\n
Science and Tech Current Affairs 2021-22<\/span><\/h2>\nDefence technologies\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n<\/p>\n
To Read Other Current Affairs Compilations<\/strong><\/span> for UPSC Prelims 2022<\/span>– Click here<\/a><\/h4>\n
\nAbhyas<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong>(DRDO) has successfully flight-tested\u00a0Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target<\/strong>\u00a0(HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.<\/p>\nAbout Abhyas<\/h5>\n
Abhyas is an indigenously developed\u00a0Unmanned Aerial Vehicle<\/strong>(UAV) that will be used as a target for the evaluation of various missile systems.<\/p>\nDeveloped by:<\/strong>\u00a0It has been designed and developed by DRDO\u2019s Aeronautical Development Establishment(ADE).<\/p>\nKey Features of Abhyas<\/h5>\n
Abhyas is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed.<\/p>\n
It is also equipped with a MEMS-based\u00a0Inertial Navigation System<\/strong>(INS) for navigation, along with the\u00a0Flight Control Computer<\/strong>(FCC) for guidance and control.<\/p>\nMoreover, the Abhyas vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of air vehicle is done using a laptop-based\u00a0Ground Control Station<\/strong>\u00a0(GCS)<\/p>\n
\nMK 54 torpedoes, P-8I, chaff and flares<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The Defence Minister\u00a0has signed a contract with the US government to procure MK 54 torpedoes and expendables such as chaff and flares for the Indian Navy\u2019s anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I.<\/p>\n
About MK 54 lightweight torpedo<\/h5>\n
MK 54 lightweight torpedo is an anti-submarine warfare(ASW) torpedo used by the United States Navy.<\/p>\n
The torpedoes are designed to operate in shallow waters and in the presence of countermeasures, they can track, classify and attack underwater targets.<\/p>\n
About P-8I<\/h5>\n
P-8I is a long-range, multimission maritime patrol aircraft offered by US Boeing for the Indian Navy.<\/p>\n
The aircraft\u00a0can conduct\u00a0Anti-Submarine Warfare\u00a0<\/strong>(ASW),\u00a0Anti-Surface Warfare<\/strong>\u00a0(AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol and surveillance and reconnaissance missions.<\/p>\nChaff<\/h5>\n
Chaff is\u00a0an electronic countermeasure technology used by militaries worldwide<\/strong>\u00a0to protect naval ships, aircraft or other sensitive targets from radar and radio frequency guiding mechanisms of the enemy missile.<\/p>\nFlare<\/h5>\n
A flare or decoy flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by a plane or helicopter to counter an infrared homing (\u201cheat-seeking\u201d) surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile.<\/p>\n
\nAgni-V<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
India has successfully test-fired Agni-V Missile.<\/p>\n
About Agni-V<\/h5>\n![\"Agni](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/forumias.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/Agni-V.png?resize=355%2C599&ssl=1\")
Source: The Tribune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAgni-V is a surface-to-surface\u00a0nuclear-capable\u00a0InterContinental Ballistic Missile\u00a0(ICBM)<\/strong>.<\/p>\nNote<\/strong>: ICBMs are guided missiles that can deliver nuclear and other payloads. They have a minimum range of 5,500 km, with maximum ranges varying from 7,000 to 16,000 km.<\/p>\nDeveloped by:<\/strong>\u00a0Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).<\/p>\nRange<\/strong>: It is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.<\/p>\nSpeed:<\/strong>\u00a0It can reach an exceptional Mach 24 speed, which is around 29,401 km\/h.<\/p>\nKey Features of Agni-V<\/h5>\n
The missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine<\/p>\n
It is road-mobile and can be transported by a truck and launched via a canister.<\/p>\n
Satellite Guidance:<\/strong>\u00a0The missile is equipped with a ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system (NavIC) that works with satellite guidance. So,\u00a0\u200b\u200bthe missile can carry nuclear warheads with advanced navigation and guidance systems.<\/p>\nMIRV Technology<\/strong>: The most striking feature of Agni-V is its MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles<\/strong>) technology. In this technique, multiple weapons can be installed instead of one in the warhead mounted on the missile. That is, a missile can hit multiple targets simultaneously.<\/p>\nSignificance of the Agni-V launch<\/h5>\n
Agni-V\u00a0will put India\u2019s credible minimum deterrence on a firm footing, as no missile in the Indian arsenal has the range to strike targets deep inside China.<\/p>\n
Moreover, with the launch of\u00a0Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries such as China, the US, Russia, Britain and France to have ICBMs.<\/p>\n
\nICGS Sarthak<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Director-General of\u00a0Indian Coast Guard (ICG<\/a>) has commissioned the indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship \u2018Sarthak\u2019 at a ceremony held in Goa.<\/p>\nAbout ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
ICGS Sarthak is an indigenously built\u00a0Offshore Patrol Vessel<\/strong>(OPV) by the Goa Shipyard Limited.<\/p>\nNote:<\/strong>\u00a0Offshore patrol vessels(OPVs) are patrolling vehicles that are deployed by Indian coast guards to patrol the maritime boundary of India.<\/p>\nKey features of ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
Firstly,<\/strong>\u00a0the vessel is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, machinery, sensors and weapons which enable it to undertake duties such as search and rescue, combating maritime crimes and preserving & protecting the marine environment.<\/p>\nSecondly,<\/strong>\u00a0it is capable of carrying a twin-engine helicopter, four high-speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and Search & Rescue operations.<\/p>\nThirdly,\u00a0<\/strong>it is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.<\/p>\nDeployment of ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
The vessel will be based at Porbandar (Gujarat) and operate on India\u2019s Western Seaboard.<\/p>\n
It will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance, Coastal Security and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard charter of duties, to safeguard the maritime interests of the Nation.<\/p>\n
\nHypersonic missiles<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
China\u2019s military has carried out its first-ever test of a \u201cnuclear capable hypersonic missile\u201d.<\/p>\n
About Hypersonic Missile<\/h5>\n
Hypersonic speeds are those that exceed five times the speed of sound, that is, anything that can move at speeds of Mach 5 or above, which means at least 1.6 km per second.<\/p>\n
Types of Hypersonic Missiles:\u00a0<\/strong>There are two types of hypersonic missiles.<\/p>\nHypersonic cruise missiles:<\/strong>\u00a0These are the ones that use rocket or jet propellant through their flight and are regarded as being just faster versions of existing cruise missiles.<\/p>\nHypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) missiles<\/strong>: This is the one that China has tested. They are launched on rockets and then orbit the earth at their own speed. They are difficult to track because, unlike ballistic missiles, they \u201cdo not follow the fixed parabolic trajectory\u201d.<\/p>\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong>Countries like the US, Russia and China are developing hypersonic glide vehicles.<\/p>\nAbout India and hypersonic technology<\/h5>\n
