Sep 28, 2015 Team Avinav
In its thirty first flight (PSLV-C30) conducted today (September 28, 2015), India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched ASTROSAT, the country's Multi Wavelength Space Observatory along with six foreign customer satellites into a 644.6 X 651.5 km orbit inclined at an angle of 6 deg to the equator. The achieved orbit is very close to the intended one. This was the thirtieth consecutive success for PSLV.
PSLV was launched today in its heaviest ‘XL’ version with six strap-on motors of the first stage. The launch took place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota, the spaceport of India.
Nov 06, 2015 Team Avinav
India’s Mars Orbiter Spacecraft, which successfully completed one year in orbit around Mars on September 24, 2015, was launched on November 05, 2013, exactly two years to this day. On the second anniversary of the launch of the spacecraft, a technical meet was organised today at Mission Operations Complex, the location of Spacecraft Control Centre in the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network (ISTRAC), Bangalore.
The meet deliberated on the mission challenges during the past one year of spacecraft operations around Mars and also on the data received from the five payloads of the spacecraft.
Nov 12, 2015 Team Avinav
GSAT-15, India’s communication satellite, was launched successfully by the European Ariane 5 VA-227 launch Vehicle in the early morning hours of today (November 11, 2015). The 3164 kg GSAT-15 carries communication transponders in Ku-band as well as a GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) payload operating in L1 and L5 bands.
Dec 16, 2015 Team Avinav
In its thirty second flight conducted from Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), SHAR, Sriharikota today evening (December 16, 2015), ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle PSLV-C29 successfully launched six satellites from Singapore, including the 400 kg TeLEOS-1, the primary satellite. The other five satellites were co. passenger payloads. PSLV-C29 launched all the six payloads into an orbit of 549 km height inclined at an angle of 15 deg to the equator.
Jan 20, 2016 Team Avinav
ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, PSLV-C31, successfully launched the 1425 kg IRNSS-1E, the fifth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) today morning (January 20, 2016) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the thirty second consecutively successful mission of PSLV and the eleventh in its 'XL' configuration.
February 25, 2016 Team Avinav
During October 2015, Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has signed Launch Services Agreement with M/s. PlanetIQ, an American Company, for launching two of their satellites on-board ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). These satellites are meant for studying certain weather parameters.
March 2, 2016 Team Avinav
Antrix Corporation Limited (Antrix), the commercial arm of ISRO, is holding preliminary discussions with some of the space agencies/companies across the world for providing GSLV launch services for the foreign customer satellites.
The launch pads at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota are used exclusively for launch vehicles developed by ISRO.
March 9, 2016 Team Avinav
ISRO-NASA Mars Working Group (INMWG) has been formed, under the US-India Civil Space Joint Working Group. Under INMWG, ISRO and NASA are having discussions on the possibility of co-operations in Mars Science and exploration.
March 10, 2016 Team Avinav
In its thirty fourth flight (PSLV-C32), ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched the 1425 kg IRNSS-1F, the sixth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) today afternoon (March 10, 2016) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota. This is the thirty third consecutively successful mission of PSLV and the twelfth in its 'XL' configuration.
March 16, 2016 Team Avinav
In its thirty fourth flight (PSLV-C32), ISRO's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle successfully launched the 1425 kg IRNSS-1F, the sixth satellite in the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS) today afternoon (March 10, 2016) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR, Sriharikota.
March 23, 2016 Team Avinav
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi has given its approval for the procurement of launch services and realization of ground segment for GSAT-11 spacecraft at a cost of Rs. 1117 crore.
February 3, 2016 Team Avinav
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh reviewed the performance of the Police Modernisation Division of the Ministry here yesterday. During the meeting, various issues including modernisation of State and Central Police Forces, Provisioning/Procurement of specific items such as clothing, tents, equipment, arms, ammunition, vehicles etc. for CAPFs and Central Forensic Science Laboratories (CFSLs) and monitoring of Police reforms were discussed.
February 24, 2016 Team Avinav
The Government has taken measures to strengthen the CRPF, BSF, CISF& NSG in the country. In 2008, the Government raised the ceiling of the strength of Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to 1,45,000 and approved raising of Reserve Battalions. In 2009, Government approved raising of 67 additional Battalions in CRPF (38 Bn) and BSF (29 Bn), out of which 47 Battalions have been raised.
March 1, 2016 Team Avinav
The Government has mandated NATGRID to create a framework for data access from 21 provider organizations.
