News Analysis India

Tag: Indian Navy

  • German delegation discusses ‘Challenges in the Indo Pacific’

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: A delegation of Germany’s Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) foundation led by Mr Jürgen Hardt, Member of German Parliament Bundestag on Thursday visited the Indian Navy’s important Western Naval Command (WNC).

    The Indian Navy in its official statement said, “During the visit, Mr Jürgen interacted with Vice Adm Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commander in Chief (FOCinC), WNC and discussed various issues of mutual interest, including challenges in the Indo-Pacific and the global arena.”

    “The CinC brought out the Hon’ble PM’s vision of SAGAR and also highlighted the opportunities created by Make in India for global business & industry leaders to collaborate/ invest in Indian growth.” The Navy added.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had in May stressed on the importance of free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific. Tension prevails in the South China Sea region as China has been staking a sovereign claim over the South China Sea which has been contested by countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

    Co Chairing the sixth round of Inter-Governmental Consultations held in Berlin in May they said jointly, “Both sides underlined the importance of unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in accordance with International Law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, in all maritime domains including in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.”

    Later, the delegation visited the Naval Heritage Museum and INS Trikand, a frontline warship of the Indian Navy. The four-member German delegation also visited the Naval Dockyard

    Indian Navy has two operational commands including the Western naval Command and Eastern Naval Command with the third being the Training Command. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh has the unique distinction of heading both the operational commands. Prior to taking charge of the Western Naval Command he was heading the Eastern naval Command.  

    NEW DELHI: A delegation of Germany’s Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) foundation led by Mr Jürgen Hardt, Member of German Parliament Bundestag on Thursday visited the Indian Navy’s important Western Naval Command (WNC).

    The Indian Navy in its official statement said, “During the visit, Mr Jürgen interacted with Vice Adm Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commander in Chief (FOCinC), WNC and discussed various issues of mutual interest, including challenges in the Indo-Pacific and the global arena.”

    “The CinC brought out the Hon’ble PM’s vision of SAGAR and also highlighted the opportunities created by Make in India for global business & industry leaders to collaborate/ invest in Indian growth.” The Navy added.

    Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz had in May stressed on the importance of free, open and inclusive Indo Pacific. Tension prevails in the South China Sea region as China has been staking a sovereign claim over the South China Sea which has been contested by countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, Brunei, Malaysia and the Philippines.

    Co Chairing the sixth round of Inter-Governmental Consultations held in Berlin in May they said jointly, “Both sides underlined the importance of unimpeded commerce and freedom of navigation in accordance with International Law, notably the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, in all maritime domains including in the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea.”

    Later, the delegation visited the Naval Heritage Museum and INS Trikand, a frontline warship of the Indian Navy. The four-member German delegation also visited the Naval Dockyard

    Indian Navy has two operational commands including the Western naval Command and Eastern Naval Command with the third being the Training Command. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh has the unique distinction of heading both the operational commands. Prior to taking charge of the Western Naval Command he was heading the Eastern naval Command.  

  • Ambiguity continues over status of Navy’s third aircraft carrier

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The ambiguity over Indian Navy’s third aircraft carrier continues even as China is adding to its maritime might. The Navy has been strongly pushing for a third aircraft carrier. The proposed indigenous aircraft carrier-2 (IAC-2, expected to be 65-70,000 tonnes) will supplement INS Vikramaditya (46,000 tonnes), and INS Vikrant, the 44,500-tonne IAC-1 that is expected to join service this month after almost a six-year delay.

    The Navy has been maintaining the three carriers-based force structure so that it can operate two of them in maritime zones on each side of the Indian coastline — eastern and western coasts. This can only happen when the Navy has three carriers as one can be used as a substitute when either of the first two undergoes maintenance. 

    Aircraft carriers are known to have lengthy maintenance schedules. The cycle of maintenance can lead to an absence of a carrier for years, as has been the case with the refit of India’s lone Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya which started in the beginning of 2021 and still continues. It has been delayed due to a fire onboard in July.

    With one aircraft carrier still under maintenance and one yet to be inducted, the Indian Navy will be operating without one for some more time. 

    This is the state of affairs when China has been successful beating deadlines in adding to its military might. It started manufacturing its first aircraft carrier in 2012 and commissioned its third indigenous one, Fujian, in June this year.

