SOURCE: IANS

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has facilitated transfer of six technologies belonging to the Indian space agency to private players.

According to IN-SPACe, it has been mandated to facilitate the transfer of technologies developed by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to Indian companies. The recent technology transfers are: A novel de-mating tool for D-type connector to Amphenol Interconnect India Pvt. Ltd, Pune; SCA-911 adhesive used exclusively for bonding of solar cells in spacecraft and Waterproofing compound (RWPC-03) transferred to Anabond Limited, Chennai; Piezoelectric Vibration Sensor is transferred to KELTRON, Thiruvananthapuram and – Silica Aerogel powder and Aerogel composite sheet are transferred to Times Fibrefill, Kolkata.

SOURCE: PTI

Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Thursday said as India once again shifts its gaze to the seas for economic growth, he sees “signs of an aspiring maritime power”. In his address at an event hosted by the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) here, Admiral Kumar also said there has been a “substantial contribution” of this think-tank even towards formalising the Maritime Anti-Piracy Act of 2022, which is seldom recognised.

“As we navigate the evolving complexities in the region, marked by ongoing conflicts in Europe and the Middle East and the emergence of non-traditional threats, a deeper understanding of the evolving geopolitical dynamics, along with associated strategies to counter these challenges, becomes an imperative, making the NMF’s role even more critical today,” he said.

SOURCE: AFI

The Border Security Force (BSF) and local police are grappling with a new challenge along the India-Pakistan border: high-end, expensive drones used for smuggling drugs, arms, and ammunition. These drones pose a significant threat due to their ability to fly at high altitudes, carry heavy payloads, and travel at increased speeds, making them difficult to detect and intercept.

Authorities have observed a shift in Pakistan’s smuggling strategy, with a move towards these sophisticated drones. Unlike older models, these high-definition (HD) drones can fly at significant altitudes, making them harder to spot visually or with ground-based radars. Additionally, their increased payload capacity allows them to carry larger quantities of illegal goods, posing a greater security risk.

SOURCE: ISRO

Cartosat-2, ISRO’s first satellite in the second generation of high-resolution imaging satellites, launched on January 10, 2007. It weighed 680 kg at launch and operated in a sun-synchronous polar orbit at an altitude of 635 km. Until 2019, it provided high-resolution imagery for urban planning.

Initially, Cartosat-2 was expected to take about 30 years to naturally de-orbit. However, ISRO opted to lower its perigee using leftover fuel to comply with international guidelines on space debris mitigation. This involved reducing collision risks and ensuring safe end-of-life disposal, following recommendations from organizations like the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPOUS) and the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC).

SOURCE: ANI

The 12th edition of the MILAN exercise will be held from February 19 to 27 in Visakhapatnam and will see the participation of over 50 countries. The theme of the exercise is “Forging Naval Alliances For a Secure Maritime Future.”

“12th edition of the #MILAN exercise to be held at #Visakhapatnam 19 – 27 Feb 24 aims to provide a platform for the participating navies to share ideas to enhance #security on the high seas & ensure safety of #maritime commerce for growth & prosperity of all,” the Indian Navy posted on X. As per an official press release, the exercise will be held in two phases.

SOURCE: PTI

Army troops guarding the Line of Control (LoC) on Friday opened fire to bring down Pakistani quadcopters at two different places in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district, officials said. However, the flying objects returned to the Pakistan side after briefly hovering over the Indian territory in the Balnoi-Mendhar and Gulpur sectors, they said.

They said a search operation was launched in both sectors to ensure there was no dropping of weapons or narcotics by the quadcopters.

SOURCE: IANS

The Indian space agency ISRO will begin the countdown on Friday afternoon for the Saturday evening launch of the country’s latest weather satellite INSAT-3DS, said a senior official. “The countdown will begin at 14.05 hours on Friday,” the official told IANS, on condition of anonymity. In its 16th mission, the GSLV rocket (code-named GSLV-F14) will blast off from the second launch pad at the Sriharikota rocket port in Andhra Pradesh on Saturday at 5.35 pm.

