Tag: Indian military

India’s oldest think tank USI to hold first Indian Military Heritage Festival

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Committed to removing Indian military from Maldives, says president-elect Muiz

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The president-elect of the Maldives said he would stick to his campaign promise to remove Indian military personnel stationed in the archipelago state, promising he would initiate the process.

Mohamed Muiz told his supporters gathered on Monday night, October 2, at a celebration of his election victory that he wouldn’t stand for a foreign military staying in the Maldives against the will of its citizens.

“The people have told us that they don’t want foreign military here,” he said.

It’s a serious blow to India in its geopolitical rivalry with China in the India Ocean region, where the Maldives’ presidential runoff election on Saturday was seen as a virtual referendum on which of the regional powers would have the biggest influence on the archipelago. Outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who was elected president in 2018, was battling allegations by Muiz that he had allowed India an unchecked presence in the country. Muiz’s party, the People’s National Congress, is viewed as heavily pro-China.

Muiz’s main campaign theme was about an alleged threat to the Maldives’ sovereignty by some Indian military personnel on an island, part of the party’s yearslong “India out” strategy.

Solih insisted that the Indian military’s presence in the Maldives was only to build a dockyard under an agreement between the two governments and that his country’s sovereignty wouldn’t be violated.

Former President Abdulla Yameen, leader of the People’s National Congress, made the Maldives a part of China’s Belt and Road initiative during his presidency from 2013 to 2018. The initiative is meant to build railroads, ports and highways to expand trade — and China’s influence — across Asia, Africa and Europe.

Yameen was transferred on Sunday from prison to house arrest, already fulfilling one of Muiz’s campaign promises before he officially takes office on November 17.

The Maldives is made up of 1,200 coral islands in the Indian Ocean, located by the main shipping route between the East and the West.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Republic Day celebrations to kick-off with first ever Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance Festival – all you need to know

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The first-ever Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance festival is set to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Delhi on January 23 and 24 as part of Republic Day celebrations. The event will also mark the 126th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Over 1,200 performers will take part in the two-day festival.

Here’s all you need to know about the festival

The event is being jointly organised by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs along with the Indian Coast Guard as the coordinating agency.

“Themed as Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance, this event is aimed at throwing light on the contribution of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose to our freedom struggle,” the Ministry of Defence stated in a press release.

ALSO READ: Republic Day tickets: Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to book

A military tattoo is a performance of music or display by the armed forces and the Military Tattoo and Tribal Dance performances will be showcased under the banner “Adi-Shaurya: Parv Parakram Ka.”

The initial practice sessions for the event began on January 10. As per the release, about 1,200 plus performers are displaying their art forms. Each group displays a slice of India with their unique and colourful costumes, headdresses, musical instruments, and dance beats.

The traditional dance performances will be presented during the main event. These performances include Gaurr Maria, Gaddi Nati, Siddi Dhamal, Bagurumba, Ghusadi, Balti, Lambadi, Baiga Pardhoni, Purulia, Songimukhawate, Paika, Rathwa, Budigali, Ka Shad Mastieh, Karma, Mangho, Kummikali, Palaiyar, Rekham Pada, and Cheraw.

ALSO READ: Republic Day 2023: Check Traffic, Airline, Railway advisory and restrictions

These events and groups will be coordinated by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, while the Indian Army will present its prowess in the event through Paramotor gliding, Hot Air Balloon, Horse Show, Mallakhamb, Kalaripayattu, Khukuri Dance, Motorcycle Display, Air Warrior Drill,  Gatka, Thang-ta, Navy Band and martial arts.

The event will end with the grand finale performance by famous Bollywood playback singer Kailash Kher.

The event is free to attend.

ALSO READ: Republic Day Parade 2023: CAPF to showcase ‘Nari Shakti’ theme

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

IAF to conduct joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct its annual joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise from November 28-30 at the Agra Air Force Station to assess the efficacy of institutional disaster management structures and contingency measures.

Along with the involvement of various stakeholders from the country, Exercise ‘Samanvay 2022’ will also see the participation of representatives from the ASEAN countries, the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest for the capability demonstration events planned during the exercise on November 29.

It will comprise a seminar on disaster management, a ‘Multi Agency Exercise’ involving static and flying displays of various HADR assets and a ‘Table Top Exercise’, it said.

Also Read: Def Min extends pro rata pension benefits to JCOs, ORs with 10 years of service & who join PSUs

The aim of the exercise is to assess the efficacy of institutional disaster management structures and contingency measures, it said.

“Samanvay 2022 will promote a synergistic approach towards HADR b various national and regional stakeholders involved in disaster management including the civil administration, the armed forces, the National Disaster Management Authority, NIDM, National Disaster Response Force, Defence Research and Development Organisation, Border Roads Organisation, IMD, NRS and INCOIS,” it said.

This multi agency engagement is expected to contribute in the evolution of institutional frameworks for effective communication, interoperability, cooperation and their application for successful conduct of HADR, it said.

The exercise also aims to provide a unique platform for exchange of domain knowledge, experience and best practices with the participating ASEAN member countries, the statement added.

