Oman Navy Delegation Visits Mumbai; Discusses Defence Cooperation
A four-member delegation headed by Rear Admiral Saif bin Nasser bin Mohsin Al Rahbi, Commander, Royal Navy of Oman (CRNO), visited the Western Naval Command and interacted with senior officials.
During the visit, Rear Admiral Al Rahbi called on Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command and discussed matters of mutual interest.
The two sides also examined ways of enhancing cooperation in the maritime domain between the two navies.
Feb 18, 2022
Kuwait Army Allows Women in Combat Roles, But Without Guns
Kuwaiti women were angry after the military, having allowed female soldiers in combat roles, decided they need the permission of a male guardian and banned them from carrying weapons.
Activists have decried the policy as "one step forward, two steps back" after the defence ministry also decided that women in the armed forces, unlike civilians, must wear head coverings.
The moves have sparked an online backlash in Kuwait, usually regarded as one of the most open societies in the Gulf.
Feb 17, 2022
India Gets First Maritime Security Coordinator
Former vice Chief of Navy Vice Admiral G. Ashok Kumar, who retired last year, was appointed as the country's first National Maritime Security Coordinator (NMSC).
Proposed after the 26/11 terror attacks, the NMSC will be part of the National Security Council Secretariat, and will report to National Security Adviser Ajit Doval.
As the NMSC, Kumar will have the responsibility of coordinating between all the agencies involved in maritime security and maritime civil issues as well. He will also be tasked with improving the country's blue economy needs. He will look at all aspects of maritime security, and will be the nodal point for all issues related to it.
Feb 16, 2022
India, Philippines to Expand Ties in Defence, Maritime
India and the Philippines agreed to further strength their engagement in counter-terrorism, defence and maritime security, covering defence capabilities as well as military training and capacity building.
These were the key takeaways of External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's visit to Manila.
This was the first high-level contact between the two countries after the landmark $375 million deal to sell Brahmos missile system to the Philippines.
Feb 15, 2022
BHEL Bags Order to Supply Compact Heat Exchanger Sets for Tejas Aircraft
State-owned Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) bagged an order from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd to supply compact heat exchanger sets for 83 LCA Tejas MK1A aircraft.
The order envisages manufacturing, assembly, testing and supply of compact heat exchangers to be fitted in the light combat aircraft, Tejas, being manufactured by HAL.
The BHEL's Heavy Plates and Vessels Plant (HPVP), Visakhapatnam is the sole supplier of heat exchangers for LCA Tejas to HAL since 1996.