1. India and Japan conduct maritime partnership exercise in Andaman Sea
Tags: Defence
Recently a Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) has been conducted between the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force in the Andaman Sea.
Important facts
The exercise aims to enhance interoperability, streamline shipping and communication processes.
The exercise is part of the ongoing efforts between the two navies towards ensuring safe international shipping and trade in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The two countries have been conducting regular exercises in the Indian Ocean region to strengthen maritime ties.
Participant
INS Sukanya - an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy
The Sukanya - class patrol vessels are large, offshore patrol vessels.
The Sukanya class of ships are named after notable women from Indian epics.
The Sukanya class has larger hulls, although they are lightly armed as they are mainly used for offshore patrols of India's Exclusive Economic Zone.
J.S. Samidare - A Murasame-class destroyer of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.
J.S. Samidare (DD-106) is the sixth ship of the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF)'s Murasame-class destroyer.
Other maritime exercises between India and Japan
Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX)
Malabar Exercise (India-US-Japan-Australia)
Major maritime exercises of India with other countries
Thailand - Indo-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (India-Thai CORPAT)
United Kingdom - Konkan - Shakti
Indonesia - sea power
Singapore-Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX)
Qatar-Zair-Al-Bahr
2. ‘Swavlamban’ – Indian Navy’s Maiden Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar
Tags: Defence
The first seminar 'Swavalamban' of Naval Innovation and Indigenization Organization (NIIO) was held in New Delhi from 18-19 July 2022.
Important facts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present on the occasion as the chief guest. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Guest of Honour.
The Prime Minister unveiled the 'sprint challenges' during the seminar 'Swavalamban'.
'SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC) Challenges' is aimed at giving a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in the Indian Navy.
The objective of the seminar is to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the defence sector.
A major pillar of self-reliant India is the defence sector achieving self-reliance.
Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation
It was launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Defence to fulfil its requirements relating to technology.
The objective is to foster innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
It will establish dedicated structures for end users to interact with academia and industry.
It aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies, products into the Indian Navy and the collaborative project is named SPRINT.
3. India's defence exports increased seven times in the last eight years
Tags: Defence
PM Modi informed that India's defence exports have increased seven times in the last eight years.
Important facts
India had achieved defence exports worth ₹13,000 crore and of this 70% was from the private sector.
India’s defence imports have decreased by about 21% in the last four to five years.
India is moving fast from being the “biggest defence importer to a big exporter”.
India’s Defence Exports
India has put up a range of military hardware for sale which includes various missile systems, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), helicopters, warships and patrol ships, artillery guns, tanks, radars etc.
More than 30 Indian defence companies have exported arms and equipment to countries like Italy, Maldives, Sri Lanka, Russia, France, Nepal, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Israel, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Bhutan, Ethiopia etc.
From 2016-17 to 2018-19, the country's defence exports increased from ₹1,521 crore to ₹10,745 crore, showing an astonishing growth of 700%.
Steps taken by the Government to boost defence production
Simplified defence industrial licensing, relaxation of export controls and grant of No Objection Certificate.
Specific incentives introduced under the foreign trade policy
Defence Production & Export Promotion Policy 2020
The government had issued two "positive indigenization lists" which included 209 items that could not be imported.
The government has also announced two dedicated corridors in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh to act as clusters of defense manufacturing.
The vision of the government
To achieve a turnover of $25 billion, including exports of $5 billion in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2025.
4. INS Sindhudhvaj submarine decommissioned after 35 years of service
Tags: Defence
The Navy's Kilo-class submarine, INS Sindhudhwaj, was decommissioned at Visakhapatnam on 17 July after 35 years of service.
Important facts
The Navy now has 15 conventional submarines in service.
The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command.
The event was attended by 15 of the former Commanding Officers, including Commander S.P. Singh (Retd.) and 26 Commissioning crew veterans.
About INS Sindhudhvaj
Inducted into the Navy in June 1987, Sindhudhwaj was one of the Kilo-class submarines acquired from Russia between 1986 and 2000.
Kilo-class submarines are called Sindhughosh-class.
They are diesel-electric submarines that displace 3,000 tons, can dive to a depth of 300 metres, have a top speed of 18 knots, and can operate alone for 45 days with a crew of 53.
The insignia of this submarine is a grey nurse shark.
