SOURCE: AFI

Recently, a group representing the Kuki tribes settled in the United States, known as the North American Manipur Tribal Association (NAMTA), held a “congressional briefing” where they criticized India’s handling of the situation.

Key figures within NAMTA, such as Lien Gangte, the head of NAMTA Canada, have been accused of maintaining ties with Khalistani separatists, a controversial group advocating for the creation of an independent Sikh state in Punjab. These allegations have further fueled tensions and raised questions about the true intentions behind NAMTA’s actions.

SOURCE: AFI

On May 13th, 2024, Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF) Avadi celebrated a significant milestone with the rolling out ceremony of a new batch of T-90 Mark III tanks. The ceremony was held virtually and inaugurated by two distinguished guests: Lt. Gen. Vivek Kashyap (Director General of Armoured Corps) and Shri Sanjay Dwivedi (CMD AVNL).

This event marks a crucial step in India’s ongoing efforts to modernize its armored vehicle fleet. The T-90 Mark III is an upgraded variant of the T-90 main battle tank, likely incorporating advancements in firepower, protection, and operational capabilities. While details about the specific upgrades on the Mark III variant haven’t been publicly disclosed, the rollout signifies India’s commitment to maintaining a strong armored fighting force.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride towards bolstering India’s defense capabilities and achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh recently announced the commencement of BrahMos missile production in Lucknow from 2026.

The BrahMos missile, known for its precision strike capabilities and supersonic speed, is a joint venture between India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Russia’s NPO Mashinostroyeniya. With the upcoming establishment of a BrahMos missile production plant in Lucknow, India aims to ramp up its production capacity significantly, thereby reducing its dependency on imports and bolstering its strategic defense capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

Since 2022, the Indian Army has been steadily inducting the indigenously-developed Kalyani M4 into its fleet. This Quick Reaction Fighting Vehicle (Heavy), produced by Bharat Forge, is rapidly enhancing the Army’s combat capabilities.

Bharat Forge delivered nearly 126 M4 units within a remarkable timeframe – less than two years. This swiftness highlights India’s growing self-reliance in defense manufacturing. The Kalyani M4 boasts an ergonomic and aesthetically-pleasing design, prioritizing crew comfort and efficiency during operations. This ensures optimal performance even in demanding situations.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s much-anticipated sixth and final Kalvari class submarine, INS Vagsheer, is set for a slightly delayed delivery. According to information received by idrw.org, the submarine’s arrival is now expected by late June 2024, instead of the earlier projected timeframe of early 2024.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s massive Project 75 India (P75I) program for acquiring new submarines has seen a renewed push, with both Germany and Spain advocating for government-to-government (G2G) deals.

The P-75I program emphasizes a strategic partnership model. This means the winning foreign company (Original Equipment Manufacturer or OEM) will collaborate with an Indian entity to build the submarines within the country.

SOURCE: AFI

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) celebrated India’s Technology Day in style with a record-breaking achievement by their High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAP) vehicle. This innovative aircraft successfully reached a new altitude of 25,000 feet above sea level, a significant milestone in its development.

HAPs are essentially long-endurance drones designed to operate in the stratosphere, the layer of the atmosphere above commercial airliners. Powered by solar cells and advanced battery systems, they have the potential to stay aloft for months, even years, offering capabilities similar to satellites but at a fraction of the cost and complexity.

SOURCE: AFI

Get ready for a lunar adventure! Chandrayaan-4, the next chapter in India’s ambitious lunar exploration program, aims to be the first Indian mission to return samples from the Moon. This complex mission involves a meticulously planned sequence and some impressive technology.

The grand performance begins with a two-part launch. The workhorse PSLV takes center stage, carrying the combined Reentry Module (RM) and Transfer Module (TM) into a sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (sub-GTO). Meanwhile, the heavy-duty Launch Vehicle Mark-3 (LMV-3) enters the scene, propelling the Lander Module (LM), Ascender Module (AM), and Propulsion Module (PM) directly towards a Lunar Transfer Orbit (TLI) or GTO.

