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SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s state-owned shipbuilding giant, Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), is actively expanding its footprint in Southeast Asia, particularly targeting nations like Vietnam and the Philippines for defence cooperation. This move aligns with India’s broader strategy to position itself as a significant exporter and manufacturer of defence products, leveraging its expertise in shipbuilding and naval engineering.
Negotiations are currently in progress with the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) for submarine refits, showcasing HSL’s capabilities beyond domestic borders. This initiative not only strengthens bilateral defence ties but also underscores HSL’s technical prowess in handling complex naval projects. Similarly, HSL is exploring potential opportunities in the Philippines, aiming to extend its services and partnerships in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a significant step towards enhancing its maintenance capabilities and boosting the domestic aerospace sector, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has decided to outsource the repair and overhaul (ROH) of its Mi-17 V5 helicopter engines to private Indian firms. This move is expected to not only help the IAF keep pace with the maintenance requirements of its growing fleet but also foster the growth of the aerospace and defense industry in India.
The IAF has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the overhaul of 50 Mi-17 V5 helicopter engines. The project is open exclusively to Indian firms, which signals a significant push towards self-reliance under India’s “Make in India” initiative. According to sources, the engines will be overhauled within India, and they will not be sent abroad for maintenance, marking an important shift towards boosting domestic capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy’s recent agreement to procure 26 Rafale M fighters from France marks a significant step not just in bolstering its naval air fleet but also in setting a benchmark for the development of indigenous aircraft like the Twin Engine Deck-Based Fighter (TEDBF). This deal, valued at approximately $7 billion, provides a unique opportunity for the Indian Navy to learn, adapt, and innovate, potentially leading to a domestically developed fighter that could match or even surpass the capabilities of the Rafale M.
With the Rafale M, the Indian Navy gains direct exposure to a state-of-the-art, carrier-capable fighter jet. This acquisition allows naval aviators to understand the operational nuances of a multirole, maritime fighter, providing insights into what is required in terms of performance, durability, and versatility in naval combat scenarios. These operational experiences will be invaluable for setting the performance parameters for the TEDBF.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In an unexpected turn of events, a Hermes 900 drone, locally known as Drishti 10, which was in the midst of acceptance trials for the Indian Navy, crashed off the coast of Porbandar, Gujarat. The incident occurred while the drone was being operated by the vendor, Adani Defence and Aerospace, under circumstances where it lost communication, leading to the crash.
The Hermes 900, or Drishti 10 as it is designated in India, is a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufactured by Adani under a license from Israel’s Elbit Systems. This UAV is designed for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), and has a significant role in enhancing India’s maritime and border security capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a recent statement, Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi has shed light on the next steps for the Zorawar light tank following its high-altitude trials. The trials, conducted in the challenging terrains of India’s northern borders, have been pivotal in assessing the tank’s performance under extreme conditions.
General Dwivedi emphasized that while the tests have been largely successful, the Army has recommended additional improvements and modifications. These suggestions stem from the experiences and data gathered during the trials, aiming to enhance the tank’s capabilities for high-altitude combat scenarios, particularly in regions like Ladakh.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a strategic move aimed at expanding its defense exports, India is preparing to officially offer its indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, armed with the forthcoming BrahMos-NG anti-ship missiles, to the Indonesian Air Force. This combination deal is poised to address Indonesia’s critical need for enhanced maritime surveillance and defense, given its expansive maritime domain.
Indonesia, with the world’s sixth-largest exclusive economic zone (EEZ) spanning over 6 million square kilometers, places a high priority on safeguarding its maritime sovereignty against violations. The integration of the LCA Tejas, a lightweight, multi-role fighter aircraft, with the BrahMos-NG, a miniaturized version of the renowned BrahMos missile, offers a potent solution for monitoring and defending these vast waters.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Pakistan’s air force is on the cusp of a significant enhancement, with advanced discussions underway with Turkey to establish a production facility for the fifth-generation stealth aircraft, TAI Kaan, within the country. This move signifies a strategic leap in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, aiming to produce a local variant of this cutting-edge stealth jet.
