Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged off 51st K9 VAJRA-T Gun from Larsen & Toubro (L&T) Armoured System Complex at Hazira in Gujarat on 16 January 2020. Addressing a gathering on the occasion, Raksha Mantri called for active participation of the private sector in defence manufacturing, reaffirming the Government’s commitment to make India an arms manufacturing hub and net defence exporter. While Shri Rajnath Singh acknowledged the increasing participation of the private industry in defence production, he stressed that a lot still needs to be done to make India a global defence manufacturing hub. Click here to read... [2]
Fifty trekkers including nine foreign nationals and approximately equal number of local guides and porters, who were a part of the ongoing ‘Chadar Trek’, got stranded when some portions of the frozen Zanskar River melted. The melting caused the flow of the water to become too strong, for the trekkers to continue across the river on foot. The stranded trekkers managed to move to Niraq, a small camp site upstream and were awaiting to be rescued. To carry out a rescue by helicopters, a makeshift helipad was prepared along the river bank. ALH helicopters were immediately pressed into action from AF Stn Leh. IAF’s helicopters have rescued 107 individuals. The rescued trekkers include one male and one female from France and four male and three females from People’s Republic of China, who as per the information were rescued from Padum. IAF will continue the ongoing rescue operation till all the stranded trekkers, guides and porters are evacuated and brought to safety. Additionally, in order to provide medical facilities to the stranded trekkers a medical officer and a medical assistant were also flown from AF Stn Leh to Niraq. The team has setup a medical assistance camp at Niraq and are providing basic medical assistance to the stranded trekkers. The operations were undertaken by IAF in close coordination with Ladakh’s newly formed Civil Administration, nearby Indian Army units and local Disaster Relief Teams.
No 222 Squadron, the Tigersharks were inducted at Air Force Station Thanjavur in a ceremony attended by General Bipin Rawat PVSM UYSM AVSM YSM SM VSM ADC, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC , Chief of the Air Staff, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman, DRDO, Air Marshal Amit Tiwari AVSM VM, Air Officer Commanding – in – Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command (SAC), Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain AVSM VSM, Flag Officer Commanding - in - Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Mr R Madhavan, Chairman cum Managing Director, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and other Dignitaries on Monday, 20 Jan 2020. General Bipin Rawat in his address said that the resurrection of the ‘Tigersharks’ highlighted the Integration and Jointness which is the future of the Indian Armed Forces. He brought out that Su 30 MKI aircraft along with the BrahMos will be the game-changer which will extensively enhance the security of the Maritime domain. The Squadron will be operating closely with the Indian Army and Navy to get the ball rolling in jointness of the Indian Armed Forces.
Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria PVSM AVSM VM ADC, Chief of Air Staff, in his address thanked the CDS for being at the ceremony. He said that it was a historic day for the Indian Air Force, Southern Air Command, Air Force Station Thanjavur and 222 Squadron. He spoke of the decision to choose Thanjavur as the base for induction of the SU 30 MKI squadron because of its strategic location and complimented Southern Air Command and all personnel of AFS Thanjavur for their efforts towards advancing the induction of the squadron by almost a year.
The progress of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC-P71) project was reviewed by the Empowered Apex Committee (EAC) headed by Shri Ajay Kumar, Defence Secretary, on 20 Jan 20 at Cochin Shipyard Limited. The review critically examined the current status of the project as the IAC is in a very advanced stage of construction and is scheduled to commence Basin Trials in early 2020 followed by the Sea Trials by mid-2020. This is the 13th EAC Review Meeting of the Project and the first to be held after the signing of the Phase-III of the IAC Contract on 31 Oct 2019 between Government of India, Ministry of Defence & Cochin Shipyard Limited.
The Defence Secretary was accompanied by Vice Admiral Ashok Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral GS Pabby, Chief of Materiel, Vice Admiral SR Sarma, Controller Warship Production & Acquisition from IHQ MoD (Navy) and other senior officers from IHQ MoD (Navy), Warship Overseeing Team and Carrier Acceptance & Trials Team.
