Page 12 - Defence Sector

Contribute towards developing border areas: Defence secy to infra firms

Vibrant Villages Programme encourages border people to stay in border areas

Malaysia defends companies supplying weapons to Israel at defence show

Malaysia will not interfere in business relations between arms manufacturers and other countries, its defence minister said Tuesday, after protesters demanded that the government expel companies that supply weapons to Israel from an international exhibition. More than 1,300 companies from 60 nations are participating in Defence Services Asia and the concurrent National Security Asia exhibitions that started Monday. The events are hosted and co-organised by Malaysia's Defence Ministry and Home Affairs Ministry. The Solidarity for Palestinian coalition held a brief rally outside the exhibition centre on Tuesday to protest the presence of US weapons maker Lockheed Martin, European missile manufacturer MBDA and others that provide arms to Israel. The coalition accused the manufacturers of being complicit in Israel's offensive in Gaza. They said the companies' presence was inconsistent with the Malaysian government's support of Palestinian statehood and insensitive to the many Malaysians

China suspected of UK's defence ministry payroll breach: Reports

The UK Parliament is expected to be briefed by the defence minister later on Tuesday after reports of a massive data breach involving the Ministry of Defence (MoD) targeting service personnel from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force. According to the BBC, the government suspects China was behind the hack of the armed forces payroll system that is run by an external contractor and includes data of both current and some past armed forces members. However, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps is not expected to directly name China when he updates members of Parliament in the House of Commons as the investigation remains ongoing. The system used by the MoD includes names and bank details of armed forces personnel and in a very small number of cases, the data may include personal addresses. Government sources have stressed that no operational MoD data has been obtained in the hack, the motive behind which remains unclear. It is understood the MoD has taken immediate action and the system

Anti-drone tech firm Zen Technologies announces leap in financial results

Over the last three years, Zen Technologies has logged a spectacular rise in earnings

India, Indonesia vow to expand overall bilateral defence partnership

India and Indonesia on Friday vowed to expand overall bilateral defence ties, especially in areas maritime security and industrial engagement for production of military equipment. Various aspects of defence and strategic relations between the two countries figured at the seventh India-Indonesia Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) meeting that took place in Delhi. The defence ministry said both sides expressed satisfaction at the expanding scope of defence cooperation. "The progress made on various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives deliberated in meetings of working groups on defence cooperation and defence industries cooperation was also reviewed by the co-chairs," it said. The meeting was co-chaired by defence secretary Giridhar Aramane and his Indonesian counterpart Air Marshal Donny Ermawan Taufanto. "The dignitaries identified means to enhance existing areas of collaboration especially in the field of defence industry ties, maritime security and multilateral ...

Swiss Military to invest Rs 56.5 crore on new manufacturing unit in Haryana

Global lifestyle brand Swiss Military on Friday said it will set up its first fully owned manufacturing unit in India in Haryana with an initial investment of Rs 56.5 crore. The company plans to set up its first fully owned manufacturing unit for luggage and travel gear in Faridabad, Haryana, Swiss Military Consumer Goods Ltd said in a statement. Spread over 1.21 acres and a built-up area of about 85,000 sq ft, the proposed plant will have a production capacity of 10 lakh pieces per year, it added. The targeted completion for the manufacturing unit will be within 8 months by Dec 31, 2024 at an initial investment of Rs 56.50 crore, the company said. "Our own manufacturing capabilities will help establish Swiss Military's commitment to modernisation within the travel gear sector in the Indian market and to shorten go-to-market timelines with new products," Swiss Military Consumer Goods Ltd Managing Director Anuj Sawhney said. He further said, "It will also significantly bolster our

Defence chiefs from US, Oz, Japan, Philippines vow to deepen cooperation

Defence chiefs from the US, Australia, Japan and the Philippines vowed to deepen their cooperation as they gathered on Thursday in Hawaii for their second-ever joint meeting amid concerns about China's operations in the South China Sea. The meeting came after the four countries last month held their first joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, a major shipping route where Beijing has long-simmering territorial disputes with a number of Southeast Asian nations and has caused alarm with its recent assertiveness in the waters. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters at a news conference after their discussion that the drills strengthened the ability of the nations to work together, build bonds among their forces and underscore their shared commitment to international law in the waterway. Australian Defense Minister Richard Marles said the defense chiefs talked about increasing the tempo of their defense exercises. Today, the meetings that we have held represent a very

Navy should remain ready to deter adversaries: New Chief Admiral Tripathi

The Indian Navy should remain operationally ready at all times to deter potential adversaries at sea, Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi said on Tuesday shortly after taking charge as the 26th chief of the Naval Staff. Admiral Tripathi, who is a communication and electronic warfare specialist, assumed charge of the force following the retirement of incumbent R Hari Kumar. The admiral took charge of the Navy at a time various strategic waterways, including the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, are witnessing security challenges, especially in view of Houthi militants targeting various merchant ships in the region. "Over the years, our Navy has evolved into a combat-ready, cohesive, credible and future-proof force," Admiral Tripathi told reporters. "The existing and emerging challenges in the maritime domain mandate that the Indian Navy should remain operationally ready at all times to deter potential adversaries at sea in peace and to win war at and from the sea when asked to do so," he ...

