World
Defense News ,U.S :- Two years into office, President Donald Trump authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion in China against its government, according to former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the highly classified operation.Three former officials told that the CIA created a small team of operatives who used bogus internet identities to spread negative narratives about Xi Jinping's government while leaking disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets. The effort, which began in 2019, has not been previously reported.During the past decade, China has rapidly expanded its global footprint, forging military pacts, trade deals, and business partnerships with developing nations.The CIA team promoted allegations that members of the ruling Communist Party were hiding ill-gotten money overseas and slammed as corrupt and wasteful China's Belt and Road Initiative, which provides financing for infrastructure projects in the developing world, the sources told Reuters.Although the U.S. officials declined to provide specific details of these operations, they said the disparaging narratives were based in fact despite being secretly released by intelligence operatives under false cover. The efforts within China were intended to foment paranoia among top leaders there, forcing its government to expend resources chasing intrusions into Beijing's tightly controlled internet, two former officials said. "We wanted them chasing ghosts," one of these former officials said.Chelsea Robinson, a CIA spokesperson, declined to comment on the existence of the influence program, its goals or impacts.A spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said news of the CIA initiative shows the U.S. government uses the "public opinion space and media platforms as weapons to spread false information and manipulate international public opinion."The CIA operation came in response to years of aggressive covert efforts by China aimed at increasing its global influence, the sources said. During his presidency, Trump pushed a tougher response to China than had his predecessors. The CIA's campaign signaled a return to methods that marked Washington's struggle with the former Soviet Union. "The Cold War is back," said Tim Weiner, author of a book on the history of political warfare.Reuters was unable to determine the impact of the secret operations or whether the administration of President Joe Biden has maintained the CIA program. Kate Waters, a spokesperson for the Biden administration's National Security Council, declined to comment on the program's existence or whether it remains active. Two intelligence historians told Reuters that when the White House grants the CIA covert action authority, through an order known as a presidential finding, it often remains in place across administrations.Trump, now the Republican frontrunner for president, has suggested he will take an even tougher approach toward China if re-elected president in November. Spokespeople for Trump and his former national security advisers, John Bolton and Robert O'Brien, who both served the year the covert action order was signed, declined to comment.The operation against Beijing came with significant risk of escalating tensions with the United States, given the power of China's economy and its ability to retaliate through trade, said Paul Heer, a former senior CIA analyst on East Asia who learned of the presidential authorization from Reuters. For example, after Australia called for an investigation inside China probing the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Beijing blocked billions of dollars in Australian trade through agricultural tariffs.Trump's 2019 order came after years of warnings from the U.S. intelligence community, and media reports, about how China was using bribery and threats to obtain support from developing countries in geopolitical disputes as it attempted to sow division in the United States through front groups.China's Foreign Ministry said Beijing follows a "principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and does not interfere in the domestic affairs of the United States."A year earlier, Trump gave the CIA greater powers to launch offensive cyber operations against U.S. adversaries after numerous Russian and Chinese cyber attacks against American organizations,Yahoo News reported. Reuters could not independently confirm the existence of the earlier order.Sources described the 2019 authorization uncovered by Reuters as a more ambitious operation. It enabled the CIA to take action not only in China but also in countries around the world where the United States and China are competing for influence. Four former officials said the operation targeted public opinion in Southeast Asia, Africa and the South Pacific."The feeling was China was coming at us with steel baseball bats and we were fighting back with wooden ones," said a former national security official with direct knowledge of the finding.Matt Pottinger, a senior National Security Council official at the time, crafted the authorization, three former officials said. It cited Beijing's alleged use of malign influence, allegations of intellectual property theft and military expansion as threats to U.S. national security, one of those former officials said.Pottinger told Reuters he would not comment on the "accuracy or inaccuracy of allegations about U.S. intelligence activities," adding that "it would be incorrect to assume that I would have had knowledge of specific U.S. intelligence operations."Covert messaging allows the United States to implant ideas in countries where censorship might prevent that information from coming to light, or in areas where audiences wouldn't give much credence to U.S. government statements, said Loch Johnson, a University of Georgia political scientist who studies the use of such tactics.Covert propaganda campaigns were common during the Cold War, when the CIA planted 80 to 90 articles a day in an effort to undermine the Soviet Union, Johnson said. In the 1950s, for example, the CIA created an astrological magazine in East Germany to publish foreboding predictions about communist leaders, according to declassified records.The covert propaganda campaign against Beijing could backfire, said Heer, the former CIA analyst. China could use evidence of a CIA influence program to bolster its decades-old accusations of shadowy Western subversion, helping Beijing "proselytize" in a developing world already deeply suspicious of Washington.The message would be: "'Look at the United States intervening in the internal affairs of other countries and rejecting the principles of peaceful coexistence,'" Heer said. "And there are places in the world where that is going to be a resonant message."U.S. influence operations also risk endangering dissidents, opposition groups critical of China and independent journalists, who could be falsely painted as CIA assets, said Thomas Rid, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who wrote a book on the history of political warfare.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 16:17:06
World
