Defence Current Affairs And Updates 25 August 2020

Hemanth Kasturi
August 25, 2020
1152

“My IAF” mobile app launched by CAS

The CAS ACM RKS Bhadauria launched a mobile application ‘My IAF’ at Air HQs (VB) on 24 August 2020 as part of Digital India initiative.
App developed in association with Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) provides career related information & details for joining IAF.
The user-friendly format of the app serves as a single digital platform interfacing the users with the details of selection procedure, training curriculum, pay & perks etc for both officers & airmen in IAF.
The app is available in Google play store, is linked to IAF social media platforms and also provides glimpses into the history and stories of valour in the IAF.

51 SAG of NSG conferred with COAS Unit Appreciation

51 Special Action Group of the National Security Guards, a Counter Terrorist Unit was today conferred with the “Chief of Army Staff Unit Appreciation” by Gen M M Naravane, COAS Indian Army, in recognition of its noteworthy achievements in combating terrorism since its raising in December 1984.

BrahMos Says Got Permission from Russia, India to Export Missiles to Third Countries

BrahMos Aerospace, a joint Russian-Indian developer of the BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missiles, said on Monday it got greenlighted by the governments of Russia and India to export the missile to third countries.
“A lot of countries have shown great interest in [purchasing the missiles of] BrahMos. We are now working with our Russian colleagues.
We have already received

permits from Russia and the Indian government, and we really hope that as soon as the pandemic is over, we will be able to act on it,” BrahMos Chief General Manager Praveen Pathak said on the side-lines of the Russian-hosted Army 2020 forum.

BrahMos Aerospace was established in 1998 as a joint venture of Russian rocket and missile developer NPO Mashinostroyeniya and India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Russia displays new Abakan anti-ballistic missile defense system

Russia’s Almaz-Antey Group, a state-run arms producer, unveiled the newest Abakan air defense system during the Army-2020 international military and technical forum on Sunday.
The anti-ballistic missile defense system is designed to strike ballistic targets, according to company officials.
The Abakan is a highly mobile system featuring a BAZ truck chassis. The BAZ is said to be able to tackle a maximum gradient of 57%, side slope of 38%, fording depth of 1.4m, and trench of 1.5m.
Meanwhile, a photo taken during the event by the World of Air Defense website shows the new 51P6E2 launcher of the Abakan system. The launcher is equipped with two missile container-launcher tubes that are carried horizontally and raised for launches.
The engagement radar is mounted at the front of the 51P6E2 unit on a scissors-type mount which gives it 360-degree coverage in azimuth as well as full hemispheric coverage in elevation.

USS Champion Decommissions After 30 Years of Service

USS Champion (MCM 4) honoured nearly three decades of naval service during a decommissioning ceremony at Naval Base San Diego, Aug. 18. Due to public health safety and restrictions of large public events related to the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, plank owners and former crew members of the Avenger-class ship virtually celebrated its distinguished history.
Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Rear Adm. Scott Robertson was the guest speaker, with Capt. Hank Kim, Commander, Mine Division TWELVE, presiding.
“With more than 90 percent of the world’s trade carried by sea, Mine Countermeasures capabilities underwrite freedom of navigation and global commerce that are essential to the world’s economy,” said Robertson. “The Avenger class ships and specifically the USS Champion, have provided robust MCM capability over the past three decades to ensure that freedom of navigation is maintained and enabled the U.S. Navy to conduct maritime operations globally. The Champion has served her crews, Navy and nation well, but now we are approaching the sundown for these MCM ships and the dawn of Littoral Combat Ship Mine Countermeasures systems. While the platforms and capabilities are changing, the one constant is that they have been and will continue to be, operated by intelligent, creative, dedicated, hardworking crews that have always ridden these unique types of ships. You, your shipmates, and your predecessors who have operated and maintained these incredibly important assets have done a tremendous job and have been instrumental to our nation’s naval arsenal of capabilities.”
Commanded by Lt. Matt Yokeley, Champion maintained a crew of eight officers and 76 enlisted Sailors. “It has been more than an honour to command this ship and this crew over the past two years. It has been a distinct privilege – a privilege to work alongside some of the finest Sailors our Navy and our nation have to offer,” said Yokeley. “Their persistence through one adversity after the next is commendable and truly represents the spirit of the Champion motto, ‘We Accept the Challenge.’ It is now my solemn responsibility, as the ships final captain, to order the final hauling down of the colors and disembarkment of this fine ship.”
Champion was built by Marinette Marine Corporation in Marinette, Wisconsin and commissioned Feb. 8, 1991.
The ship’s operational history includes a five-month deployment in 1999, during which Champion assisted in the evacuation of refugees from Kosovo. Since then, Champion also participated in several mine countermeasures and bi-lateral exercises.
Champion will officially decommission Aug. 25.

