SOURCE: AFI

Intrigue surrounds the potential designation for India’s future space travelers. A recent presentation image displayed at the European Space Agency (ESA) meeting in Paris, where ISRO chairman S. Somanath was present, hinted at the term “Gaganaut.”

This development comes on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiling the names of the four astronauts chosen for the Gaganyaan Mission last month. These astronauts, Prashanth Nair, Angad Prathap, Ajit Krishnan, and Shubhanshu Shukla, are currently undergoing rigorous training for India’s inaugural human spaceflight mission.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant has become a focal point for UFO enthusiasts after a police officer reported witnessing unusual aerial lights hovering above the facility on multiple occasions last summer.

Syed Abdul Kader, an investigator with the Indian Police Service, shared two exclusive videos with DailyMail.com. The videos capture the perplexing lights performing “zigzag” maneuvers over the power plant.

SOURCE: ani

In the wake of vessel re-routings aimed at avoiding the Red Sea, bunker demand across ports in both India and Sri Lanka has witnessed a massive surge, highlighting a growing challenge for the maritime industry.

While India contends with supply shortages, Sri Lankan ports are experiencing a notable increase in activity. According to S&P Global Commodity Insights, the demand spike, estimated to be over 30 per cent in ports across India and Sri Lanka, has been primarily attributed to longer voyages undertaken by ship owners and charters to circumvent the Red Sea region.

SOURCE: reuters

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba has urged India to stand by Kyiv, saying the nation’s close ties with Russia are based on a Soviet legacy that is evaporating, the Financial Times reported on Friday.

Kuleba arrived in New Delhi on Thursday to advance Kyiv’s vision of the path to peace in Ukraine and to strengthen ties with India. India has traditionally had close economic and defence ties with Moscow and refrained from criticising Russia over its February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, instead increasing purchases of Russian oil to record levels.

SOURCE: ANI

The Indian Navy and US Navy amphibious warships on Friday undertook operations in the Kakinada region of Andhra Pradesh as part of the ongoing India-US joint exercise ‘Tiger Triumph 2024’.

In the exercise, the integral craft onboard the ships were deployed to undertake various operations, according to an official statement.

SOURCE: ANI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement that the Agniveer scheme needs changes and improvement indicates that the scheme thrust on lakhs of patriotic youth has failed, said Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge on Thursday.

Kharge said on X that the Modi government played with the future of lakhs of youth but is now talking of the scheme’s shortcomings before the elections. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday that his government is “open to change” in the Agniveer recruitment scheme if necessary.

SOURCE: PIB

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane visited the Indian Coast Guard facilities in the North West Region on 28-29 March 2024. During the visit, he inaugurated the infrastructure for the Hovercraft Maintenance Unit (HMU) at Okha on 28 Mar 24. Coast Guard OTM and Married Accommodation at Inaz Village Veraval was inaugurated by Mrs. Gayatri Aramane on 29 March 2024. The Defence Secretary was also briefed about the upcoming 200 mtr ICG Jetty Construction work at Okha. He appreciated the role played by ICG, in safeguarding national maritime interests in its area of responsibility.

The hovercrafts are based at Okha and Jakhau for maintaining surveillance in 50 Islands in the Area of Responsibility (AoR), Gulf of Kutch, in the shallow water and marshy terrain along the coast of Gujarat. The field facility for HMU will enable timely technical support, upkeep & maintenance of these hovercrafts which in turn will ensure optimum operational availability and keep them in ever ready state to meet any operational requirement.HMU facilities comprise of ACV parking for technical assistance, Office Building, Workshop and Maintenance Area.

SOURCE: PIB

The delivery of ‘Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile Barge, LSAM 18’, part of 11x ACTCM Barge Project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane for Indian Navy, was undertaken on 28 Mar 24 at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai for NAD(Karanja). The Induction Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Vikram Bora, ND(Mbi)/ GM(Tech).

