India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

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• POINT-WISE DETAILS:

• IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY AND TARGETS:

• MAJOR IMPACTS:

• NO. OF BENEFICIARIES

• BACKGROUND

BARODA MILITARY SALARY PACKAGE

• THE PACKAGE INCLUDE

MEDIUM RANGE SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE (MRSAM)

• ARMY VERSION OF MRSAM

INDIAN ARMY’S OUTREACH TO STARTUPS IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: SUPPORTING ATMANIRBHARTA

THE PROPOSALS FOCUSED

MISSION SAGAR III

INDIAN NAVAL SHIP KILTAN

EXPORT OF AKASH MISSILE SYSTEM

ABOUT AKASH MISSILE

INDIGENOUS BRIDGING SYSTEM
SAHAYAK-NG’

INDIAN AIR FORCE LAUNCHES E-GOVERNANCE (E-OFFICE) PORTAL

INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED LASER DAZZLERS

• THE LASER DAZZLER

LYNX U2 GFCS

• ABOUT LLYNX U2 GFCS

• THE GUN FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM

TOP 4 GRAPHENE-BASED PRODUCTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE

• GRAPHENE

• CYCLING HELMETS

• GRAPHENE-SILVER MEMBRANE

• SOUND DRIVERS

• BATTERIES

INDIA AND BHUTAN ON COOPERATION IN THE PEACEFUL USES OF OUTER SPACE.

• Context: Cabinet approves MoU between India and Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space.

The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Government of the Republic of India and the Royal Government of Bhutan on Cooperation in the peaceful users of outer space signed on November 19, 2020 by both sides at Bangalore/Thimpu and exchanged.

Point-wise details:

This MoU shall enable India and Bhutan to pursue cooperation in potential interest areas, such as

• remote sensing of the earth;
• satellite communication and satellite based navigation;
• Space science and planetary exploration;
• use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and
• application of space technology.

This MoU would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO and the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC) of Bhutan, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementation.

Implementation Strategy and targets:

The signed MoU would lead to concluding specific Implementing Arrangement on specific areas of cooperation and setting up of Joint Working Group, to work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this MoU.

Major Impacts:

The signed MoU will provide Impetus to explore cooperation possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.

No. of beneficiaries;

Cooperation with the Royal Government of Bhutan through this MoU would lead to develop a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus, all sections and regions of the country will get benefitted.

No. of beneficiaries;

India and Bhutan have been discussing on establishing formal space cooperation. A template for Inter-Governmental MoU for Space cooperation was shared with MEA in November 2017 for further taking up with Bhutan. This draft was further discussed along with other cooperative proposals during the bilateral meeting in February 2020.

After a few iterations through diplomatic channels, both sides have arrived at a workable draft of the MoU and the same was processed for internal approvals. After obtaining necessary approvals the MoU was signed on November 19, 2020 by both sides and exchanged.

‘BARODA MILITARY SALARY PACKAGE’

• Context:Indian Army signs MoU with Bank of Baroda for new ‘Baroda Military Salary Package’

Indian Army and Bank of Baroda have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for ‘Baroda Military Salary Package’.

The MoU lays down the basis on which banking services would be provided by Bank of Baroda to serving and retired personnel of Indian Army.

Services under ‘Baroda Military Salary Package’ will be offered to serving and retired personnel of Indian Army through the Bank’s network of over 8,200 domestic branches and around 20,000 business correspondent touchpoints.

The package offers very attractive benefits including

• free Personal Accidental Insurance cover,
• Permanent Total Disability cover,
• Partial disability Cover and
• Air Accident Insurance Cover of sizeable amounts,
• Higher Education Cover and Girl Child Marriage Cover on death in case of serving personnel.

Other offerings under the package include

• unlimited free ATM transactions at all bank ATMs,
• waivers or concessions on various service charges in retail loans,
• free remittance facility through RTGS/NEFT,
• free Demand Draft/Banker’s Cheque,
• substantial discount in locker rentals, and
• various additional benefits in usage of Cards.

