New Jersey officials continued probing into unusual drone activity in recent weeks. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has&nbsp;made temporary flight restrictions over Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

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The investigation is going on by&nbsp;officials in connection with various sightings of mysterious drone activities that have taken place across northern New Jersey recently, running parallel with the situation of Donald Trump's future golf club that is located in Bedminster. There is footage shot by Somerset and Morris counties and aerials captured between December 1 and December 3 with dates shown on them. In an earlier video dated November 25, drones fly over the Black River Middle School lying in Chester, as observed by one Mike Walsh, a resident of Morris County.

In the video, Walsh says, "I can see three drones right in this view. I see them coming this way."&nbsp;

Fox News Digital confirmed on Tuesday that the FAA had investigated an unusual drone sighting reported over northern and central New Jersey on November 18. The FAA immediately issued two temporary flight restrictions, one of them covering airspace above Trump's properties; this restriction would remain in effect until the end of this week.

"At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published two temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster," the agency said. The flight restriction affecting Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. Army research centre, will last until December 26th.

The FAA told Fox News Digital. "We look into all reports of unauthorised drone operations and investigate when appropriate."

The Morris County Sheriff Office confirmed on Wednesday that it's investigating the case along with many other authorities. According to reports, the investigation has prompted the involvement of the FBI Newark field office, New Jersey State Police, and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office for more information.

(With inputs from agencies)

New Jersey officials continued probing into unusual drone activity in recent weeks. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made temporary flight restrictions over Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster.

New Jersey officials continued probing into unusual drone activity in recent weeks. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has made temporary flight restrictions over Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster. The investigation is going on by officials in connection with various sightings of mysterious drone activities that have taken place across northern New Jersey recently, running parallel with the situation of Donald Trump's future golf club that is located in Bedminster. There is footage shot by Somerset and Morris counties and aerials captured between December 1 and December 3 with dates shown on them. In an earlier video dated November 25, drones fly over the Black River Middle School lying in Chester, as observed by one Mike Walsh, a resident of Morris County. In the video, Walsh says, "I can see three drones right in this view. I see them coming this way." Fox News Digital confirmed on Tuesday that the FAA had investigated an unusual drone sighting reported over northern and central New Jersey on November 18. The FAA immediately issued two temporary flight restrictions, one of them covering airspace above Trump's properties; this restriction would remain in effect until the end of this week. "At the request of federal security partners, the FAA published two temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) prohibiting drone flights over Picatinny Arsenal Military Base and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster," the agency said. The flight restriction affecting Picatinny Arsenal, a U.S. Army research centre, will last until December 26th. The FAA told Fox News Digital. "We look into all reports of unauthorised drone operations and investigate when appropriate." The Morris County Sheriff Office confirmed on Wednesday that it's investigating the case along with many other authorities. According to reports, the investigation has prompted the involvement of the FBI Newark field office, New Jersey State Police, and Somerset County Prosecutor's Office for more information. (With inputs from agencies)

Drone activity near Trump National Golf Club sparks investigation, FAA restricts airspace

Billionaire Elon Musk, tapped by US President-elect Donald Trump to slash federal government spending, lashed out at modern fighter jets on Monday, saying that drones were the future of air combat.&nbsp;

"Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed," said the head of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, in a post on his social media platform.

Musk singled out the F-35 –&nbsp;a next-generation fighter jet manufactured by US-based Lockheed Martin that entered service in 2015 –&nbsp;for criticism.

"Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35," he posted, alongside a video of hundreds of drones hovering in formation in the sky.

The F-35, the world's most advanced fighter, is stealth-capable and can also be used to gather intelligence.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/top-trump-aide-asked-for-bribes-to-push-people-for-roles-in-his-administration-report-779306">Also read:&nbsp;Top Trump aide asked for bribes to push people for roles in his administration: Report</a>

Germany, Poland, Finland, and Romania have all recently signed deals for the aircraft.

Its development, however, has suffered from issues, notably in the design of its computer programs, and its very high operating costs are regularly criticized by its detractors.&nbsp;

"The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level because it was required to be too many things to too many people," said Musk on Monday, calling it "an expensive (and) complex jack of all trades, master of none."

Watch |&nbsp;Drones Vs Jets: The Future Of Combat

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For Mauro Gilli, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, "what makes the F-35... expensive is the software and the electronics, not the pilot per se."

This is significant "because a reusable drone would need to get all that flashy electronics of an F-35," he said on X.

He also pointed out that the existence of the F-35 had forced US rivals to develop their own aircraft and advanced radar to match it.

"By simply existing, the F-35 and the B-1 force Russia and China into strategic choices, they would not have to make otherwise (i.e. budget allocations)," Gilli said, referring to B-1 heavy bomber aircraft.

"Even if Musk were right (and he is not), deleting the programs would relax these constraints on them."

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Billionaire Elon Musk, tapped by US President-elect Donald Trump to slash federal government spending, lashed out at modern fighter jets on Monday, saying that drones were the future of air combat.

Billionaire Elon Musk, tapped by US President-elect Donald Trump to slash federal government spending, lashed out at modern fighter jets on Monday, saying that drones were the future of air combat. "Manned fighter jets are obsolete in the age of drones anyway. Will just get pilots killed," said the head of SpaceX, Tesla, and X, in a post on his social media platform. Musk singled out the F-35 – a next-generation fighter jet manufactured by US-based Lockheed Martin that entered service in 2015 – for criticism. "Meanwhile, some idiots are still building manned fighter jets like the F-35," he posted, alongside a video of hundreds of drones hovering in formation in the sky. The F-35, the world's most advanced fighter, is stealth-capable and can also be used to gather intelligence. Also read: Top Trump aide asked for bribes to push people for roles in his administration: Report Germany, Poland, Finland, and Romania have all recently signed deals for the aircraft. Its development, however, has suffered from issues, notably in the design of its computer programs, and its very high operating costs are regularly criticized by its detractors. "The F-35 design was broken at the requirements level because it was required to be too many things to too many people," said Musk on Monday, calling it "an expensive (and) complex jack of all trades, master of none." Watch | Drones Vs Jets: The Future Of Combat × For Mauro Gilli, a researcher at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, "what makes the F-35... expensive is the software and the electronics, not the pilot per se." This is significant "because a reusable drone would need to get all that flashy electronics of an F-35," he said on X. He also pointed out that the existence of the F-35 had forced US rivals to develop their own aircraft and advanced radar to match it. "By simply existing, the F-35 and the B-1 force Russia and China into strategic choices, they would not have to make otherwise (i.e. budget allocations)," Gilli said, referring to B-1 heavy bomber aircraft. "Even if Musk were right (and he is not), deleting the programs would relax these constraints on them." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

'Will just get pilots killed,' Elon Musk calls on US to replace fighter jets with drones

Narco terror has become one of the biggest challenges for the security forces in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Pakistan used to use drones to drop narcotics from across the border, or&nbsp;the Line of Control (LOC), but now drug peddlers are using technology like high-end drones and encrypted apps to deliver drugs in Srinagar.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a very unique case in Srinagar's downtown area of Safakadal where they arrested a tech-savvy teenage&nbsp;drug peddler and seized his high-tech drone and narcotics.&nbsp;

According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the teenager used the drone to keep a vigil in the area where he used to sell drugs. He would generally call the buyers to a spot and make them walk for over a kilometre while keeping an eye on their movement to be sure that they were not accomplices of the police.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/kashmir-tourism-stakeholders-unite-to-condemn-terror-attacks-as-winter-season-approaches-775491">Also read:&nbsp;Kashmir tourism stakeholders unite to condemn terror attacks as winter season approaches</a>

The police officials said that they had information about the teen’s involvement in drug peddling and were keeping a watch so that he could be arrested with narcotic consignment.

