Defense

Thanks to an expansive partnership between three main entities, the Indian Ordnance Factory Board, and Russian companies Rosonboronexport and Kalashnikov Concern will jointly produce a version of Kalashnikov’s AK-200 series, the AK-203 — the rifle India has seemingly hedged a hefty portion of its small arms aspirations on during a gigantic long-term military overhaul.

Exercise Tsentr is part of the Russian armed forces’ annual training cycle. It rotates through Russia’s four main operational strategic commands: Vostok (East), Zapad (West), Tsentr (Centre) and Kavkas (South). Rrepresented by a company of 5-20 Infantry Battalion, while the Indian side is represented by the Assam Regiment.

“PJSC is working on civil certification of this aircraft, that is likely to come by 2021. After that they get European (aviation regulator) certification also for using this aircraft in civilian space. We signed a non-disclosure agreement with Ilyushin for doing maintenance of this aircraft in India for its customers from India and nearby countries,” HAL chairman R Madhavan told TOI.

The BRO is also planning to construct a new bridge at Siachen Base to replace the suspension bridge so to avoid any hiccups in carrying heavy material to far off areas, the officials said.
“This is the second in the series of bridges to be constructed on the important axis which could revolutionise movement in the world highest battlefield,” another official said.

The Indian Air Force was invited at the summit to talk on the “role of IAF helicopters in MEDEVAC (Medical evacuation) at the national level”. Several officials of Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), many leaders from the tourism industry and officials from all Indian helicopter operators were present at the conclave.

The exhibition, which is slated to be held from February 5 to 8 next year, will showcase India’s defence manufacturing prowess. The expo will provide an opportunity to major foreign original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to collaborate with the Indian defence industry and help promote ‘Make in India’ initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The two-day conference on military medicine will be held on September 12 and 13 in accordance with the SCO Defence Co-operation Plan 2019-20.A defence ministry official said the meeting will be conducted by the Indian armed forces under the aegis of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. “The primary objectives of the conference are to share best practices in the field of military medicine, build capacities and overcome common challenges,” said an official.

INS Khanderi displaces 1,615 tonnes on surface and 1,775 tonnes when submerged. The 67.5 metres long INS Khanderi is powered by four MTU 12V 396 SE84 diesel engines and 360 battery cells and can remain on patrol for 50 days at a stretch at a depth of 350m. The submarine will have eight officers and 35 sailors. It will be armed with 18 SUT torpedoes which can be fired from six tubes, sea-skimming Exocet anti-ship missiles. It can also carry 30 anti-ship mines in place of torpedoes.

Official sources said the government has decided on a broad plan to speed up modernisation of the Army, Navy and the Air Force under which a range of critical weapons, missiles, fighter jets, submarines and warships will be procured in the next few years. The armed forces have been pushing for adequate allocation of funds so that they are well prepared to deal with the possibility of a “two-front” war on both northern and western borders.