Defence Scan By Air Mshl PK Roy

Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam has successfully completed the refit Maldivian Coast Guard Ship (MCGS) Huravee and the ship was formally handed over to Major Mohamed Jamshad, Commanding Officer MCGS Huravee in a ceremony organised to commemorate the occasion on November 15, 2018. This initiative is expected to go a long way in furthering the military—diplomatic outreach to friendly foreign armed forces in the Indian Ocean Region. The ship was originally commissioned as INS Tillanchang, a patrol vessel in March 2001 and was subsequently gifted to Maldives in April 2006 to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two nations. The chief guest for the function was Rear Admiral Amit Bose, Admiral Superintendent Naval Dockyard.

Brigadier Kuldip Singh Chandpuri, the national hero and an inspiration to the Indian youth for his leadership in the historic battle of Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan War passed away on November 17, 2018. He was 78. Reports indicate that he was suffering from cancer and is survived by his wife and three sons. As a young Major, while commanding a Company of the Punjab regiment at Longewala during the 1971 India-Pakistan War, he is credited to have held his post through the night with just about 120 men against a Paki armoured regiment and over 2,000 soldiers. For his bravery, exceptional courage, determination and heroic leadership qualities he was decorated with the “Maha Vir Chakra”. In the famous Hindi war film ‘Border’ depicting the Longewala battle bollywood actor Sunny Deol played the role of Chandpuri.

The operational preparedness, infrastructure development and coastal security mechanism of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) was reviewed by The Consultative Committee Meeting of Ministry of Defence on Indian Coast Guard. The meeting was chaired by Raksha Mantri Smt Nirmala Sitharaman. The committee was briefed about the coastal security mechanism and preparedness of Coast Guard to tackle maritime emergencies. The Raksha Mantri laid emphasis on modernisation of the ICG and also requested all members of the committee to spread awareness among the sea-faring people on the need to carry emergency communication equipment for conveying SOS messages in times of emergencies. The next meeting of the Consultative Committee will discuss the performance of Ordinance Depots.

A contingent of 11 US Special Forces personnel, comprising one officer and 10 other ranks has arrived at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan for a 12-day joint combat exercise “Vajra Prahar” with Indian Special Forces. Exercise Vajra Prahar’, conducted alternately in India and the US commenced in the year 2010. The basic aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability, share best practices, develop joint strategies for operations in a counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism environment as well as operations in urban areas.

The Ministry of Defence has cleared the proposal and issued the “letter of request” for procuring 24 Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60 helicopters for the Indian Navy through a government-to-government deal with the US. This deal worth US$1.8 billion will fulfil the much-needed and decade old requirement of replacing the older anti-submarine/utility helicopters – Sea King of the Indian Navy. These helicopters are armed with torpedoes and missiles and provide a modern potent anti-submarine warfare capability to the Indian Navy. In the recent years there has been acceleration in Indian defence ties with the US and the arms trade with them has reached over US$ 17 billion.

Lt Gen Harpal Singh, Director General Border Roads reviewed the progress of works of operationally critical roads in the Area of Responsibility of Project Arunank in North East from November 20 to 21, 2018. While expressing satisfaction towards the works, the DG stressed that the quality of work should be of highest standard and at the same time PDC should be adhered to at all costs. The DG also met the BRO personnel at various work sites, complimented and exhorted them to keep pushing forward so that connectivity on these roads could be established.

The Defence Ministers’ Dialogue (DMD), 3rd in the series since it started in 2015, between India and Singapore concluded on November 20, 2018. The aim of DMD is to further strengthen the long-standing defence relationship between the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Indian Armed Forces. One of the major decisions taken during the meeting was the renewal of the Bilateral Agreement for the conduct of Joint Army Training and Exercises in India. The agreement lays down detailed framework for the conduct of joint training. Dr Ng, Minister of Defence of Singapore expressed appreciation for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Keynote Address at the 2018 Shangri-La Dialogue, wherein PM Modi articulated India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific region. He also added that Singapore was looking forward to the inaugural conduct of the trilateral maritime exercise with Thailand in the Andaman Sea. Both the ministers agreed to step up intelligence and information sharing, particularly in the areas of maritime security and counter terrorism and expand collaboration on submarine safety and rescue. It was agreed to hold the 4th DMD in Singapore next year on mutually convenient dates.