NEWS 21-02-2023. News For 24th-Feb (Friday) *National news* 1.A seven-km undersea tunnel will be constructed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail Corridor project in a bid to save about 12 hectares of mangrove forests in Maharashtra's Thane creek. 2. ISRO has successfully launched the second edition of the Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV-D2) from the first launch pad of Satish Dhawan space centre at Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. 3.On 13 Feb, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the 14th edition of Aero India 2023 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in Bengaluru. The theme of Aero India 2023 is *"The Runway to a Billion Opportunities'*. Aero India 2023 will witness participation by more than 80 countries. 4.Air India is going to purchase 250 Airbus aircraft from France: Air India has agreed to buy 250 jets from Airbus, part of a mammoth deal for 470 planes that is also expected to include 220 Boeing jets. *International news* 1.Russia has Invited India To Jointly Develop Sukhoi Su-57 Checkmate Tactical Stealth Jet. The Su-75 project is currently almost suspended since a large part of Russian resources is directed to financing the war in Ukraine. 2. Samsung Semiconductor India Research (SSIR) has announced a new partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to promote research and development in the field of on-chip Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Protection. 3. US is planning to resume the process of domestic visa revalidation in certain categories, like H-1B and L1 visas on a pilot basis. The pilot project is set to launch later in 2023. Once the move isfully implemented it will benefit ten thousands of foreign tech workers, particularly from India. *Defense news* 1.The DRDO-developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance class unmanned aerial vehicle TAPAS-BH (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance - Beyond Horizon) will make its flying debut at 'Aero India' here next week. The TAPAS-BH will showcase its capabilities and there will be static as well aerial displays on the business days of the five-day aerospace and defence exhibition which starts on February 13. 2. The induction of TEJAS MK-1A in the Indian Air Force (IAF) will begin from the next year & The indigenously produced Light Combat Aircraft Mark-2 will be ready for induction by 2028. 4.India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited In Talks With Four Countries To Export Tejas Fighter Jets/ light-combat aircraft.Malaysia has shortlisted the TEJAS light fighter jet for an order and Argentina, Egypt and Botswana have also expressed interest. 5.Recently Aerial coverage of Ground and Air displays captured from an indigenously developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance TAPAS UAV during AERO India 2023 rehearsal from a height of 12000 feet.Tapas-BH (Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon 201), formerly referred to as Rustom-II. 6.Indian Army Gets 'World's First' Fully Operational SWARM Drone System; Capable Of Hitting Targets 50 Km Away. HAL has indigenously designed and developed a basic trainer aircraft HTT-40 to meet the primary training requirements of the Indian defence services. < < Back