of Naval Staff. The ships are being built by GRSE as part of the indigenous shipbuilding program for construction of eight ASWSWC and four SVL for the Indian Navy. The ships are partly being built under a unique Public Private Partnership model by GRSE at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested the New Generation Akash Missile (Akash-NG), a surface-to-air Missile from Integrated Test Range (ITR) off the coast of Odisha on July 21, 2021.

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has signed a contract worth about Rs.499 Crore with Ministry of Defence for manufacture and supply of Akash Missiles to the Indian Air Force.

The contract was signed by Air Commodore Ajay Singhal, Air Commodore, Guided Weapons Maintenance on behalf of Indian Air Force and Commodore T N Kaul (Retd), Executive Director (Marketing) on behalf of BDL in the presence of Shri P. Radhakrishna, Director (Production), BDL at New Delhi today.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the progress of construction of first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Ltd., at Kochi on June 25, 2021. Shri Rajnath Singh was accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral AK Chawla. The Raksha Mantri visited the construction site and was briefed about the successful Basin Trials completed during November 2020.

Continuing the development of Artillery Rocket Systems, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully test fired extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket from a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) on 24th and 25th June 2021 at Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.  

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), a Mini Ratna Category 1 Defence PSU and a leading warship building company today commissioned a 250 Ton Goliath Crane at its integrated Main Unit facility in Kolkata.

Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) for construction of two Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at a cost of about Rs 583 crore, on June 22, 2021. These Special Role ships will be indigenously designed, developed and built by GSL. The acquisition is under ‘Buy Indian - Indigenously Designed Developed & Manufactured (Buy Indian-IDDM)’, the highest priority category for defence capital procurements.

Keel of the second frigate of additional follow-on ship of Project 1135.6 for the Indian Navy was ceremoniously laid on 18 Jun 2021 by Vice Adm G Ashok Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff.

A Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) has been installed onboard ALH Mk III from INAS 323 at INS Hansa by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). With ALH Mk III, an all-weather aircraft, being equipped with MICU, the Indian Navy can now undertake medical evacuation of critical patients by air even in unfavourable weather conditions. 

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has established the near isothermal forging technology to produce all the five stages of high-pressure compressors (HPC) discs out of difficult-to-deform titanium alloy using its unique 2000 MT isothermal forge press. The technology has been developed by Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), a premier metallurgical laboratory of DRDO at Hyderabad.

FY21 Compared with FY20:

●       Revenue from operation per day is Rs.4.02 Crs (for the available No. of days) in FY 21 as against Rs. 3.92 Crs per day of FY 20

●       Revenues from operations for the full year ended March 31st, 2021 stood at Rs.1141 crore

●        The Company’s EBITDA margin stood at 18% as against 15% of previous year.

●       Profit Before Tax (PBT) stood at Rs. 207 crore for FY21 ,  PBT margin of the Company  has increased to 16% as against 13% of FY 20.

In line with India’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security And Growth for All in the Region) that puts ‘Neighbourhood first’, Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV), SCG PS Zoroaster built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata, a leading shipyard of India was handed over to the Seychelles Coast Guard by Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi in the presence of His Excellency Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Republic of Seychelles.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed an Advanced Chaff Technology to safeguard the naval ships against enemy missile attack. Defence Laboratory Jodhpur (DLJ), a DRDO laboratory, has indigenously developed three variants of this critical technology namely Short Range Chaff Rocket (SRCR), Medium Range Chaff Rocket (MRCR) and Long Range Chaff Rocket (LRCR) meeting Indian Navy’s qualitative requirements. The successful development of Advanced Chaff Technology by DLJ is another step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) lab Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has developed light weight Bullet Proof Jacket (BPJ) weighing 9.0 kilogrammes, meeting the qualitative requirements of Indian Army. 

Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), a Navratna Defence PSU, has paid second interim dividend of 140% on its paid-up capital to the Government of India for financial year 2020 – 21.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) achieved a major milestone with ‘laying of the Keel’ of Yard 3024 a ship of the Advanced Stealth Frigate Project, P 17A. As per GRSE tradition, the Keel was laid by a senior operative Shri.

HAL paid the second interim of Rs.376.94 crores for FY 2020-21 to the Government. The dividend cheque was handed over to the Defence Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh by Mr R. Madhavan, CMD and Mr. C. B. Ananthakrishnan, Director (Finance) in the presence of Mr Raj Kumar, Secretary, Defence Production in Delhi today.

