SOURCE: AFI
In a display of outrage, pro-Khalistan demonstrators desecrated the Indian flag during a protest in Calgary on [date], sparking tensions with the Indo-Canadian community. The incident, organized by the Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) group, involved activists using swords, daggers, and spears to damage the Indian tricolour, according to local reports.
This act of disrespect comes just one week after clashes between SFJ supporters and police in Edmonton. The Calgary protest also reportedly led to the cancellation of a planned meet and greet with Indian High Commissioner Sanjay Kumar Verma, who was targeted by the SFJ for disruption at events across Canada.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The Indian Navy has reportedly submitted a formal proposal to the government for the construction of a third aircraft carrier. This proposed vessel would be the second indigenously built carrier for India, signifying a major stride in the nation’s quest for self-reliance in defense manufacturing.
Indian defense analysts believe that this new aircraft carrier is crucial for India’s ambitions of becoming the dominant power in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). A strong naval presence with robust carrier capabilities is seen as a key factor in achieving this goal.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
In the modern battlefield, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones have become an increasingly prevalent threat, capable of gathering intelligence, conducting surveillance, and even delivering payloads to targets. Recognizing the critical need to counter this evolving threat, the Indian Ministry of Defence has initiated the iDEX challenge to develop an Anti-Drone System specifically tailored for integration with armored vehicles such as the T-72, T-90, BMP, and Arjun tanks.
This system aims to detect, identify/classify, track, and neutralize enemy drones’ RF transmissions without altering the existing platforms.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Dutch government’s decision to award a submarine construction contract to French company Naval Group has sent ripples across the international defense scene. This deal, seen as a lifeline for the Dutch shipbuilding industry, could also have significant implications for India’s own ambitious submarine program.
Naval Group will provide the Netherlands with four conventionally powered Barracuda-class submarines, replacing their aging Walrus-class fleet. This win comes three years after the company lost a major Australian contract for 12 submarines.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Ministry of Defense (MoD) has initiated a global tender process to procure Canister-Launched Anti-Armour Loiter Munition (CALM) systems for the Indian Army. This move highlights India’s focus on acquiring advanced weapon systems to bolster its border defenses.
Meanwhile, Russian military expert Dmitry Kornev has proposed Russia as a potential supplier for these CALM systems. He suggests a joint-production route, where India would assemble the systems and develop the software. This approach, according to Kornev, would enhance the legitimacy of these loiter munitions for India in the international arms market.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report has cast a shadow over the combat readiness of the F-35 fighter jet program. The report, released in September 2023, reveals a significant gap between the advertised capabilities and the reality on the ground.
The crux of the issue lies in the definition of “mission capable” used by the Department of Defense (DoD). While the public might interpret it as combat-ready, the reality is far less impressive. According to the DoD definition, a mission-capable F-35 can simply fly and perform at least one mission. This mission could be training, testing, or something entirely non-combat related.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
General Lee Youngsu, Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF), met with Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), in New Delhi today.
The focus of the meeting was on fostering closer ties and collaboration between the two air forces. Discussions reportedly centered on issues of mutual interest, including:
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India has embarked on a significant infrastructure project near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh. The project involves constructing a 5.2-kilometer ropeway, connecting the renowned Tawang Monastery to the picturesque PT Tso Lake. Expected to be completed within three years at a cost of Rs 522 crore, this initiative aims to boost tourism in the region.
The new ropeway will significantly reduce travel time between the Tawang Monastery, a popular pilgrimage site, and PT Tso Lake, known for its mesmerizing beauty. Currently, reaching the lake can take a considerable amount of time. This swift and convenient ropeway access will undoubtedly enhance the tourist experience in the region.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The recent clearance by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program has reignited discussions regarding the fate of the Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) tender, which seeks to procure 114 jets from various countries. Amidst growing calls to scrap the MRFA tender, stakeholders familiar with the program have indicated idrw.org that such a move is unlikely despite the push for indigenous aircraft production.
