In a significant step towards realizing India’s first human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Navy have accomplished successful ‘well deck’ recovery trials. The announcement came from ISRO, detailing that the trials took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam on December 6, conducted by the Eastern Naval Command. The successful execution of these trials is deemed crucial for the safe recovery of astronauts after their expected three-day mission in orbit around the Earth.

The technique utilized in these trials is vital for ensuring the crew’s prompt and comfortable recovery upon their return. According to ISRO, once the Crew Module (CM) lands in the sea at the mission’s conclusion, it is essential to recover the crew swiftly. A well deck, which is a compartment on the ship designed to be flooded, allows for the safe docking of boats, landing crafts, or in this case, a spacecraft.

ISRO elaborated that among the preferred methods for recovery involves towing the module, with the astronauts inside, into the ship’s well deck. This would facilitate a comfortable exit for the crew from the Crew Module. The trials employed a mock-up of the Crew Module that simulated its mass and shape, focusing on several key operational aspects. This included the attachment of a recovery buoy, towing the module, positioning it within the ship’s well deck, and subsequently draining the compartment.

These comprehensive trials provided invaluable insights into the operational roles of the teams involved, validating the entire sequence of operations, ground fixtures, and established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). ISRO confirmed that the exercise had successfully validated these procedures and will serve as a foundation to fine-tune the SOPs for both standard and emergency recovery scenarios.

The recent trials are part of a broader series of exercises aimed at finalizing protocols for recovery in various conditions. Earlier this year, in May 2023, ISRO and the Indian Navy had introduced their recovery training strategy at the Water Survival Training Facility (WSTF) located at INS Garuda in Kochi. This collaborative effort reinforces the commitment of both organizations to the Gaganyaan mission, which represents a significant milestone in India’s space exploration ambitions.

In a remarkable initiative aimed at improving the lives of amputee military personnel, Gurvinder Singh, a 41-year-old mechanical engineer and son of a retired army veteran, has developed an innovative prosthetic foot named the ‘Phoenix Foot.’ This groundbreaking design emerged from the need to enhance the comfort and functionality of artificial limbs, particularly for veterans and other amputees facing mobility challenges.

Gurvinder’s motivation to create the Phoenix Foot stemmed from a deeply personal experience. His father, Gurbachan Singh, who served the Indian Army as an Honorary Lieutenant, underwent amputation after a mismanaged treatment at a private hospital in Goa. Inspired by his father’s determination to regain mobility, Gurvinder began his journey to innovation. “When he was at home, my father was determined to stand and walk. He asked me to do something that could help him,” Gurvinder shared. Initially, he constructed a rudimentary prosthetic limb using PVC pipes, enabling his father to stand, but it was at the Artificial Limb Centre (ALC) in Pune that the concept evolved significantly, thanks to collaboration with medical professionals.

Recently, the ALC team, which included prosthetic surgeon Lt Col G Parmeshwar Reddy, showcased the Phoenix Foot at the Indian Army’s annual idea and innovation competition, Inno-Yoddha 2024-25. The event, held at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi, recognized Gurvinder’s efforts, with Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi awarding him the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card on the spot, highlighting the project’s potential impact.

The Phoenix Foot is designed to provide natural ankle movement and incorporates shock-absorption capabilities, which relieve pressure on the knee and hip joints, facilitating easier movement during prolonged physical activities. It is also customizable to accommodate various weights and is suitable for use in diverse terrains.

As the product moves towards mass production, Gurvinder expressed a sense of fulfillment, stating, “I am happy that I could do something for military personnel and people who undergo amputation due to various reasons in their lives.” His father proudly remarked, “It is a proud thing for me as my son’s innovative work will make a positive difference in the lives of people like me in the near future.”

To ensure the Phoenix Foot meets the highest standards of strength and functionality, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will conduct rigorous evaluations at its laboratories in Pune and Bengaluru in the upcoming weeks. At the ALC, five patients have already tested the prosthetic foot with encouraging results, but further trials will be necessary to ascertain its effectiveness across a broader population, including civilians.

The ALC has positioned the Phoenix Foot as a leading-edge solution in assistive technology, building on its prior success with a paralympic foot design that contributed to numerous medals for Indian athletes at the Commonwealth Games. Key benefits of the Phoenix Foot include accelerated rehabilitation—reducing recovery time from six weeks to four—weeks, enhanced mobility for daily activities, and a cost-effective solution for amputees. The ALC aims to standardize the components of the Phoenix Foot, making it widely accessible while collaborating with various workshops to facilitate its distribution and integration into the lives of those in need.

Union Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth is scheduled to visit Visakhapatnam on December 18 to preside over the commissioning ceremony of INS Nirdeshak at the Naval Dockyard. The ceremony will be hosted by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command, with the presence of senior naval officials and representatives from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

INS Nirdeshak, a notable addition to the Indian Navy, was constructed at GRSE in Kolkata and features over 80% indigenous content. This reflects India’s growing expertise in ship design and construction, showcasing the Indian Navy’s commitment to Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance in defense capabilities. The ship measures 110 meters in length and has a displacement of approximately 3,800 tons. It is powered by two diesel engines and incorporates advanced Hydrographic and Oceanographic Survey Equipment, emphasizing the technological advancements in India’s maritime capabilities.

