Page 36 - Indian Army

Tiger Triumph: India-US tri-services exercise to boost coordination begins

The close maritime relationship between the United States and Indian navies can be traced back directly to the Indian Ocean tsunami on December 26, 2004

Indian Army raises its first squadron of Apache attack helicopters

The Indian Army raised its first squadron of Apache attack helicopters in Rajasthan on Friday seeking to support ground operations in the western sector, officials said. Sources said the squadron has been raised in Jodhpur. The Indian Army raised its first squadron of Apache attack helicopters today in the presence of Army Aviation Corps' Director General, Lt Gen Ajay Suri, officials said. The squadron will support ground operations in the western sector, they added. The delivery of the Apache attack helicopters is expected to start in May, officials said. Manufactured by American aerospace major Boeing, Apache is one of the world's most advanced multi-role combat helicopters and is flown by the US Army. The Indian Air Force already operates a fleet of these attack helicopters.

Incredible momentum in India-US defence partnership: Pentagon official

There is a paradigm change and incredible momentum in the US-India defence relationship which is now defined more by the overall trajectory rather than by differences on key issues, a senior Pentagon official has said. The remarks by Siddharth Iyer, Director for South Asia, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Policy), Department of Defense, came at a roundtable on the future of the US-India Defence Partnership with a focus on technology collaboration and maritime strategy. The roundtable was organised by The US-India Strategic and Partnership Forum and CUTS International, a non-profit body on trade relations. Incredible amount of progress (in India-US relationship) has been made not just in the last two years, but even the last 12 months. I think that just sort of underscores the degree to which there's incredible momentum and the relationship now is defined more by the pace and the sort of overall trajectory rather than by differences and divergences on key issues, Iyer said. The

Rajnath approves expanding NCC to 2 mn cadets, build 'future leaders'

Plan will make NCC the world's largest uniformed youth organisation

PM Modi witnesses India's firepower at Bharat Shakti: Watch videos here

As awestruck spectators watched the 'Bharat Shakti' exercise here in Rajasthan on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Pokhran has become witness to the trinity of India's 'aatmanirbharta', belief and self-pride. The integrated tri-service firepower and manoeuvre exercise was held for about 50 minutes at the Pokhran field firing range where India showcased the prowess of its indigenous defence equipment. Roars of LCA Tejas and ALH Mk-IV filled the air while Main Battle Tank Arjun, and K-9 Vajra, Dhanush and Sharang artillery gun systems ruled the firing ranges on ground. Platforms like Pinaka satellite system and a swarm of drones left the audience spellbound. Prime Minister Modi in his address on the occasion said that "the roar of aircraft mid-air, and valour displayed on ground during Bharat Shakti exercise is the call of a 'new India' (naye Bharat ka aavhan hai)". He recalled that it was at Pokhran that the India's nuclear test was conducted in the past. "Pokhran has be

Tri-service military exercise 'Bharat Shakti' to be held at Pokhran

Stage is set in the arid terrain of Rajasthan's Pokhran for the mega exercise 'Bharat Shakti' on Tuesday, which will demonstrate the prowess of indigenously manufactured defence equipment of the three services. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to witness the integrated tri-service firepower and manoeuvre exercise that will be held for about 50 minutes. The country's top military brass will also be present on the occasion. LCA Tejas, ALH Mk-IV, LCH Prachand, mobile anti-drone system, BMP-II and its variants, NAMICA (Nag Missile Carrier), T90 tanks, Dhanush, K9 Vajra and Pinaka rockets are among the platforms that will be demonstrated. 'Bharat Shakti' will demonstrate the prowess of indigenously manufactured defence equipment of the three services, Additional Director General, Army Design Bureau, Major General C S Mann had told reporters here on Saturday. It will showcase the "shock and awe" impact that the armed forces seek to achieve in an operational situation with manoeuv

PM Modi to witness tri-service exercise 'Bharat Shakti' in Pokhran on Tue

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will witness 'Bharat Shakti', a synergised demonstration of indigenous defence capabilities in the form of a tri-services live fire and manoeuvre exercise, in Rajasthan's Pokhran on March 12. Modi will also visit Gujarat on Tuesday to launch multiple development projects, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement on Sunday. The 'Bharat Shakti' will have on display an array of indigenous weapon systems and platforms as a demonstration of the prowess of the country, premised on the nation's self-reliance initiative, the statement said. The exercise will simulate realistic, synergised, multi-domain operations displaying integrated operational capabilities of the Indian armed forces to counter threats across land, air, sea, cyber, and space domains, it added. Key equipment and weapons systems participating in the exercise include T-90 (IM) tanks, Dhanush and Sarang gun systems, Akash weapons system, logistics drones, robotic mules, advanced ligh