Defense News ,U.S :- US lawmakers made a decisive move on Wednesday, drawing inspiration from India's bold action four years ago to ban TikTok, as they voted in favor of legislation aimed at addressing the threat posed by the Chinese app.In a notable display of bipartisan support, the House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed the Protecting Americans From Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, co-authored by Indian American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat, and Congressman Mike Gallagher from the Republican party, with a vote of 352 to 65.The bill, designed to regulate the ownership of foreign apps such as TikTok within the US, is now set to proceed to the Senate for further deliberation before potentially being enacted into law upon receiving the President's signature.Several lawmakers highlighted India's decision in 2020 to prohibit the app, among 59 other Chinese-created apps, citing concerns over national security. Congressman Greg Murphy's office underscored India's emphasis on safeguarding its national interests.The lack of transparency exhibited by TikTok executives, coupled with their reluctance to safeguard user privacy and information, has also spurred neighboring governments like the European Union and Canada to restrict the application's usage on government devices.According to Murphy, TikTok has been utilized by China to target, surveil, and manipulate American citizens, posing a significant national security threat due to its extensive data collection practices and its ties to the Chinese Communist Party.House Republicans emphasized China's ambitious data collection objectives and TikTok's documented lack of transparency regarding data and moderation practices, which have prompted multiple governments, including the US, the European Union, Canada, India, and various US states, to ban the app on government devices.The White House expressed support for the bill's advancement, affirming its importance in addressing the risks posed by certain technology services operating in the US, without explicitly banning apps like TikTok.White House Press Secretary Karine Jeane-Pierre reiterated the necessity of swift Senate action, emphasizing the importance of preventing ownership of such apps by entities that could exploit them or pose harm to national security.However, Congressman Gregory W. Meeks raised concerns about the legislation, particularly regarding its potential implications for TikTok, warning against excessive executive discretion without adequate congressional oversight.The bill mandates TikTok to sever ties with the Chinese Communist Party, aiming to protect the data of millions of Americans, particularly children, and mitigate national security risks associated with the authoritarian regime.Congressman Chris Smith emphasized the legislation's crucial role in countering the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to influence public opinion, particularly among the younger generation, through platforms like TikTok, while also preventing the unauthorized collection of data on Americans.The House's passage of the bill follows intense scrutiny of TikTok's lobbying efforts against it, with Congressman Smith pressing TikTok executives for clarity on the company's engagement with American minors in its advocacy campaign.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 16:13:35
World
Defense News ,France :- Thales, a company, made a special computer program for the French Navy to help them get rid of underwater mines. This program is called the Expeditionary Portable Operations Centre (e-POC). With this tool, Navy people can control up to three drones that find and destroy mines underwater. They can use it on ships or on land, and they only need one computer to set it up.It took Thales less than six months to make this program. They tested it in the sea to make sure it works well with the Navy's missions.The e-POC uses software called the Mine Counter-measure Mission Management system. It also uses a tool called MiMap to analyze data in real-time. These are already used by the Navy.The Vice President of Thales Underwater Systems, Gwendoline Blandin-Roger, said that the e-POC is a result of their team's smart thinking and quick work. This tool will help France do defense missions without putting people in danger.France has been working to get rid of land and naval mines for a long time. They started making rules against these mines in 1980. They also joined the Ottawa Treaty to stop using and promoting anti-personnel mines. They work with organizations like the Crisis and Support Centre to clean up and destroy mines.France also practices how to deal with mines with other countries. In 2023, French sailors joined American and British sailors in a practice called Exercise Artemis Trident. They learned from each other how to find and get rid of naval mines better.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 16:09:55
World
Defense News ,Ukraine :- NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday alliance members "are not providing Ukraine with enough ammunition" and the shortfall has allowed Russia to push Kyiv's forces back."The Ukrainians are not running out of courage. They are running out of ammunition," Stoltenberg told journalists."Together, we have the capacity to provide Ukraine what it needs. Now we need to show the political will to do so."Stoltenberg's warning comes as military support from key Kyiv backer, the United States, remains blocked in Congress by hardline Republicans opposed to President Joe Biden."All allies need to dig deep and deliver quickly. Every day of delay has real consequences on the battlefield in Ukraine," the secretary general of the Western military alliance said."So this is a critical moment and it will be a grave historic mistake to allow Putin to prevail."Ukrainian and Western officials have said that Kyiv's forces are being outgunned by Russia as support from key backers has dwindled.Ukraine was recently forced out of the strategic stronghold of Avdiivka after a fierce battle and its soldiers are struggling to stop Russia pushing further.While political deadlock is stalling support from Washington, European countries are struggling to ramp up production of ammunition and arms from their industry."We need the decisions to invest more in the defence industry," Stoltenberg said."We need to ensure that our governments are agreeing contracts with the defence industry so they can make the commercial decisions to scale up production."The European Union has launched a string of initiatives to try to increase output and insists that levels are picking up.But the 27-nation bloc has fallen well short of a promise made last year to give Ukraine a million artillery shells by this month.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 16:00:09
World
