Thursday, July 9, 2015

News Roundup - Updates on INS Arihant, P-8I Project, Agni-VI, Assault Rifles and NMRH


Sea King NMRH helicopter of the IN

INS Arihant SSBN Weapons Trials


DRDO Chief S Christopher told The Tribune on July 9, 2015 that the Arihant will launch just the B-05 missile during its currently ongoing sea trials. The sub will not launch the longer range still under development K-4 SLBM.

Despite its 700-km range , the BO 5 is a formidable missile that is difficult to intercept because it does not follow a ballistic trajectory.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at the links below

INS Arihant SSBN - IDP Sentinel
Sagarika BO 5 (K-15) SLBM - IDP Sentinel

CNC Wraps Price Negotiations with Boeing for 4 Additional P-8i


The Hindu reported on July 7, 2015 that the CNC recently wrapped price negotiations with Boeing for 4 additional P-8Is.  The case will now be progressed to MoD (Finance), and then MoF.

In October 2010, MOD cleared the purchase of 4 more P-8I aircraft that were on option, taking the total procurement to 12. The order is expected to be placed within FY 2011-12.

Indian Navy Chief Admiral Nirmal Verma told India Strategic defence magazine's December 2015 issue that the Navy planned to procure 12 more P-8Is for offshore surveillance and protection, bringing the total order to 24.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at

P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance and Anti Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) Aircraft - IDP Sentinel

DRDO Progressing Case for Agni-VI with GoI


DRDO Chief S Christopher told The Tribune on July 9, 2015 that DRDO will progress the case for Agni-VI with the government.

"We have to now present our case to the government for explaining the need for such a missile," Dr Chirstopher said. This will be an Inter-Continental Ballatic Missile (ICBM) like AGNI-V.

Christopher told The Tribune that India can have a missile that can travel a distance of 10,000 km, albeit with a smaller warhead than the AGNI-V.

IDP Sentinel members can read more at

Agni-VI (IDP Sentinel)

DRDO Bags Multi-calibre Assault Rifles Order


The Indian Army (IA) has initiated procurement of 220,000 assault rifles from the DRDO.

The IA is currently using DRDO developed 5.56x45 mm INSAS  (Indian Small Arm System) rifles, but discontinued further procurement of the weapon in 2009 after encountering frequent failures.

In December 2011, the IA released a global tender for 66,000 multi-caliber assault rifles for around INR48.48 million (USD764 million).

On June 15, 2015, IA scrapped the tender opting instead to procure the DRDO developed Excalibur 5.56x45 mm assault rifle, an upgraded variant of the INSAS. [via Janes]

Developed at DRDO's Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, the upgraded rifle is now called MIR (Modified INSAS Rifle).

IDP Sentinel members can read more at

Procurement of Assault Rifles - IDP Sentinel

Sikorsky Seeks 3x Escalation in Price of 16 Naval MRH


The TOI reported on July 9, 2015 that Sikorsky has demanded a steep hike in price from India to cover the delay in contract finalization.

The project cost for the 16 heavy-duty helicopters was pegged at Rs 1,760 crore at the time of AON in 2008. Factoring in the additional 3-4 years that it will take to fulfill the contract, Sikorsky has asked for three times the AON cost!


IDP Sentinel members can read more at

Naval Multi-Role Helicopters (NMRH) - IDP Sentinel

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