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Indra and Centum Electronics will “undertake together the statement of work of the programme, namely the manufacturing, installation, integration, and testing of the radar”, Jaime Temes, international commercial director for defence at Indra told Janes .

The radar that will be manufactured by the two companies will be based on Indra’s S3TSR radar, Temes said.

The S3TSR is a ground-based active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar operating in L band, Temes said.

The S3TSR radar is “capable of providing positional information of orbital objects by means of space surveillance”, and has been “in operation by the Spanish Air Force since 2018”, he added.

The S3TSR radar “operates in a quasi-monostatic configuration, which implies that the transmission (TX) and reception (RX) antennas are separated by a relatively short distance [80–200 m] ”, Temes told Janes . “The system is composed by two types of buildings – a TX building and a RX building, which hold the power amplifiers based on GaN transistors. They offer much higher reliability and efficiency figures [therefore, lower power consumption and operational costs] than previous conventional technologies,” Temes said.

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The IAF has decided to indigenously modernize the Su-30 MKI fighters with indigenously-designed weapons, electronic warfare systems, and so on.

Indigenous efforts will promote self-reliance in defence, circumvent possible US sanctions, and continue to nurture close defence cooperation with Russia. The 262-aircraft Su-30MKI fleet is and will likely remain the backbone of the Indian Air Force (IAF) for many decades. The technical parameters for the major Sukhoi upgrade are being refined.

The large size of the aircraft not only facilitates upgrades but also leaves room for metamorphoses to futuristic roles such as a weapons truck operating with a penetrating sensor & attack platform such as the AMCA, or a mothership controlling LO loyal wingman UCAVs in a system of system approach similar to the US Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD).

The IAF is the largest operator of the Su-30 variant. Over the past 20 years, India has made significant IPR & infrastructure investments in assembling, operating, servicing (overhaul, spares manufacture), and spiral upgrading (Brahmos-A, Astra, Rudram) the Su-30MKI.

84 Sukhois are likely to be modernised in the first tranche. Modernization will kick off after 4-5 years of design and development.

Besides the ability to carry advanced indigenously developed weapons, the finalized technical parameters would likely include an improved Infrared Imaging Search and Track System (IRST), AESA radar & a more powerful engine.

Imaging Search and Track System. The DRDO is working on the design & development of a Long Range Dual Band IRST for Su-30 MKI aircraft under the ‘Make II’ sub-category. The DAC approved the project in May 2018. On April 26, 2022, HAL and BEL reportedly signed a contract for the co-development and co-production of Long Range Dual Band IRST. The proposed IRST system will be a high-end strategic technology product in the field of defense avionics and technically competitive to existing IRST system in the global market with features of Television Day Camera, Infrared & Laser sensors in a single window for air-to-air and air-to-ground target tracking and localization.

AESA Radar. The modernized Su-30MKI will likely feature an AESA radar to replace its N011M BARS Radar. DRDO, which has already developed the Uttam AESA for the LCA, is reportedly working with HAL & Russian OEM to develop an AESA for the Su-30MKI. Considering the size of the nose cross-section of the Sukhoi, the radar could be the most potent airborne AESA equipping a fighter aircraft.

Engine Upgrade. India will likely procure the engine for the modernized fighter from Russia. Russia is developing an AL-41F-1S (Product 117S) engine variant that could be fitted on Su-30MKI fighters without any airframe modification. Tests of Su-30SM with the AL-41F-1S engine were underway, with completion scheduled for December 2023. Compared to the existing power plant of the Su-30MKI, the AL-41F-1S has 16% more (14,500 kgf) thrust, better Specific Fuel Consumption, improved endurance, and an overhaul life of 4,000 flight hours.

Russian Help. Russia will help India with the modernization without directly participating in it but as part of the “Make in India” programme. They are likely to supply additional technical kits for the assembly of the Su-30MKI and joint work on the modernization, including the integration of the latest aviation weapons and avionics.

Lethality With BrahMos Increased

The IAF is set to increase the number of Sukhoi 30 (SU-30) MKI fighters integrated with BrahMos supersonic missile, which now has a range of over 500 kilometres. These are spread on the country’s western border with Pakistan and its eastern boundary with China.

