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Top 20 world’s strongest militaries – personnel, aircraft, tanks and more; Here’s where India stands

<ul><li>Tata-owned Airline <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> has started rolling out its new look and identity from Mumbai and New Delhi.</li><li>The new global brand identity with the new <keyword id="28682" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="vista" source="Orion">Vista</keyword> logo was announced in August 2023.</li><li>The brand will begin the rebranding at all touch points across two of the busiest airports in the country.</li></ul>Tata-owned airline Air <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> has started the rollout of its recently unveiled global brand identity across guest touchpoints. The switch to the new brand identity will begin across its digital and online channels. In terms of rebranding at airports, the company will start with Delhi and Mumbai airports, with other airports to follow. The new brand identity was<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/air-india-unveils-new-logo-maharaja-to-stay-with-different-role/articleshow/102631518.cms"> unveiled</a> in August 2023, nearly two years after the company<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/tata-sons-buy-air-india-for-2-39-billion-from-the-indian-government/articleshow/86867529.cms"> acquired</a> the airline for ₹18,000 crore. The new brand identity will soon be visible at touchpoints such as check-in counters, boarding gates, lounges and the boarding cards. The network-wide switch to our new global brand identity is a landmark moment for Air India. It's not just about bringing our new logo and colours to customer touchpoints; it's a promise to our guests of a transforming travel experience that is modern, seamless, and infused with the warmth and hospitality that defines a new India and a new Air India,” said <keyword id="5863894" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="campbell-wilson" source="Orion">Campbell Wilson</keyword>, chief executive officer and managing director, Air India. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="New brand identity for Air India" comment="subhead" text="New brand identity for Air India">New brand identity for Air India</cmsannotation> Air India’s new brand identity is based around “Vista”, the company’s new brand logo, which the company says signifies ‘limitless possibilities and progressiveness’. The Vista logo features the company’s new brand colours, including Air India red, aubergine, rose gold, and accents of gold. The logo uses the Air India Sans font. Guests will be able to book from the redesigned Air India website and mobile app, which the company claims offers a more seamless and intuitive experience. The company has claimed that the new website offers refreshed design and faster performance. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="New livery on aircrafts" comment="subhead" text="New livery on aircrafts">New livery on aircrafts</cmsannotation> Air India has announced that the new livery will be featured on the company’s new A350 fleet and other incoming aircrafts. The cabin products and in-flight rollout will occur over the next few months. “This is a transformation of great scale, and therefore, it may take us a while to achieve consistency in our product, service, and the overall ‘new Air India experience,” Wilson added. Air India recently revealed new uniforms for its cabin and cockpit crew, designed by popular designer <keyword id="33" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="manish-malhotra" source="Orion">Manish Malhotra</keyword>. The uniforms will be introduced in a phased manner over the next few months, starting with Air India’s first Airbus A350. The company has said that it will soon unveil Manish Malhotra-designed uniforms for its ground staff and security personnel. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/inox-india-ipo-how-to-check-allotment-and-gmp-value/articleshow/106109279.cms">Inox India IPO allotment – How to check allotment, GMP, listing date and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/best-deals-on-5g-new-mobile-phones-on-amazon/articleshow/106116521.cms">iPhone 13 to Redmi Note 12 – Best deals on 5G smartphones</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/webstories/top-selling-cars-and-suvs-in-india-in-2023/slidelist/106092280.cms">From WagonR to Nexon to Creta – top selling cars in India in 2023</a>

Air India’s new global brand identity rollout to begin from Delhi and Mumbai airports

