Defence Current Affairs And Updates 30th May 2020

Hemanth Kasturi
May 30, 2020
824

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh speaks with US Defence Secretary over phone

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh had a telephonic conversation with US Secretary of Defence Dr Mark T Esper this evening at the latter’s request.
The two Ministers briefed each other on the respective experience of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and vowed to continue the excellent bilateral cooperation in this regard.
They reviewed progress on various bilateral defence cooperation arrangements and expressed their commitment to further promote our defence partnership.
To this end, Raksha Mantri invited Secretary Esper to visit India at the earliest mutual convenience, which the latter accepted with pleasure.
Raksha Mantri appreciated Secretary Esper’s condolence over lives lost in Eastern India during Cyclone Amphan recently and briefed him on India’s relief efforts. The two Ministers also exchanged views on regional developments of shared security interest.

INS Kesari at Port Antsiranana, Madagascar

As part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port Antsiranana, Madagascar on 27 May 2020. The Government of India in these difficult times is providing assistance to Friendly Foreign Countries in dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic and towards the same INS Kesari carried a consignment of COVID related essential medicines for the people of Madagascar.
An official ceremony for handing over the medicines from the Government of India to Government of Madagascar was held on 29 May 2020. The ceremony was attended by H.E. M Tehindrazanarivelo Liva Djacoba, Foreign Minister of Madagascar. The Indian side was represented by the Ambassador of India to Madagascar, Mr Abhay Kumar.
The assistance to Madagascar is a part of the Government of India outreach amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. ‘Mission Sagar’ builds on the excellent relations existing between the two countries to battle the COVID-19 pandemic and its resultant difficulties.
The deployment also resonates the vision of our Prime Minister of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’ and highlights the importance accorded by India to relations with the countries of the IOR. The operation is being progressed in close coordination with the Ministries of External Affairs and other agencies of the Government of India.

United Nations Award to Indian Army Officer Major Suman Gawani

Major Suman Gawani, an Indian Army officer who served as a women peacekeeper with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) in 2019 is being awarded the prestigious “United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the year Award” on 29 May 2020.
She will receive the award from the UN Secretary General Mr Antonio Guterres during an online ceremony being organised at the UN Headquarters, New York on the occasion of International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. Major Suman will be receiving this award along with a Brazilian Naval Officer Commander Carla Monteiro de Castro Araujo.
Major Suman served as a Military observer in UNMISS from November 2018 to December 2019. While at the mission, she was the principal focal point of contact for gender issues for Military Observers in the mission.
The officer encouraged participation in joint military patrols to maintain gender balance, irrespective of the hardships under extreme field conditions.
She visited various mission team sites across South Sudan to integrate gender perspective into the planning and military activity in the mission.
The officer was selected to attend a specialised training on Conflict Related Sexual Violence (CRSV) at Nairobi and participated in various UN forums to demonstrate how a gender perspective can help in protecting civilians, especially from conflict related sexual violence.
Apart from supporting the UNMISS Force initiatives, she also trained the South Sudan government forces on CRSV related aspects. The officer also commanded the UN Peacekeepers Day Parade organised at UNMISS, where she commanded twelve contingents of UNPOL, Military and Civilians.

Army Commanders’ Conference: 27 – 29 May 2020

The Army Commanders’ Conference, an apex level biannual event which facilitates conceptual level deliberations culminating in important policy decisions scheduled for April 2020 and postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic is being organised in two phases. First phase of the Conference was conducted at South Block, New Delhi from 27 to 29 May 2020.
Over three days, the Indian Army’s apex leadership deliberated upon various aspects related to existing and developing security challenges. In additions, human resource management issues, studies pertaining to ammunition management, merger of co-located training establishments and merger of Military Training Directorate with HQ Army Training Command were also discussed. The Board of Governor meetings of the Army Welfare Housing Origination (AWHO) and Army Welfare Education Society (AWES) were also organised during the event.
The second phase of the conference scheduled from 24 to 27 June 2020 will include interactive sessions with DMA & DoD, discussions on agenda sponsored by Command Headquarters and deliberations on ongoing studies of logistics and administrative issues. The Hon’ble Raksha Mantri and CDS are also likely to address the conference during this phase.

2 MW Solar Power Plant inaugurated at INS Kalinga

In keeping with the initiative of Govt of India to promote Solar Power and objective to achieve 100 GW of solar power by 2022 as part of the National Solar Mission, a 2 MW Solar Photovoltaic Plant was commissioned at INS Kalinga, Visakhapatnam by Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command on 28 May 2020.
The plant, which is the largest in the ENC and has an estimated life of 25 years. Despite the lockdown, all concerned agencies including APEPDCL worked out a contingency plan adhering to all guidelines promulgated for Coronavirus pandemic and executed the work.
Speaking on the occasion, Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain stated that the commissioning of this plant demonstrates the commitment of Eastern Naval Command towards conservation of the environment and eco-friendly measures.
INS Kalinga, currently headed by Commodore Rajesh Debnath, has taken significant strides in Green Initiatives since it’s setting up in the early 1980s, including afforestation, numerous plantation drives, coastal cleanup drives and protection of the Geo-Heritage site “Erra Matti Dibbalu”.

Missile Park ‘Agneeprastha’ to be set up at INS Kalinga

Foundation Stone for a Missile Park “AGNEEPRASTHA” was laid at INS Kalinga by Commodore Rajesh Debnath, Commanding Officer, in the presence of Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, FOC-in-C (East) on 28 May 20.
The Missile Park ‘AGNEEPRASTHA’ once completed will be dedicated to all the Officers, Sailors and Support Staff of INS Kalinga, who have served in this premier operational support Base of the ENC since its establishment in 1981. The Park also commemorates the award of the prestigious Unit Citation to INS Kalinga for the year 2018-19.
‘AGNEEPRASTHA’ aims to capture glimpses of Missile History of INS Kalinga since 1981 till date. The Missile Park has been set up with a replica of missiles and Ground Support Equipment (GSE) that showcase the evolution of missiles handled by the unit. The exhibits have been created from scrap / obsolete inventory which have been reconditioned in-house.
The main attraction is P-70 ‘Ametist’, an underwater launched anti-ship missile from the arsenal of the old ‘Chakra’ (Charlie-1 submarine) which was in service with IN during 1988-91.
‘AGNEEPRASTHA’ will also provide a one-stop arena for motivation and stimulation of inquisitive minds regarding the missiles and related technologies, from school children to Naval personnel and their families.
It is also intended to encourage a feeling of ownership and pride in the role of the Unit and highlight the necessity of contribution of all personnel irrespective of rank/trade towards the overarching objective of ordnance availability, reliability and delivery on target, each and every time.

Ultraviolet Disinfection Facilities Developed at Western Naval Command

Naval Dockyard (Mumbai) has manufactured a UV sanitisation bay to meet this emerging requirement. The UV bay will be utilised for decontamination of tools, clothes and other miscellaneous items, to control spread of the coronavirus. The challenging task required ingenuity to convert a large common room into a UV bay by fabrication of aluminum sheets electrical arrangements for UV-C lighting.
The facility utilises UV-C light source for Germicidal Irradiation towards sterilising items. Studies by reputed research agencies have proven the effect of UV-C on respiratory pathogens like SARS, Influenza etc. It has been observed that microbial pathogens become significantly less viable when exposed to UV-C of intensity 1 J/cm2 for 1 min or more, indicating effective sterilisation.
A similar facility has also been set up at Naval Station (Karanja), where in addition to UV-C steriliser, an industrial oven has also been placed, which heats smaller sized belongings to 60°C, a temperature known to kill most microbes.
The facility is placed at the entry/ exit points where it will help in mitigating COVID-19 transmission.

