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The central government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for the officers of the Indian Air Force, which would save it Rs 3,400 crore in flying training, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari said here on Saturday.

This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created, Chaudhari said in his speech here on the occasion of 90th anniversary celebrations of the IAF.

“On this historic occasion, it is my privilege to announce that the government has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for the officers in the IAF. This is the first time since Independence that a new operational branch is being created,” he said.

The weapon system branch will essentially man the specialised streams of surface-to-surface missiles, surface-to-air-missiles, remotely piloted aircraft, and weapon system operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft, he said.

Creation of this branch would result in savings of over Rs 3,400 crore due to the reduced expenditure on flying training, the IAF chief said.

A ceremonial parade was held at the air force station here Saturday morning on the occasion.

Chaudhari inspected the parade, which was followed by a march-past.

Air-Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command, Air Marshal Sreekumar Prabhakaran was among senior IAF officers present on the occasion.

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India’s space economy is likely to be worth nearly USD 13 billion by 2025, with the satellite launch services segment set to witness the fastest growth spurred by increasing private participation, according to a report released on Monday.

The growing demand for smaller satellites is set to boost satellite manufacturing in the country and will attract global start-ups in the sector to help incubate space tech companies here, said the report released by the Indian Space Association (ISpA) and Ernst and Young.

India’s space economy was pegged at USD 9.6 billion in 2020 and is expected to touch USD 12.8 billion by 2025, according to the report titled ‘Developing the Space Ecosystem in India: Focusing on Inclusive Growth’.

In dollar terms, the satellite services and applications segment would be the largest with a turnover of USD4.6 billion by 2025, followed by ground segment at USD 4 billion, satellite manufacturing at USD 3.2 billion and launch services at USD 1 billion.

“Indian space launch is expected to get a boost due to the government’s positive step towards the inclusion of private players in the Indian space ecosystem,” the report said.

The launch services segment was pegged at USD 600 million in 2020 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 13 per cent to reach USD 1 billion by 2025, the report said.

“The availability of low-cost satellite launch vehicles coupled with mass production will lead to demand from customers around the world. Indian private companies are looking to exploit the space industry by using innovative technologies,” it said.

Setting up space parks across the country is likely to give a fillip to companies operating across the space value chain, especially manufacturing, the report stated.

“It will be key to attracting global start-ups working in the space sector and help to incubate space tech companies in India,” it said.

Several companies are utilising cutting-edge technologies to develop innovative launch solutions in India and have built considerable expertise around the launch of LEO, MEO and GEO satellites and orbit management solutions.

“The launch segment is fast becoming a key focus area for start-ups and small and medium businesses (SMEs) in India to drive the innovation agenda and make use of new revenue opportunities,” the report said.

It noted that currently, India boasts of over 100 space tech start-ups with investments in the segment touching USD 68 million in 2021.

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The Kalyani M4 is a state-of-the-art armoured personnel carrier that provides protection to the occupants against high threats, including severe mine blasts and grenades.

The vehicle is capable of carrying an infantry platoon in full combat gear.

“Bharat Forge Ltd today dispatched 16 world-class and Made-in-India Kalyani M4 vehicles to the Indian Army for United Nations Peacekeeping deployment,” the company said.

It said Kalyani M4 successfully completed a series of extreme vehicle trials in some of the toughest environments in India.

The trials were conducted in the freezing terrains of Leh and Ladakh, and the unforgiving deserts of Rann of Kutch.

Speaking on the occasion, Baba N Kalyani, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Forge Ltd, said, “We are proud to be delivering the Made-in-India Kalyani M4 for UN Peacekeeping missions.”

“This encourages us to work for the benefit of our armed forces and it reinforces our commitment to harness our Prime Minister’s vision for atmanirbharata and self-reliance in the defence sector,” he said.

Amit Kalyani, Deputy Managing Director, Bharat Forge Ltd, added, “Keeping crew safety and vehicle performance as paramount factors, Kalyani M4 has been ergonomically and aesthetically designed to allow the crew to perform their duties in an optimum manner.”