    China has become the biggest Navy with 355 warships and submarines while India’s total fleet strength is 130. “Keeping in mind our pace, even if we take a decision on the carrier today, it will take over a year to begin the process of manufacturing,” said a defence source.

    NEW DELHI: The ambiguity over Indian Navy’s third aircraft carrier continues even as China is adding to its maritime might. The Navy has been strongly pushing for a third aircraft carrier. The proposed indigenous aircraft carrier-2 (IAC-2, expected to be 65-70,000 tonnes) will supplement INS Vikramaditya (46,000 tonnes), and INS Vikrant, the 44,500-tonne IAC-1 that is expected to join service this month after almost a six-year delay.

    The Navy has been maintaining the three carriers-based force structure so that it can operate two of them in maritime zones on each side of the Indian coastline — eastern and western coasts. This can only happen when the Navy has three carriers as one can be used as a substitute when either of the first two undergoes maintenance. 

    Aircraft carriers are known to have lengthy maintenance schedules. The cycle of maintenance can lead to an absence of a carrier for years, as has been the case with the refit of India’s lone Aircraft Carrier INS Vikramaditya which started in the beginning of 2021 and still continues. It has been delayed due to a fire onboard in July.

    With one aircraft carrier still under maintenance and one yet to be inducted, the Indian Navy will be operating without one for some more time. 

    This is the state of affairs when China has been successful beating deadlines in adding to its military might. It started manufacturing its first aircraft carrier in 2012 and commissioned its third indigenous one, Fujian, in June this year.

    China has become the biggest Navy with 355 warships and submarines while India’s total fleet strength is 130. “Keeping in mind our pace, even if we take a decision on the carrier today, it will take over a year to begin the process of manufacturing,” said a defence source.

  • India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ handed over to Indian Navy

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: Indian Navy took the delivery of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi on Thursday.

    “Indian Navy has created maritime history today by taking delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (AC) ‘Vikrant from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. Designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war. Coinciding with the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the reincarnation of Vikrant is a true testimony to the country’s zeal and fervour in pursuing capability build up towards enhanced maritime security,” said the Indian Navy.

    The 262-meter-long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and more advanced than her predecessor.

    The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totalling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots. Built at an overall cost of close to Rs 20,000 crores, the project has been progressed in three Phases of contract between MoD and CSL, concluded in May 2007, Dec 2014 and Oct 2019 respectively. The ship’s keel was laid in Feb 2009, followed by launching in Aug 2013.

    With an overall indigenous content of 76 per cent, IAC is a perfect example of the nation’s quest for “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and provides a thrust to Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. With the delivery of Vikrant, India has joined a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier.

    Vikrant has been built with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, and has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. The ship would be capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of 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). Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing), the IAC is equipped with a ski- jump for launching aircraft, and a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.

    The ship has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country viz. BEL, BHEL, GRSE, Keltron, Kirloskar, Larsen & Toubro, Wartsila India etc. as well as over 100 MSMEs. The indigenisation efforts have also led to the development of ancillary industries, besides the generation of employment opportunities and bolstering plough back effect on the economy, both locally as well as pan-India.

    A major spin-off of this is the development and production of indigenous warship-grade steel for the ship through a partnership between the Navy, DRDO and Steel Authority of India (SAIL), which has enabled the country to become self-sufficient with respect to warship steel. Today all the warships being built in the country are being manufactured using indigenous steel, added the Navy.

    Several design iterations, including the use of 3D Virtual Reality models and advanced engineering software, were used by the Directorate of Naval Design in shaping the design of the carrier. CSL had also upgraded their shipbuilding infrastructure as well as enhanced productivity skills during the building of the ship.

    Delivery of Vikrant was marked by the signing of acceptance documents on behalf of the Indian Navy by the Commanding Officer Designate of Vikrant, representatives of Naval Headquarters and Warship Overseeing Team (Kochi) and by the Chairman and Managing Director on behalf of Cochin Shipyard Ltd., in the presence of Senior officers of Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard.

    Vikrant has been delivered to the Indian Navy by CSL following extensive user acceptance trials conducted between Aug 2021 and Jul 2022, during which ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, PGD, auxiliary equipment, aviation facilities, weapon & sensors as well as sea keeping & manoeuvring capabilities were proved satisfactory in accordance with trial protocols and system parameters.

    The delivery of Vikrant today is the culmination of a long design, build and trials phase, during which both the Indian Navy and CSL had to overcome a multitude of unprecedented technical and logistic challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and changed geo-political scenario.

