SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is poised to significantly enhance its precision strike capabilities by planning to procure 300 units of the GAURAV Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB). These munitions, designed for air-to-ground engagements, will equip the IAF to effectively neutralize critical enemy infrastructure like airfields, bunkers, and hard installations.
The GAURAV LRGB is engineered to carry conventional warheads, making it a formidable option for deep penetration strikes. Its design allows for integration with key fighter aircraft in the IAF’s inventory, including the Su-30MKI and Mirage-2000, thereby extending the operational range and precision of these aircraft in combat scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a move that could reshape the competition for India’s Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender aimed at procuring 110 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force, Russia is likely to pull its MiG-35 from the race. The decision comes as the MiG-35, despite its advanced features, faces challenges with limited production rates and a lack of robust orders from the Russian Air Force itself.
The MiG-35 was pitched with several impressive enhancements over its predecessors like Revised Tailfin and Airframe Geometry these modifications were meant to improve aerodynamics and manoeuvrability, crucial in modern aerial combat scenarios. The aircraft was equipped with Klimov RD-33MK engines, providing a thrust of nine tonnes at full afterburner, promising better performance at high speeds.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India is on the cusp of a significant advancement in its ballistic missile defence (BMD) capabilities, thanks to ongoing negotiations with Russia for the transfer of technology (ToT) related to the Voronezh radar system. This deal, which aims to integrate Russian technology with indigenous Indian systems, is set to expand India’s early warning capabilities dramatically, as reported by industrial sources to idrw.org.
The Voronezh radar system is a state-of-the-art, over-the-horizon early warning radar that Russia has developed to detect ballistic missile launches from vast distances. Known for its capability to cover ranges from 6,000 to 8,000 kilometres, the Voronezh will serve as the backbone for India’s Very Long Range Radar program.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian government has greenlit a significant $9 billion deal involving Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and Germany’s Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for the design and construction of next-generation submarines under Project 76. The deal includes a comprehensive transfer of technology (ToT) that aims to enable India to eventually develop its own indigenous submarine designs.
This collaboration with TKMS marks India’s third major attempt at acquiring submarine technology over the past four decades. The journey began in 1981 when India procured four Type 209/1500 submarines from the German firm Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft (HDW), the predecessor of TKMS. Under that deal, two submarines were built in Germany, while two were constructed at MDL. The project was marred by a bribery scandal in 1987, which led to the blacklisting of HDW and stalled further cooperation.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a stride towards enhancing its aerial surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, India has officially become an observer state in the Eurodrone programme, managed by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR). This development marks a new chapter in India’s defense collaboration with Europe, particularly in the realm of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology.
The Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), a pivotal wing under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has been designated to represent India in this groundbreaking programme. This assignment underscores ADE’s critical role in the advancement of India’s UAV technology and its commitment to integrating global best practices with indigenous innovation.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has recently unveiled updated specifications for its Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), named Soorya. This ambitious project has now been designed to reach a towering height of 92 meters, significantly taller than the SpaceX Falcon Heavy, which stands at 70 meters. This comparison was highlighted in a recent graph that juxtaposed these two advanced launch systems.
In a significant boost to India’s space program, the Indian Cabinet last year greenlit the development of the NGLV with an approved budget of ?8,239 crore. The government’s endorsement comes with the promise that the NGLV will carry three times the payload capacity of the current Launch Vehicle Mark 3 (LVM3) at only 1.5 times the cost. This enhancement in payload capacity aims to support India’s burgeoning space exploration goals, including the establishment of a space station and manned lunar missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a testament to their unyielding commitment and technical expertise, the “Black Charger Eagles” of the South Western Command of the Indian Army undertook an extraordinary 24-hour continuous engine changing exercise. This challenging endeavor involved the replacement of engines in one T-90, one T-72 tank, and one BMP armored vehicle under adverse weather conditions.