March 4, 2016 Team Avinav
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh briefed the media on budget highlights of the Ministry of Home Affairs, here today. The Home Minister explained that due to the maximum budget utilization during the current financial year, the Ministry has received higher gross allocation and some schemes have also been revived for the year 2016-17 as below:
March 9, 2016 Team Avinav
The Central and State Security Forces and Intelligence agencies are well equipped with modern resources and equipments. The Central Government is assisting the States in this regard through schemes like Modernization of Police Forces (MPF) Scheme, Security Related Expenditure Scheme (SRE) and Modernisation Plan-II for CAPFs.
March 10, 2016 Team Avinav
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi has given its ex-post approval for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Technical Cooperation in Cyber Space and Combating Cyber-Crime signed last month.
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
The Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh today exhorted the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) to gear up to face cyber security threats. Addressing the 47th Raising Day Parade of the CISF in Ghaziabad today, Shri Rajnath Singh underlined that cyber security breach and hacking are emerging as major security concerns since cyber threats is only the new aspect of terrorism.
March 15, 2016 Team Avinav
A meeting was held on 02.07.2014 with representatives of State Government of Gujarat regarding creation of Marine Immigration check posts in the State of Gujarat. In this connection, a joint team comprising Officers of Ministry of Home Affairs/Bureau of Immigration/National Informatics Centre visited all the 17 Immigration Sea Check-posts(ICPs) in Gujarat in April, 2015 to assess the working of the 06 existing ICPs and to assess the traffic of ships/dhows, infrastructure and manpower availability at the remaining 11 Sea posts. The recommendations of the Joint Team have been conveyed to the State Government for providing necessary space, infrastructure, manpower, etc.
March 16, 2016 Team Avinav
The International borders of India are not uniform in character. They have different physical features, terrain and climate conditions along with different threat perceptions. Therefore, the ideal number of personnel required to guard the borders varies from border to border and sector to sector.
March 22, 2016 Team Avinav
The India-Russia Joint Commission meeting was held here today to discuss bilateral cooperation between the two countries. The Russian delegation was chaired by Mr. Vladimir AndreevichPuchkov, Minister of the Russian Federation for Civil Defense, Emergencies and Elimination Consequences of Natural Disasters and the Indian delegation was chaired by Union Home Minister Shri Rajnath Singh.
February 19, 2016 Team Avinav
The 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Co-operation (JWGACTC), constituted under the auspices of the Indo – US Defence Trade and Technology Initiative, was organised in India from 15 to 18 Feb 16. An 11 member delegation of the US Side, headed by Rear Admiral Thomas J Moore, Program Executive Officer, Aircraft Carriers (United States Navy), visited various defence/ industrial installations in India including the Shore Based Test Facility at Goa, Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru and Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi. The delegation also visited the first Indian Indigenous Aircraft Carrier being constructed at CSL.
February 26, 2016 Team Avinav
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has planned to set up a manufacturing facility and take up Maintenance Repair & Overhaul (MRO) activities for Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) and other Rotary Wing Platforms near Tumkur, Karnataka. The foundation stone has been laid on 03rd January 2016. HAL plans to manufacture the lighter, three tonne machines the LUH for reconnaissance and surveillance and the attack helicopter LCH and also overhaul and repair military helicopters.
February 26, 2016 Team Avinav
The Terms of Reference (TOR) of Indo-U.S. Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI) were signed on 22nd January, 2015. The aim of the DTTI Group is to work towards resolving process issues impeding cooperation and alignment of systems; increasing the flow of technology and investment; developing capabilities and partnership in co- development and co-production; and intensifying cooperation in research and development.
February 26, 2016 Team Avinav
During financial years 2012-13 to 2014-15, total 67 orders have been placed on foreign vendors for major defence procurements by following the guidelines laid down in Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). However, revenue procurement is made following provisions of Defence Procurement Manual (DPM).
March 1, 2016 Team Avinav
As per the India-France Joint Statement issued by the two countries during the Prime Minister’s visit to France, Government of India conveyed to the Government of France that in view of the critical operational necessity for Multirole Combat Aircraft for Indian Air Force (IAF), Government of India would like to acquire 36 Rafale jets in fly-away condition as quickly as possible. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian and French Government has also been signed on January 25, 2016 in this regard. Negotiations with the French side are currently on.
March 1, 2016 Team Avinav
During the year 2015-16, 44 contracts have been signed with value of Rs.39955.36 crore for capital procurement of defence equipment including helicopters, Radar, Rockets and Simulators. An MOU has been signed in January, 2016 with Government of French Republic for purchase of 36 Rafale Aircraft.
March 1, 2016 Team Avinav
Government has approved disinvestment of the following defence sector CPSEs:
March 1, 2016 Team Avinav
The Defence Production Policy, aims at achieving substantive self-reliance in the design, development and production of equipment, weapon systems, platforms required for defence in as early a time frame possible; creating conditions conducive for the private industry to take an active role in this endeavour, enhancing potential of SMEs in indigenisation and broadening the defence R&D base of the country.
