[🇮🇳] India's weapon development, Testing, Purchase, sale, upgrade, Collaborations and Joint venture in Defense sectors.

Date of Event: Mar 5, 2025

Source: https://www.PKDefense.com

World’s top turret-making company to manufacture in India. Signs joint venture for light tanks’ turrets​

Story by Snehesh Alex Philip
• 15h•
2 min read

World’s top turret-making company to manufacture in India. Signs joint venture for light tanks’ turrets© Provided by ThePrint
New Delhi: Belgium-based John Cockerill Defense, one of the world’s top turret-making companies, has tied up with an Indian firm to manufacture, assemble and commission the critical component for the Indian Army’s Indian Light Tank (I.L.T) programme, Project Zorawar.

The company has formed a 60:40 joint venture with Indian firm Electro Pneumatics & Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd to manufacture turrets in Chakan, Pune.



This will be the first time that the Belgium company will set up a manufacturing facility for turrets outside its country.

The DRDO and private firm L&T have come up with the Zorawar light tank, which is currently undergoing tests in-house.

For the tank, L&T used the John Cockerill turret.

Under Project Zorawar, the Indian Army will buy 59 light tanks if found satisfactory, and then L&T will compete with other firms for a larger order.

The initial demand of the Army is roughly 350 light tanks to take on the Chinese in the mountainous borders.

“The joint venture that we have is not limited to just the 59 light tanks. Our reading is that the overall demand will be much higher than 350 … Moreover, as the joint venture stabilises, we will look at other programmes of the Indian Army—like the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) and the futuristic main battle tank called the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV),” Thierry Renaudin, Chief Executive Officer, John Cockerill Defense, said in the national capital responding to a query by ThePrint.


Project Zorawar, he said, is not just limited to manufacturing the light tanks for Indian orders but eventually making them at the Chakan plant and exporting them around the world.

Ingrid Rasquinha, Joint Managing Director, Electro Pneumatics and Hydraulics (India) Pvt Ltd, said the company plans to roll out the first India-made turret in 2027.

The company has made the launchers for the Akash Next Generation, and the same, along with the hydraulics for the Indian Advanced Towed Artillery Gun (ATAGS), are under trial.

Ashley Rasquinha, Joint Managing Director of the Indian firm, said the joint venture would look at exports, as the John Cockerill executive pointed out that the company already sells turrets to nearly half a dozen countries.

Vivek Bhide, Regional President, India and Group Transformation Officer, John Cockerill, said the defence sector is critical to national security. “And therefore, it is important to encourage and develop India’s defence manufacturing capabilities. This JV aims to equip India’s armed forces with advanced defence solutions for diverse and challenging combat environments. Importantly, it also answers the ‘Make in India’ call in a sector where India is working to embellish its global credentials,” he said.

(Edited by Madhurita Goswami)

MSN

 

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Pakistan, China on Alert? India Develops New Artillery Gun, Can Hit Lahore in 80 Seconds from Amritsar​

Story by Vaishnav Akash
• 1d•
2 min read

Pakistan, China on Alert? India Develops New Artillery Gun, Can Hit Lahore in 80 Seconds from Amritsar
In a leap toward military self-reliance, India has unveiled an indigenous artillery system capable of hitting targets inside Pakistan in mere seconds. The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), developed by the DRDO with key contributions from Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems, is now among the most powerful towed artillery systems in the world.



Designed for swift deployment and deadly precision, ATAGS can fire shells up to 48 kilometers, a range that theoretically allows it to strike Lahore from Amritsar, with only 2 km to spare between the two cities.

Often hailed as the next-generation successor to the iconic Bofors gun used during the Kargil War, the ATAGS fires 155 mm/52 caliber shells and operates on a shoot-and-scoot mechanism, making it extremely difficult for enemies to target its location. The gun can reposition in just 85 seconds, firing five shells in a single minute, or 10 in 2.5 minutes.

The system is mounted on a 8x8 high-mobility vehicle capable of reaching speeds of up to 90 km/h. Impressively, it gets battle-ready within 80 seconds of halt, making it one of the fastest in its class to go from rest to rapid-fire mode.

Its ability to perform in extreme conditions, from the deserts of Rajasthan to the snowfields of Siachen has already been tested and proven. And with plans underway to develop GPS-guided, ramjet-powered shells that could stretch its strike range to 80–90 km, ATAGS is poised to redefine India’s artillery warfare strategy.




What adds even more weight to the breakthrough is its cost efficiency. While global artillery systems with comparable firepower are priced at ₹35–40 crore, ATAGS is expected to cost just ₹15 crore. Around 85% of its components are made in India, highlighting the growing strength of indigenous defense manufacturing.

In March 2025, the Indian government sanctioned a ₹6,900 crore deal to procure 307 ATAGS units. The first batch of 18 guns is set for delivery by February 2027. Once deployed, these artillery guns will significantly boost India’s deterrence posture along sensitive borders.