The contract for building 11 X ACTCM Barge was signed between MoD and M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane on 05 Mar 21. Induction of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.

SOURCE: PTI

A spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has said we very much “hope” that in India and any country that is having elections, people’s “political and civil rights” are “protected” and everyone can vote in a “free and fair” atmosphere.

Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric made these remarks on Thursday while he was responding to a question on the “political unrest” in India ahead of the upcoming national elections in the wake of the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal and the freezing of the opposition Congress Party’s bank accounts.

SOURCE: PTI

In a major breakthrough, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has arrested a key conspirator in Bengaluru’s Rameshwaram Cafe blast case, according to an official statement issued on Thursday.

Muzammil Shareef was picked up on Wednesday and placed in custody as a co-conspirator after NIA teams cracked down at 18 locations, including 12 in Karnataka, five in Tamil Nadu and one in Uttar Pradesh, it said.

SOURCE: ANI

The Border Security Force (BSF) recovered a drone near Dauke village in Amritsar district on Thursday evening, the BSF stated in an official release. The recovered drone is a DJI Mavic 3 Model. “On 28th March, at approximately 06:40 pm, vigilant BSF troops detected unusual sounds near their duty post in the border area of Amritsar district”. “Acting swiftly, BSF troops initiated a thorough search operation in the suspected area.

During the search, they successfully located and recovered a small quadcopter drone (DJI Mavic 3) from a farming field near Dauke village in Amritsar district,” the BSF said. This recovery marks another successful prevention of drone intrusion from across the border, owing to the alertness of BSF troops and the Punjab Police.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

The skies over Bengaluru witnessed a landmark event recently with the successful maiden flight of the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. This indigenous aircraft has garnered praise not just for its performance, but also for the significant improvements made in its build quality and maintainability.

Images of the Mk1A reveal a key feature numerous quick-access panels adorning the underside of the fuselage. This design shift prioritizes ease of maintenance, allowing for quicker access to critical components during ground checks and repairs. This focus on serviceability is a major step forward and reflects a credit to the tireless efforts of HAL and its network of suppliers.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) celebrated a momentous occasion yesterday in Bengaluru with the successful maiden flight of the LCA Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. Following the impressive test flight, HAL Chairman, Ananthakrishnan, addressed the media, highlighting the significance of this achievement.

“This is a big step today,” Ananthakrishnan declared, emphasizing the crucial role the Mk1A’s first flight plays in advancing towards the delivery of these aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). He elaborated on HAL’s commitment to fulfilling IAF requirements, stating, “We are also looking to deliver one more LCA trainer aircraft to the IAF before March 31.” This commitment builds upon the foundation laid by the previous delivery of four trainer-version aircraft to the IAF.

SOURCE: IDRW.ORG

Satellite imagery reveals promising progress in the development of DRDO’s joint LRDE-GTRE Test Facility Centre at Rajankunte, India. Notably, GTRE’s Twin Test Cell, a crucial component capable of testing future engines exceeding 130kN thrust, is clearly visible in the images.

This project signifies a significant advancement in India’s indigenous engine development capabilities. The groundwork for the facility, encompassing Civil Works and Allied Services for the Engine Test Facility along with ancillary work for GTRE, commenced in September 2023. Consultancy work for the project began two months prior, in July 2023.

SOURCE: Larsen & Toubro

In a significant development emphasising the robust ties between United Kingdom and India, Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) ships RFA Argus and RFA Lyme Bay arrived at L&T Shipbuilding’s Kattupalli Shipyard for Assisted Maintenance Period (AMP) and Self Maintenance Period (SMP) respectively. This marks a historical milestone in the longstanding collaboration between UK and India in the maritime domain.

The choice of L&T Shipbuilding highlights the growing stature of L&T in the field of shipbuilding and ship repairs. Given the state-of-the-art infrastructure, expanse and skilled workforce, L&T’s Shipyard, equipped with shiplift facility, multiple dry berths and wet berths, is well equipped to undertake complex maintenance requirements of modern naval vessels.