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    Defence

    Defence

    Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews efforts of Defence organisations in fighting second COVID-19 wave

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    Reviews logistic support to bolster medical oxygen supply and health infrastructure in states Posted On: 17 MAY 2021 Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the efforts of Ministry of Defence (MoD), the three services, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other Defence organisations in assisting the civil administration to tackle the current Covid-19 situation in the country, through a video conference on May 17, 2021. The meeting was attended by Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria, Chief of Army Staff General M M Naravane, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Additional Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjay Jaju, ADG Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS) and other senior officials of MoD. The meeting focused on special covid hospitals being set up by DRDO in different states, creation of additional hospital beds in military hospitals, supply of Pressure Swing Adsorption (PSA) oxygen plants under PM CARES Fund and augmentation of doctors and other health professionals to meet the current demand. DRDO ChairmanDr G Satheesh Reddy briefed that the hospitals set up at Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Ahmedabad and Patna were functional and providing services in treating the covid patients. Similar facilities are being established in Rishikesh and Haldwani in Uttarakhand and Jammu and Srinagar at the request of the concerned local/State/UT authorities. The DRDO has completed establishment of five PSA oxygen plants (four in Delhi and one in Haryana) and work is in progress to set up 150-175 more such plants by the end of this month. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat acclaimed the excellent coordination among the three Services in providing assistance to the civilian administration whether in terms of logistic support or creation of additional health infrastructure. He added that the Army has set up health facilities in far-flung and remote areas to aid the local civil administration. Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane assured that there is no let up in the Army’s efforts in the war against COVID-19.He briefed the Raksha Mantri that military hospitals at identified locations have set aside beds for treatment of civilian COVID patients. Capabilities at the Base Hospital in New Delhi are also being ramped up. Additional oxygen plants, cylinders and concentrators are being procured to bolster the medical infrastructure and oxygen supply at these hospitals. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh briefed Shri Rajnath Singh regarding the logistic support being provided by the Indian Naval Ships in transporting medical oxygen containers and other health equipment from abroad. He also mentioned the special health facilities created in various places by the Indian Navy to cater to the treatment for civilian COVID patients. Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria said Indian Air Force (IAF) has completed 990 sorties both within the country and abroad in various missions to transport oxygen containers and other health equipment. Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar commended the assistance provided by the three Services and added that nearly 800 doctors have been mobilised through various measures to meet the shortage of health professionals. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) also pitched in with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) setting up a 250-bed hospital each in Lucknow and Bengaluru. Similarly, PSUs are also engaged in setting up oxygen plants by using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. Raksha Mantri praised the contribution of DRDO in developing the 2-DG medicine for the treatment of COVID patients. He added that currently the Covid-19 cases are reducing but all were required to remain alert. He directed the three Services and other organisations of MoD to continue with their regular work despite Covid-19 challenges. This is the fourth review meeting held by Raksha Mantri since April 20, 2021 on the assistance extended by MoD and other Defence organisations in the fight against second COVID-19 wave. The first three meetings were held on 20thApril, 24thApril and 1stMay. (News & Image Courtesy:PIB Delhi)

    Defence

    Rheinmetall and Thales awarded subcontract from Lockheed Martin to deliver training services to the joint Franco-German C-130J squadron