Defense News ,Turkey :- In a significant stride towards achieving self-reliance in military technology, Türkiye announced the successful testing of its first military turbofan engine. This achievement marks a pivotal moment in Türkiye's efforts to reduce external dependency on critical equipment through the development of indigenous technologies. The newly tested TF6000 jet engine is a cornerstone in Türkiye's quest to enhance its defense capabilities, particularly in the development of its first fifth-generation fighter jet, KAAN. Spearheaded by the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB), Türkiye's foray into turbofan engine development symbolizes a commitment to technological advancement and sovereignty in defense manufacturing.SSB President Haluk Görgün expressed pride in Türkiye's achievement, stating, "Türkiye’s first national turbofan engine TF6000, powered by the energy of our homeland sons, has been successfully tested for the first time in the national engine test system." This success is attributed to the collaborative efforts of Türkiye's aerospace industry, particularly TUSAŞ Engine Industries (TEI), a joint venture between Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and GE Aerospace. TEI's role in developing and producing engines for aircraft and missiles underscores Türkiye's capabilities in high-tech defense manufacturing.The TF6000 engine holds promise beyond its immediate application in the KAAN fighter jet. It is expected to power other advanced military platforms, including the unmanned fighter jet Kızılelma and Anka-3, Türkiye's first flying-wing, deep-strike unmanned aerial vehicle. Görgün emphasized the significance of this achievement by extending congratulations to all involved in the project, particularly the engineers and technical teams whose dedication made it possible.Kızılelma, Türkiye's fifth-generation unmanned fighter jet, represents a leap forward in reconnaissance and missile-carrying capabilities. Equipped with artificial intelligence, Kızılelma promises enhanced speed and payload capacity, expanding Türkiye's aerial defense capabilities. Similarly, Anka-3, the first vertical tailless drone, is poised to redefine unmanned aerial vehicle operations with its versatility in reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence missions.In addition to the TF6000, Türkiye is actively pursuing the development of the TF10000 jet engine, an upgraded version expected to produce even greater thrust. This engine, envisioned to power a range of manned and unmanned aviation platforms, including the KAAN fighter jet, underscores Türkiye's commitment to innovation and self-sufficiency in defense technology. Mahmut Faruk Akşit, head of TEI, highlighted the progress of the TF10000 project, indicating its imminent completion.The KAAN fighter jet project, launched in 2016, aims to modernize Türkiye's Air Forces Command by replacing the aging F-16 fleet. With its inaugural flight conducted recently, KAAN is set to enter mass production, with plans for the initial batch to be ready by 2028. Powered initially by the F110 engine developed by General Electric, KAAN is slated to transition to a domestically manufactured power unit produced by TEI, cementing Türkiye's status as a producer of fifth-generation combat aircraft.TEI's expertise extends beyond turbofan engines, with developments such as the PD170 engine tailored for unmanned aerial vehicles. These advancements in engine technology are poised to support Türkiye's defense initiatives across various platforms, including the domestically developed heavy-class attack helicopter, the Atak-2. As Türkiye prepares for the mass production of engines for helicopters, it reaffirms its commitment to technological self-reliance and innovation in defense manufacturing.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 15:53:31
World
Defense News ,World :- HII has won a contract to deliver an underwater drone called REMUS 620 to a customer in the Indo-Pacific region.This drone can travel far distances underwater, up to 275 nautical miles (500 kilometers/300 miles). It has a strong battery that can last for 110 hours.The REMUS 620 can dive down to 600 meters (1,900 feet) deep. It can carry different types of payloads, either wet or dry, depending on what the user needs.This drone has many uses. It can help with tasks like finding and dealing with mines, watching over areas for surveillance, gathering intelligence, using electronic warfare, and doing surveys of the ocean floor.HII first introduced the REMUS 620 in November 2022. They tested it in the water in October 2023 and then tested it in the sea two months later.In August 2023, HII got its first order for the REMUS 620 from the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). They wanted to use it to help fix areas on the sea floor damaged by an oil spill in 2010.This new contract with the Indo-Pacific customer is the second one HII has gotten for the REMUS 620.Duane Fotheringham, who is the president of HII's Mission Technologies Unmanned Systems, says that the REMUS 620 is a great underwater vehicle. It can do many different jobs and go far distances.HII also introduced another drone called the REMUS 130. It's smaller and can dive down to 100 meters (300 feet). Its battery lasts for 10 hours. This drone keeps the good features of older REMUS models while being smaller and easier to use.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 15:47:40
India
Defense News ,India :- Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) is getting ready to make 240 powerful jet engines called AL-31FP. This will help India to become more self-sufficient in making things for defense.These engines will be used in Indian Air Force's Su-30MKI fighter jets. These jets are really important for protecting India's airspace.HAL recently got a deal to make 80 RD-33 engines for upgraded MiG-29UPG fighter jets. Now, they are going to make even more engines for Su-30MKI jets.These new engines will replace old ones in over 110 Su-30MKI jets that are too old to keep flying safely.What's special is that these new engines will have more parts made in India than the old ones. This is a big step towards India making its own defense stuff.We're not sure exactly how these engines will be used in the Su-30MKI jets yet. But they will probably be very important in making the jets better and more powerful.There are plans to upgrade 84 Su-30MKI jets in a program called UPG. They will likely use these new engines, which will make India's air force even stronger.This shows that HAL and India are serious about making their own defense things. They want to rely less on other countries and become better at making their own stuff.Making advanced jet engines like the AL-31FP shows that India is getting better at technology and wants to be a big player in defense around the world.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 15:41:01
World
Defense News ,Red Sea :- Yemen's Houthi rebels claim to have a new, hypersonic missile in their arsenal, Russia's state media reported on Thursday, potentially raising the stakes in their ongoing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways against the backdrop of Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The report by the state-run RIA Novosti news agency cited an unnamed official but provided no evidence for the claim. It comes as Moscow maintains an aggressively counter-Western foreign policy amid its grinding war on Ukraine.However, the Houthis have for weeks hinted about "surprises" they plan for the battles at sea to counter the United States and its allies, which have so far been able to down any missile or bomb-carrying drone that comes near their warships in Mideast waters.The Houthis' main benefactor, Iran, claims to have a hypersonic missile and has widely armed the rebels with the missiles they now use. Adding a hypersonic missile to their arsenal could pose a more-formidable challenge to the air defense systems employed by America and its allies, including Israel."The group's missile forces have successfully tested a missile that is capable of reaching speeds of up to Mach 8 and runs on solid fuel," a military official close to the