The 51.7 metre tall GSLV rocket weighing 420 tonnes at lift-off will carry India’s latest weather satellite INSAT-3DS, to place it in a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit.

SOURCE: PTI

US President Joe Biden and his administration are working very hard to thwart and disrupt attacks on Indian and Indian American students, the White House has said.

The announcement by John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the National Security Council in the White House comes amid a slew of attacks on Indian and Indian American students in various parts of the country.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG TEAM

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has extended a conditional olive branch to the troubled Tapas program, offering to reconsider its procurement if the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) can address critical performance issues.

The Tapas, envisioned as a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), has fallen short of expectations in crucial areas. It fails to meet the IAF’s requirements of a 30,000-foot operating altitude and a 24-hour endurance. This shortfall has led the IAF to walk away, leaving the program’s future uncertain.

SOURCE: AFI

AWEIL, an Indian defence and aerospace company, has signed a significant contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) worth Rs 274.76 crore. This deal entails the indigenous manufacture and supply of 12 units of the 30mm AK-630 Naval Gun Mount for the Next Generation Missile Vessels (NGMV) project of the Indian Navy.

The NGMV project envisions the construction of advanced anti-surface warfare corvettes equipped with cutting-edge technology. WEIL’s involvement in this project underscores India’s growing focus on self-reliance in defense manufacturing. By producing these critical gun mounts domestically, India reduces dependence on foreign imports and strengthens its indigenous defense capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI WITH IDRW.ORG TEAM

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE), a leading Indian shipyard, has announced two strategic alliances that will further strengthen its capabilities and support domestic infrastructure development.

GRSE has entered into a long-term agreement with Hindalco, a major aluminium producer, for the procurement of high-quality aluminium plates and extrusions. This partnership ensures a reliable and cost-effective supply of critical materials for GRSE’s shipbuilding activities. By collaborating with a domestic supplier like Hindalco, GRSE strengthens its commitment to “Make in India” initiatives and fosters growth within the Indian defense and manufacturing sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

Lieutenant General Ajai Kumar Singh, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Army’s Southern Command, delivered a thought-provoking talk on “Western Front Dynamics” to young officers and future technology leaders at the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT). His message was clear: embrace new technologies to be prepared for the challenges of modern warfare.

Lt Gen Singh emphasized the critical role of technology in shaping the future battlefield. He urged the budding commanders and “techno-warriors” to actively seek, incorporate, and master emerging technologies. This, he stressed, is essential to ensure the Indian Armed Forces remain “Future Ready” for any conflict scenario.

SOURCE: ANI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday held a meeting with Amir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and discussed ways to chart a “futuristic roadmap” to strengthen the partnership between both nations. Both leaders deliberated to bolster bilateral relations on a wide range of issues and also exchanged perspectives on regional and global issues.

The talks, held in Doha, focused on various facets of collaboration, ranging from trade and investment to energy, space, cultural exchanges, and people-to-people ties. “Charting a futuristic roadmap for India-Qatar partnership! A productive meeting between PM @narendramodi and the Amir of Qatar, HH @TamimBinHamad in Doha,” the Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal, said in a post on X.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday thanked Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani for the release of eight Indian nationals, who were sentenced to death after being arrested here in August 2022.

Modi held wide-ranging talks with the Qatari Emir primarily focusing on significantly expanding India-Qatar ties in areas of trade, energy, investment and new technology. Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said at a media briefing that Modi thanked the Emir for his support for the welfare of the Indian community in the Gulf nation.

SOURCE: ANI

Apolitical activist from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Amjad Ayub Mirza has claimed that the people in PoK are fed up with Pakistani occupation and they are now demanding merger with India. In a video released by Mirza, the activist said, “The people of PoK in the last few days have told me that they now demand to be merged into India, as they are officially their citizens”.

“The recent elections in Pakistan have just given us a fractured mandate. The upcoming elections will have a fruitful result for India but we the people of PoK ask that, for how long will we have to wait to get rid of Pakistan’s oppression and get merged in India?” the PoK activist added. Mirza also emphasised the prevailing economic situation in the occupied region. He said that retired government employees in PoK have not received their pension for over 10 months.