Category: Aviation

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals
Source: Government of India

Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 5:20PM by PIB Delhi

As per data from the Bureau of Immigration, India recorded 9.52 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in 2023, reflecting a 47.9% increase compared to 2022 year which account for Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) of Rs.2,31,927 crore with a growth of 36.5%.

The growth in Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) is mainly driven by the post-pandemic revival of global travel and increasing confidence in India as a diverse and culturally rich destination. Enhanced air connectivity has improved accessibility to key tourist spots, while continuous development of tourism infrastructure has elevated the visitor experience. Additionally, targeted domestic and international marketing campaigns have strengthened India’s global appeal, positioning it as a premier destination for travelers worldwide.

Furthermore, Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps/initiatives over the years to give boost to the tourism sector in the country, details of which are:
- The Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies for the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at various tourism destinations in the country.
- Ministry of Tourism through its various campaigns and events promotes various tourism destinations and products of India in domestic and international markets. Some of the initiatives are Dekho Apna Desh campaign, Chalo India campaign, International Tourism Mart, Bharat Parv.
- The Incredible India Content Hub was launched which is a comprehensive digital repository, featuring a rich collection of high-quality images, films, brochures, and newsletters related to tourism in India. Promotions are also carried out through the web-site – www.incredibleindia.org and social media handles of the Ministry.
- Thematic tourism like wellness tourism, culinary tourism, rural, eco-tourism, etc. amongst other niche subjects are promoted so as to expand the scope of tourism into other sectors as well.
- Enhance the overall quality and visitor experience through initiatives focused on capacity building, skill development such as ‘Capacity Building for Service Providers’, ‘Incredible India Tourist Facilitator’ (IITF), ‘Paryatan Mitra’ and ‘Paryatan Didi’.
- For improving air connectivity to important tourist destinations, Ministry of Tourism has collaborated with Ministry of Civil Aviation under their RCS-UDAN Scheme. As on date, 53 tourism routes have been operationalized.
- e-Visa scheme is now available to 167 countries and it is available for 9 sub-categories:
i.      e-Tourist Visa

ii.      e-Business Visa

iii.     e-Medical Visa

iv.     e-Conference Visa

v.      e-Medical Attendant Visa

vi.     e-Ayush Visa

vii.    e-Ayush Attendant Visa

viii. e- Student Visa

ix.     e-Student X Visa

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

***

Sunil Kumar Tiwari

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com

(Release ID: 2101371) Visitor Counter : 67

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI: Willis Lease Finance Corporation Announces Timing of Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Earnings and Conference Call

Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

COCONUT CREEK, Fla., Feb. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Willis Lease Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: WLFC) (“WLFC”) plans to announce its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 on Monday, March 10, 2025.

WLFC plans to hold a conference call led by members of WLFC’s executive management team on Monday, March 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Standard Time to discuss its fourth quarter and full year 2024 results. Individuals wishing to participate in the conference call should dial: US and Canada (877) 612-6725, International +1 (646) 828-8082, wait for the conference operator and provide the operator with the Conference ID 808553. A digital replay will be available two hours after the completion of the conference call. To access the replay, please visit our website at www.wlfc.global under the Investor Relations section for details.

A copy of this press release and an earnings supplement will be posted to the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.wlfc.global, prior to the call.

Willis Lease Finance Corporation

Willis Lease Finance Corporation leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair, and overhaul providers worldwide. These leasing activities are integrated with engine and aircraft trading, engine lease pools and asset management services through Willis Asset Management Limited, as well as various end-of-life solutions for engines and aviation materials provided through Willis Aeronautical Services, Inc. Additionally, through Willis Engine Repair Center^®, Jet Centre by Willis, and Willis Aviation Services Limited, the Company’s service offerings include Part 145 engine maintenance, aircraft line and base maintenance, aircraft disassembly, parking and storage, airport FBO and ground and cargo handling services.

CONTACT: Scott B. Flaherty

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

sflaherty@willislease.com

561.413.0112

The MIL Network –

February 11, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: Earth is already shooting through the 1.5°C global warming limit, two major studies show

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Andrew King, Associate Professor in Climate Science, ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather, The University of Melbourne

Earth is crossing the threshold of 1.5°C of global warming, according to two major global studies which together suggest the planet’s climate has likely entered a frightening new phase.

Under the landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, humanity is seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and keep planetary heating to no more than 1.5°C above the pre-industrial average. In 2024, temperatures on Earth surpassed that limit.

This was not enough to declare the Paris threshold had been crossed, because the temperature goals under the agreement are measured over several decades, rather than short excursions over the 1.5°C mark.

But the two papers just released use a different measure. Both examined historical climate data to determine whether very hot years in the recent past were a sign that a future, long-term warming threshold would be breached.

The answer, alarmingly, was yes. The researchers say the record-hot 2024 indicates Earth is passing the 1.5°C limit, beyond which scientists predict catastrophic harm to the natural systems that support life on Earth.

2024: the first year of many above 1.5°C

Climate organisations around the world agree last year was the hottest on record. The global average temperature in 2024 was about 1.6°C above the average temperatures in the late-19th century, before humans started burning fossil fuels at large scale.

Earth has also recently experienced individual days and months above the 1.5°C warming mark.

But the global temperature varies from one year to the next. For example, the 2024 temperature spike, while in large part due to climate change, was also driven by a natural El Niño pattern early in the year. That pattern has dissipated for now, and 2025 is forecast to be a little cooler.

These year-to-year fluctuations mean climate scientists don’t view a single year exceeding the 1.5°C mark as a failure to meet the Paris Agreement.

However, the new studies published today in Nature Climate Change suggest even a single month or year at 1.5°C global warming may signify Earth is entering a long-term breach of that vital threshold.

What the studies found

The studies were conducted independently by researchers in Europe and Canada. They tackled the same basic question: is a year above 1.5°C global warming a warning sign that we’re already crossing the Paris Agreement threshold?

Both studies used observations and climate model simulations to address this question, with slightly different approaches.

In the European paper, the researchers looked at historical warming trends. They found when Earth’s average temperature reached a certain threshold, the following 20-year period also reached that threshold.

This pattern suggests that, given Earth reached 1.5°C warming last year, we may have entered a 20-year warming period when average temperatures will also reach 1.5°C.

The Canadian paper involved month-to-month data. June last year was the 12th consecutive month of temperatures above the 1.5°C warming level. The researcher found 12 consecutive months above a climate threshold indicates the threshold will be reached over the long term.

Both studies also demonstrate that even if stringent emissions reduction begins now, Earth is still likely to be crossing the 1.5°C threshold.

Heading in the wrong direction

Given these findings, what humanity does next is crucial.

For decades, climate scientists have warned burning fossil fuels for energy releases carbon dioxide and other gases that are warming the planet.

But humanity’s greenhouse gas emissions have continued to increase. Since the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released its first report in 1990, the world’s annual carbon dioxide emissions have risen about 50%.

Put simply, we are not even moving in the right direction, let alone at the required pace.

The science shows greenhouse gas emissions must reach net-zero to end global warming. Even then, some aspects of the climate will continue to change for many centuries, because some regional warming, especially in the oceans, is already locked in and irreversible.

If Earth has indeed already crossed the 1.5°C mark, and humanity wants to get below the threshold again, we will need to cool the planet by reaching “net-negative emissions” – removing more greenhouse gases from the atmosphere than we emit. This would be a highly challenging task.

Feeling the heat

The damaging effects of climate change are already being felt across the globe. The harm will be even worse for future generations.

Australia has already experienced 1.5°C of warming, on average, since 1910.

Our unique ecosystems, such as the Great Barrier Reef, are already suffering because of this warming. Our oceans are hotter and seas are rising, hammering our coastlines and threatening marine life.

Bushfires and extreme weather, especially heatwaves, are becoming more frequent and severe. This puts pressure on nature, society and our economy.

But amid the gloom, there are signs of progress.

Across the world, renewable electricity generation is growing. Fossil fuel use has dropped in many countries. Technological developments are slowing emissions growth in polluting industries such as aviation and construction.

But clearly, there is much more work to be done.

Humanity can turn the tide

These studies are a sobering reminder of how far short humanity is falling in tackling climate change.

They show we must urgently adapt to further global warming. Among the suite of changes needed, richer nations must support the poorer countries set to bear the most severe climate harms. While some progress has been made in this regard, far more is needed.

A major shift is also needed to decarbonise our societies and economies. There is still room for hope, but we must not delay action. Otherwise, humanity will keep warming the planet and causing further damage.

Andrew King receives funding from the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather and the National Environmental Science Program.

Liam Cassidy does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. Earth is already shooting through the 1.5°C global warming limit, two major studies show – https://theconversation.com/earth-is-already-shooting-through-the-1-5-c-global-warming-limit-two-major-studies-show-249133

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI Canada: Continuing Alberta’s advocacy efforts to U.S. officials

Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

The Premiers’ trip is part of a Council of the Federation mission to Washington, D.C. from Feb. 11 to 13 where Premier Smith will support a Team Canada approach to engaging with U.S. lawmakers and industry, while highlighting how tariffs on Canadian and U.S. products harms Canadians, Americans, workers, businesses and industry on both sides of the border.

Premier Smith will also take the opportunity to reinforce how Alberta is contributing to Canada’s enhanced efforts to secure our shared border, how we can collectively grow our economies, and the significant role Alberta energy plays in helping the U.S. create prosperity for its people and achieve energy dominance and security for the long term.

“The past few weeks have marked a pivotal time in the historic partnership that has bridged our two nations for generations. I was, like all Canadians, deeply disappointed by President Donald Trump’s decision to announce damaging tariffs, but I am encouraged by the decision to pause tariffs for 30 days and the progress the pause represents. This is further evidence that diplomacy and action on border security matters. I look forward to lending my voice alongside Canada’s Premiers in Washington, D.C. where we will meet with U.S. decision makers and influencers to continue efforts to deescalate tensions between our two countries, work together on shared goals and find common ground so that we can restore our mutually beneficial and enduring friendship.”

Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

The Council of the Federation was formed in 2003. It brings together Canada’s 13 provincial and territorial Premiers to enhance collaboration among provinces, territories and with the federal government, while working together to address important issues that affect all Canadians.

Premier Smith will travel with five staff members. Mission expenses will be posted on the travel and expense disclosure page.

Quick facts

The United States announced 25 per cent tariffs on most Canadian goods and a 10 per cent tariff on Canadian energy exports.
In response, Canada announced retaliatory tariffs on C$155 billion of U.S. exports.
As of Feb. 3, U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods have been delayed for at least 30 days.
Alberta is spending C$29 million on a border security plan, including the creation of a new sheriffs unit, a 51-officer Interdiction Patrol Team, four patrol dogs and 10 weather surveillance drones, among other measures.
The U.S. is Alberta’s largest trading partner and Alberta is the second largest provincial exporter to the U.S.

In 2023, Alberta’s exports to the U.S. totalled C$156 billion, accounting for 89.3 per cent of total provincial exports.
Energy products accounted for approximately C$127.5 billion, more than 82 per cent of Alberta’s exports to the U.S. in 2023.
In 2023, Alberta imported approximately C$25.8 billion in products from the U.S., including energy, machinery, aircrafts, vehicles and plastics. However, these figures are under-reported, as they do not account for trans-shipments.

Canada buys more from the U.S. than Germany, Italy, France, the UK and Vietnam combined.
The U.S. is an important source of industrial inputs and consumer goods for the province.
If oil and gas exports are excluded, the United States actually sells more to Canada than Canada sells to the U.S.

Itinerary for Premier Smith*

Feb. 10	Travel to Washington, D.C.
Feb. 11	Event hosted by COF chair Premier Doug Ford with a U.S. senator and Premiers.
Feb. 12	Participate with Canada’s Premiers in meetings with U.S. decision makers and industry leaders.
Feb. 13	Travel to Alberta.

*Subject to change.