Houthis said, according to the RIA report.The Houthis "intend to begin manufacturing it for use during attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, as well as against targets in Israel."Mach 8 is eight times the speed of sound.Russia has maintained close ties with Iran, relying on Iranian bomb-carrying drones to target Ukraine. Russian state media, particularly its Arabic-language services, have closely reported on Yemen's yearslong civil war that pits the Iran-backed Houthis against forces of the internationally backed Yemeni government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition.Hypersonic weapons, which fly at speeds higher than Mach 5, could pose crucial challenges to missile defence systems because of their speed and maneuverability.The danger from a hypersonic missile depends on how maneuverable it is. Ballistic missiles fly on a trajectory in which anti-missile systems like the US-made Patriot can anticipate their path and intercept them.The more irregular the missile's flight path, such as a hypersonic missile with the ability to change directions, the more difficult it becomes to intercept.China is believed to be pursuing the weapons, as is America. Russia claims it has already used them on the battlefield in Ukraine. However, speed and maneuverability isn't a guarantee the missile will successfully strike a target. Ukraine's air force in May said it shot down a Russian hypersonic Kinzhal missile with a Patriot battery.In Yemen, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the Houthi rebels' secretive supreme leader, boasted about the rebels' weapons efforts at the end of February."We have surprises that the enemies do not expect at all," he warned at the time.A week ago, he similarly warned: "What is coming is greater.""The enemy ... will see the level of achievements of strategic importance that place our country in its capabilities among the limited and numbered countries in this world," al-Houthi said, without elaborating.After seizing Yemen's capital, Sanaa, in 2014, the Houthis ransacked government arsenals, which held Soviet-era Scud missiles and other arms.As the Saudi-led coalition entered Yemen's conflict in 2015, the Houthis arsenal was increasingly targeted. Soon - and despite Yemen having no indigenous missile manufacturing infrastructure - newer missiles made their way into rebel hands.Iran long has denied arming the Houthis, likely because of a yearslong United Nations arms embargo on the rebels. However, the US and its allies have seized multiple arms shipments bound for the rebels in Mideast waters. Weapons experts as well have tied Houthi arms seized on the battlefield back to Iran.Iran also now claims to have a hypersonic weapon. In June, Iran unveiled its Fattah, or "Conqueror" in Farsi, missile, which it described as being a hypersonic. It described another as being in development.Iran's mission to the UN did not respond to a request for comment Thursday, nor did the US Navy's Bahrain-based 5th Fleet, which patrols Mideast waterways.Israel's military - which also has come under Houthi fire since the war against Hamas erupted on October 7 when Hamas-led militants attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 others hostage - declined to comment.The Houthis have attacked ships since November, saying they want to force Israel to end the war in Gaza, which has seen over 31,000 Palestinians killed in the besieged strip. The ships attacked, however, have increasingly had little or no connection to Israel, the US or other nations involved in the war.But the assaults have raised the profile of the Houthis, whose Zaydi people ruled a 1,000-year kingdom in Yemen up until 1962. Adding a new weapon increases that cachet and puts more pressure on Israel after a cease-fire deal failed to take hold in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.Earlier in March, a Houthi missile struck a commercial ship in the Gulf of Aden, killing three of its crew members and forcing survivors to abandon the vessel. It marked their first fatal attack by the Houthis on shipping.Other recent Houthi actions include an attack last month on a cargo ship carrying fertilizer, the Rubymar, which later sank after drifting for several days, and the downing of an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars.A new suspected Houthi attack targeted a ship in the Gulf of Aden on Thursday, but missed the vessel and caused no damage, the British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre said.Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said he wouldn't be surprised if Iran transferred a new, hypersonic weapon to the Houthis.However, the question is how maneuverable such a weapon would be at hypersonic speeds and whether it could hit moving targets, like ships in the Red Sea."I wouldn't exclude the possibility that the Houthis have some system that has some maneuvering capability to some extent," Hinz said. "It is also possible for the Iranians to transfer new stuff for the Houthis to test it."
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 15:33:23
India
Defense News ,India :- Days after the Centre notified the Citizenship Amendment Act, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that the law will never be taken back and the BJP-led government will never compromise with it. “This is our sovereign right to ensure Indian citizenship in our country. We will never compromise on it and CAA will never be taken back,” he said. Asked about the Opposition bloc INDIA, specifically a Congress leader saying that they would repeal the law when they come to power, the Home Minister said that even the Opposition is aware it has bleak chances of coming to power. “Even the INDI alliance knows that it will not come into power. CAA has been brought by the BJP and the Narendra Modi-led government. It is impossible to repeal it. We will spread awareness about it in the whole nation so that those who want to repeal it do not get a place,” Mr Shah said. The Union Minister dismissed criticism that the “CAA is unconstitutional”, stating that it does not violate the constitutional provisions. “They always talk about Article 14. They forget that there are two clauses in that Article. This law does not violate Article 14. There is a clear, reasonable classification here. This is a law for those who, due to partition, remained in Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Bangladesh and were facing religious persecution and decided to come to India,” the Union Minister said. Replying to the Opposition’s claim of the timing of the notification coming ahead of the Lok Sabha polls, Amit Shah said, “First of all, I will talk about the timing. All opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, Mamata Banerjee, and Arvind Kejriwal, are doing jhooth ki rajneeti (politics of lies). So the question of timing does not arise. The BJP made it clear in its 2019 manifesto that it will bring CAA and provide Indian citizenship to refugees (from Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan). It has a clear agenda and under that promise, the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill was passed in both Houses of Parliament in 2019. It got delayed due to Covid. The BJP cleared its agenda well before it got its mandate in the polls.” “Rules are now a formality. There is no question of timing, political gain, or loss. Now, the Opposition