Military Acquisitions, Partnerships & Developments

[drnayar]

VIDEO: https://x.com/alpha_defense/status/1889600331497054292 ---> India is in talks with GE Rolls Royce and Safran for AMCA engines. Possible decision by end of the year. Hear Dr Samir V Kamat via ANI.

hope they dont put the whole engine deal in the American basket !!

[Aditya_V]

At some point there has to be testbed and engines in India, for that we lot of Indian Airframes,committ to LCa Mk1A 97 Aircraft, Lca Mk2 and AMCA, with engine life cycle replacement the volumes will work in India. We should also be building transport and civilian Aircraft engines.

[A Sharma]

Invest Kerala Global Summit highlights India's quest for indigenous warships, fighter jets; state urged to play a bigger role

[Rakesh]

Ultra Maritime Signs Contract for Co-Production of U.S. Sonobuoys in India
https://umaritime.com/ultra-maritime-si ... -in-india/
11 Feb 2025

[Rakesh]

https://x.com/manupubby/status/1894256144379441240 ---> Quarterly review of reforms, brainstorming sessions on Rajnath Singh's agenda. Defence Minister steps on the gas in year of reforms. All stakeholders to be involved.

[srai]

^^^
If Atmanirbhar Bharat is real, then IDDM should be streamlined similar to “emergency” route.

Maybe finally after a decade in power

[pravula]

This smacks of a middle management play that most companies use when the c-suits start asking questions. All hands on deck, quarterly reviews, daily standups, weekly email updates, pizza parties for moral boosting and hire consultants. Did I miss anything?

[Rakesh]

BEML Ltd. and STX Engine Forge Strategic Partnership for Advanced Defence & Marine Engine Solutions
https://www.bemlindia.in/wp-content/upl ... 2025-1.pdf
10 Feb 2025

[Rakesh]

World’s top turret-making company to manufacture in India
https://theprint.in/defence/worlds-top- ... s/2532468/
04 March 2025

This will be the first time that Belgium-based John Cockerill Defense will set up a manufacturing facility for turrets outside its country.

[A Sharma]

India's Rs 54,000 cr defence boost: More power for Army's T-90, Varunastra torpedoes for Navy, AEW&C systems for Air Force

[A Sharma]

Defence manufacturing hits record high: From warships to fighter jets, India now builds 65 per cent of its weapons

[Ankit Desai]

The Defence Ministry has signed a Rs 1,801.34 crore contract with Armoured Vehicle Nigam Limited for the procurement of Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked version of anti-tank weapon platform.

https://x.com/sneheshphilip/status/1905 ... FLFHx6kTtQ

-Ankit

[A Deshmukh]

More info on the same. alpha_defense
5000 vehicles.

5000 vehicles x 6 (6 Nag per vehicle) x 2 (at least 1 reload) = at least 60,000 Nags.
I dont recall seeing this contract. But surely on the way,

[fanne]

As the financial years comes to close, like always (at least with this govt), there will be flurry of acquisitions to use the unused budget, mostly towards desi products (and occasionally highly critical imports). Please capture all of them in this thread (easier for later reference). This is favorite way of the govt to overcome import craziness of the forces.

[sanjayc]

World’s top turret-making company to manufacture in India
https://theprint.in/defence/worlds-top- ... s/2532468/
04 March 2025

This will be the first time that Belgium-based John Cockerill Defense will set up a manufacturing facility for turrets outside its country.

Most likely linked to Bharat Forge's plans to make its own turret in competition to Cockerill. Saw recent statement of Baba Kalyani regarding this plan in a podcast.

[Nikhil_Naya]

More info on the same. alpha_defense
5000 vehicles.

5000 vehicles x 6 (6 Nag per vehicle) x 2 (at least 1 reload) = at least 60,000 Nags.
I dont recall seeing this contract. But surely on the way,

That 5000 number is a typo for sure - for 1800 crores if we getting 5000 vehicles with 60000 missiles, heck I could probably buy a machine!. Most probably 5000 missiles, and maybe 250-300 vehicles tops.

[AdityaM]

More info on the same. alpha_defense
5000 vehicles.

5000 vehicles x 6 (6 Nag per vehicle) x 2 (at least 1 reload) = at least 60,000 Nags.
I dont recall seeing this contract. But surely on the way,

5000 are not for nag carrier.
The nag order is possibly for a token 300 missiles.

