
After Op Sindoor success, Army moves to boost drone defence network
During Operation Sindoor, Pakistan used drones and swarms for surveillance and strikes on civil and defence targets. The Army's L/70, ZU 2B and Schilka weapon systems, firing smart ammunition, were credited with cost-effective neutralisation of these threats.To enhance capabilities, the Army plans to pair L/70 guns with new fire control radars able to detect, identify, classify and direct fire against even the smallest drones. Each radar system will include a search radar, track radar, fire control system, electro-optical fire control system with Identify Friend or Foe capability, and a power supply unit.The radar will be lightweight, mounted on a single vehicle and able to control at least two L/70 or successor guns. It will also transmit target data to very short-range air defence systems.The RFI specifies that the search radar should use active array technology with digital beam forming, have multi-function capability including track-while-scan, and operate in jamming conditions. Vendors have been asked to provide cost estimates for 12, 24, 36 and 48 systems, along with delivery timelines.Shortlisted equipment will be tested in India on a 'no cost, no commitment' basis to assess performance under operational conditions.- EndsTune InMust Watch
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News18
33 minutes ago
- News18
In Historic First, BSF Set For Cadre Boost After Operation Sindoor Heroics
Last Updated: The proposal, cleared by the Department of Expenditure, Finance Ministry, will lead to a net addition of nearly 4,000 posts In a major development for India's border security framework, the Centre has approved the first-ever cadre review of Group 'B' and 'C' General Duty (GD) personnel in the Border Security Force (BSF). The long-awaited move is seen as a recognition of the force's expanding role in national security, especially following its critical performance during Operation Sindoor. Sources in the Ministry of Home Affairs confirmed that the proposal, cleared by the Department of Expenditure, Finance Ministry, will lead to a net addition of nearly 4,000 posts, with a strong focus on increasing supervisory strength and opening up promotion avenues for existing personnel. The MHA had asked for around 15,000 posts, which was not accepted by the Finance Ministry. The decision comes just months after BSF personnel played a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor—an operation widely praised for its precision and impact. Their performance earned high praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and top commanders from the armed forces, bringing renewed attention to the BSF's operational importance. While the number of constables will see a marginal reduction, mid-level ranks like Inspectors, Sub-Inspectors, and Assistant Sub-Inspectors will benefit from substantial increases in sanctioned strength. Officials say this will help streamline command structures and reduce supervisory gaps in the field. 'This is a transformative moment for the BSF. It not only strengthens the force numerically but also ensures our personnel see a clear path for career growth," said a senior MHA official familiar with the file movement. The Ministry of Home Affairs has been directed to revise relevant recruitment and service rules to align with the approved structure. With over 2.18 lakh personnel under the new framework, the BSF is now better positioned to meet the demands of modern border management. How BSF Came Into Existence? Before 1965, India's border security was managed by the State Armed Police Battalion. However, this arrangement proved inadequate when Pakistan launched an attack on Sardar Post, Chhar Bet and Beria Bet in Kutch on 9th April 1965. The attack exposed the limitations of the state police in handling armed aggression, highlighting the need for a centrally controlled, well-equipped and trained force to guard India's international borders. In response to this, the Government of India, based on the recommendations of the Committee of Secretaries, decided to establish a dedicated Border Security Force (BSF). On 1st December 1965, BSF was officially formed. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.


New Indian Express
an hour ago
- New Indian Express
'False, fabricated': Government denies report claiming pause in arms purchase from US
NEW DELHI: Amid escalating tensions between the US and India over President Donald Trump's imposition of sweeping 50% tariffs on Indian goods, the Ministry of Defence on Friday denied a news report claiming that New Delhi is mulling pausing its arms purchases from Washington. A Reuters report on Friday claimed that India has put on hold its plans to procure new US-made weapons and aircraft. "The news reports on India pausing the talks related to defence purchases with the US are false and fabricated. It is clarified that the various cases of procurement are being progressed as per the extant procedures," Defence Ministry sources said. Ongoing defence talks between India and the US include potential deals for Stryker combat vehicles and Javelin anti-tank missiles. Negotiations are also underway for the purchase of six Boeing P-8I reconnaissance aircraft and related support systems for the Indian Navy.
