New explosive detection device “RaIDer-X” unveiled at NWED-2020
The National Workshop on Explosive Detection (NWED-2020) was held at Pune, Maharashtra. The NWED workshop was organised by High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL), Pune. During the workshop, a new explosive detection device known as “RaIDer-X” was also unveiled. The workshop featured the participation of delegates from different DRDO laboratories, Army, CRPF, CISF, State Police, academic Institutes, industries and other security agencies.
“ICGS Varad” commissioned as Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel
The Indian Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel “ICGS Varad” has been commissioned by the Union Minister of State for Shipping (I/C) & Chemicals and Fertilizers Shri Mansukh Mandaviya. The minister also accorded the ‘Guard of honour’ parade as part of commissioning ceremony of ICGS Varad which was held in Chennai.
About ICGS Varad:
The 98 metre long and 15 metre wide ICGS Varad is having a gross tonnage of 2100 tons. It has a maximum speed of 26 Knots along with endurance of 5000 nautical miles. The ICGS Varad will enable the fleet of ships of the Indian Coast Guard and will contribute in the monitoring and constant vigil for coastal security of Indian maritime borders. ICGS Varad has been built indigenously by Larsen & Toubro while keeping in mind the Government of India’s vision of Make in India.
Rajnath Singh inaugurates new Helicopter Production Hangar at HAL
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the new Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Production Hangar at Helicopter Division in Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Complex at Bengaluru, Karnataka.
LCH is a 5.5-tonne class combat helicopter designed and developed by HAL. It is powered by two Shakti engines and inherits many technical features of the Advanced Light Helicopter. LCH has the distinction of being the first attack helicopter to land in forwarding Bases at Siachen, 4,700 mts above sea level with 500kg load.
India has made significant progress towards manufacturing military equipment indigenously under the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The defence industry plays a major role in the economic development of the country. Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU) that has helped India leapfrog six places to become the fifth-largest economy in the world.
6th Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel “VAJRA” launched
The 6th Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) “VAJRA” has been launched in Chennai. The Coast Guard’s Offshore Patrol Vessel is expected to strengthen the efforts Indian Coast Guard in securing the vast coastline of over 7500 km, including an exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of over 20 lakh sq kms.
OPV “VAJRA” is the 6th vessel in the series of seven OPV projects. The Offshore Patrol Vessel has been built by M/s L&T Shipbuilding under the ‘Make in India’ policy. OPV Vajra is a state of the art platform which will increase the capabilities of Indian Coast Guard in terms of Operation, Surveillance, Search & Rescue. The OPV is empowered with two Navigation Radars along with ultra-modern technology, Sophisticated navigational and latest communication systems. The OPV will help the Indian Coast Guard in executing day and night patrol/surveillance along with anti-terrorist/ anti-smuggling operations in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) as well as Coastal Security.
India-UK joint Air Force Exercise Indra Dhanush Exercise 2020 began
The 5th edition of the Exercise Indra Dhanush 2020 commenced on 24th February. It is a joint air force exercise between Indian Air Force (IAF) and British Royal Air Forces (RAF) has commenced at Air Force Station Hindan in Uttar Pradesh (UP).
‘Base Defence and Force Protection’ was the focus of this year exercise. 36 specialised combatants from RAF Regiment & 42 combatants of the GARUD Force from IAF team participated in this exercise with para drops from C-130J aircraft, tactical insertions by Mi-17 V5 helicopters and use of various airborne sensors.
During the exercise, both the elements of the air force will share and jointly validate strategies and tactics to tackle terror threats to their installations. Both the forces also to take up various missions including Airfield Seizure, Base Defence and anti-terror operations in Urban built-up zones.
India to have 1st “Integrated Tri-services Command” by year 2020
The Chief of the Defence staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat has announced the plan of establishing the first Integrated Tri-Services Command. The Integrated Tri-Services Command will be responsible for handing the air defence of the entire country. The command is expected to be established by June 2020. The planned Integrated Tri-Services command will be headed by an Indian Air Force (IAF) officer.
Objective of Integrated Tri-Services Command:
The Integrated Tri-Services Command aims is to unite the resources of the three defence services of India under one command to protect the air space of the country. The air defence set-up of the the Army, Air Force and Navy would integrate to provide air defence cover to the country.
The Department of Military Affairs headed by General Bipin Rawat has been mandated to create joint military commands along with theatre commands, joint peninsula command and a logistics command.
DRDO developing new strike range Pranash ballistic missile
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has started developing a 200-km strike range tactical ballistic missile ‘Pranash’. The missile is an advanced version of the 150-km strike range Prahar missile which was being developed for tactical missions. The surface-to-surface ballistic missile will be of use for the Air Force and Army. It is a solid-propellant surface to a surface missile which can travel at the speed of Mach 2.
India and UK to hold joint military drill ‘Ajeya Warrior’
India and the United Kingdom will conduct their 5th edition of joint military exercise ‘Ajeya Warrior-2020’ at Salisbury Plains, the United Kingdom from February 13-26. The exercise is being held from 2005.
The exercise will comprise of 120 soldiers each from Indian and United Kingdom Army who would be sharing their experiences gained during conduct of various counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in the past. e. The participants have also been trained in combat shooting, rock craft training, Jungle survival and martial arts for unarmed combat.
Indian Army develops world’s first bulletproof helmet
An Indian Army Major who had developed a bulletproof jacket for protection against sniper bullets, has now developed a helmet which is claimed to be first such in the world that can stop an AK-47 bullet round from a distance of 10 meters.
"The ballistic helmet has been developed under project Abhedya by Major Anoop Mishra who has also developed a full-body protection bulletproof jacket which can withstand even sniper rifles," Army officials told ANI.
The officer is part of the Indian Army's College of Military Engineering and had got into the development of bulletproof jackets after he had received gunshots on his vintage bulletproof jacket.
Indian Naval Academy awarded President’s Colour
President Ram Nath Kovind and Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, awarded President’s Colour to Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala at Kochi, Kerala.
The President’s Colour is the highest honour bestowed upon a military unit.
It was awarded to INA in recognition of the yeoman service rendered by the institution in training and shaping Indian Naval officers over the last 50 years at three different locations – Goa, Kochi and Ezhimala. To commemorate this occasion, a special postal cover was also released by the President.
