Defense

HAL’s indigenously developed Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) demonstrated high altitude capability in hot and high weather conditions in the Himalayas for about 10 days. A comprehensive test plan was executed at Leh (3300 metres above mean sea level) in temperatures up to ISA (international standard atmosphere)+320C which included envelope expansion, performance and flying qualities, Bengaluru headquartered HAL ( Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) said.

The central government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has had the long-standing ambition of making India one of the leading exporter of defence equipment and as per latest information, the Centre has indeed lived up to its promise on that front. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat on Wednesday said that India is currently ranked 19th in the list of top defence exporters in the world, as of 2019 data.

“Indian Army has occupied heights overlooking the Chinese Army positions at Finger 4 along the Pangong Tso. These operations were carried out along with the pre-emptive actions to occupy heights near the Southern bank of Pangong Tso around August-end,” a source told ANI.

Raksha Mantri also pitched for French investments in the Indian defence manufacturing sector. He said in response to the call for ‘Self-reliant initiative’ by Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, many policy reforms have been initiated such as manufacturing of defence equipment under the strategic-Partnership model, enhancing FDI up to 74% by automatic route, establishment of two defence corridors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu and reforms in Offsets.

Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Mrs Florence Parly Minister of the Armed Forces of France will be the Chief Guest for the event. Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria, Defence Secretary Dr Ajay Kumar, Dr G Satheesh Reddy, Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO along with other senior officers of Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces will be present to mark a very important milestone in the history of the IAF.

In a significant success in the fight against terrorism in the Valley, security forces have killed more than 150 militants, including some top commanders, and arrested about 160 over ground workers (OGWs), also known as militant associates, and active militants in Kashmir in 2020, so far. According to statistics, there have been 75 direct encounters between militants and security forces in the Valley in 2020.

It had been reported in December 2014 that the work on INS Arighat had begun and it was likely to be launched in 2016. In 2017, the launch took place in a closely guarded fashion since when it had been undergoing sea trials. Originally it had been named INS Arindaman but was later named INS Arighat during the launch event.

First lot of Sharang Gun system was successfully accomplished all the technical parameters in a rigorous proof firing at Long Proof Range (LPR) Khamaria. Sharang Guns are being simultaneously developed at Gun Carriage Factory and Vehicle Factory Jabalpur. It is the first time when any indigenised gun system was given green signal for bulk production within a record time due to indigenisation and proof trials of guns in the same city.