The Ministry of National Defence (MND) tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and three military aircraft around Taiwan between 6 am on Wednesday and 6 am on Thursday, reported Taiwan News. "3 PLA aircraft and 7 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate forces to respond," Taiwan Ministry of National Defence posted on X. According to MND, Of the three People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, none crossed the Taiwan Strait median line or entered the southwest corner of the country's air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In response, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed air defence missile systems to monitor the PLA activity, as per Taiwan News. On April 3, Taiwan Defence Ministry detected 30 Chinese military aircraft and nine navy vessels operating around its nation between Tuesday 6 am and Wednesday 6 am, Taiwan Ministry of National Defence said. It added that 20 Chinese aircraft entered its northern middle line and Taiwan's southwest air defence identification zone (ADIZ). In an official post on X, the Taiwan Ministry of National Defence posted said, "30 PLA aircraft and 9 PLAN vessels operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 20 of the aircraft entered Taiwan's northern, middle line, and SW ADIZ. #ROCArmedForces have monitored the situation and employed appropriate force to respond." Additionally, Taiwan tracked seven Chinese naval vessels and six military aircraft around the nation amid escalating cross-strait tensions on Tuesday, Taiwan News reported. According to Taiwan News, so far this month, Taiwan has tracked Chinese military aircraft 39 times and naval vessels 20 times. Since September 2020, China has increased its use of grey zone tactics by incrementally increasing the number of military aircraft and naval ships operating around Taiwan. Grey zone tactics are defined as "an effort or series of efforts beyond steady-state deterrence and assurance that attempts to achieve one's security objectives without resort to direct and sizable use of force." Source: Economic Times

In a shocking incident at Haneda Airport, Japan Airlines Flight 516, en route from New Chitose Airport , erupted into flames just after landing on Runway C at approximately 5:47 pm (local time) on Tuesday, Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported. The unfolding situation suggests a potential collision with a Japan Coast Guard aircraft, it reported. Japan Airlines has reported that there were 367 passengers on board, including eight children, along with a crew of 12. All 379 passengers and crew members were evacuated from the aircraft safely. The incident has prompted a massive emergency response, with at least 70 fire trucks and other vehicles dispatched by the Tokyo Fire Department to extinguish the flames, as reported by NHK. The aircraft involved in the collision with the Japan Airlines flight is reported to be an MA722 fixed-wing aircraft belonging to Haneda Air Base. Out of the six people on board the fixed-wing plane, one person has reportedly escaped, but the safety of the remaining five remains unknown.   Video footage from cameras installed at Haneda Airport by Japan Airlines and NHK captured the horrifying moment when flames erupted from the aircraft shortly after it touched down. The incident occurred during what should have been a routine landing, as the flight was scheduled to depart from New Chitose Airport at 4 pm and land at Haneda Airport at 5:40 pm. The government promptly set up an information liaison room at the Crisis Management Centre of the Prime Minister's Office at 6:05 pm on Tuesday to collect and coordinate information regarding the incident. In response to the emergency, all runways at Haneda Airport were closed around 6 pm, causing significant disruptions to air traffic. Officials from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism have indicated that there is information suggesting a collision between the Japan Airlines Airbus A350 from New Chitose Airport and the Japan Coast Guard aircraft near the runway. The cause of the collision is yet to be officially determined.   The disaster prevention centre at the Japan Airlines Building at Haneda Airport reported that the fire is localised on Runway C. Despite efforts to control the situation, the severity of the incident raises concerns about the safety protocols in place at one of Japan's busiest airports, NHK reported.  Source: ANI

Officials said at least one person died when the Osprey aircraft crashed with six people on board into the ocean near a Japanese island. A US Osprey military aircraft with six people on board crashed on Wednesday off the coast of Japan, the coast guard said, with at least one person confirmed dead. The aircraft has something of a troubled history, with several fatal crashes over the years. What we know so far Officials had received an emergency call from a fishing boat near the crash site. It was not immediately clear which US base the Osprey belonged to, although it was believed to be heading from the Iwakuni US base in the Yamaguchi region to the Kadena base in Okinawa. Details about what happened to the aircraft were not immediately known, the coast guard said. Officials had earlier said there were eight people on board. "We received information at 2:47 p.m. (0547 GMT/UTC) today that the US military's Osprey crashed off Yakushima Island," a spokeswoman told the AFP news agency.  The Osprey is a tiltrotor aircraft that combines the vertical takeoff, hovering and landing capabilities of a helicopter with the long-range, fuel efficiency and speed characteristics of a turboprop aircraft. It has been deployed in transportation and medical evacuation operations over Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya, and Kuwait. Yakushima lies south of Japan's southernmost main island Kyushu. Osprey's troubled history  Okinawa Governor Denny Tamaki told reporters that he would ask the US military to suspend all Osprey flights in Japan. Nearly half of the 50,000 American troops in Japan are based in Okinawa.  The aircraft has something of a troubled history, with several fatal crashes over the years. Another Osprey crashed in northern Australia in August during a military exercise for locally based troops. Three US marines among 23 on board died in that incident on Melville Island, north of Darwin. Four US Marines were killed in Norway last year when their MV-22B Osprey aircraft crashed during NATO training exercises. Three Marines died in 2017 when an Osprey clipped the back of a transport ship and crashed while trying to land at sea off Australia's north coast. Another 19 Marines died in 2000 when their Osprey crashed during exercises in Arizona.

Flight services of the Pakistan International Airlines’ (PIA) were disrupted after five three Boing 777 aircraft were grounded as they had no engines, ARY News reported on Saturday, adding that the fleet included two permanently grounded aircraft. According to the ARY News, a total total of 7 aircraft out of 12 are currently operational while another is lying dysfunctional in Jeddah. The national airline needs $60 million for the maintenance of its aircraft. Pakistan caretaker Prime Minister Anwarul haq Kakar has asked his minister for Privatisation, Fawad Hasan Fawad, to fast-track the privatisation process of Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), ARY News reported. Chairing a meeting to review the process of PIA's privatisation in Islamabad, he urged the stakeholders concerned to expedite the process keeping in view raising standards of the national flag carrier as per international standards. Kakar directed all relevant stakeholders to find an immediate solution to the matters related to this privatisation. During the meeting, the acting PM was briefed on the progress of the privatisation process of PIA. He also welcomed Fawad Hasan Fawad to his team. Earlier, amid a major financial crisis, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) cancelled several domestic and international flights, ARY News reported on Thursday. The flights scheduled to take off from/to the Karachi airport were cancelled after the national airline failed to pay Pakistan State Oil (PSO) for fuel supply. The Pakistan-based media outlet reported that the cancelled flights include Karachi-Turbat, Karachi-Gwadar, Karachi-Quetta, Karachi-Sukkur and Karachi-Multan. Earlier, the PIA grounded five out of its 13 leased aircraft with further prospect of grounding four additional planes due to the pending dues. However, the PIA asked for an emergency bailout of Pakistani Rupees (PKR) 22.9 billion which was then rejected by the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC). Moreover, the ECC also rejected the request made by PIA for deferment of the payments of Rs 1.3 billion per month, which the national carrier pays to FBR against FED and Rs 0.7 billion per month which PIA pays against the rising charges, Geo News reported. Further, the PIA also warned that Boeing and Airbus might suspend the supply of spare parts by mid-September. In July the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) froze the national carrier's account on the basis of non-payment of more than Rs 2 billion in taxes, according to ARY News. In January last year, the FBR froze 53 bank accounts of the PIA after it was found to have defaulted to taxes worth PKR 26 billion. However, those bank accounts were restored after PIA assured them of early clearance of the taxes. (ANI)

