RSTA troopers like those who operate various mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

are now combined with Signals units under the new C4I battalions.

(photo : Aviation Week)

10.02.2011 by DEFENSE STUDIES

Wonder what the term 'C4I battalion' stands for? It means Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence Battalion. The 10 and 11 C4I battalions were formed in 2010 through the merger of Signals units and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) units of Army Intelligence. This development not only underscores the close operational linkages between combat intelligence and communications but also enhances their overall operational effectiveness.

BANGALORE, 9 février - RIA Novosti

La coentreprise russo-indienne Brahmos Aerospace, active dans la production de missiles supersoniques, envisage de doubler sa production d'ici deux ans, a déclaré à RIA Novosti le PDG de la compagnie, Sivathanu Pillai.

Photo: Tamir Eshel, Defense-Update.

February 9, 2011 by Noam Eshel DEFENSE UPDATE

BrahMos, the supersonic cruise missile for the Indian Air Force, would be ready by next year, officials said. Destined to fly on the Su-30MKI air dominance fighter, the Brahmos is nine times faster than other anti-ship missiles, BrahMos Aerospace Chief Executive and Managing Director A Sivathanu Pillai told reporters.

India's Nishant Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. Photo: DRDO

February 9, 2011 by Noam Eshel DEFENSE UPDATE

Indian Army Get 4 Indigenous Nishant Unmanned Aerial Vehicles UAV’s. After completing successful flight trials in Rajastan, the Indian Army recently took delivery of four indigenously designed and developed ‘Nishant’ Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).

HMAS Rankin - photo Royal Australian Navy

9 février 2011, Par Rédacteur en chef. LE PORTAIL DES SOUS-MARINS

C’était le rêve impossible du précédent gouvernement australien : construire une flotte de sous-marins face à celle de la Chine. Mais si le projet de construire 12 sous-marins classiques de grande taille est officiellement toujours la politique du nouveau gouvernement, des experts prétendent que l’Australie ne dispose des capacités nécessaires. Une solution envisagée cette semaine est de passer à la propulsion nucléaire. Mais la question est de savoir si cela ne remplacerait pas une série de problèmes par d’autres. La pièce centrale du Livre Blanc de 2009 était une flotte de 12 nouveaux sous-marins, capables de patrouiller au large de l’Asie et équipés de missiles de croisière pour soutenir les troupes américaines dans toute guerre contre la Chine. Ils seraient à propulsion classique et construits en Australie. Le calendrier est très serré : le premier doit entrer en service au début des années 2020 pour remplacer les 6 sous-marins actuels. Mais les spécialistes australiens de la construction navale commencent à s’inquiéter de la complexité extraordinaire du projet et du manque de temps qui reste pour concevoir et construire ces sous-marins. Ils s’inquiètent aussi du fait que l’Australie ne dispose pas des techniciens nécessaires pour réaliser ne serait-ce que les travaux de conception les plus simples.

16:48 GMT, February 9, 2011 DEFPRO.COM

Bangalore (India) | Development and production of perspective multi-role fighter is the largest joint project of Russian-Indian military-technical cooperation. In December 2010 during the visit of Russian President Dmitry Medvedev to India, the Rosoboronexport, the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and the Sukhoi Company signed a contract to develop a preliminary design project of the new aircraft. This is the first of a series of documents governing the obligations of the parties at different stages of the program. The PMF project includes the design and development of a next-generation fighter, which will have such advanced features as stealth, supersonic cruise speed, high maneuverability, highly integrated set of avionics, an advanced warning system about the situation, the internal deployment of weapons and the possibility of a centralized reporting and electronic warfare system. The fighter is being developed on the basis of the Russian perspective aviation complex (PAK FA) according to stringent technical requirements of the Indian side. The further development of the program envisages design and development of a two-place version of the aircraft and integration of an advanced engine with increased thrust. The two sides are supposed to cooperate in joint marketing of the complex in other countries.

2011-02-08 INDIA DEFENCE

In the build up to Aero India 2011, Northrop Grumman revealed to media personnel that they received and have responded to the Request for Information (RFI) from the Ministry of Defence for MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (BAMS UAS) for the Indian Navy. They have obtained necessary clearances from U.S. Government and have also briefed U.S. Navy on the same. Mr. Walter Kreitler, Director of BAMS UAS programmed told India Defence (www.indiadefence.in) that he feels that U.S. Navy and Indian Navy have very similar operational roles and requirements. Since the Indian Navy will be operating Boeing P-8I aircrafts in a maritime surveillance role, MQ-4C will fit in very well to complement surveillance operations.

Bangalore, India, 09 February 2011 Thales pree release

Samtel Display Systems Ltd. and Thales Avionics SA are proud to announce the official incorporation of their new Joint Venture company, Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd.

“This is a key step for Thales in India and its ambitious development plan, actively encouraged by the Indian Defence Ministry,” said Yves Joannic, Vice President in charge of Thales Avionics Helicopter activities and one of the Directors of the new company. ”This joint venture with a national industry partner makes Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd. a very credible player for future programmes.”

