News Analysis India

Tag: Defence

  • Defence forces to buy 2,150 high mobility vehicles

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday issued two Requests for Information (RFI) to procure High Mobility Vehicles (HMV). The plan is to buy 2,150 such vehicles initially, which can be deployed to transport payloads not less than 8,000 kg. These vehicles will get deployed on both the western (Pakistan) and northern (China) borders.

    As per one of the RFIs, the plan is to procure approximately 650 high mobility vehicles 6×6 with material handling cranes (HMV 6×6 with MHC). The second RFI is for the procurement of approximately 1,500 high mobility vehicles 6×6 General Service (HMV 6×6 (GS)).  

    Sources informed that the plan is to gradually induct these vehicles in the units, in place of the older ones. “The requirement is such that these vehicles could negotiate the mountain roads that are narrow, with sharp turns,” informed an officer.

    The material handling crane will help in loading payloads like artillery guns to the systems, said the source.

    Vehicles of both the categories, says the RFI, will be used for “transportation of heavy equipment, including ammunition, on metalled roads as well as unmetalled, desert and kachcha tracks. The vehicle will be provided with 6×6 drive and will be capable of operating as a high mobility load carrier with a payload capacity of not less than 8,000 kg in cross-country terrains.”

    The platform should facilitate modification for other uses, including troop carriage, carriage of containers on the flatbed, and any other specialist role, the RFI added.

    They will be employed in day and night conditions for cross-country and off-road operations in “plain and desert terrains as obtained along western borders of the country, and in high altitude, mountain terrains up to 5,000 metres (16,400 feet) as obtained along the northern borders (Eastern Ladakh, Central Sector and North Sikkim).

    As per the RFI, the procurement of these vehicles is under the ‘Make in India’ spirit. The RFI is meant for Indian vendors who either have the capability to manufacture on their own with 60 per cent indigenous content or can manufacture in a tie-up with some original equipment manufacturer but with more than 50 per cent indigenous content.

    The last date of acceptance of the RFI response is eight weeks from the date of pre-response vendor interaction. Tensions between the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army prevail along the Line of Actual Control with increased deployment. India has been sprucing up its infrastructure and inducting equipment along the area. The Chinese side has also been improving infrastructure on its side for a long time.

    The RFI is a means to seek information from vendors to explore the suitability of products available to meet the operational requirements of the services, and to formulate SQR, maintenance philosophy, and other contractual provisions.

    NEW DELHI:  The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday issued two Requests for Information (RFI) to procure High Mobility Vehicles (HMV). The plan is to buy 2,150 such vehicles initially, which can be deployed to transport payloads not less than 8,000 kg. These vehicles will get deployed on both the western (Pakistan) and northern (China) borders.

    As per one of the RFIs, the plan is to procure approximately 650 high mobility vehicles 6×6 with material handling cranes (HMV 6×6 with MHC). The second RFI is for the procurement of approximately 1,500 high mobility vehicles 6×6 General Service (HMV 6×6 (GS)).  

    Sources informed that the plan is to gradually induct these vehicles in the units, in place of the older ones. “The requirement is such that these vehicles could negotiate the mountain roads that are narrow, with sharp turns,” informed an officer.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The material handling crane will help in loading payloads like artillery guns to the systems, said the source.

    Vehicles of both the categories, says the RFI, will be used for “transportation of heavy equipment, including ammunition, on metalled roads as well as unmetalled, desert and kachcha tracks. The vehicle will be provided with 6×6 drive and will be capable of operating as a high mobility load carrier with a payload capacity of not less than 8,000 kg in cross-country terrains.”

    The platform should facilitate modification for other uses, including troop carriage, carriage of containers on the flatbed, and any other specialist role, the RFI added.

    They will be employed in day and night conditions for cross-country and off-road operations in “plain and desert terrains as obtained along western borders of the country, and in high altitude, mountain terrains up to 5,000 metres (16,400 feet) as obtained along the northern borders (Eastern Ladakh, Central Sector and North Sikkim).

    As per the RFI, the procurement of these vehicles is under the ‘Make in India’ spirit. The RFI is meant for Indian vendors who either have the capability to manufacture on their own with 60 per cent indigenous content or can manufacture in a tie-up with some original equipment manufacturer but with more than 50 per cent indigenous content.

    The last date of acceptance of the RFI response is eight weeks from the date of pre-response vendor interaction. Tensions between the Indian Army and China’s People’s Liberation Army prevail along the Line of Actual Control with increased deployment. India has been sprucing up its infrastructure and inducting equipment along the area. The Chinese side has also been improving infrastructure on its side for a long time.

