Latest news with #Russia-Ukraine
News18
3 hours ago
- Business
- News18
Move Over Rafale-5, F-35, Su-57E: India Opens Rs 15,000-Crore Bid To Build 5th Gen Fighter Jets
Last Updated: The govt has issued an EoI for this high-profile project, open to firms, JVs, or consortia. Applications close on August 16, and the project must be completed within 8 years In a significant step towards self-reliance in defence, India has invited companies to develop indigenous fifth-generation fighter jets. The move comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions — with the Russia-Ukraine war dragging on, Israel opening a new front against Iran, and India responding to the Pahalgam terror attack with Operation Sindoor. According to experts, this move means India will no longer have to completely rely on foreign fifth-generation fighter jets like the Rafale-5, F-35, or Su-57E. The government has issued an Expression of Interest for this high-profile project, allowing single companies, joint ventures, or consortia to apply. The initial budget for developing the prototype is set at Rs 15,000 crore, with the potential for subsequent orders running into several thousand crores. 'The objective of this EOI is to shortlist Indian companies (owned and controlled by resident Indian citizens) who are technically capable for the development, building of prototypes, supporting flight test and certification of AMCA (advanced medium combat aircraft)," the EOI document stated. Interested companies must submit their applications by August 16, with a maximum project completion time of eight years. This initiative marks a significant step in India's largest military research endeavour. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) will evaluate and shortlist established Indian companies with a proven track record in aerospace and defence. To qualify, firms must demonstrate the ability to absorb and implement the AMCA's design, along with experience in key areas such as engineering, manufacturing, system integration, testing, quality assurance, and post-delivery support. Additionally, companies must be capable of setting up infrastructure for full-scale series production of the aircraft. What's The Budget For India's 5th-Gen Jet? fifth-generation fighter jet prototype is developed, the selected company is expected to receive large-scale defence orders in the future. The importance of a fifth-generation aircraft for India cannot be understated. While the country has developed indigenous cruise and ballistic missiles and air defence systems, such as the proven Akash system, the lack of a fifth-generation stealth fighter jet remains a significant gap. The government aims to address this shortfall within the next decade to decade and a half. Which Companies Can Place Their Bets? Potential contenders for this project include both public and private sector companies. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Tata Advanced Systems Limited, Adani Defence, and Larsen & Toubro are all likely candidates to participate in this ambitious endeavour. On May 27, in a major step towards strengthening India's self-reliance in defence and building a strong local aerospace industry, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh gave the green light to the implementation framework for the AMCA programme. The AMCA programme will be carried out by the ADA in collaboration with industry partners. The chosen model ensures a level playing field, encouraging both private and public sector entities to compete on equal terms.
Hans India
4 hours ago
- General
- Hans India
Russian soldier's final rites held in Gokarna Temple
Gokarna: The last rites of Sergey Grablev, a Russian soldier killed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, were performed at the Mahabaleshwar Temple in Gokarna, Uttara Kannada. The rituals, steeped in Vedic tradition, exhibited Grablev's deep connection to Indian spirituality and the sacred coastal town he cherished for nearly two decades. Under the guidance of a priest, the Narayan Bali, Pinda Pradhana, and other Vedic ceremonies that make up the last rites were meticulously conducted. A framed photograph of Grablev served as the focal point, arranged by his relative. Family members in Russia participated via video conferencing, joining local devotees in prayers for Grablev's soul to achieve moksha, or liberation. Grablev's affinity for Gokarna was no fleeting attachment. For 18 years, he immersed himself in the town's spiritual ambience, earning the affectionate moniker 'Sergey Baba' among locals. A devoted student of Indian culture, he studied Sanskrit in Varanasi, mastered Vedic chants, and embraced Hindu philosophy, forging enduring ties with countless spiritual seekers in the region. Gokarna, to him, was a haven of sacred tranquillity. Having left the Russian military nearly 20 years ago, Grablev re-enlisted in 2022 amid the Russia-Ukraine war, driven by a sense of duty to his homeland. He lost his life in combat on April 28, 2025. In fulfilment of his spiritual aspirations, his family chose Gokarna for his final rites, honouring his profound reverence for the town's sanctity. Grablev's final rites in Gokarna illuminated how a warrior's soul, rooted in devotion, found solace in a land far from his own.
