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New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Self-reliance in UAVs, counter-unmanned aerial systems strategic imperative for India: CDS Chauhan
NEW DELHI: Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan on Wednesday said recent conflicts globally have demonstrated how drones can "shift tactical balance disproportionately", and asserted that self-reliance in UAVs and Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) is a "strategic imperative" for India. In his address at an event held at Manekshaw Centre here, Gen Chauhan also said Operation Sindoor has shown why indigenously developed Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) and C-UAS "built for our terrain and our needs are crucial." A day-long workshop on 'Indigenisation of Critical Components Currently Being Imported from Foreign OEMs in the Areas of UAV & C-UAS' is being hosted by Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff (HQ-IDS), in collaboration with the think-tank Centre for Joint Warfare Studies. The event comes against the backdrop of recent India-Pakistan hostilities, including Operation Sindoor, which highlighted the strategic importance and operational effectiveness of UAVs and C-UAS, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), in his keynote address at the inaugural session, said drones are proof of reality, and their widespread utility in recent conflicts demonstrates how drones can shift tactical balance disproportionately to their size or price. "Asymmetric drone warfare is making large platforms vulnerable and driving militaries to rethink the conceptual aspects of air doctrines, development of C-UAS and adaptive moves of engagement," he said. The CDS also said that during Operation Sindoor, Pakistan used unarmed drones and loiter munitions on May 10. But "none of them could actually inflict any damage to Indian military or civilian infrastructure," he said. "Most of them were neutralised through a combination of kinetic and non-kinetic means. Some of them could be recovered in almost intact conditions," Gen Chauhan said. The CDS emphasised that Operation Sindoor has "shown us as to why indigenously developed UAS, C-UAS built for our terrain and our needs are crucial." Underlying the ethos of Atmanirbharta, Gen Chauhan asserted that "we cannot rely on imported niche technologies that are crucial for our offensive and defensive missions." "Dependence on foreign technologies weakens our preparedness, limits our ability to scale up production, results in a shortfall of critical spares for sustenance and round-the-clock availability," he added. Military leaders, defence experts, scientists, policymakers and private industry representatives have gathered here for the event, seeking to develop a "strategic roadmap" for indigenisation, with an overarching aim to reduce dependency on foreign companies for critical UAV and C-UAS components. "In the rapidly evolving landscape of non-contact warfare, UAVs have emerged as a transformative force. For a nation like India, self-reliance in UAVs and C-UAS technologies is not only a strategic imperative, but it is also about empowering India to chart its destiny, safeguard its interests and seize the opportunities of the future," the CDS wrote in his message for the workshop.


India.com
20-06-2025
- Politics
- India.com
Is World War 3 Looming? Israel-Iran Conflict Raises Global Security Concerns; Experts Analyse…
Israel-Iran Conflict: The Middle East is currently facing a volatile, war-like situation as Israel and Iran continue to exchange aerial strikes. Tensions between the two nations have simmered for years, but the latest escalation began after Tel Aviv claimed that Tehran had moved closer to becoming a nuclear power. On June 13, Israel launched strikes against Iran to target its alleged nuclear programme, according to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). Following this, Jerusalem not only struck the nuclear facility in Isfahan but also killed several top Iranian military officials and targeted the Iranian Ministry of Defence headquarters. In response to the attacks from Israel, Tehran launched ballistic missile strikes and deployed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) against Israel. This exchange of fire resulted in casualties on both sides; moreover, as Israel and Iran continue their military engagement, its consequences and implications could be felt globally. Retired Air Vice Marshal Kapil Kak explained that although the conflict is currently regional, its ripple effects will not be confined to just the two nations. "There could be a range of consequences, as the nations could impact the Red Sea, oil prices, trade, and the movement of goods and services," he warned. He also highlighted that the fallout could lead to increased trade costs and higher insurance premiums. Multi-front War Possible? According to International Affairs and Strategic Analyst Naval Captain (retired) Shyam Kumar, Israel's objective is clear - stop Iran's nuclear weapons programme. He clarified that a multi-front war does not seem likely as the situation is expected to remain contained. "The Middle East is very progressive; they do not want to come to the front to fight as an Arab world," he added. He continued, "I feel that the war would not escalate to a global level - it will be contained within just a few days, as long as Israel achieves its objectives and halts Iran's programme to a point from which it cannot recover." Effect on US, Russia and China? Describing the current conflict, Kumar said, "The Middle East is flaming, and it affects other countries as well." He explained that from both a security and economic standpoint, Russia, China, and the United States can sustain themselves. However, they may still face indirect consequences. "If the conflict prolongs, the world economy, the Red Sea, and key routes of communication will be affected. Oil prices are already rising. So indirectly, it affects the world and these three countries," he said. Effect on India as well? Focusing on India's ties with both Tehran and Tel Aviv, Kak said, "India has very close relations with Israel and Iran, so there are ramifications for all countries. If the situation spirals, then we have 9 million people living in the region who send remittances to India worth about $50 billion every year." From a geopolitical, defence and strategic standpoint, Israel has also developed strong ties with India. "We have interests with both countries, and if this spreads, it will also impact other dimensions of India-West Asia relations," he said. He added that the end of the conflict is not in sight at the moment, and elaborated, "Israel says its purpose was to ensure that Iran's nuclear weapons capability is set back by a couple of years. I doubt whether that has happened, because Iran is a very determined state, and it has attained a certain level of technology. It may perhaps return to the same nuclear stage in months instead of years." He also emphasised that both Russia and the United States can play diplomatic roles in helping to de-escalate the current crisis. Kumar, on the other hand, brought up former US President Donald Trump and his rationale that since Iran has not killed any Americans, there would be no reason for the United States to get involved. He added that tactically, militarily, economically and politically, the United States is supporting Israel.


