Defence

New Delhi,21.06.2023: Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), a multi-Unit, multi-technology, multi-product Navratna Defence PSU, and HFCL Limited (HFCL), a leading technology enterprise and provider of next-generation communication products, have signed a two-year, non-exclusive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to leverage the strengths and capabilities of both the organisations and partner to indigenously develop and deploy emerging technologies and technical solutions to address the requirements of Defence, Telecom and Railway sectors. This strategic MoU is envisaged to give a boost to the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and go a long way in realising the Government’s vision of a digital India. As part of this MoU, BEL and HFCL shall pursue business opportunities, capitalising on their domain expertise, technological strengths and market presence to enhance the nation’s capabilities in Defence and contribute to the growth of telecommunications infrastructure and other critical, developing sectors. BEL and HFCL shall in this process explore options such as Transfer of Technology and joint production of mutually identified products and solutions. Mr Vinay Kumar Katyal, Director (Bangalore Complex), BEL, said, “As India undergoes a massive digital transformation with the rollout of 5G, rapid adoption of new-age technologies across sectors has become imperative. With this tectonic shift in the telecommunication industry, the Indian Government has prioritised its focus on initiatives such as acceleration of the implementation of 5G network, nationwide fiberisation and promoting participation in the PLI scheme. We believe that our partnership with HFCL will certainly play a crucial role in meeting the Government’s target of building state-of-the-art technology architecture. Our domain expertise in Defence combined with HFCL’s cutting-edge solutions will enable us to actively contribute to the Government’s vision of a digital India and help establish India as a prominent global manufacturing hub.” Elaborating on the strategic partnership, Mr Mahendra Nahata, Managing Director of HFCL said, “We are honoured to enter into this strategic alliance with one of India’s largest DPSUs, Bharat Electronics Limited, and extend our support to the Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. Under the MoU, both the organisations will leverage their combined leadership and expertise in developing and manufacturing innovative products, solutions and technological capabilities to address the opportunities across sectors including Defence, Telecom and Railways. With our strong focus on R&D, we aim to strengthen India’s Defence capabilities and make India a global manufacturing hub for Defence, Telecom, communication and networking products.”

New Delhi, 10th June 2023: Indian Ocean – The Indian Navy showcased its formidable maritime capabilities with a spectacular display of multi-carrier operations and the coordinated deployment of more than 35 aircraft in the Arabian Sea. This demonstration of naval prowess underscores India’s commitment to safeguarding its national interests, maintaining regional stability, and fostering cooperative partnerships in the maritime domain. It also marks a significant milestone in Indian Navy’s pursuit of enhancing maritime security and power-projection in the Indian Ocean, and beyond. The exercise involved seamless integration of two Aircraft Carriers INS Vikramaditya and the indigenously built INS Vikrant- along with a diverse fleet of ships, submarines and aircraft, showcasing India’s technological expertise in the maritime domain. INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, centre-pieces of the exercise, serve as ‘floating sovereign airfields’, providing a launch platform for a wide array of aircraft, including MiG-29K fighter jets, MH60R, Kamov, Sea King, Chetak and ALH helicopters. These mobile bases can be positioned anywhere, allowing for increased mission flexibility, timely response to emerging threats and sustained air operations to safeguard our national interests across the globe. In addition, they provide our friends with an assurance that the Indian Navy is capable and ready to support our ‘collective’ security needs in the Region. The successful demonstration of two-carrier battle group operations serves as a powerful testament to the pivotal role of sea-based air power in maintaining maritime superiority. As India continues to strengthen its security apparatus, significance of Aircraft Carriers will remain paramount in shaping the nation’s defence strategy and promoting regional stability.

New Delhi, 2nd June 2023: Air Marshal Rajesh Kumar Anand, Vishisht Seva Medal took over as Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) on 01 Jun 2023. An alumnus of National Defence Academy, the Air Marshal was commissioned in Administrative Branch of the Indian Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller on 13 Jun 1987. He has undergone the Higher Air Command Course from College of Air Warfare and Area Control Course from the Singapore Aviation Academy. In a career spanning over 36 years, the Air Marshal has held various field and staff appointments. Prior to his present appointment, he was Director General (Administration) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.

