Latest news with #DRDO
Time of India
5 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
₹20,000 crore project: Indigenous Awacs gets go-ahead, to be developed by DRDO
India's Air Force will soon get six new, large Awacs. The government has approved the Awacs India project. DRDO will collaborate with Indian companies and Airbus. They will integrate advanced systems onto A321 aircraft. This project enhances India's defense capabilities. It also positions India among nations with indigenous Awacs technology. The project may also create export opportunities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The government has given a go-ahead to the production of next generation airborne early warning and control systems (Awacs India) which will be a major force multiplier for the Indian Air Force (IAF) and propel India into a select league of nations with such indigenously developed the project, expected to cost around ₹20,000 crore, the IAF will get six large Awacs that will be capable of tracking enemy aircraft, ground sensors and other equipment at large distances, besides acting as a flying operations control the government clearances in place, the Defence Research and Development Organisation will work with a host of Indian companies as well as Airbus to integrate a complex antenna and other systems onboard the A321 already has six of the aircraft that were taken from Air India in the past. These aircraft will undergo complex structural modifications and integration of a range of systems, including a dorsal fin mounted on the top that will enable an all-round radar project is expected to take around three years for completion and would give Indian companies valuable expertise in working on complex systems from the development stage. It includes a fully indigenous mission control system and AESA India programme - also referred to as the Netra MkII - has been spearheaded by DRDO, which also recently got a go-ahead from the government to move into the prototype production stage for fifth generation Advanced Multirole Combat is also the first time that an Airbus platform will be used for such an application, marking an entry into a domain that has traditionally been dominated by Boeing. The project could also open up export opportunities for India in the future as air force currently operates the much smaller 'Netra' early warning aircraft, which have been successfully utilised in conflicts with Pakistan. It also has three IL76 'Phalcon' systems that were jointly developed with Israel and Russia but the fleet has faced major technical and availability issues.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
Indian Army Conducts 'Akash Prime' Air Defence System Trials At 15,000 Feet In Ladakh
/ Jul 16, 2025, 11:09PM IST Indian army successfully tested the Akash Prime air defence system at over 15,000 feet in the Ladakh sector, officials confirmed. The tests were carried out in the presence of officials from the Army Air Defence and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). During the trials, the surface-to-air missiles scored two direct hits on fast-moving target aircraft in a high-altitude zone with thin air.#akashprime #indianarmy #drdo #ladakh #airdefence #madeinindia #missiles #indiandefence #operationsindoor #militarytech #aatmanirbharbharat #toi #toibharat
Time of India
9 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
Akash Prime successfully tested: Air defence trial held at 15,000 ft in Ladakh; why it matters
ANI file photo NEW DELHI: Indian army on Wednesday successfully tested the Akash Prime air defence system at over 15,000 feet in the Ladakh sector, officials confirmed. The tests were carried out in the presence of officials from the Army Air Defence and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). During the trials, the surface-to-air missiles scored two direct hits on fast-moving target aircraft in a high-altitude zone with thin air. Akash Prime is the third and fourth regiment of the Akash air defence systems in the Indian army, which also performed greatly during Operation Sindoor, thwarting attacks by Pakistan's chinaese aircraft and Turkish drones. Since its development in 2009, the Akash missile system has been continuously upgraded to meet different operational needs. Variants include the original Akash Mark-I, the Akash-1S with an indigenous seeker, the Akash Prime designed for high-altitude and low-temperature conditions, and the Akash-NG, which offers a longer range and more advanced features.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
India's new 12,000 km bomber could reach New York without refueling with BrahMos missiles onboard
India is laying groundwork for a bomber that can hit targets over 12,000 kilometres away. This marks a sharp turn in defence policy, from regional focus to intercontinental reach . Defence analysts say this project, called the Ultra Long-Range Strike Aircraft (ULRA), could be a game changer for the Indian Air Force . The Defence Ministry says modern warfare now cuts across cyber, space and long-range air strikes . China's H-20 is moving fast, while the US holds an edge with its B-2 Spirit and the incoming B-21 Raider. A senior Air Force official said, 'Our nuclear triad covers land and sea well, but we need a platform that can strike anywhere from the skies too.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Degree Cybersecurity Leadership Others Design Thinking MBA Healthcare Product Management Artificial Intelligence Project Management MCA CXO PGDM Data Science Digital Marketing Operations Management Public Policy Data Analytics others Management Technology Data Science healthcare Finance Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details Lessons from the Russian TU-160 'Blackjack' The Russian TU-160 'Blackjack' remains the world's heaviest and fastest supersonic bomber. Its range is about 12,300 kilometres and it can carry up to 40 tons. One DRDO engineer said, 'We are looking at the TU-160 as a regional model and adapting what suits our needs best.' India's own version may use a swing wing design. This lets the wings change shape in flight to save fuel and control speed more efficiently over long distances. Going further than the B-21 Raider Northrop Grumman's B-21 Raider should clock around 9,300 kilometres. India wants its bomber to fly past that limit. That means it could reach targets in the US, Europe, Africa or Australia without refuelling. Live Events The plan includes stealth technology, radar dodging features and automated flight systems. The aim is clear: stay hidden, reach far, hit hard. BrahMos-NG: Main weapon in the arsenal One standout detail is its planned weapon load. The bomber will likely carry up to four BrahMos-NG missiles . Each can fly between 290 and 450 kilometres and strike enemy airfields, radars, command hubs or nuclear facilities in minutes. A senior DRDO official said, 'We also expect short-range ballistic weapons like the Agni-1P, laser bombs and anti-radiation missiles to be part of the final payload.' Where will the technology come from Building this from scratch is no small task. The government, DRDO, HAL and the Aircraft Development Agency are leading the charge. Technology talks are open with Russia and France for transfer deals. One key piece is the engine. Engineers might adapt the GE-414 or Russia's NK-32 to fit the power and range needed. What this means for India's defence A bomber that can fly this far changes the map. It gives India global strike options, stronger nuclear second-strike power and more leverage in the Indo-Pacific. The Defence Ministry expects the first prototype to fly sometime between 2032 and 2035. While the design work is still early, dummy models and initial research have begun. This new project shows India is thinking beyond self-reliance and regional balance. It reflects an ambition to back up its nuclear triad with a credible airborne platform. For a country that once focused mainly on border conflicts, this is a step into a much wider arena. In simple terms, India's message is clear. It wants to be ready, anywhere, any time.
