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Time of India
24-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
India, Israel seek to further strengthen defence ties
India's Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan during a meeting with the Director General of Israel's Ministry of Defence Major General Amir Baram, in New Delhi. (@HQ_IDS_India on X via PTI Photo) NEW DELHI: India and Israel on Wednesday agreed to further strengthen their already expansive defence cooperation with a long-term perspective, even as Tel Aviv strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The countries also decided to work towards developing an institutional framework to further deepen their bilateral defence ties in talks between defence secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and director general of Israeli defence ministry Major General Amir Baram here. "The Israeli DG condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam and conveyed full support for India's fight against terrorism . Singh, in turn, reiterated India's zero tolerance approach to terrorism. Singh also condemned the terrorist attacks in Israel on Oct 7, 2023, and called for release of all hostages," an official said. The two sides reviewed progress of the ongoing defence collaboration activities since the last joint working group meeting held in July 2024. "This visit by the Israeli DG Israel marks a pivotal step in India-Israel defence relations and reinforces both sides' commitment to enhance their strategic partnership," the official said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Launch - 2 & 3 BHK - Kharadi, Pune - 86.5 Lakh* Kohinoor Riverdale Get Info Undo India had extensively used Israeli-origin weapon systems during the cross-border hostilities with Pakistan from May 7 to 10. India, for instance, used the Israeli Harop and Harpy kamikaze drones, which act as cruise missiles by exploding into enemy targets and radars, to hit air defence sites and other targets deep inside Pakistan, as was earlier reported by TOI. India also used Barak-8 medium range surface-to-air missile systems, jointly developed with Israel, as part of its multi-layered air defence network to thwart the multiple waves of Turkish drones and Chinese missiles fired by Pakistan.
India.com
08-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Israel's deadly seven weapon technologies that can destroy enemies in..., includes Mossad and...
Israel's deadly seven weapon technologies that can destroy enemies in… includes Mossad and… Israel's Top 7 Weapon Technologies: Israel is one of the few countries in the world that is famous for its state-of-the-art military capabilities despite limited land and population. Surrounded by enemies and having a constant threat on its borders, the country has not only strengthened its defence system but has also surpassed others in many cases. We all have seen the capabilities of the Iron Dome and know its strengths. Let us now learn about Israel's seven best and most deadly weapon systems. Spike Firefly Spike Firefly is a portable, suicide drone that soldiers can launch directly into the battlefield. The small-sized drone can use as a surveillance drone and can explode itself like a bomb when needed. Spike Firefly is extremely effective in urban warfare, especially against hidden enemies. Trophy Active Protection System (Trophy APS) The Trophy system is installed on tanks and armoured vehicles. It used to destroy rockets and anti-tank missiles mid-air. The Trophy APS has been used in the Israeli army's Merkava tanks and is also purchased by several countries, including the US. Mossad Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, while not a conventional weapon, is a crucial strategic asset. Its globally renowned covert operations, ranging from cyber warfare to targeted assassinations, are unparalleled. Attack Drones Israel is the world's leading drone manufacturer and has developed several drones for surveillance and attack. Drones like Heron and Harop are capable of providing real-time intelligence, surveillance, and destroying targets. Harop is a 'kamikaze drone' which blows itself up after hitting the enemy's radar or target. Arrow Missile Defence System The Arrow missile defence system, a collaborative project between Israel and the United States, is unique in its ability to intercept ballistic missiles during their flight through space. The Arrow-3 variant is particularly designed to counter potential nuclear threats, such as those posed by Iran. F-35I 'Adir' Israel customises the F-35 fighter jets it acquires from the United States, designating them as 'Adir.' These fifth-generation, multirole aircraft incorporate stealth technology, enabling undetected attacks within enemy territory. Nuclear Weapons (Nukes) However, Israel has never officially admitted that it has nuclear weapons, but global security experts believe that the country may have around 80-90 nuclear weapons. This is the most significant aspect of Israel's strategic advantage, which has enabled it to successfully deter its enemies.
