SOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
The Gas Turbine Research Establishment’s (GTRE) plan to develop the Kaveri 2.0 engine for the Tejas Mk1A fighter jet raises questions about its strategic rationale. With a targeted thrust output of 90kN, the Kaveri 2.0 seems like a logical upgrade for the Tejas Mk1A, which currently uses American F404 engines. However, the bigger picture paints a more complex story.
Looming large is the upcoming Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program. This 5th generation fighter requires a much more powerful engine, with estimates suggesting a thrust requirement of around 110kN. Furthermore, reports indicate that GTRE might collaborate with an international partner for the AMCA engine, potentially leading to a core capable of generating a mighty 130kN thrust. This future-proof engine could even be adapted for India’s potential 6th generation fighter program.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
India’s Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is on the cutting edge of counter-drone technology with the development of high-power microwave (HPM) weapons. This Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system boasts the potential to neutralize a range of aerial threats.
Internal documents confirm that Directed Energy Weapons (DEW) will be able to effectively take out and disable hobbyist drones and commercially available quadcopters used for malicious purposes. DEW also will be powerful enough to disable Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance (MALE)drones, often used for surveillance.
Continue readingSOURCE: RAUNAK KUNDE / NEWS BEAT / IDRW.ORG
A plane spotting enthusiast (vabb_spotter IG) has captured an image of a Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) developed Dornier Do 228 aircraft sporting an unusual feature of a hump on the upper fuselage, aft of the main body.
The presence of the standard under-fuselage 360-degree maritime surveillance radar confirms the aircraft belongs to the Indian Navy. Speculation is rife about the purpose of the hump, with some suggesting it houses a satellite uplink system. This would be particularly useful given the aircraft’s frequent flights over vast stretches of ocean, enabling real-time transfer of observation data collected by its robust sensors.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
South Korea and India, both regional powers with growing military ambitions, are currently engaged in developing their own indigenous 5th generation fighter jets: the KF-21 (Korea Fighter-21) and the AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft) respectively. While each program has its own unique goals and challenges, several key similarities exist between the two endeavors.
A core similarity lies in the strategic intent behind both programs. Both India and South Korea aim to reduce dependence on foreign suppliers for their most advanced fighter jets. Developing a domestic 5th generation aircraft fosters self-reliance in critical aerospace technologies and strengthens their respective military capabilities.
Continue readingSOURCE: AFI
The veil has been lifted on a historic experiment by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Office of Advanced Research Projects (DARPA). For the first time ever, an AI-controlled fighter jet engaged in a simulated air battle against a human pilot.
The robotic aircraft involved in this groundbreaking exercise was the X-62A, a modified version of the F-16 fighter jet. Equipped with sophisticated artificial intelligence algorithms, the X-62A aimed to demonstrate the potential for autonomous aerial combat. Its opponent? A seasoned human pilot flying a standard F-16.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The steel-cutting ceremony of a third cadet-training ship was held at a shipyard in Tamil Nadu’s Kattupalli on Saturday, officials said. The ceremony was presided by Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane, according to a statement shared by a spokesperson of the Indian Navy.
The steel-cutting ceremony of the third cadet training ship (yard-18005) was held at the M/s L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, the statement said. Senior officials from the Navy and Larsen and Toubro (L&T) were present on the occasion.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Indian Navy on Saturday said it carried out an extensive exercise along the East Coast as part of efforts to check its preparedness to meet any maritime security challenges.
The exercise ‘Poorvi Leher’ witnessed participation of ships, submarines, aircraft and special naval forces. “The Indian Navy conducted Exercise Poorvi Lehar on East Coast under the Operational Control of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command,” the Navy said.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
Referring to India’s first consignment of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked if all this could have been imagined during the Congress rule. “Yesterday, India’s BrahMos missiles The first consignment has been sent to the Philippines. This has created a huge number of employment opportunities at the grassroots level. Could all this have been imagined during the Congress rule? Congress has made Modi and HAL bad in the entire country. -Well said.
