SOURCE: AFI

Zen Technologies Limited, a leading provider of defense training solutions, has secured a ?93 crore (inclusive of 18% GST) order from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of Tactical Training Simulators. This latest win further strengthens the company’s position as a key player in the Indian defense training ecosystem.

This marks another significant order for Zen Technologies in the Tactical Training space, following recent contracts for anti-drone systems and tank training systems with the MoD. The company’s expertise in designing, developing, and manufacturing cutting-edge training solutions has made it a trusted partner for India’s armed forces.

SOURCE: AFI

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has unveiled the RAJAK TWS-Series, a military-grade uncooled thermal imaging weapon sight designed specifically for the demanding needs of the Indian Armed Forces. This innovative product promises to enhance soldiers’ capabilities and situational awareness in challenging environments.

The RAJAK TWS-Series is crafted with the harsh realities of the battlefield in mind. Its lightweight and durable design ensures reliable performance even in extreme temperatures, dust, and moisture. This makes it well-suited for India’s diverse terrain, from the icy heights of the Himalayas to the scorching deserts of Rajasthan.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making significant progress towards its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending the first Indian astronauts to space. With the second test vehicle now ready and set for transport to Sriharikota next month, the mission is on track for a potential manned flight later this year.

ISRO chief S. Somanath confirmed the readiness of the second test vehicle, highlighting its arrival at Sriharikota next month and preparations for its launch within two months. This vehicle will further validate crucial aspects of the mission, including the low-altitude and high-altitude motors, as well as the emergency crew escape system.

SOURCE: AFI

At least three Indian citizens have been caught in a harrowing ordeal, allegedly tricked into fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. These individuals, lured with promises of security helper jobs, now find themselves stranded in war-torn regions, desperately seeking government assistance to return home.

According to a victim’s account published by The Hindu, an agent reportedly misled them into believing they would work as “army security helpers.” However, upon arrival, they were pressured and forced to fight alongside Russian troops. This paints a disturbing picture of deceptive recruitment practices exploiting vulnerable individuals.

SOURCE: PTI

ISRO has accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan human spaceflight missions, with the completion of the final round of ground qualification tests.

“ISRO’s CE20 cryogenic engine is now human-rated for Gaganyaan missions,” the space agency said on ‘X” on Wednesday. Rigorous testing demonstrates the engine’s mettle, it said, adding the CE20 engine identified for the first uncrewed flight LVM3 G1 also went through acceptance tests.

SOURCE: IANS

India’s atomic power major Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) will soon connect its second 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to the grid, an official said on Wednesday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat on Thursday to dedicate to the nation the two 700 MW PHWRs at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS).

While the KAPS-3 has been synchronised with the grid, KAPS-4 will also be connected to the grid soon, an official told IANS on condition of anonymity. With that, both the 700 MW PHWRs will supply power to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

SOURCE: PTI

 India and Greece agreed on Wednesday to firm up a migration and mobility agreement soon, besides ramping up their overall cooperation in the areas of trade, defence production and to combat terrorism. Expansion of the overall strategic cooperation figured prominently during extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Mitsotakis is on a two-day visit to India. It is the first visit to India by a head of state of Greece in 15 years. India and Greece have common concerns and priorities in the fight against terrorism, Modi said in his media statement.

SOURCE: AFI

The 21st round of India-China Corps Commander Level Meeting was held on February 19th at the Chushul-Moldo border meeting point. The discussions aimed to build upon progress made in previous rounds and achieve complete disengagement in the remaining areas along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Eastern Ladakh.

Both sides recognized the importance of complete disengagement as a crucial step towards restoring peace and tranquility in the border areas. The discussions were held in a “friendly and cordial atmosphere,” indicating a positive tone despite ongoing tensions.

SOURCE: PTI

The longest transportation tunnel of the country on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) was opened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday as he flagged off the first electrified trains of the Kashmir valley.

“Prime Minister Modi was present in Jammu and he virtually flagged off two electrified trains simultaneously — one from Srinagar to Sangaldan in the down direction and the other from Sangaldan to Srinagar in the up direction,” a railway official said.

SOURCE: ANI

The United States Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, hailed the ties between New Delhi and Washington and stressed that the two nations should work more robustly on co-development and serve as a ‘model’ for the world.

He also said that ties betwen India and the US is not merely ‘additive relationship’ but instead a ‘multiplicative relationship’. The US envoy was speaking at the US India Business Council event in the national capital on Tuesday. Speaking at the event, Garcetti said, “Looking at the way, we are understanding each other’s culture, this is more than an additive relationship, this is not India plus the US, this is India times the US…a multiplicative relationship.”

SOURCE: ANI

On the sidelines of the Milan 2024 Exercise, Indian Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti interacted with Commodore Jalil Mughadam, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Southern Fleet and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the navies of the two nations.

The two sides also exchanged views on the contemporary maritime security environment and challenges. The 12th edition of multilateral naval exercise Milan 2024 commenced in Visakhapatnam on February 19 with the arrival of warships and one maritime patrol aircraft from FFC. In a post on X, Indian Navy spokesperson stated, “VAdm Tarun Sobti, #DCNS, interacted with Cmde Jalil Mughadam, Dy Commander of IRIN Southern Fleet, on the sidelines of #MILAN2024.

SOURCE: AFI

In a major boost to India’s self-reliance in defense technology, the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet successfully completed its maiden flight with an indigenously developed Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) on February 19th. This marks a significant milestone in the development of the advanced fighter, paving the way for its deployment with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, the DFCC is the heart of the Tejas Mk1A’s flight control system. It features advanced technology like a Quadraplex Power PC processor, high-speed I/O controller, and complex onboard software, ensuring precise and reliable maneuverability. This maiden flight successfully tested all critical parameters and performance of the system, confirming its readiness for further integration and testing.

SOURCE: AFI

The delivery of the much-anticipated Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has encountered a slight delay, according to officials. Originally slated for March 2024, the first two jets are now expected by March-end, with few more following by year-end. The final delivery under the Rs 46,898 crore contract is now pushed to February 2028.

While officials acknowledge the delay, they downplay its significance. They cite the testing of the improved digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC) onboard older LCA-Tejas as a primary reason for the setback. Integrating this crucial component into the Mk1A variant seems to have taken longer than anticipated, impacting the planned taxi trials.

SOURCE: AFI

Imagine a weapon that can neutralize drone attacks, deflect ballistic missiles, and even destroy fighter jets at the speed of light. This is the promise of India’s ambitious “DURGA-2” project, a directed-energy weapon (DEW) being developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Current anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems have limitations. “DURGA-2” aims to overcome these limitations by offering a 100% kill probability, potentially revolutionizing the military landscape. This has sparked excitement in Indian strategic circles, envisioning the system effectively countering threats from China and Pakistan.

SOURCE: United News of Bangladesh

Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday said that India was willing to share wide-spectrum capabilities in defence manufacturing, including the most sophisticated technologies, with Bangladesh.

He also proposed graduating the bilateral defence cooperation to the next level by building joint ventures in defence manufacturing. Pranay Verma and principal staff officer of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General MR Shameem addressed the Seminar on Indian Defence Equipment — SIDE 2024 — hosted by the high commission of India in Dhaka on Tuesday.