In a major leap toward self-reliance in defense technology, India is set to develop its very own fifth-generation fighter jet—the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) . In a historic move, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved an innovative execution model for the indigenous stealth fighter programme. This model brings together Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and private industry players in a competitive framework, marking a significant shift in how India approaches military aviation manufacturing. This bold initiative comes at a critical time, as China has already fielded two fifth-generation fighters , and reports indicate it will supply 40 J-35 stealth jets to Pakistan . Against this backdrop, fast-tracking the AMCA has become an urgent national security imperative. AMCA: India’s Indigenous Stealth Fighter Dream The AMCA project , spearheaded by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) , received its l...
Fukushima Clean-up: 14 Years After the Meltdown, Challenges Remain The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster, triggered by the devastating earthquake and tsunami on March 11, 2011, remains one of the most challenging nuclear clean-up operations in history. More than a decade later, the progress has been significant, but the road to full recovery is still long and arduous. The complexity of decontamination, fuel removal, and environmental rehabilitation presents immense technical, financial, and political challenges. The Immediate Aftermath: A Crisis Unfolds A magnitude 9.0 earthquake triggered a massive tsunami, leading to power loss and reactor meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. Radiation leaks forced mass evacuations, affecting over 150,000 residents. Initial containment efforts included water injection, debris removal, and radiation shielding. "We were in complete darkness, both literally and metaphorically, in those first few days," said a plant worker...