Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, February 4

A new helicopter manufacturing factory of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) will be opened on Monday, in what will be India’s largest such facility that will initially produce light utility helicopters (LUHs).

The HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters with varying load-carrying capacities, with a total business of over Rs 4 lakh crore over the next 20 years. The HAL already has a plant in Bengaluru that produces advanced light helicopters (ALHs).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will dedicate to the nation the factory spread over 615 acres at Tumakuru, Karnataka. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and senior officials of the Ministry of Defence will be among those present on the occasion.

The LUH is an indigenously designed and developed ‘3-ton class’, single engine multipurpose utility helicopter with unique features of high manoeuvrability. Initially, the factory will produce around 30 helicopters per year, a count that can be enhanced to 60 and then 90 in a phased manner. The first LUH has been flight-tested and is ready for unveiling.

The factory will be augmented to produce other helicopters such as light combat helicopters (LCHs) and Indian multirole helicopters (IMRHs). It will also be used for maintenance, repair and overhaul of military and civilian use helicopters. The potential exports of the civil variant of the LUH will also be catered to from this factory, the Ministry of Defence said.

The factory is fully operational with heli-runway, flight hangar, final assembly hangar, structure assembly hangar, air traffic control and servicing facilities. It is being equipped with state-of-the-art industry 4.0 standard tools and techniques for its operations. The foundation stone of the facility was laid by Prime Minister Modi in 2016.

Stone laid in 2016

• HAL plans to produce more than 1,000 helicopters at the Bengaluru facility
• Eyes total business of over Rs 4 lakh cr over the next 20 yrs
• Initially, 30 copters to be produced per year; to be raised to 60 and 90 in a phased manner

615 acres Unit Area in Tumakuru, K’taka

Taipei (Taiwan), February 4

China played down the cancellation of a visit by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken after a large Chinese balloon suspected of conducting surveillance on US military sites roiled diplomatic relations, saying that neither side had formally announced any such plan.

“In actuality, the U.S. and China have never announced any visit, the US making any such announcement is their own business, and we respect that,” China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Saturday morning.

Blinken was due to visit Beijing on Sunday for talks aimed at reducing US-China tensions, the first such high-profile trip after the countries’ leaders met last November in Indonesia. But the US abruptly cancelled the trip after the discovery of the huge balloon despite China’s claim that it was merely a weather research “airship” that had blown off course.

The Pentagon rejected that out of hand — as well as China’s contention that the balloon was not being used for surveillance and had only limited navigational ability.

Uncensored reactions on the Chinese internet mirrored the official government stance that the US was hyping up the situation.

Many users made jokes about the balloon. Some said that since the U.S. had put restrictions on the technology that China is able to buy to weaken the Chinese tech industry, they couldn’t control the balloon.

Others called it the “wandering balloon” in a pun that refers to the newly released Chinese sci-fi film called “The Wandering Earth 2.” Still others used it as a chance to poke fun at U.S. defences, saying it couldn’t even defend against a balloon, and nationalist influencers leapt to use the news to mock the US. One wrote wryly: “The US, because of the balloon incident, delays Blinken’s visit to China.” Censorship was visible on the topic — the “wandering balloon” hashtag on Weibo was no longer searchable by Saturday evening.

“The US is hyping this as a national security threat posed by China to the US. This type of military threat, in actuality, we haven’t done this. And compared with the U.S. military threat normally aimed at us, can you say it’s just little? Their surveillance planes, their submarines, their naval ships are all coming near our borders,” Chinese military expert Chen Haoyang of the Taihe Institute said on Phoenix TV, one of the major national TV outlets.

The balloon was spotted earlier over Montana, which is home to one of America’s three nuclear missile silo fields at Malmstrom Air Force Base, defense officials said.

President Joe Biden had declined to shoot down the balloon, following advice of defense officials who worried the debris could injure people below. Meanwhile, people with binoculars and telephoto lenses tried to find the “spy balloon” in the sky as it headed south-eastward over Kansas and Missouri at 60,000 feet (18,300 meters).

China has denied any claims of spying, and said it is a civilian-use balloon intended for meteorology research. Experts have said that their response was feasible.

But analysts said the unexpected incident will not help the strained ties between the two countries, and particularly China’s initial response where it said they could not control the balloon and “regretted” that it unintentionally entered US space.

On Saturday, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs again emphasised that the balloon’s journey was out of its control and urged the US to not “smear” it based on the balloon.

Wang said China “has always strictly followed international law, we do not accept any groundless speculation and hype. Faced with unexpected situations, both parties need to keep calm, communicate in a timely manner, avoid misjudgements and manage differences.” Alfred Wu, an associate professor at the National University of Singapore, said China’s apology did not appear sincere.

“In the meantime, the relationship will not improve in the near future … the gap is huge.” AP

Kyiv, February 4

Dozens of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war have returned home following a prisoner swap, officials on both sides said Saturday.

Top Ukrainian presidential aide Andriy Yermak said in a Telegram post that 116 Ukrainians were freed.

