Operation sindoor

[G_B_]

Indian Army Buys 30,000 Night Vision Weapons Sights in $75M Deal

 

Mku vendor.

 

https://thedefensepost.com/2025/10/21/mku-night-vision-india/

 

 

[G_B_]

Re INSAS

 

 

Atmanirbhar Bharat: Army to get 75K more AK-203 rifles by year-end

Last year, the Army received 48,000 AK-203 rifles. With the upcoming batch of 75,000 weapons, the number will soon cross 1.2 lakh. In total, more than six lakh rifles are to be supplied to the Army over the next five years. The overall cost of the project is estimated to be ₹5,200 crore.

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/atmanirbhar-bharat-army-to-get-75k-more-ak-203-rifles-by-yearend-101759764880850.html#google_vignette

 

AK-203 Rifle: Why this Indo-Russian weapon is a game-changer for the Army

The AK-203 rifle has finally landed on the Indian Army's frontline, proving its reliability and enhanced lethality in extreme conditions like Siachen and marking a significant upgrade from the INSAS rifle

 

https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2025/11/01/ak-203-rifle-why-this-indo-russian-weapon-is-a-game-changer-for-the-army.html

[ravishingravi]

 

[Lone Wolf]

General assumption is infantry is often used as Cannon fodder by Indian Jernails since WW1..  age old concepts die hard.  There is no other reason for this otherwise.  Good to see things are out in the open for public discourse.

 

[Lone Wolf]

On 11/8/2025 at 11:15 AM, singhvivek141 said:

New deal signed between HAL & GE for the 113 GE F404 engines required for the 97 Tejas mk1a order.

Previously we have given the order for 97 F404 engines for 83 Tejas mk1a..but only 4 engines have been delivered so far.

 

Not sure if I shall feel happy or shall I cry. Knowing very well it will take a decade atleast for GE yo deliver

5th engine is yet to come... Tejas is more or less cooked.

In hindsight it was a blunder to stop production of MKIs after 2017. 

 

American dalals and sell outs are the reason.

[G_B_]

4 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

General assumption is infantry is often used as Cannon fodder by Indian Jernails since WW1..  age old concepts die hard.  There is no other reason for this otherwise.  Good to see things are out in the open for public discourse.

 

 

 

this has been posted by @IndianRenegade

 

are you both part of same propaganda group?  It would be nice to look at the replies to this post

[G_B_]

12 hours ago, G_B_ said:

Re INSAS

 

 

Atmanirbhar Bharat: Army to get 75K more AK-203 rifles by year-end

Last year, the Army received 48,000 AK-203 rifles. With the upcoming batch of 75,000 weapons, the number will soon cross 1.2 lakh. In total, more than six lakh rifles are to be supplied to the Army over the next five years. The overall cost of the project is estimated to be ₹5,200 crore.

 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/others/atmanirbhar-bharat-army-to-get-75k-more-ak-203-rifles-by-yearend-101759764880850.html#google_vignette

 

AK-203 Rifle: Why this Indo-Russian weapon is a game-changer for the Army

The AK-203 rifle has finally landed on the Indian Army's frontline, proving its reliability and enhanced lethality in extreme conditions like Siachen and marking a significant upgrade from the INSAS rifle

 

https://www.theweek.in/theweek/specials/2025/11/01/ak-203-rifle-why-this-indo-russian-weapon-is-a-game-changer-for-the-army.html

 

 

@Lone Wolf for reference on insas...

[Lone Wolf]

11 minutes ago, G_B_ said:

 

 

this has been posted by @IndianRenegade

 

are you both part of same propaganda group?  It would be nice to look at the replies to this post

Lol no.. Indian defence enthusiasts all are on board to expose this hypocrisy since long.  

 

Basically everyone wants to promote make in India but Baboos and Jernails neither do anything to modernise, reject anything domestic produced and only do token service by importing few shiny toys for sake of media publicity.

Just listen to Baba Kalyani for once.. 

 

Some quotes on this one..

 

Edited November 9, 2025 by Lone Wolf

[singhvivek141]

3 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

5th engine is yet to come... Tejas is more or less cooked.

In hindsight it was a blunder to stop production of MKIs after 2017. 

 

American dalals and sell outs are the reason.

MKIs production is in progress

HAL is working on 12 new MKIs (for the lost jets due to crash).

These 12 new MkIs will have advance radar and EW system with lower RCS.

[Lone Wolf]

24 minutes ago, singhvivek141 said:

MKIs production is in progress

HAL is working on 12 new MKIs (for the lost jets due to crash).

