Indian Defense
PM Modi Created Ecosystem That Supports Innovation: Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland
Dubai: Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, Commonwealth Secretary General Patricia Scotland has said that he has been a really important leader because of his innovation and creativity, as India is producing more unicorns than almost any other country. She added that this has happened because of an ecosystem that supports innovation.
While speaking to ANI, the Commonwealth Secretary General said, “He (PM Modi) has been a really important leader because of innovation and creativity. If you look at what India is doing, it’s producing more unicorns than almost any other country. And many of those new innovations are focused on our delivery. So this creation of an ecosystem that supports innovation, which is what Prime Minister Modi has done, is critically important.”
“I’ve said before that human genius got us into this mess. This is how we came up with the Industrial Revolution. Now there is a technological revolution, and it’s being led, in the main, by India and a number of other countries. So his contribution to that, particularly in relation to women, is critically important,” she said.
On India’s role in tackling climate change, she underlined that New Delhi has a vital role to play as it has become a technological giant and this is an opportunity to use the data that is available.
She said, “India has a vital role to play. India has become a technological giant and this is an opportunity for us to use the data we have, the geospatial data, to enable us to respond better to the exogenous shocks to which we are subject, particularly the climate crisis. So I know that the whole Commonwealth is grateful for what India did during COVID because it was able to come up with some of the solutions in terms of distribution. And we’re looking to India again to do that leadership role. And we know that if we share data, if we share knowledge about what works, what doesn’t work, then we’ll really get there faster. So green energy is pivotal. India is leading the way, along with a number of other countries, and we really want her to continue to do that and help the rest of the Commonwealth family.”
Calling India’s G20 Presidency “phenomenal,” she said that it is about time to talk about the G-21, adding, “Because of what India has done, Africa is now represented in the G-20, an incredibly important step forward.”
“India has been innovative, creative, but most importantly, inclusive. And that inclusivity–taking together the diversity of our world and making sure that we all have a platform from which we can be truly heard–is critically important. I think everyone will be congratulating India, congratulating Prime Minister Modi for a phenomenal presidency of the G-20. So well done, India. And I can’t help but mention India got to the south side of the moon, and it was led by a woman,” she told ANI.
When asked whether the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict will have any impact on COP 28, Scotland stated, “Well, I hope it will make us concentrate even more, because if we have no world, then the conflicts become contextualised. We are talking about an existential threat–a global threat. We have to save our world, and we have to save ourselves from conflict.”
She further went on to say that “financing” is high up on the agenda during this year’s COP28 climate talks that are taking place in Dubai.
“Well, what’s absolutely on the agenda is the financing, because, you know, way back in 2009, the world committed to producing USD 100 billion, which is particularly important to those small and developing countries that are the worst affected by climate change. So I hope we will deliver on our financial obligations,” she said.
“We know that it’s going to take about USD 4 trillion a year in order to meet the 2030 agenda and the Paris Agenda, but right now, we only have 630 billion dollars, so we’re nowhere near the target…So we need to get serious about the money we need and make sure those who are really in need get it,” she added.
COP28, which stands for the 28th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), is taking place in Dubai, UAE, from November 30 – December 12 this year.
Delegates from almost 200 nations will be present at the summit, including world leaders like Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will arrive in Dubai later today. PM Modi had earlier attended the Glasgow conference in 2021, during which he unveiled India’s five-pronged ‘Panchamrit’ strategy to deal with climate change.
During COP-26 in Glasgow, the Prime Minister announced five specific targets, titled “Panchamrit,” as India’s unprecedented contribution to climate action.
The Prime Minister had also announced Mission Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE) on that occasion.
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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