Related information

Council of the Federation

MIL OSI Canada News –

February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI Global: There isn’t enough ‘sustainable’ aviation fuel to make a dent in our emissions – and there won’t be for years

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Ben Purvis, Research Associate, Sustainability Assessment, University of Sheffield

Most of this fuel is currently made from used cooking oil. Scharfsinn / shutterstock

The UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has described so-called sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) as a “game changer”. As she announced government support for a series of airport expansions, she said that the fuel “can reduce carbon emissions from flying by 70%”.

This number is misleading. Optimistic estimates do suggest that fully replacing fossil jet fuel with its sustainable alternative could lead to total savings of around 70%. But it will be hard to produce enough SAF to make a difference on that sort of scale. Even if the UK meets its ambitious targets, an annual saving of 7% by 2030 is more plausible.

SAF is synthetic liquid fuel derived from something other than fossil fuels. These inputs have to be processed into a liquid that can be burned safely while also storing a lot of energy for its weight, since minimising weight is crucial. This is why long-haul electric battery-powered planes are unlikely to take off any time soon.

The UK classifies three major pathways for creating sustainable aviation fuel. It can be derived from oils or fats, including used cooking oil or tallow. It can come from other sorts of material, such as municipal solid waste, agricultural residues, or sewage. Or it can be made from hydrogen and captured carbon using renewable electricity.

SAF can also be produced from bioenergy crops, and products such as palm oil. However the UK won’t certify it as sustainable, due to concerns about land use and impacts on wildlife.

Emissions that would have occurred anyway

Burning SAF actually emits a similar amount of CO₂ to fossil jet fuel. Instead, most savings come from how we account for the waste and renewable energy that is used to produce it.

Waste emits greenhouse gases anyway, sustainable fuel supporters argue. So why not have those emissions do something useful, like power a plane?
Jenya Smyk/shutterstock

SAF fundamentally relies on assumptions that if waste or energy crops were not used to make this fuel, they would be incinerated, would degrade, or would in some way release their embodied carbon anyway. In the case of fuel derived from renewable energy and captured carbon, it assumes that carbon came from the atmosphere in the first place. This allows these emissions to be deducted from the total impact of SAF, leading to lower emissions than conventional aviation fuel.

Is sustainable aviation fuel even sustainable?

Estimates of how much greenhouse gas SAF could cut vary greatly due to the many different ways it can be produced, and the complexities of accounting for emissions across the entire life cycle from waste, to fuel production, to plane engine. A 2023 review by the Royal Society illustrates this nicely. It found SAF could at best produce effectively negative emissions (a 111% reduction), while at worst it could be more carbon intensive than fossil kerosene jet fuel (a 69% increase).

While policy incentives are likely to encourage increased production, there remain serious concerns that will need to be addressed before SAF can become a serious competitor for conventional jet fuel. There are hard limits to the amount of used cooking oil available for instance, and the use of other feedstocks is still in its infancy.

Meanwhile any renewable energy used to make the fuel will have to compete with growing demand from electric vehicles, AI data centres and more. And there are big worries the industry simply won’t be profitable enough to attract initial capital investment, let alone take on its well-established rival.

UK SAF production

Coming into effect in January, the UK’s SAF mandate sets legal obligations for aviation fuel suppliers in the UK to progressively increase proportions of sustainable fuel, from 2% of total jet fuel in 2025 to 10% in 2030, and 22% in 2040.

This is one of a growing number of commitments globally, including RefuelEU, and the US SAF grand challenge, which seek to increase demand and encourage more investment in production.

As of 2023, 97% of the UK’s supply is derived from used cooking oil, with the rest from food waste. Only 8% of this cooking oil is sourced from the UK, with most being imported from China and Malaysia. The UK also comprises 16% of the global SAF market, despite representing only 1% of total passengers.

Currently, the only commercial producer of SAF in the UK is the Phillips 66 Humber Refinery which processes used cooking oil. The previous government allocated £135 million of funding to nine projects, aiming to have five plants under construction by 2025. Despite several projects selecting sites, at the time of writing none appear to be under construction.

In an industry with razor-thin profit margins, SAF remains considerably more expensive than conventional aviation fuel. With potential producers filing for bankruptcy and companies including Shell pulling out due to profitability concerns, the market is looking rocky.

A 7% saving is more plausible

Let us assume that Rachel Reeves’ 70% saving is deliverable if fossil jet fuel was fully replaced with SAF. That’s optimistic in itself, but not beyond the realms of possibility.

Getting hold of that much sustainable fuel is less plausible, however – the total demand for jet fuel in the UK is more than ten times the current global production of SAF. But let’s assume that the rocky global market can deliver the UK’s ambitious demand of 10% SAF use by 2030.

Reeves’ figure then becomes an optimistic value of 7% savings across the UK industry. If we then correct for anticipated growth of passenger numbers, assuming plans for airport expansion, those savings are likely to vanish.

While SAF has a role to play in decarbonisation, growth sits in clear opposition to its impacts and potential. If the UK has any hope of meeting its climate targets, it should instead be seeking alternatives to flying where possible.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Ben Purvis receives funding from the Grantham Foundation for the Protection of the Environment.

– ref. There isn’t enough ‘sustainable’ aviation fuel to make a dent in our emissions – and there won’t be for years – https://theconversation.com/there-isnt-enough-sustainable-aviation-fuel-to-make-a-dent-in-our-emissions-and-there-wont-be-for-years-249270

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: Durbin Warns Defense Secretary Hegseth Against Politicization Of U.S. Military After Numerous Concerning Actions By Trump Administration

US Senate News:

Source: United States Senator for Illinois Dick Durbin
February 10, 2025
“I am deeply alarmed that these actions may not only erode trust in our military as an institution, but also dangerously distract from where our focus ought to be on foreign adversaries and their capabilities,” Durbin wrote in his letter to Secretary Hegseth
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense (SACD), yesterday sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to warn him against the politicization of the Department of Defense (DoD). Durbin’s letter comes after several thinly-veiled political orders by the Trump Administration related to the nation’s military, including removing protection from former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, using the military for immigration enforcement, and impounding congressional approved DoD funding.
“I write to express my concern that President Trump’s personal agenda is counter to defending against our country’s serious national security threats. Since the President’s inauguration less than one month ago, the Trump Administration has pursued several dubious executive actions that threaten our military’s long-standing ethos to remain nonpartisan and promote merit, both of which you spoke to the importance of during your hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) prior to your confirmation,” Durbin began his letter.
“I am deeply alarmed that these actions may not only erode trust in our military as an institution, but also dangerously distract from where our focus ought to be on foreign adversaries and their capabilities,” Durbin wrote. “With China rapidly building its nuclear and naval forces, Russia fighting a war of aggression on the border of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and North Korea and Iran pursuing nuclear weapons and destabilizing actions, these erratic pursuits distract from the real threats to our nation.”
Durbin then laid out the troublesome and political actions that the Trump Administration has taken since January 20.
Durbin referenced the “targeting [of] military officers such as… former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley… as part of an effort to go after individuals unceremoniously deemed unfit or considered political adversaries.”
In January, Secretary Hegseth removed General Milley’s security detail despite ongoing threats related to the 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qusem Soleimani. DoD also announced that there will be an investigation into General Milley for “undermining the chain of command,” but there has been no clear indication of what conduct would be investigated. Rather, the investigation and threat of demotingGeneral Milley’s four-star rank appears to be a political reaction to General Milley’s public comments about being photographed at Lafayette Square after President Trump cleared the area of protestors using National Guard troops. Similarly, Coast Guard Commandant Linda Fagan, the first woman to lead a military service, was removed from her post on President Trump’s second day in office without warning and ahead of her scheduled departure.
Durbin also emphasized that the Trump Administration is “diverting DoD resources and critical warfighting personnel for contentious immigration enforcement, compromising our military assets and distracting from national security threats.”
Immediately upon being sworn in, President Trump signed an executive order stating that DoD would deploy troops to the southern border despite federal law prohibiting the use of military for law enforcement. At the end of January, DoD announced that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would use facilities at Buckley Space Force Base in Aurora, Colorado, as a detention center forundocumented immigrants. Further, military planes typically used for missions such as providing security assistance to Ukraine and Israel or hunting Russian and Chinese submarines have been used to deport immigrants and provide surveillance on our southern border. In addition, in an unprecedented move, the Trump administration began flying migrants on military aircraft from the U.S. for detention at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.
In addition, Durbin decried the administration’s efforts to freeze congressionally-appropriated funding for programs such as defense medical research, which supports lifesaving treatment and prevention of illnesses for service members, veterans, and the civilian population. Since Fiscal Year 2015, Durbin has boosted defense medical research funding by more than $1.4 billion or 82 percent through SACD.
Durbin also noted that administration efforts to overturn policies that “remove barriers and enhance opportunities for qualified recruits” ultimately “[undermines] force strength and readiness—in the midst of unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges.” On January 27, President Trump issued an Executive Order effectively banning transgender troops from the military. And on January 31, the Pentagon eliminated a Biden-era policy that would provide reimbursements for service members who travel out of state to get reproductive health care after the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.
“America’s national security depends on the Department of Defense functioning as a stable institution that supports its personnel rather than being thrown into disarray. Further, increasing politicization of our military risks diminishing the role of the United States on the international stage, sending a dangerous signal to our allies and adversaries alike,” Durbin said.
“In the spirit of your promise before SASC to be a faithful partner to Congress, I urge you to defend the principles of the Department of Defense,” Durbin concluded his letter.
Prior to Secretary Hegseth’s confirmation, Durbin made his concerns about his nomination clear. In January, Durbin delivered a speech on the Senate floor explaining his objections to Hegseth’s nomination, including his inability to articulate a defense strategy in addressing threats to the U.S., his disparaging comments about women serving in the military, and troubling reports of financial mismanagement, alcohol abuse, and personal misconduct.
The full text of the letter can be found here and below:
February 9, 2025
Dear Secretary Hegseth,
I write to express my concern that President Trump’s personal agenda is counter to defending against our country’s serious national security threats. Since the President’s inauguration less than one month ago, the Trump Administration has pursued several dubious executive actions that threaten our military’s long-standing ethos to remain nonpartisan and promote merit, both of which you spoke to the importance of during your hearing before the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) prior to your confirmation. I am deeply alarmed that these actions may not only erode trust in our military as an institution, but also dangerously distract from where our focus ought to be on foreign adversaries and their capabilities. With China rapidly building its nuclear and naval forces, Russia fighting a war of aggression on the border of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, and North Korea and Iran pursuing nuclear weapons and destabilizing actions, these erratic pursuits distract from the real threats to our nation.
The Trump Administration’s troubling actions have included, but are not limited to:
Targeting military officers such as Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley, as well as civilian federal government employees within the Department of Defense (DoD), such as the Senate-confirmed Inspector General, as part of an effort to go after individuals unceremoniously deemed unfit or considered political adversaries;
Diverting DoD resources and critical warfighting personnel for contentious immigration enforcement, compromising our military assets and distracting from national security threats;
Unconstitutionally impounding congressionally approved DoD funding from a myriad of programs that protect and support our service members, including projects that boost defense medical research, reduce civilian casualties, provide infrastructure grants to municipalities near military installations, and promote investments in critical technologies, sowing mass confusion and chaos; and
Undermining force strength and readiness—in the midst of unprecedented recruitment and retention challenges—by arbitrarily weaponizing programs and policies designed to remove barriers and enhance benefits and opportunities for qualified recruits.
As you know, DoD is the largest federal government agency in the United States. Your responsibilities include overseeing a nearly $900 billion budget, more than 3.5 million service members and civilian employees, and 750 military installations around the world. America’s national security depends on the Department of Defense functioning as a stable institution that supports its personnel rather than being thrown into disarray. Further, increasing politicization of our military risks diminishing the role of the United States on the international stage, sending a dangerous signal to our allies and adversaries alike.
In the spirit of your promise before SASC to be a faithful partner to Congress, I urge you to defend the principles of the Department of Defense.
Sincerely,
-30-

MIL OSI USA News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: $60 Million for Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure
Source: US State of New York

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a $60 million transaction to accelerate electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure deployment across New York City. The loan provided by NY Green Bank (NYGB), the State’s clean energy investment fund and a division of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), to Revel, the largest provider of public EV fast-charging in New York City, will enable Revel to more than triple its current New York City public fast charging network this year. This represents NYGB’s first EV charging infrastructure transaction and supports the expansion of investments in clean transportation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while increasing access to critical charging infrastructure necessary for the wider adoption of EVs.