A US military aircraft carrying over 20 personnel came down on an island off the northern coast of Australia on Sunday morning, the Australian Defence Ministry said. 3 US Marines died in the crash, the US Marine Corps said on its account on the platform X, formally known as Twitter. Local police earlier said 23 US Marines were injured in the crash, with five people being taken to two mainland hospitals, one with critical injuries. The aircraft, reported to be a US Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, crashed during a multinational military exercise involving soldiers from Australia, the US, the Philippines, Indonesia and Timor-Leste. No Australian military personnel were reported to have been involved. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the "tragic" incident was "regrettable" and "difficult."   What do we know about the incident? Several military personnel had been rescued from an aircraft crash on the Tiwi Islands, north of Darwin, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) said. There were no reports of deaths, the broadcaster said. It cited a spokesperson from Australia's Defence Ministry as saying that "initial reports suggest the incident involves United States defense personnel and that Australian Defence Force members were not involved."  The ministry said the incident occurred on Melville Island — one of the Tiwi Islands — during Exercise Predator's Run 2023. Melville Island is located some 60 kilometers (37 miles) north of the Australian mainland in the eastern Timor Sea.  Increased military cooperation The Osprey aircraft involved is a tilt-rotor aircraft that combines features of both helicopters and turboprop planes, according to the US Air Force. The US and Australia have been stepping up military cooperation in recent years amid concern about China's growing geopolitical assertiveness in the region. A helicopter crash last month off the coast of the northeastern state of Queensland during large-scale bilateral exercises killed four Australian soldiers.   

It is believed that the French government has given a nod to defence major Safran to jointly design, develop, test, manufacture and finally certify an engine that will power India’s twin engine Advanced Multi-role Combat Aircraft (AMCA) and the twin engine deck-based fighter for Indian aircraft carriers. Sources have confirmed the Hindustan Times that the 100 per cent transfer of technology offered by the French Safran is free from US International Trade in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and the proposed 110 kilo newton engine will be fully ‘Made in India’. DRDO chief Dr Samir V Kamat paid a special visit to the Safran engine factory and the R&D centre near Paris on the sidelines of the recently concluded 2023 Paris Air Show. The engine proposal has been under discussion under the defence minister and NSA-led strategic dialogue with France, the newspaper reported. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting France on July 13 and he will take part in the Bastille Day Parade on July 14 as the Guest of Honour. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with President Macron on July 13. The Indian Air force’s Rafale fighter will be participating in the Bastille Day fly-past on July 14. The year 2023 marks 25 years of the Indo-French Strategic Partnership. Launched by France and India on January 26, 1998, on the occasion of President Jacques Chirac’s visit to India, it embodies the will of both nations to develop their respective strategic independence by drawing on concrete bilateral cooperation in order to maintain peace and global security. According to reports, the French offers include a completely new engine, new materials, new architecture, with full supply chains, and ancillary manufacturing based in India. Besides, the offer also includes Safran setting up a centre of excellence in gas turbine technology in India with full design and metallurgical precision software tools. The French offer is synchronised with Safran’s facility coming up in Hyderabad to maintain repair and overhaul (MRO) LEAP engines for the A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft. The French company is already working on a 125 KN engine for the next-generation fighter jet. According to the reports, the cost of the jet engine contract is set to be very competitive per engine in US dollars. It is said that it will take 10 years from the date of signing for the entire process to be completed, from designing to certifying the constructed engine. Reportedly, a centre of excellence in gas turbine technology with comprehensive design and metallurgical precision software tools will also be established by Safran in India as part of the offer. The Kaveri jet engine has been out of reach for the DRDO since 1996 because of problems with metallurgical equipment, rotating components, single crystal blade technology, and the high-pressure engine core.

Three Indian Air Force Rafale fighter jets, as part of the military contingent, are poised to participate in the Bastille Day flypast over the Champs Elysees, Paris, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi would be the guest of honour, as per the release. The French traditional military parade is held in Paris during the Bastille Day on July 14. PM Modi's visit will coincide with the 25th anniversary of the "strategic partnership" between France and India. Earlier, Indian Defence Official also confirmed that the Indian Air Force would be deploying its fighter aircraft to participate in the event's flypast. The Indian military contingent would also be part of the marching contingent on Bastille Day. At the invitation of France President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi will be the Guest of Honour on France's National Day on July 14. Earlier, Macron tweeted, "Dear Narendra, I am very happy to welcome you to Paris as a guest of honour at the July 14 parade." Prime Minister's visit is expected to herald the next phase in the India-France Strategic Partnership by setting new and ambitious goals for our strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation, including in a wide range of industries, as per the official statement released by the Indian Embassy in France. India and France defend the goals and tenets of the United Nations Charter, which serve as the cornerstone of collaboration between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region, and share a vision for peace and security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific. "This historic visit of PM Modi will also deliver common initiatives in order to respond to the key challenges of our time, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals and will be an opportunity for India and France to reaffirm their commitment to multilateralism, including in the context of India's G20 Presidency," the official statement added. India and France defend the goals and tenets of the United Nations Charter, which serve as the cornerstone of collaboration between the two nations in the Indo-Pacific region, and share a vision for peace and security, particularly in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.

