SOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM

South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has greenlit production of the KF-21, a domestically developed 5th-generation fighter jet. This marks a significant step forward for the nation’s aerospace industry.

The production approval covers the period between 2024 and 2028, with a total estimated cost of W7.9 trillion (approximately $5.8 billion). While the official number of aircraft remains undisclosed, South Korean media reports suggest an initial production run of 20 jets.

SOURCE: ANI

The International Baloch Rights Organisation, an offshoot of the Baloch National Movement (BNM), on Sunday initiated a series of protests in remembrance of the Pakistani Occupation of Balochistan observed on March 27 every year and held its first protest in Germany’s Berlin, the BNM said in a press release.

In a post on X, BNM said, “BNM’s Germany Chapter staged a protest in Berlin, observing March as the black day when the Pakistan Army marched on March 27th, 1948, and forcibly annexed Balochistan. Since then, the people of Balochistan have rejected Pakistan and resisted Pakistani occupation”.

SOURCE: AFI

Pakistan’s Air Force (PAF) recently released a video highlighting its modernization efforts under Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu. The video included a glimpse of the Chinese FC-31, a fifth-generation fighter jet, confirming Pakistan’s plans for acquisition.

Reports suggest Pakistan’s ambitions go beyond mere purchase. The plan, some sources claim, involves joint production of the FC-31 within Pakistan with Chinese support before the 2030s. This could potentially utilize the existing PAC facility currently manufacturing JF-17 fighters for the PAF.

SOURCE: PTI

Pakistan has formally launched its bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council for a two-year term from 2025 to 2026, a media report said on Saturday with a promise to “contribute meaningfully” to the council’s mandate for international peace and security.

Pakistan’s Permanent Representative to UN Ambassador Munir Akram formally announced the cash-strapped country’s candidacy at a reception organised in connection with Pakistan Day celebrations at the UN on Thursday.

SOURCE: AFI

China has unveiled a new heavy attack helicopter design, signifying its growing ambitions in the attack helicopter domain. The helicopter bears a resemblance to the well-established AH-64 Apache, raising questions about potential inspiration and capabilities.

The new Chinese helicopter shares some visual similarities with the American AH-64 Apache, particularly in its overall layout and tandem cockpit configuration. This has led to speculation that the Chinese design might draw upon aspects of the Apache, but the extent of this influence remains unclear.

SOURCE: AFI

The official account of the Pakistan Air Force, DGPR (AIR FORCE), recently released a video clip featuring Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu, NI (M). The clip generated significant buzz as it depicted ACM Sidhu in the cockpit of a newly acquired J-10CE combat aircraft.

But that’s not all. The video also offered a glimpse of the much-anticipated Chinese FC-31, a fifth-generation fighter jet. This inclusion is seen as a strong indication of Air Chief Marshal Sidhu’s commitment to spearheading the modernization drive of the Pakistan Air Force.

SOURCE: TASS

More than 60 people were killed in a terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall music venue in the city of Krasnogorsk in the Moscow Region, a source in Russia’s Investigative Committee told TASS.

“It has been preliminarily established that the terrorist attack killed over 60 people. Unfortunately, the death toll may rise,” the source said. Investigators, criminalists and experts of the Russian Investigative Committee together with operating units of the Internal Affairs Ministry and the Federal Security Service continue investigative activities at the spot, the source added.

SOURCE: AFI

In an unusual modification, a Russian ballistic missile submarine has been spotted sporting what appears to be anti-drone armor. This marks the first time such a measure has been taken on a naval vessel anywhere in the world.

The Delta-IV class nuclear submarine Tula was recently shown on Russian television, revealing a cage-like structure surrounding its conning tower. This improvised armor, nicknamed a “cope cage” on land vehicles, is typically seen on tanks and other armored fighting vehicles in war zones.

SOURCE: AFI

Images of a Vanguard-class nuclear submarine returning to Faslane, Scotland, have sparked fresh concerns about the state of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The photos, captured by locals, reveal visible signs of rust and missing panels on the submarine’s exterior.

This revelation comes on the heels of a troubling report last month, which claimed that a Trident missile test-fired from a Vanguard submarine failed for the second consecutive time. Additionally, unconfirmed reports from last year suggested a near-catastrophic incident involving a malfunctioning depth gauge on another Vanguard sub, leaving the crew unaware of their perilous descent towards crush depth.

SOURCE: PTI

Announ­c­ing the staff-level agreement on the successful completion of the existing short-term facility, the IMF has confirmed that cash-strapped Pakistan is seeking a 24th medium-term bailout package for a permanent push towards longstanding structural reforms.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its end-of-mission statement on Wednesday said the cash-strapped country “expressed interest in a successor medium-term Fund-supported programme to permanently resolve Pakistan’s fiscal and external sustainability weaknesses, strengthening its economic recovery, and laying the foundations for strong, sustainable, and inclusive growth”, Dawn News reported.

SOURCE: PTI

China on Thursday condemned the Baloch militants’ attack on Pakistan’s Gwadar Port, which is part of the multi-billion dollar CPEC, saying Beijing firmly backs Islamabad’s efforts to fight terrorism and defend national security.

Two soldiers of the Pakistani Army were killed and eight Baloch militants were “sent to hell” when security personnel foiled an attempt by heavily armed Baloch insurgents to storm the Gwadar Port Authority complex in the restive Balochistan province, according to the Pakistan military.

SOURCE: AFI

South Korea’s domestically developed KF-21 fighter jet achieved a significant milestone on Tuesday with its first successful aerial refueling test. This advancement promises to significantly enhance the jet’s capabilities.

The Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced that prototype number 5 of the KF-21 took off from an airbase in Sacheon and completed the aerial refueling over the country’s southeastern waters. The refueling involved a KC-330 tanker aircraft transferring fuel to the KF-21 mid-flight.

SOURCE: AFI

The Heavy Industries Taxila (HIT) in Pakistan’s Taxila city buzzed with anticipation as Pakistan Army Chief General Syed Asim Munir graced the rollout ceremony of the Haider tank. This unveiling marked a significant moment in Pakistan’s defense capabilities, as the Haider tank is slated to become the nation’s Main Battle Tank. However, recent revelations from documents reviewed by ThePrint shed light on a different narrative, one that contrasts with the triumphant image the Pakistani military seeks to portray.

The genesis of the Haider tank can be traced back to Pakistan’s 2017 order of around 176 VT-4 tanks from China’s Norinco (North Industries Corporation). This procurement aimed to modernize Pakistan’s aging fleet of Main Battle Tanks, bolstering its defensive prowess. after it failed to develop Al-Khalid II MBT that was to be superior to the Al-Khalid I which was claimed to be based on the older T-9X tank from China. Al-Khalid I faced numerous issues and production was curtailed to just 250+ units, before it was shutdown.