The IAF currently has 40 SU-30 MKI with BrahMos, the only supersonic cruise missile in the world. While the range of the missile was 290 km earlier, it has been extended to over 500 km. The IAF had tested the extended range of the missile in May. There were certain software changes that had to be made for extending the missile’s range and this was done with the help of Russians.

The land-launched BrahMos has a range of about 400 kilometres and work is also to increase its range to 800 and 1,500-km.

The IAF had commissioned the 222 ‘Tiger Sharks’ squadron of Sukhoi Su-30 MKI fighter jets equipped with the BrahMos in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, in August 2020. The decision to deploy the Su-30 MKIs at Thanjavur was also taken due to its strategic location. The Tiger Sharks squadron has 18 fighters, and about six of which are equipped with BrahMos.

Unlike the land-launched, the air version of BrahMos gives military planners more options to hit deeper targets which would otherwise be out of range. This is because the Sukhois have a range of 1,500 kilometres and hence can hit long distance targets with the cruise missile.

The missile has a maximum speed of 2.8 Mach (around 3,450 kmph or 2,148 mph), and is difficult to intercept by surface-to-air missiles currently deployed from warships across the world. It also has an immense ability to evade radars. The missile’s cruising altitude can be up to 15 km, and the lowest it can fly is 10 metres above the surface and is capable of carrying a conventional warhead (non-nuclear) weighing 200-300 kg.

Su-30MKI Indigenous Upgrade Proposed Equipment Fit (Alphabetical)

Advanced Tactical Air Navigation System (TACAN )

Advanced Weapon Control System

Advanced Electronically Scanned Array radar

Aviation Clock

Blanking Unit

CIT

Digital Head Up Display (HUD)

Enhanced EW Suite

Enhanced FDR

Flight Data Transfer Unit clue

GPS Splitter

Higher Size Multi-Function Display System (MFDS)

Helmet Mounted Observation System (HMOS)

Health & Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)

Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)

Indigenous Digital Map Generator (DMG)

Indigenous Solid State Digital Video Recording System (SSDVRS)

Indigenous VOR/ILS

Indigenous/Western Weapons

Imaging Search and Track System (IRTS)

Integrated Stand By Instrument Sys

Mission Computers

Modified INGPS

New Line of Position (LOP)

Software Defined Radio

Upgraded Radio Altimeter

Voice Activated Command System

India has already developed the following:

Mission Computer cum Display Processor

Radar Computer which is RC1 and Rc2

Mk2 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR).

HAL’s full LCD Modern Glass Cockpit.

High Accuracy Direction Finding Module (HADF)

IFF-1410A – Identification Friend or Foe (IFF)

Integrated Communication suite INCOM 1210A

Radar Altimeter – RAM-1701

Programmable Signal Processor (PSP)

Multi Function Displays (MFD) – Samtel/DARE

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The industry has matured. It has moved from designing as per drawings to now having the ability to design according to the specifications. The encouragement to industry is showing. We have roped them in to make big equipment, on integration of missiles, bombs and many other systems.

The immediate targets, according to Dr Reddy, are increasing the range of air-to-air missiles beyond 150 km and that of surface-to-air missiles beyond 250 km.

Airborne radars and long-range 1,000-plus km radars are the next on plan, with the Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar for fighter jets ending its final testing. For the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), DRDO “may go in for the special purpose vehicle model”.

The Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark2 is in the final design phase, while the AMCA design is in advanced stages. “We will definitely meet timelines on the AMCA and LCA Mark2,” he said.

On ground fighting equipment, Dr Reddy said, “We are looking for partners for Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) and Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCV).”

The scenario, he points out, is changing. “We are getting enquiries for export of Akash missiles, torpedoes and artillery gun, the ATAGS, to name a few.”

Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP), that allows conventional submarines to remain under water for longer periods, has been demonstrated. “We are working to integrate the system. The basic model has been made.”

India, he said, has become self-sufficient in many technological areas like missiles, radars, sonars, electronic warfare systems, Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS), artillery guns, armoured vehicles and fighter aircraft.

“Industry participation is growing. We have at least 2,000 industries, which are capable of making systems and sub-systems of equipment. Close to 10,000 are now suppliers of components,” according to Dr Reddy, who is also the secretary, Department of Defence R&D.

“Industry has matured. It has moved from the ability to design as per drawings to now have the ability to design as per specifications,” he says.