He said the released POWs include troops who held out in Mariupol during Moscow’s monthslong siege that reduced the southern port city to ruins, as well as guerrilla fighters from the Kherson region and snipers captured during the ongoing fierce battles for the eastern city of Bakhmut.

Russian defence officials, meanwhile, announced that 63 Russian troops had returned from Ukraine following the swap, including some “special category” prisoners whose release was secured following mediation by the United Arab Emirates.

A statement issued Saturday by the Russian Defence Ministry did not provide details about these “special category” captives. AP

Tribune News Service

Patiala, February 4

The Aeromodelling Club of Patiala took part in the Aeromodelling Show conducted by the district administration at the Patiala Heritage Festival here today.

The air show witnessed a performance by a grandfather-grandson duo. Shivraj Singh Ghuman and his grandson Mankaran Singh Ghuman, a Class IX student of Yadavindra Public School, showcased their individual talents of flying.

Centre of attraction

Loops, rolls, low passes, knife edges and other stunts by various aircraft models and paragliding feats became the centre of attraction at the show. Models of Red Bull Race aircraft, Boeing, Space Walker were also the centre of interest.

While the president of the Aeromodelling Club, Ghuman modelled Extra-260, his grandson flew the harbour plane and showed a few actions by rolling on the loop and making a wingover.

“It is a proud moment for me and my grandson as we perform together,” Ghuman said. “Aeromodelling is a fun hobby that involves design, development and flying of small air vehicles. It is a very exciting and interesting way to learn, apply and understand science and engineering principles,” Mankaran said.

Loops, rolls, low passes, knife edges and many other stunts by various aircraft models were shown at the Civil Aviation Club on Sangrur Road and drew applause from the audience. Apart from this, the Cessna-172 of Pipistrel virus aircraft and paragliding feats became the centre of attraction.

Apart from this, Sukhcharan Singh Nikka Brar and Akashdeep Singh of the Punjab Para Gliding Association entertained the audience through Power Paragliding.

Aeromodelling generally involves small sized flying objects like radio controlled aircraft (RC Aircraft), gliders, ornithopters, boomerangs and paper planes. It involves a lot of interdisciplinary concepts from various streams of engineering such as aerospace/aeronautical, mechanical, electronics, electrical and computer science. Aeromodelling gives a good understanding of roles each of these engineering skills play in real aircraft industry and provides enormous opportunities to develop innovative thinking and implementation.

Sant Singh Matharu from Ludhiana flew Extra-300 and Vijay Vir Singh Khokhar from Adesh University, Bathinda, flew Angle, Scorpion Jet and S mid-wing aerobatic models. Yadvinder Singh showed a few actions of the Russian aircraft Antonov-225. Apart from this, Arpit Bhogal and Naminder Bhogal showed models of Tucano 50cc, a self-made aircraft. Sahajbir Kharar also showed a model of a helicopter.

Models of Red Bull Race aircraft, Boeing, Space Walker etc. were also the centre of interest.

Former CEO of the Punjab State Civil Aviation Council APS Virk along with Manjeev Bhogal of Model Avionics Club, Ludhiana, gave a detailed information about the actions of the aircraft models and motivated the youth to join the Indian Air Force.

Our Correspondent

Jammu, February 4

An officer of the Indian Air Force (IAF) has urged the people to report suspicious activities, if any, to ensure airfield security.

Chairing a security meeting at the Air Force Station, Air Commodore GS Bhullar, Air Officer Commanding (AOC), Air Force Station, Jammu, also expressed concern over dumping of garbage in the open near the Air Force Station which also houses the civilian airport. Garbage attracts birds which can lead to aircraft mishap, he said. Officials from the Airport Authority of India, civic officials and village heads were present in the meeting.

He urged the village heads and the civic officials to proactively report open garbage dumping in the areas around the airfield and initiate steps to educate people for better waste segregation and disposal for a safer flying environment in Jammu, said a spokesperson.

The officer also highlighted concerns on the need for exercising strict vigil for any untoward occurrences, suspicious activities or drone sighting. He requested the stakeholders to promptly report any abnormal activity.

Meanwhile, Western Air Commander Air Marshal Pankaj Mohan Sinha visited forward areas and lauded the strong counter-infiltration grid along the Line of Control, a defence spokesman said.

The Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief assured that the Western Command was vigilant for the aerial defence of the sensitive areas of various parts of North, North-West India. Air Marshal Sinha was briefed on the operational preparedness along the northern borders.

Tribune Web Desk

Chandigarh, February 4

In Spain, a Sikh boy was asked by a referee to remove his turban during a football match. The whole situation was “humiliating” for 15-year-old Gurpreet Singh.

The reason given to Gurpreet Singh from Arratia C team was that that wearing “a hat” is prohibited as per the game rules.

However, in all previous games, referees had allowed him to wear his turban.

A post by Sikhexpo on Instagram read: “15 year old Gurpreet Singh from Spain was told to remove his Patka during a football (soccer) match between Arratia C and a local rival Padura de Arrigorriaga. “The Arratia players interceded to explain that it is an element linked to his religion, with which he has always played. The referee insisted on his criteria. And both the players and the Arratia coach kept their pulse: they decided to leave the field of play as a sign of solidarity.