“In support of the transition to a clean energy economy, it is critical that we continue to build electric vehicle infrastructure to ease the shift to EV ownership for more New Yorkers, especially those in urban areas,” Governor Hochul said. “This significant investment addresses the key need of providing electric vehicle users in New York City with much needed public charging options while reducing local emissions.”

This funding will enable the construction of 267 new charging stalls across nine sites and supports the intricate construction activities involved in designing and building EV charging stations. Revel will complete construction of the below new sites in the next 12 months, with the remainder to be completed by 2027:
- 60 charging stalls in Maspeth, Queens, that will be the largest fast-charging station in the Northeast U.S.
- 44 charging stalls near LaGuardia Airport, making it the largest fast-charging station near an airport in the country. *
- 24 charging stalls at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK); making it the largest charging station at the airport. *
- 30 charging stalls in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
- 20 charging stalls in the Port Morris section of the Bronx. *
* Located in a Disadvantaged Community (DAC)

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority President and CEO Doreen M. Harris said, “NY Green Bank’s financing support for critical infrastructure that is advancing clean transportation complements NYSERDA’s efforts to drive the transition to electrification of this sector. Increasing the state’s charging capabilities is a step forward in ensuring New Yorkers can plug in and drive clean and we commend Revel’s leadership in this regard in a major hub and in high-impact locations such as major airports.”

NY Green Bank President Andrew Kessler said, “NY Green Bank is pleased to share this exciting transaction that is demonstrating the viability of financing EV charging infrastructure to support the adoption of electric vehicles. The Revel transaction is an important and replicable precedent we expect will help accelerate investment in this fast-growing sector and expand access to EV charging for more New York drivers.”

Revel Co-Founder and CEO Frank Reig said, “For the past few years, Revel has been preparing a strategic portfolio of the most lucrative fast-charging locations in New York City. These sites are now shovel-ready. With the critical support from NY Green Bank, we are ready to take New York’s EV economy to the next level with a fast-charging network rivaling any other top tier city.”

Revel broke ground in November at JFK Airport, adjacent to the main rideshare vehicle waiting area, with support from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. With funding from NYGB, Revel will now be able to complete construction of the aforementioned 24 charging stalls. That site will open in Q1 2025 and is expected to be one of the most utilized charging stations in the country.

State Senator Kevin Parker said, “Our goal is to leave New York State in a better condition than when we found it. If we are going to move forward with our CLCPA goals, we must transition our transportation sector to clean vehicles. We also must invest in the infrastructure needed to provide confidence, reliability, and convenience for New Yorkers. I applaud Governor Hochul, Revel, and NYSERDA for continuing to provide these opportunities with financing support through New York Green Bank.”

State Senator Jeremy Cooney said, “The future of transportation is electric. Today’s investment by the NY Green Bank and NYSERDA represents our state’s continued commitment to new and emerging transportation technologies and a greener, cleaner future for New Yorkers.”

Assemblymember William Magnarelli said, “I am encouraged by this announcement. Expanding our charging infrastructure is essential if New York is going to reach its zero-emission transportation goals. These additional chargers will make transitioning to an EV more convenient and reliable.”

Revel charging stations are open to the public on a 24/7 basis for any make and model EV. All chargers installed at future locations will have speeds of at least 320 kilowatts (kW), which can charge an EV in as little as 15 minutes.

Last year, NYGB completed another groundbreaking transaction with Inspiration Mobility—which partners with Revel—to support the deployment of nearly 400 EVs in New York City that are increasing access to clean ridesharing transportation. Over three-quarters of Revel’s pipeline projects being supported by NYGB financing are located in DACs, advancing NYGB’s goal to commit a minimum of 35 percent, with a target of 40 percent, of its capital to projects benefiting DAC.

As the largest state green bank in the nation, NYGB has committed more than $2.4 billion to advancing New York State’s clean energy economy for all New Yorkers. Since inception, its investments have mobilized up to $8.8 billion in project costs across technologies, with $383 million mobilized in the clean transportation sector alone. NYGB’s transactions are designed for replication and adoption by the private sector, helping to animate the market and mobilize capital into underserved green sectors with a special focus on clean transportation, energy storage, and building decarbonization.

More information about the Revel deal can be found in NYGB’s transaction profiles on its portfolio page. Photos and video are available upon request by contacting Revel at [email protected].

New York State’s Climate Agenda
New York State’s climate agenda calls for an affordable and just transition to a clean energy economy that creates family-sustaining jobs, promotes economic growth through green investments, and directs a minimum of 35 percent of the benefits to disadvantaged communities. New York is advancing a suite of efforts to achieve an emissions-free economy by 2050, including in the energy, buildings, transportation, and waste sectors.

MIL OSI USA News –
February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: FRCSW Wins People’s Choice Award at 2024 Maintenance Innovation Challenge

Source: United States Navy

The competition, held during the Department of Defense Maintenance Symposium in Salt Lake City, showcased five finalists presenting innovative solutions aimed at improving military sustainment and readiness. Attendees selected FRCSW’s cold spray technology as the standout innovation.

Presented by FRCSW materials engineer Matthew Chu, cold spray technology addresses critical challenges posed by corrosion and mechanical wear on aircraft components. The repair process uses a high-velocity gas stream to accelerate metallic powder particles, forming durable coatings that restore damaged surfaces. The technology has already saved millions of dollars by extending the life of components that would otherwise require costly replacements.

“Cold Spray is revolutionizing how we maintain and sustain fleet readiness,” Chu said during his presentation. “It’s a practical, cost-saving solution that addresses immediate repair needs and enhances long-term operational efficiency.”

FRCSW competed against four other finalists:

• Enhancing Field Repair Capabilities through Mixed Reality by Stephanie Bryan, Marine Depot Maintenance Command

• Expeditionary Cold Spray by Jeff Campbell, NAVSEA 05T

• On-Aircraft Cold Spray to Optimize Maintenance and Reduce Logistics by Matthew Chu, FRCSW

• Repair Technology Exercise by Mathew VanRavenhorst, NAVSEA 05T

• XtruJog by Vis Madhavan, Fairmount Technologies, LLC

Cold Spray has proven to be a game changer for the Navy, restoring components previously deemed irreparable while improving fleet readiness and reducing reliance on limited supply chains. Hundreds of parts have already been repaired using this technology, with optimized procedures ensuring consistent quality.

As a winner of the People’s Choice Award, FRCSW received $50,000 in in-kind support from the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) to further demonstrate and advance this innovative technology.

FRCSW’s victory highlights its role as a leader in maintenance innovation, delivering solutions that reduce costs, enhance readiness and set a new standard for sustaining the modern fleet.

MIL Security OSI –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Chipsan Aviation to enhance connectivity in India with Airbus H160 helicopters

Source: Airbus

Headline: Chipsan Aviation to enhance connectivity in India with Airbus H160 helicopters

Chipsan Aviation, India’s leading non-scheduled air operator, has outlined its plans to deploy Airbus H160 helicopters for multi-mission roles in
India. The company is going to add two more H160 helicopters to its fleet within the year.

MIL OSI Economics –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: How the war in Ukraine has made flying worse for the climate

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Viktoriia Ivannikova, Assistant Professor in Aviation Management, Dublin City University

UladzimirZuyeu/Shutterstock

Some long-haul flights connecting Europe and Asia are emitting 40% more CO₂ since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, my new study shows. The spike is largely due to airspace closures above conflict zones which are forcing airlines to seek alternative routes, significantly increasing flight times. Longer flights consume more fuel and increase the operating costs for airlines, quite apart from their contribution to climate change.

The research I led with colleagues highlights how conflicts contribute to climate change in unexpected ways. Understanding this is crucial for tackling aviation’s environmental footprint.

The war in Ukraine closed the country’s airspace and limited access to the airspace of the Russian Federation and Belarus. This amounts to the biggest closure of airspace since the cold war, spanning 18 million km².

Airlines that previously flew in Russian or Ukrainian airspace on routes between Europe and Asia, North America and Asia, and North America and the Middle East now take significant detours. For example, Finnair’s flight AY73 from Helsinki to Tokyo now covers an additional 3,131 kilometres, extending flight times by up to 3.5 hours. North American flights to Asia have been rerouted over the Arctic and Central Asia.

Safety concerns and geopolitical sanctions have forced airlines to carefully navigate around restricted zones.

The situation is further complicated by restrictions in other conflict regions – including the Middle East, where the airspaces of Syria, Yemen and Iraq are also considered no-fly zones for many airlines. The global aviation map has been redrawn, forcing airlines to adapt quickly to a new and challenging reality.

Several international flights now skirt war zones.
Viktoriia Ivannikova

This has been accompanied by significant costs, both financially and to the climate. We analysed 14 long-haul routes between Europe and Asia that were affected by airspace restrictions and operated by three European airlines: Finnair, LOT Polish and Lufthansa.

The findings are striking: rerouted flights burn an additional 23 to 28.5 tonnes of fuel per journey, releasing an extra 72 to 90 metric tonnes of CO₂. That’s equivalent to the annual emissions of several cars for a single flight.

Airlines have also reported significant operating cost increases due to the extra flight hours, including higher fuel consumption, air navigation charges and crew salary increases. Our analysis showed that on certain routes between Europe and Asia, costs have risen by between 19% and 39%, while emissions have increased by between 18% and 40%, depending on the airline.

On routes from Warsaw to Beijing, Warsaw to Tokyo and Warsaw to Seoul, LOT Polish Airlines has reported an increase of 23% in average aircraft operating costs following flight restrictions. CO₂ emissions on these routes have increased by 24% and ticket prices have also risen.

Finnair, which historically relied on Russian airspace for efficient Europe-Asia connections, appears to be the most affected carrier. Following flight restrictions, aircraft operating costs on the routes from Helsinki to Shanghai, Helsinki to Tokyo and Helsinki to Seoul have risen by 39%, while average CO₂ emissions on these routes have increased by 40%.

Our findings shed new light on the massive carbon footprint of war, which is often overlooked in climate policy. Using a forecasting model with specialised software, we found that continued avoidance of the airspaces of Russia and Ukraine could increase all aviation-related CO₂ emissions globally by up to 29% in 2025, compared with 2022.

Aviation already accounts for 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, and this figure is expected to grow as air travel expands.

Aeroplanes seed heat-trapping clouds that amplify their climate impact.
Peter Gudella/Shutterstock

Our findings demonstrate that the need to decarbonise transport cannot be separated from broader geopolitical issues. As wars and conflicts reshape airspace availability, they also worsen aviation’s carbon footprint. It’s not just the airline industry that bears these costs – we all do, in the form of rising temperatures and a changing climate.

What action needs to be taken?

While the challenges are significant, there are solutions.

Upgrading airline fleets with more fuel-efficient aircraft, such as the Airbus A350 and Boeing 787, can help to reduce CO₂ emissions by roughly 20%–25% compared with older aircraft models, such as the Boeing 777-200ER or Airbus A330-200.

Optimising flight paths using advanced air traffic management systems could help too. These systems, allow aircraft to choose the shortest and most efficient paths and can reduce unnecessary detours.

International agreements to manage airspace collectively during times of conflict can keep essential flight corridors open and ensure airlines avoid inefficient rerouting.

Airlines are investing in sustainable aviation fuels, which emits less than traditional kerosene – but insufficient supplies, high costs and other challenges make this an expensive and partial solution. With no viable low-carbon alternatives for aircraft, reducing air travel should be the priority.

As researchers, we see our findings as a call to action. By understanding the environmental consequences of conflict, we can work towards a more sustainable future for aviation and the planet.

Don’t have time to read about climate change as much as you’d like?

Get a weekly roundup in your inbox instead. Every Wednesday, The Conversation’s environment editor writes Imagine, a short email that goes a little deeper into just one climate issue. Join the 40,000+ readers who’ve subscribed so far.

Viktoriia Ivannikova does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. How the war in Ukraine has made flying worse for the climate – https://theconversation.com/how-the-war-in-ukraine-has-made-flying-worse-for-the-climate-249039

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Global: AI is transforming the search for new materials that can help create the technologies of the future

Source: The Conversation – UK – By Domenico Vicinanza, Associate Professor of Intelligent Systems and Data Science, Anglia Ruskin University

Battery technology is one area that can benefit from the development of novel materials. IM Imagery / Shutterstock

From the bronze age to the Industrial Revolution and beyond, the discovery and development of new materials has been a driving force in human history. These novel materials have helped advance technology and shape civilisations.

Today, we are at the beginning of a new era, where artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be in the perfect position to transform the search for useful materials. This looks set to completely change the approach to their investigation, creation and testing.

In ancient times, human civilisations experimented with natural resources to create tools and artifacts. The bronze age, in the mid-4th millennium BC, was a significant milestone. Bronze, an alloy of copper and tin, led to the development of stronger tools and weapons, as well as advancements in agriculture and construction.

Bronze is often referred to as the first “new material” created by humans. We took different elements and created something new, with better properties that either ingredient and unique qualities. The invention of glass in ancient Mesopotamia around 3,500BC was another groundbreaking moment.

A superconductor (the dark material) makes a magnetic cube levitate. The field of the magnet induces currents in the superconductor that generate an equal and opposite field, balancing out the gravitational force on the cube.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Fast forward to the 20th century and the discovery of plastic polymers, ceramics and superconductors opened new frontiers in technology. Ceramics, known for their durability and heat resistance, became a staple in industries from aerospace to electronics.

Superconductors, materials that can conduct electricity with zero electrical resistance, are already used in maglevs (magnetic levitation trains), particle accelerators and medical devices.

AI enters the fray

Searching for new materials that could help drive the development of the next groundbreaking technologies has previously been a long and expensive process. This has been due to the complexity of many materials at the atomic and molecular levels. Traditional methods are essentially based on trial and error and need specialised equipment and resources.

The inherent uncertainty and risk in material discovery further complicates and lengthens the process. However, advancements in AI, including in a subset of AI called machine learning, are beginning to transform the whole landscape, enabling more efficient and targeted approaches. In machine learning, mathematical rules called algorithms learn from data to improve at tasks without human intervention.

The main shift is a new methodology based on “generative” AI systems, which can create new content. AI systems can now directly produce novel materials when provided with desired properties and constraints.

Earlier this month, a team at Microsoft published a paper in Nature that introduced a pair of AI tools for the design of inorganic materials (those not based around the element carbon).

AI tools can generate thousands of potential materials within a short space of time.
Yurchanka Siarhei / Shutterstock

These tools play complementary roles in materials discovery. They are called MatterGen and MatterSim. The first one creates new candidate materials, and the second filters and validates them – to ensure they could be made in the real world.

The specific desired properties that can be incorporated through MatterGen include a specific symmetry, or mechanical, electronic and magnetic properties.

Unlike traditional methods that mostly rely on intuition (along with extensive and tedious experimentation), MatterGen can generate thousands of potential materials with specific desired properties in a fraction of the time.

This AI-led approach accelerates the initial stages of material design. It allows researchers to explore a broader range of possibilities and focus on the most promising candidates.

MatterSim applies rigorous computer analysis to predict the stability and viability of these proposed materials. This predictive capability helps filter out theoretical possibilities from physically feasible ones. This ensures that only stable materials move forward in the discovery process.

New tools in the box

At this point, we might wonder, what does a new material, identified through this process, look like? MatterSim is mostly focusing on crystals, or more appropriately unique crystalline structures with a specific arrangement of atoms.

These structures are tailored to meet precise property constraints, making them suitable for various applications. These include high energy batteries, flexible electronics, displays, solar panels or advanced medical implants.

Flexible electronics are another area where materials discovery could drive advances.
Peter Sobolev

Microsoft’s powerful duo, however, is not alone in its quest. Google DeepMind’s Graph Networks for Materials Exploration (Gnome) is another tool promising to dramatically speed up the discovery process. Gnome uses a form of AI that’s inspired by the human brain called deep learning. It predicts the stability of new materials, significantly shortening the exploration and discovery phase.

In a paper published in 2023, researchers from Google DeepMind demonstrated that their AI model could identify 2.2 million new stable materials. Some 736 of these have already been experimentally realised. This is a tenfold increase over previous methods. These materials, many of which were previously unknown to human chemists, have potential applications in clean energy, electronics, and more.

Even if both Google’s Gnome and Microsoft’s MatterGen are AI-based, they differ in their approaches and, in some ways, provide complementary methodologies. Gnome predicts the stability of new materials by creating variations on existing structures, and it focuses on identifying stable crystalline materials.

MatterGen, on the other hand, employs a generative AI model to directly engineer novel materials based on specific design requirements. It creates material structures by changing elements, positions and periodic lattices (a repeating structure in three dimensions).

The implications of AI-driven material discovery are vast. They could potentially lead to innovations in fields such as energy storage and environmental sustainability. One of the most promising applications is, for example, the development of new batteries.

As the world makes the transition to renewable energy sources, the demand for efficient, long lasting batteries has grown and will continue to do so. AI tools can help researchers design and identify new materials able to support higher energy densities, faster charging times and longer lifespans.

Beyond energy storage, new materials can be used to design new medical devices, implants and even drug delivery systems. This could improve patient outcomes and advance medical treatments.

In aerospace, lightweight, durable materials could enhance the performance and safety of aircraft and spacecraft. Meanwhile, new materials for water purification, carbon capture, and waste management could address pressing environmental challenges.

Domenico Vicinanza does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

– ref. AI is transforming the search for new materials that can help create the technologies of the future – https://theconversation.com/ai-is-transforming-the-search-for-new-materials-that-can-help-create-the-technologies-of-the-future-249392

MIL OSI – Global Reports –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Airbus awarded Oberon satellites contract by UK MOD

Source: Airbus

Headline: Airbus awarded Oberon satellites contract by UK MOD

London, UK, 10 February 2025 – Airbus has been awarded the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) Oberon contract to design and build two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites with day-and-night, all-weather, space-based ‘Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance’ (ISR) capability.

MIL OSI Economics –

February 11, 2025

MIL-OSI Economics: Thales at the AI Action Summit: Trusted AI can change society

Source: Thales Group

Headline: Thales at the AI Action Summit: Trusted AI can change society

10 Feb 2025

At a time when much is expected of AI and its contribution to the security and sovereignty of nations, Thales offers a hybrid, explainable, cybersafe and frugal AI, which is already incorporated into more than 100 of its products. This technology is already delivering significant advances in the protection of infrastructure, optimisation of energy consumption and defence systems.

“Thales is a key player in the field of trusted AI: our experts have developed a hybrid AI, which offers transparency, cybersecurity, energy efficiency and an ethical approach — unlike many AI systems that rely exclusively on large amounts of data and are particularly energy-intensive. Thales offers an augmented intelligence, which is capable of changing society,” said Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales.

Patrice Caine, Chairman and CEO of Thales, will take part in the dialogue between heads of state and government and business leaders at two roundtable sessions on AI and national security and on Europe’s AI champions.

On Tuesday 11^th February, experts from cortAIx, Thales’s AI accelerator, will conduct exclusive demonstrations of the practical impacts of AI in 15 critical fields for official French and international delegations at the Thales Digital Factory. These AI-enabled solutions are designed to boost the performance of the most advanced systems and help humans make better decisions in crisis situations and high-stakes environments where data security and sovereignty are critical.

These solutions are already available and show how AI can reduce the environmental footprint of air traffic, protect airports and major events, protect maritime traffic and infrastructure, and, in the defence sector, increase the effectiveness of operational assets/resources and accelerate the OODA loop (observe, orient, decide, act).

Other events

On Tuesday 11^th February, Thales’s Friendly Hackers team will take part in the Cyber Crisis Management Exercise organised by ANSSI, France’s national agency for information system security, at the Cyber Campus in Paris.
On Tuesday11^th February, Thales will take part in two events:
- Empowering AI Ecosystems through Strategic Autonomy: Lessons from Finland and France at Finnish Embassy in Paris.
- Building Trust: Anticipating and Managing AI Risks, organised by the HEC Hub Digital and Axys in Paris.

On Monday 10^th February, Thales will take part in Military Talks, organised by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Ministerial Agency for Defence AI (AMIAD), dedicated to AI for defence applications.
As part of the Confiance.ai consortium, Thales is contributing to actions to expand the programme’s role internationally.
On Sunday 8^th February, Thales took part in the AI Luminate conference: Evolving AI Safety for Economic Growth in Uncertain Times, ML Commons, AI Verify, LNE and Prism, in Paris.
On Thursday 6^th February, Thales took part in the Presentation of AI Deliverables for Major French Groups, organised by French Tech Grand Paris and Wavestone in Paris.
On Friday 24^th January, Thales took part in the French-German AI Industry Executives Dialogue, organised by the French Embassy in Berlin. This event resulted in a Call for Action, which will be presented at the AI Action Summit.
On Tuesday 21^st January, ahead of the AI Action Summit, Thales organised a visit to its cortAIx research laboratory in Palaiseau with a presentation of its latest innovations for institutional stakeholders.

Thales and AI

Thales is a major player in trusted, cybersafe, transparent, explainable and ethical AI for armed forces, aircraft manufacturers and critical infrastructure providers. The Group files more patents than any other company in Europe in the field of AI for critical systems. It employs more than 600 engineers and 100 doctoral candidates specialising in AI. It is rganised within cortAIx, the Group’s accelerator for AI R&D and the integration of AI into sensors (sonars, radars, optronics, etc.) and complex systems. Over 100 of Thales’s products and services already incorporate AI components for defence, aerospace, cybersecurity and digital identity. Trusted, secure, sovereign AI from Thales is designed to ensure more efficient data analysis and decision support and speeds up the detection, identification and classification of objects and scenes of interest while taking account of the specific constraints of critical environments such as cybersecurity, embeddability and frugality.

Thales is an active member of the AI ecosystem. It has strategic partnerships with academic research institutes and with other industry players, in particular as part of the Confiance.ai programme, and has put in place an ambitious charter on the ethical development and use of AI technologies.

In 2023, Thales’s Friendly Hackers Unit demonstrated its credentials at the CAID challenge (Conference on Artificial Intelligence for Defence) organised by the French defence procurement agency (DGA), which involved finding AI training data even when it had been deleted from the system to preserve confidentiality.
For the French defence procurement agency’s 2024 challenge, the Group’s Friendly Hackers Unit invented a new model to detect AI-generated deepfake images.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialising in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aerospace and Cyber & Digital.

It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.