[ashthor]

The amount is both for NIMCA and light vehicles.

for the procurement of Nag Missile System (NAMIS) Tracked version of anti-tank weapon platform and Force Motors Ltd & Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd

[Ankit Desai]

Valued at Rs 1,801.34 crore (13 NAMICAs & 293 NAG missiles)

https://x.com/AVANI_PR/status/1905287480531624044

-Ankit

[srai]

^^^
Just don’t understand IA logic for ordering small amounts?

AFAIK, the total requirement is 200 NAMICA and 8,000 NAG missiles.

And yet, look at the numbers of actual orders placed. They made DRDO go to hell and back only for this. It’s like the IA not really sure of what was built to their specs is what it actually wants.

[AdityaM]

token orders of 300 Nag missiles, 307 ATAGS, and 242 Arjuns, and 250 Astras, 250 Brahmos 800km range.

Vocal for token local.

[SSridhar]

There is no planned purchase happening here. The MoD does not want the funds to lapse. So, they are ordering piecemeal whatever equipment in whatever numbers. That's all, folks.

[uddu]

Something is Better than Nothing.
This seems to be the final order for NAMIS MK1 and Nag MK1 variants. The Window has shifted to MK2.

https://idrw.org/drdo-begins-developmen ... n-partner/

NagMK2 final trial is said to be complete.

[Manish_P]

There is no planned purchase happening here. The MoD does not want the funds to lapse. So, they are ordering piecemeal whatever equipment in whatever numbers. That's all, folks.

Piecemeal orders means the initial procurement (and spares) costs are high (which can be used as an excuse for the next time), the production (and maintenance) lines go empty sooner and it becomes difficult to uptrain or even retain the workforce with a big gap in between....

Smaller repeat orders even if placed reasonably frequently would be still acceptable.. but our procurement train is more often than not delayed/re-directed on other tracks or canceled altogether

Depressing state of affairs. Still hopeful that we will reach a turning point and get critical momentum to be a producer nation - even if it is for exports.

[A Deshmukh]

5000 are not for nag carrier.
The nag order is possibly for a token 300 missiles.

I stand corrected. 5000 is for light vehicles, not Nag carrier.
pib gov in: Official Press release

token orders of 300 Nag missiles, 307 ATAGS, and 242 Arjuns, and 250 Astras, 250 Brahmos 800km range.

Vocal for token local.

Nag order: seems token. at least the orders have started after 25 years of R&D. This was a tougher tech to crack. short distances, very short flying & computation time, new seeker (mmw). even though its a long story, happy to see this go into production.

ATAGS: 307 guns is not a small order. looks decent. Other gun orders will be variants of this - MGS, ALTGS. relatively short timeframe from vision to production (a decade). This is a good beginning.

Arjun: 242 - a lot has been written already. this was internal sabotage by the Chandigarh lobby a decade or two ago. Its too little, too late.

Astra: 250 - its a decent first order. newer versions are in R&D/Testing. So, repeat orders will come - v1 or v2 or v3 depending on how quickly tech evolves. Happy to see the progress on this.

Brahmos: 250 - its a good sized order. Brahmos is a costly, special target missile. its been in production for last 20-25 years. We don't know how many such 250 orders are already in place and delivered.

the comment 'token vocal for local' is applicable only for the case of Arjun. but this was decade or two ago.
Army seems more keen on a lighter 25t tank Zorawar, whose R&D is making fast progress. we should see orders on Zorawar soon.
Arjun's research has fed into T-90 localization and enhancements.

[ernest]

^^^
Just don’t understand IA logic for ordering small amounts?

AFAIK, the total requirement is 200 NAMICA and 8,000 NAG missiles.

And yet, look at the numbers of actual orders placed. They made DRDO go to hell and back only for this. It’s like the IA not really sure of what was built to their specs is what it actually wants.

Rohitvats did a thread on X about this. His point was there is no role where a heavy ATGM can be employed by the army except with some Recce units, which will employ NAMIS/NAMICA. The numbers of such recce units is small, and the order is for initial batches. Army will need to upgrade its training and operations/deployment before it can order for the rest of the recce units.

I cannot find the X thread, but it still makes me wonder why so much effort was spend on a very small segment, and such extended trials. Poor planning by Army. The spinoffs of Nag will see wider deployment in form of SANT/HELINA/MPATGM. The program is still a success, the planning not so much.

