Category: Tech

The Indian Navy successfully tested a Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MR-SAM) from an indigenous warship, the INS Surat, in the Arabian Sea. The missile test, undertaken as part of an ongoing operation, was a crucial step towards improving India’s air defence capabilities. The Indian Navy announced the successful test with a post on the social media platform X, emphasising the missile’s precision in targeting sea-skimming threats.

This test comes shortly before the Pakistan Navy’s scheduled surface-to-surface missile testing in the same region. The MR-SAM missile system is meant to be highly effective against a variety of aerial and surface-to-surface threats, hence increasing the Indian Navy’s operating efficiency.

INS Surat, the fourth and last vessel in the P15B Guided Missile Destroyer Project, is among the world’s most advanced destroyers. With 75% indigenous content, the battleship has cutting-edge weapon-sensor technologies and superior network-centric warfare capabilities. This milestone demonstrates the Indian Navy’s dedication to self-reliance in defence manufacture, as well as India’s developing expertise in indigenous warship design and operations.

This successful test corresponds with India’s long-term goal of developing a strong and self-sustaining defence structure, demonstrating the country’s advancements in military technology and capabilities.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has authorised the design for the country’s first hybrid heliport at the Abu Dhabi Cruise Terminal, Zayed Port. This strategic decision marks the start of a new chapter in the UAE’s urban air mobility journey. The terminal, a thriving hub that receives over 650,000 cruise tourists each year, was chosen for its prominent location and strong visibility.

This project was created through a collaboration between AD Ports Group, Falcon Aviation Services, and Archer Aviation. The heliport is intended to accommodate both conventional helicopters and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft like Archer’s Midnight. It will play an important role in connecting different regions of the city with sustainable and efficient air transport.

The facility is also part of a larger infrastructure build for Archer’s planned air taxi services in Abu Dhabi, which are set to begin commercial operations in 2026. The GCAA emphasised that the hybrid heliport will serve as a launchpad for these services.

The GCAA is also driving global efforts to define regulatory standards for hybrid heliport infrastructure, with a complete framework expected to be published by July 2025.

The UAE has made a pioneering step by introducing the use of artificial intelligence in law drafting, review, and amendment. This effort, led by Dubai Ruler and UAE Vice President Sheikh Mohammad bin Rashid Al Maktoum, is the first of its kind in the world and aims to improve the legislative process through the use of cutting-edge artificial intelligence technology.

According to the Financial Times, the AI-powered approach is projected to speed up lawmaking by up to 70 percent. The program will be implemented and overseen by the newly constituted government institution, the Regulatory Intelligence Office. Sheikh Mohammad highlighted that this transition will accelerate, improve the accuracy, and greatly increase the efficiency of legislative development.

Unlike previous implementations of AI in public administration, which are mostly focused on clerical jobs and document summaries, the UAE’s approach entails greater integration. AI will be used to assess massive amounts of legal and governmental data in order to discover outdated legislation and propose real-time amendments.

According to Emirati reporter Abdulkhaleq Abdulla, the country is keen to establish itself as a global hub for AI and the digital economy, building on its existing role as a financial and logistics centre.

ISRO, India’s space agency, has successfully completed the second satellite docking as part of its ambitious SpaDEX program, marking another significant milestone in the country’s expanding proficiency in advanced space operations. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh declared the milestone on Monday via a post on the social media platform X.

Dr. Singh expressed pride in the mission’s development and highlighted its importance to India’s space exploration aspirations. He noted that the SpaDEX mission was launched from Sriharikota on December 30, 2024, using the PSLV-C60 rocket. The first satellite docked on January 16, 2025, at 6:20 a.m. and undocked on March 13, 2025, at 9:20 a.m.

The mission consists of two small satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, weighing approximately 220 kg each. These satellites were designed to demonstrate autonomous orbital docking capabilities. The second successful docking establishes India’s position as the fourth country in the world to master this technology, behind the United States, Russia, and China.

The success of the mission is dependent on ISRO’s Bharatiya Docking System, which was completely built in India. It combines docking hardware, autonomous intelligence, inter-satellite communication, and sensor arrays. More trials are planned in the coming weeks.

India has successfully tested a homegrown directed energy weapon (DEW) system, which represents a substantial improvement in the country’s defence capabilities. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) created the 30-kilowatt laser weapon, which was tested at the National Open Air Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. The demonstration demonstrated its capacity to neutralise fixed-wing drones, swarm drones, surveillance devices, and other threats with high precision.

This achievement places India in a small group of countries that own modern laser weapon systems, including the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Israel. The system was created by the Hyderabad-based Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences, in partnership with other institutes, academic partners, and private sector.

The laser weapon detects targets using radar or an internal electro-optic system and engages them at the speed of light. It disables threats by slicing through their structure or targeting warheads for maximum impact.

Experts point to its potential to minimise reliance on expensive ammunition and lower the risk of collateral damage. The weapon also provides a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to standard defence systems. According to reports, a few seconds of use costs less than a couple of litres of petrol.

The UAE Cabinet has approved Google Cloud’s establishment of its first Cybersecurity Excellence Centre in Abu Dhabi, reinforcing the country’s commitment to digital transformation and cyber resilience. This effort is consistent with the UAE’s objective of becoming a global cybersecurity leader and strengthens its strategic investment in new technologies.

