Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, October 16

The Indian Air Force is planning to undertake a second life extension programme on its fleet of MiG-29 frontline fighter jets, which will enhance their service span from 40 years to 50 years.

Inducted into the IAF in 1986, the first life extension programme was undertaken in the mid-2000s. The then Defence Minister, AK Antony had stated in Parliament that the MiG-29s’ technical life was being extended from 25 years to 40 years to meet the IAF’s operational requirements.

According IAF sources, the enhanced technical life of the MiG-29 aircraft will begin expiring from 2025 onwards and in view of the depleting squadron strength and slow rate of inductions, it is imperative to determine that for how long this fleet can continue to remain effectively in service.

The project will be executed at IAF’s No.11 Base Repair Depot near Nashik, which is mandated with the repair and overhaul of Russian origin fighter aircraft. Only Indian firms will be permitted to participate in the programme.

The project involves study and examination of the aircraft’s airframe, engines, avionics, sub-assemblies and other aggregates, development and analysis of technical and flight data, structural integrity checks, corrosion removal, repair and strengthening of certain load bearing areas and some structural modifications, sources said.

The IAF operates about 66 of the Soviet/Russian origin fighters in three squadrons. Two of them are based at Adampur and Jamnagar, while the third has recently moved to Srinagar to replace a MiG-21 squadron that was phased out. In addition, the Navy also procured 35 MiG-29s for its fleet air arm.

The MiG-29s went in for extensive modification and upgradation during the second half of the last decade, which significantly enhanced their combat capability. Christened the MiG-29 UPG, this included modifications to the airframe along with new avionics, radar, missiles, weapon control systems and electronic warfare suite.

The IAF used its MiG-29s extensively during the 1999 Kargil War to provide fighter escort for Mirage 2000s attacking high altitude targets with laser-guided bombs as well as for carrying out combat air patrols. MiG-29s were also deployed in Ladakh to counter Chinese aircraft during the face-off along the Line of Actual Control in 2020.

According to reports, India is in the process of procuring 21 additional MiG-29s from Russia which would enable replacement of earlier losses and raise another squadron. These would be developed and upgraded from airframes built earlier but which never entered service.

Lt Gen Harpal Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC, Engineer-in-Chief is an alumni of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in Dec 1982. The officer has tenanted critical command and staff appointments at various levels. He has commanded a Border Roads Task Force in J&K Valley. He has also been the Chief Engineer of Project Dantak (BRO) at Bhutan, Chief Engineer (Navy), Mumbai and Chief Engineer Eastern Command.

2.         The General Officer is a graduate of Defence Services Staff College, Higher Defence Management Course and National Defence College. His distinct academic achievements include a double M Tech from the Virginia State University, USA and Masters in Management Studies from Osmania University and M. Phil (Defence Studies) from Madras University.

3.         During his 37 years of distinguished career, the General Officer has held several appointments to include Gde 2 at Army HQ, Gde 2 and Gde 1 at Comd HQ, DDG DV at Army HQ and Dy MS at Central Command. He has also been Directing Staff and DS Coord at the prestigious College of Defence Management, Secunderabad. His prestigious appointments include Additional Military Secretary and Director General of Military Training and Col Comdt of the Army Physical Training Corps.

4.         Prior to taking over as Engineer-in-Chief, the General Officer was at the helm of affairs of the Border Road Organisation as Director General of Border Roads.

5.         The General Officer has assumed the appointment of Engineer-in-Chief and Colonel Comdt of the Corps of Engineers wef 01 Dec 2020.

ANS

London, October 15

Indian-origin British Sikh Army officer Preet Chandi, who made history by trekking to the South Pole, is now going for a record-breaking 1,100 miles trek across Antarctica — solo and unaided! Captain Chandi, also known as “Polar Preet”, became the first woman of colour in January this year to complete a solo and unsupported 700-mile trip to the South Pole in just 40 days, five days ahead of her finishing schedule.

The 33-year-old will pull all her kit and supplies on a sledge (pulk), weighing around 120kg (19 stone) at the start of her epic journey in November, while battling temperatures of -50c and wind speeds of up to 60mph.

Army physio Captain Preet Chandi aims to be the first woman to cross Antarctica solo and unsupported.

‘Polar’ Preet’s 1,100-mile trek will last up to 75 days.

Read more about her challenge 👇https://t.co/fhL2ShfuQ7 #Teamwork #Opportunities pic.twitter.com/SPlYjtIh7G— British Army 🇬🇧 (@BritishArmy) October 14, 2022

“I expect the journey to take approximately 75 days. Having done 700 miles to the South Pole, I know I can do 1,100 miles,” Chandi, a physiotherapist with the British Army, said.

