Author: Defence Street Editor

  • Boeing P-8 Would Support Thousands of Canadian Jobs, Offering Significant Economic Benefits

    Boeing P-8 Would Support Thousands of Canadian Jobs, Offering Significant Economic Benefits

    • P-8 selection would generate economic benefits across Canada
    • Partnership with Canadian industry to generate high-paying jobs
    OTTAWA, Ontario, 30th May 2023. Selection of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon for Canada’s Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) requirement would generate annual benefits of nearly 3,000 jobs and $358 million in economic output to Canada, according to an independent study by economists at Ottawa-based Doyletech Corporation. (Photo: Boeing)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, 30th May 2023. Selection of the Boeing P-8 Poseidon for Canada’s Multi-Mission Aircraft (CMMA) requirement would generate annual benefits of nearly 3,000 jobs and $358 million in economic output to Canada, according to an independent study by economists at Ottawa-based Doyletech Corporation.

    Boeing’s current Canadian footprint and annual investment contribute more than CAD $4 billion annually to the Canadian economy, and supports more than 14,000 jobs. The company is committed to deliver industrial and technological benefits on the P-8 program, significantly growing Canada’s aerospace and defense industry.

    “We are committed to Canada’s pursuit of peace and prosperity for those we defend and serve, and we are confident the unmatched P-8 capabilities – and our P-8 offering for Canada – reflect those ideals,” said Ted Colbert, president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security. “In strong collaboration with our Canadian industry P-8 partners and our extensive supply chain in-country, we appreciate the opportunity to build upon our more than 100-year relationship with Canada and grow our Canadian partnerships and investments.”

    Boeing has partnered with Canadian companies for more than a century, and currently has over 550 Canadian suppliers across all provinces, including 81 suppliers to the P-8 program.  Forming the cornerstone of P-8 partnership is Team Poseidon, consisting of CAE, GE Aviation Canada, IMP Aerospace & Defence, KF Aerospace, Honeywell Aerospace Canada, Raytheon Canada, and Standard Aerospace.

    Offering advanced anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and search and rescue capability, the P-8 is the only in-service, in-production multi-mission aircraft that meets all CMMA requirements. Earlier this year, the Canadian Government announced that it had submitted a Letter of Request through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program, for the acquisition of up to 16 Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft.

    To read the Doyletech Corporation report on Boeing’s Economic Impact to Canada and CMMA, click here.

    As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

  • Northrop Grumman Advances the Frontier of Sensing Technology for Space Domain Awareness

    Northrop Grumman Advances the Frontier of Sensing Technology for Space Domain Awareness

    Artist Rendering (Credit: Northrop Grumman) 

    COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., 30th May 2023. Northrop Grumman Corporation continues to advance the frontiers of sensing technology, successfully completing the Critical Design Review (CDR) and software demonstration for the U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Deep-Space Advanced Radar Capability Program (DARC).

    Key milestones completed within 12 months of contract award include:

    • Preliminary Design Review
    • Critical Design Review
    • Initial software demonstration

    Expert:

    “DARC will be the first to provide an all-weather, at all times capability in support of the space domain awareness mission that’s critical to national and global security,” said Pablo Pezzimenti, vice president, integrated national systems, Northrop Grumman. “The successful critical design review is demonstration of our ability to develop a complex, advanced system with agility and speed.”

    Details:

    Following the completion of CDR, the program now turns its focus to the Factory Acceptance Testing of key subsystems starting later this year.

    Current ground-based optical systems only operate at night and are impacted by weather conditions. DARC will deliver an all-weather, 24/7 capability to monitor the rapidly evolving geosynchronous orbital environment – providing the nation with enhanced space domain awareness. DARC will augment the military’s space surveillance network as an additional sensor to monitor deep space objects, eventually providing full global coverage.

    Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the world, and push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers’ toughest problems, our 95,000 employees define possible every day.

  • DGCA approves for night landing facility at Kalaburagi Airport

    • Kalaburagi Airport was inaugurated on November 22, 2019

    New Delhi, 29th May 2023. Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has approved the night landing facility at Kalaburagi Airport, Karnataka on 17th May 2023.

    The Kalaburagi Airport was inaugurated on November 22, 2019, by the then Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri B S Yediyurappa. It has a runway of 09-27 (3175m x 45m) and an apron suitable to park 03 aircraft (1 A-320, 02 ATR 72/Q-400.)

    There has been a demand for providing night landing facilities to the airport for a long time. With the approval by DGCA for the night landing facility the Aerodrome License for the airport has been amended from VFR (Visual flight rules) to IFR (Instrumental flight rules) for All Weather Operations.

