SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) has achieved a remarkable feat with the successful undocking of a Russian-made EKM-class submarine on June 15th. This accomplishment, completed in record time despite facing challenges, highlights HSL’s growing capabilities and strengthens its position for future submarine construction opportunities under the Indian government’s “Make in India” initiative.

This achievement comes on the heels of a significant contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in 2023. The contract entails a Normal Refit of the Sindhukirti, a Kilo-class diesel-electric submarine, at the HSL shipyard in Visakhapatnam. This project, valued at a substantial Rs 934 crore, will revitalize the third submarine in India’s Kilo-class fleet.

SOURCE: AFI

Intelligence sources in India have raised concerns about China’s rapid military infrastructure development in the Depsang Plains, a disputed area within India-claimed territory in eastern Ladakh. This development comes amid the ongoing border standoff between the two countries that began in May 2020.

Reports suggest the Chinese army, also known as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), has significantly accelerated infrastructure projects in the Depsang Plains. This includes the construction of new highways and roads, along with bolstering military installations along the north and south banks of Pangong Tso Lake, which also falls within India’s claimed territory.

SOURCE: AFI

In a move that could strain relations, Japan is considering imposing sanctions on companies from India, China, the UAE, and Uzbekistan for allegedly helping Russia circumvent existing sanctions. This comes despite India being a close ally of Japan in both business and security matters.

The decision, announced by Japan’s Chief Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, reflects a closer alignment with the US position on the Ukraine conflict. The sanctions would target companies from these four Quad alliance members (India, Japan, US, Australia) that have continued to do business with Russia. This follows a similar move by Japan where it imposed sanctions on activists of Hamas and Hezbollah during the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite India’s more neutral stance.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development, India is set to host a team of World Bank experts and a delegation from Pakistan for discussions regarding hydroelectric power projects in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) that have been a point of contention between the two nations.

These talks will take place under the framework of the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), a World Bank-backed agreement that governs water sharing and development of the Indus River system. The treaty allocates the western rivers (Indus, Jhelum, Chenab) to Pakistan for irrigation and hydropower purposes, while the eastern rivers (Ravi, Beas, Sutlej) fall under India’s control.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s recent collaboration with Abu Dhabi’s EDGE Group for joint weapon system development opens promising avenues for the Indian Armed Forces. While specific details remain undisclosed, here are five EDGE-developed systems ideally suited for local manufacturing in India:

SOURCE: AFI

A recently surfaced image featuring the Indian ballistic missile submarine INS Arihant and the Russian Akula-class attack submarine INS Chakra II has sparked discussions online. This side-by-side comparison highlights the distinct design philosophies employed in these underwater giants.

The Akula boasts a unique double-hull design. This configuration consists of an inner pressure hull, which safeguards the crew and equipment, and a lighter outer hull. This approach offers greater flexibility in shaping the exterior, resulting in superior buoyancy compared to its Western counterparts. The prominent “bulb” atop the Akula’s rudder houses its towed sonar array when not in use. Additionally, Akula-class submarines possess hydrodynamic sensors for wake detection, strategically positioned on the leading edge of the sail, outer hull casing, and forward bottom of the hull.

SOURCE: AFI

India has expressed interest in managing and developing Bangladesh’s Mongla Port, according to a report by The Economic Times. This move comes as China also seeks influence in the strategically located port.

India already manages ports in Iran (Chabahar) and Myanmar (Sittwe), and securing Mongla would grant them a strategic foothold in the Bay of Bengal. This could potentially counter China’s growing presence in the region and solidify India’s role as a security provider in the Indian Ocean.

SOURCE: AFI

Satellite imagery reveals significant progress in the construction of a second runway at the strategic Leh airbase in Ladakh. This development bolsters India’s military capabilities along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Siachen Glacier, amid ongoing tensions with China.

The new runway, estimated to be approximately 2,000 meters long based on satellite imagery, will complement the existing 3,255-meter runway at the Leh airbase. Construction appears to be nearly 40% complete, indicating steady progress.