India too is working on hypersonic technologies. In September 2020, DRDO has successfully flight-tested the\u00a0Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle(HSTDV)<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with a capability to travel at 6 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\nIn December 2020 an advanced\u00a0Hypersonic Wind Tunnel<\/strong>\u00a0(HWT) test facility of the DRDO was inaugurated in Hyderabad. It is a pressure vacuum-driven, enclosed free jet facility that simulates Mach 5 to 12.<\/p>\n
\nHypersonic Glide Vehicle<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Recently China has\u00a0 successfully tested a new hypersonic Glide missile.<\/p>\n
About Hypersonic Glide Vehicle<\/h5>\n
A hypersonic glide vehicle is launched by a rocket that moves in the Earth\u2019s lower orbit. It is launched at more than five times to 25 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n
The vehicle is capable of carrying nuclear payloads, which gives the launching country the strategic capacity to attack almost any target across the world.<\/p>\n
Difference between Hypersonic Glide Vehicle and ICBM<\/h5>\n
ICBM follows a parabolic trajectory, which means it goes up and then comes down in a high arc\u2014like throwing up a ball.<\/p>\n
On the other hand,\u00a0 hypersonic glide vehicles orbit the earth at a lower height and are manoeuvrable. The ability to change track or target, mid-trajectory, along with the speed, makes them tougher to track and defend against.<\/p>\n
Moreover, hypersonic missiles can travel approximately 5,000 to 25,000 km per hour, which makes them six to over 25 times faster than modern commercial aircraft.<\/p>\n
Hence, the mix of the high altitude, high speed and manoeuvrability of hypersonic missiles can potentially provide them to use in-flight updates to attack a different target than originally planned.<\/p>\n
\nLong Range Bomb<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) have jointly flight-tested Long-Range Bomb(LRB).<\/p>\n
About the Long Range Bomb(LRB)<\/h5>\n
Long Range Bomb is\u00a0India\u2019s first indigenously-developed guided bomb<\/strong>.It will be used to attack land-based targets at a long-range with greater accuracy.<\/p>\nDeveloped by:\u00a0<\/strong>It has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a DRDO laboratory located at Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO laboratories.<\/p>\nRange:<\/strong>\u00a0The bomb has\u00a0a range of around 100 kilometres.<\/p>\nSignificance:<\/strong>\u00a0This development is important as India in the past has been using Israeli laser-guided bombs. Hence, the successful test of the LR Bomb makes India capable of staying well within its territory and hitting enemy targets at 100 kilometres with high accuracy.<\/p>\n
\nFrigate-Tushil<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The 7th Indian Navy\u00a0Frigate<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0P1135.6 class<\/strong>\u00a0was launched at Yantar Shipyard, Russia. The ship is formally named as \u2018Tushil<\/strong>\u2019-a Sanskrit word meaning Protector Shield.<\/p>\nThe construction of ships is based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the India and Russian Federation for the construction of two ships of Project 1135.6 ships in Russia and two ships in India at M\/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).<\/p>\n
More about the Frigate-Tushil<\/strong><\/h5>\nThe construction of these ships is based on Indian Navy\u2019s specific requirements to\u00a0meet the entire spectrum<\/strong>\u00a0of naval warfare in all three dimensions of Air, Surface and Sub-surface.<\/p>\nThe ships with a potent combination of state-of-art Indian and Russian Weapons and Sensors are equipped to\u00a0operate in Littoral and Blue waters,<\/strong>\u00a0both as a single unit and as consort in a naval task force.<\/p>\nThey feature \u201cstealth technology<\/strong>\u201d in terms of low radar and underwater noise signatures.<\/p>\nThese ships are being equipped with major Indian supplied equipment such as Surface to Surface Missiles, Sonar system, Surface Surveillance Radar, Communication Suite and ASW systems along with Russian Surface to Air Missiles and gun mounts.<\/p>\n
\nHansa New Generation(NG) aircraft<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Hansa New Generation (NG) aircraft has successfully made its maiden flight from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport.<\/p>\n
About Hansa New Generation(NG) aircraft<\/h5>\n
Hansa New Generation(NG) aircraft\u00a0<\/strong>is an\u00a0upgraded version of the two-seater Hansa trainer aircraft.<\/p>\nDesigned by:\u00a0<\/strong>National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore<\/p>\nFeatures:<\/strong>\u00a0The unique features of Hansa-NG are<\/p>\n\n- Glass cockpit with cabin comfort<\/li>\n
- Highly efficient digitally controlled engine<\/li>\n
- Electrically operated flaps<\/li>\n
- Long endurance<\/li>\n
- Low acquisition and low operating cost.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
About National Aerospace Laboratories(NAL):<\/h5>\n
NAL was established in 1959. It is a\u00a0constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR).<\/p>\n
It is India\u2019s only government-owned aerospace research and development laboratory in the civilian sector.<\/p>\n
\nINS Dhruv<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
National Security Advisor has commissioned India\u2019s\u00a0first satellite and ballistic<\/strong>\u00a0missile<\/strong>\u00a0tracking ship\u00a0Dhruv from Visakhapatnam.<\/strong><\/p>\nDhruv is\u00a0built by Hindustan Shipyard<\/strong>\u00a0in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO<\/strong>) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO<\/strong>).<\/p>\nKey features of INS Dhruv<\/strong><\/h5>\nMapping<\/strong>: It has the capability to also\u00a0map ocean beds<\/strong>\u00a0for research and detection of enemy submarines.<\/p>\nEnhanced surveillance capabilities:<\/strong>\u00a0INS Dhruv is equipped with DRDO developed state-of-the-art active scanned\u00a0array radar<\/strong>\u00a0or AESA. It has the ability to scan various spectrums to monitor spy satellites watching over India, as well as monitor missile tests in the entire region.<\/p>\nSurveillance<\/strong>: The ship will be a vital key to maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific and is being commissioned at the time when the era of underwater armed and surveillance drones has dawned.<\/p>\nReal time warning system<\/strong>: It will act as an\u00a0early warning system<\/strong>\u00a0for enemy missiles headed towards Indian cities and military establishments.<\/p>\nControl<\/strong>: The\u00a0nuclear missile tracking ship<\/strong>\u00a0will be manned by Indian Navy personnel with the\u00a0Strategic Forces Command<\/strong>\u00a0(SFC).<\/p>\nSignificance of Dhruv<\/strong><\/h5>\nStrategic significance:<\/strong>\u00a0Both China and Pakistan having nuclear ballistic missile capability and land disputes with India.<\/p>\nCounter China<\/strong>: China has moved to sea-based military doctrin<\/strong>e with huge investments in long-range aircraft carriers, warships and submarines. Dhruv will help India\u2019s electronic intelligence-gathering spy agency, the NTRO, to project threat to India in real-time.<\/p>\nMaritime defence<\/strong>: It will act as a major\u00a0force multiplier<\/strong>\u00a0to India\u2019s maritime security architecture as well add to the capability to understand the true missile capability of the adversary when they test their ballistic missiles.<\/p>\nIndia joins Premier League of Nations<\/strong>: The 10,000-tonne ship will be at the heart of India\u2019s future anti-ballistic missile capability. Such ships are operated by\u00a0France, the US, the UK, Russia<\/strong>, and\u00a0China<\/strong>\u00a0only.<\/p>\nNet security provider<\/strong>: It will add to the Indian Navy\u2019s capability to\u00a0monitor the region<\/strong>\u00a0from the Gulf of Aden to the ingress routes to the South China Sea via Malacca, Sunda, Lombok, Ombai and Wetar straits.<\/p>\nMapping ocean floor<\/strong>: it will help in mapping the Indian Ocean bed to help the Indian Navy\u00a0plan better military operations<\/strong>\u00a0in all three dimensions\u2014sub-surface, surface and aerial.<\/p>\n
