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India.com
8 hours ago
- India.com
Meet TF-2000: Super advanced air defence destroyer developed by Turkey, it is capable of..., is it a matter of concern for India?
(File) TF-2000 Destroyer: In another major move to boost its military power, Turkey announced that it will build an air defense destroyer ship and four additional patrol ships to bolster the maritime capabilities of the Turkish Navy. According to media reports, state-owned ship builder ASFAT, has secured the contract to build the TF-2000, Turkey's first homegrown warship, which will be built in about 60 blocks, and is expected to be completed by 2030. The company will also build four patrol ships based on Turkey's existing Ada-class corvettes, within the next 36 months, reports said. What is the TF-2000 destroyer? As per Turkish media reports, the TF-2000 destroyer will be about 149 meters in length, 21 meters in width, and will feature a landing platform for a 15-ton military helicopter. The destroyer will be designed to operate in violent seas and able to withstand tidal waves as high as 4 meters, they said. Additionally, the TF-2000 will be able operate for 45 days with requiring any re-supply, and will be capable of remaining at sea for 180 days, while receiving receiving support from the shore. On the weapons front, the state-of-the-destroyer will be equipped with a vertical launching system, a 127 mm naval gun, torpedo launcher, close-in weapons system and electronic warfare sensors. The ship is expected to have a service life of over 40 years, as per the reports. How TF-2000 will boost Turkey's naval strength? While primarily designed for air defense, the TF-2000 warship will essentially be a multirole destroyer, capable of anti-submarine, anti-surface and electronic warfare, anti-insurgency and special operations, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tasks. AFSAT will also build four additional patrol boats, based on Turkey's previously developed Ada-class corvette design. The 100 meter long, and 14 meter wide boats will be capable of carrying military helicopters like the S-70B Seahawk, and feature a wide array of weapons including 76 mm naval guns, vertical launchers, close-in weapon systems and anti-submarine and missile systems. Experts believe the TF-2000 and Hisar-class ships will significantly bolster Turkey's naval capabilities and will also strengthen the security of its maritime borders with rival nations like Israel, Greece and Cyprus. Additionally, the new ships will further boost Turkey's reputation and presence in the global arms market. Why India is concerned? Turkey, along with China and Azerbaijan, were among the few countries that openly supported Pakistan during the recent India-Pakistan conflict. Ahead of Operation Sindoor, Turkey, which has strengthened its military ties with Pakistan in recent times, had reportedly docked its warship at the Karachi Port, to deter any sea-based attack on the country by the Indian Navy. Additionally, Turkey also armed the Pakistani forces with advanced military drones like the Bayraktar TB2, which were actively used against Indian installations during Operation Sindoor.
News18
18 hours ago
- News18
'Diplomat', Arrested At Fake Embassy, Involved In Rs 300 Cr Scam; Held 162 Foreign Trips: Report
Last Updated: Harsh Vardhan Jain was arrested for running fake embassy in Ghaziabad. Probe has revealed that he lured youths for jobs abroad and was involved in money laundering through Hawala. Investigation into Harsh Vardhan Jain, who was arrested in Ghaziabad for allegedly running a fake embassy as a self-styled diplomat, has revealed shocking details. He was arrested last week at the rented house in the city, which he claimed to be an embassy. The probe has revealed possible links of the man to a scam amounting to nearly Rs 300 crore, 162 foreign trips in 10 years, and various overseas bank accounts, according to a report. Jain was allegedly involved in money laundering through the Hawala route, besides a job racket. The Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force had raided his premises and seized four cars with fake diplomatic number plates and forged documents, NDTV reported. The police said that Jain could be involved in a scam worth Rs 300 crore. Outside the building, a nameplate read 'Grand Duchy of Westarctica" and 'H E HV Jain Honorary Consul." The building displayed the flags of India and Westarctica — a self-declared micronation in Antarctica that isn't recognised by any country in the world, the report said. NDTV reported. The officials said that during the raid on the building, the cops also found pictures of Jain with 'godman" Chandraswami and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. Chandraswami, a self-proclaimed godman, gained significant influence in the 1980s and 1990s and was seen as the spiritual adviser to three Prime Ministers—PV Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar, and VP Singh. He faced investigations for financial irregularities and was arrested in 1996. The STF has discovered that Chandraswami had introduced Jain to Khashoggi and Ahsan Ali Sayed – a conman who allegedly worked with the fake diplomat to float 25 shell companies that were used for money laundering. Sayed was born in Hyderabad but later took Turkish citizenship, the report said. Sayed ran a company in Switzerland called Western Advisory Group, which worked with businesses and promised to help them get loans in return for a brokerage fee. The company allegedly collected £25 million (about Rs 300 crore) in brokerage before fleeing Switzerland. Ahsan was arrested in London in 2022. Police are now investigating how deeply Jain was involved in the large-scale scam. Earlier, they found that Jain used a fake embassy and claimed diplomatic status to build contacts and attract people by offering fake job opportunities, the report said. After Jain's arrest, Westarctica, the micronation where he was an honorary consul, distanced itself, stating that Jain's official title was 'Honorary Consul to India' and was never granted the position of an ambassador. 'During his recent arrest for fraud and other crimes, Jain was found to be in possession of diplomatic number plates, passports, and other items bearing the seal of Westarctica. As an Honorary Consul, he was not authorized to create these items. Westarctica, itself, does not utilize number plates or passports and we have never permitted or encouraged our representatives to do so themselves. By calling his home an 'embassy', Jain was in violation of Westarctica's protocol for our representatives," NDTV quoted the statement as saying. view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