    The airport has the following connectivity:

    Airport Airline Last/Next City Served Movements per Week (Arr+Dep)

    as per Slot allocation

    GBI Star Air Tirupati 8
    GBI Alliance Air Bangalore 10
    GBI Star Air Bangalore 8

     

  • Indian Army Celebrates 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers

    Indian Army Celebrates 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers

    New Delhi, 29th May 2023. The Indian Army commemorated the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers, today, by paying homage to the fallen comrades by laying wreath at National War Memorial, New Delhi by the Chief of the Army Staff, Vice Chief of Army Staff and representatives from Navy and Air Force, Ministry of External Affairs and United Nations. This is the day when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission, “UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)” began operations in Palestine.

    Each year on this Day, the UN and countries across the globe pay tributes to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all men and women who have served or are serving in UN Peacekeeping Missions and honour the memory of those who have laid down their lives in the cause of peace. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the UN Peacekeepers Day.

    India has a rich legacy of contribution to UN Peacekeeping operations and is one of the largest contributors of troops. It has contributed approximately 2,75,000 troops to peacekeeping missions so far, with around 5,900 troops currently deployed in 12 UN Missions. Indian Army personnel have operated under difficult conditions in challenging terrains and have displayed exemplary professionalism, humane approach, courage and valour, to the extent of making the supreme sacrifice to defend the UN mandates. 159 Indian Army soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice to ensure peace across the globe. Apart from the current deployment, India has pledged one Infantry Battalion Group and Corvette with Helicopter, as hard power and an Engineer Company & Signal Company as Force enablers, to be deployed at the behest of the UN.

    In keeping with the need for women peacekeepers in conflict areas under UN mandate, India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in MONUSCO and UNISFA (the second largest women contingent after Liberia). India has also deployed Women Military Police in UNDOF and women staff officers / military observers in various missions.

    The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations. The Centre trains more than 12,000 troops every year. CUNPK undertakes a multitude of activities from contingent training to national and international courses for potential peacekeepers and trainers. It also hosts foreign delegations as part of sharing best practices. The Centre regularly dispatches Mobile Training Teams to Friendly Foreign Countries as part of capacity building in the field of UN peacekeeping training. The institute has evolved in the two decades as a Centre of Excellence and repository of experience and best practices.

    In order to ensure the operational efficiency and sustainability of Indian contingents in UN missions, the Indian Army has deployed state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles. These vehicles and equipment are manufactured in India and have successfully withstood the vagaries of difficult terrain, weather and operational conditions in the mission areas.

    India has been at the forefront of capacity development for the UN, host nations and partner nations. It has always strived to support UN initiatives by providing agile and flexible units, peacekeeper training, logistic support, enhancing gender parity and contributing to technological enhancements. India continues to provide active support for host nation capacity development by providing training, infrastructure development and Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) activities.

  • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attends swearing-in ceremony of President-elect of Nigeria Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attends swearing-in ceremony of President-elect of Nigeria Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja

    FILE PHOTO

    New Delhi, 29th May 2023. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh attended the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect of Nigeria Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Abuja on May 29, 2023. In addition to senior officials of Ministry of Defence, the Raksha Mantri’s delegation to Nigeria included top executives of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). These executives held a series of meetings with Nigerian military and Government representatives for identifying their requirements which can be fulfilled by the Indian Defence companies. B-to-B meetings were held with Nigerian companies for enhancing cooperation.

    Besides high-level political representation from countries across the African continent, including several Heads of State, India was among the select non-African nations that were represented in the ‘swearing-in ceremony’ at Ministerial level, reflecting the high priority and strength of our bilateral relations with Nigeria.

    Shri Rajnath Singh also had a brief meeting with the Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperative of Bangladesh Mr Md Tazul Islam who was also in Abuja to attend the swearing-in ceremony. The meeting was a testimony of the bonhomie between India and Bangladesh and the two leaders expressed the commitment of their respective Governments towards further expanding and strengthening the bilateral ties.

  • Raytheon Technologies to deliver Full Rate Production for TCTS Increment II Air Combat Training System for US Navy

    Raytheon Technologies to deliver Full Rate Production for TCTS Increment II Air Combat Training System for US Navy

    CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa. Collins Aerospace, a Raytheon Technologies business announced on 25th May 2023, it will deliver on the full rate production contract awarded by the US Navy for Tactical Combat Training System – Increment II (TCTS II), Air Combat Training System (ACMI) for the US Navy. The contract includes both airborne and ground subsystems and will support fielding requirements at various US Navy training ranges.

