- Current Affairs February 2017
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Current Affairs February 2017 - Defence
News 1 - Indian Navy Ship made a goodwill visit to UAE
Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Pavak visited Mina Al Rashid (Dubai Port) from February 4th to 7th as part of a goodwill visit with an aim to strengthen the bilateral relations between the two nations. The ship started off from Gujarat and will sail to Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) will also take part in a joint exercise and sharing of operational expertise with their UAE counter parts.
News 2 - Indian Navy launched underwater harbour defence and surveillance system
Indian Navy has launched an Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) in Mumbai. It is third IUHDSS to be installed in India.
IUHDSS is designed and developed by Israeli Aerospace Industries ELTA for surface and sub-surface surveillance of the harbour. It is a state of the art system with integrated radars, advance sensors, electro optic cameras and sound navigation and ranging systems (SONARs). It is capable of detecting, tracking, identifying and generating warning for all types of underwater and surface threats to harbour security.
News 3 - NSG organized the 17th International Seminar on "Counter-IED Strategy"
The National Security Guard organized the 17th International Seminar on “Counter- Improvised Explosive Device strategy for two days. Close to Thirty-Three International delegates from 12 countries and 225 delegates from various states of India participated in the seminar. The theme of the seminar was "synergizing the National and International special forces to meet challenges of terrorism and IED".
The CT Expo: 2017 helped various industries to showcase their latest equipment in the field of counter terrorism. Besides, demonstrations on IED, simulation of IED blasts and futuristic IEDs were also organized.
News 4 - India Successfully Test Fires Exo-Atmospheric Interceptor Missile
India successfully conducted a test wherein an incoming ballistic missile target was intercepted by an Exo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the Bay of Bengal.
With this commendable scientific achievement, India has crossed an important milestone in building its overall capability towards enhanced security against incoming ballistic missile threats. It has entered an exclusive club of four nations with developing capabilities to secure its skies and cities against hostile threats. Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar lauded the efforts of the DRDO and all the scientists involved for their dedicated efforts in this significant achievement.
News 5 - INS Sarvekshak became India’s first ship to be installed with a Solar Power System
Indian Navy’s survey vessel INS Sarvekshak has gone green by installing a solar power system on board.
It works on sunlight and hence is 100% reliable for power source. It is “maintenance free” as well. The 5 KW solar power system will help avoid around 165kg of carbon a day, 60,225 kg of carbon a year plus 22,995 litres of diesel. if used for 25 days in one year, the system can repay its cost in less than 10 years.
News 6 - Reliance Defence signed a Warship Repair Agreement with the US Navy
Reliance Defence and Engineering Ltd signed a Master Ship Repair Agreement (MSRA) with the US Navy for undertaking service, maintenance and repair of Seventh Fleet of US Navy. Reliance Defence’s Pipavav shipyard has been qualified by the US Navy as an approved contractor.
The deal may generate Rs. 15,000 crores revenue over next three to five years. The Seventh Fleet of US Navy has about 100 vessels of different types.
News 7 - L&T entered a JV with France’s MBDA Missile Systems to Develop Missiles in India
Larsen & Toubro Ltd has formed a joint venture (JV) with France’s MBDA to develop and supply missiles and missile systems to the Indian armed forces. MBDA has expertise in developing all kinds of missile systems. It is jointly held by Airbus Group, BAE Systems and Leonardo.
L&T will own 51 percent stake in the JV named L&T MBDA Missile Systems. The JV will initially develop and supply 5th generation anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM5s), missiles for coastal batteries and high speed target drones.
News 8 - Axiscades partnered with a Slovakian firm, Virtual Reality Media
Axiscades, an aerospace and defence technologies company, and Virtual Reality Media, a Slovakian firm, have signed an Industrial Cooperation Agreement (ICA) at the Aero India 2017.
Under the ICA, both companies will evaluate opportunities for full flight simulator for the aerospace and defence sector and to address the requirements for Russian platforms, such as the Dornier 228 aircrafts and other platforms.
News 9 - Raytheon signs MoU with TASL for the co–production of Stinger Missile Components
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the US based Raytheon Company to coproduce Stinger Air Defence Missile Components. Stinger has both surface-to-air and air-to-air applications against a variety of airborne targets.
