SOURCE: AFI

India has embarked on a significant infrastructure project near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. The project involves constructing a 5.2-kilometer ropeway, connecting the renowned Tawang Monastery to the picturesque PT Tso Lake. Expected to be completed within three years at a cost of Rs 522 crore, this initiative aims to boost tourism in the region.

The new ropeway will significantly reduce travel time between the Tawang Monastery, a popular pilgrimage site, and PT Tso Lake, known for its mesmerizing beauty. Currently, reaching the lake can take a considerable amount of time. This swift and convenient ropeway access will undoubtedly enhance the tourist experience in the region.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the future of human spaceflight. While the current astronaut training facility in Bengaluru prepares the “Fabulous Four” – Group Captains Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla – for Gaganyaan’s first mission, plans are already underway for a much larger training center.

Sources close to ISRO reveal that the new facility, likely to be located in Devanahalli with Challakere still in consideration, will be built to accommodate a significantly larger astronaut corps. This expansion reflects India’s long-term commitment to human space exploration and could see the capacity grow to house 25-30 astronauts, potentially even including their families.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent statement, C Uday Bhaskar, the Director of the Society for Policy Studies, pointed out an intriguing paradox in India’s defense narrative. Despite the jubilation surrounding India’s recent Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) success, the latest annual report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) delivers a sobering reality check: India maintains its position as the world’s largest importer of arms. The report, released in March 2024, reveals a 4.7 percent increase in India’s arms imports between 2014-18 and 2019-23.

This revelation echoes the findings of SIPRI’s 2023 report, emphasizing India’s persistent status as the top global arms importer. The 2023 report underscored India’s dominance in this regard, with an 11 percent share of total global arms imports during 2018-22, a position it has maintained since 1993.

SOURCE: AFI

According to Kris Osborn, President of the Center for Military Modernization, the existence of Indian nuclear-armed ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) holds significant value for the Pentagon’s Indo-Pacific strategy and overall deterrence posture in the region.

India’s Arihant-class submarines are the nation’s first indigenously developed SSBNs. While the exact number of operational Arihant submarines remains classified, their existence strengthens India’s nuclear deterrence capabilities and contributes to regional stability.

SOURCE: AFI

Nuclear reactors offer a powerful source of electricity generation. However, a traditional concern is the limited use of fuel and the creation of spent fuel waste. India’s Fast Breeder Reactor program tackles these issues head-on, aiming for efficient fuel usage and reduced waste.

Unlike conventional reactors that solely use readily fissionable uranium-235, a fast breeder reactor (FBR) goes a step further. It creates more fuel than it consumes while generating electricity. This “breeding” process is achieved by utilizing alternative fuel sources like uranium-238 or thorium, which are more abundant in nature.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing for a critical mission that will test a key technology for its ambitions of enabling a sustained human presence in space. This mission involves a landing experiment (LEX) for a scaled-down Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) scheduled to take place at the Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) in Challakere, Chitradurga, Karnataka.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath confirmed the upcoming LEX, highlighting its significance. Reusable Launch Vehicles offer a significant cost advantage over traditional expendable launch vehicles. By being reusable, RLVs can drastically reduce the cost of space missions, making space exploration more sustainable in the long run.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s upcoming Astra MKII Beyond-Visual-Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) was indeed showcased at the Exercise Bharat Shakti in Pokhran, Rajasthan, on March 12, 2024. This marks a significant development in India’s indigenous air defense capabilities.

The Astra MKII BVRAAM, boasting a range of 160 kilometers, is still under development. However, upon completion, it is poised to become the mainstay of India’s air-to-air missile arsenal in the coming years. This indigenous weapon system will provide the Indian Air Force with a critical edge in beyond-visual-range aerial engagements.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent commentary by Dr. Zafar Nawaz Jaspal, a Pakistani analyst and professor, sheds light on how Pakistan perceives India’s successful test of the Agni-V missile equipped with Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) technology.

