SOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) MiG-21 fighter jets are making their final hurrah in a major exercise. These legendary aircraft are participating in Gagan Shakti-2024, a pan-India wargame that began on April 1st and continues until April 10th.
This exercise simulates a realistic war environment, allowing the IAF to test its integrated air combat capabilities. For the MiG-21 Bisons, however, Gagan Shakti-2024 marks their last major drill before retirement.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) has unveiled the first glimpse of the LUPEX rover, designed for a collaborative mission with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
LUPEX, short for Lunar Polar Exploration, aims to unlock the secrets of the Moon’s polar regions. This international venture will see Japan develop and operate both the launch vehicle and the rover itself. India will contribute by developing and operating the lander that will deliver the rover to the lunar surface.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Highlighting the concern about Bangladesh opposition party’s ‘BoycottIndia’ trend, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stressed that India and Bangladesh have a very strong and vibrant relationship.
While addressing a press briefing on Thursday, the MEA spokesperson said that both countries have a comprehensive partnership, spanning various sectors. “I would like to say that India-Bangladesh relations are very strong,” Randhir Jaiswal said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Reacting to the comments made by Pakistan’s Foreign Minister on resuming trade with India, the Ministry of External Affairs said that there lies a contradiction between his comments and that of the Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Addressing a weekly media briefing, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen some reports regarding the Pak Foreign Minister’s comments, but thereafter I would like you to refer to the comments made by the spokesperson of Pakistan Foreign Ministry. Please have a look at those comments, you will see there is a contradiction between the two. That is where it is.”
Earlier, Pak Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said that the relevant stakeholders would “seriously examine” the trade situation with India as he highlighted the concerns of the business community, Dawn reported. “Pakistani businessmen want trade with India to resume,” he added.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar today said “toughest legal action” will be taken against agents who duped students from Kerala into fighting for Russia in its war against Ukraine.
Interacting with media persons in Thiruvanthanpuram today, Mr Jaishankar said, “This is a matter of very, very deep concern for us, very strong concern for us. We called in the Russian ambassador. Our ambassador in Moscow was instructed to go to the foreign ministry.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Amid instances in the recent past where Shri was being used before names of Indian Coast Guard officers instead of their ranks, the President’s Secretariat in an RTI reply has explained that only ranks have to be used before names of Indian Coast Guard and defence officers in official communication.
The ceremonial section of the President’s Secretariat in May 2023 issued a letter that stated that for both serving and retired officials, only their ranks have to be prefixed before their names and Shri was not to be used.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday dismissed a senior United Nations official’s recent remark on elections in India, saying that he does not need the global body to tell that the elections in the country should be “free and fair”.
His comments came in response to a query regarding a statement by a spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General that they “hope” that in India, people’s “political and civil rights” are protected and everyone is able to vote in a “free & fair” atmosphere.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Thursday arrested near the Nepal border three men who were allegedly planning to “commit terror activities in India”, according to officials.
The trio included two Pakistani nationals and were carrying forged Indian identity proofs, a statement released by the ATS said. “Acting on an intelligence input that some terrorists with an aim to commit terror activities in India are going to enter via Indo-Nepal border, a team of Gorakhpur ATS unit was put on alert. The unit on Thursday arrested three accused while entering India via the Indo-Nepal border,” the statement read.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
India on Thursday said it has urged Israel to ensure the safety of the Indian construction workers who have gone to the country this week under the framework of a bilateral mobility agreement.
Israeli Ambassador to India Naor Gilon had said on Tuesday that the first batch of over 60 Indian construction workers has left for Israel. “As you are aware, these (first batch) workers have gone to Israel as part of a mobility agreement that we have signed with the country,” External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at his weekly media briefing.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
As part of the ongoing exercise Gagan Shakti-24, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft recently operated from the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the northern sector in Kashmir valley, the Defence Ministry said on Thursday.
The ministry said that a large number of troops were airlifted and subsequently air landed utilising Chinook, Mi-17 V5 and ALH Mk-III helicopters by night. “IAF also plans to practise similar drills in coordination with the administration of State Governments for activation of ELFs in other sectors. Various IAF fixed and rotary wing platforms will carry out coordinated landing and operations at these ELF, requiring good planning and coordination with civil administration employing Whole-of-the-Nation-Approach (WNA),” the defence ministry said.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The development of the Tejas MkII, India’s next-generation fighter jet, is progressing steadily. While component orders are underway, the actual assembly is expected to begin in mid-2025.
Initial progress involves acquiring Line-replaceable unit (LRUs) and other components, some of which will be sourced internationally. However, a delay exists for certain fuselage parts outsourced to private Indian companies. These components are anticipated to arrive by the end of 2024 or early 2025.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG.
A viral video circulating on the x (formerly Twitter) has sparked discussion about the development of China’s J-35 stealth fighter jet. The video shows the J-35 taking off, with puffs of black smoke emanating from its engines.
The black smoke is likely a byproduct of the jet’s engine undergoing testing. The J-35 is believed to be powered by the Guizhou WS-19 engine, which is derived from the earlier WS-13 and ultimately based on the Russian Klimov RD-93 turbofan. During initial tests, particularly engine starts, incomplete combustion can lead to black smoke emissions. This is a normal occurrence and doesn’t necessarily indicate a problem with the engine itself.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Lockheed Martin’s recent successful test launch of four Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASM) has reignited discussions about the potential integration of this weapon system with India’s P-8I fleet. Here’s how LRSAM could revolutionize the capabilities of these potent anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.
The Indian Navy operates a formidable fleet of 12 P-8I aircraft, manufactured by Boeing. These multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft are renowned for their Advanced sensors and weapon systems allow them to detect, classify, and track submarines. P-8Is can gather valuable electronic intelligence (ELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT).
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A recent report by TV9 Bharatvarsh claiming the Indian Air Force (IAF) cancelled the MRFA (Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft) tender for 114 jets in favor of the locally-developed TEDBF (Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter) was an April Fool’s Day prank.
The prank originated from a YouTube channel that falsely claimed on X (formerly Twitter) that the IAF had scrapped the MRFA program, a multi-billion dollar deal to procure 114 fighter jets. The channel alleged the IAF would instead focus on the TEDBF, a naval fighter currently under development.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a move sparking geopolitical discussions, China recently renamed 30 locations in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region that Beijing claims as part of its territory. Responding to this provocative action, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has called upon the Indian government to consider a tit-for-tat response by releasing 60 geographical names to areas administered by China, particularly in Tibetan regions.
Sarma’s statement came during a press conference held in Guwahati, where he emphasized the need for a strong response to China’s unilateral actions. “My request to the government of India is to release 60 geographical names to the Tibetan area administered by China,” Sarma asserted, underlining the principle of reciprocity in international relations.
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