Successful Agni-5 test just one step. India needs to prepare an airborne command post
Creating an alternative chain of command is not enough to survive an initial nuclear strike and retaliate. The political command must be protected so it can effectively manage the situation. Key Points
ThePrintCENTRAL command INVESTITURE CEREMONY: Brave soldiers feted; paragliders, skydivers mesmerise audience
Central command Investiture Ceremony in Lucknow featured thrilling attractions like skydivers, bikes leaping through fire rings, and paramotors display. Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani awarded soldiers for their courage and service. Surya command Trophies were awarded to various military establishments. The event was attended by senior army officers, civil dignitaries, and veterans. Key Points
Hindustan TimesBridging the gaps: The genesis and future of Indian military theatre commands
The real discourse on this matter traces its roots back to the aftermath of the Kargil War in 1995. Then the Government and the Armed Forces acknowledged the need for theaterisation or the integration of the three service organisations of armed forces (Army, Air Force and Navy) to effectively utilise their resources in a convergent manner during operations. Key Points
Economic TimesVice-Admiral Sanjay Jasjit Singh is new Vice-Chief of Navy
V. Adm. Singh took over after the incumbent V. Adm. S.N. Ghormade stepped down Key Points
The HinduHow NASA Nearly Lost the Voyager 2 Spacecraft Forever
The space agency lost touch with the beloved spacecraft following a faulty command signal. Here’s how it happened—and how engineers worked to bring it back. Key Points
WIRED
J&K terror attack | Massive searches underway in Poonch district to track terrorists
Army’s Northern Commander Lt. Gen Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday said that necessary action is underway against the terrorists responsible for the deadly attack on an army truck in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch district that left five soldiers dead. Key Points
The HinduGroup Captain Shaliza Dhami first IAF woman officer to head frontline unit
Commissioned in 2003 as a helicopter pilot, Group Captain Dhami has over 2,800 hours of flying experience. She has flown the Chetak and Cheetah helicopters. Key Points
The Indian ExpressDK Shivakumar, Siddaramaiah, Mallikarjun Kharge wrestle for loyalists’ tickets in Karnataka polls
Ahead of Karnataka polls, a triangular fight has emerged between AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge, legislative party president and former CM Siddaramaiah and KPCC president D.K. Shivakumar. Congress veterans are fighting to procure tickets for their followers. Key Points
India TodayArmy promotions must be based on capabilities, not lineage. Turf protection is main mischief
The nature of discrimination in Army promotions is buried in the rules and procedures, making it harder to notice it. It is experienced by only a few officers when promotion board results are announced. Key Points
ThePrintTwo US Navy sailors reported missing off coast of Somalia during operation
Two U.S. navy sailors are missing at sea off the coast of Somalia. The U.S. Central command reported the incident and stated that the sailors were conducting operations in the U.S. 5th Fleet area. The missing personnel will not be identified until the recovery operation is complete. The area of operations includes the Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and parts of the Indian Ocean. Recent strikes were conducted to degrade the Houthi movement's ability to attack maritime vessels. Key Points
Economic Times
US military seizes Iranian missile parts bound for Houthi rebels in raid where 2 SEALs went missing
The raid marks the latest seizure by the US Navy and its allies of weapon shipments bound for the rebels, who have launched a series of attacks now threatening global trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden over Israel's war on Hamas in the Gaza Strip. The seized missile components included types likely used in those attacks. Key Points
Economic TimesKarnataka CM contenders Siddaramaiah, Shivakumar take edge-of-seat match to slog overs
There are indications that Siddaramaiah has the support of more MLAs, a key criteria for the high command while settling the issue often. However, the leadership is also sensitive about duly honouring the gallant fight that Shivakumar put up by leading Congress to a resounding win against BJP. Key Points
Economic TimesMeet Group Captain Shaliza Dhami, first woman to command combat unit in IAF
Group Captain Dhami was commissioned in the year 2003 as a Helicopter pilot and has over 2800 hours of flying experience. A Qualified Flying Instructor, she has served as Flight Commander of a Helicopter Unit in the Western sector. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan TimesAll communities want their leaders as CM, says Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi
Karnataka Minister Satish Jarkiholi acknowledged demands for a Dalit Chief Minister but left the decision to the Congress high command. He downplayed recent calls for him to be CM, citing similar past requests. The issue has resurfaced amid speculation about a leadership change in the state Congress. Jarkiholi emphasized the authority of the high command and party leadership in making the final decision. Key Points
Economic TimesHow Rajasthan is turning into another Punjab for the Congress
Just as elections loom, not much unlike Punjab last year, the party in Rajasthan faces confusion and chaos. Deputy Chief Minister Sachin Pilot, who has emerged as a popular leader, is taking on Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, a veteran with many tricks up his sleeve. Key Points
Economic Times
US conducts air strikes on Houthi anti-ship missile: Report
The U.S. forces identified the missiles in the Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and launched an attack against them as they were imminent threats to merchant vessels and U.S. Navy ships in the region. Key Points
India TodayUS launches 4th strike on Houthis in Yemen
Lists them as terrorists; Israel continues to pound Gaza. The US military fired another wave of ship-and submarine-launch missile strikes against... Key Points
The Tribune IndiaUS seizes Iranian missile parts ‘meant for’ Houthi attacks on ships, 2 Navy Seals missing since op
Seizures made as US Centcom forces conducted a flag verification on a dhow near the coast of Somalia on 11 January. Dhow was ‘deemed unsafe and sunk’ by US Navy forces. Key Points
ThePrintFive US troops die in training air crash in eastern Mediterranean
Five American service members were killed when a military aircraft crashed into the Mediterranean during a training exercise, the US European command (EUCOM) said Sunday. During a routine air refueling mission as part of military training, a US military aircraft carrying five service members suffered a mishap and crashed into the Mediterranean Sea. Key Points
Economic TimesIndian naval destroyer tests BrahMos missile from warship in Bay of Bengal
The Indian Navy, due to its operational preparedness, effectively met all the parameters of the BrahMos missile during the test-firing. This firing occurred in the Bay of Bengal under the Eastern command of the Indian Navy. Key Points
Firstpost
NASA back in touch with Voyager-2 after mistake led to weeks of silence
On Wednesday, NASA’s Deep Space Network sent a new command in hopes of repointing the antenna, using the highest powered transmitter at the huge radio dish antenna in Australia. Voyager 2’s antenna needed to be shifted a mere 2 degrees. Key Points
India TodayDefence production crosses Rs 1 lakh cr
The value of defence production has crossed the Rs 1 lakh crore mark for the first time ever in the 2022-23 financial year, the Ministry of Defence said in Parliament on Friday. It is a rise of more than 12 per cent over the previous fiscal when the figure was Rs 95,000 crore. TNS Key Points
The Tribune IndiaFactbox: What is the Kakhovka dam in Ukraine?
The southern command of Ukraine's Armed Forces said on Tuesday that the Kakhovka dam in the Russian-controlled parts of Ukraine's Kherson region was blown up by Russian forces. The dam, 30 metres (98 feet) tall and 3.2 km (2 miles) long, was built in 1956 on the Dnipro river as part of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant. Key Points
Economic TimesSiddaramaiah to take oath as Karnataka CM on May 20; Shivakumar to be his deputy
The Congress has decided a rotational tenure of 2.5 years for both Siddaramaiah and DK Shivakumar. | Latest News India Key Points
Hindustan TimesExplained | The Inter-Services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023
What is the recently introduced Inter-Services Organisations Command, Control and Discipline Bill. What are its features and what does it propose. Check out an explainer on the Inter-Services Organisations Command, Control and Discipline Bill. Key Points
The Hindu