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NDTV
a day ago
- Politics
- NDTV
'India's Hypersonic Glide Missile Is In Advanced Stage': DRDO Chief To NDTV
New Delhi: Indian weapons systems were a success during Operation Sindoor when India struck Pakistan during its 100-hour aerial battle, damaging enemy airfields, drones, and air defence systems. BrahMos, Akash surface-to-air missile, the D4 anti-drone system, and other systems designed and developed by the country's premier defence research and development body, DRDO, performed exceptionally well. The chief of DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, spoke to NDTV about the future of BrahMos, India's quest to develop a hypersonic missile and the lessons learnt during Operation Sindoor. The Future of BrahMos The world's fastest supersonic cruise missile, BrahMos, was developed in partnership with Russia and struck Pakistani airfields during the conflict. BrahMos is universal - It can be launched from land, sea and air platforms. Dr Kamat shared an update on the developments in the BrahMos programme and said the scientists are looking at extending its range and having a smaller version capable of attaching to other fighter jets apart from the Su-30MKI. "We are increasing the range of the BrahMos missile. We are also looking at making it smaller so it can be mounted on all our air platforms. Today's BrahMos can be mounted only on the Sukhoi 30. But we are working on making a smaller version of BrahMos, which we are calling BrahMos-NG, and then it can be mounted on any of our platforms," Dr Kamat said. India's Hypersonic Missiles The ongoing Iran-Israel aerial battle started with drones, long-range ballistic missiles, followed by Tehran using hypersonic missiles (capable of flying at speeds five times more than the speed of sound) that are manoeuvrable and evade enemy air defences. India is not behind in its development of hypersonic. Last year, the DRDO test-fired a long-range hypersonic missile from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The @DRDO_India has successfully conducted a flight trial of its long range hypersonic missile on 16th Nov 2024 from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, off-the-coast of Odisha. Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh has congratulated DRDO, Armed Forces and the Industry for successful flight… — रक्षा मंत्री कार्यालय/ RMO India (@DefenceMinIndia) November 17, 2024 Dr Kamat spoke about the hypersonic missile system and said the agency is developing Hypersonic Cruise Missiles, meaning missiles that can travel consistently at hypersonic speeds and Hypersonic Glide Missiles or Vehicles (HGVs). "The hypersonic glide missile is in a much more advanced state. We have done one development trial, and we expect that in the next two to three years, we will complete all the development trials, and then it will be inducted," the DRDO chief said. "In hypersonic cruise missiles, we have recently proven scramjet propulsion for more than 1000 seconds, which is a major breakthrough. We hope the government will sanction a program to convert this scramjet propulsion into a hypersonic cruise missile weapon system. I estimate that it will take about five to seven years before it can be inducted," he added. Iran recently used the Fattah-1 hypersonic missile against Israel in the ongoing conflict. These warheads can glide, with a booster, at hypersonic speeds at low altitude toward the target, making it difficult for air defences to neutralise them because of their manoeuvrability. The DRDO chief further spoke about India's other weapon systems that are in development. "We are working on a variety of air-to-air missiles. We are going for higher ranges than our present Astra, which we now call Astra Mark 2 and Astra Mark 3. We are looking at air-to-ground missiles, which are known as Rudram 2, Rudram 3 and Rudram 4, which will have increasing ranges. These are air-to-ground missiles. Then we are looking at a variety of surface-to-air missiles for air defence applications. You are aware of our program KUSHA. We are also working on a directed energy weapon for anti-drones. So, this will be based on both lasers and high-power microwaves," he said. Dr Kamat shared an update on the Zorawar light tank, which was developed in record time by the DRDO. These tanks, intended for deployment in the rugged terrain of Ladakh, Sikkim and other high-altitude areas, completed their development trials, and user trials will start soon. The need for light tanks arose when India was engaged in a direct military engagement with the Chinese PLA in Ladakh in 2020, and the latter deployed its ZQ-15 Light Tanks to counter India's T-72 Ajeya and T-90 Bhishma tanks. "Our pipeline is quite strong and in the next two to three years, several of our weapon systems and sensors will get inducted into our services," Dr Kamat said. Stealth Fighter Programme And Lessons Learnt During Op Sindoor India recently took a step forward in the direction of building an indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter jet. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the "execution model" for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) that will be developed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in cooperation with industry partners. "We have started work on all our platforms, such as LCA Tejas Mark 1, LCA Mark 1A and LCA Mark 2, were done together, partnering with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) as our production partner. But in the AMCA's case, we are looking at an expression of interest to identify a partner. This partner can be HAL, can be a private sector, or it could be a joint venture between HAL and a private sector or between two private sector companies," he said. To a question about what lessons DRDO learnt from Operation Sindoor, the agency's chief said, "It is very clear to us now that all our weapon systems have to work in an electronically denied environment. The systems will be denied GPS and will be denied their communication. We have to develop fully autonomous weapon systems, which can work in any electronically denied environment."
