1. PM Modi commissions INS Vikrant, India’s indigenous aircraft carrier
Tags: Defence
Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned India's first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier INS Vikrant in Kochi on 2 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The aircraft carrier has been built at the Cochin Shipyard Limited in Kochi at a cost of ₹20,000 crore.
With its commissioning, India has joined a select group (US, Russia, France, the UK and China) of countries that have the unique capability to indigenously design and build aircraft carriers.
The aircraft carrier is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
The Prime Minister unveiled a plaque to commemorate the induction of INS Vikrant, named after its predecessor, which played a key role in the Navy in the 1971 Indo-Pak war.
He also unveiled the new Naval Flag (Nishaan) on the occasion.
INS Vikrant :
INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1.
It has been designed by the Indian Navy's in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.
It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India.
It has been named 'Vikrant' as a tribute to India's first aircraft carrier, Vikrant.
The Indian Naval Ship Vikrant played an important role in the 1971 war.
The 262-metre-long carrier has a full displacement of around 45,000 tonnes which is more advanced than its predecessor.
It is powered by four gas turbines with a total power of 88 MW and has a maximum speed of 28 knots.
The project was executed in three phases of contract between the Ministry of Defence and CSL, which were concluded in May 2007, December 2014 and October 2019 respectively.
2. Cabinet Committee on Security approves Tejas Mark-2 Project
Tags: Defence National News
The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Tejas Mark-2 Project on 1 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The committee has approved Rs 6,500 crore for the design and development of Tejas Mark-2 fighter jet with prototype, flight testing and certification.
This allocation is in addition to the existing Rs 2500 crore sanctioned to HAL.
Features of Tejas Mark-2 fighter jet :
It will be equipped with more powerful GE- F414 engines in the 98 Kilonewton thrust class.
The engine will enable it to extend its flight range and carry additional payloads and weapons compared to the current version.
The payload capacity of Tejas Mark-2 jet will be four tonnes as compared to three tonnes of the current version.
It will also be equipped with an indigenously developed Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, which will be a upgraded version of the existing ELTA's EL/M-2032 multi-mode radar.
Significance :
Its importance has increased due to the rapidly dwindling strength of the fighter squadrons of the Indian Air Force and the phasing out of MiG-21 aircraft in the coming years.
This decision will give a boost to indigenous design and development of next generation fighter aircraft.
3. US grounds Chinook chopper fleet over engine fires
Tags: Defence International News
The US military has stopped its fleet of CH-47 Chinook helicopters from flying due to the threat of a helicopter engine fire.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The US military operates approximately 400 Chinook helicopters which are medium-lift, multi-role helicopters manufactured by Boeing.
They perform a variety of tasks in military operations.
The Chinook fleet has been halted by the US military because it is suspected that some of its engines may catch fire.
India's concern :
The Indian Air Force (IAF) too operates a fleet of Chinook helicopters.
The IAF operates a fleet of 15 Chinook helicopters and it has not grounded them so far.
Chinook was inducted into IAF in 2019.
One helicopter of Chinook unit is based in Chandigarh whereas the other is based at Mohanbari airbase in Assam.
The Indian Air Force has sought details from US defence manufacturer Boeing on the reasons for shutting down its entire fleet of Chinook helicopters.
About Chinook Helicopters :
The Boeing CH-47 Chinook is an American twin-engined, heavy-lift helicopter.
It is developed by the American rotorcraft company Vertol and manufactured by Boeing Vertol (later known as Boeing Rotorcraft Systems).
Each helicopter can carry goods and cargo up to 9.6 tonnes.
It can provide assistance during disaster relief, medical, search and rescue missions, aircraft recovery and parachute drops.
4. Indian Coast Guard conducts Exercise SAREX - 22 in Chennai
Tags: Defence
The Indian Coast Guard recently conducted its biennial National Maritime Search and Rescue Exercise -SAREX 22 off the Chennai coast.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The 10th edition of the SAREX was inaugurated by Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary, Government of India.
The objective of this exercise is to avoid accidents at sea and save lives by conducting rescue operations.
The two-day exercise, organized under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB), is hosted by the Indian Coast Guard.
During this, 24 observers from 16 countries participated in the exercise organised under the theme 'Capacity Building Towards Maritime Security'.
This was the 10th edition of the exercise conducted by the Coast Guard.
During this exercise, new technology like remote controlled lifebuoy was demonstrated over the Bay of Bengal.
About Indian Coast Guard :
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was officially established on 1 February 1977 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 of the Parliament of India.
It comes under the Union Ministry of Defence.
Its main role is to prevent maritime smuggling, ensure the safety of the islands and provide security and support to Indian fishermen and seafarers at sea.
Motto: "Vayam Raksham - We Protect"
Headquarters: Ministry of Defence, New Delhi
Director General: Virendra Singh Pathania
5. PM Modi to unveil new naval ensign
The Prime Minister will unveil the new naval ensign (flag) for the Indian Navy in Kochi on the sidelines of the commissioning of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant at Cochin Shipyard Limited on 2 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The new Navy flag will be far from the colonial past and full of Indian heritage.
The new naval ensign will replace the present ensign that carries the Saint George Cross with the Tricolour in the canton (top left corner of flag).
This flag will essentially replace the pre-independence flag of the Indian Navy, which had a red George Cross on a white background with the Union Jack of the United Kingdom at the top left corner.
The design of the new flag has not been made public yet.
What is a Naval Ensign?
It is a maritime flag used by naval ships of different countries to denote their nationality.
It may be similar to the national flag of the country or it may be different from it.
In the case of India, the naval flag used by the Indian Navy is different from the national flag.
Indian Navy has changed its flag several times :
This was changed during the pre-colonial era and after independence.
The Indian Navy got its first flag during the colonial period under British rule.
In 1928, the white flag of the Royal Navy was used by the Royal Indian Navy (1934 to 1950) along with the St. George's Cross and the Union Jack flag.
After independence, on 26 January 1950, the Royal Indian Navy was renamed the Indian Navy, with the crest and flag "Indianised".
Accordingly, the Union Jack on the earlier flag was replaced by the tricolor or national flag of India in the canton (upper left corner of the flag).
In 2001, the flag of the Indian Navy was changed once again to distinguish it from the pre-colonial era.
A blue spire of the Indian Navy was installed on a white background.
The government decided to re-adopt St. George's Cross.
In 2014, another change was made to the flag with the inclusion of the Indian national motto: Satyameva Jayate below the national emblem in Devanagari script.
What is the Saint George’s Cross ?
The red cross on white background is known as the Saint George’s Cross.
It is named after a Christian Warrior Saint who is believed to have been a crusader during the third crusade.
This cross also serves as the flag of England which is a constituent of the United Kingdom.
The flag was adopted by England and the City of London in 1190 to identify English ships entering the Mediterranean Sea.
6. Indian Naval Ship Sumedha visited Port Klang in Malaysia
Tags: Defence
As part of the Indian Navy's long-range operational deployment, Indian Naval Ship, INS Sumedha on 27 August visited Port Klang of Malaysia.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The ship is on its return route from Perth, Australia, where it participated in the Aazadi ka Amrit Mahotsaw.
It aims to strengthen bilateral ties, enhance maritime cooperation and inter-operability between the Indian and Royal Malaysian Navies.
Both the navies are cooperating on various fronts and playing a vital role in ensuring maritime defence and security.
INS Sumedha is also scheduled to participate in a maritime partnership exercise with ships of the Royal Malaysian Navy.
Port Klang is the largest port of Malaysia.
About INS Sumedha :
It is an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel.
It has been deployed for multiple roles apart from independent and fleet operations.
It is part of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy based at Visakhapatnam.
It functions under the operational command of the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
This is the third ship of the Indigenous Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel (NOPV) project to be inducted into the Indian Navy.
The ship is designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
The main role of the ship is EEZ surveillance, anti-piracy patrol, providing maritime security to offshore assets and escort operations for high value assets.
About Malaysia :
Prime Minister - Ismail Sabri Yaakob
Capital - Kuala Lumpur
Currency - Malaysian ringgit
Official Language - Malay
Official Religion - Islam
7. Defence Minister approves 'indigenisation list' to promote domestic defence industry
Tags: Defence
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh on August 28 approved a fresh list of 780 components and sub-systems that will be procured from the domestic industry after restrictions on their imports under a time-frame of about six years.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- This step has been taken to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing and to reduce imports by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
The Defence Ministry has set a specific time frame for the import ban of goods in the period from December 2023 to December 2028.
This list is in continuation of two similar positive lists brought out in December 2021 and March 2022.
Indigenization of these items will be done through various routes under 'Make' category.
The 'Make' category aims at achieving self-reliance by involving greater participation of Indian industry in defence manufacturing.
Projects related to the design and development of equipment, systems, major platforms or their upgrades by the industry can be taken up under this category.
Indigenous development of these items will boost the economy and reduce the import dependence of DPSUs.
DPSUs will soon issue Expression of Interest (EoI) and Request for Proposal (RFP).
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
What is a positive indigenization list ?
A positive indigenization list means that the armed forces will procure the listed items only from domestic manufacturers.
