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.

SOURCE: 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.

SOURCE: 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.

SOURCE: 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.

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.