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Business Standard
3 hours ago
- Business Standard
Govt halts US arms deals after Trump slams 50% tariffs on India, MoD denies
New Delhi has put on hold its plans to procure new US weapons and aircraft, according to three Indian officials familiar with the matter, in India's first concrete sign of discontent after tariffs imposed on its exports by President Donald Trump dragged ties to their lowest level in decades. India had been planning to send Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to Washington in the coming weeks for an announcement on some of the purchases, but that trip has been cancelled, two of the people said. Trump on Aug. 6 imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as punishment for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, which he said meant the country was funding Russia's invasion of Ukraine. That raised the total duty on Indian exports to 50 per cent - among the highest of any US trading partner. The president has a history of rapidly reversing himself on tariffs and India has said it remains actively engaged in discussions with Washington. One of the people said the defence purchases could go ahead once India had clarity on tariffs and the direction of bilateral ties, but "just not as soon as they were expected to." Written instructions had not been given to pause the purchases, another official said, indicating that Delhi had the option to quickly reverse course, though there was "no forward movement at least for now." Post publication of this story, India's government issued a statement it attributed to a Ministry of Defence source describing news reports of a pause in the talks as "false and fabricated." The statement also said procurement was progressing as per "extant procedures." Delhi, which has forged a close partnership with America in recent years, has said it is being unfairly targeted and that Washington and its European allies continue to trade with Moscow when it is in their interest. Reuters is reporting for the first time that discussions on India's purchases of Stryker combat vehicles made by General Dynamics Land Systems and Javelin anti-tank missiles developed by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin have been paused due to the tariffs. Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had in February announced plans to pursue procurement and joint production of those items. Singh had also been planning to announce the purchase of six Boeing P8I reconnaissance aircraft and support systems for the Indian Navy during his now-cancelled trip, two of the people said. Talks over procuring the aircraft in a proposed $3.6 billion deal were at an advanced stage, according to the officials. Boeing, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics referred queries to the Indian and US governments. Raytheon did not return a request for comment. RUSSIAN RELATIONS India's deepening security relationship with the US, which is fuelled by their shared strategic rivalry with China, was heralded by many US analysts as one of the key areas of foreign-policy progress in the first Trump administration. Delhi is the world's second-largest arms importer and Russia has traditionally been its top supplier. India has in recent years however, shifted to importing from Western powers like France, Israel and the US, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute think-tank. The shift in suppliers was driven partly by constraints on Russia's ability to export arms, which it is utilizing heavily in its invasion of Ukraine. Some Russian weapons have also performed poorly in the battlefield, according to Western analysts. The broader US-India defence partnership, which includes intelligence sharing and joint military exercises, continues without hiccups, one of the Indian officials said. India also remains open to scaling back on oil imports from Russia and is open to making deals elsewhere, including the US, if it can get similar prices, according to two other Indian sources. Trump's threats and rising anti-US nationalism in India have "made it politically difficult for Modi to make the shift from Russia to the US," one of the people said. Nonetheless, discounts on the landing cost of Russian oil have shrunk to the lowest since 2022. India's petroleum ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. While the rupture in US-India ties was abrupt, there have been strains in the relationship. Delhi has repeatedly rebutted Trump's claim that the US brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan after four days of fighting between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May. Trump also hosted Pakistan's army chief at the White House in the weeks following the conflict. In recent months, Moscow has been actively pitching Delhi on buying new defence technologies like its S-500 surface-to-air missile system, according to one of the Indian officials, as well as a Russian source familiar with the talks. India currently does not see a need for new arms purchases from Moscow, two Indian officials said. But Delhi is unlikely to wean itself off Russian weapons entirely as the decades-long partnership between the two powers means Indian military systems will continue to require Moscow's support, one of the officials said. The Russian embassy in Delhi did not immediately respond to a request for comment.