The 73-year-old complained of uneasiness and chest pain

Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar has been admitted to AIIMS in New Delhi in the wee hours on Sunday after he complained of uneasiness and chest pain, said sources.

The 73-year-old was taken to the hospital around 2 am.

Dhankhar is admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) under Dr Rajiv Narang, Head of Department of Cardiology at AIIMS.

He is stable and under observation, a source said, adding that a group of doctors is monitoring his condition.

Union Health Minister JP Nadda visited AIIMS to enquire about Dhankhar’s condition.

The remains of the ill-fated aircraft fall in a hilly area near Raipur Rani in Panchkula district

A Jaguar fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) crashed due to a technical defect during a routine training sortie on Friday. The pilot, a Flight Lieutenant, ejected safely and was later evacuated by the IAF.

The remains of the ill-fated aircraft fell in a hilly forest area near Raipur Rani in Panchkula district, close to the Haryana-Himachal Pradesh border. The aircraft had taken off from the Ambala airbase.

Local villagers gathered around the spot and assisted the pilot in freeing himself from his parachute harness.

“A Jaguar aircraft of the IAF crashed at Ambala during a routine training sortie today, after encountering a system malfunction. The pilot maneuvered the aircraft away from any habitation on ground before ejecting safely. An inquiry has been ordered by the IAF to ascertain the cause of the accident,” an official statement by the IAF said.

The Ambala airbase in Haryana houses squadrons of Jaguar and the newly inducted Rafale aircraft, besides other ancillary units. It is the IAF’s oldest airbase.

There have been incidents involving the Jaguar in the past, with IAF sources saying that the fleet has suffered over 50 major and minor incidents in its 45-year service with the IAF, some of which have been fatal.

At present, the IAF operates around 120 twin-engine Jaguars, equipping six squadrons—Nos 5, 6, 14, 16, 27 and 224, based at Ambala, Jamnagar and Gorakhpur, forming a crucial element of its strike capability and tactical reconnaissance. Some Jaguars have also been modified for the maritime role with anti-ship missiles.

In 1979, 40 aircraft were imported from the UK, followed by licence manufacture of 150 aircraft by state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, with aircraft rolling off the assembly lines as late as 2007. India is the sole remaining Jaguar operator, with other users—France, UK, Oman, Nigeria and Ecuador—having retired them.

The Jaguars were initially armed with the Matra R-550 Magic short-range air-to-air missile, employed in an unconventional position on over-the-wing pylons as a means of self-defence during strike missions.

A few years ago, the IAF began re-equipping the Jaguar with the DARIN-III advanced navigation and attack avionics suite, and earlier this year, initiated another project to re-equip the fleet with new generation close combat air-to-air missiles, transport platforms as well as cruise missiles and UAVs.

Recently, India procured 31 decommissioned Jaguar airframes from France and two each from the UK and Oman, along with several thousand aero-spares, to replace some aircraft lost due to attrition and ensure serviceability of the existing fleet.

The Soviet-origin T-72 is the mainstay of the Indian tank fleet

Vijay Mohan Tribune News Service

The Ministry of Defence on Friday signed a contract worth USD 248 million with Russia’s Rosoboronexport for the procurement of 1000 HP engines for the Indian Army’s T-72 tanks, boosting their battlefield mobility and offensive capability.

The T-72s, procured from the erstwhile Soviet Union from the late 1970s onwards, are powered by a 780 HP engine. The new engines will be procured in fully formed, completely knocked-down and semi-knocked-down conditions.The deal also includes transfer of technology (ToT) from the Russian firm to Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (Heavy Vehicle Factory), Avadi, near Chennai, for integration and subsequent licensed production of the engines.

The Soviet-origin T-72 is the mainstay of the Indian tank fleet and about 2,300 of these armoured vehicles are reported to be in service. Besides employment in the plains and deserts, the traditional operating terrain for armoured platforms, T-72s were also deployed to Jaffna in Sri Lanka with the Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) as well as in high-altitude areas like Ladakh to counter the Chinese threat along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

Over the years, the T-72s have also been upgraded to meet contemporary operational requirements. Retrofitting thermal sights, upgrading the fire control system and addition of fire detection and suppression systems are part of the process.

