Defense

There had been inputs that BAT teams and infiltrators could target forward defence locations and try to infiltrate into the Indian territory under the cover of Pakistan shelling and firing ahead of Parliament elections in the State and summer to disrupt polls and peace.

Our test was timely. Unlike our nuclear tests, the international environment for us to take strategic steps to protect our security is more favourable, particularly because of increased strategic understandings with the US. While we have rightly said that our test was not directed against any country, in reality just as we developed nuclear weapon capability to principally deter China, the A-SAT capability also redresses the India-China strategic balance.

An American news publication called Foreign Policy had, however, raised questions against IAF’s claims, only for IAF to reply with proof.

The C-295 tactical air-lifter will soon be manufactured by Airbus-Tata in India. Airbus C295 Netra on offer to IAF will have same Two radiating planar arrays assembled back-to-back and mounted on top of the fuselage in an active antenna array unit (AAAU) will provide 240° coverage but with improved capabilities, idrw.org reported Wednesday.

Over 400 American soldiers are believed to have gone missing in aircraft crashes while crossing ‘The Hump’ from India to China, according to reports. The Hump, over the Himalayas, was the main supply route between India and China during World War II, after Myanmar was captured by Japanese troops. The route is believed to have been dangerous due to the mountain peaks and bad weather.

Isro is scheduled to launch four new series Risat satellites and an advanced Cartosat-3 satellite. The images from old Risat-series satellites were used to plan the surgical strike in 2016 and the air strike on a Jaish camp in Pakistan’s Balakot this year.

The Indian Air Force already has three squadrons of MiG-29. All three are positioned along the western borders. The Indian Navy too uses the naval version of the MiG-29 fighters. They are positioned on the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

Under Project 75-India, the Navy wants to build six conventional diesel-electric submarines which would be almost 50 per cent bigger than the under-construction Scorpene class submarines being built at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited in Mumbai.

The country has made deliberate strides, though not long enough. A lot will depend on building on the momentum that has been generated. For a change, the MoD is viewed more as a partner by the three services. What would be critical is the national leadership’ will to strengthen the nation’s defence in a rather vulnerable scenario in our region.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) discussed the future strategy on Pakistan, wherein Ajit Doval informed PM Modi that the three forces were ready for any action against the neighbouring country. He said they were only waiting for a political sanction.