SOURCE: ANI

 In a historic feat that has sent waves of pride and accomplishment across the nation, Space Zone India, a pioneering private aerospace company, achieved a monumental milestone on the 19th of February 2023. This momentous occasion marked the launch of India’s first hybrid rocket from the picturesque Pattipulam coastal village in the Chengalpattu district of Tamil Nadu.

At the helm of this groundbreaking mission was none other than Dr Anand Megalingam, the Founder and CEO of Space Zone India, who also served as the Mission Director. The successful launch of the hybrid rocket, a technology demonstrator, reflected the culmination of over three years of relentless research and development by the dedicated team at Space Zone India.

SOURCE: ISRO

In another unique experiment, like the hop experiment on the Vikram Lander, the Propulsion Module (PM) of Chandrayaan-3 was moved from an orbit around Moon to an orbit around Earth.

The primary objective of Chandrayaan-3 mission was to demonstrate soft landing near to lunar south polar region and perform experiments using the instruments on Vikram and Pragyaan.The spacecraft was launched on July 14, 2023 on-board LVM3-M4 vehicle from SDSC, SHAR. On August 23^rd Vikram Lander made its historic touch down on Moon and subsequently Pragyan rover was deployed. The scientific instruments in Lander and Rover were operated continuously for 1 lunar day as per the defined mission life.

SOURCE: pti

There is structural soundness in the India-US relationship and it is certainly proofed against political check, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Monday, in comments that came against the backdrop of Washington alleging an Indian link to a foiled plot to kill a Sikh separatist on its soil.

US Principal Deputy NSA Jonathan Finer said the US and India have established a mature relationship that enables both sides to identify opportunities and work through differences. Both Mr Jaishankar and Finer made the comments at a technology conference in Delhi. “There is a structural soundness in the India-US relationship… I think from an Indian perspective, the India-US relationship is certainly proofed against political check,” Mr Jaishankar said.

SOURCE: pti

A top national security adviser to US President Joe Biden is in New Delhi to hold talks on various bilateral issues, including allegations related to the assassination attempt on a Khalistani terrorist, the White House said here.

Principal Deputy National Security Advisor Jon Finer led a delegation to New Delhi on December 4 to review the progress made in the ambitious US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) with India’s Deputy National Security Advisor Vikram Misri, it said in a readout.

SOURCE: PIB

Following the recent signing of Peace Agreement between United National Liberation Front (UNLF), Government of Manipur and Government of India on 29^th November, 2023, around 25 leaders/cadres of National Revolutionary Front Manipur (NRFM- a Meitei UG outfit) led by Major Boicha (Vice Chief of Army Staff of NRFM) along with 25 weapons have joined UNLF on 02^nd December, 2023.

With this, most of the outfit’s members have taken a step towards abjuring the path of violence. The development is likely to give a momentum to efforts of Government of India to restore peace and normalcy in Manipur.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday asserted his government is committed to increasing the strength of women in the armed forces and said Indian Navy ranks would be renamed according to the country’s culture.

Paying tributes to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj for his vision and warfare strategy, he noted the 17th century Maratha king knew the importance of naval power. The PM was speaking at a Navy Day event held at Malvan in coastal Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra, around 500km from Mumbai.

SOURCE: AFI

An Indian Army Major, who was dismissed from service in October for allegedly maintaining contact with a Pakistani intelligence operative, is seeking copies of the proceedings of the investigations against him. The major, who was posted with a Strategic Forces Unit, has filed an application with the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) principal bench in New Delhi.

According to investigations by Military Intelligence, the major had been in constant communication with the Pakistani intelligence operative on Facebook. This raised suspicions and led to a deeper probe into the major’s activities. The findings of the investigation prompted the President to dismiss the major from service.

SOURCE: PTI

Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Monday held wide-ranging talks with Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Lt Gen Vikum Liyange with a focus on ramping up bilateral military engagement against the backdrop of China’s increasing military assertiveness in the region. The Sri Lankan military official is on a visit to India from December 3 to 7.

The defence ministry said Lt Gen Liyange’s visit to India is a ”testimony” to the longstanding relationship between the armies of India and Sri Lanka. Liyange was accorded a ceremonial guard of honour at the South Block lawns before he called on Gen Pande.

SOURCE: PTI

Three persons were detained for questioning as security forces launched massive search operations to flush out suspected terrorists in the forest areas of Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Monday.

The joint search operations by police, Army, and CRPF in different parts of Budhal, Thanamandi, Sunderbani, and Kalakote in Rajouri and Mendhar in Poonch were underway when last reports were received, officials said.

SOURCE: PTI

At least 13 people were killed in a gunbattle between two groups in Manipur’s Tengnoupal district on Monday, officials said.

The incident took place at Leithu village on Monday afternoon, they said. “A group of militants on their way to Myanmar were ambushed by another group of insurgents dominant in the area,” an official in the hill district said.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s quest for a fifth-generation fighter jet with advanced stealth capabilities has spanned several years. Amidst this search, the Russian Su-57 has emerged as a potential contender, offering a combination of proven technology and advanced features that could significantly bolster the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capabilities.

The IAF’s pursuit of the Su-57 stems from the realization that developing its own fifth-generation fighter jet, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), is a long-term endeavor, likely taking at least 15 years to materialize. In the interim, acquiring the Su-57 would provide the IAF with a much-needed edge in the evolving aerial warfare landscape.

SOURCE: AFI

Two international relations experts have dismissed recent media reports suggesting that Russia’s position as a major supplier of military equipment to India is waning. These claims stem from the Indian Navy’s retirement of its last batch of Ilyushin IL-38 maritime patrol aircraft and the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) phasing out one of its squadrons of MiG-21 Bison warplanes earlier this month.

Addressing these concerns, Dr. Dattesh Parulekar, an Assistant Professor at Goa University’s School of International and Area Studies, emphasized that such reports are exaggerated and do not reflect a deliberate policy shift away from Russian armaments. While India is diversifying its defense hardware sourcing, this does not imply a diminishing role for Russian arms and defense platforms.

SOURCE: PTI

Defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd on Monday delivered the largest-ever survey vessel to be built in the country – INS Sandhayak – to the Indian Navy, an official said. INS Sandhayak, the first in a series of four survey vessels being made by GRSE for the navy, was launched on December 5, 2021, and was undergoing fitting out and trials thereafter.

The 110-metre-long ship was delivered on December 4, which is observed as Navy Day, the GRSE official said. The protocol of delivery and acceptance was signed between GRSE Chairman and MD, Commodore (retd) P R Hari, and commanding officer of the vessel, Commodore R M Thomas.

SOURCE: PTI

Two IAF pilots lost their lives when an Indian Air Force trainer aircraft crashed in Medak district of Telangana on Monday morning. An official statement from the IAF confirmed the crash of a Pilatus PC 7 Mk II trainer aircraft during a routine training sortie from AFA, Hyderabad.

Both pilots aboard the aircraft suffered fatal injuries, the statement said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh expressed anguish over the accident. In a post on X, he said, “It is deeply saddening that two pilots have lost their lives. In this tragic hour, my thoughts are with the bereaved families.”

SOURCE: AFI

A Pilatus PC-7 Mk II aircraft, renowned for its impeccable safety record, met with an unfortunate accident during a routine training sortie from the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad on [Date]. The Indian Air Force, with deep regret, confirmed that both pilots onboard the aircraft lost their lives in the mishap.

The Pilatus PC-7 Mk II, a single-engine aircraft, serves as the cornerstone of the Indian Air Force’s basic pilot training program. This turboprop trainer aircraft, manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft, is specifically designed for initial and basic flight training of rookie pilots.