Puneet Kaura, Executive Director, Samtel Display Systems said: “Incorporation of Samtel Thales Avionics is an important step in our strategy to cater to the existing and future opportunities in the Indian Defence space. The coming together of Thales’s proven technologies and Samtel’s Indian experience is sure to create positive synergies that will strengthen the industry.”

The JV company Samtel Thales Avionics Ltd, officially incorporated as of December 28, 2010, is intended to locally develop, customize, manufacture, sell and maintain indigenous Helmet-Mounted Sight and Display Systems and modern Avionics Systems for the Indian and export defence markets.

The core objective of the JV company is to design systems for the Indian Forces’ helicopters and fighters. However, the activity will quickly expand to include other products. Based in Delhi, it will provide the foundation for all future Thales aerospace development in India. The resulting Indian avionics systems will serve customer requirements as part of overall Thales and Samtel solutions. These systems will also be eligible to help Thales meet offset obligations for its different programmes with the Indian Defence Ministry. The JV company will ensure local added value support and integrated maintenance services for the systems it produces for the Indian market

Samtel Thales Avionics at AeroIndia 2011

Samtel Thales Avionics (STA) will be participating in the AeroIndia exhibition to be held at Bangalore during 9-13 Feb 2011. The STA booth will be within the Samtel booth and will showcase some of the upcoming JV products. Visitors will be able to see mock-ups of the Helmet Mounted Sight Displays,TopOwl and Divy Drishti, as well as a presentation of the Infra Red Search and Track (IRST) system and the Integrated Electronic Standby Instrument (IESI). For more information, visit Samtel Thales Avionics at AeroIndia, Hall E, Stand E-27.

Thales has been operating in India since 1953, participating in the creation of local companies such as:

• Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL)
•  Thales International India Pvt. Ltd.
•  Rolta Thales Ltd. (RTL)
•  Thales Software India Pvt. Ltd.

The Group’s permanent representative offices in, New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Cochin, zhennai, Gwalior have been operating since 1970 and now employs over 300 people.

About Samtel Display Systems:

Samtel Display Systems (SDS) is a key Indian player in high-technology products for avionics and military applications in both domestic and international markets. SDS straddles the entire value chain from design, development, manufacture, testing, qualification, repair & maintenance and obsolescence management of avionics products and equipment for military as well as commercial aircraft. SDS is a part of the Samtel Group -- India’s largest integrated manufacturer of a wide range of displays for television, avionics, industrial and professional applications, glass, components for displays, machinery and engineering services. The group employs 6000 people in nine world-class factories and has an annual turnover of Rs 12 billion (USD 260M). For more information visit www.samteldisplays.com.

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader for the Defence & Security and the Aerospace & Transport markets. In 2009, the company generated revenues of €12.9 billion with 68,000 employees in 50 countries. With its 22,500 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers as local partners. www.thalesgroup.com

photo by 권순삼, 국방시민연대 (Defense Citizen Network)

February 8, 2011 STRATEGY PAGE

South Korea has resumed production of its new K2 tank, after a year's delay because of problems with the engine. These problems were first discovered in 2008, but proved more difficult to fix than anticipated. The prototype began testing five years ago, but there were lots of other problems, and delays. Three prototypes have been built, and the numerous delays led to a reduction of the production order from 500 to 380. 

photo by Ajai Shukla

February 08, 2011 SHEPARD GROUP

Magellan Aerospace announced today an agreement  with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore, India for a new  Wire Strike Protection System (WSPS(R)). The agreement includes the  design and development of a WSPS for the HAL Advanced Light Helicopter  (ALH), which will be carried out at Magellan's Bristol Aerospace  division in Winnipeg in 2011. Bristol is the global expert for this  unique system, offering a proven design and acknowledged technological  expertise. 

Bangalore, Feb 8 (PTI) Indo-Russian joint ventureBrahMos Aerospace has secured orders from the Armed Forces todeliver supersonic cruise missiles, valued at USD fourbillion, a top company official said today. The orders by Army, Navy and Air Force would beexecuted in the next five-six years, BrahMos Aerospace ChiefExecutive and Managing Director A Sivathanu Pillai told PTI.

photo by Ministerstvo obrany České republiky

2011-02-08 INDIA DEFENCE

At a press briefing on the eve of Aero India 2011 here in Bangalore, Saab which is pitching the Gripen fighter jet for the USD 11 billion Air Force Multi-Role Combat Aircraft competition promised Swedish Ministry of Defence official Mr. Hakan Jevrell promised true and full technology transfer. Mr Hakan Jevrell, representing the Swedish government, focused his message on full support, long term co-operation, full and true technology transfer, zero-corruption and high levels of integrity. In addition to Mr. Hakan Jevrell, the press briefing featured Mr. Hakan Bushke, CEO of Saab and Mr. Inderjit Sial who is the country head for Saab in India. 

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

See more photos by Shiv Aroor