Defense

The RUDRAM is first indigenous anti-radiation missile of the country for Indian Air Force (IAF), being developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The missile is integrated on SU-30 MKI fighter aircraft as the launch platform, having capability of varying ranges based on launch conditions. It has INS-GPS navigation with Passive Homing Head for the final attack. The RUDRAM hit the radiation target with pin-point accuracy.

The nuclear-capable missile, which will arm India’s future ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs), is likely to be tested by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in the next 15 months, the report says. K-5 is the third SLBM that India is working on.

The directed energy weapons are futuristic solutions that use high-energy lasers and microwaves to carry out targeted strikes. The swarm drones are a set of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or aerial robots which can carry out attacks on specific targets.

In view of the growing tensions between India and China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the government is expected to announce the formation of a new Air Defence (AD) Command soon. A study is being done on the structure of the Command which will be under the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the final decision is expected to be taken before the end of the year.

India is in advanced talks with Russia to acquire a newly developed light tank that could be useful in high altitude areas like the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh.

Talks to buy the Sprut SDM1 light tanks were initiated late in July under a fast-track, government-to-government process, sources told ET.

In a first, a United States’ long-range maritime patrol aircraft refuelled at India’s Andaman and Nicobar islands last weekend displaying the military collaboration between the two countries amid New Delhi’s standoff with China along the border in eastern Ladakh.

A memorial has been built to commemorate the lives of the 20 Indian soldiers who matryred during a bloody skirmish with the Chinese Army in eastern Ladakh’s Galwan Valley. The memorial has the names of 20 soldiers and the details of the June 15 operation.

India’s leading aero manufacturer, state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is currently working out the costs involved and the structure of the planned JV for the production of the fifth generation Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with an ambitious target for 2028.

Amid ongoing Sino-India standoff in eastern Ladakh along Line of Actual Control (LAC), the United States has approved India’s request to buy USD 90 million worth of equipment, spare parts and logistical support for its fleet of C-130J Super Hercules cargo aircraft.