Category: Defense

India is changing how it promotes top Army officers. Starting March 31, every Lieutenant General will be evaluated based on their performance using a new “quantified assessment system.” This means promotions will focus on how well officers do their jobs instead of just how long they’ve been in service. Currently, there are around 90 Lieutenant Generals in the 1.1 million-strong Army, but the new policy only affects those below the Vice Chief and the six top commanders, as they are considered a step higher.

The change aims to make promotions fairer, similar to the Air Force and Navy, which already use performance-based evaluations for their top ranks, like Air Marshals and Vice Admirals. Before, Lieutenant Generals did not have a clear assessment system, but now they’ll be scored from 1 to 9 on various skills. This shift is important as the Army prepares for new joint commands that will bring together forces for better coordination in facing challenges from China, Pakistan, and the Indian Ocean.

However, some officers are unhappy with the new system. They worry that merit-based promotions could lead to unfair influences, including politics. Right now, the top leader positions in the Army rely on seniority and how much service time someone has left until they turn 60.

The new theatre commands will focus separately on threats from China and Pakistan, with commands located in Lucknow, Jaipur, and Thiruvananthapuram.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has made a fantastic achievement by lowering its suicide rate by 40%. In 2023, there were 25 deaths, but in 2024, that number has dropped to 15. This change is significant because it means the suicide rate is now 9.8 out of every 100,000 personnel. This is the first time it has gone below the national average of 12.4, based on the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

CISF’s success in reducing suicides comes from a lot of hard work to support the mental health of its officers, called jawans. They have introduced many new ideas to help people feel better and more supported.

Better Work-Life Balance

One big step CISF took was to improve the work-life balance for its personnel. A study showed that many complaints came from workers feeling unhappy about where they were posted, which affected their personal lives. To help with this, CISF started a new policy that lets jawans choose where they want to work. This change focuses on the non-gazetted staff—making up 98% of the CISF workforce—and pays special attention to working women, married couples, and those close to retirement.

Daily Sessions for Support

Another important part of CISF’s plan is daily “briefing-debriefing” meetings. Company commanders meet with their teams every day to check in and spot any signs of stress or unhappiness. Commanding officers also visit the duty posts to message directly and support those who might be struggling.

CISF has also launched Project Mann, a mental health helpline that offers counseling 24/7. By September 2024, more than 4,200 jawans used this service, proving how valuable these resources are.

In total, there were 730 reported suicides across various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) since 2020. CISF had 105 of these cases. The highest suicide rate for the force was 18.1 per one lakh personnel in 2022. Thanks to the new measures, this rate is now down to 9.8 in 2024.

The significant drop in suicide rates shows that CISF is making real progress in supporting mental health, helping its personnel, and promoting a better work-life balance. This success can inspire other forces facing similar challenges.

Veena Sahumade, a 24-year-old girl from the small farming village of Jamarua in Chhattisgarh, is making her family proud by joining the Indian Army as a nurse in the Military Nursing Service (MNS). This is a big deal for her family because she is the first girl ever to get a government job, especially in the Army.

Currently based in Haryana, Veena recently returned home to celebrate her achievement. She even got a call from the Chief Minister, Vishnu Deo Sai, who congratulated her for her success. A touching video shared online shows Veena being warmly welcomed by her parents and villagers. In the heartwarming moment, Veena, filled with joy, salutes her parents in appreciation.

In a phone interview with TOI, Veena shared her story: “I have four sisters, and people usually think that girls should get married early. But my father always encouraged me. Two of my sisters are also studying for government jobs. I studied with them and succeeded in getting into the MNS.”

Even though her family faced money problems, Veena never gave up. She traveled from one village to another to attend school, often cycling many kilometers just to learn. She completed her nursing course in 2022 and, after more preparation, took the MNS exam in 2024. Out of 1,400 candidates for 455 jobs, Veena was chosen!

“When I found out I was selected, it felt like a festival at home and in the village. I saw my father cry for the first time. Those were tears of pride and happiness. Now, many girls in our village feel hopeful and inspired to follow their dreams,” Veena said.

Her success has lifted the spirits of many young girls in her village, encouraging them to chase their own dreams.

New Delhi: The deal to transfer fighter jet engine technology from the United States to India is facing challenges due to rising costs. This agreement involves Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), the Indian partner selected for this project. Officials say that negotiations are ongoing and the deal intends to provide over 80% of the technology needed for GE414 INS6 engines. This includes new technology for coating the engine’s hot parts, special crystal blades, and laser drilling techniques.

However, the initial cost estimates have risen dramatically. The deal was originally valued at around $1 billion, which includes technology transfer and setting up a production line in India for 99 engines. Any increase in cost will need approval from India’s defense ministry to accommodate these changes.

Previously, similar major defense deals have encountered cost and time issues, such as the Rafale fighter jet deal and the Scorpene submarine project. Negotiations for a new fighter jet engine with France have also been delayed due to pricing disagreements.

This deal with the US is essential because the 99 engines will be made in India and will be used in the Mk2 version of the Tejas light combat aircraft. The Indian Air Force expects to need 120-130 of these fighters, possibly increasing the order for engines beyond 99. Additionally, India is developing new deck-based fighters for the Navy, which will also use similar engines.

HAL has already found land in Bengaluru for a new facility and plans to have it operational within two years after the contract is signed.

In 2024, security forces in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province took major steps to fight terrorism. They reported that they killed 270 terrorists, including important militants with bounties on their heads. The provincial police also arrested 802 suspects in different operations, and the number of successful terrorism convictions jumped from 13% last year to 38%.