\nINS Hansa<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Indian Navy\u2019s premier air station INS Hansa is celebrating its diamond jubilee.<\/p>\n
About INS Hansa<\/h5>\n
INS Hansa<\/strong>\u00a0is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa. It is India\u2019s biggest naval airbase.<\/p>\nHistory of INS Hansa<\/strong><\/p>\nINS Hansa was initially set up<\/strong>\u00a0as a\u00a0 Naval Jet Flight at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu in 1958. It was later commissioned as INS Hansa in 1961.<\/p>\nAfter the liberation of Goa, the\u00a0Dabolim airfield was taken over by the Indian Navy\u00a0<\/strong>in 1962 and INS Hansa shifted to Dabolim in 1964.<\/p>\nThe airbase has increased its capability over the last six decades\u00a0and is presently operating over 40 military aircraft,<\/strong>\u00a0clocking an average yearly flying of over 5000 hours.<\/p>\nThe air station\u00a0also supports civil aviation by handling domestic and international flights 24\u00d77,<\/strong>\u00a0with an average of 29000 flights in a year.<\/p>\nNote<\/strong>: INS Hansa is the host for the prestigious event of presentation of the\u00a0President\u2019s Colour\u00a0<\/a>to naval aviation by the Hon\u2019ble President of India.<\/p>\n
\nLCA-Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The preliminary design for the\u00a0Light Combat Aircraft(LCA)-Mk2<\/strong>\u00a0and the fifth-generation\u00a0Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)<\/strong>\u00a0has been completed.<\/p>\nAbout\u00a0LCA-Mk2<\/h5>\n
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2<\/strong>\u00a0is a\u00a0single-engine multirole fighter aircraft<\/strong>\u00a0designed by\u00a0Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)<\/strong>\u00a0in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).<\/p>\nPayload Capacity:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u00a0is a 1,350 mm longer aircraft. It can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared to the 3,500 kg the LCA can carry.<\/p>\nFeatures:<\/strong>\u00a0The aircraft features enhanced range and endurance, including an\u00a0onboard oxygen generation system<\/strong>, which is being integrated for the first time.<\/p>\nAbout Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA)<\/h5>\n
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA)\u00a0<\/strong>is a fifth-generation indigenous fighter aircraft\u00a0designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).<\/p>\nPayload Capacity:<\/strong>\u00a0It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg internally and a 5,500-kg external payload.<\/p>\nFeatures:\u00a0<\/strong>The aircraft will have stealth and non-stealth configurations. It will be developed in two phases, AMCA Mk1 with an existing GE414 engine and an AMCA Mk2 with an advanced more powerful engine to be developed later along with a foreign partner.<\/p>\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong>Stealth technology is a low observable technology that makes aircraft, fighter jets, ships, submarines, satellites, missiles less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection methods.<\/p>\nParticipation of Private Industry:\u00a0<\/strong>The manufacturing and production of the aircraft will be through a\u00a0special purpose vehicle<\/strong>\u00a0which will have the participation of private industry.<\/p>\n
\nArjun Mk-1A<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The Ministry of Defence(MoD) has placed an order with\u00a0Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Chennai<\/strong>\u00a0for the supply of 118\u00a0Main Battle Tanks\u00a0<\/strong>(MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army.<\/p>\nAbout Arjun Mk-1A<\/h5>\n
Arjun Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed and developed by the\u00a0Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment<\/strong>\u00a0(CVRDE) along with the other laboratories of the\u00a0Defence Research and Development Organisation\u00a0<\/strong>(DRDO).<\/p>\nKey features of Arjun Mk-1A<\/h5>\n
Arjun Mk-1A is designed to enhance firepower, mobility and survivability. It can take on the enemy during day & night conditions and in both static & dynamic modes.<\/p>\n
It has 54.3% indigenous content, against the 41% in the earlier model.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, it is known as the \u201chunter-killers<\/strong>\u201d as it is equipped with a massive 120 mm rifled gun and Kanchan armour, making it the most potent armoured system in the inventory of the army.<\/p>\nIt also has a computer-controlled integrated fire control system with a stabilised sighting that works in all lighting conditions.<\/p>\n
\nAkash Prime<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong>\u00a0(DRDO) has successfully tested a new version of Akash missile named Akash Prime.<\/p>\nAbout Akash Prime<\/h5>\n
Akash Prime is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).<\/p>\n
It was developed to replace the Russian 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) missile system, currently in service.<\/p>\n
The missile is equipped with a homegrown\u00a0Radio Frequency seeker<\/strong>\u00a0which imparts an improved accuracy while intercepting targets in various conditions.<\/p>\nThe missile will\u00a0further boost the confidence of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
To Read Other Current Affairs Compilations<\/strong><\/span> for UPSC Prelims 2022<\/span>– Click here<\/a><\/h4>\n
\nAbhyas<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong>(DRDO) has successfully flight-tested\u00a0Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target<\/strong>\u00a0(HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.<\/p>\nAbout Abhyas<\/h5>\n
Abhyas is an indigenously developed\u00a0Unmanned Aerial Vehicle<\/strong>(UAV) that will be used as a target for the evaluation of various missile systems.<\/p>\nDeveloped by:<\/strong>\u00a0It has been designed and developed by DRDO\u2019s Aeronautical Development Establishment(ADE).<\/p>\nKey Features of Abhyas<\/h5>\n
Abhyas is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed.<\/p>\n
It is also equipped with a MEMS-based\u00a0Inertial Navigation System<\/strong>(INS) for navigation, along with the\u00a0Flight Control Computer<\/strong>(FCC) for guidance and control.<\/p>\nMoreover, the Abhyas vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of air vehicle is done using a laptop-based\u00a0Ground Control Station<\/strong>\u00a0(GCS)<\/p>\n
\nMK 54 torpedoes, P-8I, chaff and flares<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The Defence Minister\u00a0has signed a contract with the US government to procure MK 54 torpedoes and expendables such as chaff and flares for the Indian Navy\u2019s anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I.<\/p>\n
About MK 54 lightweight torpedo<\/h5>\n
MK 54 lightweight torpedo is an anti-submarine warfare(ASW) torpedo used by the United States Navy.<\/p>\n
The torpedoes are designed to operate in shallow waters and in the presence of countermeasures, they can track, classify and attack underwater targets.<\/p>\n
About P-8I<\/h5>\n
P-8I is a long-range, multimission maritime patrol aircraft offered by US Boeing for the Indian Navy.<\/p>\n
The aircraft\u00a0can conduct\u00a0Anti-Submarine Warfare\u00a0<\/strong>(ASW),\u00a0Anti-Surface Warfare<\/strong>\u00a0(AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol and surveillance and reconnaissance missions.<\/p>\nChaff<\/h5>\n
Chaff is\u00a0an electronic countermeasure technology used by militaries worldwide<\/strong>\u00a0to protect naval ships, aircraft or other sensitive targets from radar and radio frequency guiding mechanisms of the enemy missile.<\/p>\nFlare<\/h5>\n
