Bilateral Maritime Exercise between Japan and India, JIMEX 20, to Commence on 29 Sept:
The 4th edition of Maritime bilateral exercise between India and Japan "JIMEX 20" has been scheduled to be held from 26 to 28 September 2020. The exercise is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).
JIMEX 20:
♦ JIMEX 20 will be conducted in North Arabian Sea.
♦ The exercise will showcase joint operational skills and high degree of inter-operability through conduct of a multitude of advanced exercises, across the spectrum of maritime operations.
♦ The exercise will include Multi-faceted tactical exercises like weapon firings, cross deck helicopter operations and complex surface.
♦ It also incluse anti-submarine and air warfare drills that will consolidate coordination developed by the two navies.
♦ JIMEX 20 will be conducted in a ‘non-contact at-sea-only format’, in view of COVID-19 restrictions.
♦ The exercise aims to enhance the cooperation and mutual confidence between the two navies. It also aims to fortify the long standing bond of friendship between the two countries.
♦ From Indian Side, the indigenously built stealth destroyer Chennai, Teg Class stealth frigate Tarkash and Fleet Tanker Deepak, under the command of Rear Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, will participate in the exercise.
♦ From Japanese Side, JMSDF Ships Kaga, an Izumo Class Helicopter Destroyer and Ikazuchi, a Guided Missile Destroyer, led by Rear Admiral Konno Yasushige, Commander Escort Flotilla – 2 (CCF - 2) will participate in the exercise.
Background:
JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012. The main objective of the exercise is to focus on maritime security cooperation. The last edition of JIMEX was conducted in October 2018 off Visakhapatnam, India.
DRDO Successfully test-fired Laser-Guided ATGM:
DRDO successfully test-fired Laser-Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) from MBT Arjun Tank at KK Ranges, Armoured Corps Centre and School (ACC&S) Ahmednagar on 22 September 2020. The missile has been developed with multiple-platform launch capability. The ATGM is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from the gun of MBT Arjun.
Laser Guided Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM):
♦ ATGM was developed by Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE) Pune in association with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) Pune, and Instruments Research & Development Establishment (IRDE) Dehradun.
♦ During the test, ATGM successfully defeated a target located at 3 km.
♦ Using Laser designation, the Laser guided ATGMs lock and track the targets to ensure precision hit accuracy.
♦ The missile employs a tandem high-explosive anti-tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA) protected armoured vehicles.
DRDO set up 8 technology centres for research on Military Applications:
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has set up eight advanced technology centres to carry out research on futuristic military applications. The centres will provide support to academia to undertake research on new technologies in niche areas for military use.
Highlights:
♦ DRDO aims to create an enabling infrastructure for developing futuristic military weapons.
♦ It formed a committee headed by Prof V Ramagopal Rao, Director of Delhi IIT, to suggest new measures to improve the efficiency of the DRDO laboratories in India. The main objective is to boost domestic defence production.
♦ The move comes as the Government of India aims to focus on making India self-reliant in defence manufacturing.
♦ Currently, DRDO has over 50 laboratories in India that are engaged in developing defence technologies covering disciplines like aeronautics, combat vehicles, engineering systems, armaments, missiles, advanced computing, and naval systems.
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