Among those killed, 32 had bounties on them. However, it wasn’t easy for police. Tragically, 149 officers lost their lives, and 232 were injured while serving the community. The police registered over 211,828 First Information Reports (FIRs) and detained 221,470 suspects. This included 132 for extortion, 13 kidnappers, and 19,481 who were wanted by the law.

Under the National Action Plan, police conducted 12,601 search operations, leading to 67,983 arrests. They focused on high-profile terrorist groups, capturing or eliminating key leaders. Thanks to better intelligence and stricter law enforcement, big crimes like robbery, kidnapping, and illegal arms trading have decreased. Authorities also returned stolen property worth over PKR 1.12 billion to its owners.

In anti-drug efforts, police seized 28,097 kilograms of various drugs, including 3,240 kg of crystal meth, 1,695 kg of heroin, and 22,575 kg of hashish. Inspector-General of Police Akhtar Hayat Gandapur praised the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Police for their hard work in fighting terrorism and keeping things safe. He promised to keep working to remove threats and protect the community.

A total of 2,361 NCC (National Cadet Corps) cadets from all over India are joining a month-long camp that started on Monday at Delhi Cantonment. This year’s camp has the highest number of girl cadets ever, with 917 young women participating! Among the cadets, 114 are from Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh, while 178 come from the Northeast region.

The camp also welcomes cadets and officers from 14 friendly countries as part of a Youth Exchange Programme. The NCC Republic Day Camp-2025 kicked off on the Cariappa Parade Ground, beginning with a special prayer called ‘Sarva Dharm Pooja’.

Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh, the Director General of NCC, greeted the cadets and congratulated them on their selection for this important camp. He encouraged them to show great character, teamwork, and service to others, saying that they should look beyond differences in religion, language, and culture, always keeping ‘Nation First’ in mind.

The main goal of the Republic Day Camp is to build a strong sense of patriotism, discipline, and leadership skills in the cadets. This annual event provides a chance for cadets to train, enjoy cultural activities, and take part in community service projects, all while fostering unity and national pride

The Indian warship INS Tushil, led by Captain Peter Varghese, visited Casablanca, Morocco, on December 27, 2024. During this visit, Captain Varghese met with Brigadier General Ahmed Kartouf, who is in charge of weapons in the Casablanca area, along with other senior Moroccan military leaders. They talked about ways to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Moroccan Navy.

The Indian Navy shared updates on this meeting through their official social media post, mentioning that they discussed important matters of mutual interest and ways to improve their teamwork at sea. The team on the INS Tushil even took part in fun activities such as yoga and a friendly volleyball game with the Moroccan Navy.

This visit is significant because it helps build closer maritime and diplomatic ties between India and Morocco. The Indian Ministry of Defence highlighted the importance of working together, especially since three Indian Navy ships visited Casablanca in the last year, helping to build trust and collaboration.

INS Tushil was recently commissioned on December 9, 2024, in Russia. It is manned by a dedicated crew of 250 people. As the ship sails back home to Karwar, it will engage in joint exercises with other friendly navies, further promoting India’s strong presence in maritime affairs. This visit by INS Tushil is a step forward in enhancing the relationship between India and Morocco, a country known for its important position along both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, similar to India’s strategic maritime location.

On Sunday morning, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced that five Chinese military aircraft and five naval vessels were spotted around Taiwan. They mentioned that three of the aircraft crossed the median line, which is like an invisible border in the water, entering Taiwan’s air defense zone in the north and southwest. The MND is keeping a close watch on the situation and responding as needed.

The day before, on Saturday, there were more reports of Chinese military activity, with seven aircraft and five naval vessels nearby. One of those aircraft also crossed the median line into Taiwan’s northern air defense zone.

In a separate announcement, Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defence shared exciting news about the new barracks at the ROC Armed Forces Army Airborne Training Center. They said that this new facility will help train paratroopers and special forces with advanced training methods and new equipment.

Recently, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte criticized China for its actions towards Taiwan, saying that China is trying to bully Taiwan and take control of important infrastructure. He noted that China is rapidly increasing its nuclear weapons stockpile, growing from 200 warheads in 2020 to an expected 1,000 by 2030. The Taiwan Strait remains a hot spot for tensions, with Taiwanese officials warning that this military activity threatens Taiwan’s independence and regional peace. China, which sees Taiwan as part of its territory, insists on reuniting with the island, even by force if necessary

The U.S. deployed its THAAD anti-missile system in Israel, and it was used for the first time to intercept a missile from Yemen. This happened after President Joe Biden sent the system to Israel last October. THAAD, made by Lockheed Martin, was activated recently and a source said they are deciding if the interception was successful. The Pentagon hasn’t commented yet.

The THAAD system is part of Israel’s efforts to improve its air defense against rising threats, especially from Yemen’s Houthi fighters. Recently, Israel launched airstrikes on targets in Yemen linked to the Houthis, which has caused at least six fatalities according to Houthi reports. In response, the Houthis have fired missiles and drones at Israel, showing support for the Palestinians in Gaza.

The United Nations (U.N.) is worried about the growing conflict. Julien Harneis, a U.N. official in Yemen, said the airstrikes on Sanaa Airport have harmed humanitarian efforts in the area. This airport is crucial for delivering help to northern Yemen, and if it gets damaged, it will stop a lot of important aid. Harneis highlighted that the airport hasn’t been seen as a military target since 2016.

Yemen is facing a terrible humanitarian crisis, with over 18 million people needing aid. This number may reach 19 million next year due to worsening conditions. Harneis also mentioned worries about the Hodeidah port, an important place for food imports; damage to it could cause great suffering for the Yemeni people.

The use of THAAD in Israel shows a new direction in the U.S.-Israel defense relationship as missile threats from groups like the Houthis become more serious. The THAAD system can hit both short- and medium-range missiles, helping Israel defend itself in a tense region.