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Showing posts from June, 2020

Countering China's aggression: US bill seeks to train Indian fighter pilots

The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2021 fiscal year starting October, which the US Senate took up on Thursday, seeks fighter jet training detachment for India, Japan and Australia in the US Pacific territory of Guam.   Representative Image The United States will offer fighter jet training to India, Japan and Australia even as it plans multiple initiatives to counter China’s aggression across Asia Pacific including its standoff with India along the Line of Actual Control. The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA) for the 2021 fiscal year starting October, which the US Senate took up on Thursday, seeks fighter jet training detachment for India, Japan and Australia in the US Pacific territory of Guam. Japan, one of India's emerging strategic partners and member of the quadrilateral, has also highlighted the need to keep an eye on China's military capabilities and intentions across Asia. Japanese defence minister Taro Kono acknowledged the persistent threat

Meet The First Woman Officer To Lead An Indian Army Contingent

Image Source : Twitter In 2016, Lt Col Sophia Qureshi (the officer would have now been promoted) made the nation proud by becoming the first woman officer to lead an Indian Army contingent at a multi-national military exercise. Called ‘Exercise 18’, it was the largest ever foreign military exercise hosted by India, and Lt Col Qureshi was the only woman leader amongst the 18 participating contingents. Lt Col Qureshi has a degree in biochemistry and has served in United Nations Peacekeeping Operation in Congo in 2006. She is married to an Army officer from Mechanised Infantry, and her grandfather too served in the Army. Talking about the Army’s role in peacekeeping missions, she had told a portal, “On these missions, we monitor the ceasefires in those countries and also aid in the humanitarian activities. The job is to ensure peace in the conflict-affected areas.” Called ‘Exercise 18’, it was the largest ever foreign military exercise hosted by India. Read the story of determination righ

All about Indian Army's Ghatak commandos deployed at LAC to counter martial arts-trained China's PLA

Amid the rising tensions between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is employing martial arts trainers to train their military officers stationed at LAC. Some reports claimed that at least 20 martial arts trainers have been sent to Tibet to train Chinese soldiers deployed near LAC.  Representative Image Amid the rising tensions between India and China at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) is employing martial arts trainers to train their military officers stationed at LAC. Some reports claimed that at least 20 martial arts trainers have been sent to Tibet to train Chinese soldiers deployed near LAC. But Indian Army is fully prepared for any kind of assault by Chinese forces and has deployed its Ghatak commandos in Ladakh near the border areas to counter the martial arts' trained Chinese Army. According to an Army officer, a Ghatak commando undergos a specialised 43-day Com

US moving troops from Europe to India, Southeast Asia to counter Chinese Army: US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo

The threats from China to India and countries in Southeast Asia and the challenges in the South China Sea are going to dictate the allocation of defence resources U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has cited Chinese Peoples Liberation Army's (PLA) "deadly" confrontation with India as one of the reasons for Washington recalibrating its defence commitments in Europe and looking at countering emerging threats. The threats from China to India and countries in Southeast Asia and the challenges in the South China Sea are going to dictate the allocation of defence resources as US cuts troop levels in Germany, he said on Thursday at a virtual meeting of the Brussels Forum of the German Marshall Fund. He said that China's expansionism is "the challenge of our time" and the US wants to ensure that its resources are in place to meet it. Asked about President Donald Trump plans announced this month to pull back 9,500 of the about 30,0

Indian Army plans to buy more Excalibur ammunition for howitzers amid LAC row with China

After the government allowed the armed forces to go in for emergency procurements to do away with shortages of critical equipment, the Indian Army is planning to place an order for acquiring more Excalibur precision-guided Artillery ammunition which can hit targets at 50 km range. Representational image After the government allowed the armed forces to go in for emergency procurements to do away with shortages of critical equipment, the Indian Army is planning to place an order for acquiring more Excalibur precision-guided Artillery ammunition which can hit targets at 50 km range. The Excalibur ammunition was inducted last year by the Army to acquire the capability to hit enemy positions close to populated areas without causing collateral damage on the western sector under emergency financial powers. "Now the financial powers have been again given to the armed forces and there are plans to place repeat orders for the Excalibur ammunition used by the Ultra Light Howitzers which can

LAC face-off: India, China armies agree to 'disengage' from friction points in eastern Ladakh

Representational image In a positive move, Indian and Chinese armies have arrived at a consensus to "disengage" from all friction points in eastern Ladakh at a marathon meeting of top military commanders of the two sides on Monday, official sources said. The talks were held in a "cordial, positive and constructive atmosphere" and it was decided that modalities for disengagement from all areas in eastern Ladakh will be taken forward by both the sides, they said. The Indian delegation at the nearly 11-hour talks was led by Lt Gen Harinder Singh, the commander of the 14 Corps, while the Chinese side was headed by commander of the Tibet Military District Maj Gen Liu Lin. The talks were held in the midst of escalating tension between the two countries following the killing of 20 Indian Army personnel by China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) in a violent clash in Galwan Valley on June 15. #Army Chief Gen M M Naravane to visit #Leh to review ground situation | L

Did you realise why we claimed 'our' territory in Lipulekh on the border with Nepal a few days back? Read further to understand China’s game.

