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SOURCE: ANI

 Without providing the world with any word of explanation, in the past five years, the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force (PLARF) of China has expanded the types and quantity of its nuclear-tipped weapons more than at any point in its history.

Indeed, last month, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists published its annual in-depth Nuclear Notebook. The chapter entitled Chinese Nuclear Weapons, 2024, authored by Hans M Kristensen, Matt Korda, Eliana Johns and Mackenzie Knight, warned, “In all, China’s nuclear expansion is among the largest and most rapid modernization campaigns of the nine nuclear-armed states” in the world.

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SOURCE: REUTERS

Britain’s Trident nuclear-deterrent system misfired during a test last month, sending a missile crashing into the ocean off the Florida coast near the submarine that launched it, The Sun newspaper reported on Wednesday.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that an “anomaly” had occurred during the test but said Britain’s “nuclear deterrent remains safe, secure and effective”. With Defence Secretary Grant Shapps on board the HMS Vanguard to witness the test, The Sun said, the first-stage boosters on the missile – equipped with dummy warheads – failed to ignite.

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SOURCE: ANI

Iran’s military forces killed senior Jaish al-Adl (Army of Justice) militant group commander Ismail Shahbakhsh and some of his companions in Pakistan territory, Iran International English reported, citing Iran’s state-run media.

In the latest development, Iran’s forces, in an armed clash, attacked a militant group, one month after the two countries conducted air strikes on each other.

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SOURCE: REUTERS

Russian President Vladimir Putin flew on a modernised Tu-160M nuclear-capable strategic bomber on Thursday in a move likely to be seen in the West as a pointed reminder of Moscow’s nuclear capabilities. The giant swing-wing plane, codenamed “Blackjacks” by military alliance NATO, is a modernised version of a Cold War-era bomber that the former Soviet Union would have deployed in the event of nuclear war to deliver weapons at long distances.

Putin, who is expected to easily win another six-year term next month, made the flight at a time when Moscow and the West are at odds over Russia’s war in Ukraine and the death in prison of opposition politician Alexei Navalny.

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SOURCE: AFI

In a move that could reshape the regional balance of power, Azerbaijan has reportedly signed a $1.6 billion deal to purchase JF-17 Block III fighter jets from Pakistan. This historic export agreement marks the biggest in Pakistan’s history and could significantly bolster the Azeri air force.

Currently, Azerbaijan relies primarily on aging Soviet-era fighter jets like the MiG-29 and Su-25, limiting its air capabilities. While it has acquired drones from Israel and Turkey in recent years, the JF-17s would provide a significant leap in technology and firepower.

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SOURCE: AFI

A social media post on Twitter handle “X” has sparked controversy by claiming that the first flight of the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) TF-X KAAN fighter jet, known as GTU-0, took off without landing gear covers. The post further alleges that the KAAN lacks landing gear doors and has fixed landing gear, suggesting it was never intended to fly.

However, TAI and official sources have refuted these claims. They clarify that GTU-0, unveiled in March 2023, is a technology demonstrator, lacking operational systems and not representative of the final production aircraft. Its first taxi trial, not a flight, occurred on March 17th at low speeds. Usually landing gear deployed throughout the flight is customary on first flights.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is set to receive a significant upgrade with the acquisition of the BOZDO?AN short-range air-to-air missile (WVRAAM) developed by Turkey. This move, announced after a meeting between Pakistani and Turkish military officials, signifies a further deepening of military cooperation between the two countries.

The BOZDO?AN, replacing Pakistan’s older AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles, boasts advanced features like a high-resolution Imaging Infrared (IIR) seeker head, resistance to electronic warfare, and high maneuverability. Its 25-kilometer range and Mach 3 speed offer enhanced capabilities for air-to-air combat. Notably, the IIR seeker allows the missile to engage even cruise missiles, providing additional defense flexibility.

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KAAN, a fighter jet made in Türkiye, conducted its maiden test flight on Wednesday, the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) said. The first fifth generation fighter jet manufactured domestically aims to replace the Turkish army’s aging fleet.

The latest development makes Türkiye one of a few countries to own this technology.