Also Read: Indian Army launches single-window portal for welfare and grievance for veer naris

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Thal Sena Bhawan – Indian Army’s new headquarters is a mix of modernity, efficiency

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

A ‘Dharma Chakra’ on the top of the six-storey Thal Sena Bhawan to make it visible from far, new modern offices for Army officers in an all-green building, a huge gymnasium, a Thal Sena sunken garden for recreation and celebrations, and a special ceremonial walkway for events — Indian Army’s new headquarters will have all this and much more.

The government on Wednesday invited tenders for building the Indian Army’s new headquarters in Delhi Cantonment, the Thal Sena Bhawan, at a cost of Rs 757 crore. The project is to be completed within 27 months, it is specified.

News18 reviewed the tender document, which has fresh pictures of how the project would look once ready in the year 2025.

This comes over two years after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation stone of the project in February 2020. The Military Engineering Services (MES) has invited the bids now, saying the firm which will build the project in 27 months will continue to maintain and operate it for the following five years.

The document says it should be a high-quality construction, maximising sustainability concepts with GRIHA IV compliance to be obtained in view of all-green building norms. The latest and modern construction technologies will be used, maximising the natural surroundings and attributes to the extent possible and completing the project within time with cost being the priority.

A highlight of the six-story building will be a ‘Dharma Chakra’ on the top. “The iconic building itself is planned to be visible from far-away distances,” the document says, adding that the site edges pose a strong element to pronounce the grandness of the site.

Also Read:Infantry Day is today: History, significance and how it will be celebrated

Modern offices for officers of top ranks like Lt. General, Major General, Brigadier, Colonel, Lt. Colonel, Director, Major, and Deputy Director are planned. There will be a separate four-storied building called the Infrastructure Complex Hall as well as a huge gymnasium for officers and a central library. The accommodation complex will be a separate building as well.

Abutting the main building will be an expansive arena of spaces for recreation as well as celebration. “The Thal Sena sunken garden is planned with steps to function as seating areas. A 9m wide processional path is aimed to serve as a ceremonial walkway for Army events. This is flanked by a display garden with plazas planned to serve as spaces for the display of Army artefacts,” the document has elaborated.

The project was granted environmental clearance earlier this year. There is a restriction on the maximum height of buildings to be constructed at the site, due to its proximity to the Indira Gandhi International Airport. The restriction on height imposed by the Airports Authority of India is 282.49 meters for such multi-storey buildings.

The new building located opposite Manekshaw centre in Delhi cantonment will be spread over 39 acres and will bring together the offices of the Army headquarters spread across New Delhi inside a single building, thus improving efficiency and streamlining logistical requirements.

The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) will operate from the new building, even as the Army chief would continue having his office in South Block and Sena Bhawan, which houses several offices of Army headquarters, will continue to exist.

As per the Army, Army Headquarters is located across South Block, Sena Bhawan, Hutments Area, RK Puram, and Shankar Vihar, among others.

The Army had said about 7.5 lakh sqm of area will be constructed for the office complex and parking and 6,014 offices will be constructed, which will include offices for 1,684 officers — and 4,330 sub-staff. It will also comprise a residential area for security personnel and include other basic amenities.​

Also Read:Indian Army issues RFP for procurement of 363 drones

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Indian Army to conduct one of its biggest military exercise on Western front

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Offensive formations of the Indian Army are preparing to take part in a military exercise on the Western front this month, according to a defence release here on Thursday. It is expected to be one of the biggest exercises in recent times and will be witnessed by the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Command, and other key officials from Army headquarters, it said.

“The exercise is planned to validate newly converted mechanised formations, also known as Reorganised Plains Infantry Division, test efficacy of latest induction and upgrades in weapons and equipment, and also test the enhanced force ratios accrued post rebalancing of forces on entire Western Front,” according to the release.

“Validation of tactical concepts of these formations, especially on canal-based operations, and fighting manoeuvre through built-up areas apart from many other latest operational concepts designed to launch a swift punitive blow to the adversary as part of the proactive strategy will be the key features of the exercise, it further added.

“The exercise will put into practice the synergy between all arms and services including attack helicopters in a semi desert terrain,” it said.

Also Read: Hijab ban row: Supreme Court gives split verdict, matter to be decided by larger bench

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Explained: What are the MQ-9B Predator drones which India is about to buy from US at $3 bn

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The killing of Al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri with the Hellfire missiles fired through the MQ-9 Predators (also called Reapers) once again made this US flying machine the cynosure of military attention. With reports emerging of India being in an advanced stage of negotiations to procure 30 MQ-9B Predators, let’s find out what these Predator drones are all about.

History of MQ-9B Predator drones

Predator drones were conceived in the early 1990s for aerial reconnaissance and forward observation roles after the failure of GNAT 750 in operations over Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1993 and 1994. GNAT 750 suffered from several technical issues and  RQ-1 Predator came as its more capable and enhanced version replacement for medium-altitude tactical reconnaissance.