IAC construction is in an advanced state with all four Gas Turbines, main engines having been started, Power Generation Systems comprising of eight Diesel Alternators ready and trials of ship’s major systems and auxiliary equipment in progress. IAC had successfully completed the Pre-Contractors Sea Trials dry dock work package in Dec 2019. Basin trials are conducted for proving of the propulsion, transmission and shafting systems and is scheduled in early half of 2020. The Aircraft Carrier would be ready to commence the Sea Trials once the Basin trials are successfully completed.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, in its first meeting of 2020 met on 21 January 2020 to consider a number of new and ongoing proposals for procuring critically needed platforms and equipment for the Armed Forces. To promote indigenisation, the DAC accorded approval for procurement of equipment worth over Rs 5,100 crore from indigenous sources. These include sophisticated Electronic Warfare Systems for the Army designed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and manufactured locally by the Indian industry. These systems will be used in deserts and plains and will provide comprehensive Electronic Support and Counter Measure capabilities to the field formations in both communication and other aspects of Electronic Warfare. The DAC also approved prototype testing of trawl assemblies designed by DRDO for T-72 and T-90 tanks providing an important indigenous de-mining capability to the Army.
In another significant step, the DAC approved shortlisting of Indian Strategic Partners (SP) and the potential Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that would collaborate with SPs to construct six conventional submarines in India. This programme is being progressed under the 'Strategic Partnership Model', promulgated in 2017 to give a major boost to 'Make in India' in Defence Sector. The Strategic partner is expected to play a transformational role in building an eco-system in the country, comprising development entities, specialised vendors and suppliers; especially those from the MSME sector. SP Model also aims at promoting India as a manufacturing hub for defence equipment, in addition to establishing an industrial and R&D eco-system capable of meeting the future requirements of the Armed Forces besides giving boost to exports.
The DAC also accorded approval for inclusion of Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) in Defence Procurement Procedure. This would provide avenues in capital procurement for the Armed Forces to start-ups and innovators working for iDEX and provide huge fillip to their budding efforts.
Indian Navy has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Geological Survey of India (GSI) for ‘Sharing of seabed sediments data, products and expertise for Naval Application in Meteorology and Oceanography’. The MoU was signed today between Commodore AA Abhyankar, who heads Indian Navy’s Oceanology and Meteorology Directorate and Shri N Maran, Deputy Director General of GSI.
GSI’s Marine and Coastal Survey Division based at Mangaluru has mapped most of India’s 2.1 Million km2 Exclusive Economic Zone and has a vast repository of offshore data. This data collected using GSI’s state-of-the-art oceanic research vessels Samudra Manthan, Samudra Kaustubh, Samudra Shaudhikama and Samudra Ratnakar, will now be used by Indian Navy’s rapidly growing blue water fleet for reliable and accurate oceanographic modelling to support their expansive maritime operations in the Indian Ocean region
The number of companies registered for participating in the 11thedition of the biennial mega defence exhibition, Def Expo 2020, to be held at Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow from February 5 to 9, 2020; has reached 1,000. In the Def Expo 2018, held in Chennai, 702 companies had participated. Thus, it has become by far the biggest ever Def Expo to be held in India. The number of participating foreign companies has also increased to 165 from the previous figure of 160.
The booked exhibition space by exhibitors for Def Expo 2020 has gone up by 60 per cent to over 42,800 square metres, compared to around 26,774 during the last edition. Defence Ministers and Service Chiefs of 35 countries have confirmed their participation for the Def Expo. A substantial number of Memoranda of Undertaking (MoUs) are expected to be inked during the Expo, resulting in forging of new business collaborations.
The theme of the Expo is ‘India: The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub’. The aim is to bring the leading technologies in the defence sector under one roof and provide a myriad of opportunities for the government, private manufactures and start-ups. The event will cover the entire spectrum of the country's aerospace, defence and security interests. Detailed information about Def Expo 2020 is available at www.defexpo.gov.in [3]. Click here to read... [4]
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has said India is fully capable of giving a firm response to cross-border terrorism, and strikes against terrorist attacks in 2016 and 2019 have demonstrated the nation's firm resolve to defeat terrorism. Addressing the inaugural session of 12th South Asian Conference at Institute for Defence Studies and Analysis here today, Shri Singh reiterated the government's stand that talks and terror cannot go together and asked Pakistan to take demonstrable steps against terror groups responsible for launching various attacks on India from its soil.
Raksha Mantri said that India was engaged in conversations with its neighbour in order to develop joint approaches for regional peace and security. He called upon the member countries of the regional outfit SAARC or South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation to be united in efforts to defeat terrorism. Shri Rajnath Singh said that with the exception of Pakistan, the SAARC countries have adhered to the principles of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs and not supporting cross-border terrorism. Click here to read... [5]
As part of the ongoing Indo-Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise SAMPRITI-IX is being conducted at UMROI, Meghalaya, India from 03 Feb to 16 Feb 2020. Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and will be the ninth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both countries.