New Delhi, 16th May 2023: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff today. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was Commissioned in the fighter stream on 06 December 1986. He is a graduate of the Staff Course, Bangladesh and National Defence College, New Delhi. The Air Marshal is a Qualified Flying Instructor as well as an Experimental Test pilot, with over 3300 hours of flying experience on fighter, trainer and transport aircraft. He participated in Operation Safed Sagar and Rakshak. Air Marshal Dixit commanded a Mirage 2000 Squadron, a frontline fighter base in the Western sector, as well as a premier fighter training base. He has earlier served as Principle Director Air Staff Requirement, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) & Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters. The Air Officer has also been the Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command and was Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command prior to taking over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.

New Delhi; 9th May 2023: Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh met the Israeli delegation, led by Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, in New Delhi on May 09, 2023. During the meeting, the Raksha Mantri underlined Government of India’s priority towards indigenisation in accordance with the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat Policy’. He acknowledged the cooperation being extended by Israeli companies and encouraged them for more investments in India and for forging joint ventures with Indian partners to manufacture defence equipment in India. The Israeli Minister affirmed continued cooperation of Israel in India’s endeavour for indigenisation and conveyed the willingness to cooperate & partner in advanced technologies. Both sides acknowledged the completion of 30 years of diplomatic relationship between the two countries and looked forward to further strengthening the bilateral ties.

Vélizy, April 25th 2023 Safran Landing Systems has signed a contract with Airbus Defence and Space to provide the wheels and brakes system work package for the Eurodrone, Europe’s new MALE RPAS (Medium Altitude Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System) reconnaissance drone. Safran Landing Systems was selected to design, develop, qualify and produce the work package including wheels, brakes and hydro-mechanical equipment, and to supply the braking control module, to be developed by Safran Electronics & Defense, the company’s partner on this programme.The contract comprises 60 shipsets. François Bastin, Safran Landing Systems CEO said,“We are proud to work on this programme with Airbus Defence and Space. It’s an opportunity to demonstrate both our know-how and ability to develop the technologies that will equip this unprecedented new military system. We are looking forward to meeting a number of technical challenges on this programme, especially weight reduction, and delivering the best possible value proposition to our customer.” Safran Electronics & Defense has also won a contract from Leonardo to develop and supply the high-performance EuroflirTM 610 electro-optical (optronic) system, for the Eurodrone. The Eurodrone programme is designed to outfit France, Germany, Spain and Italy with a highly autonomous medium-altitude reconnaissance drone, thus bolstering the European Union’s operational and industrial sovereignty. Production of the first prototype should start in 2024 with a first delivery planned by the end of the decade.

