Indian Army Organises 'Vijay Diwas' Arms Exhibition in Kargil
Ahead of the 24th Kargil Vijay Diwas, 'Vijay Diwas Shastra Pradarshan' was organised by the Indian Army at Kargil on July 15 and 16, 2023. The Indian army showcased a varied display of weapons and equipment operated by them, with special emphasis on indigenous 'Made in India' weapons and equipment which were inducted as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The event was inaugurated by General Officer Commanding, Forever in Operations Division.
Jul 15, 2023
INS Sunayna Participates in CMF Ex 'Op Southern Readiness-2023'
INS Sunayna was in the Seychelles and participated in Op Southern Readiness 2023 conducted by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF). The visit was aimed at strengthening multilateral ties and strengthening cooperation through the CMF exercise, a multinational initiative aimed at strengthening maritime security, countering piracy to ensure safety and freedom of navigation in the region.
During the visit, personnel from participating Navies from the US, Italy, UK, Seychelles Defense Forces and Maritime Police, EUNAVFOR member nations, engaged in a wide range of professional interactions, exchanges of and visits. The ship conducted lectures and practical demonstrations on various aspects of navigation, VBSS (basic and advanced training), maritime domain awareness, and mass evacuation exercises. A delegation of CMF from Bahrain led by Captain Oliver, Commander of CTF56 attended the training exercises on board.
Jul 14, 2023
India Gives Initial Nod to Buy French Rafale Jets, Submarines
India's defence ministry gave initial approval to purchase 26 Rafale fighter jets for its navy and three Scorpene class submarines, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's France visit.
The deal will cover the purchase of 26 Dassault Aviation (AM.PA) Rafale fighter jets, including four trainers, and three Scorpene class submarines to be built by India's Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (MAZG.NS) and France's Naval Group.
The government did not provide any cost figures, saying the prices are yet to be negotiated.
Jul 13, 2023
L&T Signs Master Ship Repair Agreement with US Navy
Larsen and Toubro (L&T) entered into a significant Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy, highlighting L&T's Kattupalli Shipyard near Chennai as a qualified facility for conducting voyage repairs of Military Sealift Command vessels.
As per L&T, after a thorough evaluation by the US Navy and the Military Sealift Command, the shipyard's capabilities were recognised, enabling it to undertake warship refits similar to those approved by the Indian Navy and the Coast Guard.
The signing of the MSRA represents another milestone in the expanding US-India partnership and is a direct outcome of the 2022 U.S.-India 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue.
Jul 12, 2023
Rajnath Singh Inaugurates HAL's Regional Office in Malaysia
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the regional office of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Kuala Lumpur to facilitate close defence industrial collaboration between India and Malaysia.
It will also serve as a hub for the HAL's engagement with the wider South-East Asian region and act as a window for other Indian defence PSUs.
IIT Kanpur Develops AI-enabled Suicide Drones
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur, developed an indigenous version of the Kamikaze drone (a type of suicide drone). The suicide drone can carry a warhead of up to 6 kg for up to 100 km.
Speaking about the development of the drone, Subramaniam Sadrala, Assistant Professor in the Aerospace Department of IIT Kanpur, said that the drones are equipped with stalled technology which enables them to escape radar identification.
The development of the drone has been going on since 2022 under DRDO's Young Scientist Laboratory (DYSL-CT) project.
The indigenously developed drones are capable of neutralising enemy targets even in the absence of Global Positioning Support (GPS) with the help of artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled visual guidance system in the enemy territory.
Anil Chauhan Inaugurates LRMR Hangar at Naval Air Station
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Anil Chauhan, inaugurated the LRMR Hangar & Dispersal at Naval Air Station, INS Utkrosh in Port Blair. The newly added hangar facility, covering an area of 6000 sq. mt., is capable of accommodating a combination of P8I aircraft with Dronier & Advanced Light Helicopters. This inauguration marked significant milestones in enhancing jointness and integration among the armed forces in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
General Anil Chauhan also inaugurated the Wet Basin & Refit Jetty at the Naval Ship Repair Yard in Port Blair. This jetty, developed in consultation with IIT Chennai and costing over 360 Cr, will provide essential support for strategic reach and sea operations of India's first Joint Theatre Command in the region.