General Awareness

DEFENCE - January 2019

Jan 2019

Nov 07, 2023

Minuteman III missile test-launched by US Air Force

The S. Air Force had blown up a Minuteman III missile over the Pacific Ocean after an anomaly was detected following its launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The nuclear-capable Minuteman III, made by Boeing, is key to the U.S. military's strategic arsenal. The missile has a range of 6,000-plus miles (9,660-plus km) and can travel at a speed of about 15,000 miles per hour (24,000 kph).
About 400 of the missiles are located at Air Force bases in Wyoming, Montana, and North Dakota.
It is key to the U.S. military's strategic arsenal.

Nov 06, 2023

Sweden's Saab Secures India's First 100% FDI in Defense Project

India has recently granted approval for Sweden's Saab to establish a new manufacturing facility in the country, marking a significant milestone as the first foreign company to receive 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in India's defense projects.
While India previously permitted up to 74% FDI in the defense sector under the automatic route, clearances beyond that threshold were subject to individual assessment.
The government relaxed these regulations in 2015 to encourage foreign investments, yet until now, no foreign firm had received permission for 100% FDI in defense.

The Indian Navy's Ilyushin-38 Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft bid farewell.

The Indian Navy's Ilyushin-38 Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft bid farewell after 46 years of glorious service to the nation.
In a nostalgic ceremony, a large number of veterans gathered to bid adieu to Ilyushin-38 Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Patrol aircraft, which did 46 years of service to the nation.
The decommissioning ceremony was recently held at INS Hansa, Dabolim and was also joined by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

Nov 04, 2023

US and India to conduct 2 plus 2 ministerial dialogue

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin would be traveling to India for the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue with their Indian counterparts in New Delhi.
The dialogue will be held with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in New Delhi this month.
The dialogue came to existence from an agreement between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump.
It is being conducted every year since 2018 to discuss bilateral security and geo-strategic issues.

Nov 03, 2023

India Submits 'Letter of Request' To France For 26 Rafale Fighter Jets

In a significant development, India has given the Letter of Request to the French government for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy under a government-to-government deal.
India Submits 'Letter of Request' To France For 26 Rafale Fighter Jets
As per the proposal, the Indian Navy will get 22 single-seated Rafale Marine aircraft along with four trainer aircraft.
The aircraft carriers INS Vikramaditya and Vikrant have been operating the MiG-29s and need the Rafales for operations on both carriers.

Nov 01, 2023

Navy's Last Ilyushin-38SD Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft Retires

The Indian Navy decommissioned the last of its Ilyushin Il-38SD Sea Dragon Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft from operational service, 46 years after their induction.
Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar, who was present at the drawdown ceremony of the aircraft at INS Hansa at Vasco town, Goa, described the occasion as truly historic and one filled with nostalgia.
The Navy chief said the aircraft brought glory to the Indian Navy time and again.

End of an Era - MiG-21 Jets Fly For Last Time

Marking the end of an era, Indian Air Force MiG-21 Bison fighter jets flew for the last time over Barmer town of Rajasthan.
The MiG-21 Bison fighter aircraft of the No. 4 squadron of the IAF took a sortie and flew for the last time over the Uttarlai town in Barmer, Rajasthan.
The Indian Air Force is phasing out the MiG-21 squadrons and set to replace them with the indigenous LCA Mark-1A fighter jets.
As per plans, the No. 4 squadron will be getting the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets in its inventory and may move to a new location in the desert sector itself by the end of this month.
The MiG-21 entered service in 1963 on a trial basis. It formed the backbone of India's fighter fleet from 1970 to the mid-2000s till the Su-30MKIs were pressed into action.

IAF Deploys Three S-400 Missile Units along China and Pakistan Borders

The Indian Air Force (IAF) took significant steps to bolster its air defense capabilities along the borders with China and Pakistan by deploying three out of the five agreed-upon S-400 air defense missile squadrons. However, the remaining two squadrons' delivery schedule has been affected by the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and officials from both countries are set to meet soon to finalize the timeline.
In 2018-19, India entered into a crucial defense agreement with Russia to procure S-400 missiles worth Rs. 35,000 crore, aiming to acquire a total of five squadrons of these advanced air defense systems. These squadrons have already been operationalized in strategically important sectors. One unit is responsible for guarding both the China and Pakistan fronts, while one squadron has been specifically earmarked for each of these countries.

Indian Navy Chief Offers to Run Warship Training Hub for Regional States

The Indian Navy chief, Admiral Hari Kumar, proposed deepening relations between states in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), by adopting four principles that would govern future relations.
Hari Kumar made his proposals while addressing the Goa Maritime Conclave (GMC), one of the navy's several multilateral initiatives aimed at bringing together the littoral states of the IOR into a cooperative maritime security framework operating under barely discernible Indian Navy leadership.
The navy chief's first proposal involves developing a working mechanism that is "structure light, but functionally heavy".
The second proposal was that "each one of us could bring to the table certain unique capabilities and expertise".
The third, inter-related proposal involves developing CoEs as nerve centres of maritime security information pertaining to the IOR.
The navy chief's fourth and final suggestion was to rationalise and prioritise efforts under other bilateral, mini-lateral and multi-lateral constructs in the IOR. Besides the deployment of naval warships on visits to other countries' ports and naval bases and joint training exercises, the Indian Navy has fostered maritime bonding through various multilateral initiatives such as the Goa Maritime Conclave, MILAN, Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and the Colombo Security Conclave, among others.

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