General Awareness

DEFENCE - January 2021

Jan 2021

Mar 04, 2021

12 New SSB Battalions Soon to Strengthen India's Borders with Bhutan, Nepal

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has given its in-principle approval for 12 Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) units, comprising over 13,000 personnel in all, to tighten security at India's borders with Bhutan and Nepal.
SSB Director General (DG) Kumar Rajesh Chandra said that over 1,000 personnel in each battalion will be inducted in a phased manner, with a target of raising four battalions each year.
The SSB has 90,000 personnel to guard the open Indian fronts with Nepal (1,751 km) and Bhutan (699 km). The additional strength will aid in the "fortification" of defences along these fronts including the tri-junction in Sikkim that adjoins Bhutan and Tibet.

South Korea's Next Generation Jet KF-X Set to Roll Out

South Korea is set to roll out the first prototype of its indigenously developed next-generation fighter jet, widely known as the Korean Fighter eXperimental (KF-X) aircraft.
A total of six prototypes are in the final stages of assembly at the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) headquarters in Sacheon, Gyeongsang Province. Test flights will be carried out next year, following ground testing after the April roll-out.
The KF-X project is an evolutionary development project which is divided into two phases. The first phase, or the Block I stage, is about developing the basic system of the fighter jet from 2016 to 2026. The second phase, or the Block II stage which would be carried out from 2026 to 2028, is about adding more weapon systems.

Mar 03, 2021

Air Force to Participate in Exercise Desert Flag VI in UAE

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will participate in the Exercise Desert Flag-VI along with the air forces of the UAE, the US, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea and Bahrain for the first time.
The exercise is scheduled from March 3 to 21 at the Al-Dhafra airbase in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The Exercise Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the UAE Air Force.
The IAF is participating with six Su-30 MKI, two C-17 and one IL-78 tanker aircraft. The C-17 Globemaster will provide support for the induction and de-induction of the IAF contingent.

Australia and Boeing Co Complete First Flight Test of Pilotless Fighter-like Jet

- The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Boeing Co have announced that they completed the first flight test on a pilotless fighter-like jet which was designed to operate in concurrence the with crewed aircraft.
- Loyal Wingman" is the first military aircraft that has been designed and manufactured in more than 50 years in Australia. This first military aircraft make its flight under the supervision of a Boeing test pilot who was monitoring it from the ground control station located in South Australia.
- In the development of the product, the Australian government invested A$40 million. The aircraft has also attracted interest from the United States and United Kingdom.

India to Export Defence Equipment to Philippines

- Expanding its defence footprint in the Indo-Pacific, India has reached an understanding with the Philippines for exporting military equipment to the nation which has been at the receiving end of China's expansionist plans in the South China Sea.
- The deal which was concluded in Manila would enable a wider defence interface between India and the Philippines.
- The Philippines will be the first country to receive BrahMos missiles jointly developed by India and Russia. Earlier, New Delhi had extended a $100 million defence-related line of credit to Manila. The Philippines, a key US ally for decades, has been keen to diversify sources for defence hardware.

Mar 02, 2021

Maj Gen JS Sandhu Takes over as NCC Additional Director General

Major General JS Sandhu took over as the 8th Additional Director General (ADG) of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh NCC Directorate.
In his 36 years of service, Major General Sandhu has undertaken prestigious staff and command assignments, including tenures in active operational areas, and holds multiple military academic qualifications. This includes command of a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, an Infantry Brigade in Jammu and Kashmir and an Infantry Division along the western borders.
He has been awarded with the Ati Vishist Seva Medal for distinguished service.

IAF Gifts 1971 War Helicopter to Bangladesh, Gets F-86 Fighter as Return Gift

Commemorating 50 years of defeating Pakistan in the 1971 war, Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief RKS Bhadauria gifted a legacy Alouette III helicopter to Bangladesh Air Force (BAF) and got a legacy F-86 Sabre aircraft as a return gift from Dhaka.
The exchange of aircraft took place in Dhaka during the four-day trip of Bhadauria to Bangladesh where he visited different airbases and interacted with the top military leadership of that country.
India and Bangladesh are celebrating 50 years of the liberation war in which the Pakistan Army was thrown out of Bangladesh and 90,000 of their troops were made to surrender. A number of events are being organised by both countries to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the decisive war.

Mar 01, 2021

Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar New Chief of Western Naval Command

Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar took over as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command.
He succeeded Vice Admiral Ajit Kumar, who served at the helm of this premier command since January 2019, and who retired after an illustrious career spanning 40 years.
Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Navy on January 1, 1983.

Feb 27, 2021

India Likely to Ban Import of Larger Weapon Systems like Tanks, Aircraft

To boost indigenous defence manufacturing, Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat is likely to include tanks and aircraft in the second negative list of defence items and ban their import in the future.
For the new negative list, the CDS is preparing it in consultation with industry stakeholders and discussing inclusion of bigger weapon systems such as tanks and aircraft.
Industry leaders are also discussing timeframes in which the domestic industry would be ready to supply the larger integrated platforms for the defence forces.
Last year, the government announced a ban on import of 101 weapons, platforms, and equipment. The list comprises simple parts to high technology weapon systems like artillery guns, assault rifles, sonar systems, transport aircraft and radars.

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