Air Force looks to expand long-range air-to-ground, air-to-air missile arsenal
The Air Force has asked the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to develop extended-range versions of the indigenous Astra missile, capable of hitting targets beyond 200 km.It is also considering acquiring Russia's R-37 missile, known for its long reach and potential to give India an edge over both western and northern adversaries.In parallel, the Force has urged DRDO to speed up work on the Project Kusha long-range air defence missile system.Plans are also in place to purchase at least two additional squadrons of the S-400 air defence system, depending on the manufacturer's capability.The S-400 has played a decisive role in recent operations, forcing Pakistani aircraft to either fly deep inside their territory or operate at low altitudes.In one record-setting instance, the system shot down a spy plane at a distance of over 300 km.The Air Force has presented the government with a detailed roadmap, which includes the induction of Rafale fighters, fifth-generation jets, and a wide range of long-range precision strike and air defence weapons to strengthen India's combat readiness for future conflicts.- EndsMust Watch
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Today
an hour ago
- India Today
India First: PM's RSS praise sparks firestorm, 'Sudarshan Chakra' for India
9:54 This special report marks 100 days of Operation Sindoor with a first-ever ground report from Ambala Air Force Station, home of the Golden Arrow Squadron. The programme details how Rafale fighter jets launched missions to strike terror camps and cripple multiple air bases deep inside Pakistan. It explores the omni-role capabilities of the French-procured jets, which can perform air-to-air, air-to-ground, and reconnaissance missions in a single sortie, armed with Meteor and Scalp missiles. The commanding officer of the Golden Arrows reveals the precision of the mission, stating, "the roles that were assigned to the squadron and the aircraft were successfully completed by the squadron and whatever weapons were delivered by the aircraft were very very precise." The report also notes that following the operation's success, the Indian Air Force has formally pitched for additional Rafale jets to offset its depleting squadron strength.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
'Insult to taxpayers and servicemembers across America': Democrats slam Pentagon's move to scrap $800 million in 'near done' software projects
Democrats are reportedly upset with Trump administration as Navy and Air Force are on the verge of canceling nearly $800 million in software projects. As per a Reuters report, Democrats took aim at the Trump administration after it reported that the Navy and Air Force were poised to cancel nearly completed software projects worth over $800 million. The reason, according to the report, is an effort by some officials to reassign the work to new companies, including Salesforce and Palantir. In a statement, Democratic Senator Tim Kaine stated that the Pentagon "has yet to show that it had a good reason for halting these contracts in the last inning and scrapping work American tax dollars have already paid for." He added, "If it can't show its homework, then this announcement - just days after Palantir's CEO spoke at Mike Johnson's Wyoming donor retreat - reeks of corruption.' The comments are reported to highlight a growing concern among Democratic lawmakers about what they see as wasteful spending at the Pentagon . This comes even as Donald Trump's administration vowed to eliminate waste and abuse, creating the Department of Government Efficiency, which claims to have canceled over $14 billion in Defense Department contracts. Democrats blast Pentagon's plans, call it "an insult to taxpayers and servicemembers across America." Democratic Representative Maggie Goodlander, who sits on the House Armed Services Committee, told Reuters, 'If you're serious about cracking down on waste, fraud, and abuse, the last thing you'd do is cancel $800 million in projects that are nearly ready to roll out just to turn around and steer the same work to corporations of your choosing." She called the move "an insult to taxpayers and servicemembers across America." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Your Finger Shape Says a Lot About Your Personality, Read Now Tips and Tricks Undo Another House Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, Salud Carbajal, described the action as part of a pattern of waste, citing "lavish" military parades and "unnecessary" troop deployments. 'This administration has repeatedly shown a blatant disregard for the responsible use of taxpayer dollars,' he said. Echoing these concerns, Representative Jill Tokuda, also on the committee, reportedly said the move was "downright reckless." She noted that after many delays, the Pentagon was finally set to implement military pay systems that could pass an audit. "Taxpayers should not fund sweetheart deals for the well connected," Tokuda added. AI Masterclass for Students. Upskill Young Ones Today!– Join Now
The Hindu
2 hours ago
- The Hindu
Figure of speech: on the Prime Minister's Independence Day address
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 12th consecutive Independence Day address from the Red Fort was notable not only for highlighting national security and self-reliance but also for laying stress on a communally coloured demographic threat to the country. While showering praise on the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Mr. Modi repeated its refrain by saying that the seeds of a new crisis were being sown. The launch of a High-Powered Demography Mission, to address what he described as 'a deliberate conspiracy' to alter the demography of the country, is little more than a thinly disguised effort to polarise the country on religious lines by pointing to the different rates of growth in population among different communities and to the 'infiltration' of undocumented migrants from the neighbouring countries. However, the speech also dwelt on substantive issues with a considerable focus on self-reliance in all fields including the economy, defence and technology, and youth empowerment. Mr. Modi also presented an account of the developments in India's national security and developmental landscape in the last year, and previewed what to anticipate ahead. Mr. Modi lauded the armed forces for Operation Sindoor, which, he said, showcased the effectiveness of India's defence capabilities and indigenous weaponry. He also used the occasion to warn India's adversaries, particularly Pakistan, underscoring the policy of zero tolerance toward terrorism and cross-border attacks. Recent successes in the combat against the Maoist insurgency also found a mention. As in a plan announced by Mr. Modi, Mission Sudarshan Chakra, a fully indigenous defence system, will be developed and deployed by 2035. The details were scarce, but he described it as 'a powerful weapon system' which 'will not only neutralise the enemy's attack but will also hit back at the enemy many times more'. Speaking amid rapid changes in global power equations, Mr. Modi's Independence Day message was also aimed at the United States, which has announced tariffs as high as 50% on many Indian products. While promising to focus on revving up the domestic economy, Mr. Modi showed an awareness of the challenges that the Indian economy is facing. The next generation GST reforms would be rolled out by Deepavali 2025, which would reduce the tax burden on core goods and services and boost business. On the one hand, Mr. Modi is trying to cultivate his ideological ecosystem while on the other, he is trying to tackle the material challenges facing the nation. The success of one, however, can only come at the cost of the other.