“Few days ago, Police station Safa Kadal arrested three drug peddlers from the same area who used to sell narcotics. We have also recovered a drone from the drug peddler, which they used to keep a vigil on the customers and also save themselves from police. This is the first time that a drone has been recovered from a drug peddler in Kashmir. It's a big success,” said Showkat Ahmad Dar, SP, North, Srinagar City.

Watch |&nbsp;India: Thousands Of Men Throng Recruitment Centers Across Kashmir

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The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested two more youths who had been helping the main accused in supplying and selling the drugs. One youth&nbsp;is&nbsp;from the Athwajan area in south Kashmir, while the other one is from the Safakadal area in Srinagar. All of them have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).

The police have also found some links with people from outside Jammu and Kashmir in this case. The consignments and payments have been done via UPI to numbers that don’t belong to the Kashmir Valley.

“We are keeping a watch on the peddlers. Wherever we are recovering drugs from their possession, we are making the arrests. Like in this case also, around 150 bottles of codeine were recovered, and an FIR was registered against three drug peddlers. The drone and phones have been seized. Now we are also investigating the links that these people had so that we can get to the bottom of the case,” said Showkat Ahmad Dar, SP, North, Srinagar City.

Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified the fight against narco terror across the region. Every day, the police have been making arrests and recovering narcotics worth crores of rupees. Some studies have shown that over 600,000 people are suffering from drug addiction in the Union Territory.

Narco terror has become one of the biggest challenges for the security forces in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Pakistan used to use drones to drop narcotics from across the border, or the Line of Control (LOC), but now drug peddlers are using technology like high-end drones and encrypted apps to deliver drugs in Srinagar.

Narco terror has become one of the biggest challenges for the security forces in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Earlier, Pakistan used to use drones to drop narcotics from across the border, or the Line of Control (LOC), but now drug peddlers are using technology like high-end drones and encrypted apps to deliver drugs in Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted a very unique case in Srinagar's downtown area of Safakadal where they arrested a tech-savvy teenage drug peddler and seized his high-tech drone and narcotics. According to the Jammu and Kashmir Police, the teenager used the drone to keep a vigil in the area where he used to sell drugs. He would generally call the buyers to a spot and make them walk for over a kilometre while keeping an eye on their movement to be sure that they were not accomplices of the police. Also read: Kashmir tourism stakeholders unite to condemn terror attacks as winter season approaches The police officials said that they had information about the teen’s involvement in drug peddling and were keeping a watch so that he could be arrested with narcotic consignment. “Few days ago, Police station Safa Kadal arrested three drug peddlers from the same area who used to sell narcotics. We have also recovered a drone from the drug peddler, which they used to keep a vigil on the customers and also save themselves from police. This is the first time that a drone has been recovered from a drug peddler in Kashmir. It's a big success,” said Showkat Ahmad Dar, SP, North, Srinagar City. Watch | India: Thousands Of Men Throng Recruitment Centers Across Kashmir × The Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested two more youths who had been helping the main accused in supplying and selling the drugs. One youth is from the Athwajan area in south Kashmir, while the other one is from the Safakadal area in Srinagar. All of them have been booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS). The police have also found some links with people from outside Jammu and Kashmir in this case. The consignments and payments have been done via UPI to numbers that don’t belong to the Kashmir Valley. “We are keeping a watch on the peddlers. Wherever we are recovering drugs from their possession, we are making the arrests. Like in this case also, around 150 bottles of codeine were recovered, and an FIR was registered against three drug peddlers. The drone and phones have been seized. Now we are also investigating the links that these people had so that we can get to the bottom of the case,” said Showkat Ahmad Dar, SP, North, Srinagar City. Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified the fight against narco terror across the region. Every day, the police have been making arrests and recovering narcotics worth crores of rupees. Some studies have shown that over 600,000 people are suffering from drug addiction in the Union Territory.

India: Police bust tech savvy drug peddler ring in Kashmir Valley

South Korea and the US are conducting their joint live fire exercise in what appears to be bold demonstration of military drills. Watch to know more.

South Korea, US Hold  Drone Exercise

Team of scientists from Hungary have developed a drone technology it's called swarm. This breakthrough in drone technology could reshape the future of human flight. Watch in for more details!

Hungarian Scientists Develop Decentralised Drone Swarms

India, US sign Rs 32,000-crore deal to procure 31 Predator drones. General Atomics manufactures Predator MQ-9B High Altitude Long Endurance UAV. Deal will enhance the surveillance capabilities of the Indian armed forces. Deal also includes 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles, 16 M36E9 Hellfire training missiles. Indian Navy likely to get 15, while eight each will be allotted to Army and Air Force. Watch to know more!

India, US Sign Rs 32,000-Crore Deal To Procure 31 Predator Drones | WION Originals

In the face of escalating tensions across the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan has secured agreements to acquire about 1,000 lethal drones from the United States, strengthening its asymmetric warfare capabilities.

Taiwan Signs $160 Million Drone Deal With United States

A Hezbollah-operated Mirsad-1 drone has reportedly struck an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) base, escalating tensions in the ongoing Israel-Hezbollah conflict. The attack marks a significant development in the confrontation, as Hezbollah continues to deploy advanced drone technology against Israeli military targets. The IDF is assessing the damage, while Israeli officials have vowed a strong response. The strike underscores the increasing role of unmanned aerial systems in the conflict, further intensifying the hostilities between the two sides.

Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Hezbollah's Mirsad-1 Drone Strikes IDF Base

Are Russia and China working on a secret war drone project amid Ukraine war? Russia has reportedly set up a weapons program in China to develop long-range attack drones, possibly for use in the war against Ukraine. The program involves IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian arms company Almaz-Antey, and includes the development and flight-testing of a new drone model called the Garpunya-3 (G3). Watch in for more details!

Russia & China's Secret War Drones Project? U.S. Expresses 'Concern'

Days after a 10-year-old girl went missing in dense woods in the US state of&nbsp;Louisiana&nbsp;after sleepwalking, was found safe with the help of a thermal-imaging drone on September 15.&nbsp;

The community was trying to find Peyton Saintignan with the help of Louisiana State Police when she went missing, and one such volunteer named Josh Klober, the drone operator wanted to help and came up with the idea of locating the girl with the help of a drone.&nbsp;

Travelling 40 miles from his home in Arkansas, Klober arrived on September 15 with a drone equipped with thermal imaging capabilities from his company, Drone Management Services LLC, and started scanning the area.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjUo4eP1d2IAxXTb_UHHdG7PDQQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/drone-captures-chinese-rocket-exploding-while-attempting-to-make-vertical-landing-761511" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/trending/drone-captures-chinese-rocket-exploding-while-attempting-to-make-vertical-landing-761511&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjUo4eP1d2IAxXTb_UHHdG7PDQQxfQBKAB6BAgSEAE">Drone captures Chinese rocket exploding while attempting to make vertical landing</a>

Meanwhile, massive searches were launched to find the girl. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said that when his office was notified, "family and neighbours had already been looking for her about an hour" before the sheriff, Louisiana State Police and hundreds of volunteers joined in to find the missing child.

A trail camera used by hunters deep in the wilderness snapped a picture of the 10-year-old and the search and rescue team started looking for her.

Klober, on the other hand, set up his gear with the help of the sheriff’s department, including a generator and a large flat-screen TV before launching his drone into the woods.

The drone located Peyton all curled up in the fetal position on the ground in thick woods about 20 minutes after Klober’s drone took flight.&nbsp;
<img alt="Snapshot from drone footage" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="a7d98531-2fb5-4e74-98ef-880d862673e4" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20-%202024-09-25T125004.818.png" />
“We saw the purple and white pajamas that she had been wearing,” Klober told local media.

“She was laying there. She wasn’t moving and everybody was just kind of holding their breath.”

Officials were able to direct rescuers to her location, and moments later, around 11:00 pm (local time), the sleepwalking child was woken up by her best friend’s dad and taken to safety.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwjUo4eP1d2IAxXTb_UHHdG7PDQQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-what-is-sleepmaxxing-the-viral-wellness-trend-everyone-talking-about-761802" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-what-is-sleepmaxxing-the-viral-wellness-trend-everyone-talking-about-761802&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjUo4eP1d2IAxXTb_UHHdG7PDQQxfQBKAB6BAgKEAE">What is 'sleepmaxxing', the viral wellness trend everyone talking about?</a>

Peyton walked over 1.5 miles from her home when she was found, as per the police. Parker said it was "truly a miracle" that the 10-year-old was unharmed when she was found.

“Other than some mosquito bites, she was perfect,” Parker said.

First responders and Child Protective Services did her thorough check-up before returning home. The girl was a known sleepwalker, as per the family, but this was the first time that she left her home while doing so.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Days after a 10-year-old girl went missing in dense woods in the US state of Louisiana after sleepwalking, was found safe with the help of a thermal-imaging drone on September 15.

Days after a 10-year-old girl went missing in dense woods in the US state of Louisiana after sleepwalking, was found safe with the help of a thermal-imaging drone on September 15. The community was trying to find Peyton Saintignan with the help of Louisiana State Police when she went missing, and one such volunteer named Josh Klober, the drone operator wanted to help and came up with the idea of locating the girl with the help of a drone. Travelling 40 miles from his home in Arkansas, Klober arrived on September 15 with a drone equipped with thermal imaging capabilities from his company, Drone Management Services LLC, and started scanning the area. Also Read | Drone captures Chinese rocket exploding while attempting to make vertical landing Meanwhile, massive searches were launched to find the girl. Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker said that when his office was notified, "family and neighbours had already been looking for her about an hour" before the sheriff, Louisiana State Police and hundreds of volunteers joined in to find the missing child. A trail camera used by hunters deep in the wilderness snapped a picture of the 10-year-old and the search and rescue team started looking for her. Klober, on the other hand, set up his gear with the help of the sheriff’s department, including a generator and a large flat-screen TV before launching his drone into the woods. The drone located Peyton all curled up in the fetal position on the ground in thick woods about 20 minutes after Klober’s drone took flight. “We saw the purple and white pajamas that she had been wearing,” Klober told local media. “She was laying there. She wasn’t moving and everybody was just kind of holding their breath.” Officials were able to direct rescuers to her location, and moments later, around 11:00 pm (local time), the sleepwalking child was woken up by her best friend’s dad and taken to safety. Also Read | What is 'sleepmaxxing', the viral wellness trend everyone talking about? Peyton walked over 1.5 miles from her home when she was found, as per the police. Parker said it was "truly a miracle" that the 10-year-old was unharmed when she was found. “Other than some mosquito bites, she was perfect,” Parker said. First responders and Child Protective Services did her thorough check-up before returning home. The girl was a known sleepwalker, as per the family, but this was the first time that she left her home while doing so. (With inputs from agencies)

'Truly a miracle': Drone helps locate girl, 10, who went missing while sleepwalking in Louisiana

China has revealed a new 144 mph kamikaze drone, further escalating tensions with Taiwan. This advanced weaponry adds to the growing military pressure in the region.

China Unveils New 144 Kmph Kamikaze Drone, Heightening Tensions With Taiwan

Thermal imaging drone footage captured the remarkable rescue of 10-year-old Peyton Saintignan, who went missing while sleepwalking in the woods of Louisiana.

Drone Footage Reveals Dramatic Rescue Of 10-Year-Old Sleepwalking Child

China has a small but Ultra long range Kamikazi drone this week and it claims that the Drone could significantly outperform its main American competitor the US made switchblade 600. Watch to know more.

China's New Kamikaze' Drone vs US-Made Switchblade 600

One of the leading companies in the technology sectors, HFCL, formerly known as Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited, has announced that it has entered into a major deal with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in providing some of the critical sub-systems for their advanced drone technologies. It should enable the addition of capabilities for HFCL in the aerospace business and directly comes in line with its strategy of innovative solutions as detailed in a report by the Press Trust of India. 

Capacities increased in aerospace<o:p></o:p>

The deal is one of the biggest in the company's journey so far as it enhances HFCL's technological capability way beyond telecommunications. The partnership will involve the provision of complex sub-systems which, coincidentally, happen to be at the 'heart' of the unmanned aerial systems of GA-ASI. Such a high-performance electronic system from HFCL would be well-poised and prepared to meet the demanding requirements of the aerospace industry.

It is part of this overall industry trend in the aerospace sector, where companies are seeking collaboration agreements with technology firms to enhance their operational effectiveness and innovation power. The quality and technological capabilities of HFCL would be crucial in delivering the product components that were needed.

Impact on Industry<o:p></o:p>

With this alliance, both companies can expect far-reaching positive impacts. The tie-up is a landmark event for HFCL as the venture not only diversifies its portfolio but opens even new revenue streams in defence and aerospace markets. Meanwhile, General Atomics derives prime benefit from cutting-edge technology adopted by HFCL that proves vital for maintaining competitive advantage in unmanned systems.

"Our selection by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated to develop critical sub-systems for the UAVs is a proud moment for us and reflects our unwavering commitment to the Make in India initiative. These drones, with their versatile applications, symbolise our resolve to contribute to the defence forces with cutting-edge technology," HFCL Managing Director Mahendra Nahata said.

In an increasingly global demand to apply drone technology, this partnership, therefore, puts the two companies strategically in a fast-changing market. With some imminent capabilities already identified, they will apply them extensively in various fields such as defence, surveillance, and logistics.

The agreement between HFCL and General Atomics marks a huge step forward for the integration of telecom technology into the aerospace domain. Together, the companies will be providing innovative solutions toward introducing major changes into the future of drone technology and all its applications around the globe. This is an excellent example of how shared effort leads the way toward technological advancement and grabs emerging market needs.

One of the leading companies in the technology sectors, HFCL, formerly known as Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited, has announced that it has entered into a major deal with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.

One of the leading companies in the technology sectors, HFCL, formerly known as Himachal Futuristic Communications Limited, has announced that it has entered into a major deal with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. in providing some of the critical sub-systems for their advanced drone technologies. It should enable the addition of capabilities for HFCL in the aerospace business and directly comes in line with its strategy of innovative solutions as detailed in a report by the Press Trust of India. Capacities increased in aerospace The deal is one of the biggest in the company's journey so far as it enhances HFCL's technological capability way beyond telecommunications. The partnership will involve the provision of complex sub-systems which, coincidentally, happen to be at the 'heart' of the unmanned aerial systems of GA-ASI. Such a high-performance electronic system from HFCL would be well-poised and prepared to meet the demanding requirements of the aerospace industry. It is part of this overall industry trend in the aerospace sector, where companies are seeking collaboration agreements with technology firms to enhance their operational effectiveness and innovation power. The quality and technological capabilities of HFCL would be crucial in delivering the product components that were needed. Impact on Industry With this alliance, both companies can expect far-reaching positive impacts. The tie-up is a landmark event for HFCL as the venture not only diversifies its portfolio but opens even new revenue streams in defence and aerospace markets. Meanwhile, General Atomics derives prime benefit from cutting-edge technology adopted by HFCL that proves vital for maintaining competitive advantage in unmanned systems. "Our selection by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated to develop critical sub-systems for the UAVs is a proud moment for us and reflects our unwavering commitment to the Make in India initiative. These drones, with their versatile applications, symbolise our resolve to contribute to the defence forces with cutting-edge technology," HFCL Managing Director Mahendra Nahata said. In an increasingly global demand to apply drone technology, this partnership, therefore, puts the two companies strategically in a fast-changing market. With some imminent capabilities already identified, they will apply them extensively in various fields such as defence, surveillance, and logistics. The agreement between HFCL and General Atomics marks a huge step forward for the integration of telecom technology into the aerospace domain. Together, the companies will be providing innovative solutions toward introducing major changes into the future of drone technology and all its applications around the globe. This is an excellent example of how shared effort leads the way toward technological advancement and grabs emerging market needs.

