VIF Information Alerts - 13th June 2019

DRDO conducts maiden test of hypersonic technology demonstrator
Published: The Hindu

13 Jun 2019

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday conducted the maiden test of an indigenously developed Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) along with several technologies on Wednesday morning.
“The DRDO launched a technology demonstrator vehicle to prove a number of critical technologies for futuristic missions from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha,” the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said without identifying what the technology demonstrator was or if it met the objectives. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh witnessed the launch.Click here to read... [2]

Pak govt says no change in defence budget; documents show 4.5% increase
Published: The Tribune

12 Jun 2019

The Pakistan government claimed that its defence budget was kept unchanged at Rs 1,152,535 million for next fiscal (2019-20), but the official documents showed that there was nominal increase of 4.5 per cent in the defence expenditure as compared to the last year.
The original allocation for defence for outgoing fiscal (2018-19) was Rs 1,100,334 million but it was revised later on to shot up to Rs 1,137,711 million, up by 3.4 per cent, by the end of year.Click here to read... [3]

Trump admin seeks USD 30 million Bay of Bengal security funding from Congress
Published: Business Standard

13 Jun 2019

With an eye on countering increasing Chinese influence in key South Asian countries, the Trump administration has sought USD 30 million for what it has described as "Bay of Bengal" security initiative to provide foreign military financing to Sri Lanka,
This is in addition to the USD 64 million already announced by the Trump administration for regional activities to support infrastructure growth and connectivity.Click here to read... [4]

Iran scrambles to lift petrochemical sales as sanctions hammer oil
Published: Reuters

12 Jun 2019

Iran has been racing to step up exports of petrochemicals and tap new markets to compensate for sliding oil sales, Iranian and international industry sources said, but now risks losing that crucial revenue as Washington tightens the screw on sanctions.
Tehran has been selling increased volumes of petrochemical products at below market rates, in countries including Brazil, China and India, since the United States reimposed sanctions on Iranian oil exports in November, according to the six sources who include two senior Iranian government officials.Click here to read... [5]

India slips to 141 in annual Global Peace Index; Iceland retains top spot
The Economic Times

12 Jun 2019

India has slipped by four points in an annual global index on peacefulness this year, finishing at 141 among 163 countries, while Iceland remained at the top position, according to a report by an international think tank.
The Global Peace Index (GPI) gauges ongoing domestic and international conflict, safety and security in society, and the degree of militarisation in 163 countries and territories by taking into account 23 indicators. Click here to read... [6]