SOURCE: AFI

India is evaluating the possibility of acquiring Stryker Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) for its army. However, the Stryker has a history of both strengths and vulnerabilities that India should consider before making a decision.

Developed under former Army Chief of Staff Eric Shinseki, the Stryker entered service in 2003. Initially praised for its ability to transport troops, its limitations soon became apparent. The armor proved insufficient, and the wheeled design caused maintenance problems due to mud clogging the engine. Additionally, computer systems malfunctioned, and seatbelts were inadequate for troops in combat gear during rollovers.

SOURCE: AFI

The drone era is still young, and the initial shock of a cheap quadcopter taking down a multi-million dollar tank continues to resonate. However, the future of drone combat promises to be far more intricate. Here’s a glimpse into what the next decade might hold:

As electronic warfare evolves, sophisticated jamming and spoofing techniques will become more prevalent. This could potentially shift the balance of power. High-powered microwave weapons could emerge as effective tools for disabling even rudimentary drones, making their cost-effectiveness questionable. In response, military drone manufacturers will likely be forced to abandon commercially available components and develop sturdier drones with hardened electronics, leading to an increase in drone production costs.

SOURCE: AFI

The covert operation undertaken by India’s intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), to incorporate the Himalayan kingdom of Sikkim into the Indian Union.

For centuries, Sikkim thrived as an independent kingdom nestled in the Himalayas. However, the rise of the British Empire in India gradually eroded its autonomy. By the late 19th century, Sikkim became a British protectorate, though still ruled by its hereditary monarchs, the Chogyals.

SOURCE: AFI

Airbus Defence and Space has confirmed the delivery of two C-295 transport aircraft to the Indian Air Force (IAF). These aircraft, numbered four and five, departed from the Airbus production facility in Seville, Spain.

This delivery is part of a larger agreement between Airbus and India. The initial 16 C-295s will be manufactured entirely at the Seville facility. Subsequently, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) and Airbus will oversee production at a new facility in India.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has chosen two of its Gaganyaan-trained astronauts for a groundbreaking mission to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year, according to informed sources. This collaborative effort with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is targeted for “no earlier than October 2024,” as per NASA’s website.

Prior to the mission, the astronauts will travel to the United States for specialized ISS training. “While they have undergone general spaceflight training,” an official explained, “much of their Indian training focused on Gaganyaan modules. Familiarization with ISS modules and protocols is essential.”

SOURCE: AFI

China’s latest stealth fighter jet, the J-31B, appears ready to enter military service based on a promotional video released by its developer, Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC).

The FC-31 Gyrfalcon, now officially designated J-31B, is expected to complement the J-20, China’s most advanced operational stealth fighter. The video, posted by state broadcaster CCTV, showcases a computer-generated image of the J-31B featuring a side weapon bay carrying two missiles.

SOURCE: AFI

In a historic landslide victory, the Labour Party, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, is poised to usher in a new era in the United Kingdom. Following a decisive win in the general elections on Friday, Starmer is set to succeed Rishi Sunak as Prime Minister. Among the numerous global issues on Starmer’s agenda, a key responsibility will be to repair the strained ties with India, a relationship that has been turbulent due to the Labour Party’s stance on the Kashmir issue.

The origins of this tension date back to September 2019 when, under Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, the Labour Party passed an emergency motion calling for international observers to enter Kashmir. This motion demanded the right of self-determination for the Kashmiri people and urged Corbyn to meet with the high commissioners of India and Pakistan to facilitate mediation and avert a potential nuclear conflict. India, viewing this as an interference in its internal affairs, strongly opposed the motion, terming it an effort to “pander to vote bank interests.”

SOURCE: AFI

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has initiated consultations with veterans from the Army, Navy, and Air Force regarding the Agnipath recruitment scheme. This follows his recent visits to Agniveer training centers across the three services, where he assessed the scheme’s implementation on the ground.

The move comes amidst ongoing debate surrounding Agnipath. Opposition parties have called for the scheme’s rollback, while concerns have been raised about compensation for Agniveers who die serving the nation.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s quest for self-reliance in defense technology takes a significant leap forward with the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. Official sources confirm that the design for this indigenous fifth-generation fighter jet is complete, paving the way for an exciting phase of development.

With the design finalized, the AMCA program is now setting its sights on the first prototype. Official estimates suggest this critical milestone will be achieved by 2028-29. This prototype will be instrumental in testing and refining the aircraft’s capabilities before full-scale production can begin.

SOURCE: AFI

The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) is taking a deep dive into innovative cooling solutions for the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) program. Their focus: active cooling of the engine bay and nozzle, crucial for maintaining stealth capabilities. Fifth-generation stealth aircraft require a delicate balance. Traditional engine bay ventilation systems often rely on inlet scoops to draw in cooling air. However, these scoops can create unwanted radar signatures, hindering the aircraft’s stealth properties.

ADA is exploring the feasibility of an alternative approach – engine bay ventilation using an ejector nozzle. This design eliminates the need for inlet scoops.

SOURCE : AFI

After significant achievements in lunar and solar explorations, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) under the leadership of Chairman S. Somanath, is now setting its sights on a new frontier: asteroids. The goal is not just to land on these celestial bodies but also to develop strategies to defend Earth against potential catastrophic impacts.

One of the immediate opportunities ISRO is looking at is the observation of Asteroid 99942 Apophis. This asteroid, measuring 335 meters across, is considered one of the most hazardous asteroids that could potentially impact Earth. Apophis is set to pass perilously close to our planet, within a distance of less than 32,000 km, on April 13, 2029.

SOURCE: AFI

In a move that underscores growing maritime cooperation between India and Thailand, Thailand has stationed a Liaison Officer at the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located in Gurugram, India.

The IFC-IOR, established in 2018, serves as a central hub for information sharing and collaborative maritime security efforts in the Indian Ocean Region, stretching from the Malacca straits to the Suez Canal. This crucial waterway is a vital global trade route, and the IFC-IOR plays a critical role in maintaining regional security and stability.

SOURCE: AFI

Not so long ago, India had opportunity to have same radar on its Rafale fighter jet also on the LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jet fleet. French defense giant Thales offered a derivative of its RBE2 AESA radar, used in Rafale jets, for India’s Tejas Mk-1A fighter variant. This development unfolded in 2017.

Thales conducted successful flight tests in France that summer, analyzing the radar’s performance under various conditions. The company claimed the RBE2 derivative met all of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) requirements for the Tejas Mk-1A’s combat and air superiority missions. Additionally, Thales emphasized its solution’s ability to integrate seamlessly with the Mk-1A’s tight development schedule.

SOURCE: AFI

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, registered and located in India, has produced and transferred 35,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The founders of the enterprise from the Russian side are ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC and the Kalashnikov Group (both are subsidiaries of the Rostec State Corporation).

The Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifle is a version of the AK-200 rifle chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge used in the Indian Army. The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance.

SOURCE: AFI

Aditya Ramanathan, a research analyst with the Takshashila Institution, has provided insights into the findings of the 2024 Yearbook released by the Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The yearbook highlights the global increase in nuclear arsenals, including those of India. Ramanathan, an expert on India’s strategic affairs and foreign policy, delves into the implications of these developments.

“We don’t actually know the exact size of India’s nuclear arsenal, but most studies place it in the range of 150-200 warheads,” says Ramanathan. He suggests that any increase in India’s nuclear arsenal is likely a direct response to China’s military advancements. “India has to be concerned about ensuring that enough of its own nuclear forces can survive a Chinese first strike and inflict unacceptable damage in retaliation. To that end, I think India’s response is cautious and well-reasoned.”