SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to enhance its aerial firepower with plans to expedite the conversion of an additional 20 Su-30MKI fighter jets, equipping them with the formidable BrahMos-A Air Launched Cruise Missile (ALCM).

The BrahMos-A ALCM stands out as one of the deadliest Air to Surface weapon system in the world, boasting a range of 450km and blistering Mach 3 speed. Its precision strike capabilities and unparalleled speed make it a formidable asset for India’s air defense arsenal, capable of neutralizing high-value targets with swift and decisive precision.

SOURCE: AFI

Recently, officials from the Indonesian Navy (Tentara Nasional Indonesia Angkatan Laut, TNI-AL) and other delegations attending MILAN 2024 had the unique opportunity to board India’s first domestically built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. This landmark event not only showcased India’s naval prowess but also highlighted the spirit of maritime cooperation and friendship between the two nations.

INS Vikrant stands as a symbol of India’s growing maritime capabilities and its commitment to bolstering naval power in the Indo-Pacific region. As the largest warship ever built in India, INS Vikrant represents a significant milestone in the country’s defense modernization efforts and indigenous shipbuilding capabilities.

SOURCE: REUTERS

India has asked Russia for the early release of some Indians working with the Russian army in “support jobs”, New Delhi said on Friday, urging its nationals to stay away from the two-year-old Ukraine war.

The statement from the Indian foreign ministry came after the Hindu newspaper reported that around 100 Indians had been recruited in the past year under contracts lasting at least a year. Nationals of many countries have sought work with the Russian army, including from India’s neighbour Nepal.

SOURCE: AFI

Dr. Tobias Lindner, Germany’s Minister of State for Federal Foreign Office, recently highlighted growing concerns over China’s assertive behavior and its implications for the rule-based international order. Speaking on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2024, Lindner emphasized the importance of upholding sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the principles of peaceful dispute resolution in the face of escalating tensions.

Lindner underscored Germany’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the one and unique rule-based international order, emphasizing the special responsibility borne by United Nations members and the permanent members of the Security Council in preserving global stability and security. Against the backdrop of increasing assertiveness from China, particularly in regions such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and along the border with India, Lindner stressed the imperative of resolving disputes peacefully and through mutual consent.

SOURCE: PIB

The Plasma Analyser Package for Aditya (PAPA) payload onboard the Aditya-L1 has been operational and performing nominally. Its advanced sensors have successfully detected the impact of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) including those that occurred during February 10-11, 2024.

PAPA is an energy and mass analyzer designed for in-situ measurements of solar wind electrons and ions in the low energy range. It has two sensors: the Solar Wind Electron Energy Probe (SWEEP, measuring electrons in the energy range of 10 eV to 3 keV) and the Solar Wind Ion Composition Analyser (SWICAR, measuring ions in the energy range of 10 eV to 25 keV and mass range of 1-60 amu). The sensors are also equipped to measure the direction of arrival of solar wind particles.

SOURCE: PTI

The US Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma has met with senior Indian ministers and officials in New Delhi to advance the US-India global strategic partnership and ensure a free and open Indo-Pacific region, according to his spokesperson.

Verma, the Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources, is the highest-ranking Indian American in the State Department.

SOURCE: IANS

The Indian Navy has launched a probe into reports of large fishing vessels bearing Chinese flags allegedly sneaking into the Indian territorial waters in the Arabian Sea near the Karnataka coastal region, sources stated on Friday.

Sources told IANS that the incident was reported three days ago and the Indian Navy is looking into the matter. The intrusions by the Chinese fishing boats came to light after two videos went viral on social media in coastal districts raising concerns.

SOURCE: ANI

Praising the leadership of Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Pravind Jugnauth, the Foreign Minister of Mauritius, Maneesh Gobin, said that the relationship is super special and more strategic than ever before. While speaking to ANI, Gobin said that the ties between the two countries have taken to another level in recent years. On India-Mauritius relations, he said, “I think the relationship is super special.

