Made in India Akash missiles to be exported! Govt sets up special committee
https://www.financialexpress.com/defence/made-in-india-akash-missiles-to-be-exported-govt-sets-up-special-committee/2161519/

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Straws in the wind in south block

Context

◆The Covid 19 pandemic, the impasse on the border with China, restrictions on travel, unsettled situation in U.S. Developments in west Asia have created a lull in foreign policy.

The China Challenge
●The frustration over the continuing occupation of Indian Territory by China, Mr Biden formula in dealing with China has certain challenges.
●India’s pandemic diplomacy figures prominently in the projection of its foreign policy
●The spike in demand from different countries for pharmaceuticals, like hydroxychloroquine and paracetamol, have made India ramp up its production and involve in international collaborations.
●Increasingly visible integration of foreign and defence policies has added a new dimension to policymaking and execution.
●The visit of the Chief of the Army Staff and the Foreign Secretary to Myanmar and Chief of Research and Analysis wing to Nepal to discuss on the challenges of intense terrorism, border security issues and large sea disputes is a good step towards national unity and integrity and international cooperation.
●There have been hints of India distancing itself from globalization, following India’s decision to keep out of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership by bringing in the concept of Atma Nirbhar Bharat by reducing demand on Chinese goods also opting out of Chinese belt and Road initiative.

Intolerance of criticism
◆India has resorted to intolerance of international criticism of internal developments like displeasure overstatements or actions of other countries that are prejudicial to their national interests like slapping trade sanctions, refusing to recognize the government in power, and getting the critical country expelled from international organizations.
◆In recent times, two boycotts by Mr Jaishankar have been seen as an increased intolerance of external criticism.
◆First his decision not to meet Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal owing to her unflattering view of the government’s handling of the Kashmir issue.
◆The second boycott was not attending the ministerial meeting of covid 19 convened by the Canada government because of the statement on agitation of Indian farmers consisting mostly of Sikhs.
◆While the British Foreign Secretary was more diplomatic explaining that Sikh politics had become part of U.K. politics.

Conclusion
●India's policy should be supportive of our Diaspora abroad and we could have been tolerant of criticism in abroad to have good international relations.
●There have been various permutations and combinations working out in south Block for good international relations between various countries.

Source
https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/straws-in-the-wind-in-south-block/article33456439.ece

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MoD signs contract with BEL to supply indigenously developed 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for Indian Navy

◆Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for frontline warships of Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 1,355 crore under Buy (Indian) category in New Delhi today.

◆The Lynx system has been designed and developed indigenously that would further the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. 

◆The LYNX U2 GFCS is a Naval Gun Fire Control System designed to acquire, track and engage targets amidst sea clutter. It is capable of accurately tracking air/surface targets, generating required target data for predicting weapon aiming points and engaging target.

◆The target engagement is carried out with the medium/short range gun mounts like Russian AK176, A190 and AK630 and the SRGM available onboard ships. 

◆The Gun Fire Control System has been designed with an open and scalable architecture permitting simple and flexible implementation in many different configurations.

◆The system has been developed and delivered to Indian Navy and has been in service for over two decades, satisfactorily meeting the tactical requirements of Indian Naval ships of various classes like destroyers, frigates, missile boats, corvettes, etc.                                      

◆The system has been upgraded continuously and indigenisation has been the major focus along with technology upgrades. The indigenous content of the system has been continuously increased, generation to generation to eliminate the dependency on foreign OEMs. 

◆The system will be installed on the NOPV, Talwar and Teg class of ships. The system including the Tracking Radar, Servo and Weapon Control Modules has been completely designed and developed by BEL.

◆The indigenous system will ensure maximum up-time of the system and guarantees excellent Product support throughout its life time.  

◆The system proposed in the contract is of the fourth generation and is a completely indigenised system, developed in the true spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. These will be delivered by BEL, Bengaluru over the next five years.

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BEL signs contract with Indian Navy for Initial supply of indigenously developed Laser Dazzlers

◆Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with Indian Navy for initially supply 20 Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Dazlers (Laser Dazzlers) in New Delhi today.

◆The BEL had earlier this month won the contract beating global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in buy global category. These would be manufactured by BEL, Pune plant.

