Indo-French Naval Exercise ‘Varuna’ 2017

The 15th edition of the major Indo-French naval exercise, Varuna, was held

from 24 April to 12 May.

It took place at France's Toulon port, southern France’s Mediterranean

coast

The Indian Navy sent four of its foremost ships for the exercise: guided

missile destroyer INS Mumbai, two guided missile frigates INS

Trishul and INS Tarkash,

and replenishment and repair ship INS Aditya.

From the French Navy, too, four ships participated: multi-mission frigates

Auvergne and Aquitaine, the anti-aircraft frigate Cassard, and the stealth

frigate La Fayette.

Helicopters and Rafale fighter jets were also

in service for this exercise

The purpose of current naval exercise is to

underscore India’s peaceful presence and

solidarity with friendly and like-minded

countries towards ensuring good order in

the maritime domain and to strengthen the

existing bonds between India and France

SLINEX 2017: India-Sri Lanka joint maritime naval exercise

The seventh edition of India-Sri Lanka joint maritime naval exercise SLINEX

2017 was held near Vishakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) in Bay of Bengal.

Conducted from 7th to 14th September 2017

Two ships of the Sri Lanka Navy, SLNS Sayura and SLNS Sagara participated.

The seven days exercise aimed to reinforce strong neighbourly ties between

both countries underscored by extensive maritime interaction and improved

understanding.

SLINEX 2017' focuses on fleet work, seamanship, communication,

replenishment at sea, Visit Board Search and Seize (VBSS) operations and

helicopter operations. Joint naval operations enable both Navies to rehearse

and improve own capabilities and enhance operational effectiveness required

to maintain maritime security in the region.

India, Russia to hold joint military exercise in October

India and Russia will hold a mega military exercise in October involving

their armies, navies and the air forces for the first time to further

ramp up military ties.

The exercise “Indra”, which will be held in Russia from 19 to 29

October.

It will be for the first time that India will participate in a tri-services

military exercise with a foreign country with such a large scale

participation by the Navy, the Army and the Air Force (IAF)

The officials said the exercise will take place in three locations in

Russia including in mountainous Vladivostok region.

Malabar 2017: India-Japan-U.S. joint exercise

The 21st edition of the 'MALABAR-2017' naval exercise began in the Bay of

Bengal on 10th July & will last till July 17.

Originally a bilateral exercise between India and the United States, Japan

became a permanent partner in 2015.

Past non-permanent participants are Australia and Singapore.

The primary aim of this exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the

three navies of India, U.S. and Japan and to reiterate the strong and resilient

relationship between them in many areas, including maritime security

operations.

The scope of MALABAR-2017 includes wide-ranging professional interactions

during the Harbour Phase at Chennai from 10 to 13 July 2017 and a diverse

range of operational activities at sea during the Sea Phase from 14 to 17 July

17.

Participants from US Navy include the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier

USS Nimitz with embarked Carrier Air Wing 11; guided-missile

cruiser USS Princeton; guided-missile destroyers USS Howard, USS

Shoup and USS Kidd; a P-8A Poseidon surveillance aircraft; and a Los

Angeles-class fast-attack submarine

From Indian Navy, aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

Two Kamorta class anti-submarine warfare

corvettes, two Shivalik class frigates and tanker INS

Jyoti are also participating. The Japan Maritime Self

Defence Force (JMSD) ships JS Izumo and JS

Sazanami are participating in the exercise.

Bilateral Exercise Between Indian & Republic Of Singapore Navy Simbex-17

Commences

This year’s edition of SIMBEX-17 being held in the South China Sea would be

the 24th in the series since 1994

And is aimed to increase interoperability between the RSN and IN as well as

develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security

operations.

SIMBEX is an acronym for “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercises.

It Began on 18th May and concluded on 24th May

Indian Naval Ships Shivalik, Sahyadri, Jyoti and Kamorta and one P8-I

Maritime Patrol and Anti-Submarine Warfare Aircraft participated.

The thrust of exercises at sea this year would be on

Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), integrated

operations with Surface, Air and Sub-surface forces,

Air Defence and Surface Encounter Exercises.

ARPAN 3.0: Government rolled out new automation software for Defence

Security Corps

Defence Ministry has rolled out ARPAN 3.0 (Army Record Office Process

Automation 3.0), a new automation software for Defence Security Corps

personnel to ease personal documentation and all issues related to their

progression.

The software was jointly developed by Army Software Development

Centre (ASDC) and Tech Mahindra, using state-of-the-art web-based

technology.

Facts :

ARPAN 3.0 will provide over 12 lakh soldiers of Indian Army easy access to

their service records including pay and leave details and transfer and

postings among others.

As of now, all these records are maintained manually, which is a time-

consuming exercise.

It consists of seven modules facilitating end to end human resource,

financial management of Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and

Other Ranks with major functional advantages of timely processing

of postings, promotions, release of salary, publication of personal

occurrences and processing of pension has been rolled out by

DCOAS (IS &T) for the Defence Security Corps

The software provides valuable data for decision and policy making

for the Defence Security Corps Directorate.

It will enable Defence Security Corps to access their service profiles,

statement of accounts and adjustment of allowances at par with

troops of Indian Army.

INS TARASA commissioned into Indian Navy.

INS Tarasa (T94), the fourth and last ship in series of Water Jet Fast

Attack Craft (WJFAC) was commissioned into Indian Navy at Naval

Dockyard, Mumbai.

It is an improved variant of Car Nicobar-class high-speed offshore

patrol vessels (OPVs) built indegenously by Kolkata (West Bengal)

based Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), for the

Indian Navy.

It has been named after the picturesque island in the Andaman and

Nicobar archipelago in Bay of Bengal.

It is powered by the latest 4,000-series MTU engines and has

displacement capacity of 315 tonnes.

It is fitted with advanced machinery control system. It has been designed to

attain maximum speed of 35 knots and for an endurance of nearly 2,000

nautical miles at 12-14 knots.

The ship will be fitted with CRN-91 indigenous 30mm gun with optronic

pedestal.

The ship will also have the latest communication equipment and radars to

enable effective surveillance.

INS Tarasa will be based at Mumbai under operational control of Western

Naval Command.

Background

WJFACs are ideally suited and used for interception of fast-moving surface

craft.

INS Tarasa is fourth and last of follow-on WJFAC’s indegenously built

GRSE, Kolkata.

The first two ships of class INS Tarmugli and INS Tihayu were

commissioned in 2016 and are based at Visakhapatnam.

The third ship INS Tillanchang was commissioned earlier in March 2017 at

Karwar, Gujarat.

DRUZBA 2017: Pakistan, Russia hold joint military drill

The second edition of DRUZBA 2017 (Friendship-2017), a joint military exercise

between special forces of Pakistan and Russia was held in Minralney Vody, Russia.

The exercise set the stage for translating political goodwill between both

countries into a substantial partnership especially in the field of defence

The joint exercise DRUZBA 2017 focused on counter-terrorism operations,

hostage and rescue, cordon and search operation.

It aimed to enhance and further strengthen military ties between two countries

and share Pakistan Army’s experience in war against terrorism.

ICBM Agni-IV successfully test-fired off Odisha coast.

India successfully test-fired its home-grown long range intercontinental

ballistic missile (ICBM) Agni-IV from the Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island off

Odisha coast.

The test was aimed at revalidating new technologies incorporated in Agni-IV

system and checking the readiness of armed forces to launch the missile on

its own.

Agni-IV missile

Agni-IV is two-stage surface-to-surface nuclear capable intercontinental

ballistic missile.

It has been designed and developed indigenously by Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO)

It is 20 metres long and weighs 17 tonnes.

It has many cutting-edge technologies which can meet global standards

including Pershing missile of US.

It is fire and forget missile navigated using a jam proof ring laser

gyroscope. Its re-entry heat shield can withstand temperatures in the

range of over 4,0000

Equipped with most accurate ring laser gyro-based inertial navigation

system (RINS) and supported by highly reliable redundant micro

navigation system (MINGS) that ensures it hit target within two-digit

accuracy

It is equipped with state-of-the-art Avionics, 5th generation on-board

computer and distributed architecture. It has the latest features to

correct and guide itself for in-flight disturbances.

It can carry a one-tonne nuclear warhead

over a distance of 4,000 kilometres.

It was the sixth test of the missile and the

previous test was conducted on November

09, 2015 by the specially formed strategic

force command (SFC) of Indian Army.

Indian Army conducts test of indigenous heavy artillery gun Dhanush

The Indian Army has successfully conducted ‘user-validation’ trials of

indigenous Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) Dhanush in the

Himalayas. It clears the way for the induction in the Army.

Earlier, proof firing tests of Dhanush’s armament systems were carried out

during technical trials in June and September 2016 and some initial integrated

firing tests were successfully carried out in December 2016.

It is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in

collaboration with the private sector companies.

It was designed by the DRDO’s Armament Research and Development

Establishment (ARDE).

It boasts a range of 45 km with accuracy and precision and

provides greater fire power, depending on the type of

ammunition used.

It also has night firing capability in direct fire mode.

It has several significant features such as an all-electric drive,

quick deployability, high mobility, auxiliary power mode,

advanced communication system, and automated command

and control system.

Guided Pinaka successfully test-fired

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

successfully test-fired the Pinaka Rocket converted to a Guided

Pinaka from Launch Complex-III, ITR, Chandipur (Odisha).

Guided Pinaka is transformed version of the Pinaka Rocket Mark-II,

which has evolved from Pinaka Mark-I.

It has been jointly developed by ARDE Pune, DRDL Hyderabad and

RCI Hyderabad.

It is equipped with a navigation, guidance and control kit. This

conversion considerably enhances the range and accuracy of Pinaka

About Pinaka

Pinaka is an unguided rocket weapon area system (WAS) with a range of

40 km. It meant to neutralise large areas with rapid salvos.

It can fire a salvo of 12 rockets in 44 seconds with 1.2 tonnes of high

explosives.

The battery of six launchers can neutralise at a time a target area of 3.9

sq km.

It has capability to incorporate several types of warheads makes it

deadly for the enemy as it can even destroy solid structures and bunkers.

The quick reaction time and high rate of fire of the system gives an edge

to the Army during a low amount conflict situation. It already has been

inducted into Indian Army.

Pakistan test-fires first nuclear-capable submarine cruise missile

Babur-3

Pakistan successfully test-fired its first Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile

(SLCM) Babur-3 capable of carrying a nuclear warhead.

This launch gives Pakistan a “credible” second-strike capability.

The Babur-3 missile was fired from an underwater mobile platform from an

undisclosed location in the Indian Ocean and hit its target with precise

accuracy.

SLCM Babur-3 is a sea-based variant of Ground Launched Cruise Missile

(GLCM) Babur-2.

It has been named after the first Mughal Emperor Zahir-ud-Din Babur.

It has a range of 450km.

It also has certain stealth technologies, in an emerging regional

Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) environment.

Babur-3 SLCM in land-attack mode, is capable of delivering various

types of payloads including conventional as well as nuclear

warheads.

Government to set up Defence Procurement Organisation

Union Government is planning to set up a Defence Procurement

Organisation (DPO), new procurement body to integrate and

streamline the long and arduous process of defence acquisitions.

The DPO will be a vertical under the Union Defence Ministry. It will

simplify the defence purchase procedure by integrating procurement

processes.

Government has modified several times the Defence Procurement

Process, which applies to all defence capital procurements to bring in

transparency and speed up acquisitions.

But even after multiple modification, the process continues to be

lengthy and complicated.

The new agency will be established based on the

recommendation of government appointed committee on

the modalities of setting up the DPO.

The committee was headed by Dr. Pritam Singh, former

Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Lucknow

and has submitted a report to then Union Defence Minister

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) chaired by the

Prime Minister has increased the financial powers of the

Defence Minister to clear defence deals upto Rs.2,000 crore

from earlier Rs.500 crore limit to shorten the procurement

cycle.

Now only deals of Rs.3,000 crore and above would go to the

CCS for approval.

CCS also increased joint financial powers of Finance Minister

and Defence Minister to approve projects up to Rs.3,000 crore,

up from the earlier Rs.1,000 crore.

The Defence Secretary also has been given financial powers

upto Rs.500 crore to clear deals.

Second Scorpene class submarine INS Khanderi launched

INS Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine was launched at the Mazagon

Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

It is the second of the six submarines being built at MDL in collaboration with

France’s DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy.

It has been named Khanderi, after the Island fort of Maratha ruler Chhatrapati

Shivaji which played had vital role in ensuring their supremacy at sea in late 17th

century.

Khanderi is also name for Tiger Shark.

The state-of-the-art features include superior stealth and ability to launch a

crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon.

Under Project 75, six Scorpene submarines are being built with

assistance and technology transfer from DCNS of France under deal

signed in October 2005.

The first of the series INS Kalvari is completing sea trials and will be

commissioned shortly.

The other four submarines are expected to be launched at nine-

month intervals after the INS Khanderi.

At Present, the Indian Navy operates only 13 conventionally powered

submarines and two nuclear submarines.

Pakistan conducts first flight test of Ababeel missile with MIRV

technology.

Pakistan successfully conducted the first flight test of Ababeel surface-to-

surface medium range ballistic missile.

The test flight was aimed at validating various design and technical

parameters of missile’s weapon system.

It is claimed that Ababeel missile has the capability to carry nuclear as

well as conventional warheads and engage multiple targets with high

precision by defeating the enemy’s hostile radars.

Ababeel missile is capable of delivering multiple warheads, using Multiple

Independent Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, first of its kind in

Pakistan’s missile arsenal.

It has a maximum range of 2,200 kilometres.

The development of Ababeel Weapon System aims at ensuring

survivability of Pakistan’s ballistic missiles in growing regional Ballistic

Missile Defence (BMD) environment in reference to the India’s Prithvi

and Ashwin BMD systems.

It also seeks to further reinforce Pakistan’s deterrence.

With this successful test, Pakistan became seventh country to join

the elite club of nuclear countries that have MIRV capabilities

Other countries having MIRV capabilities are United Kingdom, France,

Russia, the United States, China and India.

India and China had achieved this capability over the past couple of

years.

India, France sign pact on maritime information sharing in Indian

Ocean Region.

India and France have signed White Shipping agreement to enable

information sharing on maritime traffic and maritime domain awareness

in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

The agreement was signed in New Delhi after both countries held their

second dialogue on maritime cooperation for the IOR.

The agreement will enable navies of India and France to coordinate their

roles in stabilising Indo-Pacific region.

Background

India and France firmed up cooperation on sharing of radars in the

Indian Ocean during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Paris in

2015.

India is setting up a grid of coastal surveillance radars in the IOR

that will enable it to monitor increasing Chinese presence in the

area, France has shown interest in sharing data from surveillance

systems on its Indian Ocean territories in the region that includes

Mayotte, besides military bases in UAE and Djibouti.

Both countries in the last couple of years are coordinating their

naval movements and surveillance in the IOR.

China successfully tests DF-5C missile with 10 nuclear warheads.

China has successfully tested a new version of a DF-5C missile that can carry

up to 10 nuclear warheads

The flight test of the missile was carried using 10 multiple independently

targetable re-entry vehicles, (MIRVs), from the Taiyuan Space Launch Centre

in Shanxi province and to an impact range in the western Taklamakan desert.

The Dongfeng 5 (DF-5) is a three stage Chinese intercontinental ballistic

missile (ICBM).

It has a length of 32.6 m and a diameter of 3.35 m. It weighs in at 183,000

kilograms.

It has an estimated range of 12,000 to 15,000 kilometers. It is primarily

designed for nuclear weapons delivery.

The DF-5’s first flight was conduected in 1971 and was

in operational service 10 years later.

This missile’s development is considered as response

to development of US’s ballistic missile defence system

Indian Navy’s Theatre Level Exercise TROPEX 17

The Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Readiness Operational

Exercise (TROPEX) 2017 is being conducted off the Western

Seaboard.

The month long exercise will see participation of ships and

aircraft of both the Western and Eastern Naval Command and

also assets from the Indian Air Force, Indian Army and the Indian

Coast Guard.

TROPEX 17 exercise is aimed at testing combat readiness of the

combined fleets of the Indian Navy, and the assets of the Indian

Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.

It will also see participation of recently commissioned destroyer

Chennai, the P-8I long range maritime reconnaissance and anti-

submarine warfare aircraft.

The assets of Indian Navy will operate alongside SU-30 MKI, Jaguars,

AWACS, IL-78 Flight Refuelling Aircraft of the Indian Air Force and

Infantry units of the Indian Army.

The last edition of TROPEX exercise was conducted in January 2015 and

since its launch it has grown in scale and complexity over the years.

Indian Navy launches underwater harbour defence and surveillance

system.

Indian Navy has launched an Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and

Surveillance System (IUHDSS) in Mumbai, Maharashtra to enhance the

security of valuable naval assets against asymmetric threats.

It is third IUHDSS to be installed in India.

IUHDSS is designed and developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries ELTA for

surface and sub-surface surveillance of the harbour.

It is a state of the art system with integrated radars, advance sensors,

electro optic cameras and sound navigation and ranging systems (SONARs).

Its sensors have been strategically installed around Mumbai Harbour to

provide comprehensive real-time situational awareness for monitoring and

analysis.

It is capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and generating warning for all

types of underwater and surface threats to harbour security.

Besides detecting large targets, it can also detect small targets like divers,

boats and swimmers at adequate ranges.

IUHDSS will play an important role in strengthening Harbour Defence and

Security at Mumbai.

AAD interceptor missile successfully test-fired

Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was successfully

test-fired from launching complex-IV of Dhamara Abdul Kalam

defence base off Odisha coast.

The test assed missile’s killing capability by intercepting a target,

mimicking an incoming enemy missile in mid-air.

The success of test has boosted India’s position in the exclusive club of

AAD countries United States, Russia and Israel.

The interceptor missile is a 7.5-metre-long single stage solid rocket

propelled guided missile

It is equipped with a navigation system, a hi-tech computer, inertial

navigation system and an electro-mechanical activator

It can destroy the incoming hostile ballistic missile in the endo-

atmospheric region (less than 30 km altitude) at a low altitude of less

than 30 kms.

It has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception,

independent tracking and homing capabilities and sophisticated radars,

Pakistan’s naval exercise Aman 2017 in Karachi

Pakistan Navy kicked of its biannually-held multinational

AMAN 2017 naval exercise in Karachi, Pakistan.

37 countries are participat in the international event.

Aman-17 is the sixth edition such exercise which Pakistan

has been holding biannually since 2007.

Previous exercises were held in 2007, 2009, 2011, and 2013,

and 2016 respectively.

The theme of AMAN 2017 is “together for peace”. It is

intended to devise procedures and techniques against

conventional and non-conventional threats

The naval exercise aims at enhancing efforts to

combating piracy and protecting international trade

routes.

It is divided into two phases viz. Harbor phase and Sea

phase.

Harbor phase will include ship visits, sports events, and a

maritime security conference in which participants will

present research papers, among other things.

Sea phase will witness a variety of activities including

Search & Rescue (SAR) Operations, gunnery drills, anti-

piracy demonstrations, replenishment at Sea (RAS) and

maritime counter-terrorism demonstrations.

Nine countries Australia, China, Turkey, Indonesia, United

Kingdom, Sri Lanka, United States, Japan and Russia are

participated with warships or aircraft. Turkey and Russia

are participating for first time.

US sent four ships, China and Russia sent three ships,

while Australia, Indonesia, UK, Turkey and Sri Lanka each

dispatched one.

Japan has sent two P-3C Orion aircraft, whereas the

Maldives, Malaysia, Nigeria, and Russia have each

dispatched Special Operations Forces detachments.

INS Sarvekshak becomes India’s first ship to go green.

Indian Navy’s survey vessel INS Sarvekshak, based at the Southern

Naval Command in Kochi became the first naval ship to go green by

installing a solar power system on board.

It has innovatively deployed the zero-maintenance solar power system,

capable of generating 5.4KW electricity and replacing the ship’s

traditional 4.4KW emergency diesel alternator.

The solar power generating system has been installed by customising

and installing ‘razor-thin, flexible’ solar panels on the canopy of

its telescopic (retractable) helicopter deck.

It has light weight, extra-thin and flexible unbreakable solar panels

imported from US along with no-fume solid electrolyte batteries.

These industrial grade panels are found to be performing well in all-light

conditions and are shade-tolerant.

They also have a maintenance free life for 24 years making

it maintenance free.

The system is 100% reliable for power source that can be used for

communication equipment, general lightings onboard and battery

charging round the clock with battery outputs during night.

The low cost system will slash a yearly carbon emission of 60,225 kg and

save around 22,995 litres of diesel used to run the vessel’s emergency

diesel alternator

Reliance Defence signs warship repair pact with US Navy

Anil Ambani group led Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited

(RDEL) has signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the

US Navy to provide repair and alteration services for ships of the

Seventh Fleet.

With this, RDEL became first Indian company (either public or

private) to provide logistical support to the US military within Indian

territory.

Under this agreement, RDEL will maintain the vessels of US Seventh

Fleet involving 100 vessels operating in the Indian Ocean.

The signing of a MSRA agreement is a follow-up to the Logistics Exchange

Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) signed between India and US in

August 2016.

These vessels will be serviced and repaired from the RDEL owned private

shipyard in Pipavav in Gujarat.

This deal is likely to generate Rs. 10,000 crore in revenues for RDEL in the

next five years.

The Pipavav shipyard was qualified and approved by US government to

perform complex repair and alteration services for the US Navy after a

detailed site survey conducted in October 2016.

The US Seventh Fleet looks after the Western Pacific and Indian Ocean.

Currently, these vessels visit Singapore or Japan for such works.

About LEMOA

It is a tweaked India-specific version of the logistics support

agreement (LSA), which US has close military to military co-

operation with several countries.

LEMOA gives access, to both countries, to designated military

facilities on either side for the purpose of refuelling and

replenishment.

It should be noted that it does not create any obligations on

either Party to carry out any joint activity. It does not provide for

the establishment of any bases or basing arrangements.

IAF inducts indigenous early warning system NETRA

The Indian Airforce (IAG) has formally inducted the first

indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System

(AEW&C) dubbed as NETRA.

The AEW&C NETRA has been indigenously developed by the

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

It was unveiled at the 2017 Aero India exhibition held in Bengaluru,

Karnataka.

AEW&C NETRA system is based on Embraer aircraft (Emb-145

platform).

It has self-protection suite and also mid-air refueling capability

to enhance surveillance time.

This system gives 240-degree coverage of airspace.

DRDO has developed three NETRA systems and its three

aircraft will be based at Bhatinda, facing the Western border.

With this India, joins group of other countries such as United

States, Russia and Israel which have developed the AEW&C

system.

Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH commissioned

Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH was commissioned at Kochi, Kerala by

Vice Admiral AR Karwe, Flag Officer Commanding-in- Chief, Southern Naval

Command.

ICGS AYUSH is the 20th and the last in the series of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels

(FPVs) built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd.

ICGS AYUSH is fitted with state-of- the-art navigational and communication

equipment including Integrated Bridge System (IBS) and Machinery Control

System (MCS).

The ship is capable of undertaking multifarious tasks such as surveillance,

interdiction, search and rescue, anti-smuggling and medical evacuation.

It will also play a secondary role of providing a communication link

and escort coastal conveys in times of war.

The ship will be based at Krisnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh), under the

administrative and operational control of Commander, Coast Guard

Region.

FPVs are intended to help secure Indian waters by patrolling within

the Exclusive Economic Zone and help in fisheries protection.

Government approves Phase II of coastal surveillance

project

Union Defence Ministry has given its nod to the Phase II of coastal

surveillance project to expand the coastal radar surveillance

network.

It will strengthen surveillance of over 7,500-km coastline of the

country.

The decision was taken by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC),

chaired by Then Union Defence Minister

It also approved proposal of setting up of a shore-based

intermediate engine repair facility for the Indian Navy’s MiG-29K

fighters at the Naval yard in Goa.

Phase II of coastal surveillance project involves setting up 38 additional

radars aimed to give gap less electronic surveillance of Indian coastline.

The project will be executed by Indian companies and Bengaluru based

Bharat Electronics Ltd will be the lead integrator for the various works.

Under it four mobile surveillance stations will be also set up and will be

integrated with two vessel traffic management systems (VTMS) in Kutch

and Khambat in Gujarat.

The Central government had decided to set up a chain of static sensors to

fill gaps in coastal surveillance and keep track of boats entering Indian

territorial waters aftermath of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks in which

terrorists used a fishing boat to enter the city.

Under Phase I of the surveillance project, a chain of 46

coastal surveillance radars and electro-optic sensors were set

up, including 36 in the mainland, 6 in the Lakshadweep

islands and 4 in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Besides, India is also setting up similar radar stations in

friendly Indian Ocean littoral nations.

India, Israel to develop MR-SAM missile system for Army.

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister

Narendra Modi has approved a deal to jointly develop a medium range

surface-to-air missile (MR-SAM) system for Army with help of Israel.

The deal will be executed by the Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI).

The approved deal is for five regiments of the MR-SAM system, which

consists of 40 units and 200 missiles. It has a range of 50-70 km.

The system will be based on the older Barak system of Israel, which is

in use in India. It will be manufactured in India and will have an 80%

indigenous content.

Under this deal, the DRDO will play a crucial role in developing

the target homing system. Deliveries of the system will begin in

2023.

The MR-SAM system will be the latest in a series of other

variants of SAM systems used by the Navy and the Air Force

which is jointly developed by India and Israel.

Phalcon Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS)

India and Israel are also in an advanced stage of negotiations for

the purchase of two more long-range Phalcon AWACS. The CCS

already has approved the deal for additional AWACS in 2016.

India currently operates three Phalcon AWACS Israeli radars

mounted on Russian IL-76 transport aircraft, under a $1-billion

tripartite deal with Russia, signed in 2003. India already has

ordered two IL-76 aircraft from Russia to be converted to

AWACS.

Indian Navy successfully test-Fires anti-ship missile from Kalvari Submarine

Indian Navy successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile for the first time from an

indigenously built INS Kalvari submarine.

During a test firing in the Arabian Sea, the missile successfully hit a surface target

at extended ranges.

This launch is considered as significant milestone of Indian Navy in enhancing its

“sub-surface” warfare prowess.

INS Kalvari is the first of India’s six Scorpene-class submarines which are being

built under the Project 75.

It has been designed by France’s DCNS and was manufactured at state-owned

Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

The second Kalvari class submarine INS Khanderi was launched in Mumbai in

January 2017.

Indigenously developed weapon-locating radar SWATHI handed to Army

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) formally handed over an indigenously developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) system dubbed as ‘SWATHI’ to

Indian Army.

The DRDO also handed over a Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) recce vehicle Mk-I and NBC treatment drugs to the Indian Army.

Developed by DRDO’s Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE). It has a range of 50 km which brings all artillery guns presently in service worldwide under its

coverage.

Performs two roles i.e. Weapon Location Mode for enemy Artillery and Direction of Own artillery Fire (DOOAF) Mode for Artillery

It has been extensively tested along the Line of Control (LoC). Four such

systems are currently in operation and another 30 are on order for the

Indian Army.

The WLR has been a critical requirement of the Indian Army and in the

aftermath of the Kargil conflict it was imported from the US in 2002 to fill

critical needs

About NBC recce vehicle Mk-I

Developed by DRDO’s Vehicles Research & Development Establishment

(VRDE) for carrying out post event recce of Chemical, Biological,

Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) contaminated areas.

It is capable of collecting solid and liquid samples of biologically

contaminated areas, mark the nuclear and chemical contamination zone

and transfer the recce data speedily to support formations.

India-Oman joint military exercise Al-Nagah-II 2017 held in

Himachal Pradesh

The joint military exercise Al-Nagah-II 2017 between India and Oman

began in the Dhauladhar Ranges in Bakloh belt of Himachal Pradesh to

strengthen the military ties between the two countries.

This is the second edition of the exercise in continuation of a series of

joint exercises between the armies of the two countries. The first edition

of the exercise was held at Muscat, Oman in 2015.

The 14-day joint exercise aims to acquaint both forces with each other’s

operating procedures in the backdrop of counter insurgency, counter

terrorism environment.

Approximately sixty troops from both countries are participating in the

exercise.

World’s oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat decommissioned

The world’s longest serving warship INS Viraat was decommissioned by the

Indian Navy at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra after nearly six

decades of service.

This marks the end of an era of Viraat being the flagship of the Indian Navy as it

had provided utmost protection to the country during many tense situations.

It was built in 1943 during the Second World War and was first commissioned

as the HMS Hermes into the British Royal Navy in November 1959.

INS Viraat holds Guinness Books of record of being the longest serving warship

in the world. It was also the last British-built ship serving with the Indian Navy.

During the Falklands War in 1982, the aircraft carrier had served as the

flagship of the Royal Navy’s task force. British navy had decommissioned in

1985 after 27 years of service.

It had sailed nearly 11 lakh km, enough to cover the globe 27 times. It had

spent 30 years in the Indian Navy and 27 years in the Royal Navy.

It was commissioned into the Indian Navy on May 12, 1987. It had played a

major role in Operation Jupiter in 1989 in the Sri Lankan peace keeping

operation.

It also had participated in the standoff Operation Parakram in 2001-20012

when India and Pakistan were engaged in a standoff post the Parliament

terror attack.

Its last operational deployment was for participation in International Fleet

Review held at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh in February 2016.

Indo-Nepal joint Military exercise Surya Kiran-XI held in

Uttarakhand

The eleventh edition of joint military exercise ‘Surya Kiran 2017‘

between India and Nepal began in Pithoragarh area of Uttarakhand.

It is two-week long battalion level joint exercise between armies of

both countries. It will focus on skills required for natural disaster

management, counter-insurgency and jungle warfare.

The Surya Kiran XI aims at training of both the troops in the area of

various counter insurgency operations over a prolonged period.

It will focus on other important aspects such as humanitarian

assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations and environmental

conservation.

In this exercise, Indian Army is represented by the officers and

troops of Ekta Shakti Battalion of the Punjab Regiment.

While, Nepali Army is being represented by Durga Baksh

Battalion.

The Surya Kiran series of military exercises are being conducted

bi-annually, alternatively in India and Nepal.

The 10th edition of the exercise was held at Army Battle School,

Saljhandi in Nepal in November 2016.

INS Tillanchang commissioned by Indian Navy

India Navy has commissioned INS Tillanchang at Karwar, Karnataka. It is

a Water Jet Fast Attack Craft (WJFAC)

It is the third ship of four follow-on WJFAC built by the Kolkata based Garden

Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE).

The first two ships INS Tarmugli and INS Tihayu which were commissioned in

2016.

INS Tillanchang has been indigenously designed and built and is an upgrade

from the Chetlat class of Fast Attack Craft (FCA).

It is about 50 m long and powered by three waterjet propulsion system, which

give it speeds of over 35 knots.

It is armed with a 30 mm main gun and a number of light,

medium and heavy machine guns to undertake operations at

sea.

It will be used for missions like Coastal and Off-shore

Surveillance, Law Enforcement, EEZ Control as well as non-

military missions such as Search and Rescue, Humanitarian

Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR).

INS Tillanchang will be based at Karwar under the operational

control of the Flag Officer Commanding, Karnataka Naval Area.

It is manned by 50 personnel.

India, Russia ink long-term support pact on Sukhoi Su-30MKI

India and Russia have signed two long-term support agreements for

the Sukhoi Su-30MKI combat aircraft fleet covering around 57,000 spares

and components related to the aircraft.

The agreements were signed by India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL)

with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation and United Engine Corporation

at the first India-Russia Military Industrial Conference held in New Delhi.

Pacts were also signed for maintenance and life-cycle support for other

Russian-origin platforms, such as Mi-17 helicopters, MiG-29K aircraft, INS

Vikramaditya and T-90 tanks.

The Su-30MKI was designed and developed by Russia’s Irkut Corporation,

specifically for India. The licensed production of the aircraft takes place at

HAL’s facility in Nashik, Maharashtra

BrahMos missile successfully test-fired

The land-attack version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile with an

extended range increased from 290 km to 450 km was successfully

test fired.

The missile was test fired from a Mobile Autonomous Launcher

(MAL) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha.

It met its mission parameters fully by achieving 100% results.

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile has been designed and developed

by BrahMos Aerospace, a joint venture of India and Russia.

It name has been derived from the names of two rivers, India’s

Brahmaputra River and Russia’s Moskva River.

It has top supersonic speed of Mach 2.

It is two-stage missile, the first one being solid and the second one ramjet

liquid propellant.

It is capable of carrying a warhead of 300 kilogram, both conventional and

nuclear.

Another version of the missile with a strike range of 800 km is under

development.

It has already been inducted into the Indian Army and Navy, while the Air

Force version is in the final stage of trials.

Navy’s first version was inducted in 2005 on INS Rajput.

The Indian Army is already equipped with three regiments of Block III version

of Brahmos missiles. Now, it is fully operational with two regiments of the

Army.

Indian Navy successfully test fires Barak missile from INS

Vikramaditya.

Indian Navy successfully conducted maiden test of short range surface-

to-air Barak missile from country’s sole aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

The test was conducted in the Arabian Sea in which missile was fired

against a live, low-flying, high-speed target.

The missile successfully engaged and destroyed the target, validating

operational readiness inspection of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy.

INS Vikramaditya is the country’s sole aircraft carrier (after retirement

of INS Viraat in March 2017)

It was built in 1987 and had served the Soviet navy (named as

Baku). It was later renamed Admiral Gorshkov under the Russian

navy.

The Indian navy purchased the vessel in 2004 and commissioned it

in November 2013 at Severodvinsk in Russia.

The Kiev-class vessel weighs 44,500 tonne. Its overall length is 284

meters and has maximum beam of about 60 meters.

It can carry over 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29Ks, Kamov-28s,

Kamov-31s, ALH-Dhruv and Chetak helicopters.

It was retrofitted with a Barak missile system under joint

development with Israel

Indian Navy gets three naval systems from DRDO

Three naval systems, developed by premier defence research organisation

DRDO, handed over to the navy by Defence Minister Arun Jaitley.

The naval systems, given to Indian Navy are

USHUS-II submarine sonar,

Directing gear for hull-mounted sonar array,

Inertial navigation system for ship applications.

Sonars detect objects on or under the water and the latest systems are

expected to significantly enhance the navy’s navigation and communication

network.

Jaitley also released two other products developed by DRDO

The Gallium Nitride Technology : It will substantially help in the

development of next generation radars, seekers and communication

systems, for application in Light Combat Aircraft.

The Secure IP Phone : It incorporates an indigenous encryption

algorithm on a “trustworthy hardware platform” to provide high

level of secrecy to voice and data, for communication of strategic and

tactical plans of the Armed Forces.

The Defence Minister also gave away the annual DRDO awards in

various categories:

The Advanced Systems Laboratory, Hyderabad and the Microwave

Tube Research and Development Centre, Bangalore won the coveted

Silicon Trophy and Titanium Trophy

Indian Navy de-inducts TU142M Long Range Maritime Patrol

aircraft.

The Indian Navy de-inducted TU142M long-range maritime patrol aircraft

after its 29 years of service.

The aircraft was formally de-inducted at a ceremony held at INS Rajali

naval air station in Arakkonam, Tamil Nadu on 29th March.

The role of TU142M will now be taken on by the newly inducted P-8l

aircraft, which has proven all its systems and has been fully integrated into

the operational grid of the Indian Navy.

Commander Yogender Mair, the last Commanding Officer of the squadron

with the TU142M aircraft, handed over the reins to Commander V.

Ranganathan, who is the first Squadron Commanding Officer with the P-8l.

The TU142M long-range maritime patrol aircraft was inducted

into the Indian Navy at Dabolim in Goa from the erstwhile USSR

in 1988.

The aircraft subsequently shifted base permanently to INS Rajali

in 1992 and became the most formidable LRMR ASW aircraft of

the Indian Navy

The aircraft has had a distinguished service with over 30,000 hours

of accident-free flying.

Despite being in its twilight year, the aircraft performed

exceptionally well during the Naval Exercise TROPEX held in

March 2017.

The ceremony also coincides with Silver Jubilee of INS Rajali,

home to the TU-142M aircraft for nearly three decades.

It had participated in all major naval exercises and

operations such as operation ‘Cactus’ in Maldives,

Operation Vijay (1998), Operation Parakram (2002)

and anti-piracy operations from 2011 to till date.

Indian Navy inducts surveillance ship INLCU L51.

It was commissioned at a ceremony held in Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar

Command of Navy.

NLCU L51 is the first of the eight ships of the LCU Mk IV Class.

It has been built and designed indigenously by Kolkata based M/s Garden Reach Ship

Builders & Engineers Ltd.

The ship is 62.8 metre in length and 11 metre in breadth. It has displacement

capacity of 900 tons.

It is fitted with state-of-the art Electronic Warfare suite for early detection of

adversaries.

It has 30 mm CRN -91 guns, 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Guns and 7.62 mm Medium

Machine Guns.

IAF launches Aviation Turbine Fuel Digital Issue and Payment.

A web-based e-billing or the 'Aviation Turbine Fuel Digital Issue and

Payment' has been developed for the speedy accounting and clearance

of aviation fuel bills of Oil PSUs

The aviation fuel management in the IAF involves over two lakh

transactions per year and it is expected that the new platform will

streamline the ATF bill payment system.

The e-billing module christened as 'ATF DIP' was unveiled by Chief of

Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa and was implemented from

April 1.

e-billing system is in line with the government's

flagship digital India programme

IIT Madras, Indian Army ink MoU to strengthen critical

technological areas.

The Indian Army has signed a Memorandum of Understanding

(MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-M) to identify

and enhance the critical technological areas in the armed forces.

The objective of the MoU, signed by IIT-M Director Prof Bhaskar

Ramamurthi and Deputy Chief of Army Staff (P and S) Lt Gen Subrata

Saha at the IIT Madras campus was to facilitate prestigious institutions

like IITs achieve a better understanding of the critical technology

requirements of the Indian Army through seamless interaction between

the IIT-M faculty and the Army officers.

They would identify areas that require Research and

Development and student projects.

Such projects would be initiated jointly by both the IIT-M

and the Army.

''There are also plans to commercialize Intellectual

Property Rights (IPR) achieved through this collaboration

Indian Navy unveils Integrated Automatic Aviation

Meteorological System

Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba unveiled an integrated aviation

meteorological system which is expected to bring accuracy in weather

monitoring mechanism in the Indian Navy.

The Integrated Automatic Aviation Meteorological System (IAAMS) was

launched at Rajali Air Station in Tamil Nadu.

The aim of IAAMS is to modernise the meteorological infrastructure of

the nine Naval Air Stations (NAS).

Equipped with the state-of-the-art meteorological sensors, IAAMS

undertakes automatic and continuous recording of relevant weather

parameters that are vital for accurate weather forecasting,

It has a special alarm feature that alerts the duty staff during

abnormal change of weather parameters that may affect safe

flying operations.

The system can also provide automatic dissemination of routine

weather reports as per standards followed by the World

Meteorological Organisation to other air stations and Air Traffic

Controller towers without human intervention.

Installation of the system at remaining eight stations is expected

to be completed by March 2019.

India ink defence deals with Israel for advanced MRSAM.

India and Israel mega defence deals worth over $2 billion for advanced

surface-to-air missile (SAM) systems

These are designed to destroy hostile aircraft, missiles and drones at a

range of 70-km, to further tighten the bilateral strategic partnership

The major deal was for the joint project between the Defence

Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Israel

Aerospace Industries (IAI) for the Barak-8 medium-range SAM

systems to initially include one regiment of 16 launchers and 560

missiles for the Indian Army.

The second deal to be inked was for a similar SAM system to be fitted

on board the 40,000-tonne indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant

being built at the Cochin Shipyard.

These Barak-8 systems, with their MF-STARs (multi-function

surveillance and threat alert radars) as well as weapon control

systems with data links, can detect and track hostile aerial threats

at a range of 100-km and destroy them at 70-km

Consequently, they will help in plugging the existing holes in India's

air defence coverage.

Israel currently is the fourth-largest arms supplier to India after the

US, Russia and France.

12th Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise Nomadic

Elephant

The twelfth edition Indo-Mongolian Joint Military Exercise Nomadic

Elephant 2017 has begun at Vairengte in Mizoram.

Vairengte houses Indian Army’s elite Counter-Insurgency and Jungle

Warfare School

The first joint Nomadic Elephant was held in 2004 and since then it is

annually held.

It seeks to promote military associations between India and

Mongolia.

The two week exercise (from 5 to 18 April 2017), is aimed at training

the troops in Counter Insurgency & Counter Terrorism Operations

(CICT Ops) under the United Nations mandate.

India-South Korea sign MoU on shipbuilding.

India and South Korea signed an MoU for defence industry cooperation in

shipbuilding.

The MoU, signed by India's Defence Production Secretary Ashok Kumar

Gupta and South Korean Defence Acquisition and Programme

Administration Minister Chang Myoung-Jin

Focuses on developing and strengthening defence industry co-operation

between the two countries

It was conceived under the overall umbrella of the 'Special Strategic

Partnership' between both sides as declared in the Joint Statement of the

Prime Minister of India and the President of South Korea in May 2015.

The Cabinet Committee on Security had accorded its

approval for the MoU and also nominated Hindustan

Shipyard Ltd (HSL), Visakhapatnam from the Indian side for

the collaboration.

South Korea will indicate the name of its recommended

organisation for the collaboration in due course of time.

"The co-operation with the recommended Korean shipyard

would enable HSL to upgrade and modernise its facilities

and execute naval shipbuilding projects in a timely and cost

effective manner.

HSL would be able to imbibe best practices in shipbuilding

leading to effective project management.

India becomes world’s fifth largest military spender.

India’s military expenditure grew around 8.5 per cent in 2016, making it

the world’s fifth largest spender at $55.9 billion.

Figures released by the Stockholm International Peace Research

Institute (Sipri)

As per the figures, the US remains the world’s largest military spendere

registering a growth of 1.7 per cent between 2015 and 2016 to $611

billion.

Four others in the top 15 spenders include China, Japan, South Korea,

Australia.

China is second on the list spending $215 billion, an increase of 5.4 per

cent.

Russia increased its spending by 5.9 per cent to $69.2 billion, making it the

third largest spender.

Saudi Arabia, the third largest spender in 2015, dropped to the fourth position

in 2016 with its spending dropping by 30 per cent in 2016 to $63.7 billion,

despite its continued involvement in regional wars.

Pakistan does not figure in the top 15 spenders, and spent $9.93 billion.

Global military spending accounted for 2.2 per cent of the worldwide GDP.

Military spending as a share of GDP, was highest in the Middle East with an

average of 6.0 per cent, while the lowest was in the Americas, with an average

of 1.3 per cent.

In Asia and Oceania, military expenditure rose by 4.6 per cent in 2016.

Joint operational doctrine for Tri-Services unveiled.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/j

oint-operational-doctrine-for-army-navy-air-force-

unveiled/articleshow/58365762.cms

India successfully carries out fresh user trial of Agni-III ballistic missile.

India successfully test-fired its intermediate-range ballistic missile Agni-III from

Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

The Strategic Forces Command, an especially raised missile-handling unit of the

Indian Army, carried out the test with logistics support from DRDO.

Agni-III has a strike range of more than 3,000 km and capable of carrying both

conventional and nuclear warheads weighing up to 1.5 tonnes.

The missile is powered by a two-stage solid propellant engine.

With a length of 17 metres, the missile’s diameter is 2 metres and weight is

around 2,200 kg.

The missile was inducted into the armed forces in June 2011.

Agni-II Ballistic Missile Test Fired Successfully.

The Agni-ll Ballistic Missile was successfully test fired from A.P.J Abdul

Kalam island of Dhamara in Odisha.

The 2,000-km plus range nuclear-capable missile was lifted from the

Launch Complex IV.

After initial failures, India had in 2010 successfully test-fired Agni-II. The

success was repeated in 2014 and in succeeding test-firing exercises.

Developed as part of medium and long range Agni series of missile

systems, - Agni-II has already been inducted into the Armed Forces.

It is a two-stage solid propelled system and equipped with a

special navigation system to achieve high degree of accuracy

The missile weighs 17 tonnes and its range can be increased to

3,000 km by reducing the payload.

It can be fired from both rail and road mobile launchers.

It takes only 15 minutes for the missile to be readied for firing.

India- Indonesia Co-Ordinated Patrol Commences.

The 29th India–Indonesia CORPAT has commenced at Port Blair under the

aegis of Andaman and Nicobar Command.

The bilateral exercise held from 9th to 25th May.

The Indonesian Naval Ship KRI Sutedi Senoputra has arrived to take part in

the 29th series of IND–INDO CORPAT.

An Indonesian Maritime Patrol Aircraft has also arrived with the Indonesian

Naval delegation.

Defence relations between India and Indonesia are growing steadily with

regular joint activities and interactions between the Armed Forces of the

two countries.

CORPAT is a bilateral maritime exercise held between India

and Indonesia under thebroad ambit of strategic partnership.

Both countries have been carrying out maritime exercise twice

a year since 2002.

The main aim of CORPAT is to keep the vital part of the Indian

Ocean Region (IOR) safe and secure for commercial shipping,

International trade and legitimate marine activities

India’s First Private Sector Small Arms Manufacturing Plant

Inaugurated.

India’s first private sector small arms manufacturing plant was today

inaugurated in Madhya Pradesh

It will supply world class weapons to the armed forces in sync with

the country’s defence indigenisation programme.

The plant, a joint venture between India’s Punj Lloyd and Israel

Weapon Systems.

It will produce four products — X95 carbine and assault rifle, Galil

sniper rifle, Tavor assault rifle and Negev Light Machine Gun (LMG).

BSF to use Invisible Laser Wall Kavach to Secure Border.

The Border Security Force (BSF) is all set to get more teeth to man the 198

km India-Pakistan international border using a newly developed technology

that can detect intrusions and relay information immediately to the nearest

post for action.

Developed by Delhi-based defence IoT firm, CRON Systems, the made-in-India

technology is called Kavach (KVx) series laser walls and is a notch higher than

the existing laser walls.

CRON Systems have come up with this intrusion detection system based on

infrared array, which is invisible. It is more advanced than laser wall.

Kavach walls can also work in transparent water and glass

India shares nearly 3,000 km border with Pakistan, of which 198 km

international border and 740 km Line of Control (LoC) falls in

Jammu and Kashmir.

Infiltration of Pakistani militants through this part has been a major

issue for the BSF which guards the border.

Five KVx-series walls, connected with infrared (technology), can

secure a kilometre-long stretch.

“It takes less than a couple of hours for a 1 km stretch to install the

technology.

It needed electricity to run the technology. And in case power is

snapped, it can be run on UPS for 8–12 hours

Tejas Successfully Test Fires Air-to-Air Beyond Visual Range Missile.

Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft has successfully test fired Derby Air-to-Air

Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile in RADAR guided mode.

The test was performed on a Manoeuvrable Aerial Target at the Interim Test

Range (ITR), Chandipur.

The objective behind the test was to assess the Derby integration with

aircraft systems on-board Tejas including the aircraft avionics, fire-control

radar, launchers and Missile Weapon Delivery System and evaluate its

performance.

The flawless launch is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on LCA

aircraft for final operational clearance.

The Indian Light Combat Aircraft is the world’s

smallest, light weight, multi-role combat aircraft in its

class amongst modern supersonic aircraft .

It is a single seat, single jet engine developed by

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Navy

and the Air Force

Indian Army gets its First Artillery Gun in 30 Years.

Nearly three decades after the Bofors howitzers were inducted,

the Army has got its first artillery guns from BAE Systems.

Two 155mm/39 caliber ultra light howitzers (ULH) will be firing

at the Pokhran field firing range in Rajasthan.

Having initiated the deal for M777 guns with the United States in

2010, the government finally announced a deal for 145 guns on

June 26 last year.

The Rs 2,900-crore deal, which was a government-to-government

deal under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, was completed

in November last year.

The two M777 guns, which will fire at Pokhran will be used for

compilation of firing tables — a calibration for target acquisition

with various types of ammunition used with the guns.

After these two guns, three M777 guns will come to India in

September 2018 and used for training.

Thereafter, five guns will be inducted every month from March 2019

to June 2021.

These guns, which will equip seven artillery regiments, are capable of

firing at a range of 24 to 40 km, depending on the type of

ammunition used.

While the first 25 guns will be inducted directly, 120 of the 145

guns will be assembled in India by Mahindra Defence as part of

offsets obligation.

The modular design of the M777 gun allows it to be towed

along narrow and treacherous mountain roads, which dot

India’s borders with both Pakistan and China.

Moreover, it can be transported to the battlefield, slung under

heavy-lift helicopters like the Chinook, which India has signed

to acquire from the US.

The US-made C130J Super Hercules, used for strategic airlift

by India are capable of carrying two M777 guns on a single

sortie.

Light utility helicopter second prototype completes first flight

The Light Utility Helicopter second prototype (LUH-PT2)completed its

maiden flight, close on the heels of the first flight of the HTT-40 basic aircraft.

The chopper, flown by Chief Test Pilot Wing Cdr (Retd) Unni K Pillai and Test

Pilot Wing Cdr (Retd) Anil Bhambhani, was in the skies for 22 minutes.

The LUH is a 3-tonne class new generation helicopter being indigenously

developed by HAL and comes with a Glass Cockpit.

It will be deployed for Reconnaissance, Surveillance roles and as a light

transport helicopter

The helicopter will be capable of flying at 220kmph, with a service ceiling of

6.5km and a range of 350km with 400-kg payload. The LUH is powered by

HAL's own single turbo shaft engine.

The LUH PT2 has a modified tail boom and incorporates

improvements based on feedback from testing of LUH PT1.

The first flight of LUH PT1 was carried out on September 6, 2016 and

further envelope expansion flights are in progress.

LUH PT-1 made its flight demonstration during the international air

show Aero India-2017

Air Marshal PN Pradhan Appointed as Deputy Chief of

Integrated Defence Staff

PN Pradhan was commissioned as a pilot in Indian Air Force in

1981.

He was awarded with AtiVishisht Seva Medal in 2014.

Prithvi-II Missile Test Fired Successfully

India successfully test-fired its indigenous nuclear-capable Prithvi-II

missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army.

The trial of the surface-to-surface missile, which has a strike range of

350 km, was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch

complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near

Balasore in Odisha.

The Prithvi-II missile is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of

warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines.

In salvo mode, two Prithvi-II missiles were successfully

test fired in quick succession from the same base, on

November 21, 2016.

Inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003, the nine-

metre-tall, single-stage liquid-fuelled Prithvi-II is the first

missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.

Newly Built Aeronautical Test Range at Chitradurga in Karnataka

The Then Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has inaugurated the newly built

Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) of the Defence Research & Development

Organisation (DRDO) at Chitradurga in Karnataka.

The ATR is a facility under the Aeronautical Development Establishment

(ADE) which works on a range of UAVs (unmanned air vehicles).

The labs primarily using the range will be the Centre for Air Borne Systems,

the Gas Turbine Research Establishment, the Defence Avionics Research

Establishment, the Centre for Military Airworthiness & Certification, all based

in Bengaluru, and the Aerial Delivery Research & Development

Establishment, Agra.

In November last year, the DRDO used the ATR to conduct the first successful

flight of the UAV ‘Tapas’ 201, earlier called Rustom-2.

DRDO Successfully Test-fires anti-Tank Nag Missile.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has

successfully test fired anti-tank ‘Nag’ missile in Rajasthan.

The test was conducted by Scientists of the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Missile Complex at Hyderabad, Defence Laboratory at Jodhpur, High

Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) at Pune and

Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) at

Pune and Armament Research and Development Establishment

(ARDE) at Pune.

The anti-tank Nag missile is one of the five missile systems developed

by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)

under the integrated guided missile development programme

(IGMDP).

The four other missiles developed under this programme include Agni,

Akash, Trishul and Prithvi.

The Nag missile is a third generation anti-tank guided missile which

works on “fire and forget” principle.

The anti-tank Nag missile has been equipped with the highly advanced

Imaging Infrared Radar (IRR) seeker along with integrated avionics.

This technology is possessed by very few nations. It also

possess advanced passive homing guidance system.

Nag can be launched from land and air-based platforms.

The helicopter launched version known as helicopter-launched

NAG (HELINA) can be fired from Dhruv advanced light helicopter

(ALH) and HAL Rudra attack helicopter.

The land-based version of the missile is at present available for

integration on the Nag missile carrier (NAMICA)

Exercise Australia-India (AUSINDEX)

India's naval ships Shivalik, Jyoti and Kamorta were on a port visit to

Freemantle, Australia from 13 to 17 June, 2017 to participate in

AUSINDEX-17.

It is a bilateral maritime exercise with the Australian navy.

The aim of the exercise is to enhance inter-operability and

cooperation between the two forces.

This would be the second edition of the exercise. The first one was

conducted in Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal in 2015.

After the success of the exercise, both the sides decided to make it a

biennial event.

The maritime exercises are in consonance with

India's 'Act East' policy and seem to reaffirm

Australia's commitment to the trilateral talks

between Tokyo, New Delhi and Canberra.

First Indigenously built Floating Dock Launched by L&T.

The Indian Navy’s first indigenously built Floating Dock (FDN-2),

developed by Larsen & Toubro Ltd. (L&T), was launched at L&T’s shipyard

in Kattupalli, Chennai

The Floating Dock is 185 metres long and 40 metres wide and will enable

docking of all kinds of vessels, including Naval ships and submarines

(excepting aircraft carriers and tankers) of up to 8,000 tonnes

displacement, with draughts of up to seven metres, during both day and

night.

The Navy already has one Floating Dock; this would be its second such

facility.

FDN-2 will be based in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and will

enhance the Navy’s technical repair infrastructure.

FDN-2 will be based in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands

and will enhance the Navy’s technical repair

infrastructure.

It will be delivered in two to three months at Port Blair.

It was 100% designed in-house

Lockheed signs pact with Tata to make F-16 planes in India

U.S. aircraft major Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced Systems

Limited (TASL) signed an agreement to make the F-16 Block 70

fighter aircraft in India to meet the IAF’s single-engine jet

requirement.

The IAF is about to initiate the process for selection of a single-

engine fighter aircraft to replace the Russian MiGs under the

Strategic Partnership model of the Defence Procurement

Procedure.

The announcement was done on Paris Air Show.

The Strategic Partnership model has four segments —

submarines, single-engine fighter aircraft, helicopters and

armoured carriers/main battle tanks — and specifically intends to

open up defence manufacturing to the private sector.

The deal for 100- plus fighter aircraft is estimated to be worth

over ₹60,000 crore.

TASAL has an existing partnership with Lockheed under which it

manufactures airframe components for the C-130J airlifter and

the S-92 helicopter

Indian Army to rethink on its Sahayak System.

The Army is now actively considering recruiting civilian staff in peace

stations to do away with the colonial-era Sakayak system, in the wake

of rising cases of jawans coming out openly against it.

The Sahayaks or buddy system — whereby a solider is attached to

officers — will continue be deployed in key bases and field areas as

they have defined military duties.

Army is looking at getting civilian staff to replace Sahayaks in peace

stations

In March 2017, the government had strongly supported the

Sahayak system.

However, it had said that it has issued exhaustive instructions

not to make sahayaks perform menial tasks which are

derogatory to the dignity of a soldier.

In the annual conference of top Army commanders,

deliberations regarding the sahayak system were held and it

was decided to reorient the human resource policy of the

Indian Army

US Approves Sale of UAV Technology to India.

The US has cleared the sale of 22 unmanned Guardian drones to India.

The deal, estimated to be worth $2to 3 billion, has been approved by the

State Department.

The transfer of the state-of-the-art UAV technology to India will be the first

significant progress after India’s entry into the exclusive Missile.

Technology Control Regime (MTCR) and after the US has designated India

as a major defence partner.

India became the 35th full member of the Missile Technology Control

Regime (MTCR) in June 2016.

The transfer of Guardian UAV technology is aimed at furthering mutual

security interests to protect the Indian Ocean.

US to sell C-17 GlobemasterTransport Aircraft to India

The Trump administration's decision to sell one C-17 transport aircraft

to India by the US will improve its capability to meet current and future

strategic airlift requirements.

The proposed sale of C-17 transport aircraft by Boeing at an estimated

cost of is USD 366.2 million includes one missile Warning System, one

Countermeasures Dispensing System, one Identification Friend or Foe

(IFF) Transponder and precision navigation equipment.

India currently operates C-17 aircraft and will have no difficulty

absorbing this aircraft into its armed forces

According to the Pentagon, the Boeing C-17A Globemaster III

military airlift aircraft is the most flexible cargo aircraft to

enter the US Air Force fleet.

The C-17 is capable of strategic delivery of up to 170,900

pounds of personnel and/or equipment to main operating

bases or forward operating locations.

A fully integrated electronic cockpit and advanced cargo

delivery system allow a crew of three: pilot, co-pilot, and

loadmaster, to operate the aircraft on any type of mission

Indian Army gets Modern Bullet Proof Helmets.

The Indian Army has reportedly received its first batch of bullet-

proof helmets from Kanpur-based MKU Industries which was

awarded a contract to manufacture 1.58 lakh helmets at the cost of

Rs 180 crore.

he new helmets are reportedly designed to bear the impact of 9

mm ammunition fired from a short range.

According to studies, 26 per cent to 28 per cent of soldiers die

because of head injuries.

In addition to the current 1.6 lakh order, MKU has to deliver over 7

lakh helmets to Indian Army and overall one million helmets to

different Indian armed forces.

As of now, besides MKU, Tata Advanced Materials exports

body armour to armed forces around the world including

United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.

As per estimates, there’s a requirement of over 50,000

bullet proof kits for the police force in the country.

Indigenously developed quick reaction surface-to-air short

range missile successfully test-fired.

The indigenously developed Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air (QRSAM)

short range missile was successfully test-fired from a test range along

the Odisha coast.

The missile has a strike range of 25 km to 30 km.

Designed to be a quick reaction missile, it involves an all-weather

weapon system capable of tracking and firing.

The missile was test-fired from a truck-mounted canister launcher

from launch complex-3 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at

Chandipur near Balasore, Defence Research and Development

Organisation (DRDO)

This was the second developmental trial of the state-of-the-

art missile with an aerial target.

The missile has been developed by the DRDO and other

establishments.

The first test launch of the missile was conducted on June 4,

2017 from the same base

Indo-Thai joint military exercise Maitree 2017 begins in

Himachal Pradesh

A 15-day long joint military training exercise between the Indian and

Thai army began on 3rd July and was concluded on 17th July at

Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh.

The aim is to build and promote bilateral Army-to-Army relations

and enhance inter-operability between the two armies

The joint exercise between the two armies is an annual event.

The previous edition of the exercise was held at Krabi in Thailand in

2016

Indian Navy’s second LCU Mark IV L52 ship launched by

GRSE.

Indian Navy’s second LCU (landing craft utility) Mark IV L52 ship built

by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE), Kolkata,

was formally launched in Kolkata, West Bengal.

The LCU Mark-IV vessels are designed for multipurpose amphibious

operations jointly carried out Indian Navy and Indian Army to ensure

maritime security of Andamans and Lakshadweep islands.

LCU L52 ship is the second in series of the eight Mark IV LCU vessels

built by GRSE for Navy.

Finally, Indian Navy’s second LCU (landing craft utility) Mark IV L52

ship has been commissioned at Port Blair, capital of Andaman and

Nicobar Islands

USS Gerald R Ford: World’s largest aircraft carrier inducted by US.

The United States (US) Navy officially inducted USS Gerald R Ford

(CVN 78), the world’s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at

Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia.

It is the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world

USS Gerald Ford is first in the series of three of the futuristic ships of

the Ford-class carriers ordered by US Navy.

Its operational deployment will be in 2021 after undergoing final

outfitting and testing.

About USS Gerald R Ford

The ship is named after the 38th President of the US Gerald Ford to pay

tribute to his lifetime of service to the nation in the US Navy and the US

government.

Construction on the USS Gerald R Ford started in 2009 and was to be

completed by September 2015 at a cost of $10.5 billion.

USS Gerald R Ford weighs 1 lakh tonnes and is 1,106-feet long equivalent

to size of about three football fields.

It has two nuclear reactors on board that can operate for up to 20 years

without refuelling.

It has electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS),

replaceing the steam system used on earlier carriers and new

electric motor-based Advanced Arresting Gear (AAG) system for

faster and more efficient aircraft take-offs and landings.

It is also outfitted with touchscreen navigation display in place of

a traditional throttle.

It has 2,600 sailors carrying capacity, 600 less crew members

compared to earlier carriers due to its double electrical capacity

and more automated equipment

Muntra: India’s first unmanned tank rolled out by DRDO.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has

rolled out Muntra, India’s first unmanned, remotely operated tank at its

Chennai laboratory.

It has been launched in three variants Muntra-S, Muntra-M and Muntra-

N for surveillance, mine detection and reconnaissance in areas with

nuclear and biological threats. It is also likely to be used in Naxal-hit

areas.

Muntra-S is the country’s first tracked unmanned ground vehicle (tank)

developed for unmanned surveillance missions.

Muntra-M is for detecting mines and Muntra-N is for operation in areas

where there is nuclear radiation or biological weapon risk

The Muntra variants have surveillance radar, an

integrated camera along with laser range finder which

can be used to spy on ground target 15km away – heavy

vehicles or crawling men.

This unmanned, remotely tele-operated tank has been

successfully tested and validated at Mahajan field firing

range inin Rajasthan under dusty desert conditions

Reliance Defence launches first two Navy ships Shachi and

Shruti.

Reliance Defence and Engineering Limited (RDEL) launched

the first two Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) — Shachi

and Shruti at their shipyard in Pipavav, Gujarat.

These two NOPVs are the first warships to be launched by a

private sector shipyard in India.

These ships are part of a five-ships being constructed for the

Indian Navy under the P-21 project.

The NOPVs are primarily patrol ships to undertake surveillance of the

country’s vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

The five NOPVs constructed by RDEL are armed with a 76

mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) system along with two

30 mm AK-630 guns, which provide medium range and short

range offensive and defensive capabilities.

The armaments of these vessels are remotely controlled

through an electronic fire control system.

They are also fitted with 20,000 KW diesel engine-driven

propulsion systems and can deliver speeds up to 25 knots.

RDEL, subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure is the first private

shipyard in India to obtain defence production licence and sign

a contract for defence a contract for defence ships in 2011.

It is also engaged in construction of one training ship and 14

Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for the Indian Coast Guard.

Indian Coast Guard Ship Shaurya commissioned in Goa.

ICGS Shaurya is an offshore patrol vessel designed and built

indigenously by Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL).

It will be based at Chennai under administrative and

operational control of Commander Coast Guard Region

(East).

ICGS Shaurya is fifth of a series of six OPVs designed in-house

and built by GSL.

It is 105-metre long and capable of cruising at a speed of 23

knots. It has a range of 6000 nautical miles

It is powered by twin diesel engines and carries four boats

for boarding party operations.

It is fitted with state-of-the-art advanced navigation and

communication equipment.

Its weaponry package has one 30 mm gun and two 12.7

mm guns associated with fire control system.

India’s first private missile production facility unveiled in

Hyderabad.

India’s first private sector missile sub-systems manufacturing facility

Kalyani Rafael Advanced Systems (KRAS) plant was inaugurated near

Hyderabad.

It is 51:49 joint venture between India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s

Rafael Advanced Defence Systems Ltd.

It has been established line with the ‘Make in India’ initiative and

Government’s policy to encourage private sector participation in

defence production.

KRAS aims to be a one-stop solution provider to locally re-

design, develop, re-engineer and manufacture various land and

airborne products and systems in India.

It has invested in designing, developing and manufacturing of

weapon systems including Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missile

(ATGM) systems and remote weapon systems.

The plant would employ more than 300 engineers and provide

indirect employment to 1,000 people.

The localisation content of the plant is 90% and most of the

vendors are in and around Hyderabad.

Defence Ministry clears proposal to procure 6 Apache attack

helicopters for Army.

The Union Defence Ministry has cleared a proposal to procure six AH-64-E

Apache attack helicopters along with weapons systems from American

aerospace giant Boeing for the Indian Army.

Decision in this regard was taken at the Defence Acquisition Council

(DAC).

The six will come along with associated equipment, spares and weapons

system.

It will be a follow on order to the deal India had signed in September 2015

with Boeing and the US government for 22 Apache helicopters and 15

Chinook heavy-lift choppers..

The AH-64-E Apache choppers are one of the most advanced

multi-role combat helicopters which have advanced weapons

systems and night-fighting features.

Till now, Indian Army was not having its own fleet attack

helicopter. Army was using the fleet of Russian Mi-25 and Mi-

35 attack helicopters with the help of Indian Air Force.

DRDO, IAI to produce MRSAM missile system by 2020 for Indian

Army.

The Indian Army will finally get an advanced medium-range surface to air

missile (MRSAM) system by 2020 which will be able to shoot down ballistic

missiles, fighter jets and attack helicopters from a range of around 70 km.

The missile system will be produced by premier defence research

organisation DRDO in collaboration with the Israel Aerospace Industries

(IAI)

The MRSAM system will be capable of shooting down enemy ballistic

missiles, aircraft, helicopters, drones, surveillance aircraft

and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control Systems) aircraft.

The current version of MRSAM is operational with the Indian Air Force and

the Navy.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

has signed a Rs 17,000 crore deal with the IAI for the ambitious

project.

The MR-SAM, a land-based version of the long-range surface-to-

air missile (LRSAM) for the Navy, will have a strike range of up 70

km.

The deal envisages 40 firing units and around 200 missile.

The first set of missile system will be ready in the next three

years

India, Japan to step up defence cooperation

India and Japan have agreed to collaborate closely

in defence production, including on dual-use technologies, as the

two countries resolved to ramp up overall military engagement

under the bilateral special strategic framework.

The decision by India and Japan to boost defence ties comes amid

escalating tension in the region in the wake of the nuclear test by

North Korea and China's growing assertiveness in the South China

Sea.

The two sides also agreed to commence technical discussions for

research collaboration in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicles

and Robotics.

India plans to buy the US-2 ShinMaywa aircraft from Japan for its

navy

SAAB, Adani Group announce collaboration for defence

manufacturing.

Swedish defence and security company, SAAB and infrastructure

conglomerate Adani Group announced a collaboration for design,

development and production of Gripen fighter jets under the ‘Make in

India’ scheme.

Indian Air Force (IAF) is going to choose between F-16 and Gripen

fighter jets for 100 single engine aircraft under the Strategic

Partnership model.

Besides the first 18 aircraft which will be brought to India in a flyaway

mode, the rest will be manufactured in India by an Indian private

company with technology transfer from the foreign manufacturer.

Adani Group so far has no presence in the defence and security

sector but are keen to play an instrumental role in helping

transform India into a destination for world class high-tech defence

manufacturing.

Recently, US aircraft major Lockheed Martin and Tata Advanced

Systems Limited (TASL) had signed an agreement to produce the

F-16 Block 70 fighter aircraft in India.

Gripen is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft featuring state-

of-the-art technology, including advanced data links and sensors,

which is manufactured by SAAB.

Navika Sagar Parikrama: India’s first all-women

circumnavigation expedition flagged-off.

Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flagged off the all-

women team of the ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’ in Panaji, Goa

The crew of the ‘Sagar Parikrama’ comprises of six-member all

women team on board the sailing vessel INSV Tarini and will

circumnavigate the globe in approximately 165 days

This is the first-ever Indian circumnavigation of the globe by an all-

women crew. Cdr Dilip Dhonde has trained the crew. He is the first

sailor to circumnavigate.

The team comprises of- Lt Cdr Vartika Joshi and Lt Payal

Gupta from Uttarakhand, Lt Cdr Pratibha Jamwal from

Himachal, Lt Cdr P Swathi from Andhra Pradesh, Lt

Aishwarya Boddapati from Telangana and Lt Shourgrakpam

Vijaya Devi hailing from Manipur.

Vartika Joshi has rich sailing experience and has led INSV

Mhadei as well as INSV Tarini.

ATAGS: Indigenous artillery gun sets new record in range

An indigenous artillery gun, Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System

(ATAGS), being jointly developed by the Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO) and the private sector has set a

new world record in range by hitting targets at a distance of 48 km.

TAGS is a 155mm, 52 calibre towed artillery gun being developed in

mission mode by DRDO as a part of the Army’s artillery modernisation

programme.

The development is being done through a consortium based model,

similar to that adopted for the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launch

system.

It was designed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development

Establishment (ARDE) in Pune.

IAF successfully conducts development trials of Astra missile.

The indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile

(BVRAAM) — Astra — underwent a series of successful trials+ for four

days over the Bay of Bengal, marking completion of its development

phase.

"The final development flight trials of Astra BVRAAM were successfully

conducted over the Bay of Bengal, off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha.

A total of seven trials were conducted against pilotless target

aircraft successfully.

The missile system has been developed by the Defence Research and

Development Organisation (DRDO) in cooperation with the IAF.

It is one of the smallest weapon system developed by DRDO, having

length of 3.8-metre and weighing 154kg.

It is single stage solid fuelled missile and has payload capacity of 15 kg

conventional explosives.

It can be launched from different altitudes and is capable of engaging

targets at varying range and altitudes at both short-range targets (up to

20 km) in tail-chase mode and long-range targets (up to 80 km) in head-

on mode.

It is radar homing supersonic missile having maximum speed of Mach 4

(four times speed of sound

Indian Coast Guard commissions 2 high-speed interceptor boats.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned two high-speed interceptor boats C-433

and C-434 boats at the Dighi Port in Mumbai, Maharashtra

The commissioning of boats will strengthen the security umbrella over720-km-long

Maharashtra coastline.

It will also help in patrolling and prevent illicit activities such as smuggling, infiltration

and illegal fishing.

The C-433 and C-434 boats were built by Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Shipbuilding in

Chennai.

They are 27.42 metres long and have displacement of 136

tons each.

They are water jet propelled vessels with endurance of 500

nautical miles at 20 knots.

They are capable of doing speeds up to 45 knots.

The vessels are fitted with latest state of art navigational and

communication equipment with 12.7 mm machine gun.

They are designed for high-speed interception, low intensity

maritime operations, close coast patrol, search and rescue

and maritime surveillance.

Yudh Abhyas 2017: Joint India-US military exercise.

The armies of India and the US today commenced a joint military

exercise at a base in Washington state to hone tactical skills in counter-

insurgency and counter-terrorist operations.

Yudh Abhyas 2017, a joint military exercise, saw representation from 5th

Infantry Battalion of 20 Infantry Regiment of the US Army while the

Indian side was represented by soldiers of Gorkha Rifles from the Surya

Command.

Yudh Abhyas is annual bilateral military exercise, alternately held by the

two countries.

V-409: Indian Coast Guard’s interceptor boat launched.

Giving a boost to coastal security, a new interceptor boat (V-409) built by

Bharathi Defence and Infrastructure Limited (BDIL) was launched at

a function held at the Coast Guard yard in Mangaluru.

The V-409 interceptor boat has length of 28 meters, beam of 6 meters and

draught of 1.2 meters.

It has aluminium hull.

It has Articulate Surface Piercing Propulsion, also called as Arneson

Surface Drives (ASD) which is powered by twin MTU Caterpillar marine

diesel engines having a capacity of 1630 kW each.

These engines enable boat to attain a maximum speed of more

than 35 knots.

BDIL is constructing 20 vessels for ICG of which six had already

been handed over and the remaining vessels would be handed

over on the projected time.

The boats are being constructed as per Rs. 2.81 billion contract

signed between Ministry of Defence and BDIL in March 2009.