March 1, 2016 Team Avinav
The High Committee on Defence Cooperation (HCDC) last met (15th meeting) in Paris, France on 12th January, 2015 to discuss Strategic partnership, military cooperation, Procurement and Research & Technology. HCDC is led by Defence Secretary from the Indian side and is the highest level institutionalized forum between both the countries. Army, Air Force and Navy of both sides also meet annually to discuss and explore military cooperation.
March 4, 2016 Team Avinav
The Ministry of Defence has fine-tuned the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procedure with the US Government. Rather than raising bills case-wise every quarter, all the funds against various cases have been pooled together in a corpus. As and when funds are required to be paid per case, in fulfillment of contractual liabilities, the said amount is being withdrawn from the corpus. Consequent to this creation of the corpus in consultation with the US Government, no payments have been made in the last two quarters of the financial year 2015-16, against cases which necessitated payments, against the said contracts.
March 8, 2016 Team Avinav
The current ship building capability of defence shipyards meets the requirements of the Indian Navy. Presently, all major warships and submarines under construction are being built at the Indian Shipyards, these include both DPSUs as well as Private Shipyards.
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
Bharat Electronics Ltd. is planning to establish a Defence Systems Integration Complex in Andhra Pradesh. Foundation stone for the 900 acres complex at Palasamudram in Anantapur district was laid on 30th September, 2015.
This new Missile Systems Integration Complex for Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) will further strengthen the Defence capabilities in the country and enable manufacturing, integration and testing of ongoing and upcoming projects in the area of Surface-to-Air Missile Systems.
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
An agreement was signed on 24th December 2015 between the Government of the Republic of India and the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the field of Helicopter Engineering, which envisages setting up of a Joint Venture for the production of Ka 226 T helicopters in India. The financial implications will be available once the authorized organizations from both sides set up the joint venture company and the contract with Ministry of Defence for supply of helicopter is finalized.
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
Futuristic offset policy is in draft stage at present. The new draft offset guidelines envisage targeted offsets, wherein, the desired outcome will be stated upfront in the RFP and the vendors have full flexibility on process to realize the outcome. Targeted offsets will include Transfer of Technology, development of ecosystem in defence manufacturing and creation of infrastructure for skill creation and development.
Ten (10) offset contracts have been signed since 2013 onwards, amounting to 1.56 BUSD. The offset discharge is spread till year 2022. The contractual offset obligations to be fulfilled by the vendors upto December, 2015 is USD 80.22 Million against which offset discharge claims worth USD 65.99 million have been reported (subject to Audit).
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
The Dhirendra Singh Committee has recommended a ‘Strategic Partnership Model’ for creating capacity in the private sector on a long-term basis over and above the capacity and infrastructure that exists in Public Sector Units. Pursuant to its recommendations, the VK Aatre Task Force was constituted to lay down criteria for selection of Strategic Partners for various platforms from the Private Sector Industry. It has presented its Report to the Government in January, 2016.
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry has accorded ‘in-principle’ approval for a project at Kinfra Defence Park, Ottapalam (District – Palakkad), Kerala. The cost of project is Rs.131.35 crore involving central grant of Rs.50.00 crore under ‘Modified Industrial Infrastructure Upgradation Scheme’ (MIIUs).
March 11, 2016 Team Avinav
Modernisation of the Armed Forces is a continuous process based on threat perception, operational challenges and technological changes to keep the Armed Forces in a state of readiness to meet the entire spectrum of security challenges.
MiG-29, Jaguar, Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft are being upgraded in a phased manner. The planned inductions include Su-30 MKI and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft.
Further, as per the India-France Joint Statement issued by the two countries during the Prime Minister’s visit to France, Government of India conveyed to the Government of France that in view of the critical operational necessity for Multirole Combat Aircraft for Indian Air Force (IAF), Government of India would like to acquire 36 Rafale jets in fly-away condition as quickly as possible. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian and French Government has also been signed on January 25, 2016 in this regard. Negotiations with the French side are currently on.
March 12, 2016 Team Avinav
The sixth ship of LCU MK IV project, was launched on 12 March 2016 at an impressive ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata.
March 14, 2016 Team Avinav
The fourth edition of the Indo-Indonesia Joint Training Exercise GARUDA SHAKTI, scheduled from 10 to 23 March 2016 is under progress at Magelang, Indonesia. The Indian contingent comprises of platoon sized troops of an Infantry Battalion from Southern Command theatre and the Indonesian Army comprises of troops from 503 Airborne Battalion of the TNI -AD.