HFCL to supply critical drone sub-systems to General Atomics

As the nation eagerly waits for Dipa Karmakar`s performance in the Rio Olympics women`s vault final, her parents hope that the 23-year-old gymnast gets a birthday present in the form of a medal at the prestigious quadrennial event. 
 
Dipa`s father Dulal Karmakar, a weightlifting coach with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), said that he was overwhelmed with happiness after getting the news about Dipa qualifying for the finals. 
 
&quot;I have no words to express my feelings. It was always her aim to participate in the Olympics and now she has qualified as well. Now we all are hoping that she comes back with a medal from there,&quot; Dulal Karmakar said. 
 
&quot;Yes it is a big success and we are very happy. On her birthday, we are not doing anything just praying to god that as a present on her birthday she can bring a medal for all Indians,&quot; said Dipa Karmakar`s mother Gouri Karmakar.Tripura`s golden girl Dipa surprised one and all by becoming first Indian gymnast to enter the Olympic final. 
 
Meanwhile, prayers are taking place in her native state, hoping that the Tripura gymnast brings laurels for the nation. Bijoy Chakraborty, a priest who performed a yagna for Dipa`s victory said, &quot;I had earlier performed such puja for Sourav Ganguly when he was the captain (of the Indian cricket team). This yagna is being done so that Dipa can be successful today in her final performance at the Olympic (which is slated to be held at 11.47pm).&quot; 
 
The event will take place today evening at the Rio Olympic Arena. Simone Biles (USA), Hong Un-Jong (North Korea), Giulia Steingruber (Switzerland), Maria Paseka (Russia), Oksana Chusovitina (Uzbekistan), Shallon Olsen (Canada), Wang Yan (China) are the other gymnasts participating at the event. 
 
Dipa is the world`s fifth gymnast to have attempted Produnova, a dangerous trick on the vault. The first woman from the country to feature in the lineup of gymnasts at the Olympics, Dipa succeeded in performing the difficult `Produnova` routine to secure 14.850 points after two attempts, but had to undergo a nervous wait for hours to find out that she had made it to the final with an eighth-place finish. 
 
(ANI)

As the nation eagerly waits for Dipa Karmakar`s performance in the Rio Olympics women`s vault final, her parents hope that the 23-year-old gymnast gets a birthday present in the form of a medal at the prestigious quadrennial event.

As the nation eagerly waits for Dipa Karmakar`s performance in the Rio Olympics women`s vault final, her parents hope that the 23-year-old gymnast gets a birthday present in the form of a medal at the prestigious quadrennial event. Dipa`s father Dulal Karmakar, a weightlifting coach with the Sports Authority of India (SAI), said that he was overwhelmed with happiness after getting the news about Dipa qualifying for the finals. "I have no words to express my feelings. It was always her aim to participate in the Olympics and now she has qualified as well. Now we all are hoping that she comes back with a medal from there," Dulal Karmakar said. "Yes it is a big success and we are very happy. On her birthday, we are not doing anything just praying to god that as a present on her birthday she can bring a medal for all Indians," said Dipa Karmakar`s mother Gouri Karmakar.Tripura`s golden girl Dipa surprised one and all by becoming first Indian gymnast to enter the Olympic final. Meanwhile, prayers are taking place in her native state, hoping that the Tripura gymnast brings laurels for the nation. Bijoy Chakraborty, a priest who performed a yagna for Dipa`s victory said, "I had earlier performed such puja for Sourav Ganguly when he was the captain (of the Indian cricket team). This yagna is being done so that Dipa can be successful today in her final performance at the Olympic (which is slated to be held at 11.47pm)." The event will take place today evening at the Rio Olympic Arena. Simone Biles (USA), Hong Un-Jong (North Korea), Giulia Steingruber (Switzerland), Maria Paseka (Russia), Oksana Chusovitina (Uzbekistan), Shallon Olsen (Canada), Wang Yan (China) are the other gymnasts participating at the event. Dipa is the world`s fifth gymnast to have attempted Produnova, a dangerous trick on the vault. The first woman from the country to feature in the lineup of gymnasts at the Olympics, Dipa succeeded in performing the difficult `Produnova` routine to secure 14.850 points after two attempts, but had to undergo a nervous wait for hours to find out that she had made it to the final with an eighth-place finish. (ANI)

2 dead, 9 injured in fresh Manipur violence; 'suspected Kuki insurgents' use drones to drop bombs

A video of a drone attack in Russia has rapidly spread online, leaving many shocked and drawing comparisons to the 9/11 attacks&nbsp;in the United States.

Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine has carried out its most significant drone attack to date, targeting a residential building in Saratov, Russia. The drone strike occurred early in the morning, marking a notable escalation in the conflict.

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WATCH: Drone crashes into high-rise building in Saratov, Russia <a href="https://t.co/IIf1TU7ijg">pic.twitter.com/IIf1TU7ijg</a>
— BNO News (@BNONews) <a href="https://twitter.com/BNONews/status/1827915864332456211?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 26, 2024</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

<h2>Russian defense efforts and regional impact</h2>

According to Russia's defence ministry, nine drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Saratov region, which is approximately 900 kilometres (560 miles) from the Ukrainian border.

Despite these defensive measures, falling debris from the intercepted drones caused damage to a residential complex in Saratov, as reported by regional governor Roman Basurgin on Telegram.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/no-peace-for-gaza-as-ceasefire-talks-fail-in-cairo-over-philadelphi-corridor-753333">No peace for Gaza as ceasefire talks fail in Cairo over Philadelphi corridor</a>

The drone attack led to significant disruptions, including damage to homes and restrictions on flights in the Saratov region. Russian officials and news agencies confirmed that a woman was also injured in the attack.

Russia's RIA news agency reported that, according to the airport's press service, flight operations at Saratov's regional airport were restricted.

<h2>September 11 Attacks: A Historical Comparison</h2>

The recent events have evoked comparisons to the September 11 attacks. On September 11, 2001, suicide attackers hijacked US passenger jets. They crashed them into two New York skyscrapers, resulting in the deaths of thousands and marking one of the most traumatic events of the century, both for Americans and the global community.

(With inputs from agencies)

A video of a drone attack in Russia has rapidly spread online, leaving many shocked and drawing comparisons to the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine has carried out its most significant drone attack to date, targeting a residential building in Saratov, Russia.

A video of a drone attack in Russia has rapidly spread online, leaving many shocked and drawing comparisons to the 9/11 attacks in the United States. Amid the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, Ukraine has carried out its most significant drone attack to date, targeting a residential building in Saratov, Russia. The drone strike occurred early in the morning, marking a notable escalation in the conflict. WATCH: Drone crashes into high-rise building in Saratov, Russia pic.twitter.com/IIf1TU7ijg — BNO News (@BNONews) August 26, 2024 × Russian defense efforts and regional impact According to Russia's defence ministry, nine drones were intercepted and destroyed over the Saratov region, which is approximately 900 kilometres (560 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Despite these defensive measures, falling debris from the intercepted drones caused damage to a residential complex in Saratov, as reported by regional governor Roman Basurgin on Telegram. Also read | No peace for Gaza as ceasefire talks fail in Cairo over Philadelphi corridor The drone attack led to significant disruptions, including damage to homes and restrictions on flights in the Saratov region. Russian officials and news agencies confirmed that a woman was also injured in the attack. Russia's RIA news agency reported that, according to the airport's press service, flight operations at Saratov's regional airport were restricted. September 11 Attacks: A Historical Comparison The recent events have evoked comparisons to the September 11 attacks. On September 11, 2001, suicide attackers hijacked US passenger jets. They crashed them into two New York skyscrapers, resulting in the deaths of thousands and marking one of the most traumatic events of the century, both for Americans and the global community. (With inputs from agencies)

Video: Ukrainian drone hits Russian high-rise building, resembling 9/11 attack visuals

North Korea is known for its ruthless isolationism and has been a secretive state for the past few years with no tourists visiting the nation after the&nbsp;pandemic.&nbsp;

But a Redditor, whose username is XioHao2, shared a series of photos captured in North Korea without entering the country. Using a novel method, the social media user flew the drone across the border from China.