During the joint military exercise SAMPRITI-IX a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX) will be conducted. For both the CPX and FTX, a scenario where both nations are working together in a Counter Terrorism environment will be simulated under the UN Charter. The FTX curriculum is progressively planned where the participants will initially get familiar with each other’s organizational structure and tactical drills. Subsequently, joint tactical exercise will be conducted wherein the battle drills of both the armies will be practiced. The training will culminate with a final validation exercise in which troops of both armies will jointly practice a Counter Terrorist Operation in a controlled and simulated environment.
In addition, to understand each other at tactical level, greater cultural understanding will be emphasized to strengthen military trust and cooperation between two nations.
Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar today briefed the media on 31 January 2020 on the preparation of the biennial defence exposition, Def Expo 2020, to be held in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow from February 5 to 9, 2020. He said, for the first time during Def Expo, India-Africa Defence Conclave will be held. Fourteen Defence Ministers from the African countries have confirmed participation in this event till now and the number is likely to go up. Click here to read... [6]
Indian Naval Ship Airavat, arrived at Port Antsiranana, Madagascar on the morning of 30 January 20 for undertaking Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission as part of ‘Operation Vanilla’. The ship whilst mission deployed in the Southern Indian Ocean was diverted as part of 'Operation Vanilla' launched by the Indian Navy to provide assistance to the affected population of Madagascar post devastation caused by Cyclone Diane. On arrival, Commander Sunil Sankar, the Commanding Officer and his team held a meeting with the local Madagascar authorities along with the Indian embassy officials.
Relief material comprising disaster relief stores, tentage, blankets, clothing, food and medicines are planned to be handed over on 01 February 20. Medical and Disaster Relief Teams from the ship are being deployed to affected areas as required by local authorities. The Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation and is prepared to render all necessary assistance to the local populace of Madagascar.
On 31 Jan 2020, IAF achieved another milestone, when an AN-32 aircraft of the Indian Air Force, powered with a 10% blend of Indian bio-jet fuel took-off from Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, Leh. This is the first time that both engines of the aircraft were powered by the bio-jet indigenous fuel. The aircraft was flight tested and its performance was validated at Chandigarh Air Base prior to undertaking the operational flight to Leh.
Leh at an altitude of 10,682 ft. above mean sea level, is amongst one of world’s highest and most difficult operational airfield, it is prone to extreme weather conditions. Even during clear weather conditions, landing and taking-off an aircraft at Leh, is challenging due to reduced power output of the aircraft engines in the rarefied atmosphere, turbulent wind conditions and proximity of mountainous terrain. Evaluating the performance of bio-jet fuel under these conditions is important from operational perspectives. It validates the capability of the aero-engine to operate smoothly with bio-jet fuel at the extremities of the operational envelope. The tests were conducted by a team comprising of test pilots from the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Bengaluru and pilots from the operational squadrons.
This successful test flight also demonstrates IAF’s capabilities to absorb newer technology, while sponsoring indigenization. The technology to produce this fuel was developed by CSIR-IIP in 2013, but could not be tested and certified for commercial use due to lack of concurrent aviation test facilities in the country. In 2018, the IAF sponsored this project and channelized its human and material resources for the complete range of fuel testing.
Bio-jet fuel is produced from non-edible ‘Tree Borne Oils’, grown and procured from the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh state. IAF’s efforts would assist in reducing carbon footprint and India’s dependence on crude imports.