March 15, 2016 Team Avinav
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) had accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) in October, 2009 for capital procurement of Bullet Proof Jackets (BPJs) inclusive of quantity 1,86,138 to be procured in 11th Army Plan. Request for Proposal was retracted on 5.10.2015 as the BPJs fielded by the vendors failed in the trials. Capital Procurement of equipment for the defence forces are progressed as per the provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). The DPP provides timelines for different stages of procurement.
The Government has taken into consideration the deficiencies in some of the critical ammunitions and has taken steps to mitigate the deficiencies to ensure desired level of operational-preparedness commensurate to threat perception in a dynamic strategic scenario.
March 15, 2016 Team Avinav
HAL has been identified in view of its capabilities in the field of design, development, manufacture and maintenance of Aircraft.
A green field facility has been planned at Tumakuru near Bengaluru primarily to take up manufacture and MRO activities for indigenously designed and developed light utility helicopter and other helicopters. The plan for setting up of the facility existed even before the finalization of manufacture of Kamov 226 T helicopters.
March 15, 2016 Team Avinav
A Committee under the chairmanship of Dr. P Rama Rao was constituted to conduct a comprehensive review of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
The Organisation has implemented the following recommendations of the Committee within its powers:
March 15, 2016 Team Avinav
The Capital Procurement of defence equipment is made as per Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP). During last six months, 28 contracts have been signed with Indian and Foreign vendors for capital procurement of defence equipment.
The 28 contracts signed include 18 contracts signed with Indian vendors and 10 contracts signed with vendors from foreign countries such as USA, Sweden, Russia and Israel with a total value of Rs.36944.48 crores.
A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the Government of France in January 2016 for the purchase of Rafale Aircraft. An agreement has been signed in December 2015 with the Government of the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the field of Helicopter Engineering.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri ManoharParrikar in a written reply to Shri Shanti Ram Naik in Rajya Sabha today.
March 15, 2016 Team Avinav
Excluding vendors from France, Germany and Russia, eight contracts have been signed with foreign vendors during 2015-16, including those from countries such as USA, Sweden and Israel, for capital procurement of Defence equipment at a total cost of Rs.23630.68 Crore. No contract has been signed during 2015-16 for procurement of Advanced fighter planes.
This information was given by Defence Minister Shri ManoharParrikar in a written reply to Shri Parvez Hashmi in Rajya Sabha today.
March 17, 2016 Team Avinav
The Indian Air Force is demonstrating its combat and firepower on 18 Mar 16 at Rajasthan's Pokhran firing range in the presence of the Hon’ble President Shri Pranab Mukherjee and the Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi. During the event, the IAF would showcase its capability delivering fire power both by day as well as by night.
March 21, 2016 Team Avinav
The Indian Navy has deployed a P 8I maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Seychelles since 20 Mar 16, for surveillance in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Seychelles, in accordance with the MoU between the Governments of India and Seychelles. The Indian Navy has, in the past, undertaken surveillance missions in the Seychellois EEZ twice a year, by deploying IN ships. The last such deployment was undertaken by ships of the 1st Training Squadron of the Indian Navy, in Oct 15. This is the first time that the P8I aircraft has been deployed to Seychelles.
January 6, 2016 Team Avinav
The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri NarendraModi, has given its ex-post facto approvalfor signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which was signed in November, 2015between Airports Authority of India (On behalf of Government of India) and Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (On behalf of Government of Singapore) in Civil Aviation during Prime Minister’s visit to Singapore.
February 9, 2016 Team Avinav
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India and United States Technical Development Agency (USTDA) signed the Grant Agreement for India Aviation Safety Technical Assistance Phase II in New Delhi today. Shri P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju, Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation and Ms Leocadia I. Zak, Director, U.S. Trade and Development Agency were present on the occasion. USTDA will be partially funding the assistance to the tune of US $ 808,327 and contractor The Wicks Group’(TWG) will share the cost of assistance at US $ 75,000.
February 18, 2016 Team Avinav
Traffic data submitted by various domestic airlines has been analysed for the month of January, 2016. Following are the salient features:
Passengers carried by domestic airlines during January, 2016 were 76.55 lakhs as against 62.45 lakhs during the corresponding period of previous year thereby registering a growth of 22.58%.
February 21, 2016 Team Avinav
In view of ongoing road blockades and disturbance in Haryana, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has organised additional flights.
March 2, 2016 Team Avinav
The Minister of Civil Aviation Shri P Ashok Gajapathi Raju has said that the Budget 2016-17 has paved the way for developing India as a Maintenance, Repair and Overhauling (MRO) hub of Asia. Speaking to media persons in New Delhi today, he said that the budget has made provisions for incentivising domestic value addition to help Make in India.