Chandi, the British Army website reported, will make slower progress at the beginning because of the extra weight of her pulk, a type of sledge pulled by a person and used to carry equipment and supplies. Her pulk will include ice screws, an ice axe, crevasse equipment and crampons which are only needed for the last part.

From the South Pole to the base of the glacier is around 655 km. Of this, about 140 km is on the glacier which climbs from around 763m to 2,931m.

“I don’t know what the ground or the weather will be like. If there’s lots of heavy snowfall it will slow me down. I need to hit the South Pole by a certain point to give me enough time to go down and navigate the glacier,” Chandi said.

Chandi is the third fastest female solo skier for the expedition behind Johanna Davidson of Sweden and Britain’s Hannah McKeand. She is also the first person to reach the South Pole on foot in two years, the Guardian reported.

“The British Army is extremely proud to have such a remarkable ambassador. Captain Chandi embodies the qualities we seek of all who serve – courage, commitment, and the want to be the best we can be,” said Lieutenant General Sharon Nesmith, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, British Army.

“Inspiration for all, especially young girls, to push personal limits and achieve incredible feats,” British MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi tweeted.

Antarctica is the coldest, highest, driest and windiest continent on Earth and nobody lives there permanently.

When Chandi reached the South Pole earlier this year, she had said in her blog post: “I don’t want to just break the glass ceiling, I want to smash it into a million pieces”

Nearly 3000 women knitted more than 40,000 woollen caps

PTI

New Delhi, October 15

Air Force Wives Welfare Association (AFWWA) on Saturday set a Guinness World Records by displaying 41,541 knitted woollen caps here.

Nearly 3,000 women, all AFWWA members from all over the country, knitted more than 40,000 woollen caps over a period of nearly three months starting July 15 as part of the association’s ‘Knittathon’ drive.

The event was organised at the Indian Air Force (IAF) Auditorium here.

“The record is amazing and it is for the display of the highest number of knitted woolen caps. This is a first-of-its kind category,” Rishi Nath, an adjudicator at the Guinness World Record told PTI.

The colourful caps made of Vardhaman wool were put on display in the verdant lawns of the auditorium campus. They were arranged to form ‘KNITTATHON 2022’ and ‘41,541’ on the ground.

“These caps were hand-knitted by nearly 3,000 members of AFWWA as part of our special drive ‘Knittathon’ which started on July 15 and culminated on October 15. The caps will be distributed to extremely needy people ahead of the winter,” AFWWA president Neeta Chaudhari said.

The event was held to mark the 52nd anniversary of AFWWA.

“A total of 41,541 caps have been knitted by our members from across the country. This will boost their confidence and this achievement is a step forward to make them ‘atmanirbhar’,” she said.

Union Minister for Women and Child Development Smriti Irani was the chief guest at the event.

In her address, she hailed the women for their achievement earned through “precision-based participation”

Earlier in the day, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the auditorium campus and congratulated AFWWA for the achievement.  

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa: The residents of Swat and Shangla returned to the streets against the wave of terrorism on Thursday and reminded the Pakistan government to do more against the spate of terrorism in the scenic valley.
They demanded authorities to clamp down on elements ruining the peace in the area, reported Dawn.
The protest was organised by a local organisation, Swat Qaumi Jirga, while elders, youth, and children from different parts of Charbagh tehsil took part in the demonstration, carrying placards inscribed with slogans seeking the restoration of peace in the valley.
Chanting slogans and holding placards, they voiced their grievances as terrorism has seemingly made a return to the region.
Notably, on Monday, terrorists opened fire on a school van, killing the driver and injuring two children.
During their protest last week at Matta Chowk in the Khwazakhela tehsil of Swat, the protesters had warned that they might take up arms to tackle terrorists if the authorities failed to play their due role, reported Dawn.
It was the eighth protest today by the locals since the resurfacing of the terror activities in the month of August. The most recent protest was on Tuesday, after a school van in Charbagh came under gunfire, leaving the driver dead and two children injured.
The incident triggered protests in several parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with thousands taking to the streets to show their resolve against terror, reported Dawn.
The protest eventually ended after 40 hours after negotiations with the administration.
The protesters had been demanding the arrest of the culprits behind the attack and warned of marching to Islamabad if authorities failed to meet their demands within 24 hours.
Adviser to Prime Minister on Political and Public Affairs, Amir Muqam, also turned up at the protest to express solidarity with the demonstrators, reported Dawn.
The speakers were of the view that their demonstrations will continue until the elimination of the last terrorist from the valley.
In his remarks, Muqam said, “The PML-N will never compromise on peace in Swat.”
A speaker said that the people of Swat have “woken up” and are entirely aware of right and wrong and bad and good.
Another speaker, Mukhtiar Yousafzai, said the locals have decided they would not breathe freely until terrorism was completely eliminated from Swat, reported Dawn.
“Gone are the days when the people of Swat were made to suffer through an organised pattern of terrorism. This time, we have resolved to eradicate this menace once and for all,” said Yousafzai in his address.
Earlier in September, a bomb blast took the life of a peace committee member and seven others, leading citizens to take to the streets in protest.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, October 14

India and China on Friday held the 25th meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation & Coordination on India-China Border Affairs (WMCC) and reviewed the situation along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the western sector.

