Monthly Archives: August 2018

Tribune News Service

Ajay Banerjee

New Delhi, July 13

Attempting to plug gaps in naval power, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the apex decision-making body of the Ministry of Defence (MoD), today cleared two separate ‘Make-in-India’ proposals for manufacturing three additional Scorpene submarines and sourcing 26 marine version Rafale fighter jets.

The key proposals are expected to come up when Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The DAC, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, granted the ‘acceptance of necessity’ (AoN) for procurement of the Rafale Marine aircraft along with associated ancillary equipment, weapons, simulator, spares, documentation, crew training and logistic support for the Indian Navy from the French Government based on the Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA), the MoD said.

The price and other terms of the purchase will be negotiated with the French Government after taking into account all relevant aspects, including comparative procurement price of similar aircraft by other countries. Further, integration of India-designed equipment and establishment of ‘Maintenance, Repair & Operations (MRO)’ hub for various systems will be incorporated into the contract documents after due negotiations, the MoD said. The DAC also granted the AoN for procurement of three additional Scorpene submarines, which will be constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL). The submarines would be made in India under a ‘repeat clause’ of the existing project to make six of these under a joint venture between the MDL and the Naval Group France. These submarines, called “Kalvari class”, have been manufactured and the last one is in the process of sea trials.

“The procurement of additional submarines with higher indigenous content will not only help in maintaining required force level and operational readiness of the Indian Navy, but also create significant employment opportunities in the domestic sector. It will also help the MDL in further enhancing its capability and expertise in submarine construction,” the MoD said.

In addition, the DAC approved the proposal to lay down guidelines for achieving the desired indigenous content in all categories of capital acquisition cases.

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Three breaches in the Ghaggar caused floods in Moonak area of Sangrur.

Farmers have alleged that the breaches occurred due to lack of repair of the embankment of the Ghaggar.

As a result, water has entered various villages.

Meanwhile, there was respite for the residents of six colonies in Patiala where the flood water had entered as the water level in Badi Nadi is down from 17.5 to 13.6. 

In Jalandhar, the breach in the Dhussi bundh has widened to 300 feet at Nasirpur village of Shahkot. But the flow of water has slowed down near it. The plugging of the breach was started by MP Balbir Seechewal and the team on Tuesday evening.

Another 100-ft breach near the Police Training Academy in Phillaur caused water to flood the area which was previously witnessing receding waters. The breach happened in the night.

This is a fresh breach after the previous one had been plugged by the administration.

Heavy monsoon rains in North India for the last three days has inundated low-lying areas, prompting authorities to swing into action in the worst-hit places. Over 18 people have lost their lives as the record rainfall wreaked havoc, triggering flashfloods and landslides, causing extensive damage to infrastructure.Schools in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh have been closed and the Army has been put on alert as torrential rains battered North India.

Villages in Jalandhar evacuated

Jalandhar: Water from Sultej has overflowed in some villages of Phillaur, including Lasara, Meowal and Mao Sahib. Villages have been evacuated. Grounds of Phillaur Police Academy along the river also inundated. The embankment is being strengthened using spurs. Army teams have been called in.

PTI

Leh, July 2

Lieutenant General MV Suchindra Kumar, Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS), visited different forward areas in the Union Territory of Ladakh and interacted with troops deployed at the inhospitable terrain, the Army said on Sunday. Lt Gen Kumar was also briefed on the operational and logistics aspects at Leh-based Fire and Fury Corps, informed the Additional Directorate General of Public Information (ADGPI) of the Army.

Lt Gen Kumar commended the soldiers for their steadfastness and professionalism, the ADGPI said, adding that he was briefed on the operational and logistics aspects at the headquarters of the Fire and Fury Corps.

The VCOAS had on Saturday visited the forward areas of Kargil and Fukche and applauded the troops for their high morale and professionalism during his interaction with them. He also laid a wreath at Kargil and Rezang La War Memorial and paid homage to the bravehearts, the ADGPI adde

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has submitted a proposal to the UT Administration for the expansion of the country’s first Indian Air Force Heritage Centre under phase 2 at Sector 18 here.

Under this phase, the centre will have advanced technology-driven features aimed at inspiring youngsters to join the Air Force.

To have simulators

• Phase 2 to be developed as Indian Air Force Aerospace and Technical Centre
• Will have display of technology-based and electronic systems, simulators, aero engines

A meeting was today held under the chairmanship of UT Adviser Dharam Pal. IAF officers presented a detailed plan for the centre’s expansion. The second phase will be developed as the Indian Air Force Aerospace and Technical Centre. The new wing will be constructed in an adjacent hall covering an area of nearly 13,000 sq ft. It will have a display of technology-based and electronic systems, simulators, and aero engines. The project has already been cleared by the IAF authorities.

The work on the project is likely to start in two weeks and is expected to be completed within six months. An official said the UT Administration and the IAF authorities would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) within a week.

On May 8, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first phase of the Heritage Centre, which received an encouraging response. Since its inauguration, nearly 22,500 visitors have visited the centre.

The first phase, built across a 15,000 sq ft hall, focuses on the history and legends of the IAF. As part of Phase 1, GNAT aircraft were displayed at the light point outside the centre. The IAF has already handed over the phase 1 to the UT Tourism Department.

Tribune News Service

Karam Prakash

New Delhi, July 7

In the wake of the northwest region witnessing heavy rain, Himachal Pradesh is likely to witness a spate of landslides during the next two days. Besides, standing crops could be damaged in Punjab and Haryana owing to the monsoon precipitation.

Advisory for Punjab, Haryana farmers

• IMD has cautioned Punjab & Haryana farmers that heavy rain may damage crops
• It has advised them to drain out excess water from fields to avoid water stagnation
• HP likely to witness a spate of landslides in next 2 days

The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued an orange alert of very heavy rain in Punjab and Haryana on July 8 and in Himachal Pradesh on July 8 and 9.