As the second ship of the Survey Vessel (Large) Project, INS Nirdeshak is specifically designed to conduct hydrographic surveys, assist in navigation, and support various maritime operations. It is a modern embodiment of the earlier Nirdeshak, which served the Indian Navy for an impressive 32 years before its decommissioning on December 19, 2014.

The new vessel boasts an endurance of over 25 days at sea and can reach speeds exceeding 18 knots. INS Nirdeshak is expected to significantly enhance India’s maritime capabilities and will play a crucial role in mapping the nation’s waters. Additionally, it aims to strengthen India’s strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region through cooperation in foreign maritime surveys, reflecting New Delhi’s growing focus on securing its maritime interests.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is embarking on a significant upgrade initiative for its fleet of Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter jets, a frontline heavy combat aircraft manufactured in Russia. This enhancement aims to bolster India’s air combat capabilities and extend the operational efficiency of the jets for an additional two decades.

Key elements of the upgrade include the installation of Advanced Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars, which offer improved detection and tracking capabilities, as well as longer-range weapons systems and an advanced electronic warfare suite (EWS). These enhancements are particularly focused on improving the jets’ abilities related to suppression and destruction of enemy air defense systems, thus allowing effective ground-target strikes in environments with robust enemy defenses.

The IAF currently operates a fleet of 259 Sukhoi-30 MKI aircraft, most of which were manufactured under a licensed production agreement with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The total investment by the Indian government for acquiring these aircraft has exceeded USD 12 billion.

Recently, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved five major acquisition proposals amounting to over Rs 21,772 crore. Among these proposals, the provision for the EWS for the Sukhoi-30 MKI stands out, which includes sophisticated radar warning receivers and external airborne self-protection jammer pods, among other advanced technological components.

In July, it was reported that the project aimed at upgrading the SU-30 MKI jets had progressed significantly, with initiatives primarily driven by indigenous capabilities. The upgrade is projected to extend the jet’s operational life by 30 years and includes the implementation of AESA radars, cutting-edge avionics, advanced weaponry, and multi-sensor fusion systems. By that time, the Ministry of Defence was in the process of preparing a draft note for the Cabinet Committee on Security, seeking approval to initiate the upgrade of an initial batch of 84 jets at a projected cost of around Rs 63,000 crore.

These upgraded aircraft, termed ‘Super Sukhois,’ will be designed to compete with next-generation fighters. The enhancements will also facilitate the integration of manned-unmanned teaming and cooperation with advanced autonomous drones using artificial intelligence. The IAF plans to utilize these upgraded jets until 2055.

The indigenous ‘Virupaksha’ AESA radars are expected to significantly enhance detection capabilities, improving the aircraft’s ability to identify adversarial threats by approximately 1.5 to 1.7 times more effectively than the existing Russian radars. This improvement will allow the jets to employ longer-range armaments, such as the Astra-3 air-to-air missile, which is in development with an anticipated beyond-visual-range capability of around 350 kilometers.

HAL has been tasked with overseeing the upgrades, which are set to be rolled out over the next 15 years. The first phase of this project has received the green light from the Cabinet Committee on Security, with the development and flight-testing stages projected to take approximately seven years. Subsequently, upgrades will be executed in batches over the timeline.

In parallel, India is expected to develop its fifth-generation stealth fighter, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), equipped with state-of-the-art technologies that will likely influence the next upgrade cycle for the Sukhoi fleet, following the initial batch of 84 jets.

The advancements in the SU-30 MKI program have already begun to manifest, as demonstrated in May when the Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted a flight trial of the RudraM-II missile designed for air-to-surface missions. The trial confirmed the efficacy of the missile’s propulsion, control, and guidance systems, showcasing a significant leap in domestic defense capabilities. The RudraM-II missile, a domestically developed solid-fuel air-to-surface weapon, is equipped to engage various enemy assets, reflecting the capabilities emerging from collaborations within India’s defense research community.

In a significant event for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the Combined Graduation Parade (CGP) for the 214th Course will take place on December 14 at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, near Hyderabad. The ceremony will be presided over by Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of Air Staff, who will take on the role of Reviewing Officer for the parade.

This year’s CGP marks the culmination of the pre-commissioning training for flight cadets from various branches of the IAF. A notable highlight of the event will be the commissioning of the first-ever batch of officers from the newly established Weapon Systems Branch, a significant milestone for the IAF aimed at enhancing its operational capabilities.

As part of the ceremony, the Reviewing Officer will bestow the prestigious ‘President’s Commission’ upon the graduating trainees. The event will not only honor flight cadets but will also recognize officers from the Indian Navy, Indian Coast Guard, and an officer from a friendly foreign nation, acknowledging their successful completion of training programs.

The top-performing flight cadet from the Flying branch will be awarded the distinguished ‘President’s Plaque’ and the ‘Chief of the Air Staff Sword of Honour,’ an honor that includes leading the parade. Additionally, recognition will be given to the cadet who achieves the highest overall merit in the Ground Duty branch with the presentation of the ‘President’s Plaque.’

The ceremony will feature a series of impressive aerial displays, showcasing the prowess of the IAF. Participating elements will include the multi-role SU-30 MKI aircraft, the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team (SKAT), and the Sarang helicopter display team. There will also be flypasts featuring a range of aircraft, including the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II, Hawk, Kiran, and Chetak, making it a visually captivating event for attendees.

Preparations for the parade are underway, and the Air Force Academy is expected to be bustling with activity as the date approaches, ensuring a fitting tribute to the achievements of the graduating cadets and the future of the IAF.