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The changing nature of warfare, rising conflicts and the never-ending great-power competition has given rise to complex geometries in global geopolitical positioning. The world's future is filled with eternal uncertainty. The advances in technology such as quantum computing. artificial intelligence and digital surveillance have transformed the military worldwide. As a driving force, technology has embedded itself in the power showbiz and has initiated an unprecedented competition between global powers including the emerging middle power. Acquiring innovative power, capacity to invent and adapting fast to new technologies is now a key determinant for all involved in the ongoing power game in the emerging new world order.

Raksha Anirveda’s latest web feature attempts to evaluate and understand the impact of technology in reshaping India's power aspiration through its Indian Armed Forces’ modernisation programme. The featured articles have been diligently curated. These articles analyse Indian Armed Forces’ adoption of innovation and technology. procurement of critical technology to become Aatmanirbhar, adaptability to disruptive and emerging technologies, and its digitisation efforts to emerge as a strong future-ready force. Raksha Anirveda invites esteemed readers - the driving force behind its evolving benchmark to indulge, explore and evaluate the feature presentation. Happy Reading!

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MoD Signs 10 Contracts Worth Rs 5,498 Cr with BEL for Indian Armed Forces

Admin Defence Industry

Bengaluru/New Delhi: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed 10 contracts worth Rs.5,498 Crores with Defence PSU Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). These contracts will bolster the defence capabilities of the country.

Air Force Projects:

  1. a) EW Suite Equipment for Medium Lift Helicopter (90 Nos.) has been signed with BEL-Bangalore. It is indigenously designed and developed by the DRDO lab, Combat Aircraft Systems Development & Integration Centre (CASDIC).  It comprises Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) and Counter Measure Dispensing System (CMDS) and will significantly enhance the combat-survivability of IAF helicopters while undertaking operational missions against adversaries — ground-based as well as airborne radars and heat-seeking, shoulder-fired missiles with effective countermeasures.
  2. b) AMC for Akash Missile System has been signed for maintenance of two Squadrons with BEL-Bangalore. The Akash Missile System (AMS) is a medium-range, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system, developed by DRDO and manufactured by BEL. AMS includes Surveillance Radar, Fire Control Radar, Control and Command Centre developed by BEL.  The Akash Missile system can target aircrafts up to 30 km away and has the capabilities to neutralise aerial threats like fighter jets, cruise missiles and Air-to-Surface Missiles. It is fully integrated with C4I and equipped with ECCM features.

Army Projects:

  1. a) Automated Air Defence Control & Reporting System (Project Akashteer) has been signed with BEL-Ghaziabad. It will enable monitoring of low-level airspace over the battle areas of Indian Army and effectively control the Ground-Based Air Defence Weapon Systems.
  2. b) Instant Fire Detection and Suppressing System (IFDSS) for T 72 has been signed with BEL-Kotdwara. IFDSS is indigenously designed by DRDO and will be manufactured by BEL-Kotdwara.

Navy Projects:

  1. a) Software Defined Radio (SDR) (1265 Nos.) – Portables for Indian Navy are latest state-of-the-art radios which have been indigenously developed, jointly by DEAL (DRDO) and BEL. The SDR portables are developed in three configurations viz. SDR Manpack, SDR Fixed Pack and SDR hand-held, to meet the specific operational requirements of the Indian Navy. SDR Portables are new generation software defined radio that supports multi band, multi-channel, multi role/ mission operation with voice/data to meet the needs of network-centric warfare of Indian Navy. These radios are feature rich compact radios which provides the flexibility of enhancing the performance by implementation of futuristic waveforms on the same hardware using software programmability.
  2. b) HDVLF HF Receiver (1178 Nos.) is a communication equipment, designed to receive and demodulate Data/Voice in VLF and HF Band of operation in the ships and submarines of Indian Navy. The equipment incorporates advanced DSP technology with inbuilt high grade encryption. With induction of this state-of-the-art equipment, Naval forces will be modernised for secure and higher data capability. The equipment is productionised by BEL-Panchkula with ToT from design agency DEAL DRDO Dehradun.
  3. c) Sarang (12 Nos.) will be installed on Kamov 31 Helicopters of the Indian Navy which intercepts, detects and identifies the Radar emitters comprising state-of-the-art technologies.  The project is indigenously designed and developed by DLRL and manufactured by BEL-Hyderabad.
  4. d) Three more projects were signed with Indian Navy – INS-SA, CMS for P17 & P28 and Varuna EW system.

Adding another milestone to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan’ and ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India, all these flagship projects showcases the indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities of Indian Defence industry led by BEL, involving other Public Sectors, Private Sectors and MSMEs.