Cavalier India Defence Training Academy

Navy has already placed an order for SMASH 2000 Plus systems, which turn assault rifles into smart weapons, enabling first-shot hits and anti-drone operations. Representational image of Israeli firm Smart Shooter's SMASH 2000 Plus system deployed on a rifle | By special arrangement Israeli defence firm Smart Shooter, whose new-age fire-control system turns assault rifles into smart weapons, is looking to set up a manufacturing plant in India, eyeing more contracts besides the one it has already bagged from the Indian Navy. The Navy had last month gone in for an unspecified number of ‘SMASH 2000 Plus’ systems, which are already in use by Israeli and American special forces, apart from some other countries. The Army and the Border Security Force are evaluating it for anti-drone operations. The system features a built-in targeting algorithm that can track and hit multiple targets at first shot, including drones. “We have got the permission from our defence ministry, and we are willing...

Image : Indian Air Force Flying Officer Tejaswi Ranga Rao is the first woman weapons systems officer in the Sukhoi-30 fleet, frontline air-dominance fighter aircraft, which is considered as the backbone of the Indian Air Force’s frontline fighter jets. A weapon systems officer, also referred as ‘wizzo’ in the Air Force, is a flight officer responsible for all air operations and weapon systems of a military aircraft. A wizzo maintains the aircraft’s system riding behind the pilot. With the appointment of Rao, India joins the list of other countries like the UK and the US, to have women wizzos in the Air Force. Tejaswi Ranga Rao After finishing schooling in Chennai, Rao’s family moved to Bangalore, where she pursued BSc in Biotechnology, Chemistry and Genetics. During her BSc stint, Rao enrolled in the National Cadet Corps (NCC), which was the major reason for her to apply for the forces. Being a part of the NCC opened up the avenue of opportunities, and took Rao a step closer in achievi...