SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s ambitious Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program is taking a significant step forward with the formation of a public-private sector consortium for its manufacturing. This innovative approach signifies a new chapter in Indian defense production.
The Ministry of Defence has already issued an Expression of Interest (EoI) to gauge industry interest, receiving a positive response with three proposals. The AMCA program will be executed through a special purpose vehicle (SPV) model, integrating private players into the process. This public-private partnership marks a first for India, with the private sector holding a majority stake in the SPV. This consortium will be responsible for assembling and maintaining the AMCA jet once it enters production, expected around 2032-2033.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s state-owned aerospace giant, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), has proposed developing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) variants of its successful Dhruv and Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) platforms. This initiative aims to provide the Indian Army and Air Force with dedicated unmanned platforms for reconnaissance and cargo missions, allowing the manned versions to focus on high-value tasks.
Equipping the armed forces with unmanned Dhruv and LUH variants would offer several advantages. By delegating reconnaissance and cargo missions to these UAVs, the manned helicopters can be reserved for critical operations demanding human intervention and decision-making, such as combat search and rescue or close-air support.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), a premier research institute under CSIR (Council of Scientific and Industrial Research), is seeking a highly qualified Specialist Consultant to support the development of the SARAS Mk2 multirole Light Transport Aircraft. This is a significant opportunity for an experienced aerospace professional to contribute to a nationally important project.
The SARAS Mk2 project holds immense significance for India’s civil aviation sector. This multirole light transport aircraft promises to enhance domestic air connectivity and cater to diverse operational needs.
Continue readingSOURCE : AFI
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief recently advocated for international collaboration to develop a 6th generation jet engine. This engine is envisioned to power not only the 5th generation AMCA fighter jet but also future 6th generation aircraft. Three potential partners have emerged: French Safran, British Rolls-Royce, and American GE.
Among these contenders, Rolls-Royce stands out for its involvement in the Team Tempest program – a dedicated initiative to develop a 6th generation fighter jet. This involvement signifies their advanced research and expertise in 6th generation engine technology.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The French Air and Space Force is poised for a prominent role in the Indo-Pacific region this summer, participating in two key deployments that demonstrate its rapid response capabilities and unwavering commitment to the area.
The deployments will see France dispatch its crown jewel, the Rafale fighter jets, alongside A400M Atlas transport aircraft and A330 MRTT Phénix tanker aircraft. This impressive display of aerial power is intended to highlight France’s ability to project airpower swiftly across vast distances.
Continue readingSOURCE : AFI
The introduction of Tactical Nuclear Weapons (TNWs) into the India-Pakistan equation has injected a potent dose of anxiety into the already tense relationship. Experts like American security analyst Peter R. Lavoy argue that Pakistan’s vaguely defined “red lines” – economic and domestic destabilization – create an opening for them to initiate low-level conventional attacks against India.
The core concern is that TNWs lower the threshold for nuclear use in a region already bristling with nuclear weapons. Pakistan’s ambiguous red lines offer them a pretext to potentially initiate limited attacks, gambling on a measured Indian response. This creates an unstable environment where a conventional skirmish could spiral into a full-blown nuclear war, especially given Pakistan’s unsaid First Use doctrine.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
While the C-130J Super Hercules is a mainstay of the Indian Air Force (IAF) today, there was another workhorse that served for decades before it – the Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar. The C-119, also known as the C-119G Packet in IAF service, wasn’t the sleek jet we see today. Nicknamed the “Flying Boxcar” for its boxy fuselage, it was a rugged and reliable transport aircraft. The IAF was among the first to adopt the C-119, utilizing it for various critical tasks.
This versatile aircraft wasn’t just for cargo. The C-119 could transport troops, equipment, and even drop them by parachute using its rear clamshell doors. This capability proved invaluable in the early years of the IAF.
