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News18
20 hours ago
- Business
- News18
IAF To Enhance Capabilities With Acquisition Of 6 More Netra Mk-1A AEW&C Systems: Sources
Last Updated: The AEW&C system is crucial for monitoring enemy territory from a distance, providing an early warning of incoming aerial threats. The Ministry of Defence is set to consider a proposal for acquiring six Netra Mark-1A Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) systems for the Indian Air Force this month, sources have informed. The proposal will be presented to the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The development will see airframes sourced from Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer, with modifications carried out by the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). AWACS, an Airborne Warning and Control System, serves as a long-range radar surveillance and command and control platform mounted on an aircraft. The acquisition aims to triple the IAF's AEW&C fleet, addressing critical gaps in India's air defense architecture amid rising regional tensions with China and Pakistan. India currently operates Israeli EL/M-2090 Phalcon AWACS and the indigenously developed Netra AEW&C. However, the final approval for six Netra Mk-1A AEW&C systems is still pending, said sources. The Netra Mk1A is an advanced iteration of the DRDO-developed Netra Mk-1 AEW&C system, which has proven its operational mettle in high-stakes scenarios like the 2019 Balakot airstrike and the recent Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025. The AEW&C system is crucial for monitoring enemy territory from a distance, providing an early warning of incoming aerial threats. The decision to built India's defence capabilities aggressively came after military chiefs and national security planners met to discuss learnings from Operation Sindoor, that took place on June 7, 2025. The consensus emerged that India needs to build better and more lethal capabilities, as Pakistan will acquire more capabilities from China. First Published: June 10, 2025, 09:24 IST
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
IAF to acquire more teeth through AWACS and mid-air refuellers
The ministry of defence is set to take up a proposal for acquisition of six more Embraer aircraft from Brazil for conversion to Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) using DRDO developed Netra Mark 1A mounted AESA radars in a move aimed at plugging key capability gaps and building conventional deterrence, people familiar with the matter said. The proposal will be brought before the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shortly, they added, asking not to be named. In addition, while the government has approved wet lease of one KC-135 mid-air refueller from US-based Metrea military contractor, it has also pressed the pedal on the acquisition of six more mid-air refuellers on the basis of an RFP floated by the acquisition wing of the Defence Ministry. India at present has six Russian refuellers. The urgent need for AEW&C aircraft was felt because the Pakistan air force has eight SAAB-2000 aircraft fitted with the Erieye radar system plus four Chinese ZDK-03 aircraft used for electronic warfare and electronic support measures. PAF also has three Dassault Falcon DA-20 aircraft, which are being used for electronic warfare. After Operation Sindoor, Pakistan has seven SAAB-2000 Erieye AEW&C aircraft, as one was shot down by the Indian S-400 air defence system from a distance of 314 kilometres during the four-day high-intensity skirmish. The AEW & C aircraft is used to look into enemy territory from a distance of as much as 350 km away to identify incoming enemy aerial platforms as well as artillery firing from across the border. Pakistan also has four Russian refuellers of the same IL-78 M variety as India. After the military chiefs and national security planners met to discuss learnings from Operation Sindoor on June 7, 2025, a consensus has emerged that India needs to build better and more lethal capabilities, as Pakistan will acquire more capabilities from China . China is providing Yuan-class diesel submarines, frigates and armed drones to Pakistan, while Turkey is building corvettes, upgrading Augusta 90B submarines and providing spare parts for F-16 aircraft for the Islamic nation. In this context, the Indian military is also getting the weapons recovered from the skirmish, namely Chinese made PL-15 air to air missile, Fatah rockets and Turkish built YIHA drone reviewed by top Indian technology experts. India is now the only country that has war data on Chinese weapon systems like J-10, JF-17 fighters, HQ-9 air defence systems, SH-15 howitzers as well as performance of its own Rafale fighters in live conditions. India's