An <keyword id="19992067" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Air-Force" source="keywords">Indian Air Force</keyword> soldier who was injured in a <keyword id="19899445" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="terrorist-attack" source="keywords">terrorist attack</keyword> in the <keyword id="19905509" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Poonch" source="keywords">Poonch</keyword> sector in <keyword id="19900657" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Jammu-and-Kashmir" source="keywords">Jammu and Kashmir</keyword> on Saturday has unfortunately passed away, confirmed the Indian Air Force. "An Indian Air Force vehicle convoy was attacked by militants in the Poonch district of J&amp;K, near Shahsitar. Cordon and search operations are underway presently in the area by local military units. The convoy has been secured, and further investigation is under progress," tweeted the <keyword id="19900590" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="iaf" source="keywords">IAF</keyword> Media Co-ordination Centre on X. The injured personnel were evacuated to Udhampur for treatment on IAF choppers, where one of them succumbed. Another soldier is reported to be in critical condition, as confirmed by security force officials. "In the ensuing gunfight with terrorists, the Air Warriors fought back by returning fire. In the process, five IAF personnel received bullet injuries, and were evacuated to the nearest military hospital for immediate medical attention. One Air Warrior succumbed to his injuries later. Further operations are on by the local security forces," said the IAF. The soldier who succumbed was undergoing treatment at the command hospital at Udhampur. The remaining three are stable as per the Security Force officials, reported ANI. Following the attack that occurred in the evening around Shah Sitar and Shashidhar areas in the Poonch sector. Security forces initiated a search and cordon operation, as stated by security forces' officials. In response to the attack, forces have increased patrolling and vehicle checks in the area. The convoy was en route to the Sanai Top in the Surankote area of the district. The terrorists are suspected to be belonging to the same group that ambushed Indian troops in the Bufliaz area nearby on December 21, as per the Times of India report. The December attack last year had killed four soldiers and injured three. Earlier, in November 2023, a prolonged gunfight between Indian Army and the terrorists responsible for frequent attack on civilians in the region has resulted in deaths of five army personnel, including two captains. The Poonch sector belongs to the Anantnag-Rajouri parliamentary constituency which will vote for the Lok Sabha elections on May 25. Congress leaders Malikarjun Kharge and <keyword id="19895780" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="rahul-gandhi" source="keywords">Rahul Gandhi</keyword> extended condolences over the death of IAF personnel. Condemning the attack by terrorists, Rahul Gandhi in a post on X, wrote, "The cowardly terrorist attack on our Army convoy in Poonch of Jammu and Kashmir is extremely shameful and sad," Rahul Gandhi said. Former Jammu and Kashmir DGP <keyword id="21530697" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="shesh-paul-vaid" source="keywords">Shesh Paul Vaid</keyword> slammed Pakistan after the attack, hinting that the neighbouring country will not tolerate seeing people of Jammu and Kashmir exercising their democratic right. "It is not surprising, because the election tempo was building up in this area," said Shesh Paul Vaid in a video message posted on his official social media platform, X. Retired Major General GD Bakshi told ANI, "From the last two-three years, we have seen that the Inter-Services Intelligence and Army of Pakistan is again reviving terrorism in the Rajouri-Poonch area. They are trying to infiltrate. Troops are alert. We have to hit across the border like the Balakot airstrike". (With inputs from agencies)

Poonch Terrorist Attack: One Indian Air Force soldier dies, five injured; Patrolling intensifies across J&K

