1. Ocean Sailing Expedition on INSV TARINI to Mauritius
Tags: Defence
Commodore Sanjay Panda, Commanding Officer, INS Mandovi flagged off a sailing expedition from Goa to Port Louis, Mauritius on 20 August.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- A team of six members, including three women officers, is involved in this campaign. All of them are aboard INSV Tarini.
The expedition will take 20-21 days to cover a one-way distance of about 2500 nautical miles (approximately 45,000 km).
During this time, the team is likely to face rough weather and rough sea conditions during monsoon.
Tarini had circumnavigated the world in 2017 under 'Navika Sagar Parikrama'. The team that took part in it were all women officers.
Gender balance has been created in this campaign and three male and three female officers have been selected.
The sailing is captained by Captain VD Maharishi, the most experienced yachtsman of the Indian Navy.
Other members included Commander Vikas Sheoran, Lt. Commander Payal Gupta, Lt. Commander Kaushal Pednekar, Lt. Commander Delina and Lt. Commander Roopa.
Six sailing boats of Indian Navy :
Indian Navy has six sailing boats, their names are-
INSV Mhadei,
INSV Tarini,
INSV Bulbul,
INSV Hariyal,
INSV Kadalpura
INSV Neelkanth
All these boats regularly embark on maritime expeditions with small contingents of naval personnel.
The crew members in these missions are voluntarily selected by naval personnel, requiring substantial sailing experience.
2. Amethi unit all set to make AK-203 rifles
Tags: Defence
Manufacturing of AK-203 assault rifles by Indo-Russian joint venture in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh is scheduled to start by the end of the year 2022.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- According to Kalashnikov, a Russian company that manufactures rifles, the manufacturing equipment required for this will soon be sent from Russia to India.
Over 6.1 lakh AK-203 assault rifles costing over Rs 5,000 crore will be manufactured by Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture in Korwa, Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
IRRPL was established jointly between the then OFB of India (now Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited -AWEIL), Munitions India Limited (MIL) and Rosoboronexport (ROE) and Kalashnikov of Russia.
A modern production line has been set up and a short range of weapons has been set up where the rifles will be tested.
India and Russia signed an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) in February 2019 for the production of AK 203 assault rifles.
About AK 203 Rifles :
The AK-203 assault rifle is considered to be the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.
It is a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 rifle family.
This variant will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45mm assault rifle, which is currently being used by the Army, Navy and Air Force besides other security forces.
INSAS rifles are not suitable for use at high altitudes. These rifles also have problems like gun jamming, oil leakage etc.
Other India-Russia bilateral projects :
Indigenous production of T-90 tanks and Su-30-MKIaircraft
Supply of MiG-29-K aircraft and Kamov-31 and Mi-17 helicopters
Upgrade of MiG-29 aircraft and supply of Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher Smerch.
Develop and produce supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles in India
3. China’s army to take part in Vostok-2022 exercise in Russia
Tags: Defence International News
The People's Liberation Army of China will participate in the strategic command and staff exercise Vostok-2022 in Russia from 1 - 5 September.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- India, Belarus, Tajikistan, Mongolia and other countries will also participate in the exercise.
The exercise will be held under the command of the chief of Russia’s General Staff, Valery Gerasimov, at 13 training grounds of the Eastern Military District.
During the exercise, the participating forces will practice measures to maintain military security in the eastern sector.
The exercise will contribute to "friendly cooperation between the armed forces of all countries".
It will advance the level of strategic dialogue by all parties and strengthen the ability to respond to various security threats.
Last year, India participated in Exercise ZAPAD 2021 in Russia, in which 17 countries including China and Pakistan participated.
India’s Exercises with China & Russia :
China - Exercise Hand-in-Hand
Russia - Exercise Indra, Exercise TSENTR
4. India gift Dornier Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka
Tags: International Relations Defence
India on August 15 gifted Sri Lanka a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft that will enable the island nation to tackle a range of challenges such as human and drug trafficking and other organized crimes in its waters.
Important facts
It was gifted at a special event at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake.
Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force personnel who have undergone training in India for nearly four months will operate the aircraft.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay were also present on the occasion.
The celebrations took place as India celebrates its 76th Independence Day and a day later China's high-tech missile and satellite surveillance vessel will anchor at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port.
The aircraft has been delivered to Sri Lanka by the Indian Navy to help meet the immediate security needs of Sri Lanka.
The Indian Navy has also given intensive training in maritime reconnaissance aircraft to a team of the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force.
During the 2018 Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Sri Lanka had discussed the possibility of acquiring two Dornier reconnaissance aircraft from India to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities.
Dornier Aircrafts
In March 2022, India and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide two Dornier 228 aircraft to the Sri Lankan Navy.
Dornier 228 Aircraft
It is a 17-seater non-pressurised aircraft that has a turboprop engine.
It is capable of day and night operations, short take-off and landing, and can take off from semi-prepared runways.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) started manufacturing Dornier-228 in India.
The Dornier-228 aircraft have been used by the armed forces so far.
Alliance Air had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAL to operate Dornier aircraft.
5. IAF leaves for Malaysia to participate in bilateral exercise 'Udarashakti'
Tags: Defence
A contingent of the Indian Air Force left for Malaysia on 12 August to participate in a bilateral exercise named 'Udarashakti'.
About Udarashakti Exercise
This is the first bilateral exercise being conducted between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF).
This exercise will take place at the RMAF base of Kuantan.
The Indian Air Force will participate in the aerial exercise with Sukhoi-30 MKI and C-17 aircraft while the RMAF will fly Su-30 MKM aircraft.
The exercise will give an opportunity to the IAF contingent to share and learn best practices with some of the best RMAF professionals while discussing mutual combat capabilities.
Various aerial combat exercises will be conducted between the two air forces in the four-day exercise.
It will help in strengthening defence cooperation between the two countries.
In 2021, the RMAF issued a request for proposal (RfP) to five countries: Italy, Russia, China, South Korea and India to purchase fighter jets.
Malaysia is expected to announce its decision to purchase the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) 'Tejas' in September.
Pitch Black Air Combat Exercise
Both India and Malaysia are participating in a multilateral aerial warfare exercise Pitch Black which is conducted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The drill is starting from next week and 17 countries are participating and 100 aircraft will take part in the Defensive Counter Air (DCA) and Offensive Counter Air (OCA) Combat Drills.
17 countries are participating including Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia and South Korea.
6. 12th edition of Defence Expo to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Tags: Defence
On 8 August The Ministry of Defence announced that the 12th edition of the Defence Expo, India's flagship exhibition on Land, Naval and Homeland Security systems, will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Important facts
The event will take place from October 18 to 22, 2022.
Theme of the 12th edition - 'Path to Pride'
The theme invokes nationalist pride and encourages citizens to participate in nation building through the establishment of a capable indigenous defence industry.
The five-day event will have three business days followed by two public days.
Live demonstration of equipment and skill sets of Armed Forces, DPSUs and Industry will be done for five days at Sabarmati River Front through active participation and synchronized efforts.
This helipad exhibition will be organized in a three-venue format over an area of one lakh square metres.
It was postponed in March 2022 due to logistics problems being faced by the participants.
It is Asia's biggest event in the defence sector.
Aim of Defence Expo 2022
Achieving 'Atmanirbharta' in defence and achieving the $5 billion defence export target by 2024.
To make India a major destination for the Army, Navy, Air Force and homeland security systems and defence engineering.
Significance of the Defence Expo
The participants will get an opportunity to showcase their tools and platforms.
It will also be able to explore the expanding strengths and capabilities of the Indian defence industry to forge business partnerships.
The event will help boost investments, expand manufacturing capabilities and find avenues for technology absorption.
About Defence Expo
The 11th edition of Defense Expo was held in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) in 2020.
It is a major biennial event of the Ministry of Defence, showcasing Army, Navy, Air Force and Homeland Security systems.
Achievements in defence sector
Defence exports have grown by 334% in the last five years.
India is exporting defence to more than 75 countries.
In February 2021, India was the first country to organize a hybrid aerospace exhibition, Aero India-2021, in Bengaluru.
7. India, US joint special forces exercise begins in Himachal's Bakloh
Tags: Defence
The thirteenth Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “Ex Vajra Prahar 2022” started at the Special Forces Training School at Bakloh of Himachal Pradesh on 8 August.
Important facts
The Vajra Prahar series of joint exercises aims to share best practices and experiences in areas like- joint mission planning and operational strategy and it will improve inter-operability between the special forces of the two nations.
This annual exercise is conducted alternately between India and the United States.
The 12th edition was held in October 2021 at Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington, USA.
The US contingent is represented by personnel from the Special Forces Group (SFG) and the US Special Forces Special Tactics Squadron (STS).
India is represented by the Indian Army contingent of Special Forces personnel under the aegis of SFTS.
Significance of the Joint Exercise
This is an important step towards strengthening the traditional bond of friendship between the special forces of the two countries.
It will improve bilateral defence cooperation between India and the US.
During the next 21 days, teams of both the armies will jointly train, plan and execute a series of special operations, counter terrorist operations, aerial operations in mountainous terrain.
India - US Defence Cooperation
India-US defence ties have been getting stronger over the past few years.
In June 2016, the US designated India as a "major defence partner".
The two countries have signed major defence and security agreements including the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) over the years.
In 2018, COMCASA (Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement) was signed between India and US.
This allows for interoperability between the two armies and paves the way for the sale of high-end technology from the US to India.
In the year 2020, BECA (Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement) was signed to further boost bilateral defence ties.
It provides for sharing of high-end military technology, logistics and geospatial maps between India and US.
Other Exercises of India with the USA
VAJRA PRAHAR (Army)
Cope India (Air Force)
Red Flag (USA’s multilateral air exercise)
Malabar Exercise (trilateral naval exercise of three countries India, USA and Japan)
Kindly see 4 August post also
8. India begins cooperation with Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces
Tags: Defence International News
India began cooperation with Bahrain-based Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)
Background
In April 2022, during the India-US 2+2 talks, India announced that it would join the CMF as an associate partner to strengthen cooperation in regional security in the western Indian Ocean.
In July 2022, India formally commenced cooperation with the Joint Maritime Force (CMF), a multilateral partnership based in Bahrain.
What are Combined Maritime Forces (CMF)?
The CMF is a multinational naval partnership to promote security, stability and prosperity in the approximately 3.2 million square miles of international waters, which include some of the world's most important shipping lanes.
The Group of 34 Nations is commanded by a Vice Admiral of the US Navy, who also serves as Commander US Naval Forces Centcom and US Fifth Fleet.
All three commands are co-located in US Naval Support Activity Bahrain. Pakistan is a full member of the CMF.
India is the 35th member of this group.
It consists of four task forces -
CTF 150 (maritime security and counter-terrorism)
CTF 151 (counter-piracy)
CTF 152 (Arabian Gulf security and cooperation)
CTF 153 (Maritime security in the Red Sea & Gulf of Aden
Significance of CMF
Curb illegal fishing
Counter-piracy
Counter-terrorism
Protection of trade routes
About Bahrain
Prime Minister - Salman ibn Hamad Al Khalifah
Capital - Manama
Official Language - Arabic
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Bahraini Dinars
9. Indian army launches “him- drone-a-thon”
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Indian Army in collaboration with Drone Federation of India has launched 'Him Drone-a-thon' program on 8 Aug 22.
What is the 'Him Drone-a-thon’ programme?
It is a pan-India continuous interaction between all stakeholders including industry, academia, software developers and drone product manufacturers.
It will be conducted in different phases with quantitative parameters (like height, weight, range, stability etc.), which will be progressively enhanced based on the demonstrated abilities.
The wide range of activities planned under this include interactions and ideas among users, development agencies, academicians etc., seeking industry feedback, visits to operational locations by development agencies.
Development in the following categories are included under this programme
Logistics/ Load carrying Drone in High Altitude Areas
Autonomous Surveillance/ Search & Rescue Drone
Micro/ Nano Drones for Fighting in Built Up Areas
What is a drone?
Drones are also known as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft.
A drone is a flying robot that can be controlled remotely or can fly independently using software-controlled flight technology in its embedded systems.
It works in conjunction with onboard sensors and a global positioning system (GPS).
Drones first came to the market in the 1990 and were developed by the military.
Drones can be used for surveillance, situational analysis, crime control, VVIP security, disaster management, etc.
It offers benefits to almost every sector of the economy, including national defence, agriculture, law enforcement, and mapping, among others.
The Central Government has approved the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme of Drones and Drone Components.
10. US Navy ship docks in India for the first time for repairs
Tags: Defence National News
American Naval Ship Charles Drew arrived in India for the first time on 7 August for repairs and maintenance at L&T Kattupalli Shipyard at Ennore near Chennai.
Important facts
This will be the first time that a US Navy ship is being repaired at an Indian shipyard.
India had proposed during the 2+2 dialogue in April that the US Navy could leverage the services and expertise of the Indian shipyard.
The repair of US Navy ships at the Indian shipyard has been enabled due to the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) in 2016.
LEMOA facilitates the exchange of goods and munitions between the two navies.
The USNS Charles Drew will be at Kattupalli shipyard for 11 days and undergo repairs in various areas.
It is a new dimension to the fast expanding Indo-US strategic partnership.
Major Shipyards in India
Cochin Shipyard Limited - Cochin/Kochi - Kerala
Hindustan Shipyard Limited - Visakhapatnam - Andhra Pradesh
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers - Kolkata - West Bengal
Goa Shipyard Limited - Goa - Goa
L&T Shipbuilding Limited - Hazira - Gujarat
ABG Shipyard Limited - Mumbai - Maharashtra
Largest Shipyard in India and the world
Cochin Shipyard is the largest shipyard in India.
In terms of revenue, the largest revenue generated by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers is ₹1,658.79 crore.
INS Vikrant, India's first indigenous aircraft carrier is being built by Cochin Shipyard.
Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, South Korea is the largest dockyard in the world.
Seawise Giant is the largest ship ever built in history. It was made in Japan by Sumitomo Heavy Industries.
INS Vikramaditya is India's largest aircraft carrier and warship.
