SOURCE: AFI
Former Israeli Ambassador to India, Daniel Carmon, has sparked fresh discussions about the nature of the India-Israel arms relationship. In an interview with Ynetnews, Carmon suggested that recent Indian arms supplies to Israel, including drones and artillery shells, might be a gesture of gratitude for Israeli assistance during the 1999 Kargil War.
Carmon highlights India’s long memory regarding past support. He suggests that Israel’s willingness to supply weapons during the Kargil War may be motivating India’s current actions. This perspective portrays the recent arms transfer as a form of returning a favor.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
NATO member Estonia, a nation renowned for its prowess in information technology and cybersecurity, is extending a hand of cooperation to India. This collaboration aims to leverage the strengths of both nations in developing cutting-edge defense technologies.
Estonia, a leader in the cybersecurity domain, recognizes India’s growing defense sector ambitions. This partnership offers a unique opportunity to combine Estonian technological expertise with Indian manufacturing muscle.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Philippines is flexing its military muscle in the disputed South China Sea by constructing its first land-based BrahMos anti-ship missile base. This move comes amid ongoing tensions with China over territorial claims in the resource-rich region.
Recent satellite imagery from Maxar Technologies and Planet Labs has shed light on the new base’s development. The images reveal key facilities, including a high bay for missile maintenance and testing, and a separate, secure structure for storing the BrahMos missiles themselves.
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In recent geopolitical discussions, experts from India have suggested leveraging Canada’s lenient stance towards the Khalistani issue. During a podcast, a notable expert proposed that India should encourage fake asylum seekers, particularly from Punjab, to exploit the already overwhelmed Canadian asylum system. This suggestion aims to address two key concerns: straining Canada’s asylum infrastructure and reducing the presence of extremists in India.
Canada has experienced a significant increase in asylum claims, putting immense pressure on its immigration system. According to recent statistics, Mexico is the leading source of asylum seekers in Canada, followed by a diverse array of countries. India ranks fourth, with approximately 9,100 asylum seekers, many originating from the Punjab region. This surge in asylum seekers has strained Canadian cities, pushing temporary shelters to their limits and stretching local budgets.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Following the successful export of BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines, the Indo-Russian joint venture behind the weapon system is setting its sights on new partnerships. BrahMos CEO has expressed confidence in ongoing talks with several countries, suggesting potential deals could be finalized within a more realistic timeframe than the 2-3 years mentioned in some reports.
According to media sources citing the CEO, BrahMos is engaged in advanced discussions with at least two to three countries. While the official did not disclose specific names, there’s a strong possibility that at least one of these negotiations might culminate in a signed agreement in the near future.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Indian Armed Forces have a new contender in the tactical gear arena – Armasen Tactical. This high-quality manufacturer, known for collaborating with Special Operations Units, has offered its latest range to Indian troops.
Armasen Tactical highlights the S.F. R.I.G. Plate Carrier alongside their G.R.I.P. Combat Belt as the core of their offering. These are complemented by a variety of Utility and Ammo Pouches, creating a comprehensive combat ensemble.
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While the allure of cutting-edge technology is undeniable, there are compelling reasons for India to carefully consider the strategic and economic implications of pursuing 6th generation fighter jets in the 2040s.
The United States Air Force’s Next-Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) program serves as a stark example. With an estimated cost of $300 million per unit, 6th generation jets represent a staggering leap from current aircraft. This translates to a price tag that’s a whopping 310.959% more expensive than the Su-30MKI and a significant 114.286% more than the Rafale.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has taken a significant step towards the retirement of its iconic MiG-21 fighter jets. The No. 23 Squadron, also known as the “Panthers,” has relocated from its home base at Suratgarh, Rajasthan, to Nal airbase near Bikaner. This move consolidates the remaining MiG-21 fleet at a single location.
Nal already houses the No. 3 Squadron, nicknamed the “Cobras,” which also flies MiG-21s. This consolidation signifies the dwindling number of operational MiG-21s in the IAF. An official source, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the relocation and the IAF’s plans for the remaining jets.