A flare or decoy flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by a plane or helicopter to counter an infrared homing (\u201cheat-seeking\u201d) surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile.<\/p>\n
\nAgni-V<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
India has successfully test-fired Agni-V Missile.<\/p>\n
About Agni-V<\/h5>\nSource: The Tribune<\/figcaption><\/figure>\nAgni-V is a surface-to-surface\u00a0nuclear-capable\u00a0InterContinental Ballistic Missile\u00a0(ICBM)<\/strong>.<\/p>\nNote<\/strong>: ICBMs are guided missiles that can deliver nuclear and other payloads. They have a minimum range of 5,500 km, with maximum ranges varying from 7,000 to 16,000 km.<\/p>\nDeveloped by:<\/strong>\u00a0Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).<\/p>\nRange<\/strong>: It is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.<\/p>\nSpeed:<\/strong>\u00a0It can reach an exceptional Mach 24 speed, which is around 29,401 km\/h.<\/p>\nKey Features of Agni-V<\/h5>\n
The missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine<\/p>\n
It is road-mobile and can be transported by a truck and launched via a canister.<\/p>\n
Satellite Guidance:<\/strong>\u00a0The missile is equipped with a ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system (NavIC) that works with satellite guidance. So,\u00a0\u200b\u200bthe missile can carry nuclear warheads with advanced navigation and guidance systems.<\/p>\nMIRV Technology<\/strong>: The most striking feature of Agni-V is its MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles<\/strong>) technology. In this technique, multiple weapons can be installed instead of one in the warhead mounted on the missile. That is, a missile can hit multiple targets simultaneously.<\/p>\nSignificance of the Agni-V launch<\/h5>\n
Agni-V\u00a0will put India\u2019s credible minimum deterrence on a firm footing, as no missile in the Indian arsenal has the range to strike targets deep inside China.<\/p>\n
Moreover, with the launch of\u00a0Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries such as China, the US, Russia, Britain and France to have ICBMs.<\/p>\n
\nICGS Sarthak<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Director-General of\u00a0Indian Coast Guard (ICG<\/a>) has commissioned the indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship \u2018Sarthak\u2019 at a ceremony held in Goa.<\/p>\nAbout ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
ICGS Sarthak is an indigenously built\u00a0Offshore Patrol Vessel<\/strong>(OPV) by the Goa Shipyard Limited.<\/p>\nNote:<\/strong>\u00a0Offshore patrol vessels(OPVs) are patrolling vehicles that are deployed by Indian coast guards to patrol the maritime boundary of India.<\/p>\nKey features of ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
Firstly,<\/strong>\u00a0the vessel is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, machinery, sensors and weapons which enable it to undertake duties such as search and rescue, combating maritime crimes and preserving & protecting the marine environment.<\/p>\nSecondly,<\/strong>\u00a0it is capable of carrying a twin-engine helicopter, four high-speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and Search & Rescue operations.<\/p>\nThirdly,\u00a0<\/strong>it is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.<\/p>\nDeployment of ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
The vessel will be based at Porbandar (Gujarat) and operate on India\u2019s Western Seaboard.<\/p>\n
It will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance, Coastal Security and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard charter of duties, to safeguard the maritime interests of the Nation.<\/p>\n
\nHypersonic missiles<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
China\u2019s military has carried out its first-ever test of a \u201cnuclear capable hypersonic missile\u201d.<\/p>\n
About Hypersonic Missile<\/h5>\n
Hypersonic speeds are those that exceed five times the speed of sound, that is, anything that can move at speeds of Mach 5 or above, which means at least 1.6 km per second.<\/p>\n
Types of Hypersonic Missiles:\u00a0<\/strong>There are two types of hypersonic missiles.<\/p>\nHypersonic cruise missiles:<\/strong>\u00a0These are the ones that use rocket or jet propellant through their flight and are regarded as being just faster versions of existing cruise missiles.<\/p>\nHypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) missiles<\/strong>: This is the one that China has tested. They are launched on rockets and then orbit the earth at their own speed. They are difficult to track because, unlike ballistic missiles, they \u201cdo not follow the fixed parabolic trajectory\u201d.<\/p>\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong>Countries like the US, Russia and China are developing hypersonic glide vehicles.<\/p>\nAbout India and hypersonic technology<\/h5>\n
India too is working on hypersonic technologies. In September 2020, DRDO has successfully flight-tested the\u00a0Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle(HSTDV)<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with a capability to travel at 6 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\nIn December 2020 an advanced\u00a0Hypersonic Wind Tunnel<\/strong>\u00a0(HWT) test facility of the DRDO was inaugurated in Hyderabad. It is a pressure vacuum-driven, enclosed free jet facility that simulates Mach 5 to 12.<\/p>\n
\nHypersonic Glide Vehicle<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Recently China has\u00a0 successfully tested a new hypersonic Glide missile.<\/p>\n
About Hypersonic Glide Vehicle<\/h5>\n
A hypersonic glide vehicle is launched by a rocket that moves in the Earth\u2019s lower orbit. It is launched at more than five times to 25 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n
The vehicle is capable of carrying nuclear payloads, which gives the launching country the strategic capacity to attack almost any target across the world.<\/p>\n
Difference between Hypersonic Glide Vehicle and ICBM<\/h5>\n
ICBM follows a parabolic trajectory, which means it goes up and then comes down in a high arc\u2014like throwing up a ball.<\/p>\n
On the other hand,\u00a0 hypersonic glide vehicles orbit the earth at a lower height and are manoeuvrable. The ability to change track or target, mid-trajectory, along with the speed, makes them tougher to track and defend against.<\/p>\n
Moreover, hypersonic missiles can travel approximately 5,000 to 25,000 km per hour, which makes them six to over 25 times faster than modern commercial aircraft.<\/p>\n
Hence, the mix of the high altitude, high speed and manoeuvrability of hypersonic missiles can potentially provide them to use in-flight updates to attack a different target than originally planned.<\/p>\n
\nLong Range Bomb<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) have jointly flight-tested Long-Range Bomb(LRB).<\/p>\n
About the Long Range Bomb(LRB)<\/h5>\n
Long Range Bomb is\u00a0India\u2019s first indigenously-developed guided bomb<\/strong>.It will be used to attack land-based targets at a long-range with greater accuracy.<\/p>\nDeveloped by:\u00a0<\/strong>It has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a DRDO laboratory located at Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO laboratories.<\/p>\nRange:<\/strong>\u00a0The bomb has\u00a0a range of around 100 kilometres.<\/p>\nSignificance:<\/strong>\u00a0This development is important as India in the past has been using Israeli laser-guided bombs. Hence, the successful test of the LR Bomb makes India capable of staying well within its territory and hitting enemy targets at 100 kilometres with high accuracy.<\/p>\n
