SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
During a high-profile visit to Nigeria by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, both nations have taken a significant step forward in fostering deeper collaboration in defence, economic development, and food security. A series of agreements were signed on November 12, cementing the growing partnership between India and Nigeria. Among the key highlights of the visit, India has offered its LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jet to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) as part of a broader deal to enhance Nigeria’s air combat capabilities.
As part of the agreements, India has extended a USD 200 million Line of Credit to Nigeria, specifically aimed at facilitating the procurement of the LCA-Tejas Mk1A from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Nigeria is looking to replace its ageing fleet of Chengdu F-7NI fighter jets, which are increasingly seen as obsolete in the face of modern aerial warfare technology. The LCA-Tejas Mk1A, a cutting-edge single-engine multi-role combat aircraft, is being positioned as a more advanced and cost-effective alternative.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a significant move to enhance its maritime strike capabilities, the Indian Navy has received an offer from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace to equip its fleet of MH-60R Seahawk Maritime Helicopters with the advanced Naval Strike Missile (NSM). Currently, the Indian Navy operates 9 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, with an additional 15 units scheduled for delivery by the end of 2025. The integration of the Naval Strike Missile with these helicopters will significantly upgrade the Indian Navy’s ability to engage surface and coastal targets at extended ranges.
The Naval Strike Missile (NSM) is a long-range, precision-guided cruise missile designed for use against both sea and land-based targets. With a range of over 185 km (100 nautical miles), the NSM provides a fire-and-forget solution, meaning it can engage targets autonomously once launched, without requiring continuous guidance from the launching platform. This stand-off capability allows the missile to be launched from a distance beyond the reach of most known naval air defence systems, ensuring the safety of the launch platform.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s premier aerospace and defence company, has initiated a significant step toward enhancing the survivability and combat efficiency of its Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) fleet by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the co-development of an advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite. This project is spearheaded by HAL’s Strategic Electronics Research & Design Centre (SLRDC) in Hyderabad and marks an essential move to boost the indigenous capabilities of India’s defence sector.
The LCH, developed by HAL, is specifically designed for high-altitude warfare, equipped to operate effectively in diverse and challenging environments, from the mountainous regions along India’s borders to low-altitude operations. Equipped with a variety of weaponry, including air-to-air missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and rockets, the LCH has been optimized for offensive and defensive roles. However, the growing spectrum of threats in modern warfare necessitates a robust EW system to enhance mission survivability.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Defense analysts like Ranesh Rajan believe that Pakistan’s potential acquisition of the Chinese J-35A fifth-generation stealth fighter could shift the regional balance of power, prompting the United States to counter Chinese influence by offering India the F-35A under specific conditions. Such a development would mark a strategic pivot in U.S.-India defense relations and intensify competition in South Asia’s air dominance capabilities.
The J-35A, developed by China, is a carrier-capable stealth fighter with advanced avionics, low-observability features, and the ability to deploy a range of modern weaponry. If acquired by Pakistan, it could significantly enhance its aerial warfare capabilities and tilt the balance of power in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a resounding endorsement of India’s indigenous LCA Tejas, Air Chief Marshal (Retd.) R.K.S. Bhadauria, former Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and a former test pilot for the aircraft, praised the fighter jet’s capabilities and the program’s contributions to India’s aerospace sector. “I will vouch for LCA Tejas blindfolded,” Bhadauria said, highlighting its reliability, performance, and operational versatility.
Bhadauria emphasized that the LCA Tejas program has played a transformative role in advancing India’s defense manufacturing capabilities. Key technological developments, such as the fly-by-wire control systems, composite airframes, and advanced avionics, were crucial milestones. He credited the program for laying the groundwork for India’s ability to develop more advanced fighter jets, including the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF) programs.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Royal Moroccan Army has placed a fresh order for Tata 6×6 LPTA 2445 trucks, adding to the fleet of 90 already delivered by Tata Group of India. This procurement underscores the strengthening defense partnership between India and Morocco while enhancing the logistical and operational capabilities of the Royal Moroccan Army.
The newly ordered LPTA 2445 trucks will feature the Defence Dump Truck variant, a versatile configuration ideal for various military applications. This variant differs from the previously supplied military-grade logistics and munition transport vehicles, which were primarily used for transporting personnel, supplies, and ammunition.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The deployment of Turkish Bayraktar TB2 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by the Bangladesh Armed Forces near the West Bengal border has raised eyebrows in the region. This area, known for its sensitivity, underscores the growing significance of drone technology in modern military operations.
