On Tuesday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved 10 major acquisition proposals totaling Rs 1,44,716 crore. Most of this budget, 99%, will support indigenous products under the Buy (Indian) and Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories. The approval includes the procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs), which are advanced tanks with superior capabilities for mobility, protection, and real-time awareness. The DAC also approved Air Defence Fire Control Radars for tracking aerial targets and Forward Repair Teams (Tracked) for in-field repairs by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited. Additionally, three proposals were greenlit to boost the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) abilities, including Dornier-228 aircraft and advanced patrol vessels. The meeting ended with a tribute to the late ICG DG Rakesh Pal, who passed away on August 18, 2024. The Defence Minister and DAC members honored his significant contributions with a moment of silence.
04 September,2024 12:15 PM IST
IAF’s Wing Commander Shubhanshu Shukla has been announced as the prime astronaut for the Indo-US space mission. He will be only the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to be part of a space mission. Mission paved its way after PM Modi, Joe Biden signed a joint statement in June 2023, envisioning a joint ISRO-NASA effort to the ISS. A National Mission Assignment Board has recommended two 'Gaganyatris' as the prime, backup Mission Pilots for this mission. These include Group Capt. Shubhanshu Shukla (Prime), Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair (Backup). The recommended 'Gaganyatris' will commence their training for the mission in the first week of August, informed ISRO. Notably, PM Modi bestowed astronaut wings upon Shubhanshu Shukla after his name was revealed for the Gaganyaan Mission on Feb 27, 2024. The Gaganyaan Mission is India’s first human space flight program, for which extensive preparations are underway at various ISRO centers. Apart from Wing Commander Shubhanshu, Group Capt Prashanth Nair, Ajit Krishnan, Angad Pratap Shukla will also join mission.
03 August,2024 02:57 PM IST
On the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay diwas, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari paid tribute to the air warriors, who sacrificed their lives during the Kargil War, at Sarsawa Air Force Station, Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
13 July,2024 01:45 PM IST
In a major success, security forces on May 07 neutralised two terrorists in J&K’s Kulgam in an encounter. Based on inputs of movement of suspicious individuals, armed forces activated security grid in the area. After long hours of fierce gun battle on May 06, security forces killed top ‘The Resistance Force’ (TRF) terrorists. Terrorists were gunned down days after attack on IAF convoy in Poonch which killed one personnel on May 04. Security has been heightened across the Union Territory amid LS Polls 2024 to thwart terror bids. Several encounters have broken out between security forces and terrorists since last few weeks in Kashmir. In April, a Rajouri resident was killed in a targeted attack and a few days later a VDG member was shot dead in Udhampur.
08 May,2024 11:25 AM IST
The mortal remains of Corporal Vikky Pahade were brought to Madhya Pradesh’s Chhindwara on May 06. The family members of deceased IAF personnel were in grief after hearing about the demise. However, there was a sense of pride amongst them that he had sacrificed his life for the nation.Corporal Vikky Pahade lost his life in a terror attack that happened in J&K’s Poonch on May 04.His sister said, “I want to send this message to the people of the country that every son should be dedicated to the country. I am proud of my brother. I want that justice should be served.” One of the members of his family said, “We got to know about it a day before yesterday. We were informed that he was shot and he has been airlifted to the hospital. Then later we got to know that he lost his life. This is a shock for the family as he was the only brother of three sisters.”