The MRFA tender has attracted proposals from multiple countries, offering a range of fighter jets to meet India’s operational requirements. However, with the decline in squadron levels and the production of AMCA or Tejas MkII still a year away, the Indian Air Force (IAF) faces a critical shortage of combat aircraft. While the IAF advocates for the acquisition of 114 jets manufactured in India under transfer of technology (ToT) agreements, the tender process has yet to progress to the issuance of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) or Request for Proposal (RFP) stages, suggesting that a conclusion to the program may be distant.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
Lieutenant General P R Shankar (Retd.) recently addressed a Southern Command seminar on National Security and Building Bharat. During his speech, he revealed details about the ongoing development of a next-generation ramjet-powered artillery shell by the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and the Army Design Bureau (ADB).
Lt Gen Shankar confirmed that a test of the 155mm ramjet shell was conducted last month at Balasore. While the test was not entirely successful, it provided valuable data for further development. The team is currently working on a 10th-12th iteration of the design, which is expected to be ready soon.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s recent successful test of the Agni-V missile equipped with MIRV (Multiple Independently Re-entry Vehicle) technology marks a significant advancement in the country’s strategic capabilities. This development strengthens India’s nuclear triad, a three-pronged deterrent system encompassing land, air, and sea-based nuclear launch platforms.
While the Agni-V test bolsters offensive capabilities, India is simultaneously focusing on defensive measures. Following the deployment of Phase-I BMD, the country is actively developing a Phase-II system and Beyond.
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The Guyana Defence Force (GDF) has secured a $23.27 million USD loan from the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank) to acquire two Dornier Do-228 aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) of India. This agreement marks a significant step forward in the GDF’s ongoing modernization efforts.
The financing deal was signed on Friday by Guyana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Ashni Singh, and Deputy General Manager of EXIM Bank, Sanjay Lamba. The Guyana Ministry of Finance credits President Ali’s visit to HAL in January 2023 as the impetus for this agreement. While the official announcement did not specify the aircraft model, previous pronouncements by the Guyanese government had indicated their interest in acquiring two Dornier 228 planes.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is gearing up for the future of human spaceflight. While the current astronaut training facility in Bengaluru prepares the “Fabulous Four” – Group Captains Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Prathap, and Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla – for Gaganyaan’s first mission, plans are already underway for a much larger training center.
Sources close to ISRO reveal that the new facility, likely to be located in Devanahalli with Challakere still in consideration, will be built to accommodate a significantly larger astronaut corps. This expansion reflects India’s long-term commitment to human space exploration and could see the capacity grow to house 25-30 astronauts, potentially even including their families.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
In a recent statement, C Uday Bhaskar, the Director of the Society for Policy Studies, pointed out an intriguing paradox in India’s defense narrative. Despite the jubilation surrounding India’s recent Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle (MIRV) success, the latest annual report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) delivers a sobering reality check: India maintains its position as the world’s largest importer of arms. The report, released in March 2024, reveals a 4.7 percent increase in India’s arms imports between 2014-18 and 2019-23.
This revelation echoes the findings of SIPRI’s 2023 report, emphasizing India’s persistent status as the top global arms importer. The 2023 report underscored India’s dominance in this regard, with an 11 percent share of total global arms imports during 2018-22, a position it has maintained since 1993.
Continue readingSOURCE: IDRW.ORG TEAM.
The Indian Army is set to receive a boost in firepower later this year with the arrival of six AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from Boeing. These aerial warriors will sport a distinctive sand camouflage paint scheme, specifically designed to provide them with an edge in the arid regions of western India.
Sand camouflage, also known as desert camouflage, utilizes a blend of light brown, tan, and sometimes green tones. This mimics the natural colors of sandy landscapes and rocky outcrops, making the helicopter a tougher target to spot for enemy forces on the ground. By breaking up the helicopter’s outline, especially from afar, sand camo enhances its survivability.
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