DEFENCE

• General Bipin Rawat assumes charge of first Chief of Defence Staff;
  Vows to create more synergy between the Armed Forces
• Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat holds first meeting with Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff branch heads in push for Inter-Service jointness
• DRDO at 107th Indian Science Congress
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches website on grant of permission for aerial photography/remote sensing survey
• INS Sumedha provides assistance to stranded vessel near Somali Coast
• Press Brief on Operation Sankalp
• The City of Destiny Gearing Up to Host MILAN 2020
• Maiden landing of DRDO-developed LCA Navy onboard INS Vikramaditya
• The Developmental Naval LCA Achieves Major Technological Milestone
• Indian Navy to Get Upgraded Fuel HFHSD – IN 512
• India and Finland ink MoU to enhance bilateral defence cooperation
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flags off 51st K9 VAJRA-T Gun from L&T Armoured System Complex in Gujarat; Reaffirms Government’s commitment to make India an arms manufacturing hub and net defence exporter

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Europe

Turkey

• 70 Islamic State suspects arrested ahead of New Year;
• IS and al-Qa’ida terrorists transferred from Syria to Libya via Turkey.

Middle-East

• Syria- ‘Rouse the Believers’ attacked largest Russian military base in Latakia Governorate.

Africa

• Somalia- al-Shabaab claimed the bombing in Mogadishu.

Pakistan

• CTD arrested five AQIS terrorists from Punjab;
• 15 people were killed in a bomb explosion in Baluchistan.

DOMESTIC TERRORISM:

Jammu and Kashmir

• Police arrested a LeT terrorist from Srinagar;
• HM terrorist killed in a CT operation in Pulwama;
• A senior police officer and two HM terrorists arrested in Kulgam.

Left-Wing Extremism

• GoI released INR 267 Cr. for infrastructure development in Maoist-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh.

Islamist Extremism in India (including Islamic State)

• IS spreading its network in Southern States, claimed Delhi Police;
• Police arrested three IS terrorists from Delhi.

Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

• US military developing Information Warfare tactics against Russia’s interference in 2020 US Presidential elections;
• Telangana govt. signed eight MoUs to set up AI research hub in Hyderabad;
• JeM uses ‘TextNow’ to coordinate attacks in India: revealed NIA probe;
• US Govt. website was hacked with pro-Iran messages.

DEFENCE

General Bipin Rawat assumes charge of first Chief of Defence Staff; Vows to create more synergy between the Armed Forces

General Bipin Rawat assumed office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) here today. As the CDS, General Rawat will be the Principal Military Advisor to the Raksha Mantri on all Tri-Services matters. He will also head Department of Military Affairs (DMA). The CDS will have a key role in ensuring optimum utilisation of allocated budget, usher in more synergy in procurement, training &operations of the Services through joint planning and integration. The CDSwill facilitate indigenisation of weapons and equipment to the maximum extent possible while formulating the overall defence acquisition plan for the three Services.
Interacting with media persons, General Rawat vowed to work to create more synergy among the three Services. “The CDS is mandated to facilitate integration, ensure best economical use of resources allocated to the Armed Forces and bring uniformity in the procurement procedure. I want to assure you that the Army, Navy and Air Force will work as a team and the CDS will ensure integration among these,” he said. Click here to read...

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat holds first meeting with Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff branch heads in push for Inter-Service jointness

Soon after assuming charge as Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), General Bipin Rawat held a meeting with important functionaries of Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (Hq IDS) on January 1, 2020.Wishing them all a Happy New Year, General Rawat directed various branch heads to come up with recommendations for inter-service synergy and jointness in a time bound manner.

The CDS also directed that a proposal to create Air Defence Command be prepared by June 30, 2020. He also set out priorities for execution of synergy by June30 and December, 31 2020. Some of the areas identified for jointness and synergy include creation of common logistics support pools in stations where two or more services have their presence.

Emphasising collegiate system of functioning, General Rawat directed that all three services and Coast Guard must be consulted and their views obtained in a time bound manner. Decisions will, however, be taken to ensure optimisation of resources. Efforts will be made to cut out infructuous ceremonial activities, which are manpower intensive.

