Current Affairs June 2017 - Defence
1 - Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired
India successfully test-fired the indigenously developed nuclear-capable Prithvi-II missile from a test range in Odisha as part of a user trial by the Army. The indigenously developed Prithvi-II has a strike range of 350 kms. It is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines.
The missile was inducted into Indian armed forces in 2003. Prithvi II is the first missile to have been developed by the DRDO under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
2 - Second Scorpene Class Submarine Ready for Sea Trials
The second Scorpene-class submarine is ready for surface sea trials. INS Khanderi, the second Scorpene class submarine has been built at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai in collaboration with France’s DCNS as part of Project 75 of Indian Navy. Six Scorpene-class submarines are being built under 'Project 75' of the Navy.
INS Khanderi’s features include superior stealth and ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision guided weapon. The attack from it can be launched with torpedoes, as well as tube-launched anti-ship missiles, whilst on surface or underwater.
3 - India successfully test-fired all weather tracked-chassis QR-SAM
India has successfully test-fired its first all-weather tracked-chassis Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QR-SAM) from a mobile launcher at Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha. QR-SAM is a fully indigenous missile system with better range than Akash SAM Systems.
The QR-SAM was jointly developed by the Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Bharat Electronics Limited. It can engage multiple targets within a range of approximate 30 kilometers. It is truck-mounted missile and 360 degree rotatable. The system is all weather enabled.
4 - INS Sahyadri on overseas deployment to Papua New Guinea
In pursuance of India’s Act East policy, Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri is on an overseas deployment to the South East Asia and Southern Indian Ocean.
The visit of the Indian Naval Ships seeks to underscore India’s peaceful presence and solidarity with friendly and harmonious countries towards ensuring good order in the maritime domain and to strengthen existing bonds between Papua New Guinea and India.
During the stay in harbour, various activities such as official calls, formal reception on board ships, ships open to visitors, guided tours for Indian naval personnel and Community Welfare activities were planned.
5 - ATGM Nag was tested successfully
The Anti-Tank Guided Missile Nag was successfully flight tested in the desert ranges of Rajasthan. The Fire and Forget 3rd generation ATGM Nag is incorporated with many advanced technologies including the Imaging Infrared Radar (IIR) Seeker with integrated avionics, a capability that is possessed by few nations in the world.
The test was carried out by DRDO Scientists of the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Missile Complex at Hyderabad, DL Jodhpur, HEMRL and ARDE at Pune. The successful flight test of 3rd generation ATGM Nag further strengthens the country’s defence capabilities.
6 - Eastern Fleet Ships participated in AUSINDEX-17
AUSINDEX-17, a bilateral maritime exercise between the two navies would also be held as part of the visit. This would be the second edition of the exercise with the maiden edition having been conducted at Visakhapatnam in 2015.
The exercises aim to increase interoperability and are in consonance with the growing cooperation between the two countries. In April 2017, Prime Minister, Mr. Malcom Turnbull visited India and called on the Indian Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi for bilateral talks and enhance the partnership between the two countries.
7 - India-Australia naval exercise 'AUSINDEX' held
Indian warships began naval exercise off the coast of Western Australia. The second AUSINDEX exercises was aimed at increasing interoperability between Australian and Indian naval forces, executing complex naval manoeuvres.
The first AUSINDEX was held in the Bay of Bengal in 2015. As the only countries with the largest Indian Ocean coastline, Australia and India are natural partners in maritime security, particularly in the region where India has its greatest strategic interests.
8 - Floating Dock – FDN 2 for the Indian Navy launched
The first indigenously built Floating Dock (FDN-2) for the Indian Navy was launched by Smt. Anjali Deshpande, wife of Vice Admiral DM Deshpande, AVSM, VSM, and Controller of Warship Production & Acquisition at a ceremony at Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) Shipyard at Kattupalli, near Chennai.
Floating Dock is an indigenously designed and built platform with state of the art machinery & control systems capable of docking warships of up to 8000 Tons displacement. The dock covers provided with the FDN-2 facilitate repair & refit activities in inclement weather conditions.
9 - Defence Minister Arun Jaitley dedicated Aeronautical Test range to the Nation
The Defence Minister Shri Arun Jaitley inaugurated the newly built Aeronautical Test Range (ATR) of the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) at Chitradurga in Karnataka.
The ATR is the first of its kind range in the country exclusively meant to conduct flight-tests of indigenous unmanned and manned aircrafts, developed by the DRDO including the naval and trainer versions of the Light Combat Aircraft, the unmanned air vehicles.
This outdoor testing and evaluating facility has been set up by the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), one of the premier laboratories of the DRDO.