post-Sindoor Indian assessment , HT learns, does not rule out a mass casualty attack from Pakistan-based jihadist groups in the future, with the Pakistan military better prepared next time to meet the expected Indian response to terror. Between the launch of the operation in the early hours of May 7 and the ceasefire on the evening of May 10, Indian forces bombed nine terror camps in Pakistan and PoK and killed at least 100 terrorists. The Indian Air Force also struck targets at 13 Pakistani airbases and military installations. On Tuesday, it emerged that India's targeting of locations within Pakistan during the May 7–10 clash was more extensive than previously known, with a Pakistani document acknowledging that Indian drones had struck locations ranging from Peshawar in the northwest to Hyderabad in the south. Pakistan's Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, which was mounted in response to Operation Sindoor, 'folded in eight hours' on May 10, belying Islamabad's ambitious target of bringing India to its knees in 48 hours, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan said on Tuesday. Operation Sindoor was India's military response to the terror strikes at Pahalgam that killed 26 people.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India revives Rs 44,000 crore plan to build warships that can detect and destroy underwater mines
India has restarted its plan to build 12 specialized warships that can detect and destroy underwater mines . These ships are critical to protect ports and maritime trade from enemy forces. The defence ministry is likely to present the proposal, worth around ₹44,000 crore, to the Defence Acquisition Council led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh for approval, a TOI report stated. Tender to be issued soon for Indian shipyards According to defence ministry sources, the procurement will move ahead once the 'acceptance of necessity (AoN)' is granted. An open tender or request for proposal (RFP) will then be issued, inviting Indian shipyards to submit their technical and commercial bids. 'It will take at least 7-8 years, if not more, for the first MCMV to roll out after the contract is inked,' a source said. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like War Thunder - Register now for free and play against over 75 Million real Players War Thunder Play Now Undo Urgent need due to rising submarine activity These mine countermeasure vessels (MCMVs) are considered urgent due to the regular movement of Chinese submarines in the Indian Ocean Region. Chinese nuclear and conventional submarines can lay underwater mines quietly. Pakistan is also expanding its submarine fleet and is expected to receive eight new Yuan-class diesel-electric submarines from China. Live Events India's Navy currently has no dedicated MCMV in service. Earlier ships, including six Karwar-class and two Pondicherry-class minesweepers, have been retired. As a temporary solution, the Navy uses 'clip-on mine countermeasure suites' on other ships. However, the Navy needs at least 24 MCMVs to secure India's 7,516-km coastline, which includes 13 major ports and over 200 minor ones. Mines pose threat from state and non-state actors Underwater mines are low-cost and easy to deploy. Both state and non-state actors can use them to damage or destroy warships, merchant vessels, and tankers by blocking access to harbours and ports. The plan to acquire 12 MCMVs started in 2005. Goa Shipyard had partnered with South Korea's Kangnam to build the vessels. But the project, worth ₹32,000 crore, was cancelled by the Ministry of Defence in 2017-18 after disagreements over cost, technology transfer, and build strategy. New ships to include advanced mine detection systems Each MCMV will weigh around 900-1,000 tonnes and feature a non-magnetic hull. The ships will use high-definition sonar, acoustic and magnetic sweeps to locate mines. Remote-controlled underwater vehicles will then detonate the mines from a safe distance. Part of larger naval expansion plan The Indian Navy , which has over 130 warships, recently played a key role in Operation Sindoor by forward-deploying the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, other warships, and submarines in the northern Arabian Sea to deter Pakistan. Currently, 60 warships and vessels are being built in Indian shipyards. The Navy will also commission INS Tamal, its second 3,900-tonne multi-role frigate built in Russia, next month in Kaliningrad. The Navy has also received initial approvals for 31 more warships, including seven new-generation frigates, eight corvettes, and six stealth submarines. However, due to delays in shipbuilding and retirement of older vessels, the Navy is expected to reach a fleet size of only around 160 warships by 2030.