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India has been making concerted attempts to boost the capability of its armed forces as the country faces what is seen as two-front war threats from China and Pakistan.

While the more superior fighters in the Indian Air Force (IAF) fleet were flying around, over and near the Eastern Ladakh sectors, the light combat planes had assumed the role of a watchdog against Pakistan along the Western region.

India has been attempting to develop a variety of indigenous technology and weapon systems in order to increase defense sector self-reliance, especially for its Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.

Order for 83 LCAs

In February 2021, HAL was awarded the contract to manufacture 83 LCA for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at an estimated cost of Rs 48,000 crore at the 13th edition of Aero India in Bengaluru, bringing the total number of LCA versions ordered to 123. The 40 LCAs that the IAF has already ordered are in the initial operational clearance (IOC) and advanced operational clearance (FOC) variants.

Deliveries to the IAF will begin in 2023 and end in 2024. The indigenous fighter will be outfitted with a locally-developed flight control computer and an air data computer, both of which will be provided by BEL under this deal. Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bengaluru’s Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) have collaborated to develop both of these systems.

The LCA Mk-1A will have a number of enhancements over the FOC aircraft, making it the most advanced LCA variant to date.

The Mk-1A variant includes digital radar warning receivers, external self-protection jammer pods, AESA radar, enhanced beyond-visual-range (BVR) missiles, and greatly better maintainability. The indigenous component of the fighter is estimated to be around 60%, compared to 50% in earlier models.

On 16 December 2021, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a a five-year deal with Bharat Electronics Limited for the development and supply of 20 types of systems for the Tejas Mk1A light combat aircraft (LCA) program. The deal, which runs from 2023 to 2028, entails supplying crucial avionics Line Replaceable Units (LRUs), Flight Control Computers, and Night Flying LRUs in what is called the biggest ever order that the state-run company has placed on any Indian company boosting ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ campaign.

After completing the requisite design efforts, HAL has set a March 2022 timeline for the first flight of the LCA Mk-1A fighter, according to HAL chairman R Madhavan.

The LCA Tejas and its two variants in the pipeline have become the flag-bearers of India’s indigenous defense manufacturing. The new HAL contract is expected to not only give the requisite push to self-reliance but also boost the capability of the Tejas which is now being pitched to friendly countries.

Indigenous AESA Radar

The development of a indigenous AESA radar, which will be installed in the Tejas, is a big step forward and is aimed at creating a balance of power with China.

These AESA radars will be installed in all 83 Mk1A Tejas Aircraft which will boost its capability significantly. These radars, like the current avionic systems, are also largely indigenous with about 95% local component.

The AESA radar includes an electronic warfare (EW) suite with a jammer, the Combined Interrogator and Transponder (CIT) – an IFF plus system – and a digital map generator.

Hammer Missiles

Additionally, India is also procuring Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range (HAMMER) missiles from France to integrate them with the LCA Tejas aircraft after its success with the Rafales.

They are being procured under the emergency route granted to the military in the backdrop of continuing Chinese aggression. These missiles are expected to enhance the firepower of these LCAs and allow them to strike bunker targets deep inside the enemy territory.

Tejas Mark 2 Design Cleared

The LCA) is now evolving from its current, single-engine, Mark 1 avatar to a more sophisticated, twin-engine, fifth-generation fighter. On 15 November 2021, Deputy Chief of Air Staff (DCAS), Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, accepted the comprehensive design review (CDR) of the LCA Mark 2.

A CDR is a multi-discipline, technical review that is a critical step in designing an aircraft. It involves examining the air frame design to ascertain that the aircraft is ready for fabrication and testing and it would achieve its stipulated performance within cost, schedule and risk.

The IAF’s acceptance of the CDR clears the way for HAL to start releasing drawings for fabricating the Mark 2’s first prototype.

Alongside building the Mark 2 prototype, HAL and the ADA – the DRDO agency that oversees the entire Tejas programme – must still resolve a few glitches that remain in the Mark 1 fighter; and also complete delivery of the IAF’s order of 40 Mark 1 (two squadrons) and 83 Mark 1A (four squadrons).

Status of the Indigenous Fighter Project

The first two Mark 1 squadrons are already operational in Sulur, near Coimbatore. Each of them is authorized 20 fighters, including four twin-seat trainers. The trainers’ specifications were finalised late, so they will be built along with the 10 trainers of the four Mark 1A squadrons.