    The RFI is a means to seek information from vendors to explore the suitability of products available to meet the operational requirements of the services, and to formulate SQR, maintenance philosophy, and other contractual provisions.

  • Defence Bill in Parliament set to grant disciplinary, administrative powers to inter-services heads

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Aiming to devolve disciplinary and administrative powers to the head of inter-services Organisations (ISO), a parliamentary panel on defence has recommended that the inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, be passed and enacted as a statute, without any amendments.

    “In summation, the committee, while agreeing with the provisions of the bill, in no uncertain words recommend that the bill without any amendments be passed, enacted as a statute and the committee’s observations/recommendation be considered,” the Standing Committee on Defence said in its report.

    The Panel’s Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on the bill was presented to Lok Sabha on Friday and also laid in Rajya Sabha.

    The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 15 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Defence by the Speaker on April 24 for examination and report. It is a significant move as India has begun the process to re-organise and integrate its Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) into theatre commands.

    The restructuring of Military Commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through the establishment of joint or theatre commands in which the personnel of the three forces will serve together.

    Currently, personnel of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are governed in accordance with the provisions contained in their specific governing or regulatory Service Acts — the Army Act, 1950; the Navy Act, 1957; and the Air Force Act, 1950.

    “At the time of enactment of these respective Acts, most of the service organisations were largely comprised of personnel from a single service i.e. Either Army, Navy or Air Force. However, now there are numerous inter-services organisations such as Andaman and Nicobar Command, Strategic Forces Command, Defence Space Agency etc. And joint training establishments like National Defence Academy and National Defence College, where personnel of the armed forces and other forces serve together,” the committee added.

    Currently, the commander-in-chief or officer-in-command of the inter-services organisations is not empowered to exercise disciplinary/administrative powers over the personnel belonging to other services. Only officers of the respective services are empowered to exercise disciplinary powers over the service personnel under their respective Service Acts, the report said.

    “Accordingly, the officers serving in these organisations need to be reverted to their respective parent service units for exercising any disciplinary or administrative action,” it said.

    In view of the above, the Ministry of Defence has proposed to enact new legislation that is the inter-services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023.

    “The Bill seeks to empower the commander-in-chief and officer-in-command of inter-services organisations with all disciplinary and administrative powers in respect of personnel serving in or attached to such organisations/establishments,” it said. 

    The members of the committee have been mandated to present their report to Parliament by the last day of the first week of the ensuing Monsoon session. The session began on July 20 and is scheduled to end on August 11. 

    The committee found that “as per the Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the proposed bill will essentially be an enabling legislation, which will empower the heads of the inter-services organisations to exercise effective command, control and discipline on all personnel of regular Air Force, Army and Navy and to persons of other forces as notified by the central government, who are serving in or attached to an inter-services organisation, without amending the respective Acts.”

    Service personnel when serving in or attached to an inter-services organisation will “continue to be governed by their respective Service Acts”, it added.

    The panel prepared this report based on the background brief provided by the Ministry of Defence, the oral examination of the representatives of the ministry held on May 29 and post-evidence replies sought by the committee.

    NEW DELHI: Aiming to devolve disciplinary and administrative powers to the head of inter-services Organisations (ISO), a parliamentary panel on defence has recommended that the inter-services Organisations (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, be passed and enacted as a statute, without any amendments.

    “In summation, the committee, while agreeing with the provisions of the bill, in no uncertain words recommend that the bill without any amendments be passed, enacted as a statute and the committee’s observations/recommendation be considered,” the Standing Committee on Defence said in its report.

    The Panel’s Report (Seventeenth Lok Sabha) on the bill was presented to Lok Sabha on Friday and also laid in Rajya Sabha.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    The Inter-Services Organisation (Command, Control and Discipline) Bill, 2023, was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 15 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Defence by the Speaker on April 24 for examination and report. It is a significant move as India has begun the process to re-organise and integrate its Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) into theatre commands.

    The restructuring of Military Commands for optimal utilisation of resources by bringing about jointness in operations, including through the establishment of joint or theatre commands in which the personnel of the three forces will serve together.

    Currently, personnel of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force are governed in accordance with the provisions contained in their specific governing or regulatory Service Acts — the Army Act, 1950; the Navy Act, 1957; and the Air Force Act, 1950.

    “At the time of enactment of these respective Acts, most of the service organisations were largely comprised of personnel from a single service i.e. Either Army, Navy or Air Force. However, now there are numerous inter-services organisations such as Andaman and Nicobar Command, Strategic Forces Command, Defence Space Agency etc. And joint training establishments like National Defence Academy and National Defence College, where personnel of the armed forces and other forces serve together,” the committee added.

