SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
India has issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) establishing a no-fly zone over the Bay of Bengal region from April 21 to 24, 2024. This move typically precedes a missile test, and experts believe it’s likely connected to the testing of an Indian missile system.
The designated airspace encompasses a 980-kilometer trajectory, hinting at a test for a long-range missile. This characteristic aligns with the profile of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) project by India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The ITCM is a sub-sonic cruise missile designed for long-range deterrence.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aeronautical agency, is aiming for greater self-reliance in the Tejas MkII program. Their latest initiative involves collaborating with Indian private sector companies to develop a crucial component – a retractable inflight refueling probe.
The current Tejas Mk1A variant relies on a fixed inflight refueling probe supplied by Cobham Limited, a British aerospace company. HAL aims to reduce its dependence on foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for crucial Tejas MkII components. A domestically developed refueling probe is a significant step in this direction.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s ambitious Fleet Support Ships (FSS) program for the Indian Navy has hit a potential snag with the reported exclusion of Turkish participation. Anadolu Shipyard of TAIS, initially expected to collaborate on design and provide key equipment, has seemingly been sidelined.
idrw.org, reached out to Anadolu Shipyard for clarification on their absence from the FSS project. However, the company reportedly declined to comment. Indian media outlets allege the Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) harbored concerns about collaborating with a Turkish firm due to Turkey’s political stances. This includes Turkey’s support for Pakistan on the Kashmir issue at the UN and ongoing friction between the two nations.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is all set to launch a unique European mission, Proba-3, designed to create “artificial eclipses” in space. This ambitious project will shed light on the Sun’s mysterious corona, a region typically obscured during natural eclipses.
Proba-3 utilizes two small satellites that will launch together and then gracefully separate to fly in precise formation. Once separated, these satellites will act as a single, virtual telescope with a staggering 144-meter baseline – the distance separating them. This configuration forms a giant solar coronagraph, an instrument specifically designed to study the Sun’s faint outer atmosphere.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a fiery speech delivered on Friday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a blistering critique against the INDI bloc, alleging that one of its constituent parties Communist Party of India (Marxist) has pledged to dismantle India’s nuclear weapons arsenal. Speaking at a rally in Rajasthan’s Barmer, PM Modi raised serious concerns over what he described as a “highly concerning declaration against the nation.”
PM Modi’s remarks come amidst escalating tensions and political maneuvering ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha Election, setting the stage for a contentious electoral battle. The specter of national security, particularly India’s nuclear capabilities, has emerged as a focal point in the political discourse, with the Prime Minister taking a strong stance against any perceived threat to the country’s defense posture.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Gopichand Thotakura is poised to make history by becoming the second Indian citizen to travel to space. He will travel to space as part of the crew for Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin’s New Shephard-25 (NS-25) mission.
The flight date will be announced soon. Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was the first Indian citizen to travel to space in 1984.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFP
People sit amid rubble during Eid al-Fitr, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City on April 11, 2024. File | Photo Credit: Reuters Residents reported heavy Israeli fire in central Gaza on April 12, with regional tensions soaring after Iran threatened reprisals over a strike in Syria this month that killed two Iranian generals.
As talks for a truce and hostage release dragged on, fears that Iran could soon launch an attack on Israel prompted the United States to announce it was sending reinforcements to the Middle East as a deterrent.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra visited Washington, DC, United States, from April 10-12. During his visit, Foreign Secretary Kwatra undertook a detailed review of the progress made towards further consolidating the India-US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, informed the Embassy of India in the US.
During his visit to Washington, DC, Foreign Secretary had discussions with his counterparts at the State Department, Deputy Secretary Richard Verma and Deputy Secretary Kurt Campbell, as well as other senior officials, the embassy’s press release said.
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said India’s budget for infrastructure on the border with China was increased significantly after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister. India should have learnt lessons from the 1962 war but no headway was made in the development of border infrastructure till 2014, he claimed, adding that the Modi government increased the budget for the same from ? 3,500 crore to ? 14,500 crore.
With China, India must have “realistic, grounded and practical policy,” Mr Jaishankar said, interacting with youth at an event titled ‘Why Bharat Matters: Opportunity for youth and participation in global scenario’ here.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India was committed to respond to any act of terrorism perpetrated from across the borders, and asserted that since terrorists do not play by rules, there cannot be any rules in the country’s answer to them.
Attacking the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) dispensation over its response to the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks in 2008, he said that after a lot of deliberation at the government level, nothing fruitful came out at that time as it was felt that the cost of attacking Pakistan was more than not attacking it.
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The induction of heavy-lift helicopters and logistic drones, deployment of all-terrain vehicles and laying of an extensive network of tracks are among a host of measures that have enhanced India’s combat prowess in Siachen, the world’s highest battlefield, officials said on Saturday.
As the Indian Army marks the 40th year of its presence on the strategically-significant Siachen glacier, the officials said there have been extensive improvements in the operational capabilities of the force due to the enhancement of infrastructure in the region in the last few years.
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On the India and China border dispute, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said that till the borders are secured the forces will remain there while interacting with the youths of Pune about India’s global rise and improved opportunities.
He was at Pune for the launch of the Marathi translation of his book: Why Bharat Matters. “Delighted to launch the Marathi translation of my book: #WhyBharatMatters in Pune today. The last decade has seen a profound transformation in our society as much as our diplomacy. Confident that during Modi 3.0, this will serve as the foundation for the journey towards Viksit Bharat,” posted Jaishankar on X.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Four Maoists were on Friday sentenced to rigorous imprisonment by a NIA special court in connection with a 2014 case relating to assault, threat and arson against a senior Kerala Police officer, according to an official statement.
Accused Roopesh has been sentenced to 10 years rigorous imprisonment along with ? 2.35 lakh in fine, while accused Kanyakumari has been sent to six years rigorous imprisonment with ? 1.05 lakh fine by the NIA special court in Ernakulam, Kerala, said the statement issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Reasi Police and Indian Army’s 58 RR have busted a terrorist hideout in the Lancha area of Mahore and recovered a huge quantity of arms and ammunition including two tiffin IEDs with electric detonators, two pistols, 400gm explosive powder.
SSP Reasi Mohita Sharma says, “Joint operation with the Army is still going on in the area of Mahore and security forces in Reasi are committed to neutralising any nefarious designs of anti-national elements.”
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), has asserted that the winning bidder in the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender for 114 jets must prioritize the integration of Indian-made weaponry.
The IAF has reportedly held discussions with various Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) participating in the MRFA tender, emphasizing the need for seamless integration of Indian weapons onto the offered fighter jets. This ensures that the IAF can leverage its domestic defence industry for armament, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers.
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