New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia, Russia to sign MoU on disaster management cooperation this year
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia and Russia are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in disaster management this year. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said the MoU will serve as a practical framework for joint training, knowledge exchange and coordinated emergency response. "As Asean Chair this year, Malaysia remains committed to regional leadership in disaster response," he told a joint press conference with Russian Civil Defence, Emergencies and Elimination of Consequences of Natural Disasters Minister (Emercom) Colonel General Alexander Kurenkov, here today. Zahid, who is also the Central Disaster Management Committee chairman, said Malaysia welcomed Russia's offer of capacity-building programmes for Malaysian officers, including a specialised training course in Vladivostok this September. "We are exploring broader collaboration, including technology transfer in Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) applications for disaster monitoring," he added. Zahid said Malaysia's National Disaster Management Agency (Nadma) team was among the first to arrive in Myanmar following the recent earthquake, operating alongside international teams including Emercom's RUS-03. He added that Malaysia and Russia agreed to conduct joint search and rescue (SAR) training between the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Smart) and Russia's RUS-03 team. He also expressed appreciation to Russia for the offer to train Malaysia's Smart team and the invitation to allow senior officers from the Fire and Rescue Department of Malaysia to participate in a specialised course at a leading university in St. Petersburg. Zahid also values the inclusion of Emercom's cultural ensemble as part of the visit, describing it as a meaningful gesture that fosters people-to-people ties and strengthens the foundation of the long-standing bilateral relationship between Malaysia and Russia. He said the visit marks an important milestone in enhancing Malaysia and Russia's cooperation in disaster management. He also expressed appreciation for the strong working relationship between Nadma and Emercom, particularly through regional initiatives under the International Search and Rescue Advisory Group (INSARAG) and the Asean Committee on Disaster Management (ACDM). Zahid said he is looking forward to attending the upcoming international conference and the disaster management event hosted by Russia in Azerbaijan. Earlier, Zahid received a courtesy call from Kurenkov, marking an important milestone in enhancing Malaysia and Russia's cooperation in disaster management. Meanwhile, Kurenkov said that during the meeting, several key areas were discussed, including the professional training and education of firefighters and rescue personnel. "Emercom's academies offer a wide range of programmes for international specialists, not only for firefighters and rescuers but also for medics, dog handlers and UAV operators," he added. He also emphasised Emercom's interest in understanding Malaysia's modern approaches to fire and rescue training, noting the value of exchanging best practices. In addition, he said both sides are committed to improving mutual early-warning capabilities and risk communication related to natural disasters, particularly in the areas of prevention, prediction and risk management using the systems of space monitoring and distant zoning of Earth. "In Russia, the functions are performed by the National Crisis Management Centre. Generally, our countries have big potential for further cooperation in the sphere of elimination of natural and manmade disaster consequences," he added. — BERNAMA


Business Wire
18-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Cyberlux Corporation Is Partnering With Palantir to Deploy Warp Speed Operating to Accelerate Global Defense Production and Mission Execution
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL), a next-generation defense technology company delivering disruptive innovation across Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), Datron Military Communications (DMC), and Global Integration Services (GIS), announces today that we are partnering with Palantir Technologies to deploy Palantir's Warp Speed Operating System (Warp Speed OS) across our manufacturing operations. This enterprise-wide integration represents a major technological advancement for Cyberlux, positioning us at the forefront of real-time, AI-enabled manufacturing and operational agility. As global security challenges grow increasingly complex, defense and intelligence stakeholders are demanding scalable, precision-engineered solutions delivered at remarkable speed. Together with Palantir, Cyberlux is answering that call. Driving Scalable Production with Palantir's Warp Speed Operating System The implementation of the Palantir Warp Speed Operating System (Warp Speed OS)—a cutting-edge AI platform for manufacturing resource planning and supply chain orchestration—is enabling Cyberlux to gain real-time visibility across our end-to-end production lifecycle. The system empowers us to dynamically manage raw materials, component sourcing, production schedules, and downstream logistics—enhancing our ability to meet the accelerating global demand for mission-critical technologies. 