SOURCE: AFI
India has successfully carried out a night launch of new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile ‘Agni Prime’ from the Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, marking a boost to the country’s strategic weaponry.
The first pre-induction night launch of the missile with a strike range of 1,000 to 2,000 km was carried out on Wednesday night by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the elite strategic forces command.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman S Somanath on Wednesday said that the space program has built “indigenous capability” in space sector adding that they have their own programs and ways to decide what to do with that in future.
S Somanath today visited Kalam’s Institute of Youth Excellence in Hyderabad and facilitated students.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Russian Foreign Ministry has said that deliveries of Russian oil to India are steadily high, with no payment issues encountered, the state-owned news agency TASS reported. “Russian oil supplies to India are maintained at a steadily high level; no problems arise with determining means of payment for oil exported by Russia,” Maria Zakharova, the official spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said at a briefing on Wednesday (Local Time).
The priority in payments “is given to national currencies,” she highlighted.
Continue readingSOURCE: UNI
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr S Somanath visited Space Staqrt-up Skyroot Aerospace’s MAX-Q headquarters on Wednesday. During his visit, he was briefed on the developments of the Vikram-I launch vehicle, which is expected to conduct its maiden launch in the third quarter of 2024. In a tweet, Skyroot Aerospace said “Proud to welcome @isro Chairman S. Somanath to our MAX-Q facility!” “We gave him a factory tour and showcased Vikram-1 hardware, and discussed our upcoming orbital launch”, it said, sharing photos of Mr Somanath’s visit to the facility.
Having emerged as a leader in India’s space industry, the company made headlines last year when it successfully launched Vikram-S, South Asia’s first privately developed rocket, signalling a new era for space exploration in the region. During his visit, Dr Somanath was given an extensive tour of the MAX-Q facility, where he was introduced to the Vikram-1 hardware.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu has said that Indian military personnel manning the second aviation platform would be withdrawn “within the current month” and reiterated that the entire process would be completed by May 10, a media report said here on Wednesday.
Muizzu’s statement comes three weeks after the first batch of approximately 25 Indian military personnel stationed in the Maldives manning a helicopter gifted by India departed from the island nation after handing over the operations of the chopper to an Indian civilian crew as agreed ahead of the March 10 deadline.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Russian Deputy Chief of Mission Roman Babushkin hailed India’s remarkable achievements in space exploration and underscored Russia’s unwavering support for its space endeavours. On the 40th Anniversary of the spaceflight of the first Indian cosmonaut, Rakesh Sharma, aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 in 1984, Babushkin emphasised the enduring partnership between Russia and India in the space sector.
Babushkin’s remarks also highlight the success of the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the collaborative efforts in the Gaganyan project.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Indian Air Force on Wednesday paid tribute to Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the only Indian to have gone into space on the anniversary of his space journey on this day, 40 years ago. Exactly 40 years ago, on April 3, 1984, Sharma scripted history by becoming the first Indian to reach outer space on board the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11. The IAF, in a post on X, said, “As #India charters its path towards the #Gaganyaan Mission, on this day, we remember the heroic space flight undertaken by then Sqn Ldr Rakesh Sharma.
The first Cosmonaut of India, Sqn Ldr Rakesh undertook his space journey on this day, 40 years ago.” The IAF also wrote a line of the very famous patriotic song ‘Saare Jahan Se Achcha’ written by poet Allama Iqbal, the same one quoted by Rakesh Sharma when asked by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space. Sharma went on to become the first Indian citizen to reach outer space on April 3, 1984, when he flew aboard the Soviet rocket Soyuz T-11 launched from Baikonur Cosmodrome in the Kazakh Soviet Socialist Republic.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for ending terrorism in Kashmir and said that he efficiently “secured” the nation. Addressing an election event in Uttar Pradesh’s Muzaffarnagar on Wednesday, Shah said, “Kashmir belongs to us. When you made PM Narendra Modi Prime Minister for the 2nd time, he removed Article 370 and made Kashmir an integral part of India. PM Narendra Modi did the job of ending terrorism in Kashmir. He has made the nation secure and prosperous.” ” Modi ji has done the work of eliminating the terrorists by entering Pakistan and carrying out surgical strikes and air strikes,” he said.
He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to strengthen the country. “The aim of the ‘Ghamandiya’ alliance is to make people from their family the Prime Minister and Chief Minister. Whereas Modi ji’s aim is to strengthen the country’s farmers, poor, labourers, Dalits and tribals and make them stand on their feet,” he added.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval held talks with his Kazakhstan counterpart Gizat Nurdauletov on deepening existing cooperation and launching initiatives in new and emerging areas on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) meeting in Astana.
Taking to X, the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan stated, “On the sidelines of SCO Meeting in #Astana, Shri Ajit Doval, NSA held productive discussions with his Kazakh counterpart, Mr Gizat Nurdauletov on deepening existing cooperation and launching initiatives in new & emerging areas.”
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
In a recent development, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has invalidated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) permits of five notable non-government organisations (NGOs) after undergoing a “due process”, citing breaches like the misappropriation of international funding, among other infractions.
The affected NGOs are the CNI Synodical Board of Social Service (CNI-SBSS), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), Indo-Global Social Service Society (IGSSS), Church Auxiliary for Social Action (CASA), and Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFOI).
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM
The Tejas Mk1A program achieved a significant milestone yesterday with the successful maiden flight of the first aircraft, LA5033, from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility in Bengaluru. However, a report in “The Print” suggests potential delays in deliveries to the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The report indicates that LA5033’s delivery to the IAF might be pushed back by four months due to last-minute modifications requested by the IAF. These modifications include minor software upgrades and structural changes. While HAL has not officially confirmed this information, sources at idrw.org suggest that LA5033 incorporates various alterations, both evident and subtle. These changes could necessitate additional test flights beyond the standard 4-5 pre-induction trials conducted before delivering a new aircraft to the IAF.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The Indian Navy is gearing up for a significant expansion of its air capabilities with the construction of a new airbase in north Karnataka. This project, located near Karwar, will provide a dedicated platform for naval aircraft operations and bolster India’s maritime defense posture.
The new airbase forms part of the broader Project Seabird initiative, a crucial undertaking for the Indian Navy. This project encompasses the development of INS Kadamba, a new naval base strategically positioned to alleviate pressure on the Mumbai naval facility.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is urging caution against media speculation surrounding the recent crash of a Tejas Mk1A fighter jet. Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, addressed the issue during a recent interview with WION.
Chaudhari emphasized that the cause of the crash remains under investigation by a Court of Inquiry. The court is meticulously examining evidence, including materials recovered from the crash site and statements from the pilot. A final report with the definitive cause of the accident has yet to be submitted to the IAF.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and Ministry of Defence (MoD) have come under scrutiny following the procurement of Bharath Panther Crash Fire Tenders (CFTs) from a Noida-based MSME firm. Critics online have pointed out the vehicle’s striking resemblance to the Rosenbauer Panther 6×6 CFT manufactured by the Austrian company Rosenbauer International.
The controversy stems from the undeniable similarities between the Bharath Panther and the Rosenbauer Panther. Notably, both vehicles share a 6×6 configuration and are believed to utilize the same Volvo Penta D-16 engine source. These parallels have led many to question whether the Bharath Panther is a genuine indigenous product or simply a rebadged import.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Coimbatore-based Lakshmi Machine Works Advanced Technology Centre (LMW ATC) has achieved a major milestone by successfully handing over India’s largest composite Ogive Payload Fairing for the GSLV MKIII project to ISRO Chairman today. This is a significant accomplishment for both LMW ATC and Indian space research.
Congratulations to the entire LMW ATC team for their dedication and expertise in making this project a success. Special thanks to CMD, LMW Mr. Sanjay Jayavarthanavelu and Chairman, ISRO Shri S Somanath for their leadership and vision.
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