These 12 new MkIs will have advance radar and EW system with lower RCS.

Yes but imagine what 8 years gap has left us with a small squadron strength...  Entire production line had to be now restarted with Russians.

 

Let's see what they do with Su57E coz Russians are saying only HAL has 50% production capability.  Cost would increase a lot if production happens in India as it was predicted by experts.

 

They should rather import 3 squadrons from Russians and focus on AMCA and Super Sukhois for time being.

And keep begging US for engines.

Edited November 9, 2025 by Lone Wolf

[singhvivek141]

2 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

Yes but imagine what 8 years gap has left us with a small squadron strength...  Entire production line had to be now restarted with Russians.

 

Let's see what they do with Su57E coz Russians are saying only HAL has 50% production capability.  Cost would increase a lot if production happens in India as it was predicted by experts.

 

They should rather import 3 squadrons from Russians and focus on AMCA and Super Sukhois for time being.

And keep begging US for engines.

My simple logic these days is....

 

1. Buy few squadrons of Su57, equip them with long range BVR missiles R37 or something with Russia. I heard that AL51 variant is where India is interested in, but better to go with 2/3 squadrons now and remaining 4/5 once AL51 variant is ready. Drop 114 Rafale MRFA entirely. Su57 will help us stay relevant for next 8-10 years.

 

2. Focus on Kaveri Engine, its success will remove a major blockade. Even if takes few years, dont deviate from the same. Make a mission to couple Tejas mk2 with Kaveri (and one squadron atleast with Tejas mk1a). Target 2027 for Kaveri and 2028 for mk2.

 

3. Work with whatever Tejas mk1a is ready. Just integrate with Astra mk2 and then handover to IAF. Focus on Astra mk3 and integrate it with Tejas mk2. Make target for Astra mk2 by 2026 end, Gandiv by 2028.

 

4. Let AMCA run in the background with Safran. No news whatsoever Target the first flight by 2030, active trials by 2033 and induction by 2035.

 

5. Launch Ghatak UCAV by 2028...induct atleast 8-10 squadrons of Ghatak and make the MUM-T with Tejas variants (Target 2030)..Keep the Ghatak variant in NE around China borders where they can take off with minimum runways.

 

6. Include Ex Airforce chiefs as the project managers in HAL, divide the HAL into sub entities for fighter jets, engines, helicopters, trainer jets and UCAV's. Make Bengaluru/Nashik as the final assembly and integration unit.

 

Govt. 

[G_B_]

Its all about af51 engine...

[G_B_]

5 hours ago, Lone Wolf said:

Lol no.. Indian defence enthusiasts all are on board to expose this hypocrisy since long.  

 

Basically everyone wants to promote make in India but Baboos and Jernails neither do anything to modernise, reject anything domestic produced and only do token service by importing few shiny toys for sake of media publicity.

Just listen to Baba Kalyani for once.. 

 

Some quotes on this one..

 

 

 

The infrantry will be getting new rifles (ak203) , helmets , night vision and vests (mku). These (mku bits) are all on trials in 25 to 30k volumes with army front line units. So within 5 years the infrantry will be sporting new kit.

 

Anybody can google this. These account as usual just want attention. Its just a good narrative.

 

Whats the point of putting pics of random brazillian troops (brazil gas 359k army but ordered around 50k mku gear) and clearly an old indian army pic?

 

Even cprf is getting new rifle based on indo uae collaboration next year.

 

For anybody reading or interested, read about the ak203 aquisition process. Its the perfect example of how joint collab should work.

 

[G_B_]

It also should be noted.

 

The manpower costs of the indian armed forces are around 70% of the 78 billion usd total budget. 

 

Thiz results in 15 to 20 billion odd for purchases. Desi or foreign.

 

Manpower costs for usa (40%), china and pak (60% + armed forces have other income sources) are much lower as % of total budget.

 

The biggest reform indian armed forced can do is reduce manpower and focus on equipment. 

 

 

[singhvivek141]

1 hour ago, G_B_ said:

It also should be noted.

 

The manpower costs of the indian armed forces are around 70% of the 78 billion usd total budget. 

 

Thiz results in 15 to 20 billion odd for purchases. Desi or foreign.

 

Manpower costs for usa (40%), china and pak (60% + armed forces have other income sources) are much lower as % of total budget.

 

The biggest reform indian armed forced can do is reduce manpower and focus on equipment. 

 

IMO, we shouldn't do that.