Dr. Jaspal, writing for Arab News, expresses concern over the implications of this test for Pakistan’s security. He argues that the MIRV technology increases India’s offensive capabilities, bringing cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Islamabad within range of a single missile launch.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program CCS Clearance is a vital step towards achieving a domestically produced 5th generation fighter jet. But even as this project gains momentum, strategic foresight compels India to consider the next frontier 6th generation fighter development. AMCA program that was officially started in 2008 got funding in 2024, it was 16 years wait, a wait India cant afford if it plans to develop its own 6th gen fighters in future, Here’s why, India needs to get going even while AMCA is under development.

While global aerospace industry is in a constant state of evolution. Many countries have already declared their plans to develop and operate 6th gen fighters and in-around mid 2030’s we should see many entering production on commencing testing. India cant afford to stay behind the curve again in 6th generation too. While the AMCA promises significant advancements, other nations are already pouring resources into 6th generation concepts. Delaying Indian research in this area risks falling behind in critical technologies like:

SOURCE: AFI

India’s quest for an indigenous 5th generation fighter jet takes a major stride forward. Krishna Rajendra, Project Director for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), has announced plans to develop five prototypes with an ambitious target for the first flight by the end of 2028.

Central to the development phase is the creation of five prototypes. These initial AMCA models will undergo rigorous testing to refine the aircraft’s design and functionalities. This testing will encompass critical systems like avionics, sensors, and overall combat performance, ensuring the AMCA is a true force multiplier when it enters service.

SOURCE: AFI

Russia has refuted Western media reports suggesting India is abandoning its reliance on Russian weaponry. In a recent interview, the Russian Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, highlighted India’s continued production of Russian-designed T-90 tanks and Su-30MKI fighter jets under license agreements.

Ambassador Alipov emphasized that India has already produced nearly 1,000 T-90 tanks and 300 Su-30MKI aircraft, signifying a strong and ongoing military partnership between the two nations. He contrasted Russia’s approach with Western countries, claiming Russia offers full transfer of advanced military technology to India, unlike potential limitations imposed by other arms suppliers.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian government has received the final Letter of Offer (LOA) from the US for the purchase of 31 armed MQ-9B drones. This follows the State Department’s initial notification on February 1st and a 30-day window for potential objections from US lawmakers.

The final LOA includes the negotiated price between the US and the manufacturer for the drones. The Indian Navy, the lead agency in this acquisition, will now review the details. If the price is deemed satisfactory, the proposal will be forwarded to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for final approval.

SOURCE: AFI

The US intelligence community believes China intends to establish additional military bases and access agreements globally, including locations near India. According to a March 11th report titled “The Annual Threat Assessment of the US Intelligence Community,” China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) aims to “project power and protect China’s interests abroad” through this expansion.

Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar are identified as possible targets. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Seychelles are mentioned as potential locations. Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Tajikistan, and Tanzania are also listed as potential areas of interest for China.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent live-fire exercise conducted by China near the contested border with India has heightened existing tensions between the two nations. Chinese state media reported that a female missile platoon successfully launched a missile against a “subsonic target aircraft” at high altitude on the Karakoram Plateau.

India has reportedly bolstered its military presence along the LAC in recent months. News outlets like Bloomberg have cited the deployment of an additional 10,000 Indian soldiers to the disputed border.

SOURCE: AFI

The Security Committee of the Council of Ministers of India has greenlit an ambitious venture – the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) project. With a staggering investment of 1.8 billion dollars earmarked for its development, India is set to embark on a journey to bolster its military capabilities in the aerospace domain. This move signifies a significant departure from India’s historical reliance on Russian military technology and marks a decisive step towards self-sufficiency in defense.

Traditionally, India has maintained close ties with Russia in the defense sector, relying on Soviet-era military equipment and technology. However, recent developments indicate a shift in this paradigm. Despite Russia’s unveiling of the Su-75 Checkmate, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft aimed at markets like India, the response from New Delhi was tepid at best. This lukewarm reception underscores India’s waning reliance on Russian military hardware, signaling a desire to diversify its sources and develop indigenous capabilities.