SOURCE: AFI

India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program CCS Clearance is a vital step towards achieving a domestically produced 5th generation fighter jet. But even as this project gains momentum, strategic foresight compels India to consider the next frontier 6th generation fighter development. AMCA program that was officially started in 2008 got funding in 2024, it was 16 years wait, a wait India cant afford if it plans to develop its own 6th gen fighters in future, Here’s why, India needs to get going even while AMCA is under development.

While global aerospace industry is in a constant state of evolution. Many countries have already declared their plans to develop and operate 6th gen fighters and in-around mid 2030’s we should see many entering production on commencing testing. India cant afford to stay behind the curve again in 6th generation too. While the AMCA promises significant advancements, other nations are already pouring resources into 6th generation concepts. Delaying Indian research in this area risks falling behind in critical technologies like:

SOURCE: AFI

India’s quest for an indigenous 5th generation fighter jet takes a major stride forward. Krishna Rajendra, Project Director for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), has announced plans to develop five prototypes with an ambitious target for the first flight by the end of 2028.

Central to the development phase is the creation of five prototypes. These initial AMCA models will undergo rigorous testing to refine the aircraft’s design and functionalities. This testing will encompass critical systems like avionics, sensors, and overall combat performance, ensuring the AMCA is a true force multiplier when it enters service.

SOURCE: PTI

Army chief Gen Manoj Pande on Friday said he would describe the situation along the Line of Actual Control as “stable but sensitive” while asserting that deployment of Indian troops and other elements along the LAC is “extremely robust” and “balanced”.

During a panel discussion at a conclave in New Delhi, he also said, “We need to keep a close watch and monitor what other developments are taking place along the border in terms of infrastructure and movement of troops.”

SOURCE: PIB

The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on March 15, 2024 for Mid Life Upgrade (MLU) of 25 Dornier Aircraft along with associated equipment for the Indian Navy at a cost of Rs.2,890 cr.

The MLU for Dornier Aircraft includes an upgrade to incorporate state-of-the art Avionics Systems and Primary Role sensors. The upgrade would significantly enhance the operational capability of the Dornier aircraft of the Indian Navy to perform Primary Roles of Maritime Surveillance, Coastal Surveillance, Electronic Intelligence and development of Maritime Domain Awareness. In addition, this upgrade will also enable Indian Navy Dorniers to carry out Secondary Roles of Search and Rescue, Medical/Casualty Evacuation and Communication Link.

SOURCE: ANI

Weighing in on the changing global perceptions of India, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the world now sees the country as one that is able to “seek its own solutions”. He said the country stood up for its consumer interests, energy choices and national security, stressing that “this is a different India today”.

Speaking at the ET Awards 2023 where he was honoured as the ‘Reformer of the Year’, Mr Jaishankar said, “Today when the world thinks of India, the world actually sees a country which is able to seek its own solutions, speak its own mind, which will stand up, which stood up for our consumer interests when it came to its energy choices, which stood up for its national security when it came to deploying on our northern frontiers and in staying with the Quad. So this is a different India today, and I cannot tell you how proud I am to represent it abroad.”

SOURCE: PTI

India on Friday said National Security Adviser Ajit Doval’s visit to Israel was part of New Delhi’s overall approach to push for peace and stability in West Asia against the backdrop of the Israel-Hamas conflict.

“As you are aware, the prime minister himself is invested and keen to promote peace and stability in the region. He has been in touch with several Arab leaders in this connection,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

SOURCE: ANI

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of India and Hindus and Muslims living there also belong to India. “Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) is part of India. Wahan ke Muslims bhi hamare hain, wahan ke Hindus bhi hamare hain (Muslims residing there are our own, Hindus residing there are our own),” Amit Shah said while answering a query at the India Today Conclave 2024. He responded to queries concerning the Citizenship Amendment Act and the notification of rules for its implementation earlier this week by the Modi government.

He accused the opposition parties of misleading the Muslim community and said there is no provision in CAA to take away citizenship. He said the law provides citizenship to those covered in its ambit and said that members of minority communities in Pakistan who were feeling persecuted were assured at the time of partition that they could later come to India.

SOURCE: PTI

US envoy Eric Garcetti on Friday said the Quad is really a reflection of the “shared interests” of having a peaceful, democratic, just, open and accountable Indo-Pacific while underlining that its member country India is in many ways “in the driver’s seat” of the grouping.

In response to a question on whether an Indian national, facing charge for a murder-for-hire plot to kill a Khalistani separatist on American soil, will affect Indo-US ties, he said, “The pace of our relationship only continues to accelerate amidst this.”

SOURCE: PTI

India on Friday said it is pressing Russia “very hard” for early discharge of the Indians serving as support staff with Russian military units. After two Indians, working in similar positions, lost their lives, India last week called on its nationals not to risk their lives by taking up such jobs.

“We are pressing very hard with the Russian authorities for early discharge of our people who are stuck there,” external affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.

SOURCE: ANI

After violence and looting loomed in the Caribbean nation, India on Friday established a control room and emergency helpline number for the Indian nationals to evacuate them from Haiti.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal said that India is ready to evacuate its citizens from Haiti if the need arises as the Caribbean nation’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry has tendered his resignation to step down from his post following an emergency meeting of regional nations, where gangs have been attacking government structures and social order is on the brink of collapse.

SOURCE: PTI

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday inaugurated the ‘Nausena Bhawan’, the new state-of-the-art headquarters of the Indian Navy at the Delhi Cantonment which is equipped with modern facilities and cutting-edge technologies.

It marks a significant milestone for the Navy as it has established its “first independent headquarters in Delhi”, the defence ministry said in a statement. Previously, the Navy operated from 13 different locations, necessitating a consolidated and purpose-built facility such as the ‘Nausena Bhawan’, it said.

SOURCE: PTI

The Union Home Ministry on Friday launched a mobile app that will allow eligible people to apply for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, officials said. According to a Home Ministry spokesperson, the application can be downloaded from the Google Play Store or the website — indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in.

“The ‘CAA-2019’ Mobile App for making applications under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 becomes operational,” the spokesperson said.

SOURCE: AFI

Russia has refuted Western media reports suggesting India is abandoning its reliance on Russian weaponry. In a recent interview, the Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, highlighted India’s continued production of Russian-designed T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI fighter jets under license agreements.

Ambassador Alipov emphasized that India has already produced nearly 1,000 T-90 tanks and 300 Su-30MKI aircraft, signifying a strong and ongoing military partnership between the two nations. He contrasted Russia’s approach with Western countries, claiming Russia offers full transfer of advanced military technology to India, unlike potential limitations imposed by other arms suppliers.