L-70, ZU-23mm, Schilka and S-400—India's multi-layered strategy to counter Pakistani drones
The L-70 40mm gun has been significantly enhanced with radar, electro-optical sensors, including auto-tracking systems. It is manufactured in India and was developed by Sweden's Bofors. The gun, capable of firing 240–330 rounds per minute with a range of up to 4 km, now serves as a key front-line defence against radar-evading drone swarms.
In anti-drone warfare, it floods the sky with predictive fire, making it highly effective against swarm attacks and radar-evading drones.
Electro-Optical Fire Control System: Improves target acquisition and tracking accuracy.
Integrated Radar: Comprises advanced systems like a new X-band radar for autonomous drone detection and tracking.
Auto-Tracking: Enables automatic target acquisition and tracking in all weather conditions.
Video Tracking: Permits visual confirmation of targets, enhancing firing accuracy.
Notably, India has inducted more than 1,000 L70 guns, making it the most popularly used air defense gun in the armed forces.
The Zu-23 is capable of offering a high volume of fire and is frequently used to shield static installations against low-flying threats. It is a Soviet-designed, towed anti-aircraft gun featuring twin 23mm autocannons. It has an effective range of up to 2.5 km for air targets and about 2 km for ground targets.
The Russian-made Schilka, a tracked anti-aircraft system equipped with four 23mm cannons, has been upgraded to effectively counter modern threats. Originally featuring radar with a 20 km detection range, it incorporates advanced fire-control systems and proximity-fuse ammunition. With a firing rate of 4,000 rounds per minute, the modernised Schilka offers precise targetting and devastating effectiveness against drones, helicopters, and even lightly armoured ground vehicles.
S-400 is among the most cutting-edge long-range surface-to-air missile systems across the globe. India signed an agreement with Russia in 2018 to buy five S-400 units worth $5.43 billion as part of the deal and named it 'Sudarshan Chakra', an Indian name to S-400 Triumf air defence missile system.
This term is from Mahabharata which shows precision, speed and lethal capability. It was deployed in Punjab in 2021 to strengthen the defences against Pakistan and China threats. It has a range of up to 400 km and detect threat within 600 km.
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Alphabet's Google added 0.3% after upbeat analyst commentary on its AI-driven ad growth . added after upbeat analyst commentary on its . Tesla gained 0.6% after hitting a production milestone at its Texas Gigafactory. These gains helped offset Nasdaq's chip-related losses, underscoring the market's broader resilience. The most anticipated events this week are the July CPI report on Tuesday and the PPI release on Thursday. Economists are forecasting that core CPI—which excludes volatile food and energy prices—will rise at an annual pace of 3.2%, slightly down from June's 3.3%. Cooler-than-expected inflation → Could reinforce the case for Fed rate cuts, potentially boosting equities. → Could reinforce the case for Fed rate cuts, potentially boosting equities. Hotter-than-expected inflation → Could rattle markets and trigger a sell-off, especially in rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and consumer discretionary. If inflation comes in cooler than expected, it could strengthen the case for a Fed rate cut as early as September. Conversely, a hotter-than-expected reading could rattle markets and trigger a pullback in equities, especially in rate-sensitive sectors like real estate and consumer discretionary. Semiconductor leaders Nvidia and AMD experienced premarket declines—about 1% and 2%, respectively—after new U.S. export terms related to China surfaced. Nvidia and AMD experienced premarket declines—about 1% and 2%, respectively—after new U.S. export terms related to China surfaced. Mega-cap tech names like Apple, Google (Alphabet), and Tesla flashed strong momentum, driving confidence in broader markets. like Apple, Google (Alphabet), and Tesla flashed strong momentum, driving confidence in broader markets. ETFs tracking sectors like semiconductors and innovation registered gains, while those tied to energy and healthcare lagged behind. Overseas, Asian markets ended the day mixed, with gains in Japan's Nikkei 225 offset by declines in Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index, which was dragged lower by property sector weakness. In Europe, early trading was subdued as investors there also await U.S. inflation data and monitor ongoing geopolitical tensions. The U.S.-China trade narrative remains a wildcard, with tariffs on certain goods still set to take effect unless an eleventh-hour compromise is reached. This uncertainty is keeping commodity markets volatile, with oil prices holding steady near $82 a barrel and gold trading around $2,360 an ounce as investors hedge against risk. Despite the chip sector's struggles, other mega-cap tech stocks were a source of stability in Monday's premarket. Apple gained 0.4%, buoyed by strong pre-orders for its upcoming iPhone lineup. Alphabet's Google rose 0.3% following positive analyst commentary on its AI-driven advertising growth, and Tesla added 0.6% after announcing a production milestone at its Texas Gigafactory. These gains helped offset some of the pressure on the Nasdaq and reinforced the market's broader resilience. Market strategists are split on the near-term direction of U.S. stocks. Some believe the market is poised for a brief consolidation after recent record highs, while others see continued strength if inflation trends continue to improve. 'This week's CPI and PPI releases are the most important economic events of the month,' said James Reynolds, chief market strategist at CapitalEdge Advisors. 'If both come in soft, we could see the S&P 500 add another 2-3% by month's end.' With U.S. stock futures leaning slightly higher, the tone is one of cautious optimism heading into a data-heavy week. Inflation reports will be the decisive factor in shaping the market's short-term path, while geopolitical and sector-specific developments—like the semiconductor revenue deal with China—remain important watchpoints. For investors, this week may present both opportunities and risks. A cooler inflation print could fuel another leg higher in equities, while any upside surprise in prices might spark volatility, especially in growth-heavy sectors. Q1: What is driving US stock futures today? US stock futures are reacting to upcoming inflation data and sector-specific news, especially in technology and semiconductors. Q2: Why are Nvidia and AMD shares down today? Their stocks fell after agreeing to allocate 15% of China-related chip revenue to the U.S. government.
