Military Updates
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Indigenous weaponised drone by 2020, long range weapons a priority: IAF Chief
By Vishal ThaparIn his most recent interview, exclusively to SP Guide Publications' Vishal Thapar, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa provides a peek into the capability the IAF immediately needs.
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February 13, 2019
CAG finds NDA's Rafale deal 2.86% cheaper than UPA's negotiated price
By Vishal ThaparReprieve for Modi Government but Opposition unlikely to relent on lack of guarantees
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February 12, 2019
India signs $91.6 M contract for SiG Sauer assault rifles in fast track procurement
By Vishal ThaparStage set for modernisation of Infantry small arms
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February 12, 2019
India kicks off $3 billion programme for acquiring 111 Naval Utility Helicopters
By Vishal ThaparThis is the first project under the ambitious Strategic Partnership Model
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February 12, 2019
No sovereign guarantee, integrity pact in $5 billion missile deal with Russia: IAF top brass
By Vishal ThaparDisclosure punctures Opposition charges of wrong doing in Rafale procurement
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February 11, 2019
Major Landmark: India's LCA Tejas fighter gets long-delayed Final Operational Clearance
By Vishal ThaparDecks cleared for production of combat ready variant
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February 8, 2019
MoD note objecting to "parallel discussions" by PMO surfaces, stokes Rafale controversy
By Vishal ThaparDefence Secretary concurred that meddling weakened Indian negotiating position, but Parrikar termed it "over reaction"
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February 2, 2019
MoD approves purchase of American SiG Sauer assault rifles for Indian Army
By Vishal ThaparThe Defence Acquisition Council has approved the signing of contract for the purchase of 72,400 Sig Sauer SiG 716 assault rifles for the Indian Army under a fast tracked procurement programme.
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BREAKING
February 1, 2019
Aero India 2019: Customs duty on import of aircraft
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)It is learnt from some reliable sources that the Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman, did raise an objection to this step by the Department of Customs and has sought reversal of the notification.
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February 1, 2019
India announces $44.63 billion Defence Budget for 2019-20
By Vishal ThaparIndia on February 1 announced an allocation of 3,18,931.22 Crore ($44.63 Billion) for Defence in its interim budget for 2019-20, which was presented to Parliament by the officiating Finance Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi ahead of the general elections in April-May this year.
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February 1, 2019
India flags off $5.6 billion programme to build 6 submarines under SP Model
By Vishal ThaparIndia's Ministry of Defence kick-started on January 31 the much-delayed 40,000 crore ($ 5.6 billion) programme for the construction of six diesel-electric submarines under the Strategic Partnership Model.
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February 1, 2019
HAL-upgraded Mirage 2000 crashes during acceptance flight, 2 pilots dead
By Vishal ThaparAn upgraded twin engine Mirage 2000 trainer aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed during the customer acceptance flight at the HAL airport in Bengaluru...
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January 29, 2019
Vajpayee's Defence Minister George Fernandes passes away
By Vishal ThaparDuring the veteran socialist's tenure, India declared itself a nuclear weapons power and fought the Kargil War
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January 21, 2019
Is Opposition becoming party to corporate rivalry over Rafale deal, asks Defence Minister
By Vishal ThaparSitharaman says forces at work to sabotage fighter procurement
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January 19, 2019
PM Modi inaugurates India's first private sector armoured complex in Gujarat
By Vishal ThaparCurrently manufacturing K9 Vajra-T howitzers, L&T seeks to make tanks & combat vehicles at this facility
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January 18, 2019
2019 set to be a landmark year for military inductions
By Vishal ThaparFrom a game-changing missile-firing drone to an Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), key new weapons this year will give India more military muscle, and generate fresh options for the politico-military leadership to address threats. SP's MAI takes a sneak peek.
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January 17, 2019
India's Light Combat Chopper declared ready for induction after Mistral 2 missile firing
By Vishal Thapar3,000 crore contract for 15 first tranche LCHs likely at Aero India 2019
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January 16, 2019
No cheaper Rafale for French Air Force
By Vishal ThaparEuro 2 Billion being paid not for new fighters but for upgrading the earlier order to F4 standard
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January 15, 2019
Govt plans building up Tamil Nadu corridor as alternative to Bengaluru
By Vishal ThaparManufacture of fighter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, missiles on agenda at 5 hubs to corner 30 percent of Defence market
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January 15, 2019
Adani gathers momentum, buys 25 per cent stake in Alpha Design
By Vishal ThaparGujarat-based group takes acquisition route to seek entry into the big league of Indian private sector players in Defence & Aerospace
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January 10, 2019
Indian Army to get new assault & sniper rifles, carbines this year: Army Chief
By Vishal ThaparAmerican Sig Sauer rifle and UAE's Caracal carbine to kick off long-delayed small arms modernisation
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January 10, 2019
No compromise on the social conservatism of the Army
By SP's CorrespondentArmy not to implement SC orders decriminalising homosexuality, adultery. Terming it "unacceptable", General Rawat wants Army to be treated as an exception
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January 4, 2019
CAG probing aborted MMRCA programme, Defence Minister alleges UPA Govt deliberately scuttled fighter deal
By Vishal ThaparTearing into the Opposition Congress, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman leveled the serious allegation that the MMRCA deal was deliberately scuttled by the previous Congress-led UPA Government because of extraneous interests...
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January 2, 2019
India, Pakistan exchange lists of Nuclear installations, prisoners
By Vishal ThaparIndia and Pakistan on January 1 exchanged, through diplomatic channels simultaneously at New Delhi and Islamabad, the list of nuclear installations and facilities covered under the bilateral Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack...
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January 2, 2019
Army Chief credits success in Kashmir to police, intelligence agencies
By SP's CorrespondentGiving due credit to police and intelligence agencies, Army Chief General Bipin Rawat acknowledged that "seamless cooperation and synergy" among all security agencies was the key to recent successes in counter-infiltration...
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January 2, 2019
Indian, Chinese border troops meet in Ladakh in New Year CBM
By SP's CorrespondentIndian and Chinese troops met at two points in Eastern Ladakh on New Year's Day as part of Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) aimed at reducing tensions between the two militaries on the unsettled boundary.
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December 29, 2018
India ups FDI in Defence & Aerospace to $62.7M since 2014
By Vishal ThaparIndia has received over 438.60 crore ($62.7 Million) of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the Defence & Aerospace Sector since April 2014, the Government has declared to Parliament.
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December 29, 2018
Cheers: Army pulls out crash-landed chopper from 16,200-ft Siachen post
By Vishal ThaparIndia has lost 42 helicopters at the world's highest battlefield. This incredible recovery effort is a victory against staggering odds imposed by nature at the Glacier.
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December 26, 2018
India extends bar on business with Leonardo, keeps AgustaWestland out of $3 Billion NUH programme
By Vishal ThaparIndia's Military market out of bounds for AgustaWestland and its parent group, as Ministry of Defence stretches embargo till Mary 2019
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December 21, 2018
India-Israel scale up UAV partnership: IAI set to outsource composites to Lohia Group
By Vishal ThaparIndia and Israel are poised to scale up their partnership in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), with the Israeli defence and aerospace giant IAI set to outsource its requirements for composite materials for drone airframes to India.
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December 20, 2018
Massive airlift in Ladakh a signal to India’s adversaries
By Vishal ThaparShould an armed conflict break out in future, military analysts reckon an overwhelming probability of such a confrontation taking place along unsettled boundaries in the Himalayas. The airlift exercise in Ladakh is being seen in the same context.
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December 3, 2018
Exciting Times: Alpha Bravo Collins
By Jayant BaranwalUnited Technologies’ acquisition of Rockwell Collins is one of the largest acquisitions and mergers in the history of aerospace world. This acquisition brings together Rockwell Collins alongwith UTC Aerospace Systems to create Collins Aerospace Systems
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October 8, 2018
India celebrates 86th Air Force Day
By Rohit SrivastavaMarked by the fly past of military aircraft, grand parade cum Investiture Ceremony by the men and women in blue, Indian Air Force (IAF) today celebrated its 86th annual day.
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October 8, 2018
Boeing Appoints Pratyush Kumar to Lead Boeing Defense Program in the United StatesBoeing is pleased to announce that Pratyush Kumar, president of Boeing India, has been selected to lead the iconic F-15 fighter aircraft program in the United States. Kumar will focus on furthering the F-15 business in the U.S. and globally.
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October 6, 2018
S-400 Triumf for India
By Air Marshal B.K. Pandey (Retd)A major acquisition of defence equipment from Russia has delivered a clear message to the Trump administration on India’s perspective of strategic autonomy in matters of national security.
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October 6, 2018
Visit of President Vladimir Putin – big boost to strategic ties
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India on 4-5 October to attend the 19th Indo-Russian Summit has provided a big boost to the bilateral strategic partnership. His visit came at a time of angst in Moscow in what it sees as India’s tilt towards the US while New Delhi views growing China-Russia-Pakistan alignment with concern.
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October 6, 2018
Beyond National Register for Citizens
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)There has been much talk of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) for Assam relating to illegal immigrants, though many would like to paint it a communal issue.
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October 6, 2018
Can Pak Arm Terrorists with Chemicals?
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)After security forces gunned down two terrorists in Bandipora are of J&K last month, the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) issued a statement on September 23 that chemical weapons were used to kill these terrorists.
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October 6, 2018
The Offsets Tangle - and question of favourites
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)That the Rafale is state-of-the-art fighter the IAF must get is unquestionable. But the brouhaha is about the joint venture (JV) between Dassault Aviation and Reliance Defence owned by Anil Ambani under the offset clause.
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October 6, 2018
New Tri-Service Divisions
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In November 1988, Maldives President Abdul Gayoom sent an SOS to India having taken refuge in Maldives National Security Headquarters when a group of 80-200 Sri Lankan militants of People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam (PLOTE)...
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October 6, 2018
India Must Acquire Amphibious Aircraft
By Lt. General P.C. Katoch (Retd)In November 1988, Maldives President Abdul Gayoom sent an SOS to India having taken refuge in Maldives National Security Headquarters when a group of 80-200 Sri Lankan militants of People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam...
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October 3, 2018
Rafale and S-400 booster dose —Air Chief
By Rohit SrivastavaCAS further added that the 83 Mk-1A Tejas and 36 Rafale besides Sukhoi-30 MKI and the up gradation of the existing aircrafts will arrest the drop down from the existing 31 squadrons.
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September 28, 2018
India begin celebration of valour of surgical strike
By Rohit SrivastavaTwo years after the surgical strike by Indian Army's Special Forces across the line of control in Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK) on the intervening night of the 28th and 29th September of 2016, avenging the killing of 19 soldiers in an suicide attack...
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September 6, 2018
Full text of Raksha Mantri’s press statement after India-US 2+2 dialogueWe have just concluded a most productive, positive and purposeful meeting.
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September 6, 2018
Communication Compatibility and Security Arrangements: Leveraging Indo-US Relations
By Lt. General Naresh Chand (Retd)COMCASA is commonly known as the Communication Interoperability and Security Memorandum Agreement (CISMOA) which is essentially a legal framework...
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August 29, 2018
Army to get ATAGS
By Rohit SrivastavaAccelerating the pace of artillery modernization, Ministry of Defence, on August 25, in a meeting of its Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approved procurement of 150 "indigenously designed and developed 155 mm ATAGS for the Indian Army...
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August 28, 2018
Government nod for 24 MRH for Navy
By Rohit SrivastavaIn a bid to strengthen the depleting anti-submarine capability of Indian Navy, Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), apex procurement body of the Ministry of Defence, on August 25, approved procurement of 24 multi-role helicopters (MRH).
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August 28, 2018
India one step closer to naval utility hepter
By Rohit SrivastavaBreaking the logjam over the execution of the strategic partnership model, Ministry of Defence (MoD), on August 25, giving the much desired major flip to the 'Make in India' in defence, gave its first approval under the 'Strategic Partnership (SP) Model' for the procurement of Naval Utility Helicopters (NUH).
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August 1, 2018
US move India into Elite Strategic Allies list
By Rohit SrivastavaGiving boost to bilateral relations, United States, on July 30, announced inclusion of India to the Strategic Trade Authorization (STA) Tier 1, one of the most coveted lists of trading partners.
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August 1, 2018
DAC approves guidelines for SP model
By Rohit SrivastavaThe much awaited nod for implementation of the "Strategic Partnership" model of the Defence Procurement Procedure was given on July 30 by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), apex procurement body of the Ministry of Defence...
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July 30, 2018
First Flight of American choppers for India
By Rohit SrivastavaThe countdown to the induction of American helicopter's Apache and Chinook in the Indian Air Force (IAF) began with the first flight of the helicopters on July 27.
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July 26, 2018
Kargil Review Committee and Aftermath
By Lt. General Naresh Chand (Retd)The Kargil War was an armed conflict between India and Pakistan that took place between May and July 1999 in the Kargil district of Kashmir and other locations along the Line of Control.
