April 2023

Cope India 2023 Culminates

The sixth edition of Cope India-2023, an Air Exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and United States Air Force (USAF), conducted over the last two weeks at Air Force Stations Kalaikunda, Panagarh and Agra, culminated on 24 Apr 2023.  The exercise involved participation of frontline IAF aircraft like Rafale, Tejas, Su-30MKI, Jaguar, C-17 and C-130.  The USAF in turn had fielded the F-15 ‘Strike Eagle’ fighter, C-130, MC-130J, C-17 and the B1B, strategic bomber aircraft.  Aircrew from the Japanese Air Self Defence Force also participated as observers.  This joint exercise provided valua

Def Sec Inaugurates Navy's Simulator Complex

Defence Secretary, Giridhar Aramane, in the presence of VAdm Biswajit Dasgupta, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Eastern Naval Command and VAdm Sanjay Jasjit Singh, Vice Chief of Naval Staff, inaugurated the state-of-the-art P8I simulator named as ‘Ashok Roy Training Simulator Complex’ (ARTSC) on 25 Apr 23 at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. The ARTSC will allow reduction of on aircraft training, thereby ensuring higher availability of aircraft for operational missions.

Diamond Jubilee of 44 SQN

44 Squadron of the Indian Air Force is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee this year at Chandigarh. The rich and glorious history of the Sqn is a kaleidoscope of military history and military diplomacy of modern-day India and filled with tales of fortitude, courage, daring, devotion and professionalism which encapsulates all that IAF stands for.

India Test BMD Interceptor from Naval Platform

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal on April 21, 2023. The purpose of the trial was to engage and neutralize a hostile ballistic missile threat thereby elevating India into the elite club of Nations having Naval BMD capability.

Prior to this, DRDO has successfully demonstrated land-based BMD system with capability to neutralize ballistic missile threats, emerging from adversaries.

India should always be ready for unpredictables events - Rajnath

The first Army Commanders’ Conference of year 2023, commenced in a hybrid format on 17 April 2023. During the event, Indian Army's apex leadership is comprehensively deliberating upon all aspects of existing security scenarios, situation along the borders and in the hinterland and challenges for the present security apparatus. In addition, the conference is also focussing on issues pertaining to organisational restructuring, logistics, administration and human resource management.

MoD initiates reforms in AHSP

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved a proposal for bringing in industry-friendly reform related to Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP). The AHSP is the authority which is responsible for generating, maintaining, updating or declaring obsolete the entire history and technical information of defence products.

Need to maximise the value of money spent - Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has stressed on the need to devise innovative methods to maximise the value of money spent on the security needs of the country, terming a robust defence finance system as the backbone of a strong military. Inaugurating the three-day International Conference on Defence Finance & Economics in New Delhi on April 12, 2023, Rajnath Singh asserted that a legal and procedural defence-finance framework is an integral part of a mature state system, which ensures prudent management of the defence expenditure.

CDS visits HQs Trishakti Corps

Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan visited Air Force Station and forward areas in North Bengal along with GOC, Trishakti Corps on April 08 & 09, 2023. He reviewed the progress of infrastructure development and operational & logistics preparedness in the area. The CDS also interacted with the troops deployed in the remote areas and appreciated their high morale and professionalism.