Rajesh Pendharkar Assumes Charge as DG Naval Operations
Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, AVSM, VSM has assumed charge as Director General Naval Operations. The Flag Officer is a specialist in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and has served on frontline warships of the Navy as ASW Officer and later as the Executive Officer and Principal Warfare Officer of Guided Destroyer INS Mysore. He has commanded the missile corvette INS Kora, the missile frigate INS Shivalik and the aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
Rajnath Invites Swedish Defence Firms to Set Up Manufacturing Hubs in India
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh invited leading Swedish defence majors to set up manufacturing bases in India as he showcased the country as an attractive destination for investment to produce military equipment and platforms.
The defence minister also mentioned allowing up to 74 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) through automatic route and up to 100 per cent through government route in the defence manufacturing sector.
He said the technology-centric FDI policy will enable Indian industries to collaborate with Swedish industries in the field of niche and proven military technologies.
Jun 08, 2021
Russia Confirms Exit from Open Skies Treaty
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a Bill to withdraw from an international treaty allowing surveillance flights over military facilities, following the US exit from the pact.
The Bill was endorsed by Russian lawmakers after US officials told Moscow last month that President Joe Biden's administration had decided not to reenter the Open Skies Treaty that the US left under President Donald Trump.
As a presidential candidate, Biden had criticised Trump's withdrawal as "short-sighted". Moscow had signaled its readiness to reverse the withdrawal procedure and stay in the 1992 treaty if the United States returned to the agreement, but now Putin's signature seals the Russian withdrawal that would take effect in six months.
Jun 06, 2021
Indian Navy's Decommissions Oldest Hydrographic Survey Ship INS Sandhayak
Indian Navy's oldest hydrographic survey ship INS Sandhayak was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam after serving the nation for 40 glorious years.
The ship has been an active participant in many significant operations such as Operation Pawan (assisting the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka in 1987) and Operation Rainbow (rendering humanitarian assistance post Tsunami of 2004).
The ship was decommissioned in a solemn and low-key event due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic when the National Flag, Naval Ensign, and the Decommissioning Pennant were lowered at sunset time in the presence of Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, AVSM, VSM Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Naval Command.
The ship was commissioned to the Indian Navy on February 26, 1981.
Govt. Approves Construction of 6 Advanced Submarines
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved issuing a request for proposal (RFP) for the construction of six conventional submarines under the Strategic Partnership (SP) model.
The project envisages the indigenous construction of six conventional submarines equipped with the state-of-the-art Air Independent Propulsion system at an estimated cost of Rs. 43,000 crore. In a press note, the Defence Ministry said that this would be the first case processed under the SP model and will be one of the largest 'Make in India' projects.
The ministry also approved proposals concerning the procurement of air defence guns and ammunition worth Rs. 6,000 crore under the Buy & Make (Indian) category.
Jun 05, 2021
MoD Signs Deal for Airport Surveillance Radars
The Defence Ministry on Thursday signed a Rs. 323.47-crore contract with Mahindra Telephonics Integrated Systems Ltd, Mumbai, for procurement of 11 airport surveillance radars with monopulse secondary surveillance radar for the Navy and Coast Guard.
The installation of these radars will increase the air domain awareness around airfields and enhance safety and efficiency in flying operations of Navy and Coast Guard.
The contract under the 'Buy & Make' category of the procurement procedure would enable absorption of technology, skill development and indigenous manufacture, boosting employment opportunities.
Pakistan Holds Military Exercise 'Taskheer-e-Jabal'
Army Chief Gen Qamar Javed Bajwa visited a field training area near Kotli in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) where he was briefed about conduct modalities of a Corps level exercise, the army said.
The exercise 'Taskheer-e-Jabal' is aimed at enhancing operational preparedness of formations, encompassing defensive and offensive tasks during various contingencies within an operational cycle, said a statement issued by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) - the military''s media wing.
"Rigorous training and continued practice of operational drills are imperative for effective response to wide ranging threats," Gen Bajwa told the troops.
The troops and units participating in the exercise will rehearse various defensive and offensive manoeuvres in the mountainous terrain.
Jun 04, 2021
Iran's Largest Warship Sinks
The largest warship in the Iranian navy caught fire and later sank in the Gulf of Oman under unclear circumstances, the latest calamity to strike one of the country's vessels in recent years amid tensions with the West.
The 207-metre (679-foot) Kharg was used to resupply other ships in the fleet at sea and conduct training exercises.
The Kharg was a modified Ol-class fleet replenishment oiler of the Islamic Republic of Iran Navy, named after Kharg Island. Built by Swan Hunter in the United Kingdom and launched in 1977, it was delivered to Iran in 1984. Kharg was Iran's largest naval vessel based on tonnage until the launch of Makran in early 2021.
Indian Navy Approaches Defence Ministry for Predator Drone Acquisition
The Indian Navy is set to approach the Defence Ministry for the acquisition of 30 Predator armed drones from the US for the three services to counter the challenge posed by Chinese Wing Loong II drone with precision strike capabilities. The Chinese weaponised drone has been acquired by Pakistan and has plans to jointly produce the same with parent manufacturer Chengdu Aircraft Corporation.
The Indian Navy, which has been designated as lead by both Army and Air Force in the acquisition of MQ-9 drones, has asked the Defence Ministry for early convening of Defence Procurement Board meeting under the chairmanship of Defence Secretary Dr. Ajay Kumar to get the project cleared in principle.
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