    Currently, the commander-in-chief or officer-in-command of the inter-services organisations is not empowered to exercise disciplinary/administrative powers over the personnel belonging to other services. Only officers of the respective services are empowered to exercise disciplinary powers over the service personnel under their respective Service Acts, the report said.

    “Accordingly, the officers serving in these organisations need to be reverted to their respective parent service units for exercising any disciplinary or administrative action,” it said.

    In view of the above, the Ministry of Defence has proposed to enact new legislation that is the inter-services Organisations (Command, Control & Discipline) Bill, 2023.

    “The Bill seeks to empower the commander-in-chief and officer-in-command of inter-services organisations with all disciplinary and administrative powers in respect of personnel serving in or attached to such organisations/establishments,” it said. 

    The members of the committee have been mandated to present their report to Parliament by the last day of the first week of the ensuing Monsoon session. The session began on July 20 and is scheduled to end on August 11. 

    The committee found that “as per the Objects and Reasons of the Bill, the proposed bill will essentially be an enabling legislation, which will empower the heads of the inter-services organisations to exercise effective command, control and discipline on all personnel of regular Air Force, Army and Navy and to persons of other forces as notified by the central government, who are serving in or attached to an inter-services organisation, without amending the respective Acts.”

    Service personnel when serving in or attached to an inter-services organisation will “continue to be governed by their respective Service Acts”, it added.

    The panel prepared this report based on the background brief provided by the Ministry of Defence, the oral examination of the representatives of the ministry held on May 29 and post-evidence replies sought by the committee.

  • India carries out successful training launch of Agni-1 ballistic missile 

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday carried out a successful training launch of the Agni-1 ballistic missile that validated all operational and technical parameters of the strategic weapon.

    The defence ministry said the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) carried out the missile launch from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

    “A successful training launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Agni-1, was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, on June 1,” it said in a statement.

    “The missile is a proven system, capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision. The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile,” it said.

    In the last two decades, India has been focusing on enhancing its strategic deterrent capability by developing various ballistic missiles, precision-guided munitions and related platforms.

    India has developed various variants of the Agni series of missiles.

    In December last, India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-V that can strike targets at ranges up to 5,000 km.

    The Agni 1 to 4 missiles have ranges from 700 km to 3,500 km and they have already been deployed.

    In April, India successfully carried out the maiden flight trial of an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile from a ship off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal as part of its ambitious ballistic missile defence programme.

    The purpose of the trial of the sea-based missile was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat, thereby elevating India into an elite club of nations having such a capability.

    The BMDs are capable of intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles and hostile aircraft including AWACS (airborne warning and control systems).

    India has been developing capabilities to intercept hostile ballistic missiles both inside and outside the earth’s atmospheric limits.

    NEW DELHI: India on Thursday carried out a successful training launch of the Agni-1 ballistic missile that validated all operational and technical parameters of the strategic weapon.

    The defence ministry said the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) carried out the missile launch from APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

    “A successful training launch of a medium-range ballistic missile, Agni-1, was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha, on June 1,” it said in a statement.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “The missile is a proven system, capable of striking targets with a very high degree of precision. The user training launch successfully validated all operational and technical parameters of the missile,” it said.

    In the last two decades, India has been focusing on enhancing its strategic deterrent capability by developing various ballistic missiles, precision-guided munitions and related platforms.

    India has developed various variants of the Agni series of missiles.

    In December last, India successfully test-fired nuclear-capable ballistic missile Agni-V that can strike targets at ranges up to 5,000 km.

    The Agni 1 to 4 missiles have ranges from 700 km to 3,500 km and they have already been deployed.

    In April, India successfully carried out the maiden flight trial of an endo-atmospheric interceptor missile from a ship off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal as part of its ambitious ballistic missile defence programme.

    The purpose of the trial of the sea-based missile was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat, thereby elevating India into an elite club of nations having such a capability.

    The BMDs are capable of intercepting incoming long-range nuclear missiles and hostile aircraft including AWACS (airborne warning and control systems).

    India has been developing capabilities to intercept hostile ballistic missiles both inside and outside the earth’s atmospheric limits.

  • Cabinet Committee on Security likely to seal Rafale-M deal today

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to clear the multi-billion dollar acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighters at its meeting on Wednesday.

    Sources said that the Indian Navy has expressed its preference for the French fighter aircraft Rafale Marine over US’ F-18 Super Hornet. A proposal for the purchase of Rafale Marine has been sent to the CCS.

    The Indian Air Force has already acquired 36 Rafale fighters. The commonality of the fleet and the resultant savings on training, repairs and maintenance have reportedly tilted the scale in favour of Dassault’s Rafale Marine. The two versions of the aircraft have over 80 per cent common features.

