SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development for the Indian Air Force (IAF), the era of MiG-21, often referred to as the ‘flying coffin,’ flights is set to draw to a definitive close by the year 2025. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary, the Chief of the Air Staff, has revealed that the superior LCA Mark 1A aircraft will take the reins from the aging MiG-21 fleet.

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhary disclosed that in the upcoming months, the second squadron of LCA Mark 1A will be activated, marking a critical step in this transition process. Simultaneously, a comprehensive retirement plan for the MiG-21 fighter planes has been set in motion, culminating in a complete ban on MiG-21 fighter plane flights by 2025.

SOURCE: PTI

The Indian Air Force is looking at inducting military platforms, equipment and hardware worth ? 2.5 to ? 3 lakh crore in the next seven-eight years, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said on Tuesday. Addressing a press conference ahead of the Air Force Day, the Chief of Air Staff also said that the IAF is constantly monitoring the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), especially in eastern Ladakh.

He said the IAF was pushing ahead with its plan to procure an additional 97 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mark 1A.

SOURCE: PTI

Border posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) along the India-China frontier from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh will have an additional team of intelligence officers for surveillance and information gathering.

A highly placed source said the central government has approved a proposal for establishing the set-up that will be known as the Border Intelligence Post (BIP). The move bears significance in view of the increased Chinese activities along the border and transgressions by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

SOURCE: IANS

India is learnt to have told Canada to withdraw around 40 diplomats from the country by October 10 amid worsening ties between the two nations, according to reports. The reports have said that New Delhi has conveyed to Canada that if the diplomats are not withdrawn by the deadline, they will lose their diplomatic immunity. There are more than 60 Canadian diplomats posted in India.

Last month, after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged in Parliament that Indian intelligence agents may have been involved in the murder of Sikh pro-Khalistan hardliner Hardeep Singh Nijjar, the diplomatic relations have hit an all time low between the two nations.

SOURCE: BLOOMBERG

Shipments of Russian oil to India jumped 15% in September from a seven-month low in August, boosted by plentiful supply and price discounts, according to Kpler SAS. Cargoes arriving from Russia amounted to 1.78 million barrels a day last month, the data intelligence firm said. The imports are likely to stay strong, according to Viktor Katona, lead crude analyst at Kpler.

There is “plentiful room” for imports from Russia to rise as the country’s ban on diesel exports means domestic refiners will cut run rates and more crude will be available for overseas, he said.

SOURCE: AP

The president-elect of the Maldives said he would stick to his campaign promise to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelago state, promising he would initiate the process.

Mohamed Muiz told his supporters gathered on Monday night, October 2, at a celebration of his election victory that he wouldn’t stand for a foreign military staying in the Maldives against the will of its citizens.
“The people have told us that they don’t want foreign military here,” he said.

SOURCE: AFI

In a strategic move to enhance the maintenance of its fighter aircraft and helicopter fleet, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is considering the implementation of a “Shop In Shop” policy. This initiative aims to bolster the IAF’s maintenance capabilities by collaborating with the private sector, thereby optimizing resources and expertise.

The Shop In Shop system will involve private sector engineering and technical personnel working in close collaboration with IAF personnel at the 17 Base Repair Depots (BRDs) located across the country. These BRDs play a pivotal role in maintaining and repairing aircraft and helicopters, ensuring their operational readiness.

SOURCE: AFI

After nearly two months of anticipation, the hearing for the ongoing trial involving eight Indian naval veterans in Qatar is scheduled for Tuesday, October 3rd. Family members of these veterans, who are presently in Doha, are expressing optimism regarding the upcoming hearing, hoping for a favorable outcome.

The families of the naval veterans have endured a challenging 13-month wait for this crucial hearing. While there is speculation about the possibility of the veterans being repatriated, the uncertain background of the case keeps expectations in check. Family members remain cautiously hopeful, recognizing that the true outcome will only become clear after an official announcement.

SOURCE: PTI

Over 100 aircrafts, including the Rafale fighter jets, will be part of an air show to be held here next week to commemorate the completion of 91st year of the IAF, Air Marshal RGK Kapoor said on Monday. Kapoor, who is Air Marshal, headquarters, Central Air Command, reached the Sangam area here on Monday with a cycle rally to spread awareness about the air show to be held on October 8.

“This year the Air Force is completing the 91st year of its establishment, to commemorate which an air show is being organised here on October 8 in the Sangam area,” Kapoor told reporters.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development, the Delhi Police Special Cell conducted extensive raids at more than 30 locations in Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad, including the houses of journalists, employees, and premises associated with the news portal NewsClick. The raids are in response to allegations of illicit funding from China, and the Delhi Police Special Cell has initiated a case under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

During the raids, law enforcement authorities seized substantial electronic evidence, including laptops, mobile phones, and data dumps from hard disks. Abhisar Sharma, a prominent figure associated with NewsClick, confirmed the police action on social media, stating that his laptop and phone were taken during the raid.

SOURCE: ANI

India’s wanted gangster Sukhdool Singh, who was fatally shot last month in northwest Winnipeg city in Canada, was associated with terrorist entities like designated Khalistani terrorist Arsh Dala for acquiring sophisticated weapons to run his syndicate.

India’s federal probe agency National National Investigation Agency (NIA) had mentioned the fact in one of its charge sheets filed in a special court in Delhi in March this year naming Sukhdool and 21 others. As per the charge sheet, Sukhdool, who also went by the alias Sukh Duneke and was known as a notorious criminal in India for allegedly organizing hits on rival gang members there, and a few gang members such as Gaurav Patyal fled India and ran their syndicate from abroad.

SOURCE: IANS

Two soldiers were injured on Tuesday in an ongoing gunfight between the security forces and terrorists in J&K’s Rajouri district. Officials said that the two Army men sustained injuries in the ongoing encounter between the security forces and terrorists in the forest area of Soom-Broh village in the district.

“The encounter started on Monday evening after contact was established between a search team of the security forces and terrorists during the anti-terror operation.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant technological advancement, an Indian company is set to design and manufacture chipsets capable of processing signals from the Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system, developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). This collaboration between the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology with Hyderabad-based Manjeera Digital Systems represents a significant step towards self-reliance in satellite navigation technology.

Manjeera Digital Systems is pioneering the development of chipsets that can receive and process NavIC signals. This initiative marks the first time that an Indian company will design and manufacture such chipsets. The modules are currently undergoing validation by ISRO, with expectations of entering the market by the first quarter of 2024, as stated by Venu Kandadai, the founder and CEO of Manjeera Digital Systems.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant announcement, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane has reaffirmed the Indian government’s commitment to the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). He emphasized that there are no plans to close any DPSUs, and the government has been actively supporting these entities to drive economic growth and generate employment opportunities.

Defence Secretary Aramane highlighted the government’s efforts in boosting the domestic defence industry. Last year, a substantial 95 percent of defence orders were awarded to Indian industries, primarily aimed at fostering job creation. Furthermore, the allocation of orders to Indian industries is set to increase even further in the upcoming budget.

SOURCE: ANI

 Khalistan supporters gathered outside the Indian High Commission in London to stage a protest on Monday.  There was a heavy presence of British security forces at the High Commission and the protestors were restricted to the opposite side of the High Commission.

Khalistan supporters claimed that they were staging the protest over the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a designated terrorist in India, was killed outside a gurdwara in Canada’s Surrey on June 18.