U.S. Marines Conduct Rapid-Deployment Humanitarian Assistance Drills in Japan

According to a press release by the service, the drill was conducted to ensure that the ACM (Air Contingency Marine) remains postured and ready to deploy in response to crisis throughout the Indo-Pacific, in spite of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
The marines executed the drill with support from two MV-22 Ospreys from Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 265, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, operating from Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in Japan.
Simulating real-world rapid deployment, about 30 Marines of the 3rd MEB established a secure communications link with the III Marine Expeditionary Force Command Centre, after being deployed on the Kadena Air Base from their home stations across Okinawa via Ospreys in less than 12 hours.
“Drills such as these ensure that 3rd MEB remains prepared to respond to a crisis on short notice,” said Col. Michael Wylie, 3rd MEB chief of staff. “Whether we are asked to deploy to assist our partners and allies as a part of a foreign humanitarian assistance operation or in response to a contingency that is kinetic in nature, we need to be ready.”
Maj. Chad Pimley, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade’s current operations officer stated, “The purpose of this ACM drill is to validate standard operating procedures and ensure the MEB is prepared to execute its duties and responsibilities.”
The Air Contingency Marine task force, when activated, assumes the responsibility for an immediate response towards any danger under the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command’s AOR that might require military action, ranging from humanitarian disaster relief to armed conflict.
Joint Humanitarian Assistance Survey Team (JHAST) is the expeditionary command team under the U.S. Military which is in charge of responding to requests of humanitarian assistance. It is 24/7 ready and can be deployed in under 12 hours in order to establish an initial assessment of required support for follow-on assistance.
The report also stated that the drills were carried out with all safety protocols and precautions to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infection to the troops.
Being one of the most disaster-prone areas globally, the INDOPACOM (Indo-Pacific Command)’s AOR has witnessed 60% of the world’s all disasters occurred, and in recent years has responded to the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, the 2013 typhoon Yolanda in the Philippines, and the 2015 Nepal Earthquakes.
Maj. Pimley further says that “The MEB continues to conduct essential, realistic training while adhering to strict safety protocols to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. We are prepared to deploy in support of our allies and partners throughout the region. Disasters do not stop just because the world is facing a serious pandemic.”

#KnowYourArmy – Army Sports Institute, Pune

Army Sports Institute, Pune has been identified and awarded with “Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2020” by Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt of India.
Army Sports Institute, Pune was raised as part of Indian Army’s “Mission Olympics” programme on 01 Jul 2001. The aim was to train the vast reservoir of talent in the Army in selected seven disciplines to include Archery, Athletics, Boxing, Diving, Fencing, Weightlifting and Wrestling with an ultimate aim of winning medals at Olympics. The institute draws its sportsmen from the Army as well as from young raw and proven talent in ‘Boys Sports Companies’ (8-14 years age).
These sportsmen are supported by a team of Foreign, Indian coaches, physical conditioners, specialists in Sports Medicine, Physiology, Psychology, Biomechanics, Statistics and Nutrition.
In Army Sports Institute the sportsmen have been the ‘Centre of Gravity’ and ‘Team ASI’ is constantly inspired by these human bodies endowed with discipline, dedication, determination and devotion. The Institute has made spectacular progress and given an inspired performance in International competitions to include Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games and World Championships.
Since raising the institute has enabled participation of twenty sportsmen in Olympics and twelve (12) sportsmen have already qualified for the Tokyo 2021 Olympics with more yet to qualify. The Institute has won six (06) Youth Olympic Medals, nineteen (19) medals in Asian Games and eighteen medals (18) in Commonwealth Games.
In the last three years itself, the sportsmen trained at ASI have won 450 International and 1118 National medals with number of firsts and records. In the last three editions of Khelo India, the sportsmen have won one hundred and twenty-five (125) medals in five disciplines.
The success achieved is being done through igniting the minds to engage in ‘Big Thinking’ coupled with ownership, perseverance and passion.
Prime Minister Task Force constituted to assess various institutions across the country unequivocally states that “The Task Force has no hesitation in saying that the facilities at ASI, Pune, outclass the facilities, system and manpower at most other sporting institutions in the country. The service of expert coaches, support staff of ASI should be utilized more in National camps and tournaments”.
The training philosophy at the Institute remains sports specific, scientific, individualized, focused, continuous monitoring, result oriented, progressive, and accountable. Team ASI is headed in the right direction with its disciplined, focused, dedicated, and committed approach towards developing and demonstrating an explosive performance and winning laurels for the Nation.

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