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Air India is undergoing a complete transformation after years of decline under government control.</li><li>The airline has ordered hundreds of new aircraft and is investing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-new-airbus-a350-big-improvement-tour-review-2024-1">$400 million in cabin retrofits</a>.</li></ul>Between 1932 and 2021, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-ownership-comes-full-circle-tata-sons-bid-win-2021-10">Air India went from being the gold standard of aviation</a> under the Tata Group to a nationalized airline in complete disarray.People flying Air India's older planes routinely faced bad customer service, poor reliability, dirty cabins, and broken seats patched with duct tape. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-business-class-a350-compared-to-777-legacy-2024-2?mrfhud=true">Even in business class.</a>The downfall started in 1953 when the Indian government took over, stripping control away from the Tata Group.However, with government ownership proving disastrous and Air India in desperate need of modernization, the Tatas announced a deal to buy the company back in 2021 and quickly got to work with a completely new brand identity. "The list of things to do at Air India, and the list of opportunities ahead of us, are astonishing," the airline's new CEO, Campbell Wilson, told Business Insider in January. "And, in most of these cases, it is not a matter of 'Is there a case to do it?' but 'What do we do first?'"Some of the changes are less in-your-face, like an updated mobile app and website and a new inflight safety <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=al51WZcN2_U">video</a>.However, customers will soon start seeing the "new Air India" everywhere, thanks to the Tata Group's huge multimillion-dollar investments in its planes, products, and people.<h2>A record Airbus and Boeing order</h2><div type="image" title="The author standing in front of the Air India A350." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073593" hostid="261" sizebytes="951578"></div>At the Paris Airshow in June 2023, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/airbus-boeing-record-order-500-planes-india-airline-indigo-report-2023-6">Air India announced orders for a record 470 Airbus and Boeing</a> aircraft, including 40 Airbus A350s, 20 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, 10 Boeing 777Xs, 140 Airbus A320neos, 70 Airbus A321neos, and 190 Boeing 737 Maxs.The aircraft, worth an estimated $70 billion at list price, will sport <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/about-us/pdf/AirIndia-Ournewbrand.pdf">Air India's new livery and logo</a>.The latter is known as "The Vista." Air India says it's "inspired by the peak of the gold window frame" and signifies "limitless possibilities, progressiveness, and the airline's bold, confident outlook for the future."<div type="image" title="The gold Vista logo on a purple inflight menu." height="2323" width="3097" msid="108073595" hostid="261" sizebytes="677462"></div>The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-business-class-a350-compared-to-777-legacy-2024-2">first delivery was an Airbus A350-900</a> in December. The new plane launched on domestic routes, like Bengaluru and Mumbai, in January and will eventually launch overseas, Air India says. It's very likely to fly to the US, though Air India has yet to release specific cities."We are proud to be working with all our partners in this journey to rebuild a global airline which reflects India taking a more confident posture around the world," Wilson said. <h2>Passenger comfort is getting a much-needed refresh</h2><div type="image" title="Air India new business class." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073597" hostid="261" sizebytes="1079636"></div>The legacy cabins on Air India's Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft haven't seen an upgrade in years and are some of the main reasons the airline has such a poor reputation. Travelers regularly <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/air-india-economy-cabin-i-flew-miserable-bad-seats-review-2024-2">complain of things like the in-flight entertainment not working</a> and stains on the carpet. Air India's business class is also way behind industry standards.Most notably, business sports a 2×3×2 layout — meaning travelers can still be assigned a dreaded middle seat. This also means those sitting in the center and window seats do not have direct aisle access.<div type="image" title="Air India's legacy business class, 2x3x2 with yellow seats." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073601" hostid="261" sizebytes="1276846"></div>This is unlike many other airlines that have upgraded their business class over the years to offer more privacy and convenience, like adding sliding doors and opting for a 1×2×1 seat configuration.For example, Qatar Airways has added a unique quad-seating feature in its famous Q-Suite. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines offers business class with sliding doors, and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/10-rare-things-on-passenger-airlines-like-bidets-showers-bars-2023-5">Emirates offers an inflight bar and lounge</a> for its premium customers flying on its Airbus A380.<div type="image" title="Qatar Q Suite" height="682" width="1024" msid="108073603" hostid="261" sizebytes="57194"></div>Air India, however, now has to play catch-up — and it's investing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/see-new-luxury-cabins-air-india-retrofit-onto-boeing-777-2023-8">$400 million to retrofit its legacy widebody planes</a>.<div type="image" title="Air India economy cabin." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073606" hostid="261" sizebytes="545256"></div>Wilson, Air India's CEO, said he wants to compete with the likes of Qatar and Emirates and has taken inspiration from their successful products.Some of that can be seen in upgraded cabins on the A350, where business-class seats have privacy doors and closets, for example, with access to a small bar behind the section. The plane also sports premium economy and upgraded coach seats.<div type="image" title="New economy cabin on Air India with red seats and grey headrests." height="3024" width="4032" msid="108073607" hostid="261" sizebytes="692510"></div>"By the end of 2025, the entire legacy widebody fleet will also be upgraded to match what we're getting on the A350," Wilson told BI, "So, essentially, our fleet will be completely reborn by then."<h2>Flight attendants and pilots are getting a makeover</h2>In December, Air India released photos of its new crew <a target="_blank" href="https://www.airindia.com/content/dam/air-india/pdfs/media-centre/media_release_air_india_unveils_new_uniforms_for_crew_12_Dec_2023.pdf">uniforms</a>.Created by Indian designer Manish Malhotra, the collection features the airline's new red- and purple-heavy color scheme with items like a ready-to-wear saree (which can be worn with pants) for female flight attendants and a bandh gala for male flight attendants.Pilots will sport a black suit with the Vista logo, "signifying professionalism, timelessness, and the gravitas of the flying profession."<div type="image" title="Air India new cabin crew and pilot uniforms. Six people are in the photo." height="1334" width="2000" msid="108073608" hostid="261" sizebytes="141286"></div>"We are confident that our new crew uniforms will rise to the heightened expectations, distinctly making a statement that defines the very best of Indian heritage and hospitality," Air India said in a press release. The new uniforms were deployed with the launch of the new A350. Ground staff, engineers, and security personnel are also set to get new uniforms, which Air India said it will reveal in "due course."

Air India is rebranding after years of decline. Here are the biggest changes, from updated uniforms to swanky new Airbus A350s.

Alleging blatant discrimination by <keyword id="2573" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword>'s Personnel and Finance Departments, the pilots have told the national carrier's management that if such behaviour continues unchecked, the Director, Personnel will be responsible for the consequences. In a letter to Air India Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Bansal, the pilots' associations, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association and the Indian Pilots Guild, have alleged that the management is discriminating against the pilots. "We request you to kindly direct the concerned departments to clear backlogged files as well as outstanding dues for all pilots. We have cooperated unconditionally above and beyond the call of duty to ensure smooth flight operations. This blatant discrimination, among other grievances, has severely hampered our morale and faith in these departments. If such behaviour continues unchecked, the Director, Personnel will be responsible for the consequences to follow," the pilots said. "We would like to bring to your notice the lackadaisical attitude of the Personnel and Finance Departments in ensuring <keyword id="136144" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Timely-action">timely action</keyword> and payment when it comes to pilots," the letter said. "When it comes to doling out promotions en masse for themselves or other support departments, not even a pandemic or national lockdown can dent their enthusiasm. When even retrospective deductions are made on our wages with immediate effect by way of prompt circulars, why do the same people drag their feet when it comes to clearing our rightful dues or honouring our service conditions?" the pilots asked. Citing examples of this "lackadaisical attitude", the pilots said that the Special Pay increment, as per the bilateral wage agreement between the management and the ICPA of January 1, 2016, mentions a yearly increment as per years of service in the grade. "No increment has been made in special pay since 2019. This routine exercise is never given priority, as pilots are the prime beneficiaries. Further, despite clear directions from the Hon. <keyword id="6354977" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Supreme-Court">Supreme Court</keyword>, the 2016 wage has been illegally and unilaterally imposed upon pilots of the IPG who already have a separate bilateral wage agreement. The TMU (Temporary Medically Unfit) Insurance compensation for pilots is never paid on time. Pilots are made to run after their files from one department to the next till there are no more excuses to delay processing. At times, the delay is in years," they said. The pilots alleged that the Captain or Commander Grade revision is never carried out on time, despite being a routine annual exercise. Then, <keyword id="9693120" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-personnel-department">the Personnel Department</keyword>'s draft Establishment orders are replete with mistakes/omissions which has to be corrected through repeated representations, they said. After all this unnecessary delay, when the order is eventually released, the financial benefits accrue from the date of the Establishment order and not from the actual date of promotion, they said. "Why is the cost of the inefficiency of the Personnel Department being paid by pilots?" they asked. The PMU (Permanently Medical Unfit) compensation to any affected pilot is again never paid on time. As mentioned above, the affected pilot is made to run from pillar to post for his/her rightful compensation. "Please note that these pilots have lost their source of livelihood as they are permanently grounded. They are being let down by the company when they need it the most," the pilots said. They also said that the retirement benefits of recent retirees are yet to be cleared. The treatment meted out to these loyal long-serving employees of Air India is unethical, as per the pilots. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/one-time-loan-restructuring-dilemma-rbi-wont-commit-and-india-inc-wont-stop-asking-for-it/articleshow/77328145.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">One-time loan restructuring dilemma - RBI won’t commit, and India Inc won’t stop asking for it</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/the-10-richest-people-in-the-middle-east-ranked/slidelist/77304823.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">The 10 richest people in the Middle East, ranked</a>

