1. Indian Navy to Get Upgraded Rafale-M Block 4
It is expected that India will announce Rafale-M as the winner of 26 multi-role carrier-born fighter deal during the visit of French president Emmanuel Macron in New Delhi.
As per latest information the Indian Navy will get the Rafael-Marine Block F4 variant since Dassault Aviation has now shifted production to Block F4.
The Rafale-M Block F4 will come with upgraded radar, improved capabilities in the helmet mounted display, Advanced network-centric warfare with more data exchange and satellite communication capability.
The French navy has already started upgrading its older F3R Rafale Marine variant to the new F4 standard in 2022 that will also be delivered to Indian Navy with some customizations.
2. Full Prototype of DURGA-2 Expected in 2023
The DRDO had initiated a Directionally Unrestricted Ray Gun Array project in 2021, also known as the DURGA-2.
DURGA-2 is a 100 Kilowatt lightweight directed energy weapon that will first be available to the Indian army and later be integrated with sea and air platforms.
As per media reports the full prototype of the system will be one of the most crucial projects to watch out for in 2023.
3. IAF to start User Trials of Zmotion’s Trinetra Loitering Munition
Zmotion Autonomous Systems will supply a small number of its TriNetra loitering munition to the Indian Air Force for user trials
The Indian army had already completed trials of the Trinetra Hand Launched Loitering Munition in Ladakh in June 2022, after which an order for unspecified units was placed by the Indian army under emergency procurement.
The Trinetra weighs 5.5 Kilograms and it carries a one kilogram Warhead. It can also be equipped with multiple optional payloads and it has a range of 15 Kilometres, endurance of 60 minutes with a cruise speed of 20 meters per second.
4. DRDO fine-tuning Low Recoil System for MPATGM
The shoulder launched Man portable anti-tank guided missile was flight tested in its final deliverable configuration from a makeshift tripod stand in 2022 and now the DRDO is in process of developing a launch tube for Man portable anti-tank guided missile.
DRDO officials have confirmed that work is underway to fine-tune the booster energy so that the recoil is tolerable and it doesn’t affect the positioning of the soldier causing deviation in the flight path of the missile.
The DRDO plans to carry out a test of the Man portable anti-tank guided missile in full-configuration soon.
5. DRDO plans more High-Altitude trials of Helina ATGM
The DRDO is developing a customized Helina anti-tank guided missile that will be further optimized for high-altitude operations. It will soon start user trials on the Rudra armed helicopter and the Prachand light combat helicopter.
The Helina had carried out successful tests in desert ranges in February 2021 followed by successful tests at high-altitude ranges in April 2022, thus clearing all user trials in 2022 and even the local supply chain was also established for production.
6. Rajnath Singh reviews operational preparedness of Andaman & Nicobar Command
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh reviewed the operational preparedness and infrastructure development at Andaman and Nicobar command in Port Blair and he also met top commanders and Joint Services troops at Indian Naval Air Station. He also visited the Air Force Station at Car Nicobar that operates Frontline fighter jets including Su-30 and Jaguar strike aircraft.