◆The Laser Dazzler is used as a non-lethal method for warning and stopping suspicious vehicles/boats/aircrafts/UAVs/pirates etc. from approaching secured areas during both day and night.

◆It is capable of dazzle and thereby suppress the person’s/optical sensor’s action with disability glare in case of non-compliance to orders. It disorient/ confuse/blind a person temporarily. It also dazzles and distract aircraft/UAVs.

◆It is a portable, shoulder operated and ruggedized for military use in adverse environmental conditions. Laser dazzler technology was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

◆This unique product is indigenously designed and developed for first time for the Armed Forces. It will support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

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Happy New Year 2021.
Kuch yaad unhe bhi kar lo, Jo laut ke ghar na aaye!
Salute to Brave Hearts.🇮🇳

After Predator drone lease, Govt approves Indian Navy proposal to buy shipborne drones
https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/after-predator-drone-lease-govt-approves-indian-navy-proposal-to-buy-shipborne-drones20210101164134

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India’s vision for Indo-Pacific{1/2}

What is the recent issue?

◆The Russian Foreign Minister has described New Delhi as an "object" of the West's  "persistent, aggressive, and devious" policy against China in the Indo-Pacific. The Russian Minister has also criticised QUAD.
◆In response to this our, External Minister rejected this claim. In fact, India asserts that it has always pursued an independent foreign policy based on its national interest and that its vision for the Indo-Pacific region is not directed against any country.

What are Russia’s concerns with Indo-Pacific & Quad?

●Russia claims that Indo-Pacific ploy was an attempt to “reconfigure the existing structures” and to move away from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-centric consensus.
●The Indo-Pacific ocean system carries an estimated 65% of world trade and contributes  60% of global GDP and ninety per cent of India’s international trade travels on its waters.
●Quad is affecting the non-members of the group especially small nations of ASEAN.
●Inclusion of Australia in the last Malabar exercise sent a clear signal to non-member countries that there is going to be a military phase to the quad.
●The members of Quad do not have a common agenda and are not on board on many issues.

What is India’s view on Indo-Pacific?

●Prime Minister in the Shangri-La dialogue held that Indo-Pacific Region is neither a strategy nor a club of limited members directed against any country but a pure geographical construct.
●It is to ensure a free, open and inclusive region in which countries both inside and outside (countries who have stakes in this region) the Indo-Pacific region would participate.
●India has been trying to explain to Russia the basic cause that is to ensure that in the global commons of this region, there should be freedom of navigation, resolution of disputes through dialogue and international law to regulate all the activities.
●Indian foreign secretary defined India’s view of the Indo-Pacific as stretching from the east coast of Africa all the way to the west coast of the US.
●India’s vision for the Indo-Pacific included ‘securing end-to-end supply chains in the region;  no disproportionate dependence on a single country; and ensuring prosperity for all  stakeholder nations.’
●An Indo-Pacific guided by norms and governed by rules, with freedom of navigation, open connectivity, and respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states is an article of faith for India.

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India's Vision for Indo-Pacific {2/2}

What is the Role of Quad in the Indo-Pacific region?

◆The QUAD is the grouping of four democracies –India, Australia, the US, and Japan.
◆Quad is an opportunity for like-minded countries to share notes and collaborate on projects of mutual interest.
◆Members share a vision of an open and free Indo-Pacific. Each is involved in the development and economic projects as well as in promoting maritime domain awareness and maritime security.
◆Currently, it is still in a fledgeling phase and a clearer image of what it will evolve to is yet to obtain. But a few improvements within the group are taking place in recent times.
◆There has been an increased participation from all the four countries, they have declared several issues as their agenda of the meeting such as the pandemic, economic recovery, connectivity, infrastructure, cybersecurity, etc.
◆The Quad is believed to have the potential to go from a very loose structure organisation to  a very cohesive structure organisation in a very short span of time.