wants to consolidate their vote bank by doing appeasement politics… They have been exposed. CAA is the law for the entire country and I have reiterated nearly 41 times in four years that it will become a reality,” he said. The Home Minister said that there is “no question of political gain as the BJP’s main aim is to provide rights and justice to persecuted minorities coming from Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh. “The Opposition raised questions on the surgical strikes and the abrogation of Article 370 and linked it with political gain. So should we not take stern steps against terrorism? We have been saying since 1950 that we will withdraw Article 370,” the Home Minister said. “I have spoken on CAA at least 41 times on different platforms and spoken on it in detail that the minorities of the country need not be afraid because it has no provision to take back the rights of any citizen. The CAA aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants – Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians – who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014. Through this law, their sufferings can end,” he added. The Home Minister was critical of opposition leaders – AIMIM’s Asaddudin Owaisi and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee – for claiming that the CAA was anti-Muslim. “You cannot see this law in isolation. On August 15, 1947, our country was partitioned. Our country was partitioned into three parts. Bharatiya Jan Sangh and BJP were always against the Partition. We never wanted India to be partitioned based on religion,” he said. “So when the country was partitioned on the basis of religion, minorities faced persecution. They were being converted, women were being tortured, and they came to India. They came for refuge. Don’t they have a right to get citizenship? Even Congress leaders during the partition in their speeches said that the minorities should stay wherever they were due to the widespread bloodshed and would be welcomed later in our country. Now they have started vote bank politics,” Mr Shah added. It was the government’s moral duty to ensure the rights of the persecuted, he said. “The people who were part of Akhand Bharat and who were prosecuted or tortured should be given refuge in India and this is our social and Constitutional responsibility. Now if you look closely at the statistics, in Pakistan when the Partition happened, there were 23% Hindus and Sikhs but now only 3.7% of them are left. Where did they go? They have not returned here. They were converted, tortured, and insulted. They were given second-class status. Where will they go? Will the country, Parliament, and the political parties not think about them?” the Home Minister said. “In Afghanistan, at the moment there are now only about 500 Hindus… don’t they have the right to live as per their beliefs? When Bharat was one, they were our brothers,” he added. Slamming Arvind Kejriwal for his remarks that CAA will take away jobs meant for India’s youth, and can lead to an increase in crime, the Union Minister said that people who will benefit from the law are already in India. “If they are so concerned why are they not talking about Bangladeshi infiltrators and Rohingyas? Because they are doing vote bank politics. Delhi elections are tough for them. That’s why they are indulging in vote bank politics” he said. Amit Shah also questioned Mamata Banerjee for alleging that citizenship of minorities would be taken away due to the CAA. “I am requesting Mamata ji, that there are several platforms to do politics. Please don’t harm Bengali Hindus from Bangladesh. I challenge her publicly to show one clause that has the provision of taking away citizenship of any Indian. Her intention is to create differences between Hindus and Muslims to consolidate vote bank. The CAA must be implemented. If she wants to do anything, she should stop infiltration. But she is not cooperating,” Amit Shah said. On March 11, the Union Home Ministry notified rules for the implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act. The CAA, introduced by the Narendra Modi government and passed by Parliament in 2019, aims to confer Indian citizenship to persecuted non-Muslim migrants – Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, Buddhists, Parsis, and Christians – who migrated from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan and arrived in India before December 31, 2014.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 15:29:00
World
Defense News Germany :- German Chancellor Olaf Scholz doesn't want to send long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine. He thinks it would be a bad idea.In a meeting with parliament members, Scholz said these missiles need German soldiers to work properly. He thinks it's a big responsibility to control where the missiles go. Without German soldiers, he doesn't want to risk losing control over the targets.Scholz also believes sending these missiles to Kyiv could make Germany too involved in the war. He doesn't want to cross that line as chancellor.Germany has given Ukraine a lot of military help already. They've provided more than 17 billion euros ($18.5 billion) worth of weapons and equipment.Some people don't agree with Scholz. They want Germany to send the Taurus missiles to Ukraine. They're unhappy with his decision.Scholz's decision has made some people think he doesn't trust Ukraine. They believe he's worried they won't use the missiles responsibly.Scholz disagrees with this. He says Germany trusts Ukraine. That's why they've given them the most weapons out of all European countries.But Scholz still wants to be careful. He thinks the German government should think hard before making any decisions about the war in Ukraine.Scholz wants to be cautious. He believes it's important for the safety of German citizens.Ukraine has been asking Germany to send the long-range Taurus missiles for a while. They want these missiles to defend against Russian attacks.These missiles can hit targets up to 500 kilometers (310 miles) away. That's far enough to reach deep into Russia.But some experts say German soldiers aren't necessary to use these missiles effectively. They think Scholz is just making excuses.A member of the Conservative party, Norbert Röttgen, thinks Scholz is not being honest about his reasons. He believes Scholz is just trying to find new excuses.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 15:22:55
India
Defense News ,India :- The Indian government recently gave the green light for a big deal to strengthen our defense. They approved contracts worth a whopping Rs 8073.17 crore with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru on March 13, 2024. The deal is all about getting 34 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) Dhruv Mk III. These helicopters come with special equipment for both the Indian Army and the Indian Coast Guard. This move is a big step towards making our own defense equipment right here in India.The ALH Dhruv Mk III UT (Utility) is made for the Indian Army. It's designed to do many tasks like searching for people, moving troops around, carrying cargo, and helping injured people. It's already proven itself in tough places like the Siachen Glacier and Ladakh.The ALH Mk III MR (Maritime Role) is for the Indian Coast Guard. It's built to keep an eye on the seas, rescue people, rappel down ropes, and transport cargo and people. It's shown it can handle tough conditions both at sea and on land.This project is not just about getting new helicopters. It's also about creating jobs. It's estimated that about 190 lakh man-hours of work will be needed to finish this project. Plus, more than 200 small businesses and 70 local vendors will supply equipment and parts. This means more people will have jobs, supporting the vision of a self-reliant India.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 09:15:02