Navratna Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) has paid interim dividend of 140 per cent on its paid-up capital to the Government for financial year (FY) 2020-21. 

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh,on Tuesday,  approved proposal for purchase of 118 Arjun Mk1A Main Battle Tank for Rs 8400 crore. During the meeting, DAC also approved capital acquisition of proposals for anti-tank guided missile Nag along with its carrier Namica, medium power radar Arudra and 125mm tank practice ammunition.

Final production batch of Long Range Surface to Air Missiles (LRSAM), designed and developed by DRDO in collaboration with various industry partnersand integrated by BDL, was flagged off on 14 Feb 2021 at DRDL,APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad in the presence of Dr. G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman DRDO and Rear Admiral V Rajasekhar, VSM Director, Defence Machine Design Establishment ( DMDE).

Ministry of Defence (MoD) and Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) have signed a contract for procurement of Software Defined Radio Tactical (SDR-Tac) worth over Rs 1,000 crore in New Delhi on February 08, 2021. 

President Ram Nath Kovind graces valedictory function 

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) said a few countries in South East Asia and West Asia have expressed interest in the 4.5 generation fighter aircraft, fitted with modern equipment – the light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas. The Chairman and Managing Director of HAL, R.Madhavan, addressing the media, however did not reveal the names of the countries which had shown interest in the LCA. 

On a warm bright day, leaving behind the grim reality of Covid-19, Aero India -21 gets a flying start at Yelahanka Air port, Bengaluru amidst the presence of delegates from 55 countries.

The presence of 540 exhibitor from across the globe in these difficult circumstances was a testimony to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for self-reliance in defence under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

The Defence Minister, Mr. Rajnath Singh inaugurated the second plant of HAL’s LCA Division here today. He lauded the efforts made by HAL to increase the production capacity of LCA which is going to be the backbone of IAF fighter fleet in years to come.

At Aero India 2021 to be held from February 3-5, 2021, at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru, Navratna Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) will showcase state-of-the-art products and systems spanning every domain of its business.

On exports

During the 13thedition of Aero India international air show, scheduled to be held from February 3 to 5, 2021 at Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru; Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will exhibit its latest defence technologies and demonstrate many systems.Organised biennially, Aero India is a platform for aerospace enthusiasts,prospective defence industries, aspirant start-ups and all other stakeholders to participate and witness the advances in global defence and aerospace fields and interact with many national and international delegations and industries.

A unique flying display of HAL’s indigenous platforms (both fixed and rotary wing) aptly titled ‘Aatmanirbhar Formation Flight’ will be part of the flying display during the 13th edition of Aero India-2021 scheduled from February 3, 2021 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka.  HAL will showcase its prowess in defence and aerospace centered on the theme ‘Conceive. Indigenise.

M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Vice President of India, visited DRDO’s Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad on 25th January 2021. He inaugurated the Integrated Weapon System Design Centre in the complex. Hon’ble Vice President was briefed about the various ongoing projects and technological developments of missile complex laboratories namely Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), and Research Centre Imarat (RCI).

On LCA Tejas program

In a big boost to the indigenous Hawk-i program, HAL today successfully test fired a Smart Anti Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from the Hawk-i aircraft off the coast of Odisha. The indigenous stand-off weapon developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), DRDO is the first smart weapon fired from an Indian Hawk-Mk132.

Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, have signed a Teaming Agreement to work in partnership on the STARStreak Air Defence system with the support of both the Governments of India and the United Kingdom.

India’s first indigenous 9mm Machine Pistol has been jointly developed by DRDO and Indian Army. Infantry School, Mhow and DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune have designed and developed this weapon using their respective expertise in the complementary areas. The weapon has been developed in a record time of four months. The Machine Pistol fires the in-service 9mm ammunition and sports an upper receiver made from aircraft grade Aluminium and lower receiver from carbon fibre.

The handing over ceremony of Retractable Landing Gear Systems for Tapas and SWiFT UAVs and 18 types of filters for P-75 Submarine took place on 10th January 2021 at DRDO laboratory, Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai, in the presence of Hon’ble Member of Parliament Dr.

Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) paid dividend worth Rs 5.625 crore to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh in New Delhi today. The cheque was handed over by Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of BEML Dr Deepak Kumar Hota.

The Company has declared dividend of Rs six per share, i.e.,60 per cent of the equity share capital, which amounts to Rs 24.99 crore for the financial year (FY) 2019-20.