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    Thales and Rheinmetall have been tasked with certifying the future training centre organization for the Franco-German C-130J transport aircraft fleet. The two companies are participating in the project as subcontractors (50/50) to Lockheed Martin, the prime contractor of the France/Germany Multinational Training Centre and manufacturer of the C-130J Super Hercules transport aircraft. Awarded in March 2021, Rheinmetall and Thales will provide personnel and services related to the certification of the training centre organization. The training centre qualification is to be completed in Q1 2024, and the training operation will commence in 2024. The initial establishment and certification phase may be followed by an optional operating phase. If the operating phase is awarded, Thales and Rheinmetall will provide all management personnel, qualified flight and ground crew instructors as well as maintenance personnel for the operation of all training devices. The training centre is to be established at Évreux in Normandy, home to the French Air Force’s 62nd Transport Squadron, and will host the new French and German C-130J Super Hercules aircraft as a joint transport squadron. The accompanying training centre is to be certified as an Approved Training Organization (ATO), certified by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC). The Franco-German transport aircraft project is one of Europe’s key air force programmes. In Évreux, Germany and France intend to jointly operate a total of 10 C-130J Super Hercules aircraft starting this year. The plan calls for joint cockpit crews as well as mixed teams on the ground. France has already taken delivery of a total of four Super Hercules, whereas Germany will contribute six aircrafts to the squadron, with deliveries starting in 2022. These six aircrafts will replace the German Transall C-160. With this project, Thales and Rheinmetall are continuing an already successful cooperation in the field of Franco-German aviation training, within the TATM “Tiger Aircrew Training Means”, for the German and French crews of the Tiger attack helicopter. Key facts *Certification of joint Franco-German Training Centre Operation *World class training facility for C-130J Super Hercules flight crews and ground personnel *Certification by the French civil aviation authority (DGAC) by Q1 2024 *A 50/50 consortium between Thales and Rheinmetall

    Defence

    Relentless efforts by Indian Air Force & Indian Navy to provide critical COVID-19 medical supplies

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    12 MAY 2021 Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy (IN) continue to work round the clock to provide oxygen and other medical supplies to the civil administration to tackle the current COVID-19 situation in the country. As on early hours of May 12, 2021, the aircraft of IAF airlifted 403 oxygen containers of 6,856 Metric Tonnes (MT)capacity along with other equipment of 163 MT capacity, in 634 sorties from different parts of the country. The cities covered are Jamnagar, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Panagarh, Indore, Ranchi, Agra, Jodhpur, Begumpet, Bhubaneshwar, Pune, Surat, Raipur, Udaipur, Mumbai, Lucknow, Nagpur, Gwalior, Vijayawada, Baroda, Dimapur and Hindan. The IAF aircraft have also conducted 98 sorties from different countries, airlifting 95 containers of 793 MT capacity and other equipment of 204 MT capacity. The equipment has been procured from Singapore, Dubai, Thailand, Germany, Australia, Belgium, Indonesia, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, Israel and France. As part of operation ‘Samudra Setu II’, seven Indian Naval Ships have returned home with 260 MT of Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) from 13 containers for direct supply to various states, eight oxygen containers of total capacity 160 MT, approx. 2,600 oxygen filled cylinders and 3,150 empty cylinders for Oxygen from Persian Gulf and Southeast Asia. While INS Jalashwa is presently in Brunei, INS Shardul is scheduled to enter Kuwait on May 12, 2021. Following are the details of IN ships that have returned home:- Ship : INS Tarkash Medical Supplies: 27-MT Liquid Medical Oxygen filled containers – 02;Oxygen cylinders – 230 Country/Port: Qatar Arrival: Mumbai on May 12, 2021 Ship : INS Kochi & INS Tabar Medical Supplies: 100MT Liquid Medical Oxygen (LMO) in five containers; Oxygen cylinders – 1200 Country/Port:Kuwait Arrival: New Mangalore Port on May 11, 2021 Ship :INS Airavat Medical Supplies:Cryogenic oxygen tanks – 08 ;Oxygen cylinders –3,898;Other critical COVID-19 medical stores Country/Port:Singapore Arrival:Visakhapatnam on May 10, 2021 Ship :INS Trikand Medical Supplies:40 MT Liquid Oxygen(Liquid Medical Oxygen cryogenic containers) Country/Port:Qatar Arrival:Mumbai on May 10, 2021 Ship :INS Kolkata Medical Supplies:Oxygen Cylinders – 400;27-MT Liquid Medical Oxygen Containers – 02;Oxygen concentrators – 47 Country/Port:Qatar & Kuwait Arrival:New Mangalore Port on May 10, 2021 Ship :INS Talwar Medical Supplies:27-MT oxygen containers – 02 Country/Port:Bahrain Arrival:New Mangalore Port on May 05, 2021 News Source: PIB Delhi/MoD

