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SOURCE: AFI

The U.S. Army has made a shocking U-turn, cancelling its multi-billion dollar Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) program. This abrupt move marks one of the department’s biggest program cancellations in recent years.

Despite already pouring at least $2 billion into FARA and requesting an additional $5 billion for the next five years, the Army has decided to scrap the project entirely. Experts like MITRE had previously voiced concerns, concluding that achieving an unmanned version of the helicopter before 2040 wouldn’t be feasible.

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SOURCE: AFI

A delegation of future leaders from India’s College of Defence Management (CDM_IDS) embarked on a strategic learning experience, visiting key institutions in the United States as part of an ongoing International Strategic Management Tour. This tour provided them with valuable insights into American defense strategy and fostered stronger ties between the two nations.

The Indian officers received a comprehensive briefing from the Foreign Cooperation Division at the Pentagon, gaining firsthand knowledge of US defense cooperation initiatives and international partnerships. Their visit also included a somber tribute at the Hall of Fame of the 9/11 Memorial, honoring the victims of the attacks and underscoring the shared commitment to global security.

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SOURCE: Interfax

Oil India Limited is considering joining new Russian projects, the head of the company, Ranjit Rath told reporters on the sidelines of Indian Energy Week.

The company is not saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ because there are commercial decisions, he said. The company assesses opportunities throughout the world, does due diligences and then moves to the second stage and tells the world that it views this positively, Rath said, adding that it is now in the process of due diligence.

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SOURCE: AFI

A parliamentary subcommittee has ignited a significant debate by recommending equal benefits for families of Agniveers and regular soldiers who die while serving in the military.

The debate stems from the Agnipath scheme, recently introduced by the Indian government, which recruits soldiers for shorter, four-year tenures. Critics argue that the scheme disadvantages Agniveers compared to “regular” soldiers, particularly in terms of benefits for their families in case of death in service.

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SOURCE: ANI

Congress MP Manish Tewari has moved an adjournment motion in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the border situation with China in the Lower House on Friday. The MP from Sri Anandpur Sahib constituency sought suspension of Zero Hour, Question Hour, and other businesses of the day.

“Since 2019, there have been constant border clashes between India and China. The Government has stonewalled every attempt made by the Opposition to have a discussion regarding this urgent issue. Since this Budget Session is the final session of the 17th Lok Sabha prior to the General Elections, I request that this House be adjourned to discuss the India-China border situation,” Tewari wrote in a letter to the Lok Sabha Secretary General.

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SOURCE: ANI

The US-India Business Council (USIBC) led a high-powered business delegation to the second edition of India Energy Week 2024 in Goa and appreciated India’s ‘global role’ in advancing energy transition for the world.

The USIBC delegation led by Ambassador Atul Keshap held a meeting with Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, Advisor to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tarun Kapoor, and Director of Energy Markets and Security at the International Energy Agency, Keisuke Sadamori.

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SOURCE: PTI

Members of Manipur-based tribal groups have opposed the central government’s decision to scrap the India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime (FMR).

The FMR allows people residing close to the India-Myanmar border to venture 16km into each other’s territory without any documents. The reaction of the groups came on Thursday after Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the Centre has decided to scrap the FMR to maintain the country’s internal security and demographic structure of northeastern states.

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SOURCE: ANI

Amid the voting of the general elections conducted on Thursday, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI)-backed Latif Khosa has secured victory against UN-proscribed terrorist Muhammad Hafiz Saeed’s son Talha Saeed from Lahore’s NA 122 seat, Pakistan media reported.

Latif Khosa garnered 117,109 votes while Talha Saeed received only 2024 votes. Pakistan Muslim League – Nawaz (PML-N) leader Khawaja Saad Rafique got 77907 votes, as per local media reports. Notably, Muhammad Hafiz Saeed, who is a UN-proscribed terrorist, is the founder of the terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT). He was the mastermind of the deadly 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and is wanted in India in numerous cases.

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SOURCE: UNI

Security forces arrested two persons in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore sub district and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition from two hideouts. Police said during the investigation of a case registered in 2023 at Police Station Sopore, some suspects were called for questioning and during which an actionable lead was developed. “Acting upon the said lead, Sopore Police conducted a search in the house of the suspect alongwith Army and CRPF.

During the search, a secret concrete hideout was found inside the residential house of one Abdul Rashid Najar of Tarzoo, Sopore wherein arms and ammunition like IEDs, pistol, pistol magazine , live ammunition and other incriminating electronic items were recovered.” A police statement said.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

German defence giant ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) has presented India with a potentially groundbreaking offer: the HDW 212A submarine equipped with the cutting-edge IDAS anti-air missile system. This marks a significant development in submarine technology, raising questions about its potential impact on the future of underwater warfare.

The HDW 212A, if acquired by India, would be the first conventional diesel submarine armed with an anti-air defence system. This system, the IDAS (Interactive Defence and Attack System for Submarines), is currently under development but showcases innovative features.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

After an 18-month hiatus due to order shortfalls, GE Aerospace is roaring back with F404-GE-IN20 engine deliveries for India’s LCA-Tejas Mk1A program. Whispers also suggest an even bigger commitment: the Indian Air Force (IAF) mulls an additional 97 Mk1A jets, beyond the 83 already contracted.

This surge in demand has sparked a potential partnership between GE and India. Sources reveal plans to establish a GE Aerospace subsidiary in the country, specifically for maintaining these engines. The goal? Independent engine upkeep, separate from state-owned HAL’s F-414 engine manufacturing activities.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Facing ongoing supply chain issues with Russia, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking a strategic leap by seeking private sector expertise to repair, overhaul, and maintain its fleet of Russian-origin aircraft and helicopters. This ambitious plan aims to ensure the continued high availability of these crucial assets, including the Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, MiG-29 fighters, An-32 transport aircraft, and Mi-17 helicopters.

Under the new model, private companies will collaborate with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to either locally manufacture essential spares or directly source them. This not only promises to streamline procurement but also fosters an indigenous defence ecosystem. The IAF envisions the private partners deploying their skilled workforce, further bolstering technical expertise within the country.

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SOURCE: AFI

Bengaluru-based Dynamatic Technologies Limited has made a major mark in the global aerospace industry by securing a contract with Airbus to manufacture and supply all door variants for the A220 family of aircraft. This landmark deal, touted as one of the largest ever placed on an Indian manufacturer by a global aviation OEM, signifies a significant step forward for India’s aerospace capabilities.

Under the agreement, Dynamatic Technologies will take responsibility for manufacturing and assembling eight doors per aircraft:

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SOURCE: AFI

Indian space is about to get busier, with private players taking center stage. A new manifesto by the Indian space regulator IN-SPACe reveals that Hyderabad’s Skyroot Aerospace and Chennai’s Agnikul Cosmos are gearing up for seven launches between 2024 and early 2025. This exciting news marks a significant step forward for India’s private space sector.

Skyroot, already the first private company to launch a rocket from India with their Vikram-S suborbital mission in 2022, is now eyeing commercial missions. Their Vikram-1 orbital launch vehicle is slated for liftoff in Q1 of 2024-25, marking a major milestone for the company.

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SOURCE: AFI

India has strongly refuted allegations of interfering in Canada’s democratic processes, following a Canadian report identifying India and China as potential threats. The declassified report, released by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), prompted the Canadian Foreign Interference Commission to investigate potential foreign interference in the 2019 and 2021 elections.

“We strongly reject all such baseless allegations of Indian interference in Canadian elections,” asserted MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. “It is not the Government of India’s policy to interfere in the democratic process of other countries,” he added, emphasizing India’s commitment to respecting democratic norms.

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