Latest news with #Army
The Star
11 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Star
Indian Navy will lead New Delhi's response to any future Pakistani aggression, minister says
FILE PHOTO: India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh shakes hands with Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi as Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi and Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh look on before the ceremonial reception of Japan's defence minister in New Delhi, India, May 5, 2025. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India will use the firepower of its navy in response to any future aggression by Pakistan, India's defence minister said on Friday, weeks after the fiercest fighting in decades between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Relations between India and Pakistan are tense after four days of fighting this month, which involved fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery before a ceasefire was announced. "If Pakistan resorts to anything evil or unethical, it will, this time, face the firepower and ire of the Indian Navy," Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on the aircraft carrier INS Vikrant off the coast of the western Indian state of Goa. A spokesperson for Pakistan's military referred Reuters to a May 12 statement, which said there would be a "comprehensive and decisive" response whenever Pakistan's sovereignty was "threatened and territorial integrity violated". The latest fighting erupted after 26 people, mostly Indian tourists, were killed in an April 22 attack in Kashmir, a disputed Himalayan territory claimed by both nations. New Delhi blamed the attack on "terrorists" backed by Pakistan, which denied the charge. A ceasefire took effect on May 10 and a top Pakistani military official told Reuters on Friday that both countries were close to reducing their troop build-up along their border to pre-conflict levels. The Indian Navy has said it deployed its carrier battle group, submarines and other aviation assets in the northern Arabian Sea within 96 hours of the April 22 attack. Defence Minister Singh said 'Operation Sindoor', under which India launched the strikes on Pakistan, was paused, but not yet over. "We stopped our military actions on our own terms. Our forces had not even started showing their might," he said. (Reporting by Shivam Patel in New Delhi; Additional reporting by Ariba Shahid in Karachi; Editing by Kate Mayberry)
News18
38 minutes ago
- Business
- News18
Lite Beam: Will Israel's New Laser Weapon Replace Traditional Missiles?
Last Updated: Easily mounted on Army vehicles, the Israeli laser system enhances mobile combat power. Adopting it would push India further into next-gen defence technology Israel has unveiled the Lite Beam Hard Kill Neutralization System, an advanced laser weapon designed to intercept and destroy aerial threats like drones and mortars mid-air, marking a major leap in next-generation air defence technology. Building on the success of the Iron Beam laser defence, Israeli defence firm Rafael Advanced Defense Systems' latest innovation offers enhanced accuracy for short-range engagements. This, if acquired, may strengthen India's defence capabilities in the face of evolving security challenges. How India Can Benefit From Acquiring It The growing technological partnership and exchange of advanced weapon systems between Israel and India is playing a crucial role in strengthening regional security. With India already having acquired the SkyStriker kamikaze drone from Israel, it may now explore the possibility of procuring this laser beam technology as well. Israel's new laser technology is designed to neutralise drones, mortars and small missiles mid-air. According to a report by The Jerusalem Post, the system uses a high-powered laser beam to jam and destroy enemy threats at close range with high precision. Compact and versatile, it can be mounted on standard vehicles such as a 4×4 jeep, making deployment quick and flexible. In addition to physical interception, the system also functions as a jammer, disabling enemy electronic equipment. Its laser beam is virtually unlimited, allowing for continuous and rapid-fire operation. The system can which can be mounted on operational Army vehicles will boost mobile combat capabilities. Moreover, adopting this advanced Israeli technology would mark another step forward for India in embracing next-generation defence systems. BrahMos, known as the P-800 Onyx in Russia, was developed through an India-Russia joint venture. In a similar way, if India co-develops Israel's laser beam technology, it could lower costs and secure a significant advantage in aerial defence. What Is Israel's Lite Beam? The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have, for the first time, confirmed the operational success of a newly developed laser-based defence system, capable of intercepting multiple aerial threats during the current conflict. As reported by The Jerusalem Post, the system—closely related to the Iron Beam laser platform—has demonstrated its effectiveness in real-time combat, marking a major leap in Israel's deployment of directed energy weapons. The Jerusalem Post also noted that the IDF had previously employed laser technology in operational scenarios as early as 2024, though restrictions at the time prevented public disclosure. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems showcased its latest innovations at the AUSA defence exhibition held in Washington, DC, from October 14–16, 2024. Among the highlights was the debut of the Lite Beam laser interception system, integrated with the Trophy active protection system. According to The Jerusalem Post, defence sources have suggested that Israel's new Lite Beam laser system is primarily designed to counter drones and potentially mortar threats, though it is not yet capable of intercepting larger threats like rockets or long-range missiles. Sources also noted that the Lite Beam features hard-kill neutralisation technology, which can be mounted on various military vehicles. It can also function as part of Israel's Drone Dome system, which combines jamming and soft-kill measures to disable aerial threats. Rafael highlighted that the Lite Beam offers key benefits such as near-instant engagement, an effectively unlimited firing capacity, and extremely low cost per use—making it a highly efficient solution for short-range air defence. Watch India Pakistan Breaking News on CNN-News18. Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from geopolitics to diplomacy and global trends. Stay informed with the latest world news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: May 30, 2025, 14:15 IST