The CDS stressed that all must work towards accomplishing desired results and comingup with healthy views and ideas.

DRDO at 107th Indian Science Congress

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) is participating in “Pride of India-Science Expo-2020” being held from 3-7 January at the 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC) at University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru. The five-day mega science expo has been organized as part of 107th Indian Science Congress (ISC-2020) inaugurated by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

The DRDO pavilion at the expo was inaugurated today by the Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr Harsh Vardhan. He also visited various DRDO stalls and took a keen interest in the products and technologies displayed there. 31 DRDO laboratories with more than 150 exhibits and models are participating in the expo showcasing many cutting-edge indigenous defence technologies, which narrate the saga of Self-reliance & National Pride with the “Make in India” spirit. Star attractions of outdoor exhibits at DRDO Pavilion include the Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM), Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile system (QRSAM), ASTRA Missile, Radars including Battle Field Surveillance Radar (BFSR), ASLESHA and BHARANI, MINI-UGV Autonomous Surveillance Robot, Sentry Autonomous Surveillance Robot etc. Click here to read...

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches website on grant of permission for aerial photography/remote sensing survey

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched Ministry of Defence (MoD) No Objection Certificate (NOC) web portal www.modnoc.ncog.gov.in for undertaking aerial survey with the final permission of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), here today. Shri Rajnath Singh suggested that internal mechanism should be developed to monitor the time taken to give NOC. The portal will be used by various vendors engaged by State Governments/Public Sector Undertakings/Autonomous bodies in seeking NOC from MoD.

Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar explained the salient features and benefits of the portal, hosted on National Informatics Centre platform. He informed that through this initiative, MoD will be able to considerably reduce the time usually taken in issuing NOC. Among other benefits, this initiative will help in speeding up developmental projects undertaken by various agencies. Further, this will also ensure expeditious disposal of applications for carrying out aerial survey, besides bringing in more transparency and accuracy.
Defence Secretary also requested DGCA to issue suitable notification to all concerned so that the applicants/vendors could submit their applications online on the newly developed web portal of MoD. To facilitate the applicants/vendors, an e-book has also been uploaded on the above web portal.

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Mukund Naravane, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal R K S Bhadauria and other senior officials from MoD, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology and DGCA were also present on the occasion

INS Sumedha provides assistance to stranded vessel near Somali Coast

INS Sumedha, presently on Anti Piracy Patrol in Gulf of Aden, came to the rescue of the crew of the dhow Al-Hamid on 06 Jan 20. A traditional wooden vessel known as "Dhow", Al-Hamid was detected by an IN Helicopter launched from the deck of INS Sumedha, which confirmed that the vessel was in distress and drifting near the coast of Somalia.

A boarding team along with a naval technical team embarked Al-Hamid for routine checks onboard and render assistance. The crew of Al-Hamid comprised 13 Indian Citizens. The technical team assessment revealed that the dhow had suffered a broken main engine shaft, which was not repairable at sea. The dhow was then towed to safety away from the Somali coast.

Meanwhile, the owner of the dhow Al-Hamid sent another vessel for towing the dhow to port for repairs. Before departure, Indian Naval Ship Sumedha provided fresh water and medical supplies to the crew of the dhow.

Press Brief on Operation Sankalp

In the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf region, post attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman in Jun 19, Indian Navy had commenced Maritime Security Operations, code named Op SANKALP, in the Gulf Region on 19 Jun 19 to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.

Indian Navy warships and aircraft were deployed to establish presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchantmen, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises. One war ship is presently deployed for Operation SANKALP. The operation is being progressed in close coordination with all stakeholders including Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG, Shipping. Regular Inter-Ministerial meetings have been held to review the evolving Maritime Security Situation in the Gulf region.

Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation in the Gulf region and is maintaining presence in the region to ensure security of our sea borne trade and the safety of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels transiting through the region. The Indian Navy stands committed to protection of the nation's maritime interests.

