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Indian Navy Thwarts Hijack Bid by Somali Pirates

In a daring operation to safeguard maritime security, the Indian Navy successfully thwarted Somali pirates from using a ex-merchant vessel Ruen to hijack ships traversing the region, the Indian Navy spokesperson said.

The ex-MV Ruen, which had been commandeered by Somali pirates on December 14, 2023, was reported to have reappeared as a pirate vessel, threatening merchant shipping in the high seas. Responding swiftly to the threat, an Indian Navy warship engaged the pirate vessel on March 15.

According to a statement issued by the Indian Navy, it was revealed that upon interception, the Ruen when intercepted opened fire on the Naval warship, prompting a response from naval officials.

Acting in strict accordance with international law and protocols governing maritime security, the Indian Navy retaliated with minimal force necessary to neutralize the pirate threat and ensure the safety of seafarers and shipping lanes.

“#IndianNavy thwarts designs of Somali pirates to hijack ships plying through the region by intercepting ex-MV Ruen. The ex-MV Ruen, which had been hijacked by Somali pirates on #14Dec 23, was reported to have sailed out as a pirate ship towards conducting acts of #piracy on high seas,” the Navy said in a post on social media platform X.

“The vessel was intercepted by the #IndianNavy warship on #15Mar. The vessel opened fire on the warship, which is taking actions iaw international law, in self-defence & to counter piracy, with minimal force necessary to neutralise the pirates’ threat to shipping and seafarers. The pirates onboard the vessel have been called upon to surrender & release the vessel & any civilians they may be holding against their will,” it said.

The pirates aboard the vessel have been called upon by the Indian Navy to surrender immediately and release any civilians they may be holding against their will. The Indian Navy reiterated its unwavering commitment to maintaining maritime security and ensuring the safety of seafarers navigating through these perilous waters. (ANI)

ALSO READ: INS Jatayu to Boost Indian Navy’s Anti-Piracy Efforts

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US Military chief tours arms plants with GOP lawmakers

Brown’s travel companions included both supporters and opponents of the current Ukraine aid package….reports Asian Lite News

As they stood before massive rocket launchers built in part by their Arkansas constituents, Republican lawmakers were getting an unambiguous message Thursday from America’s top military officer: A Ukraine aid package that’s stalled in Congress will not only help in the fight against Russia, but also support jobs in their districts.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff doesn’t normally fly around the United States with members of Congress. But Gen. C.Q. Brown’s trip was part of the Pentagon’s full-court press to get the House to move forward on a $95 billion foreign aid package that’s key to getting critical munitions flowing to Kyiv again.

Brown’s travel companions included both supporters and opponents of the current Ukraine aid package. But even some who have been cautious said they do see a path forward for approval of the bill, which includes roughly $60 billion to support Ukraine.

“We want to be able to help our allies and also help keep our industrial complex to stay afloat,” said Rep. Bruce Westerman of Arkansas. “All of that said, it has to be a bill we can come to agreement on, and it has to be something that members of Congress feel like they understand what the mission is, and what the objective is, and what the plan is.”

Sen. John Boozman of Arkansas and Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma also joined Brown for a tour of Lockheed Martin’s factory in Camden, Arkansas, where they walked past workers assembling massive ring bases for the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System and the tube components of the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or HIMARS. Both systems have been in high demand in Ukraine.

Mullin, who previously voted against the bill, said he still sees a way to get approval for the aid, which he supports.

“There is a package that’s being worked on the Senate and the House side that could possibly move forward,” he said, citing an idea that would give the US first rights to Ukraine’s mineral resources in return for the aid. It’s a type of loan that former President Donald Trump has supported and that could make the US less dependent on China, Mullin said.

“The whole world is out of ammunition,” said Boozman, who supported the bill. “Eventually we are going to get the dollars, because it’s so important.”

All three cited the impact the massive bill would have on the local workforce.

Brown also met with Oklahoma Republican Rep. Josh Brecheen on this trip, during a second stop at the McAlester Army Ammunition Plant in McAlester, Oklahoma. Brecheen has previously indicated he would not support the bill currently in the House.

In a call with reporters before the trip, Brown said he would use the time with the lawmakers, including during their flights, to talk about the importance of the supplemental national security funding.

“As I have done with other members, and I’ll do with these members, I’ll talk to them about the importance of the supplemental and not only how it helps Ukraine but also how it helps all of us. What I mean by that is much of the money, about 80 percent of the money out of the supplemental, will go back into our defense industrial base,” Brown said.

He said the funding is needed to replenish US military stockpiles that have been sent forward to Ukraine and that increased production ultimately generates income at home. It’s a point the Pentagon has increasingly pushed in recent months as current Ukraine funding ran out — and Ukrainian forces on the front line began to ration munitions against a much more robustly supplied Russian army.

Besides the HIMARS, Lockheed Martin’s Camden plant makes Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS, long-range missiles that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said have proved effective against Russian forces.