LEARN MORE

Ahead of France’s AI Action Summit, Thales unveils its latest innovations in trusted AI for critical systems | Thales Group

Without proper cybersecurity protections, AI is a gamble we cannot afford (The Engineer)

Developing AI systems we can all trust | Thales Group

Thales speeds up its development of AI for defence | Thales Group

MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Hong Kong Customs detects one dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving passengers at airport (with photo)

Source: Hong Kong Government special administrative region

Hong Kong Customs detects one dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving passengers at airport (with photo)
Hong Kong Customs detects one dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving passengers at airport (with photo)
******************************************************************************************

Hong Kong Customs on February 8 detected one dangerous drugs internal concealment case involving two incoming passengers at Hong Kong International Airport and seized a total of about 890 grams of suspected cocaine with an estimated market value of about $720,000. Customs officers on that day intercepted a male passenger and a female passenger, both aged 32, arriving in Hong Kong from Budapest, Hungary, via Paris, France, and Zurich, Switzerland. During Customs clearance, Customs officers suspected that the passengers had dangerous drugs concealed inside their body cavities. They were then escorted to the hospital for examination. Upon examination, doctors confirmed that foreign objects were concealed inside their body cavities, and they were arrested immediately. As at 4pm today (February 10), the arrested persons have discharged a total of 85 pellets of suspected cocaine weighing about 890g in total. The arrested persons have been charged with one count of trafficking in a dangerous drug respectively. The case will be brought up at the West Kowloon Magistrates’ Courts tomorrow (February 11). Customs will continue to apply a risk assessment approach and focus on selecting passengers from high-risk regions for clearance to combat transnational drug trafficking activities. Under the Dangerous Drugs Ordinance, trafficking in a dangerous drug is a serious offence. The maximum penalty upon conviction is a fine of $5 million and life imprisonment. Members of the public may report any suspected drug trafficking activities to Customs’ 24-hour hotline 182 8080 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk) or online form (eform.cefs.gov.hk/form/ced002).

Ends/Monday, February 10, 2025Issued at HKT 17:35

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Aero India 2025 takes flight; Raksha Mantri inaugurates 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace & defence exhibition in Bengaluru

Source: Government of India (2)

Aero India 2025 takes flight; Raksha Mantri inaugurates 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace & defence exhibition in Bengaluru

Aero India 2025 will further strengthen relations among like-minded countries to deal with today’s uncertainties: Shri Rajnath Singh

“There is no Indian security or Indian peace in isolation; Security, stability & peace are shared constructs that transcend national borders”

Today, the defence sector is powering the growth engine of Indian economy, says RM

Posted On: 10 FEB 2025 11:57AM by PIB Delhi

“Aero India 2025, a confluence of critical & frontier technologies, will provide a platform to further strengthen relations among like-minded countries based on mutual respect, mutual interest and mutual benefit to deal with today’s uncertainties,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh while inaugurating the 15^th edition of Aero India at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 10, 2025. He exuded confidence that Aero India 2025 will showcase the country’s industrial capability and technological advancements to the world, while further strengthening symbiotic relations with friendly countries. Lasting peace can only be achieved if nations become stronger together and work for a Better World Order, he said.

Raksha Mantri stated that the five-day event will witness the participation of Government Representatives, Industry Leaders, Air Force Officers, Scientists, Defence Sector Experts, Start-ups, Academia & other stakeholders from all across the globe, and this confluence would bring India’s partners closer to the benefit of all.

“We often interact as buyers and sellers, where our relations are at a transactional level. However, at another level, we forge our partnership beyond the buyer-seller relationship to the level of Industrial Collaboration. We have many successful examples of co-production and co-development with like-minded countries. For us, there is no Indian security or Indian peace in isolation. Security, stability and peace are shared constructs that transcend national borders. The presence of our foreign friends is a testimony to the fact that our partners share our vision of One earth, One family, One future,” added Shri Rajnath Singh.

Raksha Mantri pointed out that in the present environment of global uncertainty, India is one such big country which is witnessing peace and prosperity. “India has never attacked any country nor has it been involved in any great power rivalry. We have always been an advocate of peace and stability. It is part of our fundamental ideals,” he said. Shri Rajnath Singh told the Defence Ministers, senior officials and representatives of foreign Original Equipment Manufacturers present on the occasion that their cooperation with India is crucial for global peace, prosperity and stability.

Shri Rajnath Singh asserted that India is going through a transformational phase, rapidly moving from a developing to a developed nation. He added that a vibrant and thriving defence industry ecosystem has been created in the country due to a concerted, sustained and well thought out roadmap by the Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He stressed that the defence industrial sector, which was earlier not viewed as a component of national economy, has today been fully integrated with the overall economy. The sector is now a motor, powering the growth engine of the Indian economy, he said.

Raksha Mantri stated that the record allocation of Rs 6.81 lakh crore to Ministry of Defence in Union Budget 2025-26, including Rs 1.80 lakh crore for capital acquisition, is a proof that the Government considers defence as a top-priority sector. He added that like the previous budget, 75% of modernisation budget has been reserved for procurement through domestic sources with an aim to widen and deepen the capabilities of India’s Defence Industrial Complex.

Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s commitment towards enhancing the participation of private players in this overall growth story. “The private sector is going to play a big role in the economic mainstreaming. Due to its drive, resilience and entrepreneurship, the sector is capable of bringing a new wave of prosperity in the country. In many advanced countries, private industry has led defence production. The time has come that, here as well, the sector becomes an equal partner in the defence industry,” he said.

Raksha Mantri added that the defence manufacturers are working with a collaborative approach to strengthen the defence sector, terming the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus for the production of C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat as a shining example of this cooperation. He added that today India has become a Globally Preferred Destination for Aerospace Components & Complex System Assembly and the public sector & private industries are playing an important role in this transformation.

Shedding light on the accomplishments achieved from the last Aero India, Shri Rajnath Singh stated that a number of high-tech products such as Astra Missile, New Generation Akash Missile, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, Unmanned Surface Vessel, Pinaka Guided Rocket are being manufactured within the country. He voiced the Government’s unwavering resolve to surpass the Rs 1.27 lakh crore defence production and Rs 21,000 crore defence exports figures in the coming times, and ensure that the defence sector moves ahead at an unprecedented pace. It may be recalled that during the curtain raiser press conference of Aero India 2025 last evening, Raksha Mantri had expressed confidence that defence production will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26 and defence exports will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.

On 2025 being declared as the ‘Year of Reforms’ in the Ministry of Defence, Raksha Mantri termed it as not just a government slogan, but the Government’s commitment towards reforms. He said the decisions for reforms are not being taken only at the Ministry level, but Armed Forces and DPSUs are also participating in this endeavour. “To take this drive of reforms forward more rapidly, there should be participation of all stakeholders in the defence sector. Suggestions from all stakeholders associated with the Ministry are welcome,” he said.

Earlier, Shri Rajnath Singh welcomed the distinguished guests from across the world by enlightening them about the Indian tradition of Atithi Devo Bhava, which means ‘A Guest is Equivalent to God’ which, he said, can be witnessed clearly at the Maha Kumbh underway in the holy city of Prayagraj. “While Maha Kumbh is the Kumbh of introspection, Aero India is the Kumbh of research. While Maha Kumbh is focusing on internal strength, Aero India will centre on external strength. While Maha Kumbh showcases the culture of India, Aero India will display the power of India,” he added.

The 15^th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, inaugurated by Raksha Mantri, will showcase, over the next five days, India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies. In line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, the event will also provide a stage to forge international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s resolve of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047.

February 10^th to 12^th have been reserved as business days, with 13^th & 14^th set as public days for people to witness the show. The event comprises Defence Ministers’ Conclave; CEOs Roundtable; inauguration of India & iDEX Pavilions; Manthan iDEX event; Samarthya Indigenisation event; Valedictory function; seminars; breath-taking airshows and an exhibition of aerospace companies.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief Minister of Nagaland Shri Neiphiu Rio, Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri DK Shiva Kumar, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Defence Secretary Shri Rajesh Kumar Singh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar and Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal SP Dharkhar were among the dignitaries present on the occasion.

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MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI United Kingdom: New satellite deal to boost military operations, jobs and growth
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments 3

Armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite system, named Oberon.
New satellite system to enhance military operations, named ‘Oberon’, will be designed and built in the UK.

The £127 million contract with Airbus will support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space sector and delivering on the government’s Plan for Change.

Oberon will strengthen the UK’s intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.

Armed forces personnel will have access to the latest space-based imagery for military operations, following a deal signed for a new satellite system, named Oberon.

The £127 million deal with Airbus will support around 200 skilled jobs in Stevenage and Portsmouth, boosting the UK’s space capabilities and delivering on the Government’s Plan for Change.

The Oberon satellite system, made up of two Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites, will be able to capture day and night-time images of the Earth’s surface, strengthening the UK’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities. Expected to launch in 2027, Oberon will have advanced imagery sensors, building on the capabilities of Tyche, UK Space Command’s first satellite which successfully launched in August last year.

The deal comes as UK Space Command has published the first images captured by Tyche. The images of Heathrow Airport, Sydney, Washington DC, and the California wildfires, demonstrate Tyche’s ability to capture imagery from anywhere on earth when Defence needs it.

Both satellites form part of the Ministry of Defence’s space-based Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance programme, known as ISTARI, which will deliver a constellation of satellites and supporting ground systems by 2031.

These satellites will support military operations, for example by monitoring adversary activities, and contribute to other government tasks, including natural disaster monitoring, the development of mapping information, and tracking the impact of climate change around the world. 

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:  

Through UK Space Command, defence is partnering with industry and continuing to invest in advanced and innovative space technologies.

Oberon, alongside Tyche and other satellites in our ISTARI constellation, will allow us to observe what’s happening on Earth from space at any time and through any weather. This will enable and enhance UK and allied military operations around the world.

The contract for Oberon was awarded via competitive procurement to Airbus, which worked with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises across the UK to leverage innovative new technologies for the 400kg satellites. The antennas for the spacecraft will be supplied by Oxford Space Systems, which has developed carbon fibre structures that stow away in very small volumes for launch but spring into shape once in orbit.

Oberon will play a key part in securing critical UK skills in the growing global space sector. The aerospace sector added almost £40 billion to the economy last year, a growth of 50% in the last 10 years, and employs tens of thousands of people. The project will also help inform the procurement strategy for future space capability requirements.

Space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance offers unparalleled earth observation, operating over any part of the globe. Constellations of ISR satellites can use different sensors and cameras, allowing focus to move quickly from one area of the world to another. In contrast to conventional cameras, Oberon will use Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) to capture imagery in all-weather conditions.

Ben Bridge, Airbus Defence and Space UK Chairman, said:

Oberon’s satellites will give the UK a much-needed sovereign capability and greatly enhance its space surveillance autonomy.

Airbus in the UK has more than 45 years’ experience in the design and build of high-resolution radar satellites and, once in orbit, these spacecraft will play a vital role in keeping our Armed Forces safe around the world.

Paul Russell, Space team leader at DE&S said:

This has been a superb team effort by members of DE&S, Space Command, DSTL and industry.

With the award of the Oberon contract, we will deliver the next in a series game changing capabilities to UK Space Command providing the UK military with leading Space Based Synthetic Aperture Radar whilst helping to keep our nation safe and prosperous.

We are looking forwards to working with Airbus as our Mission Partner to deliver this important capability together.

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Published 10 February 2025
MIL OSI United Kingdom –
February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Polytechnic University and UK KER-Holding: six-year cooperation

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University – Peter the Great St Petersburg Polytechnic University –

In the research laboratory “Laser and Additive Technologies” of the Institute of Mechanical Engineering of Materials and Transport of SPbPU, acceptance tests of the laser powder cladding complex were carried out. Specialists of the company “UK KER-Holding” assessed the configuration and capabilities of the manufactured installation.

Polytechnic University and the management company “Complex Energy Development-Holding” began to cooperate in 2019, when the organization was choosing reliable partners for the repair of gas turbine engines. Over six years, specialists from the Research Laboratory “LiAT” of IMMiT have completed more than 20 projects. Now two projects are being implemented at once: the commissioning of the complex and the repair of the second-stage working blades of the GTE.

In addition, the Polytechnic University conducted acceptance tests of the laser powder cladding complex. The customer was represented by the chief metallurgist of UK KER-Holding Yuri Dvoeglazov, investment director Zufar Idrisov and chief designer Nikolai Tsyganov.

Successful completion of acceptance tests under the contract for the supply of the unit is another starting point in cooperation with the company. Our specialists developed technical documentation and manufactured the complex. We demonstrated the surfacing process in real conditions to the receiving party, – said Mikhail Kuznetsov, head of the Research Laboratory “LiAT” of IMMiT.