    Defence

    AERO INDIA 2021 CONCLUDES WITH SIGNING OF 201 MOUS, PRODUCT LAUNCHES AND TECHNOLOGY TRANSFERS

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    5th Feb, 2021, Bengaluru The Aero India 2021 concluded on a very positive note with a total of 201 MoUs, product launches and technology transfers were made at the Bandhan ceremony held on the last day of the mega defence show at Yehalanka, Bengaluru on February 05, 2021. These included the formal handing over of the Advanced Light Helicopters MK-III to the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG), commencement of Performance based logistics of ICG fleet, initial operational clearance of Army version of Light Utility Helicopter etc. In his address, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath said Bandhan exemplifies the spirit of public-private partnership in defence and aerospace sectors and have forged strategic ties that are poised to transform defence and aerospace manufacturing. He said 128 MoUs, 19 ToTs, 4 Handing Overs, 18 Product Launches and 32 major announcements were made at Aero India this year. He said Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s clarion call for Atmanirbhar Bharat ignited the country’s spirit of innovation and collaboration. Raksha Mantri said the foundation of India’s vision rests on three pillars – Research and Development, Public and Private Defence Production and Defence Exports. Referring to the field of research and development, he said there was an attempt to broaden the research base of the nation by supporting and encouraging the private sector. In this context, he mentioned that some patents of DRDO have been shared with the private sector to assist in defence production ventures. Shri Rajnath Singh mentioned initiatives to encourage and facilitate private sector R&D initiatives such as iDEX and Defence India Start-up Challenge (DISC). He recalled innovations such as the combat drone display, a part of the swarm technology initiative, exhibited during the Army Day function on 15 January 2021 at New Delhi. Raksha Mantri reiterated India’s intention to bring down defence imports by at least $2 billion by 2022 to encourage local defence manufacturing. He informed that 138 proposals worth over $37 billion for domestic manufacturing were approved between 2016 and 2019. Highlighting the importance of the requisite eco-system for the growth of the defence industry, Shri Rajnath Singh said Rs 6,800 crore investments were pledged by both public and private industries in the defence corridors of Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Rajnath Singh also spoke of the need for a robust domestic manufacturing base for defence export potential of the country. He reiterated the target of increasing the country’s defence base from $11 billion to $25 billion by 2025 including an export component of $5 billion. Defence exports grew from Rs 2000 crores to Rs 9000 crores from 2015-2020 with a vast majority spearheaded by the private sector. With reference to the Indian aerospace industry he said that the aero components sector is set to grow from Rs. 30,000 crores today to Rs. 60,000 crores by 2024. He enumerated the cost competitiveness of India’s manpower resources, availability of abundant, specialist capabilities and geographical advantages as reasons for its emergence as a global and regional Maintenance and Repair Operations hub. Hailing the agreements concluded at Aero India 2021 Raksha Mantri said they would give impetus to ‘Make In India’ and ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and assured the gathering his Ministry would do everything possible to ensure the agreements are implemented. Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar delivered the welcome address. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Satheesh Reddy, DG Coast Guard Shri K Natarajan and Air Officer (Maintenance) Air Marshal Vibhas Pandey were also present at the event. Karnataka Chief Secretary Shri P Ravi Kumar delivered the vote of thanks. (News based on Press Release shared by PIB. Basic editing is done in the news as per the publication requirement.)