Its name means the one who bears the flag on the sea (Indus).
It was the first submarine to be equipped with multiple indigenous security and communication systems.
INS Sindhurakshak sank in Mumbai in August 2013 after a catastrophic explosion, killing all 18 sailors.
INS Sindhuveer was transferred to the Myanmar Navy in March 2020 as a goodwill gesture.
INS Sindhudhwaj is the only submarine to be awarded the CNS Rolling Trophy for Innovation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Indigenous sonar USHUS, indigenous satellite communication system Rukmani and MMS, inertial navigation system and indigenous torpedo fire control system were operated on it.
Sindhudhwaj also successfully carried out mating and personnel transfer with Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel.
5. Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation Seminar in New Delhi
Tags: Defence National News
Two-day Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) Seminar -Swavlamban held in New Delhi on 18-19 July.
Important facts
The seminar was organised at Dr Ambedkar International Centre in New Delhi.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the seminar.
The Prime Minister unveiled the 'Sprint Challenge', which aims to promote the use of indigenous technology in the Indian Navy.
As a part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav', NIIO in association with Defence Innovation Organization (DIO) aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy.
The name of this collaborative project is SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through iDEX, NIIO and TDAC).
Sessions dedicated to innovation, indigenization, armament and aviation will be organized in the symposium.
The second day of the symposium will witness access to the Indian Ocean region in line with the government's vision of SAGAR (Security and Development for All in the Region).
As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, NIIO, in association with Defense Innovation Organisation, aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies and products into the Indian Navy.
Aim of the seminar
The seminar aims to engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector.
The seminar will provide a platform for leaders from industry, academia, services and government to come together on a common platform with ideas and recommendations for the defence sector.
6. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched indigenously built Y-3023 Dunagiri
Tags: Defence
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched a Project 17A frigate named Dunagiri on 15 July 2022 from Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata in the Hooghly River.
Important facts
The fourth vessel of the P-17A frigate class has been named after a mountain range in the state of Uttarakhand.
It is a P-17 Frigate (Shivalik) class ship equipped with modified stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management system.
Doonagiri, a modified version of the erstwhile Doonagiri (Leander) class ASW frigate, served 33 years from 5 May 1977 to 20 October 2010 and witnessed various challenging operations and multinational exercises.
The first two ships of the P-17A project were launched at MDL and GRSE in 2019 and 2020 respectively.
The third vessel (Udayagiri) was launched this year on 17 May 2022 at MDL.
The launch of this fourth ship in such a short span of time is proof that the country is moving towards self-reliant shipbuilding with a focused approach.
The P-17A ships have been indigenously designed by the Directorate of Naval Design (DND) of the Indian Navy and have successfully designed various indigenous warships in the past as well.
This is the result of the country's tireless efforts towards 'Self-reliant India' and under this 75 percent orders for equipment and systems are being placed to various indigenous firms including MSMEs.
7. INS Vikrant successfully completes 4th phase of sea trials
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) Vikrant successfully completed the fourth phase of sea trials on 10 July before being inducted into the Indian Navy next month.
INS Vikrant
INS Vikrant (IAC-I) is the first aircraft carrier built in India by Cochin Shipyard (CSL) in Kochi, Kerala for the Indian Navy.
It is the first Vikrant-class aircraft carrier.
It is also known as the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 or IAC-1.
INS Vikrant can carry a total of 30 aircraft (fighters and helicopters).
It is powered by four gas turbines and can reach speeds of 30 knots (about 55 kmph).
Its endurance is 7,500 knots at a speed of 18 knots (32 kph).
The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and RAN-40L 3D radars as sensors.
The ship is largely based on Russian technology.
The aircraft carrier, built at a cost of around Rs 23,000 crore.
The warship is ready to operate MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 helicopters and MH-60R multi-role helicopters.
It is 262 metres long, 62 metres wide and it has a height of 59 metres. Its construction began in 2009.
8. Defence Ministry launches 75 newly Artificial Intelligence products in New Delhi
Tags: Defence National News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first-ever ‘Artificial Intelligence in Defence’ (AIDef) symposium and exhibition, organised by the Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi on 11 July.
Important facts
The event featured an exhibition showcasing the latest AI-enabled solutions developed by research organisations, industry and start-ups and innovators and the launch of AI products for the market.
This is a major event where 75 newly developed AI products/technologies in Defence were launched as part of 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'.
These products will promote the ‘Aatmanirbharta’ initiative in Defence.
These products are being tested and will soon be deployed in the security of the nation.
Apart from the 75 products being launched, another 100 are in various stages of development.
Panel discussions on 'Deploying AI in Defence', 'GenNext AI Solutions' and 'AI in Defence - Industry Perspective' were also held at the event.
Products are in the following domains-
Automation/unmanned/robotics systems
Cyber security and human behaviour analysis
Intelligent monitoring system
Logistics and supply chain management
Control, Communication, Computer and Intelligence
Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems
Operational data analytics
Artificial Intelligence in defence
The AI Task Force on Defence was set up in 2018 to provide a road map for promoting AI in defence.
A Defence AI Council, headed by the Defence Minister, is working in this direction.
The Defence Minister had announced that "25 defence-specific AI products" would be developed by 2024.
A Defence AI Project Agency (DAIPA) has also been created under the defence production secretary for AI-enabled projects.
The Navy is also building an AI Centre of Excellence at INS Valsura in Jamnagar, which already has a modern laboratory on AI and Big Data analysis.
What is Artificial Intelligence?
It is a broad branch of computer science that deals with the creation of smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
9. Indian Navy commissions the first ALH Squadron INAS 324 in Visakhapatnam
Tags: Defence
Indian Naval Air Squadron INS 324 was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam on 4 July.
INAS 324 Squadron
The unit is the first Naval Squadron on the Eastern Seaboard to operate indigenously designed and manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Mk III (MR) helicopters.
It is named after a bird species named 'Kestrels' which has superior sensing capabilities, symbolizing the envisaged role of aircraft and air squadrons.
The insignia of the squadron depicts a ‘Kestrel’ searching over vast blue waters and white sea waves, which signifies the role of Maritime Reconnaissance (MR) and Search and Rescue (SAR) role of the squadron.
The ALH Mk III helicopters are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment including advanced surveillance radars and electro-optical sensors.
These helicopters can also be deployed for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and for special operations with the Marine Commandos (Marcos).
Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH)
It is an indigenously developed utility aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a twin-engine.
Its development was initiated in 1984, and was initially designed with German assistance from the Messerschmitt-Bolko-Blohm (MBB).
As of 2020, over 300 HAL Dhruves have been produced for the domestic and export markets.
The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III & Mk-IV.
HAL has received orders for 73 ALHs for the ALH Mk-III and Mk-IV variants from the Indian Army, Coast Guard and Navy in 2017.
HAL has also supplied it to Nepal Army, Mauritius Police and Maldives.
10. Indian Naval Ships visit Singapore
Tags: Defence
Indian Naval Ships - Sahyadri and Kadmat - going to be deployed in South-East Asia visited Singapore.
Both the ships under the command of Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, visited Singapore from 1 to 3 July.
During the visit the Navy crew participated in professional interactions with the Navy of the Republic of Singapore towards enhancing mutual cooperation and interoperability.
During this, social and informal exchanges were also held with the aim of strengthening the ties and mutual understanding between the navies.
The ships' visit to Singapore on July 1 on the 'Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day' helped enhance maritime cooperation and further cement the strong ties of India's friendship with Singapore that will contribute to security and stability in the region.
Earlier, on February 4, 2021, Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Ing Hen attended the inaugural session of the Defense Ministers' Conference (DMC) of the Indian Ocean Region.
On the occasion, he also announced Singapore's support to India's leadership in promoting a rules-based maritime order in the Indian Ocean region.
Simbex- 2021
The Singapore Navy and the Indian Navy conducted the annual Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) from September 2 to 4, 2021.
A virtual scheme was also included in Simbex- 2021.
This was followed by a 'contactless' sea phase in the southern part of the South China Sea in international waters.
INS Sahyadri
It is an indigenously built stealth frigate.
It participated in the tripartite vernacular Malabar War with Japan and the United States off the coast of Guam.
INS Kadmatt
It is the second of four anti-submarine warfare corvettes built for the Indian Navy by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers of Kolkata under Project 28.
It is an indigenously built ASW corvette.
It was inducted into the Eastern Naval Command of the Indian Navy.
Its role is in anti-submarine warfare.