18 hours ago
- NDTV
162 Trips Abroad, 300-Crore Scam: Fake Embassy Probe Reveals Big Secrets
New Delhi: Possible links to a scam worth nearly Rs 300 crore, 162 foreign trips in 10 years and multiple overseas bank accounts: the investigation against Harshvardhan Jain, arrested for running a fake embassy in Ghaziabad for eight years, has revealed shocking details. Jain was arrested last week from the rented two-storey house in Ghaziabad that he claimed was an embassy. Investigation by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force (STF) found that Jain was allegedly involved in running a job racket and was also involved in money laundering through the Hawala route. During the raid on the Ghaziabad premises, police seized four cars with fake diplomatic number plates, forged documents and also a luxury watch collection. Police will be seeking Jain's custody in court tomorrow. Jain, cops said, could be involved in a scam amounting to nearly Rs 300 crore. A Fake Embassy Outside the swanky two-storey building in Ghaziabad, a name plate read, "Grand Duchy of Westarctica" and "H E HV Jain Honorary Consul". The premises had the flags of India and Westarctica, a micronation in Antarctica not recognised by any sovereign state in the world. According to investigators, Jain would use this front for networking and then lure people with jobs abroad. This fake embassy had been running since 2017, the probe has revealed. Jain would organise charity events, including bhandaras (community feast), outside the 'embassy' to keep up the show. He rented the building six months back, although he was running a fake embassy for about eight years. A Shady 'Godman' Link During the raid on the fake embassy, police found photos of Jain with controversial "godman" Chandraswami and Saudi arms dealer Adnan Khashoggi. A self-proclaimed godman, Chandraswami rose to influence in the 80s and 90s, so much so that he was considered the spiritual adviser of three Prime Ministers - PV Narasimha Rao, Chandra Shekhar and VP Singh. He came under the scanner for financial irregularities and was arrested in 1996. A raid at his ashram also uncovered dealings with Khashoggi. Chandraswami was also accused of funding the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. A Massive Scam The UP STF has found that it was Chandraswami who introduced Jain to Khassogi and conman Ahsan Ali Sayed. Sayed, it is alleged, worked with Jain to open 25 shell companies that were used to launder money. Born in Hyderabad, Sayed later became a Turkish citizen. Sayed ran a company in Switzerland, Western Advisory Group, which liaised with companies and promised to help them procure loans in exchange for brokerage. This company, it is alleged, collected brokerage worth 25 million pounds -- nearly Rs 300 crore -- and fled Swiss territory. Ahsan was arrested in 2022 in London. Police are now investigating the degree of Jain's involvement in the massive scam. Earlier, police found that Jain used the fake embassy and diplomatic cover for networking and lured people with jobs. Westartica Suspends Fake Baron Following Jain's arrest, Westarctica, the micronation of which he was an honorary consul, has distanced itself. "In 2016, Mr HV Jain made a generous donation to Westarctica and was subsequently invited to join our team of international volunteers who advance our environmental and charitable mission in their home countries. His official title was 'Honorary Consul to India'. He was never granted the position or authority of 'ambassador'," Westarctica has said in a statement. "During his recent arrest for fraud and other crimes, Mr. Jain was found to be in possession of diplomatic number plates, passports, and other items bearing the seal of Westarctica. As an Honorary Consul, he was not authorized to create these items. Westarctica, itself, does not utilize number plates or passports and we have never permitted or encouraged our representatives to do so themselves. By calling his home an 'embassy', Mr Jain was in violation of Westarctica's protocol for our representatives," it said. Westarctica said Jain has been "indefinitely suspended as a representative of our organization". "Our executive team is currently looking into the matter further, and our hearts go out to any individuals who were victimized by Mr. Jain. We will cooperate fully with the legal authorities in India." What Is Westarctica Travis McHenry, a US Navy officer, founded the micronation Westarctica in 2001 and appointed himself its Grand Duke. Located in Antarctica, Westarctica has an area of 6,20,000 square miles; McHenry used a loophole in the Antarctic Treaty System to appoint himself the ruler. While the treaty prohibits countries from laying claim to parts of Antarctica, it says nothing about private individuals. Westarctica claims it has 2,356 citizens -- none of them live there. Based in southern California, the Grand Duchy of Westarctica functions as a non-profit that spreads awareness about climate change and Antarctica. It has its flag, currency and also issues titles that no government recognises.
