Defence Scan by Air Mshl PK Roy (Retd)

 

On June 27, 2019, the Royal Singapore Naval ships ‘RSS Valour’ and ‘RSS Valiant’arrived at Port Blair, on a four-day visit. The visit aims to enhance India-Singapore naval cooperation. In addition to professional exchanges at multiple levels, various other interactions were carried out between the two Navies, which included sports fixtures and visits to historical places.

 

Indian Navy’s INS Kochi, an indigenous stealth Destroyer, operating inSouthern Indian Ocean Region docked at Port Victoria, Seychelles for an Operational Turnaround last week. The Commanding Officer called-on His Excellency Mr Vincent Meriton, Vice President of the Republic of Seychelles and Gen DS Suhag (Retd), High Commissioner of India to Seychelles. The ship’s crew undertook community service at an Orphanage and set up a Medical Camp at an Old Age home as a goodwill gesture. With an aim to boost the capability of Seychelles Coast Guard, the ship handed over eight life rafts for fitment onboard their vessels. The ship also undertook joint EEZ surveillance operations off Seychelles along with the Seychelles Coast Guard.

 

 

On June 27, 2019, an Indian Air Force Jaguar aircraft, on a training mission from Air Force Station Ambala, encountered bird hit immediately after take-offresulting infailure of one engine at the critical stage of take-off. Despite the seriousness ofemergency, the pilot assessed the situation correctly and promptly jettisoned fuel tanksand, armament Pods and landed the aircraft safely. A court of inquiry has been ordered.

 

 

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, has provided the following information regarding Ceasefire Violations and casualties suffered by Army along the Line of Control under operational control of Army in Jammu and Kashmir in the current year.

 

The minister further added that appropriate retaliation to the ceasefire violations, as required has been carried out by Indian Army.

 

 

Krishnaswamy Natarajan has taken over as the 23rd Director General of Indian Coast Guard. In his illustrious career spanning over 35 years, the Flag Officer has had the distinction of holding important Command and Staff appointments, both afloat and ashore. The Flag Officer was elevated to the rank of Additional Director General in August 2016 and took over the reins as Coast Guard Commander (Western Seaboard). He is a recipient of President’s Tatrakshak Medal for his distinguished service to the nation.

 

 

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh paid a two-day maiden visit to the Eastern Naval Command (ENC) on 29th June 2019. He was received by Admiral Karambir Singh, Chief of the Naval Staff and Vice Admiral AK Jain Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC. During the visit, the Raksha Mantri was apprised on the operational readiness of the Command and other relevant aspects of maritime and coastal security. He also visited ships and submarines of ENC and interact with the naval personnel and defence civilians prior to his departure to New Delhi.

 

Ministry of Defence has issued Requests for Proposal (RFP) for four ships amounting to Rs 15,000 crore to short listed Indian Shipyards for the acquisition of various ships and craft for Navy and Coast Guard. These include six Next Generation Missile Vessels, and, eight Fast Patrol Vessels, 12 Air Cushion Vehicles (ACV) and eight Missile-cum-Ammunition Barges. The RFP for ACVs also includes the initial requirement for six ACVs of the Indian Army.

 

 

General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Army Staff and all ranks of the Indian Army paid homage to Field Marshal SHFJ Manekshaw on his death anniversary. Field Marshal Manekshaw, one of the world’s leading military professionals, is credited with developing the Indian Army into effective instrument of war.