Indian Army's recent move of claiming  Lipulekh  on the border with Nepal was a national and strategic necessity, failing which, we would have lost it---  it was in the pipeline of being 'gifted' to China by Nepal. Same is the case with Doklam and Bhutan . The Chinese are always playing mischief there. Had it not been for the Indian Army, Nepal would have physically occupied it a long time ago or it would have been 'gifted' to China.  Representative image  China's eye on Himalayan 'tri-junctions' There are a total of 4 important tri-junctions on the 4056 km long Indo-China border. A 'tri-junction' is a small area where the borders of three countries meet. This territory is militarily vulnerable. These 'tri-junctions' are through the Himalayan entrance.   Which are in such a strategic position that the country which will take control of all these four tri-junctions will prevail in this tough Himalayan battlefield.    Because their geograph

Meet Flying Officer Aanchal Gangwal - daughter of a tea seller from Madhya Pradesh who recently graduated from Air Force Academy

Left: Flying Officer Aanchal Gangwal; Right: Aanchal with family A 23-year-old Aanchal Gangwal graduated from the Indian Air Force Academy on Saturday. Her teary-eyed father watched his flying officer daughter in uniform on TV, bagging the President’s Plaque at the combined graduation parade held at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. Aanchal comes from a humble background. Her father Suresh Gangwal owns a small tea stall at Neemuch district of Madhya Pradesh. She was awarded the Plaque alongside 123 flight cadets who were commissioned as officers of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Aanchal was training at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal. On receiving the honour, she said, “Today as I become an officer, it still feels surreal. It is a dream come true.” What You Should Know Aanchal Gangwal graduated from the Indian Air Force Academy on Saturday.  A tea seller’s daughter, Aanchal, bagged the President’s Plaque at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. The 23-year-old  flying officer got commis

Rajnath Singh’s Russia visit: India to urge Russia to rush delivery of S-400 system

The government has begun the process of filling up gaps in defence preparedness, making good pending purchases, shoring up supplies and improving inventory profile based on worst-case scenarios, including a two-front fight. According to people aware of the details, Russia appears to have bunched the delivery of India’s S-400 with a couple of other countries. Rajnath Singh leaves for 3-day visit to Russia to attend 75th victory day parade India will press Russia to consider expediting the delivery of the S-400 Triumf anti-missile system during defence minister Rajnath Singh’s three-day visit to Russia starting Monday. The urgency comes amid heightened tensions along the India-China border. Moscow is believed to have delayed delivery of the $5.4-billion system to December 2021 due to Covid-19 constraints. India had completed large payments for the system last year. China, which also enjoys strong defence ties with Russia, has already acquired the S-400 system from its northern neighbour

UPSC NDA, NA (II), 2020 written exam to be held on 6th Sept., 2020. Apply now at www.cavalierindia.com

Representational image The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), has released online applications for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination (II) 2020.  Click here to apply now -  www.cavalierindia.com .  T he last date for registration is  6 pm of 6 July 2020 .  UPSC NDA, NA (II) 2020 notification released: Registration begins, apply before 6 July at our website  www.cavalierindia.com   The commission will conduct the examination on 6 September . The NDA, NA (II) notification 2020 was earlier scheduled to be released on 10 June but was postponed to 16 June. In the Part I registration, applicants will be required to submit basic information. After submission of details, candidates will be prompted to check and make corrections in the form if needed. The Part II Registration will consists of filling up payment details, uploading of photograph, signature, photo identity card document, selection of examination centre and agreeing to declaration. Age limit: Only unma

Indian Army to get 100 per cent Made In India 'Sarvatra Kavach' body armour

The material for Sarvatra Kavach is the most advanced in the world, sources said.   An example of how the Sarvatra Kavach would look on a soldier. The Indian Army is on the verge of inducting 'Sarvatra Kavach', a full body armour suit, for its soldiers which will not carry any Chinese raw material and is designed, developed and manufactured in India, said sources on Friday. The complete research and development of this armour suit was undertaken by the Indian Army itself. Major Anoop Mishra, a serving Army officer, who has faced bullets during military operations, is the man behind 'Sarvatra Kavach’. It provides protection to the neck, torso, upper arms, groin and thighs from all kinds of small arms ammunition. “Indian Army is at an advanced stage of procurement of Sarvatra Kavach for field trials,” said sources. The material for Sarvatra Kavach is the most advanced in the world, is lighter, water and UV rays-resistant and lasts longer than other comparable products in the

India likely to review rules of engagement at LAC after Galwan Valley clash

The exercise is expected to include the review of the practice of not carrying firearms at the Line of Actual Control. Border Security Force soldiers stand guard at a checkpoint along a highway leading to Ladakh, at Gagangeer in Kashmir's Ganderbal district on 17 June 2020 (representational image) | ANI Indian authorities are likely to review the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules of engagement being followed by its soldiers along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the wake of repeated violence by the Chinese, including the deadly clash Monday evening that led to the death of at least 20 soldiers and injuries to several others. Sources in the defence and security establishments told ThePrint the exercise will include the review of the practice of not carrying firearms at the LAC.  “The sheer violence and barbarity being displayed by the Chinese troops is shocking and goes against every agreement signed between India and China. In wake of this, the SOPs and rules of eng