06 May,2024 01:10 PM IST
The Indian Army and the Air Force are planning to jointly deploy MQ-9B Predator drones at two key air bases for upgrading their surveillance capabilities all along the Line of Actual Control with China from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh. The drone deal, expected to be worth around USD 4 billion is being done at tri services level with the Indian Navy leading the negotiations for it with the American side. "The MQ-9B drones require a significant runway length for take off and landing which are available with the Indian Air Force. That is why, the Army drones are planned to be deployed with the IAF at airbases in Sarsawa and Gorakhpur," defence officials told ANI. As per of the drone deal with the US, 31 MQ-9B drones are being acquired of which 15 would be for coverage of the maritime zone and would be deployed by the Indian Navy. The IAF and the Army will have eight each of these highly capable long endurance drones and would be able to cover almost all the areas of interest along the LAC with support from other existing assets, the officials said. The American side has given its letter of acceptance to the Indian side at a price tag of around USD 4 billion. There is also a provision of transfer of technology of some equipment to Indian entities under the agreement, they said. With a flight time of over 36 hours at heights over 40,000 feet, the drones can be armed with Hellfire air-to-ground missiles and smart bombs, this fighter-sized drone specializes in (intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance) missions. The Predator drones are expected to significantly enhance India's ability to conduct unmanned surveillance and reconnaissance patrols, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and along its land borders with China and Pakistan. MQ-9B has proven to be a critical asset in safeguarding India's security interests as it was used to extensively to monitor anti-piracy operations from naval headquarters to get a clear picture of the actions taking place almost 3,000 km from Indian shores.
06 May,2024 11:52 AM IST
An Indian Air Force convoy was attacked by terrorists in the Poonch district of J&K on May 04. As per the officials, 5 IAF personnel suffered injury in the attack and have been airlifted to the Command Hospital in Udhampur for further treatment.Soon after the attack, Rashtriya Rifles started cordoning off the area, search operations in Sanai area near Jarran Wali Gali (JWG) Poonch, in Surankot. Meanwhile, Defence experts called out Pak for promoting terrorist activities and disturbing peace and hampering the LS elections in J&K. Watch video.
05 May,2024 11:06 AM IST
The Indian Air Force has inducted the Rampage long-range supersonic air-to-ground missiles which can hit targets at around 250 Km. The missile known as the High-Speed Low Drag-Mark 2 missile in the Indian Air Force was reportedly used in a big way by the Israeli Air Force during its recent attacks on Iranian targets. The Indian Navy has also inducted the missile in its fleet for the MiG-29K naval fighter jets, they said. The stand-off weapon will give Indian fighter pilots the option of engaging and taking out targets like communication centres or radar stations, the sources said. The procurement was part of the emergency powers given by the Defence Ministry to the armed forces to equip themselves with critical weapons and equipment after the standoff with China started in 2020. The missiles have a longer range than the Spice-2000s used in the Balakot air strikes in 2019.
28 April,2024 01:38 PM IST
As part of the ongoing exercise Gagan Shakti-24, Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft recently operated from the Emergency Landing Facility (ELF) in the northern sector in Kashmir valley. A large number of troops were airlifted and subsequently air landed utilising Chinook, Mi-17 V5 and ALH Mk-III helicopters by night.IAF also plans to practise similar drills in coordination with administration of State Governments for activation of ELFs in other sectors. Various IAF fixed and rotary wing platforms will carry out coordinated landing and operations at these ELFs. Whole-of-the-Nation-Approach (WNA). ELF operations provide an opportunity for IAF aircraft to undertake operations from such restricted landing surfaces while also being able to undertake Humanitarian Assistance in Disaster Relief operations during times of natural calamities to provide relief. The capability to operate by night at these stretches of highways, and the capability to transfer troops from such surfaces will greatly enhance the operational capabilities of Indian Armed Force.
05 April,2024 11:59 AM IST
In a historic milestone, indigenous LCA Mark 1A fighter aircraft on March 28 completed its first flight. The aircraft airborne for 15 minutes during its first maiden flight, as per Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Currently, two squadrons of IAF, 45 Squadron and 18 Squadron, are fully operational with LCA Tejas. HAL has current capacity to build 8 LCA aircraft per year, this is being increased to 16 aircraft's every year by 2025. In coming years the capacity will be further increased to 24 aircraft every year in the next 3 years. Over Rs 9000 crore have been sanctioned for the development of LCA Mk 2, an updated and advanced version of LCA Tejas. Earlier in the 2023, Air Chief Marshal stated that the Indian Air Force aims to replace the MiG-21 fighter jets with LCA Tejas.
28 March,2024 05:18 PM ISTADVERTISEMENT