MEDIUM RANGE SURFACE TO AIR MISSILE (MRSAM)

• Context:Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a major milestone today with the maiden launch of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM),
• Army Version from Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, off the Coast of Odisha around 1600 hrs.
• The missile completely destroyed a high speed unmanned aerial target which was mimicking an aircraft with a direct hit.

Army version of MRSAM is a surface to Air Missile developed jointly by

• DRDO, India and IAI, Israel for use of the Indian Army.
• MRSAM Army weapon system comprises of Command post, Multi-Function Radar and Mobile Launcher system.
• The complete Fire Unit has been used during the launch in the deliverable configuration.
• The team from the users i.e. Indian Army also witnessed the launch.
• Number of range instruments such as Radar, Telemetry and Electro-Optical Tracking System were deployed and captured the complete mission data, validating the weapon system performance including the destruction of the target.

India has attained a high level of capability in the indigenous design and development of advanced weapon systems.

INDIAN ARMY’S OUTREACH TO STARTUPS IN EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: SUPPORTING ATMANIRBHARTA

In a major push to support Atmanirbharta and to promote an innovation ecosystem, the Indian Army, in collaboration with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), conducted an outreach webinar for startups in emerging technologies.

89 startups pitched their indigenously developed innovations, ideas and proposals to Indian Army through virtual presentations in webinar format.

The proposals focused on the field of

• Drones,
• Counter Drones,
• Robotics,
• Autonomous Systems,
• Artificial Intelligence (AI),
• Quantum computing,
• Blockchain technology,
• 3D printing,
• Nanotechnology and
• Medical applications.

Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Chief of Indian Army, Lt Gen SS Hasabnis, underlined the importance of self-reliance in the defence sector and called upon the defence industry, particularly the startups to invest in emerging and niche technologies.

The Deputy Chief also assured the startups that the Indian Army will assist and handhold them in co-developing innovations and technologies which can enhance the operational capabilities of the Army.

MISSION SAGAR III

• Context:MISSION SAGAR III – INS KILTAN ARRIVES AT SIHANOUKVILLE, CAMBODIA

Indian Naval Ship Kiltanarrived at Sihanoukville Port, Cambodia on 29 December 2020 as part of ongoing Mission Sagar-III.

• The ship will deliver 15 Tons of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Stores for the flood-affected people of Cambodia, which will be handed over to Cambodia’s National Disaster Management Committee (NDMC).
• This assistance is reflective of the deep people-to-people connect between the two friendly countries.

Mission Sagar-III is part of India’s HADR assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries during the ongoing pandemic.

• This Mission is being undertaken in accordance with Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region) and reiterates India’s position as a dependable partner, and the Indian Navy as the Preferred Security Partner and First Responder.
• The Mission also highlights the importance accorded to ASEAN countries and further strengthens the existing bonds.

Historically, India and Cambodia share strong cultural ties. The relations have reinforced in recent years due to increasing engagements in all sectors.

The current visit seeks to fortify the bilateral cooperation between the two countries and contribute towards security and stability in the region.

EXPORT OF AKASH MISSILE SYSTEM

• Context:Cabinet Approves Export of Akash Missile System and Creates a Committee for faster Approval of Exports

Under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat, India is growing in its capabilities of manufacturing wide variety of Defence platforms and missiles.

Akash is country’s important missile with over 96 percent indigenisation.

• Akash is a Surface to Air Missile with a range of 25 Kms.
• The missile was inducted in 2014 in IAF and in 2015 in Indian Army.

After its induction in the Services, interest is shown in Akash missile by many friendly countries during International Exhibitions/Def Expo/Aero India.

The Cabinet approval will facilitate Indian manufactures to participate in RFI/RFP issued by various countries.

So far, Indian defence exports included parts/components etc. The export of big platforms was minimal. This initiative of the Cabinet would help the country to improve its defence products and make them globally competitive.

The export version of Akash will be different from System currently deployed with Indian Armed Forces.

