The 32nd Edition of Indo Thai Coordinated Patrol Concludes
The 32nd edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy concluded on November 14, 2021. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette and His Majesty's Thailand Ship (HTMS) Tayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the CORPAT.
CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates the institution of measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy. It further helps enhance the operational synergy by exchange of information for the prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and for conduct of search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.
Defence Ministry Formally Lifts Ban on Italian Firms Leonardo SpA, AgustaWestland
The defence ministry formally lifted a ban on Italian firm Leonardo SpA and its subsidiary AgustaWestland as their names did not figured in an updated list of companies debarred and suspended from business dealings with it.
Leonardo SpA, which was earlier known as Finmeccanica, and AgustaWestland were banned in 2014 in the wake of allegations of corruption in a Rs. 3,500-crore VVIP helicopters deal.
The updated list figured six companies as 'debarred firms' while 15 companies have been put under the category of 'put on hold/suspended'.
Thailand Becomes First Foreign Customer of AT-6 Light-attack Aircraft
The Royal Thai Air Force awarded a $143 million contract to Textron Aviation for eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, ground support equipment, spare parts, training and other equipment.
Thailand's deal with the American company on the first day of the Dubai Airshow makes it the first international customer of the light attack aircraft. Under the contract, work will take place at the company's Wichita, Kansas, facility.
Russia Starts Supplying S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems to India
In a major boost to Indian capabilities to take out enemy fighter aircraft and cruise missiles at long range, Russia has started supplying the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system to India.
Russia has started supplying S-400 air defense system to India", Director of Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev said in Dubai air show. FSMTC is the Russian government's main defence export control organisation.
As per reports, the parts of the air defence system have started reaching India and they would be first deployed at a location close to the Western border from where it can tackle threats from both parts of the Western and Northern borders with Pakistan and China both.
The S-400 air defence system was contracted for by India in a deal worth around Rs. 35,000 crore and five squadrons would be provided to India for tacking air threats from up to 400 km.
Nov 14, 2021
Israel, UAE, Bahrain, US Hold Major Red Sea Drill
The navies of Israel, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched a joint exercise in the Red Sea, in response to their shared adversary Iran's presence and aggression in the waters of the Middle East.
The five-day drill included at-sea training aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland.
While the Israeli Air Force had previously taken part in international drills with the UAE, this drill marks the first time that Israel publicly trained with the UAE and Bahrain. It comes as a result of the transfer of the responsibility for Israel from the US Europe Command (EUCOM) to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).
Nov 13, 2021
Indian, French Armies to Carry out Military Drills
India and France will carry out a 12-day military exercise beginning in the French port town of Frejus with a focus on counter-terror operations.
A platoon strength of a Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion will represent the Indian Army while the French side will deploy troops of 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of 6th Light Armoured Brigade at the exercise.
'Exercise Shakti' will focus on counter-terrorism operations in the backdrop of semi-urban terrain under United Nations mandate with an aim to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the two armies.
Nov 12, 2021
Sheel Vardhan Singh Appointed CISF DG, Atul Karwal is New NDRF Chief
The government announced the appointment of chiefs of two key Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). These are the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which has been without a regular chief since May 25 when its then chief Subodh Jaiswal was appointed as CBI Director — and, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which currently has IPS officer S. N. Pradhan as its chief.
Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau Sheel Vardhan Singh was appointed as the new CISF DG, while National Police Academy Director Atul Karwal was appointed as the NDRF DG.
Nov 11, 2021
Serbia Signs LOI with Spain on C295 Transport Aircraft
Serbian Assistant Minister of Defence for Material Resources Nenad Miloradović and Spanish National Armaments Director Admiral Santiago Ramon Gonzalez Gomez signed a letter of intent (LOI) in Madrid for Serbia's procurement of Airbus C295 transport aircraft, supported and assisted by the Spanish Ministry of Defence (MoD).
The signing came less than a month after Serbian Defence Minister Nebojša Stefanović announced that Serbia would buy two C295s on the first day of the Partner 2021 defence exhibition held in Belgrade on 11–14 October.