Trending News

On Tuesday, April 12, the indigenously-developed Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ was again successfully flight-tested from Advanced Light Helicopter. Teams of Indian Air Force and Indian Army, along with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), conducted the trial at the high altitude range. This is the second successful flight-test in successive days.

Today’s trial was carried out for different range and altitude. As per the plan, the missile engaged the simulated tank target accurately. The trials were witnessed by senior Army Commanders and scientists of DRDO. With the flight-test, consistent performance of the complete system, including Imaging Infra-Red Seeker, has been established, which will enable the induction of the ‘Helina’ into the Armed Forces.

On Monday, validation trials of the ‘Helina’ were conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan, which proved the efficacy of the missile in desert ranges.

‘Helina’ is the third generation, fire and forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile that can engage targets both in direct hit mode as well as top attack mode. The system has all-weather day and night capability and can defeat battle tanks with conventional armour as well as with explosive reactive armour. It is one of the most advanced Anti-Tank weapon in the world.

On Tuesday a P8I Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Darwin, Australia.

The aircraft and its crew would be undertaking an operational turnaround at Darwin. During its stay, the team from the Indian Navy’s maritime patrol squadron, Albatross, is scheduled to engage with its counterparts from the 92 Wing of the Royal Australian Air Force.

P8 aircraft from both the countries, would be conducting coordinated operations in Anti-Submarine Warfare and surface surveillance, to enhance maritime domain awareness.

In recent times, increased interaction between the two maritime nations, through bilateral and multilateral exercises at sea, has enhanced inter-operability and fostered bridges of friendship.

The P8 aircraft, with their demonstrated long reach, have operated jointly during the Malabar and AUSINDEX series of exercises, and have a common understanding of operating procedures and information sharing.

The maritime waters between Indonesia and Northern Australia is an area of mutual interest to both countries, being a gateway into the Indian Ocean Region. Both India and Australia share strategic interests, promoting a free and open Indo- Pacific and rules based order in the region.

On Monday Governor of West Bengal, Jagdeep Dhankhar asked the Chief Secretary (CS) of the state to send him a full report on the alleged gang rape of the 14-year-old girl in Nadia. Governor has also sought a full report on the alleged atrocities on Ram Bhakts during Ram Navami processions.

“Urgent response of Chief Secretary be sought on alleged gangrape death of 14-year-old girl in Nadia as also atrocities on Ram Bhakats on RamNavami. Both these issues have been raised today by Leader of Opposition Shri Suvendu Adhikari who called on the undersigned and sought thorough probe,” said Governor Dhankhar.

Governor has called upon Chief Secretary to submit his report by April 13, 2022.

“According to LOP both incidents highlight worrisome state of crime against women & nose diving law & order scenario in the state. CS be called upon to render his report on both counts earliest, latest by April 13, 2022,” added Governor.

Earlier on Monday, the Leader of Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly and  BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari called on Governor Dhankhar over the issues.

Meanwhile, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday has said that the state child commission will investigate the Nadia minor rape and murder case.

A minor girl died after she was allegedly gang-raped in the Nadia district of West Bengal. The victim’s family accused the son of a Trinamool Congress panchayat leader in the case.

And on Sunday Suvendu Adhikari alleged that police attacked a Ram Navami procession in the Howrah district.

Suvendu Adhikari tweeted, “Ram Bhakts aren’t safe in WB. Howrah Police Commissionerate personnel thrashed participants of a Ram Navami procession at Shibpur. Many got injured. Can’t Sanatani devotees practice their religion in this State safely?”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday held a meeting with Secretary of Defence of the United States Lloyd Austin in the Pentagon.

“Today, we have had a very meaningful and in-depth discussion.  This will help in maintaining the momentum of India-US relationship and taking our work forward. Our two great nations have complementary interests and a shared will to achieve mutual goals,” said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in a press statement.

They had discussions on a range of bilateral, defence and global issues and also shared visions on Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.

“It was heartening to note that as world’s largest democracies, we have convergence of views on most of them. Both India and US share a common vision of a free, open, inclusive and rules-based Indo-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region. Our partnership is of critical importance for peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and the Indian Ocean Region,” said Rajnath Singh.

They talked about the military-to-military engagements and how it strengthen cooperation in regional security in the Western Indian Ocean.

“Our military-to-military engagements have continued in spite of challenges from the Pandemic. We are also glad that India has joined the multilateral Combined Maritime Force (CMF) based in Bahrain, as an Associate Partner. This will strengthen cooperation in regional security in the Western Indian Ocean. We are on course in effectively implementing COMCASA, and complete implementing of BECA,” said Rajnath Singh

“We have agreed to explore further cooperation in the fields of Defence Cyber, Special Forces and expanding the scope of logistics cooperation under LEMOA and during joint exercises,” added Rajnath Singh.

Both sides have agreed on the need to revitalise the Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) with joint projects on advanced and emerging and critical military technologies.

Rajnath Singh urged American companies to come and invest in India and support the ‘Make in India’ programme.

“I shared India’s desire to take this partnership towards co-development and co-production with US companies. We called for increased investments by US defence companies in India under the ‘Make in India’ programme. Participation of US entities in Industrial collaboration and partnership in research and development will be critical for success of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ campaigns,” said Rajnath Singh.