Besides Akash, there is interest coming in other major platforms like Coastal Surveillance System, Radars and Air platforms. To provide faster approvals for export of such platforms, a Committee comprising of Raksha Mantri, External Affairs Minister and National Security Advisor has been created.

This Committee would authorise subsequent exports of major indigenous platforms to various countries. The Committee would also explore various available options including the Government-to-Government route.

Government of India intends to focus on exporting high value defence platforms, to achieve target of 5 Billion USD of defence export and improve strategic relations with friendly foreign countries.

INDIGENOUS BRIDGING SYSTEM

Induction of Indigenous Bridging System into the Indian Army

In continuation of efforts towards Atmanirbharta and in close coordination with the private industry and DRDO,
The Indian Army has inducted three sets of 10-metre short span bridges, which were formally handed over on 29 December 2020 at the Talegaon facility of Larsen & Toubro Limited.

The equipment will meet the important requirement of providing mobility to own forces by speedy bridging of gaps during operations.

This accomplishment is a step towards weaning away our armed forces from foreign manufactured equipment with the the Bridge indigenously designed, developed and delivered as per schedule.

All stakeholders have put in concerted efforts to overcome challenges and realise the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government, which aims to ensure self reliance and self sufficiency in meeting the defence needs of the Indian Army.

SAHAYAK-NG’

• Context:Maiden Flight Trial of SAHAYAK-NG, Air Droppable Container.

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) along with Indian Navy conducted the successful maiden test trial of ‘SAHAYAK-NG’ India’s first indigenously designed and developed Air Dropped Container from IL 38SD aircraft (Indian Navy) off the coast of Goa.

• The trial was conducted by Indian Navy to enhance its operational logistics capabilities and provide critical engineering stores to ships which are deployed more than 2000 km from the coast.
• It reduces the requirement of ships to come close to the coast to collect spares and stores.
• Two DRDO laboratories i.e. NSTL, Visakhapatnam and ADRDE, Agra were involved in the development of SAHAYAK-NG container along the industry partner M/s Avantel for GPS integration.
• SAHAYAK-NG is an advanced version of SAHAYAK Mk I.
• The newly developed GPS aided air dropped container is having the capability to carry a payload that weighs upto 50 kg and can be dropped from heavy aircraft.

Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy congratulated DRDO scientists, Indian Navy and the associated industry partners involved in the successful maiden trial.

INDIAN AIR FORCE LAUNCHES e-GOVERNANCE (e-OFFICE) PORTAL

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal formally launched the IAF e-Governance (e-Office) portal at Air HQ, Vayu Bhavan on 31 Dec 20.

• The implementation undertaken as part of Digital India and e-governance initiative will transform the entire Indian Air Force to a ‘paperless office’ workflow.
• The launch of e-Governance in IAF marks a paradigm shift from the current method of correspondence, filing and documentation to a digital one.
• The platform would achieve enhanced transparency, improved efficiency, increased accountability, assured data integrity and rapidly accessible archives along with a major reduction in the use of paper.
• The application has been designed indigenously from scratch and customized to meet the Filing System requirements of IAF.
• It provides for creation, handling, movement, processing and archival of files and documents and would enable quick disposal and faster decision making.

INDIGENOUSLY DEVELOPED LASER DAZZLERS

• Context:BEL signs contract with Indian Navy for Initial supply of indigenously developed Laser Dazzlers

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has signed a contract with Indian Navy for initially supply 20 Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation Dazlers (Laser Dazzlers) in New Delhi .

• The BEL had earlier this month won the contract beating global Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in buy global category. These would be manufactured by BEL, Pune plant.

The Laser Dazzler is used as a non-lethal method for warning and stopping suspicious vehicles/boats/aircrafts/UAVs/pirates etc. from approaching secured areas during both day and night.