India can't become developed nation without making products: Baba Kalyani

Bharat Forge CMD Baba Kalyani explains what the new government should focus on in its first 100 days of taking office to give Make in India in defence a fillip

DRDO develops country's lightest bulletproof jacket for level 6 threat

A unit of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully developed the lightest bulletproof jacket in the country for protection against the highest threat level 6, an official statement said on Tuesday. This jacket is based on a new design approach where novel material along with new processes has been used, the statement issued by the Ministry of Defence said. "DRDO's Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur has successfully developed the lightest bulletproof jacket in the country for protection against 7.62 x 54 R API (level 6 of BIS 17051) ammunition. Recently, this bulletproof jacket was successfully tested at TBRL, Chandigarh as per BIS 17051-2018," it said. The front hard armour panel (HAP) of this jacket "defeats multiple hits (six shots) of 7.62x54 R API (sniper rounds) in both ICW (in-conjunction with) and standalone design", the statement said. The ergonomically designed front HAP is made of a monoli

Russia to step up strikes on bases storing Western weapons in Ukraine

In remarks to defence officials, Shoigu said Russia had "dispelled the myth of the superiority of Western weapons" and its forces had gained the initiative along the 1,000 km (600-mile) battle front

MV Ruen rescue boosted our first responder status: Indian Navy chief

Citing a daring mid-sea anti-piracy operation undertaken by the Indian Navy recently, its chief Admiral R Hari Kumar on Sunday said this mission further "cemented" India's stature as the "first responder" and "preferred security partner" at sea. In his address at a Naval Investiture Ceremony held at INS Hansa, Goa, he also urged the Navy personnel to "affirm and align all your actions to the vision of Ships First". "As the Indian Navy continues to affirmatively expand its operational footprint, it is the unwavering professionalism and indomitable spirit of our personnel, which ensures our success, always and every time. Our men and women, who don the whites with pride, are the formidable bulwark of our service," the Navy chief said. Towards supporting the Navy's warriors in white, who valiantly fight at sea, patrol the deep reaches of oceans, and soar through the skies, "I urge each one of you to affirm and align all your actions to the vision of 'Ships First', our basic building ..

Bharat Electronics hits new high on strong outlook; zooms 27% in 15 days

In past 15 trading days, the stock of state-owned defence company has surged 27 per cent and zoomed almost 70 per cent in the last six months.

In a first, India posts defence attaches to African states, Philippines

India is deploying 15-16 new attaches to countries such as Poland, Armenia, Tanzania, Mozambique, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, and the Philippines

India upgrading strategic military infra in Andaman & Nicobar Islands

The upgrade will enable the deployment of more military forces and provide facilities for a greater number and size of warships, aircraft, troops

UN calls for halt to weapons shipments to Israel on Gaza war concerns

The UN's top human rights body called on countries to stop selling or shipping weapons to Israel in a resolution passed on Friday that aims to help prevent rights violations against Palestinians amid Israel's blistering military campaign in Gaza. The 47-member-country Human Rights Council voted 28-6 in favour of the resolution, with 13 abstentions. The sweeping measure, which takes aim at an array of Israeli actions such as impeding access to water and limiting shipments of humanitarian aid into Palestinian areas, also calls on UN-backed independent investigators to report on shipments of weapons, munitions and dual use items for both civilian and military purposes that could be used by Israel against Palestinians. It is not binding. Western countries were divided, with the US, Germany and others opposing the resolution, several abstaining and some European countries voting in favour. Israel at times joined by the United States has regularly and roundly criticised the council f

Indian Army plans aggressor red team, test-bed units in modernisation drive

A number of foreign militaries employ the opposing force concept, which calls for specialised military units that act as the enemy force in training exercises and war games

The transformation of war

One has to give the US Army credit for trying to be better prepared for war in the future. The Indian Army would do well to follow that example

IAF's Apache attack chopper makes emergency landing in Ladakh; pilots safe

An Apache helicopter of the Indian Air Force (IAF) made an emergency landing during an operational sortie in Ladakh and it sustained damage due to "undulating" terrain and high altitude, the IAF said on Thursday. The IAF said the incident took place on Wednesday and both the pilots on board are safe. It was the first such incident involving an Apache chopper in the IAF, military officials said. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered into the incident. The IAF had procured 22 Apache attack helicopters and the chopper that had to make the emergency landing was based in the Pathankot Air Force station in Punjab. "An IAF Apache helicopter carried out a precautionary landing during an operational training sortie in Ladakh on April 3. During the process of this landing, it sustained damage due to undulating terrain and high altitude," the IAF said in a brief statement. "Both the pilots on board are safe and have been recovered to the nearest airbase. A Court of Inquiry has been ordered to

Amit Kalyani to become Vice-Chairman and Joint MD of Bharat Forge

Auto components major Bharat Forge on Wednesday announced the elevation of Amit Kalyani, son of its Chairman and MD Babasaheb N Kalyani, as Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director of the company. The board of directors of the company in its meeting held on April 3, 2024, approved the re-appointment of Amit Kalyani as a whole-time director designated as "Vice-Chairman and Joint Managing Director" for a further term of five years commencing from May 11, 2024 till May 10, 2029, Bharat Forge said in a regulatory filing. Amit Kalyani's present tenure as Joint Managing Director will conclude on May 10, 2024, it added. He was elevated as Deputy Managing Director in 2019 and as Joint Managing Director in 2023. He has been associated with Bharat Forge since 1999, starting his career focusing on operations & manufacturing before moving on to IT and Finance, the company said. Since May 2004, he has been the company's Executive Director and played a key role in strategy and execution of ...