SOURCE: PTI

Indian Space Research Organisation chairman S Somanath said on Saturday that the astronauts selected for India’s first human space flight programme Gaganyaan are ready and waiting for the flight to happen for the 2025 mission.

The Gaganyaan programme aims to send four astronauts into space for a three-day mission in 2025 and bring them back safely to Earth. ISRO, whose Chandrayaan-3 made a historic landing near Moon’s south pole in August, is working day and night to develop technology to make it happen, Somanath said.

SOURCE: AFI

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is on the hunt for industrial partners to help commercialize its laser-induced sensing technology for the detection of biological agents. This technology, developed by DRDO’s Laser Science and Technology Center (LASTEC), has the potential to revolutionize biowarfare detection and homeland security.

DRDO highlights the versatility of laser technology, emphasizing its potential applications in homeland security, defense, environmental sciences, and medical sciences. In the current climate of heightened bio-terrorist threats, the organization sees this technology as a crucial tool for safeguarding both military personnel and civilians from biological, chemical warfare (BCW) agents, and explosives.

SOURCE: AFI

In a significant development for the Indian defense ecosystem, the first-ever Tri-Services Fleet Review Meeting dedicated to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) supported aircraft was recently convened under the chairmanship of Air Marshal CR Mohan, the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff.

This milestone meeting aimed to address critical issues related to the sustenance of the fleet, with a specific focus on identifying indigenous solutions for enhanced operational efficiency.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has indigenized about 3,000 aircraft components after supplies were affected due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, resulting in savings of foreign exchange worth Rs 160 crore from January 2022 to June 2023.

Air Marshal Vibhas Pande, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Maintenance Command, said that these savings were from the first purchase cycle only and more savings were expected further on. He said that the IAF’s indigenisation efforts and stocking policy ensured that the operational capability of Russian fighters like the MiG-29 was not affected, though more impetus on indigenisation would be needed if the conflict dragged on.

SOURCE: AFI

A major incident was averted at the Jaipur airport on Saturday afternoon when an Indian Air Force (IAF) Avro Hawker Siddeley HS748 transport aircraft hit a pole while it was being parked near runway number 39.

The aircraft, a twin-engine turboprop, was carrying a number of IAF personnel when it clipped the pole with a part of its wing. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported and the aircraft sustained only minor damage.

SOURCE: AFI

New Delhi is carefully considering President Muizzu’s request to withdraw Indian military personnel from the Maldives. Both sides are seeking a win-win solution that prioritizes the long-standing “Maldives-first” approach.

India isn’t ready for a complete pullout, citing concerns for regional security and highlighting its role in past rescue missions. Sources point out that Indian naval presence has facilitated numerous emergency drills and is crucial for the Indian Ocean’s stability.

SOURCE: PTI

India and Bangladesh not only share a common ancient history and culture, but also maintain excellent bilateral relations in contemporary times, senior Indian Army officer Maj Gen M P Singh said here on Saturday.

A 30-member delegation from Bangladesh along with six serving officers of its armed forces will attend the Vijay Diwas observance on December 16 to honour the triumph of Mukti Bahini (liberation warriors) and the Indian armed forces over Pakistan in the 1971 war, he said.

SOURCE: ANI

As the Central and Manipur governments have signed a peace agreement with the United National Liberation Front (UNLF), to renounce violence and join the mainstream, Chief Minister Biren Singh hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday for the same and expressed hope on more insurgent groups to come forward and join the peace-making process.

The peace agreement was signed with the state’s oldest valley-based militant group on November 29 in the national capital in the presence of Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla and some members of the UNLF.

SOURCE: PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness the Indian Navy’s “operational demonstrations” involving ships, submarines, aircraft and special forces from the Tarkarli beach in Maharashtra’s Sindhudurg on Monday, the defence ministry has said.

The Navy will showcase its combat capabilities as part of the Navy Day celebrations. The prime minister is also scheduled to unveil a statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji at Rajkot Fort. The Navy Day is celebrated on December 4 every year.

SOURCE: PTI

Seven students, who were arrested under the UAPA for allegedly raising objectionable slogans and celebrating the Indian cricket team’s loss in the World Cup final, were Saturday granted bail by a court after police dropped charges under the stringent anti-terror law.

The students of the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district were granted bail by the court of chief judicial magistrate (CJM) Ganderbal, the lawyer representing the students, Shafiq Ahmad Bhat, told PTI.