&w=3840&q=100)
Taiwan wants to buy India's D4 anti-drone system? Taiwanese official calls reports ‘unconfirmed'
In a statement to Firstpost, Taipei Economic and Cultural Center has clarified that the island nation has not released any official statement confirming its interest in India's D4 anti-drone system read more
Last week, several media outlets reported that Taiwan has shown interest in purchasing India's state-of-the-art D4 anti-drone system, developed by the Defence Research and Developed Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The reports suggested that Taiwan's interest in the D4 system grew following its success in the Operation Sindoor where it jammed and neutralised Pakistani drones, including Turkish-supplied Bayraktar TB2 drones.
Clarification from Taiwan
However, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Center (TECC) in India has now clarified that the country's Ministry of National Defense has not released any official statement corroborating the same. The TECC in a statement to Firstpost stated that the Taiwanese government has not released any statement confirming any such interest.
'While these news reports have circulated, there has been no official corroboration from Taipei. Officials in Taiwan have not publicly commented on any potential defense acquisitions from India, including the D4 anti-drone system,' said Col. Huang Ming Chieh of TECC.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The statement also added that details regarding D4 anti-drone system's operational deployment and specific successes were not confirmed by the government of India and were only reported by media outlets.
'Details regarding its operational deployment and specific successes, including those attributed to 'Operation Sindoor,' are based on media reporting and have not been officially detailed by the Indian government,' it added.
While the TECC didn't reject the reports in Indian media, it also refused to confirm them.
'Therefore, based on the current information available from official Taiwanese channels, the reports of an impending purchase of the Indian D4 anti-drone system by Taiwan remain unconfirmed. The TECC's statement underscores the lack of any official communication or planning regarding such a defense procurement,' said Huang in the statement.
Significance of India-Taiwan defence ties
A successful agreement with Taiwan could foster enhanced defence collaboration, possibly involving joint development of cutting-edge counter-drone systems.
Moreover, amid China's assertive actions in the Indo-Pacific, India's strategic engagement with Taiwan could act as a vital counterbalance, transforming the region's security landscape.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
23 minutes ago
- Hans India
Don't worry about split, focus on revival of NCP-SP: Sharad Pawar tells party workers
Pune: NCP-SP chief Sharad Pawar on Tuesday ruled out the possibility of merger or an alliance with Ajit Pawar faction saying that even though the party split in July 2023 it will be revived by fielding in new faces and youth. In his speech on the occasion of the party's foundation day and to celebrate 26 years, Pawar senior told the party workers to be prepared for hard work to rebuild the party and not to worry about split. He has thereby asked the party workers to simply neglect news about merger or an alliance with the NCP led by Ajit Pawar especially ahead of the upcoming local and civic body elections. 'There was a split in our party, we didn't think there would be a split, but split took place in July 2023. There was a difference in some basic ideas and a split occurred. Those who are in the party they are committed to the party ideology. When the elections are held tomorrow, we will see a different picture. I was in power in 1980. At that time, elections were held and 50 to 52 MLAs were elected. In the next six months, only 6 MLAs remained with me. All the other 50 to 52 MLAs had left. When the elections were held after that, the number of legislators increased. After NCP was formed in 1999, the party once won 72. We were able to work in the state government. So don't worry about the split. If we remain united and maintain our commitment to the people, nothing will matter,' he said amid slogans raised by the party workers. Pawar showered praise over the state unit chief Jayant Patil for his work. He was responding to Jayant Patil's request to relieve him from his post for giving an opportunity to new faces. 'We will discuss with everyone and take a decision on this. While taking this decision, party workers from a new generation and new faces should be seen in every taluka and district. Thousands of capable workers are in our party. It is our responsibility to give them a chance, give them prestige and create a leadership that will run the state,' he remarked. Pawar has asked the party workers to focus on the ensuing local and civic body elections and gear up preparations. 'Your focus should be on that for the next three months. Give a chance to capable people. We will meet again after the elections to be held in the next three months,' he said. He declared that the party will give 50 per cent seats to women in the upcoming local and civic body elections. He also recalled and narrated that when he was the defence minister, he decided to recruit women in the armed forces. 'After girls got a chance, they worked to build trust among the people. This was seen even in the army. "During Operation Sindoor, two women from armed forces proved this. If sisters get a chance, they can also show their talent. The Nationalist Congress Party has taken a strategic decision to give 50 per cent seats to women in the elections. The local body elections are in two-three months. Let 50 per cent women be elected in these bodies,' he shared. Pawar senior also gave a roadmap to the party workers for its revival asking them to increase their outreach with voters and every section of society. He stressed that even as the party is in opposition, it must be active in taking up issues faced by various sections. Meanwhile, NCP-SP leader from Patan constituency Satyajit Patankar, who is the son of veteran party leader Vikramsinh Patankar, joined the BJP.
