1. Germany to pursue $5.2-billion deal with India to build 6 submarines
Tags: Defence International News
Germanywill sign a $5.2 billion deal to jointly build six conventional submarines with India during German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's visit to India on February 25-26.
An overview of the news
The naval project is the latest attempt by the Western military manufacturing power to end India's dependence on Russia for military hardware.
India is looking to replace 11 of its 16 conventional submarines that are more than two decades old, as it seeks to counter China's growing presence in the Indian Ocean.
The Indian Navy also has two indigenous nuclear-powered submarines.
Germany's ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) is one of the two international bidders for the submarine project Berlin will back the deal.
Under the deal, a foreign submarine maker will have to partner with an Indian company to build submarines in India.
2. Lt Gen RS Reen takes over as Director General Quality Assurance
Tags: Defence Person in news
Lt Gen RS Reen took over as Director General Quality Assurance on 24 February 2023.
An overview of the news
Lt Gen Rin, a 1986 batch officer, is an alumnus of the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun.
He completed his BE (Electrical) from National Institute of Technology, Srinagar.
He specialised in Radio Engineering and did his post graduation in Communication Engineering from MC EME, Secunderabad.
He has served as a senior faculty at Defense Institute of Quality Assurance, Bengaluru.
He is a certified Six Sigma Black Belt from the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata.
He is certified in Reliability Engineering from IIT, Kharagpur and is a qualified Lead Auditor in Quality Management Systems and Integrated Management Systems from Bureau Veritas, Bengaluru.
Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA)
The Director General Quality Assurance (DGQA) is an Inter-Service Organisation functioning under the Department of Defence Production in the Ministry of Defence.
It is responsible for second party quality assurance of defence stores and equipment, both imported and indigenous, for items of common use to the Indian Army, Indian Navy (except Naval Armament) and Indian Air Force procured from the private sector and public sector.
3. For the first time, Indian submarine INS Sindhukesari docks Indonesia amid South China Sea conflict
Tags: Defence International News
Indian submarine INS SindhuKesari docks Jakarta, Indonesia for the first time amid the conflict between China and Indonesia in the South China Sea.
An overview of the news
Indonesia is among the countries embroiled in a naval dispute with Beijing in the South China Sea.
It is about strengthening the maritime partnership between India and Indonesia towards a secure Indo-Pacific.
Indian warships frequently visit Indonesia and other ASEAN countries. This is the first time the submarine has been deployed for long distances.
Under the rule of Xi Jinping, China is trying to expand its territory by making incursions into its neighbouring countries.
On the land border, China is trying to enter Indian as well as Bhutanese territories.
This maiden long-range deployment of a submarine also underlines the operational capability and reach of the country's underwater warfare arm.
INS Sindhukesari is the 3,000-tonne diesel-electric submarine.
4. India, Uzbekistan hold 4th Joint Military Exercise- ‘Dustlik’
Tags: Defence National News
As part of the military-to-military exchange program between the Indian Army and the Uzbekistan Army, the fourth edition of the training exercise Dastlik (2023) began on 20 February.
An overview of the news
The exercise will be held at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand till March 5, 2023.
45-45 soldiers from both countries will participate in the exercise.
The Indian contingent in this bilateral exercise will be represented by the 14th Battalion The Garhwal Rifles, which is part of the Western Command.
The Uzbekistan Army will be represented by troops from the North Western Military District of the Uzbekistan Army.
Its purpose is to give impetus to the ever-growing military and diplomatic relations between the two countries.
This exercise shows the strong resolve of both the countries to combat terrorism.
Previous Exercises- ‘Dustlik’
The first edition of this exercise was conducted in November 2019 in Uzbekistan.
The second edition was held in India in 2021 from 10 to 19 March at Chaubatia, Ranikhet.
The third edition of the exercise was conducted from March 22 to 29 in 2022 in Yangiyarik district of Uzbekistan.
Significance
Keeping in mind the Belt and Road Initiative of China, this exercise is very important.
Both the armies share counter-terrorist operations in mountain/rural/urban scenarios under the UN mandate.
Military diplomacy to connect with Central Asia.
5. Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar is new Army Vice Chief
Tags: Defence Person in news
The Indian Army has named Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar as the new Vice Chief of the Indian Army, while current Vice Chief Lt Gen BS Raju has been transferred to the South Western Army Command (Jaipur) as Army Commander.
An overview of the news
At present, Suchindra Kumar is serving as Deputy Chief of Staff (Strategic) at the Army Headquarters.
BS Raju will succeed Lt Gen AS Bhinder, who is retiring as the Chief of the South Western Army Command on February 28.
Lt Gen NSR Subramani has been promoted to the rank of Army Commander. He will be the new commander of the Army's Central Command in Lucknow. He is currently the Chief of Staff in the Northern Command.
About MV Suchindra Kumar
Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla, Pune.
He has completed several courses including Defense Services Staff College in Wellington, Higher Command Course in Mhow and National Defense College in New Delhi.
He has also attended specialised training programs like 'Cooperative Security in South Asia' in Sri Lanka and 'United Nations Senior Mission Leaders Course' in Egypt.
He was first commissioned into the Assam Regiment in June 1985 and has had an illustrious career in the Indian Army.
6. India Japan joint training exercise "Dharma Guardian" to begin at Camp Imazu in Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Tags: Defence International News
The 4th edition of the joint military exercise between India and Japan, "X Dharma Guardians" will be conducted from 17 February to 2 March 2023 at Camp Imazu, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
An overview of the news
Soldiers from the Garhwal Rifles Regiment of the Indian Army and an infantry regiment from the Japan Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) are participating in the exercise this year.
They will share experiences gained during operations in order to enhance inter-operability in planning and execution.