India.com
28-05-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Inside Operation Sindoor: How IAF Blinded, Numbed, Paralysed PAF; Pushed It 5 Years Back
New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) dramatically altered the balance of aerial power in South Asia earlier this month with a swift and calculated military operation against Pakistan following the April 22 Pahalham terror attack. Over the course of just four days, Indian strikes rendered Pakistan's air capabilities ineffective and set them back by at least five years, claimed top defense sources involved in the mission. Codenamed as Operation Sindoor, the strikes were launched following a missile attack by Pakistan in retaliation to Indian strikes on terror infrastructure in Bahawalpur and Muridke on May 6 and 7. But what followed next was a meticulously planned and precisely executed counter-offensive by the Indian forces that left Pakistan's Air Force 'disoriented', 'blinded' and, in military terms, 'paralysed'. The conflict escalated on the intervening night of May 9 and 10. Armed with an arsenal of stand-off weapons, including air-launched cruise missiles and loitering munitions, Indian aircraft struck deep into Pakistani territory. From Sargodha to Jacobabad, important air bases across the country and even a military cantonment in Karachi were targeted. Among the most significant strike was the assault on Pakistan's Bholari air base, where a hangar housing a Saab 2000 AEW&C aircraft and several fighter jets was obliterated. According to sources, the debris from the destruction still had not been cleared days later that is an indication of the magnitude of the damage. 'We Can Go Deep, We Can Go Wide' Indian military planners sought to disable Pakistan's ability to respond – beginning with its air defense network. Radar stations across Pakistani Punjab were taken out using Harop and Harpy loitering munitions. The offensive effectively blinded the PAF's surveillance capabilities. By May 8, key radar coverage had gone dark. It forced Pakistani jets to operate cautiously and stay deep within their territory. On the ground, Indian artillery and rocket units kept the Pakistan Army pinned down along the Jammu & Kashmir front. It ensured that pressure was maintained across all domains. Command and Control Breakdown One of the most decisive moments came when India targeted and destroyed command and control centers at Chaklala, Sargodha and Murid air bases using high-precision supersonic cruise missiles such as the Rampage and Scalp. These attacks severely disrupted Pakistan's aerial coordination, with no functional link between their airborne early-warning systems and ground control. Caught in the fog of war, Pakistani aircraft began using civilian traffic as cover – an act seen by observers as both desperate and dangerous. Pakistan attempted to hit back on May 9 and 10 and launched missiles and drones sourced from China and Turkey. However, India's multi-layered air defense – ranging from modern S-400 systems to older L-70 guns – intercepted most threats. In fact, sources say some Pakistani missiles fell almost completely intact, failed to detonate and ended up in the hands of Indian villagers who handed them over to the military. The Message Was Clear Indian strikes were launched from deep within its own territory, without crossing into Pakistani airspace. The precision and power of these attacks - tracked in real-time by satellites and Indian AWACS aircraft – left little doubt about India's intent and capability. Military insiders described the operation as a masterclass in modern warfare and noted how surgical strikes on radar stations, missile sites and air bases created a 'decision paralysis' within the Pakistani command structure. The scale of the damage extended beyond hardware. Pakistani reliance on Chinese and Turkish weaponry – much of which underperformed – also came under scrutiny. In several instances, Indian vintage systems like Pechora and OSA-AK outclassed newer foreign imports. The Ceasefire By the morning of May 10, Pakistan had reached out through diplomatic and military backchannels seeking a ceasefire. Indian officials suggest this rapid outreach was spurred by the intensity and effectiveness of the strikes. Sources say Indian leadership had made it clear from the outset – this was not going to be a token response. Targets were selected with an intention to cause lasting damage to Pakistan's terror infrastructure and the military apparatus that shields it. Though the IAF is still conducting post-strike technical assessments, preliminary analysis suggests the operation achieved its strategic objectives. A full official account will be released only after '500 percent' verification, as one source put it. For now, however, Operation Sindoor stands as one of the most impactful air campaigns in recent regional history – executed with precision, resolve and a message that resonates far beyond the subcontinent.
