Exercise SAREX concluded at Goa:
National level Search, and Rescue Exercise and Workshop (Exercise SAREX 2020) concluded in the sea at Vasco, Goa. The exercise was conducted by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG). It was carried out on 5-7 March.
Highlights:
♦ The SAREX exercise was inaugurated by Dr. Ajay Kumar, IAS, Secretary (Defence), Ministry of Defence (MoD).
♦ The exercise witnessed the participation of 24 overseas observers from 19 countries.
♦ Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Civil Aviation, and Ministry of Defence took part in the event.
♦ The theme of the exercise was Harmonization of Maritime and Aeronautical Search and Rescue code "HAMSAR."
♦ International delegates, including 38 national observers and representatives of 7 commercial airlines, including two helicopter operators, participated in the exercise.
♦ The exercise tested the efficiency of operations and coordination of the stakeholders involved in Search and Rescue in the Indian Search and Rescue Region.
SAREX exercise:
SAREX is a biennial exercise that is conducted by the Indian Coast Guard under the aegis of the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board (NMSARB). The exercise has been conducted since 2003 under the Chairmanship of Director General K Natarajan, ICG.
GoI approved industrial licenses to 15 companies to manufacture Bullet Proof Jackets:
Government-issued industrial licenses to 15 companies to manufacture Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) on 11 March. The announcement was made by Minister of Defence Rajnath Singh.
Highlights:
♦ The 15 companies for manufacturing Bullet Proof Jackets have the production capacity in the country of over 10 Lakh per annum to meet the domestic and export requirement.
♦ India exports Bullet Proof Jackets to 18 countries.
♦ Earlier, Indian soldiers did not have bullet-proof jackets. At present, 1.86 lakh soldiers are given BPJs.
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