Indian Defense
India Re-Elected To International Maritime Organisation With Highest Votes
New Delhi: India got re-elected to the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Council for the 2024-2025 biennium with the highest-ever votes in its favour at the 33rd assembly of IMO late last night.
India was elected under the category of “the largest interest in international seaborne trade” along with Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush, Sarbananda Sonowal, said, “It is wonderful news for all of India’s maritime sector as we continue our pursuit to be among the top maritime powers in the world.
“Under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India has garnered immense diplomatic leverage from across the world. Our attempt at enhancing our international representation at the apex maritime body is met with exuberant and wide support from across the world, a dividend of PM Modi’s doctrine of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’. We are humbled by this outpour of support in favour of India,” Sonowal said.
“This verdict is also a testament to India’s resurgence as a top maritime player in the world under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I must congratulate the team at the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways for this wonderful feat. With this opportunity, I firmly believe that India will further anchor its role in the maritime trade and in shaping the route for the future of the world’s maritime development. The highest votes are indicative of the government’s determination to strengthen India’s varied contributions to international maritime operations.” he added
The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is the leading authority that regulates the maritime industry, which supports global trade, transportation, and all marine operations. The Council is the executive organ of IMO and is responsible, under the Assembly, for supervising the work of the organisation.
Between sessions of the Assembly, the Council performs the functions of the Assembly, except that of making recommendations to governments on maritime safety and pollution prevention. The newly elected Council will meet, following the conclusion of the 33rd Assembly, for its 131st Session (on December 7) and elect its Chair and Vice-Chair for the next biennium.
The 33rd Assembly of IMO is meeting in London at IMO Headquarters from November 27 to December 6, 2023. All 175 Member States and three Associate Members are entitled to attend the Assembly, which is IMO’s highest governing body.
The intergovernmental organisations with which agreements of cooperation have been concluded and international non-governmental organisations in consultative status with IMO are also invited to attend.
The Indian delegation was led by the Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), Govt. of India, TK Ramachandran, with members including DG Shipping Shyam Jagannathan, officers of DGS, High Commission of India at London and industry representatives.
Under MIV 2030, to enhance representation at IMO, India aims to appoint permanent representatives at IMO London. With a view to enhancing and garnering maritime expertise for India, it is proposed that India nominate at least two qualified candidates for the Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Programme at the IMO.
The JPO Programme is an established programme within the United Nations with the main objective of providing young professionals with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in international cooperation under the supervision of specialists and to contribute to the advancement of their nation’s mandate.
The “Amrik Kaal Vision 2047” has also set goals to strengthen India’s global maritime presence. There are 43 initiatives identified as part of Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 Action Plan, of which the key initiatives focus on strengthening our global maritime presence, which includes a dedicated IMO cell in India, the appointment of a permanent representative at IMO headquarters, London, implementation of BIMSTEC Master Plan, creating a robust BIMSTEC institutional structure to ensure implementation of regional projects in a coordinated and timely manner, etc.
Indian Defense
INS Arihant’s Nuke-Capable K-4 Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile ‘Ready To Roll’
The solid-fuelled K-4 missile is being developed by DRDO to arm the country’s nuclear-powered submarines in the shape of INS Arihant and its under-development sister vessels. INS Arihant, which became fully operational in November 2018 to complete India’s nuclear triad, is currently armed with the much shorter K-15 missiles with a 750 km range.
“The K-4 is now virtually ready for its serial production to kick-off. The two tests have demonstrated its capability to emerge straight from underwater and undertake its parabolic trajectory,” said a source.
India has the land-based Agni missiles, with the over 5,000-km Agni-V inter-continental ballistic missile now in the process of being inducted, and fighter jets jury-rigged to deliver nuclear weapons. But INS Arihant gives the country’s deterrence posture much more credibility because nuclear-powered submarines armed with nuclear-tipped missiles are considered the most secure, survivable and potent platforms for retaliatory strikes.
Once the K-4 missiles are inducted, they will help India narrow the gap with countries like the US, Russia and China, which have over 5,000-km range SLBMs. The K-4 missiles are to be followed by the K-5 and K-6 missiles in the 5,000-6,000 km range class.
The 6,000-ton INS Arihant, which is propelled by an 83 MW pressurised light-water reactor at its core, in turn, is to be followed by INS Arighat, which was launched in 2017. The next generation of nuclear submarines, currently called S-4 and S-4*, will be much larger in size.
Indian Defense
After Upgradation, Sukhoi Su-30MKI Indigenisation To Reach 78%
India has received clearance to upgrade 84 Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets, which will result in 78% indigenization after the upgrade
In a significant step towards bolstering its military might with indigenously developed technology, India is poised to witness its Russian-origin Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter jets evolve into a domestic platform. Speaking at a recent lecture.
The upgrade program is being led by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in partnership with the Indian Air Force and other partners. The upgrade is expected to cost US$7.5 billion.
This initiative is a part of a larger effort by the Indian Air Force to modernize its ageing fleet. Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari asserted the critical role of an offensive air force as demonstrated in current global conflicts and emphasized India’s move towards an indigenized arsenal. To this end, the IAF has been proactive, from upgrading its Mirage 2000 to enhancing its MiG-29 fleet.
In summary, the IAF’s commitment to updating their combat forces with the latest technology, including shifting to fifth-generation fighter jets, ensures operational preparedness and a strong deterrence capability. The gradual indigenization of its air fleet marks a pivotal shift in India’s defence landscape, reducing dependency on foreign imports and fostering technological sovereignty.
Indian Defense
Akash Weapon System Exports For The Armenian Armed Forces Gathers Pace
According to unconfirmed reports, Armenia is a top contender for an export order for Akash SAM system manufactured by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
The Akash export version will also be slightly different from the one inducted by the armed forces. The 100-km range air-to-air Astra missiles, now entering production after successful trials from Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, also have “good export potential”, said sources.
Akash is a “tried, tested and successfully inducted systems”. Indian armed forces have ordered Akash systems worth Rs 24,000 crore over the years, and MoD inked a contract in Mar 2023 of over Rs 9,100 crores for improved Akash Weapon System
BDL is a government enterprise under the Ministry of Defence that was established in 1970. BDL manufactures surface-to-air missiles and delivers them to the Indian Army. BDL also offers its products for export.
Akash Weapon System
The AWS is a Short Range Surface to Air Missile (SRSAM) Air Defence System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). In order to meet aerial threats, two additional Regiments of AWS with Upgradation are being procured for Indian Army for the Northern borders. Improved AWS has Seeker Technology, Reduced Foot Print, 360° Engagement Capability and improved environmental parameters.
The project will give a boost to the Indian missile manufacturing industry in particular and the indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem as a whole. The project has overall indigenous content of 82% which will be increased to 93% by 2026-27.
The induction of the improved AWS into the Indian Army will increase India’s self-reliance in Short Range Missile capability. This project will play a role in boosting the overall economy by avoiding outgo of precious foreign exchange to other countries, increasing employment avenues in India and encouraging Indian MSMEs through components manufacturing. Around 60% of the project cost will be awarded to the private industry, including MSMEs, in maintaining the supply chain of the weapon system, thereby creating large scale of direct and indirect employment.
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