    These aircraft will be deployed on India’s indigenously developed aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. According to sources, the Ministry of Defence has worked out a comprehensive contract, including Performance-based Logistics, which will ensure that the Original Equipment Manufacturer will be responsible for the overall maintenance of the aircraft and the supply of spares. Dassault will also build a maintenance facility for the Rafales on INS Vikrant, besides one in Goa. The company will train the naval aviation ground crew, besides training the pilots.

    The fighters will be fully loaded with all maritime systems, including the maritime search radar that is capable of detecting submarines and warships in the sea. The price of the aircraft has not been revealed yet, but sources said it will be considerably lower than the IAF version. The government has decided to make the acquisition through an inter-governmental agreement rather than going in for an open tender.

    Rafale-M has been locked in a tight fight with Boeing’s Super Hornet. Sources said the Indian Navy brass was mighty impressed by the Rafale’s capabilities during a joint exercise in India recently and asked the ministry of defence to close the deal with the French vendor.

    The Indian Navy has been exploring options to replace its ageing MiG-29K as a short-term solution. India has been working on developing its own twin-engine deck-based fighters as a long-term solution to its need for carrier-based fighters. But since there are still some years before the aircraft is indigenously developed, the Navy has decided to go in for the acquisition to meet its requirement. The CCS includes the ministers for defence, home, finance, and external affairs and the national security advisor.

    NEW DELHI: The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to clear the multi-billion dollar acquisition of 26 Rafale Marine fighters at its meeting on Wednesday.

    Sources said that the Indian Navy has expressed its preference for the French fighter aircraft Rafale Marine over US’ F-18 Super Hornet. A proposal for the purchase of Rafale Marine has been sent to the CCS.

    The Indian Air Force has already acquired 36 Rafale fighters. The commonality of the fleet and the resultant savings on training, repairs and maintenance have reportedly tilted the scale in favour of Dassault’s Rafale Marine. The two versions of the aircraft have over 80 per cent common features.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    These aircraft will be deployed on India’s indigenously developed aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. According to sources, the Ministry of Defence has worked out a comprehensive contract, including Performance-based Logistics, which will ensure that the Original Equipment Manufacturer will be responsible for the overall maintenance of the aircraft and the supply of spares. Dassault will also build a maintenance facility for the Rafales on INS Vikrant, besides one in Goa. The company will train the naval aviation ground crew, besides training the pilots.

    The fighters will be fully loaded with all maritime systems, including the maritime search radar that is capable of detecting submarines and warships in the sea. The price of the aircraft has not been revealed yet, but sources said it will be considerably lower than the IAF version. The government has decided to make the acquisition through an inter-governmental agreement rather than going in for an open tender.

    Rafale-M has been locked in a tight fight with Boeing’s Super Hornet. Sources said the Indian Navy brass was mighty impressed by the Rafale’s capabilities during a joint exercise in India recently and asked the ministry of defence to close the deal with the French vendor.

    The Indian Navy has been exploring options to replace its ageing MiG-29K as a short-term solution. India has been working on developing its own twin-engine deck-based fighters as a long-term solution to its need for carrier-based fighters. But since there are still some years before the aircraft is indigenously developed, the Navy has decided to go in for the acquisition to meet its requirement. The CCS includes the ministers for defence, home, finance, and external affairs and the national security advisor.

  • India, Japan’s defence and security partnership to be strengthened during PM Kishida’s visit

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Strengthening of defence and strategic ties are on the cards, ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to India, say officials.

    The meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese PM on Monday comes at a significant time when the two countries have the Presidencies of the G20 and G7 respectively.

    Kishida is expected to map out the contours of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace” at the Sapru House Lecture organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).

    Defence and security cooperation has emerged as one of the important pillars of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership and an important factor in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The successful conduct of the first fighter jet exercise “Veer Guardian” in January 2023 in Japan between our two countries was a significant milestone. This was followed by the 4th Dharma Guardian army exercise that was conducted for the first time in Japan.

    Maritime security cooperation including Navy-to-Navy cooperation has seen significant progress with a large number of exercises being conducted. In November last year, India took part in the International Fleet Review in Japan and the Malabar exercise off the Coast of Japan. This was preceded by the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX)  between the navies of India and Japan in September.

    ALSO READ | Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to discuss bilateral, regional issues with Modi on India visit

    “We are making steady progress under the Defence Equipment and Technology Agreement signed in 2015,’’ said officials.