The T-72s have been supplemented by the more advanced T-90, of which about 1,200 have been inducted. A bit heavier than the T-72s, these were airlifted to Ladakh, along with other armoured vehicles, during the 2020 stand-off with China to beef up Indian combat capability. the newly developed Zorawar light tanks, is another development to enhance operational capabilities in high altitude.

The Army has also reportedly initiated a project, estimated to cost Rs 57,000 crore, to indigenously design and manufacture 1,770 Future-Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) to eventually replace the T-72 tanks starting from 2030 onwards.

The FRCVs will have niche technologies such as artificial intelligence, drone integration, active protection system and a high degree of situational awareness in a network-centric operational environment.

According to military analysts, the introduction of new combat platforms like drones and smart munitions along with the changing nature of warfare and emergence of novel operational tactics notwithstanding, the relevance of tanks and heavy armoured vehicles that have now been around for about a century, continues.

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India and Australia have further strengthened their defence and security ties through a high-level meeting in Canberra. General Anil Chauhan, India’s Chief of Defence Staff, met with Admiral David Johnston, Australia’s Chief of Defence Force, on March 5, 2025.

The meeting marked the first-ever visit by an Indian Chief of Defence Staff to Australia and underscored the deepening military and strategic partnership between the two nations. The discussions centred on advancing practical initiatives to enhance collective defence capabilities and promote regional stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

During his four-day visit from March 4 to 7, General Chauhan engaged in comprehensive discussions with senior officials from the Australian Department of Defence and the leadership of the Australian Defence Force.

Key engagements included meetings with Secretary of Defence Greg Moriarty and the Chiefs of the three services. These interactions aimed to strengthen bilateral defence ties and explore avenues for joint operations.

General Chauhan also visited the Force Command Headquarters to gain insights into Australia’s operational command structure and discuss potential joint operations. He interacted with the Australian Fleet Commander and the Joint Operations Commander to enhance maritime cooperation and address regional security challenges.

Additionally, he visited the Australian Defence College to address senior officers on strategic challenges in the Indo-Pacific and chaired a round-table discussion at the Lowy Institute, focusing on regional security dynamics.

The visit highlighted the growing engagement between India and Australia under their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which aims to foster greater cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Both nations have been steadily building their defence relationship since 2014, with recent collaborations including maritime exercises, service-to-service dialogues, and strategic dialogues.

Australia considers India a top-tier security partner, and their partnership is crucial for promoting regional stability and security.

Agencies

Said to be Asia’s largest, the Kumaramangalam Artillery Museum in Nashik is a big draw

Nashik, a five-hour drive from Mumbai, has secured a place on the tourist map as the ‘wine capital of India’. On the banks of the Godavari, Maharashtra Tourism’s Eco-Glamping Festival (underway till March 31) is also putting the spotlight on the city. The festival packs in activities such as a

Warli painting workshop by award-winning tribal artists and rural cooking sessions. Another big Nashik attraction is Asia’s largest artillery museum at the Artillery Centre.

Established by the Regiment of the Artillery Association in 2005, it is dedicated to the former Chief of the Army Staff, the late Gen PP Kumaramangalam. Maintained by the Army, it was renovated last year. It is mandatory for civilians to carry a valid ID to enter.

As one steps within the sprawling open museum grounds, several intimidating weapons are on display: medieval brass cannons, battle tanks, aircrafts, sleek radar systems, and more. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. Within the museum building lie stories of conquests and courage.

A permanent exhibit, titled ‘Evolution of Artillery’, takes one back to the Mughal era. Here lies a cannon used in 1526 by Babur in the First Battle of Panipat. For his acumen in this battle, Babur is often referred to as the ‘Father of Indian Artillery’. Rabindra Hazari, a lawyer and scholar of military history, offers context. He explains that in the Battle of Panipat, Babur was up against the much larger army of Sultan Ibrahim Lodi of Delhi. “The Lodi army was estimated to be anywhere between 50,000 and 70,000 troops, along with 1,000 elephants. Babur, on the other hand, had about 15,000 troops, largely horse archers. Interestingly, he had about 30 cannons and a large number of matchlocks, which are a medieval version of the rifle.” Babur planned his moves carefully, combining artillery and cavalry. The Lodi army fell and India saw the rise of the Mughal Empire.