The initiative comes at a time when Pakistan is also in talks to acquire 40 Shenyang J-35 stealth fighter jets from China, intended to modernize its air fleet by replacing aging F-16s and French Mirage fighters. According to a Turkish media report, the discussions with Turkey extend beyond mere exports, focusing on joint development ventures, including helicopters, which underscores a commitment to deepening defense technology collaboration and industrial partnerships.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Indian Army chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Monday termed Pakistan as the epicentre of terrorism and said that 80 per cent of terrorists active in Jammu and Kashmir are Pakistanis. In his annual Army Day press conference, Gen Dwivedi blamed Pakistan for the violence levels in the Union Territory saying it was being orchestrated by the epicentre of terrorism that is Pakistan.
“If the support is not forthcoming the way India is looking at it, this kind of terrorist infiltration will continue to be there,” he said.
Continue readingSOURCE: Reuters
Chinese and Indian refiners are seeking alternative supplies of crude as new U.S. sanctions on Russian producers and tankers are set to be the most effective yet in curbing shipments to Moscow’s biggest customers, numerous traders said on Monday.
The U.S. Treasury on Friday imposed sanctions on Russian oil producers Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, as well as on 183 vessels that have shipped Russian oil, as it targets the revenues Moscow has used to fund its war with Ukraine.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Women officers in the Army are performing exceedingly well and the force is looking at increasing their induction, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi said Monday while playing down concerns of a senior commander who flagged “problems” facing the units commanded by women officers.
In an unprecedented move, Lt General Rajeev Puri, a Corps Commander, had written a five-page letter to Eastern Army Commander Lt General Ram Chander Tiwari listing a series of issues impacting Army units commanded by women officers in the eastern sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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V Narayanan has assumed charge as the chairman of ISRO, replacing S Somanath, the Space Agency said.
In a statement, the ISRO said, “Dr V Narayanan, Distinguished Scientist (Apex Grade), assumed the charge of Secretary, Department of Space, Chairman, Space Commission and Chairman, ISRO on the afternoon of January 13, 2025.” Prior to this, Narayanan served as the Director of ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), a key facility responsible for the development of propulsion systems for launch vehicles and spacecraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman stated that India now stands among the top 25 global arms exporters. She highlighted this achievement during her address at the 4th Convocation Ceremony of Rashtriya Raksha University in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on Monday. She said, “From being the second largest arms importer in 2015 to 2019, as I said, India is now among the top 25 arms exporters with over 100 companies exporting products like BrahMos missiles, Pinaka rocket systems, and Dornier aircrafts.”
Sitharaman also emphasised that India has achieved unprecedented growth in indigenous defence production. In the financial year 2023-24, the country reached a record-high defence production value of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, marking a 2.7-fold increase compared to 2014-15. Defence exports also hit an all-time high of Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24, a remarkable leap from just Rs 686 crore in 2013-14, representing a 30-fold increase over a decade.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Maoism is like cancer and there is a need to strike at the root to end the Naxal menace, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai said on Monday.
Addressing a function after inaugurating and laying foundation stones of several development projects in Sukma, Sai said the security forces had killed more than 230 Maoists in various encounters in the past year.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Soldiers posted at Siachen glacier, the highest battlefield in the world, can now enjoy high-speed internet services, a telecom company said. In the run-up to Army Day on January 15, Reliance Jio, in collaboration with the Indian Army, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone by extending its 4G and 5G network to the Siachen glacier, the company said.
“With support from the Army Signallers, Reliance Jio becomes the first telecom operator to deliver seamless connectivity in this harsh region,” a spokesperson for the telecom company said. She said Reliance Jio successfully deployed plug-and-play pre-configured equipment at a forward post, leveraging its indigenous full-stack 5G technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Young and ignited minds will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan said during his visit to the National Cadets Corps (NCC) Republic Day Camp 2025 at Delhi Cantonment on Monday.
He reiterated the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the future of India is in the hands of its youth. The CDS emphasised that the youth comprise 27 per cent of India’s population, making it a reality that the young and ignited minds will play a crucial role in shaping the country’s future, said a statement.
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