TASL is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tata Sons. Raytheon Company is a technology and innovation firm specialising in defence, civil government and cyber security solutions headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts.
News 10 - Tarini Inducted into Indian Navy
The Indian Navy’s second ocean going sailboat Tarini was inducted into Indian Navy. INSV Tarini is a sloop built by M/s Aquarius Shipyard Pvt Ltd at Divar, Goa. It is slated to be the platform for First Indian All Women Circumnavigation of the Globe expedition of the Indian Navy.
INSV Tarini carries a suite of six sails including a Main sail, Head sails (Genoa and stay sails), Downwind sails and Storm sail. Her mast is 25 meters tall and has been custom built by M/s Southern Spars, Cape Town, for sailing in extreme conditions.
News 11 - Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH commissioned at Kochi
Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS AYUSH has been commissioned at Kochi. ICGS AYUSH is the 20th and the last in the series of 20 Fast Patrol Vessels being built by Cochin Shipyard Ltd. The ship is fitted with state-of-the-art navigational and communication equipment including Integrated Bridge System and Machinery Control System.
The ship can undertake multifarious tasks such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation. Post commissioning, the ship will be based at Krishnapatnam port.
News 12 - IAF inducted indigenous early warning system NETRA
The Indian Airforce (IAG) has formally inducted the first indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System (AEW&C), NETRA. It has been indigenously developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
AEW&C are airborne radar systems mounted on a carrier jet for airborne surveillance system i.e. to detect and track aircraft, missiles, ships and vehicles and provide command and control to direct friendly forces. It has self-protection suite and mid-air refuelling capability to enhance surveillance time. With this India, joins group of other countries such as United States, Russia and Israel which have developed the AEW&C system.
News 13 - Russia to start deliveries of military helicopters to India in 2019
Russia will start initial deliveries of military helicopters to India in 2019. India and Russia signed an agreement in October to jointly manufacture 200 of the KA-226T helicopters for the Indian Armed Forces.
60 helicopters will be delivered to India and the remaining 140 will be assembled or manufactured in India. Both countries have agreed to cooperate in energy and defence. The state-owned Russian Helicopters has started production of the advanced medium multirole Mi-171A2 helicopter too.
News 14 - Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel “Shaunak” commissioned in Goa
Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu commissioned Indian Coast Guard offshore patrol vessel 'Shaunak' in Goa. It is the fourth ship in the series of six Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV).
'Shaunak' is built by Goa Shipyard Limited and is designed to carry one twin-engine light helicopter, five high-speed boats. It can carry out swift boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol. The features include 30 mm CRN 91 naval gun, integrated bridge system (IBS), integrated machinery control system (IMCS), power management system (PMS) and high power external firefighting system.
News 15 - Defense Ministry approved the Phase II of Coastal Surveillance Project
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under the Defence Ministry has approved a project to set up 38 radar stations to significantly ramp up surveillance of the country’s over 7,500 km long coastline.
The cost of the project is Rs 800 crore. A total of 46 radar stations have already been set up under the first-phase. The lead integrator of the project would be Bharat Electronics Limited, Bengaluru.
India had decided to significantly strengthen its coastal surveillance following the Mumbai terror attacks in 2008.
News 16 - India to jointly develop MR-SAM Missile System for Army with Israel
The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved a deal with Israel to jointly develop a medium range surface-to-air missile (MRSAM) system for the Army.
The ₹17,000-crore worth deal is to be executed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI).
As part of the deal, 200 missiles will be developed for five regiments, each getting 40 units. The missile has a range of 50-70 km.
News 17 - Indian Navy Concludes Theatre Level Exercise Tropex 2017
The Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX 17) was conducted on the Western Seaboard from 24 Jan 17 till 23 Feb 17.
The month-long exercise saw participation of over 45 ships from both the Western and Eastern Naval Commands of the Indian Navy, including the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya, 05 submarines including the nuclear-powered Chakra, 50 Naval aircraft, 11 ships from the Coast Guard, troops from the Army and 20 aircraft from the Air Force including Su 30s, Jaguars and AWACS.