Laser powder cladding and direct laser deposition are modern technologies that allow creating materials and products with high precision and quality. They are used in various industries, such as medicine, aviation, space exploration, energy, mechanical engineering and others.

We can confidently talk about the fruitful work carried out over six years of cooperation. In the Polytech-KER-Holding team, specialists have completed many projects and solved a large number of “starred” problems. Direct evidence of this is the serial repair of working and nozzle blades of gas turbine engines and the creation of a laser powder cladding complex with technology transfer, – shared Yuri Dvoeglazov.

It is gratifying that the interaction between the Polytechnic University and UK KER-Holding is actively developing. The employees of the Research Laboratory LiAT make a worthy contribution to strengthening the ties. Long-term cooperation in the field of repair of nozzle units using the laser powder cladding method is of great importance for the development of the energy industry, – noted the Director of IMMiT Anatoly Popovich.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 11, 2025
MIL-OSI Europe: Cyber-Defence Campus of the DDPS identifies vulnerabilities in collision warning system of civil aviation

Source: Switzerland – Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

The Cyber-Defence Campus of the DDPS has found two vulnerabilities in the collision warning system “Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) II” of civil aviation. On 21 January 2025, the detected and published vulnerabilities were classified by the American Cyber Defence Agency CISA and the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) of the USA as moderate to severe.

MIL OSI Europe News –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Economics: Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with CEO of AirAsia Cambodia

Source: ASEAN

Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, today met with Mr. Vissoth Nam, CEO of AirAsia Cambodia, at the ASEAN Headquarters/ASEAN Secretariat. During their discussion, they explored collaborative opportunities to boost regional aviation and enhance seamless connectivity across the ASEAN region. Dr. Kao commended AirAsia Cambodia’s efforts to make air travel more accessible and affordable for everyone. He also emphasised ASEAN’s commitment to developing an integrated, competitive, and environmentally sustainable aviation sector that supports regional tourism and socio-economic growth.

The post Secretary-General of ASEAN meets with CEO of AirAsia Cambodia appeared first on ASEAN Main Portal.

MIL OSI Economics –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: Coast Guard interdicts 12 aliens near Point Loma

Source: United States Coast Guard

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/09/2025 11:00 PM EST

02/09/2025 10:32 PM EST

Coast Guard members interdicted 12 aliens aboard a 25-foot sail vessel approximately 12 miles west of Point Loma, Sunday. At approximately 10:19 a.m, a Customs and Border Protection patrol aircraft and a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter sighted the sail vessel.

MIL Security OSI –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Lenovo, Alat break ground on new manufacturing facility

Source: China State Council Information Office

China’s multinational technology company Lenovo and Saudi company Alat on Sunday broke ground on a new manufacturing base in the Saudi capital of Riyadh.

According to a statement released by Lenovo, the factory will cover 200,000 square meters at the Special Integrated Logistics Zone near Riyadh’s international airport, and focus on the production of laptops, desktops, and servers, which is expected to begin in 2026.

The partnership is projected to create up to 15,000 direct jobs and 45,000 indirect jobs, with a cumulative non-oil GDP contribution of up to 10 billion U.S. dollars by 2030, the statement said, noting that Lenovo will establish a regional Middle East and Africa (MEA) headquarters in Riyadh to serve customers in the region.

Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony, Yang Yuanqing, chairman and CEO of Lenovo, said, “Through this powerful strategic collaboration and investment with Alat, we gain greater global presence, a strong regional foothold, and the ability to capitalize on the incredible growth momentum in Saudi Arabia and the wider MEA region.”

“We are excited to have Alat as our long-term strategic partner, and are confident that our world-class supply chain capabilities as well as our innovation will benefit Saudi Arabia as it drives its Vision 2030 goals,” he said.

For his part, Alat’s CEO Amit Midha said, “With the establishment of a regional headquarters in Riyadh and a world-class manufacturing hub, powered by clean energy, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, we expect the Lenovo team to further their potential across the MEA region.”

MIL OSI China News –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Israeli army says struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon

Source: China State Council Information Office

The Israeli military said Sunday that it has launched airstrikes on Hezbollah targets in eastern and southern Lebanon.

An Israeli aircraft struck an underground tunnel used by Hezbollah for arms transfers in eastern Lebanon’s Bekaa region, which extended from Syria into Lebanese territory and had previously been targeted by Israeli forces, an Israeli military spokesperson said.

The Israeli Air Force also struck sites in southern Lebanon that contained “munitions and rocket launchers that posed an imminent threat,” the spokesperson added.

Meanwhile, Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that Israeli fighter jets carried out multiple airstrikes on Sunday evening targeting areas in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon, the rugged outskirts of Hermel near the Lebanese-Syrian border, and areas in the eastern Bekaa region.

A ceasefire that took effect in November 2024 halted nearly 14 months of fighting between Hezbollah and Israel. Despite the truce, Israeli forces launched sporadic attacks in Lebanon, saying they were targeting Hezbollah positions that violated the ceasefire agreement.

The Lebanese government has repeatedly condemned the Israeli attacks. After Israel failed to meet the initial deadline to withdraw from southern Lebanon, the Lebanese authorities extended the deadline to Feb. 18.

MIL OSI China News –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025
Source: Government of India

Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025

Showcasing air power, cutting-edge innovations & potential new global collaborations, the five-day event to provide thrust to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047

Aero India 2025 will advance our vision of a strong, capable, secure & self-reliant India: Shri Rajnath Singh

Participation of over 900 exhibitors & 90 countries set to make it the biggest-ever Aero India till date; Approx. 30 Defence Ministers & over 100 OEMs to attend

Domestic defence production expected to cross Rs 1.60 lakh crore by 2025-26, with exports touching Rs 30,000 crore mark: RM

Posted On: 09 FEB 2025 6:21PM by PIB Delhi

The 15^th edition of Aero India, Asia’s biggest aerospace and defence exhibition, will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru, Karnataka on February 10, 2025. With the broad theme of ‘The Runway to a Billion Opportunities’, the five-day extravaganza will showcase India’s aerial prowess and indigenous cutting-edge innovations alongside state-of-the-art products of global aerospace companies. In line with ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision, the event will also provide a stage to forge international collaborations to fast-track the indigenisation process, thereby providing a thrust to Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s resolve of making the country Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru on the eve of the event, Raksha Mantri described Aero India as a crucial platform, which will drive forward the Government’s vision of a strong, capable India, secure and self-reliant India. “Aero India is a platform that showcases the strength, resilience, and self-reliance of New India. It is not just crucial for India’s defence preparedness, but it also plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of our nation. It will demonstrate our defence capabilities and forge global partnerships. Our goal is to enhance collaboration in areas of common interest with our friendly nations, fostering deeper cooperation and shared progress. The event is not just a showcase of technology and innovation, but will also serve as a source of inspiration for our youth, fostering scientific temperament and a spirit of innovation,” he said.

Organised in a total area of over 42,000 sq m and with the confirmed participation of over 900 exhibitors, including 150 foreign companies, the event is set to be the biggest-ever Aero India till date. Shri Rajnath Singh termed the participation of more than 90 countries as a testament to the growing global confidence in India’s aerospace and defence capabilities. “Defence ministers or representatives from about 30 countries have come to participate in this event. The presence of Air Chiefs and Secretaries from 43 countries further highlights the significance of this event – not just for India, but for the entire international defence community,” he said.

Highlighting the transformation of the defence and aerospace sector in the recent years, Raksha Mantri asserted that, today, India is not only capable of designing and developing major platforms and equipment within India, it has also successfully established a vast supply chain within the country. “Advanced platforms like Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Light Combat Helicopter Prachand and C-295 Transport Aircraft are now being produced in India. We have also taken a firm resolve to manufacture fifth-generation fighter aircraft within the country. From the advanced variants of the Agni missile, the Astra missile system, and the Pinaka missile system to the cutting-edge Hypersonic missile system and the Akash air defence system, we have built numerous success stories. These achievements have played a crucial role in strengthening our defence sector, making India more self-reliant and secure,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh added that post corporatisation of Ordnance Factory Board, the newly formed companies have started performing exceptionally well in defence production. “Under a well-considered and well-developed plan, we have actively worked to empower the private sector in the defence and aerospace industries. Today, India has a thriving private defence industry that has firmly established itself and is making significant contributions to our national security,” he said.

Raksha Mantri expressed confidence that defence production, having crossed the record figure of Rs 1.27 lakh crore, will exceed Rs 1.60 lakh crore by the end of 2025-26. Defence exports, which touched the record figure of Rs 21,000 crore, he said, will surpass Rs 30,000 crore.

Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the crucial role being played by the defence industrial sector in making India an economic super power. He stated that any breakthrough in the defence sector not only strengthens national security, but also impacts the economy. Technologies developed for defence applications promote innovation in the civil sector as well, leading to employment generation and economic development, he said. He termed Aero India a significant driver of economic strength, contributing to the overall growth and development of the economy. He expressed confidence that Aero India will be remembered as a historic milestone in India’s journey towards becoming a global leader in the aerospace and defence sector.

The 15^thAero India will be held between 10^thand 14^thFebruary 2025. February 10^thto 12^thhave been reserved as business days, with 13^th& 14^thset as public days for people to witness the show. The event comprises Defence Ministers’ Conclave; CEOs Roundtable; inauguration of India & iDEX Pavilions; Manthan iDEX event; Samarthya Indigenisation event; Valedictory function; seminars; breath-taking airshows and an exhibition of aerospace companies.

Defence Ministers’ Conclave

With the aim to strengthen defence cooperation with friendly nations amidst a rapidly-evolving global security landscape, Raksha Mantri will host the Defence Ministers’ Conclave on February 11 in hybrid mode. The theme this year ‘Building Resilience through International Defence and Global Engagement (BRIDGE)’ underscores the importance of supply chain resilience and strategic collaboration in defence.

The last edition witnessed the participation of 27 Defence Ministers and Deputy Defence Ministers alongside 15 Defence & Service Chiefs and 12 Permanent Secretaries. This year, the participation has expanded as representatives from more than 80 countries are likely to participate in the conclave. Approx. 30 Defence Ministers in addition to Defence/Service Chiefs and Permanent Secretaries from friendly nations will attend the event.

The conclave will provide a crucial platform to address key aspects such as Defence capacity building through investment, joint ventures & co-production, Collaboration in R&D, training & technological advancements in AI & space, Maritime security cooperation and strategic partnerships.

CEOs Roundtable

CEOs Roundtable 2025 will be chaired by Raksha Mantri on February 10, on the theme ‘Enabling Defence Cooperation through Global Engagement (EDGE)’. Over 100 Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have confirmed their participation in the event. These include 55 from 19 countries (USA, France, Russia, South Korea, UK, Japan, Israel & Brazil etc), 35 Indian (Larsen & Toubro, Bharat Forge Ltd, Adani Defence & Aerospace, Mahindra Defence Systems Ltd, BrahMos Aerospace & Ashok Leyland Defence) and 16 Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). Shri Rajnath Singh had addressed over 73 CEOs of 28 Foreign OEMs and 45 Indian OEMs in the 2023 edition of the event.

Major foreign OEMs including Airbus (France), Ultra Maritime (USA), GNT (South Korea), John Cockerill Defence (UK), Mitsubishi (Japan), Rafael Advance Defence System (Israel), Safran (France) and Liebherr Aerospace (France) are expected to highlight their future plans, Joint Ventures, collaborations, partnerships with Indian companies for production of spares parts, development of aero-engines, setting up of Maintenance, Repair and Operations (MRO) facilities and establishment of R&D facilities etc.

India Pavilion

The India Pavilion will provide an opportunity to Indian Defence Industries to showcase their design, development, innovation and manufacturing capabilities. It will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri on February 10. The grandeur show at India Pavilion would signify the ‘Flight of Self-Reliance’ which encapsulates India’s journey towards becoming a global aerospace and defence powerhouse.