INS Sunayna Returned from Gulf of Aden After Completing Her Anti-Piracy Missions

INS Sunayna, an Offshore Patrol Vessel based at Kochi, Southern Naval Command, returned after the Anti-Piracy deployment in Gulf of Aden, 21 May 2020.
Last 80 days of her mission-based deployment were a continuous patrol at sea without entering any port.
Indian Navy’s mission-based deployments across Indian Ocean Region continue to safeguard National Maritime Interests.
INS Sunayna is the second Saryu-class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy, designed and constructed indigenously by the Goa Shipyard Limited. It is designed to undertake fleet support operations, coastal and offshore patrolling, ocean surveillance and monitoring of sea lines of communications and offshore assets and escort duties.
The keel laying of the ship was done on 25 September 2007, it was launched on 14 November 2009, was delivered to the navy for sea trials on 3 September 2013 and got commissioned into active service on 15 October 2013 at Kochi, her home port.
In June 2018 she was deployed to Yemen’s Socotra island as part of “Operation Nistar”, an HADR mission to evacuate around 38 stranded Indian nationals in/around Socotra, after a cyclone hit the area.
INS Sunayna, along with INS Chennai was sent to the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman in June 2019 to protect Indian shipping interests amid tensions in the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Air Force B-1 bombers integrate with Ukrainian fighters for first time

Ukrainian Su-27 Flankers and MiG-29 Fulcrums escorted two B-1B Lancers from the 28th Bomb Wing of USAF at Ellsworth Air Force Base during jointly exercise.
The flight also included integration and interoperability training with Polish F-16s and MiG-29s and Romanian F-16s and MiG-21s, which provided escort and combat patrol overwatch in the Black Sea region.
Bomber missions familiarize aircrew with air bases, airspace, and operations in different geographic combatant commands for US. These missions build proficiency and confidence, and they demonstrate the credibility of both the forces to address a global security environment that is more diverse and uncertain than at any other time in their history.

Japan shows modern Type 10 main battle tanks in action

Japan Ground Self-Defense Forces have demonstrated the capability of its new advanced fourth-generation main battle tanks, called the Type-10, during the annual live-fire exercise at the Higashi-Fuji firing range in Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

The Type 10 is the main battle tank built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for the Japan Ground Self Defence Force (JGSDF). The tank entered service with the JGSDF in 2012 and claims outstanding mobility.
Type 10 is a new generation of Japanese tanks with improved capabilities for anti-armour combat, mobile strike and countering an attack against special operation units.
According to JGSDF’s website, the most remarkable characteristic of Type 10 tank lies in its C4I function (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence). This can be incorporated into the GSDF network to enable sharing of information among tanks, as well as connected to the infantry’s outdoor computer network “Regiment Command Control System” to facilitate integrated military operations with the infantry troops.
The Type 10 battle tank features a 120mm smoothbore L44 gun with high-speed and high-reliable automatic loader. The secondary armament of Type 10 includes one coaxial Type 64 7.62mm machine gun located on the left side of the main armament and one 12.7 mm M2 HB machine gun mounted on the roof which can be aimed and fired from inside the turret.
The tank’s hull is attached with modular ceramic composite armour offering protection against rocket-propelled grenade (RPG) rounds, HEAT projectiles and anti-tank missiles. The add-on modules can be easily removed and installed to alter the protection levels. The 1,200hp 4-stroke 8-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine provides a maximum speed of 70km/h.
Also reported that Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is requesting an additional 12 new Type tanks, according to a document entitled Defense Programs and Budget of Japan, the 2020 version of which was published in late March.

