SOURCE: AFI

State-owned Munitions India Limited (MIL), India’s leading manufacturer of bombs and explosives, is experiencing a surge in demand from overseas customers, according to a report in The Hindu Business Line. The company has secured export orders valued at ?6,000 crore, to be fulfilled over the next three years.

Gnaneshwar Tyagi, Chief General Manager of the High Energy Projectile Factory at MIL, highlighted the strong international interest in the company’s products. “Everybody wants bombs,” he remarked, while addressing the ‘International Engineering Sourcing Show’ in Coimbatore.

SOURCE: AFI

India and France held a bilateral dialogue in New Delhi on Monday, March 5, 2024, to discuss various security issues, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the military domain, according to an official statement from the Indian Foreign Ministry.

The dialogue covered a wide range of topics related to disarmament and non-proliferation, encompassing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons. Additionally, discussions addressed outer space security, conventional weapons, and multilateral export control regimes.

SOURCE: AFI

Saab, a Swedish defense and security company, officially inaugurated the location of its new Carl-Gustaf® manufacturing facility in Jhajjar, Haryana, India, on Monday. The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade, Jan Thesleff, Sweden’s Ambassador to India, Mats Palmberg, Chairman & Managing Director of Saab India, and Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s Business Area Dynamics.

This marks a significant milestone in Saab’s long-standing collaboration with India, which began in 1976. The new facility, built under the 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) route, will be the first of its kind for Carl-Gustaf production.

SOURCE: AFI

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has launched a major initiative to propel India’s defence sector towards self-reliance and technological prowess. The Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme boasts a dedicated corpus of ?750 crore over a three-year period (2023-24 to 2025-26).

ADITI aims to bridge the gap in critical defence technologies for the Indian Armed Forces. The scheme envisions the development of 30 such technologies by 2025-26. This focus on indigenous innovation aligns with the government’s push for self-reliance in defence production.

SOURCE: AFI

Germany’s readiness to supply a range of military assets to India signals a significant milestone in bilateral defense cooperation between the two nations. The proposed supply includes a diverse array of equipment, from A400M transport aircraft to spare parts for small arms, reflecting Germany’s commitment to enhancing India’s defense capabilities and fostering strategic partnership.

Among the key offerings from Germany are the A400M transport aircraft and A330 MRTT mid-air refueling aircraft, both renowned for their versatility and operational effectiveness. The A400M, a multi-role military transport aircraft, boasts unparalleled capabilities in airlifting personnel, cargo, and heavy equipment, making it an invaluable asset for India’s defense forces. Similarly, the A330 MRTT serves as a force multiplier by extending the operational range and endurance of fighter aircraft through in-flight refueling, thereby enhancing India’s air superiority and tactical flexibility.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is on the brink of a significant technological upgrade with the impending completion of its Advanced Air Force Network (AFNet) by the end of 2024. This state-of-the-art satellite-based digital information grid promises to revolutionize communication and enhance situational awareness across the IAF’s operational hierarchy.

The AFNet represents a quantum leap forward from the antiquated communication systems of the past, particularly the tropo-scatter technology dating back to the 1950s. By leveraging satellite-based connectivity, the AFNet will facilitate real-time exchange of critical data among ground, air, and space assets, empowering decision-makers with unparalleled situational awareness.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent trade forum hosted by the Surrey Board of Trade (SBOT) in Canada witnessed protests from Khalistan supporters. The event, attended by India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, was disrupted by these demonstrations.

The Khalistan supporters reportedly carried banners urging a boycott of Air India, a private company now owned by the Tata Group. This comes amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the 1985 Air India bombing tragedy.

SOURCE: AFI

Recent reports have raised questions regarding the purported presence of an armed Special Forces Unit from the Indian army operating within Zimbabwe’s gold and chemicals manufacturing sectors. Allegedly enjoying unrestricted access to raw materials, these highly-trained soldiers have reportedly caused a stir with their activities, prompting speculation and scrutiny.

While initially engaged in Mozambique’s strife-torn Cabo Delgado region, where insurgent forces challenge the government, the deployment of this unit locally has sparked more questions than answers. Operating under the banner of “Indian Special Forces,” the unit is said to be moving around in vehicles bearing conspicuous markings, further drawing attention to its activities.