    AASSC Relaunched its Operators Training Mmanual for Multi-Rotor Drones at Aero India-2021
    Defence

    AASSC RELAUNCHED ITS OPERATORS’ TRAINING MANUAL FOR MULTI-ROTOR DRONES AT AERO INDIA 2021

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    Aviation World , 04th Feb, 2021, Bengaluru At Aero India 2021, Aerospace & Aviation Sector Skill Council (AASSC), a JV of HAL relaunched its Operators’ Training Manual for Multi-Rotor Drones. This is the first-ever such training manual published in India as per the minimum requirements of DGCA and complying with International Technical Publication Standards for Aviation ATA-100. At the event, Shri R Madhavan, CMD-HAL & Chairman, AASSC and Shri Amber Dubey – Joint Secretary – Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) appreciated this important & timely initiative & collaboration of AASSC, Aerotics Technologies (a start-up based at Bengaluru), and Capt Raejus Job, a DGCA qualified Master Trainer on Drones to work tirelessly and come out with such a compilation for the benefit of booming Drone industry of India. AASSC first lauched the Operators’ Training Manual for Multi-Rotor Drones in December 2020.

    Aero India 2021, Rajnath Singh
    Defence

    AERO INDIA 21 GETS OFF TO A FLYING START

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    Aero India 2021 special update 03rd Feb 2021,Bengaluru The Inaugural ceremony for Aero India 2021, Asia’s largest Aerospace and Defence Exhibition is being held at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru between February 03-05, 2021. This year Aero India 2021 has been organised in hybrid mode with a concurrent virtual exhibition to encourage maximum participation. Opening the proceedings Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Raj Kumar addressed the gathering and said that India has taken a leap in organising a completely COVID compliant Aero and Defence exhibition. He expressed his gratitude to ambassadors and delegates from more than 55 nations who were in attendance. Shri Raj Kumar said that the large attendance at Aero India 2021 reflects positive temperament of people across the world and renewed global interest in the capabilities of India. He said that Aero India 2021 would provide a platform for exchange of ideas and forge partnerships in the aerospace and Defence sectors. He also provided a brief about the events to be organized during Aero India 2021, including the Chief of Air Staffs Conclave, the Bandhan ceremony and the India Pavilion. Later contract documents to produce Light Combat Aircraft Tejas were handed over by the Ministry of Defence to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). Chairman and Managing Director, HAL Shri R Madhavan presented a model of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas to Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh. This was followed by the screening of a short film on the journey of the aircraft. Addressing the gathering Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh expressed his happiness at the attendance of delegates from around the world at Aero India 2021. He said that the existing supply chains developed over the years by aerospace and engineering firms and an investor friendly government with simplified procedures and single window clearance mechanism makes Karnataka an attractive destination for industry. He expressed his gratitude to Chief Minister of Karnataka Shri B S Yediyurappa for extending full support in organising Aero India 2021. Speaking on Aero India 2021 Shri Rajnath Singh said the exhibition would display the vast potential and the multifarious opportunities that our country offers in the field of defence and aerospace sector. He added that it promises to be the world’s first ever hybrid aero & defence exhibition with a concurrent virtual exhibition making it a truly digital and global event. Raksha Mantri appreciated the growing optimism of the global community, reflected in the participation of over 540 exhibitors including 80 foreign companies and defence ministers, delegates, service chiefs and officials from more than 55 nations. He highlighted that the unique opportunity in defence and aerospace manufacturing that India offers through a “Sangam” of rising demand, greater innovation, conducive policies and maturing ecosystem in the sector. Shri Rajnath Singh also announced that the government plans to spend 130 billion dollars on military modernisation over the next seven years. He said that steps had been taken to strengthen the nation’s security apparatus with domestic manufacturing and complex Defence platforms becoming the focus of the Aatmanirbhar Policy. He said that the government had enhanced Foreign Direct Investment in the Defence Sector up to 74 per cent through the automatic route and 100 per cent through the government route. Hailing the reforms brought in by the government since 2014 he said that they would create a conducive system for exports, foreign direct investment and offset discharge. The Newly introduced (Buy Global-Manufacture in India) category of capital procurement in Defence Acquisition Policy 2020 allows outright purchase of equipment from foreign vendors and indigenous manufacture through an Indian subsidiary, a joint venture or an Indian agency. He said a large number of indigenous Defence equipment had been developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation to cater to the needs of the nation’s defence forces. Raksha Mantri informed that reforms aimed at bringing ease in doing business, have shown good results. India has jumped from 77th rank in 2019 to the 63rd rank in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Rankings. He added that industrial licensing requirements have been eliminated for a number of items in the defence sector. More than 500 companies have now taken defence licences, doubling the number in the last 6 years. Shri Rajnath Singh invited business leaders from across the globe to take advantage of the various initiatives of the government of India and set up manufacturing units. Shri Rajnath Singh said that the India pavilion at Aero India 2021 would showcase India’s design and manufacturing supply chain associated with various facets of the rotary wing system. Raksha Mantri expressed great happiness that HAL got the orders for 83 new indigenous LCA – Tejas MK1A for Indian Air Force valued at more than Rs 48,000 crore, the biggest “Make in India” defence contract till date. He said with a strong and diversified Micro, Small, Medium Enterprise sector composed of more than active 5000 units, India has the potential to become a reliable supplier of defence equipment to many of its friendly nations. Raksha Mantri shared the vision of making India one of the biggest countries of the world in defence sector, from design to production, with active participation of public and private sector. He said that to achieve the twin goals of self-reliance and exports, we have set a target to achieve Rs 1,75,000 crore turnover, including export of Rs 35,000 crore in aerospace and defence goods and services by 2024. Shri Rajnath Singh recognised India’s interests beyond its shores and said that it was India’s duty to remain capable and willing to assist them in times of natural calamities and security challenges. He expressed happiness at the organisation of the first Indian Ocean Region’s Defence Ministers’ Conclave with the theme “Enhanced peace, Security and cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region” in this edition of Aero India. He said that this was an implementation of the concept of the Indian Ocean built around Security and Growth for All (SAGAR), visualised during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Indian Ocean Island states in 2015.