India Pavilion will be divided into five distinct zones displaying indigenous capabilities in aero aviation, land aviation and naval aviation, def-space and niche technologies domains. More than 275 exhibits will be at display through various mediums, represented by complete defence ecosystem of the country which includes DPSUs, design houses, private corporates including MSMEs and start-ups. The Central Area exhibits will include a striking display of marquee platforms including Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, Combat Air Teaming System, Twin-Engine Deck-Based Fighter.

iDEX Pavilion

The iDEX Pavilion will be inaugurated by Raksha Mantri on February 10. It will showcase cutting-edge indigenously developed products and technologies, marking a significant milestone in India’s defence innovation journey. Leading innovators will display their indigenously-developed products spanning a wide-range of advanced domains including Aerospace, DefSpace, Aero Structures, Anti-drone systems, Autonomous Systems, Robotics, Communication, Cybersecurity, Surveillance & Tracking, Unmanned Ground Vehicles etc. The Pavilion will also feature a dedicated section highlighting the winners of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme, showcasing their ground-breaking work in critical and niche technologies.

iDEX has successfully onboarded over 600 start-ups and MSMEs, marking a significant milestone in fostering innovation. Furthermore, 40 prototypes developed under iDEX have received official clearance for procurement, with 31 procurement contracts worth Rs 1,560 crore already signed.

Manthan

Manthan 2025, the flagship annual defence innovation event, will be graced by Raksha Mantri on February 12. Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence – Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), the event will bring together stakeholders of the defence innovation ecosystem including innovators, industry leaders, academia, incubators, investors, thought leaders, senior government officials etc.

Manthan will deliberate on emerging challenges and opportunities in the sector, with a focus on supporting defence start-ups and MSMEs, enhancing innovation capabilities, and fostering strategic collaborations within the defence ecosystem. It stands as a testament to the scale and speed of iDEX, showcasing the rapid strides made in defence innovation and the pivotal role of start-ups in transforming India’s defence capabilities.

Samarthya

On the success story of indigenisation and innovation in the defence sector, an Indigenisation event on the theme ‘SAMARTHYA’ will be held on February 12 alongside the Valedictory function which will be graced by Raksha Mantri. This event is first-of-its-kind during Aero India, as it will showcase India’s indigenous ingenuity in defence manufacturing by demonstrating some of the major items indigenised by DPSUs, DRDO and Services with the involvement of the private sector.

Bilateral Meetings

Bilateral meetings at the levels of Raksha Mantri/Raksha Rajya Mantri/Chief of Defence Staff/Service Chiefs/Defence Secretary/Secretary (Defence Production) will take place on the sidelines of Aero India 2025.

Seminars

A number of seminars on a variety of topics will be organised as part of Aero India 2025. On February 11, Raksha Mantri is scheduled to address a seminar organised by the Indian Air Force on the theme ‘Manned Unmanned teams for Aerial Warfare – concept to targeting’ and another organised by DRDO on the theme ‘DRDO Industry Synergy towards Viksit Bharat’.

Other seminars on the themes – Mission DefSpace: From Vision to Reality – A Progress Report; Indigenous Development of Aerospace Materials: Strengthening India’s Self-Reliance; Transition to Aatmanirbhar Indian Naval Aviation 2047 and its associated ecosystem; Transformation of Maritime Aviation by Adopting Technological trends and Indigenisation; Aligning Technologies to Future Conflicts; and Investment Opportunities for Aerospace & Defence Manufacturers in Karnataka – will also be held as part of the event.

Historic First – Su-57 and F-35 at Aero India

For the first time in history, Aero India 2025 will witness the participation of two of the world’s most advanced fifth-generation fighter aircraft – the Russian Su-57 and the American F-35 Lightning II. It marks a milestone in global defence collaboration and technological advancement, offering aviation enthusiasts and defence experts an unparalleled prospect to witness these state-of-the-art warplanes.
- Su-57: Russia’s premier stealth multirole fighter is designed for superior air superiority and strike capabilities. Equipped with advanced avionics, supercruise capability, and stealth technology, it is making its debut at Aero India 2025. Visitors can expect high-speed aerial manoeuvres and tactical demonstrations that highlight the fighter’s agility, stealth and firepower.
- F-35 Lightning II: The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, the most widely-deployed fifth-generation fighter, integrates advanced stealth, unparalleled situational awareness and networked combat capabilities. Its presence at Aero India 2025 will enable visitors to witness the flagship of US Air Force.
The inclusion of both the Su-57 and F-35 highlights India’s position as a key hub for international defence and aerospace collaboration. Aero India 2025 will provide a rare side-by-side comparison of Eastern and Western fifth-generation fighter technology, offering defence analysts, military personnel and aviation enthusiasts valuable insights into their respective capabilities.

Visitor-Friendly Experience

With key infrastructure upgrades and improved amenities, Aero India 2025 promises to be bigger, smoother and more visitor-friendly than ever before.
- Enhanced Infrastructure & Traffic Management: Recognising past challenges, extensive improvements have been made to facilitate seamless entry, movement and connectivity and there has been close coordination between Ministry of Defence, Indian Air Force (IAF), various arms of Karnataka State Government like Bengaluru Traffic Police, BBMP, NHAI, and Namma Metro. Approach roads have been widened to optimise traffic flow around Air Force Station Yelahanka so as to ease congestion and improve movement around the venue.
- Security and Emergency Preparedness: Red drone zones have been designated and published with countermeasures in place to tackle unauthorised drone activity. Rapid Mobile Units will be deployed strategically to provide quick assistance and emergency support. Continuous mock drills with multiple agencies are being conducted to ensure practical and implementable contingency plans.
- Exhibitor & Visitor Experience Enhancements: To enhance the experience for exhibitors and business delegates, the exhibition area has been revamped with several key upgrades:
- Expanded and better-ventilated exhibition halls to accommodate more exhibitors and visitors comfortably.
- Improved seating and rest zones throughout the venue.
- Additional food courts and refreshment kiosks, including Indira Canteens (at parking areas).
- Lost and found counters and ATM kiosks for visitor convenience.
- Multiple water points, medical aid posts, and a dedicated cardiac aid post for emergencies, including medical evacuation.
- Multi-Layered Security Measures: Ensuring the safety of all attendees, a multi-layered security system is being deployed in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Bengaluru Police, CISF, and Intelligence Agencies. Measures include:
- Enhanced security protocols and faster access control.
- An operational Command and Control Centre for real-time responses to security concerns.
- 24/7 CCTV monitoring for situational awareness.
- Dedicated screening zones for visitors, exhibitors, and VIPs.
- Disaster management and fire safety committees to handle emergencies.
- Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure: To address connectivity challenges, all telecom service providers are deploying temporary mobile towers and network boosters for uninterrupted communication. A dedicated Aero India 2025 mobile app has also been launched which will provide live updates, navigation assistance, and event scheduling. Secure digital communication channels have also been established for coordination among agencies. Additionally, provisions have been made to support increased electricity demands during the event while ensuring safety.
- Airspace Management & Demonstrations: Aero India demonstrations and aircraft movements are a major highlight of Aero India 2025. In coordination with AAI and HAL, the Indian Air Force has structured a dedicated Airspace management plan including:
- Temporary flight restrictions around Aero India Force Station Yelahanka to maintain safety during scheduled demonstrations.
- Strategic Aircraft parking and refuelling plans for domestic and international participants.
- Business and Innovation Support: The Aero India provides a platform for collaborations and to facilitate B2B, G2B interactions and hosting roundtable discussions to showcase technological advancements. Special focus will be given to supporting start-ups and MSMEs by providing them with a global platform to present indigenous innovations.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Aero India 2025 is committed to sustainability and has incorporated several eco-friendly measures in its conduct like:
- Reduced vehicle movement to minimise pollution and enhance pedestrian comfort.
- Exclusive use of more than 100 E Karts for movement of visitors in the exhibition venue.
- Comprehensive waste management, including increased recycling bins, waste segregation zones, and timely disposal of waste.
With these multi-agency collaborations, Aero India 2025 is set to be one of the most well-coordinated and better organised editions to date.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth, Chief of Defence Staff & Secretary, Department of Military Affairs General Anil Chauhan, Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka Dr Shalini Rajneesh, Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat, other senior officials of Ministry of Defence and industry leaders attended the curtain raiser press conference.

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VK/SR/SPS/Savvy

(Release ID: 2101170) Visitor Counter : 115

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –
February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Asia-Pac: IAF CONDUCTS SEMINAR ON ‘NAVACHAR UTKRISHTAM BHAVISYAM’ (Innovation is Path to Better Future) AERO INDIA 25

Source: Government of India

Posted On: 09 FEB 2025 3:50PM by PIB Delhi

Indian Air Force (IAF) is working to harness the potential of indigenous defence industry through Govt policies under the umbrella of Atmanirbharta by continuously engaging with the Industry Partners. Considerable success has been achieved in the indigenisation and innovation of spares and sustenance of equipment. The efforts are now being focused towards complex futuristic technologies, weapon systems and space domain.

Aero India being one of the premier aerospace and defence exhibition, serves as a global platform for showcasing cutting-edge technologies, innovations, and products in the field of aviation. IAF has been at the forefront of embracing the vision of ‘Make in India‘ by actively supporting indigenous defence development and manufacturing. IAF is the biggest stakeholder in aerospace domain and a major participant in leading the drive towards Atmanirbhata.

In pursuit of futuristic technologies and to highlight the drive towards self-reliance, lAF is conducting a seminar on the theme ‘NAVACHAR UTKRISHTAM BHAVISYAM’ (innovation is the Path to better Future). The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has been invited as the Chief Guest for the event with Chief of the Air Staff in attendance.

The seminar is planned on 11 Feb 25, from 1400-1630 Hr, at Hall No 1, Air Force Station Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The seminar is expected to have attendance from senior officers of Armed Forces, Govt officials, Industry leaders from aviation and aerospace domain, reps from Defence Public Sector Units (DPSUs), MSMEs, Start-ups, Innovators and the Academia. The seminar aims to inspire collaboration between defence forces, industry and R&D agencies, fostering a robust ecosystem for innovation. During this seminar, the following are planned to be released /launched by Hon’ble Raksha Mantri:- a publication titled ‘IAF Compendium (Samarthya Margdarshika) of Challenges and Opportunities for Indian Industry‘, for the Indian industries, Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Start-ups and individual innovators, encompassing current and future requirements of IAF; Declaration of the winners of Mehar Baba-ll Competition (MBC). The MBC-II was launched for the Indian Industries in the year 2022. This competition harnessed exceptional talent of Indian industry in swarm drone technology and showcased their capabilities in realising solutions to specific problem statements. In addition, MBC-III ‘Collaborative Drone Based Surveillance Radars‘ will be launched to develop an unmanned capability similar to an Airborne Warning and Control System.

Towards bolstering the ‘Digital India’ drive, IAF will be launching ‘VAYU VITT‘ digital portal for placing orders, certification and payments between lAF and HAL. This is aimed towards enhancing digitisation along with improved efficiency and transparency.

Additionally, a panel discussion on ‘Manned Unmanned Teaming- From Concept to Targeting‘ is planned with eminent experts from the aerospace domain including scientists, industrialists, certification agencies and end users. The panel discussion is intended towards underscoring the pivotal role of Indian Industry in driving indigenous solutions for futuristic technologies to meet the evolving defence and security needs of our Nation.

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VK/JS/IK

(Release ID: 2101131) Visitor Counter : 11

MIL OSI Asia Pacific News –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI New Zealand: Spartina control vital to protecting native species

Source: Department of Conservation

Date: 10 February 2025

Spartina is a fast-growing, salt-tolerant grass that can grow to two metres tall.

Although it was originally planted in locations across New Zealand in the 1940s to stabilise land for reclamation, it has become an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats – like those found around Coromandel Harbour

Spartina traps silt and sand, impacting the open mudflats needed by many migratory protected birds like kuaka/bar-tailed godwit, moho pereū/banded rail, and tūturiwhatu/dotterel, as well as some shellfish varieties.

DOC’s Coromandel Biodiversity Ranger Jamie Carey says the infestation of the plant in the Coromandel Harbour needs to be addressed, prompting an aerial herbicide operation his team has planned for February.

