A make in India snub
Operation Sindoor was an emphatic assertion of indigenous military prowess. Yet, a troubling contradiction emerged soon after. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which lies at the heart of India's defence innovation, now finds itself cornered, because Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has opted to instal imported radar and early warning systems in its latest jets, going back on its word to use the DRDO's indigenous Uttam AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach (SRK) Electronic Warfare (EW) suite. Sources say that HAL has issued a Letter of Intent to Israeli firm ELTA systems regarding the delivery of radars and EW suites. In a similar move in the Rafale Marine fighter jet deal, the Uttam radar was pulled out of the final configuration at the insistence of manufacturer Dassault Aviation despite being part of the original plan.
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India Today
8 hours ago
- India Today
A make in India snub
Operation Sindoor was an emphatic assertion of indigenous military prowess. Yet, a troubling contradiction emerged soon after. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which lies at the heart of India's defence innovation, now finds itself cornered, because Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has opted to instal imported radar and early warning systems in its latest jets, going back on its word to use the DRDO's indigenous Uttam AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar and the Swayam Raksha Kavach (SRK) Electronic Warfare (EW) suite. Sources say that HAL has issued a Letter of Intent to Israeli firm ELTA systems regarding the delivery of radars and EW suites. In a similar move in the Rafale Marine fighter jet deal, the Uttam radar was pulled out of the final configuration at the insistence of manufacturer Dassault Aviation despite being part of the original plan.
The Hindu
8 hours ago
- The Hindu
Alleged move to ‘delink' BrahMos Thiruvananthapuram unit from parent organisation kicks up row
An alleged move to 'delink' the Thiruvananthapuram unit of BrahMos from the parent BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd (BAPL), the Indo-Russian missile JV, has cast a pall of uncertainty over an enterprise that was once hailed as a model of Centre-State collaboration. Over the past few weeks, employees at the BrahMos Aerospace Thiruvananthapuram Ltd (BATL), situated at Chakka in the State capital, have been concerned over a reported move to separate BATL from BAPL, of which it is a wholly-owned subsidiary. They have sought the urgent intervention of the Kerala government to discourage any move that adversely impacts the future of the unit and jobs. When contacted by The Hindu, BATL managing director A. Joseph said the Thiruvananthapuram unit has not been delinked thus far, but he also did not fully rule out the possibility of such an eventuality. Mr. Joseph went on to add that he was not privy to the discussions taking place at the BAPL headquarters. Employees' unions argue that the Kerala government cannot be kept in the dark about such decisions with respect to BATL as the unit was established in 2007 by transferring the State government-run company Kerala Hi-Tech Industries Ltd (KELTEC) for a token ₹1. Unions allege that the BrahMos management have show utter disregard to the Thiruvananthapuram unit even at a time when Operation Sindoor has demonstrated the might of the BrahMos missile and the demand for its production is on the rise. They also note that BATL has run on a profit over the past 11 years, including a ₹24 crore profit in 2024-25. With the INTUC-led BrahMos Staff Association and the AITUC-backed BrahMos Employees Union conveying their apprehensions over the reported delinking move, Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor and CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam, who is also president of the AITUC-led union, have separately appealed to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to urgently intervene to protect the unit. Mr. Tharoor noted in a June 27 letter that 'Employees were recently alarmed to learn - through proceedings at a Board of Directors meeting and the Annual General Meeting of BAPL - that a resolution had been passed to delink BATL from BAPL. This decision was taken without the prior knowledge or consultation of the State government, the employees, or the trade unions, and has been widely perceived as a disregard for the significance of this vital defence manufacturing unit in Kerala.' Mr. Viswam, in a June 4 letter expressed similar sentiment, and urged Mr. Singh to 'investigate this matter.' Both Mr. Tharoor and Mr. Viswam have urged the Defence Minister to allay fears by either retaining BATL under BAPL's structure or reconstituting it as a direct production entity under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). KELTEC, situated on 15.80 acres near the Thiruvananthapuram airport, was transferred to BAPL, a JV of the DRDO and Russian company NPOM, on December 5, 2007. A.K. Antony was Defence Minister at the time in the Congress-led UPA government while Elamaram Kareem was Industries Minister in the LDF government led by V.S. Achuthanandan in Kerala. In connection with the transfer, a March 22, 2007, State Industries Department order observed that the Centre-State collaboration would provide Kerala with its 'first defence production unit.' It would also 'result in additional investments between at least ₹100 crore to ₹200 crore initially and may go up many fold.' Ends
India.com
9 hours ago
- India.com
Not afraid of US, India to purchase S-400, R-37M and..., govt set to give a tough reply to..., not Pakistan, China
New Delhi: India's Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has had a very important meeting with Russian Defense Minister Andrey Belousov on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defense Ministers' meeting held in Qingdao, China. The clarity and frank language in which India's defense needs and technical cooperation with Russia have been talked about in India's official press release are an indication that India is now moving towards entering into a much-needed defense agreement with Russia to rapidly upgrade its air defense and air-to-air missile capabilities. What was the agenda? The official press release issued after the meeting between Rajnath Singh, and the Russian Defense Minister specifically talks about air defense systems, air-to-air missiles, modern capabilities and air platforms. Defense industry experts have already been indicating that India wants cooperation from Russia for indigenous production of air-to-air missiles and their integration in Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. A report this week said that India has seriously advanced the talks towards purchasing the S-500 air defense system from Russia. Production of long-range missiles in India At Aero India 2025, Russia officially proposed the sale of its long-range R-37M air-to-air missile, which is exported as RVV-BD, to India. In the Russian proposal, this missile was proposed to be locally produced in India under 'Make in India'. In March this year, the Russian state-owned arms company Rosoboronexport (ROE) confirmed that Russia and India are discussing joint development and production of modern guided aircraft missiles. The purpose of this partnership is not only to meet India's military needs, but also to export to friendly countries. That is, if this agreement is reached between India and Russia, India can make air-to-air missiles under Make in India and sell them to any third country, just like India sells BrahMos missiles. Increasing striking power of Su-30 MKI During Operation Sindoor, India fired BrahMos missiles on Pakistani military bases from Su-30MKI fighter aircraft. The block-upgrade plan for the Sukhoi Su-30MKI of the Indian Air Force was already underway, but after Operation Sindoor, it has now gained momentum. Russia has made it clear that it will work with Indian defense companies in this upgrade. This upgrade will be carried out in India under the leadership of HAL, and it includes new AESA radar, electronic warfare system, infrared search and track (IRST) and modern cockpit interface. This upgrade will prepare the aircraft according to the needs of 5th generation warfare.