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July 26, 2018
Kargil – Victory by Grit
By Rohit SrivastavaToday, on June 26, India is celebrating the victory of Kargil war or Operation Vijay. A war which was thrust upon us by an unscrupulous enemy, who exploited our trust to change the status-quo in an extremely difficult and unforgiving terrain, and required a military-diplomatic might of India to win it.
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July 21, 2018
MBDA–ISAE scholarship winners welcomed
By Rohit SrivastavaOn July 20, Claire Thuaudet, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of France in India, welcomed and honoured the five winners of the MBDA-ISAE Scholarship, at an award ceremony to celebrate their achievements.
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July 4, 2018
The Shark and the Goldfish
By Major Gaurav Arya (Veteran)When India became independent, the overriding feeling amongst our leaders was that the Indian Army was a remnant of our colonial past, and best forgotten.
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May 17, 2018
India-Italy resumes defence dialogue
By Rohit SrivastavaTo resume the Indo-Italian defence cooperation, an Indian delegation under the leadership of Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra is in Italy to participate in the 9th India-Italy Joint Defence Committee meeting.
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April 17, 2018
IAF's Gagan Shakti performance may give China, Pakistan a cause for concern
By Arpita Kala5000 sorties in 3 days, disaster-relief evacuation drills and more, the air warriors are 'shaking the heavens and splitting the Earth'
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March 28, 2018
Not only MSMEs, innovators and thinkers stand to win big at the upcoming Defexpo – 2018
By Arpita KalaMinistry of Defence proposed an open challenge to people attending the event with prizes worth 1,00,000
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March 22, 2018
India test fires BrahMos with Indian seeker
By Rohit SrivastavaThe Indo-Russian supersonic cruise missile BrahMos made its maiden flight, on March 22, with an Indian seeker system.
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March 19, 2018
Just a crore of FDI in defence
By Rohit SrivastavaAt a time when India is making efforts to reduce its defence import bill and develop defence manufacturing through 'Make in India' initiative, the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) figures shared by the government shows little interest of the world in Indian defence sector.
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February 27, 2018
8th Indo-US defence cooperation meet held
By Rohit SrivastavaIndia and United States, on February 26, held the eighth round of Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) Inter Agency Task Force meeting in New Delhi.
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February 19, 2018
During UPA Rafale bid saw 300% cost escalation — Sitharaman
By Rohit SrivastavaReiterating the Union Government's stand on the Rafale fighter jet deal, Minister of Defence Nirmala Sitharaman, on February 18, said that during the negotiations the cost of the aircraft went three times high.
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February 15, 2018
Military to get new LMG, Assault and Sniper Rifles
By Rohit SrivastavaAnother set of approvals from DAC to better equip the humble soldier for the existing and future conflicts.
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February 10, 2018
Chinese inducts J-20 into PLAAF
By Rohit SrivastavaChina, on February 9, commissioned its first stealth fighter aircraft in People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF), reports Chinese state-run news agency Xinhua.
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February 9, 2018
Admiral Sunil Lanba visits Saudi Arabia
By Rohit SrivastavaWith aim to consolidate the defence cooperation between India and Saudi Arabia, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba visited the West Asian country on a bilateral visit from February 4 to 8, said a government statement.
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February 8, 2018
RM appoints panel to accelerate defence capital acquisition
By Rohit SrivastavaTo expedite the capital acquisition for Indian armed forces, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 7, constituted a 13-member advisory body to undertake independent review and status check of critical projects.
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February 3, 2018
US Air Force Chief takes to sky in Tejas
By Rohit SrivastavaFollowing the footsteps of the Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, the visiting Chief of Staff of the US Air Force General David L Goldfein, on February 3, flew a sortie in Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the Air Force station Jodhpur.
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February 1, 2018
Defence sector to get a ‘Make in India’ makeover in Union Budget 2018-19
By Arpita KalaAiming at modernising the forces, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley spoke about the defence sector in the fiscal budget today morning. Hiked by 7.81 per cent to 2,95,511 crore from the previous year’s 2,74,114 crore...
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January 29, 2018
Republic Day – display of Military, Cultural and Diplomatic might
By Rohit SrivastavaIndia displayed its military might in the presence of ASEAN leaders
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January 17, 2018
Sitharaman takes a sortie in Su-30
By Rohit SrivastavaDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on January 17, took her maiden flight on the Indian Air Force (IAF) frontline multi-role fighter Su-30 MKI, from the Jodhpur air base. After taking charge of the ministry, Sitharaman has been visiting military bases and taking stock of the preparedness of the three services.
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January 17, 2018
Stealth J-20's maiden combat flight in Tibet – serious military challenge for India
By Rohit SrivastavaThe operationalisation of Chinese stealth fighter is a grave threat to Indian security.
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January 17, 2018
Army to get modern rifles; now 'Make' procedure is open to Start-ups
By Rohit SrivastavaBy approving fast track purchase of modern guns for equipping the troops at frontline, DAC has initiated the much awaited modernization of Indian soldiers and by relaxing the norms it also opened the 'Make II' procedure to startups.
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January 15, 2018
Modi invites Israeli investment in defence sector
By Rohit SrivastavaAfter the debacle of Spike deal, proving the skeptics wrong the two Prime Ministers display confidence in the strength and depth of the bilateral relations between India and Israel and agree to take it further into new territories.
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January 12, 2018
Exclusive:
"Man behind the weapon that matters" – Army Chief Bipin RawatResponding to a question of Jayant Baranwal, Editor-in-Chief, SP Guide Publications, during the annual press conference, Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat explained in detail how the army is technologically empowering and motivating its soldiers to tackle emerging threats.
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January 9, 2018
Defence Minister witness's naval operation
By Rohit SrivastavaOn a two visit to western coast to witness Indian Navy's operational prowess, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, on January 8, arrived at Indian Naval Base INS Hansa, Goa.
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January 8, 2018
Army launches compendium of problem statement and solution
By Rohit SrivastavaArmy Chief General Bipin Rawat, on January 8, launched compendiums of problem statements and solutions for the previously released compendium at the second edition of Army Technology Seminar which was jointly organised...
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January 2, 2018
India to buy missiles and precision bombs for 1,600 cr
By Rohit SrivastavaTo add more precise fire power to Indian military, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today cleared two procurement proposals worth over 1,600 crore.
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December 30, 2017
First Chinese made carrier to undergo sea trial in Feb
By Rohit SrivastavaCome February and China will cross another milestone in its military self reliance when it will begin the sea trial of its home made Aircraft Carrier (ACC) technically known as Type 001A from Dalian Shipyard where it is being constructed.
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December 29, 2017
India conducts successful test of endo-atmospheric interceptor missile
By Rohit SrivastavaIndia, on December 28, successfully conducted test of indigenously developed Advanced Air Defence (AAD) - anti ballistic missile interceptor.
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December 26, 2017
India starts Sea Guardian procurement
By Rohit SrivastavaGiving a major flip to Indo-US defence cooperation, India has begun the process to procure remotely piloted Predator 'B' Sea Guardian from United States.
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December 21, 2017
HAL gets RFP for 83 Tejas
By Rohit SrivastavaDefence Acquisition Council (DAC) last year cleared proposal for purchase of 83 LCA Mark 1 A aircrafts including 10 twin seat trainer version.
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December 19, 2017
Does the Government has any timeline for INS Vishal?
By Rohit SrivastavaIndian military acquisition is a sorry tale of delays. Indian Navy has been at the fore front of indigenisation and acquisition of assets. Although with delays, Navy, unlike the other two services, has been acquiring platforms regularly.
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December 15, 2017
India hosts trilateral talks with Japan and Australia
By Rohit SrivastavaAiming at countering the expanding Chinese Naval power in the Indian Ocean and its belligerent behavior in the South East Asian waters, India in December held secretary level talks with Japan and Australia to discuss the existing challenges...
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December 14, 2017
Navy gets new shark-Kalvari
By Rohit SrivastavaAfter a hiatus of almost two decades, Indian Navy on December 14 received its first conventional submarine INS Kalvari, from the hands of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
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December 12, 2017
India becomes member of Wassenaar Arrangement
By Rohit SrivastavaAfter much wait, India, during the plenary of the participating states at Vienna, becomes the 42nd member of the global dual use technology group ‘Wassenaar Arrangement’ (WA) on December 8.
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December 5, 2017
US asks Pakistan to redouble anti-terror efforts
By Rohit SrivastavaAmid stern warning of United States' intelligence chief to Pakistan - to act against its terror network, Defense Secretary General James Mattis, during his inaugural visit the country on December 4, asked Pakistan to redouble its efforts against terrorists.
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November 30, 2017
India–Singapore Defence agreement
By Rohit SrivastavaWith twin objective of balancing the expanding footprints of Chinese Navy in the East Asian waters and creating a strong military base for 'Act East' policy, India and Singapore on November 29 signed India-Singapore Bilateral Agreement for Navy...