In the images shared by the social media user, there were large buildings which featured photographs of the country’s founder Kim Il-sung and his firstborn son Kim Jong-il.

In the other aerial views, the eerily deserted streets were seen with very few cars and people on the roads.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korean-defects-to-south-by-crossing-border-says-seoul-military-751513">North Korean defects to South by crossing border, says Seoul military</a>

In one photo, some people were seen looking at the drone which suggested that the activities of the Reddit poster did not go unnoticed.

<h2>Reddit users react to the novel idea of visiting North Korea</h2>

The series of photographs received more than 6,900 comments as&nbsp;Redditors&nbsp;shared their thoughts.

“Am I tripping or is there no street drainage at all? Definitely no traffic lights. Looks like a concrete model of a city," wrote one user.

“Where are the people? Are they only props that come out whenever the Dear Leader needs his ego stroked?” quizzed another.&nbsp;

“It's the greyest country in the world. F**king depressing,” said a third user.

Some users also expressed concern that the activities of the original poster could land him/her in trouble.

“That is so so so cool, but not smart,” warned a user. “The Chinese government has a tight relationship with North Korea, returns escapees, helps prosecute criminals," said another.

“If [you’re] flying a DJI drone they have even more info on you, info that would allow them to track you down after the fact. So be careful," wrote a user.

Watch:&nbsp;North Korea: Kim Jong Un oversees delivery of ballistic missile launchers

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-kim-jong-un-oversees-delivery-of-ballistic-missile-launchers-747476/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

“This won’t create an international incident but you can be sure both governments will be working to figure out who it was," another user said.

Some even tried to understand the implications of the research done by the original poster.

“If this random dude with a drone from a store can this easily spy on North Korea, imagine the intel the US has!” wrote a user.

Another user said, “US intelligence are probably like 'wait s**t, we spent hundreds of millions on spy satellites and could have just used a f**king $500 drone?'"

“Guy single-handedly invaded N. Korea," said a user. Later, it was confirmed by the original poster that the images were taken in Sinuiju City during the 2020&nbsp;Covid pandemic.

For almost five years, the country remained closed to foreign travellers because of coronavirus restrictions and has now started opening borders slowly.

(With inputs from agencies)

North Korea is known for its ruthless isolationism and has been a secretive state for the past few years with no tourists visiting the nation after the pandemic.

North Korea is known for its ruthless isolationism and has been a secretive state for the past few years with no tourists visiting the nation after the pandemic. But a Redditor, whose username is XioHao2, shared a series of photos captured in North Korea without entering the country. Using a novel method, the social media user flew the drone across the border from China. In the images shared by the social media user, there were large buildings which featured photographs of the country’s founder Kim Il-sung and his firstborn son Kim Jong-il. In the other aerial views, the eerily deserted streets were seen with very few cars and people on the roads. Also Read: North Korean defects to South by crossing border, says Seoul military In one photo, some people were seen looking at the drone which suggested that the activities of the Reddit poster did not go unnoticed. Reddit users react to the novel idea of visiting North Korea The series of photographs received more than 6,900 comments as Redditors shared their thoughts. “Am I tripping or is there no street drainage at all? Definitely no traffic lights. Looks like a concrete model of a city," wrote one user. “Where are the people? Are they only props that come out whenever the Dear Leader needs his ego stroked?” quizzed another. “It's the greyest country in the world. F**king depressing,” said a third user. Some users also expressed concern that the activities of the original poster could land him/her in trouble. “That is so so so cool, but not smart,” warned a user. “The Chinese government has a tight relationship with North Korea, returns escapees, helps prosecute criminals," said another. “If [you’re] flying a DJI drone they have even more info on you, info that would allow them to track you down after the fact. So be careful," wrote a user. Watch: North Korea: Kim Jong Un oversees delivery of ballistic missile launchers “This won’t create an international incident but you can be sure both governments will be working to figure out who it was," another user said. Some even tried to understand the implications of the research done by the original poster. “If this random dude with a drone from a store can this easily spy on North Korea, imagine the intel the US has!” wrote a user. Another user said, “US intelligence are probably like 'wait s**t, we spent hundreds of millions on spy satellites and could have just used a f**king $500 drone?'" “Guy single-handedly invaded N. Korea," said a user. Later, it was confirmed by the original poster that the images were taken in Sinuiju City during the 2020 Covid pandemic. For almost five years, the country remained closed to foreign travellers because of coronavirus restrictions and has now started opening borders slowly. (With inputs from agencies)

Chinese man invades North Korea in a never-thought way, flies drone across the border

Chinese Engineers successfully conducted the test run of the country's biggest cargo drone to date that's not all they also tested a helicopter taxi which is soon to open 100 kilometer route to Shanghai. Watch in for more details!

China tests largest domestically produced Cargo drone

You might be aware of the term crash-landing but how about crash birching-inspired by winged creatures. Swiss scientists have built a winged unmanned aerial vehicle by hugging trees and poles.

Swiss scientists create tree-hugging drones, UAV with unique perching ability

Watch top headlines of the hour: - Israel pounds tent camps around Rafah - PMs Modi, Hasina hold bilateral talks - Yemen Houthis attack USS Eisenhower - Russia pounds energy infra in Ukraine - Convicted, Hindujas appeal to higher court - Israel-Hezbollah: UN Chief sounds alarm

WION Headlines | Yemen Houthis attack USS Eisenhower | Convicted, Hindujas appeal to higher court

With increased strikes on vessels the Houthi trouble for Israel seems to be gaining momentum. In the latest strikes announced early on Sunday Houthi rebels have struck four ships at Israel's Northern Haifa Port. Watch in for more details!

Houthis claim attack on four ships at Israel's Haifa port

A leading Chinese drone maker is changing the game on Goods deliveries to remote locations. Their drones are now operating on Mount Everest from delivering cargo to helping clear trash China appears to be leading the game of drones.

DJI's Flycart30: Heavy-lifter drone, tested on Mount Everest

Japan detected a Chinese reconnaissance-attack drone flying near Okinawa in the East China Sea. The incident occurred Monday within Japan's air defense identification zone.

Gravitas: China sends drone in Japanese airspace

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed to have shot down a US MQ9 drone over the southeastern province of Maareb on Thursday evening, according to the group's military spokesman on Friday. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas war: Houthis claim to have downed US MQ-9 reaper drone

Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis claimed to have shot down a US MQ9 drone over the southeastern province of Maareb on Thursday evening, according to the group's military spokesman on Friday.

