ASEAN Planning First Joint Military Drill Amid Regional Tensions with China
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is planning its first joint military drill amid regional strain with China.
According to the Indonesian military, the drill will be conducted in Indonesia's South Natuna Sea.
During the 20th ASEAN Chief of Defence Forces Meeting in Bali, organized on June 7, ten ASEAN military chiefs had agreed to conduct routine joint training and coordinated patrols in waters of the South China Sea. There will be the army, naval and special forces involved from September 18 to September 25, despite scepticism from member state Cambodia.
The ASEAN exercise named Solidarity, will be held as China is asserting its claim to areas of the South China Sea that are also claimed by the ASEAN member states; Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and the Philippines. This year (2023), Indonesia holds the rotating chair of the regional bloc.
Jun 25, 2023
CRPF Signs Pact with Rashtriya Raksha University, Gujarat
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) signed an agreement with Gujarat based Rashtriya Raksha University (RRU) for a specialised education, research, training and innovation ecosystem for the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs). CRPF DG Sujoy Lal Thaosen and Vice Chancellor Professor Bimal N. Patel were present during the signing of agreement during which the latter assured the CRPF of all possible cooperation and laid particular emphasis on Suraksha Karmayogi mission of the University.
Patel highlighted that more than 12,000 persons from India and 48 foreign nations have benefitted under more than 150 training programmes offered by the University. Under the MoU, CRPF personnel will be able to benefit from diploma and degree programs, get accreditation and recognition of training leading towards diploma and degree, exchange of resource persons, conduct research at RRU or CRPF facilities, among others.
Jun 24, 2023
India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) Launched
The India-United States Defence Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS X) was officially launched at an event held in Washington DC. The initiative aims to foster collaboration and innovation between Indian and US defence start-ups, promoting technological advancements in the sector.
Co-organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) under the Ministry of Defence and the US Department of Defence (DoD), the two-day INDUS X event brought together government representatives, defence industry leaders, think tanks, investors, and start-ups from both countries.
The event featured a joint showcasing of innovative technologies by 15 Indian start-ups and 10 US start-ups, spanning multiple domains such as maritime, AI, autonomous systems, and space.
Jun 23, 2023
U.S. Bombers Land in Sweden for Training Exercises for First Time
U.S. bomber jets landed in Sweden for the first time in modern history for training exercises with the NATO invitee.
Sweden, which abandoned two centuries of military non-alignment to seek NATO membership last year (2022), announced earlier in June 2023 that it was ready to host NATO troops and materiel on its soil even before it becomes a member of the alliance.
Two American B-1B Lancers landed at Lulea-Kallax airport in northern Sweden.
Sweden has been a NATO invitee since June 2022, but its membership bid, which must be ratified by all 31 member states, has been blocked by Turkey and Hungary.
Only full members are covered by NATO's Article 5 collective defence clause under which an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.
Announcing the decision to host NATO troops and materiel before joining, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said that their presence would serve as a deterrent against any possible Russian actions from across the Baltic Sea.
Jun 22, 2023
Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Integrated Simulator Complex at Southern Naval Command
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Integrated Simulator Complex (ISC) 'Dhruv' at the Southern Naval Command. The ISC 'Dhruv' hosts modern state-of-the-art indigenously-built simulators that will significantly enhance practical training in the Indian Navy.
These simulators are envisaged to give real-time experience on navigation, fleet operations and naval tactics. These simulators will also be utilised for training of personnel from friendly countries.
Defence Ministry Signs MoU with Private Firm to Generate Employment for Ex-servicemen
The Ministry of Defence signed a memorandum of understanding with a private firm to facilitate the re-employment of ex-servicemen.
The Directorate General (Resettlement) under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare of the defence ministry signed an MoU with Adecco India Private Limited to facilitate the re-employment of ex-servicemen, the statement said.
Adecco is a staffing and recruitment solutions provider with specialisation in outsourcing and consulting services.
The objective is to bring corporate companies and ex-servicemen on a common platform to generate employment opportunities in various sectors such as IT, e-commerce, logistics, telecom, aerospace and defence, facility management, security, digital assessment services, power and energy, manufacturing, chemical and agro.