SOURCE: 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.

SOURCE: 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.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Naval Station Rajali (INSRajali), located under the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) at Arakkonam, is gearing up to host a P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the US Navy for Exercise Tiger Triumph 24.

This joint exercise signifies a growing partnership between the Indian and US Navies. The primary focus of Tiger Triumph 24 will be on enhancing interoperability between the two forces in conducting Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) missions within the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

SOURCE: AFI

A high-level delegation from the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), led by Vice Admiral Egawa Hiroshi, President of the Command and Staff College, visited the Naval War College in Goa today.

The delegation interacted with staff members of the Naval War College and the National Defence College Course (NHCC) batch of 2023-24. During the visit, the JMSDF delegation expressed their appreciation for the Naval War College’s state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.

SOURCE: AFI

Agnikul Cosmos, the Indian space startup, has unveiled a detailed breakdown of its highly anticipated Agnibaan SOrTeD (Suborbital Tech Demonstrator) rocket. This breakdown offers a glimpse into the key components that will propel the vehicle during its upcoming test flight.

The Agnibaan SOrTeD features a nose cone meticulously crafted from carbon composite. This cone serves a critical purpose – safeguarding the precious cargo it carries from the harsh environmental conditions encountered during flight.

SOURCE: AFI

The Argentine Army’s 24th Mechanized Infantry Regiment recently wrapped up unique training exercises in the rugged Patagonia region. The exercises involved soldiers honing their motorcycle combat skills, with an interesting detail emerging from the official photos released by the Army.

One soldier was pictured equipped with an AT4 anti-tank launcher, showcasing the potential integration of motorcycles into various tactical scenarios. Notably, the motorcycles used in these exercises were the Royal Enfield Himalayan, an adventure motorcycle manufactured by the Indian company Royal Enfield.

SOURCE: AFI

Gurpreet Singh, a 26-year-old Indian national and supporter of the Khalistan movement, has been sentenced to 28 months in jail for a stabbing attack during last year’s Indian Independence Day celebrations in Southall, UK.

Singh carried out the attack using a kirpan, a religious sword often carried by Sikhs. He wounded two men of Indian origin and a female police officer during the altercation. The court records indicate that Singh was found to be in possession of three kirpans in total, but used one with a particularly dangerous 20cm blade in the assault.

SOURCE: AFI

Russia’s Ambassador to India, Denis Alipov, has expressed unwavering confidence in the strength of the India-Russia partnership. In an interview with Rossiya-24, he asserted that attempts to disrupt their cooperation, presumably referencing Western sanctions, will be futile.

“No matter who” tries to hinder their ties, Ambassador Alipov declared that India and Russia consistently find methods to navigate around sanctions and maintain their collaboration. He emphasized, “it’s impossible to prevent” this continued partnership.

SOURCE: AFI

Images of a Vanguard-class nuclear submarine returning to Faslane, Scotland, have sparked fresh concerns about the state of the UK’s nuclear deterrent. The photos, captured by locals, reveal visible signs of rust and missing panels on the submarine’s exterior.

This revelation comes on the heels of a troubling report last month, which claimed that a Trident missile test-fired from a Vanguard submarine failed for the second consecutive time. Additionally, unconfirmed reports from last year suggested a near-catastrophic incident involving a malfunctioning depth gauge on another Vanguard sub, leaving the crew unaware of their perilous descent towards crush depth.

SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Navy, in a display of swift and coordinated action, played a key role in the successful rescue of multiple hijacked vessels and their crews across two separate operations.

In a collaborative effort, the Indian Navy joined forces with the Seychelles Defence Forces and the Sri Lanka Navy to intercept a hijacked vessel. Their combined efforts led to the apprehension of all three pirates by the Seychelles Coast Guard. Most importantly, the six crew members on board were rescued and confirmed safe.