    The two Prime Ministers, Modi and Kishida, met thrice last year. Kishida visited India for the 14th Annual Summit in March, while PM Modi visited Tokyo in May for the Quad Summit and in September for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

    “This visit, therefore, gives us an opportunity to cooperate and discuss on how G20 and G7 can work together on converging our priorities on critical global issues including food and health security, energy transitions and economic security,’’ said sources.

    India and Japan have had a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) since 2011. The Agreement covers not only trade in goods but also services, movement of natural persons (MNP), investments, intellectual property rights, customs procedures and other trade-related issues.

    The bilateral trade between the two nations stood at $20.75 billion in 2022 which is the highest till now. Japan is India’s 5th largest investor and a large number of Japanese companies are exploring opportunities in India in several sectors. At present, there are around 1450 Japanese companies that are operating in India and until now 26 Japanese companies have benefited from Production Linked Incentive Schemes.

    Meanwhile, Japan is the largest bilateral donor to India and has been extending bilateral loans and grant assistance to India since 1958. Their loans have accelerated economic development, particularly in priority areas like power, transportation, and environmental projects in India.

    NEW DELHI: Strengthening of defence and strategic ties are on the cards, ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s visit to India, say officials.

    The meeting between PM Modi and the Japanese PM on Monday comes at a significant time when the two countries have the Presidencies of the G20 and G7 respectively.

    Kishida is expected to map out the contours of the “Free and Open Indo-Pacific Plan for Peace” at the Sapru House Lecture organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA).googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    Defence and security cooperation has emerged as one of the important pillars of the Special Strategic and Global Partnership and an important factor in ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The successful conduct of the first fighter jet exercise “Veer Guardian” in January 2023 in Japan between our two countries was a significant milestone. This was followed by the 4th Dharma Guardian army exercise that was conducted for the first time in Japan.

    Maritime security cooperation including Navy-to-Navy cooperation has seen significant progress with a large number of exercises being conducted. In November last year, India took part in the International Fleet Review in Japan and the Malabar exercise off the Coast of Japan. This was preceded by the Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX)  between the navies of India and Japan in September.

    ALSO READ | Japanese PM Fumio Kishida to discuss bilateral, regional issues with Modi on India visit

    “We are making steady progress under the Defence Equipment and Technology Agreement signed in 2015,’’ said officials.

    The two Prime Ministers, Modi and Kishida, met thrice last year. Kishida visited India for the 14th Annual Summit in March, while PM Modi visited Tokyo in May for the Quad Summit and in September for the state funeral of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

    “This visit, therefore, gives us an opportunity to cooperate and discuss on how G20 and G7 can work together on converging our priorities on critical global issues including food and health security, energy transitions and economic security,’’ said sources.

    India and Japan have had a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) since 2011. The Agreement covers not only trade in goods but also services, movement of natural persons (MNP), investments, intellectual property rights, customs procedures and other trade-related issues.

    The bilateral trade between the two nations stood at $20.75 billion in 2022 which is the highest till now. Japan is India’s 5th largest investor and a large number of Japanese companies are exploring opportunities in India in several sectors. At present, there are around 1450 Japanese companies that are operating in India and until now 26 Japanese companies have benefited from Production Linked Incentive Schemes.

    Meanwhile, Japan is the largest bilateral donor to India and has been extending bilateral loans and grant assistance to India since 1958. Their loans have accelerated economic development, particularly in priority areas like power, transportation, and environmental projects in India.

  • PM Albanese visits INS Vikrant, says Australia to host Exercise Malabar

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Reflecting the ascent in India-Australia ties Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday was accorded the guard of honour as the first foreign dignitary onboard the recently commissioned indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.    

    The Australian PM, who is on an official visit to India, was received onboard INS Vikrant by Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.

    Prime Minister Albanese in a statement said, “I am honoured to be here today on the newly-commissioned, Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”

    “I am pleased to announce formally, aboard the magnificent INS Vikrant, that later this year Australia will host Exercise Malabar for the first time and India will, also for the first time, participate in Australia’s Talisman Sabre exercise,” he said.

    Both countries have been unanimous with regards to the situation in the indo-pacific region.

    The Australian leader said, “A partnership that is of increasing strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together. For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity.”

    Adding that both countries “depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific for our trade and economic wellbeing,” Albanese said, “we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.”

    There has been a rise in military engagements between the two countries.

    Albanese added that 2023 will be “busier than ever” for our defence cooperation. “More important than these statistics is the sheer complexity and high-end nature of our military engagements, which is unprecedented,” he said.

    INS Vikrant Commissioned in September 2022, is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. With 76 per cent indigenous content, it is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India.

    The ship is designed for a crew of around 1,600 including women officers and sailors. The ship is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).

