Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale in New Delhi on August 29, 2023. The meeting was a testimony to the increasing depth in the India-Kenya defence partnership. Both the Ministers agreed that the defence relationship between the two countries has evolved from being training-centric to include more strategic aspects.
Indian Army contingent comprising of 137 personnel departed for “Exercise BRIGHT STAR- 23” scheduled to be conducted from 31 August to 14 September 2023 at Mohammed Naguib Military Base in Egypt. It is a multinational tri-services joint military exercise that will be led by US CENTCOM and Egyptian Army. It was initially conceptualized as a bilateral biennial training exercise between the US and Egypt during the Camp David Accord of 1977. The first edition of the Exercise was conducted in the year 1980 in Egypt. From 1995 onwards the Exercise was expanded for participation by other nations.
The Missile Technology Conclave-cum-Symposium themed ‘Aatmanirbharta in Missile Repairs & Indigenisation Technologies (AMRIT-2023)’, was organised by INS Kalinga at Samudrika Auditorium, Naval Base, Visakhapatnam on 23 Aug 23. The event was inaugurated by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, AVSM, NM, Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command. Dr Y Srinivas Rao, DS, DG NS&M and Shri GA Srinivasa Murthy, DS, Director DRDL delivered special address during inaugural session.
INS Sunayna visited port of Durban, South Africa from 21-25 Aug 23 reinforcing India's ties with the maritime partners towards and in accordance with Prime Minister’s vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR). During the visit, personnel from Indian Navy and South African Navy engaged in a wide range of professional and training interactions, deck visits and sports fixture. Joint training sessions were conducted on various aspects of navigation, firefighting, damage control and Visit Board Search & Seize.
Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting, held under the chairmanship of defence minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore (apprx $1b). To enhance the efficiency of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has granted AoN for procurement and installation of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite on Mi-17 V5 Helicopters under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category which will enhance better survivability of Helicopters. The EW Suite will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL).
Tejas, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7 successfully fired the ASTRA indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa on August 23, 2023. The missile release was successfully carried out from the aircraft at an altitude of about 20,000 ft. All the objectives of the test were met and it was a perfect text book launch.
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari reviewed the status of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme in Air Headquarters yesterday. Also in attendance were senior functionaries from the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, HAL and ADA. Opening the proceedings, the CAS brought out that the LCA has been the flag bearer of the Indian Air Force's (IAF) efforts towards indigenisation of its aircraft fleet. He said that given the nature of this project of national importance, it is required that all stakeholders adopt a collaborative approach towards its success.
During the business program of the Ninth Army 2023 International Military and Technical Forum, ROSOBORONEXPORT (part of Rostec State Corporation) held more than 80 meetings and negotiations with delegations from more than 40 countries.
Vindhyagiri, the sixth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A being built at Garden Reach Shipyard and Engineers, Kolkata, was launched today at the shipyard by the Hon'ble President of India, Droupadi Murmu. As Vindhyagiri descended into the waters of river Hoogly, a wave of euphoria swept across the gathering.
A two-member United States Congressional delegation, visited Headquarters, Western Naval Command, Mumbai on 11 August 2023. The delegation included Representatives Mr Rohit Khanna and Ms Deborah Ross accompanied by Dr. Vikram Krishnamoorthy, Under Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi.
