Latest news with #Songar
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First Post
23-05-2025
- Politics
- First Post
'Mutual respect and sensitivities basis of bilateral ties': India's reminder to Turkey, China over Pak terror
A preliminary probe into the debris of Pakistani drones thwarted by India's air defence systems on May 9 reveals that the country used the Turkey-made Songar armed drone system read more The External Affairs Ministry has called for Turkey and China to be sensitive to India's concerns after initial investigations revealed that Pakistan deployed drones made by the two countries following New Delhi's Operation Sindoor. 'We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other's concerns,' foreign ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A preliminary probe into the debris of Pakistani drones thwarted by India's air defence systems on May 9 reveals that the country used the Turkey-made Songar armed drone system. Songar is an armed drone system developed and produced by Asisguard, a subsidiary of Asis Electronics and Information Systems, to enhance capabilities in low-intensity conflict scenarios. It is the first domestically produced armed drone to be deployed by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) and the first indigenous Turkish drone equipped with a machine gun. Meanwhile, Director General Air Operations, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had presented images of debris of the Chinese-made PL-15 during a joint military press briefing, saying that the missile had fallen inside the Indian territory and parts of it were recovered from Punjab's Hoshiarpur. On the use of Chinese military equipment, Jaiswal said, 'Our NSA and the Chinese FM and Special Representative on Boundary Issue Mr Wang Yi had spoken to each other on May 10, 2025, when the NSA conveyed India's resolute stance against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The Chinese side is aware that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity remain the basis of India-China relations.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India's Armed Forces intercepted and neutralised various advanced foreign-made weapons employed by Pakistan, including Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles and Turkish Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones.
Indian Express
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Be sensitive to our concerns, basis for ties: India to Turkey & China
Almost two weeks after naming Turkey and China for their equipment and weapons being used by Pakistan against India during the military confrontation between May 7 and 10, India on Thursday asked both the countries to be sensitive to its concerns. 'We expect Turkey to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism and take credible and verifiable actions against the terror ecosystem it has harboured for decades. Relations are built on the basis of sensitivities to each other's concerns,' the Ministry of External Affairs' official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. On China, Jaiswal said: 'Our NSA and the Chinese FM and Special Representative on Boundary Issue Mr Wang Yi had spoken to each other on May 10, 2025, when the NSA conveyed India's resolute stance against cross-border terrorism emanating from Pakistan. The Chinese side is aware that mutual trust, mutual respect and mutual sensitivity remain the basis of India-China relations.' On May 9, a preliminary probe into the debris after Pakistan's attempt to breach the northern and western fronts had suggested that the drones used by Pakistan were of Turkish origin, the Songar armed drone system. Songar is an armed drone system designed and manufactured by Asisguard, part of Asis Electronics and Information Systems, to serve as a force-multiplier for low-intensity conflicts. It is the first domestic armed drone system to be operated by the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF). It is Turkey's first indigenous drone armed with a machine gun. On May 12, for the first time since the Operation Sindoor operations started and India thwarted most of Pakistan's aerial attacks, New Delhi named China-supplied weapons in Pakistan's arsenal that were used against Indian Armed Forces. Director General Air Operations, Air Marshal A K Bharti, had presented visual evidence of the missile remnants during a joint military press briefing. 'You can see the pieces of it on the screen,' he had said, showcasing debris of the PL-15 that fell inside Indian territory, including a relatively intact rear section recovered from Hoshiarpur, Punjab. India's Armed Forces intercepted and neutralised a range of high-tech foreign weapons used by Pakistan, including Chinese-origin PL-15 air-to-air missiles and Turkish Byker YIHA III kamikaze drones. The naming of China was a first in the recent hostilities — all these years, New Delhi has closely tracked the expanding Sino-Pak military ties. According to a recent report of Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), China has emerged as the largest weapons supplier to Pakistan, accounting for 81 per cent of arms procurement of China's all-weather ally from 2020 to 2024. The procurement included the latest jet fighters, radars, naval ships, submarines and missiles. Shubhajit Roy, Diplomatic Editor at The Indian Express, has been a journalist for more than 25 years now. Roy joined The Indian Express in October 2003 and has been reporting on foreign affairs for more than 17 years now. Based in Delhi, he has also led the National government and political bureau at The Indian Express in Delhi — a team of reporters who cover the national government and politics for the newspaper. He has got the Ramnath Goenka Journalism award for Excellence in Journalism '2016. He got this award for his coverage of the Holey Bakery attack in Dhaka and its aftermath. He also got the IIMCAA Award for the Journalist of the Year, 2022, (Jury's special mention) for his coverage of the fall of Kabul in August 2021 — he was one of the few Indian journalists in Kabul and the only mainstream newspaper to have covered the Taliban's capture of power in mid-August, 2021. ... Read More