In one of the biggest demonstrations of its operational prowess in recent years, the Indian Navy on Saturday carried out a mission in the Arabian Sea that involved two aircraft carriers, multiple warships, submarines and over 35 frontline planes amid China's increasing forays into the Indian Ocean. The Navy's aircraft carriers -- INS Vikramaditya and newly inducted INS Vikrant -- were the centrepieces of the exercise and the two platforms served as floating airfields for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K and helicopters such as MH60R, Kamov and Advanced Light helicopters, officials said. "The exercise marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy's pursuit of enhancing maritime security and power-projection in the Indian Ocean, and beyond, " Indian Navy Spokesperson Commander Vivek Madhwal said. He said the exercise involved a seamless integration of two aircraft carriers along with a diverse fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft, showcasing India's technological expertise in the maritime domain. "This demonstration of naval prowess underscores India's commitment to safeguarding its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain," Commander Madhwal said. It is the first mega exercise involving the two aircraft carriers after induction of the indigenously-built INS Vikrant in September. Officials said almost all air assets of the Navy operated from the two aircraft carriers and they operated as mobile bases. The exercise demonstrated that INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya can be positioned anywhere, allowing for increased mission flexibility, timely response to emerging threats and sustained air operations to safeguard national interests across the globe, they said. "In addition, they provide our friends with an assurance that the Indian Navy is capable and ready to support our 'collective' security needs in the region," said Commander Madhwal. "The successful demonstration of two-carrier battle group operations serves as a powerful testament to the pivotal role of sea-based air power in maintaining maritime superiority," he said. "As India continues to strengthen its security apparatus, the significance of aircraft carriers will remain paramount in shaping the nation's defence strategy and promoting regional stability," Commander Madhwal said.

Team Yogi, which visited France to explore investment opportunities, has received significant investment proposals from companies in sectors such as agriculture and aircraft maintenance. Now French companies will also cooperate in achieving the UP government's target of doubling the income of farmers. These proposals were received during the roadshow and business meetings of the delegation led by UP Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya in Paris, France. Meanwhile, the delegation to Singapore headed by Jal Shakti Minister Swatantradev Singh has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) worth Rs 7,700 crore with the business community of Singapore while investment proposals of Rs 4 lakh crore have been received from countries like the UK and the US. It is notable that CM Yogi has set a target of investment of Rs 10 lakh crore through the Global Investors Summit to be held in February 2023 and given the way Team Yogi has got the support of investors abroad, it is likely that the state will exceed the investment target. Investment proposals worth thousands of crores of rupees were received through roadshows and business meetings in France held under the leadership of Deputy CM Keshav Prasad Maurya and IT Minister Yogendra Upadhyay. The delegation met Pascal Fon, CEO of Inotera AG, who signed an investment intent of Rs 1000 crore with the state government. The Innotera platform will be set up through this investment. This is a platform to connect farmers and can play a vital role in doubling their income in the state. Similarly, the delegation met Saffron Group's Senior Vice President, International and Public Affairs, Martin Klotz and discussed with them their investment plans in Uttar Pradesh. The delegation has invited them to UPGIS 2023. Michael Paskoff, Senior Vice President of International Corporation, expressed keenness to invest in the aircraft maintenance (repair and overhaul) sector in Uttar Pradesh. In Singapore, the delegation led by Swatantra Dev Singh, Minister of Jal Shakti, also managed to get big investment proposals. MoUs worth over Rs 7,700 crore was signed through one-to-one business meetings with investors in Singapore. The companies will invest in various sectors in Uttar Pradesh. Singaporean companies have also shown interest in investing in technology areas such as parking and traffic systems. Swatantradev Singh had also met Singapore's Sustainability and Environment Minister Grace Fu Hi Yen and discussed the golden investment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh. Earlier, the delegation met representatives of ITE, Vida Technology and Star Consortium Pvt. Ltd and signed MoUs worth more than Rs 4,000 crore. Under the leadership of Finance Minister Suresh Kumar Khanna, Team Yogi held roadshows in the UK and the US, and as many as 21 MoUs worth Rs 4.7 lakh crore were signed. The delegation discussed in detail with the representatives of leading companies of developed countries like America and England for investment in UP in various phases. Suresh Kumar Khanna invited entrepreneurs from these countries to invest in IT, infrastructure, health, dairy, food processing, agriculture, tourism and education among other sectors. Khanna said told that due to the good governance of Chief Minister Yogi and the investment-friendly policies of UP, a number of industrial houses in these countries are willing to invest in the state. The Yogi government has made it easier for domestic and foreign investors to invest in Uttar Pradesh. Now anyone willing to invest in any sector in the state can simply express their desire by visiting the Nivesh Sarathi portal and getting registered on it. According to an official statement, more than 4,000 investment proposals have been received by the state government so far through Nivesh Sarathi. If these investment proposals materialise, lakhs of crores of rupees will be invested in the state and lakhs of employment opportunities will be created. 

