ABHYAS—High speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) was successfully flight-tested from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on June 29, 2022. The performance of the aircraft at low altitude including sustained level and high manoeuvrability was demonstrated during the test flight. ABHYAS is designed & developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO. The target aircraft is equipped with Micro-Electromechanical Systems-based Inertial Navigation System for navigation along with the Flight Control Computer for guidance and control along with Indigenous Radio Altimeter for very low altitude flight and Data Link for encrypted communication between the Ground Control Station and Target Aircraft.
INDIGENOUSLY-DEVELOPED LASER-GUIDED ATGM SUCCESSFULLY TESTED
Indigenously-developed Laser-Guided Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) was successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun by DRDO and Indian Army at KK Ranges on June 28, 2022. The all-indigenous ATGM employs a tandem High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles.
RESCUE FROM DITCHED ONGC CHOPPER IN MUMBAI HIGH AREA
On June 28, 2022, a Pawan Hans helicopter with nine on board made an emergency landing (Diching) in the sea while operating for ONGC in Mumbai high area. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre-MRCC (Mumbai), under ICG received a distress alert and immediately alerted all stakeholders for urgent Search and Rescue. Indian Navy promptly launched a Seaking and ALH helicopter. In challenging weather conditions, ONGC ship OSV Malviya-16 located and rescued 4 survivors whereas 1 survivor was picked up by a life boat launched by ONGC rig Sagar Kiran. The Naval Seaking and ALH recovered 4 survivors in critical condition and they were ferried to Juhu airbase for further medical management, unfortunately, they could not survive.
KEEL LAYING – SEVENTH PROJECT 17A (P17A) SHIP
The keel for the seventh ship (Y-12654) of the P17A class of Indian Navy was ceremoniously laid on June 28, 2022. by Rear Admiral GK Harish, Director General Naval Design (Surface Ship Group) at M/s Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. Seven Frigates under P17A class are being constructed of which four are being constructed at MDL and three in GRSE with MDL as lead yard. The P17A class frigates are being built using indigenously developed steel and fitted with weapons and sensors along with Integrated Platform Management System. The construction of these vessels is a major boost for AatmaNirbhar Bharat and India’s Make in India commitment with orders for equipment and systems on indigenous firms including MSMEs amounting to indigenous content to the order of 75 per cent.
INS SATPURA TO PARTICIPATE IN RIMPAC-22
INS Satpura and one P8I maritime patrol aircraft from the Indian Navy are participating in one of the largest multilateral Naval Exercises, the US Navy led biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise 2022. The exercise spanning over six weeks of intense operations and training is aimed at enhancing interoperability and to build trust among Navies of friendly foreign countries. 27 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise.