MSN

 

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With two key tests, India sends strategic message to both Pakistan & China​

Story by Moneycontrol News
• 1d•
2 min read

In this article

AKASH▲ ‎+0.57%‎

BDLDropping fast

With two key tests, India sends strategic message to both Pakistan & China© Moneycontrol
In a strategic signal to Pakistan and China, India has successfully carried out two critical tests over the past two days, showcasing both its indigenous defence capabilities and the growing strength of its weapons arsenal.

After testing the indigenous Akash Prime air defence system in Ladakh twice, the Indian Army will soon begin inducting the state-of-the-art weapon system along the crucial border with China.



According to a report in The Times of India, DRDO and Bharat Dynamics, who have designed and produced the missile, have incorporated various upgrades to improve the efficacy of the system. Akash Prime is an upgraded variant of the Akash weapon system built for the Indian Army.

"India on July 16 achieved a significant milestone by successfully destroying two aerial high speed unmanned targets at high-altitude in Ladakh by Akash Prime, the upgraded variant of Akash weapon system for the Indian Army," the ministry said in a statement.



The report said that both Akash and Akash Prime can intercept hostile UAVs at a 25-km range. Moreover, Akash Prime can operate at altitudes above 4,500 metre, make it efficient in areas along the Chinese frontier.

Separately, India also conductive successful tests of the nuclear-capable Prithvi-II and Agni-I short-range ballistic missiles from the integrated test range in Odisha's Chandipur.

BrahMos Explained: India’s game-changing supersonic cruise missile jolts Pakistan
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The Prithvi-II missile has a range of around 350 kilometres and is capable of carrying a payload of up to 500 kilogram. The Agni-I missile has a range of 700-900 kilometres and can carry a payload of 1,000 kilogram. Both I missiles have been an integral part of India's nuclear deterrence.

Both the tests — the Akash Prime air defence system and the Agni-1 & Prithvi-II missiles — are seen as a strong messaging by India to both Pakistan and China.

Notably, the Akash system was used extensively during military hostilities with Pakistan following Operation Sindoor in May.

MSN

 

[Krishna with Flute]

IAF To Get 97 Indigenous LCA Tejas Mark 1A Fighter Jets As Govt Clears Rs 62,000 Crore Deal​

Curated By :

• News Desk
• News18.com

Last Updated:August 19, 2025, 21:37 IST

India clears the acquisition of 97 LCA Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force​

ASTRA, an indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile, being test fired by Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7. (Representational image via PTI)
In a major boost to the ‘Make in India’ initiative in defence, the central government has cleared a Rs 62,000 crore deal to buy 97 LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jets for the Indian Air Force (IAF).

The final approval was given during a high-level meeting on Tuesday, paving the way for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to begin production.

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This is the second major order for the indigenous fighter jet. Earlier, the government had placed an order for 83 LCA Mark 1A jets, worth around Rs 48,000 crore. With this new order, the total number of LCA Mark 1A jets ordered by the IAF now stands at 180.

According to defense sources, the new fleet will replace the ageing MiG-21 fighter jets, which are expected to be phased out in the coming weeks. The LCA Tejas programme has received strong backing from the Defense Ministry and the Air Headquarters. It is expected to give a significant push to indigenisation and support small and medium enterprises involved in the defence sector across India, ANI reported.

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Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been a strong supporter of HAL and India’s domestic defence manufacturing sector. Under his leadership, HAL has secured multiple orders for indigenous aircraft, helicopters, and engines. Notably, the Prime Minister also flew in the trainer variant of the Tejas, becoming the first Indian PM to take a sortie in a combat aircraft.

The LCA Mark 1A features upgraded avionics and radar systems compared to earlier versions. It also has a higher indigenous content, with over 65% of its components made in India.

The plan to buy 97 additional jets was first announced by former Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari during a visit to Spain.

The LCA programme is seen as a key part of India’s goal to become self-reliant in defence and aerospace manufacturing under the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

​

HAL is also expected to receive future orders for over 200 LCA Mark 2 jets and several next-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

(With inputs from ANI)

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[Krishna with Flute]

We have ordered Tejas but what about the engines? US may stop engine any time. This is the time to ally with Roles-Royce to develop 90 to 100 KN engine. EJ 200 was a good choice. It was small yet more powerful with lower weight but we went for GE404. Mistake started from that point of time. Our Tejas program is vulnerable. We are heading towards a disaster which may hurt us any time.

 

[Krishna with Flute]

Rather than decreasing GST, Government should start 2 to 3 engine development program parallelly. We can revive Jaguar as well if get 28/45 engine which should not be very difficult to make. HTFE 25 is in making for years and now not progressing because of testing facility and high-altitude testing constrain. We are now biggest purchaser of passenger planes. It was the mistake of our visionless leadership because of which billions of dollars are drained out. We have a 3 decade old plan to make 100 seater RTA program which is in limbo. Identify all those moles in system and punish them. Our situation is vulnerable.