GOC reviews situation in forward areas of 3 Jammu districts
The visit focused on reinforcing force effectiveness and threat response mechanisms to ensure complete dominance of the operational space, an Army spokesperson said.
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Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
UK audit reveals shocking flaws in F-35 stealth jet fleet - they can't fight, fly, or fire weapons
The UK's F-35 stealth jets aren't performing well — they're struggling to fly, fight, or fire weapons. The NAO found serious issues with availability, engineering staff shortages, and weapon delays. The UK currently owns 37 F-35B jets, meant for short take-off and vertical landing like the old Harriers. The jets have amazing technology like low radar visibility and advanced sensors, but they're still underperforming, as stated by The Register. Readiness and staff shortage issues UK jets are not ready to fly as often as expected, even though the targets are lower than global standards. In 2023, the jets were only half as ready for missions compared to the target. The fully mission-ready rate was even worse — about one-third, as per the reports. There's a huge lack of trained engineers and staff to work on these jets. During a 2021 mission, one UK jet crashed because a protective cover was left inside the engine — it couldn't take off and fell into the sea. That mission also showed the US Marines had 25 people per jet, while the UK had only 14, as mentioned by The Register. ALSO READ: UnitedHealth Group stock down after Wolf Research lowers its price target to $330 from $363 Live Events Weapon problems and US delays The UK F-35s still can't use key missiles like Spear 3 or Meteor, which were supposed to be ready by Dec 2023. Now, those weapons won't be available until the early 2030s. Lockheed Martin is blamed for poor performance and delays, as per the reports. The UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) is also blamed for bad contracts that didn't focus on getting weapons delivered in time. Right now, UK F-35s can only use limited bombs and US-made missiles like the AIM-120D, according to the report by The Register. Most of the new features were supposed to come in Block 4 software updates, but those updates are way behind. Originally, Block 4 was to arrive by 2022, but now it won't be fully ready until 2033. There's also a belief that the US doesn't prioritize European-made weapons, making UK jets rely more on American systems, as per the reports. Bigger picture and future plans Because of all these issues, the UK is working on a new fighter jet program called Tempest, with Japan and Italy, not the US. The UK originally planned to buy 138 F-35s, but progress is slow and this may hurt its status in the global program, as stated by The Register. Countries like Australia (72 jets) and Norway (52 jets) are moving faster than the UK. The UK recently announced it will buy 12 F-35A and 15 more F-35B jets, but they won't arrive until the late 2020s, as per the reports. ALSO READ: Prince Harry ready to make amends and make peace — Kate supports it, but William says 'Not So Fast' Adding a second version (F-35A) may make things worse because it needs different engineers and maintenance setups. A special testing facility to check if the jets are still stealthy was delayed for budget reasons and now won't be ready until next decade, according to the reports. The NAO gave the MoD several suggestions, like making internal changes to manage the program better. The MoD responded saying the program is still within budget, and the UK will have two squadrons ready to deploy by end of this year, as per the report by The Register. FAQs Q1. Why are UK F-35 jets not working properly? The UK F-35 jets have problems with flying, staff shortages, and can't use key weapons due to delays and poor planning. Q2. When will UK F-35 jets get full weapon capability? The UK F-35 jets are expected to get key weapons like Meteor and Spear 3 only by the early 2030s.
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First Post
32 minutes ago
- First Post
Drone strike hits Kurdistan oil field, US firm halts operations
The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. read more A drone strike on Tuesday forced a US company to suspend operations at an oil field in Iraq's Kurdistan, the latest in a string of attacks targeting the autonomous region's energy facilities. The Iraqi government said it will investigate the attacks, which occurred months before legislative elections, at a time of simmering tension between Baghdad and the regional administration in Arbil mainly over oil exports. The Arbil government said the Sarsang oil field in Duhok province was hit, denouncing the strike as 'an act of terrorism against the Kurdistan Region's vital economic infrastructure'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It did not say who may be behind the attack, and there was no claim of responsibility. Tuesday's attack followed similar drone strikes a day earlier on an airport hosting US troops and on an oil field in Arbil province, near Duhok. HKN Energy, the US firm operating the Sarsang site, said a blast occurred at about 7:00 am (0400 GMT) at one of its production facilities. 'Operations at the affected facility have been suspended until the site is secured,' it said in a statement. A fire broke out but caused no casualties. HKN said emergency teams later contained the blaze. In the past few weeks, Iraq and particularly the Kurdistan region have seen a spate of unclaimed drone and rocket attacks. Long plagued by conflict, Iraq frequently experiences such attacks, often linked to regional proxy struggles between Iran and the United States and its ally Israel. Iraqi Kurdistan presents itself as a relative oasis of stability in a volatile Iraq, attracting foreign investors due to its close ties with the United States and European countries. 'Vital institutions' On Tuesday, Kurdistan's presidency condemned the latest attacks, warning that they 'pose a risk' to international investments and calling on Baghdad to find the perpetrators and prevent further incidents. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani ordered an 'immediate and comprehensive investigation' into the attacks, his military spokesman Sabah al-Numan said. 'The nature and timing of these criminal acts indicate malicious intent aimed at creating confusion and harming Iraq and its vital institutions,' Numan added. Iraq is gearing up for legislative elections in November, which are often marked by heated political wrangling. The attacks also come at a time of heightened tension between Baghdad and Arbil over oil exports, with a major pipeline through Turkey shut since 2023 over legal disputes and technical issues. In May, Iraq's federal authorities filed a complaint against the autonomous Kurdistan region for signing gas contracts with two US companies, including HKN Energy. Iraq slammed the deals, saying all oil and gas development must be conducted through the federal government. A few hours after Tuesday's drone attack, Iraq's oil ministry announced an initial agreement with HKN to develop the Hamrin oil field in Salaheddin province. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'Unacceptable' The US embassy in Baghdad denounced the recent drone strikes, including on 'critical infrastructure' in Kurdistan. 'These attacks are unacceptable,' the embassy said on X, adding that the Iraqi government 'must exercise its authority to prevent armed actors from launching these attacks against sites… where Iraqi and international companies have invested in Iraq's future'. The Sarsang attack came a day after other explosive-laden drone attacks were reported elsewhere in Kurdistan. One drone was shot down near Arbil airport, while two others hit the Khurmala oil field in the same province, causing material damage. There has been no claim of responsibility for those attacks. Politicians close to the Kurdish authorities blamed pro-Iran groups, without offering evidence. On July 3, the Kurdistan government said that the Hashed al-Shaabi, a coalition of pro-Iran former paramilitaries now integrated into the regular armed forces, had downed a drone near Arbil airport. Baghdad rejected the accusation against 'an official Iraqi security institution'.
Indian Express
32 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Trump says he will meet UK's Starmer in Scotland to refine trade deal
President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he is set to meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during his trip to Scotland and refine the trade deal agreed upon by the two leaders. 'We are going to have a meeting with him, probably in Aberdeen. And we're going to do a lot of different things, also refine the trade deal that we've made,' Trump said. A White House official earlier said that Trump plans to visit both his Turnberry and Aberdeen golf properties on a trip expected to last from July 25 to July 29.
