SOURCE: ANI

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the names of four Indian Air Force pilots who will be part of India’s first human space flight program, Gaganyaan, the National Defence Academy (NDA) said that it would be yet another milestone crossed by the cadets of the NDA in conquering uncharted territory after Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian to reach space.

“This unique achievement in pursuit of our country’s maiden manned mission is yet another milestone crossed by the cadets of the National Defence Academy in conquering uncharted territory and bringing laurels to our nation, as was done by another distinguished NDA alumni, Squadron leader (later Wing commander) Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space way back in 1984,” the NDA said in a statement.

SOURCE: PTI

Union Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt inaugurated the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) jetty at Vadinar in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district as a step towards augmenting infrastructure development in the ICG’s strategically important North-West region.

While inaugurating the jetty on Friday, the Union minister lauded the role played by the ICG in safeguarding national maritime interests in its areas of responsibility, an official release said. “The development of the jetty was undertaken by the Deendayal Port Authority (DPA) as a deposit work at a cost of Rs 74 crore,” the ICG said in the statement. On average, the headquarters deploys 10 to 12 ships and two to three aircraft daily for security, surveillance, and to keep constant vigil at sea, it said.

SOURCE: PTI

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Saturday said there seems to be a link between the blast at the city’s popular eatery Rameshwaram Cafe, and the cooker explosion that took place in the coastal city of Mangaluru in 2022, and all angles are being looked into by the police.

He said the government is committed to a fair probe, and police have been given a free hand to investigate the incident at the quick-service eatery in the Brookefield area of the information technology corridor in east Bengaluru that left ten people injured.

SOURCE: PTI

One smuggler was killed and four others, including three BSF personnel, were injured after a mob attacked the paramilitary force near the Indo-Bangladesh boundary in Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills district, the border guards said on Saturday.

The incident happened on Friday night at Dalia village when the group of people, suspected to be smugglers from India and Bangladesh, gathered on both sides of the border to smuggle goods, the BSF said in the statement.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant move towards achieving the vision of #AtmanirbharBharat (Self-reliant India), the Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract with an Indian manufacturer on March 1, 2024, to upgrade the simulator for the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Su-30 MKI aircraft.

This upgrade, led by a Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME), marks a crucial step in India’s journey towards self-sufficiency in defense manufacturing. The upgraded simulator will incorporate all indigenous weapons and capabilities, providing IAF pilots with an enhanced and realistic training experience.

SOURCE: AFI

The iconic Indian Navy’s TU142 aircraft has found a new and permanent home, transformed into a museum in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. The inauguration ceremony, held on March 1, 2024, was graced by the presence of Smt Vanga Geetha Viswanath, the esteemed Member of Parliament for Kakinada.

This museum, nestled on the scenic Kakinada beach, marks a significant addition to the existing naval aviation museums in Visakhapatnam and Kolkata. It offers visitors a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history of the TU142 and its service to the Indian Navy.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant stride towards bolstering its indigenous capabilities, the Indian Navy recently inked a pivotal contract with iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence) developer M/s Adisan Systems LLP. The agreement entails the supply of Reeled Compressed Air Foam (RCAF) systems, aimed at replacing imported counterparts currently onboard naval ships. This milestone not only marks a substantial leap in self-reliance but also resonates strongly with the AatmaNirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) and Make In India initiatives championed by the Government of India.

The fruition of this contract is the culmination of an intense 14-month-long journey, characterized by meticulous design, development, rigorous trials, and eventual contract finalization. This remarkably swift timeline underscores the Navy’s commitment to swiftly adopt indigenous solutions while fostering innovation within the defense sector.

SOURCE: AFI

After Sri Lanka imposed a one-year moratorium on all research vessels conducting studies in its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), causing friction with China, according to Sri Lankan media. This ban, effective January 3rd, 2024, also applies to Chinese research vessels, which have been increasingly active in the Indian Ocean in recent years.

The ban on Chinese ships in Sri Lanka’s EEZ has been interpreted by some as a victory for India, which has previously voiced concerns about such activities in the region. Sri Lanka reportedly informed India of the decision on December 31st, 2023.

SOURCE: AFI

Carborundum Universal Limited (CUMI), a prominent materials science company and part of the esteemed Murugappa group with a rich legacy spanning 120 years, has emerged as a key player in supporting India’s indigenisation efforts in defense technology. Through strategic collaborations with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), CUMI has been instrumental in advancing indigenous manufacturing capabilities and enhancing the country’s defense preparedness.

CUMI’s collaboration with DRDO encompasses the supply of cutting-edge ceramic materials essential for ballistic protection applications. These materials play a critical role in the production of bulletproof vests and armoured vehicles, offering superior protection against ballistic threats while maintaining lightweight and ergonomic designs. Notably, CUMI’s ceramic plates and tiles are manufactured entirely in India, showcasing the company’s commitment to promoting domestic manufacturing and self-reliance in defense production.

SOURCE: PTI

In a historic first, four units of the Indian Air Force will receive the prestigious ‘President’s Standard and Colours’ from President Droupadi Murmu at the Hindon airbase on March 8.

President Murmu will be awarding the President’s Standard to 45 Squadron and 221 Squadron and the President’s Colours to 11 Base Repair Depot and 509 Signal Unit, the defence ministry said. This will be the first time in the history of the IAF that four units will be awarded President’s Standard and Colours together, it said.

SOURCE: ANI

India expressed deep shock at the loss of lives in Northern Gaza after over 100 people were killed there on Thursday when Palestinians gathered around aid trucks for food. “We are deeply shocked at the loss of lives in Northern Gaza yesterday during the delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The MEA stated that the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to remain a cause for concern. “Such loss of civilian lives and the larger humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to be a cause for extreme concern. We reiterate our call for safe and timely delivery of humanitarian aid and assistance,” the MEA said in a statement.

SOURCE: IANS

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar on Friday said that the identity of the man suspected to be behind the blast at a cafe here has been traced, adding the accused would be arrested “in a few hours”.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had earlier said that the blast that occurred at the Rameshwaram Cafe in Bengaluru’s IT hub Whitefield on Friday was due to an improvised explosive device (IED). At least 10 people were injured in the blast.