The Indian Army contingent reached the exercise site on 12 February 2023.
Focus area of training
The training will mainly focus on high level of physical fitness and sharing of exercises at tactical level.
During the exercise, the participants will engage in various missions including joint planning, joint tactical exercise, integrated surveillance grid.
The joint exercise will help both the armies to know each other better, share their vast experiences and enhance situational awareness.
What is Exercise Dharma Guardian?
It is an annual joint military exercise conducted between India and Japan since 2018.
It aims to share experience gained during various Counter Terrorism Operations in respective Countries.
The exercise assumes immense significance in the context of the security challenges faced by both the countries in the backdrop of the current global situation.
The scope of the exercise includes platoon level joint training on operations in jungle and semi-urban/urban terrain.
Other Exercises Between India and Japan
SHINYU Maitri - A bilateral exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF).
JIMEX- A bilateral maritime exercise between India and Japan.
Sahyog-Kaijin- Joint Bilateral Exercise between Indian Coast Guard and Japan Coast Guard.
7. Indo-US exercise TARKASH
Tags: National Defence National News
The 6th edition of joint exercise Tarkash was recently concluded in Chennai by the National Security Guard (NSG) and the US Special Operations Force (SOF).
About Exercise TARKASH
This is the sixth edition of the exercise which began on 16 January and ended on 14 February.
It is a joint exercise by the National Security Guard (NSG) and US Special Operations Forces (SOF).
“Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Terror Response” has been included in this exercise for the first time.
An exercise to deal with chemical and biological attacks by terrorists was also included in the exercise.
Chemical and biological attacks have been made part of the exercise in the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Last year, Russia accuses Ukraine of receiving aid from Western countries and of carrying out a chemical attack in Kharkiv.
Objectives of the Exercise
The objective of the exercise is to neutralize the terrorists, safe release of hostages and neutralization of chemical weapons being carried by the terrorists.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Weapons
These weapons are classified as weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
In the past these weapons have been used by states and terrorist groups.
The most recent use of CBRN was in the form of a sarin gas attack in Syria in 2017 that killed over 100 people.
These weapons are a serious threat to international peace and security.
Chemical, Biological and Radiological weapons
Chemical weapons include mustard gas and nerve agents.
Biological agents like anthrax, botulinum toxin and plague are some examples of biochemical weapons.
Radiological weapons include weaponised radioactive waste and dirty bombs as well as nuclear weapons.
8. Asia's largest helicopter manufacturing unit inaugurated
Tags: Defence National News
The helicopter manufacturing unit of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Tumkuru, Karnataka has been dedicated to the nation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
An overview of the news
It is the largest helicopter manufacturing facility in Asia.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone of this manufacturing unit in the year 2016 with an aim to promote the vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.
Initially, the Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) will be produced in this helicopter factory.
The factory would later be expanded to manufacture Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) and Indian Multirole Helicopter (IMRH) as well as repair LCH, LUH, civil ALH and IMRH.
This helicopter manufacturing unit is spread over 615 acres, which is by far the largest helicopter manufacturing unit in India.
This manufacturing unit will manufacture 30 helicopters per year, which will be increased to 90 helicopters per year in a phased manner.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited plans to manufacture over 1,000 helicopters in the 3-15 tonne range with a total turnover of over Rs 4 lakh crore in 20 years.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
It was established as Hindustan Aircraft Limited in 1940 by Walchand Hirachand in Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka.
The name was changed to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 1 October 1964 after it was merged with Aeronautics India Limited by the Government of India.
Its core business is to design, develop, manufacture, repair and overhaul aircraft, helicopters, engines and related systems such as avionics, instruments and accessories.
It comes under the Ministry of Defence.
Headquarters: Bengaluru
9. Air Marshal AP Singh will be the new Vice Chief of the Air Force
Tags: Defence Person in news
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Air Marshal Amanpreet Singh has been appointed as the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
An overview of the news
He will replace Air Marshal Sandeep Singh.
Air Marshal AP Singh is currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Prayagraj.
Air Marshal AP Singh was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 21 December 1984.
Achievements/Services
He has served as Project Director (Flight Test) at National Flight Test Centre.
Air Marshal AP Singh has also headed the 'MiG 29 Upgrade Project Management Team' in Moscow, Russia.
He has also served as the Air Defense Commander in the South Western Air Command.
Indian Air Force
It was established on 8 October 1932. It comes under the Union Ministry of Defence.
The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Air Force.
Every year October 8 is celebrated as Air Force Day.
Chief of the Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhary
Chiefs of other Services/Paramilitary Forces
Army Chief - General Manoj Pandey
Navy Chief – Admiral R Hari Kumar
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) - Lt Gen Anil Chauhan
Indian Coast Guard Director General - Director General Virender Singh Pathania
Border Security Force (BSF) Director General – Sujoy Lal Thousen
Sashastra Seema Bal Director General - Anish Dayal Singh
10. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh felicitates 25 winners of Veer Gatha 2.0
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated 25 winners of Veer Gatha 2.0 at an event in New Delhi on the eve of Republic Day.
An overview of the news
Rajnath Singh gave away the winners a cash prize of Rs 10,000, a medal and a certificate, in the presence of Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan and Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt.
Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande, Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane were also present.
More than 100 NCC cadets and students from Army Public School and Cantonment Board were present in the programme.
Veer Gatha project
The 'Veer Gatha Project' has been launched by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) for students of grades 3-12.
The aim of the project is to commemorate the courage of the armed force officers and personnel.
It aims to honour the acts of bravery and sacrifice of the Armed Forces, other legally constituted forces and officers.
Veer Gatha 2.0 is the second edition of Project Veer Gatha.
Last year, Veer Gatha Edition-1, which was launched jointly by the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Education as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, was a huge success.