    The successful delivery of the indigenous carrier, a major milestone activity and historical event, is testimony to the dedicated efforts of large number of stakeholders within Indian Navy, shipyard, industry, OEMs & MSMEs for over two decades, claimed the Navy.

    The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant which would bolster India’s position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its quest for a blue water Navy. 

    NEW DELHI: Indian Navy took the delivery of the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier ‘Vikrant’ from Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) in Kochi on Thursday.

    “Indian Navy has created maritime history today by taking delivery of the prestigious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (AC) ‘Vikrant from her builder Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. Designed by the Indian Navy’s in-house Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and built by CSL, a Public Sector Shipyard under the Ministry of Shipping (MoS), the carrier is christened after her illustrious predecessor, India’s first Aircraft Carrier which played a vital role in the 1971 war. Coinciding with the celebrations to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s independence ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the reincarnation of Vikrant is a true testimony to the country’s zeal and fervour in pursuing capability build up towards enhanced maritime security,” said the Indian Navy.

    The 262-meter-long carrier has a full displacement of close to 45,000 tonnes which is much larger and more advanced than her predecessor.

    The ship is powered by four Gas Turbines totalling 88 MW power and has a maximum speed of 28 Knots. Built at an overall cost of close to Rs 20,000 crores, the project has been progressed in three Phases of contract between MoD and CSL, concluded in May 2007, Dec 2014 and Oct 2019 respectively. The ship’s keel was laid in Feb 2009, followed by launching in Aug 2013.

    With an overall indigenous content of 76 per cent, IAC is a perfect example of the nation’s quest for “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” and provides a thrust to Government’s ‘Make in India’ initiative. With the delivery of Vikrant, India has joined a select group of nations having the niche capability to indigenously design and build an Aircraft Carrier.

    Vikrant has been built with a high degree of automation for machinery operation, ship navigation and survivability, and has been designed to accommodate an assortment of fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. The ship would be capable of operating an air wing consisting of 30 aircraft comprising of 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). Using a novel aircraft-operation mode known as STOBAR (Short Take-Off but Arrested Landing), the IAC is equipped with a ski- jump for launching aircraft, and a set of ‘arrester wires’ for their recovery onboard.

    The ship has a large number of indigenous equipment and machinery, involving major industrial houses in the country viz. BEL, BHEL, GRSE, Keltron, Kirloskar, Larsen & Toubro, Wartsila India etc. as well as over 100 MSMEs. The indigenisation efforts have also led to the development of ancillary industries, besides the generation of employment opportunities and bolstering plough back effect on the economy, both locally as well as pan-India.

    A major spin-off of this is the development and production of indigenous warship-grade steel for the ship through a partnership between the Navy, DRDO and Steel Authority of India (SAIL), which has enabled the country to become self-sufficient with respect to warship steel. Today all the warships being built in the country are being manufactured using indigenous steel, added the Navy.

    Several design iterations, including the use of 3D Virtual Reality models and advanced engineering software, were used by the Directorate of Naval Design in shaping the design of the carrier. CSL had also upgraded their shipbuilding infrastructure as well as enhanced productivity skills during the building of the ship.

    Delivery of Vikrant was marked by the signing of acceptance documents on behalf of the Indian Navy by the Commanding Officer Designate of Vikrant, representatives of Naval Headquarters and Warship Overseeing Team (Kochi) and by the Chairman and Managing Director on behalf of Cochin Shipyard Ltd., in the presence of Senior officers of Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard.

    Vikrant has been delivered to the Indian Navy by CSL following extensive user acceptance trials conducted between Aug 2021 and Jul 2022, during which ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, PGD, auxiliary equipment, aviation facilities, weapon & sensors as well as sea keeping & manoeuvring capabilities were proved satisfactory in accordance with trial protocols and system parameters.

    The delivery of Vikrant today is the culmination of a long design, build and trials phase, during which both the Indian Navy and CSL had to overcome a multitude of unprecedented technical and logistic challenges including the COVID-19 pandemic and changed geo-political scenario.

    The successful delivery of the indigenous carrier, a major milestone activity and historical event, is testimony to the dedicated efforts of large number of stakeholders within Indian Navy, shipyard, industry, OEMs & MSMEs for over two decades, claimed the Navy.

    The Indigenous Aircraft Carrier would soon be commissioned into the Indian Navy as Indian Naval Ship (INS) Vikrant which would bolster India’s position in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and its quest for a blue water Navy. 

