Monthly Archives: October 2024
SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
BrahMos Aerospace, the Indo-Russian joint venture, has unveiled an ambitious roadmap for the next generation of BrahMos missiles. The BrahMos-2K project promises to revolutionize cruise missile technology, surpassing the capabilities of the current BrahMos with significant advancements in speed and range.
BrahMos will be developed in two stages, each introducing a distinct speed variant. The first stage, targeted for completion by 2026, will see the BrahMos achieve near hypersonic speed of Mach 5. This initial version will utilize a next-generation ramjet engine, leveraging existing technology transfer from Russia. Informed sources suggest BrahMos has already conducted successful lab tests exceeding Mach 6.5. While final cruise speed might be capped just above Mach 5, officially classifying it as hypersonic, this initial BrahMos paves the way for a true hypersonic future.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Lt. Gen. Adosh Kumar, Director General of Artillery in the Indian Army, has confirmed that the Army will begin trials for Area Denial Artillery Munitions (ADM) in 2025, marking a significant advancement in India’s artillery modernization efforts. The ADMs, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), are designed to enhance the Army’s capability to neutralize enemy tanks, armored vehicles, and personnel over a large area using advanced sub-munition technology.
Lt. Gen. Kumar, who has commanded an Artillery Division as part of a Strike Corps, highlighted the critical role ADMs will play in the Indian Army’s future battlefield strategy. These munitions, deployed through multi-barrel rocket systems (MBRS), will act as a powerful force multiplier, capable of dispersing bomblets across a wide area to disrupt and destroy enemy formations.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of Air Staff (CAS), on Friday, emphasized the critical need for the Indian Air Force (IAF) to advance both the Multi Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) and Tejas MkII programs as part of its broader modernization strategy. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the IAF’s 92nd anniversary, Singh highlighted the importance of ensuring these programs stay on track to prevent any adverse impact on the IAF’s combat readiness.
The CAS noted that while the IAF is committed to inducting the indigenous Tejas MkII, which is set to enter production by 2028, the MRFA project is equally vital. The MRFA program, designed to acquire 114 multi-role fighter jets from global manufacturers, is intended to complement the Tejas MkII and fill the IAF’s capacity gaps.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi completes 11 years in office, the combat strength of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has reached an alarming low, with only 31 fighter squadrons in service including two Mig-21 Squadrons Such reduced squadron levels were last seen before the 1965 Indo-Pak war, a time when India’s air combat capabilities were significantly less advanced. While the IAF’s sanctioned strength stands at 42 squadrons, this target has not been met since 1996, when the IAF had 41 operational squadrons. Since then, successive governments have struggled to restore the numbers, and the Modi administration has been no exception.
Despite multiple procurement efforts and modernization drives, the IAF’s dwindling fighter fleet is a growing concern for national security, especially given the rising geopolitical tensions in the region. The Modi government’s inability to implement out-of-the-box solutions to replenish the IAF’s combat strength is increasingly seen as a failure in India’s defense strategy, with consequences that could weaken the country’s position in future conflicts.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
One of the most enduring mysteries in Indian aviation history remains the disappearance of an Indian Air Force (IAF) transport aircraft in the Indian Ocean. On March 25, 1986, a brand-new AN-32, purchased from the USSR, vanished without a trace while being ferried from Ukraine to India.
Wing Commander Ulliada Muddappa Bheemaiah and Wing Commander Emelian Augustin Fernandez were at the controls of the AN-32 (serial number K-2729) when it disappeared during the Muscat-Jamnagar leg of its flight. The aircraft was part of a trio of AN-32s being flown to India on that day.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant display of military capability, the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully intercepted and destroyed a Chinese spy balloon-type target at a high altitude of over 55,000 feet. The incident occurred in the Eastern Air Command’s area of responsibility.
While the specific missile used to down the balloon was not officially disclosed, reports speculate that it was a MICA-IR air-to-air missile. The MICA IR is a versatile weapon designed for modern multi-role combat aircraft, including the Rafale and improved versions of the Mirage 2000-5.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In an unusual development amidst rising tensions in West Asia, the Israeli Embassy in New Delhi has formally requested access to the Delhi Police’s shooting range for training its security personnel. Sources within the Delhi Police confirmed receipt of the request on September 23rd and stated it is currently under review. This marks the first instance of an embassy seeking permission to utilize this facility.
