Defence Current Affairs And Updates 12 November 2020

Hemanth Kasturi
November 13, 2020
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Indian Navy’s Fifth Scorpene Class Submarine INS Vagir Launched

Indian Navy’s fifth Scorpene class submarine ‘Vagir’ was launched on Thursday at Mumbai’s Mazagon Dock.
According to an official statement, Union Minister of State for Defence, Shripad Naik launched the fifth Scorpene class submarine ‘Vagir’ of Project 75 in Arabian sea waters at Mazagon Dock, in Mumbai through video conferencing yesterday.
On the occasion, Vice Admiral R B Pandit, Western Naval Command Chief, said: “I expect Vagir will be commissioned in a year’s time. We have two Kalvari-class submarines already operational in Navy. We will be happy to receive the balance four in a very quick time.”
Vagir is part of the six Kalvari-class submarines being built in India. The submarines, designed by French naval defence and energy company DCNS, are being built as part of Indian Navy’s Project-75.
These submarines can undertake missions like anti-surface warfare, anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, mine laying, and area surveillance, an official said.
Vagir is named after the Sand Fish, a deadly deep sea predator of the Indian Ocean. The first Vagir, a submarine from Russia, was commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 3, 1973, and was decommissioned on June 7, 2001 after almost three decades of service to the nation.
“Building the Scorpene was indeed a challenge for MDL, as the complexity of the simplest of tasks increased exponentially due to all work having to be done in the most congested of spaces,” MDL said in a release.
MDL has always been at the forefront of the nation’s progressive indigenous warship building programme. Till date, it has built Leander and Godavari class frigates, Khukri class Corvettes, Missile Boats, Delhi and Kolkata class Destroyers, Shivalik class Stealth Frigates, the SSK submarines and it continues to contribute to the national security with its P-15B Visakhapatnam class Destroyers and the P-17A class Stealth Frigates.

Mission Sagar – II Handing Over Food AID to Djibouti by INS Airavat

In continuation of the ongoing humanitarian mission ‘Sagar-II’, Indian Naval Ship Airavat arrived at Port of Djibouti, Djibouti on 10 November 2020. The Government of India is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries to overcome natural calamities and COVID-19 pandemic, and towards the same INS Airavat is carrying food aid for the people of Djibouti.
A handing over ceremony was held on 11 November 2020 at Port Djibouti, wherein HE Mme Ifrah Ali Ahmed, Secretary General, Ministry of Social Affairs and Solidarity of Djibouti accepted the food aid from HE Mr Ashok Kumar, Ambassador of India to Djibouti. The ceremony was also attended by Commanding Officer INS Airavat, Commander Prasanna Kumar.
The Mission Sagar-II is aligned with Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and reiterates India’s position as a dependable partner in Indian Ocean Region (IOR) with Indian Navy as the first responder in the maritime domain. The mission also highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with her maritime neighbours and further strengthens the existing bond. The Indian Navy is progressing this mission in close coordination with the Ministries of Defence and External Affairs, and other agencies of the Government of India.

Top ULFA(I) Leader Dirshti Rajkhowa Surrenders to Indian Army

In a swift and well planned operation executed by the Indian Army Intelligence Agencies at Meghalaya-Assam- Bangladesh Border, dreaded hardcore ULFA(I) leader, SS Col Drishti Rajkhowa along with four accomplices SS Corporal Vedanta, YasinAsom, RopjyotiAsom and MithunAsom, surrendered, with a huge quantity of arms.
The operation was based on confirmed inputs, which was a result of relentless pursuit over the last nine months.
Drishti Rajkhowa has long been in the wanted list of the ULFA insurgents responsible for their activities in lower Assam. His surrender is a major blow to the underground organisation and heralds a new dawn ushering in peace in the region. By this operation Indian Army again reaffirmed, that at all times, it remains committed in maintaining peace and normalcy in the region.

CAS visits South Western Bases and AFS Deesa

The CAS, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria visited bases in South Western sector today.
He assessed infrastructure development at Air Force Station Deesa and directed close monitoring and speedy completion of works which includes construction of runway.

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