That said, I think the newer NAMIS mk2, with an autocannon will see larger orders given that it can fit in with Mechanised Infantry and can replace a lot of other BMP-2 based assets. Between the 2 versions, we will have capability similar to M2/M3 bradley and beyond

[Rakesh]

India also keen to participate in next-generation fighter jet jointly developed by Japan, UK and Italy, but Japan cautious about accepting
https://www-sankei-com.translate.goog/a ... r_pto=wapp
01 April 2025

It was learned on It was learned on the 1st that India has expressed an interest in participating in the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by Japan, the UK and Italy. India has approached the Japanese government to explore the possibility of participating. However, India has traditionally had close ties with Russia, and the Japanese government is cautious about accepting India due to concerns about the leakage of technology. This was revealed by multiple Japanese and Indian diplomatic sources. Japan, the UK and Italy agreed to jointly develop the next generation of fighter jets in December 2022. The development plan is called the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and aims to start deployment by 2035. The joint development and production of next-generation fighter jets will entail huge costs, but India's participation will expand the market and ease the burden on Japan, the UK and Italy. However, the more countries that participate, the greater the possibility of delays in the deployment of aircraft and concerns over the sharing of classified information.

"The joint development of the next generation fighter jets will allow India to acquire the latest military technology. India has been introducing many Russian-made weapons for many years, but in recent years it has been working on domestically producing weapons in order to increase its autonomy," the ministry said. If India were to participate, it would deepen defense cooperation between Japan and India, and could lead to improved deterrence against China, which is a common threat. However, there are persistent voices of caution within the Japanese government, with one senior Defense Ministry official saying, "This will only lead to our technology being stolen." Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is making arrangements to visit India during the Golden Week holidays this spring. The joint development of next-generation fighter jets may come up as a topic during his meeting with senior Indian government officials.

Arrangements are underway for Saudi Arabia to participate and provide funding for the joint development of next-generation fighter jets by Japan, the UK and Italy. However, Saudi Arabia is concerned about countermeasures against issues such as the leaking of confidential information due to cyber attacks by Russia and China, and is not expected to participate on an equal footing with Japan, the UK and Italy.1st that India has expressed an interest in participating in the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by Japan, the UK and Italy. India has approached the Japanese government to explore the possibility of participating. However, India has traditionally had close ties with Russia, and the Japanese government is cautious about accepting India due to concerns about the leakage of technology.

This was revealed by multiple Japanese and Indian diplomatic sources. Japan, the UK and Italy agreed to jointly develop the next generation of fighter jets in December 2022. The development plan is called the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) and aims to start deployment by 2035. The joint development and production of next-generation fighter jets will entail huge costs, but India's participation will expand the market and ease the burden on Japan, the UK and Italy. However, the more countries that participate, the greater the possibility of delays in the deployment of aircraft and concerns over the sharing of classified information. "The joint development of the next generation fighter jets will allow India to acquire the latest military technology. India has been introducing many Russian-made weapons for many years, but in recent years it has been working on domestically producing weapons in order to increase its autonomy," the ministry said.

If India were to participate, it would deepen defense cooperation between Japan and India, and could lead to improved deterrence against China, which is a common threat. However, there are persistent voices of caution within the Japanese government, with one senior Defense Ministry official saying, "This will only lead to our technology being stolen." Defense Minister Gen Nakatani is making arrangements to visit India during the Golden Week holidays this spring. The joint development of next-generation fighter jets may come up as a topic during his meeting with senior Indian government officials. Arrangements are underway for Saudi Arabia to participate and provide funding for the joint development of next-generation fighter jets by Japan, the UK and Italy. However, Saudi Arabia is concerned about countermeasures against issues such as the leaking of confidential information due to cyber attacks by Russia and China, and is not expected to participate on an equal footing with Japan, the UK and Italy.

[Manish_P]

India also keen to participate in next-generation fighter jet jointly developed by Japan, UK and Italy, but Japan cautious about accepting
https://www-sankei-com.translate.goog/a ... r_pto=wapp
01 April 2025

It was learned on It was learned on the 1st that India has expressed an interest in participating in the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by Japan, the UK and Italy. India has approached the Japanese government to explore the possibility of participating. However, India has traditionally had close ties with Russia, and the Japanese government is cautious about accepting India due to concerns about the leakage of technology.
...

The Japanese should be more worried about the britshits.