    “TCTS II addresses today’s peer threat, enabling aircrews to train and improve joint tactics, techniques and procedures in an NSA-certified secure environment,” said John Sapp, vice president and general manager, Integrated Solutions for Collins.

    Validated flight tests on F/A-18 and EA-18G aircrafts, TCTS II’s long-range, air-to-air and air-to-ground networking capability supported real time data exchanges. The system features an open architecture design, highly encryption capability, computing power, and robust datalink. TCTS II will be the foundation for next-generation training scenarios that will use a combination of live, virtual and constructive entities.

    “In our testing, we were able to demonstrate key discriminators of our TCTS II solution including integration into existing infrastructure, tactical intercepts and real-time mission completion notifications,” said Sapp.

    TCTS II is planned to replace the U.S. Navy’s legacy ACMI tracking systems with a single system to support training, from tactical aircrew unit level training events to force exercise events, including mobile and fixed locations worldwide.

    Developed and built by Collins Aerospace and teammate Leonardo DRS, TCTS II is a scalable and flexible open architecture system that enables highly secure air combat training among 4th and 5th Generation U.S. aircraft, and international aircraft.

    About Raytheon Technologies
    Raytheon Technologies is the world’s largest aerospace and defense company. Our global team of 180,000 employees pushes the limits of known science and redefines how we connect and protect our world. We are advancing aviation, building smarter defense systems and creating innovations to take us deeper into space. The company, with 2022 sales of $67 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

    About Collins Aerospace
    Collins Aerospace is a business of Raytheon Technologies, the largest aerospace and defense company in the world. Our global team of 73,000 employees dreams, designs and delivers smarter, more connected solutions for passenger safety and comfort, mission success, space exploration, and operational efficiency and sustainability. We make the most powerful concepts in aerospace a reality. For more information, visit CollinsAerospace.com.

  • Indian Army Celebrates 75th International Day Of UN Peacekeepers

    Indian Army Celebrates 75th International Day Of UN Peacekeepers

    New Delhi. The Indian Army commemorated the 75th International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29th May 2023, by paying homage to the fallen comrades by laying wreath at National War Memorial, New Delhi by the Chief of the Army Staff, Vice Chief of Army Staff and representatives from Navy and Air Force, Ministry of External Affairs and United Nations. This is the day when in 1948 the first UN peacekeeping mission, “UN Truce Supervision Organisation (UNTSO)” began operations in Palestine.

    Each year on this Day, the UN and countries across the globe pay tributes to the professionalism, dedication and courage of all men and women who have served or are serving in UN Peacekeeping Missions and honour the memory of those who have laid down their lives in the cause of peace. This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the UN Peacekeepers Day.

    India has a rich legacy of contribution to UN Peacekeeping operations and is one of the largest contributors of troops. It has contributed approximately 2,75,000 troops to peacekeeping missions so far, with around 5,900 troops currently deployed in 12 UN Missions. Indian Army personnel have operated under difficult conditions in challenging terrains and have displayed exemplary professionalism, humane approach, courage and valour, to the extent of making the supreme sacrifice to defend the UN mandates. 159 Indian Army soldiers have made the supreme sacrifice to ensure peace across the globe. Apart from the current deployment, India has pledged one Infantry Battalion Group and Corvette with Helicopter, as hard power and an Engineer Company & Signal Company as Force enablers, to be deployed at the behest of the UN.

    In keeping with the need for women peacekeepers in conflict areas under UN mandate, India has deployed Female Engagement Teams (FETs) in MONUSCO and UNISFA (the second largest women contingent after Liberia). India has also deployed Women Military Police in UNDOF and women staff officers / military observers in various missions.

    The Indian Army has established a Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) in New Delhi to impart niche training in peacekeeping operations. The Centre trains more than 12,000 troops every year. CUNPK undertakes a multitude of activities from contingent training to national and international courses for potential peacekeepers and trainers. It also hosts foreign delegations as part of sharing best practices. The Centre regularly dispatches Mobile Training Teams to Friendly Foreign Countries as part of capacity building in the field of UN peacekeeping training. The institute has evolved in the two decades as a Centre of Excellence and repository of experience and best practices.

    In order to ensure the operational efficiency and sustainability of Indian contingents in UN missions, the Indian Army has deployed state-of-the-art equipment and vehicles. These vehicles and equipment are manufactured in India and have successfully withstood the vagaries of difficult terrain, weather and operational conditions in the mission areas.

    India has been at the forefront of capacity development for the UN, host nations and partner nations. It has always strived to support UN initiatives by providing agile and flexible units, peacekeeper training, logistic support, enhancing gender parity and contributing to technological enhancements. India continues to provide active support for host nation capacity development by providing training, infrastructure development and Civil-Military Co-operation (CIMIC) activities.