News18
11-05-2025
- Business
- News18
Is India's Military Future-Ready? A Deep Dive Into Defence Reforms
Last Updated: Since the liberalisation era of 1991, India's defence transformation has been steadily progressing, and recent policy shifts mark a new era of ambition and innovation. India's armed forces today stand at an inflection point — strategically recalibrating to navigate a world increasingly shaped by multipolarity, emerging technologies, and non-traditional security threats. Since the liberalisation era of 1991, India's defence transformation has been steadily progressing, and recent policy shifts mark a new era of ambition and innovation. But do these steps sufficiently prepare the military to confront present and future threats? The economic reforms of 1991 not only unlocked market potential but also catalysed structural thinking within India's strategic community. Over the following decades, reforms such as the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP), the formation of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), and a more open approach to private and foreign participation in defence manufacturing redefined the contours of military modernisation. Institutional innovations or structural changes included establishment of Strategic Forces Command, HQ of Integrated Defence Staff and the Andaman & Nicobar Command. By the mid-2000s, the focus had shifted toward increasing transparency and indigenisation, particularly through the expansion of DRDO-led projects and a growing private sector role. The 2010s witnessed the mainstreaming of digital procurement systems and increased international collaboration. The cumulative effect of these developments created the scaffolding upon which current reforms rest. The formation of the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) in 2020, introduced a much-needed focus on jointness and interoperability. The DMA was particularly significant in devolving ministerial powers to military leadership based on domain expertise, streamlining decision-making processes, and enhancing civil-military coordination. The year 2025 has come to be known as a turning point — dubbed the 'Year of Reforms" — as Ministry of Defence aims announcement and rollout of several landmark initiatives. This included acceleration of indigenous capital acquisition projects, deeper integration of dual-use technologies via iDEX, structural overhaul of the Quality Assurance regime under DGQA, and plans to open up defence testing infrastructure to private innovators. These policy moves reflect a broader strategic vision that seeks not only to modernise but also to democratise access and foster innovation in defence manufacturing and R&D. In recent years, administrative reforms within the Ministry of Defence have focused on enhancing the speed, transparency, and responsiveness of decision-making. There has been a decisive move toward digitisation — whether through e-procurement platforms or electronic workflow systems. The SRIJAN portal, launched to encourage domestic defence manufacturing, has facilitated direct engagement between the armed forces and industry, while also fostering accountability. One of the landmark developments has been the corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board into seven defence PSUs, which has allowed for greater autonomy, flexibility, and competitiveness, aligning defence production with contemporary management practices. Complementing this shift, NITI Aayog's Law and Security vertical — established as part of its evolving role in policy innovation — has contributed to strategic thinking on defence reforms, inter-agency coordination, and long-term capability planning. Its insights have helped shape pathways for resource optimisation, indigenisation strategies, and regulatory harmonisation in defence-related sectors. The vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat in defence has found expression in a comprehensive push for indigenisation. The Strategic Partnership Model and successive positive indigenisation lists have catalysed domestic industry participation across key military platforms. From fighter aircraft like the LCA Tejas Mk2 to long-range precision strike systems and indigenous drones, DRDO and Indian private manufacturers have stepped up significantly. India's growing defence exports — ranging from coastal surveillance systems to artillery equipment—are reflective of this maturation. However, a critical question remains: can this momentum be scaled to meet both strategic imperatives and commercial benchmarks? Simultaneously, India's armed forces are embedding sustainability as a strategic variable. Efforts to green the battlefield — through solar-powered infrastructure, electrification of base logistics, and the adoption of alternative fuels — are transforming energy planning in operational theatres. These green solutions do more than address environmental concerns; they also reduce logistical vulnerabilities, particularly in remote, high-altitude, or conflict-prone zones, where supply chains are susceptible to disruption. The concept of a circular economy is also gaining traction within defence infrastructure