SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Ministry of Defence is progressing toward finalizing an extensive upgrade plan for 84 of its SU-30MKI fighter jets under the “Super Sukhoi” program, marking a major step in the modernization of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Following the Defense Acquisition Council’s (DAC) approval on November 30, 2023, the draft proposal for the upgrade, valued at approximately ?63,000 crore, is now pending clearance by the Prime Minister-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). This ambitious project aims to enhance the operational capabilities of the SU-30MKI, transforming it into a near fifth-generation platform, though it will lack certain stealth features.
Once the CCS grants approval, a formal contract will initiate the project, with the first upgraded aircraft expected to be rolled out after three and half years. The timeline for the complete development and flight testing process is projected to span seven years. This process includes integrating advanced avionics, new radar systems, enhanced electronic warfare (EW) suites, and more powerful engines. Notably, two test-bed aircraft will be modified to the Super Sukhoi configuration, providing a basis for the comprehensive testing of new systems.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is in the process of developing a lighter variant of the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) to meet the Indian Army’s requirements for a more mobile, lightweight artillery system.
This new Towed Gun System (TGS) is designed to feature a 23-litre chamber capacity and a lighter barrel, which will bring its weight under the 15-ton threshold mandated by the Army. The TGS is intended to meet the Army’s growing need for agile, high-performance artillery, with plans to procure approximately 1,200 units in the future, starting with an initial order of 400 guns.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army is keen on expanding its fleet of cargo-carrying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), currently capable of handling payloads ranging from 5kg to 250kg, by introducing much larger UAVs with significantly enhanced lifting capacities. The Army has initiated discussions with several key UAV manufacturers in India, exploring the development of UAVs capable of transporting 1-2 tons of cargo. These UAVs will be instrumental in delivering supplies to remote and difficult-to-access regions, especially in areas where adverse weather conditions make traditional cargo transportation by manned aircraft risky.
The current fleet of cargo-carrying UAVs has been highly effective in transporting light loads, and supporting military operations by ensuring timely delivery of essential supplies in difficult terrains and high-altitude areas. However, with the Army’s increasing logistical demands in remote regions, such as along the Himalayan border, there is an urgent need for UAVs with higher payload capacities. The Army is particularly interested in UAVs capable of carrying 1-2 tons of cargo, significantly increasing operational efficiency and reducing the need for manned helicopters in hazardous conditions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Jayem Automotives Private Limited has been selected to integrate an advanced, indigenously developed 600HP V8 diesel engine into the WhAP 8×8 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC), a move that marks a significant leap forward for India’s armored vehicle capabilities. This powerful V8 engine, developed jointly by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE) and Ashok Leyland, will replace the current Cummins engine, bringing enhanced power, torque, and performance tailored for demanding military operations.
The new 600HP V8 diesel engine boasts a 90-degree crank configuration, delivering an impressive 1,505 Nm of torque. This power upgrade not only surpasses the current Cummins engine used in the WhAP 8×8 but also enhances the APC’s overall agility, speed, and reliability in challenging terrains. This level of power and torque is a substantial boost, especially beneficial for an 8×8 platform designed to handle a variety of missions, from troop transport to reconnaissance and fire support.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant advancement for India’s unmanned vehicle capabilities, Combat Robotics India has developed a versatile simulator named “Astra,” tailored for Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs), Marine Vehicles (both surface and underwater), and Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Supported by the Technology Development Fund (TDF) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Astra simulator has been handed over to DRDO’s Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), marking a new chapter in India’s indigenous defense technology development.
The Astra simulator is designed to offer a realistic and immersive training environment for operators of unmanned systems across multiple domains—ground, marine, and aerial. This multi-platform capability enables personnel to train and test unmanned vehicles in diverse scenarios without the logistical and safety challenges of real-world deployment. With its advanced simulation software, Astra allows operators to experience conditions that closely mirror actual field environments, thus improving proficiency, decision-making, and operational readiness.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a notable development for China’s naval aviation, the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) has officially unveiled the J-15T, a catapult-capable variant of the J-15 carrier-based fighter jet. The J-15T, which is believed to be based on the Russian Su-33 Flanker-D, introduces advancements in avionics, radar, and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, and is powered by China’s indigenous WS-10 engines. However, despite the enhancements, the J-15 remains beset by longstanding issues stemming from its design origins and current carrier limitations.
The J-15T retains the core airframe design of the Su-33, a Soviet-era naval fighter originally developed for Russia’s Kuznetsov-class carriers. China acquired the Su-33 design by purchasing a prototype from Ukraine, an acquisition that enabled its engineers to reverse-engineer the platform and adapt it for the PLAN’s requirements. This approach, while cost-effective, has introduced limitations and challenges that have hampered the J-15’s performance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Star Air, India’s largest private regional carrier and a part of the Sanjay Ghodawat Group (SGG), has unveiled an ambitious fleet expansion plan. The airline aims to reach a fleet size of 25 aircraft by 2027, significantly enhancing its domestic connectivity and reinforcing its commitment to the government’s UDAN initiative.
As part of this expansion, Star Air will be inducting two Embraer E175 aircraft in FY25, followed by four more in FY26. These fuel-efficient and passenger-friendly aircraft will enable the airline to serve underserved regions, making air travel more accessible to a larger population.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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India on Thursday said Canada blocked an Australian media outlet hours after it broadcast the press conference of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar and his Australian counterpart Penny Wong. External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said the Canadian action of blocking the social media handles and certain pages of Australia Today smacked of hypocrisy towards freedom of speech.
“We understand that the social media handles, pages of this particular outlet, which are important diaspora outlets, have been blocked and are not available for viewers in Canada. This happened just an hour or few hours after this particular handle carried the press conference of EAM Dr S Jaishankar with Penny Wong,” Jaiswal said in response to a question at the weekly media briefing.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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In a significant move, an Indian delegation met Afghanistan’s acting Defence Minister Mullah Mohammad Yaqoob and offered the use of Chabahar Port in Iran to businesses in his country, and also discussed extending humanitarian assistance to Kabul.
The delegation was led by J P Singh, joint secretary of the Pakistan-Afghanistan-Iran division in the External Affairs Ministry. During a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said that apart from Mohammad Yaqoob, the delegation also met with former President Hamid Karzai and other senior ministers, along with the heads of UN agencies.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh on Wednesday expressed satisfaction over the recent resolution passed at the Thadou Convention, which voiced support for the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the state’s ‘War on Drugs’ campaign.
Mr Singh, however, emphasised that the government would not compromise its policies in the name of bringing peace by accommodating outsiders. At a convention in Guwahati last week, the Thadou tribe pledged its support for NRC and also backed the state government’s ‘war on drugs’.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah warned against “borderless and invisible” terror threats and stressed the need for cutting-edge technology to deal with them effectively. Speaking at the inaugural session of ‘Anti-Terror Conference-2024’, Shah said, “The terrorist attacks and their conspiracy are against us in a borderless and invisible manner. If we have to deal with it accurately, then our young officers will have to be equipped with the highest technology, they will have to be trained.
We will make it an important part of the training in the coming days.” Shah announced that the Ministry of Home Affairs is taking the next step in its proactive approach to combat terrorism and will come up with a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy. “We are taking the next step in the proactive approach that the Home Ministry has made to fight terrorism, terrorists and the terrorism ecosystem. We will come up with a National Counter Terrorism Policy and Strategy,” he said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
After the resounding success of the Republican party and Donald Trump in the US elections, the ripple effects of a new ‘conservative government’ is also being felt across the border in Canada. Incumbent Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire from Peoples Party of Canada Chief Maxime Bernier who attacked Trudeau for his continued support to unchecked immigration.
“With the election of a Republican administration south of the border, Canada needs to cut government spending, cut taxes, cut excessive red tape, get rid of its costly and inefficient climate policy, abolish all its insane DEI programs, stop mass immigration, and create a business climate where workers, entrepreneurs and investors can thrive.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
President Droupadi Murmu will witness the Indian Navy’s multi-domain operations at sea aboard the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant today. “The Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu will embark indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and witness ‘Naval Operations’ at sea on November 7, 2024,” a Ministry of Defence release read.
Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the Chief of the Naval Staff, will receive the Hon’ble President at INS Hansa (Naval Air Station at Goa) and present a 150-men Ceremonial Guard of Honour. Soon thereafter, the Hon’ble President will embark the indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at sea off Goa.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The priest of a Hindu temple in the Canadian city of Brampton has been suspended for spreading “violent rhetoric” during recent clashes between protesters carrying Khalistani flags and the people present there.
On November 3, a protest occurred at the Hindu Sabha temple in Brampton and unverified videos circulating on social media appeared to show demonstrators holding banners in support of Khalistan. The videos showed fist fights and people striking each other with poles on what appeared to be the ground surrounding the temple.
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Two Village Defence Guards were shot dead by terrorists in the higher reaches of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district on Thursday, officials said. Nazir Ahmad and Kuldeep Kumar, both residents of Ohli-Kuntwara, had gone to graze their cattle in Munzla Dhar forest in the Adhwari area, the officials said.
They said police parties fanned out after the pair of Village Defence Guards (VDGs) failed to return to their homes in the evening.
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