SOURCE: AFI

The Philippines is flexing its military muscle in the disputed South China Sea by constructing its first land-based BrahMos anti-ship missile base. This move comes amid ongoing tensions with China over territorial claims in the resource-rich region.

Recent satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs has shed light on the new base’s development. The images reveal key facilities, including a high bay for missile maintenance and testing, and a separate, secure structure for storing the BrahMos missiles themselves.

SOURCE: AFI

In recent geopolitical discussions, experts from India have suggested leveraging Canada’s lenient stance towards the Khalistani issue. During a podcast, a notable expert proposed that India should encourage fake asylum seekers, particularly from Punjab, to exploit the already overwhelmed Canadian asylum system. This suggestion aims to address two key concerns: straining Canada’s asylum infrastructure and reducing the presence of extremists in India.

Canada has experienced a significant increase in asylum claims, putting immense pressure on its immigration system. According to recent statistics, Mexico is the leading source of asylum seekers in Canada, followed by a diverse array of countries. India ranks fourth, with approximately 9,100 asylum seekers, many originating from the Punjab region. This surge in asylum seekers has strained Canadian cities, pushing temporary shelters to their limits and stretching local budgets.

SOURCE: AFI

While the allure of cutting-edge technology is undeniable, there are compelling reasons for India to carefully consider the strategic and economic implications of pursuing 6th generation fighter jets in the 2040s.

The United States Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program serves as a stark example. With an estimated cost of $300 million per unit, 6th generation jets represent a staggering leap from current aircraft. This translates to a price tag that’s a whopping 310.959% more expensive than the Su-30MKI and a significant 114.286% more than the Rafale.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step towards the retirement of its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets. The No. 23 Squadron, also known as the “Panthers,” has relocated from its home base at Suratgarh, Rajasthan, to Nal airbase near Bikaner. This move consolidates the remaining MiG-21 fleet at a single location.

Nal already houses the No. 3 Squadron, nicknamed the “Cobras,” which also flies MiG-21s. This consolidation signifies the dwindling number of operational MiG-21s in the IAF. An official source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the relocation and the IAF’s plans for the remaining jets.

SOURCE: AFI

Lieutenant General HS Panag (Retd.), former Northern Command and Central Command chief, in a recent column for The Print, applauds the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the armed forces’ decision to include all categories of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the negative import list. This policy shift mandates the domestic production of UAVs under the “Make in India” initiative, with the potential exception of highly strategic UAVs like the MQ-9B Sea/Sky Guardian.

General Panag expresses optimism that India’s burgeoning drone industry will soon master even these advanced categories. He highlights Adani Defence Systems’ success in manufacturing the Hermes 900 (Drishti-10) multi-payload UAV for the Army and Navy, with the remarkable feat of even exporting them back to Israel. This exemplifies India’s growing prowess in UAV technology.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army’s 2 Engineer Regiment of the Chinar Corps has collaborated with R+D Studio to develop a revolutionary pilot outpost for harsh high-altitude environments. Located near Razdan Pass in Jammu & Kashmir’s northern sector at 14,000 feet, this project aims to significantly improve the living and operational conditions for soldiers stationed at such extreme locations.

Traditional outposts often rely on sandbags for construction, insulation, and security. Taking inspiration from this approach, R+D Studio designed a solution specifically tailored for these challenging environments. They developed 13″ x 9″ x 6″ Silica Composite Hollow Blocks (SCHBs). These patented blocks are a sustainable marvel, constructed entirely from 100% recycled materials like foundry dust and single-use/multi-use plastic waste, eliminating the need for natural resources.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a packed schedule for the remainder of 2024, according to agency chief S. Somanath. Speaking at the third Annual India Space Congress, Somanath outlined plans for three Gaganyaan test flights and the launch of the NISAR satellite.

The launch of NISAR, a collaborative mission between ISRO and NASA, has been pushed back due to a minor issue with a deployable antenna. The antenna, supplied by a US company, requires modifications and is expected to return to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory by July 10th. Once integrated back into the satellite and cleared by testing, NISAR will be ready for launch, though a specific date wasn’t provided. The mission was originally slated for March 2024.