After the attacks on the US forces stationed in Manda Bay region in Kenya on 05 January, al-Qa’ida affiliated al-Shabaab threatened to attack the US establishments around the world. The US Army’s Africa Command (USAFCOM) failed to effectively deal with the attack in Kenya. In the attack, not more than 15 al-Shabaab terrorists managed to cross into Kenya, moved-in unspotted on foot across 50 miles of bush before killing three Americans and wrecking six hi-tech surveillance US aircrafts. Click here to read... [7]
The Boko Haram’s female suicide bomber, on 19 January, blew herself and killed nine people in the village of Kaiga-Kindjiria in Western Chad region. Born out of Nigeria, the Islamic State (IS) affiliated group— Boko Haram targets Niger, Camroon, Nigeria, and Chad. Click here to read... [8]
In a gun-battle with Boko Haram terrorists, on 17 January, 17 soldiers were killed and several were abducted by the terrorist group, in Firgi, Maiduguri city in Nigeria. The terrorists has managed to seize some arms, ammunition, and vehicles belonging to the Nigerian army. Click here to read... [9]
An al-Qa’ida affiliated group in Mali— Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), on 26 January, attacked on the Sokolo camp in Central Mali and killed 20 personnel of Malian security force. In September 2019, JNIM was designated as terrorist organisation by the US Department of State. According to the statement released by the Malian Army, terrorists managed to seize nine all-terrain vehicles, over 20 Kalashnikov machine guns, a large arsenal of ammunition, and other weapons. Click here to read... [10]
In a counter-terrorism (CT) operation on 15 January, Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM)’s “top” commander— Haroon Abbas Wani, an A++ category terrorism was killed in Gondana belt of Doda district. During a search operation in the area, terrorists fired upon the security forces from their hideouts. In the exchange of fire with terrorists, security forces killed a terrorist. Another terrorist managed to escape towards higher snow-bound areas and operation was carried out to track him. From the operation site, an AK-47 rifle, three magazines, 73 rounds, a China-made grenade, and radio set were recovered. Click here to read... [11]
Security forces, on 16 January, cracked a terror module and arrested five Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorists— Aijaz Ahmed Sheikh, Umar Hameed Sheikh, Imtiyaz Ahmed Chikla, Sahil Farooq Gojri, and Naseer Ahmed Mir, for their involvement in terror attacks, from Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Acting upon the information given by the arrested terrorists, the security forces recovered explosive substances which included gelatin sticks, detonators, body vest, shrapnel, ball bearing with explosives, nitric acid, tape rolls and coils, said Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police- Central Kashmir range—Vidhi Kumar Birdhi. Click here to read... [12]
The security forces, on 20 January, killed three terrorists of Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) in a counter-terrorism (CT) operation in Wachi village of Zainapora area in Shopian district, Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). The senior officials confirmed that one of the terrorists is a former Special Police Officer (SPO) who had joined HM in 2018. Click here to read... [13]
On 27 January, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police arrested Sajid Farooq Dar aka Adnan— a 19 years-old Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist from Andergam village in Pattan area of Baramulla district. Click here to read... [14]
After the killing of Maoist leader— Ravula Srinivas aka Ramanna, Hidma—who was heading naxal attacks in Sukma district, has been appointed as State-in-Charge of the CPI (Maoist) organisation’s terrorist attacks against security forces. So far there is no official confirmation that Hidma has given any new task as a head of DKSZC (Danda-Karanya Special Zonal Committee) but security forces are prepared for any eventualities, said Sukma’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Salabh Sinha. Click here to read... [15]
In a counter-terrorism (CT) operation on 22 January, security forces killed a Pakistani national Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) terrorist— Abu Saifullah aka Abu Qasim, in Pulwama district in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Click here to read... [16]
Bengaluru’s Central Crime Branch, on 11 January, arrested a 38 years-old Khalistan sympathiser— Jarnail Singh Sidhu, from Sampigehalli in Bengaluru, Karnantaka. He was wanted by the Punjab Police in a case of February 2019, and had fled from Punjab. In Bengaluru, Jarnail Singh Sidhu was living as a paying guest for the last four months and was employed in a company at the Bagmane Tech Park. Click here to read... [17]
According to officials of two international agencies (identity undisclosed), the new leader of Islamic State (IS) has been identified as Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi who is also one of the founding members of the group. Post-killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi in October 2019, the organisation appointed him [al-Salbi] under nom de guerre—Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Quraishi. As one of the founding members of the IS, al-Salbi was a potential replacement of al-Baghdadi during latter’s ailing period in August 2019. Click here to read...
