Cavalier India Defence Training Academy

Pawan Hans helicopter (File Photo) 'Lifeline Udan Flights' initiative:    The government on Tuesday announced setting up of a "cargo air-bridge" between India and China, and said that regular cargo flights for transporting critical medical supplies between the two countries are likely to be operated by Air India from April 3. In an official release, the civil aviation ministry also said it has operated as many as 62 cargo services in the past five days, starting March 26, under its recently launched 'Lifeline Udan flights' initiative , transporting over 15.4 tonnes of essential medical supplies. The initiative is aimed at ferrying medical and essential supplies from one place to another across the country. "On the international front, Air India has established a cargo air-bridge between India and China. Regular cargo flights for transporting critical medical equipment and supplies between the two countries are likely to be operated by Air India from Apr

The Indian Army is training to assist in COVID–19 containment efforts, if needed. Photo Credits:  Sgt. Michael J. MacLeod via Wikimedia Commons Capacity building measures and cooperation with the state government officials :  Amid a nationwide lockdown in response to the coronavirus disease (COVID–19) pandemic, the Indian Army has started training personnel to participate in assisting state authorities in enforcement efforts. India’s lockdown, affecting some 1.3 billion people, is the largest national policy response of its type to the ongoing pandemic in the world. According to the Economic Times, the Indian Army has started training troops on how they might collaborate with law enforcement authorities to make sure that lockdown rules are followed. “A major part of the training involves the type of equipment they need to carry, clothing to be worn and precautions to be taken for themselves and in treating and helping” citizens, the Economic Times reports. As the training continues, no

A women naval SSC officer retires in 10 years, whereas one with a permanent commission is entitled to serve for four more years, making it a total of 14 years. (Photo | HT) The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ruled in favour of permanent commission to female officers in the Indian Navy and asked the government to treat men and women equally in the armed forces. The apex court bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud scrapped the statutory bar on giving permanent commission to women and said that the government cannot discriminate against women. “They (women) can sail with same efficiency as male officers," said the bench also comprising Justice Ajay Rastogi. The division bench also rejected the Centre’s stand that sea sailing duties cannot be granted to Short Service Commission (SSC) women officers in the Navy because its Russian vessels do not have washrooms for them. “A hundred and one excuses are no answer to the constitutional entitlement to dignity, which attaches to every indi

While the Indian Army is bearing the burden of a large personnel driven force, the Chinese are in the midst of a massive modernisation. Army jawans patrolling near the snow-covered border on the occasion in Kupwara | ANI Photo With approximately 1.4 million personnel, the Indian Army has become the world’s largest ground force, pulling ahead of China, which cut down its strength by half and is instead focusing on its navy, air force and technology. According to the Defence of Japan 2019 report, released late last year, China has the third largest ground force in the world following India and North Korea, with approximately 9,80,000 personnel. The Peoples’ Liberation Army (PLA) was always regarded as the largest army in the world with an approximate strength of two million soldiers. India, which has been keenly watching the PLA’s modernisation, is just in the initial stages of building a leaner and modern technology-enabled force as envisioned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015. Ho

India has commenced manufacturing 400 T-90S battle tanks for its army after it signed a contract with Russia to extend the build license until 2028, last year. “India made a decision to purchase T-90S tanks, which they are already producing under a license agreement. We extended the previous license deal until 2028 last year, so India could build 400 more tanks,” Head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military and Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev said during an interview with Rossiya-24 TV on Monday. The Indian defense ministry’s acquisition body approved the purchase in November 2016. Last April, India’s plan to procure a fresh batch of 464 T-90 tanks for $1.93 billion (INR 13,800 crore) was doing rounds in the media. "Russia will prolong the license for production of T-90 tanks in India. This is in connection with the Indian government’s decision to purchase more tanks for its armed forces," TASS reported, quoted the federal service as saying. Following this, a Jane’s re

L to R: Cmdr Abhishek Pathak (CO, INS Shardul) ; Tehindrazanarivelo Djacoba  (Foreign Minister, Madagascar) and Abhay Kumar (Ambassador of India to Madagascar) | Photo : PTI India on March 12, 2020, Thursday, handed over 600 tonnes of rice and relief material to flood-hit Madagascar, the Navy said.       Indian Naval Ship (INS) Shardul, carrying 600 tonnes of rice, entered Port Antsiranana, Madagascar on Tuesday."The ship was carrying 600 tonnes of rice as per directives of Govt of India," a statement said.       An official ceremony for handing over the rice from Government of India to Government of Madagascar was held onboard INS Shardul on Thursday.The ceremony was attended by the Madagascar Foreign Minister Tehindrazanarivelo Djacoba and various high ranking officials from the Madagascar defence forces and civilian organisations. The Indian side was represented by Ambassador of India to Madagascar Abhay Kumar and the ship's Commanding Officer, Cdr Abhishek Pathak. &

(The following has been excerpted with permission from ‘The Real Wani — Kashmir’s True Hero’ by Sonal Chaturvedi, and published by Bloomsbury. The subheadings are not part of the book, and have been added by Cavalier India. The views expressed are the author’s own. Cavalier India neither endorses nor is responsible for them.) Mid-November in 2018 marked the beginning of chilly Kashmir winters. The weather was seemingly calm, but clouds were looming in the sky. Similar was Nazir’s state of mind as he walked through the lane to reach the office of his junior commissioned officer (JCO), Subedar Major Dilip Singh. Nazir wanted to discuss the seniors’ dissatisfaction with the work of the soldiers. He vented his heart out to Singh who had known Nazir since his recruitment days. He was well aware that Nazir had and would go to any lengths to protect the country. He tried to calm his colleague down: “Don’t worry,” he said, “there are highs and lows in every sphere, be it work or personal life.

