SOURCE: AFI
The Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) in Pakistan’s Taxila city buzzed with anticipation as Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir graced the rollout ceremony of the Haider tank. This unveiling marked a significant moment in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, as the Haider tank is slated to become the nation’s Main Battle Tank. However, recent revelations from documents reviewed by ThePrint shed light on a different narrative, one that contrasts with the triumphant image the Pakistani military seeks to portray.
The genesis of the Haider tank can be traced back to Pakistan’s 2017 order of around 176 VT-4 tanks from China’s Norinco (North Industries Corporation). This procurement aimed to modernize Pakistan’s aging fleet of Main Battle Tanks, bolstering its defensive prowess. after it failed to develop Al-Khalid II MBT that was to be superior to the Al-Khalid I which was claimed to be based on the older T-9X tank from China. Al-Khalid I faced numerous issues and production was curtailed to just 250+ units, before it was shutdown.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India is bolstering its border defenses in Arunachal Pradesh with the construction of next-generation bunkers at Sela Pass. These climate-controlled shelters, designed to withstand harsh Himalayan conditions, prioritize soldier comfort and combat effectiveness.
These bunkers seamlessly integrate with existing border infrastructure and leverage eco-friendly technologies. Solar and geothermal energy power air conditioning systems, ensuring a comfortable environment for troops even in extreme temperatures as low as -30°C. This not only improves soldier well-being but also promotes alertness and readiness.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a display of outrage, pro-Khalistan demonstrators desecrated the Indian flag during a protest in Calgary on [date], sparking tensions with the Indo-Canadian community. The incident, organized by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group, involved activists using swords, daggers, and spears to damage the Indian tricolour, according to local reports.
This act of disrespect comes just one week after clashes between SFJ supporters and police in Edmonton. The Calgary protest also reportedly led to the cancellation of a planned meet and greet with Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, who was targeted by the SFJ for disruption at events across Canada.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Monday called unsettled borders with China and the rise of China as “the most formidable challenge” that India and Indian armed forces will face in the “foreseeable future.”
In his address at the “3rd Strategic and Security Dialogue on Rise of China and its Implications for the World” event in Pune, General Anil Chauhan said, “The challenge we face today is unsettled borders. The ancient frontiers of India started taking shape of firm borders under the British, but they could not get the legitimacy of international borders on independence thus we inherited disputed borders. The occupation of Tibet by China, made them a new neighbour, and a partition of India created a new nation that thrived on hostility and hatred towards us.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday.
The two leaders, as they engaged in a conversation, discussed a range of bilateral, regional security and defence cooperation issues. “They reviewed the recent bilateral events such as the INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi in February 2024, and the bilateral Tri-Service exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ which has also commenced in India on March 18, 2024,” the Defence Ministry release read.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
India and Maldives held their fourth bilateral review meeting on Monday regarding Indian Line of Credit (LoC) projects. In an official post on X, India on Maldives states, “The India, Maldives LOC Review meeting today saw useful interaction with stakeholders across Ministries to take stock of ongoing projects and further streamline their implementation for effective delivery.”
During the session, stakeholders engaged in constructive discussions aimed at streamlining the implementation of ongoing projects for effective delivery.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev expressed his gratitude to the Indian Navy for successfully carrying out a rescue operation on the hijacked Bulgarian ship, MV Ruen, on Monday.
The “Rouen” ship with eight Bulgarians, nine Myanmarese and one Angolan citizen on board was captured by pirates in the Arabian Sea in December last year.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In response to Pakistan’s airstrikes in Afghanistan, the Taliban’s forces have targeted Pakistan’s military posts along the Durand Line with heavy weapons, the Afghanistan-based Khaama Press reported, citing the Taliban-led Ministry of Defence.
In a press release, the Taliban-led Ministry of Defence stated, “In response to this aggression, the border forces of Taliban targeted Pakistani military centres along the fabricated border line with heavy weapons.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday congratulated Russian President Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation. PM Modi said that he is looking forward to further strengthen strategic partnership ties between India and Russia. In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Warm congratulations to H.E. Mr. Vladimir Putin on his re-election as the President of the Russian Federation.”
“Look forward to working together to further strengthen the time-tested Special & Privileged Strategic Partnership between India and Russia in the years to come. @KremlinRussia” PM Modi said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Mr Lloyd Austin on March 18, 2024. Both Ministers briefly discussed a range of bilateral, regional security and defence cooperation issues. They reviewed the recent bilateral events such as the INDUS-X Summit held in New Delhi in February 2024, and the bilateral Tri-Service exercise ‘Tiger Triumph’ which has also commenced in India on March 18, 2024.
The US Secretary of Defence appreciated the important role being played by the Indian Navy in conducting anti-piracy operations in the Indian Ocean Region. The two Ministers discussed ways and means to implement the India-US Defence Cooperation Roadmap which was concluded last year. Other defence industrial cooperation issues such as repair of US naval ships in Indian shipyards were also briefly discussed.
Continue readingSOURCE: INDIAN NAVY
In consonance with the established partnership between India and the US, a bilateral tri-Service Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise between both countries, Tiger Triumph-24, is scheduled on the Eastern Seaboard from 18 to 31 Mar 24. Indian Navy Ships with integral helicopters and landing crafts embarked, Indian Navy aircraft, Indian Army personnel and vehicles and Indian Air Force aircraft and helicopters along with the Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) would be participating in the exercise.
The US would be represented by US Navy Ships with embarked troops of the US Marine Corps and US Army. The exercise is aimed at developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations and refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enable rapid and smooth coordination between forces of both countries.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The Indian Navy has reportedly submitted a formal proposal to the government for the construction of a third aircraft carrier. This proposed vessel would be the second indigenously built carrier for India, signifying a major stride in the nation’s quest for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Indian defense analysts believe that this new aircraft carrier is crucial for India’s ambitions of becoming the dominant power in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). A strong naval presence with robust carrier capabilities is seen as a key factor in achieving this goal.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
In the modern battlefield, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have become an increasingly prevalent threat, capable of gathering intelligence, conducting surveillance, and even delivering payloads to targets. Recognizing the critical need to counter this evolving threat, the Indian Ministry of Defence has initiated the iDEX challenge to develop an Anti-Drone System specifically tailored for integration with armored vehicles such as the T-72, T-90, BMP, and Arjun tanks.
This system aims to detect, identify/classify, track, and neutralize enemy drones’ RF transmissions without altering the existing platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Dutch government’s decision to award a submarine construction contract to French company Naval Group has sent ripples across the international defense scene. This deal, seen as a lifeline for the Dutch shipbuilding industry, could also have significant implications for India’s own ambitious submarine program.
Naval Group will provide the Netherlands with four conventionally powered Barracuda-class submarines, replacing their aging Walrus-class fleet. This win comes three years after the company lost a major Australian contract for 12 submarines.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has initiated a global tender process to procure Canister-Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Munition (CALM) systems for the Indian Army. This move highlights India’s focus on acquiring advanced weapon systems to bolster its border defenses.
Meanwhile, Russian military expert Dmitry Kornev has proposed Russia as a potential supplier for these CALM systems. He suggests a joint-production route, where India would assemble the systems and develop the software. This approach, according to Kornev, would enhance the legitimacy of these loiter munitions for India in the international arms market.
Continue reading