Page 5 - Defence

If India gets 10 Abdul Kalams, we can nail R&D: Former DRDO scientist

If India has 10 Abdul Kalams, we can really bring about a change in the way we approach research and development, said former DRDO scientist Prahlada Ramarao on Sunday. Bengaluru-based Ramarao was part of the missile-building team put together by India's "Missile Man" and former President A P J Abdul Kalam. The indigenous surface-to-air missile system, famously called Akash, that he and his team worked on for nearly 15 years, since 1983, is having its moment of glory, as it withstood the onslaught of Pakistani missiles and drones, especially on May 8 and 9. "The biggest difficulty for India is that we are individually good, but cannot work together as a team. Kalam was very good at addressing this. He taught me how to bring the energy of individuals synergistically to achieve a purpose. That is why I feel, if we have 10 Kalams, India will truly lead," Ramarao told PTI. Ramarao said he was only 34 years old when he was made the project director for the surface-to-air missile project

DGCA says 32 airports shut for civilian flight operations till May 15

Srinagar and Amritsar are among the 32 airports across the northern and western parts of the country that have been closed for civilian flight operations till May 15, according to aviation regulator DGCA. The decision came in view of the India-Pakistan military standoff. The Airports Authority of India (AAI) and relevant aviation authorities have issued a series of Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), announcing the temporary closure of 32 airports across northern and western India for all civilian flight operations. The closure will be effective from "May 9 to May 14 (which corresponds to 05:29 IST on May 15), due to operational reasons," DGCA said in a release. The airports include Adhampur, Ambala, Amritsar, Awantipur, Bathinda, Bhuj, Bikaner, Chandigarh, Halwara, Hindon and Jammu. Other airports in the list are Jaisalmer, Jamnagar, Jodhpur, Kandla, Kangra (Gaggal), Keshod, Kishangarh, Kullu Manali (Bhuntar) and Leh. According to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ludhiana, Mun

Indian Navy, DRDO successfully test indigenous multi-influence ground mine

The Indian Navy and DRDO successfully tested the indigenous Multi-Influence Ground Mine, enhancing undersea warfare capabilities amid rising India-Pakistan tensions and regional missile tests

Parliamentary standing committee on defence to meet today at 3 PM

This development comes as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today

India, France to sign Rs 63,000 crore deal for 26 Rafale aircraft on Monday

Earlier, the French Defence Minister was scheduled to attend the signing in person but had to cancel his visit due to personal reasons

Think long-term: Rafale-M deal good, but IAF's bigger needs remain

The question now is how to fill the increasingly urgent needs of the IAF. It is worth recalling that the desired strength of the IAF is 42 squadrons, though it now has 31 squadrons

India, US to begin tri-service HADR exercise 'Tiger Triumph' on Tuesday

The Tiger Triumph humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise comes even as India continues its efforts to assist Myanmar under Operation Brahma, following last week's devastating earthquake

Ashok Leyland's defence unit bags orders worth Rs 700 cr from Indian Army

Contracts are for diverse range of vehicles combining 'superior reliability with exceptional off-road capability'

Govt clears Rs 62,000 crore deal to buy 156 Light Combat Helicopters

This would be the biggest order for the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited so far, and the choppers would be built at their plants in Bengaluru and Tumkur in Karnataka

Ashok Leyland's defence business bags multiple orders worth Rs 700 cr

With these orders, Ashok Leyland has further strengthened its position as a leader in advanced land mobility solutions for the armed and paramilitary forces

Indian, French Navies conclude 23rd Varuna Exercise with fleet review

The 23rd edition of bilateral exercise Varuna between Indian and French navies culminated on Saturday, following which French Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle and INS Vikrant did a fleet review some 80 nautical miles off the Goa coast. It saw the two navies working on below the surface and above the surface warfare domain as well as interacting with Indian submarines and aircraft like MiG29Ks and Rafale. The fleet review by French Aircraft Carrier Charles de Gaulle and INS Vikrant took place at 4pm. The senior officials from both the navies had a debriefing before the culmination of the exercise. Captain Georges Antoine Florentin, commanding officer of Charles de Gaulle, and Rear Admiral Jacques Mallard, chief of the French strike group, told PTI on board the aircraft carrier that the aim was to work together to improve interoperability. Varuna 2025 that started on March 19 had an exhilarating array of maritime exercises and complex manoeuvres across the sub-surface, surface, and

Germany's likely next leader seeks approval for huge defence, infra package

Germany's would-be next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is asking lawmakers Tuesday to allow the country to put whatever it takes into defense as doubts mount about the strength of the trans-Atlantic alliance, and to authorise an enormous fund for investment in its creaking infrastructure, financed by hefty borrowing. The outgoing parliament is set to meet for a final time to vote on the plans as Merz's center-right Union bloc works to put together a governing coalition with the center-left Social Democrats of outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz after winning last month's election. Two-thirds majority needed The plans will need a two-thirds majority in parliament's lower house, the Bundestag, because they involve changes to Germany's strict self-imposed borrowing rules the so-called debt brake, which allows new borrowing worth only 0.35% of annual gross domestic product and is anchored in the constitution. That forced the prospective coalition partners into negotiations with the ...

Parliamentary panels' reports on defence, external affairs tabled in House

The MoD ranked second after the MoF in terms of budgetary allocations for 2025-26, while the MEA ranked 22nd

Army, IAF, and Navy chiefs push for 'Aatmanirbharta' to win future wars

Speaking in separate sessions at a conclave in the capital, the chiefs of the three services outlined the challenges of future conflicts, likely to be prolonged, and how the nation can address them

Dharma Guardian: India, Japan hold 7th Army talks, discuss defence ties

ADG also informed that the Japanese delegation was briefed on Indian Army's United Nations Peacekeeping Operations and the training being conducted by Centre for UN Peacekeeping

MoD to expand competitive bidding for defence procurement: Defence Secy

As part of its 'Year of Reforms' agenda, the Ministry of Defence will enhance ease of doing business, streamline export approvals, and address procedural challenges for private firms

EU Commission proposes 800-billion-euro plan to boost defence capabilities

The 150 billion euros of new joint borrowing is to go towards building pan-European capability domains like air and missile defence

Private investment key to India’s defence growth: Experts at BS Manthan

Private investment key to India’s defence growth: Experts at BS Manthan

BS Manthan: Can private firms drive India's defence self-reliance?

Can private firms drive India's defence self-reliance? BS Manthan brings top experts to discuss policy reforms, industry innovation, and the future of military technology

Time for private industry to take a lead in defence manufacturing: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's call to private industry follows the MoD designating 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms', including streamlining defence acquisition, a long-standing challenge