'Partnering with Palantir on the deployment of Warp Speed OS marks a transformative step for Cyberlux Corporation,' said Mark Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer. 'Warp Speed OS is providing us with the real-time insights and operational flexibility required to scale our manufacturing of Datron Military Communications systems, unmanned aerial platforms, and GIS technologies. With this system, we are streamlining operations, optimizing our supply chain, and delivering technology where it's needed most—with unmatched speed and precision.' This collaboration aims to allow Cyberlux to reduce lead times, resolve production bottlenecks, and deliver advanced equipment more responsively to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), allied military forces, and global government partners. Enhancing Global Integration Services and Field Readiness Cyberlux's Global Integration Services division is benefiting directly from these platform deployments. As we deliver turnkey mission support to U.S. and allied defense organizations, Warp Speed OS is empowering our field teams to deploy faster, monitor assets more effectively, and synchronize operations with real-time command intelligence. Whether supporting secure communications for tactical units, deploying UAS in dynamic environments, or responding to humanitarian crises, Cyberlux and Palantir are jointly enabling decisive action in today's complex global landscape. About Cyberlux Corporation Cyberlux Corporation (OTC: CYBL) is a leading provider of advanced defense technology solutions, specializing in tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS), military communications and mission-critical solutions for global military markets. The company develops next-generation military capabilities designed to enhance operational effectiveness for U.S. military, government, and global defense partners. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that can be identified by terminology such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'potential,' 'plans,' 'suggests,' 'may,' 'should,' 'could,' 'intends,' or similar expressions within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain as they are based on current expectations and assumptions concerning future events or future performance of the company. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are only predictions and speak only as of the date hereof. In evaluating such statements, prospective investors should review carefully various risks and uncertainties identified in this release and matters set in the company's OTC/SEC filings. These risks and uncertainties could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.


India Gazette
14-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Union Minister Paswan inaugurates Garuda Aerospace's Agri-Drone Indigenisation Facility
Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], June 14 (ANI): Union Minister of State for Rural Development Kamlesh Paswan inaugurated Garuda Aerospace's new Agri-Drone Indigenisation Facility in Chennai on Saturday. The launch also witnessed a dynamic live demonstration of agri-drones by highly skilled Drone Didis, showcasing Garuda Aerospace's commitment to fostering self-reliance and innovation within the burgeoning drone ecosystem. The Minister also inaugurated 300 Centres of Excellence and flagged off Garuda Aerospace's DGCA-approved Train the Trainer (TTT) programme. Supporting this milestone launch were key members of the Bharat Drone Association (BDA), Rural Development Ministry release said. Speaking on the occasion, Kamlesh Paswan praised Garuda Aerospace and its Founder and CEO, Agnishwar Jayaprakash, for their visionary efforts in making India self-reliant in drone technology. He stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of transforming India into a Global Drone Hub can truly be realized through the dedication of innovative companies like Garuda Aerospace, the release said. He also lauded the Bharat Drone Association for uniting local component manufacturers under one roof at the Indigenization Factory, a state-of-the-art facility capable of manufacturing over one lakh drones in the next two years. The Minister expressed his admiration, noting that he has never seen 2,000 agri-drones in a single location, as he witnessed at the Garuda Indigenous Manufacturing Facility--a feat showcasing India's capability to lead in drone innovation and scale. Agnishwar Jayaprakash said PM Modi 'gave us a vision in 2022 to manufacture one lakh Made-in-India drones by 2026'. 'We have delivered 4,000 drones so far, and are confident we will achieve this target in the next two years'. Spread across 35,000 square feet, Garuda Aerospace's Agri-Drone Indigenization Facility is the country's first-of-its-kind hub for the design, manufacturing, and rigorous testing of advanced Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The new facility marks the expansion of Garuda Aerospace's existing manufacturing unit and is a major leap in advancing drone manufacturing and skill development in India, the release said. The Train the Trainer (TTT) programme is Garuda Aerospace's flagship skill building and development initiative which is designed to empower educators and professionals to become certified drone instructors. Additionally, the strategically located 300 Centres of Excellence (CoEs) across India in collaboration with academic institutions and industry partners will advance drone innovation, research, and skill development through a strong partner network, the release said. (ANI)