SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) Nashik Division, fondly dubbed the MiG Complex, is emerging as a linchpin in India’s indigenous fighter aircraft program, with three to four Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk1A airframes—known as “Alphas”—currently in various stages of assembly. Leveraging over six decades of experience in producing and maintaining MiG variants and Su-30 MKI fighters, the division’s workforce is demonstrating remarkable skill and efficiency.
“The speed at which the first aircraft is coming out is a testament to their expertise,” an official told Tarmak Media House (TMH) in a statement reported on March 21, 2025, highlighting Nashik’s pivotal role in delivering the LCA Mk1A to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
In a groundbreaking revelation, Vivek Lall, Chief Executive of General Atomics Global Corporation, has disclosed that 21 of the 31 MQ-9B Predator drones ordered by India will be assembled within the country. This announcement, made in an exclusive interview with BharatShakti Editor-in-Chief Nitin A. Gokhale, marks a pivotal moment for India’s defense manufacturing ecosystem, reinforcing its push toward self-reliance under the “Make in India” initiative. The $3.5 billion tri-service deal, signed with the United States under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, underscores a deepening India-U.S. defense partnership and promises to elevate India’s surveillance and combat capabilities.
The MQ-9B drones, comprising 15 SeaGuardian variants for the Indian Navy and eight SkyGuardian variants each for the Indian Army and Air Force, are among the world’s most advanced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). With a delivery timeline spanning three years, General Atomics plans to supply 10 drones in flyaway condition—ready for immediate deployment—while the remaining 21 will be assembled in India. “The deadline for delivery is three years, but it’s a government-to-government agreement on when the delivery will happen. All 31 will come in, out of which 10 will go in flyaway condition now, and the remaining 21 will be assembled in India,” Lall stated, highlighting the structured rollout of this ambitious project.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s indigenous defense manufacturing and military modernization efforts, the Standing Committee on Defence has confirmed the procurement of 156 Light Combat Helicopters (LCH) Prachand for the financial year 2025-26. The announcement, detailed in a report tabled in Parliament, underscores the government’s commitment to equipping the armed forces with advanced, homegrown platforms. Alongside this, plans are also underway to procure Light Utility Helicopters (LUH) during the same period, further strengthening the rotary-wing capabilities of the Indian Army and Air Force.
The decision to procure 156 units, slated for FY 2025-26 (April 2025 to March 2026), follows years of development and testing, during which the Prachand proved its mettle in extreme conditions, including deployments in Ladakh during the 2020 border standoff with China. The Standing Committee’s report highlights the helicopter’s strategic importance, noting its role in enhancing the Indian Army and Air Force’s ability to conduct rapid, precise strikes in contested environments.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to India’s defense capabilities, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is set to clear a monumental Rs 20,000 crore contract for the procurement of 250 BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. This deal, aimed at enhancing the firepower of both the Indian Army (IA) and the Indian Air Force (IAF), underscores the nation’s commitment to strengthening its military deterrence and operational readiness. The supersonic missiles, jointly developed by India and Russia, are poised to elevate the strategic strike capabilities of both services, with the Army likely to receive a slightly larger share of the allocation.
The contract, valued at approximately Rs 20,000 crore, will see the acquisition of around 250 BrahMos missiles, renowned for their speed and precision. Travelling at nearly three times the speed of sound (Mach 2.8), these missiles have a current operational range of approximately 300 kilometers, though variants with extended ranges are under development. The deal reflects a balanced distribution between the Army and the Air Force, with the former expected to integrate a marginally higher number of missiles into its arsenal. This allocation aligns with the Army’s ongoing efforts to enhance its ground-based strike capabilities along critical fronts.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Paras Defence & Space Technologies has secured a significant ?142.31 crore contract from the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the development of India’s most advanced anti-drone laser dome system. This milestone project marks the first time that such a sophisticated laser-based counter-drone technology is being developed in the country, reflecting India’s growing capability in directed energy weapons (DEW).
The contract involves the development of a Laser Source Module and its integration with a Beam Control System on a mobile platform. This system is designed to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), drones, and even missile threats, making it a crucial component of India’s modern air defence strategy.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
After the export success of Spartan-S, Tonbo Imaging has launched Spartan-R, a cutting-edge clip-on or standalone thermal weapon sight that is now ATAK-enabled. Featuring an integrated Laser Range Finder (LRF), Spartan-R provides real-time ballistic calculations and a disturbed reticle for precision targeting, enhancing the capabilities of modern armed forces.
