Defence Scan by Air Mshl PK Roy (Retd)

 

 

On June 2, 2019, the Indian Naval DSRV based at Visakhapatnam carried out live mating exercise that included transfer of personnel from the submerged submarine—INS Sindhudhvaj. The entire exercise was done by Indian crew. This exercise marks the culmination of the training phase on DSRV. This newly acquired skill by Indian Navy and live mating exercise is a historic achievement towards integration of DSRV into the Indian Navy and would pave way for it to emerge as a Submarine Rescue Provider in Indian Ocean Region.

 

 

 

On June 1, 2019, Shri Rajnath Singh took over the responsibility as the Raksha Mantri of India. At the Raksha Mantralaya in South Block, he was given a brief presentation on the functioning of the ministry and its departments. After taking over the charge, the Raksha Mantri spent his first working day with troops in Siachen. While speaking with the defence personnel at the highest battle field in the world, the Raksha Mantri pledged to keep the concern of the troops at the centre of all decisions related to national security.

 

 

 

On June 3, 2019, an AN-32 aircraft with eight aircrew and five passengers on board got airborne from Jorhat at 1227 hrs for Mechuka Advanced Landing Ground in Arunachal Pradesh. The aircraft was in contact with ground agencies till about 1300 hrs. Thereafter, the contact was lost with the aircraft. Since the aircraft did not reach the destination, overdue actions were initiated by IAF. C-130, AN-32 aircraft, Mi-17 helicopters and the Sukhoi-30 fighter aircraft of IAF and ALH helicopters of the Indian Army were launched to locate the missing aircraft. The search operations from air and by ground parties of Indian Army are continuing. Indian Navy’s P-8I Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft also joined the search operations on June 4, 2019. CARTOSAT and RISAT satellites of ISRO are also taking images of the area. The families of all air-warriors on board the aircraft have been informed and are being regularly updated on the progress of search for the missing aircraft.

 

 

 

On May 30, 2019, Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa PVSM AVSM YSM VM ADC, Chief of the Air Staff reviewed the Passing Out Parade of 136th Course at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. A total of 291 cadets graduated from the Academy as they passed through the portals of the prestigious Khetrapal Parade Ground. This included 218 Army cadets, 34 Navy cadets and 39 Air Force cadets. 15 cadets from the friendly foreign countries namely Afghanistan, Bhutan, Tajikistan, Maldives, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Papua New Guinea also passed out from the academy. The Air Chief complimented the graduating cadets and their parents on this momentous occasion.

 

 

Shri Shripad Yesso Naik has taken over the charge of Raksha Rajya Mantri of India. On his arrival at the Raksha Mantralaya in South Block, he was received by the Defence Secretary Sanjay Mitra and other senior officials of the Ministry. Apart from Ministry of Defence, he will also serve as Minister of State (Independent Charge) in the Ministry of AYUSH.

 

 

Admiral Karambir Singh assumed command of the Indian Navy on May 31, 2019 as the 24th Chief of the Naval Staff. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Admiral Karambir Singh was Commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1980. He earned his wings as a helicopter pilot in 1981 and has flown extensively on the Chetak (Alouette) and Kamov helicopters. In the rank of Vice Admiral, he has been Director General Project Seabird, in-charge of infrastructure development of the Navy’s expansive and modern base at Karwar. The Admiral has been the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff and, subsequently, the Vice Chief of Naval Staff. He was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam, prior taking over helm as the Chief of the Naval Staff on May 31, 2019.

 

 

On May 29, 2019, a solemn ceremony was held in Italy (Prato, near Florence) to commemorate the sacrifice made by two Indian soldiers—Hari Singh and Palu Ram of the Indian Army (4/13 Frontier Force Rifles) during World War II. Apart from the local community and representatives of the Italian Armed Forces, the ceremony was attended by Smt Reenat Sandhu, the Ambassador of India and Colonel Rohit Teotia, the Defence Attaché to Italy. 16 senior officers attending the National Defence College Course in India and on a study tour to Italy also attended the ceremony. Ashes of these two soldiers will be scattered on July 16, 2019, in the Forli war cemetery where the other comrades from that battlefield have also been commemorated. Almost 50,000 Indian soldiers participated in the liberation of Italy during the Second World War. 5,782 made the supreme sacrifice during the campaign. Six Indians were awarded the Victoria Crosses.