The City of Destiny Gearing Up to Host MILAN 2020

After successfully hosting the International Fleet Review (IFR) in Feb 2016, the City of Destiny Visakhapatnam is gearing up to host another International Naval event ‘MILAN’ in March 2020. With about two months to the mega event, the preparations were reviewed at the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) by Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, Chief of Staff ENC on 07 January 2020. The review meeting saw an overwhelming and positive response from the civil administrators and stakeholder organisations, with participation by Dr G. Srijana Commissioner GVMC, Shri Rajiv Kumar Meena, City Police Commissioner, Shri A Srinivas Secretary VMRDA, Shri RN Hari Krishna, Chief Mechanical Engineer VPT, representatives from HSL, HPCL, IOCL, EPCL, Coromandel Fertilizers Ltd and Senior Police Officers from Special Branch, Law & Order, and Traffic.

A detailed presentation to apprise the attendees of the planned activities of MILAN was conducted. Vice Admiral SN Ghormade has solicited wholehearted support and cooperation from the City Administration, Civic Bodies, Police Department and PSUs in co-hosting the multinational Naval event as was done during IFR in 2016. The review meeting was followed by site visits to various venues by the Nodal officers from the Navy and the attendees representing stakeholder organisations towards drawing out time bound action plans.
MILAN 2020 is a multilateral naval exercise aimed to enhance professional interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn from each other’s strengths and best practices in the maritime domain. The Exercise with the theme ‘Synergy Across the Seas’ would provide an excellent opportunity for Operational Commanders of friendly foreign navies to interact with each other in areas of mutual interest. Of the 41 navies invited, confirmations from over 30 navies have been received towards their participation in MILAN 2020.

The Developmental Naval LCA Achieves Major Technological Milestone

The developmental LCA (N) MK1 achieved an important milestone on 11 Jan 20 with the successful Arrested Landing on board the naval aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. The aircraft was piloted by Commodore JA Maolankar who also undertook the maiden Ski Jump Take-Off from the carrier today - 12 Jan 20.

A Technology Demonstrator, LCA (Navy) has earlier been successfully tested during extensive trials at the Shore Base Test Facility at the Naval Air Station at Goa.

With the completion of this feat, the indigenously developed niche technologies specific to deck based fighter operations have been proven which will now pave the way to develop and manufacture the Twin Engine Deck Based Fighter for the Indian Navy, which is expected to proudly fly from the aircraft carriers by the year 2026.

This landmark event demonstrates the professional commitment and synergy between various agencies including ADA, HAL, CEMILAC and Indian Navy in harnessing the potential of our scientists, engineers and naval flight testing community towards meeting the expectations of the nation.

Indian Navy to Get Upgraded Fuel HFHSD – IN 512

One of the Key Result Area for Indian Navy has been fuel quality standards revision to keep pace with induction of new technology equipment and meet contemporary emission standards. With the advent of technology and refining techniques in the petroleum industry better quality of fuel abiding to more stringent specifications has become a necessity. Hence, continuous improvement in technical specification for diesels is the primary focus area.

Leveraging technology and improved refining techniques available with the country’s petroleum industry, the Indian Navy in collaboration with M/s IOCL carried out an extensive and thorough study and a comparative evaluation of existing international regulations (ISO, MARPOL, NATO etc). As an outcome, a revised technical specification was arrived at consisting of 22 test parameters including critical parameters cetane number, flash point, sulphur content, sediment content, oxidation stability and Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP). The new specification will not only ensure a better quality fuel but also result in a reduced carbon footprint. Click here to read...

India and Finland ink MoU to enhance bilateral defence cooperation

Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence of Finland Mr Jukka Juusti signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to further defence cooperation between India and Finland, here today. The MoU on co-operation in the field of Production, Procurement, Research and Development of Defence related Equipment and Industrial cooperation has been inked on the sidelines of Raisina Dialogue 2020. Under the broad ambit of the MoU, cooperation between Finnish companies and Indian Defence Public Sector Undertakings could be explored.

A draft MoU between the two countries in the field of defence cooperation amongst others was under discussion since the DefExpo 2018 and has now been formalised in the run up to DefExpo 2020, to be held in Uttar Pradesh capital Lucknow from February 5 to 9, 2020.