An orange alert means that the weather can potentially worsen and one needs to be cautious. “Heavy rain may lead to riverine flooding in some catchment areas,” the IMD warned on Friday. It advised farmers to drain out excess water from fields to avoid water stagnation. It said there were chances of damage to horticulture and standing crops in some areas due to inundation. The IMD advised people to avoid holidaying in Himachal. Traffic disruptions due to landslides and waterlogging is likely, it said.

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, July 7

India has said it would not abide by a ruling from the Court of Arbitration (CoA) at the Hague in Netherlands on a dispute with Pakistan relating to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).

The CoA on Thursday ruled that it had the “competence” to consider matters concerning the Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric projects in J&K. India has said its “consistent and principled position” that the constitution of the “so-called Court of Arbitration” is in contravention of the provisions of IWT.

• India is constructing two hydropower projects on Kishenganga and Chenab rivers in J&K. Pakistan has objected to both.
• The Court of Arbitration had on Thursday ruled that it had the competence to consider the matter.

India had requested a neutral expert while Pakistan had requested a CoA. “A neutral expert is already seized of differences pertaining to Kishenganga and Ratle projects. Neutral expert proceedings are the only treaty-consistent proceedings at this juncture. The treaty does not provide for parallel proceedings on same set of issues,” said an MEA statement.

India had not participated in the proceedings at the CoA. The World Bank had appointed Sean Murphy as chairman of the CoA on October 17, 2022, after Pakistan sought such a court to consider its concerns about the designs of Kishenganga and Ratle hydroelectric power projects.https://db125bef59f5f66fb75686c02951665a.safeframe.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-40/html/container.html

Michel Lino was appointed the neutral expert by the World Bank on October 17 after India made the request. India participated in the last meeting that took place on February 27 and 28. The next meeting of the neutral expert process is scheduled to be held in September.

Opposing the constitution of the CoA, India said it contravened the provisions of the IWT. As a result, India has not exercised its right under the treaty to appoint two arbitrators to the CoA. India is constructing two hydropower projects on Kishenganga and Chenab rivers in J&K. Pakistan has objected to both.

New Delhi, July 7

Just a week ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is firming up a proposal to source naval version of the Rafale jets and to tie up with engine maker Safran for joint development and co-production of the next generation of engines to power fighter jets.

The Defence Procurement Board of the MoD is considering the deal to source 26 Rafale-M jets that are capable of taking off and landing on aircraft carriers. The Indian Air Force already has 36 Rafales that can be deployed on air bases on land. Also the French Government has offered to work with India to develop the twin-engine deck-based fighter for the Indian Navy. The DRDO is working on the design of the plane. At present, the Navy flies MiG 29K jets sourced from Russia on board its two carriers – the INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant

In another expected technological handshake French engine maker Safran has offered to make a new 110-kilo newton engine in India.

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 7

The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has set up a committee to explore options for expanding the role of women personnel in the force.

The panel has been tasked with identifying trades and positions where the posted strength of women personnel can be increased. These include operational, technical, administrative and logistical fields.

The Punjab Regiment contingent comprises three officers, four junior commissioned officers and 69 other ranks, led by Captain Aman Jagtap

Vijay Mohan

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, July 6

Punjab Regiment has been selected to represent the Indian Army at the Bastille Day celebrations in France this year. The parade will include a 269 member tri-services contingent of the Indian Armed Forces marching alongside their French counterparts.

The Punjab Regiment contingent comprises three officers, four junior commissioned officers and 69 other ranks, led by Captain Aman Jagtap. The Indian Navy contingent is being led by Commander Vrat Baghel and the Indian Air Force contingent by Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy.

The tri-service team also includes a 38-member band from the Rajputana Rifles, the senior-most Rifle Regiment of the Army. In addition, four IAF Rafale fighter jets will also form part of the fly past during the parade.

The contingent left for the Charles de Gaulle International Airport in Paris from the Air Force Station, Jamnagar, on Thursday.

The Punjab Regiment, one of the oldest Infantry Regiments of the Indian Army that traces its origins to 1761, has participated in both the World Wars as well as the post-independence operations. In World War-I, they were awarded 18 Battle and Theatre Honours. Soldiers of the Regiment fought in Mesopotamia, Gallipoli, Palestine, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Damascus and France.

In France, they took part in an offensive near Neuve Chapelle in September 1915, earning the Battle Honours ‘Loos’ and ‘France and Flanders’. In World War-II, they earned 16 Battle Honours and 14 Theatre Honours. The Regiment draws the bulk of its rank and file from Punjab and some neighbouring areas of Himachal Pradesh and Jammu region.

The association of the Indian and the French Armies dates back to World War-I. Over 1.3 million Indian soldiers participated in the war and about 74,000 of them never returned, while another 67,000 were wounded.

Indian troops have fought valiantly on French soil. Their courage, valour and supreme sacrifice not only thwarted the enemy but also significantly contributed towards winning the war.

Later, World War-II witnessed a whopping 2.5 million Indian soldiers making significant contributions in various theatres of the war from Asia to Africa and Europe. This also included the battlefields of France. The valour of Indian troops has been well recognised in the form of a large number of gallantry awards as well as Battle and Theatre Honours being bestowed on the Indian soldiers and units.

July 14 is celebrated as the Fête Nationale Française, or the National Day of France, also known as the Bastille Day, which marks the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille in 1789 during the French Revolution.

This year, the Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi, has been invited as the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade in France. This year, both countries are also observing 25 years of Strategic Partnership. The armed forces of both the countries have also been participating in joint exercises and sharing their experiences.