SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Former Air Chief Marshal Fali H. Major (Retd.), the only helicopter pilot to ever lead the Indian Air Force, has expressed his strong support for the government’s decision to procure a large number of attack helicopters. This historic deal, valued at approximately ?50,000 crore, marks the biggest single helicopter order ever placed by an Indian company and represents a significant boost to the country’s defense sector.
In a media interaction, Air Chief Marshal Major welcomed the news but emphasized the importance of gradually increasing indigenous content in the helicopters. He highlighted that while the current 45% domestic content is a positive step, it should be progressively raised to “respectable levels.” This, according to Major, would ensure an “80% availability rate” for the helicopters, maximizing their operational efficiency for the armed forces.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Rosoboronexport/Rostec, a prominent Russian defense exporter, has collaborated with an Indian company to establish the manufacturing of the 3VBM17 Mango Armor-Piercing Fin-Stabilized Discarding Sabot (APFSDS) rounds within India. This initiative aligns perfectly with India’s “Make in India” program, promoting self-reliance in critical defense equipment.
The 3VBM17 Mango APFSDS rounds are designed to penetrate and defeat armored vehicles equipped with composite armor. These advanced rounds are crucial for modern armored warfare, providing superior performance against heavily protected targets. The locally manufactured Mango rounds will equip Indian tanks with enhanced firepower, ensuring they can effectively engage and neutralize contemporary armored threats.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Not so long ago, India had opportunity to have same radar on its Rafale fighter jet also on the LCA-Tejas Mk1A fighter jet fleet. French defense giant Thales offered a derivative of its RBE2 AESA radar, used in Rafale jets, for India’s Tejas Mk-1A fighter variant. This development unfolded in 2017.
Thales conducted successful flight tests in France that summer, analyzing the radar’s performance under various conditions. The company claimed the RBE2 derivative met all of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s (HAL) requirements for the Tejas Mk-1A’s combat and air superiority missions. Additionally, Thales emphasized its solution’s ability to integrate seamlessly with the Mk-1A’s tight development schedule.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited, registered and located in India, has produced and transferred 35,000 Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Ministry of Defence. The founders of the enterprise from the Russian side are ROSOBORONEXPORT JSC and the Kalashnikov Group (both are subsidiaries of the Rostec State Corporation).
The Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifle is a version of the AK-200 rifle chambered for the 7.62×39mm cartridge used in the Indian Army. The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Aditya Ramanathan, a research analyst with the Takshashila Institution, has provided insights into the findings of the 2024 Yearbook released by the Swedish think tank, Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The yearbook highlights the global increase in nuclear arsenals, including those of India. Ramanathan, an expert on India’s strategic affairs and foreign policy, delves into the implications of these developments.
“We don’t actually know the exact size of India’s nuclear arsenal, but most studies place it in the range of 150-200 warheads,” says Ramanathan. He suggests that any increase in India’s nuclear arsenal is likely a direct response to China’s military advancements. “India has to be concerned about ensuring that enough of its own nuclear forces can survive a Chinese first strike and inflict unacceptable damage in retaliation. To that end, I think India’s response is cautious and well-reasoned.”
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Pro-Khalistani organizations have recently urged the incoming U.K. government, anticipated to be led by Labour leader Keir Starmer, to back a controversial “Sikh Manifesto.” This manifesto, which has been the subject of significant criticism, includes statements on geopolitics and hate crimes that have sparked debate among political candidates and the public.
The manifesto outlines ten demands, most notably advocating for the “application of self-determination to the Sikhs.” This phrase is widely interpreted as support for the ongoing campaign for a Sikh ethnostate in the Punjab region, spanning parts of India and Pakistan.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Gajinder Singh, a wanted terrorist and co-founder of the radical outfit Dal Khalsa, passed away from a heart attack at a hospital in Pakistan. He was 74 years old.
