'Anytime Anywhere': Indian Navy's Message With Arabian Sea Warship Visuals

NEW DELHI, April 27: Indian warships have conducted multiple anti-ship firings in the Arabian Sea, demonstrating their preparedness for long-range precision strikes, with the Navy asserting they are combat-ready to protect the nation's interests.

Multiple visuals of BrahMos anti-ship and anti-surface cruise missiles being fired from warships in the middle of the sea were shared by the Navy. These warships included Kolkata-class destroyers, and Nilgiri and Krivak-class frigates.

"Indian Navy Ships undertook successful multiple anti-ship firings to revalidate and demonstrate readiness of platforms, systems, and crew for long-range precision offensive strike. Indian Navy stands combat-ready, credible, and future-ready in safeguarding the nation's maritime interests Anytime Anywhere Anyhow," said the Indian Navy in an online post.

Pakistan issued a notification for the firings in the Arabian Sea region.

The firings come amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack. After the massacre of 26 civilians vacationing in Jammu and Kashmir, India has ordered Pakistanis to return to their homeland and suspended the crucial Indus Water Treaty.

India gets first laser-based weapon to shoot down aerial targets, joins select list of countries

KURNOOL, April 13: In a first, India has successfully developed a laser-based weapon system that can neutralise aerial targets, including fixed-wing aircraft, missiles and swarm drones, marking a huge milestone in the country’s defence technology.

India has joined the list of elite countries, including the US, China, and Russia, to possess such advanced laser weapon capabilities.

A team of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials tested the new 30-kilowatt laser-based directed-energy weapon (DEW) in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, with positive results.

The indigenously designed and developed Mk-II(A) DEW system was demonstrated in its entire spectrum of capability by engaging the fixed wing drones at long range, thwarting a multiple drone attack and destroying enemy surveillance sensors and antennae, according to DRDO sources.

The lightning speed of engagement, accompanied by the precision of the strike within a few seconds, makes it one of the most potent counter-drone systems. This weapon system was developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), Hyderabad.

"CHESS DRDO conducted a successful field demonstration of the Land version of Vehicle mounted Laser Directed Weapon(DEW) MK-II(A) at Kurnool today. It defeated the fixed wing UAV and Swarm Drones successfully causing structural damage and disabled the surveillance sensors. With this successful trial country has joined the exclusive club of the Global powers who possess the high power Laser DEW System," the DRDO said in a post on X.

This laser-based weapon can target aerial threats like drones and helicopters within a range of 5 km and also includes electronic warfare capabilities like jamming communication and satellite signals.

The DEW will replace traditional kinetic weapons and missile defence systems due to its ease of operation and cost-effectiveness. The requirement for cost-effective defence solutions to offset the low-cost drone attacks is driving the adoption of DEWs by military organisations worldwide.

India Gets Rafale Boost, Rs 63,000-Crore Deal Cleared For 26 Navy Fighters

NEW DELHI, April 9: India will buy 26 Rafale M fighter jets - i.e., the marine variants - for the Navy in a record government-to-government deal worth over Rs 63,000 crore, according to sources.

These will be the first major fighter jet upgrade for the country's naval forces. The purchase had been first considered in July 2023, when the Defence Ministry contacted its French counterpart.

The deal will also include a comprehensive package for fleet maintenance, logistical support, personnel training, and indigenous manufacturing of components under offset obligations.

The agreements will likely be signed later this month, when French Defence Minister Sébastien Lecornu visits India. Deliveries are expected five years after the deal is confirmed, sources said.

The fleet is, therefore, not likely to be fully inducted before 2031.

The Rafale M is widely considered one of the world's most advanced naval fighter jets.

It is equipped with Safran Groups' reinforced landing gears - regarded as one of the best for carrier-compatible aircraft - and also features folding wings, and a reinforced undercarriage to withstand harsh conditions, deck landing, and tailhooks.

The jets - 22 single-seater and four twin-seater variants - will be deployed primarily on board indigenously-built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant, as India looks to strengthen maritime strike capabilities, given the need to keep a watch on Chinese activities in the Indian Ocean region.

"We are tweaking our strategy to "negate" any infringement in its area of operations and is "ready to tackle threats from all neighbours", Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi said in December.

