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| Jan 01, 1970 | Daily Report |
| RISING BHARAT | News Count (101804) | |
91. Ahead of Modi's visit, India and Israel sign another MoU deepening defence ties
- On 19 February 2026, India and Israel signed a new defence MoU in Tel Aviv ahead of the Prime Minister of India upcoming visit to Israel to deepen bilateral defence cooperation.
- The MoU was facilitated by Israel’s SIBAT with India’s Ministry of Defence and SIDM, through seminars and B2B meetings between Indian and Israeli defence companies to expand joint projects.
- About 30 Indian and 26 Israeli defence firms joined discussions on technology sharing and India’s updated Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026, aiming for stronger industrial partnerships and future cooperation initiatives.
92. Indian army advances AI-enabled engineering support to 'smartise kill chain'
- On 18 February 2026, the Indian Army held an AI-focused seminar during the India AI Impact Summit in New Delhi to develop AI-enabled engineering support to “smartise” the military kill chain.
- The Indian Army, with industry and academia experts, explored AI-based predictive maintenance, logistics optimisation, and modernisation of legacy equipment to improve operational precision and mission effectiveness.
- The initiative aims to enhance equipment readiness, faster decision-making, and integrated operations, helping the Army become a data-centric, AI-enabled force aligned with India’s defence-modernisation goals.
93. BPCL Commissions 71 MWp Solar Power Plant in Prayagraj to Boost Renewable Portfolio
- On 18 February 2026, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited commissioned a 71 MWp solar power plant in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, expanding its renewable-energy portfolio.
- The project was virtually inaugurated by Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri during India Energy Week, with BPCL developing the facility using about 1.29 lakh solar modules connected to the grid.
- The plant will generate about 103.61 million units annually, cut 75,150 tonnes CO₂, supply power to BPCL refineries in Mumbai, Bina, and Kochi, and support India’s clean-energy transition.
94. Adani Ports and France's Marseille Fos Sign IMEC Partnership To Strengthen India-Europe Trade Corridor
- On 18 February 2026, Adani Ports signed an MoU with France’s Port of Marseille Fos to strengthen India-Europe trade connectivity through the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
- Adani Ports & SEZ and Marseille Fos agreed to cooperate on trade facilitation, port innovation, and energy transition, proposing an IMEC Ports Club to coordinate key ports along the corridor.
- The pact links Indian ports like Mundra and Hazira to Europe, adds about 70 million-tonne capacity, and supports a 6,000-km multimodal IMEC route to boost India-EU trade and supply-chain resilience.
95. Modi, Macron Virtually Inaugurate Airbus H-125 Light Utility Helicopter Assembly Line In Karnataka
- On 17 February 2026, the Prime Minister of India and the French President virtually inaugurated the H-125 Light Utility Helicopter Final Assembly Line at Vemagal, Karnataka, boosting India-France aerospace cooperation.
- The facility is a joint project of Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Airbus, enabling local manufacturing, integration, testing, and maintenance of helicopters under India’s Make-in-India initiative.
- The plant is India’s first private-sector helicopter assembly line, expected to produce about 500 H-125 helicopters over 20 years, creating skilled jobs and strengthening domestic aerospace capability.
96. Indian Army Used AI To Predict And Foil Unprecedented Chinese Move Along LAC In Arunachal, Reveals Top Officer
- In February 2026, the Indian Army revealed it used AI-based prediction tools along the Line of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradesh to anticipate and foil an unusual Chinese military move.
- According to Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana, India deployed indigenously developed AI software analysing surveillance and operational data to forecast Chinese troop activity and prevent escalation without casualties.
- The success highlights India’s growing use of AI in defence planning, improving situational awareness, border security, and decision-making against evolving threats along the disputed LAC region.
97. SECI Issues Tender To Manufacture And Supply 870 MWp Solar Modules in Gujarat
- On 18 February 2026, SECI issued a tender to manufacture and supply 870 MWp domestically made solar modules for a solar project at Radhanesda, Banaskantha district, Gujarat.
- The Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) invited bids under the CPSU Scheme, dividing the tender into three packages of 290 MWp each, requiring modules and cells manufactured in India.
- Bids must be submitted by 10 March 2026; the project aims to boost domestic solar manufacturing, with work including manufacturing, testing, packaging, and transporting modules.
98. TCI signs pact with Flying Whales to explore heavy-lift airship logistics in India
- On 17 February 2026, India’s Transport Corporation of India (TCI) signed an MoU with France’s Flying Whales to explore heavy-lift cargo airship logistics across India for remote-area transport.
- TCI and Flying Whales will assess deploying the LCA60T airship, capable of carrying 60-ton payloads, loading cargo mid-air without ground infrastructure, for defence, energy, infrastructure, and disaster-relief logistics.
- The collaboration was announced during India-France talks linked to leaders’ meetings, with discussions to set up a Flying Whales hub in Tamil Nadu, aiming low-carbon logistics for remote and high-value cargo.
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99. Manipur CM launches DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 to fuel northeast startup boom with Rs 80 lakh boost
- On 17 February 2026, the Chief Minister of Manipur launched DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 in Imphal to boost startups in Manipur and the Northeast with financial support up to ₹80 lakh.
- The Manipur Government, through its Planning Department and AIC-SMUTBI initiative supported by the Ministry of Electronics & IT, will provide mentorship, market access, and funding assistance to selected startups.
- DIGI-SAPNE 2.0 aims to help startups scale ideas, create jobs, compete nationally and globally, and strengthen the Northeast innovation ecosystem as part of India’s broader entrepreneurship push.
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100. NHAI accepts ₹6,220 crore NHIT bid to monetise 310 km of highway assets in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh
- On 16 February 2026, the National Highways Authority of India accepted a ₹6,220-crore bid from NHIT to monetise 310 km of highway assets across Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh.
- The NHAI, under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, monetised NH-53 and NH-16 stretches through an Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) model, allowing NHIT to operate highways and collect toll revenue.
- Assets include a 255.97-km Amravati–Chikhali–Tarsod stretch and a 54.38-km Gundugolanu–Chinna-Avutapalli stretch, raising total NHIT-based monetisation to about ₹49,858 crore to fund new highway projects.
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