SOURCE: AFI

In a display of maritime prowess, India’s Navy recently conducted a significant event aboard its aircraft carriers in the Arabian Sea. This event, held as part of the Naval Commanders Conference, served to assess and demonstrate the force’s operational readiness, with Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in attendance.

Footage released by the Indian Navy showcased two MiG-29K fighter jets, manufactured in Russia, executing a simultaneous takeoff from the Indian aircraft carriers Vikramaditya and Vikrant. The jets then executed a cross-deck landing, symbolizing the navy’s preparedness for rapid deployment and coordinated operations.

SOURCE: IANS

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd is set to deliver the INS Himgiri to the Indian Navy around mid-2025, Cmde P.R. Hari, IN (retd), chairman and managing director, GRSE, said on Wednesday. The INS Himgiri is the first in a series of three P-17A advanced guided missile stealth frigates being built by the shipyard. Apart from these, GRSE is currently building 15 more warships for the Indian Navy, including 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) and 4 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.

“We shall deliver the first 17A frigate well within schedule by mid-2025. Both the Navy and Coast Guard are in a fleet expansion mode and are keen to place orders with Indian shipyards. Hence, we are looking to more orders in the days to come.

SOURCE: PTI

Two new ships built for the Indian Navy to augment anti-submarine operations in coastal waters and low-intensity maritime operations were launched here on Wednesday.

The two anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft (ASW SWC) built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Limited (GRSE) were launched by Neeta Chaudhari, wife of Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force, Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, who was the chief guest at the function here.

SOURCE: PIB

The Ministry of Defence, on March 13, 2024, signed a contract with Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) for the procurement of 693 Armament Upgrades of Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 to BMP2M. This upgrade includes Night Enablement, Gunner Main Sight, Commander Panoramic Sight and Fire Control System (FCS) with Automatic Target Tracker under Buy {Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured} Category.

The AVNL has developed an indigenised solution for providing existing BMP 2/2K with Night Fighting Capabilities and FCS based on the integration of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai-developed sight and FCS.

SOURCE: PIB

Consequent upon approval of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS), the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts for a combined value of Rs 8073.17 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bengaluru on 13 March 2024 for acquisition of 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III along with Operational Role Equipment for Indian Army (25 ALHs) and Indian Coast Guard (09 ALHs) under Buy (Indian-IDDM – Indigenously Designed, Developed & Manufactured) category marking a significant move towards indigenisation in defence manufacturing.

The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility), the Indian Army version, is designed for Search & Rescue, Troop Transportation, Internal Cargo, Recce/ Casualty Evacuation etc. It has proved its performance in high altitude regions like Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.

SOURCE: PIB

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi gave its Ex-post facto approval today to the Inter-Governmental Framework Agreement (IGFA) that was signed on 13th February, 2024 during the High Level visit between the Government of Republic of India and the Government of the United Arab Emirates on Cooperation for the empowerment and operation of the India-Middle East Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

The aim of the IGFA is to enhance the bilateral relations and to further strengthen the relations between the two countries in the Ports, Maritime and Logistics sectors.

SOURCE: PIB

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Italian Secretary General of Defence & National Armament Director Lt Gen Luciano Portolano co-chaired the 10^th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting in New Delhi on March 13, 2024. Both sides discussed a wide range of defence industrial and military cooperation issues. They also exchanged views on the Indo-Pacific and the security situations.

The focus of the meeting was to enhance defence industrial cooperation. India and Italy had signed an agreement on defence cooperation in October 2023 during the visit of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to Italy. With the agreement providing the overarching framework to deepen the bilateral defence relationship, both sides discussed ways and means to bring the defence companies of both the countries together for joint projects, including for co-production in India.

SOURCE: ANI

Joining the chorus for reforms in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Belarusian Foreign Minister Sergei Aleinik, who is currently on a visit to India, said Minsk would support India’s call for a permanent seat in the world body.

Addressing a media briefing in the national capital on Wednesday, the Belarussian Foreign Minister stressed the urgency for reforms in the UNSC, adding, “We (Belarus) also discussed this issue and are convinced that UNSC reforms should be facilitated. It is a long-lasting issue which is being discussed within the UN, taking into account the very fragile situation in the world today.”

SOURCE: ANI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) said on Wednesday that helpline numbers will be launched soon to assist applicants for Indian citizenship under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA-2019). According to MHA, the applicants will be able to get information related to CAA-2019 by calling free of cost.

“Helpline number to assist applicants for Indian citizenship under CAA -2019 will be launched soon. Applicants will be able to get information related to CAA-2019 by calling free of cost from anywhere in India. The service will be available from 8 am to 8 pm,” MHA posted on X.

SOURCE: ANI

Lauding the partnership between the two nations, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra has said that Mauritius is a very important component and segment of the priorities under India’s neighbourhood policy.

In a special briefing on President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to Mauritius on Wednesday, Kwatra said that centuries-old people-to-people ties and continued cultural interaction form a very strong basis. “To recapture an essence of strength and substance in India-Mauritius ties, our relationship with Mauritius is special and historically unique. Getting back to pre-independence years, centuries-old people-to-people ties, and continued cultural interaction forms a very strong basis and foundation of this very special relationship,” Kwatra said.

SOURCE: PIB

The 12th edition of India-Italy Military Cooperation Group (MCG) Meeting was held on 12-13 Mar 24 in New Delhi. The discussions between the Directorate of International Defence Cooperation, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the Military Policy and Planning Division of the Italian Defence General Staff focused on new initiatives to further enhance the defence cooperation and military to military level exchange between the two countries.

?Italy and India recently elevated their bilateral relations to the levels of Strategic Partnership during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Ms Giorgia Meloni to India in March 2023. The MoU on Defence Cooperation was also recently renewed during the visit of the Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to Italy in October 2023.

SOURCE: AFI

Following India’s successful test of the Agni-V missile equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Re-entry Vehicle) technology, China’s state-run media outlet, Global Times, has downplayed the event’s significance.

Liu Zongyi, director of the Center for South Asia Studies at the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, claims China remains unconcerned about the immediate threat posed by this development. He argues that India’s overall military power still lags behind China’s.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is set to receive its Vehicle Mounted Infantry Mortar System (VMIMS) by the end of 2024, as per the UK manufacturer, Milanion NTGS. Mahindra Defence from India secured the initial contract to supply these systems. The exact number of units remains undisclosed.

The Alakran is an 81mm deployable mortar system known for its Superior mobility: Integrated onto Mahindra’s Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV).Enhanced accuracy and firing speed. High firepower on the battlefield.