US reaper drone shot down with surface-to-air missile: Houthis

While drones have revolutionised the battlefield, it is the rise and proliferation of rockets and missiles that has impacted the battlefield and geostrategic statecraft. Their widespread employment in conjunction with traditional artillery and aircraft is the new battlefield paradigm. The global inventory of rockets and missiles has expanded geometrically. Firepower has changed drastically as rockets and missiles have been employed as geopolitical tools of coercion, as conventional weapons in battle and as a tool of power by non-state actors. &nbsp;&nbsp;

<h2>The Geopolitical Tools of Coercion</h2>

North Korea pioneered provocative testing cum demonstrative firings of missiles and rockets as geopolitical tools of coercion since the late 70s. Initially, North Korean missiles had 50% failures. Current failure rates are only around 15%. As missile reliability improved, the North Korean threat has increased. In 2024, North Korea tested a cruise missile and IRBMs with hypersonic glide capability thrice. It keeps threatening the United States, South Korea and Japan through such firings. North Korea keeps firing a mix of unguided rockets, guided missiles and cruise missiles to keep the Eastern Pacific destabilised. It also conveys nuclear ambiguity through missile testing. It even fires conventional rockets mixed with tube artillery near inhabited areas to explicitly threaten and coerce South Korea. &nbsp;

China has a vast array of modern missiles and rockets. The PLARF is the largest ground-based missile force on earth. China regularly carries out large-scale rocket and missile firing demonstratively along with naval and air exercises to threaten and coerce Taiwan. The larger message is to demonstrate China’s resolve and capability to annex Taiwan, fight and win wars and project power globally. China uses the PLARF to convey its credibility and capabilities of nuclear deterrence and counterattack, strengthen intermediate and long-range precision strike forces, and enhance strategic counter-balance capability. It is a potent threat to China’s neighbours and adversaries. It also gives the PLA the ability to influence local, regional, and global military conflicts. In simple terms, it is geopolitical coercion on a global scale.&nbsp;

<h2>Rockets and Missiles in Conventional Battles</h2>

The &nbsp;Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict indicated how conventional wars will be fought using rockets, missiles, drones, and artillery. While its highlight was the extensive use of drones to complement conventional artillery, it also featured the heavy use of missiles and rocket artillery. This aspect has largely gone unnoticed. &nbsp;Both sides deployed and employed a range of rockets and missiles. These were a combination of legacy systems of the USSR era as also modern systems procured from different sources individually. Azerbaijan invested more into its rocket and missile arsenal to include guided rockets and MLRS systems to engage targets up to 200 km in depth. The balance tipped in Azerbaijan’s favour due to better drones and rocket artillery and a willingness to use them in an innovative and integrated manner. &nbsp;

The violence of firepower and its centrality in battle is reinforced in the Ukraine war. &nbsp;Employment of guns, rockets and missiles – guided, cruise and hypersonic has been unrestricted, imaginative and extensive. &nbsp;Major lessons have been drawn. Terrain, ground or weather might deter, inhibit or preclude the employment of Air, Infantry and Armour but nothing deters long-range Artillery. It overcomes terrain friction by striking deep. Despite static front lines, the daily situation changes due to orchestrated firepower strikes across the battlefield. Long-range vectors generate strategic as well as battlefield manoeuvre. They have been used to achieve political aims by deliberate firing on specified targets. Russia has postured with nuclear warheads and fired conventional warheads to achieve deterrence. It has done so through extensive use of air, hypersonic/cruise/guided missiles, rockets, and guns to deter NATO from getting directly involved. Ukraine uses rockets and cruise missiles imaginatively to deliver crucial blows to Russia. It has sunk a large part of the Russian Navy. &nbsp;Rockets and missiles have been used innovatively in executing ‘firepower ambushes’, &nbsp;undertaking ‘track and kill’ operations and carrying out ‘spoiling attacks’. A major factor which has emerged is that rockets and missiles used in conjunction with drones and a good command and control system dominate conventional battlefields.&nbsp;

<h2>The Non-State Tool of Power</h2>

The Houthi movement to grab power in Yemen is decades old. When the Saudis intervened, Iran stepped in. It provided the Houthis with a liberal supply of rockets and missiles. Once Saudi Arabia and Iran got involved, the Yemen civil war acquired local, regional and international flavours. “The Missile War in Yemen” &nbsp;marks the rise in the use of rockets and ballistic missiles by nonstate actors/proxies. Houthis have fired innumerable rockets and missiles locally at Yemen’s Government and Saudi bases, population centres, and infrastructure to trigger a humanitarian crisis. Regionally, Houthis have used a combination of cruise missiles, unguided rockets, ballistic missiles and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack Saudi Arabia. The most spectacular being the 2019 ARAMCO attacks of Abqaiq and Khurais oil refineries. The Houthi SAMs have downed many &nbsp;Saudi coalition force aircraft. Their rocket and missile arsenal has secured a power-sharing agreement in Yemen. The Houthis are exercising ‘sea denial’ from land by firing drones and anti-ship cruise missiles against international shipping, oil tankers and U.S. Navy warships in the Red Sea. The Houthi arsenal of long-range missiles and drones has complicated the prospect of restoring peace and stability in West Asia or normalising international trade. &nbsp;

The Iran-backed Hezbollah is the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, described as ‘a militia trained like an army and equipped like a state’. Its rocket and missile arsenal is arrayed against Israel. Hezbollah’s missile inventory is mostly unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets which lack precision or lethality. However, sheer numbers and volume make them potent weapons of terror. From the 2006 Lebanon war to now, they have expanded from 15,000 rockets and missiles to about 130,000-150,000. Hezbollah uses them as tools of terror and deterrence.&nbsp; 
Hezbollah’s ‘shoot and scoot’ tactics make detection, &nbsp;suppression and retaliation extremely difficult. It negates Israeli airpower. &nbsp;Hence, Hezbollah and Israeli troops are on equal footing in battle. It gives an advantage to Hezbollah which fights from behind a civilian façade like all non-state actors. Hezbollah and Houthi forces are collaborating to develop and employ rockets and missiles against Israel. Hezbollah is pushing to acquire longer-range precision-guided munitions. It has some rockets and missiles with a range of up to even 250 km. This is feasible due to the proliferation of missile technology by Iran.&nbsp;

Hamas was estimated to possess around 6000 rockets in a mix of short (15-20 km), medium ( 45 km) and long (100-200 km) range rockets. Hamas has adapted ideas from the Houthis and Hezbollah with Iranian assistance. Hamas specialises in making crude rockets using water pipes and filling them with any available explosive. Though erratic, they strike terror and make defiant political statements. Hamas uses civilian infrastructure and tunnels to camouflage and store these weapons. Hamas used to fire rockets into Israel from civilian areas of the Gaza Strip. It demonstrates their power to retaliate and even needle Israel to pursue their aims. These have also been used by Hamas to provoke Israel into indiscriminate retaliatory action and enmesh it in a humanitarian trap like they have done in the ongoing conflict.&nbsp;

Iran’s rockets and missile power were on display in its recent demonstrative strike on Israel. The strategic message in that strike is that sheer numbers and volumes can overwhelm air defences. Iran also proliferates rockets &amp; missiles to most of the non-state actors in West Asia. This enables Iran to project power and gain recognition of being an important player in the region. Iran is a case study in power projection far beyond borders without a strong navy or Air Force. Iran has offset this deficiency with its missile arsenal. Incidentally, this tactic is being used by China against the USA in the Western Pacific and against India in the Himalayas.&nbsp;

<h2>The Rise of Rockets and Missiles</h2>

Rockets and missiles are the choice tools of power, coercion and terror for the state as well as non-state actors. Their enhanced ranges outpace conventional artillery or aircraft. When combined with drones, they expand and threaten every corner of the battlefield. They have heralded a new vista of non-contact warfare with positive escalatory controls. They are also cheaper and far less complicated than air forces to acquire and maintain. They are flexible in employment and light on training and infrastructure requirement. The array of rockets and missiles is vast and can be produced through crude methods as also sophisticated processes as per capability and requirement. Rockets and missiles can be used as weapons of terror and mass destruction interchangeably. Their visual impact is high with enhanced propaganda value. They are capable of precision over longer ranges, unlike guns. Their survivability against air defences is far higher than aircraft. Very importantly they can be employed in conventional and nuclear roles. Technology gives better options in producing and employing rockets and missiles en masse. Modern missiles with higher speeds, range, navigation, advanced materials, and endurance can be developed at speed through dual-use space technologies. The evolution of hypersonic missiles is a new chapter on the horizon. The use of rockets and missiles combined with drones and satellite systems backed by AI-driven command and control systems is deadly and set to grow in modern warfare.

