1. India-Africa Defence Dialogue
Tags: Defence International News
India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) being held on 18 October on the sidelines of the 12th DefExpo in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Important facts
The theme of the dialogue is ‘India-Africa : Adopting Strategy for Synergising and Strengthening Defence and Security Cooperation’.
It aims to explore new avenues of convergence for mutual engagement including in the areas of capacity building, training, cyber security, maritime security and counter-terrorism.
Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis (MP-IDSA), India's leading think-tank for advanced research in international relations, is the knowledge partner for the India-Africa Defence Dialogue.
India’s approach towards Africa is guided by the Kampala Principles enunciated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018.
On February 6, 2020, the first ever India-Africa Defence Ministers' Conference was held in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh in conjunction with the DefExpo.
What are Kampala Principles?
The Kampala Principles promote the ownership of private sector partnerships (PSEs) through development cooperation by partner countries.
These principles ensure the alignment of PSE projects and programs with national sustainable development priorities.
About African continent
It is the second largest continent (after Asia), covering about one-fifth of the total land surface of Earth.
It is bounded by the Atlantic Ocean in the west, the Mediterranean Sea in the north, the Red Sea and Indian Ocean in the east, and the Atlantic and Indian Oceans in the south.
The island of Madagascar, off the coast of Africa, is one of the largest islands in the world.
The African continent has a population of over one billion, with a combined GDP of $2.5 trillion, making it a huge potential market.
Africa is a resource-rich continent rich in crude oil, gas, pulses and lentils, leather, gold and other metals, all of which are lacking in substantial quantities in India.
2. 12th Defence Expo dedicated to Indian defence companies to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 18 October to 20 October
Tags: place in news Defence Summits
India’s flagship exhibition on Land, Naval and Homeland Security systems, Defence Expo 2022 will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from 18-22 October 2022. Earlier the 12th Defence expo was proposed to be held in the month of March 2022 but was postponed due to the logistics problems being experienced by participants. The 11th Defence expo was held in Lucknow in 2022.
Theme of the Defence Expo 2022
The theme of the 12th Defence Expo is Path to Pride
Defence Ministers explains the theme of the defence expo 2022
Speaking at the curtain raiser press conference in Gandhinagar on 17October 2022 ,Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that 'Path to Pride' was not just a theme of DefExpo 2022, but a ‘Make in India, Make for the World’ vision of a ‘New India’.
He said that the DefExpo 2022 during ‘Amrit Kaal’ reflects India's resolve to be among the leading nations in the defence & aerospace sectors in the next 25 years.
First time defence expo exclusively for Indian companies
For the first time only Indian companies have been invited for the defence expo. Foreign defence companies which have set up a joint venture with Indian companies can also participate in the expo. A record 1340 companies are participating in the expo.
For the first time, States/Union Territories (UTs) have been invited to set up pavilions at the event.
International participation
Seventy five (75) countries have confirmed their participation in the DefExpo 2022.
The defence minister will host the second India-Africa Defence Dialogue (IADD) on October 18, while the Indian Ocean Region plus (IOR+) conclave will take place on October 19.
More than 53 African countries have been invited for IADD and 44 for IOR+ conclave.
Defence Expo
It is organised by the Union Ministry of Defence. The main purpose behind the expo is to promote defence exports from India as well as invite foreign companies to explore defence tie-ups and business in India.
Traditionally, the Defence expo has been held in New Delhi every two years
Later it was shifted to Panaji, Goa (2016), Chennai (2018) and Lucknow (2020).
3. Indian Naval Academy to conduct Indian Navy Sailing Championship 2022 in Kerala
Tags: Defence
Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala will conduct Indian Navy Sailing Championship 2022 at Marakkar Watermanship Training Centre in Kerala.
Important facts
Championship 2022 will be organised from 18 -21October 2022.
This mega championship is the largest intra-Navy sailing regatta in which nearly 100 yacht persons from all three Indian Naval Commands will participate.
This Sailing Championship is one of the events organised by the Indian Navy to commemorate Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Khelo India.
4. Indian Army signs agreement with 11 banks for 'Agniveer salary package'
Tags: Economy/Finance Defence
The Union Ministry of Defence in a statement released on 15 October 2022 has said that the Indian Army has signed an agreement with 11 scheduled commercial banks for providing banking facilities to Agniveers.
These Banks are ;State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDBI Bank, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IDFC First Bank and Bandhan Bank. These banks will open the salary account of the newly recruited Agniveers of the Indian Army.
Agnipath Scheme
In a major reform in the defence sector human resource policy the government of India introduced “Agnipath scheme’ for Army, Air Force and Navy.
Under the scheme the government will recruit personnel below officer rank in the three services called Agniveers for a period of 4 years.
The Agniveers will form a distinct rank in the three services, and will also wear a distinct insignia as part of their uniform.
The banks will offer soft loans to existing Agniveers to promote and enhance their entrepreneurial skills.
The first batch of Agniveers under “Agnipath Scheme” will be joining Training Centres by January 2023,
Union Minister for Defence: Rajnath Singh
5. Rajnath Singh calls for an open and rule based maritime border at the 18th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting 2022
Tags: place in news Defence Summits
Addressing the 18th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in New Delhi on October 15, 2022, Defence minister Rajnath Singh reaffirmed India’s resolve for open, free and rule-based maritime borders in the Indo-Pacific region.
Organiser of the 18th HACGAM 2022
The 18th HACGAM is being organised by the Indian Coast Guard in coordination with HACGAM secretariat from October 14-18, 2022 in New Delhi.
The 17th HACGAM was hosted by Vietnam Coast Guard virtually in 2021. The 1st HACGAM was hosted by Japan Coast Guard in 2004 at Tokyo.
Minister’ speech
Speaking on the occasion the minister said that oceanic space should be respected as a global common for the benefit of all humanity in an environmentally sustainable way. The minister stressed that India’s shared vision of ‘SAGAR’ (Security and Growth of All in Region), Sustainable Development Goals and ‘Rule Based Order at Sea’ complement the focused Indian approach of inclusive growth and lasting collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
Participants of the meeting
A total of 55 representatives from 18 countries and two International Organisations - Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) & United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime- Global Maritime Crime Programme (UNODC-GMCP) - are participating in the meeting.
Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM)
The HACGAM is a multilateral forum of 23 countries; Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, France, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Laos ,Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkiye, Vietnam and one Region i.e. Hong Kong (China).
Additionally, two international organisations Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia Information Sharing Centre (ReCAAP ISC) & United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime- Global Maritime Crime Programme (UNODC-GMCP) are its members.
Indian Coast Guard
It was set up in 1977 and it comes under the Ministry of Defence
Director-General: Virender Singh Pathania
6. ISRO to launch 36 satellites of UK’s global communications network OneWeb
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will launch 36 satellites of OneWeb, the UK's global communications network, on October 23, 2022.
Important facts
The name of the rocket is LVM3, it was earlier called GSLV Mk III.
It is India’s heaviest satellite, and is being facilitated by Space PSU NewSpace India Limited (NSIL).
NSIL has signed two launch service contracts with OneWeb for launching the firm’s LEO (low Earth orbit) broadband communication satellites onboard the GSLV-Mk3.
The space PSU has at least six commercial missions planned in the next few months.
This is the first time that India’s heaviest rocket is being used for a commercial launch.
What is OneWeb?
It is a global communications company that aims to distribute broadband satellite Internet worldwide through a fleet of LEO satellites.
The OneWeb satellites are built at a OneWeb and Airbus joint venture facility in Florida that can produce two satellites a day.
The launch roll-out of the satellites has been facilitated by the French company Arianespace using Russian-made Soyuz rockets.
Moreover, this will be the first time that a rocket other than India's workhorse – the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) is being used for a commercial launch.
7. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launches ‘Maa Bharati Ke Sapoot’ website
Tags: Defence National News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched 'Maa Bharti Ke Sons' website for contribution to Armed Forces Battle Casualty Welfare Fund at a function held at National War Memorial Complex in New Delhi on October 14.
Important facts
This fund is for the three services, which is used to provide immediate financial assistance to the families of the three forces personnel killed or grievously injured in military action.
Rajnath Singh said that security is paramount for any society and there is an important responsibility of all sections of the society towards the welfare of brave soldiers and their families.
He appealed to the countrymen to join this initiative and contribute for the welfare of the brave soldiers.
Popular actor Amitabh Bachchan is the goodwill ambassador of this initiative.
Any individual or any organisation can make a financial contribution to this fund through the website www.MAABHARATIKESAPOOT.MOD.GOV.IN.
8. INS Arihant carries out successful launch of Submarine Launched Ballistic Missile
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
India's submarine INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a ballistic missile on 14 October, 2022.
Important facts
The missile was test fired to a predetermined range and was successful in hitting the target area in the Bay of Bengal with high accuracy.
All operational and technical parameters of the weapon system have been validated.
The successful user training launch of the SLBM by INS Arihant is critical to proving crew competency and validating the SSBN programme, a key element of India's nuclear deterrence.
About INS Arihant
It is India’s first indigenously-designed, developed and manufactured nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.
It was designed in the 1990s and its development project was officially accepted in 1998.
Its design is based on the Russian Akula-1 class submarine.
It was launched on 26 July 2009, the anniversary of Vijay Diwas (Kargil War Victory Day) by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
It is a 6,000 ton submarine with a length of 110 meters and a width of 11 meters.
It is powered by an 83 MW pressurized light water nuclear reactor with enriched uranium fuel.
It was built under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project at the Ship Building Centre in the port city of Visakhapatnam.
9. Service Sports Control Board tops the medal tally at the 36th National Games 2022
The Service Sports Control Board (SSCB) has topped the medal tally at the recently concluded 36th National Games 2022 with 128 medals, including 61 golds, 35 silvers and 32 bronze. This is the fourth consecutive time that the SSCB has topped the medal tally in the National Games. It topped the medal tally in 2007, 2011 and 2015 and 2022 games.
Service Sports Control Board (SSCB) is a combined team of the Indian Army, Navy and Air force.
The National Games 2022 were held in six cities; Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot and Bhavnagar, of Gujarat from September 29 to October 12. It was last held in Kerala in 2015.
The next 37th National Games will be held in Goa in 2023.
Best Athlete of the National Game 2022
Best male athlete:
29 year old swimmer, Sajan Prakash of Kerala. He won five golds, two silvers and one bronze medal.
Best female athlete:
14 year old swimmer, Hashika Ramachandra of Karnataka. She won six golds and one bronze medal in the game.
Best State Trophy
Maharashtra was awarded the Indian Olympic Association’s Best State trophy for winning the most medals (140) in the Games.
However Maharashtra finished second to SSCB in the medal tally as SSCB had won more gold medals(61) as compared to Maharashtra (30) gold medals.
National Games 2022 medal tally
Rank | State/Union Territory | Gold medal | Silver medal | Bronze medal | Total Medal |
1 | SSCB | 61 | 35 | 32 | 128 |
2 | Maharashtra | 39 | 38 | 63 | 140 |
3 | Haryana | 38 | 38 | 40 | 116 |
4 | Karnataka | 27 | 23 | 38 | 88 |
5 | Tamil Nadu | 25 | 22 | 27 | 74 |
6 | Kerala | 23 | 18 | 13 | 54 |
7 | Madhya Pradesh | 20 | 25 | 21 | 66 |
8 | Uttar Pradesh | 20 | 18 | 18 | 56 |
9 | Manipur | 20 | 10 | 20 | 50 |
10 | Punjab | 19 | 32 | 25 | 76 |
10. Eastern Naval Command conducts offshore security exercise ‘Prasthan’
Tags: Defence
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Offshore security exercise 'Prasthan' was conducted at Krishna Godavari Basin Offshore Development Area (ODA) during 11-12 October, 2022.
Important facts
It was conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters, Ministry of Defence.
This exercise is conducted every six months.
This Exercise was conducted in the KG basin to validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), address various contingencies and strengthen the command & control organisation towards Maritime Security.
It aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore defence.
The exercise was coordinated by the Indian Navy and involved all stakeholders in the maritime sector, including Oil and Gas Operators, State Marine Police, Fisheries Department and Indian Coast Guard etc.
It practiced contingencies such as terrorist infiltration, bombing, evacuation of casualties, search and rescue, fire incidents, oil spills and mass evacuation.
