News in Brief

RAKSHA MANTRI INAUGURATES 35TH COAST GUARD COMMANDERS CONFERENCE

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, inaugurated the 35th Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Commanders Conference at Coast Guard Headquarters on September 28, 2016. Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Minister appreciated the efforts of the ICG in augmenting maritime and coastal security not only by deployment of assets but also by efficient exploitation of Coastal Security Network (CSN) Phase I and expressed hope that CSN Phase II would also be implemented on time. The Defence Minister promised all assistance of the Ministry of the Defence for cases relating to the operational efficiency and those pertaining to the growth of the service, be it the manpower or new acquisitions. The conference was attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Coast Guard which included the Director General Rajendra Singh and other senior officers.

SILVER JUBILEE SEMINAR AND INDUSTRY EXHIBITION AT INS EKSILA

A seminar with the central theme ÒOverhaul and Indigenisation of Marine Gas Turbines” and an Industrial Exhibition was organised to commemorate the silver jubilee year by INS Eksila which were inaugurated by Vice Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, FOC-inC Eastern Naval Command, on October 5, 2016. The seminar was attended by all the stakeholders representing the Naval Headquarters, Indian Air Force, PSUs, government organisations and lead industries in addition to erstwhile Commanding Officers of the unit. Eksila, located at Gajuwaka, Visakhapatnam, is the only naval establishment in South East Asia where ÒMen in Uniform Ó undertake major overhaul of marine gas turbines powering naval ships.

INS TIHAYU COMMISSIONED

The Indian Navy commissioned the highly manoeuvrable fast attack craft INS Tihayu at the Eastern Naval Command October 19, 2016. The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy by Vice Admiral H.C.S. Bisht, FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command, at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam. INS Tihayu is the second ship of the four follow-on Waterjet Fast Attack Craft (FO-WJFAC), being designed and built by the Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd.

COORDINATED PATROL AND INDIAINDONESIA BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE

In a demonstration of IndiaÕs commitment to its ties with Indonesia and to the maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, INS Karmukan, an indigenously-built missile cor- vette, along with a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated in the 28th India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol and Second Bilateral Maritime Exercise, from October 10-27, 2016, in the Andaman Sea. Defence relations between India and Indonesia have been growing steadily with regular joint activities and interactions between the armed forces of the two countries. The two navies have been carrying out coordinated patrols (CORPAT) on respective sides of the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) twice a year since 2002, with the aim of keeping this vital part of the Indian Ocean region safe and secure for commercial shipping, International trade and legitimate marine activities.

INS SUMITRA VISITS SURABAYA, INDONESIA

In pursuit of IndiaÕs ÔAct EastÕpolicy and outreach to friendly countries, the Indian NavyÕs offshore patrol vessel Sumitra, arrived at Surabaya, Indonesia, on a two-day visit from October 10-12, 2016, as part of its deployment to the South Western Pacific Ocean. The visit is aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and enhancing maritime security cooperation between the two countries.

INAUGURATION OF NAVAL AIR ENCLAVE

A NAE was inaugurated at Cochin International Airport limited. (CIAL) by the CNS Admiral Sunil Lanba on October 5, 2016. The setting up of a NAE will facilitate the operations of Boeing P-8I aircraft from CIAL to enhance surveillance of area around the western coast and the strategically critical Lakshdweep and Minicoy Islands. It would also enable timely assistance to be rendered to the neighbouring countries. NAE would be utilised to accommodate and operate aircraft which cannot be operated from INS Garuda due to inadequate runway length available. Also present were Vice Admiral A.R. Karve, FOC-in-Chief Southern Naval Command, Shabeer, AM, Executive Director, CIAL and others.

SUBMARINE EXPORTS TO PAKISTAN OFFICIALLY CONFIRMED

The China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation has confirmed on October 12 that the proposal to export eight attack submarines to Pakistan. Reuters had reported back in April that Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif had approved the deal and called the deal could be Òone of ChinaÕs largest overseas weapons sales once it is signedÓ. The deal could cost between $4-5 billion. Four of the eight submarines will reportedly be built at Karachi Shipyard and Engineering Works while the remaining four submarines will be built in China.

ST MARINE LAUNCHES THE THIRD LITTORAL MISSION VESSEL

Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine), the marine arm of Singapore Tech- nologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), has successfully launched the third littoral mission vessel (LMV), Unity, on October 13, 2016 for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). ST Marine was awarded the contract in 2013 to design and build eight LMVs for the RSN. The vessels are expected to be delivered from 2016 and be fully operational by 2020. Equipped with sharper and advanced combat capabilities and technologies, the LMVs can be quickly configured with mission modules to take on a wide spectrum of operations, allowing the crew to deliver calibrated responses using lethal and non-lethal options to deal with a range of maritime threats.

US NAVY’S NAVY’S MOST ADVANCED WARSHIP, USS ZUMWALT COMMISSIONED

The US NavyÕs newest and most technologically advanced warship, USS Zumwalt (DDG 1000) was commissioned on October 15, 2016. Zumwalt, the lead ship of a class of next-generation multi-mission destroyers, features a state-of-the-art electric propulsion system, wave-piercing tumblehome hull, stealth design, and the latest warfighting technology and weaponry available. The Zumwalt class destroyer will be capable of performing a range of deterrence, power projection, sea control, and command and control missions while allowing the Navy to evolve with new systems and missions. It does all of this while maintaining its stealthÑ making this visually imposing ship difficult to find whether close to the shore or far out to sea. Working with Arleigh Burke class destroyers, littoral combat ships, and amphibious ships to form adaptive force packages, Zumwalt class destroyers will use its computing capabilities to make these groups more lethal through increased range, deception, computer integration, and data analysis from various platforms.

INDIAN AMPHIBIOUS WARSHIP INS SHARDUL ENTERS MAURITIUS

In a demonstration of IndiaÕs commitment to its ties with Mauritius and to promote maritime security in the Indian Ocean region, Indian naval ship Shardul was at Port Louis on a three-day visit. INS Shardul, an amphibious ship of the Indian Navy, is currently on a month-long deployment in the southern Indian Ocean in keeping with the vision of SAGAR Ð Security and Growth for All in the Region. Accordingly, the Indian Navy will be progressing maritime security cooperation with Mauritius National Coast Guard (MNCG) towards ensuring a secure and stable regional maritime environment for unhindered economic development in the region.