SOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
The Indian armed forces are set to receive the MQ-9B armed High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS), manufactured by General Atomics, between 2029 and 2030. This acquisition marks a major step in strengthening India’s surveillance, reconnaissance, and strike capabilities. The deal, valued at nearly $3.5 billion, was signed under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme with the U.S. government. The 31 drones ordered include 15 Sea Guardians for the Indian Navy and 16 Sky Guardians for the Indian Army and Air Force (eight each).
According to defense officials, the first MQ-9B unit will be delivered in 51 months, with the final unit expected by 72 months after the contract signing and initial payment. This indicates that the delivery window will span from January 2029 to September 2030. The deliveries will be spaced out across 21 months, ensuring that India progressively receives its fleet of 31 drones.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
In an exciting preview of what’s to come for India’s defense aviation sector, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will be showcasing the Mock-front cockpit section of the Tejas MkII at the upcoming Aero India 2025. The highly anticipated event will take place from February 10th to February 14th, 2025, in Bengaluru, providing a platform for ADA to demonstrate significant advancements in the Tejas MkII program.
The image of the showcased mock-front cockpit section, recently released, highlights the impressive dimensions: 3427L X 1990H X 1390W, signaling the scope of ADA’s efforts in designing a state-of-the-art fighter cockpit. The mock section includes various structural components that are integral to the overall cockpit design and functionality of the upcoming Tejas MkII.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s quest for modernizing its armored capabilities has taken a significant leap forward as the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) is now developing a new 120mm smoothbore caliber gun for the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) program. This new development marks a departure from the 120mm rifled gun used in the Arjun Main Battle Tank (MBT) and signals a shift towards international trends in tank armament systems.
The decision to transition from the rifled cannon of the Arjun to a smoothbore design for the FRCV reflects India’s ambition to adopt next-generation technologies and stay competitive on the modern battlefield. Smoothbore cannons have become the global standard for main battle tanks due to their ability to fire fin-stabilized projectiles with high velocity and precision. With the FRCV program, the Indian Army aims to introduce a highly advanced armored fighting vehicle to replace the aging T-72 fleet and meet future combat requirements.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In 1996, Fairchild Dornier and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) were in discussions to transfer wing production for the Dornier 328 turboprop from Germany to India. HAL was also invited to bid for the fuselage shell production, competing with Italy’s Aermacchi, as the existing contract with South Korea’s Daewoo neared its end. Fairchild Dornier viewed India as a potential market, and relocating production could have aligned with broader sales opportunities. However, the deal ultimately never materialized.
Had this agreement been finalized, it could have significantly enhanced HAL’s manufacturing capabilities, providing it with access to a larger and more sophisticated platform than the Do-228. This, in turn, would have opened doors for HAL to contribute to India’s domestic and regional aviation market. The 328 could have been a stepping stone for India to meet growing civil aviation demands, while also strengthening the armed forces’ transport and reconnaissance capabilities with a more versatile aircraft.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a significant boost to domestic defense manufacturing, the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders has successfully indigenized the Bridge Window Glass for ships in collaboration with M/s Jeet & Jeet Glass, Jaipur. These specialized blast-proof and radar-opaque glasses are critical components of the Enclosed Bridge, Flag Bridge, Combat Information Center (CIC), and Flight Control Officer (FCO) compartments of warships.
Until now, Bridge Window Glasses for Indian Navy ships were imported. The successful indigenization of this essential component is a major step towards reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and promoting self-reliance in the defense sector.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The recent arrest of Vikas Yadav, an Indian national accused by U.S. authorities of plotting to assassinate Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the leader of the U.S.-based Khalistani group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ), has raised questions about India’s stance on extradition. This case has caught global attention due to its sensitive political implications and the strained relationship between India and separatist Khalistani movements, particularly SFJ, which has been a source of significant tension between India and its diaspora in countries like the United States and Canada.