” Rally in Bengaluru Highlighting further achievements in the defense infrastructure score during his tenure, PM Modi said HAL has achieved record turnover record profits and received record number of orders “The same HAL now has record Turnover, record profits and capacity to receive record number of orders.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Ahead of the parliamentary polls in the Maldives, the opposition parties have demanded a probe and impeachment of President Mohamed Muizzu following the leaked report of his alleged corruption from 2018, a charge dismissed by him. Elections to the Majlis are to be held on Sunday and the atmosphere has been vitiated by the trading of charges between the main opposition the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC).
Local media reports have highlighted that the political storm started on Monday with an anonymous handle Hassan Kurusee’ posting on social media X leaked intelligence reports, including documents prepared by the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) of the Maldives Monetary Authority and the Maldives Police Service that allegedly linked President Muizzu to corruption.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A 32-year-old jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) deployed on poll duty in Chhattisgarh’s Bijapur district was killed on Friday when a shell of an Under Barrel Grenade Launcher (UBGL) exploded accidentally, police said.
The incident took place near Galgam village under Usoor police station limits when a team of security personnel was out on an area domination operation half a kilometre away from a polling booth, said an official.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Supreme Court on Friday sought replies from the Centre and the Assam government on a plea challenging the Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2024, meant to operationalise and regulate the process of granting Indian citizenship to non-Muslim migrants who came from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan before December 31, 2014.
A bench comprising Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice JB Pardiwala took note of the submissions of a lawyer representing petitioner Hiren Gohain, a Guwahati resident, and issued notices to the state government and the union ministries of Home Affairs and External Affairs.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
A local council in the seaside resort of Brighton in south-east England has approved plans for an annual multi-faith event to commemorate the role of Indian soldiers in the two World Wars at the town’s India Gate memorial from this October. The India Gate was presented to the people of Brighton by the “princes and people of India” as a gesture of thanks for the care provided by the town’s hospitals and is “dedicated to the use of the inhabitants of Brighton.”
It was unveiled by the Maharaja of Patiala, Bhupinder Singh, on October 26, 1921, and stands at the southern entrance of the Royal Pavilion – one of three buildings in Brighton serving as a base hospital which treated these soldiers from undivided India wounded on the Western front. These included soldiers from the modern-day countries of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan.
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
Taking a dig at Pakistan without naming it, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said a country which was a supplier of ‘aatank’ (terror) is struggling for ‘aata’ (flour) these days. Addressing an election rally in Madhya Pradesh’s Damoh, PM Modi said India, who once bought most of its arms from overseas, was now exporting high-tech weapons to other countries, and referred to providing BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines.
Citing the prevailing situation in the world, he pitched for a strong and stable government at the Centre, on a day when the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, being held in seven phases, kicked-off with voting in more than 100 seats.
Continue readingSOURCE: ANI
The Indian and Uzbekistan armed forces performed yoga on Saturday under the ongoing joint military exercise ‘DUSTLIK’ in the Termez District of Uzbekistan. During the exercise, armed forces from both countries came together and participated in yoga for fitness and health as they strengthened bonds of camaraderie and bonhomie, the Indian army said.
In a post on X, Additional Directorate General of Public Information, IHQ of Ministry of Defence shared details of the exercise, saying, “Exercise #Dustlik 2024 The #IndianArmy and #Uzbekistan Armed Forces contingents came together & participated in #Yoga for fitness & health as they strengthen bonds of camaraderie & bonhomie, during the ongoing Exercise #Dustlik.”
Continue readingSOURCE: PTI
The Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) has suspended a PhD student for two years for indulging in activities that are “not in the interest of the nation” and referred to instances like him participating in a protest in Delhi under the PSF-TISS banner.
Ramadas Prinisivanandan (30), who is pursuing his doctorate in Development Studies, has also been debarred from entering the TISS campuses in Mumbai, Tuljapur, Hyderabad and Guwahati. In a notice sent to Prinisivanandan dated March 7, TISS referred to instances like the screening of documentaries like ‘Ram Ke Naam’ ahead of January 26 as a “mark of dishonour and protest” against the Ram Mandir consecration in Ayodhya.
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