The exercise, which spanned through the night, was executed in the face of cold temperatures, relentless rains, and poor visibility, conditions that would typically hamper such delicate operations. However, the “Black Charger Eagles” turned adversity into an opportunity, showcasing their operational resilience and technical mastery.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday expressed concern that the neighbouring China’s plan to construct the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river will have a devastating effect on the state and Assam.
The Yarlung Tsangpo river enters Arunachal Pradesh as Siang and becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam before flowing into Bangladesh. Speaking at the inaugural function of a seminar titled Environment and Security’ here, Khandu pointed out that the dam would allow China to control the timing and volume of water flowing downstream, which could have devastating effects during periods of low flow or drought.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
India has slammed Pakistan for supporting terrorism, stressing that the whole world is aware of who is a promoter of terrorism. While addressing a press briefing on Friday, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal noted that everyone knows that there are nations responsible for cross-border terrorism and India calls upon Pakistan to take strict action to stop cross-border terrorism.
When asked about Pakistan’s ISPR statement claiming that the Indian Army is being politicised after the Indian Army Chief said that terror activities in Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir were linked with Pakistan, Jaiswal responded, “The whole world knows, who is promoting terrorism.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Friday said that India would continue buying crude oil from Russia if it is available at a discount emphasising that the government is “committed” to buying the most economically-priced crude oil.
“We used to buy less than 0.2 per cent from Russia in February 2022. Now, we are buying 30 per cent. If it’s available at good discounts, we will buy it. If it (crude oil) is available elsewhere (at a discounted price), we will buy (from that market),” Hardeep Singh Puri, who is Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, said during a media interaction here.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s participation as a co-chair at the upcoming AI Summit in France, following an invitation from French President Emmanuel Macron.
During a weekly press briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “France is hosting the AI summit and French President Emmanuel Macron has invited PM Modi to co-chair the summit. We have accepted the invitation. You will be informed about any further updates regarding that tour in the coming days.”
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
An Indian fisherman, who was languishing in the Karachi jail even after completion of his sentence, has died, official sources said on Friday.
The fisherman identified as Babu died Thursday, they said. He is the eighth Indian fisherman who died in Pakistan in last two years, the sources said. “Babu was arrested by Pakistani authorities in 2022. Despite completion of his sentence and confirmation of his Indian nationality, he was not released by Pakistan authorities,” said a source.One-hundred-eighty Indian fishermen who have completed their sentences await release from Pakistani jail, the sources said.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
In a major success for the ongoing anti-Maoist operations, a joint team of the Bijapur District Reserve Guard (DRG), District Police Force, CoBRA Battalion, and the CRPF apprehended 14 hardcore Maoists from the forests of Mallampet and Nadpalli, police officials said on Friday.
The operation targeted Maoist strongholds in Tekmetla, Nadpalli, and Mallampet regions. Among the 14 arrested, 8 Maoists carried a cumulative bounty of Rs 36 lakh on their heads. The arrested Maoists are suspected to have been involved in various violent incidents and acts of sabotage in the Usur area.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
INS Tushil, the Indian Navy’s stealth guided missile frigate, visited Walvis Bay, Namibia, an official said on Friday, adding the visit was aimed at strengthening bilateral ties between India and Namibia, with a focus on enhancing maritime cooperation and tackling common threats.
The visit was carried out after successfully patrolling the Gulf of Guinea, marking its maiden passage around the west coast of Africa. INS Tushil, the latest multirole stealth guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, started sailing from Kaliningrad, Russia for India on December 17, 2024, marking the beginning of its maiden operational deployment. The ship was built in Russia and commissioned on 9 December 9, 2024, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Six Bangladeshi infiltrators were apprehended and pushed back to their country by Assam Police, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said on Friday. He, however, did not specify the district where the incident happened.
“@AssamPolice continues its crackdown on infiltration, 6 Bangladeshi nationals apprehended,” Sarma said in a post on X. The infiltrators were identified as Md Juman, Md Sahib, Hanupa Begum, Md Kholil, Saiful Rahman and Rocky.
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