SOURCE: PTI
)
Security forces and police have cordoned off an area on Sunday following fresh suspected movement of three persons, believed to be terrorists who escaped from a recent encounter in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district, sources said.
Two terrorists and four policemen were killed, and three others, including a deputy superintendent of police, were injured in a fierce gunfight in a remote forested area of the Sanyal belt of Kathua district on Thursday.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk-1A is nearing a critical milestone as it undergoes rigorous extra firing and electronic warfare (EW) trials to ensure it meets the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) operational standards. According to sources cited by the Indian Defence Research Wing (idrw.org), the IAF is likely to receive its first fully operational Tejas Mk-1A in the first quarter of the financial year 2025-26, potentially between late April and early May 2025.
The trials follow the Mk-1A’s maiden flight on March 28, 2024 (not February as initially misreported), when the first aircraft, designated LA-5033, took to the skies from HAL’s Bengaluru facility for an 18-minute sortie. That flight, however, utilized older Category B F-404 engines—reserve units from earlier Tejas Mk-1 production—due to delays in the supply of new GE F-404-IN20 engines. These interim engines allowed HAL to maintain testing momentum, but the aircraft’s full potential hinges on the integration of the latest powerplants.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army is turning to private sector ingenuity to enhance the anti-drone capabilities of its T-90 Bhishma main battle tanks, a critical component of its armored fleet. With over 1,200 T-90s in service and hundreds more in production, the Army aims to integrate an autonomous anti-drone system into the tanks’ existing remotely operated 12.7 mm anti-aircraft gun (AAG), currently operated manually by the tank commander. This ambitious upgrade seeks to counter the rising threat of low-speed aerial targets, such as drones, by leveraging advanced technology to achieve 360-degree autonomous detection, recognition, and identification (DRI) of targets, alongside the development of specialized fragmentation rounds.
The T-90’s current setup includes a 12.7 mm NSV heavy machine gun mounted on the turret, remotely controlled via the commander’s TKN-4S Agat-M sight, part of the 1A45 fire control system (FCS). While this configuration, indigenized and improved by Indian firms over its Russian origins, allows the commander to observe and engage aerial threats, the process remains manual—relying on human detection, aiming, and firing. This limitation has become a liability in modern warfare, where drones and loitering munitions, as demonstrated in conflicts like Ukraine, pose a persistent and agile threat to armored units. The Army now envisions a fully autonomous solution to transform the T-90 into a drone-repelling powerhouse.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a curious turn of events, photographs of an Indian Air Force (IAF) Su-30MKI pilot wearing a helmet adorned with the Chinese Air Force roundel have gone viral on the X platform, raising eyebrows and igniting widespread speculation. The images, which surfaced recently, depict the pilot in full gear, with the distinctive red star and yellow bars of the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) prominently displayed—a stark contrast to the IAF’s traditional tricolor roundel. While the unusual sight has led to a flurry of questions and theories online, a closer examination suggests this may be a deliberate move tied to simulation exercises rather than a geopolitical statement.
The photographs, first shared by IAF and quickly amplified across X, show the Su-30MKI pilot preparing for a mission. The helmet, typically a canvas for national pride and unit insignia, instead bore the PLAAF roundel, prompting immediate reactions ranging from confusion to conspiracy. Some users questioned whether this signaled a breach in security or an unlikely collaboration, while others speculated about the IAF adopting unconventional tactics. The timing—amidst heightened India-China tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC)—only fueled the debate further.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a landmark advancement for India’s defence and aerospace sector, Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited is preparing to inaugurate a state-of-the-art 1,250-meter-long and 25-meter-wide airstrip dedicated to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), alongside a live munition and warhead testing facility designed for Loitering Munitions and other guided munitions. This significant event, scheduled for March 30, 2025, will be presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Nagpur, Maharashtra, highlighting India’s growing prowess in indigenous defence technology.
Located at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited’s ammunition facility in Nagpur, the newly constructed airstrip and testing range represent a leap forward in India’s capabilities for UAV development and munitions testing. The 1,250-meter runway, tailored specifically for UAVs, will support the takeoff, landing, and operational testing of unmanned systems, including Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) platforms. The accompanying live munition and warhead testing facility will enable rigorous evaluation of advanced weaponry, such as Loitering Munitions—often dubbed “kamikaze drones”—and other precision-guided munitions, ensuring their reliability and effectiveness in combat scenarios.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army’s canine warriors, long celebrated for their bravery in counter-terrorist operations and disaster relief missions, are set to receive a significant upgrade in protection and care. Recognizing the invaluable role these dogs play as force multipliers, the Army, through its Remount Veterinary Corps (RVC), is developing advanced protective devices—including lightweight bulletproof vests and smart collars—to mitigate casualties and enhance their operational effectiveness. These innovations aim to address the harsh realities of military service, where dogs face extreme weather, physical exertion, and life-threatening combat environments.
