Page 6 - Defence

Israel to increase defence spending by at least $8 billion as war rages

The ministry, in a document presented to parliament on Monday, said the overall 2024 budget will probably have to total 562 billion shekels

Israeli airstrike in Syria kills Iranian General Seyed Razi Mousavi

An Israeli airstrike on Monday in a Damascus neighbourhood killed a high-ranking Iranian general, Iranian state media said. The killing of Seyed Razi Mousavi, a long-time adviser of the Iranian paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Syria, comes as clashes along the Lebanon-Israel border between Hezbollah and Israel continue to intensify with fears of the Israel-Hamas war sparking a regional spillover with Iran-backed groups. The Israeli strikes killed two other generals earlier this month in Syria. Israel struck the Sayida Zeinab neighbourhood, located near a Shiite Muslim shrine, Iran's official news agency IRNA and Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said. IRNA described Mousavi as a close companion of Gen. Qassim Soleimani, the head of Iran's elite Quds Force who was slain in a US drone strike in Iraq in January 2020. Neither the Israeli military nor Syrian state media immediately issued a statement about the attack. Though IRNA didn't prov

India takes over as co-chair of IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security

India has taken over as co-chair of the IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR for the forthcoming cycle, officials said on Friday. The eighth Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs was conducted by the Royal Thai Navy in Bangkok from December 19-22, the defence ministry said in a statement. The chiefs of navies and senior delegates from 27 member and observer countries took part in the event, it said. Indian Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar attended the event with a three-member naval delegation. During the conclave, Thailand assumed the duties of "chair of IONS and the work plan for the next two years was finalised", the statement added. "As a first, a flag designed by India was selected as the IONS flag. India also took over as the co-chair of IONS Working Groups on Maritime Security and HADR for the forthcoming cycle. Republic of Korea Navy was welcomed by the conclave as the latest 'observer', raising the collective strength of IONS to 34 (25 members

PM GatiShakti Defence Portal created, 300 projects identified: Army Chief

He said that this interconnection between security and concomitant infrastructure needs, underscores the Indian Army, as one of the contributors to holistic national development

US Senate passes annual defence policy bill with $886 billion package

The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) is one of the largest bills passed annually by lawmakers and is a yearlong process for Congress

Stephanie Pope to be next CEO of Boeing, with effective from Jan 1

Boeing has promoted the head of its services business to chief operating officer, putting the female executive in discussion as a potential heir apparent to CEO David Calhoun in a male-dominated industry. Boeing said Monday that Stephanie Pope's elevation to the job, which includes the title of executive vice president, takes effect January 1. Pope has spent nearly 30 years at Boeing, holding down key financial jobs in the company's defense, commercial airplanes and services divisions. She became CEO of the services unit last year. Some industry observers were quick to tap Pope, 51, as a contender to become the aerospace company's next CEO. Richard Aboulafia, managing director of aerospace consultant AeroDynamic Advisory, named Pope and Chief Financial Officer Brian West as potential successors to Calhoun. Calhoun, 66, has held the top job since January 2020, when he replaced Dennis Muilenburg, who was fired during the fallout from two fatal crashes involving Boeing 737 Max jets. .

372 cadets, including 29 from 12 friendly nations, pass out of IMA

A total of 372 gentlemen cadets, including 29 from 12 friendly countries, passed out of the Indian Military Academy here on Saturday to be commissioned as officers into the armies of their respective countries. Addressing the passing out parade as the reviewing officer, Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka Gen Shavendra Silva congratulated them on the successful completion of their rigorous training and wished them the best of luck for all their future endeavours. Gen Silva said the immaculate parade reflected their high level of training and he was confident that the passing out gentlemen cadets will serve their motherlands with commitment, loyalty and valour. The coveted Sword of Honour and the Gold medal went to Battalion Under Officer Gaurav Rawat, the silver medal to Battalion Under Officer Saurabh Badhani and the bronze to battalion under officer Alok Singh. With Saturday's POP, the Indian Army has got 343 new officers. The 29 passing out gentlemen cadets from 12 friendly nat

Scheme to hire Agniveers will ensure youthful profile of forces: Army chief

Indian Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande on Thursday called the Agnipath' scheme a path-breaking manpower intake methodology and asserted that it will ensure the youthful profile of the armed forces. Under the Agnipath scheme, which was introduced in 2022, soldiers are enrolled as Agniveers by the armed forces for four years. They can then go back to society and take up jobs in other sectors to pursue a career of their choice. In the human resource management domain, the introduction of the Agniveer (Agnipath) scheme has been a path-breaking manpower intake and management methodology. This will ensure the youthful profile and bring more technologically adapted and oriented soldiers into ranks and file, said the Army chief. Gen Pande was speaking at the convocation and scroll presentation ceremony at the College of Military Engineering in Pune. He said the scheme also ensures that the best of the best are retained as core manpower of the armed forces. Gen Pande said that the integration o

CDS to inaugurate Avionics Expo-2023 in Delhi, focus on HAL capabilities

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is all set to showcase its rich legacy in the design, development and production of a diverse range of avionics systems during Avionics Expo-2023 to be held at Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi on December 7-8.The Expo will be inaugurated by the Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan.C B Ananthakrishnan, CMD (Additional Charge), HAL said "We will demonstrate HAL's capabilities and contributions toward self-reliance in avionics, to our stakeholders, including the Indian Armed Forces, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Civil Aviation, DRDO and other important institutions."Avionics Product Displays: The expo will unveil a comprehensive range of avionics products designed and developed by HAL. Attendees will witness cutting-edge avionics systems deployed in various aircraft platforms, including advanced flight control systems, communication systems, navigation systems and more.D K Sunil, Director (Engineering and R & D) said "The event will ...