In 2019, Mr Juusti had led a delegation to Aero India in Bengaluru and post his visit, the Permanent Secretary had evinced their interest to participate in the ‘Make in India’ vision and formalise an arrangement for Defence Industrial cooperation through sa MoU.
On February 13, 2016, Prime Minister of Finland Mr Juha Sipila had bilateral discussions with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi during his visit to India for the inauguration of the ‘Make in India’ week. In April 17, 2018, Prime Minister Modi held a bilateral meeting with Mr Sipila during the first India-Nordic Summit in Stockholm, Sweden. Also, a delegation from Finland had visited India from November 29 to December 02, 2018 to explore new business opportunities for Finnish companies.

INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM

Europe

Turkey

70 Islamic State suspects arrested ahead of New Year

On 25 December 2019, Turkish government released a statement claiming the arrest of 70 Islamic State (IS) suspects in multiple raids across the country. In total, 33 suspects were arrested from Ankara province. During 2015 and 2016, Turkey witnessed IS-inspired terrorist attacks, including a massacre at an Istanbul nightclub celebrating the 2017 New Year in which 39 people died. Click here to read...

IS and al-Qa’ida terrorists transferred from Syria to Libya via Turkey

On 30 December 2019, the Spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA)— Maj Gen Ahmed al-Mismari has said that many [in hundreds] terrorists of Islamic State (IS) and al-Qa’ida had been transferred from Syria to Libya via Turkey. Al-Mismari blamed Turkish President Erdogan for violating the norms of the international community and the UN Security Council with the transit of terrorists from one nation to another. Through this, President Erdogan would like to get rid of terrorists and control the resources of the Libya, said al-Mismari. Click here to read...

Middle-East

Syria

‘Rouse the Believers’ attacked largest Russian military base in Latakia Governorate

The al-Qa’ida affiliated coalition of jihadist groups— ‘The Rouse the Believers Operation Room’ launched several rockets in an attack towards the largest Russian military base— Hmeimim Airbase, located in the South-West region of the Latakia Governorate in Syria. However, the group did not confirm if the rockets hit the Hmeimim Airbase. Click here to read...

Africa

al-Shabaab claimed the bombing in Mogadishu

The al-Shabaab’s Spokesperson— Sheikh Ali Mohamud Rageh aka Ali Dheere, on 30 December 2019 has said that the group carried out a car bombing on 28 December 2019 in Mogadishu, in which 85 people were killed and more than 140 were wounded. The group had targeted the convoy of Turkish nationals and the Somali soldiers escorting them. However, the al-Shabaab’s Spokesperson did not provide any evidences to support his statement. Click here to read...

Pakistan

CTD arrested five AQIS terrorists from Punjab

In a joint operation on 27 December 2019, Pakistan’s Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) conducted raid and arrested five terrorists of al-Qa’ida in Indian Subcontinent (AQIS), a regional branch of al-Qa’ida, from Punjab province of Pakistan. One of the terrorists was an expert in forging documents, while another was an expert in digital media and publications, said Muhammad Imran—a CTD official. Click here to read...

15 people were killed in a bomb explosion in Baluchistan

In a bomb explosion inside the Mosque on 10 January 2020 in Quetta in Baluchistan province, 15 people were killed, including the head cleric of the Mosque and a police officer, and 18 others were injured. According to the SITE intelligence group, Islamic State (IS) took the responsibility of the attack. The Mosque believed to be frequently visited by senior Taliban members, including Mawlawi Abdul Hakeem, but Hakeem was not inside the Mosque at the time of attack. Click here to read...

DOMESTIC TERRORISM

Jammu and Kashmir

Police arrested a LeT terrorist from Srinagar

The Special Operations Group (SOG) of the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police, on 04 January, arrested Nisar Ahmed Dar—a Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorist who was wanted for his involvement in 10 cases of terror attacks, from Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar, J&K. Dar came to the hospital for treatment, along with his associates who managed to escape during the operation. Arms, ammunition, and incriminating material were seized from Dar’s possession, said the J&K police spokesperson. Click here to read...

HM terrorist killed in a CT operation in Pulwama

In a counter-terrorism (CT) operation on 07 January, security forces killed a Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist— Zahid Hassan, in Charsoo village in Awantipora in Pulwama district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). During a search operation in the village, terrorists started firing on the security forces personnel from hideouts. In an exchange of fire, Zahid Hassan was killed. A pistol, a magazine, six live RDX, and a grenade was recovered from Zahid’s possession. Click here to read...

