SOURCE: AFI

The India-U.S. bilateral Army exercise Yudh Abhyas, currently underway at the Mahajan field firing ranges in Rajasthan, has witnessed the participation of the A-10C Thunderbolt II, an aircraft from the 25th Fighter Squadron. This marks the first time that an A-10C has joined the Yudh Abhyas exercise, showcasing the growing collaboration between the Indian and U.S. militaries.

The A-10C Thunderbolt II is a specialized aircraft designed for close air support of ground forces. Its unique capabilities, including its slow speed, maneuverability, and powerful weaponry, make it an invaluable asset in providing direct support to troops on the ground.  

SOURCE: AFI

Samir V Kamat, the chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), has emphasized the critical role of space in modern warfare. In a recent statement, he highlighted the shift from traditional land, air, and sea domains to a more complex battlefield that includes cyber, information, and space.

Kamat asserted that nations with superiority in these three domains will have a significant advantage in future conflicts. He particularly underscored the importance of space, stating that India must build its expertise and capabilities in this sector to secure a strategic edge.

SOURCE: AFI

Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) today witnessed a historic moment as two new Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Shallow Watercraft were launched for the Indian Navy. The vessels, named INS MULKI and INS MALPE, were launched by Smt Vijaya Srinivas, wife of Vice Admiral V Srinivas, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command.

These vessels are designed to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime operations, mine-laying, sub-surface surveillance, and search and rescue missions. They are equipped with a range of weapons, including lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets, a close-in weapon system, and remote-controlled guns.

SOURCE: AFI

Not many will remember but In 2010, the Indian Navy was considering the Lockheed Martin F-35 for its future aircraft carrier fighter requirements, a move that generated significant interest. At the time, Lockheed Martin’s Vice President of Business Development for India, Orville Prins, confirmed the company’s intent to respond to the Indian Navy’s Request for Information (RFI) with two F-35 variants: the STOVL (Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing) F-35B and the carrier-based F-35C.

While the F-35B initially appeared a more logical replacement for India’s aging Sea Harrier jump jets due to its vertical landing capability, the possibility of using the F-35C, designed for steam catapult launches, was also explored. Lockheed Martin conducted simulations and analyses to evaluate the F-35C’s capability to take off from India’s ski-jump carriers without needing a catapult system.

SOURCE: AFI

The YouTube channel “Grim Reapers,” known for its detailed Digital Combat Simulator (DCS) simulations, recently carried out a fascinating scenario exploring how the Philippines’ new Indo-Russian BrahMos anti-ship missile batteries might fare against China’s navy in a hypothetical conflict. The simulation, titled “Philippines Brahmos Missile Batteries vs US & Chinese Carrier Groups (WarGames 241) | DCS,” tested the effectiveness of the BrahMos missiles in a series of strikes against both Chinese and US carrier groups, providing an insightful look at the potential combat outcomes.

The scenario begins by testing the BrahMos missile batteries against a Chinese naval fleet. In the first attempt, a single BrahMos missile was launched toward a Chinese Type 052D destroyer. The warship responded by launching its HQ-9B interceptor missile. The result was an interception success for the Chinese, as the BrahMos missile was neutralized before reaching its target.

SOURCE: AFI

A Thane-based spacetech startup, InspeCity, has showcased its innovative robotic arm at the National Space Day Celebrations at DRDO. This robotic arm is designed to address the growing problem of space debris, which includes defunct satellites and other debris orbiting Earth.

As businesses like SpaceX continue to launch thousands of satellites into low Earth orbit, the risk of collisions and further debris generation is escalating. InspeCity is capitalizing on this opportunity by developing technologies for in-space repairs and controlled de-orbiting of satellites.

SOURCE: AFI

Chennai, Tamil Nadu will host the Indian Air Force (IAF)’s 92nd Raising Day celebrations on October 8, 2024. This marks the third time the event is held outside Delhi, following previous celebrations in Chandigarh and Prayagraj.

The festivities will commence at 7:45 AM with a grand parade and fly-past at a designated location in Chennai. Afterward, the city will witness a captivating airshow over Marina Beach. This spectacular display will showcase the IAF’s frontline fighter jets, including the Rafale, Sukhoi, and Tejas, providing a glimpse into the country’s advanced aviation capabilities.

SOURCE: AFI

Despite significant modernization efforts, the Indian Army continues to face a strategic challenge in terms of long-range multiple rocket launcher systems (MRLS) compared to its regional rivals. While the Indian Army has made strides in acquiring and developing advanced weaponry, its current capabilities fall short of those possessed by countries like China and Pakistan.

One of the primary concerns is the range disparity. The Indian Army’s Pinaka MRLS, equipped with guided rockets, has a maximum range of approximately 90 kilometers. In contrast, China’s 370mm guided rockets boast a maximum range of 300 kilometers. This significant difference in range could potentially limit the Indian Army’s ability to effectively target key enemy infrastructure and military assets from a safe distance.

SOURCE: AFI

Russia’s ambitious project to establish a nuclear power station on the Moon has garnered significant interest from both India and China. This revelation was made by Alexey Likhachev, the head of Rosatom, the Russian state nuclear energy corporation.

According to a report by TASS, Likhachev stated that China and India are keen to collaborate on creating this groundbreaking lunar energy solution. Speaking at the Eastern Economic Forum, he emphasized the potential of a lunar nuclear power plant with an energy capacity of up to half a megawatt.

SOURCE: AFI

In response to Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, the United States has taken further steps to impose costs on those supporting Russia’s war effort and attempting to expand Russia’s global energy leverage.

Today, the Department of State has targeted two entities and two vessels connected to the export of liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the U.S.-sanctioned Arctic LNG 2 project. The entities sanctioned are Gotik Energy Shipping Co (Gotik) and Plio Energy Cargo Shipping OPC PVT LTD (Plio Energy). Gotik and Plio Energy are the registered owner and commercial manager, respectively, of the LNG carrier (LNG/C) New Energy.