SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) HJT-36 Sitara intermediate jet trainer (IJT) program seems poised for a breakthrough. After years of delays, the aircraft is expected to receive final clearance later this year, paving the way for user trials and potential production.
The HJT-36, designed to replace the IAF’s ageing HJT-16 Kiran as a Stage-II trainer, faced a major hurdle when it initially failed spin tests in 2017. These tests, crucial for pilot safety, deemed the aircraft unsuitable for maneuvers rookie pilots might attempt, potentially leading to unrecoverable situations.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), the state-owned defence company responsible for manufacturing the Astra Mk1 BVR (Beyond Visual Range) air-to-air missile, is on track for significant production growth.
According to a BDL official speaking anonymously to idrw.org, the company is nearing a production rate of 50 Astra Mk1 missiles per year. This represents a substantial increase in production capacity and signifies BDL’s commitment to meeting the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) needs.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Navy’s vision for a three-carrier fleet might be undergoing a revision. Recent statements by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh suggest a more expansive plan: “We will not stop at that (three carriers). We will make five, six more,” he declared.
The initial goal of acquiring three aircraft carriers appears to be a stepping stone. The third carrier, modelled after the indigenously built INS Vikrant, is nearing Project sanction for development with potential technological advancements. However, the Navy’s aspirations extend beyond this.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
NewSpace Research & Technologies (NRT), a Bengaluru-based company, has achieved a significant milestone in Indian aerospace with its solar-powered High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) platform. During an envelope expansion flight test campaign, the NRT HAPS platform, supported by the Indian government’s Innovation for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative, reached a new national endurance record for an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed and developed in India.
The HAPS platform achieved an impressive flight time of 27 hours, surpassing previous national records for UAV endurance. It also reached an altitude of 26,000 feet, demonstrating its capabilities for high-altitude operations. This successful test flight paves the way for further development of HAPS technology in India, with potential applications in various fields, including surveillance, communication, and environmental monitoring.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has taken a significant step towards enhancing soldier mobility and battlefield effectiveness with the procurement of 300 units of the TVS Sundaram All Terrain Tactical Hauler (ATT Hauler).
This indigenously-developed system, built in collaboration with Marom Dolphin of Israel, is an innovative, robust, and ergonomically designed hybrid electric-powered load-carrying solution. Available in both 2×2 and 4×4 variants, the ATT Hauler can carry up to 120 kg of weight over any terrain, ensuring soldiers remain fully combat-effective and mobile on the battlefield.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army’s GOC Vajra Corps is at the forefront of innovation in combat techniques. Recent operations in Kashmir saw the Corps deploy a unique integrated weapons system, combining small arms firing with Hexa Copters – a first for the Indian Army during counter-terrorism encounters.
This cutting-edge system equips soldiers with Hexa Copters, also known as multi-rotor drones, equipped with underslung AK rifles. This configuration allows for precise aerial targeting and eliminates the risk of collateral damage during ground operations. The system’s versatility is further enhanced by the ability to swap the AK mount for a Multi Grenade Launcher (MGL) in different tactical situations.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Temel Kotil, CEO of Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), has sparked debate by claiming their new 5th generation fighter jet, KAAN, surpasses the American F-35.
Kotil highlighted payload capacity as a key advantage, stating KAAN can carry 10 tonnes compared to the F-35’s 6 tonnes. He even suggested comparing KAAN to the F-22 Raptor, a more established American stealth fighter.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
With over 500 of its tanks and infantry combat vehicles deployed in Eastern Ladakh, the Indian Army has created a record of sorts by setting up two of world’s highest tank repair facilities in that area to support its operations there.
The Indian Army has set up two armoured vehicle maintenance and repair facilities near the China border in Nyoma and the DBO Sector in that region to at altitudes of over 14,500 feet in the area, which is the world’s highest battlefield for tanks and infantry combat vehicles along the LAC in Eastern Ladakh.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested an accused, who had absconded after jumping bail, in an espionage case involving a Sri Lankan and a Pakistani national. Nuruddin alias Rafi, who was carrying a cash reward of Rs 5 lakh, was nabbed from the Rajiv Nagar area of Mysuru, Karnataka by an NIA team, an official statement said.
Following his arrest, a house search was also conducted and several ‘incriminating materials’, including mobile phones, laptop, pen drives and a drone, were recovered, the agency said. A non-bailable warrant was issued earlier against Nuruddin when he had failed to appear before the NIA Special Court, Chennai, after being released on bail under stringent conditions in August 2023. The court had declared him a proclaimed offender on May 7 this year.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Coming down heavily on Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah’s remarks related to Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government is committed to taking back PoK and a nuclear power with 130 crore population will never be scared of anyone.
In an interview with ANI, Shah also attacked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi over Farooq Abdullah’s remarks on Pakistan and said he should explain what his alliance partner is saying. “PoK is a part of India, nobody can deny this. Farooq Abdullah says, ‘Pakistan has atom bombs, give them respect and don’t demand PoK’. I would like to ask him, why will a nuclear power with a 130 crore population – Bharat – be scared of someone and give up its right? What kind of thought is this.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has said that the government has taken decisive steps to tackle Maoism and the country will be free of the problem in the next two to three years.
In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Amit Shah said that efforts made by the BJP-led government has led to welfare schemes reaching those tribal areas which had remained bereft of them. He said Jharkhand, Bihar, Telangana, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are completely free of Maoism and the problem persists in three-four districts of Chhattisgarh.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
We are deeply saddened by the death of Colonel Waibhav Anil Kale (Retd.), Security Coordination Officer in the UN Department of Safety and Security (DSS) in Gaza on 13 May 2024. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and dear ones.
Our Permanent Mission to the UN in New York and our Missions in Tel Aviv and Ramallah are extending all assistance in the repatriation of mortal remains to India and continue to be in touch with relevant authorities regarding the investigation into the incident.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
India and Russia held bilateral consultations on Afghanistan today in New Delhi. According to the External Affairs Ministry, Russian Special Presidential Envoy for Afghanistan Zamir Kabulov and Joint Secretary (Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran Division) in the Ministry of External Affairs JP Singh discussed the current situation in Afghanistan.
They emphasized on the need to provide development assistance for the welfare of the Afghan people.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has accepted the nomination of pro-Khalistani separatist and Waris Punjab De Chief Amritpal Singh to contest from Punjab’s Khadoor Sahib Lok Sabha constituency as an independent candidate.
As per the ECI data, the nomination was filed on May 10. Amritpal Singh is currently lodged in Dibrugarh jail, Assam. Earlier in April this year, Singh’s mother claimed that the pro-Khalistani leader had “pressure” to contest the polls.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Bharat Kumar’s protracted struggle to call India home after escaping religious persecution in Pakistan ended following an 11-year wait as he become one of the 14 people who were granted Indian nationality under the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on Wednesday.
“It is a great feeling to be an Indian. It has given a new life to me,” the 24-year-old told PTI minutes after he received the citizenship certificate from Union Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla at a special function held here.
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