SOURCE: AFI

IIT Jammu’s deep-tech startup, SAP Aerospace, led by Dr. Shanmugadas K.P., has emerged victorious in the open category of DRDO’s TDF Dare to Dream 4.0 Innovation Contest. This win signifies a major step forward for SAP Aerospace and their revolutionary work in the field of combat drone technology.

The DRDO’s Dare to Dream 4.0 Innovation Contest provides crucial support to promising ventures, and SAP Aerospace’s win is a testament to their groundbreaking aero-engine technology designed specifically for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). This contest win grants them the vital resources needed to further develop their next-generation engine solutions.

SOURCE: AFI

Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Heron TP medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), leased to the Indian Army (IA), were recently tracked flying over the Kashmir region on websites like Flightradar24.

These Heron TPs were previously reported to be leased from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2020 for potential deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) bordering China in the Himalayas. The lease aimed to bolster India’s surveillance capabilities amidst ongoing border tensions.

SOURCE : AFI

The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has reported that India’s nuclear arsenal stands at approximately 172 warheads as of January 2024, reflecting a slight increase from the previous year. This figure places India ahead of Pakistan for the first time since both nations conducted nuclear tests in 1998. The margin, however, is narrow – a mere two warheads.

Pakistani media outlets have contested SIPRI’s assessment. Historically, Western estimates, including those from SIPRI and the International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM), have placed Pakistan slightly ahead in terms of nuclear warhead stockpiles. These estimates rely heavily on satellite imagery analysis of uranium enrichment and plutonium production facilities, along with operational data. However, the specific methodologies employed by these institutions remain largely undisclosed, raising questions about the exactness of their figures.

SOURCE : AFI

nion Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a high-level meeting at North Block to review the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) and to assess the preparedness for the upcoming Amarnath Yatra, which is set to begin on June 29. The meeting was attended by prominent figures, including National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, among others.

During the meeting, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) highlighted its proposal to create 659 posts for their Mountain Battalions. The CRPF emphasized the necessity of this initiative, stating that over time, terrorist activities have shifted from urban areas to the forests at higher altitudes. A senior official explained, “After monitoring their regular activities, it has been observed that over a period, they have moved from urban areas to the terrain of forests at higher reaches. Since they are changing their modus operandi, security establishments also have to reinvigorate their plans as per the current scenario.”

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Rafale fighter jets have successfully completed their participation in Exercise Red Flag in the United States and returned to India on June 26, 2024. This deployment marked a significant milestone for the IAF, showcasing its growing prowess and international cooperation.

The Red Flag exercise is a renowned aerial combat training program known for its challenging scenarios and realistic simulations. The IAF’s participation in this prestigious event signifies its commitment to maintaining peak combat readiness and sharpening its skills against top global adversaries.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has announced a two-phase launch strategy for its upcoming Chandrayaan-4 mission, aimed at returning lunar samples to Earth. This ambitious endeavor marks a significant step forward in India’s space exploration program.

ISRO Chairman S. Somanath revealed on Wednesday that Chandrayaan-4 will not be a single launch but rather a meticulously planned two-part mission. The spacecraft will be divided into separate modules, each launched individually. Once in orbit, these modules will be meticulously assembled to form the complete Chandrayaan-4 spacecraft before its journey to the Moon.

SOURCE: AFI

Megha Engineering & Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), a Hyderabad-based engineering giant, has emerged victorious in its bid to construct two new 700 MW electrical reactors at Kaiga in Karnataka. This win marks MEIL’s entry into the nuclear power sector and comes at a crucial time for India’s energy goals.

The contract, awarded by the state-run Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), signifies a significant step towards India’s ambitious target of achieving 500 GW of non-fossil fuel energy capacity by 2030. Nuclear power plays a vital role in this strategy, offering a clean and reliable source of energy.

SOURCE: AFI

Tensions between Pakistan and India flared again on Wednesday after Balochistan’s Home Minister, Ziaullah Langau, accused India’s intelligence agency, RAW, of funding and supporting militant groups operating in the province.

During a press conference in Quetta, Langau claimed RAW is the “single investor” behind the banned outfits, Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA). He asserted that these groups are responsible for terror attacks and kidnappings plaguing the restive Balochistan province.