  • Arabsat Badr-8 successfully launched: featuring Airbus’ innovative optical communications payload TELEO

    Arabsat Badr-8 successfully launched: featuring Airbus’ innovative optical communications payload TELEO

    Toulouse, 27th May 2023. The Airbus-built Arabsat Badr-8 telecommunications satellite has been successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Based on Airbus’ latest geostationary Eurostar Neo satellite, Badr-8 will provide connectivity for users across Europe, Middle East, Africa, and central Asia.

    The spacecraft is also equipped with a world first, Airbus’ innovative space demonstrator TELEO to provide space to ground optical communications at gigabit speeds. The TELEO demonstrator payload is designed to facilitate very high capacity optical feeder link communications, playing a crucial role in Airbus’ development of a new generation of optical communications technology in space.

    Jean Marc Nasr, Head of Space Systems said: “Marking our third successful launch of the Eurostar Neo series and our eighth spacecraft built for Arabsat, Badr-8, equipped with the very innovative TELEO payload, is the latest major milestone for our telecoms business. Featuring increased payload capacity and more efficient power and thermal control systems, Badr-8 will replace and increase Arabsat’s capacity.

    Following the successful launch and separation, Badr-8 is using its electric propulsion system to reach geostationary orbit at 36,000 km. The satellite will then undergo a comprehensive testing period in geostationary orbit before entering full service. With a launch mass of 4.5 tons and 17.8 kW of power, the satellite is designed to operate in orbit for 15 years. Airbus’ ultra-reliable geostationary telecommunications satellites have achieved more than 1,300 years of service in orbit.

    Airbus’ Eurostar Neo platform has been developed in the frame of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Partnership Projects, together with the French space agency CNES, and strongly supported by the UK Space Agency and other agencies across Europe. The TELEO demonstrator payload was developed with support from CNES.

  • Boeing and ST Engineering Sign P-8 Sustainment MoU

    Boeing and ST Engineering Sign P-8 Sustainment MoU

    • Joint effort will identify opportunities to collaborate in systems integration, training, local parts distribution, support and sustainment work for the P-8
    From left: Torbjorn (Turbo) Sjogren, Vice President and General Manager, Government Services, Boeing Global Services; Sarbjit Singh, President, Defence Aerospace, ST Engineering. (Photo: Boeing)

    SINGAPORE, 29th May 2023. Boeing signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ST Engineering to outline potential areas of collaboration in systems integration, training, local parts distribution, support and sustainment work for the P-8A Poseidon.

    Boeing and ST Engineering have identified opportunities to collaborate in a number of areas and will explore these in more detail, including jointly developing a P-8 service center in Singapore with the provision of engineers and aircraft maintenance technicians to support maintenance and engineering services.

    The P-8A is a long-range, multi-mission aircraft that delivers unmatched antisubmarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief capabilities.

    The P-8A, a military derivative of the Next-Generation 737-800, combines superior performance and reliability with an advanced mission system that ensures maximum interoperability in the future battle space. With more than 160 aircraft in service, the P-8 has executed more than 600,000 mishap-free flight hours around the globe.

    Militaries that operate or have selected the P-8 include the U.S. Navy, the United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Indian Navy, Royal Norwegian Air Force, Republic of Korea Navy and German Navy.

    As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity.

  • Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to visit Nigeria between May 28-30, 2023 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to visit Nigeria between May 28-30, 2023 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of President-elect Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu

    • The visit to be the first-ever by an Indian Defence Minister to the West African nation
    FILE PICTURE

    New Delhi, 27th May 2023. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh will visit Nigeria between May 28-30, 2023 to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the President-elect of the West African nation Mr Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Shri Rajnath Singh will attend the swearing-in ceremony at Eagle Square in Abuja on 29th May. He will also meet the outgoing Nigerian President Mr Muhammadu Buhari during a reception hosted by him on 28th May.

    This will be the first-ever visit of an Indian Defence Minister to Nigeria. The Raksha Mantri’s visit will be an important landmark in building the strong bonds of friendship between the two countries. Considering the growing defence cooperation between India & Nigeria, senior officers of Ministry of Defence and top leadership of important Defence PSUs will accompany Shri Rajnath Singh. They will hold meetings with the representatives from the Nigerian industry and the Armed Forces to identify the equipment and platforms, through which the Indian defence industry can support the country’s requirements.

    Nigeria is home to an estimated 50,000 members of the Indian community. The Raksha Mantri will address the Indian diaspora at Abuja during the visit.