Eyeing intel on Chinese movements, Indian Army allows winter grazing along LAC

Bengaluru: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was on a 3-day visit to Paris, on Wednesday invited the French Army to take a closer look at the Pinaka MBRL (multi-barrel rocket launcher).

During his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, acquisition Modi emphasised that the of the Pinaka system by France would be another milestone in Indo-French defence ties. 

Modi visited France for the sixth time since becoming the prime minister in 2014, underscoring the growing bilateral ties between the two nations.

In November 2024, a top French Army officer, who was in India, had stated that: “We are evaluating the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system because we need a system like that.”

“We are evaluating it among the other systems offered by the highest countries offering such systems. India is among the leading countries producing weapons,” Brigadier General Richou had said then.

Also Read: EXCLUSIVE! Eye on China, Indian Army is raising two more Pinaka regiments along LAC

Know about Pinaka MBRL

The Pinaka MBRLs, a 214-mm multi-barrel rocket launch system, are being built by Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), Tata Power Company Limited and Larsen & Toubro (L&T) for the Indian Army. 

Currently, Indian Army has four regiments of Pinaka MBRL. One regiment comprises of three batteries of six Pinaka launchers. In 44 seconds, a battery of six Pinaka launchers can fire a salvo of 72 rockets. 

Having a range of 75 kilometers, the Pinaka has multiple variants which make it a versatile and powerful tool for modern artillery operations. 

It is equipped with quick response capabilities and relatively high pointing accuracy. It can efficiently engage time-sensitive enemy targets within a short timeframe.

Last year, India delivered an order of four Pinaka batteries worth Rs 2,000 crore to Armenia.

Apart from France, countries like Indonesia and Nigeria have also evinced interest in Pinaka.

Also Read: DRDO successfully conducts flight tests of guided Pinaka Rocket System with 75-km range [WATCH]

• French Army
• Pinaka
• PM Modi
• Modi in France

Bengaluru: Aimed at further enhancing the country’s self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has handed over the Transfer of Technology (ToT) for the advanced Brake Parachute system of the Sukhoi-30 (Su-30) to Hazratpur-based Ordnance Equipment Factory (OEF).

At the ongoing Aero India 2025 in Bengaluru, Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth handed over the ToT to OEF Hazratpur General Manager Amit Singh. 

A critical component, the ToT for the Su-30 Brake Parachute would ensure safe landing deceleration of the Su-30 aircraft. 

“We have been recognised by the defence ministry for our contributions in the development and production of specialized technical parachutes for defence applications,” an official from OEF said. 

Also Read: ‘Just not confident’ of HAL: IAF Chief ACM AP Singh over LCA Mk1A delayed delivery

A Landmark in Self-Reliant Defence Manufacturing

OEF Hazratpur has been at the forefront of designing and manufacturing advanced textile-based defence solutions, including various aerial delivery systems and brake parachutes.

“The successful development and production of technical parachutes in collaboration with DRDO has positioned OEF Hazratpur as a key player in India's defence supply chain.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Sanjay Seth, emphasized the importance of this milestone in line with the Government of India’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. 

He lauded the expertise and efforts of OEF Hazratpur in producing world-class defence equipment that meets the stringent requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Expressing gratitude to the ministry and the DRDO for entrusting the factory with this critical defence technology, the OEF Hazratpur General Manager, Amit Singh reiterated OEF Hazratpur’s commitment to advancing indigenous manufacturing capabilities and contributing to India’s strategic defence needs.

“This ToT underscores India’s continued efforts to reduce dependency on foreign suppliers and strengthen domestic production capabilities in the defence sector.”

“By integrating advanced technologies and manufacturing expertise, OEF Hazratpur aims to enhance the operational efficiency and self-sufficiency of the Indian armed forces.”

Also Read: BrahMos NG to make first flight run in 2026; production to begin from 2027-28

• DRDO
• Sukhoi
• advanced Sukhoi
• OEF Hazratpur

State-owned plane maker Hindustan Aeronautics on Tuesday said that a team from the GE Aerospace will be arriving at the end of this month to negotiate on GE 414 engine’s 80 per cent transfer of technology (ToT) to the HAL. Once the clarity on it comes, the two sides will go for negotiation on pricing.

Earlier, the US had offered of 58 per cent of ToT.

“Our team had visited Boston just last week. We are taking two steps. The first one is to discuss on 80 percent ToT and once it is done the second step would be price negotiation,” HAL CMD DK Sunil said.

He also added that a team from GE would visit here at the end of this month. “There are certain technologies about which they said they will give processes, but we need the drawings. Once the discussion n ToT are over, we will go for price negotiation,” DK Sunil said.

