General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) flew the XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station (OBSS) for the first time on Feb. 28, 2024. OBSS is an Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) program and GA-ASI was selected in 2021 to design, build and fly the new aircraft. With flight of the AFRL-funded XQ-67A, GA-ASI has validated the “genus/species” concept…
The State Department of United States (US) has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Italy of Small Diameter Bomb II and related equipment. The estimated total cost is $150 million The Government of Italy has requested to buy one hundred twenty-five (125) Guided Bomb Unit (GBU)-53/B Small Diameter…
The maiden two day Brainstorming session, ‘Impetus to Indigenisation’, organised under the aegis of the Indian Department of Military Affairs by HQ Integrated Defence Staff in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) concluded on March 05, 2024. The event resulted in extremely productive outcomes with takeaways for policy reform aimed at accelerating…
The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024 commenced on March 05, 2024. The inaugural session of the three-day event saw Defence Minister Shri Rajnath Singh embarking at sea to witness the Indian Navy’s ability to conduct twin-carrier operations. Both aircraft carriers showcased the growing capabilities of the Navy to safeguard India’s maritime…
The Indian Coast Guard Mandapam in joint operation with Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Chennai seized 99 Kgs of Hashish drug worth Rs 108 crores from country boat sailing towards Sri Lanka in Gulf of Mannar on 05 March, 2024. Officers of DRI Chennai Zonal Unit developed specific input which indicated that a gang is…
India targets a five-fold increase in its share of the global space economy, Union Minister of India Dr Jitendra Singh said. “India’s Space economy today stands at a modest $8 billion, but our own projection is that by 2040 it will multiply manifold. But more interesting is that according to some international observers, for example…
Hungary’s President Tamas Sulyok has signed the bill that approved Sweden’s accession to the NATO military alliance, thereby clearing the way for Sweden to become the 32nd member of the alliance in the coming days. Stockholm abandoned its non-alignment policy for greater safety within the North Atlantic Treaty Organization after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in…
Sweden based Saab has signed a contract with the Polish Ministry of Defence’s procurement authority for delivery of the Carl-Gustaf M4 weapon, ammunition and training equipment. The order value corresponds to SEK 12.9 billion and the contract period is 2024-2027. The order is expected to be booked by Saab before the end of Q2 2024, while…
China on Tuesday announced a 7.2 percent increase in its defence budget, which is already the world’s second-highest behind the United States, even though the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) surpasses the US military by number of personnel. Noteworthy, the 7.2 percent increase, identical to last year’s figure, was announced at the start of the annual…
The Defence Minister of India Shri Rajnath Singh launched Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme to promote innovations in critical and strategic defence technologies, during DefConnect 2024 in New Delhi on March 04, 2024. Notably, under the scheme, start-ups are eligible to receive grant-in-aid of up to Rs 25 crore for their…