Indian Army to raise two 'Army Girls Sports Companies' in phased manner

The Indian Army has planned to raise two 'Army Girls Sports Companies' in a phased manner, as part of a move to train young girls from across the country in shooting, archery, athletics, boxing and weightlifting, officials said on Friday. The development coincides with International Women's Day celebrations in the country and outside. The Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSCs) will be "fully functional with effect from April 2024", a senior official said. "In sync with the national vision of women empowerment and demonstration of 'Nari Shakti', the Indian Army is raising two Army Girls Sports Companies in a phased manner," he said. These companies will be located at the Army's existing Centre of Excellence (COE) Nodes -- Army Marksmanship Unit, Mhow; and Army Sports Institute, Pune, he added. The aim is to identify young talent, provide them with formal education apart from other administrative requirements and train them to be champions in their respective sporting discipline, the .

Indian Army personnel abducted in Manipur, fourth case since conflict

Manipur is reeling under sporadic incidents of violence since an ethnic conflict began in the northeastern state on May 3. More than 200 people have lost their lives in the violence

Women's day: Indian army to launch 2 sports companies for 'Nari Shakti'

In sync with the national vision of "women empowerment" & demonstration of "Nari Shakti", the Indian Army is raising two Army Girls Sports Companies (AGSC) in a phased manner.The AGSCs will be located at two Army's Centre of Excellence nodes i.e. Army Marksmanship Unit, Mhow in Madhya Pradesh and Army Sports Institute, Pune.The AGSC will be fully functional with effect from April 2024.The AGSC will train young girls from all parts of the country in Shooting, Archery, Athletics, Boxing & Weightlifting.To identify the young talent, provide them with formal education apart from other administrative requirements & train them to be champions in their respective sporting discipline.These two locations have world-class training infrastructure, sports medicine centre, rehabilitation facility and related coaching facilities.Indian Army has rich experience in scouting for young talent as demonstrated by the success of Boys Sports Companies.This young talent will also benefit ..

Indian warship INS Kolkata rescues crew of drone-hit vessel in Gulf of Aden

Indian warship INS Kolkata has rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national, after their Barbados-flagged cargo vessel was hit by a missile in the Gulf of Aden, a Navy spokesperson said on Thursday. The crew members had abandoned bulk carrier MV True Confidence after it caught fire following the attack on Wednesday. INS Kolkata, deployed for maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden, arrived at the scene of action at 4.45 pm and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national, from a life raft using its integral helicopter and boats, Navy spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said. Critical medical aid was provided to the injured crew by the ship's medical team, he said. The rescued crew, including the critically injured personnel, have been evacuated to Djibouti by INS Kolkata. The Indian Navy warship swiftly responded to the maritime incident in Gulf of Aden, Madhwal said. The Barbados-flagged vessel was reportedly hit by a drone approximately 55 nm sout

IAF's C-17 aircraft successfully airdrops indigenously built platform

A C-17 transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force airdropped an indigenously developed heavy platform that can carry a maximum load of over 22 tonnes, officials said on Wednesday."In a major milestone on its path towards Atmanirbhar Bharat, an extra-long and heavy platform, indigenously developed by ADRDE & capable of carrying approximately 45000 Lbs of load, was successfully air-dropped during trials from an IAF C-17 aircraft," the Indian Air Force said in a post on X.The Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE) is a premier defence research laboratory.According to the Indian Air Force, capable of carrying multiple such platforms, the combat capabilities of C-17 aircraft will be further enhanced in its varied missions to air-deliver critical loads to troops on the ground.

