SOURCE: ANI

On the sidelines of the Milan 2024 Exercise, Indian Navy Deputy Chief Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti interacted with Commodore Jalil Mughadam, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Navy’s Southern Fleet and discussed ways to enhance cooperation between the navies of the two nations.

The two sides also exchanged views on the contemporary maritime security environment and challenges. The 12th edition of multilateral naval exercise Milan 2024 commenced in Visakhapatnam on February 19 with the arrival of warships and one maritime patrol aircraft from FFC. In a post on X, Indian Navy spokesperson stated, “VAdm Tarun Sobti, #DCNS, interacted with Cmde Jalil Mughadam, Dy Commander of IRIN Southern Fleet, on the sidelines of #MILAN2024.

SOURCE: AFI

In a major boost to India’s self-reliance in defense technology, the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet successfully completed its maiden flight with an indigenously developed Digital Fly-by-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) on February 19th. This marks a significant milestone in the development of the advanced fighter, paving the way for its deployment with the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, the DFCC is the heart of the Tejas Mk1A’s flight control system. It features advanced technology like a Quadraplex Power PC processor, high-speed I/O controller, and complex onboard software, ensuring precise and reliable maneuverability. This maiden flight successfully tested all critical parameters and performance of the system, confirming its readiness for further integration and testing.

SOURCE: AFI

The delivery of the much-anticipated Tejas Mk1A fighter jets to the Indian Air Force (IAF) has encountered a slight delay, according to officials. Originally slated for March 2024, the first two jets are now expected by March-end, with few more following by year-end. The final delivery under the Rs 46,898 crore contract is now pushed to February 2028.

While officials acknowledge the delay, they downplay its significance. They cite the testing of the improved digital fly-by-wire flight control computer (DFCC) onboard older LCA-Tejas as a primary reason for the setback. Integrating this crucial component into the Mk1A variant seems to have taken longer than anticipated, impacting the planned taxi trials.

SOURCE: AFI

Imagine a weapon that can neutralize drone attacks, deflect ballistic missiles, and even destroy fighter jets at the speed of light. This is the promise of India’s ambitious “DURGA-2” project, a directed-energy weapon (DEW) being developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Current anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems have limitations. “DURGA-2” aims to overcome these limitations by offering a 100% kill probability, potentially revolutionizing the military landscape. This has sparked excitement in Indian strategic circles, envisioning the system effectively countering threats from China and Pakistan.

SOURCE: United News of Bangladesh

Indian high commissioner to Bangladesh Pranay Verma on Tuesday said that India was willing to share wide-spectrum capabilities in defence manufacturing, including the most sophisticated technologies, with Bangladesh.

He also proposed graduating the bilateral defence cooperation to the next level by building joint ventures in defence manufacturing. Pranay Verma and principal staff officer of Bangladesh Armed Forces Division, Lieutenant General MR Shameem addressed the Seminar on Indian Defence Equipment — SIDE 2024 — hosted by the high commission of India in Dhaka on Tuesday.

SOURCE: PTI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has indicated that India was open to consider playing the role of a mediator to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict if approached, but noted that New Delhi does not believe it should initiate anything on its own. In an interview to German economic daily Handelsblatt, he also said that following the Ukraine conflict, India’s energy suppliers in the Middle-East gave priority to supply petroleum products to Europe that paid higher prices and New Delhi did not have any option but to procure Russian crude oil.

Jaishankar asserted that just as India does not expect Europe to have a view of China that is identical to New Delhi’s, Europe should understand that India cannot have a view of Russia that is identical to the European one. He said India has had a “stable” and “very friendly” relationship with Russia, and that Moscow never hurt New Delhi’s interests. “We, on the other hand, had a politically and militarily much more difficult relationship with China, for example,” he said.

SOURCE: REUTERS

India will invite private firms to invest about $26 billion in its nuclear energy sector to increase the amount of electricity from sources that don’t produce carbon dioxide emissions, two government sources told Reuters.

This is the first time New Delhi is pursuing private investment in nuclear power, a non-carbon-emitting energy source that contributes less than 2% of India’s total electricity generation. The funding would help India to achieve its target of having 50% of its installed electric generation capacity use non-fossil fuels by 2030, up from 42% now.

SOURCE: ANI

Bangladesh’s far right political party Bangladesh Islami Front has completely rejected a recent ‘India Out’ social media campaign in Bangladesh. The campaign has sharpened after Sheikh Hasina, who is seen to be close to India, won a record fourth term in the recently concluded national elections. S U M Abdus Samad, the Secretary General of the Bangladesh Islami Front on Tuesday hit out at the online campaign especially saying it was driven by hard-line elements who spread hate and misinformation.