Time of India
11 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
Why India's new hypersonic missile may outrun Israel's Iron Dome and Russia's S-500 and shift the balance in Asia
India has made a quiet but bold leap in missile technology. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has tested what it calls the country's most advanced missile system to date: the Extended Trajectory Long Duration Hypersonic Cruise Missile ( ET-LDHCM ). Unlike the BrahMos, Agni-5 or Akash, this one goes further and faster. It was built under Project Vishnu , a classified programme meant to develop next-generation hypersonic weapons. Defence officials confirmed the missile can hit targets up to 1,500 km away at Mach 8. By comparison, the original BrahMos started with a range of 290 km. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category Operations Management Design Thinking Data Analytics healthcare MCA Finance Degree Public Policy others Product Management Data Science MBA Cybersecurity Management CXO Data Science Project Management Others Artificial Intelligence Leadership Healthcare Technology PGDM Digital Marketing Skills you'll gain: Quality Management & Lean Six Sigma Analytical Tools Supply Chain Management & Strategies Service Operations Management Duration: 10 Months IIM Lucknow IIML Executive Programme in Strategic Operations Management & Supply Chain Analytics Starts on Jan 27, 2024 Get Details The heart of the missile: Scramjet engine A key part of the ET-LDHCM's power comes from its scramjet engine . Unlike older engines that carry oxidisers on board, the scramjet uses oxygen from the atmosphere. This keeps the missile lighter and lets it maintain high speeds for longer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Only 2% Traders Know this Powerful Intraday Strategy thefutureuniversity Learn More Undo In November 2024, DRDO ran a 1,000-second ground test of this scramjet, proving it could handle the extreme heat and speed. The missile can withstand temperatures up to 2,000 degrees Celsius, critical when you're tearing through the sky at nearly 11,000 km per hour. Ready for any platform Flexibility is part of the plan. The ET-LDHCM can be launched from land, ships or aircraft. This makes it useful for all branches of India's military. It can carry conventional or nuclear warheads weighing up to 2,000 kg. Because it flies at low altitudes, it stays harder to detect and intercept. Live Events Analysts say the missile's in-flight manoeuvrability is what sets it apart. It can adjust its course mid-air, something that makes life difficult for modern air defence systems. A message beyond borders India's timing is telling. The test comes as the region faces fresh friction. Russia and Ukraine remain locked in conflict. Israel and Iran are trading threats. Relations with China and Pakistan remain tense. Defence analysts suggest this missile could shift power balances in South Asia. It puts India alongside the United States, Russia and China — countries that have already fielded indigenous hypersonic missiles. Project Vishnu: Quiet but ambitious Project Vishnu is DRDO's biggest bet yet on hypersonic systems. It plans to deliver twelve different weapons, from offensive missiles to interceptors that can knock incoming threats out of the sky. In the words of a senior DRDO scientist: 'The first scramjet test in November 2024 ran for 1,000 seconds. That showed the engine could do what we needed.' Missiles like the ET-LDHCM are only the start. Hypersonic glide vehicles are expected to join service by 2027 or 2028. Full operational use of the ET-LDHCM could come by 2030. Made in India, built to last One thing sets this missile apart. It was designed and built entirely with home-grown technology. Small and medium enterprises and private contractors played a key part. This feeds into India's push for self-reliance under its defence manufacturing policy. Materials science has played its part too. Heat-resistant coatings, co-developed by DRDO and the Department of Science and Technology, keep the missile structurally sound in searing conditions. The same coatings protect it against oxidation for naval operations. With the ET-LDHCM, India is saying it's ready for new challenges. It can now match or outpace some of the world's top-tier missile systems. The country cuts reliance on imports, builds local know-how and signals it's not standing still as regional security shifts. As a defence analyst put it: 'This missile could be a tipping point for South Asian military dynamics. Its speed and survivability change the game.' The test flight might have been quiet. Its message is not.