The Navy's new Rafales will also help enhance the Air Force's capabilities, including upgrading the 'buddy-buddy' aerial refuelling system, i.e., which allows one jet, equipped with a refuelling pod, to act as a fuel tanker for another, which allows the fighters to stay airborne longer.

The Navy's new Rafales will complement the existing fleet of MiG-29Ks, which will likely continue to operate from INS Vikramaditya, India's second (and older) aircraft carrier.

The Navy is also planning to induct indigenous, fifth-gen fighter jets that are being developed by the Defence Research and Development Institute, or DRDO.

These - styled as twin-engine, deck-based fighters - will be the naval counterpart of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, being developed for the Air Force.

The Air Force operates 36 Rafale jets - the 'C' variant - out of two bases in the north.

Pilot Killed In Jaguar Crash Got Engaged Days Ago, Ensured Co-Pilot Ejected

JAMNAGAR, April 3: In a remarkable act of bravery, Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav saved countless lives during the tragic crash of a Jaguar fighter jet in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Amid a critical technical malfunction, Siddharth displayed extraordinary courage by steering the crashing aircraft away from a densely populated area.

In his final moments, he also ejected his fellow pilot, ensuring his safety before tragically losing his own life.

Flight Lieutenant Siddharth Yadav, a resident of Rewari, was killed when his Jaguar fighter jet crashed near Jamnagar, Gujarat on Wednesday night shortly after the jet took off from the Jamnagar Air Force Station. The 28-year-old pilot had recently returned to duty after a brief leave and was involved in a routine sortie when the crash occurred.

During the flight, the aircraft encountered a technical malfunction. Despite the pilot's best efforts to safely land the jet, it became clear that a crash was inevitable.

In his final moments, Siddharth displayed extraordinary bravery. He ejected his fellow pilot from the aircraft to save his life and steered the plane away from a densely populated area, ultimately guiding it into an open field. Siddharth was killed in the crash, but his actions ensured that no civilian lives were lost. His colleague, Manoj Kumar Singh, was injured and is currently receiving treatment in a hospital.

Siddharth Yadav, the only son of Sushil and Neelam Yadav, had completed his training as a fighter pilot and joined the Indian Air Force after passing the NDA exam in 2016.

He was promoted to Flight Lieutenant just two years ago. His family, who hails from Bhalkhi-Majra village in Rewari, was eagerly anticipating his wedding, which was scheduled for November 2. Siddharth had gotten engaged on March 23, just days before returning to his duties.

The news of his death has sent shockwaves through his family and the entire town of Rewari. Siddharth's father, Sushil Yadav, who is a retired Air Force personnel and currently working with LIC, said that his son's bravery in the face of danger would always be a source of pride. Siddharth's body is expected to arrive in Rewari on Friday morning, where it will be taken to his ancestral village for his final rites with full military honours.

Siddharth was part of a family with a long tradition of military service. His great-grandfather served in the Bengal Engineers under the British regime, his grandfather was a member of the Paramilitary Forces, and his father served in the Indian Air Force.

Siddharth's martyrdom has left his family and the community devastated, but his courage and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

The crash, which occurred approximately 12 km from Jamnagar city in the Suvarda village, saw the aircraft burst into flames after impact.

Local villagers quickly arrived at the scene, providing assistance to the injured pilot and notifying authorities.

IAF's Jaguar fighter jet crashes in Jamnagar; 1 pilot ejects safely

JAMNAGAR, April 2: A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force crashed in Gujarat's Jamnagar on Wednesday. One pilot was ejected safely, and the search is on for the other pilot, according to reports.

The said fighter jet was on a training mission when it crashed, police officials said. The second pilot was missing, they said.

The fighter jet crashed in an open field at Suvarda village, nearly 12km from Jamnagar city and caught fire, said District SP Premsukh Delu. The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

"While one pilot safely ejected before the crash, another one is still missing. The aircraft caught fire after the crash landing. Police and firefighters have rushed to the spot and started searching for the missing pilot," said Delu.

The rescued pilot was taken to the hospital for treatment.

On March 7, an Indian Air Force (IAF) Jaguar fighter aircraft crashed near Ambala in Haryana on Friday, with the pilot ejecting safely, IAF officials said.