Indian Defense
Kenyan President Ruto Lauds India For Advocating Permanent Seat For Africa In G20, Amplifying Voice of Global South
New Delhi: Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto on Tuesday hailed New Delhi for its advocacy for the African Union to be included as a permanent member of the G20 while also commending Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the leadership of the global south in the geopolitical space across the world.
“He (PM Modi) made it possible for Africa to be a permanent member of the G20. Those of us who come from the Global South and specifically, from Africa, appreciate India’s leadership. Your (India’s) leadership, and that of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, made it possible for the African Union to have a permanent seat in the Group of 20. Let me also commend India’s leadership and that of Prime Minister Modi for elevating the Global South in the geopolitical space globally,” the Kenyan President said.
Speaking at a banquet at the Rashtrapati Bhavan hosted in his honour by President Droupadi Murmu, President Ruto hailed the bilateral relationship between India and Kenya, saying that the benefits of their partnership will endure for future generations.
“Every sector is sailing in this epic quest today. We have affirmed that while Kenya and India enjoy a proud history of successful friendship, what we can achieve in the future, given our shared values as well as our shared commitment, is far greater and will endure for the benefit of generations now and generations to come,” the Kenyan President said.
Invoking the ‘constant turmoil’ in the world, he said partnerships with dependable partners and friends can anchor confidence in the future.
“India emerged first and even now continues to lead the way. As far as models go, india has been an exemplary older sibling and a loyal friend to Kenya. The world today is plunged into constant turmoil by more frequent, vast and complex crises than in the past. Solutions to common difficult problems are increasingly elusive and multilateralism is not handling these situations as it should,” the Kenyan President added.
“At times like this, partnerships with dependable partners and friends matter in building resilience and establishing robust mechanisms to anchor our confidence in the future. I am proud that Kenya and India are united by history, trade and friendship which are expressions of our common experience and shared values most salient of which are the love for freedom, enterprise and the peaceful pursuit of progress in a robust democracy,” he said.
President Murmu, who received her Kenyan counterpart and welcomed him to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, said the waters of the Indian Ocean have connected the people of India and Kenya for centuries.
Emphasising the India-Kenya friendship, President Murmu said, “Our friendship has matured into a robust bilateral relationship, underpinned by significant economic collaboration across various sectors including trade, education, and technology.”
Earlier, Ruto, who is in India on a state visit, paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at his memorial at Rajghat in the national capital on Tuesday.
He was also accorded a ceremonial welcome at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
William Ruto also inspected a Guard of Honour before he was received at the Rashtrapati Bhavan by President Droupadi Murmu and PM Modi.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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