India Today
2 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Yashasvi Solanki first woman Navy officer to become President's Aide-de-Camp
Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki of the Indian Navy has been appointed as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to the President of India. This is the first time a woman officer from the Indian Navy has been posted as an ADC to the Supreme Commander of the Armed role of an ADC involves facilitating coordination and communication between the President and various arms of the establishment, ensuring seamless staff work and official President is typically assigned five ADCs - three from the Army, one each from the Navy and the Air Force. In addition, the President may choose officers from any of the armed forces at their discretion to serve in this role. Lieutenant Commander Yashasvi Solanki's appointment follows the increasing integration of women into key military roles, including as ADCs to Army Commanders, Service Chiefs and Governors in recent years. Her selection reflects the growing trust and recognition of women officers in the Indian armed forces' highest ceremonial and administrative in December 2024, it was announced that the personal staff officers for the service chiefs of all defence forces - the Army, the Navy, and the Air Force - would be appointed from their sister services starting January 1, 2025. The move marked a significant step towards achieving uniformity within the was seen as a major step towards the 'theaterisation' of the defence forces - a process that began with the appointment of the first Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, in all service chiefs received their personal staff officers, known as Aide-de-Camp, not only from their own services but also from units with which they had a personal or professional connection. This marks the first time ADCs have been appointed for service chiefs from other services.
News18
2 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
'Want PoK As Dakshina': Jagadguru Rambhadracharya To Army Chief, Says 'He Accepted'
Last Updated: Spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya claimed he asked Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir as 'dakshina' as he visited his ashram in MP. Spiritual leader Jagadguru Rambhadracharya on Thursday claimed he met Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Wednesday, and that he asked the Army chief for Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) as ' dakshina ' (a donation or offering, often monetary, given to a priest, guru, or a religious institution). Rambhadracharya also said the Army chief accepted his request and said that India was ready to give an appropriate response to Pakistan. Speaking to reporters in Madhya Pradesh's Chitrakoot, the spiritual leader revealed his interaction with General Upendra Dwivedi and said the latter had come to his ashram in the city on May 28. 'The Indian Army Chief came to me. He received initiation from me in the Ram Mantra – the same mantra that Hanuman ji received from Sita ji and achieved victory over Lanka," the spiritual leader said. 'Afterwards, when the matter of ' Dakshina ' came up, I said I would ask for a ' Dakshina ' that no teacher has ever asked for before. I said, 'I want PoK (Pakistan-occupied Kashmir)," he added. 'He accepted my request. We are ready to give Pakistan an appropriate response," Jagadguru Rambhadracharya said. VIDEO | Padma Vibhushan Jagadguru Swami Rambhadracharya says, 'The Indian Army Chief came to me. He received initiation from me in the Ram Mantra – the same mantra that Hanuman ji received from Sita ji and achieved victory over Lanka. Afterwards, when the matter of 'Dakshina'… — Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) May 29, 2025 The Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi, visited the ashram of Rambhadracharya and inaugurated the Simulator Machine at Sadguru Netra Chikitsalaya. General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi and Air Force Chief Marshal AP Singh played a crucial role in India's 'Operation Sindoor' against Pakistan. Earlier, the Indian Army had released a booklet to its personnel on 'Operation Sindoor', showing the room from where the operation against Pakistan was being monitored by the military top brass. The booklet features the image of General Upendra Dwivedi, Navy Chief Admiral and the Air Force Chief Marshal. India had launched 'Operation Sindoor' on the intervening night of May 6 and 7, in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. More than 100 terrorists were killed, while multiple terror infrastructures were destroyed in India's action. First Published:
Al Arabiya
3 hours ago
- Health
- Al Arabiya
Sudan paramilitaries shell el-Obeid, hospitals hit: Witnesses
Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces shelled El-Obeid on Friday, hitting two hospitals and residential neighborhoods of the key southern city, witnesses and an army source said. 'The militia attacked residential areas of the city with heavy artillery,' an army source told AFP, adding that they had hit the Social Insurance Hospital and the city's army hospital. Witnesses close to the Social Insurance Hospital confirmed it had come under bombardment.