20th April 2023, Moscow: Rosoboronexport (part of the Rostec State Corporation) has started providing fully import-substituted Typhoon K-53949 mine resistant ambush protected (MRAP) vehicles in foreign markets.”Rosoboronexport presents to its partners an armored vehicle of the Typhoon-K family assembled exclusively from Russian-made components. This vehicle has proven to be a reliable and highly protected personnel carrier. The Typhoon-K is in service with the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and has substantiated its performance under actual operating and combat conditions. Moreover, many of Rosoboronexport’s partners are operating armored vehicles based on this family of vehicles and give them positive feedback,” said Rosoboronexport Director General Alexander Mikheev. “This MRAP vehicle is of great interest for Middle Eastern, African, Latin American, Asia-Pacific and former USSR countries. Independence from foreign components in the production of the Typhoon-K gives us and our partners confidence in timely and complete after-sale service of the vehicles supplied, their modernization and development.” The Typhoon-K vehicles feature high reliability, maneuverability, cross-country ability and innovative approaches to their protection, ergonomics, layout and equipment. They can ford up to 1.5 meters without preparation and climb 30-degree slopes. With a new generation 350hp diesel engine, the Typhoon K-53949 can reach a maximum speed of 100 km/h. All models of the Typhoon-K family are equipped with an onboard information management system, a central tire inflation system, bullet-proof tires, an all-round video surveillance system, an automatic fire-extinguishing system, and a diesel auxiliary power unit (APU). In addition, remotely controlled weapon stations with stabilized armament can be mounted on them. The armament suite varies depending on customer needs. The 4×4 vehicles are equipped with a hinged ramp in the rear to allow troops to board and disembark from them quickly and easily. Vast experience in the development and operation of army vehicles has been complemented by new approaches to design and state-of-the-art technologies of protection against the most dangerous threats. Typhoon K-53949 armored vehicles are distinguished by enhanced mine and ballistic protection corresponding to NATO STANAG 4569 Level 3 with the possibility of strengthening it to Level 4. A high level of protection is provided by composite armor, including an armored hull and add-on armor plates with ceramic elements, as well as a streamlined hull design and removable anti-mine plates. Troop seats have a suspended system of attachment to the roof, are equipped with blast energy absorbing elements, safety belts and head restraints for fixing the head. In addition, the designers have provided for the possibility of installing additional protection – internal spall liners, as well as special hinged mats to increase the level of protection against anti-tank grenade launchers. Vehicles for various purposes are being developed from the Typhoon-K chassis by installing weapons, process, engineer and other special equipment.”Rosoboronexport sees great interest from foreign customers and is ready to cooperate in the format of industrial partnership in the production of various versions of Typhoon-K vehicles, including localization of their production. Today, we have a significant portfolio of completed projects on licensed production, cooperation within joint ventures, as well as building an infrastructure for the maintenance and modernization of Russian military equipment on the territory of partners,” Alexander Mikheev added.

14th April 2023: An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent had departed for France, to participate in Exercise Orion at Mont-de-Marsan, an Air Force base of the French Air and Space Force (FASF). The exercise will be conducted from 17 April to 05 May 2023, with the IAF Contingent comprising four Rafale, two C-17, two ll-78 aircraft and 165 air warriors. This would be the first overseas exercise for the IAF’s Rafale aircraft. Besides the IAF and the FASF, Air Forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain and United States of America would also be flying in this multilateral exercise. Participation in this exercise would further enrich the employment philosophy of the India Air Force, by imbibing the best practices from other Air Forces.

