SOURCE: AFI

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has extended the bid deadline for its procurement of three Intelligence, Surveillance, Targeting, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) special mission aircraft until August. This procurement is a critical step in enhancing the IAF’s capability to acquire and disseminate actionable intelligence in real time.

The ISTAR system is designed to provide accurate, actionable intelligence through the use of advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electro Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) sensors. These sensors are crucial for monitoring and reconnaissance activities, offering high-resolution imagery and data even in challenging conditions. The information gathered is then disseminated via SATCOM, Wideband Line of Sight (LoS), and Operational Data Links (ODL), ensuring swift communication and coordination.

SOURCE: AFI

Kalashnikov Concern, the renowned Russian arms manufacturer, has successfully delivered 3,000 production tools to India for the licensed production of the AK-203 assault rifle. This significant development marks a crucial milestone in the Indo-Russian defense collaboration, aimed at enhancing India’s self-reliance in small arms manufacturing.

The comprehensive shipment includes a wide range of essential equipment required for the production of the AK-203 rifle. The tools delivered encompass cutting tools, stamps, fixtures, and over 2,000 military gauges necessary for rigorous field testing. These tools are integral to ensuring that the rifles produced meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

SOURCE: AFI

In a groundbreaking achievement for India’s aerospace industry, Mrs. Padmavathi, a distinguished scientist at the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), has been appointed as the Project Director of the Tejas Mk1A program. This historic milestone marks the first time a woman has helmed the prestigious Tejas project.

Previously leading the Tejas Mk1 program, Mrs. Padmavathi’s elevation underscores her exceptional capabilities and unwavering dedication to the project. Hailing from Sagara in Karnataka, she has been an integral part of the Tejas program since the late 1980s, bringing a wealth of expertise and problem-solving acumen to the table.

SOURCE: AFI

The Government of India has put forward a significant proposal to establish Emergency Landing Facilities (ELF) on two stretches of national highways in the Nagaon and Baksa districts of Assam. Additionally, two ELF strips are proposed for Rajasthan, reflecting a strategic initiative to enhance emergency preparedness and national security.

Currently, India has seven designated stretches where ELF will be available. Out of these, three ELF airstrips have already been completed, with ongoing work on the remaining four. One of these under-construction ELF strips is located in Assam’s Dibrugarh district, specifically on a section of the Moran Bypass extending to Bogibeel Junction. Upon completion, and if the new proposals are approved, Assam will have three ELF airstrips, significantly bolstering its emergency infrastructure.

SOURCE: AFI

A deepening financial crisis in Pakistan is threatening the country’s air force capabilities, with reports emerging of a halt in F-16 fighter jet repairs due to unpaid debts.

A US-based aeronautical company has suspended the supply of critical spare parts to Pakistan after the nation failed to settle a payment of over $300,000. This has thrown the Pakistani Air Force into turmoil, as it struggles to maintain its fleet of F-16s and complete aircraft under construction.

SOURCE: AFI

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the state-owned aerospace giant tasked with delivering the first Tejas Mk1A fighter jet to the Indian Air Force (IAF) by the end of this month, has been forced to postpone the delivery to November as per sources at Hindustan Times

According to Anantha Krishnan M, the delay is primarily attributed to issues with the aircraft’s AESA radar and Digital Flight Control Computer, which require extensive testing. Furthermore, the ELM 2052 AESA radar, a crucial component, is reportedly encountering significant problems.

SOURCE: AFI

Abdul Basit, a retired Pakistani diplomat and former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India, recently made a bold statement regarding the assassination of Ismail Hanniyeh in Tehran. In a pointed remark, Basit suggested that India’s involvement in the assassination “cannot be ruled out,” insinuating a possible motive of returning favors to Israel.

Basit’s assertion hinges on the presence of undercover agents from India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in Iran. He highlighted this connection by referencing Commander Kulbhushan Jadhav, an Indian national arrested in Iran and later sentenced to death in Pakistan on charges of espionage and terrorism. The mention of Jadhav underscores Basit’s concern about India’s covert operations in the region, particularly in Iran.

SOURCE: AFI

In recent weeks, Indian and Canadian security officials and diplomats have reportedly engaged in multiple secret meetings to discuss the killing of Khalistani activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. These discussions reflect ongoing efforts to address the complex and sensitive nature of Nijjar’s death, which has implications for both nations’ security and diplomatic relations.

According to sources cited by the Hindustan Times, David Vigneault, the former director of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), met with a senior Indian intelligence official twice in a third country following India’s Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Sanjay Kumar Verma, has met with Canada’s National Security and Intelligence Advisor, Nathalie G. Drouin, four times this year. These meetings have reportedly been amicable, focusing on the circumstances surrounding Nijjar’s killing in Surrey, British Columbia, on June 18, 2022.