Vikas Yadav has been accused by the U.S. Department of Justice of being part of a conspiracy to kill Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent pro-Khalistan leader and a vocal advocate for an independent Sikh homeland in Punjab. SFJ, which Pannun leads, has long been at odds with the Indian government, calling for a secessionist referendum and organizing pro-Khalistan rallies. While the Indian government has banned SFJ and labeled its activities as seditious, Pannun enjoys considerable influence in the U.S., where SFJ operates freely, protected by American free speech laws.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian government has issued a stern warning to Canada, accusing a Canadian Border Police officer of actively supporting and facilitating terrorist activities in Punjab, India. The officer, identified as Sandeep Singh Sidhu Sunny, has emerged as a key figure in promoting pro-Khalistani terrorism and has been linked to several terrorist acts.
According to Indian intelligence reports, Sunny has been in close contact with Pakistan-based terrorist Lakhbir Singh Rode and other operatives of the Pakistan Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). He is alleged to have played a crucial role in the targeted killing of Comrade Balwinder Singh Sandhu in Punjab in October 2020, working in conjunction with the notorious gangster Sukhmeetpal Singh Sukh Bhikhiwal.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said the private sector must play a leading role in defence sector, citing its ability to drive innovation and adapt to rapid changes.
Speaking at the DRDO Industry Workshop on defence technology acceleration in Delhi, Singh said, “Technology’s impact on the defence sector is not limited to conventional warfare; it has given birth to unconventional warfare, including drones, cyber warfare, bio-weapons, and space defence. These elements pose challenges to the defence sector.”
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Even as India and Canada have expelled six of each other’s diplomats over the killing of an IndoCanadian Khalistani activist, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly has warned that the around 15 Indian diplomats still in the country “are clearly on notice” and need to respect Canadian law. “They’re clearly on notice,” Joly said at a press conference in Montreal. “Six of them have been expelled, including the high commissioner in Ottawa.
Others were mainly from Toronto and Vancouver. “Clearly, we won’t tolerate any diplomats that are in contravention of the Vienna Convention,” CBC news reported. Joly’s comments come days after the head of the Royal Canada Mounted Police accused the Indian government, its agents and diplomats of links to widespread criminal activity in Canada, including coercion, extortion and killings.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A Canadian opposition leader has accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of using Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s murder to divert attention from other controversies and asked the government to posthumously take away the Khalistani militant’s citizenship to right the past administrative error.
Maxime Bernier, the leader of the People’s Party of Canada, also said the Khalistani militant who is the central figure in the whole controversy was a foreign terrorist who was somehow granted citizenship in 2007.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
)
Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was grateful for the concern expressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the war in Ukraine.
Asked at a media interaction here whether he saw a role for India in negotiating peace between Russia and Ukraine, he referred to his interactions with Modi, whom he described as a friend, and said his country was grateful for this.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Police have arrested two hybrid terrorists of Jammu and Kashmir Ghaznavi Force (JKGF) with grenades and arms in Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir. Police sources on Saturday said that two hybrid terrorists associated with JKGF were arrested on Friday evening with three grenades and a pistol.
“The timely arrest of the terrorists have thwarted potential attacks in the region,” they said, adding that the operation reflects the relentless efforts of security forces to combat terrorism in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Suspected Kuki militants attacked a police station in Jiribam district on Saturday. Police said the suspected militants attacked Bodobekra Police Station, Jiribam district, using bombs.
No one was injured. Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Manipur Police personnel fired back, and the suspected militants fled.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
)
Three Bangladeshi nationals have been apprehended in two days while trying to enter Indian territory by negotiating the border fence, Border Security Force (BSF) said.
One tout allegedly involved in facilitating the infiltration was also arrested from Kalamchaura area in Gurangola village after a joint operation was conducted by the BSF and police, based on the revelation made by apprehended Bangladeshi nationals, the border guarding force said in a statement on Friday.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A 51-mm mortar shell was found and subsequently destroyed in a controlled explosion near the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kathua district on Sunday, officials said. The rusted mortar shell was noticed by a villager in his fields at Paharpur village near Haria chak police border post area, the officials said.
They said a bomb disposal squad was rushed to the scene and the explosive was safely destroyed in a controlled explosion without causing any damage.
Continue reading