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India Launches Integrated Air Defence Weapon System
In a significant step toward bolstering its national security, the DRDO has conducted the first flight-tests of a new Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the coast of Odisha. This development comes amid an increasingly complex and evolving threat landscape. Pertinently, India faces challenges from both state-sponsored terrorism and cross-border aggression. The development of such a sophisticated system is a direct response to a range of persistent security threats, particularly from a hostile neighborhood. In recent years, India has been confronted with a series of high-stakes provocations. Most notabe is the recent armed conflict with Pakistan. The military engagement, which saw both nations on high alert, underscored the urgent need for a multi-layered and technologically advanced defensive shield. The new IADWS is designed to counter the kinds of aerial threats seen during recent military confrontations. The system integrates indigenous components, including the Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missiles (QRSAM), the Advanced Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missiles, and a high-power, laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). The entire operation is managed by a Centralised Command and Control Centre. It ensures a cohesive and rapid response to incoming threats. The Immediate Backdrop The significance of these trials is highlighted by recent history, particularly the events surrounding Operation Sindoor. This operation was launched by India as a decisive military response to the barbaric Pahalgam attack, which claimed the lives of 26 tourists. India’s precision strikes on terrorist infrastructure deep within Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir were met with a wave of retaliatory drone and unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attacks. It was during this conflict that the need for a robust, multi-layered air defence system became more apparent. During the recent tests, the IADWS flawlessly engaged and destroyed three different aerial targets simultaneously—two high-speed fixed-wing UAVs and a multi-copter drone. This successful test showcases India’s capacity to protect its critical assets from both conventional air attacks and the asymmetrical threats posed by drone warfare, which have become a defining feature of modern conflict. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO and all teams involved, stating that these unique tests have validated the country's multi-layered air defence capabilities. The new system is seen as a critical component in safeguarding the nation's strategic facilities. It reinforces India's commitment to maintaining a robust and prepared defence in the face of persistent threats to its security and sovereignty. Read the full article
Defence Stocks exploding – What is buzzing in this sector
In the last couple of months, the Indian equity markets have been on a winning streak gaining more than 1800 points on the benchmark index in a very short time frame. Attractive valuations followed by FIIs inflows have fueled the rally across the various sectors and broader markets as well.
This recent rally was led by Auto, Banking, FMCG, and select heavyweight stocks followed by other sectors like chemicals, energy, and metals. Among the broader markets, various sectors have gained tremendous momentum in the last few weeks and have given handsome returns to investors.
Defence has been one of the hottest sectors discussed on Dalal street for the past many months. The defence stocks have been on the radar of both institutional investors as well as retail participants. Defence is one of PM Modi's top picks in his rigorous 'Make in India' push and has also witnessed spectacular improvement where the company’s profitability has increased along with the order book.
India is not just the fastest-growing major economy in the world but also it is home to the world's second-largest armed force. It is to be noted that India is planning to explore and modernize its armed forces to be in line with the foreign forces along with its goal to become self-reliant in defence equipment manufacturing followed by exporting them too. China's recent aggression towards Taiwan and United States also triggered fresh demand for being war ready in all circumstances which has pushed defence companies into the sweet spot.
Coming back to the equity markets, major of the defence stocks have been making fresh highs after the government approved a fresh list of 780 components that will only be taken from domestic manufacturers. The sector is also in the news on the back of strong quarterly results, good orders from the government, and technological developments in keeping with geopolitical developments.
The Indian government has been more focussed on the defence equipment manufacturing since 2014 and has pushed this theme under its flagship scheme of Aatmanirbhar Bharat as well.
Find below the statistics of a few government-owned defence stock performances:
Company Name - BEL - HAL - BDL
Price as of 31-12-2020 - 120 - 846 - 340
Price as of date - 336 - 2595 - 860
Returns generated - 180% - 207% - 153%
Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020) is likely to be a game changer for the defence equipment manufacturing companies in India. By 2025, DPEPP 2020 targets production of around Rs 1.75 lakh crore and exports of Rs 35,000 crore... India, facing tough challenges from neighbours on its northern and western ends, is one of the largest importers of arms globally. The defence ministry has set a goal of a turnover of $25 billion (Rs 1.75 lakh crore) in defence manufacturing in the next five years, including an export target of $5 billion worth of military hardware.
We expect the sector will remain in the limelight in the coming months as well as the Indian economy expands its footprints on the global front. Investors should have this sector on their radar while designing their long-term equity portfolio and any correction in good quality defence stocks should be taken as an opportunity to accumulate for long-term investment.
At parliament panel meet, Rahul raises national security issues related to Pakistan, China, Afghan | India News
NEW DELHI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi raised the issue of national security vis-à-vis Pakistan, the standoff with China and the Taliban capturing fresh territories in Afghanistan at a parliamentary panel meeting Wednesday and demanded a discussion on them, sources said. However, he left the meeting of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence minutes before it concluded as chairman and BJP leader Jual Oram denied a discussion on these issues saying they were not part of the pre-decided agenda, the sources said. The committee met here to 'Review the Working of Cantonment Boards. Gandhi stressed that rather than discussing the working of board, the panel should deliberate on more relevant and important security issues like the standoff with China in eastern Ladakh and the terror threats from Pakistan, the sources said. Gandhi also raised the issues of the Taliban capturing fresh territories in Afghanistan, China's growing influence in Sri Lanka and the impact of these developments on India, the sources said. He said these issues are also more serious and need an urgent discussion in the parliamentary panel. Responding to Gandhi's demand, chairman Oram said the meeting's agenda is on the working of Cantonment Boards so the discussion should be limited to that only. If any member wants a discussion on other subjects, he should follow the procedure and to give prior notice of 14 days, Oram said, according to the sources. The panel chairman noted that neither Gandhi nor any other Congress member was present in the previous meeting in which the committee's agenda for the year was decided, otherwise their issues would had been taken up, they said. After putting forward his case, Gandhi left the 90-minutes long meeting just before its conclusion, the sources said. Other members of the panel raised several questions related to the functioning of the cantonment board to the officials from Defence Ministry and armed forces who deposed before the committee, the sources said. Source link Read the full article