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SOURCE: PTI

An unidentified vehicle rammed into an ambulance that was taking to Punjab the bodies of three suspected terrorists of the Khalistan Zindabad Force killed in an encounter in Uttar Pradesh’s Pilibhit, police said on Wednesday.

No one was hurt in the incident that occurred on the Rampur bypass on Tuesday night, but the ambulance was damaged following which the bodies were shifted to another vehicle, they said.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

Brazil is showing significant interest in the BrahMos-NG (Next Generation) supersonic cruise missile, an advanced weapon system jointly developed by India and Russia. Designed to deliver Mach 3 speeds while maintaining a compact size, the BrahMos-NG is being viewed as a potential armament for Brazil’s Gripen-E fighter fleet. This missile, still under development by BrahMos Aerospace, is attracting international attention due to its unique combination of speed, size, and versatility.

The BrahMos-NG is a miniaturized version of the highly successful BrahMos supersonic cruise missile. Weighing just 1.3 tons, it is comparable in size to many subsonic cruise missiles, yet capable of travelling at three times the speed of sound (Mach 3). This combination offers a significant operational advantage.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

India’s plans to increase the indigenous content in the AL-31FP aero engines, which power the Su-30MKI fighter jets, have hit a roadblock as Russia has expressed reluctance to approve further localization efforts. These engines are produced under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at its Koraput division, with the current indigenous content standing at less than 54%. HAL aims to increase this to 63% in the coming years, but challenges surrounding intellectual property and raw material sourcing have complicated the process.

Under the original transfer of technology (ToT) agreement, HAL is required to source raw materials for the production of AL-31FP engines exclusively from Russia. This restriction limits HAL’s ability to substitute components with locally manufactured parts or use Indian alloys without Russian approval. While HAL and the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) have developed plans to replace certain assemblies and sub-assemblies with locally produced equivalents, Russia has warned that such modifications would void the engines’ warranty.

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SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced plans to retire its fleet of S-125 Pechora (NATO reporting name: SA-3 Goa) surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems by 2030. The Pechora, which has served as a critical component of India’s air defence since the 1970s, will be replaced by the Akash NG and MRSAM systems as part of the IAF’s modernization efforts.

The S-125 Pechora was inducted into the IAF to safeguard airfields and critical infrastructure of the Ministry of Defence. Over time, a total of 30 Pechora units were deployed across the country. With 16 squadrons still in operation, the system has been a workhorse of India’s air defence network.

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SOURCE: AFI

In a significant advancement for India’s indigenous defense capabilities, state-run aircraft manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is poised to conduct the first live firing test of the Astra Mk1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) next month. This milestone will utilize the advanced ELTA Systems’ ELM 2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Fire Control Radar (FCR) for guidance, marking a step forward from the previous tests which used the older ELM 2032 radar.

The Astra Mk1, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), represents India’s effort to achieve self-reliance in missile technology, particularly for air superiority roles. The missile is designed to engage and neutralize aerial threats at long ranges, providing the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a formidable weapon in its arsenal.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has recently clarified a significant discrepancy regarding the range capabilities of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM). Contrary to earlier claims by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) of a range between 30-40 km, the committee’s report confirms that the missile’s actual strike range extends up to 80 km.

Developed specifically for the Indian Navy, the VLSRSAM is designed to counter various aerial threats such as fighter aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including challenging low-altitude sea-skimming targets. This missile system leverages vertical launch technology, providing a swift and effective response capability to naval threats.

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SOURCE: AFI

The Centre for Advanced Systems (CAS) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently hosted a significant workshop on hypersonics to celebrate a major achievement: the completion of 1,000 tests in its Hypersonic Wind Tunnel (HWT). Held on Saturday, the event was not only a testament to India’s progress in hypersonic technology but also a platform for experts to discuss the future of aerospace research.

Led by Dr. Sivasubramaniam Nambi Naidu, a distinguished scientist (DS) and Director of CAS, the workshop gathered scientists, researchers, and innovators to delve into the complexities and advancements of hypersonic testing.