By 1995, it too was operating over Bosnia and Herzegovina and later saw combat in the US war in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, the 2011 Libyan civil war, and the 2014 intervention in Syria.

Also read: Drone strike kills Al-Qaeda chief Al-Zawahiri in Afghanistan, says Joe Biden

By 1999, the US Airforce (USAF) felt the need for more advanced versions, so General Atomics began work on the Predator B, which entered operations in 2007 as the MQ-9 Reaper, as the replacement of the original Predator.

It is operated by the CIA and the USAF, which describes Predator as a “Tier II” MALE UAS (medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system).

Also Read: India in advanced stage of talks with US for procuring MQ-9B drones

Technical specifications

The MQ-9B has two variants — SkyGuardian and its sibling SeaGuardian. The Indian Navy has been operating the MQ-9B Sea Guardian since 2020.

According to the General Atomics, MQ-9B Sea Guardian can carry up to 12,500 lb (5,670 kg) and has fuel capacity of 6,000 lb (2,721 kg).

The drone can operate at over 40,000 feet, giving the Indian military surveillance capacity in the high-altitude Himalayan border areas. The Predator also has the maximum endurance of 40 hours, making it useful for long-hour surveillance.

Moreover, MQ-9B Sea Guardian can support land, maritime surveillance, anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, strike, electronic warfare and expeditionary roles.

The MQ-9B Sea Guardian is also capable of automatic take-offs and landings.

The MQ-9 and other UAVs are referred to as remotely piloted vehicles/aircraft (RPV/RPA) by the USAF. The aircraft is monitored and controlled by aircrew in the Ground Control Station (GCS) and is popularly called in the US as the first hunter-killer UAV.

Why does India need Predators?

India needs the armed drones — at a cost of over $3 billion — to crank up its surveillance apparatus along the frontier with China as well as in the Indian Ocean region.

Since 2020, India and China had been at military standoffs at several points along the 3,488 km-long border, with several reports claiming that both sides have deployed close to two lakh troops each. India has stepped up surveillance considerably along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), using a fleet of unmanned drones and the addition of these drones would be a big upgrade in India’s monitoring programme.

Further, with China increasing its naval activity in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including docking its latest-generation space-tracking ship — Yuan Wang 5 capable of monitoring satellites, rockets and intercontinental ballistic missile launches close to the Indian coastline — the need for Reaper drones seem imperative to control China.

Also, several reports highlighted the fact that the Indian Navy is satisfied with the performance of the Predators. The navy inducted two MQ-9B Sea Guardians in 2020. The drones were taken on lease from General Atomics for a year, which was later extended thanks to its performance.

Also Read: Patra Chawl land scam: PMLA court extends Sanjay Raut’s custody till September 5

Some important operations by Predator/Reaper drones

The MQ-9 Reaper was reportedly used in the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani outside Baghdad airport in January 2020. Soleimani was the top commander of Iran’s paramilitary Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and headed its elite Quds Force. He was in charge of operations in the Middle East.

The killing heightened the US-Iran tensions to a new level, with Iran firing several missiles on US bases in Iraq in the response. However, no damage or casualties were reported on the US side.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Agnipath recruitment: Online registration dates revised for scheme in Kerala

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The Army recruitment office in Thiruvananthapuram has notified that the recruitment for eligible candidates in Army through the newly launched Agnipath recruitment scheme has been rescheduled to start from August 5.

The registration process was earlier scheduled to begin on August 1.

The online window for registration will now be open from August 5 to September 3. Interested candidates can now register through www.joinindianarmy.nic.in.

The Agnipath recruitment rally from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Pathanamthitta, Alappuzha, Kottayam, Ernakulam and Idukki is scheduled to be held from November 15 to November 30 at Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium in Kollam.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) said on Tuesday it had received 7.5 lakh applications under the Agnipath recruitment scheme.  Indian Navy has also begun its online registration for around 3000 posts.

Also Read: Indian Navy Agniveer MR 2022 application process begins today: Check eligibility and how to apply

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Supreme Court transfers pleas against Agnipath scheme to Delhi HC

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to hear pleas challenging the Agnipath scheme for the armed forces and directed it to the Delhi High Court.

The apex court held that it wants a considered view of a high court before deciding the matter. The top court also directed all such pleas in other high courts to be given the option of being transferred to the Delhi High Court. The court also the Delhi High Court to hear and decide the issue expeditiously.

Also read: Pleas against Agnipath scheme: Centre files caveat in Supreme Court

“The Constitution provides for such a plea to be moved first in the high court as the case is also pending before it. Why should we be denied the benefit of a well-considered view of the high court? Pan-India problems do not mean that the case should automatically move to the Supreme Court. There is no question of entertaining the issue at this stage,” a bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and AS Bopanna observed.

The Agnipath scheme, announced on June 14, provides for the recruitment of youth between the age of 17-and-a-half and 21 years for only four years with a provision to retain 25 percent of them for 15 more years. Later, the government extended the upper age limit to 23 years for recruitment this year.

Also read: Agnipath scheme: Here’s a look at the reasons behind violent protests across India

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow