SOURCE: AFI
Indian fishermen off the coast of Tamil Nadu have retrieved a Chinese HM2000 profiling float, according to a video that went viral on Instagram nearly two weeks ago. The HM2000 is an autonomous instrument developed by Qingdao Hisun Ocean Equipment Corporation specifically for oceanographic profiling.
Equipped with an SBE41 or SBE41CP CTD sensor, the HM2000 is capable of collecting data on conductivity, temperature, and depth. These floats have previously been used in studies of the western Pacific Ocean’s circulation patterns.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The skies are about to get a whole lot more high-tech. The United States Air Force (USAF) is developing the Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter jet, a sixth-generation marvel designed to replace the legendary F-22 Raptor in the 2030s.
The NGAD program is ambitious, aiming to deliver a “family of systems” that goes beyond just a single aircraft. This family is expected to include a crewed fighter jet, the centerpiece, alongside unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (loyal wingmen) for manned-unmanned teaming. Imagine a fighter jet with its own robotic backup, enhancing its capabilities tenfold.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In an unusual modification, a Russian ballistic missile submarine has been spotted sporting what appears to be anti-drone armor. This marks the first time such a measure has been taken on a naval vessel anywhere in the world.
The Delta-IV class nuclear submarine Tula was recently shown on Russian television, revealing a cage-like structure surrounding its conning tower. This improvised armor, nicknamed a “cope cage” on land vehicles, is typically seen on tanks and other armored fighting vehicles in war zones.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
Indian refiners, both state-owned giants like Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum, and Hindustan Petroleum, and private players, are now shying away from Russian crude oil transported by PJSC Sovcomflot tankers. This move comes amid tightened US sanctions and growing scrutiny to avoid any violation.
The concern lies in potential repercussions for dealing with sanctioned entities. As a result, Indian refiners are meticulously checking the ownership of each vessel to ensure no connection to Sovcomflot or other sanctioned groups. This heightened caution has led to delays for several oil ships carrying Russian cargo off the Indian coast.
Continue readingSOURCE: REUTERS
India’s federally administered region of Jammu and Kashmir will auction its lithium reserves again as part of a third-tranche, a government source with direct knowledge said on Friday.
The auction will take place again as the government received only two bids in the first round, the source said. “A total of seven critical mineral blocks are being put up for auction as composite license in this third Tranche,” the government had said earlier this month in a statement.
Continue readingSOURCE: PIB
Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, visited, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington on 22 March 2024. The CAS addressed the student officers from the Indian Armed Forces and Friendly Foreign Countries undergoing the 79th Staff Course and the permanent staff of DSSC.
The CAS in his address to the officers covered the challenges confronting the Indian Air Force, it’s capability development plan & jointmanship. He spelt out the Transition of IAF into a contemporary and future ready Aerospace Force. He reiterated the vision as spelt out in the IAF doctrine, which envisages an agile and adaptive Air Force to provide decisive aerospace power in pursuit of national interests. The dominant role played by IAF during evacuation of Indian diaspora from Conflict Zones and during disaster relief operations was highlighted by the CAS. He also highlighted the significant air power lessons derived from existing conflicts such as Russia – Ukraine War and Israel – Hamas conflict.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday received Bhutan’s highest civilian award, the ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo,’ the first foreign Head of the Government to receive the honour. The award has been conferred to Prime Minister Modi in recognition of “his outstanding contribution to the growth of India-Bhutan relations and for his distinguished service to the Bhutanese nation and people.”
“Honoured to be conferred with ‘Order of the Druk Gyalpo’ Award by Bhutan. I dedicate it to 140 crore Indians,” PM Modi posted on X soon after.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
India and Mauritania held their first Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) in Mauritania’s national capital, Nouakchott on Thursday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official press release. The meeting was co-chaired by the MEA Additional Secretary, Sevala Naik Mude and Mauritania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Director General of Bilateral Cooperation, Mohammed El Hanchi Kettab.
