February 2024

On February 26, India celebrated the fifth anniversary of the Balakot Air Strike where Indian Air Force (IAF) Mirage 2000 destroyed a major terrorist training centre of Jaish-e-Mohammed(JeM) at Balakot in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province some 50 km from the line of control(LoC) and 80 km from the Uri town in Jammu and Kashmir. The strike was carried out by the French-made multi-role fighter jet using five SPICE 2000, a 900 kg/2000 lbs, Israeli precision guided bomb.

Pokhran range near Jaisalmer reverberated with thunderous explosions and applause, on 17 February 2024, as the Indian Air Force showcased its offensive capabilities through an enthralling and formidable display of its firepower. Chief of Defence Staff, General Anil Chauhan PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of defence minister Rajnath Singh, accorded approval for Acceptance of Necessity (AoNs) for various capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 84,560 crore. In the true spirit of ‘Aatmanirbharta’, the approvals accorded on February 16, 2024 lay special emphasis on procurement of various equipment from Indian vendors.

The Ministry of Defence has signed a contract on February 14, 2024 with Advanced Weapon Equipment India Ltd. (AWEIL), Kanpur for manufacturing & supply of a total of 463 indigenously manufactured 12.7 mm Stabilised Remote Control Guns (SRCG) for the Indian Navy & Indian Coast Guard at a total cost of Rs. 1752.13 crores, with Indigenous Content (IC) of more than 85%.

The SRCG will enhance the capability of Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard to accurately engage small targets that post a threat to ships in an asymmetric environment, both by day and night.