And in recent years, I think the relationship has taken another level.” “I think it more strategic than ever before and especially under the leadership of our two Prime Ministers, the relationship has become, I think the strategic level is the expression to be used,” the foreign minister added. India has close, longstanding relations with Mauritius, an island nation in the Western Indian Ocean, owing to historical, demographic, and cultural reasons.

SOURCE: ANI

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will pay bilateral visits to the Republic of Korea and Japan from March 5-8 and will co-chair the 10th India-Republic of Korea Joint Commission Meeting (JCM) with his Korean counterpart Cho-Tae Yul, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said.

The EAM will first visit South Korea’s Seoul from March 5-6 to co-chair the JCM meeting, and the two sides will also exchange views on regional and global issues of mutual interest, the MEA said in a statement.

SOURCE: PTI

Two men were killed by Naxalites in a village in Chhattisgarh’s Sukma district on Friday, police said. The victims, identified as Sodhi Hunga and Madvi Nanda, were residents of Kaher Dulhed village under Chintagufa police station limits, an official said.

After being alerted about the murders, a police team was sent to the spot and further details are awaited. The exact reason behind the crime was yet to be ascertained, he said. “Frustrated over losing their ground in their strongholds, Naxalites have been targeting innocent civilians. They don’t want the benefits of development and welfare schemes to reach the common man,” the official said.

SOURCE: AFI

A recent incident along the Assam-Bangladesh border has brought attention to the ongoing challenges of cattle smuggling in the region, as a suspected smuggler, Shahinur Islam (26), was shot dead by Border Security Force (BSF) personnel in Mankachar. The incident highlights the complexities and risks associated with illegal cattle trade along the international boundary.

The encounter occurred as BSF personnel intercepted a group of Indian smugglers, including Shahinur Islam, who were attempting to swiftly transport cows across the border into Bangladesh. Mankachar, located in Assam, has been a hotspot for illegal cattle smuggling due to its proximity to Bangladesh and porous border conditions.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to receive a major upgrade in its air defense capabilities with a ?13,000 crore ($1.6 billion) project approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). This investment focuses on acquiring new high-power radars from Larsen & Toubro (L&T), an Indian defense manufacturer.

A project worth Rs 6,000 crore will see the IAF replace and augment its existing radar chain along the borders with China and Pakistan. These new radars will significantly enhance its ability to monitor air activity in these crucial sectors.

SOURCE: AFI

In a major boost to India’s air defense and self-reliance, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a Rs 7,000 crore deal for the procurement of close-in weapon systems from Indian defense giant Larsen & Toubro (L&T). This includes the ambitious “Made in India” Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) project, based on the company’s advanced Sudarshan SHORAD system.

The Sudarshan SHORAD is a state-of-the-art Short-Range Air Defence System (SHORAD) designed and developed by L&T Defence. It boasts:

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy successfully employed its Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) to locate the wrecks of two sunken submarines during a recent training program. This exercise demonstrates the growing capabilities of the Indian Navy in deep-sea operations and underwater rescue missions.

The discovered submarines include:

SOURCE: AFI

As tensions escalate in the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the recent imposition of sanctions by the European Union (EU) against Chinese and Indian firms has sparked significant debate and speculation regarding its efficacy and potential implications. In a report by the CCP mouthpiece Global Times, Chinese analysts assert that these sanctions, aimed at curtailing trade with Russia, may not contribute to Ukraine’s efforts in the war. Rather, they underscore the broader geopolitical maneuvers at play and the complexities surrounding international relations.

The EU sanctions, which target companies from China, India, and several other countries including Sri Lanka, Turkey, Thailand, Serbia, and Kazakhstan, signify a strategic move by Western powers to exert pressure on Russia amidst its military advances in Ukraine. However, the effectiveness of such measures remains uncertain, particularly in light of past experiences with sanctions against Russia.