India Today
15-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Exclusive: India fired 15 BrahMos missiles to cripple Pakistan's air defence
In a powerful counter-strike, India launched around 15 BrahMos missiles and other precision weapons on the night of May 9-10, targeting key Pakistani airbases. The operation, carried out by the Indian Air Force (IAF), damaged 11 out of Pakistan's 13 major airbases, delivering a significant blow to the country's air defence network and military strikes came after Pakistan attempted to attack several military targets in northern and western India during the night of May 7-8 using drones and missiles. Areas targeted included Srinagar, Jammu, Pathankot, Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Bhuj. However, India's Integrated Air Defence systems successfully detected and neutralised all response, the Indian Armed Forces launched coordinated attacks the next morning, targeting Pakistani air defence radars, including one in Lahore. On the night of May 9-10, the IAF intensified its response by hitting high-value Pakistani air force to sources, the Indian Air Force used pilotless target aircraft to provoke Pakistani radars and air defence systems into action. Once they were activated, India deployed Harop kamikaze drones to disable and damage those systems. This move paved the way for further missile attacks using BrahMos and Scalp cruise carrying these missiles took off from various bases under India's Western and South Western Air Commands. The attacks struck critical locations, including a hangar in Sindh where Pakistan reportedly lost important equipment, including UAVs and an airborne surveillance the strikes, the Pakistan Air Force was forced to move its aircraft to rear bases due to the extent of operation, overseen by the Chief of Defence Staff, saw the BrahMos missile chosen as the primary weapon on the advice of the National Security Advisor. The use of BrahMos was seen as a strong signal of India's military BRAHMOS MISSILESUttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, during the recent inauguration of the BrahMos Aerospace facility in Lucknow, confirmed the use of the missile in these strikes. 'If you didn't witness the BrahMos in action, ask the people of Pakistan,' he is a long-range supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia. Known for its speed and accuracy, the missile operates on the 'Fire and Forget' principle. It can reach speeds close to Mach 3 and strike targets up to 290 km away with high two-stage propulsion system, stealth features, and advanced guidance technology make it hard to detect and intercept. The missile can carry a conventional warhead of up to 300 kg and can fly as high as 15 km or as low as 10 meters, depending on the mission Watch
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
India's blind spot in South Asia
Listen to article In the immediate aftermath of a militant attack at Pahalgam in IIOJK that killed 26 people, India initiated hostilities against Pakistan on baseless accusations. It attacked civilian sites inside Azad Kashmir and parts of Punjab through missiles and drones. Under the pretext of terrorism, India targeted non-combatant sites inside Pakistan. India claims victory to satisfy its population for political gains at home, increase its regional and global standings and attempt to set up a new normal. However, as a result of Pakistan's befitting counteractions on May 10, India could not achieve its objectives across diplomatic, strategic, and technological domains. Unrealistically, many in India claim to have undermined Pakistan's nuclear deterrence by targeting civilian sites inside Pakistan, as a result of which 33 innocent civilians lost their lives, with more than 40 got injured. India did not attack strategic sites inside Pakistan due to the fear of retaliation from the Pakistani side and escalation to the nuclear level. Though there is a disparity in conventional forces between Pakistan and India, PAF once again demonstrated remarkable skills, maneuverability and will to safeguard the country's sovereignty. In contrast, the IAF, which recently inducted one of the world's most sophisticated French-made Rafale jets into its fleet, is reported to have lost five jets, including 3 Rafale, on May 7, in no time. This is a very big setback to India, which spends billions of dollars to modernise its air force. Also, India's launch of more than 70 sophisticated Harop drones could not cause lethality and destruction as assumed, as these were effectively neutralised by Pakistan, mainly through a soft-kill approach, showcasing modern warfare capabilities and technological strides. After the May 7 attacks on Pakistan, an increasing uncertainty prevailed in India. The imminent fear of retaliation by Pakistan, which was justifiable under international law, left India in a state of extreme uncertainty, as evidenced by the suspension of its billion-dollar IPL cricket event and the decline of the Indian rupee due to the security situation. Furthermore, amid heightened situations, India suspended civilian operations at 24 airports. After showing aggression, India, through massive use of propaganda, attempted to show it to the world that it has acted in self-defence, and that Pakistan has already targeted its territories. India's accusations of missile and drone attacks from the Pakistani side also show that it wanted to de-escalate at that point, as the prospects of countermeasures by Pakistan grew. Yet again, India could not disregard Pakistan's nuclear deterrence and establish a new normal. While some in India argue that in 2016, 2019, and now, in 2025, Pakistan made no mention of the use of nuclear weapons. It is important to note that every nuclear weapon state has a nuclear doctrine and sets a threshold for nuclear weapon use at a certain level. Pakistan's nuclear forces, fortified with sophisticated delivery systems, have become a reality that the adversary cannot evade. Pakistan showed strategic patience and exercised maximum restraint, making its case firm and justifiable in the light of international law before it launched the operation 'Bunyan Marsoos'. Pakistan's coordinated ground-based and aerial strikes seemed to have effectively bypassed India's advanced defence systems, which were supposed to be inescapable. Pakistan took bold and firm actions and targeted the strategic sites inside India. Initially, India was reluctant to leave a space for diplomacy. But its massive diplomatic outreach amid a spiral of worries that led to the US brokering a ceasefire indicates a reversal in its stance. The crisis brought India and Pakistan very close to a wider conflict, and the risk of nuclear escalation has never before reached this level. The situation worsened due to the absence of a dialogue mechanism and an effective crisis management mechanism. The US should play a role in resolving the longstanding issues, managing the regional security environment and maintaining strategic stability in South Asia, which is key to peace and stability in the region and beyond.