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Kailash Vijayvargiya calls for probe into Turkish drone-maker Asisguard's links to Madhya Pradesh metro projects
Days after the Union government said Pakistan used Turkish-made Songar drones in attempted attacks on sites in India earlier this month, Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya has called for an investigation into Turkey-based defence company Asisguard's links to metro projects in the state. Pointing out that Asisguard drones have been accused of being used in 'anti-India activities', Vijayvargiya said, 'A serious concern is that the same company, 'Asis', is currently contracted for digital systems work in the Bhopal and Indore metro projects.' Songard drones are designed and manufactured by Asisguard. They were first launched in April 2019 and delivered to the Turkish Armed Forces in February 2020. They are Turkey's first indigenous armed drones. Vijayvargiya said officials have been directed to conduct a 'thorough and impartial investigation of the facts'. 'If it is found that the company is directly or indirectly associated with anti-India elements or that its products have been used against India's security, then the contract with the company will be terminated. We will not compromise on the nation's honour, security, or self-respect,' he said. Asserting that 'for us, national duty is paramount', the Madhya Pradesh minister said, 'Anyone who stands against India's sovereignty, regardless of who they are, will not be met with any sympathy or support. That is unacceptable.' This stance aligns with India's recent actions concerning Turkish firms. The government revoked the security clearance of Celebi Airport Services India, another Turkey-based company, citing national security concerns following Turkey's support for Pakistan during the hostilities in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
70 Pakistan drones destroyed in Gujarat, Rajasthan during Operation Sindoor
PUNE: IAF and Southern Command 's Air Defence brigade neutralised approximately 70 Pakistani drones, including a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone, in Bhuj and Naliya in Gujarat and Rajasthan, during Operation Sindoor, reports Sandip Dighe. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth recently toured the forward area units and interacted with troops deployed in the area of operation of the command. Southern Command posted on X: 'Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, general officer commanding-in-chief, Southern Command, visited Bald Eagle Brigade (75th independent infantry brigade in Bhuj) to assess the prevailing security situation in Rann Of Kutch...' Army sources said recovered wreckage of the drones was shown to the commander at the brigade headquarters. The army units under Golden Katar division and IAF units in the sector are equipped with a range of air defence systems , including vintage technologies like L-70 guns, Zu-23mm units, Schilka systems, and advanced counter-unmanned aerial system equipment to address aerial threats, sources said.
Time of India
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Armed forces destroyed 70 Pak drones in Gujarat, Rajasthan areas during Op Sindoor
1 2 Pune: The Southern Command 's Air Defence brigade and Indian Air Force neutralised approximately 70 Pakistani drones , including a Turkish-origin Songar armed drone, in Bhuj and Naliya in Gujarat and Rajasthan, during Operation Sindoor . Southern Army Commander Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth recently toured forward area units and interacted with the troops deployed in the area of resposibility of the command. Southern Command, on its official X handle, tweeted, "Lt Gen Dhiraj Seth, general officer commanding-in-chief, #SouthernCommand, visited the #BaldEagleBrigade (75th independent infantry brigade in Bhuj) to assess the prevailing security situation in the #RannOfKutch. During his visit, he lauded the unwavering dedication, courage, and professionalism of all ranks, commending their high morale and vigilant efforts in effectively dominating the Rann and Creek Sector under #OperationSindoor. " Army sources said recovered wreckage of the drones was shown to the commander. The army units under Golden Katar division and IAF units in the sector are equipped with a range of air defence systems, including vintage technologies like L-70 guns, Zu-23mm units, Schilka systems, and advanced counter-unmanned aerial system equipment to address aerial threats, the sources added. They also defused the drones' battery, compromised their GPS systems, and changed their direction. "Our ground force is trained in such counteraction," the army sources said.