Indian Express
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
When it comes to critical minerals, India cannot rely on China — it needs to fast track its own exploration
The evolution of human civilisation is intrinsically linked to the use of metals. Around 7,000 years ago, civilisation made a great leap from the Neolithic Age to the Chalcolithic Age. Subsequently, it grew more advanced as it moved to the Bronze Age and then the Iron Age. In more recent times, epochs have not necessarily been named after metals or their source — minerals that occur under the surface. But eras have been defined by them. Coal powered the first industrial revolution of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Oil and its derivatives fuelled the second industrial revolution (think cars and planes), and global prosperity in the second half of the 20th century. Now, the long 21st century is going to be the critical minerals age. In a way, it already is. The president of the world's largest economy has put critical minerals at the core of his foreign and domestic agenda. The reason Donald Trump wants to 'annex' Canada and Greenland is to have control over their vast mineral wealth. The only reason he is remotely interested in solving the Russia-Ukraine conflict is the potential for the US to access Ukraine's rich mineral resources. At home, Trump is opening up vast tracts of federal land — previously on no-go lists — for mineral exploration on a fast-track basis, cutting approvals time from a year to less than a month. Minerals have also taken centre-stage in the global trade war. China is using its disproportionate control over rare earth materials to threaten the US and the rest of the world with the debilitating consequences of restricted supply. Twenty or even 10 years ago, the thought of critical minerals or rare earths being at the centre of global conflict, whether geopolitical or geoeconomic, would not have been taken very seriously. The only natural resource that figured in the context of international security and strategy was oil. Since then, two things have happened. First, a growing consciousness about climate change. Second, technological advancement towards a fourth industrial revolution. The technologies that help mitigate climate change — by enabling a substitution of fossil fuels like coal and oil — are heavily mineral-intensive. An electric vehicle uses six times the minerals a conventional vehicle does, largely because its battery is made of lithium, cobalt and nickel. Renewable energy infrastructure for solar and wind power is also mineral-intensive. For example, an offshore wind infrastructure project consumes nine times the minerals that a conventional power plant would. The fourth industrial revolution, which involves AI, robotics and big data, is also mineral-intensive. For example, any digital or digital connectivity infrastructure requires copper in large quantities. Copper is critical because of its electrical conductivity. Data centres, the backbone of big data and AI, consume a lot of copper. They also consume large amounts of energy. To mitigate climate change, a lot of this needs to be sourced from renewable sources. There are several other examples of the mineral intensity of emerging technologies. As the adoption of these technologies grows, the demand-supply gap of critical minerals will grow. The biggest risk to the emerging landscape is the heavy concentration in the supply of critical minerals, much greater than the concentration in oil. There are two stages of the value chain that are of concern. First, the extraction of the metal ore from the surface. Second, the processing of that ore into usable metal. There is a high degree of concentration in the first. Cobalt comes almost exclusively from Congo. Indonesia dominates the mining of nickel, almost 50 per cent of the global supply. China alone accounts for two-thirds of global rare earths mining. Australia, Chile and China account for a majority of lithium mining. In processing, there is complete dominance across the board by just one country, China. Sixty-six per cent of the processing of critical minerals (also including copper and aluminium) takes place in China. For rare earths, this goes up to more than 90 per cent. China alone can bring the global EV industry to a halt by restricting the supply of rare earths. It is happening right at this moment. Neither the US nor India can rely on China. It is time to emulate America's policies and fast track the exploration of critical minerals. India remains under-explored for all minerals. This state of affairs is no longer an option, especially if India is to become a serious player in manufacturing. It is near-impossible to secure mineral supply chains from overseas — even the US is struggling. As a country that is geologically rich, India must explore within. The author is chief economist, Vedanta Ltd
Nahar Net
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
Trump to make Iran war decision in 'next two weeks'
U.S. President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran within the next two weeks as there is still a "substantial" chance of talks to end the conflict. Trump's move to hit the pause button could open up space for diplomacy, after days of fevered questions about whether or not he would order U.S. military action against Tehran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a message from Trump after what she called "a lot of speculation" about whether the United States would be "directly involved" in the conflict. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in the statement. Trump has set two-week deadlines that subsequently shifted on a series of other tough topics in the past, including the Russia-Ukraine war -- but Leavitt denied he was putting off a decision. "If there's a chance for diplomacy the president's always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength as well," Leavitt said. At the same time Leavitt reinforced the sense of urgency, telling reporters that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in the space of a "couple of weeks." "Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon," she said. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, saying that its program is for peaceful purposes. - 'Trust in President Trump' - Trump said on Wednesday that Iran had asked to send officials to the White House to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program and end the conflict with Israel -- although Iran denied making any such request. Washington and Tehran had continued "correspondence" since Israel first struck Iran last week, Leavitt said. She said however that there were currently no plans for Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff to join European diplomats meeting Iran's foreign minister in Geneva on Friday. Trump met his top national security team in the White House Situation Room for the third day in a row on Thursday. He will have similar meetings daily until he leaves for a NATO summit in the Netherlands on Monday, the White House said. His two-week deadline comes after a tense few days in which Trump publicly mulled joining Israel's strikes on Iran and said that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an "easy target." Trump had spent weeks pursuing a diplomatic path towards a deal to replace the nuclear deal with Iran that he tore up in his first term in 2018. But he has since backed Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military top brass, while mulling whether to join in. A key issue is that the United States is the only country with the huge "bunker buster" bombs that could destroy Iran's crucial Fordo Iranian nuclear enrichment plant. "We have capabilities that no other country on this planet possesses," said Leavitt. The White House meanwhile urged Trump supporters to "trust" the president as he decides whether to act. A number of key figures in his "Make America Great Again" movement, including commentator Tucker Carlson and former aide Steve Bannon, have vocally opposed U.S. strikes on Iran. Trump's promise to extract the United States from its "forever wars" in the Middle East played a role in his 2016 and 2024 election wins. "Trust in President Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts," Leavitt said.
Gulf Today
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Gulf Today
Trump to make Iran war decision in 'next two weeks'
US President Donald Trump said Thursday he will decide whether to join Israel's strikes on Iran within the next two weeks as there is still a "substantial" chance of talks to end the conflict. Trump's move to hit the pause button could open up space for diplomacy, after days of fevered questions about whether or not he would order US military action against Tehran. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt read out a message from Trump after what she called "a lot of speculation" about whether the United States would be "directly involved" in the conflict. "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks," Trump said in the statement. Trump has set two-week deadlines that subsequently shifted on a series of other tough topics in the past, including the Russia-Ukraine war -- but Leavitt denied he was putting off a decision. "If there's a chance for diplomacy the president's always going to grab it, but he's not afraid to use strength as well," Leavitt said. At the same time Leavitt reinforced the sense of urgency, telling reporters that Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in the space of a "couple of weeks." "Iran has all that it needs to achieve a nuclear weapon. All they need is a decision from the supreme leader to do that, and it would take a couple of weeks to complete the production of that weapon," she said. Iran denies seeking a nuclear weapon, saying that its program is for peaceful purposes. Trump said on Wednesday that Iran had asked to send officials to the White House to negotiate a deal on its nuclear program and end the conflict with Israel -- although Iran denied making any such request. Washington and Tehran had continued "correspondence" since Israel first struck Iran last week, Leavitt said. She said however that there were currently no plans for Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff to join European diplomats meeting Iran's foreign minister in Geneva on Friday. Trump met his top national security team in the White House Situation Room for the third day in a row on Thursday. He will have similar meetings daily until he leaves for a NATO summit in the Netherlands on Monday, the White House said. His two-week deadline comes after a tense few days in which Trump publicly mulled joining Israel's strikes on Iran and said that Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was an "easy target." Trump had spent weeks pursuing a diplomatic path towards a deal to replace the nuclear deal with Iran that he tore up in his first term in 2018. But he has since backed Israel's attacks on Iran's nuclear facilities and military top brass, while mulling whether to join in. A key issue is that the United States is the only country with the huge "bunker buster" bombs that could destroy Iran's crucial Fordo Iranian nuclear enrichment plant. "We have capabilities that no other country on this planet possesses," said Leavitt. The White House meanwhile urged Trump supporters to "trust" the president as he decides whether to act. A number of key figures in his "Make America Great Again" movement, including commentator Tucker Carlson and former aide Steve Bannon, have vocally opposed US strikes on Iran. Trump's promise to extract the United States from its "forever wars" in the Middle East played a role in his 2016 and 2024 election wins. "Trust in President Trump. President Trump has incredible instincts," Leavitt said. Agence France-Presse