The IAF has cleared the “FOC for the Mark I fighter, even though that involved granting 25 concessions – or performance shortfalls from the IAF’s specified requirements. HAL, ADA and the IAF are working together to resolve these shortfalls.

Issues Resolved

Issues which have already been resolved include equipping the Tejas to re-fuel in-flight, by day or night. This was proved by refuelling into internal fuel tanks or external drop tanks, from IL-78 refuellers or from Sukhoi-30MKI acting as “buddy refuellers.

The capability to monitor fuel levels in the Tejas through an integrated Environmental Control and Fuel Management (ECFM) system has also been resolved.

The Gasha 23 mm gun has been integrated into Tejas Mk 1 but live firing was pending. The same has also been done. 

The indigenous Astra air-to-air missile and Safran’s HAMMER air-to-ground bomb are waiting to be integrated onto the Tejas. HAL is doing the mechanical and electrical integration, while the DRDO is handling the software and the weapons algorithm.

Fatigue tests remain to establish the fighter’s service life span. These tests involve taking an aircraft from the production line and subjecting it to repetitive loading. As more and more hours are logged and the data accumulates, the manufacturer increases the designated life-span proportionately. It takes about nine years of testing to establish 3,000 hours of service life.

The digital map generator, designed by HAL’s Mission and Combat Systems R&D Centre (MCSR&DC), carries the complete map data of the country and neighbouring areas. Depending upon the Tejas’ mission, it extracts the digitised map of the current mission area and transfers it to the pilots’ display, where he can easily access it.

HAL is also integrating the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missile (ASRAAM) onto the Mark 1A. The ASRAAM, which has a range of 60-70 kms was bought by the IAF from MBDA UK, for upgrading its Jaguar fighters. Now each Tejas too will carry two of these missiles on its outboard stations.

Another modification involves reshaping the cockpit floor to enable bigger pilots – with shoe size up to 10, which includes 95 per cent of all IAF pilots – to fit into the cockpit and fly the aircraft comfortably.

What Will the Tejas LCA Mk 2 be Like?

The Tejas Mark 2 is will be significantly larger and more capable than the Mk 1, with a higher thrust engine and a 1.5-metre increase in length. While there is no change in the size of the wings, they have been pushed outwards, effectively increasing the fighter’s wingspan by 300 mm.

Ahead of the wings, a canard has been added, creating a resemblance with contemporary fighters such as the Rafale, Eurofighter or the Sukhoi-30MKI. The canard provides an additional control surface that creates a vortex, increasing the lifting capability and agility of the aircraft.

The Mark 2 has increased payload capacity to integrate more weapons and sensors. It will carry the indigenous Astra Mark 1 and Mark 2 missiles, Rudram anti-radiation missiles, developed by the DRDO’s Defence R&D Laboratory (DRDL) (tested on 9 October).

DRDO is developing the Tara (high speed, low drag) bomb that is mounted on the pylons. It will also have the option of carrying laser guided bombs (LGBs), fitted with laser-guidance kits. Mark 2 may be integrated with the SCALP missile that has been procured along with the Rafale fighters.

Tejas Mark 2 will have 11 hard points, including one on each wingtip for the ASRAAM air-to-air missile. There will be three under-wing pylons on each side, one wet station on each side for fuel drop tanks, while the other three hard points are for long-range missiles such as the Astra and Rudram.

Fitted with significantly more powerful General Electric (GE) F-414 engine, the Mark 2 would have its internals rearranged, to make them more accessible and maintenance friendly. Line replacement units will be optimally rearranged to improve space utilisation, accessibility and make maintenance easier and reduce turn-around time.

Aeroengines

HAL had signed a $716 million deal with American company GE Aviation earlier this year for 99 F404 aircraft engines and related services to power the indigenous Tejas LCA Mk-1A. On top of that, it is now building its own indigenous engine that is expected to power its Tejas variants as well as its Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) aircraft.

The current GE F-404 power pack will be replaced with F-414, whose peak thrust of 83 KiloNewtons (kN) is considered inadequate. The GE F-414 engine will deliver 98 kN of peak power. The new engine will enable the Mark 2 to take off with a maximum all-up weight of 16.5 tonnes, which will include the 10-tonne weight of the fighter and 6.5 tonnes of external payload.