The American poodles go into such alliances solely to make, as Sir Humphrey Appleby would say, ' A complete pigs breakfast of it'

[A Sharma]

Mi-17 V5 helicopters to be equipped with EW suites to boost survivability in hostile environments

[A Sharma]

India's First Futuristic "Star Wars" Laser Weapon Shoots Down Drone Swarm

[VinodTK]

From Telangana Today
Simpliforge, IIT-H set benchmark with world’s highest on-site 3D Printed structure in Himalayan Range

Hyderabad: In a monumental leap for defense infrastructure and construction technology, Simpliforge Creations and IIT Hyderabad, in collaboration with Indian Army represented by Arun Krishnan (who is also a PhD student at IIT-Hyderabad), have successfully delivered India’s first on-site 3D printed protective military structure at a staggering altitude of 11,000 feet above sea level in Leh under Project PRABAL.

This marks the world’s highest-ever in-situ 3D construction printing feat, accomplished under the extreme high altitude and low oxygen (HALO) conditions, a press release said.

Under the guidance of Prof. K.V.L. Subramaniam of IIT-Hyderabad, Simpliforge Creations and IIT-Hyderabad Teams developed specialized 3D printing technology capable of operating under extreme environmental conditions. This innovation enabled the construction of a form-optimized protective bunker using locally sourced materials, completed over a total printing time of fourteen hours.

The PRABAL initiative showcases how homegrown technology and academic-industry collaboration can push the boundaries of construction science. The deployment of this 3D printed bunker is not only a first-of-its-kind in India but also sets the stage for rapid, on-site, deployable infrastructure in challenging terrains, further strengthening the country’s defense preparedness.

This groundbreaking project marks a convergence of engineering innovation, military utility, and the Make-in-India spirit—paving the way for future-forward infrastructure solutions.

Simpliforge Creations CEO Dhruv Gandhi said, “Executing this project in the high-altitude, low-oxygen environment of Ladakh was an immense operational challenge—for both our team and our machines.”

Prof. KVL Subramaniam said, “One of the most critical aspects of this project was the development of specially engineered materials tailored to perform in extreme environmental conditions.”

Arun Krishnan commented, “Several teams and companies had attempted to bring 3D printed construction to the high-altitude terrain of Leh, but the extreme conditions of Ladakh proved to be a formidable challenge. It was the unmatched synergy between Simpliforge Creations and IIT Hyderabad that finally made it possible.”

[pravula]

Cool. Wonder if these kind of constriction has plumbing, air and electrical conduits built into the layout...

[srai]

^^^
Typically, there is a gap between the outer wall and inner wall for such things.





https://www.mudbots.com/gallery.php

[pravula]

I was kinda thinking that it can also build toilets, pipes and some fixed furniture all in a single shot. Maybe soon...Like the cooling channels inside some turbine blades...my guess is the material will not have the strength during wet phase to do this.

[Tanaji]

Genuine question: what advantage does 3D printing bring over pre-fab structures where stuff like walls, plumbing etc. is built off site and shipped and assembled to location? In the photo above they seem to be able to ship that big robotic 3D printing arm to site, so clearly it seems accessible so prefab should be able to be shipped too?

[ernest]

Genuine question: what advantage does 3D printing bring over pre-fab structures where stuff like walls, plumbing etc. is built off site and shipped and assembled to location? In the photo above they seem to be able to ship that big robotic 3D printing arm to site, so clearly it seems accessible so prefab should be able to be shipped too?

I guess the usual benefits of additive manufacturing / rapid prototyping apply here too. For small numbers of units with a specific design, it might not be economic to use pre-fab. Second, this process can be automated much more than pre-fab construction, where you still need workers to put structures together.

[tandav]

isn't it easier to automate bricklaying instead of this type of paste printing.

[pravula]

Most of these tech is being developed for out-of-earth robotic shelter buildings. Like launch a few robots that will build out and have habitable, ready to go homes for say the moon or mars. Firing bricks would be an additional step and energy use.

[tandav]

Most of these tech is being developed for out-of-earth robotic shelter buildings. Like launch a few robots that will build out and have habitable, ready to go homes for say the moon or mars. Firing bricks would be an additional step and energy use.

Whatever binder is used to make the hardening paste can also be used at scale to make bricks no firing required. Once bricks are ready it's faster to lay bricks to make structures.

Check out catalan vaults with bricks and tiles. https://www.tiktok.com/@techmoments_/vi ... 7217230102

[Rakesh]

Lockheed Martin Hails India's Defence Manufacturing Prowess; 96% Of C-130J Wings Now Made In India
https://www.businessworld.in/article/lo ... dia-556438
12 May 2025

Over 90 per cent of Lockheed Martin’s Indian suppliers are based in southern India.