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SOURCE: AFI

Israel’s Elbit Systems has introduced the Hermes 650 Spark, a new addition to their renowned UAV family. This multirole platform boasts a unique combination of tactical flexibility, low operating costs, and impressive performance, making it a valuable asset for various missions.

The 650 Spark differentiates itself with a front-mounted engine offering 120 hp, granting it the agility to reach operational areas quickly (up to 120 knots) and then transition to a fuel-efficient loitering speed of 55 knots. This “over-powered” approach also enables impressive short-field performance, requiring only 200 meters for takeoff and 800 meters for landing.

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SOURCE: ANI

China is among the world’s top arms traders, with many sales achieved thanks to affordable products, Beijing’s political heft and favourable contractual terms. However, it is a case of buyer beware, because clients often end up with equipment that is defective or not well supported by their Chinese manufacturers.

According to the latest data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), eight Chinese companies – including AVIC, Norinco, China South Industry Group Corporation, China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation (CASIC), China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC) and China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC) – were among the world’s top hundred arms producers in 2022. Their combined revenue amounted to USD108 billion, a 2.7 per cent increase compared to the preceding year.

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SOURCE: AFI

While the possibility of Russia placing a nuclear weapon in orbit raises alarm bells, U.S. officials cautiously assess the situation. Detonation, they believe, is highly unlikely. Instead, the weapon would likely become a chilling reminder, a “time bomb” hanging in low orbit. This shadow cast by Putin serves as a potent warning: push him too far with sanctions or military opposition, and he could cripple economies without directly harming human lives.

Some view the weapon as a desperate attempt by Putin to regain leverage, a way to demonstrate his willingness to escalate without directly crossing the nuclear threshold. Others fear it could destabilize the already fragile international order, normalizing the presence of nuclear weapons in space and potentially triggering an arms race.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Turkish Ministry of Defense (MoD) has released a rendered image and technical specifications for its planned aircraft carrier, offering a glimpse into the nation’s future naval ambitions.

The new carrier, significantly larger than Turkey’s current TCG ANADOLU amphibious assault ship, will boast a length of 285 meters and a displacement of 60,000 tons. This increased size is intended to accommodate a larger number of aircraft, the exact type of which remains undisclosed.

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SOURCE: AFI

Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works (KS&EW) witnessed a momentous occasion on Wednesday with the keel laying ceremony of the second Hangor-class submarine, marking a significant milestone in Pakistan’s naval modernization efforts.

Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Chief of the Naval Staff, graced the ceremony as the chief guest, highlighting the importance of this project for Pakistan’s maritime security. This development signifies steady progress towards acquiring a fleet of eight Hangor-class submarines, bolstering the nation’s underwater capabilities.

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SOURCE: AFI

JSC Rosoboronexport, part of Russia’s Rostec state corporation, unveiled its new RVV-MD2 short-range air-to-air missile at the Dubai Air Show 2023, marking its first international appearance. This missile, designed for the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter program, also boasts compatibility with Sukhoi 30/35/34 aircraft, potentially expanding its reach to various operators.

The RVV-MD2 boasts an advanced combined guidance system, seamlessly integrating inertial guidance, a multi-element dual-channel infrared seeker with enhanced jamming resistance, and a radio correction receiving channel. This allows the missile to independently determine its position and track enemy aircraft through evasive maneuvers within its impressive 180° forward hemisphere scanning area.

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SOURCE: AFI

In the wake of recent political developments in Bangladesh, a new campaign has emerged on the country’s socio-political landscape – the “India Out” campaign. This movement, echoing the sentiments of its counterpart in the Maldives, seeks to challenge the influence of India within Bangladesh’s domestic affairs. With the backing of opposition parties, the campaign advocates for the boycott of Indian products and alleges undue interference in Bangladesh’s political processes.

The genesis of this movement lies in the contentious backdrop of Bangladesh’s recent general election, where Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina secured her fourth consecutive term amidst allegations of electoral irregularities and authoritarian governance. Opposition parties, particularly the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), have decried what they perceive as a lack of democratic integrity in the electoral process and a clampdown on dissenting voices under Hasina’s tenure.

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