- Current Affairs February 2019
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Current Affairs February 2019 - Defence
1 - To Build Six Submarines, Defence Ministry Approved Rs. 40,000 Crore
Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, the Defence Minister, has approved a project worth INR 40,000 crore for building six advance submarines. The project will be done under the government’s strategic partnership model to reinforce the Indian Navy’s underwater force levels.
The first project on ‘strategic partnership’ model is already cleared by the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) in the month of August last year. The first project worth INR 21,738 crores, was for the building of 111 naval utility helicopters (NUH) and replace the outdated navy’s fleet Chetak choppers (of French-design).
2 - For Maritime Search & Rescue Indian Coast Guard Signed MoU with AAI
Indian Coast Guard and the Airport Authority of India (AAI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at Coast Guard Regional Headquarters in Port Blair. The agreement is signed in the presence of Inspector General Maneesh Vishal Pathak, Commander Coast Guard Region (Andaman and Nicobar Islands).
The objective of the agreement is to have the coordination in the aeronautical and maritime search and rescue operations in the region. Besides, it is also intended to strengthen the mutual interactions, interoperability and validating the procedures during the conduct of search and rescue operations.
3 - Aerospace Industries of Israel Announced to Sign Agreement Worth $93 Million with Indian Navy
Israeli Aerospace Industries has announced to sign agreements worth USD 93 million with the Indian Navy and Cochin Shipyard. As per the agreement, the Israeli Aerospace Industries will provide Naval Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile systems to India.
Further, following the contracts, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) will provide complementary systems for the air defense system. In addition to this, it also will involve follow up orders for a range of maintenance and other services for various sub-systems of IAI’s advanced Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MSRAM) ADS.
4 - India Received 4 Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters from US
India has received its four Chinook Heavy Lift Helicopters at the Mundra Port in Gujarat from US. The Chinooks have the capability to airlift the M777 lightweight howitzers that the Indian Army is installing.
The delivery of four Chinook CH-47F (I) heavy lift helicopters are a part of the deal that India ordered in 2015. India had signed nearly a $3 billion deal with American aviation giant Boeing and the US government in September 2015 to buy 22 Apache and 15 Chinook choppers.
As per the report, the Chinook helicopters will be assembled first and then flown to the Chandigarh base of the Air Force. Here, it will become part of 126 Helicopter Flight, which is a unit that operates the last of the Mi-26 choppers.
5 - INS Trikand Participated in Cutlass Express 2019 Exercise
A front-line warship of the Indian Navy namely INS Trikand, has participated in a multinational training exercise ‘CUTLASS EXPRESS – 19’. It was held from January 27 to February 06, 2019.
During the exercise, Naval, Coast Guard and Marine Police personnel from different countries of East Africa, were jointly trained by mentors and seniors came from USA, India, and Netherlands. The Express exercise is also supported by international organizations including the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), Combined Maritime Force (CMF) and European Naval Forces (EUNAVFOR). Amidst, the Indian Navy has played a significant role in ‘CUTLASS EXPRESS – 19’. Indian Navy assisted in planning, coordination and execution.
The objectives of the exercise were to:
improve law enforcement capacity
promote regional security
progress inter-operability between the armed forces of the participating nations for the purpose of interdicting illegal maritime activity in the Western Indian Ocean.
6 - IAF carried out ‘Vayu Shakti’ exercise at Pokhran
On 16th of February, the Indian Air Force carried out a mega exercise at Pokhran near the border with Pakistan. In this exercise, all sorts of fighter jets and attack helicopters were used. It was in fact the power demonstration in response of Pulwama attack.
In this Vayu Shakti exercise, the IAF showcased fire power capability of indigenously-developed platforms such as Light Combat Aircraft Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter, and efficacy of the Akash. Akash is a surface-to-air missile. Astra, which is an air-to-air missile was also tested. The IAF also deployed the upgraded MiG-29 fighter jet in an air-to-ground role in this exercise.
7 - India Test Fired Surface-to-Air Missile “QRSAM” from Odisha
On February 26, India successfully test fired the short range Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM). It is tested from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, coast of Odisha.
QRSAM is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). It has strike range of 25 km to 30 km and it has the capability of multiple targets. It is said that lash with advanced technology, QRSAM will soon replace the ‘Akash’ missile defence system which is on its way out due to technological obsolescence.