SOURCE: AFI

The recent decision by the Biden administration to put a hold on a significant arms shipment to Israel has sent shockwaves through diplomatic circles. While the move signals a recalibration of U.S. policy towards the Middle East, it also prompts speculation about the implications for other key allies, particularly in regions where the United States is actively pursuing defense partnerships. One such region is South Asia, specifically India, where the U.S. has been keen on bolstering defense ties. This article examines the potential repercussions of the U.S. arms shipment hold on India’s defense relations and its impact on confidence in the U.S. military-industrial complex (MIC).

The decision to delay the arms shipment to Israel, a long-standing ally and the largest recipient of U.S. military aid, underscores a shift in U.S. foreign policy priorities. Citing concerns over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and mounting civilian casualties, the Biden administration has opted to reassess its support for Israel’s military operations. This move has sparked debates about the future of U.S.-Israel relations and raised questions about the extent to which the United States is willing to hold its allies accountable for their actions.

SOURCE: AFI

In the complex and often volatile realm of South Asian geopolitics, the dynamics between India and Pakistan have long been a focal point of international attention. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s approach towards Pakistan, characterized by a blend of toughness and cautious pragmatism, reflects the intricacies of this relationship and India’s broader strategic imperatives.

Michael Kugelman, a director at the Wilson Center’s South Asia Institute, aptly characterizes Modi’s recent comments on Pakistan as unsurprising. Since the Uri and Pathankot attacks in 2015, which occurred shortly after his surprise visit to Lahore, Modi has adopted a consistently tough stance towards Pakistan, showing little interest in bilateral engagement. His visit to Lahore was initially hailed as a potential breakthrough akin to Nixon’s historic trip to China, but the subsequent attacks dashed hopes of a lasting détente.

SOURCE: AFI

Lieutenant General N.S. Raja Subramani, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of Surya Command, recently visited the Shatrujeet Brigade and Agra Military Station. The visit focused on assessing the Brigade’s operational preparedness and showcasing the Indian Army’s adoption of advanced technologies.

Lt. Gen. Subramani reviewed the Shatrujeet Brigade’s combat capabilities and evaluated their ability to respond to various operational scenarios. The visit also highlighted the integration of next-generation technologies into the Brigade’s operations.

SOURCE: AFI

The race to develop High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) is intensifying in India, with two key players vying for dominance: CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) and Newspace Research and Technologies Pvt Ltd.

CSIR-NAL successfully test-flew its HAPS prototype at the Challakere testing facilities in Karnataka earlier this year. This scaled-down model, with a wingspan of 11 meters and weighing 23 kilograms, achieved an impressive feat by staying aloft for approximately eight hours at an altitude of 3 kilometers. NAL aims to develop a full-scale version with a significantly larger wingspan (30 meters) by 2027, capable of flying for at least 90 days at an altitude of 23 kilometers.

SOURCE: AFI

South Korea’s indigenous fighter jet program, the KF-21 Boramae, has achieved another impressive feat. According to reports, the KF-21 successfully surpassed Mach 1.8 during recent flight testing.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the development of the 4.5 generation fighter jet. The high-speed test comes shortly after the completion of live-fire missile tests, further demonstrating the program’s steady progress.

SOURCE: AFI

Nepal and India continue to be locked in a territorial dispute concerning the Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura areas. Both countries claim ownership of these regions, which are currently administered by India.

Nepal’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Narayan Kaji Shrestha, reiterated the country’s desire for an amicable resolution through diplomatic channels and discussions. This stance echoes Nepal’s previous actions under the KP Sharma Oli administration, which also included incorporating the disputed areas into an official national map.

SOURCE: AFI

The “Make in India” initiative, while aiming to bolster domestic defense production, might be driving up the cost of certain weapons by a hefty 30-40% compared to direct procurement from foreign vendors.

A key aspect of Make in India’s defense program is collaboration with foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs). This technology transfer comes at a price. Indian companies, often new to complex defense manufacturing, require significant technical assistance and training from OEMs. This expertise translates into licensing fees, technology transfer costs, and potentially, profit margins for the foreign companies.