HIGHLIGHTS The IAF is in the process of inducting the DRDO's Astra missile into its fleet.  |  Photo : PTI Along with the Meteor missile, India's indigenously made Astra missile, will allow the IAF to regain the air strike superiority it surrendered to Pakistan post the Kargil War. Pakistan's AIM-120 C-5 AMRAAM missile, reportedly, has a maximum range of approximately 105 km. The MICA has a maximum range of just 50km, and the R-77, supposedly Russia's answer to the American missile, has a range of  80km. The Astra, with a reported range of 100km, will prove to be a fine addition to the spine of the IAF's fleet. The Indian Air Force (IAF) has begun the process to procure and induct the indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range (BVR) Astra missile into its fleet. Along with induction of the Astra, it is also currently integrating the Israeli I-Derby Extended Range missile on its Su 30 MKI. Speaking to the media, IAF representatives explained that, along with the medi

Denial of access to unauthorised vessels inside India’s Offshore Development Area is a major challenge, with warships and submarine involved in the robust surveillance arrangement. Keeping an active watch over an ‘area of interest’ closer to hostile coastline requires an enhanced shallow water submarine operation. (Photos : Indian Navy) The submarines deployed in forward areas to showcase India’s interest in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) is critical but the underwater operations carry many risks. However, seawater profile for detection of underwater routes by the submarine’s navigational sonars etc., are a matter of concern. Denial of access to unauthorised vessels inside India’s Offshore Development Area is a major challenge, with warships and submarine involved in the robust surveillance arrangement. These submarine operations can provide high-quality ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) information during peace times and this capability comes from the submarine’s abil

An Indian Navy P-8I Neptune Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) visited Reunion Island to train with the French Air Force and Navy based on the island, known as "FAZSOI". Indian Navy P-8I Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) at Détachement Air 181 La Réunion « Lieutenant Roland Garros » air base.  (Picture : zinfos974.com) FAZSOI stands for armed forces of the southern Indian Ocean area (forces armées de la zone sud de l’océan Indien in French).  According to local media Zinfos974, the P-8I and its crew stay for 5 days on the French island located in the southern Indian Ocean, and flew back to India on March 3. #IndiaNavy #Boeing P-8I Maritime Patrol/ASW spotted landing in #Reunion , possibly part of #India - #France joint naval patrolling in the #IndianOceanRegion in a rare french non-nato military link 📌More by @manupubby on the development in 2019 https://t.co/bxOzmq2MAd pic.twitter.com/3JL7fNjc1a — d-atis☠️ (@detresfa_) March 2, 2020 The visit of the Indian MPA is i

Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon (@ChinarcorpsIA/Twitter) Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon, who was the commander of the Srinagar-based 15 Corps till recently, has been appointed as the director general of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Deputy Chief of Integrated Staff (Intelligence) under the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Bipin Rawat in the Ministry of Defence’s Department of Military Affairs. The DIA, which was created in 2002, is responsible for providing and coordinating military intelligence for the Indian Armed forces. The agency was created after the recommendation from a Group of Ministers which looked into lapses leading to the Kargil intrusion in 1999. The DIA also forms part of the Multi Agency Centre, an umbrella of organisations which looks into infiltration of terrorists from Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. After serving at strategic XV Corps of Army last year, Lt Gen KJS Dhillon will take over the post of Director General Defence Intelligence Agenc

HIGHLIGHTS IAF aircraft brings back 58 Indians from Iran The Indians were stranded there due to the coronavirus outbreak The IAF plane left for Iran on Monday night The Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster with its crew before it left India for Iran on Monday night (Photo: Twitter/IAF) A military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) brought back 58 Indians from coronavirus-hit Iran on Tuesday, official said.  The aircraft, a C-17 Globemaster, was sent to Tehran on Monday evening.  About 2,000 Indians are living in Iran, a country that has witnessed increasing numbers of coronavirus cases in the last few days. " The IAF aircraft has landed. Mission completed. On to the next," External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar tweeted.  In an earlier tweet, he said, "First batch of 58 Indian pilgrims being brought back from Iran. IAF C-17 taken off from Tehran and expected to land soon in Hindon."  "Thanks to the efforts of our Embassy @India_in_Iran and Indian medi

A girl from Andipatti who fought to avoid an early marriage, an engineer who left his high-paying job at Mercedes-Benz, a farmer’s son who is a first-generation graduate and a cadet who will be the second woman Army officer from Arunachal Pradesh were among the 178 cadets who braved the odds and passed out of Officers Training Academy (OTA) after completing a six-month gruelling training on Saturday. There were 136 Gentlemen cadets and 31 Lady cadets who passed out of the Academy, in addition to 11 cadets from friendly foreign countries such as Bhutan, Fiji and Papua New Guinea. (Source : WION) As the world celebrated Women’s day this weekend, a group of men and women at the Army Officers Training Academy, Chennai were cherishing the completion of their 11-month rigorous training. At the spectacular Passing out Parade, 167 Indian and 11 foreign cadets were commissioned as officers into the Indian and their respective foreign Armies.  There were 136 Gentlemen cadets and 31 Lady cadets w