    Defence

    HENSOLDT UK LAUNCHES SPEXER 600 GROUND BASED SURVEILLANCE RADAR

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    Enfield, UK HENSOLDT UK has announced the launch of SPEXER 600 multi-mission, X-Band ground based surveillance radar utilising world beating SharpEye solid state transceiver technology. Building upon the excellent pedigree of well-established HENSOLDT products and technologies, SPEXER 600 complements the SPEXER family of Active Electronically Scanned Array or AESA radars, offering a cost effective and truly crew portable field deployable solution. Designed to meet user requirements to detect multiple threats in the modern battlefield or security environment, it offers a number of modes allowing multiple functions to be carried out by a single radar sensor. The built in tracker reduces the need for additional electronic units, making it a lightweight, crew portable unit that can be set up in a few minutes. In fixed installations, the low weight allows it to be installed without any specialist masts or structures. Controlled either locally or remotely from a command centre, SPEXER 600 can be easily networked with other sensors. “SPEXER 600 from HENSOLDT UK is the solution for today’s complex operational needs on the battlefield, or in securing the nations critical infrastructure against multiple threats”, stated Adrian Pilbeam, Head of Sales – Ground and Maritime Surveillance Radar. (Published unedited on the basis of Press Release shared on 21st Jan 2021)

    Defence

    BAE SYSTEMS NAMES RAVI NIRGUDKAR MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR INDIA

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    NEW DELHI, 23rd Jan 2021 BAE Systems has announced the appointment of Ravi Nirgudkar as Managing Director for India, effective immediately. Mr Nirgudkar will spearhead BAE Systems’ operations in the market and build on the Company’s proud track-record of partnering with the Indian defence industry. He succeeds Nik Khanna who concludes his tenure in India and takes up a new role with BAE Systems’ Air Sector in the United Kingdom. Mr Nirgudkar joins BAE Systems from Raytheon where, as Country President he led business development, marketing and strategy for India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. He has more than 25 years of experience in international business development and programme management, including 21 years with Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information and Services and Space and Airborne Systems businesses. Dave Armstrong, Group Business Development Director, BAE Systems Plc said: “India is a key strategic market for BAE Systems and we are delighted that Ravi will lead the Company in the market. Ravi’s wealth of experience, strong business acumen and in-country relationships will be instrumental for us to grow BAE Systems’ business in India and support the expansion of the country’s indigenous defence capability.” He further added, “I would like to thank Nik Khanna for his tremendous efforts in strengthening the local footprint of BAE Systems which is anchored in the Company’s focus on Make in India.” Ravi Nirgudkar said: “I am thrilled to join BAE Systems which has been at the heart of India’s defence industry for more than 65 years and been a founding partner of defence manufacturing. I look forward to working with my colleagues in India, and around the world, and leading BAE Systems’ endeavours to develop further a world class defence and security capability in India.”