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
We're not erratic or volatile, Germany reliable partner for Indian students: Ambassador Ackermann
New Delhi, Germany has been a reliable partner for Indian students for a long time, and it is not "erratic" or "volatile" but very steady, Ambassador Philipp Ackermann said here on Tuesday, while asserting that his country wants the "smartest and the brightest" from India. His comments come in the backdrop of difficulties faced by international students, including from India, on matters related to academic admissions for higher studies in some countries, and student visa procedures. Interacting with reporters at his residence here, Ackermann said over 50,000 Indian students are currently in Germany pursuing higher studies, and "our experience is that number will rise". Without naming any country, the German envoy to India also indicated that more Indian students were likely to choose Germany as an academic destination, in view of the issues faced by them currently in the context of other countries. "In the light of... with student admissions and student visa procedures in some countries, it is maybe a good time to state that Germany is eager and happy to receive Indian students," he said in his opening remarks. He mentioned multiple times that his country has been a "reliable partner" for Indian students, and even added that "we don't check social media before you come". "We feel that Germany has been a reliable partner for Indian students for a long, long time. And, will remain so. We are interested in Indian talent, we are interested in Indian brains. We are interested in those Indians who really want to achieve something, and Germany will always be a partner for such people. So, we are not erratic, we are not volatile, we are very, very steady," Ackermann said. He also underlined that Germany offers first-class education, and those are willing to study hard to achieve it, are "welcome" and can "count on us". "And, we are eager on having talented young Indians coming to Germany," the envoy added. German universities and German research institutions have made "extremely good experiences" with students, and it has been seen that the number of Indian students is increasing every year in universities, and universities of applied sciences have also accepted a growing number of Indian students, the ambassador said. "We are talking about 50,000 plus Indian students in Germany, and our experience is that number will rise. We already now feel that more Indian students.. and that is certainly in the context of difficulty they face in other countries, and that more Indian students are interested to join German universities and German research institutions," the envoy said. Representatives of various top German universities such as Cologne University, University of Gottingen, Freie Universitaet Berlin, and research institute like the Max Planck Society and Fraunhofer were also present on the occasion. Later in an interaction with PTI Videos, the envoy said academic cooperation is a key pillar in the India-German bilateral ties. "We are searching Indian talent, and this is a time where many Indian students who had ideas to go elsewhere, now have second thoughts, and don't get where they really... wanted to go. So, what I am saying is, look at Germany, if you want a first class education, in many, many areas, above all in STEM area, German universities offer a broad range of possibilities, English-taught possibilities, with the clear perspective to join labour market in Germany after that," he said. "So, we have been a reliable partner for India in the last couple of decades... but what is important for me is to say that we want the smartest, the brightest from India," Ackermann told PTI. The envoy said the "offer is on the table", there is a clear growing interest. "Also, we want to encourage every student to individually search for universities, avoiding agents who will offer you a complete package, which sometimes is not a satisfaction," he said. Katja Lasch, Director, DAAD Regional Office, New Delhi, also interacted with the reporters. DAAD German Academic Exchange Service is marking its centenary this year, while its India office was set up 65 years ago. She said "applications to universities" have increased by over 30 per cent in the last couple of months, compared to the last academic year, citing data from DAAD. Lasch said there are about 425 universities, out of which there are 305 public universities. Germany has about 400,000 international students and it offers 2,300 study programmes in English language, she added. And, the country is among the top five destinations for Indian students along with the US, Canada, the UK, Australia. Ackermann said German education system is "widely a public good", which means most universities don't charge for studies and if they charge, the state-run universities, it's a small fee, compared to fees charged by universities in Anglo-Saxon countries. "So, its merit-based not money-based approach," he added. On a query on German visa issues, the envoy said, "There is no backlog anymore . Two years ago, we had a huge backlog.. we changed our system." Asked about the new citizenship rules by the German government, the ambassador clarified that "the government has not make a U-turn on citizenship, there was a very short way to citizenship within three years, this has been blocked now. Now, it is five years".
Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
‘Terror chose Dharma, India chose Karma': Rajnath Singh on Pahalgam terror attack, Op Sindoor
In a powerful message, defence minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday said that while the terrorists in Pahalgam targeted civilians on April 22 based on their religion, India hit back at the terrorists on the basis of their 'karm' (deeds). "Terrorists killed people in Pahalgam asking their religion; we didn't ask their 'dharm' but hit back seeing their karma," Rajnath Singh said at an event in Dehradun. Talking about India's defence strategy, Singh said under PM Modi's "bold and visionary" leadership, India's defence sector has transformed remarkably from a largely import-driven model to becoming a "trusted global exporter". "The world saw this change during the recent Operation Sindoor," Singh said. On April 22, terrorists found to have links with Pakistan opened fire at tourists in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam, which resulted in the death of 26 people, mostly tourists. According to the victims, terrorists asked tourists about their religion and targeted only Hindu men. They reportedly asked women to go and narrate the ordeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In response, on May 7, India launched precision strikes under Operation Sindoor targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. In retaliation, Pakistan attempted attacks on Indian military bases on May 8, 9, and 10. India responded firmly to these actions. The hostilities on the ground ceased following talks between the directors general of military operations from both sides on May 10, resulting in an agreement to halt military actions. Earlier, Rajnath Singh said Pakistan should hand over UN-designated terrorists Hafiz Saeed and Masood Azhar to India if it is serious about talks between the two countries. In an interaction with naval warriors onboard aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off Goa, Singh said if Pakistan resorts to anything "evil or unethical" against India, it will face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy this time. Singh said "Operation Sindoor is not over yet and this is just a pause, a warning. If Pakistan makes the same mistake again, India's response will be even harsher, and this time, it will not get a chance to recover."