As part of the package, India has offered to set up an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility in Malaysia for its Russian-origin Su-30 fighter fleet as it is facing difficulties in procuring spares for the aircraft from Russia in view of western sanctions against Moscow.   India’s Tejas light combat aircraft has emerged as the top choice for Malaysia as the Southeast Asian nation looks at replacing its ageing fleet of fighter jets and the two sides are holding negotiations to firm up the procurement.   Malaysia has narrowed down on the Indian aircraft notwithstanding the stiff competition from China’s JF-17 jet, South Korea’s FA-50 and Russia’s Mig-35 as well as Yak-130, Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, R Madhavan, told PTI in an interview.   As part of the package, India has offered to set up an MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul) facility in Malaysia for its Russian-origin Su-30 fighter fleet as it is facing difficulties in procuring spares for the aircraft from Russia in view of western sanctions against Moscow.   “I am very confident about it unless some political shift takes place,” Madhavan said when asked whether the deal would be closed soon.   The top executive of the state-run aerospace behemoth said if the deal is sealed, it will give a “very good signal” to other prospective buyers of the aircraft and boost its overall export potential.   “It (the negotiation) is almost in the final stages. We are the only country which is offering them the support for their Su-30 aircraft as other than Russia, we are the only one who can support them to the extent that they require for the Sukhoi fleet,” Madhavan said.   It is learnt that the Chinese JF-17 was cheaper but could not match the technical parameters of the Tejas Mk-IA variant and the offer of maintenance of the Su-30 fleet as proposed by India. A team of high-ranking officials and experts is expected to visit India soon to take forward the procurement process. Malaysia is procuring the aircraft to replace its ageing fleet of Russian MiG-29 fighter planes. The number of aircraft that Malaysia is looking at procuring is not immediately clear.   Madhavan said Tejas is a much superior aircraft compared to JF-17 and FA-50 and that the selection of the Indian aircraft would provide Malaysia with the option to go in for future upgrades of the fleet.   Tejas, manufactured by HAL, is a single-engine and highly agile multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. In February last year, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas fighter aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). India has started work on the MK 2 version of the Tejas as well as on an ambitious USD 5 billion project to develop a fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA).   “We actually are the only one who covered everything that they require and we met their budget requirements as well,” Madhavan said. “Nobody will offer them upgrades so fast as we would offer. They will have an alternative available in Tejas Mark 2 and they can even think of AMCA,” the HAL chief added.   He said HAL is going to maintain the same level of services to Malaysia as it has been giving to the IAF. Asked whether the supply of Tejas jets to the IAF will be impacted if HAL wins the Malaysian contract, Madhavan said the production of the aircraft would be ramped up depending on the requirement.   According to the plan, the HAL would start delivering the jets (Mk-IA variant) to the IAF in 2025 and all 83 jets will have to be handed over by 2030. Madhavan said if the deal with Malaysia is sealed, it will signal the acceptability of the aircraft, which would result in the opening up of many other options. “We now have a very good platform. It is the best in this category,” he said.   Source: indianexpress.com