SOURCE: AFI

In a recent opinion piece published on “The Print,” Lt Gen (Dr) Prakash Menon (retd), Director of the Strategic Studies Programme at the Takshashila Institution and former military adviser to the National Security Council Secretariat, advocates for the establishment of an airborne command post. This proposition comes at a crucial juncture when advancements in satellite-based geospatial monitoring technologies have made concealing underground facilities increasingly difficult. Lt Gen Menon argues that an airborne command post presents a compelling solution to this challenge, offering enhanced survivability and redundancy to the nuclear command authority.

The primary rationale behind the proposal for an airborne command post lies in the evolving landscape of strategic defense. With the advent of sophisticated satellite surveillance capabilities, the concealment of underground facilities, traditionally used for housing command centers, has become a daunting task. Once detected, these fixed installations are susceptible to targeted attacks, including communication jamming, thereby compromising the command and control capabilities vital for nuclear deterrence.

SOURCE: AFI

Russia’s atomic energy giant, Rosatom, is in discussions with Indian nuclear authorities to supply technology for small modular reactors (SMRs). This collaboration could address India’s growing energy demands while providing a clean and sustainable solution.

Evgeny Pakermanov, President of Rosatom Overseas, highlighted the company’s experience in SMR technology. Rosatom is currently constructing its first land-based SMR in Yukatia, a remote province in Russia. This 190 MWt (55 MWe) power plant utilizes enriched uranium and requires minimal land (only 15 acres). Scheduled for operation in 2028, this project showcases the potential of SMRs to provide clean energy in geographically challenging regions.

SOURCE: AFI

The plight of the MV Abdullah, a Bangladeshi cargo ship hijacked by Somali pirates in the Indian Ocean, continues with no immediate resolution in sight.

Both the Bangladesh government and the ship’s owner have rejected an offer from the European Union (EU) and the Indian Navy to assist in operations onboard the vessel. This leaves negotiations with the pirates as the primary course of action for securing the safe return of the 23 crew members.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) indigenous fighter jet program, the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of the first LCA-Tejas Mk1A variant, LA-5033. Sporting a bright yellow primer, LA-5033 marks the beginning of the delivery of 73 upgraded Mk1A jets ordered by the IAF from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in 2021.

Fresh off completing successful low-speed taxi trials, LA-5033 is expected to progress to high-speed taxi trials soon before being cleared for its maiden flight. A slight delay in the first flight stemmed from software validation for the new high-powered Digital Fly-By-Wire Flight Control Computer (DFCC) onboard LA-5033. However, this critical technology has already been successfully flight-tested on the Tejas Mk1A prototype LSP7 on February 19, 2024, paving the way for LA-5033’s imminent first flight.

SOURCE: AFI

Images of a new Chinese attack helicopter, dubbed the Z-21, have surfaced on social media, sparking speculation about its capabilities and potential role in future military operations. Analysts believe this heavy-duty helicopter could be a game-changer for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

Military experts see the Z-21 as a crucial asset for the PLA, particularly in potential conflicts involving Taiwan or India. Malcolm Davis, a senior analyst at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, highlights the Z-21’s versatility. “While it could play a significant role in operations against Taiwan,” he says, “its design suggests high-altitude capabilities, making it relevant for the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Himalayas.”