    NEW DELHI: Reflecting the ascent in India-Australia ties Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday was accorded the guard of honour as the first foreign dignitary onboard the recently commissioned indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.    

    The Australian PM, who is on an official visit to India, was received onboard INS Vikrant by Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar.

    Prime Minister Albanese in a statement said, “I am honoured to be here today on the newly-commissioned, Indian-designed and manufactured INS Vikrant at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi. My visit reflects my government’s commitment to place India at the heart of Australia’s approach to the Indo-Pacific and beyond.”googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “I am pleased to announce formally, aboard the magnificent INS Vikrant, that later this year Australia will host Exercise Malabar for the first time and India will, also for the first time, participate in Australia’s Talisman Sabre exercise,” he said.

    Both countries have been unanimous with regards to the situation in the indo-pacific region.

    The Australian leader said, “A partnership that is of increasing strategic importance as we navigate the challenges of our region together. For Australia, India is a top-tier security partner. The Indian Ocean is central to both countries’ security and prosperity.”

    Adding that both countries “depend on free and open access to sea lanes in the Indo-Pacific for our trade and economic wellbeing,” Albanese said, “we share an unwavering commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and ensuring the Indo-Pacific is open, inclusive and prosperous.”

    There has been a rise in military engagements between the two countries.

    Albanese added that 2023 will be “busier than ever” for our defence cooperation. “More important than these statistics is the sheer complexity and high-end nature of our military engagements, which is unprecedented,” he said.

    INS Vikrant Commissioned in September 2022, is designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited. With 76 per cent indigenous content, it is the largest ship ever built in the maritime history of India.

    The ship is designed for a crew of around 1,600 including women officers and sailors. The ship is capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31, MH-60R multi-role helicopters, in addition to indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) and Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) (Navy).

  • Aero India 2023: Design our Destiny should be India’s new mantra, says Defence Minister

    By PTI

    BENGALURU: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed confidence that India will soon be among the leading countries in the field of innovation and emerge as the “lighthouse” to the entire world.

    Speaking after inaugurating the annual defence innovation event ‘Manthan’ during Aero India here, he said, if we want to bring the next generation industrial revolution, then we should either do new things or try to do the existing things in a new way.

    “If we have to develop, then we have to redefine the competition. If we think of moving ahead with old technologies and old systems, then we will always be two centuries behind those countries (developed). That’s why today it is necessary that we think in new ways and move forward accordingly,” Singh said.

    Suggesting that we should try to do something new with the traditional things that are going on, he said, a great example of this is the UPI payment method developed in the country.

    “Moral of the story is that we should innovate. Innovation means thinking in a new way, which youth like you can do well,” he added.

    Noting that if we have to go ahead of other countries, it is necessary for “new people” and start-ups to come forward, the Minister said, in his view, a start-up means new energy, a new commitment, and new enthusiasm.

    ALSO READ | 75 per cent of defence capital for procurement from domestic firms: Rajnath

    Pointing at first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech on “Tryst with Destiny” on India becoming independent, he said, today, after 75 years of independence, we have got an opportunity to move forward on the path of ‘Design our Destiny.’

    “From now on, our mantra should be ‘Design our Destiny’, that is, we move forward towards the Design of our Destiny with our effort, abilities and resolve to build it,” Singh said.

    “Our destiny is to become the world’s top economy in the coming 25 years; Our destiny is to become the Science & Technology superpower of the world,” he said, adding that ‘Amrit Kaal’ is the best time for this, and youth are the best designers and developers of the country’s destiny.

    Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Manthan platform brings leading innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, incubators, academia and investors from the defence & aerospace ecosystem under one roof.

    ALSO READ | India brings out its best metal birds at Aero India 2023

    Highlighting that the environment that has been created for start-ups in the country in the last few years is no less than a boon for our youth, the Minister said, seven-eight years ago the number of start-ups in the country could be counted on fingers, but today their number has reached more than one lakh.

    More than a hundred unicorns have been set up by the youth of the country. This not only tells the importance of the newly created start-up ecosystem in our country, but also showcases the new enthusiasm among our youth, and the passion among them to do something new, he said.

    Speaking about new innovations and innovative spirit among the youth, Singh said, “I’m fully confident that soon our country will be among the leading countries in the world with respect to innovations, and like in the past, in the future too India will emerge as the lighthouse to the entire world.

    “iDEX has so far introduced hundreds of innovators to the market, he said, adding that thus thousands of skilled and semi-skilled Indians have been helped in direct and indirect employment generation. The Defence Ministry has also approved a simplified, and fast-track procedure for procurement from iDEX start-ups and MSMEs,” the Minister said.

    iDEX has opened avenues for achieving self-reliance in the defence ecosystem.