India
Defense Newsc ,India :- The Ministry of Defence recently made a deal with Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) on March 13, 2024. They agreed to buy 693 upgrades for Infantry Combat Vehicle BMP2 to BMP2M. These upgrades will make the vehicles better at night, improve the sights for the gunner and commander, and include a Fire Control System (FCS) with Automatic Target Tracker. This deal falls under the Buy Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured Category.AVNL has come up with a solution to upgrade existing BMP 2/2K vehicles to be able to fight better at night and have improved FCS. They achieved this by combining technology from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai.AVNL will make these upgrades using parts from Indian manufacturers. This will help make India more self-sufficient in defense manufacturing and boost the country's defense industry.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 09:12:18
Space & Technology
Technology News ,India :- India's Earth Sciences Minister, Kiren Rijiju, is upset with a French IT company called Atos. The reason for his frustration is that the delivery of two supercomputers to Indian weather forecasting institutes, ordered from this company, is being delayed.Last year, the Earth Sciences Ministry decided to enhance the computing capabilities of its institutions – the National Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF) and the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM). They ordered two supercomputers worth $100 million from a French firm called Eviden, which is part of the Atos Group.In an interview with news agency PTI, Minister Rijiju expressed his disappointment. He mentioned that the target for receiving the supercomputers was December, but the delivery has been delayed. The Union Cabinet had already approved the purchase of these supercomputers. Currently, the institutions have only a computing capacity of four petaflops, but they aim to install up to 18 petaflops for better forecasting accuracy.Rijiju explained that the French company faced financial difficulties and requested the government to make payments to its subsidiary. This delay worries him greatly as it has exceeded the agreed timeline. However, he expressed hope that the issue would be resolved soon. The government wants to ensure that all legal aspects are correctly addressed before making any payments.The Minister also mentioned that steps were being taken to expedite the delivery process, although he didn't provide specifics. He expressed confidence in the relationship between India and France, hoping that the French government would intervene to resolve the matter.Highlighting the importance of the transaction's integrity due to its high cost, Rijiju emphasized that payments would only be made to the company with which they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).The supercomputing system, based on Eviden's BullSequana XH2000, is expected to have a combined power capacity of up to 21.3 petaflops.The supercomputer at IITM, located in Pune, will provide 13 petaflops of computing power for atmosphere and climate research. It will consist of 3,000 CPU nodes using AMD EPYC 7643 processors and 26 GPU nodes equipped with NVIDIA A100 Tensor Core GPUs. Additionally, the system will benefit from the NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking platform, 3PB all-flash, 29PB disk-based DDN EXAScaler ES400NVX2 storage, and Micron high-technology memory.Currently, the existing computing facility at NCMRWF stands at 2.8 petaflops, while at IITM, it's 4 petaflops.India First Super Computer :India's first supercomputer was the PARAM 8000, developed in 1991. It achieved speeds of around 5 Gigaflops (Gflops). This was a significant accomplishment at the time, as it placed the PARAM 8000 among the world's fastest supercomputers.The PARAM 8000 was a major milestone for India's technological development, demonstrating the country's ability to design and build its own high-performance computing systems.World Most Powerful Super Computer :The world's most powerful supercomputer as of today, March 14, 2024, is Frontier. It's located at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee, USA. Frontier achieved a mind-boggling speed of 1.194 exaflops on the High Performance Linpack (HPL) benchmark. An exaflop is equal to one quintillion (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) floating-point operations per second, making Frontier incredibly fast for complex calculations.CPU speed measuring units along with their abbreviations and conversions: FLOPS stands for Floating-point Operations Per Second. It's a unit used to measure the processing speed of computers, especially supercomputers, for tasks involving floating-point numbers (numbers with decimals). Higher FLOPS indicate faster processing speeds. Here's a breakdown of common FLOPS units with conversions: ExaFLOPS (EFLOPS): One Quintillion FLOPS (1,000,000,000,000,000,000,000) - incredibly fast! PetaFLOPS (PFLOPS): One Quadrillion FLOPS (1,000,000,000,000,000,000) TeraFLOPS (TFLOPS): One Trillion FLOPS (1,000,000,000,000,000) GigaFLOPS (GFLOPS): One Billion FLOPS (1,000,000,000) KiloFLOPS (KFLOPS): One Million FLOPS (1,000,000)
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 09:02:00
India
Defense News ,India :- The Indian Navy is getting even better at keeping an eye on the seas. They've joined up with a company called NSRT from Bengaluru to make new High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS) right here in India.This deal is a big deal. It's part of the iDEX plan which is all about making India self-reliant in technology. That means we won't need to rely on other countries for fancy gadgets. Plus, it helps Indian companies be more innovative.NSRT is great at making smaller versions of these HAPS already. They run on electricity and can stay up in the sky for a whole week. But now, they're going to make bigger ones that run on solar power. These new ones will be huge, able to carry lots of stuff, and stay in the air for up to three months!So, what does this mean for the Navy?1. Keeping Watch All the Time: With these HAPS, the Navy can watch over the oceans non-stop. That's great for keeping an eye on things for a long time.2. Carrying Different Tools: These HAPS can carry lots of different gadgets like cameras and radar. This helps the Navy gather all sorts of useful information about what's happening on the water.3. Better Communication: The HAPS can also help the Navy talk to ships and other things in the sea. They act like super antennas, making sure messages get through loud and clear.By using this high-tech stuff, the Indian Navy is making sure it's ready for whatever comes its way. It's like future-proofing the Navy, making sure it stays strong and secure. And it's all being done right here in India, which is pretty cool!