Air India pilots allege blatant discrimination by management

<ul class="summary-list"><li>A man urinated and defecated on the floor of a plane flying from Mumbai to Delhi, The Times of India reported.</li><li>A spokesperson for Air India confirmed to Insider that he "behaved in a repulsive manner."</li></ul>A man was arrested after he behaved in a "repulsive manner" on board an Air India flight, the airline confirmed to Insider, after reports he pooped on the plane's floor.Saturday's flight was going from Mumbai to Delhi when the passenger urinated and defecated on the floor of the aircraft, according to both <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/man-defecates-on-air-india-flight-arrested/articleshow/101291179.cms" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Times of India</a> and <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/air-india-man-arrest-urination-b2364876.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Independent</a>. A spokesperson for Air India confirmed to Insider that a passenger "behaved in a repulsive manner, causing discomfort to the co-passengers." The airline did not confirm any specifics of the incident.The cabin crew spotted the man and gave him a warning before the captain was also informed about the incident, according to The Times of India. He was then kept away from other passengers, an Air India spokesperson told Insider."The situation agitated a number of other passengers on board the aircraft," said the official complaint seen by The Times of India.When the plane arrived in Delhi, the man was taken away by airline security and arrested at a local police station, where the case noted he was drunk, the Times of India reported."On the complaint of the flight captain, Delhi Police registered a case at IGI police station and arrested the accused passenger," a senior Delhi Police official told <a href="https://aninews.in/news/national/general-news/passenger-arrested-for-defecating-and-urinating-on-mumbai-delhi-air-india-flight20230626205005/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Asian News International</a>. "We produced him before a court which granted him bail. Further investigation is underway."An Air India spokesperson told Insider: "In doing their best to manage the situation in the circumstances, the crew immediately secluded the passenger for the rest of the flight and issued a warning. The passenger was handed over to the security personnel upon landing in Delhi.""Air India follows a zero tolerance policy for such unruly and unacceptable behaviour," they added. "We are extending all cooperation to hte ongoing investigations."In January, Air India was fined $37,000 by the country's aviation regulator and suspended a pilot's license for three months after a passenger urinated on another female traveler, <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-01-20/air-india-fined-37-000-after-passenger-in-flight-urination-act" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Bloomberg</a> reported.

An Air India passenger behaved in a 'repulsive manner' and pooped on the plane's floor mid-flight, reports say

<ul class="summary-list"><li>India is trying to modernize its military of 1.5 million people with lessons from Ukraine.</li><li>Until recent years, Russia supplied India with many weapons such as tanks and jets.</li></ul>As India boosts defense spending amid tensions with China and Pakistan, it is closely studying the Ukraine conflict for clues to the future of warfare and how to thwart its neighbors.Some lessons that Indian experts have already drawn: India needs lots of artillery, drones and cyberwarfare capabilities.Comparing Ukraine to India is tricky. Ukraine faces one major enemy — Russia — while India must contend with its old enemy Pakistan to the west, and an increasingly powerful China on its northwest frontier. The Russo-Ukraine war is mostly being fought over an Eastern European landscape of plains and forest, with a moderately good road network suitable for mechanized warfare. India must prepare for combat in a variety of terrain and climate conditions, including desert, jungle and some of the tallest mountains on Earth.India is also trying to modernize and standardize equipment for its armed forces, which comprise about 1.5 million personnel armed with a potpourri of equipment from several nations, as well as indigenous Indian gear. Until recent years, Russia supplied many weapons such as tanks and jets, but India is increasingly acquiring arms from Western nations, including American howitzers, French jet fighters, and Israeli drones.The Indian Army's artillery, for example, includes more than 3,000 weapons and multiple rocket launchers, including Russian, American, Swedish and South Korean designs. Indian observers believe Ukraine shows the importance of having plentiful and modern artillery. Artillery has arguably become the decisive combat arm in that war, with Russian firing <a target="_blank" href="https://www.politico.eu/article/ukrainian-army-suffers-from-artillery-shell-hunger/">10,000 shells per day</a> and advancing, while a munitions shortage has limited Ukraine to around 2,000 shells per day. This deluge of firepower has forced both armies to dig in, and turned the conflict into trench warfare."Looking at the demonstration of artillery fire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, two lessons are available to the Indian Army," wrote Amrita Jash, an assistant professor at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.orfonline.org/public/uploads/upload/20240118114645.pdf">report</a> for the Observer Research Foundation, an Indian think tank. "First, that firepower can be a 'battle-winning factor,' and second, that the time between acquiring the target to shooting has drastically reduced: where it once took five to 10 minutes, it now takes only a minute or two."Indeed, India already planning to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/army-draws-lessons-from-ukraine-war-revises-its-artillery-requirements/article67315823.ece">modernize</a> its artillery arsenal, including switching to 155-mm howitzers — the standard NATO caliber — and developing longer-range shells and rockets.<div type="image" title="Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery in the direction of Siversk, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on April 01, 2024." height="3000" width="4500" msid="109704222" hostid="261" sizebytes="757078"></div>The air war over Ukraine has proven to be a surprise, especially given Russian superiority in numbers of aircraft and technology. Anti-aircraft missiles have deterred the air forces of both sides from venturing into enemy airspace, with Russian aircraft limited to firing stand-off missiles at Ukrainian cities rather than providing air support for its ground troops. <a target="_blank">Drones</a> have become the stars and workhorses of the air war, with both sides deploying — and losing — drones in the hundreds of thousands.There are lessons here for Indian airpower, according to Arjun Subramaniam, a retired Indian Air Force air vice marshal who helped write the ORF report. India must prepare for "gaining control of the air in limited time and space conditions in a short, high-intensity limited conflict as well as in a longer, protracted conflict." The Air Force must also ensure that its plans are synchronized with ground and naval forces. India should also continue to focus on suppressing enemy air defenses, "particularly against an adversary that is more interested in denying rather than controlling the airspace."Not surprisingly, Subramaniam wants the Indian military to increase drone development and production. But he is also concerned about the possibility of a mass drone attack on India. "Of greater importance is the need to rapidly develop counter-drone capabilities that would be essential in responding to large-scale surprise attacks and retain effective second-strike capabilities," he wrote.<a target="_blank" href="https://www.economist.com/europe/2024/03/20/the-cyberwar-in-ukraine-is-as-crucial-as-the-battle-in-the-trenches">Cyberwarfare</a> has also emerged in Ukraine as a crucial tool in everything from hacking into military computers and critical infrastructure to purveying propaganda and deepfakes in global media. ORF researcher Shimona Mohan noted "the increasing role of largely civilian organizations like big tech in conflict situations and the deepening interplay of civil-military partnerships around dual-use technologies like AI."Mohan recommends that India invest in cyberwarfare, as other nations are doing. "However, if this is not feasible for socio-political or economic reasons, it should be a priority for countries to ensure that their strategic geopolitical allies are formidable tech powers—for instance in this war, Ukraine received much support from its more tech-savvy partners like the US and private tech companies."Michael Peck is a defense writer whose work has appeared in Forbes, Defense News, Foreign Policy magazine, and other publications. He holds an MA in political science from Rutgers Univ. Follow him on <a target="_blank" href="https://www.twitter.com/@mipeck1">Twitter</a> and <a target="_blank" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mipeck/">LinkedIn</a>.