The new center’s goal is to build a safe digital ecosystem that encourages innovation while protecting businesses and institutions from cyber threats. It also underscores the UAE’s overarching goal of developing indigenous talent and strengthening its position in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity.

The statement comes after Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s visit to the United States, where he spoke with global industry leaders about AI’s role in economic growth and technical advancements. As a direct result of these discussions, the UAE Cybersecurity Council and Google Cloud cooperated to create this groundbreaking center.

Google Cloud has also launched an accelerator program for 25 start-ups in Hub71’s ecosystem, which provides mentorship and up to $300,000 in cloud credits to top ventures. Furthermore, Google Cloud will make strategic investments in advanced cybersecurity infrastructure to strengthen the UAE’s cyber resilience and economic security.

The West Japan Railway Company opened the world’s first 3D-printed train station in Arida, Wakayama Prefecture. The station’s components were printed abroad and assembled on-site in record time, taking only six hours. This pioneering initiative represents a big step forward in railway infrastructure development.

The new facility, Hatsushima Station, replaces an ageing wooden structure built in 1948. Since 2018, the station has been automated, and it serves roughly 530 people per day. The West Japan Railway Company worked with Serendix, a construction firm, to build the station’s components. The printing process, which was reinforced with concrete, took seven days.

The prefabricated sections were manufactured in Kumamoto Prefecture and transported approximately 800 km to the site. Construction began after the final train left at 11:57 p.m.; by 5:45 a.m., the station was complete. Workers used cranes to arrange the preprinted mortar components efficiently.

The last inside installations, which include ticket machines and transport card readers, are slated to be completed by July. The study shows how Japan’s railway industry is using innovative technologies to address labour shortages and infrastructural issues. Traditional construction methods would have taken more than two months and cost twice as much.

Japan is stepping up its support for Malaysia’s low-carbon industry, with the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) recently releasing a list of 47 Japanese companies operating in the nation. These companies are making tremendous progress in energy efficiency and renewable energy, two critical sectors driving Malaysia’s shift to a greener economy. Most of these companies are publicly traded and are actively pursuing environmental measures.

According to a JETRO poll, 83.5% of Japanese companies in Malaysia have initiated or are preparing decarbonization initiatives. This is the highest percentage among the major ASEAN countries. To stimulate additional investments, these companies are requesting tax breaks, renewable energy policies, and regulatory support from the Malaysian government.

Koichi Takano, Managing Director of JETRO Kuala Lumpur, emphasised Malaysia’s important role in furthering decarbonisation as ASEAN’s chair in 2024. He stated that JETRO will use the Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC) to enhance Japan-Malaysia collaboration. He also voiced confidence in a future Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) deal, which may boost carbon-reduction initiatives and investment flows.

One such endeavour is the Chitose Group’s world-class microalgae factory in Sarawak. This biotech startup, backed by large investors, intends to considerably expand its production capacity by 2027.

The UAE plans to revolutionise digital asset protection by introducing the world’s first biometric crypto card. Serenity, a decentralised blockchain platform specialising in security and privacy, has launched sAxess, a cutting-edge biometric access card designed to improve cryptocurrency security. This card eliminates the need for passwords, ensuring that only the rightful owner can access and control digital assets via fingerprint authentication.

As cybercrime and digital theft remain important threats, the introduction of sAxess is likely to redefine crypto security. Cryptocurrency fraud has caused billions of dollars in losses around the world, necessitating increased security measures. The biometric card enters a thriving sector currently worth USD 40 billion and expected to increase to USD 147 billion by 2034.

sAxess is more than simply a security tool; it also provides a comprehensive solution for cryptocurrency management. Biometric-only authentication allows users to send, receive, and save more than 10,000 digital items. To increase security, the card works with Serenity’s sBox, a decentralised storage system meant to protect sensitive data such as seed phrases and passwords.

Serenity seeks to create a safer, more user-friendly solution to manage digital assets by combining biometric technology and blockchain security, addressing growing worries about cyber risks in the cryptocurrency business.

Scientists at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) developed an innovative bacteria-based process for repairing space bricks, a critical step in lunar colony construction. This breakthrough technology addresses the structural damage caused by high-temperature changes on the moon.

The research aligns with global attempts to construct permanent human settlements on the moon, particularly through NASA’s Artemis program. Traditionally, space missions have relied on bringing building materials from Earth, which is both costly and logistically demanding. However, the IISc team has developed an alternative that combines lunar soil, known as regolith, with Sporosarcina pasteurii, a bacterium that can convert urea and calcium into calcium carbonate. This natural binding agent hardens soil particles, resulting in strong, brick-like structures.

Moon temperatures range from 121°C to -133 °C, causing cracks in construction materials. To address this issue, researchers devised a restoration procedure in which a slurry of S. pasteurii, guar gum, and lunar soil simulant is injected into injured areas. The bacteria make calcium carbonate, which effectively fills cracks and strengthens the structure.

Encouraged by successful experiments, IISc researchers propose testing S. pasteurii in orbit as part of India’s Gaganyaan expedition. Understanding bacterial behaviour in microgravity may open up new avenues for sustainable extraterrestrial construction, lowering reliance on Earth-sourced materials.