SOURCE: AFI

Reports reveal a concerning trend of Indian youths being misled into joining the conflict in Ukraine. Unscrupulous middlemen and agents are creating fake employment letters promising high salaries and Russian citizenship, attracting young individuals under false pretenses.

Lured by the prospect of earning up to Rs 2 lakhs per month with free rations and potential citizenship, several youths, including two from Telangana, signed contracts and underwent training. However, the harsh reality of potentially facing frontline combat shattered their illusions, prompting them to seek escape.

SOURCE: AFI

Recent reports circulating in certain media outlets have stirred controversy by asserting that a Chinese fifth-generation J-20 fighter jet achieved a remarkable feat during a simulated combat exercise. According to these reports, the J-20 purportedly brought down 17 Dassault Rafale fighter jets from the Indian Air Force (IAF) without suffering any losses itself. While such claims may grab headlines, they warrant careful scrutiny and consideration.

The initial source of this assertion stems from Chinese state media, particularly the Global Times in Beijing, which touted the purported achievement of the J-20 in a mock combat scenario. According to these reports, the J-20 demonstrated superior combat capabilities by downing a significant number of “enemy” aircraft while evading any return fire.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy base on Minicoy Island, Lakshadweep, soon to be christened INS Jatayu, has unveiled its official insignia. The emblem, to be formally inaugurated next week by Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, features a powerful image – Jatayu, the courageous vulture from the Ramayana, alongside a lighthouse.

Jatayu, revered for his loyalty and valiant sacrifice, attempted to rescue Mata Sita from the clutches of the demon king Ravana. The insignia draws a symbolic connection between Jatayu’s unwavering defense and the role INS Jatayu will play in safeguarding India’s maritime interests.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step towards bolstering its presence in Eastern Ladakh with the completion of a paved runway at the Nyoma airstrip, located just 30 kilometers from the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This development mirrors India’s efforts to counter China’s infrastructure advancements in the region.

Situated at an altitude of 13,700 feet, Nyoma offers a strategic advantage due to its proximity to the LAC. The newly paved runway will now allow the IAF to operate transport aircraft and attack helicopters from this location, significantly enhancing its operational flexibility and rapid response capabilities in the region.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has taken a significant leap forward in its space exploration endeavors with the inauguration of a first-of-its-kind large trisonic wind tunnel (TWT) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. This groundbreaking facility will play a crucial role in optimizing the aerodynamic design of future rockets and spacecraft, paving the way for a more efficient and cost-effective space program.

The TWT is a unique wind tunnel capable of simulating three distinct flight regimes: subsonic (below the speed of sound), transonic (at the speed of sound), and hypersonic (above the speed of sound). This versatility makes it an invaluable tool for testing the aerodynamic performance of scaled-down models of rockets and re-entry spacecrafts under various atmospheric conditions.

SOURCE: AFI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will participate in the war game ‘Bharat Shakti’ in Pokhran, Rajasthan on March 12. Participation in this will be done only through indigenously designed weapon platforms and systems. Top officers of the three armies including Chief of Defense Staff General Anil Chauhan are going to participate in the exercise to be held in Pokhran. The concept of ‘self-reliant India’ is going to be seen in this exercise. 

According to the Hindustan Times report, Prime Minister Narendra Modi may ask the military leadership to develop a strategy-based revolution in military affairs, at the center of which would be India, Indian geography and a strategy to deal with its security threats. It is believed that Indian-made defense platforms and network-based systems are going to be tested in the exercise being conducted under the name ‘Bharat Shakti’. With this, the strength of indigenous weapons can also be estimated. 

SOURCE: AFI

In a compelling statement, ISRO Chairman S Somanath emphasized the imperative of exploring other planets and celestial bodies for potential human habitation, underscoring the inherent spirit of exploration ingrained within humanity. His remarks, delivered on Saturday, shed light on the pressing need to expand our understanding of the cosmos and consider alternative habitats beyond Earth.

Somanath’s assertion that the exploration of other planets should commence while Earth remains habitable reflects a forward-thinking approach to space exploration. It underscores the importance of proactive measures to ensure the long-term survival and sustainability of humanity. By venturing beyond the confines of our home planet, humans can broaden their horizons and unlock new frontiers in science, technology, and civilization.