Kashmir: Pakistan Tries to Isolate India Over Article 370, Gets A Reality Check and Fails Miserably
However, Pakistan’s high-pitched campaign over the past one week has left Pakistan more isolated than ever on Kashmir
Kautilya
NSA Ajit Doval Undertakes Aerial Survey of Kashmir Valley
National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Monday undertook an aerial survey of the city and South Kashmir areas to take stock of the security situation as the valley celebrated Eid al-Adha amid strict restrictions that are in place after the decision to revoke provisions of Article 370. Officials said police chief Dilbag Singh and Army commanders also undertook separate aerial visits of various parts of the Kashmir Valley. The officers found the situation to be absolutely fine, they said
It’s Pouring Orders for Cochin Shipyard
KOCHI: Busy days are ahead for the engineers and workers at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) with the public sector company landing many lucrative orders, besides the ones it is already working on. These orders have to be completed by 2021.
According to CSL spokesperson, recently, two RO Pax vessels designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited for the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI) were launched. “The vessels are the third and fourth in the series of 10 vessels ordered by IWAI,” said the spokesperson. Ro Pax is a Ro-Ro vessel built for freight vehicle transport with passenger accommodation.
The shipyard is building a total of eight Ro Pax vessels and two Ro-Ro vessels for the IWAI. “IWAI selected CSL for the construction of these vessels, which will be operated in strategic locations in the national waterways. These vessels can accommodate around 200 passengers and will be manned by a crew of eight,” said the spokesperson.
The vessels can carry two trucks and four cars. They are equipped with all life-saving equipment and are built as per the IRS standards. “The shipyard presently has a robust order book in shipbuilding and ship repair. At present, it is building India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) for the Indian Navy. The ship is in advanced stages of testing and commissioning,” said the spokesperson.
CSL is also building a Technology Demonstration Vessel for the DRDO, two 1,200-PAX and 500-PAX vessels for Andaman and Nicobar Administration. CSL is also constructing a total of 27 small vessels for clients like IWAI, Department of Fisheries, Government of Kerala, Government of Tamil Nadu and Indian Navy. It has signed a contract for four Mini Bulk Carriers with Utkarsh Advisory Services Pvt. Ltd (part of JSW Group) for their Indian coastal operations. “The construction of these vessels is underway with the steel cutting of the first ship scheduled for September this year. The delivery will start by the third quarter of 2020,” said the CSL spokesperson.
The company also signed a contract to construct nine Floating Border Outpost vessels for the BSF. It will also build eight ASW Corvettes for the Indian Navy, three marine ambulance boats for Kerala Fisheries Department and two brows and pontoons for the Indian Navy.
The shipyard has also set ambitious plans to expand geographically and has commenced its ship repair operations at Mumbai Port Trust. “To establish its presence across the Indian Coast, the shipyard is set to commence its ship repair operations at Kolkata and Port Blair shortly,” said the spokesperson.
The shipyard has also formed a Joint Venture Company in Kolkata to cater to the needs of the inland waterways vessels segment and is creating a new shipyard in Kolkata for this segment. “Already yard renovation works is underway and the shipyard expects to complete the project by the second half of 2020,” said the spokesperson.
The company is investing a total of Rs 2,769 crore to build a new 310 M long dry dock at Kochi and a ship lift based ship repair yard at Willingdon Island, Kochi.
Vessel for DRDO
CSL is also building a Technology Demonstration Vessel for the DRDO, two 1,200 PAX and 500 PAX vessels for Andaman and Nicobar Administration. CSL is also constructing a total of 27 small vessels for clients like Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), Department of Fisheries, Govt of Kerala, Govt of Tamil Nadu and Indian Navy.
Government to Roll Back Tax on Disability Pension for Forces
Minister has called on the three services – the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Indian Navy — to device a mechanism to reduce instances of misuse of the rules, according to people familiar with the developments who asked not to be named.
DRDO Working on Hi-Tech Directed Energy Weapons
Laser-based or microwave-based high-power DEWs can quietly disable enemy drones or missiles temporarily or permanently without leaving physical debris. In contrast, the ASAT or anti-satellite missile that the DRDO tested on March 27, killed an orbiting Indian target satellite and left hundreds of small pieces as debris for a few months.
BECA: India Set to ink Third Foundational Military Pact with US
BECA, sources said, will allow India to use US expertise on geospatial intelligence and to enhance military accuracy of automated hardware systems and weapons like cruise, ballistic missiles and drones. India has already signed the Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement (LEMOA) with the US and Communications Compatibility and Security Agreement (COMCASA). H
Why the AK-203 Might Be the Deadliest Assault Rifle on Planet Earth
Last week, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated a new, jointly-administered AK-203 production venture at the Korwa small arms production plant in Northeastern India. The AK-203, a 7.62х39 export variant of Kalashnikov new AK-12, boasts across-the-board performance improvements as compared with its INSAS counterpart.
Only 2 Disputed Spots Along LAC in Ladakh
In Delhi, observers in the South Block point out there are only two disputed areas along the LAC. One is at Trig Heights located in the north-eastern edge of Ladakh and the other is Demchok, the south-eastern edge. Besides, tensions brew occasionally as both sides carry out patrolling along the northern edge of Pangong Tso (lake), Sppangur Gap, Kongka La, Chumur, Mount Sajun and Samar Lung pa. All these matters are being dealt at the level of the Special Representatives for boundary talks
Kashmir Valley Calm So Far
There are no reports of violence in the Valley ever since the withdrawal of special status to Jammu and Kashmir and its bifurcation but the ceasefire on the Line of Control (LoC) since the decision, according to a security assessment. According to defence officials, the hinterland of J&K has witnessed no major incident of violence over the past three days while the LoC too has remained mostly calm.
Indian Army to Take Part in SCO Wargames Next Month
Defence sources said the exercise, an initiative under the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), is set to be held from September 10-21 at Orenburg in Russia.
The SCO is an intergovernmental organisation set up in 2001. Its main goals include promoting member-states’ cooperation in “politics, trade, the economy, research, technology and culture, as well as in education, energy, transport, tourism, environmental protection, and other areas”.