1. Exercise Vayu Shakti-2019
• Indian Air Force demonstrated its full combat and fire capabilities during ‘Exercise Vayu Shakti-2019’ in the Pokharan firing range.
• The exercise involves around 140 fighter jets and attack helicopters.
• In the exercise, the IAF showcased firepower capability of indigenously-developed platforms like Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas, Advanced Light Helicopter and efficacy of Akash surface-to-air missile and Astra air-to-air missile.
• Cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, who is an honorary Group Captain of the IAF, was also present on the occasion.
2. Iran launches new locally-made submarine capable of firing cruise missiles
• Iran has launched a new locally-made submarine capable of firing cruise missiles. Speaking at the launch President Hassan Rouhani said Iran is now fully self-reliant on land, air and sea.
• Local media said the submarine, named the Fateh, Persian for `conqueror`, is Iran`s first in the semi-heavy category.
3. Rs 20,000 crore defence corridor in UP
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation of the flagship Bundelkhand Defence Industrial Corridor in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh.
• The project is expected to cost around Rs 20,000 crore.
• The defence corridor from Jhansi to Agra will strengthen the defence production in the country and stop migration.
• The mega project would have span 6 nodes at Aligarh, Agra, Jhansi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Chitrakoot.
• India had taken the decision to establish two defence corridors in the country, one at Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh.