CDS Awards Unit Citations to 3 Tri-service Units for Exemplary Performance
General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff, conferred CDS Unit Citations award to the Strategic Forces Command, College of Defence Management, Secunderabad & 2 PARA (Special Forces) for their exemplary performance for the Year 2021-22 in a ceremony held in New Delhi.
The CDS unit citations award was constituted after the establishment of the Office of Chief of the Defence Staff in 2019 to boost jointness and integration in the Armed Forces.
It was decided to award the selected tri-service units/establishments which function directly under the Chiefs-of-Staff Committee biennially, as an incentive to excel as joint & integrated entities.
May 12, 2023
India and Thailand Conduct 35th Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol(CORPAT)
The Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy conducted the 35th edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT). The exercise was aimed at reinforcing maritime linkages between the two countries and ensuring the safety and security of the Indian Ocean.
The Indo-Thai CORPAT has been conducted bi-annually since 2005 along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) to enhance understanding and interoperability between the two navies. The exercise aims to prevent and suppress unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, and armed robbery. It also facilitates the exchange of information for the prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration, and for the conduct of Search and Rescue (SAR) operations at sea.
The Indo-Thai CORPAT is an essential step towards enhancing regional maritime security, in line with the Government of India's vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).
The Indo-Thai CORPAT saw the participation of Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, an indigenously built LST (L) and His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Saiburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies. The exercise involved coordinated patrolling along the IMBL in the Andaman Sea, with the focus on enhancing communication, interoperability, and sharing of best practices between the two navies.
May 11, 2023
Tribunal Rules in Favour of Short Service Officers Getting Extension
The Armed Forces Tribunal held that all Short Service Commission officers (SSCOs) who are not selected for permanent commission will be granted extension in service if considered fit and are willing for the same.
Allowing the plea of a woman SSCO who was denied permanent commission or extension in service after the initial period of 10 years, the Tribunal observed that "grant of extension of service is not contingent upon vacancy". The judgment has wide implication for SSCOs in the defence forces that have an initial contractual obligation of 10-year service, extendable by four years. On opting for it, the SSCOs are considered by a selection board for grant of permanent commission on completion of 10-year service or four-year extension.
Army Officers in Brigadier Rank and Above to Don Common Uniform from August 1
The Indian Army will adopt a common uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers irrespective of the parent cadre and appointment. The decision was taken after detailed deliberations during the recently concluded Army Commanders' Conference.
Different types of uniforms and accoutrements have specific associations to respective arms, regiments and services in the Indian Army.
At the unit or battalion level, a distinct sense of identity reflects a strong bond among officers and men in the same regiment.
However, to promote and strengthen a common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership, beyond the boundaries of regimentation, the decision was taken to adopt a common uniform.
May 09, 2023
'Operation Trinetra' in Rajouri Mountains to Flush Out Hiding Militants
Security forces continued "Operation Trinetra" for the fourth consecutive day to track down terrorists hiding in the Kandi forested area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.
Five Army personnel were killed while a major-rank officer was injured in an explosion triggered by the terrorists in the Kesari hill forest area of Rajouri last week.
Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu region, which were declared terrorism-free more than a decade ago, have been rocked by a series of deadly attacks since October 2021, resulting in the killing of 35 people, including 26 soldiers.
Air Force Receives 1st Batch of Indigenous VTOL Loitering Munition
The air force received its first indigenously designed and developed loitering munitions. These are capable of operating from all kinds of terrain and high altitude areas and can take down targets at a range of over 50 km, without exposing any personnel to risk. Developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), the autonomous system is designed for Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) and has successfully demonstrated its capability to carry out precision strikes during trials and tests.
IAF's 1st C295 Completes Maiden Flight in Spain
The Indian Air Force's first C295 medium transport aircraft completed its maiden flight in Spain, ahead of its induction into the IAF later this year (2023), European firm Airbus Defence and Space said.
This first flight represents a significant accomplishment for the first Make in India aerospace programme, with the IAF set to become the largest operator of the C295 in the world.
The maiden flight took place at Seville and lasted three hours. IAF crews are at Airbus's Seville facility for training.
The maiden flight is yet another milestone in the C295 programme, and the induction of these planes will significantly boost the capabilities of the IAF vis-a-vis the Avro-748 aircraft they are replacing.
May 08, 2023
Navy Decommissions INS Magar after 36 Years of Service
INS Magar, the oldest landing ship of the Indian Navy was decommissioned after a prestigious service to the country for 36 years.
The ship, commanded by Cdr Hemant V. Salunkhe, was decommissioned at a ceremony held at the Naval Base.
The ship's timeline and a special postage cover were also released during the ceremony which was witnessed by dignitaries including senior personnel from the Armed forces, veterans and civil administration.
INS Magar was launched on November 16, 1984 by Meera Tahiliani and commissioned on July 18, 1987 at Garden Reach Shipyard and Engineers Limited, Kolkata by late Admiral R. H. Tahiliani.
During her service, she participated in numerous operations, amphibious exercises and humanitarian missions and operations including Samudra Setu wherein more than 4,000 Indian nationals were repatriated from various corners of the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Rajnath Singh Initiates Construction of Coast Guard Establishment in Maldives
The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, and his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya Didi, initiated the construction of a harbour at Sifavaru for the coast guard of Maldives. This move is aimed at enhancing the country's maritime security capabilities, especially as China is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean Region by sending more warships and undertaking projects in the region.
The coast guard facility will stop the Maldives from sending its ships abroad for maintenance.
The coast guard functions as the armed maritime unit of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), which has received patrol vessels and surveillance aircraft from India because the Maldives does not have a navy.