SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
In a recent interview, Dr. Samir V Kamat, Chairman of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), provided key updates on India’s advancements in hypersonic missile technology. Kamat revealed that DRDO’s Hypersonic Glide missile is expected to be ready within the next 3-4 years, encompassing both the completion of its development and its induction into the armed forces.
This significant progress marks a major milestone in India’s defence capabilities, as hypersonic missiles offer unparalleled speed and manoeuvrability, making them a formidable asset on the battlefield. Once operational, the Hypersonic Glide missile will further enhance India’s strategic deterrence and defence posture.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) after securing deliveries of eight GE F-414 engines. HAL is planning to procure additional engines directly from General Electric (GE) to ensure that the developmental trials of the Tejas MkII, scheduled to begin in March 2026, remain on track.
While the initial batch of eight F-414 engines is already in HAL’s possession, the company recognizes the importance of having a sufficient stockpile of engines to support the extensive testing and trials that lie ahead. To this end, HAL plans to acquire an additional 12-20 engines directly from GE. These engines will be kept as reserves, ensuring that the Tejas MkII program can proceed without delays, even in the event of engine-related issues during the developmental phase.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Russia has expressed its intent to participate in India’s ambitious plan to procure 76 Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for the tri-services. To this end, the country is offering its advanced Orion-E drone for consideration.
In a strategic move to deepen defence cooperation, Russia is proposing a joint venture with an Indian defence company to manufacture the Orion-E domestically. This partnership aims to achieve a high localization rate of nearly 80%, aligning with India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s quest for a 5th-generation fighter aircraft has been a topic of intense debate and speculation for years. While the F-35 initially appeared to be a promising option, its acquisition has been ruled out due to India’s possession of the Russian S-400 surface-to-air missile system.
According to veteran journalist Vishnu Som, the F-35’s current price tag of $82.5 million per unit, while lower than the Rafale’s average price of $101 million, is still a significant investment. The Su-57, another contender, has faced its own challenges, with slow production rates and the ongoing development of its AL-51 F1 engine.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A new video released by Bharat-Shakti has shed light on the innovative pneumatic launcher system designed to eject modern medium- and long-range air-to-air missiles from high-performance manned and unmanned platforms. This technology represents a significant advancement in missile systems and has the potential to revolutionize aerial combat capabilities.
The Astra MkII Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM), with a range exceeding 145 kilometers, is the first BVRAAM to feature a pneumatic launcher. This system offers several advantages over traditional rail launchers, particularly in harsh operating environments. Pneumatic eject systems are known for their rapid deployment, requiring high gas pressures and robust mechanical components.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Navy is set to enhance its operational capabilities with the induction of high-explosive pre-fragmented (HEPF) shells designed to counter drone swarms. These shells, with a payload capacity of 1kg, can engage multiple drones within a five-kilometer range.
The HEPF shells will be integrated into the AK-630 Naval guns, which are currently deployed on a wide range of Indian Navy vessels. Upon firing, the shells produce approximately 600 metal shrapnel that can travel at a speed of 850 meters per second, effectively neutralizing drones within the specified range.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
– SpaceZone India, a pioneering space start-up, has etched its name in Indian space history by successfully launching India’s first-ever reusable hybrid rocket, Rhumi-1, into space. The rocket achieved a remarkable altitude of 35 kilometers and deployed 53 satellites, including 50 pico-satellites and three cube satellites, into orbit.
Following a successful mission, Rhumi-1 parachuted into the Indian Ocean. However, challenging conditions, including heavy green silt, have delayed its retrieval efforts.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Pakistan said on Sunday that the Kashmir dispute was an internationally recognised issue that must be resolved in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions.
Foreign Office Spokesperson Mumtaz Zahra Baloch made the remarks while responding to recent comments on Jammu and Kashmir by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. Jaishankar on Friday said that the “era of uninterrupted dialogue with Pakistan is over. Actions have consequences, and insofar as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, I think Article 370 is done.” “The issue today is what kind of relationship can we possibly contemplate with Pakistan.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Indian Astronaut Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma (Retd.) on Sunday applauded India’s achievement in space science and technology and said that the world is impressed with what India has done.
Rakesh Sharma said that India has done scientific exploration very cheaply as compared to the others nations who spent a lot more for the same data. “I think the world is very impressed with what India has done. India has achieved success on their very first attempts both for Chandrayaan and for Mangalyaan. And it’s wonderful. And now that Gaganyaan is around the corner,” he said.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
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Showing strong growth, the bilateral trade between India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries reached 162 billion dollars last year, the government has said. The GCC now contributes 15 per cent of India’s total trade and sectors like energy, defence, security and health are growing in the region, according to Aseem P. Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs.
At a FICCI event in the national capital, he said that while overall trade figures might fluctuate, India’s exports to the GCC nations have shown “consistent growth”. According to him, the country exports various food processing, jewellery, synthetic fibres and yarns, textiles, pharmaceuticals and engineering goods, and chemical products to the GCC countries.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday reiterated India’s stand regarding the Russia-Ukraine war and said that it will support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace.
Addressing a briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, ” The decision as to when and how to commence peace talks is the prerogative of the two parties to the conflict. As friends and partners, we would support any feasible and mutually acceptable solution or format that could restore peace…” Answering a question about Indians stuck in the Russian army, he said that 15 Indians, who were stuck in Russia, have been released and have returned to India adding that the Indian Embassy is in constant touch with the Russian authorities to facilitate the release of those who wish to return to India.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh on Sunday took over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, the Defence Ministry said. After taking charge at the Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan), the Air Marshal paid homage to the bravehearts, who made the supreme sacrifice, by laying wreath at the National War Memorial here.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Singh was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 13, 1987.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Two persons, including a 32-year-old woman, were killed and about 10 people, mostly women and children, were injured as heavily armed Kuki militants launched a series of attacks here at Koutruk and other places on Sunday Two policemen were also injured, police said.
A journalist of a local television channel who was covering the incident at Koutruk was hit by a bomb which was dropped using drones. An outpost of the Indian Reserve Battalion was also torched by Kuki militants. The state government said it has taken up immediate action to control the situation and punish those involved in Sunday’s attack on Koutruk Village, Imphal West.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
A special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court in Delhi has sentenced three individuals in the 2020 Khaja Moideen ISIS case. The accused had indiscriminately fired at a police party to evade arrest. “The Special Judge, NIA, Patiala House Complex, New Delhi, on Saturday sentenced three accused in the 2020 Khaja Moideen ISIS case, in which they had indiscriminately fired at police party in order to evade arrest,” as per an NIA press release. All three accused, Khaja Moideen, Syed Ali Nawas and Abdul Samad, had been convicted by the court in the case RC-5/2020/NIA/DLI on 6th August 2024.
They had been arrested on 9th January 2020 from Delhi and were in judicial custody since then, NIA said in the release. “The main accused, Khaja Moideen, had absconded after being released on conditional bail in the communally sensitive murder case of K.P. Suresh Kumar in June 2014.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Border Security Forces of Meghalaya, in collaboration with Meghalaya Police, successfully apprehended a Bangladeshi smuggler/Tout near the international border of East Khasi Hills district. The individual, identified as Mohd Mijan Mia (49 years), is a resident of Sunamganj district, Bangladesh. Acting on specific info, troops of 193 Bn BSF Meghalaya in a joint operation with local police, apprehended a Bangladeshi smuggler from the jungle area near the international border.
During initial questioning, the apprehended individual disclosed that he has been operating as a tout, facilitating the illegal entry of Bangladeshi nationals into India and engaging in smuggling activities. The individual has been handed over to PS Dangar for further investigation and legal proceedings.
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