Military dogs have been integral to the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and law enforcement agencies for decades. Breeds like German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois, and Labradors excel in roles such as patrolling, explosive detection, search and rescue, and neutralizing threats. Their contributions have been pivotal in operations along the Line of Control (LoC), in counter-insurgency missions in Jammu and Kashmir, and during disaster relief efforts like the 2023 Uttarakhand floods. Some have even served overseas with Indian peacekeeping contingents, earning gallantry awards for their courage.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Significant step forward in Morocco-India relations was marked by a high-profile meeting in New Delhi between His Majesty the King and the Kingdom of Morocco’s Ambassador to India, Mohammed Al Malki, and Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, India’s Secretary (Defence Production). The discussions, held at the Ministry of Defence, centered on deepening cooperation in military industries, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two nations. This meeting underscores Morocco’s increasing interest in India’s burgeoning defence sector and India’s commitment to expanding its global defence collaborations.
Ambassador Mohammed Al Malki, representing His Majesty King Mohammed VI, engaged with Mr. Sanjeev Kumar, a key figure in India’s defence production ecosystem, to explore avenues for enhanced military-industrial collaboration. The timing of the meeting—occurring just two days before March 30, 2025—highlights the urgency and priority both nations place on strengthening bilateral ties in this critical domain.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant development for India’s defense sector, commercial vehicle manufacturer Ashok Leyland announced on Friday that its defence business has clinched orders worth over Rs 700 crore from the Indian Army. This milestone not only underscores the company’s enduring partnership with the armed forces but also solidifies its position as a leader in advanced mobility solutions tailored for military applications. The announcement, made on March 28, 2025, highlights Ashok Leyland’s pivotal role in supporting the Indian Army’s operational needs across diverse and challenging terrains.
The contracts encompass a wide array of specialized vehicles designed to meet the Indian Army’s requirements for troop transportation, logistics, and specialized mobility under the Close-in Weapon Systems (CIWS) programme. The vehicles include the rugged Stallion 4×4 and 6×6 trucks, a short chassis bus, and a mobility system travelling platform. Ashok Leyland emphasized that these platforms combine “superior reliability with exceptional off-road capability,” ensuring seamless maneuverability across India’s most demanding landscapes—from the icy heights of the Himalayas to the scorching deserts of Rajasthan.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-25, a prestigious multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force. The exercise will take place at Andravida Air Base, Greece, from 31 March 2025 to 11 April 2025. The IAF contingent will include Su-30 MKI fighters along with combat enabler IL-78 & C-17 aircraft.
INIOCHOS is a biennial multinational air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force. It serves as a platform for air forces to hone their skills, exchange tactical knowledge, and strengthen military ties. The exercise will integrate multiple air and surface assets from fifteen countries under realistic combat scenarios, designed to simulate modern-day air warfare challenges.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
The Ministry of External Affairs today trashed as fake a social media post by a Pakistani ‘journalist’ alleging that a Regional Passport Officer in Bengaluru is a “RAW agent” and involved in the Jaffer Express hijacking in Balochistan.
Ajit John Joshua, the Regional Passport Officer in Bengaluru, has been projected as an operative of India’s external intelligence agency, Research and Analytical Wing, in several posts on X by the social media users of Pakistan.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
On 26th March, British MPs wrote to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, advocating the construction of an international airport in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Labour MP Tahir Ali has come under fire for backing a campaign for a new international airport in Mirpur, a district in Pakistan-administered Kashmir, while his own city struggles with an escalating waste crisis due to ongoing bin strikes.
The letter read, “The long-standing promise of an international airport in Mirpur has yet to be met,” suggesting that the nearest airport is the Islamabad International Airport, which is 130 km away from Mirpur city. The MPs stated that the excess of three hours’ driving following long-haul flights has pushed for demands for an international airport in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be on a two-day visit to Thailand to attend the BIMSTEC Summit, during which the regional grouping is likely to adopt the Bangkok Vision 2030 and sign a pact to strengthen maritime cooperation.
Though Thailand is grappling with the damage caused in the country, including in Bangkok, by a massive earthquake that struck Myanmar on Friday afternoon, there were no immediate indications about its effect on the BIMSTEC Summit scheduled from April 2 to April 4. Modi will be in Bangkok on April 3-4.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Fifty Naxalites, including 14 with a cumulative reward of Rs 68 lakh on their heads, surrendered in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district on Sunday, a police official said. They laid down arms in front of senior officials of the state police and the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), he added.
“They surrendered, citing the hollow and inhuman Maoist ideology, exploitation of tribals by senior cadres of the outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) as well as differences brewing within the movement. They are also impressed by security forces setting up camps and the ‘Niya Nellanar’ (your good village) scheme under which forces and the administration are providing basic amenities in remote areas,” Bijapur Senior Superintendent of Police Jitendra Kumar Yadav said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Police on Saturday banned paragliding, flying of balloons and use of light-emitting objects for 60 days in the free flight zone of Mumbai international airport, a police official said.
According to the official, these objects should not affect the landing and take-off of aircraft and other flying operations.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Since January 2025 till date, 636 Indian nationals have been deported to India from the US, the government informed Parliament on Friday.
“Of these, 341 arrived on chartered flights, 55 arrived via Panama on commercial flights, and 240 arrived on separate commercial flights,” Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said in a written response to a query in the Lok Sabha.
Continue reading