  • Incident of fire onboard Navy’s aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: An incident of fire took place on Wednesday on board the sole operating aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. Luckily there has been no loss of life.

    The Indian Navy in its official statement said, “During a planned sortie for the conduct of trials at sea, an incident of fire was reported onboard INS Vikramaditya today 20 Jul 22. The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew using onboard firefighting systems. No casualties have been reported.”

    The ship was operating off Karwar.

    The Navy has ordered a board of inquiry to investigate the incident.

    The 44,500 tonnes INS Vikramaditya is the most potent warship serving with the Navy which carries the complement MiG 29K maritime fighter along with the different types of helicopters.

    NEW DELHI: An incident of fire took place on Wednesday on board the sole operating aircraft carrier of the Indian Navy. Luckily there has been no loss of life.

    The Indian Navy in its official statement said, “During a planned sortie for the conduct of trials at sea, an incident of fire was reported onboard INS Vikramaditya today 20 Jul 22. The fire was brought under control by the ship’s crew using onboard firefighting systems. No casualties have been reported.”

    The ship was operating off Karwar.

    The Navy has ordered a board of inquiry to investigate the incident.

    The 44,500 tonnes INS Vikramaditya is the most potent warship serving with the Navy which carries the complement MiG 29K maritime fighter along with the different types of helicopters.

  • Brazil holds discussion with India on maintenance of submarines

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: In a positive addition to the nascent Indian defence industry, discussions on the maintenance of submarines was held by Brazil on Monday.

    The discussion took place as a Brazilian Navy delegation led by Vice Admiral (Adm) Liberal Enio Zanelatto, Director of Industrial Production and Engineering, called on Vice Adm Ajendra Bahadur Singh, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command in Mumbai.

    The Indian Navy in a statement said, “During the two-day visit, the Brazilian delegation held extensive discussions with the Indian Navy counterparts with focus on maintenance of submarines. As part of the visit, the delegation also visited Mazagon Docks Shipbuilders Ltd. (MDL) and a Kalvari (Scorpene) class submarine of the Indian Navy.”

    MDL is involved in manufacturing six conventional Scorpene (Project 75) jointly with the Naval Group of France. The sixth and last submarine of the Indian Navy’s Kalvari class submarines was launched in April this year.

    The Brazilian Navy also operates 4 Scorpene-class submarines and is exploring options for collaboration towards the maintenance of the diesel-electric attack submarines.

    During the talks in Mumbai Vice Admirals Liberal Enio Zanelatto and AB Singh discussed various issues of common interest, including defence and submarines technology, Make in India, initiatives towards professional cooperation between the navies, and the outlook of the Indian Navy towards shared maritime interests with all like-minded navies/ nations.

    India has put an impetus towards increasing its exports of defence equipment and services.

    It was in January this year that India had bagged a major defence contract. The Philippines approved a $374.96 million (Rs 2700 cr) contract for the purchase of a shore-based Brahmos anti-ship missile system from India.

    Sanjay Jaju, Additional Secretary in the Department of Defence Production (DDP)recently said that India’s Defence Exports touched a high of Rs 13,000 cr in 2021-22. The Private sector industries have been dominating the defence-related exports.

    India’s defence exports were worth ₹8,434 crore in 2020-21, ₹9,115 crore in 2019-20 and ₹2,059 crore in 2015-16. It was Rs 1,941 crore in financial year 2014-15.

  • Indigenous Aircraft Carrier’s fourth phase sea trials successfully completed

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Moving ahead towards the commissioning of the ambitious Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC), the fourth phase of Sea Trials for IAC was successfully completed on Sunday.

    The Indian Navy in its statement said, “During the sea Trials integrated trials of the majority of equipment and systems onboard including some of the Aviation Facilities Complex equipment were undertaken.”

    The ship’s delivery is being targeted at the end of July 22, followed by commissioning of the ship in August 2022.  

    The ship has been designed indigenously and is being constructed by the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard Limited with more than 76% indigenous content, the navy added.

    “This has led to growth in indigenous design and construction capabilities, besides development of a large number of ancillary industries, with employment opportunities for over 2000 CSL personnel and about 12000 employees in ancillary industries.” The Navy said.