planning, with initiatives focusing on defence recycling corridors to reprocess and repurpose obsolete weapon systems, electronics, and metals — thereby reducing both waste and dependency on essential imports. Another critical axis of reform lies in the securitisation of critical minerals. Modern military capabilities are fundamentally dependent on rare earths and other strategic materials used in semiconductors, high-performance alloys, and communication systems. Recognising this, the Government of India has initiated a coordinated approach involving the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Mines, and Ministry of External Affairs to map dependencies and secure resilient supply chains. Bilateral partnerships and resource-sharing agreements are being explored to bolster this effort. The question arises: how resilient will India's critical mineral strategy be in the face of geopolitical volatility? India's military is also undergoing a deep technological infusion, encompassing AI, cyber defence, and space-based capabilities. Through initiatives like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Defence AI Council, and partnerships with leading academic institutions, the armed forces are beginning to leverage AI-driven decision systems, autonomous platforms, and quantum communication frameworks. India's representation in the National Quantum Mission ensures that military imperatives are integrated early into quantum computing and communication technologies, offering a strategic edge in futuristic warfare scenarios. However, to fully realise this potential, there is a pressing need to formally include representatives from the armed forces in the governance and strategic direction of the National Quantum Mission. Their operational insights and domain requirements can significantly align R&D efforts with defence objectives. Additionally, proposals to create frontier technology hubs focused on dual-use innovations—spanning from advanced materials to hypersonics — promise to align cutting-edge research with operational requirements. But are we scaling fast enough to build credible deterrence in algorithmic warfare environments? Concurrently, India faces an evolving threat landscape marked by grey zone conflicts, cyberattacks, and the proliferation of unmanned systems. The armed forces are investing in integrated ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) systems, predictive logistics platforms, and autonomous combat technologies. Joint training for multi-domain operations is being institutionalised to improve responsiveness across land, sea, air, space, and cyber domains. The future-readiness of the armed forces will hinge on how quickly they internalise and adapt to these dynamic operational paradigms. Can these reforms provide real-time combat agility, or will legacy systems act as inertia? India's defence diplomacy is also evolving as an extension of strategic reform. From the co-production of jet engines with the United States to trilateral naval exercises in the Indo-Pacific and expanding defence exports to Africa and Southeast Asia, the emphasis is on building both technological depth and geopolitical alignment. These partnerships serve a dual purpose – enhancing access to cutting-edge platforms while supporting India's drive for strategic autonomy. The balance between indigenisation and interdependence is delicate but increasingly sophisticated. top videos View all India's defence reforms reflect clarity of purpose—towards self-reliance, responsiveness, and technological sovereignty. Yet, implementation and institutional maturity will define their ultimate success. As threats evolve and alliances shift, India's ability to adapt—administratively, technologically, and strategically—will determine whether it emerges not just as a regional power, but as a reliable global security actor. Will these reforms deliver a future-ready Indian military or will they remain works in progress? The answer lies in sustained execution and strategic foresight, not just ambition. Maj Gen K Narayanan is a military expert who has served the Indian military force for decades and now serves at NITI Ayog as Program director. Darpajit Sengupta is a fellow at NITI Aayog. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect News18's views. tags : India-Pakistan ties Indian Army Operation Sindoor Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: May 11, 2025, 13:47 IST News opinion OPINION | Is India's Military Future-Ready? A Deep Dive Into Defence Reforms
News18
09-05-2025
- Business
- News18
More Power To Military: Centre Grants Emergency Procurement Powers To All 3 Armed Forces
Last Updated: This will give all the three armed forces direct purchase power for six months so as to ensure they are combat-ready in a crisis situation The Centre granted emergency procurement powers to all the three armed forces, a vital mechanism to ensure they are combat-ready during a crisis situation, sources told CNN-News18. In a boost to the armed forces, the Defence Acquisition Council under the Raksha Mantri granted them financial and decision making powers. This will give them direct purchase power for six months. First Published:
