The Andaman and Nicobar Command inducted indigenously developed advanced light helicopter MK III at Indian naval station Utkrosh in Port Blair. "The induction marks a continuing increase in the capabilities of the Andaman and Nicobar Command in the past two decades of its raising as India's only joint theatre command.
The MK III helicopter is manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and represents a tremendous leap towards self-reliance in the field of military aircraft, in line with the government's push towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Jan 27, 2022
India's First Woman Rafale Fighter Jet Pilot Part of IAF Tableau
The country's first woman Rafale fighter jet pilot Shivangi Singh was part of the Indian Air Force tableau at the Republic Day parade 2022. She is only the second woman fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau. Last year, Flight Lieutenant Bhawna Kanth became the first female fighter jet pilot to be part of the IAF tableau.
Singh, who is from Varanasi, joined the IAF in 2017 and was commissioned in the IAF's second batch of women fighter pilots. She had been flying MiG- 21 Bison aircraft before flying the Rafale.
She is part of the IAF's Golden Arrows squadron based out of Ambala in Punjab.
The IAF tableau was based on the theme -- 'Indian Air Force transforming for the future'. Scaled down models of Rafale fighter jet, indigenously developed light combat helicopter (LCH) and 3D surveillance radar Aslesha MK-1 were part of the float.
Indian Navy Conducts 20-day Joint Maritime Exercise at Arabian Sea
The Indian Navy conducted a 20-day joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar at the Arabian Sea to validate operational plans of the Western Naval Command and enhance inter-service synergy among the Navy, Air Force, Army and Coast Guard.
The intra-theatre exercise included mobilisation and participation of over 40 ships and submarines of the Indian Navy.
Additionally, the IAF (Indian Air Force) deployed SU 30 MKI and Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, flight refuelling aircraft and airborne warning and control system (AWAC), alongside the Indian Navy's maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8i, Dorniers, IL-38SD, unmanned aerial systems and MiG-29K strike aircraft.
Various elements of the Indian Army including air defence batteries were also mobilised for the exercise. After a long gap, many OPVs (offshore patrol vessels), FPVs (fast patrol vessels) and air cushion vessels of the Coast Guard also participated in the exercise.
Jan 26, 2022
Chennai-based Data Patterns Wins Rs. 27 cr DRDO Order
Chennai-based vertically integrated defence and aerospace electronics solutions provider Data Patterns (India) received a development order for Rs. 27 crore from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the next generation wideband RF front end units for Electronic Warfare (EW) receivers.
The order is for a new programme that will allow next-generation wideband EW receivers to be configured for naval, land and aerial platforms. The wideband RF front ends allow faster scanning of enemy emitters to enable better electronic intelligence with enhanced detection and avoidance. The specifications not only allow faster scan rate but also better dynamic range providing better detection.
Jan 25, 2022
NATO Partners Hold Maritime Drills in Mediterranean Sea
The NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) member countries started conducting a 12-day maritime exercise in the Mediterranean Sea from January 24, 2022. The name of the maritime exercise is "Neptune Strike '22". The naval drill will end on February 04, 2022. The main purpose of this exercise is to demonstrate and test NATO's wide range of maritime capabilities.
Iran, Russia, China Begin Joint Naval Drill
Iran, Russia and China began a joint naval drill in the Indian Ocean aimed at boosting marine security.
Iran's 11 vessels were joined by three Russian ships, including a destroyer, and two Chinese vessels. Iran's Revolutionary Guard will also participate with smaller ships and helicopters.
The manoeuvre would cover some 17,000 square km in the Indian Ocean's north, and include night fighting, rescue operations and firefighting drills. This is the third joint naval drill between the countries since 2019.
Jan 23, 2022
India Successfully Test-fires New Version of BrahMos Missile
India successfully test-fired a new version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile off the coast of Odisha in Balasore. As per reports, the missile was equipped with new technological developments which were successfully proven.
Advanced sea to sea variant of BrahMos Supersonic Cruise missile was tested from INS Visakhapatnam. The missile hit the designated target ship precisely.
BrahMos is the main weapon system of the Indian Navy warships and have been deployed on almost all of its surface platforms.
HAL Signs Contract with Mauritius for Export of Advanced Light Helicopter
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a contract with the Mauritius government to export one advanced light helicopter (ALH Mk-III) for the country's police force.
The Mauritius government already operates HAL-built ALH and Do-228 aircraft.
With this contract (to supply one ALH Mk-III), HAL and the Mauritius government have further strengthened the long standing business relations spanning over three decades.
The contract was signed between senior officials of HAL and the Mauritius government at the company's Transport Aircraft Division, Kanpur.