The Tejas Mark 2 can carry 3.5 tonnes of fuel in external drop tanks, in addition to 3.3 tonnes in its internal fuel tanks, while still carrying three tonnes of weapons and sensors.

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The IAF is set to demonstrate the use of Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed in-house later this month, making India one of the few countries with an indigenous force multiplier that is used in electronic warfare, long-range missiles, and long-range precision-guided ammunition.

The 95% indigenous component in the radar system is in consonance with the government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Apart from India, “only the US, the EU, Israel, and China have AESA radar capability”, D Seshagiri, Head of the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said, with only one imported subsystem. It can track 50 targets in the sky at a range of more than 100 kilometers and engage about four of them at the same time.

This also allows India to create a balance of power in the region with China which has been showcasing its stealth fighter J-20 as a means of achieving air superiority.

AESA employs an electronically controlled array antenna, which allows a beam of radio waves to be electronically guided in multiple directions without moving the antenna. It is primarily used in radar systems and allows the radar to have resistance to anti-jamming, low interception, multi-mode capability and high reliability because each of these modes functions independently.

Thus, India possessing the AESA Radar will protect its fighter aircraft that are already far short in number against the sanctioned strength, from enemy radars. This will achieve a dual purpose of early interception and attack. Given India’s geography and two-front war threats from China and Pakistan, it will function as a force multiplier for the IAF.

In the next five years, all 83 of IAF’s Tejas Mark I A fighters will have the The Uttam AESA Radar, as will the future twin-engine AMCA fighter developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).

The first 16 Tejas MK 1A aircraft will be fitted with Israeli ELM 2052 AESA radars and the remaining will be fitted with the indigenous Uttam AESA radar, HT has learnt. “The radar has already been tested on two Tejas fighters as well as Hawker Siddeley 800 executive jet for over 250 hours. Only the US, the EU, Israel, and China have AESA radar capability,” Seshagiri said.

According to Seshagiri, the AESA radar will be installed on the radar cone of the Su-30 MKI aircraft as well as carrier-based MiG-29K fighters. “The LRDE has already signed an MoU with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited to be the lead integrator of the radar on the Tejas Mk I A, with four recognized vendors, including BEL, as essential sub-system suppliers,” he said.

The first prototype of the radar was developed in 2012, and a full-scale model was shown during the 2017 Aero India aviation exhibition. At Aero India 2019, a fully functional AESA radar prototype was unveiled, placed inside the glass nose of a HAL Tejas fighter.

Earlier this year, Seshagiri had said, “On the LCAs, testing is currently focused on the air-to-air mode. The radar’s range should be about equal to that required to launch a BVR (beyond visual range) weapon. However, we’re getting a better range than that. We’re about to start a joint review after a few sorties. Following that, it will be ready for user testing.”

It is believed Astra Mark-2 air-to-air missile, developed by DRDO, is also equipped with an AESA active seeker, to improve the performance of the missile and replace the Russian radio frequency seeker used in the Astra Mk I, according to The New Indian Express. The air advantage China has achieved with its fifth-generation J-20 stealth fighters may be nullified by this radar, analysts believe.

The National Flight Testing Centre, which is manned by IAF, has already greenlighted the radar after successful performance tests. Earlier, India was using primary radars on its fighters as well as indigenous airborne warning and control systems planes. The Pakistani Air Force’s retaliation for the Balakot strike in February 2019 would have turned costly for Islamabad if Indian fighters had AESA radars mounted on intercepting fighters.

The AESA radar is also the key to the DRDO-developed Astra air-to-air missile, which has a range well over 120km, and will deliver guided ammunition over long distances. This radar will nullify the air superiority China had gained with its J20 multi-role fighters, as the Indian-developed AESA radar compares well with that developed by Beijing.

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The BEL’s engineers were trained at the French facility of Thales as per the offset agreement.

“The modules produced in India (by BEL) are then integrated with the RBE2 radar in France. BEL and Thales teams are, thus working closely to transfer advanced technological know-how,” the Thales’s statement said.

The first batch of five Rafale jets arrived in India from France on July 29, 2020, nearly four years after India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France to procure 36 of the aircraft at a cost of Rs 59,000 crore.