The two sides agreed to continue discussions through diplomatic and military channels to resolve the remaining issues along the LAC at the earliest so as to create conditions for the restoration of normalcy in bilateral relations. To achieve the objective in accordance with the existing bilateral agreements and protocols, both sides agreed to hold the next (17th) round of senior commanders’ meeting at an early date, stated an MEA press release.

Recalling the developments since the last meeting of the WMCC in May, they welcomed the disengagement in the area of Gogra-Hot Springs (PP-15) that was carried out in a phased, coordinated and verified manner between September 8 and 12.

The two sides noted these steps reflected the understandings between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, including at their recent meeting in Bali in July. The Indian delegation was led by the Joint Secretary (East Asia) from the Ministry of External Affairs. The Director General of the Boundary & Oceanic Department of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs led the Chinese delegation

Next meeting soon

• Both sides to continue talks through diplomatic and military channels
• Aim to resolve remaining issues along LAC at earliest for restoration of normalcy
• Agree to hold next round of senior commanders’ meeting at an early date

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, October 14

In a significant development, India on Friday announced its ability to launch a nuclear-tipped missile from a submarine while it is under the water.

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence said, “INS Arihant carried out a successful launch of a submarine launched ballistic missile (SLBM) on October 14.”

INS Arihant, a nuclear-powered and nuclear missile-carrying submarine, is part of the super-secret indigenous programme to have three such vessels. The submarine was launched at sea in 2009 and became operational later.

The test was carried out using a missile without a nuclear warhead, which can be fitted at any stage. It is estimated that the tests of an SLBM from a submarine had been carried out previously, but a formal announcement was made today following validation of all parameters and possibly after testing missiles that travel to varying ranges

Sources said Sagarika (750-km range) and K-4 (3,500 km) were the two options. The details of the missile have not been declared. In the past, India tested missiles from underwater by using a watertight submerged cannister to mimic a submarine.

The MoD today said, “The missile was tested to a predetermined range and impacted the target area in the Bay of Bengal with very high accuracy. All operational and technological parameters of the weapon system have been validated.”

It said a “robust, survivable and assured retaliatory” capability was in sync with the country’s policy to have “credible minimum deterrence that underpins its no first use” commitment.

India joins top nations

India became first country outside five permanent members of UNSC — US, UK, Russia, China and France — to have ability to launch a nuclear-tipped missile from a submarine

Washington, October 15

In perhaps the most candid statement made against it, US President Joe Biden described Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous nations” in the world with holds “nuclear weapons without any cohesion.” The US President made these remarks at a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Reception in Los Angeles (California), during which he berated both China and Russia.

The remarks on Pakistan were made while Biden was talking about US foreign policy with regard to China and Vladimir Putin’s Russia. Biden concluded by saying he considered Pakistan to be the most dangerous country in the world.

“This is a guy (Xi Jinping) who understands what he wants but has an enormous, enormous array of problems. How do we handle that? How do we handle that relative to what’s going on in Russia? And what I think is maybe one of the most dangerous nations in the world: Pakistan. Nuclear weapons without any cohesion,” said Biden, as quoted in a White House press release of his remarks at the Democratic party event.

Biden’s remarks could be seen as a setback to the Shehbaz Sharif government’s bid to improve ties with the US. At the event, Biden said there were enormous opportunities for the US to change the dynamic in the second quarter of the 21st century.https://c3efed9d70c9f88f0c8a217ec3feaec4.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-38/html/container.html

“So, folks, there’s a lot going on. A lot going on. But there’s also enormous opportunities for the United States to change the dynamic in the second quarter of the 21st century,” the US president said.

These comments come two days after the release of the US’ National Security Strategy. The 48-page document makes no reference to Pakistan.

On Wednesday, the Biden administration released the Congress mandated key policy document, underlining the threat posed to the US by both China and Russia.

The National Security Strategy states that China and Russia who earlier this year announced a “no-limits partnership” are increasingly aligned with each other but the challenges they pose are distinct.

“We will prioritise maintaining an enduring competitive edge over the PRC while constraining a still profoundly dangerous Russia,” it adds.

The policy document contends that competition with China is most pronounced in the Indo-Pacific, but it is also increasingly global.

The US Security Strategy highlighted that the next ten years will be a decisive decade of competition with China.

On the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the document says Moscow’s “imperialist foreign policy” culminated “in a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in an attempt to topple its government and bring it under Russian control.”