21-Dec-2021: Indigenously developed armoured engineer reconnaissance vehicle inducted into Indian Army
The first set of indigenously developed next generation Armoured Engineer Reconnaissance Vehicle was inducted into the Corps of Engineers of Indian Army in a solemn function attended by Gen MM Naravane, the Chief of Army Staff at Pune today.
The system has been designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Ordnance Factory Medak & Bharat Electronics Limited, Pune. Despite the various restrictions imposed by the COVID pandemic since the last one year, supply of the vehicle to Indian Army has been on schedule. The vehicle is capable of carrying out reconnaissance of water obstacles and boggy patches for execution of engineer tasks with capabilities to carry out reconnaissance and provide real time update to force commanders. The system will enhance existing engineer reconnaissance capabilities of Indian Army and would be a major game changer in support of mechanised operations in future conflicts.
19-Dec-2021: DRDO conducts flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System
Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra conducted a flight demonstration of Controlled Aerial Delivery System of 500 kg capacity (CADS-500) on December 18, 2021. ADRDE, Agra is an R&D laboratory of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the flight demonstration is part of a series of activities organised towards celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, commemorating 75 years of Independence.
The CADS-500 is used for precise delivery of payload upto 500 kgs at predetermined location by making use of maneuverable capabilities of Ram Air Parachute (RAP). It uses Global Positioning System for the coordinates, altitude and heading sensors for the heading information during its flight. The CADS, with its onboard electronics unit, autonomously steers its flight path using waypoint navigation towards target location by operating controls.
System performance was demonstrated at Drop Zone, Malpura from an altitude of 5000m. The system was para-dropped from AN32 aircraft and then steered to the predesignated landing point in autonomous mode. Eleven paratroopers of Indian Army and Indian Air Force chased the CADS-500 in air and landed simultaneously.
3-Dec-2021: Cyber Warfare
A framework for enhancing the Cyber posture of Defence Forces was approved by the GoI/MoD in 2018. Defence Cyber Agency and Army, Navy and Air Force Cyber Groups have been established with specific charter to protect and defend the Defence Forces Information and Communication Technology assets, and deter adversary’s attempts at cyber warfare.
These Organisations have contributed significantly to enhance the ‘Cyber Security posture’ of the Defence Forces including:
- Increased synergy between cyber groups and National cyber agencies.
- Improved defensive measures in place to protect data using hardened technology, effective monitoring, safe practices, improved user awareness, standardized processes and audit measures.
- Better preparedness to respond to cyber warfare, with cohesive response for incidents using centralized threat databases, libraries and incident records.