SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari recently addressed concerns regarding the impact of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine on the IAF’s fleet of Russian-made aircraft.
Chaudhari highlighted the IAF’s proactive approach towards “Indianization,” a strategy that involves manufacturing crucial components for its aircraft within India. This initiative has significantly reduced dependence on foreign suppliers, including Russia, for spare parts. As a result, the Ukraine conflict has had a minimal effect on the supply of spares for many Russian aircraft operated by the IAF.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s aerospace PSU, has emerged victorious in a new tender for 97 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A. This significant order valued at approximately Rs 65,000 crore prioritizes boosting indigenous content within the aircraft.
The contract stipulates a base level of 65% indigenization for the Tejas Mk1A. However, HAL is ambitiously aiming to surpass this target, pushing the figure to over 70% through internal initiatives. This represents a substantial increase from the 55% indigenization achieved in the 2021 order for the Tejas Mk1A. The Tejas Mk1 itself boasts a 59.7% indigenous content by value and an impressive 75.5% by line replaceable units (LRUs).
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Recent satellite imagery has revealed a new radar installation just north-east of Bangalore, India’s IT hub. This has sparked speculation that it could be the deployment site for the second phase of India’s Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) program.
The new facility is believed to be intended for housing interceptor missiles specifically designed to protect Bangalore and Hyderabad from ballistic missile attacks. While details remain classified, reports suggest the site may also serve a dual purpose. It could potentially function as a radar testing facility and a training ground for crews operating the existing BMD sites in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, which are responsible for safeguarding New Delhi and Mumbai in the first phase.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s strategic Chabua airbase, a vital installation for the Indian Air Force (IAF) under the Eastern Command, is undergoing a significant modernization program. Recent satellite imagery reveals the extensive renovations underway, showcasing the scale and progress achieved at the site.
These upgrades represent a multi-pronged approach to enhancing the airbase’s capabilities that includes Construction of new underground munition storage facilities signifies an increase in the airbase’s capacity to house weaponry. This bolsters the IAF’s firepower and preparedness in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India, boasting the world’s largest thorium reserves, is making significant strides in harnessing this potential game-changer for its energy needs. Thorium-rich beaches along the eastern Odisha coastline and Kerala’s sands hold the key to this clean and abundant energy source.
Thorium’s appeal lies in its abundance – exceeding that of uranium – and its minimal environmental impact. Unlike conventional nuclear fuel, thorium doesn’t emit greenhouse gases and produces less radioactive waste. Scientists at India’s Department of Atomic Energy (DoAE) view thorium as a “practically inexhaustible energy source” for the future.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that India-Middle-East-Europe Economic Corridor, for which an agreement was reached during the G20 summit hosted India last year, will be a “big game changer like the silk route”. In an interview with ANI, PM Modi also talked about consensus reached at the G20 summit on the declaration, among speculations in some quarters that such an outcome will be difficult due to difference in positions on the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
PM Modi said he pushed forward the consensus declaration to cause a surprise.
Continue readingSOURCE: ISRO
ISRO has achieved a breakthrough in rocket engine technology with the development of a lightweight Carbon-Carbon (C-C) nozzle for rocket engines. This innovationaccomplished by Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) promises to enhance the vital parameters of rocket engines, including thrust levels, specific impulse, and thrust-to-weight ratios, thereby boosting the payload capacity of launch vehicles.
VSSC, continuingits pioneering work in space research, has leveraged advanced materials like Carbon-Carbon (C-C) Composites to create a nozzle divergent that offers exceptional properties. By utilizing processes such as carbonization of green composites, Chemical Vapor Infiltration, and High-Temperature Treatment, it has produced a nozzle with low density, high specific strength, and excellent stiffness, capable of retaining mechanical properties even at elevated temperatures.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Biden administration asserted that India was an important strategic partner of the US and added that the status of the relationship is expected to remain unchanged. US State Department spokesperson Mathew Miller was responding to a question at a press conference on Monday on the US-India relationship in the context of some articles and opinion pieces critical of the Indian government published ahead of the Lok Sabha elections in India.
To a question on alleged “concerns about democratic backsliding in India” and the recent statements by the State Department regarding the alleged “crackdown on opposition”, Miller said, “India is the world’s largest democracy. It is an important strategic partner of the United States and I expect that to remain true.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Indian-American Congressman Shri Thanedar interacted with members of the Hindu community on Monday and spoke about the issue of rising attacks on Hindu temples across America and the fear among the community, saying that “local law enforcement hasn’t taken enough action” to investigate the recent attacks.
This comes as he introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives condemning Hinduphobia, anti-Hindu bigotry, hate, and intolerance on April 10. The resolution has been referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The US destroyed more than 80 UAVs and at least six ballistic missiles launched by Iran at Israel, the Pentagon said Sunday. This includes a ballistic missile on its launcher vehicle and seven UAVs destroyed on the ground in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen prior to their launch, the US Central Command said.
Iran fired more than 300 drones and missiles at Israel, which Tehran said was in response to the April 1 strike on its consulate in Syria. Almost all Iranian drones and missiles were shot down by Israeli, US and allied forces before they reached their targets.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
At least one Assam Rifles personnel was injured in an encounter with suspected militants in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Tuesday, officials said. According to Tinsukia Superintendent of Police Gaurav Abhijit Dilip, the incident took place near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border this morning near Namdang in Margherita.
“A convoy of 31 Assam Rifles was coming from Changlang in Arunachal Pradesh towards Margherita when unknown miscreants fired at them. The force also retaliated,” he told PTI. In the encounter, one Assam Rifles personnel was injured, Dilip said.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
There is a woman from Kerala among the 17 Indians who are onboard an Israel-linked cargo ship seized by Iran in the gulf region, her family has said. The family of the woman, Antessa Joseph, said in a video shown on TV channels that she was also among the crew of the ship, but there was no mention of her in the Kerala Chief Minister’s letter to the External Affairs Ministry.
Subsequently, an official in the Chief Minister’s Office said that initially there was no information about the presence of the woman.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Former Tripura Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party candidate Biplab Deb hit out at the Communist Party of India (Marxist) over their poll promise of complete elimination of India’s nuclear weapons.
Terming the CPI (M) manifesto an “anti-Indian document,” he said that it reflects the aspirations of neighbouring countries — Pakistan and China — who eagerly want India to be ‘powerless’ globally. The Rajya Sabha MP is BJP’s candidate from West Tripura Parliamentary constituency.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
An Indian armed forces contingent, comprising army and air force personnel, left for Uzbekistan on Monday to participate in the joint military exercise ‘Dustlik’, scheduled from April 15 to 28, a Defence Ministry statement said.
The exercise, to be held in Termez in the Central Asian nation, is being organised to foster military cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in mountainous as well as semi-urban terrain, it said.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Airbus is throwing its hat in the ring for India’s massive Medium Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, offering its latest iteration of the Eurofighter Typhoon. This Tranche 5 variant promises a significant leap in capability, aiming to secure a place among the 114 jets India seeks to acquire.
The Block 5 Eurofighter boasts a suite of advanced features, including the E-Scan active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar. This powerful sensor provides superior situational awareness and target tracking, crucial for modern air combat. Additionally, the Eurofighter benefits from enhanced defensive aids and a human-machine interface (HMI) designed for optimal pilot performance.
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