Navy requests change in rank nomenclature to accommodate female sailors

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar on Tuesday said they have approached the Defence Ministry for an approval of changing the nomenclature of various ranks as they now have women sailors also. He also expressed hope that since gender neutrality has been introduced in the Indian Navy, it will have a woman chief in 30-35 years. He was addressing mediapersons during the inauguration of a new administrative building of the Naval War College (NWC) at Verem in North Goa. "We follow all roles, all ranks. Hoping that 30-35 years down the line we will have a woman chief of naval staff speaking to you all," Admiral Kumar said. The Navy already has a woman commanding officer of a ship based in Goa, he noted. "Recently, we have got a consensus from all the people concerned and we have taken it with the ministry for approval for changing the rank nomenclature, like leading seamen, seamen class I, seamen class II, because now we have got women sailors also," he said. "Women cannot be sea

Indian Army plans Rs 57,000 cr project to replace ageing T-72 tank fleet

The Indian Army is set to issue a Request for Proposal for a project to produce 1,770 future ready combat vehicles to replace its existing fleet of T-72 tanks

India's first spy satellite made by domestic private player set for launch

The satellite, built by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd, will be used by the armed forces to get discreet information

Magisterial probe ordered into looting of arms from Manipur's IRB camp

The Manipur government has ordered a magisterial probe into the looting of arms from an India Reserve Battalion (IRB) camp at Chingarel in Imphal East district on February 13 to "ascertain the facts and circumstances leading to the incident". An order issued by the Home Department on Sunday said "an unfortunate incident occurred on February 13 in which a mob mostly youths stormed the camp of 5th IRB located at Chingarel Tezpur and snatched away arms and ammunition leading to a confrontation between mob and security forces involving exchange of fire at the spot." As per the order, District Magistrate Imphal East Khumanthem Diana has been appointed as the Enquiry authority to "ascertain facts and circumstances" leading to the incident and to "suggest remedial measures to avoid recurrence of such incidents in the future." The enquiry report is to be submitted to the government in 30 days from the date of issue of the order. Six persons were arrested by police for their involvement in

'Agniveer' scheme brought to benefit a biz house instead of soldiers: Rahul

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Friday charged the Narendra Modi government with having brought the 'Agniveer' scheme in order to spend the defence budget for the benefit of a big business house, instead of emoluments paid to the soldiers. Gandhi made the allegation at Mohania in Kaimur district of Bihar, bordering Uttar Pradesh, a region from where youngsters are known to enrol in the armed forces on a large scale. The region was a witness to large-scale protests against the Agniveer scheme two years ago. An Agniveer will not get a salary and pension on par with a regular army soldier nor will he get access to the canteen," alleged Gandhi. The government had launched the 'Agnipath' scheme on June 15, 2022 to recruit aspirants in below the officer's rank' cadre of the three services for a period of four years as 'Agniveers'. The former Congress president claimed, "This is because the Modi government does not want to spend the defence budget on salary and other perks of soldiers. I

Army chief holds high-level professional discussions with US counterpart

Indian Army chief Gen Manoj Pande has held high-level professional discussions with his American counterpart Gen Randy George and other senior military officials on matters of bilateral importance and ways to enhance mutual commitment towards global peace and security. Pande, who is on a four-day official visit to the US beginning February 13, is the first Indian Army chief to visit the country in several years. The discussions were aimed at aspects of bilateral importance and further enhancing mutual commitment towards global peace and security, according to an official post on X by the Additional Directorate General of Public Information of the Indian Army. During his ongoing official visit, Gen Pande reviewed the US Army Honour Guard on arrival at Fort Myers and thereafter, in a solemn ceremony, paid respect by laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arlington National Cemetery. Thereafter he engaged in high-level professional discussions with the Chief of Staf

Pak rangers violate ceasefire along IB in Jammu, BSF gives fitting reply

The Pakistan Rangers violated the ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on Wednesday by resorting to unprovoked firing at a BSF post along the International Border (IB) in the R S Pura sector here, officials said. The residents of the area where the ceasefire violation took place said it was after a gap of more than a decade that they witnessed cross-border firing, which triggered panic among them. "At about 5:50 pm, the Pakistan Rangers resorted to unprovoked firing in the R S Pura area, which was befittingly responded by the BSF troops. The firing stopped at 6:15 pm," the Public Relations Office of the BSF, Jammu frontier said. It added that the troops are on high alert. Officials said the BSF personnel manning the border outpost in Makwal came under fire from across the border, prompting a strong retaliation. They added that there was no casualty or damage on the Indian side. On the intervening night of November 8-9 last year, a Border Security Force (BSF) jawan was k

PM Modi, nation remembers Pulwama heroes on five years of terror attack

Pulwama attack: 40 Central Reserve Police Force personnel had lost their lives in the terror attack in Pulwama, which took place on February 14, 2019