    “In order to encourage our new entrepreneurs for the development of larger projects, we have decided to increase the grants given so far,” he said, adding that this shows the government’s support for the hard work, dedication, and encouragement of our innovators and start-ups.

    ALSO READ | Aero India 2023: Aim is to take defence exports to USD 5 billion by 2025, says PM

    BENGALURU: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed confidence that India will soon be among the leading countries in the field of innovation and emerge as the “lighthouse” to the entire world.

    Speaking after inaugurating the annual defence innovation event ‘Manthan’ during Aero India here, he said, if we want to bring the next generation industrial revolution, then we should either do new things or try to do the existing things in a new way.

    “If we have to develop, then we have to redefine the competition. If we think of moving ahead with old technologies and old systems, then we will always be two centuries behind those countries (developed). That’s why today it is necessary that we think in new ways and move forward accordingly,” Singh said.

    Suggesting that we should try to do something new with the traditional things that are going on, he said, a great example of this is the UPI payment method developed in the country.

    “Moral of the story is that we should innovate. Innovation means thinking in a new way, which youth like you can do well,” he added.

    Noting that if we have to go ahead of other countries, it is necessary for “new people” and start-ups to come forward, the Minister said, in his view, a start-up means new energy, a new commitment, and new enthusiasm.

    ALSO READ | 75 per cent of defence capital for procurement from domestic firms: Rajnath

    Pointing at first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru’s speech on “Tryst with Destiny” on India becoming independent, he said, today, after 75 years of independence, we have got an opportunity to move forward on the path of ‘Design our Destiny.’

    “From now on, our mantra should be ‘Design our Destiny’, that is, we move forward towards the Design of our Destiny with our effort, abilities and resolve to build it,” Singh said.

    “Our destiny is to become the world’s top economy in the coming 25 years; Our destiny is to become the Science & Technology superpower of the world,” he said, adding that ‘Amrit Kaal’ is the best time for this, and youth are the best designers and developers of the country’s destiny.

    Organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), the Manthan platform brings leading innovators, start-ups, MSMEs, incubators, academia and investors from the defence & aerospace ecosystem under one roof.

    ALSO READ | India brings out its best metal birds at Aero India 2023

    Highlighting that the environment that has been created for start-ups in the country in the last few years is no less than a boon for our youth, the Minister said, seven-eight years ago the number of start-ups in the country could be counted on fingers, but today their number has reached more than one lakh.

    More than a hundred unicorns have been set up by the youth of the country. This not only tells the importance of the newly created start-up ecosystem in our country, but also showcases the new enthusiasm among our youth, and the passion among them to do something new, he said.

    Speaking about new innovations and innovative spirit among the youth, Singh said, “I’m fully confident that soon our country will be among the leading countries in the world with respect to innovations, and like in the past, in the future too India will emerge as the lighthouse to the entire world.

    “iDEX has so far introduced hundreds of innovators to the market, he said, adding that thus thousands of skilled and semi-skilled Indians have been helped in direct and indirect employment generation. The Defence Ministry has also approved a simplified, and fast-track procedure for procurement from iDEX start-ups and MSMEs,” the Minister said.

    iDEX has opened avenues for achieving self-reliance in the defence ecosystem.

    “In order to encourage our new entrepreneurs for the development of larger projects, we have decided to increase the grants given so far,” he said, adding that this shows the government’s support for the hard work, dedication, and encouragement of our innovators and start-ups.

    ALSO READ | Aero India 2023: Aim is to take defence exports to USD 5 billion by 2025, says PM

  • Uttar Pradesh: Amethi’s Korwa unit begins production of AK-203 assault rifles

    Express News Service

    LUCKNOW: The manufacturing unit of the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) situated at Korwa in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh has started the production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

    Last week, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande had claimed that the first batch of 5,000 AK-203 rifles would be delivered to the Army by March, this year.

    Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, the Russian partner, confirmed it by saying that Korwa Ordnance factory in Amethi has produced the first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles.

    The IRRPL was set up jointly between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern in 2019. Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern are the subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation.

    While issuing a statement on Tuesday, Alexander Mikheev said: “The beginning of deliveries to the Indian Army is expected soon. At the same time, the Korwa Ordnance factory’s capacity makes it possible to fully equip the personnel of other law enforcement agencies in India with AK-203 assault rifles.”

    He also claimed that the joint venture would also be able to export the rifles to other countries.

    Besides retaining all the advantages of the traditional AK scheme in terms of reliability, and durability coupled with ease of maintenance, the AK-2000 series assault rifles also meet the latest requirements for firearms in terms of ergonomics and the ability to mount high-tech additional equipment, the statement added.

