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.
Jun 03, 2021
Vice-Admiral Ravneet Singh Assumes Charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff
Vice-Admiral Ravneet Singh, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), and Nausena Medal (NM) holder, assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.
According to the Defence Ministry, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1983, and specialised in aviation. The Flag Officer is a qualified flying instructor with Master Green instrument rating.
He has held various challenging Staff, Command, and Diplomatic assignments during his distinguished naval career, and has had wide-ranging experience onboard diverse platforms.
China Creates Defence System along LAC
In the move of strengthening its position along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), People Liberation Army (PLA) of China has created an integrated or combined air defence system comprising air force and army for its western theatre command. This wing is involved in operations along LAC.
This system was put through paces during exercise conducted recently at an unknown location under western theatre command. In the exercise, army elements were jointly training with air force while air force was commanding and controlling it. About 10 PLA army units under western theatre command have been integrated in reporting chain to share inputs on early warning and exercise participation.
Jun 02, 2021
Lt Gen Manoj Pande Takes Charge of Eastern Command
In a change of guard at several top positions in the armed forces, new commanders have taken over at the Eastern Command of the Indian Army and at the Tri-services command at Andaman and Nicobar Islands, while the Navy has new Deputy Chief, who is incharge of all maritime operations.
Lt Gen Manoj Pande took charge as the new commander of the operationally crucial Eastern Army Command at a time India has been maintaining a high state of combat readiness along the LAC with China.
Lt Gen Pande was earlier Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN). Lt Gen Ajai Singh, who is an alumnus of Lawrence School, Sanawar, is the new CINCAN.
The Navy got a new Deputy Chief, Vice Admiral Ravneet Singh. Hailing from Jalandhar, Admiral Singh will be responsible for gamut of operations at sea. The Assam Rifles too got a new Chief — Lt Gen Pradeep Chandran Nair took over as the 21st Director General of the Assam Rifles. In the Navy, Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani has assumed charge as the Chief of Material and Vice Admiral Kiran Deshmukh took over as Controller Warship production.