Current Affairs December 2017 - Defence
1 - Godrej Aero received new BrahMos contract for missile airframes.
Godrej Aerospace received tender of additional 100 units of airframes for the air launched version of BrahMos missile. Godrej Aerospace handed over 100th set of airframe assemblies to BrahMos Aerospace Pvt. Ltd. (BAPL) for use in its missile systems. Godrej Aerospace (GA) is a business unit of Godrej & Boyce which had recently created critical systems and components for the launch vehicle to the ISRO's successful launch of 104 satellites.
2 - India joined Wassenaar Arrangement after completing internal procedures
India joined the Wassenaar Arrangement. The membership will facilitate high-technology tie-ups for country's defense and space programmes. India's entry into the export control regime would enhance its credentials in the field of non-proliferation despite not being a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty. It is the 2nd diplomatic success for India in membership of export control regimes after it joined Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR)
3 - INSV Tarini left for its onward journey to Port Stanley in Falklands
The Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini left Lyttelton for its onward journey to Port Stanley in Falklands. The Sailing Vessel had arrived at Lyttelton after completion of second leg of its maiden voyage to circumnavigate the globe. Nearly 200 visitors visited the vessel and interacted with the crew at Lyttelton Port of Christchurch. This historic attempt by an all-women crew is being led by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi and the crew comprises Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal, P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.
4 - PM dedicated naval submarine INS Kalvari to the nation
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, dedicated to the nation, the naval submarine INS Kalvari, at Mumbai. INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, being built in India as part of technology transfer from France. It is the first indigenously built submarine in 22 years. It has a range of 12,000 km. It is named after the dreaded Tiger Shark, a deadly deep-sea predator of the Indian Ocean. The other two Scorpenes are INS Khanderi and INS Karanj.
5 - Indo-UK joint military exercise, “Ajeya Warrior”, concludes
The 14 days long Indo-UK joint military exercise 'Ajeya Warrior' concluded in Rajasthan. The third in the series of joint exercises between the Indian and the British Armies, it commenced on 1st of December at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges near Bikaner. The exercise was aimed at sharing best practices and experiences of the two armies. It was pitched at Company level and around 120 soldiers and officers participated form both the sides.
6 - Southern Command Conducted Major Exercise in Rajasthan
The Southern Command conducted a major exercise called ‘HAMESHA VIJAYEE’ in the deserts of Rajasthan from 16 to 22 December 2017 to evaluate the capability of the armed forces to strike deep into enemy territory in an integrated air-land battle. The Southern Command undertakes such exercises at regular intervals using modern weapons and equipment so as to ensure high degree of battle readiness. The exercise showcased a high degree of synergy between the Army and Air Force.
7 - Indian Navy Conducted Exercise with Oman Navy
Indian Naval Ships Trikand and Teg are deployed to Oman for bilateral exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’ or ‘Sea Breeze’. The Indian Navy ships along with four Royal Navy of Oman ships Al Rasikh, Khassab, Al Mubashir and Al Bushra sailed for the sea phase of the exercise where, for the first time, an Indian Navy submarine as well as the versatile P8I, long range maritime aircraft participated. 2017 exercise is the 11th edition and has been a biennial feature since 1993. This year marks 24 years of Indian Navy -Royal Navy of Oman bilateral exercises.
8 - Liberalized family pension to be extended to army personnel working along Line of Actual Control (LAC)
Liberalized Family Pension is provided to army personnel working on Line of Control (LoC)/International Border (IB) along Pakistan border, and those working along Line of Actual Control (LAC) along India-China borders on the same manner as for the army personnel working in LOC and International Border. This Liberalized Family Pension covers accidental death/injury sustained due to natural calamities while performing operational duties in action against enemy forces. The Liberalized Family Pension provides for 100% of last reckonable emoluments.
9 - Navy Cooperation entered into Bilateral Agreement with Singapore
A bilateral agreement for Navy Cooperation with Singapore was signed during the visit of Defense Minister of Singapore to India. The agreement envisaged enhanced defense cooperation with Singapore through information sharing, conduct of joint activities such as naval exercises, as well as expert level exchanges on specialized issues such as submarine operational safety between the navies by the two countries. The Agreement thus provided a framework to develop deeper cooperation with Singapore on maritime security, maritime domain awareness, as well as provision of mutual logistics support.
10 - Government approved more than 74% FDI for joint venture defense sector
As per current Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy in defense sector notified by Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, FDI up to 49% is allowed under automatic route and beyond 49% through Government route. In so far as joint venture in the defense sector with more than 74 per cent FDI is concerned, no such proposal has been approved by the Government. Further, FDI in defense is subject to industrial license under Industries (Development & Regulation) Act, 1951 and manufacturing of Small Arms and Ammunition under the Arms Act, 1959.
11 - ICGS Sujay offshore patrol vessel commissioned
Indian Coast Guard Ship “Sujay”, the sixth in the series of six 105m Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) was commissioned by Director General Indian Coast Guard Shri Rajendra Singh at Goa. ‘Sujay’ meaning ‘Great Victory’ is projection of Indian Coast Guard’s will and commitment “To serve and Protect” the maritime interest of the nation. The ship is based at Paradip, Odisha under the operational and administrative control of Commander Coast Guard Region (North-East).
12 - Lt Gen B S Sahrawat takes over as DG, NCC
Lieutenant General B S Sahrawat took over as the Director General of National Cadet Corps. He is a third generation army officer. Mr Sahrawat is alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun. He has done the prestigious NDC Course. He has recently completed his PhD in ‘Human Capital Management in Army’. He has been awarded the Sena Medal during the floods of Kosi River in Bihar in 2008.
13 - DRDO successfully conducts Interceptor Missile Test
India successfully tested homegrown supersonic interceptor missile after it successfully destroyed an incoming ballistic missile over the Bay of Bengal. The low altitude Advanced Area Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was fired from Dr Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. The incoming ballistic missile was launched from LC-III complex of ITR, which followed the exact path of intended ballistic missile. The AAD interceptor is a single-stage missile powered by solid propellants. It is 7.5 metres tall and weighs around 1.2 tonnes. It had a diameter of less than 0.5 metre.
