SOURCE: AFI

The 14th edition of the Indo Pacific Geo Intelligence Forum underscored the growing importance of geospatial intelligence in modern warfare. Lt. Gen. RS Raman, Director General Military Intelligence of the Indian Army, emphasized that geospatial is not merely a technology, but rather a constantly evolving ecosystem.

Lt. Gen. Raman highlighted the critical role of geospatial information in enriching traditional maps. By “tethering maps with geospatial information,” the military can gain a deeper understanding of operational environments, leading to improved decision-making.

SOURCE: AFI

The Royal Navy has issued a request for information (RFI) for a new Long Range Anti-Submarine Warfare Weapon (LRAW) to be launched from its Mk41 Vertical Launching Systems (VLS). This development presents an interesting parallel to advancements being made in India.

The Royal Navy seeks a solution that utilizes a “missile/rocket” delivery system to deploy lightweight torpedoes at extended ranges. While unmanned systems are being considered for the future, the current focus is on a missile-based approach. This closely resembles the core functionality of the Indian SMART system.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s decision to retire its aging MiG-27 fleet and not replace them with the Russian Su-34 Fullback, despite already operating a significant number of Su-30MKIs, has been a subject of considerable discussion in defense circles. The rationale behind this decision is multi-faceted, involving operational, financial, and strategic considerations.

The Su-34 is a formidable strike aircraft with impressive capabilities, including a heavy payload capacity, advanced avionics, and long-range precision strike capability. However, India’s operational requirements were already being met effectively by the Su-30MKI, a versatile and multi-role aircraft that can perform both air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. The Su-30MKI, with its robust performance in various roles, reduced the need for a dedicated strike aircraft like the Su-34.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy is fortifying its aerial defense capabilities with INS Dega, a key naval air station located in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, on the east coast of India. This strategic facility is set to become the home base for a squadron of 26 Rafale M fighter jets, bolstering India’s maritime prowess.

Dassault Aviation, the French aerospace giant, is supplying the Indian Navy with these advanced fighter jets. The order comprises:

SOURCE: AFI

Yeni Akit, an Islamist Turkish daily newspaper proudly proclaims the arrival of Turkey’s first indigenous main battle tank, the Altay, alleging it has caused panic amongst neighboring countries. The article cites Indian media outlets discussing the Altay’s capabilities and supposedly advocating for an alliance with Greece to counter this new Turkish advancement.

Yeni Akit portrays Greece as envious of Turkey’s flourishing defense industry, claiming Greece views every Turkish development with apprehension. The piece quotes an unnamed Indian report expressing concern over Turkey’s newfound self-sufficiency in tank production and the potential impact on the regional balance of power.

SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is gearing up for mass production of the LCH Prachand light attack helicopter, following a Ministry of Defence (MoD) request for a proposal (RFP) for 156 units. This move signifies a significant push towards self-reliance in India’s defense sector.

While the initial 15 Limited Series Production (LSP) LCHs had an indigenous content of 45% by value, HAL aims to significantly increase this figure to 55% for the series production variant. This ambitious target reflects India’s commitment to reducing dependence on foreign suppliers for critical defense equipment.

SOURCE: AFI

Nishant Agrawal, a former BrahMos scientist, was sentenced to life imprisonment by a sessions court for leaking military secrets to Pakistan. Agrawal, who worked in the missile assembly unit in Nagpur, was a distinguished missile engineer until his arrest. The court convicted him under Section 235 of the Criminal Procedure Code, finding him guilty of offences punishable under Section 66(f) of the IT Act and various sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) for divulging critical armament information to foreign entities.

The investigation, led by Pankaj Awasthi of the Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorism Squad (UP-ATS), uncovered a sophisticated espionage operation. During the trial, Awasthi testified that a Pakistani agent using the pseudonym ‘Sejal’ had established a Facebook account to connect with Agrawal. This account was used to deploy malicious applications such as Qwhisper, Chat to Hire, and X-trust. These apps, laden with malware, successfully infiltrated Agrawal’s laptop, extracting classified information.

SOURCE: AFI

The issue of Kashmir, long a point of contention between India and Pakistan, has now permeated British politics, with parliamentary candidates seeking the support of the British Pakistani community by addressing the Kashmir conflict. Conservative MP Marco Longhi is among those urging the British Pakistani electorate to vote for him in the upcoming elections, leveraging his stance on Kashmir as a key campaign point.

The UK is set to go to the polls on July 4, with the Conservative Party, led by Rishi Sunak, facing a significant challenge. In a recent letter coinciding with Eid al-Adha, Longhi emphasized his commitment to advocating for the people of Kashmir, highlighting the Indian government’s “atrocities” in the region. He posed the question, “Who will speak for Kashmir in Parliament?” in an attempt to rally support from voters who are deeply concerned about the ongoing conflict.