 

We have enemies across Pak, China & Bangladesh...while the Myanmar/Nepal border arebn a direct threat, there too we can have extremists group infiltrating.

 

We actually need to up our defence budget...currently it's around 1.5% of GDP, it shoukd be bumped to 2.5%. This will give fatter purse to bring in new equipments without compromising on resource count.

 

As the threats galore, we may need to expand our Naval presence in Nicobar, Lakshadweep and in Mauritius. Plus, increase in the workforce of CISF & BSF to guard the industries, airports, stations and Border areas. This all will require more resources...IMO we still lack around ~35000 CRPF and ~25000 CISF personnela.

[G_B_]

I think you will find if you up the budget then armed forces will demand more pension+ salary. Its a black hole.

 

India need a 600k highly trained army with 100k navy and armed forces.

 

Drdo budget is 5% of defence budget. In this amount they are expected to produce all sort of things from aip to nuclear missiles. Tie ups have helped, which is why you see green shoots.

 

 

 

 

[Lone Wolf]

17 hours ago, singhvivek141 said:

My simple logic these days is....

 

1. Buy few squadrons of Su57, equip them with long range BVR missiles R37 or something with Russia. I heard that AL51 variant is where India is interested in, but better to go with 2/3 squadrons now and remaining 4/5 once AL51 variant is ready. Drop 114 Rafale MRFA entirely. Su57 will help us stay relevant for next 8-10 years.

 

2. Focus on Kaveri Engine, its success will remove a major blockade. Even if takes few years, dont deviate from the same. Make a mission to couple Tejas mk2 with Kaveri (and one squadron atleast with Tejas mk1a). Target 2027 for Kaveri and 2028 for mk2.

 

3. Work with whatever Tejas mk1a is ready. Just integrate with Astra mk2 and then handover to IAF. Focus on Astra mk3 and integrate it with Tejas mk2. Make target for Astra mk2 by 2026 end, Gandiv by 2028.

 

4. Let AMCA run in the background with Safran. No news whatsoever Target the first flight by 2030, active trials by 2033 and induction by 2035.

 

5. Launch Ghatak UCAV by 2028...induct atleast 8-10 squadrons of Ghatak and make the MUM-T with Tejas variants (Target 2030)..Keep the Ghatak variant in NE around China borders where they can take off with minimum runways.

 

6. Include Ex Airforce chiefs as the project managers in HAL, divide the HAL into sub entities for fighter jets, engines, helicopters, trainer jets and UCAV's. Make Bengaluru/Nashik as the final assembly and integration unit.

 

Govt. 

With what happened with Tejas dead sure that AMCA won't come before 2038 at least.

 

Ghatak in 2030 looks certain.

 

I am on fence with 114 Rafale.. as we do need numbers in 4.5 gen like other countries.   Safran deal is also hinged upon that huge order.

 

Rather than Su57E.. we should lobby for newer Su57M variant off the shelf  3 squadrons.  

[Lone Wolf]

Smart from MoD to realise domestic production isn't feasible.  Import directly from Russians 

 

[IndianRenegade]

On 11/9/2025 at 6:49 AM, G_B_ said:

 

Whats the point of putting pics of random brazillian troops (brazil gas 359k army but ordered around 50k mku gear) and clearly an old indian army pic?

 

 

lol

 

The soilder in the pic is wearing the new Indian camo that got unvieled in Jan 2022, probably not even widely adopted till 2023. But even in the best case scenario the pic isn't 3 yrs old. The siutation is similar now most sporting fibre glass helmets with an abomination in the name of utility vest. The ICE folks rounding up ordinary ppl in US have better gear, so does most police in some rural counties in US

 

https://x.com/westerncomd_IA/status/1987354053509325112/photo/2

https://x.com/westerncomd_IA/status/1986791640254890260/photo/3

 

Everything is 5 yrs out in Indian military, whats the plan to match AIM-120? in 5 yrs we will have rafale with meteor? oops... no worries in another 5 years we will gandiva for PL-15. Because the terrorist, P@kis & china will wait untill you close out all your procurement before attacking you? 

 

But return 12.5k crores back to govt. while complaining we don't have enough defense budget. how many men could have been kitted with that kind of money?

 

https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/union-budget-2025-defence-ministry-procurement-delay-return-capital-outlay-army-2673480-2025-02-02

 

Then wait for skimirmishes buy expensive western stuff at high price in the name of emergency procuement! it should be a matter of shame that in the year 2025 that what should be basic protective gear isn't available to troops & will take years. 

 

[IndianRenegade]