The Islami front is a small independent party which had put up 37 candidates in the recently concluded polls. In an interview to ANI during his visit to New Delhi, Abdus Samad said cordial ties are crucial for both the neighbouring countries as he highlighted the increased connectivity in recent years. “There is misinformation there since the beginning that India brought a lot of stuff from Bangladesh in 1971 and also did brutal acts. This kind of misinformation is there.

SOURCE: ISRO

AstroSat’s full multi-wavelength capabilities have enabled an international team of scientists to unravel the mysteries surrounding the X-ray binary system MAXI J1820+070, hosting a black hole. The comprehensive study, titled “A Multi-Wavelength Spectral Study of MAXI J1820+070 in the Soft and Hard States,” accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal, presents unique insights into the behaviour of this transient black hole X-ray binary during its 2018 outburst. The team is led by researchers from IUCAA, Pune, and includes researchers from India, the United Kingdom, Abu Dhabi, and Poland.

MAXI J1820+070, positioned around 9800 light-years distant from Earth, is a transient black hole X-ray binary. It was first detected during its outburst in 2018 using the MAXI instrument aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Because of its proximity to Earth and its remarkable brightness upon discovery, emerging as the second brightest object in the X-ray sky, MAXI J1820+070 garnered significant attention within the astronomy community. This led to numerous observing campaigns across various electromagnetic bands.

SOURCE: ANI

India’s senior-most military official, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, is scheduled to meet with top military leaders from countries of strategic importance for India, including the US, France, Australia and the UK at the Raisina Dialogue, which is set to get underway in the national capital on Wednesday. The CDS is scheduled to meet the top military officials from important partner countries such as the US, France, Australia, New Zealand and the UK during the dialogue, defence officials said.

The CDS is also expected to deliver a talk on important military issues at the event along with discussions on important issues with the visiting military officials.

SOURCE: ANI

President of Boeing India and South Asia, Salil Gupte, hailed the ‘Make in India’ initiative and said that New Delhi is moving from being one of the largest importers to developing its own platforms. He said that Boeing is one of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) that has coordinated most with India in this direction. Gupte said that a lot of discussion at the Indus X event — which is being held on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2024 — is around co-development and co-production.

Speaking to ANI, Salil Gupte said, “Several products for defence, that are in the pipeline for co-development…Boeing has decided to specifically participate in those types of programmes, because in defence, under the ‘self-reliance’ theme, India is moving from being one of the largest importers of products to developing its own platforms here.” “Some of it will be done totally with Indian companies and some of it will do in partnership with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).

SOURCE: ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the visiting Chairman of the French Senate, Gerard Larcher on Tuesday held “a fruitful discussion on the India-France strategic partnership”.

The two leaders also engaged in talks over the convergence on a number of global issues. “Pleased to meet the visiting Parliamentary delegation headed by @gerard_larcher, President of the French Senate. A fruitful discussion on the India-France strategic partnership and the convergence on so many global issues,” EAM Jaishankar said in a post on X.

SOURCE: ANI

Indian Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar discussed ways to strengthen bilateral maritime cooperation including operational engagements with his New Zealand counterpart on Tuesday, stated the Ministry of Defence.

Chief of the Royal New Zealand Navy, Rear Admiral David Proctor is on an official visit to India from Feb 19-27. RAdm David Proctor interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar, the Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy in New Delhi on Tuesday. He was welcomed with the customary Guard of Honour on the South Block Lawns in New Delhi, according to a Defence Ministry press release.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Army is taking a bold step towards the future with its ambitious Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) project. This initiative, recently granted “Approval in Principle” by the Ministry of Defence, aims to develop a next-generation battle system designed and built entirely within India. This article delves into the key aspects of the FRCV project, highlighting its potential impact and significance.

The FRCV envisions a combat vehicle capable of adapting to diverse terrains and threats. It will boast a 120mm+ main gun, secondary armaments, and advanced fire control systems, offering lethal firepower and precision targeting. Additionally, features like Active Protection Systems (APS) and modular armor ensure enhanced survivability.

SOURCE: AFI

Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army seeking a 155mm/52 calibre Towed Gun System (TGS) has sparked debate about the suitability of such artillery in modern warfare. While the move appears tailored for the Israeli ATHOS system, concerns remain regarding the vulnerability of towed guns in the face of evolving threats.

Major General Atanu K. Pattanaik (Retd) highlights that the RFI’s weight limit of 15 tonnes favors the ATHOS, weighing less than its indigenous counterpart, the ATAGS. This raises concerns of potential bias towards the Israeli system.