SOURCE: IDRW.ORG
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), India’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer, is set to complete the delivery of the last four light combat aircraft (LCA Mk-1) trainers to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by March 31, 2025. These twin-seater jets will play a crucial role in training IAF pilots and can also be used as fighters if needed.
HAL has already delivered four LCA Mk-1 trainers to the IAF, utilizing stock engines from the Air Force. However, the delivery of the remaining four trainers will be done by March 31, 2025. but the delivery of 10 more from the second batch of Tejas Trainer might face some delays due to issues with the supply of F-404 engines from GE Aerospace. Due to delays, deliveries are expected to occur in the first and second quarters of 2025.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG
The Indian Army is set to modernize and export its older T-72 tanks, which have served as its main battle tank for decades. A senior defense official revealed to Sputnik India that these tanks will be upgraded domestically and then offered to foreign buyers.
India currently possesses around 2,500 T-72 tanks, which were first introduced into its army in the 1970s. Despite their age, these tanks are still considered highly reliable and continue to be in demand globally. Countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Far East Asia have expressed interest in acquiring the T-72, even as India prepares to phase them out of its forces.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
India’s ambitious nuclear energy program is on the cusp of a significant milestone. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is poised to commission its first 500MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) near Chennai. This reactor is a crucial component of India’s closed-fuel cycle nuclear program, designed to maximize the utilization of nuclear fuel.
The PFBR will initially use a Uranium-Plutonium Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel. The surrounding “blanket” of Uranium-238 will undergo nuclear transmutation to produce more fuel, hence the term “breeder.” The future plan involves using Thorium-232 as a blanket, which, through transmutation, will create fissile Uranium-233. This process is essential for India’s third-stage nuclear program, which aims to fully harness the country’s abundant thorium reserves.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Johnnette Technologies Pvt Ltd, a leading Indian technology company, has showcased its innovative Johnnette JF-2 drone at the inaugural India-UAE Defence Partnership Forum. The JF-2 is a lightweight, hand-launched fixed-wing drone designed for surveillance and reconnaissance operations.
The JF-2 is a simple-to-fly drone that is ideal for both day and night operations. It is equipped with a high-definition day camera and a thermal imaging camera, allowing for effective surveillance in various lighting conditions. The drone’s compact size and lightweight design make it highly portable, making it a valuable asset for land forces.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Varuna 2024, a joint naval exercise between India and France, has concluded with a strong focus on anti-submarine warfare (ASW). The exercise, which took place in the in the Mediterranean Sea, showcased the interoperability and capabilities of the two navies in countering underwater threats.
The French nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) Suffren played a pivotal role in the ASW drills. The Suffren, a highly advanced submarine equipped with cutting-edge technology, demonstrated its stealth and maneuverability in challenging underwater environments.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Artemon Aerospace, a leading aerospace technology company, has successfully conducted ground launch testing of its Canister-Launched Loitering Munition. The test, which utilized a recycled in-service canister launcher, marks a significant milestone in the development and refinement of this innovative weapon system.
The canister-launched loitering munition, a highly versatile and effective weapon, offers a range of capabilities including long-endurance flight, precision targeting, and the ability to loiter over a target area for extended periods. Its compact design and compatibility with existing canister launchers make it a valuable asset for military forces.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Intelligence agencies have raised red flags over the use of Chinese components, including electrical components, in drones purchased by the Indian armed forces from domestic private players. These drones, deployed primarily in border areas in the northern and eastern sectors, pose a significant security concern due to the potential for data transfer.
In response to these concerns, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) has halted an order placed by the Army for logistics drones that were intended for deployment along India’s borders with China. Senior Army officers have confirmed that the force, in collaboration with the defense ministry, is currently developing a comprehensive strategy to prevent the inclusion of Chinese components in military drones.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the second edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference ‘24 in New Delhi on September 19, 2024. He commended the Indian Navy for playing a crucial role in promoting peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean, terming the region as valuable & sensitive in view of the economic, geopolitical, trade and security aspects.
Pointing out that India was once a landlocked country with sea shores, but now it can be seen as an island country with land borders, the Raksha Mantri lauded the Indian Navy’s readiness towards safeguarding the maritime interests of the country, which has resulted in establishing its credibility as the first responder in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
Artillery shells sold by Indian arms makers have been diverted by European customers to Ukraine and New Delhi has not intervened to stop the trade despite protests from Moscow, according to eleven Indian and European government and defence industry officials, as well as a Reuters analysis of commercially available customs data.
The transfer of munitions to support Ukraine’s defence against Russia has occurred for more than a year, according to the sources and the customs data. Indian arms export regulations limit the use of weaponry to the declared purchaser, who risks future sales being terminated if unauthorised transfers occur.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
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The government has approved a joint venture between NPCIL and NTPC to build four 700 MWe nuclear power plants at Mahi Banswara in Rajasthan.
The Department of Atomic Energy handed over the document approving the joint venture ‘Anushakti Vidyut Nigam Limited (ASHVINI)’? to top officials of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) on Tuesday, an official statement said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday dismissed the lawsuit filed by pro-Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun as an “unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations” over the ‘assassination’ attempt against the Indian government in the US. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that it doesn’t change India’s views about the underlying situation, now that the case has been lodged. “As we’ve said earlier, these are completely unwarranted and unsubstantiated imputations. Now that this particular case has been lodged.
It doesn’t change our views about the underlying situation. I would only invite your attention to the person behind this particular case whose antecedents are well known,” the Foreign Secretary said in a press briefing on Thursday ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the US. Pannun is an India-designated terrorist who holds American and Canadian citizenship.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
A US court has summoned the Indian government after General counsel for the pro-Khalistan group Sikhs for Justice, Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, initiated a civil lawsuit in a US federal district court against the Indian government, National Security Adviser (NSA) Ajit Doval and others. Pannun claimed damages for an alleged assassination attempt against him on United States soil last year.
Pannun, who is a US-Canadian dual citizen of Indian origin, is designated by India as a terrorist. Last year he indirectly threatened to blow up an Air India plane flying on Nov 19 urging Sikhs not to fly on that day by the airline.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stated that Pakistan’s Shehbaz Sharif government and the Congress-National Conference alliance in India are aligned on the issue of restoring Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir.
Asif suggested that there is a “high chance” of the Congress-National Conference alliance winning the ongoing Assembly elections in Jammu & Kashmir, potentially allowing them to come to power in the Union Territory.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Thursday said that Pakistan and the Congress have the same intention and agenda with regard to Jammu and Kashmir. The recent remarks by Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif extending support to the Congress and National Conference’s call for abrogation of Article 370 have once again exposed this, he said.
He said, “Pakistan’s Defence Minister’s statement about Congress and JKNC’s support on Article 370 and 35A has once again exposed the Congress party. This statement has made it clear that Congress and Pakistan have the same intentions and agenda. For the last few years, Rahul Gandhi has been standing with every anti-India force that hurts the sentiments of the countrymen.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
After Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khwaja Asif said that Pakistan and the NC-Congress alliance were on the same page on the restoration of Article 370, National Conference leader Farooq Abdullah said on Thursday that he does not know what Pakistan says.
Speaking to ANI, he said, “I don’t know what Pakistan says. I am not a Pakistani; I am an Indian citizen.” On the Jammu Kashmir Assembly Polls, he said that everything would be clear in front of the people on October 8.
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