\nFrigate-Tushil<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The 7th Indian Navy\u00a0Frigate<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0P1135.6 class<\/strong>\u00a0was launched at Yantar Shipyard, Russia. The ship is formally named as \u2018Tushil<\/strong>\u2019-a Sanskrit word meaning Protector Shield.<\/p>\nThe construction of ships is based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the India and Russian Federation for the construction of two ships of Project 1135.6 ships in Russia and two ships in India at M\/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).<\/p>\n
More about the Frigate-Tushil<\/strong><\/h5>\nThe construction of these ships is based on Indian Navy\u2019s specific requirements to\u00a0meet the entire spectrum<\/strong>\u00a0of naval warfare in all three dimensions of Air, Surface and Sub-surface.<\/p>\nThe ships with a potent combination of state-of-art Indian and Russian Weapons and Sensors are equipped to\u00a0operate in Littoral and Blue waters,<\/strong>\u00a0both as a single unit and as consort in a naval task force.<\/p>\nThey feature \u201cstealth technology<\/strong>\u201d in terms of low radar and underwater noise signatures.<\/p>\nThese ships are being equipped with major Indian supplied equipment such as Surface to Surface Missiles, Sonar system, Surface Surveillance Radar, Communication Suite and ASW systems along with Russian Surface to Air Missiles and gun mounts.<\/p>\n
\nHansa New Generation(NG) aircraft<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Hansa New Generation (NG) aircraft has successfully made its maiden flight from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport.<\/p>\n
About Hansa New Generation(NG) aircraft<\/h5>\n
Hansa New Generation(NG) aircraft\u00a0<\/strong>is an\u00a0upgraded version of the two-seater Hansa trainer aircraft.<\/p>\nDesigned by:\u00a0<\/strong>National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore<\/p>\nFeatures:<\/strong>\u00a0The unique features of Hansa-NG are<\/p>\n\n- Glass cockpit with cabin comfort<\/li>\n
- Highly efficient digitally controlled engine<\/li>\n
- Electrically operated flaps<\/li>\n
- Long endurance<\/li>\n
- Low acquisition and low operating cost.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
About National Aerospace Laboratories(NAL):<\/h5>\n
NAL was established in 1959. It is a\u00a0constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR).<\/p>\n
It is India\u2019s only government-owned aerospace research and development laboratory in the civilian sector.<\/p>\n
\nINS Dhruv<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
National Security Advisor has commissioned India\u2019s\u00a0first satellite and ballistic<\/strong>\u00a0missile<\/strong>\u00a0tracking ship\u00a0Dhruv from Visakhapatnam.<\/strong><\/p>\nDhruv is\u00a0built by Hindustan Shipyard<\/strong>\u00a0in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO<\/strong>) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO<\/strong>).<\/p>\nKey features of INS Dhruv<\/strong><\/h5>\nMapping<\/strong>: It has the capability to also\u00a0map ocean beds<\/strong>\u00a0for research and detection of enemy submarines.<\/p>\nEnhanced surveillance capabilities:<\/strong>\u00a0INS Dhruv is equipped with DRDO developed state-of-the-art active scanned\u00a0array radar<\/strong>\u00a0or AESA. It has the ability to scan various spectrums to monitor spy satellites watching over India, as well as monitor missile tests in the entire region.<\/p>\nSurveillance<\/strong>: The ship will be a vital key to maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific and is being commissioned at the time when the era of underwater armed and surveillance drones has dawned.<\/p>\nReal time warning system<\/strong>: It will act as an\u00a0early warning system<\/strong>\u00a0for enemy missiles headed towards Indian cities and military establishments.<\/p>\nControl<\/strong>: The\u00a0nuclear missile tracking ship<\/strong>\u00a0will be manned by Indian Navy personnel with the\u00a0Strategic Forces Command<\/strong>\u00a0(SFC).<\/p>\nSignificance of Dhruv<\/strong><\/h5>\nStrategic significance:<\/strong>\u00a0Both China and Pakistan having nuclear ballistic missile capability and land disputes with India.<\/p>\nCounter China<\/strong>: China has moved to sea-based military doctrin<\/strong>e with huge investments in long-range aircraft carriers, warships and submarines. Dhruv will help India\u2019s electronic intelligence-gathering spy agency, the NTRO, to project threat to India in real-time.<\/p>\nMaritime defence<\/strong>: It will act as a major\u00a0force multiplier<\/strong>\u00a0to India\u2019s maritime security architecture as well add to the capability to understand the true missile capability of the adversary when they test their ballistic missiles.<\/p>\nIndia joins Premier League of Nations<\/strong>: The 10,000-tonne ship will be at the heart of India\u2019s future anti-ballistic missile capability. Such ships are operated by\u00a0France, the US, the UK, Russia<\/strong>, and\u00a0China<\/strong>\u00a0only.<\/p>\nNet security provider<\/strong>: It will add to the Indian Navy\u2019s capability to\u00a0monitor the region<\/strong>\u00a0from the Gulf of Aden to the ingress routes to the South China Sea via Malacca, Sunda, Lombok, Ombai and Wetar straits.<\/p>\nMapping ocean floor<\/strong>: it will help in mapping the Indian Ocean bed to help the Indian Navy\u00a0plan better military operations<\/strong>\u00a0in all three dimensions\u2014sub-surface, surface and aerial.<\/p>\n
\nINS Hansa<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Indian Navy\u2019s premier air station INS Hansa is celebrating its diamond jubilee.<\/p>\n
About INS Hansa<\/h5>\n
INS Hansa<\/strong>\u00a0is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa. It is India\u2019s biggest naval airbase.<\/p>\nHistory of INS Hansa<\/strong><\/p>\nINS Hansa was initially set up<\/strong>\u00a0as a\u00a0 Naval Jet Flight at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu in 1958. It was later commissioned as INS Hansa in 1961.<\/p>\nAfter the liberation of Goa, the\u00a0Dabolim airfield was taken over by the Indian Navy\u00a0<\/strong>in 1962 and INS Hansa shifted to Dabolim in 1964.<\/p>\nThe airbase has increased its capability over the last six decades\u00a0and is presently operating over 40 military aircraft,<\/strong>\u00a0clocking an average yearly flying of over 5000 hours.<\/p>\nThe air station\u00a0also supports civil aviation by handling domestic and international flights 24\u00d77,<\/strong>\u00a0with an average of 29000 flights in a year.<\/p>\nNote<\/strong>: INS Hansa is the host for the prestigious event of presentation of the\u00a0President\u2019s Colour\u00a0<\/a>to naval aviation by the Hon\u2019ble President of India.<\/p>\n
\nLCA-Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The preliminary design for the\u00a0Light Combat Aircraft(LCA)-Mk2<\/strong>\u00a0and the fifth-generation\u00a0Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)<\/strong>\u00a0has been completed.<\/p>\nAbout\u00a0LCA-Mk2<\/h5>\n
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2<\/strong>\u00a0is a\u00a0single-engine multirole fighter aircraft<\/strong>\u00a0designed by\u00a0Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)<\/strong>\u00a0in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).<\/p>\nPayload Capacity:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u00a0is a 1,350 mm longer aircraft. It can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared to the 3,500 kg the LCA can carry.<\/p>\nFeatures:<\/strong>\u00a0The aircraft features enhanced range and endurance, including an\u00a0onboard oxygen generation system<\/strong>, which is being integrated for the first time.<\/p>\nAbout Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA)<\/h5>\n