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 08:33:18
World
Defense News ,Europe :- Expando just got some big deals! They've agreed to work with three important defence companies in the Nordic region. These deals are worth a total of SEK 20 million. Expando will provide tough servers, computer boards, and parts that are specially made for advanced naval ships, missiles, and surveillance systems.This shows that Expando is really good at providing strong computer solutions for the defence and aerospace industries.Otto Johnsson, Expando's CEO, says, "Getting these big orders from our important Nordic defence partners shows that we're dedicated to meeting their high standards. We can help customers who want to buy tough, off-the-shelf solutions quickly, as well as those who need to make their own solutions with our parts. Our long relationships with our partners prove that we can give them what they need."Expando is known for being flexible and focusing on what their clients need. They've proven themselves by delivering tough servers and hardware solutions for the defence industry. With their experience and a history of success, Expando is ready for more growth in this market."We're excited to work more with the Nordic defence sector. Our goal is to give our clients exactly what they need, cutting down on delivery time and costs with our flexible solutions," says Otto Johnsson.These orders are set to be delivered in 2024, marking a big step for Expando as a top provider of defence and aerospace computing solutions in northern Europe.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 08:26:35
India
Defense News ,India :- Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd is set to deliver the INS Himgiri to the Indian Navy around mid-2025, Cmde P.R. Hari, IN (retd), chairman and managing director, GRSE, said on Wednesday. The INS Himgiri is the first in a series of three P-17A advanced guided missile stealth frigates being built by the shipyard. Apart from these, GRSE is currently building 15 more warships for the Indian Navy, including 8 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Crafts (ASW SWCs) and 4 Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels.“We shall deliver the first 17A frigate well within schedule by mid-2025. Both the Navy and Coast Guard are in a fleet expansion mode and are keen to place orders with Indian shipyards. Hence, we are looking to more orders in the days to come.“Among the high value projects in which we are keen to participate is one for 8 Next Generation Corvettes. The Navy also wants Next Generation Survey Vessels and 22 Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts. GRSE is keeping up with the latest technology, and we are even developing Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based autonomous vehicles. After all, AI is likely to control warfare in the near future,” Cmde Hari said on the sidelines of the twin launches of two ASW SWCs.These are the 5th and 6th in the series of eight being built at the Kolkata-based shipyard.The ASW SWCs were launched by Neeta Chaudhari, wife of Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff, Indian Air Force.Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari was the chief guest at the event and showered praise on the GRSE for upholding India’s pledge towards self-sufficiency in defence production.“The design and manufacture of such platforms reveal the GRSE’s capability and versatility. It is certainly a matter of immense pride that India is today among the group of select nations that can build such platforms. Protection of our sea lanes for the safe movement of merchant vessels is crucial, after all. All are aware of the goings-on around the Red Sea and the large deployment of our naval platforms in that region. No wonder the Indian Navy is keen to expand its fleet. What is crucial here is that the majority of the equipment used for the platforms being built at GRSE are sourced from Indian manufacturers,” Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari said.The two warships launched during the day have been named INS Agray and INS Akshay. These ships are actually reincarnations of Abhay-class anti-submarine warfare corvettes.While the original INS Agray was decommissioned in 2017, the INS Akshay was decommissioned in 2022.What made the twin launches more significant was the fact that this is the first time that GRSE has launched two warships of the same class together for the Navy.The twin launches came less than four months after the launch of the 4th warship of this class.Over the last 63 years, GRSE has delivered 108 platforms to the Navy and Coast Guard. Seventy-one of these have gone to the Navy.The primary role of an ASW SWC is to conduct anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, Low Intensity Maritime Operations (LIMO) and mine laying operations.These 77.6-metre-long and 10.5-metre-wide extremely potent warships are also capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters, various surface platforms and coordinated anti-submarine operations with aircraft.The ASW SWCs are compact waterjet-propelled ships capable of reaching maximum speeds of 25 knots. These ships pack a lethal anti-submarine suite comprising lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines. They are also armed with 30 mm Close-in Weapon System and 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote-Control Guns. The platforms are fitted with a Hull Mounted Sonar and a Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar.“At GRSE, we have diversified from warships to weapons systems and commercial vessels. We look forward to more orders for weapons-intensive platforms,” Cmde Hari added.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 08:14:10
India
Defense News ,India :- India's Ministry of Defence (MoD) wants Indian startups to help make a strong defense system for the Indian Air Force (IAF). They're doing this through a project called Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ADITI Edition 1.0.This project wants Indian startups to make a smart defense system using drones. These drones would help protect Indian Air Force planes from enemy radar systems.The Challenge: Making Air Defenses ConfusedThe main goal of the iDEX ADITI challenge is to create a group of fast drones. These drones will carry special equipment to confuse enemy radar systems. This will help protect Indian Air Force planes from getting attacked.Important Requirements for SuccessStartups need to follow some important rules set by the iDEX ADITI project:1. Speed and Range: Drones need to be very fast and able to fly long distances quickly.2. Electronic Warfare: The drones' equipment must be able to find and confuse enemy radar signals.3. Chaff Dispensing: Drones should release chaff to hide friendly planes from the enemy.4. Easy to Use: The launch system for the drones should be simple, and the drones should not need a lot of equipment on the ground.5. GPS-Independence: Drones must be able to fly and navigate even if GPS signals are jammed.6. Upgradable: The drones' equipment should be designed so it can be updated in the future.7. Swarm Technology: The drones must be able to work together in a group to be more effective.The Opportunity: Making Indian Defense BetterThis challenge gives Indian startups a chance to show off their skills in making aerospace and defense technology. If successful, it will make the Indian Air Force stronger and may change how air battles are fought.The Bigger PictureThis project shows that using groups of drones is becoming more important in military operations. It's like how some animals work together in nature. India wants to develop its own drone technology to stay ahead in modern warfare.In ConclusionThe iDEX ADITI challenge could make a big difference in India's defense capabilities. By working with startups, the government aims to make India safer and become a big name in defense technology worldwide.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 08:07:43
