March 2023

India will continue to work with African nations-RM

India will continue to work with African nations to promote regional security, foster stability and enhance the defence capabilities together. This was stated by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the first edition of India-Africa Army Chiefs’ Conclave organised on the sidelines of 2nd Africa-India Joint Exercise ‘AFINDEX’ in Pune, Maharashtra on March 28, 2023. The Conclave was attended by Chief of the Army Staff General Manoj Pande and Chiefs & representatives of 31 African nations, along with other civil and defence dignitaries.

Army Chief Presents ‘President’s Standards’

General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff presented the prestigious ‘President’s Standards’ or ‘Nishan’ to four Armoured Regiments of the Indian Army, namely 49 Armoured Regiment, 51 Armoured Regiment, 53 Armoured Regiment and 54 Armoured Regiment during an impressive Standards Presentation Parade held at Suratgarh Military Station in Rajasthan on 25 March 2023. A large number of dignitaries and military veterans graced the occasion. The event witnessed an immaculate mounted parade by the four Armoured Regiments along with tanks in all grandeur.

BEL Signs Contract for EW

Ministry of Defence, on March 24, 2023, signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Hyderabad for procurement of two Integrated Electronic Warfare Systems ‘Project Himshakti’ at an overall cost of approximately Rs 3,000 crore. The project is under the Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category comprising contemporary and niche technologies.

BEL Signs Contract for Radars

Ministry of Defence, on March 23, 2023, signed two separate contracts with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), at a total cost of over Rs 3,700 crore, to enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force. The first contract, worth over Rs 2,800 crore, pertains to the supply of Medium Power Radars (MPR) ‘Arudhra’ for the Indian Air Force. The second contract, at an overall cost of approx. Rs 950 crore, relates to 129 DR-118 Radar Warning Receivers (RWR). Both projects are under Buy {Indian – IDMM (Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured)} category.

Second ASW SWC Launched at GRSE

‘Androth’, the second of 08 x ASW Shallow Water Craft (SWC) Project, being built by GRSE for Indian Navy was launched on 21 Mar 23 at M/s GRSE, Kolkata. The ship made her first contact with water of Hooghly River at 1430 Hrs at the Launch Ceremony presided over by VAdm Dinesh K Tripathi, FOC-IN-C (West). In keeping with the Naval traditions, Shashi Tripathi launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda. Mr Arun Lal, former Indian cricketer and head coach of Bengal cricket team, was the Guest of Honour for the ceremony.

Keel Laid For Two MPV At L&T

Keel laying ceremony of the two ships of Multi Purpose Vessel (MPV) Project  (Yard18001 – Samarthak & Yard 18002 – Utkarsh) was held at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli, on 20 Mar 23. The ceremony was presided by VAdm Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, in the presence of VAdm Kiran Deshmukh, CWP&A, Shri Ashok Khetan, Head Shipbuilding Business, L&T and other senior officials from Indian Navy and L&T.

India to Buy Indian Weapons worth closer to USD 9 billion

A meeting of Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), held on March 16, 2023 under the chairmanship of defence minister Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition amounting to over Rs 70,500 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}. Out of the total proposals, Indian Navy proposals constitute more than Rs 56,000 crore, which largely includes indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, Utility Helicopters-Maritime etc.

EX-LA PEROUSE – 2023

Indian Navy’s indigenously built guided missile frigate, INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker, INS Jyoti participated in the third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse conducted from 13 - 14 March 2023. The exercise was conducted in the Indian Ocean Region, and was aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimising maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.

3rd Ex Sea Dragon-23

A P8I aircraft of the Indian Navy arrived at Guam, USA on 14 Mar 23 to participate in ‘Exercise Sea Dragon 23’, the third edition of the coordinated multi-lateral ASW exercise for Long Range MR ASW aircraft, conducted by the US Navy.

The exercise scheduled from 15-30 Mar 23, would stress on coordinated anti-submarine warfare amongst the participating countries. The complexity and scope of these exercises has increased steadily over the past years to include advanced ASW drills.