SOURCE: PIB

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the international community to collectively aspire for peace in this age of democratic and rules-based world order, where individual countries proactively collaborate for shared peace & prosperity. He was addressing the formal opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the multi-nation Exercise MILAN in Visakhapatnam on February 21, 2024. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and a distinguished gathering of Ministers, Ambassadors, Chiefs of Navies and representatives of Maritime Forces from over 50 friendly countries were present on the occasion.

Sharing his insights on the concept of ‘peace’, the Raksha Mantri asserted that the absence of wars and conflicts is the most irreducible minimum element of peace. He spoke of “negative peace” which, he said, often stems from dominance or hegemony, where one power imposes its will upon others. He said such peace, not backed by fairness and justice, is what physicists and economists call “unstable equilibrium”.

SOURCE: ANI

The Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence participated in the second India-US Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit in the national capital and discussed enhancing military interoperability to support the vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific. During the summit on Wednesday, the speakers explored opportunities to co-produce advanced military capabilities and create resilient defence supply chains.

“Panel participants expanded on several themes inspired by the original INDUS-X collaboration agenda: deepening defence industrial partnerships, increasing collaborative research and testing facility access, mobilizing private capital to support critical defence technologies, and commercializing dual-use technologies.

SOURCE: ANI

Armenia is ideally positioned to offer India an alternative sea trade route, especially with Europe, Narek Mkrtchyan, the country’s minister for Labor and Social Affairs, said on the sidelines of the ninth edition of the Raisina Dialogue in the national capital on Wednesday. “The Armenian government is committed to forming partnerships in major regional and global projects like the North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), the Gulf Black Sea transport, and the transit corridor and the Chabahar port development, which is a collaborative effort between India and Iran,” the minister told ANI on the sidelines of the event.

The Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, committed to addressing the most challenging issues facing the global community. Further expanding on the country’s offer of an alternative route for commerce, the Armenian minister said it was ‘significant’ at a time when many nations, including India, are looking for alternative sea routes to trade with Europe and the West, given the spate of attacks on commercial vessels passing through the Red Sea.

SOURCE: ANI

India’s senior-most military official, Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, along with Admiral John Christopher Aquilino of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (US INDOPACOM) on Wednesday discussed contemporary security challenges and affirmed stronger ties between both countries.

Sharing on social media X, Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) stated that the two discussed contemporary security challenges and issues of mutual strategic interest and bilateral defence cooperation.

SOURCE: AFI

Zen Technologies Limited, a leading provider of defense training solutions, has secured a ?93 crore (inclusive of 18% GST) order from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the supply of Tactical Training Simulators. This latest win further strengthens the company’s position as a key player in the Indian defense training ecosystem.

This marks another significant order for Zen Technologies in the Tactical Training space, following recent contracts for anti-drone systems and tank training systems with the MoD. The company’s expertise in designing, developing, and manufacturing cutting-edge training solutions has made it a trusted partner for India’s armed forces.

SOURCE: AFI

Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has unveiled the RAJAK TWS-Series, a military-grade uncooled thermal imaging weapon sight designed specifically for the demanding needs of the Indian Armed Forces. This innovative product promises to enhance soldiers’ capabilities and situational awareness in challenging environments.

The RAJAK TWS-Series is crafted with the harsh realities of the battlefield in mind. Its lightweight and durable design ensures reliable performance even in extreme temperatures, dust, and moisture. This makes it well-suited for India’s diverse terrain, from the icy heights of the Himalayas to the scorching deserts of Rajasthan.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is making significant progress towards its ambitious Gaganyaan mission, aimed at sending the first Indian astronauts to space. With the second test vehicle now ready and set for transport to Sriharikota next month, the mission is on track for a potential manned flight later this year.

ISRO chief S. Somanath confirmed the readiness of the second test vehicle, highlighting its arrival at Sriharikota next month and preparations for its launch within two months. This vehicle will further validate crucial aspects of the mission, including the low-altitude and high-altitude motors, as well as the emergency crew escape system.

SOURCE: AFI

At least three Indian citizens have been caught in a harrowing ordeal, allegedly tricked into fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. These individuals, lured with promises of security helper jobs, now find themselves stranded in war-torn regions, desperately seeking government assistance to return home.

According to a victim’s account published by The Hindu, an agent reportedly misled them into believing they would work as “army security helpers.” However, upon arrival, they were pressured and forced to fight alongside Russian troops. This paints a disturbing picture of deceptive recruitment practices exploiting vulnerable individuals.

SOURCE: PTI

ISRO has accomplished a major milestone in the human rating of its CE20 cryogenic engine that powers the cryogenic stage of the human-rated LVM3 launch vehicle for Gaganyaan human spaceflight missions, with the completion of the final round of ground qualification tests.

“ISRO’s CE20 cryogenic engine is now human-rated for Gaganyaan missions,” the space agency said on ‘X” on Wednesday. Rigorous testing demonstrates the engine’s mettle, it said, adding the CE20 engine identified for the first uncrewed flight LVM3 G1 also went through acceptance tests.

SOURCE: IANS

India’s atomic power major Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) will soon connect its second 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) to the grid, an official said on Wednesday, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Gujarat on Thursday to dedicate to the nation the two 700 MW PHWRs at Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS).

While the KAPS-3 has been synchronised with the grid, KAPS-4 will also be connected to the grid soon, an official told IANS on condition of anonymity. With that, both the 700 MW PHWRs will supply power to Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Goa and the Union Territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

SOURCE: PTI

 India and Greece agreed on Wednesday to firm up a migration and mobility agreement soon, besides ramping up their overall cooperation in the areas of trade, defence production and to combat terrorism. Expansion of the overall strategic cooperation figured prominently during extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Greek counterpart, Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Mitsotakis is on a two-day visit to India. It is the first visit to India by a head of state of Greece in 15 years. India and Greece have common concerns and priorities in the fight against terrorism, Modi said in his media statement.