Continue readingSOURCE : PTI
Pakistani-origin Canadian businessman Tahawwur Rana, who is sought in India for his involvement in the 2008 Mumbai terror attack, is extraditable under the plain provisions of the US-India extradition treaty, a US attorney has told a federal court.
Assistant US Attorney, Criminal Appeals Chief Bram Alden was making a closing argument before the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, where Rana has appealed against the order by a US District Court in California that denied the writ of habeas corpus.
Continue readingSOURCE : ANI
Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that the creation of Theatre Commands was on track, the Defence Ministry has identified three locations in Lucknow, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram as their headquarters. The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, who is responsible for raising the theatre commands, is now focusing their energy towards implementing over 150 points to enhance integration among the three services and make ready for the multi-domain warfare of the future.
On July 2, Prime Minister Modi had stated in Parliament that the creation of theatre commands was on track and modernisation of armed forces was in full swing. As per the plans of the DMA, the Western Theatre being raised to look after the Pakistan side is planned to be raised at Jaipur while the Northern Theatre to tackle the threat from the eastern and northern sides is planned to be set up at Lucknow, defence sources told ANI.
Continue readingSOURCE : ANI
Reacting to the clarification issued by the Indian Army on the emoluments to Agniveer Ajay Kumar, Defence Minister RajnathSingh said that the “Indian Army is committed to the welfare of Agniveers.”
Taking to X, the defence minister wrote, “Indian Army is committed to the welfare of Agniveers!” Indian Army’s Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) posted a ‘clarification on emoluments to Agniveer Ajay Kumar’ on Wednesday and said certain posts on social media have brought out that compensation hasn’t been paid to the next of kin of the Agniveer.
Continue readingSOURCE : PTI
Jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh, who recently won the Khadoor Sahib parliamentary seat in Punjab, is likely to take oath as Lok Sabha member on Friday.
The chief of the ‘Waris Punjab De’ outfit, who is currently lodged in Assam’s Dibrugarh jail along with nine associates under the National Security Act, has been granted a four-day parole to enable him to take oath, officials in Amritsar said.
Continue readingSOURCE : REUTERS
India’s federally administered region of Jammu and Kashmir did not receive any bids in a second attempt to auction mining rights for lithium reserves found last year, according to a source with direct knowledge of the matter.
The government in February 2023 found its first lithium deposits in Jammu and Kashmir with estimated reserves of 5.9 million metric tons. After it failed to get a required minimum of three bids in its first auctions in November, the block was again put up for auction in March with a May 14 deadline for bids.
Continue readingSOURCE : PTI
Batting strongly for the current policy adopted by police to deal with the terror ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir, DGP R R Swain on Wednesday said they are successful if they are saving the lives of citizens, security forces, and would-be militants in the Union Territory.
He said the anti-infiltration and anti-terrorism security setup is being strengthened in the region with the induction of nearly 1,000 freshly passed-out policemen on Wednesday. The DGP said that border security is being further strengthened with the induction of these policemen, who have trained recently.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Indian Army has procured 113 electric buses for the transportation of troops which will help the country to embark on significant efforts towards the government’s green initiatives. The 40-seater buses with an endurance of 250 kilometres are primarily for deployment in the plains and semi-hilly areas and are currently at the trial stage for procurement.
The procurement is in line with the Government of India’s directive on zero-carbon emissions and marks a pivotal moment in the Indian Armed Forces’ journey towards eco-friendly transportation solutions. Further, this initiative not only aligns with the global shift towards sustainable practices but also exemplifies India’s leadership in leveraging indigenous capabilities to achieve the set environmental goals.
Continue readingSOURCE : PTI
BSF troops Wednesday arrested a Pakistani national, a teenage boy, near the International Border (IB) here, officials said.
According to the BSF, the troops observed the movement of a person in the morning hours near the border fence. The boy tried to escape, after which the BSF troops chased and apprehended him. He is being questioned by the BSF and other agencies to know about his motive of crossing the IB, officials said.
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