SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Ordnance Factory, Ambajhari has achieved a significant milestone with the successful fielding of trials for their new 155mm HE Bourrelet Shells. These shells, developed in collaboration with ARDE (Armament Research and Development Establishment), were tested at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE) in Balasore, India.
The trials were conducted using the 155×52 calibre ATAGS (Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System) howitzer. The results were highly encouraging, with the shells achieving a firing range of 34 kilometers and demonstrating exceptional accuracy.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
SatSure Analytics India Private Limited, a Bengaluru-based intelligence company, announced a successful test of a high-resolution optical Earth observation (EO) payload developed by its subsidiary, KaleidEO Space Systems. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Indian private space sector.
KaleidEO’s team designed and built the high-resolution optical payload entirely in-house. This accomplishment makes KaleidEO one of the first private Indian companies to achieve this feat.
Continue readingSOURCE: DEEPAK HILORI/ FOR MY TAKE / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) seems poised to miss the March 31st deadline for delivering the first Tejas Mk-1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF). This raises serious concerns about HAL’s ability to meet crucial deadlines and deliver on its promises. First Tejas Mk1A took off right before March deadline but as per latest media reports it will not be ready for handover for next few months before it is handed over to IAF.
The Mk-1A is a significant upgrade, boasting new systems, software, and weaponry. While the complexity justifies a thorough certification process involving multiple agencies, the missed deadline is a bitter pill to swallow, especially since it comes with a potential financial penalty for HAL.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Nitin Mangal, a SEBI-registered research analyst, has ignited a debate on social media platform X, alleging that some companies are exploiting loopholes in the ‘Make in India’ program for defense procurement.
Mangal argues that the current system allows companies to qualify for ‘Make in India’ benefits even if they simply purchase components from an Indian company, regardless of whether those components are actually manufactured domestically. In his example, company A, which doesn’t manufacture itself, could buy parts from company B, which imports them. Under current rules, this might allow company A to qualify for the program.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
High-resolution satellite imagery has revealed significant progress in the ongoing renovation of Bagdogra Airbase, a crucial Indian Air Force (IAF) facility in the strategically important Siliguri Corridor bordering China. This upgrade comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, making Bagdogra’s transformation even more critical.
The 2017 Doklam standoff underscored Bagdogra’s vital role. Its proximity to the disputed territory makes it a launchpad for air operations and a key staging point for troop deployment. The current renovations aim to significantly enhance the airbase’s capacity and capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Muhammad Mahmood Alam, a Pakistani fighter pilot, is credited with shooting down five Indian fighter jets in under a minute during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. This feat, if true, would be an unparalleled achievement in aerial combat history. However, the claim has been shrouded in controversy for decades.
Pakistan’s official narrative hails Alam as a national hero and an “ace in a day” for his alleged feat. He is credited with downing five Indian Hawker Hunter aircraft within a sixty-second timeframe.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
For those who continue to question the Apollo Moon landings, here’s some compelling evidence captured by a non-NASA space agency. India’s Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, launched in 2019, trained its high-resolution camera on the Apollo 11 and 12 landing sites. The resulting images provide a detailed view of the lunar surface, including the Apollo hardware left behind.
These images, captured by a completely independent space program, offer a clear perspective on the Apollo missions. The presence of the lunar landers on the Moon’s surface provides strong visual proof of human presence there.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron stationed in California discovered a series of problems with five recently delivered F-35C Joint Strike Fighters. These issues, documented in a January 2023 memo, raise concerns about the quality control of the jets and potential impacts on operational readiness.
The problems identified included, Metal shavings were found in the fuel supply of some of the aircraft. Faulty assembly of parts was detected during inspections. : A worrying case involved a plastic scraper, measuring 5.5 inches, left lodged in the wing fold of one jet, only discovered after a post-flight inspection.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
External Affairs Ministry has rejected a report in The Washington Post naming Indian Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) official’s involvement in the alleged post to kill Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun in the US.
Describing it as an “unwarranted and unsubstantiated” imputation on a “serious matter” that is under investigation, Minstry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Monday said the US media report was “speculative and irresponsible”.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In his inaugural address on the floor of the National Assembly (NA) following the 2024 elections, JUI-F chief and Pakistani Opposition Leader, Maulana Fazlur Rehman drew a sharp contrast with India, asserting, “India is dreaming of becoming a superpower, while we are begging to avoid bankruptcy. Who is responsible for this?” ARY News reported.
He attributed the nation’s predicament to unseen forces orchestrating decisions from behind the scenes, reducing elected officials to mere puppets. “There are powers behind the walls controlling us, and they make decisions while we are just puppets,” he claimed.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke to participants of the Indian Air Force (IAF) – Media Coordination Centre’s (MCC) Warfare and Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP) on his book ‘The India Way.’ Jaishankar said that the discussion focused on current geopolitics and India’s strategic choices.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, “Spoke to participants of @IAF_MCC’s Warfare & Aerospace Strategy Program (WASP) on my book: The India Way. A focused discussion on current geopolitics and India’s strategic choices.” In 2022, Jaishankar released the book ‘The India Way: Strategies for an Uncertain World.’ He had presented the first copy of his book to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra on Tuesday held a meeting with UAE’s Minister of State for International Cooperation Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy and discussed ways to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
During the meeting in Delhi, Vinay Kwatra and Reem Ebrahim Al Hashimy reviewed the entire gamut of multifaceted bilateral ties. In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated, “Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra met MoS (International Cooperation) @mofauae Reem Al Hashimy in New Delhi today.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Seven Naxalites, including two women, were killed in an encounter with security personnel in a forest along the borders of Narayanpur and Kanker districts in Chhattisgarh on Tuesday, police said.
This is the second major strike on Naxalites by security forces in 15 days. The latest gunfight took place at around 6 am in the forest between Tekmeta and Kakur villages in Abhujmad area, considered as a stronghold of Naxalites, when a joint team of the District Reserve Guard (DRG) and Special Task Force (STF) was out on an anti-Naxal operation, a senior police official told PTI.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who is a communication and electronic warfare specialist, on Tuesday assumed charge as the 26th Navy chief after incumbent R Hari Kumar retired from service.
An alumnus of the Sainik School Rewa, Admiral Tripathi was serving as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff before taking the reins of the force. Born on May 15, 1964, Admiral Tripathi was commissioned into the executive branch of the Indian Navy on July 1, 1985.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The atmosphere in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir remained tense as locals voiced their frustrations towards the government and local administration, citing a lack of essential amenities on Monday. Residents expressed grave concerns over the absence of critical infrastructure, such as tunnels to mitigate landslides and accidents.
The lawyers from Jamaat-e-Islami held a protest in front of the Muzaffarabad Central Press Club. They spoke about the recurring accidents on Lohar Street due to landslides, highlighting the pressing need for a tunnel to address these safety hazards. Furthermore, residents lamented the failure to expand highways connecting PoK to Pakistan, underscoring broader infrastructural challenges hindering the region’s development and safety.
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