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Small News
NEWS ROUND UP AIR FORCE COMMANDERS’ CONFERENCE: IAF REVIEWS PREPAREDNESS, DELIBERATES ON ROADMAP FOR NEXT DECADE
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ew Delhi. With the continuing tension along the Sino-Indian border on the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the three-day Air Force Commanders’ Conference (ACC) which concluded on July 24 had a series of discussions and reviews on operational preparedness and strategies for countering security threats envisaged across the entire spectrum. They discussed the current situation and thereafter carried out a thorough review of the IAF’s transformation roadmap for the next decade.
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) Admiral Karambir Singh and Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General MM Naravane addressed the Conference and interacted with the Commanders as well as the Principal Staff Officers (PSOs) at Air Headquarters on matters of jointness and integrated war fighting. The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria reviewed the status and issues related to all Commands as well as branches.
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AMID INDIA-CHINA FACEOFF AT LAC, GOVT REACHES OUT TO ARRANGE NEW EQUIPMENT FOR IAF
New Delhi. As the Sino-Indian border standoff continues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the government is reaching out to arrange new equipment for the Indian Air Force (IAF). The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and including the three service chiefs and Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, is expected to clear ground-based, high-frequency radios. About 160 are likely to be procured. The Defence Research and Development Organisation’s (DRDO) smart anti-airfield weapon— presumably, bombs to destroy runways and hangers— is also ready. The development trials are over and production issues will be discussed. Also under discussion is DRDO‘s unit repair vehicle for the Arjun tank. This is a small (only Rs eight crore) but significant project. The manufacture of ammunition for Pinaka multi-barrelled rocket launchers is also on the agenda. The private sector will be invited to produce Pinaka ammunition while the Ordnance Factory Board will also make some. This has happened after the DRDO developing a shell with better propellant.
HAMPSHIRE, England. DTC Communications Inc. (DTC) has delivered MANET Mesh radios for a successful End-User trial in a subterranean / underground and Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) environment. DTC radios live streamed 6 dismounted Video and Voice feeds from the P4 Basement of a shopping mall to L2, some six floors above, and to a Command Post 400m outside. Juan A. Navarro, CEO, DTC, says “This was truly great work by our “Make-in-India” partners Brij Systems Limited and Exicom Technologies India LLP.” DTC’s technology delivers Mission Critical, Secure, Tactical Data, Video and Voice comms providing realtime Shared Situational Awareness (SSA) for Assault Teams and Special Operations. The OEM solution was designed and engineered specifically for Exicom Technologies in the DTC UK facility.
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SAAB CALLS INDIA’S NEW DEFENCE FDI MODEL OF ENHANCED INVESTMENT UP TO 74% “VERY ATTRACTIVE”
Bew Delhi. Swedish company SAAB has said that 74 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in defence is a “very attractive model” but wanted clarification whether the Strategic Partnership (SP) model of the Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) comes under it. In a virtual interaction with the media, Mats Palmberg, Head of SAAB’s Gripen India campaign, said his company is planning to set up an advanced industrial body, the Indian Aircraft Company (INAC). “If the Gripen fighter is selected by the Indian Air Force (IAF) in the 114 fighter tender which is underway, then INAC will be set up.” “This will enable the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) have control over the setup and they can take responsibility and also meet customer expectations.”
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TO STAND GUARD AGAINST CHINA AT LAC, INDIA IN TALKS WITH US TO BUY ADVANCED MQ-9 UAV
New York. With China continuing to adopt an aggressive posture towards India, Washington’s sale of advanced weapons system show its commitment to New Delhi’s security, said a senior US State Department official. “At a time when India is facing substantial security challenges, the growth in our defence partnership is exceptionally important. This partnership includes defence sales, particularly our offers of advanced US weapon systems as a demonstration of our commitment to Indian security and sovereignty,” the official told reporters on September 30.
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IN A BIG BOOST TO INDIGENOUS DEFENCE PRODUCTION HAL ROLLS OUT 300TH ALH DHRUV
Bengaluru. In yet another major fillip to indigenous programme, 300th Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv rolled out from HAL hangar in Bengaluru on September 29. Speaking on the occasion, R Madhavan, CMD, HAL said ALH never looked back from the day when the prototype took its maiden flight on August 30, 1992 and has evolved into a world class helicopter with its unparalleled performance. “The evolution from ALH Mark-I to Mark-IV has been phenomenal and is a boost to the indigenous design and development of helicopters,” he added. The Roll-out certificate of the 300th helicopter was handed over to GVS Bhaskar, Chief Executive Officer, Helicopter Complex by YK Sharma, Additional Director General (South Zone), Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA) at a programme held at HAL’s Helicopter Division.
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ENCOURAGING INDIGENOUS DEFENCE PRODUCTION, INDIA TO PRODUCE NEXT GEN FIGHTER JETS
MOD SIGNS `591.34 CR CONTRACT WITH ALPHA DESIGN TECHNOLOGIES FOR MISSILE AND RADAR SYSTEMS UPGRADE
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New Delhi: In keeping with encouraging indigenous private sector in defence industry, India is likely to produce its next generation of fighter jets in a private sector-led joint venture, which could require investments of over Rs 2,500 crore from the selected company but would catapult it into a select league capable of manufacturing cutting edge aeronautical systems. India’s leading aerospace manufacturer and state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) is currently working out the costs involved and the structure of the planned JV for the production of the fifth generation Advanced Multirole Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with an ambitious target for 2028.
New Delhi: Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract worth Rs 591.34 crore with Bengaluru-based Alpha Design Technologies Ltd (ADTL) for the upgrade/ digitisation of 16 Russian versions of Pechora Missile and Radar Systems. Pechora Systems, in service at present, are already 30 plus years old and there are lots of obsolescence and spares / repair / maintenance problems, which will be solved by the upgradation. The project will be undertaken by Alpha Design in partnership with Russia and would be completed in four years time.
NEWS ROUND UP INDIA CONCLUDES BILATERAL NAVAL EXERCISES WITH AUSTRALIA, BANGLADESH, JAPAN, RUSSIA
By PK GHOSH
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ew Delhi. Against the backdrop of aggressive Chinese stand in South China Sea and to keep the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) specially the IndoPacific safe and secure, Indian Navy went into several bilateral naval exercises namely with Australia, Bangladesh, Japan and Russia in the month of September and early October.
The joint naval exercise between Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Australian Navy Passage Exercise (PASSEX) concluded in the East Indian Ocean Region (IOR) on September 24.
The two-day exercise involved participation of HMAS Hobart from the Australian side and Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Karmuk. In addition, an Indian MPA and helicopters from both sides participated in the exercise.
The exercise, aimed at enhancing interoperability, improving understanding and imbibing best practices from each other, involved advanced surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firings, seamanship exercises, naval manoeuvres and Cross Deck Flying Operations. PASSEX is regularly conducted by IN with units of friendly foreign navies.
The second edition of India-Bangladesh bilateral naval exercise ‘Bongosagar’ was concluded on October 5. Exercise Bongosagar, whose first edition was held in 2019, is aimed at developing interoperability and joint operational skills through conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations. In this edition of exercise Bongosagar, ships from both the navies participated in surface warfare drills, seamanship evolutions and helicopter operations.
Alongside ‘Bongosagar’, the third (3rd) edition of Indian Navy – Bangladesh Navy Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) was also conducted in Northern Bay of Bengal, wherein IN and BN units undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL). Conduct of CORPATs has strengthened understanding between both the navies and instituted measures to stop conduct of unlawful activities.
Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kiltan, an indigenously built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette and INS Khukri, an indigenously built Guided-Missile Corvette were participated along with Bangladesh Naval Ship (BNS) Abu Bakr, a GuidedMissile Frigate and BNS Prottoy, a GuidedMissile Corvette.
India and Bangladesh have a close, long-standing relationship covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions, which has strengthened over the years. The people of India and Bangladesh also share close cultural bonds and a shared vision of democratic society and a rulesbased order. This edition of exercise Bongosagar assumes greater significance since it is being conducted during Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Bongosagar and IN – BN CORPAT, undertaken over three days, reflect the priority that Indian Navy accords to the Bangladesh Navy as part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region). Besides Australia, Japan, which is a Quad member nation, also went into the fourth edition of India – Japan Maritime bilateral exercise JIMEX 20 which concluded on September 28. JIMEX, which is held biennially, commenced in January 2012 with special focus on maritime security cooperation.
Naval cooperation between India and
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Japan has also increased in scope and complexity over the years. Advanced level of operations and exercises planned during JIMEX 20 are indicative of the continued upswing in Indo-Japanese defence relations and continued efforts by both the governments to work closely for a more secure, open and inclusive global commons, in accordance with international regulations.
In early last month, India took part in the two-day 11th edition of INDRA NAVY-2020 with its all weather ally Russia. The latest edition of bilateral naval exercise, which was held in the Bay of Bengal coincided with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s visit to Moscow. Ex INDRA NAVY epitomises the long-term strategic relationship between the two navies. This exercise has matured over the years with increase in scope, complexity of operations, and level of participation.
The primary aim of exercise INDRA NAVY-2020 was to further consolidate inter-operability built up by the two navies over the years and also to enhance understanding and procedures for multifaceted maritime operations.
The exercises assumed significance on the back of Chinese aggressive posture in the South China Sea as well as to ensure the free navigation of water in the Indian Ocean Region. They were also well within Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
BOEING, HONEYWELL AEROSPACE, ROLLS-ROYCE REACH AGREEMENT FOR H-47 CHINOOK HEAVY-LIFT HELICOPTER REQUIREMENTS
Berlin. Boeing, Honeywell Aerospace and Rolls-Royce Deutschland Ltd have reached an agreement to provide inservice support of the T-55 engine should the government of Germany select the H-47 Chinook for its Schwerer Transporthubschrauber (STH) heavy-lift helicopter requirement. Since the forming of the Chinook Germany Industry Team in 2018, originally comprised of nine German companies, Boeing continues to build a strong industry team to provide the Luftwaffe with local long-term services support, maintenance and training of the Chinook over the next several decades. In addition, Boeing’s industrial plan will foster German economic growth while creating highly skilled jobs in country.
WORLD DEMAND FOR RUSSIAN ARMORED VEHICLES REMAINS STEADILY STRONG, SAYS ROSOBORONEXPORT DIRECTOR GENERAL
Moscow. Rosoboronexport, part of the Rostec State Corporation, has supplied 3000+ tanks and vehicles based on them abroad, including artillery, engineering and other weapon systems and military equipment over 20 years of its activity in the international arms market. “The equipment designed by the Russian school of tank building, which celebrated its 100th anniversary this year, receives acclaim of foreign specialists every year. The latest products from Rostec holding companies – Armata and T-90MS MBTs, BMPT Terminator tank support fighting vehicles, SprutSDM1 light amphibious tanks, TOS-1A heavy flamethrower systems, Msta-S self-propelled howitzers, a broad lineup of engineer vehicles based on tank chassis and many other domestic armored vehicles – are in high demand around the world. In a number of countries, armored units equipped predominantly with Russian vehicles became the backbone of the national armed forces,” said Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Engineering Union.
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