In the charge-sheet filed by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in the special NIA court in Mizoram on 24 January, the agency claimed that Bangladesh-based terrorist organisation—Ansar al-Islam (AI)’s arrested terrorist— Mahmud Hassan had conducted recce of public places in Bengaluru in Karnataka during his stay in the city from November 2018 to July 2019. In July 2019, Mahmud Hassan and another terrorist of AI were arrested from Mizoram after they were caught by the villagers on suspicion of being illegal migrants. The case was later handed-over to the NIA. Click here to read... [18]
On 22 January, Tamil Nadu police arrested three people— B Mohammad Ali, Pura Gani, and Amir, for their alleged connection with Islamic State (IS), from Ramananthapuram, in Tamil Nadu. Upon arrest, police seized reading material and Islamic propaganda from their possession. The propaganda material was also available in ‘audio’ form to be uploaded on social media platforms including WhatsApp. Click here to read... [19]
The rise in the use of smartphones and connected systems has raised the vulnerability risks associated with it, therefore, India should move “aggressively” in the area of cyber security and cyber hygiene. “We [India] have an estimated USD 1.9 billion (about INR 13,500 crore) in cybersecurity service business, and USD 450 million (about INR 3,200 crore) of cybersecurity products business from India. There is also presence of multinational and Indian entities which engage in R&D in cybersecurity which currently amounts to USD 5 billion (about INR 35,500 crore) worth cybersecurity ecosystem in India. As we are more dependent on technology and its equipment, and to their significant vulnerabilities, there is a need for cyber security and cyber hygiene products and tools, said IT (Information Technology) Secretary Ajay Prakash Sawhney. Click here to read... [20]
Addressing an event in Bengaluru on 11 January, Chief Justice of India (CJI) S A Bobde hinted a possibility of developing the AI (Artificial Intelligence) programmes for Indian courts to prevent an undue delay in justice in cases. However, CJI Bobde has also made it clear that AI cannot replace the human discretion. It is only the repetitive, mathematical and mechanical parts of the judgments for which help can be taken from the AI technology and associated systems. Courts are exploring the possibility of implementing it, said CJI Bobde in his remarks. Click here to read... [21]
The Government of India (GoI) had asked inputs on cyber security strategy from technology think-tanks, and general public before the release of India’s National Cyber Security Strategy 2020 which is scheduled to be released before February this year. Stronger encryption programs, protection of decentralised Internet, and cyber awareness programmes are some of the recommendations to the National Security Council Secretariat to strengthen the cyber security of India. Click here to read... [22]
Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2020/february/11
[2] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197451
[3] http://www.defexpo.gov.in
[4] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197676
[5] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197692
[6] https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197810
[7] https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2020/01/11/somali-terrorist-group-al-shabaab-threatens-attack-us-targets/
[8] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/01/suicide-bomber-kills-civilians-western-chad-200120164822101.html
[9] https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2020/01/19/17-soldiers-killed-several-abducted-in-battle-with-boko-haram/
[10] https://www.outlookindia.com/newsscroll/alqaeda-affiliate-claims-mali-attack-that-killed-20/1719395
[11] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/top-hizb-ul-mujahideen-commander-killed-in-jammu-and-kashmirs-doda-794825.html
[12] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/terror-module-busted-in-jammu-and-kashmir-five-jaish-e-muhammad-terrorists-arrested-explosive-material-recovered-795174.html
[13] https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/210120/3-hizbul-mujahideen-militants-killed-in-kashmir-valley.html
[14] https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/police-arrest-19-year-old-let-terrorist-from-baramulla/articleshow/73696807.cms
[15] https://theprint.in/india/dreaded-naxal-hidma-is-the-new-maoist-militia-leader-in-chhattisgarh/347645/
[16] https://www.timesnownews.com/india/article/jaish-e-mohammed-terrorist-killed-in-pulwama-encounter-was-on-most-wanted-list/544468
[17] https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/khalistan-supporter-arrested-in-bengaluru-police-1636276-2020-01-12
[18] https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/20/isis-leader-confirmed-amir-mohammed-abdul-rahman-al-mawli-al-salbi
[19] https://www.firstpost.com/india/three-tamil-nadu-men-with-alleged-links-to-islamic-state-arrested-in-ramanathapuram-trio-also-connected-to-cases-being-probed-by-nia-7944201.html
[20] https://cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/digital-security/india-needs-to-move-aggressively-in-areas-of-cybersecurity-cyber-hygiene-it-secretary/73271790
[21] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/chief-justice-sa-bobde-says-exploring-use-of-artificial-intelligence-in-courts-2162651
[22] https://inc42.com/buzz/govt-urged-to-promote-encryption-in-national-cybersecurity-strategy/
[23] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16 January - 31 January 2020&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2020/february/11
[24] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 16 January - 31 January 2020&url=https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2020/february/11&via=Azure Power
[25] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/vifdigest/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2020/february/11