    In consonance with the ‘Make In India’ initiative of the Government of India, the Russian partner claimed that it aimed at cooperating with its Indian counterpart in terms of transfer of technology. “With the launch of series production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to enter service with India’s defence and law enforcement agencies,” said Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec.

    “The model combines excellent ergonomics, adaptability to different shooters and high-performance characteristics, it is one of the best assault rifles in the world,” he added.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a new manufacturing unit of the AK-203 assault rifle, the latest derivative of the legendary AK-47 rifle, at Korwa in March 2019.

    The government of India had given its go-ahead to the manufacturing of the initial batch of 5 lakh rifles in 2021.

    The joint venture plans to ensure 100% localisation of the production of AK-203 rifles in India and in future may also increase output and upgrade its production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform, the statement further added. 

    LUCKNOW: The manufacturing unit of the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) situated at Korwa in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh has started the production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

    Last week, Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande had claimed that the first batch of 5,000 AK-203 rifles would be delivered to the Army by March, this year.

    Alexander Mikheev, Director General of Rosoboronexport, the Russian partner, confirmed it by saying that Korwa Ordnance factory in Amethi has produced the first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles.

    The IRRPL was set up jointly between Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited (AWEIL) and Munitions India Limited (MIL) of India and Rosoboronexport (RoE) and Russia’s Kalashnikov Concern in 2019. Rosoboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern are the subsidiaries of Rostec State Corporation.

    While issuing a statement on Tuesday, Alexander Mikheev said: “The beginning of deliveries to the Indian Army is expected soon. At the same time, the Korwa Ordnance factory’s capacity makes it possible to fully equip the personnel of other law enforcement agencies in India with AK-203 assault rifles.”

    He also claimed that the joint venture would also be able to export the rifles to other countries.

    Besides retaining all the advantages of the traditional AK scheme in terms of reliability, and durability coupled with ease of maintenance, the AK-2000 series assault rifles also meet the latest requirements for firearms in terms of ergonomics and the ability to mount high-tech additional equipment, the statement added.

    In consonance with the ‘Make In India’ initiative of the Government of India, the Russian partner claimed that it aimed at cooperating with its Indian counterpart in terms of transfer of technology. “With the launch of series production of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles, high-quality, convenient and modern small arms will begin to enter service with India’s defence and law enforcement agencies,” said Sergey Chemezov, General Director of Rostec.

    “The model combines excellent ergonomics, adaptability to different shooters and high-performance characteristics, it is one of the best assault rifles in the world,” he added.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of a new manufacturing unit of the AK-203 assault rifle, the latest derivative of the legendary AK-47 rifle, at Korwa in March 2019.

    The government of India had given its go-ahead to the manufacturing of the initial batch of 5 lakh rifles in 2021.

    The joint venture plans to ensure 100% localisation of the production of AK-203 rifles in India and in future may also increase output and upgrade its production facilities to manufacture advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform, the statement further added. 

  • Congress loses chairmanship of parliamentary committee on IT, Home; 6 key panels with BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

  • Congress loses chairmanship of parliamentary committee on IT, Home; 6 key panels with BJP

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.

    NEW DELHI: Opposition parties have not been given the chairmanship of any of the four key parliamentary panels including the committee on Home Affairs and Information Technology, which were with the Congress, in the latest rejig announced on Tuesday.

    With this, the chair of six major parliamentary committees — Home, IT, Defence, External Affairs, Finance and Health — all are with the BJP and its allies.

    Congress MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi has been replaced by BJP MP and retired IPS officer Brij Lal as the chairman of the Parliamentary Standing committee on Home Affairs.

    Congress MP Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting the party’s presidential polls, has been replaced by Prataprao Jadhav, a Shiv Sena MP from the Shinde faction, as the head of the Parliamentary Panel on Information Technology.

    The Trinamool Congress, which had the chair of the Parliamentary Panel on Food and Consumer Affairs, has not been given the chairmanship of any parliamentary committee after the reshuffle.

    “TMC is the third largest party in Parliament, also the second largest opposition party does not get a single chairmanship. The largest opposition party loses two crucial chairmanships of Standing committees. This is the stark reality of New India,” TMC leader in Rajya Sabha Derek O’Brien said in a statement.

    Samajwadi Party leader Ramgopal Yadav has been replaced as the chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Health and Family Welfare.

    The panel on food will be chaired by BJP MP Locket Chatterjee and Health by her party colleague Vivek Thakur.

    Also, the DMK has been given chairmanship of parliamentary panel on Industry which was till now with the TRS.