India is drawing lessons from Ukraine to counter China's military might 

Senior bureaucrat <keyword id="2837004" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vikram-dev-dutt" source="Orion">Vikram Dev Dutt</keyword> has been appointed as the chairman and managing director of <keyword id="2573" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="air-india" source="Orion">Air India</keyword> as part of a senior-level bureaucratic reshuffle effected by the Centre on Tuesday. Dutt is a 1993-batch IAS officer of AGMUT (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram and Union Territory) cadre. He has been appointed as the <keyword id="325237" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="air-india-chief" source="Orion">Air India chief</keyword> in the rank and pay of Additional Secretary, an order issued by the personnel ministry said. Chanchal Kumar has been appointed as managing director, National Highways &amp; Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, it said. Kumar, a 1992-batch IAS officer, is at present posted in his cadre state Bihar. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/sensex-slips-500-points-today-on-fear-that-us-fed-may-hike-interest-rates-soon/articleshow/88974785.cms">Sensex slips 500 points on fear that US Fed may hike interest rates soon</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/investment/news/coindcx-hiring-2000-plus-people-this-year-crypto-coders-developers-product-development-and-other-roles/articleshow/88972086.cms">EXCLUSIVE: CoinDCX plans to hire more than 2,000 people this year — and they are not just looking at coders</a>