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd., (GRSE), a leading warship building and Mini-ratna Category 1 Company under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence, tops off year 2020 with “Delivery” of the “Last of Eight LCU Project” and “Start Production” of the First Ship of Eight ASWSWC Project.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with Indian Navy for initially supply 20 Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Dazlers (Laser Dazzlers) in New Delhi today. The BEL had earlier this month won the contract beating global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in buy global category. These would be manufactured by BEL, Pune plant.

HAL has delivered the biggest cryogenic propellant tank (C32 LH2) ever fabricated by the Company to ISRO much ahead of the contractual schedule at a program held here recently. The C32-LH2 tank is a developmental cryogenic propellant tank of aluminium alloy designed for improving the payload capability of GSLV MK-III launching vehicle.

Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam completed the refit of Maldivian Coast Guard Ship MNDF CGS Huravee. Rear Admiral Sreekumar Nair, Admiral Superintendent handed over the ship to the Commanding Officer Major Hussain Rasheed at  Visakhapatnam on Wednesday, 25 Nov 20. Colonel Ahmed Thohir, Defence Advisor of Maldives to India, attended the ceremony wherein he conveyed the satisfaction of the Maldives Government and also read a message from the Minister of Defence, Govt.

The indigenous Intermediate Jet Trainer (IJT) designed and developed by HAL to replace the ageing Kiran aircraft fleet of the IAF commenced spin flight testing in Bengaluru.  The flight was piloted by HAL’s test pilots Gp. Capt H.V. Thakur (Retd) and Wg. Cdr P. Avasti (Retd).

Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile (QRSAM) System has achieved a major milestone by a direct hit on to a Banshee Pilotless target aircraft at medium range & medium altitude. 

The missile launch took place from ITR Chandipur on 13th Nov 2020 at 1550 hrs off the Odisha Coast. The missile is propelled by a single stage solid propellant rocket motor and uses all indigenous subsystems. The Missile is canisterised for transportation and launch using a mobile launcher capable of carrying 6 canisterised missiles.

The fifth Scorpene submarine of Project-75 named ‘Vagir’ has been launched  at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai by Smt Vijaya Shripad Naik through video conferencing today. Minister of State for Defence, Shri Shripad Naik has been the Chief Guest on the occasion. Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command - Vice Admiral RB Pandit, Chairman & Managing Director, MDL - Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad and other Directors of MDL were present amongst the dignitaries during the launching ceremony.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Tech Mahindra (TM) signed a contract worth Rs 400 crore recently in Bengaluru for implementation of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) to support HAL’s ‘Project Parivartan’.

Bharat Electronics Limited, BEL, presented the 140 per cent final dividend cheque of Rs. 174,43,63,569.20/- (Rupees One Hundred Seventy-four Crores Forty-Three Lacs Sixty-three Thousan

In yet another major fillip to indigenous programme, 300th Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH-Dhruv) rolled out from HAL hangar here today.

Vice Admiral S R Sarma – COM & CWP&A of the Indian Navy and Shri V L Kantha Rao Additional Secretary (Defence Production) laid the keel of the third ship (Yard- 12653) of the prestigious P17A class stealth frigates on 10 Sep 2020. The keel laying ceremony was conducted through an e-platform in the presence of Vice Admiral R B Pandit, Chief of Staff, HQWNC and Vice Admiral Narayan Prasad (IN Retd.) – CMD MDL.    

HAL’s indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) demonstrated high altitude capability in Hot and High weather conditions in the Himalayas recently for about 10 days.

HAL’s indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter Dhruv and Chetak helicopters are being pressed into service to rescue people and extricate skimmed oil from the Japanese owned cargo ship MV Wakashio. The ship was on its way from China to Brazil but ran aground on the reef at Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius recently.<

The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singhji, on Thursday, August 13, 2020, launched through Video Conference two products — Linear Variable Differential Transducer (LVDT) and 1kW Transmitter Aerial Switching Rack, indigenously developed for use in various strategic applications, as part of the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Mr Gowtama M V, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), on the occasion gave a presentation to the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri on these products, which have been indigenously developed by BEL.

In light of the prevailing situation on the border, HAL produced two Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) have been deployed for operations at high altitude (Leh sector) at short notice to support IAF missions. “It is the lightest attack helicopter in the world designed and developed by HAL to meet the specific and unique requirements of Indian Armed Forces reflecting the crucial role of HAL in Atma Nirbhar Bharat”, <