    Maiden Sea Trials of IAC were successfully completed in August 2021. This was followed by second and third phases of Sea Trials on Oct 21 and Jan 22 respectively.  During these three phases of Sea Trials, endurance testing of propulsion machinery, electrical and electronic suites, deck machinery, life saving appliances, ship’s Navigation and Communication systems was undertaken.

    As reported earlier, INS Vikrant will be weighing around 40,000 tonnes and its fighters will operate on Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (STOBAR) mechanism similar to the present carrier INS Vikramaditya with an angular ski-jump. Helicopters will also be part of its aviation complement.

    Indian Navy plans to operate three carrier battle groups (CBG) with one each on the Eastern and Western Sea boards and third one under maintenance (refit/repair).

  • Around 20 per cent of naval ‘Agniveers’ this year will be women

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Around 20 per cent of the ‘Agniveers’ to be inducted by the Indian Navy this year will be women, Navy officials said on Tuesday.

    The Navy plans to recruit about 3,000 personnel this year under the ‘Agnipath’ recruitment scheme and has started the registration process for the aspirants on July 1.

    The Navy will recruit women sailors for the first time through the new scheme. “Twenty per cent of the naval Agniveers will be women subject to their meeting required criteria,” said a senior Navy official.

    The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, seeks to recruit youths between the age bracket of 17-and-half years to 21 for only four years with a provision to retain 25 per cent of them for 15 more years.

    For 2022, the upper age limit has been extended to 23 years. Under the scheme, the three services are set to recruit 46,000 personnel this year and the number is going to increase in the coming years.

    The Navy has already announced that the application window would be available from July 15 to 30 and examination and physical fitness tests would be held in mid-October.

    It said the first batch of recruits will join the training programme at INS Chilka in Odisha by November 21. There were violent protests for days in many parts of the country after the new military recruitment model was unveiled. The Supreme Court is likely to hear next week the pleas challenging the ‘Agnipath’ scheme.

  • Indian Navy proposes to develop 75 new indigenous technology and products

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: In an ambitious move towards indigenisation the Indian Navy has proposed that at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products may be developed and inducted into the Navy in the coming year.

    This is planned to be a part of the ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to celebrate the 75th year of independence, Indian Navy on Monday said, “A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO) and the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) to work on a collaborative project named SPRINT (Supporting Pole-Vaulting in Research & Development) through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC).”

    “The Indian Navy in conjunction with DIO shall be unveiling the problem statements for Indian Industries as part of iDEX (SPRINT) during the NIIO Seminar ‘Swavlamban 2022’ scheduled on 18-19 July in New Delhi,” the navy added.

    The purpose of the Seminar is to engage the Indian Industry and Academia towards achieving ‘Self-reliance in Defence Sector’.

    Defence Acquisition Policy (DAP 2020) envisages the creation of ‘Innovation and Indigenisation Organisations (IIOs)’ within the Headquarters of the Army, Air Force and Navy. Accordingly, the ‘Naval Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation’ (NIIO) was launched on 13 Aug 20 by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri.

    The NIIO is a three-tiered mechanism headed by the Vice Chief of Naval Staff. At the apex level, the Naval Technology Acceleration Council (NTAC) has been constituted to bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and accelerate the induction of disruptive combat technology into the Navy so as to enhance war fighting capabilities.

    NTAC meets every six months and gives apex-level directives. It consists of ex-officio members as well as nominated members of proven technical expertise and standing, both from within the Indian Navy and civilians/scientists/industry.

    The Naval Innovation & Indigenisation Organisation Working Group (NIIO WG) meets every two months and has been set up for seamless interactions across the Navy and with the MoD as envisaged in the DAP. The NIIO WG also functions as the Working level Committee of the NTAC. Meetings of the Working Group are co-chaired by the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Staff Requirements)/ Assistant Chief of Material (Modernisation) as the lead sponsors of combat capability development.

    A dedicated organisation focused on innovation named the TDAC has also been created within the NIIO. Interacting with the academia and the industry, in addition to channelling in-house innovations by naval personnel is a part of its charter of duties.

  • India successfully test-fires VL-SRSAM missile from Indian Naval Ship off Odisha coast

    By ANI

    ODISHA: India on Friday successfully test-fired the Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) from an Indian Naval Ship (INS) off the coast of Chandipur in Odisha.

    “Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile (VL-SRSAM) is successfully flight tested today by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy. The launch was conducted from the Indian Naval Ship, off the Coast of Chandipur, Odisha,” said a DRDO official.