The Kalyani M4 is equipped with modern military-grade power terrain with all-time situational awareness.

Recently, the Indian Army’s northern command inducted the Kalyani M4 to its fleet of armoured vehicles under an emergency procurement, the company said.

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The Indian Air Force inducts its first Unit of the indigenous Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) at Jodhpur, Rajasthan on Monday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the Air Force saying the role of the IAF will be more effective after this induction. “Since long the requirements of indigenous attack helicopters was felt.” He said.

Rajnath Singh said, “The LCH is capable of dodging the enemy, carrying a variety of ammunition, and delivering it to the site quickly. This LCH perfectly meets the needs of our armed forces in various terrains. In such a situation, LCH is an ideal platform for both our Army and Airforce.”

The recent Ukrainian Conflict, or the many conflicts that preceded it, teaches us that heavy weapon systems and platforms, which are unable to move rapidly in the battlefield, have low capability, and sometimes they are capable of attacking enemies. become easy targets for, Defense Minister pointed.

The Unit which will comprise of 10 Make-in-India multi-role attack helicopters based at the Jodhpur Air Force Station have been named the 143 Helicopter Unit (Dhanush). The Helicopters have been christened as Prachand. The ceremony was presided over by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in the presence of the Air Chief.

IAF Chief VR Chaudhari said the IAF’s tryst with helicopters began in 1954 when sikorsky helicopter was inducted. 

And it being the first Unit of the indigenous LCH,  “The personnel of the unit have been specially selected based on their professional competence,” said ACM Chaudhari.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in March this year approved the procurement of 15 Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Limited Series Production at the cost of Rs. 3,887 crores along with Infrastructure sanctions worth Rs. 377 crores. Of these 5 LCH are to be inducted into the Indian Army.

Light Combat Helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter containing approx. 45% indigenous content by value which will progressively increase to more than 55% for SP Version, says the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The Helicopter is powered by a twin Shakti Engine and has a range of 500 km and a maximum speed of 268 kmph. It is compatible for high-altitude deployment with the capability to take off and land at about 5000 metre (16,400 feet).

The weapons onboard includes Air to Air Missile Mistral 2, Anti Tank Guided Missile Dhruvastra, and 70 MM Rockets.

Speaking on the occasion HAL CMD (additional charge) CB Anantkrishnan said that the machine has been tested thoroughly in various climatic conditions including the high altitude and cold climate of the Siachen and in the process the machine clocked 2034 flights and 1500 hrs of flying.

“145 number of LCH is expected from Indian users and also international opportunities are expected.” Anantkrishnan said.

It should be noted that the IAF is yet in the process of finalising the number of LCHs to be procured. These choppers may replace the ageing Russian Mi-25 and Mi-35 attack choppers.

In June this year, the Indian Army inducted the first LCH squadron in Bengaluru. It was on 29 September the first  helicopter was formally received by Director General Army Aviation Corps , Lt Gen A. K. Suri from  the manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bangalore. It will be moved to Eastern Command along the Line of Actual Control (LCH) next year. It has planned to induct 95 LCHs.

As per the MoD, “This helicopter is equipped with requisite agility, manoeuvrability, extended range, high altitude performance and around-the-clock, all-weather combat capability to perform roles of Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Destruction of Enemy Air Defence (DEAD), Counter Insurgency (CI) operations, against slow-moving aircraft and Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs), high altitude bunker busting operations, Counter Insurgency operations in jungle and urban environments and support to ground forces and would be a potent platform to meet the operational requirements of Indian Air Force & Indian Army.”

State-of-the-art technologies and systems compatible with stealth features such as reduced Visual, Aural, Radar and IR signatures and crashworthiness features for better survivability have been integrated in LCH. Several key aviation technologies like Glass Cockpit and composite airframe structures have been indigenised.

The future Series Production version will consist of further modern & indigenous systems.

Production of LCH will reduce import dependence for Combat helicopters in the country. Light Combat Helicopters are already in the import embargo list.

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