SOURCE: PTI

India is a step away from entering the second stage of its nuclear programme with the initiation of core loading at the home-built 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor here, a move described as “historic” by the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi witnessed the initiation of core loading at the Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR), which generates more power than it consumes and uses the nuclear waste — Uranium-238 — as fuel.

SOURCE: PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and top commanders of the Indian Navy will carry out a comprehensive review of India’s maritime security challenges at a key conclave onboard one of the two aircraft carriers of the Navy in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday. On the first day of the biannual naval commanders’ conference, Singh will also witness combat prowess of aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya in a “twin carrier operation” that is aimed at projecting India’s growing naval prowess, officials said.

The naval commanders are likely to deliberate on a host of crucial issues including China’s growing military forays into the Indian Ocean as well as the situation arising out of the Houthi militants targeting various cargo vessels in the Red Sea and adjoining areas. In the course of the three-day conference, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan along with Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande and Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari will engage with the naval commanders on a wide range of issues including ways to boost tri-services convergence.

SOURCE: IANS

 In a big development, the Karnataka police have arrested three persons in connection with the alleged raising of pro-Pakistan slogans in the Assembly premises by the supporters of Congress leader Naseer Hussain following his election to the Rajya Sabha recently.

The office of the central DCP has released a press note in this regard on Monday confirming the arrests. According to sources, the accused have been identified as Iltaz from Delhi, Munnavar, a resident of R.T. Nagar in Bengaluru, and Mohammad Nashipudi, a resident of Byadagi town in Haveri district of the state. The trio will be produced before the judge of the ACMM court at his residence in Koramangala after medical examination, the sources added.

SOURCE: PTI

An Indian national was killed and another two were injured on Monday when an anti-tank missile fired from Lebanon struck an orchard near Israel’s northern border community of Margaliot, officials said.

All three victims hail from the southern state of Kerala. The missile hit a plantation in Margaliot, a moshav (collective agricultural community), in the Galilee region in the north of Israel around 11 am on Monday, Zaki Heller, spokesperson for rescue services Magen David Adom (MDA), told PTI.

SOURCE: AFI

Germany’s readiness to supply a range of military assets to India signals a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations. The proposed supply includes a diverse array of equipment, from A400M transport aircraft to spare parts for small arms, reflecting Germany’s commitment to enhancing India’s defense capabilities and fostering strategic partnership.

Among the key offerings from Germany are the A400M transport aircraft and A330 MRTT mid-air refueling aircraft, both renowned for their versatility and operational effectiveness. The A400M, a multi-role military transport aircraft, boasts unparalleled capabilities in airlifting personnel, cargo, and heavy equipment, making it an invaluable asset for India’s defense forces. Similarly, the A330 MRTT serves as a force multiplier by extending the operational range and endurance of fighter aircraft through in-flight refueling, thereby enhancing India’s air superiority and tactical flexibility.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the brink of a significant technological upgrade with the impending completion of its Advanced Air Force Network (AFNet) by the end of 2024. This state-of-the-art satellite-based digital information grid promises to revolutionize communication and enhance situational awareness across the IAF’s operational hierarchy.

The AFNet represents a quantum leap forward from the antiquated communication systems of the past, particularly the tropo-scatter technology dating back to the 1950s. By leveraging satellite-based connectivity, the AFNet will facilitate real-time exchange of critical data among ground, air, and space assets, empowering decision-makers with unparalleled situational awareness.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent trade forum hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) in Canada witnessed protests from Khalistan supporters. The event, attended by India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was disrupted by these demonstrations.

The Khalistan supporters reportedly carried banners urging a boycott of Air India, a private company now owned by the Tata Group. This comes amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the 1985 Air India bombing tragedy.

SOURCE: AFI

Recent reports have raised questions regarding the purported presence of an armed Special Forces Unit from the Indian army operating within Zimbabwe’s gold and chemicals manufacturing sectors. Allegedly enjoying unrestricted access to raw materials, these highly-trained soldiers have reportedly caused a stir with their activities, prompting speculation and scrutiny.

While initially engaged in Mozambique’s strife-torn Cabo Delgado region, where insurgent forces challenge the government, the deployment of this unit locally has sparked more questions than answers. Operating under the banner of “Indian Special Forces,” the unit is said to be moving around in vehicles bearing conspicuous markings, further drawing attention to its activities.

SOURCE: AFI

Reports reveal a concerning trend of Indian youths being misled into joining the conflict in Ukraine. Unscrupulous middlemen and agents are creating fake employment letters promising high salaries and Russian citizenship, attracting young individuals under false pretenses.

Lured by the prospect of earning up to Rs 2 lakhs per month with free rations and potential citizenship, several youths, including two from Telangana, signed contracts and underwent training. However, the harsh reality of potentially facing frontline combat shattered their illusions, prompting them to seek escape.

SOURCE: PTI

Security agencies are devising plans to implement drone surveillance systems along the coastal regions of Mumbai and Goa to bolster maritime security, officials said on Sunday. This comes in the wake of a recent incident where three individuals from Kuwait reached the Gateway of India, underscoring vulnerabilities in the current coastal security setup, they said.

The trio — Nitso Ditto (31), Vijay Vinay Anthony (29) and J Sahayatta Anish (29) — had navigated Indian waters after absconding with a boat from their employer in Kuwait, alleging mistreatment. Upon surrendering to the authorities, they were arrested for violating the Passport (Entry into India) Rules. The officials expressed concerns that the individuals could have easily blended into the local populace undetected.

SOURCE: UNI

Marking a historic milestone in India’s nuclear power programme, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness the initiation of core loading of India’s 500 MW indigenous Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) being built by BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Limited) at Kalpakkam, about 70 km from here, on Monday. Mr Modi will arrive around 1445 hrs in Chennai and will leave for Kalpakkam where he will visit the PFBR facility from 1530 hrs to 1615 hrs.

He will return to Chennai and address a public meeting of BJP at YMCA Nandanam grounds before leaving for Telangana in the evening. On Mr Modi’s Kalpakkam visit, an official release said on Sunday evening said the reactor core consists of control sub-assemblies, blanket sub-assemblies and fuel sub-assemblies.

SOURCE: UNI

Highlighting the Government’s vision of attaining self-reliance as soon as it came to power, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said the nation cannot remain dependent on import of weapons or platforms as it can be fatal for strategic autonomy.

Addressing a gathering of industry leaders, entrepreneurs, innovators, and policymakers after launching Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI), during DefConnect 2024 at Manekshaw Centre here, Rajnath Sing said, “Without self-reliance, India cannot take independent decisions on global issues in line with its national interests”. “Strategic autonomy can be maintained only when arms and equipment are made in India by our own people.

SOURCE: PTI

The sale of 31 MQ9-B SkyGuardian Drones to India is expected to be fast-tracked now that the major hurdle of mandatory 30 days of Congressional notification is likely to pass without any objection from the lawmakers on Sunday, but for the routine procedural matters posed by the upcoming general elections.

The Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified the US Congress in February about the determination of the State Department of a possible Foreign Military Sale to India of 31 MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of USD 3.99 billion.