Pentagon approves Patriot missile sale to Kuwait worth $800 million

The prime contractor for the sale of up to 84 Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) Missile Segment Enhancements (MSEs) and related equipment is Lockheed Martin Corporation, the Pentagon agency said in a statement.
The Government of Kuwait has requested to buy 84 PAC-3 MSEs with canisters; 2 Patriot MSE test missiles 2-Pack per unit of issue; 35 remanufactured (upgrades): Patriot modification kit, missile launchers A902+ Series to A903 Series; 26 PAC-3 Missile Round Trainer (MRT); and 26 Empty Round Trainer (ERT).
Patriot PAC-3 MSEs will supplement and improve Kuwait’s capability to meet current and future threats and provide greater security for its critical oil and natural gas infrastructure. Kuwait will use the enhanced capability to strengthen its homeland air defense by better meeting current and future air threats.
The acquisition of these missiles will allow for integration with U.S. forces for training exercises, which contributes to regional security and interoperability. Kuwait will have no difficulty absorbing this equipment and services into its armed forces.
PAC-3 is a surface-to-air missile defense system, which provides a highly reactive hit-to-kill capability in both range and altitude while operating in all environments.
PAC-3 protects ground forces and critical assets at all echelons from advanced aircraft to cruise missiles and tactical-ballistic missiles.

Poland receives first upgraded Leopard 2PL main battle tanks

Over the past two weeks, very intensive work has been carried out to complete the tests of the Leopard 2PL tanks and start passing vehicles to the Polish Army.
The Leopard 2PL program aims to significantly improve the combat capability of the Leopard 2A4 tanks used in the Polish Armed Forces, including in terms of firepower, ballistic protection and situational awareness, as well as crew work comfort with a wide involvement of the national defense industry.
The core of the modernization program is a compromise of three following factors: cost; vehicle weight; improved capabilities, within the area determined by the aforementioned factors.

Norway receives three newest F-35 stealth fighters

The three new F-35A multi-role aircraft of the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RoNAF) landed at Orland Air Force Station in central Norway on 26 May after more than 10 hours in the air from the United States.
Norway is the fourth country after the United States, Israel, and Italy to receive the F-35 stealth fighters.
According to Lockheed Martin, Norway joined the F-35 program as a partner in the System Development and Demonstration phase. In November 2008, the Norwegian government selected the F-35 as the replacement for the F-16 fleet.
And in September 2015, the first F-35A was unveiled before Norwegian and U.S. government officials and Lockheed Martin leadership at a formal ceremony at the Lockheed Martin production facility in Fort Worth, Texas.
The first two jets for Norway delivered to Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, in late 2015, where they are being used for pilot training.
Norway received its first F-35s three years ago. The country currently has 15 of the fifth-generation stealth fighters, but it has plans to expand its fleet to 52 by 2025, at which point all Norway’s F-16s will be retired.
The F-35 program has long been plagued by cost overruns, delays, and global parts shortages. However, costs are being brought down, and the aircraft will be the most advanced in the world, U.S. officials have said.
Besides the United States, 11 other nations are buying the planes.

U.S. forces conduct amphibious reconnaissance operations in Saudi Arabia

The U.S. and Saudi forces are conducting amphibious reconnaissance operations on and around Karan and Kurayn islands, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to enhance their combat skills and effectiveness.
U.S. Navy MH-60S Sea Hawks and Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion, MV-22B Osprey assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan (LHD 5) have taken part in routine and joint sustainment training on and around Karan and Kurayn islands.
In close coordination with our Saudi partners, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) Task Force (TF) 52 and TF 56, the BATARG and 26th MEU are conducting well deck operations, underwater beach surveys, maritime patrolling, boat lane security operations, and will establish a forward arming and refuelling point for aviation assets to refuel in an austere environment – which increases the aviation combat radius and enables them to conduct follow-on operations.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

US Secretary of Defence
Dr Mark T Esper
Mike Pompeo
Steven Mnuchin
Sonny Perdue

ANSWER: A

As part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered which port of Madagascar on 27 May 2020?
Port of Andoany
Port of Antsiranana
Port of Antalaha
Port of Iharana

ANSWER: B

Which Indian Army Officer is being awarded the prestigious “United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the year Award” on 29 May 2020?
Brigadier Inderjit Rikhye
Lt. Gen. R K Mehta
Major Suman Gawani
None of the Above

ANSWER: C

Which Offshore Patrol Vessel based at Kochi, Southern Naval Command, returned after the Anti-Piracy deployment in Gulf of Aden on 21 May 2020?
INS Chennai
INS Shivaji
INS Vikrant
INS Sunanya

ANSWER: D