The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA)\u00a0<\/strong>is a fifth-generation indigenous fighter aircraft\u00a0designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).<\/p>\nPayload Capacity:<\/strong>\u00a0It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg internally and a 5,500-kg external payload.<\/p>\nFeatures:\u00a0<\/strong>The aircraft will have stealth and non-stealth configurations. It will be developed in two phases, AMCA Mk1 with an existing GE414 engine and an AMCA Mk2 with an advanced more powerful engine to be developed later along with a foreign partner.<\/p>\nNote:\u00a0<\/strong>Stealth technology is a low observable technology that makes aircraft, fighter jets, ships, submarines, satellites, missiles less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection methods.<\/p>\nParticipation of Private Industry:\u00a0<\/strong>The manufacturing and production of the aircraft will be through a\u00a0special purpose vehicle<\/strong>\u00a0which will have the participation of private industry.<\/p>\n
\nArjun Mk-1A<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
The Ministry of Defence(MoD) has placed an order with\u00a0Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Chennai<\/strong>\u00a0for the supply of 118\u00a0Main Battle Tanks\u00a0<\/strong>(MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army.<\/p>\nAbout Arjun Mk-1A<\/h5>\n
Arjun Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed and developed by the\u00a0Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment<\/strong>\u00a0(CVRDE) along with the other laboratories of the\u00a0Defence Research and Development Organisation\u00a0<\/strong>(DRDO).<\/p>\nKey features of Arjun Mk-1A<\/h5>\n
Arjun Mk-1A is designed to enhance firepower, mobility and survivability. It can take on the enemy during day & night conditions and in both static & dynamic modes.<\/p>\n
It has 54.3% indigenous content, against the 41% in the earlier model.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, it is known as the \u201chunter-killers<\/strong>\u201d as it is equipped with a massive 120 mm rifled gun and Kanchan armour, making it the most potent armoured system in the inventory of the army.<\/p>\nIt also has a computer-controlled integrated fire control system with a stabilised sighting that works in all lighting conditions.<\/p>\n
\nAkash Prime<\/span><\/h3>\nNews<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong>\u00a0(DRDO) has successfully tested a new version of Akash missile named Akash Prime.<\/p>\nAbout Akash Prime<\/h5>\n
Akash Prime is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).<\/p>\n
It was developed to replace the Russian 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) missile system, currently in service.<\/p>\n
The missile is equipped with a homegrown\u00a0Radio Frequency seeker<\/strong>\u00a0which imparts an improved accuracy while intercepting targets in various conditions.<\/p>\nThe missile will\u00a0further boost the confidence of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.<\/p>\n
News<\/h5>\n
Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong>(DRDO) has successfully flight-tested\u00a0Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target<\/strong>\u00a0(HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha.<\/p>\n Abhyas is an indigenously developed\u00a0Unmanned Aerial Vehicle<\/strong>(UAV) that will be used as a target for the evaluation of various missile systems.<\/p>\n Developed by:<\/strong>\u00a0It has been designed and developed by DRDO\u2019s Aeronautical Development Establishment(ADE).<\/p>\n Abhyas is powered by a small gas turbine engine to sustain a long endurance flight at subsonic speed.<\/p>\n It is also equipped with a MEMS-based\u00a0Inertial Navigation System<\/strong>(INS) for navigation, along with the\u00a0Flight Control Computer<\/strong>(FCC) for guidance and control.<\/p>\n Moreover, the Abhyas vehicle is programmed for fully autonomous flight. The check-out of air vehicle is done using a laptop-based\u00a0Ground Control Station<\/strong>\u00a0(GCS)<\/p>\n The Defence Minister\u00a0has signed a contract with the US government to procure MK 54 torpedoes and expendables such as chaff and flares for the Indian Navy\u2019s anti-submarine warfare aircraft P-8I.<\/p>\n MK 54 lightweight torpedo is an anti-submarine warfare(ASW) torpedo used by the United States Navy.<\/p>\n The torpedoes are designed to operate in shallow waters and in the presence of countermeasures, they can track, classify and attack underwater targets.<\/p>\n P-8I is a long-range, multimission maritime patrol aircraft offered by US Boeing for the Indian Navy.<\/p>\n The aircraft\u00a0can conduct\u00a0Anti-Submarine Warfare\u00a0<\/strong>(ASW),\u00a0Anti-Surface Warfare<\/strong>\u00a0(AsuW), intelligence, maritime patrol and surveillance and reconnaissance missions.<\/p>\n Chaff is\u00a0an electronic countermeasure technology used by militaries worldwide<\/strong>\u00a0to protect naval ships, aircraft or other sensitive targets from radar and radio frequency guiding mechanisms of the enemy missile.<\/p>\n A flare or decoy flare is an aerial infrared countermeasure used by a plane or helicopter to counter an infrared homing (\u201cheat-seeking\u201d) surface-to-air missile or air-to-air missile.<\/p>\n India has successfully test-fired Agni-V Missile.<\/p>\n Agni-V is a surface-to-surface\u00a0nuclear-capable\u00a0InterContinental Ballistic Missile\u00a0(ICBM)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: ICBMs are guided missiles that can deliver nuclear and other payloads. They have a minimum range of 5,500 km, with maximum ranges varying from 7,000 to 16,000 km.<\/p>\n Developed by:<\/strong>\u00a0Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).<\/p>\n Range<\/strong>: It is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.<\/p>\n Speed:<\/strong>\u00a0It can reach an exceptional Mach 24 speed, which is around 29,401 km\/h.<\/p>\n The missile uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine<\/p>\n It is road-mobile and can be transported by a truck and launched via a canister.<\/p>\n Satellite Guidance:<\/strong>\u00a0The missile is equipped with a ring laser gyroscope inertial navigation system (NavIC) that works with satellite guidance. So,\u00a0\u200b\u200bthe missile can carry nuclear warheads with advanced navigation and guidance systems.<\/p>\n MIRV Technology<\/strong>: The most striking feature of Agni-V is its MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicles<\/strong>) technology. In this technique, multiple weapons can be installed instead of one in the warhead mounted on the missile. That is, a missile can hit multiple targets simultaneously.<\/p>\n Agni-V\u00a0will put India\u2019s credible minimum deterrence on a firm footing, as no missile in the Indian arsenal has the range to strike targets deep inside China.<\/p>\n Moreover, with the launch of\u00a0Agni-V, India has joined an exclusive club of countries such as China, the US, Russia, Britain and France to have ICBMs.<\/p>\n Director-General of\u00a0Indian Coast Guard (ICG<\/a>) has commissioned the indigenously built Indian Coast Guard Ship \u2018Sarthak\u2019 at a ceremony held in Goa.<\/p>\n ICGS Sarthak is an indigenously built\u00a0Offshore Patrol Vessel<\/strong>(OPV) by the Goa Shipyard Limited.<\/p>\n Note:<\/strong>\u00a0Offshore patrol vessels(OPVs) are patrolling vehicles that are deployed by Indian coast guards to patrol the maritime boundary of India.<\/p>\n Firstly,<\/strong>\u00a0the vessel is fitted with state-of-the-art equipment, machinery, sensors and weapons which enable it to undertake duties such as search and rescue, combating maritime crimes and preserving & protecting the marine environment.<\/p>\n Secondly,<\/strong>\u00a0it is capable of carrying a twin-engine helicopter, four high-speed boats and one inflatable boat for swift boarding and Search & Rescue operations.<\/p>\n Thirdly,\u00a0<\/strong>it is also capable of carrying limited pollution response equipment to undertake oil spill pollution response at sea.<\/p>\n The vessel will be based at Porbandar (Gujarat) and operate on India\u2019s Western Seaboard.<\/p>\n It will be deployed extensively for EEZ surveillance, Coastal Security and other duties as enshrined in the Coast Guard charter of duties, to safeguard the maritime interests of the Nation.<\/p>\n China\u2019s military has carried out its first-ever test of a \u201cnuclear capable hypersonic missile\u201d.<\/p>\n Hypersonic speeds are those that exceed five times the speed of sound, that is, anything that can move at speeds of Mach 5 or above, which means at least 1.6 km per second.<\/p>\n Types of Hypersonic Missiles:\u00a0<\/strong>There are two types of hypersonic missiles.<\/p>\n Hypersonic cruise missiles:<\/strong>\u00a0These are the ones that use rocket or jet propellant through their flight and are regarded as being just faster versions of existing cruise missiles.<\/p>\n Hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV) missiles<\/strong>: This is the one that China has tested. They are launched on rockets and then orbit the earth at their own speed. They are difficult to track because, unlike ballistic missiles, they \u201cdo not follow the fixed parabolic trajectory\u201d.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0<\/strong>Countries like the US, Russia and China are developing hypersonic glide vehicles.<\/p>\n India too is working on hypersonic technologies. In September 2020, DRDO has successfully flight-tested the\u00a0Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle(HSTDV)<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0with a capability to travel at 6 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n In December 2020 an advanced\u00a0Hypersonic Wind Tunnel<\/strong>\u00a0(HWT) test facility of the DRDO was inaugurated in Hyderabad. It is a pressure vacuum-driven, enclosed free jet facility that simulates Mach 5 to 12.<\/p>\n Recently China has\u00a0 successfully tested a new hypersonic Glide missile.<\/p>\n A hypersonic glide vehicle is launched by a rocket that moves in the Earth\u2019s lower orbit. It is launched at more than five times to 25 times the speed of sound.<\/p>\n The vehicle is capable of carrying nuclear payloads, which gives the launching country the strategic capacity to attack almost any target across the world.<\/p>\n ICBM follows a parabolic trajectory, which means it goes up and then comes down in a high arc\u2014like throwing up a ball.<\/p>\n On the other hand,\u00a0 hypersonic glide vehicles orbit the earth at a lower height and are manoeuvrable. The ability to change track or target, mid-trajectory, along with the speed, makes them tougher to track and defend against.<\/p>\n Moreover, hypersonic missiles can travel approximately 5,000 to 25,000 km per hour, which makes them six to over 25 times faster than modern commercial aircraft.<\/p>\n Hence, the mix of the high altitude, high speed and manoeuvrability of hypersonic missiles can potentially provide them to use in-flight updates to attack a different target than originally planned.<\/p>\n Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) and Indian Air Force (IAF) have jointly flight-tested Long-Range Bomb(LRB).<\/p>\n Long Range Bomb is\u00a0India\u2019s first indigenously-developed guided bomb<\/strong>.It will be used to attack land-based targets at a long-range with greater accuracy.<\/p>\n Developed by:\u00a0<\/strong>It has been designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI), a DRDO laboratory located at Hyderabad in coordination with other DRDO laboratories.<\/p>\n Range:<\/strong>\u00a0The bomb has\u00a0a range of around 100 kilometres.<\/p>\n Significance:<\/strong>\u00a0This development is important as India in the past has been using Israeli laser-guided bombs. Hence, the successful test of the LR Bomb makes India capable of staying well within its territory and hitting enemy targets at 100 kilometres with high accuracy.<\/p>\n The 7th Indian Navy\u00a0Frigate<\/strong>\u00a0of\u00a0P1135.6 class<\/strong>\u00a0was launched at Yantar Shipyard, Russia. The ship is formally named as \u2018Tushil<\/strong>\u2019-a Sanskrit word meaning Protector Shield.<\/p>\n The construction of ships is based on an Inter-Governmental Agreement between the India and Russian Federation for the construction of two ships of Project 1135.6 ships in Russia and two ships in India at M\/s Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL).<\/p>\n The construction of these ships is based on Indian Navy\u2019s specific requirements to\u00a0meet the entire spectrum<\/strong>\u00a0of naval warfare in all three dimensions of Air, Surface and Sub-surface.<\/p>\n The ships with a potent combination of state-of-art Indian and Russian Weapons and Sensors are equipped to\u00a0operate in Littoral and Blue waters,<\/strong>\u00a0both as a single unit and as consort in a naval task force.<\/p>\n They feature \u201cstealth technology<\/strong>\u201d in terms of low radar and underwater noise signatures.<\/p>\n These ships are being equipped with major Indian supplied equipment such as Surface to Surface Missiles, Sonar system, Surface Surveillance Radar, Communication Suite and ASW systems along with Russian Surface to Air Missiles and gun mounts.<\/p>\n Hansa New Generation (NG) aircraft has successfully made its maiden flight from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) airport.<\/p>\n Hansa New Generation(NG) aircraft\u00a0<\/strong>is an\u00a0upgraded version of the two-seater Hansa trainer aircraft.<\/p>\n Designed by:\u00a0<\/strong>National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore<\/p>\n Features:<\/strong>\u00a0The unique features of Hansa-NG are<\/p>\n NAL was established in 1959. It is a\u00a0constituent of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research(CSIR).<\/p>\n It is India\u2019s only government-owned aerospace research and development laboratory in the civilian sector.<\/p>\n National Security Advisor has commissioned India\u2019s\u00a0first satellite and ballistic<\/strong>\u00a0missile<\/strong>\u00a0tracking ship\u00a0Dhruv from Visakhapatnam.<\/strong><\/p>\n Dhruv is\u00a0built by Hindustan Shipyard<\/strong>\u00a0in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO<\/strong>) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO<\/strong>).<\/p>\n Mapping<\/strong>: It has the capability to also\u00a0map ocean beds<\/strong>\u00a0for research and detection of enemy submarines.<\/p>\n Enhanced surveillance capabilities:<\/strong>\u00a0INS Dhruv is equipped with DRDO developed state-of-the-art active scanned\u00a0array radar<\/strong>\u00a0or AESA. It has the ability to scan various spectrums to monitor spy satellites watching over India, as well as monitor missile tests in the entire region.<\/p>\n Surveillance<\/strong>: The ship will be a vital key to maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific and is being commissioned at the time when the era of underwater armed and surveillance drones has dawned.<\/p>\n Real time warning system<\/strong>: It will act as an\u00a0early warning system<\/strong>\u00a0for enemy missiles headed towards Indian cities and military establishments.<\/p>\n Control<\/strong>: The\u00a0nuclear missile tracking ship<\/strong>\u00a0will be manned by Indian Navy personnel with the\u00a0Strategic Forces Command<\/strong>\u00a0(SFC).<\/p>\n Strategic significance:<\/strong>\u00a0Both China and Pakistan having nuclear ballistic missile capability and land disputes with India.<\/p>\n Counter China<\/strong>: China has moved to sea-based military doctrin<\/strong>e with huge investments in long-range aircraft carriers, warships and submarines. Dhruv will help India\u2019s electronic intelligence-gathering spy agency, the NTRO, to project threat to India in real-time.<\/p>\n Maritime defence<\/strong>: It will act as a major\u00a0force multiplier<\/strong>\u00a0to India\u2019s maritime security architecture as well add to the capability to understand the true missile capability of the adversary when they test their ballistic missiles.<\/p>\n India joins Premier League of Nations<\/strong>: The 10,000-tonne ship will be at the heart of India\u2019s future anti-ballistic missile capability. Such ships are operated by\u00a0France, the US, the UK, Russia<\/strong>, and\u00a0China<\/strong>\u00a0only.<\/p>\n Net security provider<\/strong>: It will add to the Indian Navy\u2019s capability to\u00a0monitor the region<\/strong>\u00a0from the Gulf of Aden to the ingress routes to the South China Sea via Malacca, Sunda, Lombok, Ombai and Wetar straits.<\/p>\n Mapping ocean floor<\/strong>: it will help in mapping the Indian Ocean bed to help the Indian Navy\u00a0plan better military operations<\/strong>\u00a0in all three dimensions\u2014sub-surface, surface and aerial.<\/p>\n Indian Navy\u2019s premier air station INS Hansa is celebrating its diamond jubilee.<\/p>\n INS Hansa<\/strong>\u00a0is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa. It is India\u2019s biggest naval airbase.<\/p>\n History of INS Hansa<\/strong><\/p>\n INS Hansa was initially set up<\/strong>\u00a0as a\u00a0 Naval Jet Flight at Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu in 1958. It was later commissioned as INS Hansa in 1961.<\/p>\n After the liberation of Goa, the\u00a0Dabolim airfield was taken over by the Indian Navy\u00a0<\/strong>in 1962 and INS Hansa shifted to Dabolim in 1964.<\/p>\n The airbase has increased its capability over the last six decades\u00a0and is presently operating over 40 military aircraft,<\/strong>\u00a0clocking an average yearly flying of over 5000 hours.<\/p>\n The air station\u00a0also supports civil aviation by handling domestic and international flights 24\u00d77,<\/strong>\u00a0with an average of 29000 flights in a year.<\/p>\n Note<\/strong>: INS Hansa is the host for the prestigious event of presentation of the\u00a0President\u2019s Colour\u00a0<\/a>to naval aviation by the Hon\u2019ble President of India.<\/p>\n The preliminary design for the\u00a0Light Combat Aircraft(LCA)-Mk2<\/strong>\u00a0and the fifth-generation\u00a0Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)<\/strong>\u00a0has been completed.<\/p>\n Light Combat Aircraft (LCA)-Mk2<\/strong>\u00a0is a\u00a0single-engine multirole fighter aircraft<\/strong>\u00a0designed by\u00a0Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)<\/strong>\u00a0in collaboration with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).<\/p>\n Payload Capacity:<\/strong>\u00a0It\u00a0is a 1,350 mm longer aircraft. It can carry a payload of 6,500 kg compared to the 3,500 kg the LCA can carry.<\/p>\n Features:<\/strong>\u00a0The aircraft features enhanced range and endurance, including an\u00a0onboard oxygen generation system<\/strong>, which is being integrated for the first time.<\/p>\n The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA)\u00a0<\/strong>is a fifth-generation indigenous fighter aircraft\u00a0designed by Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).<\/p>\n Payload Capacity:<\/strong>\u00a0It will be a 25-tonne aircraft with a payload capacity of 1,500 kg internally and a 5,500-kg external payload.<\/p>\n Features:\u00a0<\/strong>The aircraft will have stealth and non-stealth configurations. It will be developed in two phases, AMCA Mk1 with an existing GE414 engine and an AMCA Mk2 with an advanced more powerful engine to be developed later along with a foreign partner.<\/p>\n Note:\u00a0<\/strong>Stealth technology is a low observable technology that makes aircraft, fighter jets, ships, submarines, satellites, missiles less visible to radar, infrared, sonar and other detection methods.<\/p>\n Participation of Private Industry:\u00a0<\/strong>The manufacturing and production of the aircraft will be through a\u00a0special purpose vehicle<\/strong>\u00a0which will have the participation of private industry.<\/p>\n The Ministry of Defence(MoD) has placed an order with\u00a0Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Chennai<\/strong>\u00a0for the supply of 118\u00a0Main Battle Tanks\u00a0<\/strong>(MBTs) Arjun Mk-1A for the Indian Army.<\/p>\n Arjun Mk-1A is a new variant of Arjun Tank designed and developed by the\u00a0Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment<\/strong>\u00a0(CVRDE) along with the other laboratories of the\u00a0Defence Research and Development Organisation\u00a0<\/strong>(DRDO).<\/p>\n Arjun Mk-1A is designed to enhance firepower, mobility and survivability. It can take on the enemy during day & night conditions and in both static & dynamic modes.<\/p>\n It has 54.3% indigenous content, against the 41% in the earlier model.<\/p>\n Furthermore, it is known as the \u201chunter-killers<\/strong>\u201d as it is equipped with a massive 120 mm rifled gun and Kanchan armour, making it the most potent armoured system in the inventory of the army.<\/p>\n It also has a computer-controlled integrated fire control system with a stabilised sighting that works in all lighting conditions.<\/p>\n Defence Research and Development Organisation<\/strong>\u00a0(DRDO) has successfully tested a new version of Akash missile named Akash Prime.<\/p>\n Akash Prime is a medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by the DRDO and produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).<\/p>\n It was developed to replace the Russian 2K12 Kub (SA-6 Gainful) missile system, currently in service.<\/p>\n The missile is equipped with a homegrown\u00a0Radio Frequency seeker<\/strong>\u00a0which imparts an improved accuracy while intercepting targets in various conditions.<\/p>\n The missile will\u00a0further boost the confidence of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force.<\/p>\nAbout Abhyas<\/h5>\n
Key Features of Abhyas<\/h5>\n
\nMK 54 torpedoes, P-8I, chaff and flares<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About MK 54 lightweight torpedo<\/h5>\n
About P-8I<\/h5>\n
Chaff<\/h5>\n
Flare<\/h5>\n
\nAgni-V<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About Agni-V<\/h5>\n
Key Features of Agni-V<\/h5>\n
Significance of the Agni-V launch<\/h5>\n
\nICGS Sarthak<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
Key features of ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
Deployment of ICGS Sarthak<\/h5>\n
\nHypersonic missiles<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About Hypersonic Missile<\/h5>\n
About India and hypersonic technology<\/h5>\n
\nHypersonic Glide Vehicle<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About Hypersonic Glide Vehicle<\/h5>\n
Difference between Hypersonic Glide Vehicle and ICBM<\/h5>\n
\nLong Range Bomb<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About the Long Range Bomb(LRB)<\/h5>\n
\nFrigate-Tushil<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
More about the Frigate-Tushil<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nHansa New Generation(NG) aircraft<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About Hansa New Generation(NG) aircraft<\/h5>\n
\n
About National Aerospace Laboratories(NAL):<\/h5>\n
\nINS Dhruv<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
Key features of INS Dhruv<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Significance of Dhruv<\/strong><\/h5>\n
\nINS Hansa<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About INS Hansa<\/h5>\n
\nLCA-Mk2 and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About\u00a0LCA-Mk2<\/h5>\n
About Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft(AMCA)<\/h5>\n
\nArjun Mk-1A<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About Arjun Mk-1A<\/h5>\n
Key features of Arjun Mk-1A<\/h5>\n
\nAkash Prime<\/span><\/h3>\n
News<\/h5>\n
About Akash Prime<\/h5>\n