Defence & Security Current Affairs April 2017

Complete Defence & Security Current Affairs April 2017

Indian Navy Test-fired Anti-ship Missile from Scorpene-class Submarine

The Indian Navy successfully test-fired an anti-ship missile from the first of indigenously-built Kalvari class submarines in the Arabian sea on March l„ 2017.
This missile launch is a significant milestone, not only for the Kalvari, which is the first in a series of Scorpene-class submarines being built in India, but also in enhancing the Navy’s sub-surface warfare capability.
All six Kalvari submarines will be equipped with the missile, with a proven record in combat, to neutralise surface threats at extended ranges,

India Successfully Test-fired Indigenously Developed Supersonic Interceptor Missile

India has successfully test-fired indigenously developed supersonic interceptor missile on February 28, 2017.
The anti-missile missile is capable of destroying any incoming enemy ballistic missile at low altitude.
Interceptor missile is 7.5 m long, single stage solid rocket propelled guided missile, that carries a navigation system, a hi-tech computer and an electro-mechanical activator. It also has its own mobile launcher, secure data link for interception, independent tracking and homing capabilities aside from radars.

Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre-Level Exercise Concluded

The Indian Navy’s Annual Theatre Level Readiness and Operational Exercise (TROPEX 17) was concluded on the Western Seaboard on February 26, 2017.
TROPEX 2017 culminated with Tactical Phase conducted over 10 days, and saw intense action by both the opposing forces. The interaction of the forces helped validate operational war fighting-concepts and provided valuable lessons to sharpen combat skills.
TROPEX 2017 assumes great significance in the backdrop of current security scenario. The exercise provided an apt-opportunity to test the combat capability of the Indian Navy, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Coast Guard, and strengthened inter-operability and joint operations in complex conflict situation.

Indian Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel Commissioned in Goa

The Union Minister for Railways Suresh Prabhu commissioned Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Shaunak’, built by Goa Shipyard Limited on February 20, 2017.
‘Shaunak’, an offshore patrol vessel is designed to carry one twin-engine light helicopter, five high-speed boats and for carrying out swift boarding operations, search and rescue, law enforcement and maritime patrol.
The ship is also capable of carrying pollution response equipment to contain oil spill at sea. The ship on joining Coast Guard Fleet will be based at Visakhapatnam and deployed extensively for Exclusive Economic Zone surveillance and other duties.

India became World’s Largest Importer of Major Arms in the Last Four Years

India was the world’s largest importer of major arms between 2012-16, accounting for 13% of the global total sales, according to a new data released by Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), an independent institute that tracks arms proliferation among other issues in conflict studies on February 19, 2017.

India increased its arms imports by 43%, between 2007-11 and 2012-16. In the last four years India’s imports were far greater than those of its regional rivals China and Pakistan.
China is increasingly able to substitute arms imports with indigenous products, India remains dependent on weapons technology from many willing suppliers, including Russia, the USA, European states, Israel and South Korea.
According to this study increase in arms transfers are driven by demand in Middle East and Asia, with imports by countries in South East Asia going up by 6.2% from 2007-11 to 2012-16.

INSV-Tarini Inducted into Indian Navy

The Indian Navy’s second ocean-going sailboat INSV-Tarini was inducted into the Indian Navy at a formal ceremony in Goa on February 17, 2017.
It is built by Goa-based Aquarius Shipyard Private Limited; INSV-Tarini is a sloop, which is slated to be the platform for first Indian all-women circumnavigation of the globe expedition of the Indian Navy.
The Indian Navy is operating four sailing vessels (Tarangini, Sudarshini, Mhadei and Tarini) capable of open ocean deployments.

IAF Inducted Indigenous Early Warning System

The IAF formally inducted the first indigenously built Airborne Early Warning and Control System Netra on February 14, 2017.
It is developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation. These airborne warning systems, capable of long range surveillance, are huge force multipliers.
Netra is based on Embraer aircraft and three systems are to be developed. This system gives a 240-degree coverage of airspace.

Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘ARUSH’ Commissioned

The Indian Coast Guard ship ARUSH’, the seventeenth in the series of twenty Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, was commissioned at Kochi on February’ 17, 2017.
The ship has been named ICGS Arush’, literally meaning ‘first ray of Sun’, and will be based at Porbandar under the administrative and operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (North-West).
The 50 m indigenous FPV displaces 421 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with an endurance of 1500 nautical miles at economical speed of 13 knots, equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment.
She makes an ideal platform for undertaking multifarious close-coast missions such as surveillance, interdiction, search and rescue and medical evacuation. The special features of the ship include an Integrated Bridge Management System (IBMS) and Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS).