Page 12 - Army

600 'Vibhav' anti-tank mines with safety mechanism inducted into Army

Six hundred indigenously-manufactured self-neutralising anti-tank mines, known as "Vibhav", have been inducted into the Army to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles, officials said on Monday. The anti-tank mine is made of new-age plastic, which gives it adequate strength and durability to withstand the requirements of storage, handling and operating in varying field conditions, they added. "It (the 'Vibhav' anti-tank mine) is already in production. It has been completed. It is now in demand. It has been inducted into the Indian Army. Six hundred mines have been inducted (recently)," an official of the manufacturing company told PTI. Designed and developed completely indigenously in a joint venture with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in India, "Vibhav" is a point-attack anti-tank munition, the officials said. They said the mines are designed to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles. "Made from new age plastic, the m

Indian Army soldier on leave abducted and killed in Manipur: Report

The body of an Indian Army soldier was found at Khuningthek village in Manipur's Imphal East district on Sunday, officials said. He was identified as Sepoy Serto Thangthang Kom of the Army's Defence Security Corps (DSC) platoon at Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district, they said. He hailed from Tarung in Imphal West, officials said. According to officials, unidentified armed men abducted Sepoy Kom, who was on leave, from his home around 10am on Saturday. According to his 10-year-old son, who was the only eyewitness to the crime, three men entered their home while his father and he were working on the porch. "The armed men placed a pistol on the Sepoy's head and forced him into a white vehicle before fleeing the spot," officials said quoting his son. "There was no news of Sepoy Kom till Sunday early morning. Around 9.30am, his body was found at Khuningthek village, east of Mongjam under Sogolmang PS in Imphal East. His identity was confirmed by his brother and brother-in-law who said t

Production of C295 aircraft in India will be game-changer: India to Spain

The production of 40 Airbus C295 medium tactical transport aircraft in India will be a "game changer" as it would facilitate the creation of a world-class aerospace ecosystem in the country that would help in manufacturing other planes in the long-run, Indian Ambassador to Spain Dinesh K Patnaik said here. The Indian Air Force received the first C295 aircraft on Wednesday, two years after New Delhi sealed a Rs 21,935-crore deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure the planes. Under the deal, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in 'fly-away' condition from its final assembly line in Seville by 2025 and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured and assembled by Tata Advanced Systems (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies. "The C295 project will be a game-changer project as it will create a world-class aerospace ecosystem in India," Patnaik told PTI in an interview. The first 'Make in India' C295 is set to come out of a productio

Defence minister clears setting up of 23 Sainik Schools in partnership mode

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the setting up of 23 new Sainik Schools in partnership mode, officials said on Saturday. The new schools, besides their affiliation to respective education boards, will function under the aegis of the Sainik Schools Society and will follow the Rules and Regulations for new Sainik Schools in partnership mode prescribed by the Society, the Defence Ministry said in a statement. The government has approved the initiative of setting up of 100 new Sainik schools in partnership with NGOs, private schools, and state governments in a graded manner class-wise, starting from Class VI onwards, it said. Under this initiative, a Memorandum of Agreement has been signed by the Sainik Schools Society with 19 new Sainik Schools located all over the country, the statement added. "Following further evaluation of applications for opening new Sainik Schools under partnership mode, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh has approved setting up of 23 new Sainik Schools in

Defence ministry clears procurement of military hardware worth Rs 45,000 cr

The Defence Ministry on Friday cleared procurement of various weapons systems and platforms including Dhruvastra short range air-to-surface missile and 12 Su-30 MKI fighter jets at a cost of around Rs 45,000 crore. A total of nine procurement proposals were approved by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, officials said. "All these procurements will be made from Indian vendors under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (IDMM)/Buy (Indian) category which will give substantial boost to the Indian defence Industry towards achieving the goal of 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'," the defence ministry said. To enhance protection, mobility, attack capability and increase survivability of mechanised forces, the DAC accorded the approval for procurement of Light Armoured Multipurpose Vehicles (LAMV) and Integrated Surveillance and Targeting System (ISAT-S), the ministry said in a statement. The DAC cleared also cleared the procurement

Science ministry's biotech dept and AFMS signs MoU to extend cooperation

A memorandum of understanding (MOU) was signed on Tuesday between the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, and Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) to build research collaborations and promote scientific cooperation. The agreement was signed at the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) here in the presence of Minister of State (Independent Charge), Science & Technology, Jitendra Singh. The MOU also envisages promoting scientific cooperation through faculty exchange programmes. As part of the year-long platinum jubilee celebrations of the medical college, Singh also launched the Association of Physicians of India (API) chapter of AFMC, Pune, and also inaugurated the first annual conference of API-AFMS Continuing Medical Education (CME) on emerging trends in the practice of medicine". Describing AFMC, Pune, as the first Central institute of medical education established much before AIIMS, Delhi, came into being, Singh said the idea of a separate AFMC came ..

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate 90 BRO projects including on Sept 12: Official

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will on September 12 inaugurate 90 infrastructure projects of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) including four airstrips and helipads built along the northern and western borders, a spokesperson of the ministry on Tuesday said. The projects includes 21 roads, 64 bridges, one tunnel, two air strips, and two helipads, he said. Singh will visit Samba district and inaugurate Devak bridge on Bishnah-Kaulpur-Phulpur road, he said. The bridge is a part of the 90 infrastructure projects of the BRO. The Union minister will also likely take part in the northern tech event at IIT-Jammu during his visit, he said.

Three Ukrainian military pilots die in plane crash during combat mission

Three Ukrainian pilots, including a well-known pilot who went by the call sign "Juice," have died in a plane crash, the Ukrainian Air Force said on Saturday, CNN reported

Russian mercenary chief's likely death could destabilize his army: UK

Britain's defense ministry said on Friday that the presumed death of Russian mercenary leader Yevgeny Prigozhin in a plane crash could destabilise the Wagner Group, whose brutal fighters were feared in Ukraine, Africa and Syria and conducted a brief but shocking mutiny in Russia. Prigozhin, who was listed among those on board, was eulogized Thursday by Russian President Vladimir Putin, even as suspicions grew that the Russian president was behind a Wednesday crash that many saw as an assassination. Russian authorities have not yet confirmed Prigozhin's death. The British ministry wrote that It is highly likely that he is indeed dead. However, it noted that he is known to exercise exceptional security measures. The demise of Prigozhin almost certainly would have a deeply destabilizing effect on the Wagner Group. His personal attributes of hyperactivity, exceptional audacity, a drive for results and extreme brutality permeated Wagner and are unlikely to be matched by any successor, t

Encounter breaks out between security forces, terrorists in J-K's Pulwama

An encounter broke out between security forces and militants in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, police said. "Encounter has started in Larrow-Parigam area of #Pulwama. Police & Security Forces are on the job. Details shall follow," Kashmir Zone Police said on X (formerly Twitter). There were no reports of any casualty on either side.

Disarmament pre-condition for talks: Sitaram Yechury on Manipur crisis

The government must ensure disarmament to start the talks with the warring Kuki and Meitei communities for resolving the crisis in Manipur, CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury said on Sunday. Speaking to reporters at the Manipur Press Club, Yechury said the 'double engine' government of the BJP should double its efforts in resolving the conflict, which has been going on for over three months. "There has to be some sort of dialogue and discussion, and that is where the governments -- both Centre and state -- have the primary responsibility. If it's a double-engine government, then please make double-energy efforts to try and bring everybody together to a table. We have done this in the past. It is the only way all problems that India has faced in last 75 years have been resolved," he said. "Disarmament should be a pre-condition for the talks. Talks have to begin with ceasefire, and then it should proceed on the issues," he added. Yechury also urged the Centre to send a ...

Manipur violence: BSF men to be deployed in village where 3 were killed

A Border Security Force (BSF) team is likely to be posted in Thawai Kuki village in Manipur's Ukhrul district where three persons were killed by armed men on Friday, sources said. Security forces are combing the jungles of the adjoining hills where the armed men are believed to be hiding, they said. The likely move to deploy a BSF team in the village comes days after Chief Minister N Biren Singh sought reports from Churachandpur deputy commissioner and SP about the open display of sophisticated firearms by a group of people during an Independence Day parade. Sources also added that around 60 companies of the BSF are likely to be deployed in nine districts of the state to assist the administration in maintaining law and order. BSF (EC) ADG Sonali Mishra along with four senior officers had recently called on Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan and briefed her about the prevailing security situation in the northeastern state. Meanwhile, more than 200 Meiteis who had crossed over to

Army bought weapons worth Rs 7,300 cr from domestic firms to counter China

Another Rs 7,000 crore worth of orders is in the final stages of procurement and is likely to be completed in the coming weeks

Haryana notifies appointment policy for battle casualties' family members

The Haryana government on Monday notified a revised compassionate appointment policy for family members of armed forces and the Central Armed Police Forces personnel who die in the line of duty and are declared as "battle casualties". The policy was accorded a Cabinet nod on August 4. The earlier policy provided jobs solely to the dependents of those personnel who lost their lives in border skirmishes, terrorist attacks or riots and were formally declared as martyrs by the Ministry of Defence or the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, a statement said. According to the revised policy, dependents of martyrs who lost their lives in various incidents in the line of duty, be it in wars, IED blasts, terrorist or militant attacks, border skirmishes, United Nations peacekeeping missions or even in accidents, cardiac arrests, air crashes, and natural calamities that demand exceptional courage and dedication will be provided compassionate appointment, it said. The policy widens the scope of ...

Army will give befitting reply to anyone trying to cast evil eye: Rajnath

India has always been a peace-loving nation, but will not spare those with "ill intention or hostility", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday, amid the lingering border row with China in eastern Ladakh and Pakistan's support to cross-border terrorism. On the eve of the 77th Independence Day, he also said the government is making all efforts to equip the armed forces with the latest weapons and training to meet future challenges. "We not only seek peace but also express our commitment to peace through our actions. But at the same time, we are also very clear that if anyone dares to look at us with ill intention or hostility, our forces will give a befitting reply," he said. The defence minister made the remarks in a message to soldiers. The message was aired on All India Radio. Highlighting the role of soldiers in maintaining India's sovereignty, Singh said, the nation stands with its gallant soldiers who protect the borders by putting their lives at stake without bothering

Army conducts patrolling along LoC in J-K's Poonch ahead of I-Day

Earlier in the day, District Administration Anantnag in collaboration with Municipal Committee Dooru Anantnag, Jammu Kashmir Police, local schools, and CRPF held the longest Tiranga Rally to date

No delay in officers' recruitment cycle in Indian Army: Govt to Parl panel

There is no delay in the officers' recruitment cycle in the Indian Army and there is a well-established procedure with a fixed timeline and all applicants including Veer Naris are treated at par in the recruitment process, the government has informed a parliamentary panel. Action taken by the government on the observations or recommendations contained in the thirty-first report (17th Lok Sabha) of the Standing Committee on Defence on the subject 'Assessment of Welfare Measures available to war widows/Families in Armed Forces' was presented to Lok Sabha and laid in Rajya Sabha on Thursday. The Committee in its report has noted that compassionate appointments are being made by concerned Service Headquarters of the Army, Navy and Air Force to widows or families of defence personnel, whereby widows of defence personnel, who lose their lives while performing the duties are eligible for applying for short Service Commission (Non-Technical) and (Technical). They are eligible even if they ..

Fresh batch of pilgrims leaves for Amarnath Yatra, praises army's effort

The enthusiastic pilgrims, who will take Baltal and Pahalgam routes to reach the holy shrine, raised 'Bam Bam Bhole' slogans

US Pentagon warns of disruptions as army, marines lack confirmed leaders

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin warned that troop readiness and retention is at risk as the Army's chief stepped down Friday, leaving the military's two ground combat forces without Senate-confirmed leaders for the first time in history. Speaking during a ceremony at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Austin said the Senate's failure to confirm the services' new leaders is disruptive to the force and could impact relationships with allies and partners around the globe. The confirmation of the next Army chief and Marine commandant are among more than 300 military nominations stalled by Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville, a Republican, over the Pentagon's policy to pay for travel when a service member has to go out of state to get an abortion or other reproductive care. Today for the first time in the history of the Department of Defense, two of our services will be operating without Senate confirmed leadership, said Austin. Great teams need great leaders, and that's central to maintaining the

West African defence chiefs mull response to Niger coup, meeting concludes

Late on Wednesday, the junta in Niger vowed it would not bow to external pressure, dismissing the sanctions and ECOWAS' warning it could intervene