Wednesday, November 22, 2017

Quick notes: Rafale decision, Slaughterbots...

  • Rafale decision: When Parrikar reached the PMO, the Prime Minister sprang a bombshell. Parrikar was told that, on Modi’s forthcoming trip to Paris, he and French President would announce an agreement for India to buy 36 Rafale fighters. Taken aback, Parrikar still caught his flight to Goa. Over the next week, he batted loyally on behalf of his PM, publicly defending a decision he neither understood nor agreed with, that was taken over his head. Parrikar told PTI in Goa that all 36 Rafale fighters would join IAF service within two years; in fact more than six years will elapse before the final delivery is made. India needs some 200-300 fighters to replace the MiG-21 and MiG-27 fleet that is being phased out of service. Just 36 Rafales provides little cover.... About the deal.


  • Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile: India scraps $500 million Israeli missile deal, wants DRDO to make in India. Advantage Pak, worries Army


  • Slaughterbots: And drone swarms



  • Long tail-pipe: Electric vehicles charged in China (and India) produce two to five times as much particulate matter and chemicals that contribute to smog versus petrol-engine cars. The hidden cost of electric cars!


  • Skill and Scale: Why Suzuki-Toyota alliance is a huge deal for India’s EV dream


  • Birds changing their path: Not just people, smog affecting flight of migratory birds 


  • An ARM killer from IIT, Madras? Meet the brains behind India’s ambitious processor project... RISC-V 101


  • Han Prowess: China challenges Nvidia's hold on AI chips. "Draw level with the US in AI within 3 years, and become the world leader by 2030".


  • Make India a higher education hub:


  • Our Living Planet From Space: NASA satellites watch earth 'Breathe'



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