    Defence

    PRESS BRIEF ON AERO INDIA – 21 WEBINARS

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    Dec 16th, 20 New DelhiAero India 2021, the biennial air show and defence exhibition organized by the Ministry of Defence is scheduled to be held during 03rd – 07th Feb 2021 at Air Force Station, Yelahanka, Bengaluru. Aero India is the largest air show in Asia and attracts a large number of exhibitors from the world’s leading industries in the field of Military and Civil Aviation, Aerospace, Airport Infrastructure and Defence Engineering. The show includes both air displays and static exhibitions of a large array of military platforms from the Aerospace sector.In the run up to the Aero India, a series of webinars will be conducted beginning from 17th December, 2020 onwards. The webinars will be conducted by the leading luminaries and themed on contemporary defence and aerospace topics. The webinars will be streamed worldwide.The topics of the Webinars would be of academic interest and relevance to the Defence, Aerospace and Security Industry and also to the academia and student fraternity. The details of the webinars, schedule, link for participation etc for each session will be made available on Aero India 2021 website (https://aeroindia.gov.in/). The webinars will also be streamed live on Twitter, YouTube Channel etc. The recordings of the Webinars will also be made available on Aero India – 2021 website.Tentative Webinar Schedule Aero India 21: 17th Dec’20 (0930hrs – 1245hrs IST) DDP / FICCI Joint Indo Maldives High Level Defence Engagement 18th Dec’20 (0900 hrs – 1130 hrs IST) Indian Army & CENJOWS Changing Dynamics of the India Ocean Region 6th Jan’21 SIDM: Sh JD Patil, L&T & President SIDM India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing and Export Hub. 7th Jan’21 MoCA Making India Self Reliant (Aatmanirbhar Bharat) in Aircraft Manufacturing 13th Jan’21 Bharat Shakti,Moderator:Sh Nitin Gokhale Consolidating Defence Capabilities of IOR Countries for Security of Global Commons’ 18th Jan’21 DDP Highlights of Aero India 21 :Recent Policy Initiatives 21st Jan’21 Chairman DRDO ‘AtmaNirbhar Bharat’ Dec’20 / Jan’21 DDP with SIDM & FICCI Country Webinars Series of Country webinars are scheduled in Dec’20 / Jan’21. News Shared by PIB online