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Business Standard
11-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
DRDO showcases future-ready defence tech at Indo-Defence 2024 in Jakarta
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is participating in the Indo-Defence 2024 exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 11 to 14, as part of the India Pavilion. The event provides a platform for DRDO to showcase India's cutting-edge defence technologies from its defence R & D powerhouse. In a post on X on Tuesday, DRDO shared information and attached a video showcasing some of its cutting-edge technologies, such as ASTRA MK-I, Remotely Operated Vehicle-Daksh, Low Frequency Dunking Sonar (LFDS-X), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW & C), Wheeled Armoured Platform (Whap), Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo, and Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile. DRDO is showcasing Future-Ready Defence Technologies at #IndoDefence2024 in Jakarta as part of India Pavilion ???? Hall F-46, JIExpo Kemayoran ???? June 11-14, 2025 Explore cutting-edge innovations from India's defence R&D powerhouse. #MakeInIndia #AtmanirbharBharat — DRDO (@DRDO_India) June 10, 2025 Sharing the details, DRDO posted that the India Pavilion, where its technologies are showcased, is located at Hall F-46, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta. Earlier, in line with the government's vision to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem with the participation of both public and private sectors, Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO laboratory located in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, has taken a major step forward by transferring technologies of nine systems to 10 industries. The licensing agreements were handed over in the presence of the Secretary of Defence R & D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, during an event organised at VRDE on June 7, according to the Ministry of also signed an MoU with COEP Technological University, Pune, to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies and emerging areas. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kamat complimented DRDO and the industry for the exceptional performance of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor. He also suggested that the industry plan for surge capacity. He appreciated the efforts of VRDE in providing high-end technological solutions for land systems and weapon platforms. Scientist and Director General (Armament and Combat Engineering) Cluster, DRDO Prof (Dr) Prateek Kishore; Director, VRDE G Ramamohana Rao and other senior scientists were present at the occasion with industry representatives. Last month, DRDO inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, Delhi. The facility was inaugurated by the Secretary, Department of Defence R & D and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, to further strengthen Indigenous quantum capabilities for strategic and defence is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental setups designed to propel research and development in critical quantum domains. The key capabilities of this centre include Characterisation of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers and Distributed Feedback Lasers; Test-beds for evaluating single-photon sources; Set-up for characterisation of Micro-Fabricated Alkali Vapour Cell; and Experimental platforms for developing and validating Quantum Key Distribution techniques to enable ultra-secure communication and safeguard national security in the post-quantum era, spearheaded by Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), DRDO. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India Gazette
11-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
DRDO showcases future-ready defence technologies at Indo-Defence 2024 in Jakarta
New Delhi [India], June 11 (ANI): The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is participating in the Indo-Defence 2024 exhibition in Jakarta, Indonesia, from June 11 to 14, as part of the India Pavilion. The event provides a platform for DRDO to showcase India's cutting-edge defence technologies from its defence R&D powerhouse. In a post on X on Tuesday, DRDO shared information and attached a video showcasing some of its cutting-edge technologies, such as ASTRA MK-I, Remotely Operated Vehicle-Daksh, Low Frequency Dunking Sonar (LFDS-X), Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C), Wheeled Armoured Platform (Whap), Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedo, and Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile. Sharing the details, DRDO posted that the India Pavilion, where its technologies are showcased, is located at Hall F-46, JIExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta. Earlier, in line with the government's vision to establish a robust defence industrial ecosystem with the participation of both public and private sectors, Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), a DRDO laboratory located in Ahilyanagar, Maharashtra, has taken a major step forward by transferring technologies of nine systems to 10 industries. The licensing agreements were handed over in the presence of the Secretary of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, during an event organised at VRDE on June 7, according to the Ministry of also signed an MoU with COEP Technological University, Pune, to collaborate on cutting-edge technologies and emerging areas. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Kamat complimented DRDO and the industry for the exceptional performance of indigenous systems during Operation Sindoor. He also suggested that the industry plan for surge capacity. He appreciated the efforts of VRDE in providing high-end technological solutions for land systems and weapon platforms. Scientist and Director General (Armament and Combat Engineering) Cluster, DRDO Prof (Dr) Prateek Kishore; Director, VRDE G Ramamohana Rao and other senior scientists were present at the occasion with industry representatives. Last month, DRDO inaugurated the Quantum Technology Research Centre (QTRC) at Metcalfe House, Delhi. The facility was inaugurated by the Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Dr Samir V Kamat, to further strengthen Indigenous quantum capabilities for strategic and defence is equipped with state-of-the-art experimental setups designed to propel research and development in critical quantum domains. The key capabilities of this centre include Characterisation of Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Lasers and Distributed Feedback Lasers; Test-beds for evaluating single-photon sources; Set-up for characterisation of Micro-Fabricated Alkali Vapour Cell; and Experimental platforms for developing and validating Quantum Key Distribution techniques to enable ultra-secure communication and safeguard national security in the post-quantum era, spearheaded by Scientific Analysis Group (SAG), DRDO. (ANI)
United News of India
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- United News of India
BEML, DRDO sign Transfer of Technology pact
Bengaluru, June 9 (UNI) In a major thrust to India's defence indigenisation drive, BEML Limited has signed three Licensing Agreements with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the Transfer of Technology (ToT) to manufacture critical mobility and support systems for the Indian Army's Armoured Corps. The agreements were signed with the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE), a premier DRDO laboratory, and will enable BEML to indigenously produce the Unit Maintenance Vehicle (UMV) and Unit Repair Vehicle (URV) for MBT Arjun, as well as a Full Trailer for 70-tonne Tank Transporters with advanced hydraulic suspension. The Licensing Agreements were formally handed over by Dr Samir V Kamat, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, to Sanjay Som, Director (Mining & Construction), BEML Ltd, at a ceremony held at VRDE, Ahmednagar on June 7. Also present were G Ramamohana Rao, Director, VRDE; Dr Prateek Kishor, Director General (Armament and Combat Engineering), DRDO; senior DRDO scientists, and industry representatives. "This collaboration is a milestone in strengthening the Indian Army's operational capabilities with next-generation indigenous solutions, fully aligned with the Government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' initiative," said BEML Chairman and Managing Director Shantanu Roy. The transferred technologies include two critical support vehicles for the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) fleet. The Unit Maintenance Vehicle (UMV) is designed to perform first-line maintenance and light repairs on electrical and mechanical assemblies in field conditions, ensuring the tank's operational continuity. The Unit Repair Vehicle (URV) serves as a second-line repair system, capable of conducting field repairs on vital components, thereby improving the uptime and combat effectiveness of the Arjun MBT fleet. Additionally, the Full Trailer for the 70-tonne Tank Transporter has been developed to move heavy armoured vehicles like the Arjun MBT Mk-1A. This trailer features a modular hydraulic suspension system and steerable axles, offering enhanced mobility and manoeuvrability across a variety of terrains, including metalled, gravelled, and unpaved roads. The agreement reflects BEML's expanding role in building a robust indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem and meeting the evolving demands of modern warfare. BEML, a 'Schedule A' company under the Ministry of Defence, operates across three key verticals – Defence & Aerospace, Mining & Construction, and Rail & Metro – with manufacturing facilities in Bengaluru, Kolar Gold Fields, Mysuru, and Palakkad. UNI BDN SSP
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
BEML-DRDO pact: To develop key mobility systems for Army; boost to ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat' in defence sector
BEML Limited has signed three licensing agreements with the Defence Research and Development Organisation 's vehicles research and development establishment (VRDE) to manufacture critical support and mobility systems for the army's armoured corps, the state-run company said on Monday. Under the deal, Bharat Earth Movers Limited will indigenously produce the unit maintenance vehicle (UMV) and unit repair vehicle (URV) for the MBT Arjun tank, as well as a 70-tonne tank transporter trailer featuring an advanced hydraulic suspension system. The agreements were formally handed over by Samir V Kamat, secretary, department of defence R&D and chairman, DRDO, to Sanjay Som, director (mining & construction), BEML Ltd., during a ceremony held at VRDE in Ahmednagar on 7 June. The event was attended by G Ramamohana Rao, director, VRDE, Prateek Kishor, director general (armament and combat engineering), along with senior DRDO scientists and industry representatives. BEML, in a statement, called the collaboration a key step forward in boosting army's operational strength with fully indigenous, next-generation systems. The company further added that the move is in line with the government's Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, aimed at achieving self-reliance in vital defence technologies. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