Vision for the future:

◆All the stakeholders should come together and define the Quad. They should have common agenda also.
◆China is the big elephant in the room and is never abiding the rules. For this, there has to be a military component in the Quad.
◆Small nations in the region must be told that the quad is the fledgeling organisation and it is evolving with the time. Countries should not worry about this.
◆The option of Quad expansion is also there. A number of countries including some in ASEAN and Europe is firming up their Indo-Pacific strategies and outlook.
◆These include France, Germany and the Netherlands.
◆India and France have been collaborating closely on the Indo-Pacific.
◆Germany has announced that one of its warships would be patrolling the Indian Ocean and make port calls in Australia and the French Reunion Islands.
◆Canada is also looking to come out with an Indo-Pacific strategy. The voyage came at a time of heightened military tension between China and Taiwan.

Conclusion

●A lot of progress has been made over the last three years as far as the quad is concerned and it is on its way of institutionalization and formalisation at ministerial meetings.
●Quad can be expanded to ensure the contribution from ASEAN and other nations of the region. Countries like the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia can become strong partners in this.
●India needs a strong navy to play a meaningful role in the region, so it must invest in it.

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Ka-226T Utility Helicopters

The Deal:

◆The first discussion regarding the deal was in 2014 during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in December following which the Indo Russia Helicopters Ltd. (IRHL) Joint Venture was formed.
◆Russian manufacturer Rostec Corporation has 49.5% stake in IRHL, while India’s HAL has majority 50.5% stakes.
◆The IRHL facility is under construction at Tumkuru, a sub-urban area 74 km north of Bangalore, at a cost of around Rs 50 billion.
◆According to the initial talks, India was to acquire 200 helicopters – 60 in fly-away condition, 40 to be assembled in India and remaining 100 to be manufactured in India. This involves the staggering transfer of technology.
◆Out of these 200 helicopters, 135 were intended for the Army Aviation Corps and 65 for the Indian Air Force.
◆The Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov had announced in February 2019 that the joint production of Ka-226t is scheduled for 2021.
◆Maintenance, operation, repair of helicopters and the provision of technical support is also part of the deal.
◆The initial production of the Ka-226T will be carried out in Ulan-Ude and will be gradually transferred to the site of the Indo-Russian Helicopters Limited in India.
◆The current location of production of the Ka-226t helicopter is at Kumertau Aviation Enterprise (KumAPP) in Bashkiria, a province of Russia.

Issues in the deal:
●The deal has not been signed yet due to the staggering transfer of technology clause of the deal. The Indian Army wants the negotiations to move forward, to settle the differences and start production of the helicopter by first half of 2021.
●Considering the history of Indo-Russia defence relations, there is a good possibility that we might soon acquire this new helicopter and begin manufacturing it in India.

Ka-226t LUH

•Max speed: 250 km/h
•Cruise speed: 220 km/h
•Range: 600 km
•Passengers: 7+2 crew
•Cargo: 1500 kg max
•Length: 8.1 m
•Height: 4.15 m
•Type: Light twin-engine coaxial rotor helicopter

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Ka-226T Utility Helicopter

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Important Facts About India{2/2}

Part 1

https://t.me/ssbgeneraldiscussion/5261

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GRSE delivers last landing craft utility ship to Indian Navy

◆Defence PSU GRSE has delivered to the Indian Navy the last of the eight landing craft utility (LCU) ships manufactured by it, providing a major boost to the country's defence preparedness.

◆The LCU ships, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, were developed in-house with 90 per cent of its parts indigenously manufactured.

◆These ships are very unique in their design and class in the world. A very specific kind of requirement was given by the Indian Navy -- speed of 15 knots, a displacement of 900- odd tonnes and a low draught for beaching in the shallowest of waters.

◆Apart from troops, each ship can accommodate main battle tanks, personnel carriers and other Army vehicles, which can be launched on the beaches.

◆The ships are designed to accommodate 216 personnel and have two indigenous CRN 91 guns to provide artillery fire support during landing operations.

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Col Narendra 'Bull' Kumar, who helped India secure Siachen glacier, passes away
https://www.livemint.com/news/india/col-narendra-bull-kumar-who-helped-india-secure-siachen-glacier-passes-away-11609468181158.html

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"Who dares, wins. Who sweats, wins. Who plans, wins."

#StrikingSaturday
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Major reshuffle in Army, Lt Gen Shantanu Dayal takes charge as Deputy Chief of Staff
https://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/2021/jan/01/major-reshuffle-in-army-lt-gen-shantanu-dayal-takes-charge-as-deputy-chief-of-staff-2244184.html