SOURCE: AFI

The S-400 Triumf, also known as the SA-21 Growler by NATO, is a cornerstone of India’s long-range air defense system. With three squadrons already operational and two more expected by 2026, the S-400 significantly bolsters the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capability to counter aerial threats.

The S-400 boasts an impressive 400-kilometer range, allowing it to engage enemy aircraft and cruise missiles well before they reach Indian airspace. This extended reach strengthens India’s border security and provides valuable reaction time in case of an attack.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian government has issued a cybersecurity alert warning officials about a hacking campaign targeting government entities. The attackers, believed to be linked to Pakistan, are exploiting a vulnerability in WinRAR, a popular file archive tool, to deploy malicious software.

The alert details how a Pakistan-linked cyber threat actor, known as SideCopy, is leveraging a security flaw in WinRAR. By exploiting this vulnerability, SideCopy can execute malicious code that silently installs Remote Access Trojans (RATs) on the victim’s system. These RATs, such as AllaKore and Ares, grant the attackers remote control over the infected device, enabling them to steal sensitive information.

SOURCE: AFI

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway has reached a partial agreement with the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) following a week-long protest encampment on campus. The agreement addresses eight of the ten demands presented by SJP, with the most contentious issues – divestment from Israel and severing ties with Tel Aviv University – reportedly outside the President’s authority.

While some see the agreement as a step towards resolving the dispute, key sticking points remain. Notably, President Holloway conceded to allow displaying of Palestine and Kashmiri separatist flag alongside with other national flags, a decision generating significant controversy.

SOURCE: AFI

Armenia’s recently acquired Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 155mm/52 caliber towed guns from India have received a user-friendly upgrade, according to Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge.

The ATAGS deployed in Armenia boast ballistic computers with interfaces in the local language. This customization simplifies operation for Armenian artillery crews, reducing training time and potential for errors.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has embarked on an ambitious project to design and develop Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) for the Indian Navy. This initiative signifies a significant stride towards self-reliance in underwater defense technologies.

The project, granted Approval-in-Principle (AiP) in January 2023, aims to deliver a prototype XLUUV by 2025, paving the way for potential procurement of up to 12 XLUUAVs upon successful testing. This aligns with India’s broader “Make in India” push to bolster domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking its pilot training to the next level by introducing live air-to-air missile engagements against electronic targets. This initiative comes in response to the growing prominence of combat drones and sub-sonic cruise missiles in modern warfare.

The battlefield landscape is constantly evolving, with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and sub-sonic cruise missiles playing an increasingly significant role. These new threats demand a more nuanced and realistic training approach for IAF pilots.

SOURCE: AFI

Indian industrial powerhouse Bharat Forge, under the leadership of Baba Kalyani, has announced a significant expansion in its artillery gun manufacturing capabilities. The company has established the capacity to produce 12 artillery guns per month, with the potential to scale up to a staggering 30 – a move that positions them to become the world’s largest artillery gun manufacturer by production capacity.

This ambitious move comes amidst a backdrop of limited orders for Bharat Forge’s artillery systems. While they’ve secured an export order for their MarG 155/39 Mounted Gun System (MGS) to Armenia and are part of the consortium developing the ATAGS 155/52mm gun, a crucial domestic order from the Indian Army remains elusive.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s ambitious Project Seabird at INS Kadamba is witnessing significant progress, marking a crucial step towards bolstering India’s strategic and security interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This large-scale project focuses on major upgrades and capacity expansion at the naval base, transforming it into a vital hub for the Indian Navy’s operations.

Located in Karwar, Karnataka, INS Kadamba is strategically positioned on the Arabian Sea coast. Project Seabird represents a comprehensive modernization initiative aimed at transforming the base into a premier naval facility.

SOURCE: AFI

The United States and India are collaborating on a potential expansion of their strategic partnership. This involves auditing Kolkata Port to assess its suitability for a new Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA).

An MSRA would allow US Navy warships stationed in the Indo-Pacific to access critical repair and maintenance services at Kolkata Port. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of both nations to establish India as a key hub for US naval upkeep in the region.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) took a significant step towards bolstering cooperation by successfully hosting the 10th edition of Air Staff Talks (AST) from April 29 to 30, 2024.

This high-level meeting, which involved a delegation from the RAFO, proved instrumental in fostering closer relations between the two air forces on a multitude of fronts. Key areas of discussion reportedly included bilateral exercises, training programs, and sporting events.

SOURCE: AFI

China’s growing naval presence in the Indo-Pacific region poses a significant challenge for smaller countries. Countering this dominance often requires expensive fleet expansion, which may not be feasible for all nations. Here’s where India’s recently tested Supersonic Missile-Assisted Release of Torpedo (SMART) system emerges as a potential game changer.

Unlike conventional submarine-launched torpedoes, SMART leverages a missile to deliver a torpedo over extended ranges. This could allow smaller navies to engage Chinese warships from a safe distance, mitigating the risk of direct confrontation with China’s superior fleet.

SOURCE: AFI

In a recent interview, Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge, shared a captivating story highlighting the challenges and triumphs of India’s private defense sector. The anecdote centered around the development of their first artillery gun, the Bharat 52.

Developed in 2012, the Bharat 52 faced a critical hurdle – a lack of testing facilities. Back then, government firing ranges were inaccessible to private companies like Bharat Forge. This meant the company couldn’t test-fire their own gun, essentially stalling its development.

SOURCE: AFI

Following the successful delivery of the first batch of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines Marine Corps, India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is setting its sights on an even larger order from the Philippine Army.

The BrahMos, a joint Indo-Russian venture, has garnered significant interest with its speed, precision, and long-range strike capabilities. The initial delivery to the Marines paves the way for potential expansion into the Philippine Army’s arsenal.

SOURCE: AFI

According to Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge, the Indian Army has a long-term plan to equip itself entirely with 155mm 52 caliber towed artillery guns. This transition is expected to be completed by 2040-45, with the Army requiring nearly 4,000 guns in total.

This shift reflects the growing importance of long-range fire support in modern warfare. The 155mm/52 caliber guns offer a significant advantage in firing range and accuracy compared to older models.

SOURCE: AFI

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) announced plans to transform its single Bombardier Global 6000 business jet into a stand-off jamming (SOJ) aircraft. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI).

The initial hint of this conversion came from the PAF’s latest calendar, which designated the Global 6000 as an electronic warfare (EW) platform. This was later confirmed by the PAF’s unofficial publication, Second-to-None.