SOURCE: PTI

An Indian warship provided critical assistance to a Palau-flagged cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden after it caught fire following a missile attack, in the latest in a series of such support missions by the Indian Navy in the region.

The vessel MV Islander came under attack on February 22 and a crew member of the ship sustained injuries, Indian military officials said Saturday. The US military’s Central Command said in a statement that the Houthi militants fired two anti-ship ballistic missiles from southern Yemen into the Gulf of Aden on Thursday. It said the missiles impacted British-owned cargo vessel MV Islander causing one minor injury and damage.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride towards enhancing bilateral defense cooperation, the Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia, B.N. Reddy, articulated the shared vision of both nations during the India-Malaysia Defence Industrial Cooperation event. The symposium, held on Thursday (Feb 22), served as a platform for fruitful discussions on mutual interests and potential areas of collaboration. Notably, the event witnessed the participation of Defense Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Isham Ishak, underscoring the official commitment to fostering robust ties in defense and security domains.

During the symposium, High Commissioner Reddy highlighted the depth of the Indo-Malaysian relationship, emphasizing the strategic importance of forging stronger defense partnerships. His remarks echoed the sentiments of cooperation and mutual understanding that underpin the diplomatic relations between the two countries.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, is set to make its debut at Milan 2024, the largest-ever multilateral naval exercise hosted by India. This participation marks a significant milestone for the Indian Navy and showcases the nation’s growing capabilities in indigenous defense technology.

INS Vikrant, recently completed its installation of critical systems at Cochin Shipyard Limited, including:

SOURCE: AFI

Get ready for a glimpse of the future! The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is showcasing its cutting-edge Wheeled CBRN 8×8 vehicle for the very first time at the MSME Defence Expo in Pune, India. This powerful machine, designed to tackle chemical, biological, and radiological threats, promises to be a game-changer in the field of defense technology.

Packed with a 600 horsepower engine and an 8×8 wheel configuration, the Wheeled CBRN is built to conquer even the most challenging terrains. Its advanced detection and neutralization capabilities make it a crucial asset for identifying and eliminating CBRN hazards, safeguarding lives and property.

SOURCE: PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday said arriving at an equilibrium and maintaining it is going to be one of the “biggest challenges” for India-China ties even as he asserted that the immediate issue at hand was Beijing’s departure from laid down norms triggering the border row in eastern Ladakh.

In an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue, he cautioned against China’s “mind game” to restrict the issues under the bilateral framework and said India must not forgo its rights to harness other factors in the world to get better terms on an equilibrium.

SOURCE: PTI

Russia is a power with an enormous tradition of statecraft and it is turning more towards Asia or non-West parts of the world, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Friday, delving into current geopolitical developments and their fall-outs.

In an interactive session at the Raisina Dialogue, S Jaishankar, replying to a question on Moscow’s growing proximity with Beijing, said it makes sense to give Russia multiple options and that railroading it into a single option and criticising it for that would be like a self-fulfilling prophecy.

SOURCE: AFI

The Shahpur Kandi Barrage, a major irrigation and hydroelectric project on the Ravi River bordering Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, has finally neared completion after facing hurdles for three decades. This marks a significant development as it diverts 1150 cusecs of water previously flowing to Pakistan towards irrigating over 32,000 hectares of land in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua and Samba districts.

The project, initiated by then Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao in 1995, encountered numerous delays due to disputes between the J&K and Punjab governments. However, with the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh in 2018, the project was revived after a four-and-a-half-year suspension.

SOURCE: ANI

In a stride towards advancing Odisha’s industrial landscape, Kalyani Steel has inked a historic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Odisha, underscoring their joint commitment to establish a state-of-the-art Titanium Metal and Aerospace Components Manufacturing, and Integrated Advanced Specialty Steel and Automotive Components Manufacturing Complex in the region.

The MoU signing ceremony, presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, marks a milestone in Odisha’s journey towards becoming a hub for cutting-edge manufacturing and high-tech industries.

SOURCE: PTI

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan on Friday said India is looking at dealing with long-term challenges that may emanate from China besides focusing on the current situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

He made the remarks at the Raisina Dialogue. The Chief of Defence Staff, especially spoke about bridging any technological deficiencies.

SOURCE: PTI

An Indian warship provided critical assistance to a merchant vessel after it caught fire following a suspected drone or missile attack in the Gulf of Aden, the latest in a series of such support missions in the region.

Palau-flagged vessel MV Islander came under attack on Thursday and a crew member of the ship sustained injuries, Indian military officials said today.

SOURCE: PTI

“Sankalp Divas” event was hosted in the Houses of Parliament complex here by the Jammu and Kashmir Study Centre UK (JKSC), a think-tank dedicated to J&K research, to commemorate a historic resolution related to the Indian Union territory.

The event on Tuesday marked the unanimous resolution passed by both Houses of the Indian Parliament on February 22, 1994, reaffirming India’s unwavering stance that the entire region of Jammu and Kashmir is an integral part of India. It emphasised India’s right to reclaim Mirpur-Muzaffarabad and Gilgit and Baltistan, areas that fell victim to Pakistani aggression.

SOURCE: PTI

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday attached houses of four accused in a narco-terror case in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kupwara district, the agency said.

The case relates to the use of the “proceeds of narcotic drugs” to fund violent terror activities by proscribed terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) operating in Jammu and Kashmir’s Handwara-Kupwara region, the NIA said in a statement.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant display of indigenous defense capabilities, the Battle Axe Division of the Indian Army recently conducted successful tests of indigenously manufactured anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) at the Pokhran field firing range in Jaisalmer district. The tests, which encompassed both day and night operations, marked a milestone in India’s quest for self-reliance in defense manufacturing and technology.

The anti-tank guided missiles, designed to bolster the Indian Army’s firepower and operational effectiveness, represent a formidable addition to its arsenal of advanced weaponry. Manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), Hyderabad, the Konkurs-M ATGMs have been indigenized to the maximum extent, showcasing India’s growing capabilities in defense research, development, and production.

SOURCE: REUTERS

Israel’s military exports to India, its largest defence buyer, have not been affected by the war in Gaza, an Indian source and an Israeli source aware of the details said.

India has imported military hardware worth $2.9 billion from Israel over the last decade, including radars, surveillance and combat drones, and missiles. Israel launched its months-long military campaign after militants from Hamas-ruled Gaza killed 1,200 people and took 253 hostages in southern Israel on Oct. 7. Since then, more than 29,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s efforts to strengthen air connectivity in Arunachal Pradesh, a strategically crucial border state, are gaining momentum. The Indian Army’s 3 Corps area is spearheading the initiative, with nine helipads already constructed and six more underway.

This expansion program aims to connect all seven valleys in the state with Chinook-specific helipads. These robust helipads, designed to accommodate the heavy-lift capabilities of the Chinook helicopters operated by the Indian Air Force (IAF), will significantly enhance operational flexibility and responsiveness in the region.