SOURCE: AFI

Indian aerospace witnessed a historic moment today with the unveiling of the FWD-200B, India’s first indigenously developed military-grade bomber Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This marks a significant achievement for Flying Wedge Defence and Aerospace Technologies (FWDA), a Bengaluru-based company, and a major leap forward for India’s defense capabilities.

“For over 15 years,” declared Suhas Tejaskanda, Founder of FWDA, “India’s pursuit of Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) remained a distant dream, despite significant investment and repeated attempts. Today, India not only fulfills this dream but also joins a league of nations with advanced combat aircraft capabilities.”

SOURCE: AFI

The brutal war in Ukraine has delivered a stark message – artillery remains the king of the battlefield. Estimates suggest a staggering 80 percent of casualties in the conflict are attributed to artillery fire. This grim reality underscores the critical need for a modernized and well-equipped artillery arsenal for the Indian Army. Fast-tracking the induction of the 155/52 caliber towed gun system should be a top priority.

Artillery has long been revered as the “God of War,” its thunderous roar heralding destruction and shaping the outcome of conflicts throughout history. In the context of the Ukraine-Russia War, where urban warfare and asymmetric tactics prevail, the role of artillery assumes paramount importance. With the ability to deliver devastating firepower over vast distances, artillery systems serve as force multipliers, capable of neutralizing enemy positions, disrupting logistics, and inflicting heavy casualties with remarkable precision.

SOURCE: AFI

The S-400 Triumf, also known as the SA-21 Growler by NATO, is a cornerstone of India’s long-range air defense system. With three squadrons already operational and two more expected by 2026, the S-400 significantly bolsters the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) capability to counter aerial threats.

The S-400 boasts an impressive 400-kilometer range, allowing it to engage enemy aircraft and cruise missiles well before they reach Indian airspace. This extended reach strengthens India’s border security and provides valuable reaction time in case of an attack.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian government has issued a cybersecurity alert warning officials about a hacking campaign targeting government entities. The attackers, believed to be linked to Pakistan, are exploiting a vulnerability in WinRAR, a popular file archive tool, to deploy malicious software.

The alert details how a Pakistan-linked cyber threat actor, known as SideCopy, is leveraging a security flaw in WinRAR. By exploiting this vulnerability, SideCopy can execute malicious code that silently installs Remote Access Trojans (RATs) on the victim’s system. These RATs, such as AllaKore and Ares, grant the attackers remote control over the infected device, enabling them to steal sensitive information.

SOURCE: AFI

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway has reached a partial agreement with the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) following a week-long protest encampment on campus. The agreement addresses eight of the ten demands presented by SJP, with the most contentious issues – divestment from Israel and severing ties with Tel Aviv University – reportedly outside the President’s authority.

While some see the agreement as a step towards resolving the dispute, key sticking points remain. Notably, President Holloway conceded to allow displaying of Palestine and Kashmiri separatist flag alongside with other national flags, a decision generating significant controversy.

SOURCE: AFI

Armenia’s recently acquired Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 155mm/52 caliber towed guns from India have received a user-friendly upgrade, according to Baba Kalyani, Chairman of Bharat Forge.

The ATAGS deployed in Armenia boast ballistic computers with interfaces in the local language. This customization simplifies operation for Armenian artillery crews, reducing training time and potential for errors.

SOURCE: AFI

India’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) has embarked on an ambitious project to design and develop Extra Large Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (XLUUVs) for the Indian Navy. This initiative signifies a significant stride towards self-reliance in underwater defense technologies.

The project, granted Approval-in-Principle (AiP) in January 2023, aims to deliver a prototype XLUUV by 2025, paving the way for potential procurement of up to 12 XLUUAVs upon successful testing. This aligns with India’s broader “Make in India” push to bolster domestic defense manufacturing capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is taking its pilot training to the next level by introducing live air-to-air missile engagements against electronic targets. This initiative comes in response to the growing prominence of combat drones and sub-sonic cruise missiles in modern warfare.

The battlefield landscape is constantly evolving, with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and sub-sonic cruise missiles playing an increasingly significant role. These new threats demand a more nuanced and realistic training approach for IAF pilots.

SOURCE: AFI

Indian industrial powerhouse Bharat Forge, under the leadership of Baba Kalyani, has announced a significant expansion in its artillery gun manufacturing capabilities. The company has established the capacity to produce 12 artillery guns per month, with the potential to scale up to a staggering 30 – a move that positions them to become the world’s largest artillery gun manufacturer by production capacity.

This ambitious move comes amidst a backdrop of limited orders for Bharat Forge’s artillery systems. While they’ve secured an export order for their MarG 155/39 Mounted Gun System (MGS) to Armenia and are part of the consortium developing the ATAGS 155/52mm gun, a crucial domestic order from the Indian Army remains elusive.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy’s ambitious Project Seabird at INS Kadamba is witnessing significant progress, marking a crucial step towards bolstering India’s strategic and security interests in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). This large-scale project focuses on major upgrades and capacity expansion at the naval base, transforming it into a vital hub for the Indian Navy’s operations.

Located in Karwar, Karnataka, INS Kadamba is strategically positioned on the Arabian Sea coast. Project Seabird represents a comprehensive modernization initiative aimed at transforming the base into a premier naval facility.

SOURCE: AFI

The United States and India are collaborating on a potential expansion of their strategic partnership. This involves auditing Kolkata Port to assess its suitability for a new Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA).

An MSRA would allow US Navy warships stationed in the Indo-Pacific to access critical repair and maintenance services at Kolkata Port. This initiative aligns with the broader goal of both nations to establish India as a key hub for US naval upkeep in the region.