<h2>The Indian Scene</h2>

While there is some clamour for a Rocket Force in India, we need to see it in perspective. India has the technology and wherewithal to produce any kind of rocket or missile. It has a reasonable inventory and adequate capability to accelerate production. What it lacks is the vision to put it all together. A major part of the inability is a lack of Recce Strike Integration thinking. Integration of surveillance and long-range firepower through a dedicated command and control system is sorely lacking. More importantly, a national strategy is lacking. ISRO and DRDO don’t exactly see eye to eye. Each Service has its own philosophy at variance with the other. The Army myopia reduced the number of rocket regiments in its long-term plans! As the ranges of engagement have increased, &nbsp;the Indian Artillery, which incidentally is the most modern Arm of the Army, has been stripped of integral deep surveillance and targeting capability! Believe it or not! Over time, long-range and aerial observation capability birthed in Artillery has been bifurcated from it by our ‘Dritharashtric’ planners. While the rest of the world is integrating firepower, surveillance and observation through repurposed apps in battle, we have systematically disintegrated our structure! &nbsp;No. We do not need a rocket force. We need integrated thinking and jointness. We sorely lack that at almost every level. &nbsp;

(Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.) &nbsp;

While drones have revolutionised the battlefield, it is the rise and proliferation of rockets and missiles that has impacted the battlefield and geostrategic statecraft.

While drones have revolutionised the battlefield, it is the rise and proliferation of rockets and missiles that has impacted the battlefield and geostrategic statecraft. Their widespread employment in conjunction with traditional artillery and aircraft is the new battlefield paradigm. The global inventory of rockets and missiles has expanded geometrically. Firepower has changed drastically as rockets and missiles have been employed as geopolitical tools of coercion, as conventional weapons in battle and as a tool of power by non-state actors. The Geopolitical Tools of Coercion North Korea pioneered provocative testing cum demonstrative firings of missiles and rockets as geopolitical tools of coercion since the late 70s. Initially, North Korean missiles had 50% failures. Current failure rates are only around 15%. As missile reliability improved, the North Korean threat has increased. In 2024, North Korea tested a cruise missile and IRBMs with hypersonic glide capability thrice. It keeps threatening the United States, South Korea and Japan through such firings. North Korea keeps firing a mix of unguided rockets, guided missiles and cruise missiles to keep the Eastern Pacific destabilised. It also conveys nuclear ambiguity through missile testing. It even fires conventional rockets mixed with tube artillery near inhabited areas to explicitly threaten and coerce South Korea. China has a vast array of modern missiles and rockets. The PLARF is the largest ground-based missile force on earth. China regularly carries out large-scale rocket and missile firing demonstratively along with naval and air exercises to threaten and coerce Taiwan. The larger message is to demonstrate China’s resolve and capability to annex Taiwan, fight and win wars and project power globally. China uses the PLARF to convey its credibility and capabilities of nuclear deterrence and counterattack, strengthen intermediate and long-range precision strike forces, and enhance strategic counter-balance capability. It is a potent threat to China’s neighbours and adversaries. It also gives the PLA the ability to influence local, regional, and global military conflicts. In simple terms, it is geopolitical coercion on a global scale. Rockets and Missiles in Conventional Battles The Armenia and Azerbaijan conflict indicated how conventional wars will be fought using rockets, missiles, drones, and artillery. While its highlight was the extensive use of drones to complement conventional artillery, it also featured the heavy use of missiles and rocket artillery. This aspect has largely gone unnoticed. Both sides deployed and employed a range of rockets and missiles. These were a combination of legacy systems of the USSR era as also modern systems procured from different sources individually. Azerbaijan invested more into its rocket and missile arsenal to include guided rockets and MLRS systems to engage targets up to 200 km in depth. The balance tipped in Azerbaijan’s favour due to better drones and rocket artillery and a willingness to use them in an innovative and integrated manner. The violence of firepower and its centrality in battle is reinforced in the Ukraine war. Employment of guns, rockets and missiles – guided, cruise and hypersonic has been unrestricted, imaginative and extensive. Major lessons have been drawn. Terrain, ground or weather might deter, inhibit or preclude the employment of Air, Infantry and Armour but nothing deters long-range Artillery. It overcomes terrain friction by striking deep. Despite static front lines, the daily situation changes due to orchestrated firepower strikes across the battlefield. Long-range vectors generate strategic as well as battlefield manoeuvre. They have been used to achieve political aims by deliberate firing on specified targets. Russia has postured with nuclear warheads and fired conventional warheads to achieve deterrence. It has done so through extensive use of air, hypersonic/cruise/guided missiles, rockets, and guns to deter NATO from getting directly involved. Ukraine uses rockets and cruise missiles imaginatively to deliver crucial blows to Russia. It has sunk a large part of the Russian Navy. Rockets and missiles have been used innovatively in executing ‘firepower ambushes’, undertaking ‘track and kill’ operations and carrying out ‘spoiling attacks’. A major factor which has emerged is that rockets and missiles used in conjunction with drones and a good command and control system dominate conventional battlefields. The Non-State Tool of Power The Houthi movement to grab power in Yemen is decades old. When the Saudis intervened, Iran stepped in. It provided the Houthis with a liberal supply of rockets and missiles. Once Saudi Arabia and Iran got involved, the Yemen civil war acquired local, regional and international flavours. “The Missile War in Yemen” marks the rise in the use of rockets and ballistic missiles by nonstate actors/proxies. Houthis have fired innumerable rockets and missiles locally at Yemen’s Government and Saudi bases, population centres, and infrastructure to trigger a humanitarian crisis. Regionally, Houthis have used a combination of cruise missiles, unguided rockets, ballistic missiles and armed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to attack Saudi Arabia. The most spectacular being the 2019 ARAMCO attacks of Abqaiq and Khurais oil refineries. The Houthi SAMs have downed many Saudi coalition force aircraft. Their rocket and missile arsenal has secured a power-sharing agreement in Yemen. The Houthis are exercising ‘sea denial’ from land by firing drones and anti-ship cruise missiles against international shipping, oil tankers and U.S. Navy warships in the Red Sea. The Houthi arsenal of long-range missiles and drones has complicated the prospect of restoring peace and stability in West Asia or normalising international trade. The Iran-backed Hezbollah is the world’s most heavily armed non-state actor, described as ‘a militia trained like an army and equipped like a state’. Its rocket and missile arsenal is arrayed against Israel. Hezbollah’s missile inventory is mostly unguided surface-to-surface artillery rockets which lack precision or lethality. However, sheer numbers and volume make them potent weapons of terror. From the 2006 Lebanon war to now, they have expanded from 15,000 rockets and missiles to about 130,000-150,000. Hezbollah uses them as tools of terror and deterrence. Hezbollah’s ‘shoot and scoot’ tactics make detection, suppression and retaliation extremely difficult. It negates Israeli airpower. Hence, Hezbollah and Israeli troops are on equal footing in battle. It gives an advantage to Hezbollah which fights from behind a civilian façade like all non-state actors. Hezbollah and Houthi forces are collaborating to develop and employ rockets and missiles against Israel. Hezbollah is pushing to acquire longer-range precision-guided munitions. It has some rockets and missiles with a range of up to even 250 km. This is feasible due to the proliferation of missile technology by Iran. Hamas was estimated to possess around 6000 rockets in a mix of short (15-20 km), medium ( 45 km) and long (100-200 km) range rockets. Hamas has adapted ideas from the Houthis and Hezbollah with Iranian assistance. Hamas specialises in making crude rockets using water pipes and filling them with any available explosive. Though erratic, they strike terror and make defiant political statements. Hamas uses civilian infrastructure and tunnels to camouflage and store these weapons. Hamas used to fire rockets into Israel from civilian areas of the Gaza Strip. It demonstrates their power to retaliate and even needle Israel to pursue their aims. These have also been used by Hamas to provoke Israel into indiscriminate retaliatory action and enmesh it in a humanitarian trap like they have done in the ongoing conflict. Iran’s rockets and missile power were on display in its recent demonstrative strike on Israel. The strategic message in that strike is that sheer numbers and volumes can overwhelm air defences. Iran also proliferates rockets & missiles to most of the non-state actors in West Asia. This enables Iran to project power and gain recognition of being an important player in the region. Iran is a case study in power projection far beyond borders without a strong navy or Air Force. Iran has offset this deficiency with its missile arsenal. Incidentally, this tactic is being used by China against the USA in the Western Pacific and against India in the Himalayas. The Rise of Rockets and Missiles Rockets and missiles are the choice tools of power, coercion and terror for the state as well as non-state actors. Their enhanced ranges outpace conventional artillery or aircraft. When combined with drones, they expand and threaten every corner of the battlefield. They have heralded a new vista of non-contact warfare with positive escalatory controls. They are also cheaper and far less complicated than air forces to acquire and maintain. They are flexible in employment and light on training and infrastructure requirement. The array of rockets and missiles is vast and can be produced through crude methods as also sophisticated processes as per capability and requirement. Rockets and missiles can be used as weapons of terror and mass destruction interchangeably. Their visual impact is high with enhanced propaganda value. They are capable of precision over longer ranges, unlike guns. Their survivability against air defences is far higher than aircraft. Very importantly they can be employed in conventional and nuclear roles. Technology gives better options in producing and employing rockets and missiles en masse. Modern missiles with higher speeds, range, navigation, advanced materials, and endurance can be developed at speed through dual-use space technologies. The evolution of hypersonic missiles is a new chapter on the horizon. The use of rockets and missiles combined with drones and satellite systems backed by AI-driven command and control systems is deadly and set to grow in modern warfare. The Indian Scene While there is some clamour for a Rocket Force in India, we need to see it in perspective. India has the technology and wherewithal to produce any kind of rocket or missile. It has a reasonable inventory and adequate capability to accelerate production. What it lacks is the vision to put it all together. A major part of the inability is a lack of Recce Strike Integration thinking. Integration of surveillance and long-range firepower through a dedicated command and control system is sorely lacking. More importantly, a national strategy is lacking. ISRO and DRDO don’t exactly see eye to eye. Each Service has its own philosophy at variance with the other. The Army myopia reduced the number of rocket regiments in its long-term plans! As the ranges of engagement have increased, the Indian Artillery, which incidentally is the most modern Arm of the Army, has been stripped of integral deep surveillance and targeting capability! Believe it or not! Over time, long-range and aerial observation capability birthed in Artillery has been bifurcated from it by our ‘Dritharashtric’ planners. While the rest of the world is integrating firepower, surveillance and observation through repurposed apps in battle, we have systematically disintegrated our structure! No. We do not need a rocket force. We need integrated thinking and jointness. We sorely lack that at almost every level. (Disclaimer: The views of the writer do not represent the views of WION or ZMCL. Nor does WION or ZMCL endorse the views of the writer.)

