
Atmanirbhar defence: Inside Lucknow factory fuelling India's BrahMos firepower

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


India.com
2 days ago
- India.com
Meet ET-LDHCM, India's game-changer deadly hypersonic missile which can move at Mach 8 speed, has 1500 km range, bad news for Pakistan, China due to…
(Representational image/AP) DRDO ET-LDHCM: In a significant development in India's internal security needs, India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has developed a new hypersonic missile called ET-LDHCM (Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile) under a confidential project reportedly named 'Project Vishnu'. Here are all the details you need to know about Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile. Why is ET-LDHCM dangerous? As per media reports, the new Extended Trajectory – Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile will be able to travel at speeds up to Mach 8 (approximately 9,800 to 11,000 km/h) and is designed for a range of around 1,500 km. Reports also say that if experts confirm the specifications, the missile would place it well above current cruise missile capabilities like BrahMos in both speed and range. India speeds up work on bunker-buster warhead for Agni missile with eye on underground targets Meanwhile, in another significant development, India speeded up efforts to develop advanced bunker-buster warheads as part of a variant of the Agni missile system that is capable of penetrating high-value enemy targets that are fortified deep under the ground and cannot be destroyed with conventional weapons. According to a report by news agency IANS, the move has been expedited following the success of the US strikes against Iran's nuclear facilities that were buried deep beneath the earth in the mountainside and covered with reinforced concrete. DRDO successfully conducts scramjet engine ground test DRDO has successfully done a cutting-edge Active Cooled Scramjet Combustor (engine) ground test for 120 seconds for the first time in India. An official said that it marks a crucial milestone in developing next-generation hypersonic missiles. What are Hypersonic missiles? Hypersonic missiles are a class of advanced weaponry that travel at speeds greater than Mach 5 which is five times the speed of sound or more than 5,400 km/hr. These advanced weapons have the potential to bypass existing Air Defence Systems and deliver rapid and high-impact strikes. (With inputs from agencies)


India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Rs 8700000000000: Modi govt makes big move, India to get more powerful, neither Brahmos nor Rafale needed to keep an eye on enemy due to....
Rs 8700000000000: Modi govt makes big move, India to get more powerful, neither Brahmos nor Rafale needed to keep an eye on enemy due to.... Rs 87000 Crore Defence Deal: The world is going through a very tough time as after Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas, a fresh conflict started in East Asia where Thailand has launched an airstrike on Cambodia over border dispute. Cambodia also retaliated, leaving other Asian countries in tension. The strategy to strengthen the defence system has gained further strength. After Operation Sindoor, India is continuously increasing its defence capabilities. The country's situation is critical as it shares its borders with Pakistan and China. Apart from strengthening its armed forces, India is also expanding its road connectivity in border areas. The central government has cleared crores for it. The government is continuously acquiring the best possible weaponry. Adding to it, New Delhi has included strategically important warships in the Indian Navy. It is expected that India will include several warships in its naval fleet. It was revealed that China and Turkey helped Pakistan during Operation Sindoor. Now India is strengthening its air defence systems. Millions of rupees are being invested in the project to make the Air Force more powerful through cutting-edge technology. Work is underway for a defence deal of Rs 87 thousand crores to increase the power of the Air Force. According to the information, the government has given the green signal to a deal of Rs 20000 crore, while another deal of Rs 67000 crore is likely to get approval soon. These two defence deals are worth Rs 87000 crore. Interestingly, neither the purchase of the Brahmos cruise missile nor the Rafale is included in these two deals. Rs 20000 crore: AWACS Project The government has recently approved the NETRA MK-II project that cost around Rs 20,000 crore. This project is an ambitious next-generation airborne warning and control system (AWACS) initiative led by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The initiative involves the significant modification of six Airbus A321 aircraft, which were previously obtained from Air India. This project will be carried out in partnership with Airbus and private sector companies in India, transforming the aircraft into advanced aerial surveillance platforms featuring a completely domestic active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar system. The main focus of NETRA MK-II is its indigenous AES radar, which is installed on each aircraft. This will provide 360-degree coverage in real time, making it capable of detecting, tracking and identifying enemy aircraft, missiles, and UAVs. The new MK-II system is a big upgrade from the older one. It uses advanced gallium nitride (GaN) AESA technology, which makes it much better at detecting things and harder to jam.


India.com
3 days ago
- India.com
Rafale, Typhoon, F-22, F-35, and J-20, why are most fighter jets painted in grey color? The answer will surprise you
With this coating, a jet's radar visibility (called its 'signature') is reduced by nearly 97 per cent. This technology is used in many advanced jets like Turkey's new KAAN, and also in aircraft like the Rafale, F-22, and F-35. It helps them avoid being seen by enemy radar. Why most fighter jets are grey? The grey color isn't just about looks, it is part of the strategy. Grey helps the jet blend into both the sky and the ground, making it harder to spot with the naked eye. Jets like the F-5 Tiger II use two or three shades of grey to better match different backgrounds. In war, this kind of visual camouflage is the first line of defense against being seen and targeted. How paint helps fighter jets avoid heat-tracking missiles The hotter a fighter jet gets, the easier it is to spot using thermal cameras or heat-seeking missiles. That's why new types of paint, like low-emissivity topcoats, are now being used. These special coatings help keep the surface of the jet cooler, which lowers its thermal signature, making it harder for enemy infrared sensors to detect. Lighter paint saves fuel and boosts speed In 2025, UK's EasyJet airline used a new lightweight paint that made each airplane about 27 kg lighter. This small change could save up to 1,200 tons of fuel across their entire fleet every year. In fighter jets, though, lightweight paint is not just for saving fuel, it's used to improve performance. A lighter jet faces less air resistance (or drag), so it can fly faster, farther, and with better agility during missions. Outsmarting modern sensors Today's enemy technology goes far beyond radar. It also includes infrared, ultraviolet, and even multi-spectral sensors that can detect heat, light, and more. To stay hidden, modern fighter jets are now using anti-thermal and multi-spectral coatings. These advanced paints reflect light and heat in special ways to confuse different types of sensors, which helps the jet remain unseen from all angles. Fighter jets follow strict painting rules Every air force in the world has its own painting rules for fighter jets. It's not just about choosing a color, jets must also have safety markings, maintenance codes, and warning signs painted in the right places. If a jet doesn't follow these military painting standards, it might not be allowed to fly. In some cases, the jet can even be grounded or suspended until it meets the rules. Why most fighter jets are painted grey The grey color you see on fighter jets isn't just for style, it's carefully chosen for many smart reasons: It reflects sunlight evenly, so the jet doesn't get too hot. It's less visible to the human eye, making it harder to spot in the sky. It helps reduce visibility on radar systems too.