A senior police officer and two HM terrorists arrested in Kulgam

The Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) police, on 11 January 2020, arrested a senior police officer— DSP (Deputy-Superintendent of Police) Davinder Singh, and two Hizb ul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorists— Syed Naveed Mushtaq aka Naveed Babu, and his associate Asif, from a police checkpoint on the Srinagar-Jammu Highway in Kulgam district in J&K. They were suspected to have been travelling and further to target Republic Day celebrations in Delhi. The residence of arrested police officer was also searched and an AK-47 and two pistols were recovered. Click here to read...

Left-Wing Extremism

GoI released INR 267 Cr. for infrastructure development in Maoist-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh

The Government of India (GoI) has released INR 267 Crore for the infrastructure development such as roads and bridges, in Maoist-affected areas in Andhra Pradesh. The funds were released through the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) for the Road Connectivity Project for Left-Wing Extremism Affected Area (RCPLWEAA) project. The funds will be utilised to lay 44 roads of around 400 km, and two bridges in the region. The project deadline has been set to the end of the year 2020. The project will be taken up mainly in the East Godavari and Visakhapatnam. Click here to read...

Islamist Extremism in India (including Islamic State)

IS spreading its network in Southern States, claimed Delhi Police

The interrogation of three arrested Islamic State (IS) suspects have revealed that the IS is spreading its network in Southern States. According to the police statement, the trio claimed that they held meetings in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. So far, Delhi Police has identified 11 people linked to the IS module, and they will be arrested soon. Click here to read...

Police arrested three IS terrorists from Delhi

The Special Cell of Delhi Police, on 09 January 2020, arrested three Islamic State (IS) terrorists— Khaja Moideen (52), Syed Ali Navas (32), and Abdul Samad (28), after an exchange of fire between them and police in Wazirabad area in Delhi. The trio were conspiring the terror attacks in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh (UP). Click here to read...

Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

US military developing Information Warfare tactics against Russia’s interference in 2020 US Presidential elections

The United States (US) military cyber team is developing the information warfare tactics to be deployed against Russia’s interference in 2020 US Presidential elections. The US Cyber Command may target the senior Russian leadership to warn if Russia’s interference in US elections did not stop. However, the tactics would not be deployed against the Russian President Vladimir Putin as the action could be too provocative. As an alternative, a disinformation campaign can be executed within the Russian government that would expose their malicious behaviour. Click here to read...

Telangana govt. signed eight MoUs to set up AI research hub in Hyderabad

The State government of Telangana, on 02 January 2020, signed eight Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Intel, IIIT (International Institute of Information Technology) Hyderabad, and Public Health Foundation of India (PHFI) for establishing the CRiAAI (Centre for Research in Applied Artificial Intelligence) in Hyderabad, Telangana. The CRiAAI would focus on the deployment of AI in proactive public health, health services optimisation, advanced safety, autonomous navigation, traffic management, and smart cities. In another MoU, the NVIDIA will partner with the state government to setup a High-Performance AI Computing (HPAIC) Centre, which will also assist in start-up incubation, and host AI training sessions to support women and minority groups, said officials working on the development. Click here to read...

JeM uses ‘TextNow’ to coordinate attacks in India: revealed NIA probe

The National Investigation Agency (NIA)’s investigation of 2019 Pulwama attack revealed that Pakistan-based terrorist group Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) uses messaging application— TextNow to contact its operative and coordinate terror attacks in India. JeM used this application [TextNow] to coordinate the Pulwama attack in February 2019. Click here to read...

US Govt. website was hacked with pro-Iran messages

The website of the United States (US)’s Federal Depository Library Program was hacked on 04 January 2020 with an altered photograph imposed over the Middle-East map, with tribute to Maj Gen Qassim Suleimani who was killed in the US drone strike on 03 January 2020. The hackers displayed the messages— “Hacked by Iran Cyber Security Group Hackers”, “This is only small part of Iran’s cyber ability”, along with vows to revenge for the death of Iran’s most ‘powerful’ commander, and doctored image of US President Trump being punched in the jaw. Click here to read...