SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
India’s ambitious collaboration with Russia to develop the Fifth Generation Fighter Aircraft (FGFA) program, a project based on the Su-57 platform, came to an end in 2018. While the official reasons remained unclear at the time, new reports shed light on the potential factors that led to India’s withdrawal.
Disagreements on technical aspects appear to have played a significant role in the program’s demise. Sources suggest India desired a two-seater variant of the FGFA, similar to the Su-30MKI fighter jets, a request not readily met by Russia. Additionally, concerns regarding the transfer of critical technology and design specifications from Russia to India reportedly caused friction.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
NewSpace Research and Technologies has unveiled its latest innovation – the PYGMY Vision-based kinetic attack drone platform. This cutting-edge drone boasts a lightweight design and is packed with features that make it a game-changer for military operations.
The PYGMY’s lightweight construction allows for both air and ground launch, making it adaptable to various deployment scenarios. The drone can be equipped with third-party payloads, giving users the flexibility to customize it for specific missions.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
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Nigeria’s Air Force is set to receive a significant boost in its capabilities with the upcoming delivery of the first six M-346 Master light fighter-trainer aircraft from Italy. This marks the initial phase of a larger procurement deal involving a total of 24 M-346s.
The contract stipulates the delivery of the aircraft in four batches, each comprising six planes. This phased approach allows for pilot training and infrastructure development alongside the arrival of the new jets. Importantly, the deal also includes 25 years of logistical support from Leonardo, the Italian manufacturer.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) is nearing completion of the second prototype for its TAI Kaan fighter jet, a significant step forward in the development of this next-generation aircraft. The final assembly and engine integration processes are on track to be finished by June or July of this year, paving the way for a series of comprehensive flight tests.
This news comes after the successful maiden flight of the first Kaan prototype in February 2024. The second prototype will undergo a rigorous testing program to assess its performance capabilities and refine its design before mass production begins.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Reports from the Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) community suggest Iran’s S-300PMU2 air defense system in Isfahan may have been damaged in a recent Israeli attack. While Iran operates the S-300PMU2 system, the specific radar targeted is believed to be a 30N6E2, also known as the Tomb Stone radar.
The New York Times, citing its analysis of satellite imagery, reported that a precision strike on the Eighth Shekari Air Base in Isfahan damaged or destroyed a “flap-lid” radar, a crucial component of the S-300 system used for tracking incoming targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
A WZ-7 Soaring Dragon drone of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army was spotted flying in close proximity to the Philippines, ahead of preparations by the Southeast Asian country to receive the delivery of Indian BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, The Eurasian Times reported. According to the report, the distinctive joined-wing shape of the WZ-7 drone caught the attention of Raffy Tima, a correspondent for Philippine news organisation GMA News, as it traversed the skies over the West Philippine Sea, an area within the South China Sea to the northwest of the Philippines.
The timing of this sighting is significant amid escalating tensions between China and the Philippines over territorial disputes, notably the Second Thomas Shoal and Scarborough Shoal, in the South China Sea, the report noted. The acquisition of the BrahMos missiles from India is perceived as a strategic move by the Philippines to enhance its defensive capabilities to counter China’s assertiveness in the region. Procured as part of the ‘Horizon 2’ Priority Projects aimed at modernising the Philippine armed forces, the BrahMos missile system arrived in Manila on April 19.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
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Supplies of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles from India to the Philippines under a USD 375 million deal, continue as part of the contract between the two nations, defence officials said.
The missile system supplies reached at an air base in Manila from India in a chartered Ilyushin-76 transport aircraft on Sunday, they said.
Officials from India and the Philippines are receiving the first batch of equipment supplied to that country as part of the contract, defence officials said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Defence experts looked divided on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s promise to scrap the Agnipath or ‘Agniveer’ scheme if the INDIA bloc is voted to power after the Lok Sabha elections, with some calling the scheme was forcefully ‘imposed’ and others suggesting modifications to it. Defence expert Major General GD Bakshi (R) told ANI, “I have some reservations personally about this scheme.
My suggestion is that instead of throwing the baby out with the bathwater, this scheme be appropriately tweaked after trials.” Wing Commander (Retd) Praful Bakshi said, “If some political leader is suggesting that they would reject it (Agniveer scheme), then it should be the voice of the public, saying it should be scrapped.
Continue readingSOURCE: AP
Two Japanese navy helicopters carrying eight crew members crashed in the Pacific Ocean south of Tokyo during a nighttime training flight after possibly colliding with each other, the country’s defense minister said Sunday. One crew member who had been recovered from the waters was later pronounced dead, while rescuers searched for seven others who were still missing.
The two SH-60K choppers from the Maritime Self-Defense Force were carrying four crew each and lost contact late Saturday near Torishima island about 600 kilometers (370 miles) south of Tokyo, Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told reporters.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFP
The Maldives votes Sunday in a parliamentary election likely to test President Mohamed Muizzu’s tilt towards China and away from India, the luxury tourism hotspot’s traditional benefactor.
Primarily known as one of the most expensive holiday destinations in South Asia, with pristine white beaches and secluded resorts, the strategic Indian Ocean island nation has also become a geopolitical hotspot.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
US State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel said on Thursday that the US is eager to continue deepening and strengthening its cooperation with partners in India.
Asked about Lok Sabha elections in India and whether the US has sent any observers, Patel responded, “I am not aware of the United States sending any observers. We generally don’t in the case of advanced democracies like India.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Former Union Minister and Congress leader P Chidambaram said today that if the INDIA bloc comes to power at the Centre, it would enact a special law to bring into effect the legal principle established by the Supreme Court that “bail is the rule, and jail is the exception”.
“We are also promising to bring a special law that would say, ‘Bail is the rule, jail is the exception’. it was a great son of Kerala, Justice Krishna who emphasised this law,” Mr Chidambaram said at a press conference here.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Jammu and Kashmir Police, in a joint operation with Special Operations Group (SOG), arrested a registered overground worker (OGW), who is also a school headmaster with a foreign-made pistol and Chinese grenades from the Hari Budha area of Poonch district. The recovered consignment is suspected to be used to disturb the upcoming election in the Poonch area, said Poonch police, adding that a search operation is underway.
“In a joint operation, launched by the 39 RR of 6 Sector, Romeo Force with JKP and SOG Poonch in Hari Budha, a registered Over-Ground Worker (OGW) named Qamaruddin who is the headmaster in school is caught with a foreign-made pistol and grenades in his house.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
A high alert has been sounded in districts of Odisha which border Chhattisgarh following the recent encounter in Kanker during which 29 Naxals were killed in an encounter with security forces, according to Odisha police.
Odisha Director General of Police (DGP), Arun Kumar Sarangi said Koraput and Malkangiri districts in Odisha that border Chhattisgarh, currently have no Naxal presence and intelligence teams are keeping a watch on the movement of the Naxals. “After the last incident that happened on April 16 in Kanker,where 29 Naxal cadres were killed, our district bordering Chhattisgarh district they have been kept on a very high alert.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
In a joint operation, the West Bengal Police and the South Bengal Frontier of the BSF seized fake Indian currency notes (FICN) with a face value of Rs 1,48,500 from a house close to the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal’s Malda district.
The raid took place on Friday after an input from the BSF’s intelligence wing.
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