“Today’s handing-over ceremony symbolises the deep-rooted friendship and strategic partnership between India and Vietnam. What makes this occasion even more significant is the fact that this is the first-ever occasion that India is offering a fully-operational Corvette to any Friendly Foreign Country” – Adm R Hari Kumar, CNS
A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), held under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, approved three proposals on July 13, 2023. The DAC granted Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for procurement of 26 Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA).
Recognising defence exports as a key pillar of sustainable growth of the Indian defence industry, defence minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Regional Office of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on July 11, 2023. This Regional Office will facilitate close defence industrial collaboration between India and Malaysia. It will also serve as a hub for the HAL’s engagement with the wider South-East Asian region and act as a window for other Indian Defense PSUs.
Ministry of Defence signed, in New Delhi on July 07, 2023, a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for procurement of two Dornier Aircraft for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) along with associated Engineering Support package at an overall cost of Rs 458.87 crore. The aircraft will be procured under the Buy (Indian) Category.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired a ‘Chintan Shivir’ of Ministry of Defence in New Delhi on July 06, 2023, where several innovative proposals emerged to enhance indigenisation content in domestic defence manufacturing; provide better health & pension services & re-settlement to the ex-servicemen; more collaboration of DRDO with other research bodies; performance audit; bringing more efficiency in the functioning Ministry of Defence and future roadmap of different organisations.
The Seventh edition of Indian Navy – US Navy (IN – USN) Salvage and Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exercise, SALVEX was conducted from 26 Jun – 06 Jul 23 at Kochi. IN and USN have been participating in joint Salvage and EOD exercises since 2005. The exercise saw participation from both the navies which included the ships – INS Nireekshak and USNS Salvor in addition to Specialist Diving and EOD teams.
Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane said that Government was committed to ensure Quality Assurance (QA) in military aviation and taking appropriate measures to remove obstacles in indigenization of Defence manufacturing industry. He was delivering keynote address at Workshop on “QA Reforms in Military Aviation for Promoting Indigenous R&D and Manufacturing”, held on July 3, 2023 in New Delhi. The Defence Secretary was chief guest at the function organized by Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DGAQA), MoD and Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM).
An India-UK Electric Propulsion Technical Workshop to foster collaboration, exchange knowledge, and explore the exciting possibilities in the field of electric propulsion was organized in New Delhi on 3 July 2023. The day-long workshop was co-chaired by Shri Rajeev Prakash, Joint Secretary (Naval Systems) from the Indian side, and Commodore John Voyce, Naval Base Commander Portsmouth from the UK side.