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SOURCE: AFI

OrbitAID Aerospace, an innovative Indian space startup focused on satellite refueling, has crossed a significant milestone by successfully testing its patented Standard Interface for Docking and Refueling (SIDRP) during a zero-gravity flight in Florida. This test is a pivotal moment in the journey towards on-orbit satellite servicing, showcasing the technology’s readiness for actual space operations.

The test was conducted within the unique conditions of a Zero-G flight, where the aircraft follows a parabolic flight path to simulate microgravity. This allowed OrbitAID to assess SIDRP’s functionality in conditions that closely mimic those found in space. The founders, Sakthikumar R, CEO, and Nikhil Balasubramanian, COO, were hands-on during the flight, ensuring the test’s success. Their presence underscored the importance of this validation for OrbitAID’s vision of sustainable space operations.

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SOURCE: IANS

Reforms made by the government coupled with private partnerships played a crucial role in the growth of India’s space industry in 2024, said the Indian Space Association (ISpA), noting that 2025 is poised to be a year of transformative developments.

Lt. Gen. AK Bhatt (Retd), Director General, ISpA stated that government reforms like the Foreign Direct Investment policy, the Rs 1,000 crore Venture Capitalist fund, and a thriving startup ecosystem, coupled with dynamic public-private collaborations propelled space sector growth.

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SOURCE: PTI

Punjab Police’s investigations into the terror module controlled by Pak-based Ranjeet Singh Nita, the chief of Khalistan Zindabad Force (KZF), has led to a British Sikh soldier suspected to be behind the recent grenade attacks on police stations in the state.

In a series of terror attacks in Punjab involving hand grenades and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in October and November, two respective attacks were carried out at the houses of leaders of Hindu groups of Ludhiana using petrol bombs, a top Punjab police officer said on Tuesday.

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SOURCE: PTI

“Even though the chance was missed, we should try again,” said Punjab Assembly Speaker Malik Ahmad Khan when asked about Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s 1999 ‘bus yatra’, a bold attempt by the then Indian prime minister to put India-Pakistan relations on the peace track.

Vajpayee took a bus ride to Lahore on February 19, 1999. He and Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif signed the Lahore Declaration after a historic summit here. The agreement signalled a breakthrough, but just months later a Pakistani intrusion led to the Kargil War.

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SOURCE: ANI

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has constituted an Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Tribunal to determine whether there is sufficient cause to declare the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA), including all its factions, wings, and front organisations, as an unlawful association.

The tribunal will be headed by Justice Michael Zothankhuma of the Gauhati High Court, mentioning a gazette notification issued by the MHA. The MHA took the move to exercise the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 5 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (37 of 1967).

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SOURCE: ANI

A local Afghan staff working at the “closed” Indian Consulate in Afghanistan’s Jalalabad, sustained minor injuries following an incident, MEA Sources told ANI on Tuesday.

According to the sources, they are in touch with Afghan authorities on the matter and are also awaiting a report on the incident. “We are in touch with Afghan authorities and awaiting a report on the incident,” the MEA source said. India had closed its Consulate in Jalalabad in 2020 itself.

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SOURCE: PTI

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday said it is investigating the “involvement” of some Canadian colleges and few Indian entities in a money laundering case linked to trafficking of Indians into the US from the borders of Canada.

The investigation of the federal agency is linked to the death of a four-member Indian family, hailing from Dingucha village of Gujarat, who were killed due to extreme cold weather while trying to illegally cross the Canada-US border on January 19, 2022.

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SOURCE: UNI

Brigadier Amitabh Jha, who was serving as the Deputy Force Commander (DFC) of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) in the Golan Heights, has died due to medical reasons, the Indian Army said. Brigadier Jha was also the acting force commander of the mission at the time of his death.

The Indian Army expressed its deepest condolences to the victim’s family, with senior military leaders, including General Upendra Dwivedi, expressing solidarity.

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