Singh was a fugitive for his role in the 1981 hijacking of an Indian Airlines (IA) flight. The plane, carrying over 110 passengers and crew, was diverted to Lahore and used to make demands for the release of Sikh extremists.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
Ministry of Defence has achieved the highest-ever growth in indigenous defence production in value terms during Financial Year (FY) 2023-24, on the back of successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, focusing on achieving ‘Aatmanirbharta’. As per the data received from all Defence Public Sector undertakings (DPSUs), other PSUs manufacturing defence items and private companies, the value of defence production in the country has gone up to a record-high figure i.e., Rs 1,26,887 crore, reflecting a growth of 16.7% over the defence production of the previous financial year. The value of defence production in FY 2022-23 was Rs 1,08,684 crore.
Acknowledging the achievement through a post on X, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh stated that the ‘Make in India’ programme is crossing new milestones, year after year, under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He voiced the Government’s unwavering resolve to develop India as a leading global defence manufacturing hub.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFP
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday will make his first visit to Russia since the invasion of Ukraine, walking a fine line between maintaining a longstanding Moscow alliance while courting closer Western security ties.
Russia is a key supplier of cut-price oil and weapons to India, but its isolation from the West and growing friendship with China have impacted its time-honoured partnership with New Delhi. The United States and its Western allies have in recent years cultivated ties with India as a bulwark against Beijing and its growing influence in the Asia-Pacific, while also pressuring it to distance itself from Russia.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Jailed radical Sikh preacher Amritpal Singh and Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdul Rashid, who were granted parole to take oath as members of the Lok Sabha, were sworn in as MPs on Friday amid heavy deployment of security personnel in and around the Parliament complex.
While Rashid, popularly known as Engineer Rashid, was in Delhi’s Tihar jail in a terror funding case registered under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Singh was lodged in a prison in Assam’s Dibrugarh district for offences under the National Security Act.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Sri Lanka is to hand over operations at a Chinese-built airport, located close to the Hambantota port, to a consortium of Indian and Russian firms, despite the US sanctions on the Russian firm, the island’s Aviation Minister has said. A joint venture between Shaurya Aeronautics Pvt Ltd of India and Airports of Regions Management Company of Russia has won the contract to manage Sri Lanka’s Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport for 30 years.
However, officials from the United States have approached the Sri Lankan government to inform that the key stakeholder of Russia’s Airports of Regions Management Company is sanctioned by the US treasury in 2018 for suspected meddling in the 2016 U.S. elections, economynext.com reported. “That is not true and correct.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The volatile situation in Myanmar has had a roll-on effect on its neighbours, including the countries of India and Thailand. With an array of rebel militias increasing their offensive against the Military Junta in Myanmar, parts of the country are now said to be completely out of the central government’s control.
Two parts of Myanmar have been of particular concern to the world. One is the region of Myawaddy, which in April this year briefly fell to rebels and has since been largely in conflict. This has meant that international criminal gangs, with support from some groups, have used the area to flourish a criminal enterprise involved in cyber fraud, phishing, and illegal gambling and betting.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Amid rising infiltration from Bangladesh into Tripura, Chief Minister Manik Saha has asked the Border Security Force (BSF) to tighten vigil along the 856 km International Border, officials said here on Friday.
An official of the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) said that CM Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, Thursday night held a meeting with top BSF officials and asked them to maintain strict vigil along the border and to take appropriate steps to prevent the infiltration of Bangladeshi nationals into Indian territory.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
In a remarkable display of prompt and coordinated efforts, the Army successfully defused an unexploded ordnance discovered at the District Hospital Kargil during construction activities on Friday.
According to officials, the Police provided the initial information about the dangerous find to the fearless Sappers of the Forever in Operations Division. Working together with local authorities, the team swiftly moved the unexploded ordnance to a secure location and destroyed it, ensuring the safety of the community.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Indian and Mongolian troops performed Yoga in the picturesque background of Meghalaya. Both sides are participating in Exercise Nomadic Elephant at the State-of-the-Art Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
The 16th edition of India-Mongolia Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant commenced on July 3 and is scheduled to be conducted until July 16. An Indian contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by a battalion of Sikkim scouts along with personnel from other arms and services. The Mongolian contingent is being represented by personnel from the 150 Quick Reaction Force Battalion of the Mongolian Army.
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