SOURCE: AFI

The German shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) recently lost an international arbitration case concerning defective parts in the Son Won-il class submarines of the South Korean Navy. This legal victory has significant implications not only for South Korea but also for countries like India, which is considering German submarines for its Project-75(I) tender. With the global submarine market being worth tens of trillions of won, this arbitration outcome raises concerns about the reliability of foreign-built submarines and highlights the importance of seeking robust guarantees in future contracts.

The Son Won-il class submarines, a key part of South Korea’s naval fleet, have been in service since the early 2000s. However, after just a few years of operation, the submarines began to experience issues, particularly unusual noise generation, which severely hampered their stealth operations. Noise minimization is critical for submarine missions, and this problem rendered the vessels nearly useless. The controversy centered around whether the defects stemmed from faulty foreign parts, crew mishandling, or errors by the final assembly company, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries.

SOURCE: AFI

A viral image capturing India’s Nirbhay cruise missile in action has sparked widespread attention for its impressive sea-skimming capabilities. The image shows the missile flying just 8 meters above the ocean surface, showcasing its ability to avoid detection by warship radars. This demonstration has reinforced Nirbhay’s reputation as a potent asset in India’s defense arsenal, capable of taking out frontline warships while evading sophisticated radar systems.

The sea-skimming maneuver demonstrated by the Nirbhay missile is a crucial feature that makes it highly effective against naval targets. By flying at an extremely low altitude, close to the ocean surface, the missile can avoid detection from enemy warships’ radar systems, which are designed to track threats coming from higher altitudes. This low-altitude flight profile minimizes the missile’s radar cross-section, making it difficult for enemy radars to pick it up until it’s too late to react.

SOURCE: AFI

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a leading Indian defense electronics company, has successfully completed the delivery of 100 Control Centres for the Air Defence Control & Reporting System (Akashteer) to the Indian Army. This significant milestone underscores BEL’s commitment to providing critical national security solutions and its ability to meet stringent timelines.

The Akashteer project, executed by BEL’s Defense Command & Control Systems (DCCS) Strategic Business Unit (SBU), commenced in March 2024 and was completed ahead of schedule. The rapid deployment of the 100 Control Centres, facilitated by the invaluable guidance of the Army Air Defence Corps, showcases BEL’s capability to deliver strategic defense equipment efficiently and effectively.

SOURCE: AFI

Skyroot Aerospace, a leading Indian space startup, has achieved a significant milestone in its mission to launch India’s first privately developed rocket. The company’s Vikram-1 Reaction Control System (RCS) has been successfully flight qualified, paving the way for its maiden flight.

In a series of rigorous tests, Skyroot’s Raman-1 engines were fired in pairs for both positive and negative roll control. A total of 65 pulses were executed, with pulse durations ranging from 60 to 1120 milliseconds. The data collected from these tests confirmed the excellent performance of the module’s propulsion systems and avionics.

SOURCE: AFI

The Drone Federation India (DFI) is set to host its upcoming Drone Shivir under the aegis of the Indian Army and Army Design Bureau. The event, themed “Building an Ecosystem for Design, Development, Manufacturing & Certification of Indigenous Defence UAVs in India,” will bring together key stakeholders from government, users, industry, and academia to drive the vision of a self-reliant drone ecosystem.

The roundtable will focus on addressing the critical challenges and supply chain vulnerabilities hindering the development of an indigenous drone and drone component manufacturing ecosystem in India. By fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders, DFI aims to create a conducive environment for the growth and innovation of the drone industry.

SOURCE: PTI

India has once again underscored its independent foreign policy approach in response to international security dynamics, notably Japan’s recent proposal of an “Asian NATO.” Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, suggested the formation of a strategic military alliance in the region to counter growing threats, particularly from China. However, India’s External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, made it clear that India does not share the vision of such a collective defense framework, reaffirming India’s longstanding policy of maintaining strategic autonomy.

In a recent statement, Jaishankar remarked, “We have never been a treaty ally of any country. We don’t have that strategic architecture in mind.” His comments came in response to growing discussions around Japan’s push for a more formalized military alliance among like-minded countries in Asia, modeled after NATO, to counterbalance regional security threats. While India shares common concerns over regional security and the rise of China, Jaishankar’s statement emphasizes the Indian government’s refusal to be drawn into an alliance-based approach.