Manufacturers can be private sector players or Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
Govt Initiatives for indigenisation in defence sector :
The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit under the automatic route in the defence sector has been increased from 49% to 74%.
In October 2021, the government dissolved the four-decade-old Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and merged 41 factories of seven new state-owned companies to manufacture defence hardware ranging from munitions to heavy weapons and vehicles.
India has inaugurated two defence industrial corridors, one in Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh, to promote the flagship "Make in India" programme.
According to an estimate, the Indian Armed Forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion in capital procurement over the next five years.
8. Argentina shows interest in Made in India 'Tejas' fighter aircraft
Tags: Defence International News
Argentina has shown interest to buy Tejas fighter aircraft manufactured in India under Make in India.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar acknowledged Argentina's interest in Tejas fighter aircraft and highlighted the importance of the proposal to enhance strategic cooperation of bilateral ties.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Argentina Minister of Foreign Affairs Santiago Cafiero jointly presided over a Joint Commission Meeting in Buenos Aires.
During the meeting, both sides underlined the importance of bilateral relations in defence, nuclear energy, space, pharma, science and technology, yoga, climate change and economic cooperation.
Australia, Egypt, the United States, Indonesia and the Philippines are also interested in Tejas jets.
TEJAS fighter aircraft :
It is an 'Indigenous Light Combat Aircraft'.
It has been jointly developed by 'Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)' and 'Hindustan Aeronautics Limited' (HAL).
It is the smallest-lightweight single-engine 'Multirole Tactical Fighter Aircraft'.
It has been designed with an aim to reduce India's dependence on Russia's MiG-21 fighter jets and move towards self-reliance in the field of national security.
It is designed to carry a range of air-to-air, air-to-surface weapons.
It is capable of refueling in the sky during the journey and has a maximum payload capacity of 4000 kg.
It can achieve a maximum speed of Mach 1.8 and has a range of 3,000 km.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Types of tejas :
Tejas Trainer
LCA Navy
LCA Tejas Navy MK2
LCA Tejas Mk-1A
Argentina :
President - Alberto Fernández
Capital - Buenos Aires
Currency - Argentine peso
Official Language -Spanish
location - South America continent
9. IAF terminates 3 officers in missile firing case
Tags: Defence
The Indian Air Force (IAF) Court of Inquiry (Col) has terminated the service of three Indian Air Force officers in connection with the accidental firing of the BrahMos missile in Pakistan.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- In the investigation report of the Air Force, the three officers have been found guilty of not following the SOP.
The BrahMos missile was wrongly fired on 9 March 2022.
What was the incident ?
On March 9 this year, an 'unarmed' supersonic BrahMos missile of India inadvertently fell in Mia Channu area of Pakistan during inspection.
No one was killed in this incident, but the cold-storage on which it had fallen was completely destroyed.
Pakistan had strongly objected to this incident and demanded a joint-investigation.
Taking this incident seriously, the Government of India had ordered a high-level inquiry, as well as ordered a review of the SOPs related to the maintenance of the missiles.
About BrahMos missile :
BrahMos is a short-range ramjet, supersonic cruise missile.
It can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft or even from land.
It has been jointly developed by Russia's NPO Mashinostroyenia and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation.
Brahmos is named after the Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva river of Russia.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Features of BrahMos :
It can change course in the air and can also hit the moving target.
It can fly at a height of 10 metres and is not caught by radar.
10. US, South Korea begin biggest joint military drills since 2018
Tags: Defence International News
South Korea and the United States began their biggest joint military exercise 'Ulchi Freedom Shield' since 2018 on 22 August with the resumption of field training.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Known as Ulchi Freedom Shield, thousands of military personnel are expected to participate in the exercise.
It will run for two weeks starting 22 August.
The US and South Korea have said they are defensive in nature and will conduct exercises to coordinate security forces in response to North Korea's aggression.
The exercise is likely to involve warships, aircraft and armoured vehicles.
The US, South Korea and Japan conducted a joint missile defence exercise in Hawaii earlier this month.
The US, Japan and South Korea have warned that North Korea is preparing for its first nuclear test since 2017.
North Korea is trying to develop smaller weapons to attack US allies in Asia and could increase the power of those weapons that would be carried to the US by intercontinental ballistic missiles.
The US still has about 28,500 troops in South Korea and military leaders on both sides have said the exercises are necessary to prepare for any provocation by Pyongyang (North Korea).
Ulchi Freedom Shield exercise will improve South Korea's combat capability.
South Korea :
It is in East Asia. It is located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula.
In 2017 South Korea had the fastest internet connectivity globally.
President - Yoon Suk-Yeol
Prime Minister - Kim Boo-Kyum
Capital - Seoul
Official Language - Korean
