DefExpo 2020 concluded on 8 February:
The 11th edition of the biennial event "Defence Expo 2020" concluded on 8 February in Lucknow. It was organized by the Ministry of Defence. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presided over the valedictory session of the event.
Highlights:
♦ Defence Expo 2020 witnessed the participation of three aerospace giants including, Airbus SE and US-based Lockheed Martin Corp and Boeing Co.
♦ The growth of indigenous enterprise was the most encouraging facet of DefExpo2020.
♦ Over 200 partnerships involving the signing of Transfer of Technology and Product and Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) took place at a ceremony titled Bandhan.
♦ The agreements were aimed at forging and renewing partnerships for innovative collaboration and transformation of defence manufacturing in the country.
♦ During the event, the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) certificate for Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) was issued to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
♦ The event has emerged as one of the largest gatherings of defence exhibitors in the aerospace sector.
Bimstec disaster management exercise-2020 organized in Odisha:
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Nityanand Rai inaugurated the Field Training Exercise of 2nd BIMSTEC Disaster Management Exercise on flood rescue at the Ramachandi Beach, Puri, Odisha on 12 February.
Highlights:
♦ The exercise highlighted the historicity and diversity of cultural heritage sites in the BIMSTEC region.
♦ It will provide a platform for member states to evaluate existing capabilities and share the best emergency response practices.
♦ The exercise will improve existing emergency preparedness and strengthen regional response mechanism between the BIMSTEC countries during disasters.
♦ It will conduct a risk assessment in the context of cultural heritage sites at the time of disaster.
♦ It included a real disaster scenario to depict flooded localities and houses due to the flood disaster.
♦ A Heli-born rescue operation was also carried out to demonstrate the coordination among various stakeholders to deal with an emergency situation.
♦ Sessions of After Action Review (AAR) and Priority Setting Meeting were also organized in the exercise.
Participants:
Delegates and rescue teams of five-member nations namely Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Nepal of BIMSTEC group participated in the exercise with great zeal and enthusiasm.
Government authorized companies to export military equipment to 42 countries:
The government has authorized companies to export military equipment to 42 countries across the world, including Azerbaijan, Estonia, Indonesia, Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Sweden, Seychelles, and the UAE. The announcement was made by the Minister of State for Defence Shripad Naik.
Defence exports:
♦ India`s defence exports have increased seven-fold in the last two years from Rs.1,521 crore in 2016-17 to Rs.10,745 crore in 2018-19.
♦ After 2014, 79 companies have invested over Rs.1,834 crore through the foreign direct investment (FDI) route in defence and aerospace sector.
Other exports:
♦ India also authorized the export of Dornier Do 228 aircraft and coastal surveillance systems to Seychelles.
♦ The Indian government has authorized Indian authorities to export helmets, bomb suppression blankets, soft armour panels and cartridges to Germany.
♦ Also, the export of mine-protected vehicles, over-vests, helmets, soft armour panels, and civil helicopter protection equipment to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has been approved.
♦ Power supply, bulk memory control cards, are among the equipments that are to be exported to Sri Lanka from India.
♦ Radar distribution cards, amplifiers and spare parts for radar systems are among the devices that have been authorized for export to Singapore.
HAL received approval to produce light utility helicopter:
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) received initial clearance from DRDO`s department of defence research and development for its light utility helicopter (LUH). The clearance will pave way for its production. LUH will replace the aging fleet of Cheetah and Chetak helicopters.
Light Utility Helicopter (LUH):
♦ LUH is a single-engine, 3-ton utility helicopter.
♦ It is indigenously designed and developed to meet the operational requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Indian Army.
♦ Three prototypes have been built and cumulatively completed over 550 flights under various terrains and climatic conditions.
♦ The performance of the basic configuration of LUH in all terrains and under all weather conditions has been tested and gave satisfactory output.
♦ HAL is expected to proceed to the next phase of integrating and flight testing of mission role equipment on LUH.
######