According to Defense Technology of Bangladesh (DTB), the Bangladesh Armed Forces received six of the first 12 Bayraktar TB2 drones earlier this year. Operated by the 67th Army, these UAVs are primarily used for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as light strike operations. The acquisition of these advanced drones highlights Bangladesh’s intent to modernize its defense capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOCINC) of the Southern Naval Command, on Monday said that the Indian Navy is exploring the use of hydrogen fuel to promote environmentally sustainable operations.
Speaking to the media aboard the naval ship INS Shardul in Kochi, he said the Southern Naval Command is in regular contact with agencies like Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL) to achieve this goal. “We are in constant contact with various agencies working on fuels like hydrogen. Cochin Shipyard has developed small crafts, and we are collaborating with them. Also, we have always been actively promoting environment-friendly fuels and operations,” he said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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Hyderabad-based Ananth Technologies Limited has become the first private company selected to build, launch and operate a geostationary communication satellite in the country. India’s space regulator IN-SPACe made the announcement on Monday that grants access to the country’s orbital resources, marking a significant milestone in advancing private sector participation in the space sector.
ATL will undertake the end-to-end management of the project, which includes the development, launch, and operation of a multi-beam high-throughput Ka-band communication satellite, the Indian National Space Promotion and Centre (INSPACe) said in a statement.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has rescheduled the anticipated launch of the PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 satellite mission to December 5 at 4:12 PM, following the detection of an anomaly on Wednesday. The launch was originally scheduled for today (Wednesday) at 4:08 PM from the first launch pad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. “Due to an anomaly detected in PROBA-3 spacecraft, PSLV-C59/PROBA-3 launch has been rescheduled to tomorrow at 16:12 hours,” ISRO announced in a post on X. Link to the post.
The PSLV-C59 is a joint initiative between ISRO and NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), while the PROBA-3 mission is an “In-Orbit Demonstration (IOD) mission” by the European Space Agency (ESA). According to ESA, the mission aims to demonstrate formation flying in a large-scale science experiment. The two satellites will form an approximately 150-metre-long solar coronagraph to study the Sun’s faint corona, closer to the solar rim than ever before.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Adani Defence and Aerospace has delivered a second Drishti-10 Starliner surveillance drone to the Indian Navy, boosting India’s maritime forces’ capabilities to monitor shipping lines and mitigate piracy risks.
Following the handover of the first Drishti-10 to the Indian Navy earlier this year, the induction of the second unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), a version of the Israel’s Hermes 900 medium-altitude long-endurance UAV, into naval maritime operations was initiated at Porbandar in Gujarat, sources aware of the matter said.
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Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck will pay a two-day visit to India beginning Thursday to further advance the already close bilateral partnership between the two nations.
Wangchuck will be accompanied by Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck and senior officials of the Bhutanese government, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, announcing the trip. The King will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the two leaders are expected to deliberate on ways to further deepen bilateral cooperation in a wide range of areas.
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Peace and tranquility in border areas is a pre-requisite for the development of bilateral ties with China and the two side will be discussing de-escalation and effective management of activities in these areas in the coming days, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday while making a statement on India-China relations in the Rajya Sabha.
A brief uproar was also witnessed following the statement and Opposition MPs walked out of the House after Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar, disallowed them from seeking some clarifications.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
After an Army jawan attacked by terrorists at Tral in J-K’s Pulwama, the Indian Army along with Jammu and Kashmir police has launched a massive cordon and search operation in the area. “A massive cordon and search Operation has been launched by Indian Army along with @JmuKmrPolice in Tral, Pulwama where a soldier on leave was shot at by terrorists.
The soldier has been evacuated and his condition is stable,” Chinar Corps, India Army said on X.An Army jawan was injured after terrorists opened fire on him on Wednesday in the Tral area of Awantipora in Pulwama, official sources said.
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Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to visit Bangladesh next week for a foreign secretary-level meeting, amid tensions between the two countries after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power.
Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hosain said the scheduled Foreign Secretary-level Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between Bangladesh and India will take place in Dhaka on December 9 or 10, the state-run BSS news agency reported.
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