SOURCE: AFI

Satellite imagery reveals the ongoing construction of the Philippines’ first ever base for BrahMos anti-ship missiles. This development signifies a crucial step in the country’s defense modernization program, particularly in light of regional disputes with China.

The Philippines’ decision to acquire BrahMos missiles in 2022 marked a significant milestone. This $375 million deal, procured under the Philippine Navy’s Shore-Based Anti-Ship Missile Acquisition Project, aimed to address the country’s aging military equipment and enhance its ability to defend its territory.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army’s Training Command is conducting specialized maintenance training for technicians on the new AK-203 assault rifle. This program, held at the Electrical Mechanical Engineering School (EMESchool) in Vadodara, Gujarat, highlights India’s growing self-reliance in defense production.

The training equips technicians from the Army, Air Force, and Navy with the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain the AK-203 effectively. This ensures the weapon’s optimal performance and reliability in the hands of Indian forces.

SOURCE: AFI

For decades, Bangladesh has been a significant purchaser of military equipment from China, relying heavily on Chinese-made hardware to bolster its defense capabilities. However, recent issues with the quality and reliability of these imports have prompted Dhaka to lodge complaints with Beijing. This development raises concerns about the sustainability and dependability of China as a key defense supplier.

The Bangladesh military has reported multiple instances of faulty parts and technical problems across various branches. Notably, the Bangladesh Navy has encountered significant issues with Chinese-supplied vessels. Corvettes, patrol crafts, and onshore patrol vehicles have all shown manufacturing defects and technical challenges. These problems have led to operational difficulties and increased maintenance costs.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s ambitious plan to see significant industrial benefits from the Rafale fighter jet deal with France appears to be faltering. While the government remains tight-lipped on the issue, experts warn of minimal progress on the ground despite demanding the highest ever offset clause, at 50% of the contract value.

Dassault Aviation, the Rafale manufacturer, has reportedly faced penalties for failing to meet offset obligations, similar to other defense contractors. These offsets, meant to boost India’s domestic defense industry, were factored into the final Rafale jet price in 2016. Further highlighting the issue, European missile supplier MBDA was fined in 2021 for delays in fulfilling its offset commitments.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian military is undergoing a significant air defense upgrade, with the indigenously developed Akash air defense system taking center stage. This medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) system is rapidly replacing the aging SA-3 Goa (SA-11 Gadfly in NATO designation) systems, offering a substantial leap in technological prowess.

One recent example of this transition is evident in Awantipora, Kashmir. A strategically crucial location, Awantipora has witnessed the deployment of an Akash battery, effectively taking over the duties of the older SA-3 system. This move signifies a crucial step towards strengthening India’s air defense posture in the region.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant shift from five years ago, the Indian Army has made remarkable strides in enhancing self-reliance through indigenous procurement. The financial year 2019-20 marked a pivotal moment in this journey when 57 percent of Army contracts were awarded to Indian companies, while 43 percent went to foreign vendors. However, subsequent years have witnessed a dramatic increase in the share of contracts with domestic firms, reflecting the government’s robust push for ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India).

The transformation began gaining momentum in the financial year 2020-21, when the share of contracts with Indian firms surged to 73 percent, reducing the foreign vendors’ share to 27 percent. This trend continued into the 2021-22 financial year, maintaining the same distribution, thereby showcasing a sustained commitment to prioritizing domestic defense manufacturing.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s efforts to conceal a recent fighter jet crash were thwarted by the manufacturer of the pilot’s ejection seat. A JF-17 Block 2 aircraft went down near Jhang district on June 5th, but the incident remained unreported in Pakistani media.

The truth came to light on June 11th with a social media post by Martin-Baker, the company behind the PK16LE ejection seat used in the JF-17. Their post confirmed the crash and successful pilot ejection, exposing Pakistan’s attempt to keep the incident quiet.