According to Lavan Guardia newspaper:

The referee justified his decision by alluding to the fact that the 15-year-old was wearing “a hat”, and explained to the players that it is prohibited according to the regulations. Before this match, however, other referees have allowed the youngster to play and have avoided that interpretation.

This is how Pedro Ormazabal, president of Arratia, explains it: “He has been playing normally for at least five years, even in his first year as cadets and so far this season. We have never had the slightest problem. It has been something that has been carried out with absolute normality. The first year we warned that he played like that, and everyone understood it.

In the past day, however, the situation was even “humiliating” for the youngster. “It was the first minutes of the second half and, as soon as he left, the referee turned to him and urged him to take off his turban. In front of the whole world: of all the families, of the players… A matter like this cannot be left to the interpretation of the referees because what happened in Arrigorriaga could happen”, indicates Ormazabal.

Fortunately for Gurpreet, his companions did not hesitate to side with him decisively. “The kids were the first to support him. The coach was also very clear. They decided to withdraw. Afterwards, he received the support of the rival team, especially through the coach, and from the families that had attended the game, ”adds the president of the Arratian club.

This Saturday, however, he returns to the competition. The Biscayan club is confident that the painful situation that occurred at the Padura facilities will not be repeated. And they are clear that they will not leave Gurpreet alone.”

According to a FIFA ruling, men football players can wear turbans during matches.

1. ##PARA JUMP BY 76 AND 73 YEARS OLD SAPPERS
3. LESSONS FROM ASSAL UTTAR :1965 WAR
4. ##PUNJAB HAS SECOND HIGHEST EX-SERVICEMEN STRENGTH AMONG ALL STATES, SHOWS MOD DATA SHARED WITH PARLIAMENT
5. ##DEFENCE MINISTER LIKELY TO UNVEIL IAF HERITAGE CENTRE ON MARCH 3
6. ARMY HQ TO GET NEW BUILDING, REMOVAL OF 579 TREES APPROVED
7. ##CHIEF OF DEFENCE STAFF GEN ANIL CHAUHAN CHAIRS HIGH-LEVEL SECURITY MEETING IN JAMMU
8. ##NO BALLISTIC HELMETS FOR SIKH SOLDIERS, SGPC TELLS LALPURA
9. WESTERN BATTLE TANKS SET TO ESCALATE CONFLICT
10. ##PAK ATTENDS INDIA-HOSTED MEET ON DERADICALISATION
11. MALERKOTLA NAWAB’S WIDOW TO BE HONOURED
12. ##R-DAY CAMP: CHANDIGARH’S AVISHI ADJUDGED BEST NCC CADET
13. DOCTORS FROM DIFFERENT STATES PAY OBEISANCE AT GOLDEN TEMPLE
14. ##PESHAWAR SUICIDE ATTACKER ENTERED HIGH-SECURITY ZONE IN POLICE UNIFORM
15. NATO URGES RUSSIA TO RESPECT NUCLEAR PACT WITH THE US
16. ##INDIA-US TECH TIE-UP
17. DRONE CARRYING 5 KG HEROIN SHOT DOWN

THE EXPRESS INDIA NEWS

Tribune News Service

Vijay Mohan

Chandigarh, February 3

Punjab, referred to as the sword arm of the nation, has the second highest number of ex-servicemen in the country after Uttar Pradesh. While Punjab is ranked 16th among all states according to their share of the national population, it is the second highest contributor of troops to the Army.

The strength of registered ex-servicemen in Punjab is 3,27,212, according to data placed in Parliament by the Ministry of Defence on Friday. Uttar Pradesh has 4,04,362 ex-servicemen.

Punjab contributes a significant chunk of manpower to the armed forces. Three illustrious Infantry regiments – the Punjab Regiment, Sikh Regiment and Sikh Light Infantry – draw the bulk of their rank and file from Punjab.

In addition, troops from Punjab also form a large component of otherarms and services, with many squadrons, batteries and companies in the fighting elements comprising soldiers exclusively from Punjab.

According to data laid in Parliament by the Ministry of Defence earlier, troops from Punjab comprise about eight percent of personnel below officer rank (PBOR) in the Army, whereas the state’s share of the national population is 2.29 percent.

Troops from Uttar Pradesh – India’s most populous state, form about 14 percent of the PBOR strength whereas it accounts for 16.51 percent of the national population. These figures do not include Air Force and Navy strength.

Punjab is followed by Rajasthan with 2,03,275 ex-servicemen and Maharashtra with 1,94,986, according to a statement made by the Minister of State for Defence, Ajay Bhatt in the Lok Sabha. Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Uttarakhand are other states that have a high population of ex-servicemen.

Two other states in the region – Haryana and Himachal Pradesh – which also have strong martial traditions, have 1,66,279 and 1,24,766 ex-servicemen, respectively. The Jat Regiment and the Dogra Regiment draw the bulk of their troops from these two states.