Within the museum also lies a model of the Azdaha Paikar cannon used by Aurangzeb in 1687. The original sits in Golconda Fort, Hyderabad.

On display is a 3-inch rocket projector dating back to World War II. It had a range of 8,000 yards, and nine men were required to operate this beast.

The museum houses other weapons as well. Behind a glass case lie swords in varying sizes. There are weapons of surveillance that pre-date the Internet era: the good old telescopes. Then, there are brass guns of the Sikh artillery from the time of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. Hazari says, “In the Anglo-Sikh wars, British officers admitted that the skill of the Sikh gunners exceeded theirs.”

He reveals that “the British were so intimidated by the Indian gunners that after 1857, most Indian artillery regiments, including the Bombay and Bengal units which had been loyal to the British, were disbanded”. It was only around the 1930s that Indian officers were allowed into artillery regiments.

The museum also specifically features the artillery used by Tipu Sultan, tanks used in the Indo-Pak war of 1971, the 75/24 Mountain Gun which was India’s first indigenous artillery gun, as also the Bofors gun. You can’t miss the many gigantic aircraft and radar systems spread across the grounds.

Walking across the museum, one can find many paintings of battlefields, dioramas that recreate war scenes, down to the harsh topography. The museum also plays a film on the Kargil war.

A large hall is dedicated to those who laid down their lives for the nation. An eternal flame sits in the centre of the room, the walls of which bear the roll of honour consisting of the names of martyrs of the Regiment of the Artillery.

The Kumaramangalam Artillery Museum is not just a repository of artefacts, it is a living testament to the courage and commitment of the defence forces.

Infantry weapons, military equipment and models of fighter planes and ships were on display as Panjab University hosted its two-day annual fest Kavach-Ranneeti Ka Rangmanch. Organised by the department of defence and national security studies, the event took place from…

Infantry weapons, military equipment and models of fighter planes and ships were on display as Panjab University hosted its two-day annual fest Kavach-Ranneeti Ka Rangmanch. Organised by the department of defence and national security studies, the event took place from March 5 to 6 at the Student Centre of the university.

A valedictory session marked the closing ceremony. Maj Gen JS Cheema, ADG, NCC Directorate Punjab, Haryana, Himachal and Chandigarh, was the chief guest. He encouraged the department to organise more such events and extended his support for future endeavours. PU Registrar Prof Yajvender Pal Verma delivered the valedictory remarks.

The event saw a footfall of more than 5,000 people over two days. It was attended by students of various colleges and schools, cadets of Chandigarh NCC army, air and naval wings, veterans, serving officers, research scholars, faculty and the general public.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the department’s establishment. A military equipment and weapon display was organised by the Western Command, Chandimandir. Infantry battalion weapons were showcased along with models of planes and ships presented by the 1 Chandigarh Air Squadron and 1 Chandigarh Naval Unit. 

An inter-college NCC drill, cultural dance and tug-of-war competitions were held. PG Government College, Sector 11, won the NCC drill competition, while the Panjab University campus NCC team secured first place in the cultural dance event. PG Government College, Sector 11, was declared the overall best institute. A blood donation camp was organised with assistance from PGI, Chandigarh. Open mic sessions, a military quiz and various fun and sports activities were also part of the event.

The Indian Soldier’s contribution during World War I and II was monumental, yet their legacy often sparks a debate. Intolerant critics seek to marginalise Indian blood which was split during these wars simply suggesting that they fought for a colonial government.

Do Indian leaders who go and lay wreaths on monuments honouring the Indian soldiers on foreign soils honour the soldiers or simply fulfil a diplomatic obligation?

They must clarify.

And the critics must freely comment on these visible double standards: There is no colonial power that they need to fear. They, the critics do live in a free country now.

Over 11 Lakh Indian soldiers served in World War I, with more than 60,000 losing their lives (Indian Blood, the critics be reminded). They fought in diverse theatres, from the Western Front to Mesopotamia, and their bravery earned them numerous accolades.

In World War II, the Indian Army became the largest volunteer force in history, with over 25 Lakh soldiers. They fought as Indian Divisions and played pivotal roles in campaigns across Africa, Europe, and Asia, particularly in the Burma Campaign, with over 87,000 fatalities (All born to Indian mothers, the critics be reminded again),

It is painful to think that some individuals and groups seek to exclude our ancestors from history to further their self-serving aims.

I am writing a Monograph on Guts and Glory on Foreign Soil during World War I & II.
If you have a story, anecdote or a photo of your unit and ancestor, please do share.

Warm Regards

Beijing says both sides have wisdom to maintain peace, time for elephant & dragon to tango

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi today said India and China had the wisdom to maintain “peace and tranquillity” in the border areas and the two sides “should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question”.

Wang was addressing a press conference on the sidelines of the National People’s Congress in Beijing.

Wang said, “We have enough wisdom and capability to maintain peace and tranquillity in the border areas pending a fair and reasonable solution.”

He said, “We should never allow bilateral relations to be defined by the boundary question, or let specific differences affect the overall picture of our bilateral ties.”

The minister used a French phrase, “pas de deux” — a dance for two people, typically a man and a woman — to describe the partnership between the two nations, saying “a cooperative pas de deux of the dragon and the elephant is the only right choice for both sides”.

Wang called for both countries to work towards each other’s success. Wang is also Beijing’s special representative for the boundary talks.

The Chinese minister said both sides should cooperate rather than guard against each other. “There is every reason for us to support each other rather than undercut each other, work with each other rather than guard against each other. This is the path that truly serves the fundamental interests of the two countries and peoples,” Wang said.

US President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and sent a letter to its leadership this week suggesting talks with the Islamic Republic, which the West fears is rapidly nearing the capability to make…

US President Donald Trump said he wants to negotiate a nuclear deal with Iran and sent a letter to its leadership this week suggesting talks with the Islamic Republic, which the West fears is rapidly nearing the capability to make atomic weapons.

“There are two ways Iran can be handled: militarily, or you make a deal,” Trump said in an interview with Fox Business Network broadcast on Friday. “I would prefer to make a deal, because I’m not looking to hurt Iran. They’re great people.” In the interview, conducted on Thursday, Trump said he sent the letter “yesterday”, indicating Wednesday.

Iran has not yet received the letter, Iran’s mission to the United Nations in New York said on Friday. There was no immediate response from the foreign ministry in Iran, where it is the weekend, to a request for a comment on Trump’s remarks.

Iran’s Nour News, affiliated with the country’s top security body, dismissed Trump’s letter as a “repetitive show” by Washington.

Asked whether he had sent the letter to Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s fiercely anti-Western Supreme Leader, Trump said, “Yes.” Western officials fear a nuclear-armed Iran could threaten Israel and Gulf Arab oil producers and spark a regional arms race.

Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons. Trump has upended US foreign policy after taking office in January, adopting a more conciliatory stance towards Russia that has left Western allies wary as he tries to broker an end to Moscow’s three-year-old war in Ukraine.

Trump pulled out of the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, a year into his first White House term. Last month, Trump restored his “maximum pressure” campaign on Iran that includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero. However, he also said he would like to make a deal with Tehran.

It is unclear how Trump’s overture to Iran would be received by ally Israel, a foe of Tehran. Iran and Israel mounted military strikes on each other last April and October.

Called Exercise Sea Dragon-25, the drill will test anti-submarine warfare capabilities

The Quad — a four-nation grouping comprising India, the US, Japan and Australia — has been joined by South Korea for a naval exercise focused on tracking submarines.

Called “Exercise Sea Dragon-25”, the drill will test anti-submarine warfare capabilities, including detecting both simulated and live submarines, tracking their locations around the clock and launching attacks.

The exercise is being conducted off Guam, a US military base in the western Pacific Ocean, and is being hosted by the US from March 4 to 19.

Anti-submarine warfare plays a crucial role in enhancing the Quad countries’ ability to conduct intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.