“When it comes to spartina, ‘do nothing’ is not an option,” says Jamie. “We need to control this plant, or it will spread and further compromise the biodiversity values in the harbour.

“If we don’t address this infestation quickly, we’ll lose valuable habitat for our native species.”

The operation will involve using a helicopter to apply the herbicide (Halyoxfop), which will rely on a patch of good weather with minimal wind. Jamie says this will be visible to people in and around the harbour, but there is no need for concern.

“We want to be transparent about this work; even though the aircraft will only be deployed for a few hours, people may wonder what it’s doing flying at such low levels.

“In short, it’s helping us protect native species habitat by addressing the spartina issue in the harbour.”

Monitoring will be undertaken after the operation to ensure water quality in the harbour has not been compromised, as per DOC’s consent to use the product.

Background information

Spartina is an aggressive and persistent invader of inter-tidal mudflats.

It invades mangroves, mudflats and estuaries taking over the inter-tidal zone. It forms big clumps that hold mud (sediment).

This raises the level of the land and can change coastal ecosystems. Bird and fish habitat is damaged by spartina.

Contact

For media enquiries contact:

Email: media@doc.govt.nz

MIL OSI New Zealand News –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Security: I MEF Identifies Marine killed in aircraft incident

Source: United States INDO PACIFIC COMMAND

MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. –

Marine Corps officials identified Sgt. Jacob M. Durham as the Marine who died in an aircraft incident Feb. 6 in the Philippine Province of Maguindanao del Sur.

Durham is a native of California. He was trained as an Electronic Intelligence/Electromagnetic Warfare Analyst assigned to 1st Radio Battalion, I Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Durham joined the Marine Corps in January 2021 and was promoted to his current rank Feb. 1, 2025. His awards and decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, a Meritorious Mast, and Naval Aircrew Insignia.

“We mourn the loss of Sgt. Jacob Durham, who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” said Lt. Col. Mabel B. Annunziata, commanding officer of 1st Radio Battalion. “Sgt. Durham embodied the highest traditions of the Marine Corps—exemplifying composure, intelligence, and selfless leadership. He was deeply respected and loved by his fellow Marines. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his fellow Marines during this profoundly difficult time.”

The incident occurred during a routine mission in support of U.S.-Philippine security cooperation activities. The aircraft was providing intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support at the request of our Philippine allies.

The cause of the incident is currently under investigation. Please refer all media queries to U.S. Indo-Pacific Command at indopacom_j0pao@us.navy.mil.

MIL Security OSI –

February 10, 2025
MIL-Evening Report: The Nullarbor is riddled with wombat and rabbit warrens. Scientists are watching them from space

Source: The Conversation (Au and NZ) – By Natarsha McPherson, PhD Candidate in Spatial Ecology, University of Adelaide

Rob D / Shutterstock

On the vast expanse of the Nullarbor Plain in South Australia, two very different creatures live side by side – but not always peacefully.

One is the southern hairy-nosed wombat, a slow-moving nocturnal digger that loves its underground burrows. The other is the European rabbit: a small and speedy invader that has spread across the continent, often wreaking environmental havoc and creating its own networks of tunnels.

How do we know where these semi-subterranean creatures live, and how many there are? The answer is from the sky.

In new research published in Australian Mammalogy, we show a way to detect wombats and rabbits using satellites that take pictures of our planet from space. By studying high-resolution images from the likes of Google Earth and Bing Maps, we can spot the telltale signs of the burrows and warrens these creatures dig into the ground.

Why is it any of our business where wombats and rabbits live?

Knowing where wombats and rabbits live is important for conservation.

Wombats are unique Australian marsupials that need protection. Rabbits are an invasive species that often damage the land, eating too much vegetation and eroding soil.

Finding their warrens can help scientists and wildlife managers to understand where they live. This in turn helps to make better decisions about protecting native species and controlling pests.

How do you spot a warren?

Imagine looking down at the world from the window of an aeroplane. You might easily see rivers and roads, and even buildings.

But would you spot a hole in the ground? That’s the challenge we faced in our study of satellite images.

A wombat warren from above, as seen in images from (a) a Bing maps satellite image, and (b) and (c) higher resolution drone images showing individual burrows and vegetation.
Bing Maps / McPherson & Ostendorf / Australian Mammalogy, CC BY-NC

As it turns out, wombat warrens are relatively easy to spot. They are quite large and have clear trails leading in and out. The digging leaves mounds of lighter-coloured soil.

Rabbit warrens are trickier to find. They are smaller, lack trails, and can blend in with bare patches of dirt.

How well did we do?

By comparing satellite images with surveys conducted on the ground, we figured out we could accurately detect about 82% of wombat warrens from the photos. We weren’t quite as good at rabbit warrens: we could only spot 49%. Small rabbit warrens were particularly easy to miss.

A rabbit warren from above, as seen in images from (a) a Bing maps satellite image, and (b) and (c) higher resolution drone images showing individual burrows and vegetation.
Bing Maps / McPherson & Ostendorf / Australian Mammalogy, CC BY-NC

One complicating issue was the fact that wombats and rabbits sometimes share the same burrow. Usually it’s the smaller, sneakier rabbits taking advantage of the large and sturdy tunnels dug by wombats.

This makes it even harder to figure out exactly who is living where. We could recognise shared warrens when we inspected them on the ground, but so far we can’t distinguish them from satellite photos.

What’s next?

Our research shows we can use satellites to map burrowing animal populations without ever setting foot in the outback. This saves time and money, and also reduces the the risk of disturbing wildlife while conducting research.

In the future, with higher-resolution satellite images and better software – using tools like machine learning – we may be able to detect and count burrows and warrens automatically. This could be a big change for wildlife conservation and pest control.

So next time you look up at the sky, remember that somewhere out there a satellite might be taking a picture of a sleepy wombat’s home – or a rabbit plotting its next move.

Natarsha McPherson received funding from the Australian Wildlife Society’s University Research Grant.

– ref. The Nullarbor is riddled with wombat and rabbit warrens. Scientists are watching them from space – https://theconversation.com/the-nullarbor-is-riddled-with-wombat-and-rabbit-warrens-scientists-are-watching-them-from-space-249359

MIL OSI Analysis – EveningReport.nz –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI China: Construction site of phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix Int’l Airport

Source: People’s Republic of China – State Council News

Construction site of phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix Int’l Airport

Updated: February 9, 2025 20:56 Xinhua

Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. The phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport started in May 2024 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. Upon completion, the airport’s total terminal area will reach 228,000 square meters, capable of handling an annual throughput of 30 million passengers. [Photo/Xinhua]

Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

Workers work at the construction site of the phase III expansion and renovation project of Sanya Phoenix International Airport in Sanya, south China’s Hainan Province, Feb. 9, 2025. [Photo/Xinhua]

MIL OSI China News –

February 10, 2025
MIL-OSI Russia: Vitaly Savelyev: Civil aviation makes a significant contribution to achieving national development goals

Translartion. Region: Russians Fedetion –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

February 9, 2025

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

February 9, 2025

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

February 9, 2025

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

February 9, 2025

Previous news Next news

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

The Deputy Prime Minister congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday.

On the eve of the holiday, a ceremonial event dedicated to the Civil Aviation Worker’s Day was held at the National Center “Russia”. Vitaly Savelyev addressed the participants with a ceremonial speech. He thanked the aviators for their tireless work and loyalty to their work and wished them success and new achievements for the benefit of Russia!

Special words of gratitude were addressed to veterans.

“We are especially proud of our civil aviation veterans who trained, educated and inspire us to new achievements.

This year we celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War. The country’s civil aviation made a significant contribution to the defeat of the enemy.

Today, Russia is strengthening its status as a great aviation power. Civil aviation successfully solves important tasks in the interests of the state and citizens, makes a significant contribution to achieving national development goals,” noted Vitaly Savelyev.

Please note: This information is raw content directly from the source of the information. It is exactly what the source states and does not reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

MIL OSI Russia News –

February 9, 2025
MIL-OSI USA: One Month Later: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Nears $700 Million

Source: US Federal Emergency Management Agency

Headline: One Month Later: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Nears $700 Million

One Month Later: Federal Support for Wildfire Survivors Nears $700 Million

LOS ANGELES – On January 7, when wildfires first struck Los Angeles County and adjacent areas, more than 200,000 Californians were evacuated. State and local governments responded quicky to fight the blazes, employing more than 2,000 pieces of firefighting equipment – 80-plus aircraft, 200-plus bulldozers and more – which were soon bolstered by the governor’s activation of 2,500 National Guard troops and a request for a federal disaster declaration. Delivery of Federal ResourcesOn January 8, the Los Angeles County wildfires were declared a major disaster by the president, and a surge of additional federal resources commenced. FEMA and its federal partners responded with thousands of personnel and millions of dollars focused on saving lives and containing the fires. By Feb. 2, the fires were 100 percent contained. Weeks before, FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) had already begun assisting Californians in their recovery – for now and for the long term. As of Feb. 7, federal assistance to eligible homeowners, renters and businesses, in the form of FEMA grants and low-interest SBA Disaster Loans, has reached $683,276,321.That number includes:$64,069,621 in FEMA housing and other assistance$619,206,700 in home and business loan offers from the SBA, the largest source of federal disaster recovery funds for homeowners, renters, businesses and certain nonprofits.So far, 27,211 households have been approved for FEMA funds including:$9,990,895 in housing assistance for short-term rental assistance and home-repair costs$54,078,726 for other essential disaster-related needs, such as expenses related to medical, dental and lost personal possessions.40,574 home inspections have been completed to assess property damage. Two Disaster Recovery Centers remain open at UCLA Research Park and Altadena Recovery Center. In total, the centers have logged 12,641 survivor visits. At the centers, residents may speak in person to representatives from federal and state programs, the American Red Cross and various nongovernmental nonprofits and community groups.In partnership with the State of California, Los Angeles County, and local officials, FEMA will continue helping California’s individuals and families get back on their feet and jumpstart their recovery.The deadlines to apply with FEMA and SBA are both March 10, 2025.To apply for FEMA assistance, visit disasterassistance.gov, use the FEMA mobile app, or by call 800-621-3362. You may also visit a DRC for in-person assistance. To locate a DRC, please click here.FEMA’s services and programs are accessible to people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.To apply for a disaster loan from SBA, visit SBA’s disaster website: sba.gov/disaster, contact SBA by email at disastercustomerservice@sba.gov or call 800-659-2955 for information. You may also visit a Disaster Loan Outreach Center or Business Recovery Center for in-person assistance. For hours and locations, visit appointment.sba.gov.
barbara.murien…
Fri, 02/07/2025 – 21:57

MIL OSI USA News –

February 9, 2025

CONTACT:	Scott B. Flaherty
	Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
	sflaherty@willislease.com
	561.413.0112

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Aero India 2025 takes flight; Raksha Mantri inaugurates 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace & defence exhibition in BengaluruAero India 2025 will further strengthen relations among like-minded countries to deal with today’s uncertainties: Shri Rajnath Singh

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:

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Updates to this page

Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025Showcasing air power, cutting-edge innovations & potential new global collaborations, the five-day event to provide thrust to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047

Background information

Contact

Why is it any of our business where wombats and rabbits live?

How do you spot a warren?

How well did we do?

What’s next?

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

Vitaly Savelyev congratulated civil aviation workers on their professional holiday during a ceremonial event at the National Center “Russia”

Aero India 2025 takes flight; Raksha Mantri inaugurates 15th edition of Asia’s biggest aerospace & defence exhibition in Bengaluru

Aero India 2025 will further strengthen relations among like-minded countries to deal with today’s uncertainties: Shri Rajnath Singh

UK Space Commander, Major General Paul Tedman said:  

Raksha Mantri to inaugurate Aero India 2025 at Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025

Showcasing air power, cutting-edge innovations & potential new global collaborations, the five-day event to provide thrust to the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047