Defense

The test comes two weeks after the DRDO successfully conducted the flight test of ABHYAS – High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) from a test range in Odisha.

Defence ministry officials say the new standard operating procedure (SOP), finalised in consultation with the external affairs ministry, will “substantially enhance the pace of utilisation of the defence LoCs” extended to friendly countries.

The 24 MH-60R fourth generation helicopters will come to the Indian Navy will come armed with torpedoes and missiles which will be used for anti-submarine warfare. US President Donald Trump and his administration consider India as a major partner and sales of these helicopters will ensure stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific Region.

The first AN 32 was flown in December 2018 using the bio-jet fuel. The IAF flight test crew and engineers have undertaken a series of evaluation tests and trials with this green aviation fuel for the last one year. The scope of these checks was in consonance with international aviation standards.

Lt Gen MM Naravane, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Command witnessed the launch along with other officers and congratulated the Unit and all agencies involved in the process, resulting in the successful launch of the Combat missile.

As and when the new government is sworn in, it will have to decide on some of the crucial defence projects.
The Print looks at some these projects aimed at boosting India’s military prowess.

Having come out victorious, despite corruption charges levelled by opposition parties in the Rafale fighter jet deal, the Narendra Modi-led government may now find it much easier to sign defence contracts during its second term, observes defence procurement analyst and ex-financial adviser to the Defence Ministry Amit Cowshish.

The wide array of civic action programs conducted jointly by army and Assam Rifles have assisted the State government as well as local administration in enhancing their outreach to the remotest corners of the State. During flood relief operations of 2018, the Armed Forces present in Tripura worked relentlessly to save more than 1200 precious lives and assisted in the distribution of relief materials.

Sardar Patel Bhawan on Parliament Street is expected to become the next big stop after the PMO in the next five years, as the national security policy will be driven from there.Sources in the security establishment said that the new and revamped NSCS has attempted to draft a national security document under Doval’s guidance which may be brought before the public in the coming months.

Bhawana, who hails from Darbhanga in Bihar, has become the first of the three in her batch of women fighter pilots – the other two are Flight Lieutenants Avani Chaturvedi and Mohana Singh – to successfully complete her “day operational syllabus” on the MiG-21s at the Nal airbase in Bikaner.