• It is capable of dazzle and thereby suppress the person’s/optical sensor’s action with disability glare in case of non-compliance to orders.
• It disorient/ confuse/blind a person temporarily. It also dazzles and distract aircraft/UAVs.
• It is a portable, shoulder operated and ruggedized for military use in adverse environmental conditions.
• Laser dazzler technology was developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

This unique product is indigenously designed and developed for first time for the Armed Forces. It will support the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

LYNX U2 GFCS

• Context:MoD signs contract with BEL to supply indigenously developed 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for Indian Navy

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for procurement of 10 Lynx U2 Fire Control systems for frontline warships of Indian Navy at a cost of Rs 1,355 crore under Buy (Indian) category in New Delhi.

The Lynx system has been designed and developed indigenously that would further the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.

About LLYNX U2 GFCS

The LYNX U2 GFCS is a Naval Gun Fire Control System designed to acquire, track and engage targets amidst sea clutter.
It is capable of accurately tracking air/surface targets, generating required target data for predicting weapon aiming points and engaging target.
The target engagement is carried out with the medium/short range gun mounts like Russian AK176, A190 and AK630 and the SRGM available onboard ships.

The Gun Fire Control System

The Gun Fire Control System has been designed with an open and scalable architecture permitting simple and flexible implementation in many different configurations. The system has been developed and delivered to Indian Navy and has been in service for over two decades, satisfactorily meeting the tactical requirements of Indian Naval ships of various classes like destroyers, frigates, missile boats, corvettes, etc.

The system has been upgraded continuously and indigenisation has been the major focus along with technology upgrades.

The indigenous content of the system has been continuously increased, generation to generation to eliminate the dependency on foreign OEMs.
The system will be installed on the NOPV, Talwar and Teg class of ships. The system including the Tracking Radar, Servo and Weapon Control Modules has been completely designed and developed by BEL. The indigenous system will ensure maximum up-time of the system and guarantees excellent Product support throughout its life time.
The system proposed in the contract is of the fourth generation and is a completely indigenised system, developed in the true spirit of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. These will be delivered by BEL, Bengaluru over the next five years.

Top 4 graphene-based products from across the globe

GRAPHENE

Graphene, the wonder material, has proved to be a game changer in the research and development of nanomaterials. Due to its exciting properties, it is seems to be slowly entering the market in all sorts of products. Graphene is a one-atom thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb like pattern, and is considered to be the world’s thinnest, strongest and most conductive material of electricity as well as heat. The best part is that the wonder material can be used to enhance the strength of other materials. In this post, we take a look at some of the top graphene-based products that have been developed and serve a lot many purposes.

• Cycling helmets: Graphene-based cycling helmets have been developed by Spanish sports equipment company Catlike. According to the company, using graphene in making the helmets not just made it safer, but also helped in ensuring increased ventilation and reducing its weight. The inner skeleton of the helmet has been treated with graphene, effectively improving the entire mechanical performance and impact energy absorption. The Catlike cycling helmets are one among a wide range of graphene-related innovations in sporting equipments.
• Graphene-silver Membrane: Following the outbreak of Covid—19 pandemic, India-based nanotechnology company Nanomatrix Materials combined the power of graphene and silver to develop a membrane with strong anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. According to the manufacturers, the graphene-silver membrane possesses atomically sharp edges of graphene, which function as nano-knives to damage the outer wall of microbes. Enhancing the power of the membrane are silver nanoparticles that produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) in oxidative conditions, causing irreversible damage to the genetic material of viruses and bacteria. The membrane is breathable, washable and anti-odour.
• Sound drivers: Berkley-based consumer electronic goods manufacturer GraphAudio has developed an electrostatic driver that is powered by a graphene diaphragm, which vibrates in a physical analogy to the audio electrical signal, generating high quality sound. The diaphragms are extremely thin and light weighted, and converts almost all the energy inside into sound. According to the manufacturers, the graphene transducers ensure no distortion and required abysmally low power to function.
• Batteries: Berkley-based consumer electronic goods manufacturer GraphAudio has developed an electrostatic driver that is powered by a graphene diaphragm, which vibrates in a physical analogy to the audio electrical signal, generating high quality sound. The diaphragms are extremely thin and light weighted, and converts almost all the energy inside into sound. According to the manufacturers, the graphene transducers ensure no distortion and required abysmally low power to function.