Indian Coast Guard Commissions Indigenous Aircraft 'ALH Mark 3' Helicopter
In a big boost to India's maritime security, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) commissioned the indigenous advanced light helicopter (ALH) MK-III aircraft at Gujarat's Porbandar Port, a week after it was inducted in Chennai.
The ALH MK-III squadron was commissioned by ICG Director General Virender Singh Pathania at the force's air enclave on the west coast.
So far, 13 ALH MK-III aircraft have been inducted in the Indian Coast Guard in a phased manner, and four of these aircraft are positioned at Porbandar.
Jun 28, 2022
Bharat Electronics Signs MoU with Belarus Firm for the Supply of Airborne Defense Suite
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Defense Initiatives (DI), Belarus, and Defense Initiatives Aero Pvt Ltd, India (a subsidiary of DI Belarus) to build cooperation amongst the three companies for the supply of Airborne Defense Suite (ADS) for Indian Air Force's helicopters.
ADS is used for providing protection to helicopters. BEL will be the prime contractor and will be supported by DI with manufacturing and maintenance for the supply of advanced Electronic Warfare (EW) suites for helicopters under the 'Make in India' category.
The MoU also aims to explore various business opportunities for India and global markets for ADS. The partnership evolved under the guidance of Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary, Department of Defence Production, and Indo Belarusian Joint Commission (IBJC) on Military Cooperation.
Jun 27, 2022
DRDO, Navy Successfully Test Short-range, Anti-air Missile to Protect Ships
Indian naval warships just became more heavily protected and difficult to strike with aircraft and anti-ship missiles, with the successful flight-test of the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM).
The VL-SRSAM, which the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has indigenously developed for the Indian Navy, was fired from an Indian warship at a high-speed aerial target that was mimicking an incoming enemy aircraft.
India's most modern naval warships, such as the Visakhapatnam-class destroyers and Nilgiri-class frigates, are equipped with multiple layers of defence against their biggest threats: enemy aircraft and sea-skimming anti-ship missiles.
The VL-SRSAM is an indigenous upgrade to the two-decade-old Israeli Barak 1 surface-to-air missile system on board Indian warships. It is derived from the DRDO's highly successful Astra Mark-1 air-to-air missile, which was recently fired successfully from a Sukhoi-30MKI fighter.
IAF Participates in Tactical Leadership Programme at Egyptian Air Force Weapon School in Cairo
Indian Air Force participated in Tactical Leadership Programme at Egyptian Air Force Weapon School in Cairo west Airbase with three Su-30MKI aircraft, two C-17 aircraft and 57 IAF personnel including C-17 contingent.
The programme was a unique exercise with Air assets in a Large Force Engagement environment, simulating various conflict scenarios. The exercise is aimed at enhancing defence cooperation between the two countries and exchange of best practices.
In the present geopolitical scenario, this exercise provided a unique opportunity to showcase reach and capability of the Indian Air Force. It also provided an opportunity to showcase the Su-30 MKI manufactured in India by HAL and India's expertise for deeper indigenisation of spares and components.
Jun 26, 2022
India Emerges Frontrunner for Malaysian Fighter Jet Order
India emerged as the frontrunner for a Malaysian requirement of light combat aircraft, with a package deal on the table that would include maintenance and spares for the nation's Russian origin Su 30 fighter jets.
India offered an attractive financial package for its Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and has committed that it can keep Malaysia's fleet of Su 30 jets flightworthy, given the vast spares reserve and technical expertise available with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Other contenders for the deal, primarily South Korea and China, are not in a position to offer this package as they do not have backend contracts with Russian manufacturers to work on the Sukhoi fighters.
Jun 25, 2022
DGP Dinkar Gupta Appointed as New NIA Director-General
Former Punjab DGP and senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Dinkar Gupta was appointed as the new Director-General of the National Investigation Agency (NIA), a central anti-terror probe agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs. The 1987 batch IPS officer, Gupta, has been given the charge up to March 31, 2024 - the date of his superannuation - or till further orders whichever take place.
Gupta was removed as the state police chief by the Congress government under Charanjit Singh Channi in October 2021 and was posted as chairman of Punjab Police Housing Corporation (PPHC).