SOURCE: AFI

GalaxEye, a space tech startup incubated at IIT Madras, has released another high-resolution image captured by India’s first Drone SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) system. This development follows their commitment to not only advance space-based technologies but also leverage them to empower users.

GalaxEye’s Drone SAR system is a pioneering achievement in Indian aerospace. Unlike traditional satellite imagery, SAR can capture high-resolution images even in adverse weather conditions, offering valuable insights regardless of cloud cover.

SOURCE: AFI

As India ramps up defense spending in the face of heightened tensions with China and Pakistan, the ongoing war in Ukraine is serving as a crucial case study. Indian military strategists are keenly dissecting the conflict for insights into the future of warfare and how to best counter potential threats from its neighbors.

The war has underscored the growing importance of several key areas:

SOURCE: AFI

The Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative has announced the winners of its DISC 8 (Defence Innovation Startup Challenge) program. The spotlight shines on Antsys Innovations, a company poised to revolutionize satellite antenna technology.

iDEX has recognized Antsys Innovations as the winner for its groundbreaking proposal. The company will develop a unique origami-based L/P band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) antenna specifically designed for small Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites.

SOURCE: AFI

China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has generated a buzz of activity with its recent movement out of the fitting-out basin. This maneuver, coupled with reports suggesting imminent sea trials, has ignited interest in the operational timeline of this formidable warship.

The Fujian’s relocation from the fitting-out basin to a riverside pier signifies a crucial step towards its sea trials. During the fitting-out phase, the carrier undergoes extensive installations and testing of various systems. The move to the pier suggests that these processes might be nearing completion.

SOURCE: AFI

North Korea raised eyebrows recently during a military parade showcasing a fleet of what appeared to be ordinary civilian vehicles. Upon closer inspection, however, these seemingly innocuous trucks, cement mixers, poultry houses, and tractors all concealed a far more menacing secret: missile launchers.

This parade served as a platform for North Korea to display its evolving military capabilities. The inclusion of disguised mobile launchers suggests a potential shift in North Korea’s missile deployment strategy. These camouflaged launchers enhance North Korea’s ability to disperse its military assets, potentially making them harder to detect and destroy in a pre-emptive strike.

SOURCE: AFI

Nitin Mangal, a SEBI-registered research analyst, has ignited a debate on social media platform X, alleging that some companies are exploiting loopholes in the ‘Make in India’ program for defense procurement.

Mangal argues that the current system allows companies to qualify for ‘Make in India’ benefits even if they simply purchase components from an Indian company, regardless of whether those components are actually manufactured domestically. In his example, company A, which doesn’t manufacture itself, could buy parts from company B, which imports them. Under current rules, this might allow company A to qualify for the program.

SOURCE: AFI

High-resolution satellite imagery has revealed significant progress in the ongoing renovation of Bagdogra Airbase, a crucial Indian Air Force (IAF) facility in the strategically important Siliguri Corridor bordering China. This upgrade comes at a time of heightened regional tensions, making Bagdogra’s transformation even more critical.

The 2017 Doklam standoff underscored Bagdogra’s vital role. Its proximity to the disputed territory makes it a launchpad for air operations and a key staging point for troop deployment. The current renovations aim to significantly enhance the airbase’s capacity and capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

Muhammad Mahmood Alam, a Pakistani fighter pilot, is credited with shooting down five Indian fighter jets in under a minute during the 1965 Indo-Pak War. This feat, if true, would be an unparalleled achievement in aerial combat history. However, the claim has been shrouded in controversy for decades.

Pakistan’s official narrative hails Alam as a national hero and an “ace in a day” for his alleged feat. He is credited with downing five Indian Hawker Hunter aircraft within a sixty-second timeframe.

SOURCE: AFI

For those who continue to question the Apollo Moon landings, here’s some compelling evidence captured by a non-NASA space agency. India’s Chandrayaan-2 orbiter, launched in 2019, trained its high-resolution camera on the Apollo 11 and 12 landing sites. The resulting images provide a detailed view of the lunar surface, including the Apollo hardware left behind.

These images, captured by a completely independent space program, offer a clear perspective on the Apollo missions. The presence of the lunar landers on the Moon’s surface provides strong visual proof of human presence there.

SOURCE: AFI

A U.S. Marine Corps fighter squadron stationed in California discovered a series of problems with five recently delivered F-35C Joint Strike Fighters. These issues, documented in a January 2023 memo, raise concerns about the quality control of the jets and potential impacts on operational readiness.

The problems identified included, Metal shavings were found in the fuel supply of some of the aircraft. Faulty assembly of parts was detected during inspections. : A worrying case involved a plastic scraper, measuring 5.5 inches, left lodged in the wing fold of one jet, only discovered after a post-flight inspection.