1. The entire MiG -21 squadron to be retired by 2025: IAF
Tags: Defence
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced that it is retiring its 51 Squadron consisting of MiG 21 Bison aircraft based in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir by September 2022.
After this, only three squadrons of the MIG 21 Bison planes would be left in service and would be phased out by the year 2025.
The Indian Air Force plans to retire one squadron each of these planes per year and the last one will be phased out in 2025.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Squadron 51 :
- The squadron 51 which is also known as ‘Sword Arm’ became famous after it thwarted the Pakistan Air Force attack on India on 27, February 2019 after the IAF bombed terrorist site in Balakote, Pakistan.
- Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Abhinandan Varthaman, who was awarded Vir Chakra for shooting down a Pakistani F-16 during a dogfight over the Line of Control on February 27, 2019, was in the No. 51 squadron then.
- It is the only instance in the world where a Mig-21 plane has shot down F-16 planes.
MiG 21 and its high crash rates :
- MiG stands for Mikoyan and Gurevich and i, is the Russian word for and.
- They were two Soviet engineers who designed the MiG series of fighter jets for the Soviet Union.
- India inducted MiG-21 fighters in 1963 and it inducted a total 874 planes.
- More than 400 MiG-21s have been involved in accidents that have claimed the lives of around 200 pilots during the last six decades.
- One of the main reasons for the high rates of crashes is that it is the largest number of planes in the IAF.
- The IAF has been forced to fly Mig-21 despite the fact that it has outlived its age. The government of India has failed to buy an adequate number of planes to replace existing MiG -21 planes.
- Now the government plans to replace the MiG-21 plane with the various versions of the indigenously developed Tejas fighter Aircraft.
2. INA Ajay decommissioned after 32 years of glorious service
Tags: Defence
INS Ajay was decommissioned on 19 September after rendering 32 years of glorious service to the nation.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The ceremony was traditionally held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai.
The national flag, the ensign of the Navy and the ship's decommissioning pennant were lowered in its honour.
The Chief Guest of the ceremony was Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Western Naval Command and Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
The first Commanding Officer of the ship, Vice Admiral AG Thapliyal AVSM Bar (Retd) was the Guest of Honour.
About INS Ajay :
It was commissioned on 24 January 1990 at Poti, Georgia, then USSR.
It was part of the 23rd Patrol Vessel Squadron under the operational control of Flag Officer Commanding, Maharashtra Naval Area.
The ship was in active naval service for over 32 years.
It participated in several naval operations including Operation Talwar during the Kargil War in 1999 and Operation Parakram in 2001.
Note :
India's first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant was commissioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Cochin Shipyard in Kochi on September 2, 2022.
3. Army Day parade to be held in different parts of India
The Indian Army has announced that the annual Army Day Parade will be held in different parts of India as per the Prime Minister's vision to move significant events and festivities out of the national capital.
Army Day is observed every year on 15 January.
Till date the Army day parade was held in New Delhi. In the next year it will be held in the Southern Command area.
The Indian Air Force had also recently moved out its annual fly-past and parade from the Hindon Air Base (Uttar Pradesh) near Delhi to Chandigarh this year.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Indian Army Day :
- It was on this day that for the first time an Indian took over the command of the Indian Army from the Britishers.
- On 15 January, 1949 Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (K. M. Cariappa), took over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from General Francis Robert Roy Bucher.
4. 6th edition of maritime exercise ‘JIMEX’ concludes
Tags: Defence
The sixth edition of the Japan India Maritime Exercise, JIMEX 22 hosted by the Indian Navy concluded in the Bay of Bengal 17 September. It started on 11 September in the Bay of Bengal.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Indian Navy ships led by Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet and Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships Izumo and Takanami participated in the week-long exercise.
In the exercise some complex exercises were jointly conducted by both the navies.
Advanced level anti-submarine warfare, weapon firing and air defence exercises were conducted by both sides.
The Indian Navy was represented by three indigenously designed warships, - the Sahyadri, the anti-submarine frigates Kadmat and Kavaratti.
Shipborne helicopters, fighter aircraft and submarines also participated in this exercise.
About JIMEX 2022 :
This present edition of JIMEX 22 marks the 10th anniversary of JIMEX, which debuted in Japan in 2012.
It was celebrated to mark the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between both the countries India and Japan.
It seeks to strengthen the high level of interoperability between the maritime forces of the two countries through complex exercises in surface, sub-surface and air domains.
Its aim was to enhance interoperability and streamline seamanship 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).
5. AN-32 Transport Aircraft
Tags: National Defence Science and Technology
To reduce its carbon footprint, the Indian Air Force (IAF) is planning to fly a modified AN-32 transport aircraft operating on 10% blended biodiesel for 200 flight hours in the next six months.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The aircraft flew on biodiesel mixed with aviation turbine fuel (ATF) for the first time in December 2018.
So far, one AN-32 has flown 65 hours with 10% biofuel mixture and the performance has been quite satisfactory.
Another aircraft, the Dornier, is undergoing ground testing after being approved by the engine's original manufacturer Honeywell to use 50% biofuel.
The global aviation industry is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases that cause global warming.
The indigenous bio-jet fuel was first produced in 2013 by the CSIR-IIP laboratory in Dehradun, but could not be tested for commercial use on aircraft.
This fuel is made from Jatropha oil procured from Chhattisgarh Biodiesel Development Authority (CBDA) and then processed at CSIR-IIP, Dehradun.
About AN-32 :
It is a twin-engine, tactical light transport aircraft designed and manufactured by Antonov Design Bureau of Ukraine for the Indian Air Force (IAF).
The AN-32 is derived from the AN-26 transport aircraft.
The current total number of AN-32 transport aircraft operating around the world is 240.
It can fly at a maximum speed of 530km/h and its cruise speed is 470km/h.
It has ten variants.
6. Indigenous Light Combat Helicopter to join IAF helicopter fleet in October
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Air Force helicopter fleet will be boosted with the induction of the indigenously developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) at Jodhpur, Rajasthan on 3 October 2022. The LCH has been manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Capability of LCH :
- According to HAL, the LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 m (16400 feet) with a considerable load of weapons and fuel. It has been made to meet the requirement of the armed forces operating in the high altitude area of Ladakh and Siachen.
- It is suited to perform the roles of search and rescue, destruction of enemy air defence, counter insurgency operations, combat against slow moving aircraft etc.
Limited Series production :
- In March 2022 the Union Government had approved the manufacturing of 15 limited series LCH for the Army and the Air force .Of the 15 limited series production helicopters approved, 10 are for the IAF and five for the army.
- The light combat helicopter Limited Series Production (LSP) is an indigenously designed, developed, and manufactured state-of-the-art modern combat helicopter. It has an indigenous content of 45% that will increase to more than 55% in the further series.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) :
- It was set up as Hindustan Aircraft Limited by Walchand Hirachand in 1940 at Bangalore (now Bengaluru), Karnataka.
- It was taken over by the government of India and merged with Aeronautics India limited and was renamed as Hindustan Aeronautics Limited on 1 October 1964.
- Its main business is to design, develop, manufacture, repair and overhaul of aircraft, helicopters, engines and related systems like avionics, instruments and accessories.
- It comes under the Ministry of Defence.
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
7. BSF first female camel squad to be deployed along India Pak Border
Tags: Defence
Border Security Force (BSF) will soon deploy its first female camel riding squad along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The female camel riding squad participated for the first time in the BSF Raising Day Parade on 1st December. This Squad is the first of its kind in the world.
- Giving this information, DIG BSF Bikaner, Pushpendra singh Rrathore said that Intensive training was given to this squad at the Bikaner Regional Headquarters of BSF under the supervision of skilled trainers
- The BSF is the only force in the country to have the Camel Contingents and the Camel Mounted Band.
- BSF, traditionally known as the 'first line of defence', the Camel Contingents are used to keep a vigil in the vast expanse of the Thar Desert.
Border Security Force (BSF) :
- It is one of the 7 Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) in India. It was set upon 1 December 1965.
- It is the only CAPF which has an Air Wing, Water wing and Artillery wing.
- It comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
- It is also known as the ’first line of defence' in India.
- Director General of BSF : Pankaj Kumar Singh
8. Defence Ministry issues themes for the Republic Day Tableaux 2023
The Union Ministry of Defence which is responsible for organising the Republic Day ceremony in New Delhi has proposed three specific themes for 2023 Republic Day Parade tableaux.
They are India@75, International Year of Millets and Nari Shakti.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- In a letter from the defence ministry, various state governments, Central ministries and departments have been invited to participate in the Republic Day Parade on January 26 by creating a tableaux choosing any of these three themes or a combination of the three.
- The theme of the 2022 Republic day was India @75.
9. JIMEX 2022: India- Japan starts joint naval exercise in Bay of Bengal
Tags: place in news Defence
According to the Ministry of Defence the sixth edition of Japan India Maritime Exercise 2022 (JIMEX 22) hosted by the Indian Navy commenced in the Bay of Bengal on 11 Sep 2022.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- The Japanese Navy which is officially called as Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) is being represented by Naval ships Izumo, a Helicopter Carrier, and Takanami, a Guided Missile Destroyer.
- The Indian Navy is being represented by three indigenously designed and built warships; Sahyadri, a multi-purpose stealth frigate and Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvettes Kadmatt and Kavaratti. Additionally, Guided Missile Destroyer Ranvijay, Fleet Tanker Jyoti, Offshore Patrol Vessel Sukanya, submarines, MIG 29K fighter aircraft, Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft and ship borne helicopters are also participating in the exercise.
- JIMEX 22 involves two Phases; exercises at sea and a harbour phase at Visakhapatnam.
- The 5th edition of JIMEX -21 was held in Arabian Sea from 6 to 8 October.
10. INS Satpura & P8 I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft reached Darwin, Australia to participate Exercise Kakadu
Tags: Defence
INS Satpura and a P8 I Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the Indian Navy reached Darwin in Australia for participation in multinational Exercise Kakadu-22, hosted by the Royal Australian Navy.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- Exercise Kakadu 2022 (KA22) is starting from September 12, involving over 15 ships, over 30 aircraft and around 3,000 personnel from over 20 countries.
The KA22 is being commanded by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and supported by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
The biennial exercise, which was started in 1993, is the major international participatory activity of RAN.
The theme for this year’s exercise is "Partnership, Leadership, Friendship”
It is scheduled to conclude on 24 September.
About INS Satpura :
It is an indigenously designed and manufactured 6000 ton guided missile stealth frigate with the capability to seek and destroy enemies in air, surface and underwater.
The ship is a part of the Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
P8 I Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft :
It is manufactured by American aviation company Boeing, is designed for long-range anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
