MILITARY HARDWARE PRODUCTION
Reforms in armed forces should be continuous to maintain supremacy during wars: President Murmu
President Droupadi Murmu highlighted the government's efforts to boost domestic defence production. She claimed that nearly 70 per cent of defence procurement was sourced from Indian manufacturers in the last year, and reforms resulting in India manufacturing over Rs one lakh crore of defence equipment. She emphasised upon modernisation of the armed forces, the importance of continuous reforms for military supremacy, and India's increasing defence exports, including the BrahMos missile deal with the Philippines.
India expressed interest in co-production of Stryker combat vehicle: US
US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell emphasized the importance of frank dialogue with India regarding New Delhi's ties with Russia, particularly in the technology sector, including defense. Despite US concerns about potential technology leakage to Russia due to India's use of Russian defense equipment, Campbell expressed trust and confidence in India's capabilities. He noted that while there are disagreements, both countries maintain respectful discussions. Campbell also highlighted discussions on the Quad initiative during recent meetings between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and India's NSA Ajit Doval, affirming strong commitment to hold the Quad summit by year-end.
Indonesia accepts South Korea warship donation, despite cost concerns
Indonesia's parliament has approved a proposal to accept a South Korean donation of a corvette for its navy, despite concerns about the vessel's age and the need for significant maintenance costs. The 36-year-old corvette, Bucheon 773, is seen as a boost to Indonesia's military capability, but it requires approximately $85 million for maintenance and additional costs before it can be operational. Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto has been advocating for upgrading Indonesia's military hardware, but his decision to procure used equipment has faced criticism.
Ukraine says it has checked Russia's offensive in a key town, but Moscow says it will keep pushing
Ukrainian forces have halted a Russian advance in Vovchansk, a key northeastern town near the Russian border, according to Kyiv. However, Moscow insists it has sufficient resources to continue its offensive. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy acknowledged the difficult situation and is bolstering defenses in Kharkiv. Russia aims to create a buffer zone to prevent Ukrainian strikes on Russia. Amid ongoing battles, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $2 billion arms deal for Ukraine, while NATO urged increased military support for Kyiv.
Shot by shot, Indian military is getting atmanirbhar
The government aims to increase India's annual defense production to nearly three times its current level, reaching Rs 3 lakh crore by 2028-29. Additionally, the target for defense exports is set to more than double, reaching Rs 50,000 crore compared to the current Rs 21,083 crore. For the fiscal year 2024-25, the goal is to achieve a total annual defense production worth Rs 1,75,000 crore, including exports valued at Rs 35,000 crore.
NATO chief chides members as Ukraine's allies say slow arms deliveries have helped Russia
Outgunned, Ukraine's troops have struggled to fend off Russian advances on the battlefield. They were recently compelled to make a tactical retreat from three villages in the east, where the Kremlin's forces have been making incremental gains, Ukraine's army chief said Sunday. The Russian Defense Ministry claimed Monday its forces had also taken the village of Semenivka.
NATO's chief chides alliance countries for not being quicker to help Ukraine against Russia
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern over delays in NATO countries delivering promised military aid to Ukraine, allowing Russia to gain ground in the ongoing conflict. Stoltenberg cited shortcomings in supplying weapons, ammunition, and air defense systems, contributing to Ukraine's tactical retreat from several villages in the eastern region. Despite Western pledges of support, including vital U.S. military assistance delayed due to political disputes, and ongoing efforts to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities, Russia's superior resources and support from other nations pose significant challenges.
India’s defence production is $13 bn and growing, and MSMEs are providing the tailwind
The government’s push for indigenisation in defence has encouraged smaller players to get into the game and reduce India’s dependence on imports.
Germany fully backs submarine negotiations with India, wants to offer military cooperation alternatives to New Delhi: German envoy
Germany's Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackerman, has expressed full support for the negotiations between the German firm Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and the Indian Navy for Project 75 India, which aims to build six new conventional submarines. The project, worth over six billion euros, is a key element of Germany's business strategy in Asia, aimed at diversifying its business relations due to various reasons, including the challenging behavior of India's northern neighbor. Germany is committed to teaming up with an Indian dockyard to build high-tech submarines in India, accelerating the defense partnership between the two countries.
Ukraine claims it destroyed Russian warplanes in one of its biggest drone attacks of the war
Ukrainian officials claimed to have used drones to destroy six military aircraft and damage eight others at a Russian airfield in the Rostov region. However, Russian defense officials stated they intercepted 44 Ukrainian drones, with only a power substation damaged. The attack, one of Kyiv's largest air assaults in the war, targeted a military airfield near Morozovsk. The incident underscores the escalation of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including power plants, as both sides struggle to make significant advances on the ground.
Guns N' Growth: Inside defence sector's explosive Make-In-India story
India's 'Make in India' defence production success story is evident in record-breaking defence exports, reaching Rs 21,083 crore in 2023-24, a growth of 32.5% from the previous fiscal. With a focus on indigenisation, India aims to triple annual defence production by 2028-29 and double defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore.
India cannot afford to remain dependent on defence imports: Rajnath Singh
India's Defence Minister, Rajnath Singh, has stressed the need for India to reduce its dependency on imported military hardware in order to maintain strategic autonomy. Singh highlighted the Modi government's focus on boosting domestic manufacturing and stated that the annual volume of domestic defence production has surpassed Rs 1 lakh crore, compared to around Rs 44,000 crore in 2014.
India-Russia defence coop remains unprecedented with full transfer of tech: Denis Alipov
“we are working on joint development and manufacturing of the most sophisticated systems, ensuring a significant contribution to the “Make in India” and “Self-reliant India” initiatives,” Denis Alipov said at a session earlier this week in New Delhi at VIF-Valdai Club.
Russia, India closer to joint military equipment production : Minister Lavrov
Russia and India have made progress in talks on joint production of military equipment, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Lavrov said the cooperation was strategic and would ensure security on the Eurasian continent. Moscow respected India's desire to diversify its military hardware suppliers and was ready to support manufacturing necessary items in India.
US and China race to shield secrets from quantum computers
Militaries would see their long-term plans and intelligence gathering exposed to enemies. Businesses could have their intellectual property swiped. People's health records would be laid bare.
India, Italy ink pact to expand defence ties with focus on co-development of military hardware
In a statement on Tuesday, the defence ministry said the focus of the talks between Singh and Crosetto on Monday was on defence-industrial cooperation and that the pact will help promote co-development, co-production and setting up of joint ventures.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to visit Italy, France from Oct 9-12
In the first leg of his two-nation tour, Singh will travel to Rome where he will hold wide-ranging talks with his Italian counterpart Guido Crisetto, according to the defence ministry. The relationship between India and Italy was elevated to the level of strategic partnership in March during the visit to India of the Italian prime minister.
India announces fresh 'positive indigenisation list' to boost domestic defence manufacturing
The new "positive indigenisation list" is in continuation of the first four such lists, which contained a total of 411 military items. Separately, the Department of Defence Production notified four positive indigenisation lists consisting of 4,666 items, including line replacement units, sub-systems, spares and components for Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), according to the defence ministry.
Secret Pakistani arms sale to US helped facilitate IMF bailout: Report
A secret arms sales agreement between Pakistan and the United States helped facilitate a bailout from the IMF earlier this year, according to The Intercept. The arms sales were intended to supply the Ukrainian military, indicating Pakistani involvement in a conflict it had been pressured to take sides on.
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