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Lieutenant General HS Panag (Retd.), former Northern Command and Central Command chief, in a recent column for The Print, applauds the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and the armed forces’ decision to include all categories of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in the negative import list. This policy shift mandates the domestic production of UAVs under the “Make in India” initiative, with the potential exception of highly strategic UAVs like the MQ-9B Sea/Sky Guardian.
General Panag expresses optimism that India’s burgeoning drone industry will soon master even these advanced categories. He highlights Adani Defence Systems’ success in manufacturing the Hermes 900 (Drishti-10) multi-payload UAV for the Army and Navy, with the remarkable feat of even exporting them back to Israel. This exemplifies India’s growing prowess in UAV technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army’s 2 Engineer Regiment of the Chinar Corps has collaborated with R+D Studio to develop a revolutionary pilot outpost for harsh high-altitude environments. Located near Razdan Pass in Jammu & Kashmir’s northern sector at 14,000 feet, this project aims to significantly improve the living and operational conditions for soldiers stationed at such extreme locations.
Traditional outposts often rely on sandbags for construction, insulation, and security. Taking inspiration from this approach, R+D Studio designed a solution specifically tailored for these challenging environments. They developed 13″ x 9″ x 6″ Silica Composite Hollow Blocks (SCHBs). These patented blocks are a sustainable marvel, constructed entirely from 100% recycled materials like foundry dust and single-use/multi-use plastic waste, eliminating the need for natural resources.
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The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has a packed schedule for the remainder of 2024, according to agency chief S. Somanath. Speaking at the third Annual India Space Congress, Somanath outlined plans for three Gaganyaan test flights and the launch of the NISAR satellite.
The launch of NISAR, a collaborative mission between ISRO and NASA, has been pushed back due to a minor issue with a deployable antenna. The antenna, supplied by a US company, requires modifications and is expected to return to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory by July 10th. Once integrated back into the satellite and cleared by testing, NISAR will be ready for launch, though a specific date wasn’t provided. The mission was originally slated for March 2024.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The hypersonic future of the BrahMos cruise missile system faces a hurdle as India’s BrahMos Corporation and Russia grapple with technical and financial hurdles in developing the BrahMos-2 variant. Talks between India and Russia on BrahMos-2 appear to have stalled. Russia’s hesitance to fully commit to the project is a primary concern. Discussions have reportedly hit roadblocks on several issues, jeopardizing the hypersonic ambitions of the BrahMos program.
The BrahMos-2 was originally envisioned as a hypersonic adaptation of the Russian Zircon cruise missile. However, to address potential export control concerns, the BrahMos-2’s speed was reportedly capped at Mach 6, compared to Zircon’s Mach 8 capability.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India is poised to embark on a significant defence collaboration with a steep price tag, as it prepares for the joint production of Stryker armoured vehicles under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. According to sources from the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw), the initial estimated cost of this ambitious project is projected to exceed $1.5 billion, with each unit priced at a substantial $5 million markup.
A key component of this deal is the transfer of technology (ToT), which will facilitate the local production and assembly of the Stryker Armoured vehicles. This ToT arrangement will include the transfer of technical documentation necessary for the medium-term production of spare parts and the assembly of vehicles from the hull stage.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The development of India’s highly anticipated Archer-NG Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has encountered a setback due to funding constraints. This news comes nearly a year after the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) showcased the Archer-NG in late 2022.
The Archer-NG envisioned as an armed drone with a 300 kg payload capacity for weapons like smart anti-airfield munitions and anti-tank guided missiles, offered significant advancements. Its design, featuring a Single Engine Twin Boom configuration, differed from the Tapas UAV but employed similar equipment.
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IIT Jammu’s deep-tech startup, SAP Aerospace, led by Dr. Shanmugadas K.P., has emerged victorious in the open category of DRDO’s TDF Dare to Dream 4.0 Innovation Contest. This win signifies a major step forward for SAP Aerospace and their revolutionary work in the field of combat drone technology.
The DRDO’s Dare to Dream 4.0 Innovation Contest provides crucial support to promising ventures, and SAP Aerospace’s win is a testament to their groundbreaking aero-engine technology designed specifically for Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). This contest win grants them the vital resources needed to further develop their next-generation engine solutions.
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