Government appoints Vikram Dev Dutt as Air India chief

New Delhi, <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> and <keyword id="6380984" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="kazakhstan" source="Orion">Kazakhstan</keyword> will begin on Monday a 13-day mega wargame in the <keyword id="649247" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="kazakh" source="Orion">Kazakh</keyword> military base of Otar with a focus on boosting their counter- terror cooperation. The Indian contingent comprising 120 personnel from the <keyword id="15350" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="army" source="Orion">Army</keyword> and the Indian Air Force left for Kazakhstan on Sunday to participate in the seventh edition of the exercise 'Kazind-2023'. "In this edition of the exercise, both sides will practice conduct of counter terrorism operations in a sub-conventional environment under United Nations mandate," the defence ministry said. It said the two sides will rehearse various tactical drills such as "search and destroy operations, small team insertion and extraction operations etc." "The scope of the exercise also includes conduct of counter unmanned aerial system operations," the ministry said. "Exercise Kazind-2023 will provide an opportunity for both sides to gain an insight into the tactics, battle drills and procedures of each other, which is a prerequisite while operating under the ambit of the UN," it said in a statement. It said the joint training will develop the necessary skills, resilience and coordination to conduct military operations in semi-urban and urban environments. "Both sides will get a chance to practice drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills and mutually learn from each other," it said. "The exercise will provide an opportunity for the contingents to exchange views and share the best practices. <keyword id="19307555" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="exercise-kazind" source="Orion">Exercise Kazind</keyword> will further strengthen the bond between the two armies," the ministry added. The <keyword id="6354416" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-army" source="Orion">Indian Army</keyword> team comprises 90 personnel led by a battalion from the Dogra Regiment. The Kazakhstan contingent is mainly represented by personnel from Regional Command South of <keyword id="19307556" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="kazakh-ground-forces" source="Orion">Kazakh Ground Forces</keyword>. Thirty personnel each from the two air forces will also participate in the exercise.

India, Kazakhstan to conduct 13-day military exercise to boost anti-terror cooperation

<ul><li><keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword>'s northern regional office has formed a committee to identify the "redundant" or "surplus" employees who would be asked to go on a compulsory leave without pay (LWP) for up to five years. </li><li>Air India issued an internal order on July 14, asking its departmental heads and regional directors to identify the employees, based on various factors such as efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on a compulsory LWP for up to five years. </li><li>Moreover, the national carrier had said the employees can voluntarily opt for the LWP scheme too. </li></ul>Air India's northern regional office has formed a committee to identify the "redundant" or "surplus" employees who would be asked to go on a compulsory leave without pay (LWP) for up to five years. An official order in this regard was issued on Tuesday. Air India issued an internal order on July 14, asking its departmental heads and regional directors to identify the employees, based on various factors such as efficiency, health and redundancy, who will be sent on a compulsory LWP for up to five years. Moreover, the national carrier had said the employees can voluntarily opt for the LWP scheme too. P S Negi, Regional Director (RD), Northern Region, Air India, issued an order on July 21, stating that following the July 14 order, an empowered committee is being constituted for the identification of "redundant/surplus manpower resources". Negi's order, which has been accessed by , said the general manager (personnel), general manager (finance) and departmental heads will be the members of the empowered committee. It also said a representative of the RD can be co-opted in the committee, if required, on the basis of "case merit". "GM (Personnel) will share the staff list with all departments and convene the discussions/deliberations, including the process of identification of surplus/redundant resources. The report is to be submitted to the RD office by 11th August, 2020, for a review and onward recommendation to the headquarters," the order said. The aviation sector has been significantly impacted due to the travel restrictions imposed in India and other countries in view of the COVID-19 pandemic. All airlines in the country have gone for cost-cutting measures such as pay cuts, LWP and firing of employees in order to conserve cash flow. Air India has four regional offices -- one each for the northern, western, eastern and southern regions. It is not clear if the other three offices, barring the one for the northern region, has formed such panels to identify redundant employees. In its July 14 order, Air India had asked its regional directors to constitute a committee each comprising the general manager (personnel), general manager (finance) and departmental heads concerned to "streamline the process of identification of redundant manpower, who would be told to proceed on compulsory LWP". The airline had said these panels would go through the records, based on factors such as suitability, efficiency, competence and health, and select the employees whose names will be forwarded, along with the RD's recommendations, to get the approval of the chairman and managing director for sending them on a compulsory LWP. Air India has a debt of around Rs 70,000 crore and the government had started the process to sell it to a private entity in January. The national carrier's net loss in 2018-19 was pegged at around Rs 8,500 crore. Equity infusion of Rs 500-600 crore every year is not sustainable and cost-cutting is necessary in Air India, Civil Aviation Minister Hardeep Singh Puri had said on July 16, justifying the national carrier's decision to send certain employees on LWP for up to five years. On July 17, Air India had said its financial situation is very challenging due to the coronavirus pandemic and the LWP scheme for its employees is a "win-win" situation for them as well as the management. The employees' unions of the airline have opposed the scheme. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/entertainment/news/dil-bechara-kissing-booth-2-and-other-movies-you-can-watch-on-netflix-amazon-prime-disneyhotstar-this-week/slidelist/77142498.cms">Dil Bechara, Kissing Booth 2 and other movies you can watch on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+Hotstar this week</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/work-from-home-effect-these-companies-are-shelling-out-for-employees-power-bills-internet-cost-and-more/articleshow/77139229.cms">WFH effect – These companies are paying for employees' power bills, internet cost and more</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/after-google-pwc-india-declares-a-company-wide-holiday-for-its-employees-this-friday-offers-time-off-for-a-well-deserved-break/articleshow/77125627.cms">After Google, PwC India declares a company-wide holiday for its employees this Friday – offers time off for a 'well-deserved' break</a>