” The 1st Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) between India and Mauritania was held in Nouakchott on 21 March 2024, co-chaired by Shri Sevala Naik Mude, Additional Secretary (Central & West Africa), Ministry of External Affairs from Indian side and Mohammed El Hanchi KETTAB, Ambassador, Director General of Bilateral Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Islamic Republic of Mauritania,” MEA said in a release.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today arrived in Bhutan on a two-day State visit to further cement India’s unique relations with the Himalayan nation as part of the country’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ Policy.
PM Modi was accorded a red-carpet welcome upon his arrival at the Paro airport. He was warmly received by Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of Bhutan, at Paro airport and accorded a ceremonial welcome. Prime Minister Modi received a warm welcome, with the Bhutanese people lining the entire 45-kilometre route from Paro International Airport to Thimphu which was also decked up with Indian and Bhutanese flags.
Continue readingSOURCE: IANS
The Maharashtra Police have arrested a dreaded, wanted Maoist who carried a Rs 150 lakh reward on his head, officials said here on Friday. The accused – identified as Peka Madi Pungati (42) was caught near a traffic check post during a security blockade enforced by the CRPF and Bhamragad QRT teams.
Acting on a tip-off that a person was lurking around suspiciously in the forests near the checkpost, the security personnel detained him for questioning. During the interrogation, it emerged that he was a wanted Maoist linked with a Jan Militia active in the Gadchiroli jungles and placed him under arrest, days before the first phase of Lok Sabha elections in the state will begin on April 19.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Indian Air Force’s (IAF) fleet of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas trainers is steadily growing. Recent images emerging from the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) assembly line show the sixth trainer aircraft, LCA Trainer (LT 5206), in various stages of preparation.
This development comes after HAL delivered the first twin-seater trainer (LT 5201) to the IAF in Bengaluru on October 4, 2023. These trainers play a vital role in pilot conversion training within IAF squadrons before graduating to flying the upgraded single-seater Tejas Mk1A fighter jets.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Saab, the Swedish defence giant, is making a major push into the Indian market. In March 2024, they announced the construction of their first-ever manufacturing facility outside Sweden, a 3.6-acre site at MET City, Jhajjar, dedicated to producing the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon system.
Saab’s ambitions extend beyond the Carl-Gustaf. They’re exploring the possibility of manufacturing and supplying India with the RBS15 anti-ship missile. This versatile missile boasts land-attack capabilities and a 200kg warhead with a range exceeding 300km.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is gearing up to spearhead two critical engine development programs crucial for India’s defence capabilities. These initiatives include the creation of a homegrown Dry Kaveri engine for Unmanned Remotely Piloted Strike Aircraft and a new 110kN engine for India’s ambitious 5th generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter jet program.
However, despite the progress in engine development, GTRE faces a significant hurdle—the lack of a flying Testbed essential for conducting in-flight trials of these engines. The proposed solution to this challenge has been met with innovation and resourcefulness.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
ISRO has achieved a major milestone in the area of Reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology, through the RLV LEX-02 landing experiment, the second of the series, conducted at Aeronautical Test Range (ATR), Chitradurga in Karnataka today morning at 7:10 hrs IST.
After the RLV-LEX-01 mission was accomplished last year, RLV-LEX-02 demonstrated the autonomous landing capability of RLV from off-nominal initial conditions at release from Helicopter. The RLV was made to undertake more difficult manoeuvres with dispersions, correct both cross-range and downrange and land on the runway in a fully autonomous mode. The winged vehicle, called Pushpak, was lifted by an Indian Airforce Chinook helicopter and was released from 4.5 km altitude. After release at a distance of 4 km from the runway, Pushpak autonomously approached the runway along with cross-range corrections. It landed precisely on the runway and came to a halt using its brake parachute, landing gear brakes and nose wheel steering system.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Army has significantly bolstered its air defense capabilities along the northern borders with China by deploying new indigenous integrated drone detection and interdiction systems (IDD&IS).
Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Bharat Electronics, these Mark-1 variant IDD&IS systems represent a significant stride in India’s domestic defense production.
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