Current Affairs February 2020 - Defence

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1 - Government sets target of 5 billion dollars for defence exports in next five years

The government has set a defence export target of 5 billion dollars in the next five years. The export of defence equipment from India was about 2,000 crore rupees in 2014. In the last 2 years, it has gone up to 17,000 crore rupees. In the next five years, the target is export of 5 billion US dollars, which is about 35,000 crore rupees.

Between 2013 and 2017, India was the world’s top arms importer, accounting for 12% of total imports globally, with Russia, Israel and the United States among the top suppliers.

2 - 9^th edition of India-Bangladesh joint military exercise held in Meghalaya

The ninth edition of Indo-Bangladesh Joint Military Exercise SAMPRITI-IX was held at Umroi, Meghalaya. The main focus of the fourteen days joint exercise was on Counter-Terrorism Operations in mountainous and jungle terrain.

During the joint military exercise SAMPRITI-IX a Command Post Exercise (CPX) and a Field Training Exercise (FTX) was conducted. Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation endeavour between India and Bangladesh and is hosted alternately by both countries.

3 - Department of Military Affairs created as new department of military affairs

Department of Military Affairs (DMA) with Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Secretary was created to facilitate optimal utilization of resources and promote jointness among the three Services. As per the Second Schedule to Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961, Armed Forces of the Union, namely, Army, Navy and Air Force were allocated to DMA.

The Second Schedule to Government of India (Allocation of Business) Rules 1961 clearly identifies the functions of all the five Departments of the Ministry of Defence and thus there will not be any duplication of functions among them.

4 - First indigenous bio-jet fuel aircraft of IAF landed successfully in Leh

First indigenous bio-jet fuel powered IAF aircraft landed successfully in Leh. This is the first time that both engines of the aircraft were powered by the bio-jet indigenous fuel. The aircraft was flight tested and its performance was validated at Chandigarh Air Base prior to undertaking the operational flight to Leh.

This successful test flight also demonstrates IAF’s capabilities to absorb newer technology, while sponsoring indigenization. Leh at an altitude of 10,682 ft above mean sea level, is amongst one of world’s highest and most difficult operational airfield.

5 - Coastal Security Exercise ‘Matla Abhiyaan’ conducted by Indian Navy

The Indian Navy conducted a coastal security exercise named 'Malta Abhiyan' in Kolkata, West Bengal. It was conducted with an aim to interact with coastal communities to spread awareness on coastal security and understand the navigational complexities in the Sunderban deltaic waters.

During the exercise, the two boats undertook patrol in the Sunderban delta, and along the Indo-Bangladesh protocol route. The personnel launched operations in the Matla and Hooghly rivers and the narrow creeks of Sunderbans.

6 - HAL & Israel Aerospace Industries signed partnership pact to make armed UCAVs

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the 1^st time, signed a partnership pact with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) at the DefExpo 2020 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It was signed to manufacture advanced Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs) in India.

An unmanned combat aerial vehicle carries aircraft ordnance such as missiles, ATGMs, and/or bombs and is used for drone strikes. These drones are usually under real-time human control, with varying levels of autonomy.

7 - DRDO signed contract with Rosoboronexport, Russia

Defence Research Development Organization signed an agreement with Rosobornexport of Russia to develop Advanced Pyrotechnic Ignition Systems for missile propulsion. The agreement was signed with the HEMRL (High Energy Materials Research Laboratory) of DRDO.

This technology development will facilitate design and development of state of art solid rocket motors for upcoming products. High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) is the DRDO laboratory working in the development of spectrum of high energy materials required for missiles, rockets and guns.

8 - World’s first bulletproof helmet developed by Indian Army

An Indian Army Major Anoop Mishra who had earlier developed a bulletproof jacket for protection against sniper bullets, has now developed the world's first bulletproof helmet. This helmet can withstand an AK-47 bullet round fired from a distance of 10 meters.

Indian Army Major Anoop Mishra has been part of the Indian Army's College of Military Engineering. Indian Army's College of Military Engineering had developed India's first and world's cheapest gunshot locator that can locate the exact location of the bullet from a distance of 400 meters.

9 - World’s cheapest gun-shot locator developed by Indian Army

Indian Army's College of Military Engineering had developed India's first and world's cheapest gunshot locator named as ‘Parth’ that can locate the exact location of the bullet from a distance of 400 meters. Parth’s gun locator can further help in locating and neutralize terrorist faster. It costs much cheaper than the imported ones. ‘Parth’ costs Rs. 3 lakh and if inducted would replace imported item which costs around 65 lakhs.

College of Military Engineering is a premier technical and tactical training institution of the Indian Army Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army.

10 - Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-2020

The fifth edition of Exercise AJEYA WARRIOR-2020 between India and United Kingdom Army was held at Salisbury Plains, United Kingdom. The aim of exercise was to conduct training of troops in counter insurgency and counter terrorist operations in both Urban and Semi Urban areas.

The exercise is conducted alternatively in the United Kingdom and India. The other joint exercises between India and UK are Navy: Konkan and Air Force: Indradhanush.

11 - DRDO developing new strike range Pranash ballistic missile

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has started developing a 200-km strike range tactical ballistic missile 'Pranash' so as to enhance the firepower of Army and Air Force. This new advanced version of the 150-km strike range Prahar missile would also be used for exports to friendly foreign countries as its strike range is within the permissible limits of international regimes on missile sales.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is an agency charged with the military's research and development.

12 - CDS General Bipin Rawat announced plan to create Peninsula Command

Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat has announced to create a Peninsula Command with Navy’s Eastern and Western Command under it. India is also looking at setting up two to five theatre commands which are expected to be rolled out by 2022. During the theatre of war, all the three services are under the operational control of a three-star general.

India has an operational theatre command only in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. A theatre command places the resources of all forces at the command of a senior military commander.

13 - Fifth edition of IAF-RAF joint exercise Indradhanush

The fifth edition of joint exercise Indradhanush between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Royal Air Force (RAF) of the United Kingdom concluded at the Air Force Station Hindan. The joint exercise provided the participating forces an opportunity to enhance expertise in conduct of Special Forces Operations.

Indradhanush is a joint air force exercise conducted between IAF and RAF to strengthen relationship and enhance operational capabilities. The aim of the exercise is to enhance mutual operational understanding, exchanging tactics, techniques and procedures.