Navy Day 2023: Defence Chiefs lay wreaths at War Memorial at ceremony

The Indian Navy celebrates Navy Day on December 4 to commemorate "Operation Trident," the Navy's audacious attack on Karachi harbour during the 1971 War

Army chief calls on Korea's Joint Chief of Staff General Kim Seung-yum

Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), General Manoj Pande, who is on an official visit to South Korea interacted with the Vice Minister of Defence Acquisition Programme Administration and called on General Kim Seung-yum, Chairman and joint Chief of Staff of the Republic of Korea on Tuesday."Aspects related to further strengthening of military ties and bilateral defence cooperation were discussed during the significant interaction," the Indian Army posted on X."The COAS also paid tributes to the Bravehearts in a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial," it added.During his visit to South Korea, the Chief of Army Staff was presented with an impressive Guard of Honour."General Manoj Pande #COAS was presented an impressive Guard of Honour during his visit. The #COAS interacted with General Park An-su, Chief of Staff, ROK Army & exchanged thoughts on contemporary issues of mutual interest," the Indian Army said."He also visited Defence Establishments & Tech labs, including .

Tested new engines for intermediate-range ballistic missiles: North Korea

North Korea on Wednesday said it successfully tested new solid-fuel engines designed for intermediate-range ballistic missiles as it continues to work on developing nuclear-capable weapons targeting its rivals in the region. North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency said the country's military scientists tested the first-stage and second-stage missile engines on Saturday and Tuesday. The report did not say when the new missile system was expected to be completed. The North's existing intermediate-range missiles, including the Hwasong-12 that may be able to reach the US Pacific territory of Guam, are powered by liquid-fuel engines, which need to be fuelled before launch and cannot stay fuelled for long periods of time. Missiles with built-in solid propellants can be made ready to launch faster and are easier to move and conceal, which theoretically makes it harder for adversaries to detect and pre-empt the launch in advance. The recent tests were an essential process for ...

Pelosi assault: Defence to call witnesses in trial of man accused of attack

Defence attorneys for David DePape, the man on trial for the attack of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband in the couple's San Francisco home, will call witnesses on Tuesday as they argue DePape is not guilty of the crimes he's been charged with. The trial's third day will start with a final witness from the prosecution, and defense attorneys say they hope to wrap up their case by day's end. The case would then go to jurors. Prosecutors say DePape bludgeoned Paul Pelosi in the early hours of October 28, 2022, just days before the midterm elections, and that he had rope and zip ties with him. DePape has pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties. Defence attorney Jodi Linker told jurors last week that she won't dispute that DePape attacked Pelosi. Instead, she will argue that DePape believed that he was taking

US likely to press India on countering China more in Asian waterways

The US wants India to share some of its burden in the Indo-Pacific by increasing its diplomatic and military presence in the region, Indian officials aware of the details said

Titagarh Rail plans to raise up to Rs 700 cr via QIP, seeks JV partner

Engineering company Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd on Wednesday said it plans to raise up to Rs 700 crore through a Qualified Institutions Placement (QIP) and seeks a strategic partner for the shipbuilding, bridges, and defence business. In a regulatory filing, the company said proceeds from the QIP will be used to strengthen the company's position in its core businesses and to fund future growth initiatives. The company will seek the requisite approval from its shareholders for the QIP issue. Its board approved the QIP plan at its meeting and also constituted a committee for scouting a partner for the Shipbuilding, Bridges and Defence (SBD) business. Currently, wagons and rail passenger coaches are its core operation and are foraying into railway wheels through a joint venture. The company in June had also approved raising Rs 288.80 crore through preferential allotment of shares to Smallcap World Fund Inc., resulting in a 5.98 per cent stake in the wagon maker. In addition to the QIP,

Israel Defense Forces eliminate 15 Hamas terrorists in northern Gaza Strip

During this operation, forces encountered group of terrorists emerging from unnel entrance, report stated, adding that the soldiers, in response, launched missiles, effectively eliminating threat

Raymond Group to acquire 59% stake in Maini Precision for Rs 682 crore

The acquisition will be concluded through Ring Plus Aqua, a subsidiary of JK Files and Engineering

CSIR-NIIST, HAL sign MoU to strengthen indigenisation in aerospace sector

Kerala-based CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) signed an MoU on Thursday with Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), Bengaluru for a collaboration in the nation's aerospace and defence sectors, NIIST said. NIIST said that it would be collaborating with HAL on strengthening the indigenisation and import substitution programme for the nation's aerospace and defence sectors, as envisioned by the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The MoU, signed and exchanged in Bengaluru, involves the development of magnesium and aluminium alloy castings and deals with related areas for the aerospace and defence sectors, it said in the release. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of senior scientists and officials from both organisations, the release said. "The MoU facilitates CSIR-NIIST to collaborate on human resource utilisation, facility utilisation, technology support services, consultancy services and collaborative research work

The puzzles of defence economics

Rethinking military production in a new world of conflict

India, Italy ink pact to expand ties with development of military hardware

India and Italy inked an agreement to expand their defence ties including for co-development and co-production of military platforms following wide-ranging talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Italian counterpart Guido Crosetto in Rome. Singh is in Italy on the first leg of his two-nation tour. From Italy, the minister will be travelling to France. In a statement on Tuesday, the defence ministry said the focus of the talks between Singh and Crosetto on Monday was on defence-industrial cooperation and that the pact will help promote co-development, co-production and setting up of joint ventures. "The agreement will promote bilateral cooperation in varied defence domains, such as security and defence policy, research and development, education in the military field, maritime domain awareness, sharing of defence information and industrial cooperation, including co-development, co-production and setting up of joint ventures," it said. The signing of the pact is seen as