The GE 414 engines will be fitted in the light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk2 and AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).

Talking about the status of AMCA project, the HAL CMD said that the fifth generation fighter aircraft is expected to fly in three years.

Also read: ‘Just not confident’ of HAL: IAF Chief ACM AP Singh over LCA Mk1A delayed delivery

Asianet Newsable has spoken to the AMCA project director Krishna Rajendra Neeli on its status. He said that the induction of AMCA would be started from 2036.

LCA Mk1 and LCA Mk1A

DK Sunil said that all aircraft – 83 LCA Mk1 and 97 LCA Mk1A, will be delivered to the Indian Air Force by 2031.

In next 3-3.5 years, all 83 LCA Mk1 will be supplied to the force. He also added that “the GE has committed to deliver 12 GE 404 engines to us in this calendar year.”

HAL’s order book

DK Sunil also said that the “Our order book position is expected to go up to Rs 2.50 lakh crore in 2026-27 as a number of contracts are in pipeline.” Among the major deals are supplying of 97 LCA Mk1A fighter jets, 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) and acquisition as well as upgrades of SU-30 MKI jets.

In the last nine months, “we have got Rs 55,800 crore worth contracts, which comprises Rs 39,000 crores of manufacturing orders -- such as for 240 AL-31 FP engines valued at Rs 25,350 crore and for acquisition of 12 SU-30 MKI at a cost of Rs 12,573 crore.

“We have also received an order worth Rs 16,500 crore of repair and overhaul, spares and design and development.

In the last one year, the HAL had supplied 25 ALH (advanced light helicopter) to the Indian Army, 9 ALH to the Indian Coast Guard, 80 RD-33 engines to the Indian Air Force, and 65 Dornier mid-life upgrades to the Indian Navy and the IAF, respectively.

With fresh orders, the order book stands at Rs 1.33 lakh crore as of December 2024, DK Sunil added.

Stating that the HAL’s order pipeline is very healthy, he said: “We are actively pursuing two major contracts, namely 97 LCA Mk-1A and 156 LCH orders. Both the orders are at an advanced stage of clearance and we expect both contracts to fructify during the next 3 to 6 months.”

Also read: Aero India 2025: GE Aerospace and Indian Air Force sign contract for T700 engines MRO

• Aero India 2025
• GE Aerospace
• HAL
• Indian Air Force
• Hindustan Aeronautics

Bengaluru: With depleting strength of fighters squadron and delay in delivery of light combat aircraft (LCA) Mk1A, the Indian Air Force chief ACM AP Singh has expressed unhappiness over the state-plane manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) continuous delay in the indigenously developed fighter aircraft. 

A YouTube channel has posted a video, wherein the Indian Air Force chief is seen telling the HAL officials that he is “just not confident” of the state-owned plane maker. 

As per the agreement, HAL has to deliver 16 aircraft per year but it has failed to meet the timelines. HAL has been saying that there is an engine supply issue from US defence giant GE Aerospace. 

If HAL fulfil promises, depleting fighter squadrons not a matter of worry: IAF Chief ACM AP Singh

In 2021, the Indian Air Force and the HAL inked a contract for 83 LCA Mk1A fighter jets worth Rs 48,000 crore. The first aircraft was supposed to be delivered in February 2024. All the deliveries have to be completed in 2030-31.

In the video, he can be heard saying: “I can only tell you what our requirements and our worries are.…. At the moment, I am just not confident of HAL, which is a very wrong thing to happen.”

He also said that things do not seem to be in "mission mode". 

"HAL is our own company, we all have worked there... I have also served there... I find that we are just not in mission mode... everything is ho jaayega."

"I was promised that when I come here in February, we will have 11 Mk1As ready minus the engine. And not a single is ready yet... mazaa nai aa raha hai yaar.”

Before this, on numerous occasions, ACM AP Singh expressed his concern about it. 

On Tuesday, HAL CMD DK Sunil assured that all 83 LCA Mk1A will be delivered in the next 3-3.5 years. He also said that GE Aerospace will be delivering 12 GE 404 engines to the HAL this calendar year. 

In 2010, the IAF and the HAL had inked a deal for 40 LCA Mk1 fighter aircraft. Still, 4 more are left to be delivered.

Aero India 2025: Russia offers technology for India’s AMCA project, indigenized production of Su-57E

• HAL aircraft delivery issues
• HAL fighter jet production
• IAF Chief AP Singh on HAL
• Light Combat Aircraft Mk1A delays