Amit Shah to address LS; PM Modi to speak later today
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India.com
19 minutes ago
- India.com
Major Military Buildup? Why Is India Rushing To Buy Rs 67,000 Crore Worth Of War Equipment?
New Delhi: India has taken a major step to sharpen its military edge. The Ministry of Defence has cleared the purchase of weapons and defence systems worth Rs 67,000 crore for the Army, Navy and Air Force. The decision came on August 5, during a meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. Senior military leadership attended the meeting. The Chief of Defence Staff, the service chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force, along with the Defence Secretary, were all present. Their agenda was to strengthen combat readiness across land, air and sea. BrahMos for Navy, Combat Drones for All Forces After the successful showcase of the BrahMos missile in Operation Sindoor, the Defence Ministry approved the procurement of additional BrahMos Fire Control Systems and launchers for the Indian Navy. Alongside this, the green signal was given to acquire combat-capable drones for all three services. These unmanned aerial systems fall under the Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) category. The ministry's official statement did not disclose specific models but confirmed that these drones would carry payloads and weapons. Their long-range capabilities are expected to boost India's surveillance and strike power significantly. Backup Plan Amid U.S. Drone Supply Delays India had signed a deal to buy 36 MQ-9B Predator drones from the United States. However, delivery has been delayed. To bridge this gap, the Defence Ministry has approved the purchase of alternate remote-piloted aircraft (RPAs). Meanwhile, Pakistan has already inducted similar drones, such as the Turkish Bayraktar UAVs. Boost to Naval and Aerial Defences The Navy will also receive Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, sea-based drones designed for detecting and neutralising enemy submarines. An upgrade to the Barak-1 Point Defence Missile System has also been cleared. For the Air Force, the ministry has sanctioned mounted radar systems. There is also an upgrade in the pipeline for two major defence platforms, Saksham and SPYDER weapon systems. These upgrades will integrate them into the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS), enhancing battlefield coordination. Maintenance and Night Combat Gear The Air Force's C-17 and C-130 transport fleets will undergo essential sustainment and maintenance. Annual upkeep of the S-400 missile systems has also been cleared. On the ground, the Army's mechanised infantry will get a technological boost. Thermal imaging sights for BMP vehicles will soon be part of their night combat toolkit. This fresh round of acquisitions marks a strategic push toward high-tech warfare. The armed forces are preparing for today's threats and tomorrow's challenges.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
CM meets Shah & Patil, talks infra development, Mahanadi
1 2 3 4 5 Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi held separate discussions with Union home minister Amit Shah and Jal Shakti minister C R Patil on Wednesday focusing on expediting development initiatives and resolving Odisha's long-standing concerns regarding the Mahanadi river water dispute. During his meeting with Shah, which Majhi described as a courtesy call, the dialogue revolved around infrastructure development, internal security, and the effective implementation of Centre-assisted welfare schemes. A key topic was Odisha's stance on achieving a peaceful resolution to the Mahanadi dispute with Chhattisgarh. Shah had earlier highlighted the importance of dialogue between Odisha and Chhattisgarh to resolve the issue at the Eastern Zonal Council meeting on July 10. "Discussed Centre-State coordination and various developmental initiatives of the state," Majhi shared on social media platform X. In a separate meeting with C R Patil, Majhi emphasised Odisha's concerns over the ongoing Mahanadi river water dispute. He advocated for a fair, just, and time-bound resolution to ensure Odisha's rightful share of water resources, which are vital for the state's agriculture, ecology, and livelihoods. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Secret Lives of the Romanovs — the Last Rulers of Imperial Russia! Learn More Undo Odisha has requested the Jal Shakti ministry to establish a joint panel led by the Central Water Commission, comprising members from both Odisha and Chhattisgarh, to find a mutual solution to the inter-state dispute. The CM also met Union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi and requested enhancement of the rice procurement target for the upcoming season in view of the anticipated surplus in the state. Majhi urged for increased monthly lifting of rice by FCI to ensure timely evacuation. Majhi along with deputy CM Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan and Odisha BJP MPs also had a joint discussion with Joshi and discussed various issues relating to Odisha. In a separate development, deputy CM Singh Deo met Prime Minister Narendra Modi. "A moment of profound gratitude, reflection, and shared commitment to building a Viksit Bharat with Odisha's unique spirit and contributions at its heart. Presented sacred Mahaprasad from Shri Jagannath Dham—a symbol of unity, humility, and divine grace. It carries the blessings of millions of devotees and the timeless legacy of our land. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath continue to guide our collective journey towards an empowered, inclusive, and culturally enriched India," SinghDeo shared on X. Singh Deo and his wife and MP Sangeeta Singh Deo also met Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Common Central Secretariat not just new buildings, direction of country will be set from here: PM Modi
Underlining the administrative reforms undertaken by his government over the past 11 years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said the new central secretariat building he inaugurated was not merely a building, but would be the site of deliberations for making India a developed country. 'These are not only some new buildings and ordinary infrastructure. In Amrit Kaal, the policies of Viksit Bharat will be made here, important decisions for Viksit Bharat will be taken. In the coming decades, the direction for the country will be set from here,' he said. Over the past 11 years, he said around 1,500 obsolete laws and 40,000 compliances had been done away with. He said with the use of Jan Dhan, Aadhaar and mobile, delivery of government schemes had become transparent and free of leakages. He said 10 crore fraudulent names had been removed from the list of beneficiaries of various schemes, saving Rs 4.3 lakh crore. Earlier in the day, the PM inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan 3, the first of the 10 Common Central Secretariat (CCS) buildings proposed by the government as a part of its Central Vista redevelopment plan. The building, located on Janpath, will house offices of the Ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, Petroleum and Natural Gas and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. In the evening, he addressed a gathering on Kartavya Path, with ministers including Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal, MPs, bureaucrats and government employees in attendance. At Kartavya Path, he said it was time to change the way the government thinks of files. To the employees who will be shifting into the new building, he said if a file that affects one lakh people is delayed on their desk, it means that one lakh human days are wasted. He said important ministries of the Union government, including Home Affairs, were working out of buildings constructed by the British colonial government. 'Workers here did not have adequate space, light or ventilation,' he said. He said those working at the new complex would a good working environment. He said Union government ministries operate out of 50 different locations across Delhi, with some working from rented spaces that cost the government `1,500 crore a year in rent. The PM also said 8,000 to 10,000 employees have to go from one building to another every day, leading to higher expenditure and traffic congestion. 'The grand Kartavya Bhavan and other major infrastructure projects are not only a testament to India's pace but also a reflection of its global vision,' he said.