Designed for close-combat and assault rifles, Spartan-R is an ultra-lightweight, high-performance thermal imaging sight that offers multi-mission adaptability. It can function as A weapon-mounted sight (either standalone or clip-on) , A handheld pocket scope.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development underscoring the growing defence ties between India and the Philippines, Philippine Army Chief General Romeo S. Brawner Jr. has expressed interest in exploring a broader range of military platforms from India. Speaking during a visit to New Delhi, Gen. Brawner highlighted the potential for procuring missile systems, fighter aircraft, and warships, in addition to the ongoing acquisition of Indian-made equipment like the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
The Philippines and India have steadily expanded their defence cooperation in recent years, driven by shared concerns over maritime security and regional stability in the Indo-Pacific. The cornerstone of this partnership has been the Philippines’ $375 million deal in 2022 to acquire three batteries of the BrahMos missile system, co-developed by India and Russia, for its Marine Corps’ coastal defence role. The first battery is slated for delivery by December 2025, with the Philippine Army also planning to procure two additional batteries, bringing the total to five across both services. This acquisition marks a historic milestone as the Philippines became the first export customer for the Mach 3-capable missile, which boasts a range of 290 kilometers.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Several airlines have reported cases of GPS interference and spoofing while operating in and around Amritsar, the Parliament was informed on Thursday. The disruptions, which impact aircraft navigation systems, have been most frequent in the border regions of Amritsar and Jammu between November 2023 and February 2025.
Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol told the Lok Sabha that a total of 465 incidents of GPS interference and spoofing have been reported during this period. These incidents involve attempts to manipulate or block GPS signals, which could mislead navigation systems used by aircraft, he said.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had issued a circular in November 2023, instructing airlines to report such interference cases.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIXXEL
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Pixxel, a space technology company building the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral satellite constellation, today announced that its three Firefly satellites have successfully captured and downlinked their ‘First Light’ images- setting a new benchmark as the world’s highest-resolution hyperspectral images!
All three satellites have completed commissioning successfully and are in perfect working condition, marking a significant milestone in the company’s aim to deliver cutting-edge Earth observation capabilities. Launched in January 2025 aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-12, the three Firefly satellites are beaming down images at an unprecedented 5-meter resolution across 150+ spectral bands with a 40 km swath width. The released images highlight unseen details of three areas, one from each satellite.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
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North India’s first Nuclear project is coming up in Haryana in a small town called Gorakhpur. This was revealed by Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh while reaffirming the government’s commitment to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project, calling it a critical step toward India’s clean energy future.
Responding to concerns raised in the Lok Sabha, Dr. Jitendra Singh clarified that environmental clearance for the project is under renewal and that necessary safeguards are in place to address ecological and safety concerns.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday outlined the steps taken by the BJP-led government to strengthen internal security and said Naxalism will be eliminated from the country by March 31, 2026. Replying to the debate on the working of his ministry in Rajya Sabha, Amit Shah talked of the steps taken by the government to tackle terrorism in J-K, Naxal challenge, drug abuse and problems in the Northeast.
He said the country would get free of the “Naxal problem” during the term of the BJP-led government. “I say it in this House with responsibility that Naxalism in this country will be eliminated by March 31, 2026,” he said. Amit Shah talked of the steps taken by the government to provide accurate intelligence to security forces dealing with Naxalites and said he has pity on those who think Naxalism is only a political problem.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
US Supreme Court justices will hear next month Mumbai terror attack accused Tahawwur Rana’s renewed application, submitted to Chief Justice John Roberts, seeking a stay of his extradition to India.
Rana, 64, is currently lodged in the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles and submitted an “Emergency Application For Stay Pending Litigation of Petition For Writ of Habeas Corpus on February 27, 2025 with Elena Kagan, Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States and Circuit Justice for the Ninth Circuit.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A huge blast occurred in a warehouse stocked with explosives for a private small-calibre ammunition factory in South Goa, a senior police official said on Friday. No one was injured in the explosion at the facility in the Naqueri-Betul area around 10.30 pm on Thursday. It also triggered a fire, the official said.
Fire and emergency services were rushed to the spot and controlled the spread of the fire within two hours.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
In a fresh offensive against Naxals, the security forces killed at least 30 members of the banned CPI (Maoist) in two separate encounters in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region on Thursday, officials said.
While 26 Naxalites were killed in Bijapur district, four Maoists were gunned down in Kanker by a joint team of the BSF and District Reserve Guard (DRG) personnel of the state police. A policeman was also killed in the encounter in Bijapur, the officials said.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
In a remarkable breakthrough, a women-led police team in Chhattisgarh’s Gariaband district have uncovered a significant cache of black money and explosives linked to Maoists. During a joint operation conducted by the police and security forces in the Pandaripani area under the jurisdiction of the Mainpur police station, Rs 8 lakh in cash and explosive materials were seized.
This operation was notably led by women police officers, with DSP (Deputy Superintendent of Police) Garima Dadar playing a pivotal role, marking a significant step in the increasing involvement of women in anti-Maoist missions.
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