    VL-SRSAM, a ship-borne weapon system is meant for neutralising various aerial threats at close ranges including sea-skimming targets. Today’s launch of the system was conducted against a high-speed aerial target mimicking aircraft, which was successfully engaged.

    The flight path of the vehicle along with health parameters were monitored using a number of tracking instruments deployed by ITR, Chandipur. The test launch was monitored by senior officials from DRDO and the Indian Navy.

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has also congratulated DRDO, the Indian Navy and the industry for the successful flight test and stated that the system added armour that will further enhance the defence capability of Indian Naval Ships against aerial threats.

    Congratulations to DRDO, Indian Navy & the industry for the successful flight test of Vertical Launch Short Range Surface to Air Missile off the coast of Chandipur, Odisha. This success will further enhance the defence capability of Indian Naval Ships against the aerial threats. pic.twitter.com/ltkUyhm0iR
    — Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) June 24, 2022
    Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R Hari Kumar appreciated the Indian Navy and DRDO for the successful flight test of the VL-SRSAM and said that the development of this indigenous missile system will further strengthen the defensive capabilities of the Indian Navy.

    Secretary, DDR&D and Chairman DRDO, Dr G Satheesh Reddy complimented the teams involved in the successful flight test and said that this test has proved the integration of indigenous weapon system onboard Indian Naval Ships.

    Further, he added that it will prove to be a force multiplier for the Indian Navy and is another milestone towards Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of AtmaNirbhar Bharat.

  • Agnipath scheme: Amidst protests, Government issues clarification to bust the Myths

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As the violent protest against Agnipath, the new recruitment scheme for the Armed Forces, the government on Thursday issued a clarification on the Myths and Facts on Agnipath Program saying that the new scheme will not only open several avenues but will also bring financial support and also priority to join Central Armed Police Forces. 

    The clarification also touched upon the issues like operational effectiveness, regimental systems and the myth that the scheme was implemented without consultation with the serving armed forces officers.

    There will be a financial package of around Rs 11.71 lakh to be given to each of the recruits at the end of the four-year tenure from the ‘Seva Nidhi Package’, which will provide financial independence to the youths and even help them to venture into entrepreneurship.

    Under the new scheme, the Army is expected to induct around 40,000 soldiers, the Navy is expected to intake around 3,000 sailors and the IAF is set to recruit 3,000 airmen this year.  

    Myth: Future of Agniveers is insecure

    Facts: For those wishing to be entrepreneurs – they will get a financial package and bank loan scheme. For those wishing to study further- they will be given a 12 class equivalent certificate and bridging course for further studies.

    For those wishing to obtain jobs- they will be given priority in CAPFs and State Police. Several avenues are also being opened up for them in other sectors.

    Myth: Opportunities for youth will decrease as a result of Agnipath

    Facts: Opportunities for youth to serve in armed forces will increase. In the coming years, recruitment of Agniveers will be around triple of the current recruitment in the armed forces.

    Myth: Regimental bonding will be affected

    Facts: No change is being done to the Regimental system. In Fact it will be further accentuated because the best of Agniveers will be selected, further boosting cohesiveness of the unit.

    Myth: This will harm the effectiveness of the Armed Forces

    Facts: Such a short-term enlistment system exists in most countries and hence is already tested out and considered best practice for a youthful and agile army.

    The numbers of Agniveers to be recruited in the first year would only make up 3% of the armed forces.

    Additionally, the performance of the Agniveers will be tested before re-induction in the army after four years. Hence Army will get tested and tried personnel for supervisory ranks.

    Myth: 21-year-olds are immature and unreliable for the army

    Facts: Most armies across the world depend upon their youths.

    At no point of time will there be more youngsters than experienced people. The present scheme will only bring about a right mix of 50%-50%, slowly in the very long run, of youngsters and experienced supervisory ranks.

    Myth: Agniveers will be a danger to society & join terrorists

    Facts: This is an insult to the ethos and values of the Indian armed forces.

    Youngsters who have worn the uniform for four years will remain committed to the country for the rest of their lives.

    Even now thousands retire from armed forces with skills etc. but there have not been any instances of them joining anti-national forces.

    Myth: No Consultation for former armed forces officers

    Facts: Extensive consultations with serving armed forces officers for the last two years.

    The proposal has been framed by the Department of Military Officers staffed by Military officers. The department itself is a creation of this government.

    Many former officers have recognized the advantages of the scheme and welcomed it.