A total of 11 Rafale jets have been delivered by its manufacturer Dassault Aviation till now.

V Gowtama, Chairman and Managing Director, BEL, said, “We are happy to be associated with Thales in delivering the transmit/receive modules for the prestigious Rafale programme. The Thales and BEL teams ensured that the ToT (transfer of technology) happened seamlessly.”

“We have augmented our facility in Bangalore to meet the requirements of manufacturing this state-of-the-art sub-system. We look forward to working together on many more such challenging assignments with Thales,” he stated.

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The indigenous Uttam Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar developed by Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) is being considered by the Indian Air Force (IAF) for the last batch of Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk 1A.

With the addition of AESA radar being one of the key features of Tejas MK1A, LRDE hopes that Uttam can even meet the schedules of the upgraded programme. It has already completed more than 100 hours of flying on a hired aircraft and nearly 25 hours on Tejas test platforms. It is now confirmed that Uttam’s air-to-air mode and its sub-mode functionalities have been already tested.

Uttam is in competition with the Israeli Elta radar and the official word is not yet out on the question of how many Tejas MK1As (total 83) will be fitted with the indigenous technology. LRDE scientists are pinning their hopes on the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mandate.

TAPAS BH-201 Drone Tested With SATCOM

Rustom-II (Tapas), the medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) flew, in mid-August, in the Satellite Communication (SATCOM) mode for the first time.

The UAV also flew with the long range electro optical payload. These two capabilities are not available on the Heron and Searcher UAVs being operated by the three Services now. The future of this UAV programme is still unclear, with the Services yet to give any firm commitment.

DIAT Wins Smart India Hackathon-2020

Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT) Pune, an autonomous organization under the Department of Defence Research & Development, DRDO, won first prize in Smart India Hackathon (SIH)-2020, where prime minister Narendra Modi interacted with the participants in a live event.

The SIH-2020, the 36-hour non-stop digital product building competition was a national level competition for software edition organized jointly by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) held during 1-3 August 2020 at Noida Institute of Engineering & Technology (NIET), Uttar Pradesh.

The DIAT student team “Age of Ultron” which comprised of six members under the guidance of Dr. Sunita Dhavale, won the 1st Prize of Rupees 1 Lakh for solving problem statement MS331 in the category of software posed by the Madhya Pradesh Government. The team provided the solution titled “DRISHTI” for the face, expression and gesture recognition using Artificial Intelligence.

ALSO READ Israel Team Working With DRDO To Develop Rapid COVID-19 Testing – Indian Military Review

“Pavitrapati” Ayurvedic Products for COVID-19 Launched

Pune based Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, DIAT (DU) developed an Aurveda-based biodegradable face mask of nano-fibres, which acts a virus neutraliser to resist against the bacteria/ virus, and has named “Pavitrapati”.

Accordingly the Transfer of Technology (ToT) of this product signed in June 2020 between DIAT and Kolhapur based Textile Company Siddheshwar Techtessile Pvt. Ltd., Maharashtra, for actual development to this product on mass level to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The Company now launched its first ever Aurveda-based biodegradable face mask named “Pavitrapati” for sale. Siddheshwar Techtessile, Maharashtra initially developed 10,000 Nos of this mask and have got responses from distributors, sales teams, pharmaceutical companies and the same will be made available on online platform like Amazon, Flipkart, etc.

Another ToT has been transferred to Siddheshwar Techtessile, Maharashtra by DIAT for development of anti-microbial body suit in the name of “Aushada Tara”. This suit has super-hydrophobic, breathing, anti-microbial, comfort feeling properties. The fabric material of the suit has the approval for fighting against the COVID-19. The suit had cleared the splash resistant tests and it has got good repellent property of any fluids. The demand of this suit will be for medical hospitals, private companies, airlines and Govt agencies. The production of the Aushada Tara has started and the initial order is already placed and executed.

DRDO’s New Covid Test Centre at Leh

As fresh cases of COVID-19 continue to emerge, a testing centre for COVID-19 samples has been established at the Defence Institute of High-Altitude Research (DIHAR), Leh.

Apart from a utility during the ongoing pandemic, the infrastructure set up can play a pivotal role in enhancing capability to address future bio-threats and also in research activities pertinent to agro-animal diseases.

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