World
Defense News ,Russia , NATO :- NATO's intelligence says that Russia is making a lot of artillery rounds - about 250,000 each month. This is much more than what Europe and the US can make combined in a year, which is about 1.2 million.They also shared that the US and Europe together can't match Russia's production. They can only make about 1.2 million rounds in a year. This is according to a senior intelligence person from Europe who talked to CNN.The US wants to make 100,000 rounds every month by 2025. But that's still much less than what Russia is making each month.Right now, Russia is firing about 10,000 shells every day. This is a lot more than Ukraine, which is firing only about 2,000 shells each day. And in some places, Russia is doing even worse damage along the 600-mile front.A company from Germany called Rheinmetall plans to build a factory in Ukraine. This factory will make hundreds of thousands of bullets each year. They're also building a factory in Germany that will make about 200,000 artillery shells in a year.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 07:57:49
World
Defense News ,North Korea :- North Korean leader Kim Jong Un recently joined his troops in training to use newly developed battle tanks, according to state media reports on Thursday.This training comes as a response to the annual 11-day military drills between South Korea and the United States, which are set to conclude soon. North Korea sees these drills as practice for a potential invasion.During Wednesday's training, the focus was on evaluating the combat abilities of tank operators, using the new main battle tank that Kim referred to as "the world’s most powerful," as reported by the official Korean Central News Agency.The training involved heavy tanks maneuvering through simulated combat scenarios and firing at targets. Kim himself even took the wheel of one of the new tanks, boosting the morale of the tank crews, according to KCNA.Earlier, North Korea's Defense Ministry promised to conduct "responsible military activities" in response to the ongoing joint military exercises between South Korea and the United States. Kim also supervised artillery firing drills.The South Korean-U.S. exercises include computer-simulated command post training and 48 different field exercises, twice the number from last year.Since early 2022, North Korea has been increasing its weapons testing activities to upgrade its nuclear and missile capabilities. In response, the U.S. and South Korea have expanded their training exercises, including a trilateral drill involving Japan.Analysts are scrutinizing the available photos and videos released by North Korean state media to glean some clues about the tank's capabilities. Here's what they have been able to determine so far: The tank appears to be a new design, not an upgrade of an existing North Korean tank. The tank has a large main gun, which could be 125mm or 130mm caliber. The tank appears to have a new fire control system and possibly an autoloader. The tank has additional armor on the turret, which may be designed to defend against anti-tank missiles. Overall, it is too early to say definitively what the capabilities of the new North Korean tank are. More information will be needed to assess its true threat level.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-14 07:52:40
World
Defense News ,Ukraine Russia War :- Russian President Vladimir Putin recently highlighted what he considers to be Russia's most critical asset: national unity and patriotism. During an interview with RIA and Rossiya-1 state television, Putin emphasized that the consolidation of Russian society and the attitude towards the Motherland exhibited by its citizens and military personnel are the country's "most important, most powerful weapon."He said, “Our most important weapon is the consolidation of Russian society and the attitude towards the Motherland as demonstrated by you and those with whom you serve.”Russia Ready for Nuclear Confrontation, Says PutinPutin highlighted Russia's readiness for a nuclear confrontation from a "military-technical" standpoint but noted that the situation is not currently escalating in that direction. He recently underscored national unity and patriotism as crucial strengths during a meeting with the victors of the 'Leaders of Russia' contest at the Kremlin.Putin's comments come in the context of heightened tensions with the West, particularly regarding Ukraine. He warned that any presence of US troops in Ukraine would be seen as interventionist by Russia. Additionally, Putin addressed the potential for nuclear conflict, stating that Russia might conduct nuclear tests if the United States does so.During the course of the interview, Putin remarked, "if US troops appear in Ukraine, Russia will treat them as interventionists."The president's remarks were made during a meeting with the victors of the 'Leaders of Russia' contest, part of the 'Russia – Land of Opportunities' initiative aimed at cultivating new leaders. Putin praised the contest's participants and highlighted the importance of national unity in the face of external pressures.Putin also criticized those who believed that economic sanctions could weaken Russia, “Those people who expected to suppress us with the help of economic sanctions, they did not take this into account; to understand this, you must be a citizen of the Russian Federation, to be part of our culture.”'Leaders of Russia' Contest Promotes New LeadersThe 'Leaders of Russia' competition, which began in 2017, seeks to identify and nurture new generations of professionals in both the business and public sectors. The recent ceremony for the fifth season of the contest saw 102 leaders from 31 Russian regions and international participants from Belgium and Serbia receiving accolades in Moscow.Putin's message underscores the significance of unity and patriotism as fundamental strengths of Russia, particularly in the current geopolitical climate. The ceremony for the fifth season of the contest saw 102 leaders from 31 Russian regions and international participants from Belgium and Serbia receiving accolades in Moscow.
Read More → Posted on 2024-03-13 15:57:29Search
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