Air India regional office forms panel to identify employees who would go on leave without pay for upto five years

<ul><li>In the advertisement, <keyword id="2573" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Air-India">Air India</keyword> Express has invited applications from Indian citizens (wherever domiciled) for the posts on a fixed term contract basis.</li><li>The positions in the medical services department include Chief Medical Officer and Senior Assistant, Medical.The positions open for hiring in the Finance Department include Deputy Chief of Finance, Manager-Finance and Deputy Manager-Finance.</li><li>This will add fuel to the fire as employees across the board from pilots to service engineers are protesting pay cuts and Leave Without Pay in Air India. The company is also on the block for privatization.</li></ul> Adding insult to injury of employees as they protest what they call "a draconian" Leave Without Pay (LWP) policy going up to five years, Air India is on a recruitment drive to hire new people. Air India Express has put out an advertisement to hire in the finance and medical services department. The general principle is that if a company is laying off people and sending them on long leave without pay, then it does not hire fresh personnel. In the advertisement, Air India Express has invited applications from Indian citizens (wherever domiciled) for the posts on a fixed term contract basis. The positions in the medical services department include Chief Medical Officer and Senior Assistant, Medical. The positions open for hiring in the Finance Department include Deputy Chief of Finance, Manager-Finance and Deputy Manager-Finance. Interested and eligible candidates have been asked to submit their applications within 15 days of this advertisement. This will add fuel to the fire as employees across the board from pilots to service engineers are protesting pay cuts and Leave Without Pay in Air India. The company is also on the block for privatization. Air India has justified the cut in allowances of existing employees by citing the precarious financial position due to Covid 19. Air India said in a tweet: "There has been no reduction in the Basic pay, DA and HRA of any category of employees. The rationalization of allowances had to be implemented on account of the difficult financial condition of the airline that were exacerbated by COVID-19." The pilots have questioned this claim and said that this is a devious plan to ensure a minuscule pay cut for senior AI officials. Basic Pay, HRA and DA constitutes 80 per cent of Gross Pay for senior AI officials. "By 'rationalizing' the allowances only, pilots and cabin crew are hit worst as it forms 80 per cent of our gross pay. Doesn't the difficult financial condition of the airline warrant a contribution from the management too based on their actual cost to company or just flying crew alone?" the pilots said in the letter. Indian Commercial Pilots Association (ICPA) and Indian Pilots Guild (IPG) have accused Air India of spreading "deliberate misinformation on social media" and questioned the "duplicitous" tweets by Air India calling them "misleading". "Air India has recently posted some duplicitous tweets that are misleading the general public", the pilots associations said. "Recent decisions of Air India Board regarding rationalization of staff cost were reviewed in a meeting at @MoCA_goi this evening. The meeting reiterated that unlike other carriers which have laid off large number of their employees, no employee of Air India will be laid off," said the Air India tweet. To this the pilots responded in a letter to Aruna Gopalakrishnan, Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, Air India, "A lay off means settlement of arrears, gratuity, PF and retrenchment compensation by law. Management is trying to dodge this by introducing Compulsory Leave without Pay for up to 5 years to send employees on exile." SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/mahindra-and-mahindra-finance-managing-director-gets-candid-about-the-rights-issue/articleshow/77212386.cms">EXCLUSIVE: M&amp;M Financial Managing Director gets candid about the rights issue, the bleak prospects for this year and why there should be no more loan moratorium</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/india-stock-brokers-hit-by-sebi-direct-market-access/articleshow/77198064.cms">India's broking industry just got the shock of its life – SEBI may soon allow investors to trade directly on the exchanges</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/these-10-indian-colleges-have-produced-indias-most-funded-startup-owners/slidelist/77140792.cms">These 10 Indian colleges have produced India’s most funded startup owners</a>

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