Delhi, 29th March 2023: The first batch of Agniveers under the Govt. of India’s much focused initiative of inducting youths (both male and female aspirants) into ‘below the officer’s rank’ cadre of the three services for a period of four years as Agniveers has successfully completed their training. The Passing Out Parade (POP) of the First batch of Agniveers is scheduled at INS Chilka on 28 Mar 23. The POP marks the successful completion of training of close to 2600 Agniveers including 273 women Agniveers undergoing training at Chilka. Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff will be the Chief Guest and the Reviewing Officer of the Passing out Parade. VAdm MA Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command would also be present on the occasion along with other Senior Naval Officers and dignitaries. The successful trainees would be deployed on frontline warships for their Sea training. About the Indian Navy Agniveers On 14 Jun 2022, Raksha Mantri and the three Service Chiefs launched the Agnipath Scheme. In consonance with the GoI initiative of a pan-India merit-based Agnipath recruitment scheme, Indian Navy oriented its selection, training and deployment methodology to lay the foundation of a contemporary, dynamic, younger and technically equipped future-ready. The Navy further leveraged this opportunity to commence the entry of Women Agniveers; consequently, close to 2600 Agniveers including 273 women Agniveers were inducted in the Indian Navy and commenced their training at INS Chilka, in November 2022. As part of their transformation to Sea Warriors, the Agniveers underwent 16 weeks of ab-initio training at INS Chilka, the premier sailors’ training establishment of the Indian Navy. The training at INS Chilka encompassed academic, service and outdoor training, based on the core Naval values of Duty, Honour and Courage. This first batch of Agniveers also includes those women and men Agniveer who were part of the Indian Navy RD Parade Contingent at the Kartavya Path on 26 January this year. Major Highlights of the Passing Out Parade The Passing Out Parade is a momentous occasion for the trainees and a proud moment for their families. This is the first-ever passing out of the Agniveers from any training institution of the country post successful completion of ab-initio training – a significant landmark towards a new beginning for the Armed Forces and the Nation. Traditionally, POPs have been conducted in the morning hours, however, this Historic POP is scheduled to be conducted post-sunset, a first of its kind in the Indian Armed Forces. During the POP deserving Agniveers would be presented awards by the Chief Guest in various categories. This year onwards, acknowledging the contribution of the first Chief of Defence Staff, the Late General Bipin Rawat towards the transformational Agnipath scheme; the Indian Navy has instituted the General Bipin Rawat Rolling Trophy for the ‘Woman Agniveer Trainee Standing First in Overall Order of Merit’. This trophy would be presented to the deserving woman Agniveer by the daughters of the Late General Rawat. To commemorate this landmark event and motivate the Agniveers, for the first time, the Passing Out Parade is being attended by eminent Veteran sailors who have excelled in their Service as well as post-retirement careers and eminent sportswomen have been invited to the POP as Guests of Honour. Ms PT Usha, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha), who is popularly known as the ‘Queen of Indian Track and Field’ and Payyoli Express is a proud recipient of the Padma Shri award and President of the Indian Olympics Association. Ms Mithali Raj, former captain of the Indian women’s Cricket team and one of the greatest women cricketers of all time. She is the recipient of Padma Shri, Arjuna Award and Maj Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna awards. Both PT Usha and Mithali Raj have kindly consented to grace this occasion with their presence. The eminent Veterans who would be present to motivate the Passing Out Agniveers include Chiman Singh, ex-PO CDI, MVC, a war hero of the 1971 Indo-Pak War who was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra. Gajanan Jagannath Mane, who participated in the 1971 India –Pak War and was awarded the Padma Shri for his vast societal contributions post-release. Harjinder Singh Cheema, ex-POME, who contributed immensely to the nation by establishing a 500-crore industry of ‘Cheema Boilers Ltd’ In Punjab. Shankar Singh Shishodia, ex-POCDI, who founded the ‘Shri Prem Singh Badgujar Charitable Trust’ undertaking free treatment of poor patients and established the ‘Mahadev Marmo Private Ltd’ a firm involved in the exploration, mining and processing of Natural stones. Darshan Singh Ahluwalia, ex-CHELA, who has been functioning as Administrator of reputed Schools and was accredited with the ‘Best Administrator’ from the ‘Indus Group of Institutions’ in 2016. Avtar Singh, ex-MCELR II, who has been an International Hockey player, an inspirational coach of the Indian Women Team (Junior) and a recipient of CNS felicitation. Harishankar Yadav, ex-POEL(P), who holds the ‘Guinness World Record’ for most step-ups in 24 hours, ‘Limca National record’ for covering a distance of 4,249 km on cycle in 2005 and a National Record for cycling from Kashmir to Kanyakumari thrice in the year 2007. Manoj Kumar Sharma, ex-POEL(R), who is accredited with the establishment of a diversified company with a turnover of over 15 crores dealing in supplying construction material to reputed builders and construction companies like Tata, L&T etc. These veteran sailors, with their illustrious Service careers and their contribution to the nation post-retirement, will serve as inspirational models for the Agniveers. About INS Chilka INS Chilka is the premier training establishment of the Indian Navy for sailors’ ab-initio training upon induction. Commissioned in 1980, the institute undertakes various facets of Service training like Physical Training, Swimming, Small Arms, Cyber Security, Naval Orientation etc. The curriculum has been designed to develop mental and physical faculties essential for a career at sea. This historic POP would mark the culmination of 16 weeks of training of first batch of Agniveers. Conduct of the maiden Night POP in the presence of eminent veteran sailors, sportswomen of international