    Defence

    NAVY DAY 2020 AT ANC

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    The fourth of December is celebrated every year as the Navy Day. The day has great significance in the history of the Nation and Indian Navy as it marks a decisive victory for India when the Missile boats of the Indian Navy during Operation Trident, in the 1971 India-Pak War, successfully fired their missiles onto ships, oil installation and shore defence installations of Pakistan at Karachi. During the 1971 operations, the Indian Navy sunk many Pakistani ships carrying war sustenance efforts and critical stores. The fighter aircraft from the deck of INS Vikrant, struck at the enemy harbours and airfield at Chittagong and Khulna, destroying ships, Defence facilities and installations. Both the Missile strikes at Karachi and air attacks from Vikrant led to the defeat Pakistani Forces in East Pakistan. In the year gone by, ships and aircraft of the Indian Navy have relentlessly patrolled the oceans. Ships of Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) maintained uninterrupted vigil at the Straits of Malacca, one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, which is just 80 Km South of the A & N Islands. Despite the COVID 19 pandemic our ships had operated and exercised with navies of friendly neighbouring countries towards reaffirming better understanding, synergy and cooperation in the region. Ships of the Command participated in ‘Mission Sagar’ and ‘Samudra Setu’ providing support and transporting a large number of personnel from abroad and within the country to tackle the unprecedented humanitarian crisis due to the pandemic. INS Kesari from ANC distinguished itself during the deployment ‘Mission Sagar’, ferrying over 500 tons of emergency rations and medical aid along with specialist medical personnel to many island countries of the Indian Ocean Region. Naval assets provided assistance to the    A & N Administration to support the Islands in numerous ways. To commemorate this significant day and to enhance general awareness about the Indian Navy, a host of community outreach activities, fanfare and elaborated ceremonials are conducted by the Indian Navy every year. However, due to the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic situation and associated restrictions, the events planned for the Navy Day this year have been curtailed. This year’s planned activities in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands include the traditional Wreath Laying Ceremony at the war memorial to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who were martyred in the 1971 war and all brave hearts who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of this great nation. Various community outreach activities were/ have been organised to provide assistance to underprivileged and needy children and a webinar for school and college students to apprise aspirants on prospects of joining the Indian Armed Forces. Illumination by Naval ships near Marina Park, display of posters & banners and screening of a Navy telefilm at prominent locations such as the Veer Savarkar International Airport as well as on mobile platforms are also planned. The ‘Combat Ready, Credible and Cohesive’ Indian Navy is unflinchingly committed towards safeguarding the maritime interests of India and re-dedicates itself to the service of the nation and its people on the occasion of the Navy Day 2020. (News /Image Courtesy: Indian Navy/PIB)

    FOREWORD

    Dear Readers,

     

    Welcome to the latest edition of Aviation World. This is an incredibly significant issue for us, perfectly timed to align with several prominent aviation events unfolding across the globe.

     

    Chief among them is the Farnborough International Airshow, taking place from July 20th to 24th, 2026, in Hampshire, United Kingdom. Ranked as one of the world’s premier events for aviation, aerospace, and defense, this year’s airshow arrives at a crucial moment. Against a backdrop of geopolitical turbulence, Farnborough provides an invaluable platform to engage with global leaders and gain firsthand perspectives on the future of the industry. Inside, you will find our comprehensive curtain-raiser report focusing on the show’s core themes, as well as the highly anticipated static and aerobatic aircraft displays.

     

    On our front cover, we are proud to feature Capt. Vaibhav Goutham Suresh, Director of the School of Aviation, Logistics and Tourism Management (SALTM) at Galgotias University. In an exclusive interview, Capt. Suresh highlights how SALTM bridges the gap between academia and the runway, delivering a comprehensive curriculum that ensures graduates are industry-ready from day one. Complementing this, our special feature on SALTM dives deeper into how the institution maintains world-class academic standards and a cutting-edge learning environment.

     

    We are also privileged to bring you exclusive insights from a stellar lineup of industry trailblazers in this edition, including:

    • Robin Glover-Faure, Chief Customer Officer of Acron Aviation
    • Karim Makhlouf, CCO of Royal Jordanian Airlines
    • Pallavi Joshi & Vimal Priya, the leadership powerhouse behind AirFleet Managers &Aviatrics Global
    • Wg. Cdr. Prem Kumar Garg (Retd.), CEO of IndiaOne Air

    Each shares a detailed perspective on driving innovation, navigating current market dynamics, and establishing progressive frontiers within their respective sectors.

     

    Beyond these highlights, this issue is packed with curated features and analytical pieces designed to keep you informed and inspired.

     

    Finally, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to our esteemed advertisers and partners. Your unwavering support empowers us in our ongoing endeavor to make Aviation World a truly world-class publication with global reach and recognition.

     

    Happy Reading!

     

    The Editorial Team

     

    Aviation World

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    NEWSLETTER

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    We have started 2026 on a very positive note and we look forward to increase our footprints to more locations and induct many more new companies in our campaign.. Do write to us at : editor@aviationworld.in

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