The Israeli Embassy’s letter, addressed to the security division of Delhi Police, requested the use of the shooting range for practice purposes. Following discussions among senior officers, the request was forwarded to Delhi Police headquarters for a final decision.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A Hindu political group in the US has raised questions about Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris’s ties with a Pakistani-American member of the US Commission for International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), expressing concerns about the direction her administration might take on sensitive issues like Kashmir.
The remarks by Utsav Sanduja, founder and chairman of Hindus for America First, came after the USCIRF last week released an “India Country Update” which alleged that religious freedom conditions in India have continued to worsen throughout 2024, particularly in the months before and immediately following the country’s general elections.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Pakistan’s former foreign minister Khursheed Mahmood Kasuri has termed External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s upcoming visit to Islamabad a “positive development”, saying it may help ease tensions between the two neighbours.
India on Friday announced that Jaishankar would lead a delegation to Pakistan to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, scheduled to take place on Oct 15 and 16 in Islamabad. However, Jaishankar ruled out chances of bilateral talks during his visit to Pakistan.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday commended the Chhattisgarh government for its success in combating Naxalism, citing the elimination of 194 Naxalites, arrest of 801, and surrender of 742 since January. While addressing a review meeting with the Chief Ministers of Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected states at Vigyan Bhavan, Shah appealed to Naxalite youth to lay down their arms and join the mainstream, highlighting that nearly 13,000 individuals have done so in the northeast and Jammu Kashmir. “I congratulate the Chief Minister, Home Minister, DGP and the entire team of Chhattisgarh.
Since January, 194 Naxalites have been killed, 801 Naxalites have been arrested and 742 Naxalites have surrendered. I appeal to all the youth associated with Naxalism to leave the weapons and come in mainstream. Whether it is northeast or JK, almost 13000 have left the weapon and joined the mainstream,” the Home Minister said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is slated to inaugurate an event on Monday that will bring together armed forces, defence PSUs, innovators and policymakers to discuss ways to advance indigenous innovation.
‘DefConnect 4.0’ will be held at the Manekshaw Centre in Delhi Cantonment, and will be a significant step towards advancing indigenous innovation and celebrating the growing defence ecosystem of the country, the defence ministry said in a statement.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday said security forces have been carrying out “offensive operations” instead of defensive against Naxals and have achieved big successes in recent times.
Addressing chief ministers and top officials of the Naxal-affected states, Shah said due to the improved security situation, high voter turnout — up to 70 per cent — was witnessed in the Maoist-hit region in the last Lok Sabha polls. There was zero polling in the region earlier, he said.
Continue readingSOURCE: Reuters
Russia is interested in increasing coal exports to India to tap into growing demand for the fuel in the Asian country, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said. China remains the biggest buyer of Russian coal but Moscow has said India may overtake it by the start of the next decade as Beijing plans cutbacks on coal usage for power generation.
India has increasingly relied on coal to address record power demand, with the rise in coal-fired power output earlier this year outpacing renewable energy growth for the first time since at least 2019.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that India and Maldives have agreed to give strategic depth to their ties with adoption of a Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership, even as he announced roll over of USD 100 million treasury bills for one year, and USD 400 million and Rs 30 billion as a bilateral currency swap arrangement for the cash-strapped nation. After holding bilateral talks with visiting Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, PM Modi said the two sides have decided to hold talks on a Free Trade Agreement, and are also focusing on digital connectivity.
India also launched the RuPay Card in Maldives and PM Modi said that the two sides will try and link up with the United Payments Interface, the Indian digital payments system. He said the two sides are in talks to open a new Indian consulate in Addu city in Maldives, and a new Maldives consulate in Bengaluru, to strengthen people to people links.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Lok Sabha member and president of Awami Itihad Party (AIP) Engineer Rashid on Monday appealed to all regional mainstream political parties of Jammu and Kashmir not to stake claim to government formation unless statehood is restored.
Addressing a media conference in Srinagar, Engineer Rashid said, “Irrespective of which political party or a group of political parties get a majority after tomorrow’s counting of votes, I would appeal to all mainstream political parties including the National Conference (NC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peoples Conference (PC) and J&K Apni Party to rise above party politics and unite in the larger interest of the people who voted for them.”
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