Rise of rockets and missiles in conflicts

Japan’s defence Chief calls for the bolstering of its anti-drone capability after a drone footage posted on Chinese social media showed a Japanese aircraft carrier docked at a restricted navy port west of Tokyo. A video filmed by a drone showed JS Izumo, one of two Japanese helicopter carriers docked at Yokosuka naval base.

Drone records Japanese warships secretly

Drone flew undetected over US aircraft carrier

Footage on Chinese social media has revealed big gaps in Japan's defences. This 20-second footage is from one of Japan's Naval bases and shows warships docked it was captured by a drone that went undetected. It was only after the video surfaced on Chinese social media platforms that Tokyo took notice of the breach.

Tokyo takes notice of drone footage of Yokosuka Naval base on China's social media

A South Korean company that broke a Guinness World Record earlier this month showcased thousands of its drones flying in formation at a performance in Incheon. Watch in for more details!

South Korean firms put on record drone show

Fears over France's new €350 million anti-drone system failing to distinguish between unmanned terrorist aircraft and air conditioners have surfaced, raising concerns for the 500,000 spectators scheduled for the Paris Olympics.

According to The Times, the Parade system, which is hailed as critical to the fight against terror at the Games, was not as perfect as it seemed during a recent round of testing.

Reportedly, it can identify one out of every three drones in densely populated urban areas, but only up to 800 metres away. The system also misidentified air conditioning unit propellers as drones, a person familiar with the test told The Times.

A representative for Thales, which created Parade, said the technology, which is based on 'advanced processing algorithms', 'demonstrated its relevance' during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

"Given the stakes involved, it is normal that the development of these algorithms and the fine-tuning of these sensors is requiring some effort and time, but the most important thing is to be ready for the Olympic Games 2024 with a system that armed forces operators have fully adopted," they added.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://wionews.com/sports/paris-olympics-2024-let-him-focus-says-carl-lewis-on-sprint-gold-favourite-noah-lyles-718630" hreflang="en">Paris Olympics 2024: 'Let him focus,' says Carl Lewis on sprint gold favourite Noah Lyles</a>

With the opening ceremony less than three months away, France has had to boost its much-vaunted 'Parade' kit with systems that reportedly involve people and technology from the Royal Air Force. The Parade system received a €350 million tender from the French defence procurement agency to create an anti-drone system in 2022.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, and will transform Paris into the world's centre of sport, among other things. Furthermore, there are predictions that the opening ceremony would be a star-studded affair, with around 10,500 participants disembarking from their boats and marching towards the ceremony location in Paris, France.

The 2024 Olympics opening ceremony will be held in Trocadéro Plaza, overlooking Paris' renowned Eiffel Tower. The last portion of the programme will take place when over 10,000 athletes disembark from boats and arrive at the location. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Fears over France's new €350 million anti-drone system failing to distinguish between unmanned terrorist aircraft and air conditioners have surfaced, raising concerns for the 500,000 spectators scheduled for the Paris Olympics.

Fears over France's new €350 million anti-drone system failing to distinguish between unmanned terrorist aircraft and air conditioners have surfaced, raising concerns for the 500,000 spectators scheduled for the Paris Olympics. According to The Times, the Parade system, which is hailed as critical to the fight against terror at the Games, was not as perfect as it seemed during a recent round of testing. Reportedly, it can identify one out of every three drones in densely populated urban areas, but only up to 800 metres away. The system also misidentified air conditioning unit propellers as drones, a person familiar with the test told The Times. A representative for Thales, which created Parade, said the technology, which is based on 'advanced processing algorithms', 'demonstrated its relevance' during the 2023 Rugby World Cup. "Given the stakes involved, it is normal that the development of these algorithms and the fine-tuning of these sensors is requiring some effort and time, but the most important thing is to be ready for the Olympic Games 2024 with a system that armed forces operators have fully adopted," they added. Also read: Paris Olympics 2024: 'Let him focus,' says Carl Lewis on sprint gold favourite Noah Lyles With the opening ceremony less than three months away, France has had to boost its much-vaunted 'Parade' kit with systems that reportedly involve people and technology from the Royal Air Force. The Parade system received a €350 million tender from the French defence procurement agency to create an anti-drone system in 2022. The Paris 2024 Olympic Games will be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024, and will transform Paris into the world's centre of sport, among other things. Furthermore, there are predictions that the opening ceremony would be a star-studded affair, with around 10,500 participants disembarking from their boats and marching towards the ceremony location in Paris, France. The 2024 Olympics opening ceremony will be held in Trocadéro Plaza, overlooking Paris' renowned Eiffel Tower. The last portion of the programme will take place when over 10,000 athletes disembark from boats and arrive at the location. (With inputs from agencies)

Paris Olympics defence system blunders: Air conditioner mistaken for drones

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