The McAlester plant produces Navy and Air Force bombs, but is also a major storage site for critically needed 155mm munitions. Brown and the lawmakers visited one of the munitions storage sites at the sprawling plant, where bunkers and storage sites hold an undisclosed number of pallets of 250-pound and 2,000-pound bombs, among tens of thousands of rounds of 155mm ammunition, much of it shipped back to the US from South Korea to be retrofitted for Ukraine. In support of Ukraine, the McAlester plant has also accelerated repair of Stinger and Hawk missiles.

The massive plant, which is one of several similar sites across the US, has orders to be ready at any time to surge and be able to send as many as 435 shipping containers — each able to carry 15 tons worth of munitions — if ordered to do so by the president. For the past year it’s been pulling from its storage sites to fill Ukraine’s needs when each new aid package has been announced.

Arkansas Republican Sen. Tom Cotton, a high-ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, and Oklahoma Sen. James Lankford, who negotiated the failed border bill that has now become a sticking point for the Ukraine aid bill in the House, had been scheduled to travel with Brown but were not on the trip.

The lawmakers have taken different approaches on their support for Ukraine as the war has dragged on.

In May 2022, the Arkansas senators split on a $40 billion Ukraine aid package, with Cotton joining Lankford in favor of the aid and Boozman opposed.

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Rajnath exudes confidence in party win ahead of LS polls

The Defence Minister expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency…reports Asian Lite News

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh exuded confidence on Saturday that the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will secure a third term with a commanding majority and said that all factors are in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Speaking to the media on Saturday, Rajnath Singh said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) will come to power again. All the factors are in favour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”

The Defence Minister also expressed gratitude for the warm welcome from the Lucknow Lok Sabha constituency and said, “Lucknow is my Lok Sabha constituency and I visit here regularly. I have received a lot of love from the people here.”

As the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seeks a third term in office, Union Minister Rajnath Singh asserted on Saturday that the BJP government, if elected to power, will not let even a single person in the country stay below the poverty line.

The Defence Minister was addressing the ‘Kisan Mahakumbh’ in Chhattisgarh’s Raipur.”I assure you that, under the leadership of Vishnu Deo Saiji, Chhattisgarh will develop. You must have observed that when Vishnu Deo Saiji assumed the reins of the government, the development came back on track,” he said.

Rajnath Singh further highlighted that the country has entered a new era.”When the country says something, the world is all ears. Many heads of state believe that this century belongs to India,” he said.

Throwing a jibe at the previous Congress government at the centre, Singh said, “There have been allegations of corruption during the Congress government, but there hasn’t been a single stain of corruption on the government’s side under the leadership of Modiji.”

The ‘farm factor’ plays a significant role in Chhattisgarh, given that around 70% of the total population of the state is engaged in agriculture.Meanwhile, as the Lok Sabha polls draw near, the BJP and the Congress have released their first candidate lists with 195 and 39 names, respectively.

The Lok Sabha polls are slated to be held in April-May this year. (ANI)

UP Cong recommends Rahul, Priyanka for Amethi, Rae Bareli

The Uttar Pradesh Congress Pradesh Election Committee (UPPEC), which is scheduled to meet here on Sunday, will unanimously recommend the names of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi as the party candidates for the Rae Bareli and Amethi Lok Sabha seats.

Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee (UPCC) President Ajay Rai said, “The UPPEC will meet on Sunday. We will recommend names for all the seats. The choice of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi will, however, be unanimous. There will be no discussion on their names and the two leaders will be requested to contest the poll from Rae Bareli and Amethi.”

Deepak Singh, former Congress MLC and senior party leader from Amethi, said the district and state party units have already passed resolutions, urging the two leaders to contest from Rae Bareli and Amethi.

“We will again request Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Rahul Gandhi to contest the election from Rae Bareli and Amethi respectively,” said Singh, who is also a UPPEC member.

Uttar Pradesh Congress General Secretary Anil Yadav and UPCC Spokesman Manish Hindavi said UPPEC, headed by the UPCC President Ajay Rai, has 39 members, including Congress Legislature Party leader Aradhana Mishra ‘Mona’.

The Congress and the Samajwadi Party (SP) have reached a seat-sharing agreement for 2024 polls that gives 17 seats to the Congress and 63 seats to the SP. The UPPEC will, however, shortlist names of party candidates for other seats.  

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We Believe in India’s Defence Capabilities: Rajnath

The Defence Minister, speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2024, highlighted the strong transformation in India’s defence sector in the last 10 years…reports Asian Lite News

 In a veiled attack on China, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that India has never attacked any country nor occupied its land, but if any country challenges India, the country is in a position to give a ‘befitting’ reply.

The Defence Minister was speaking at the NDTV Defence Summit 2024 on Thursday, wherein, he highlighted the strong transformation in India’s defence sector in the last 10 years

“Whether from land, air, or sea, if anyone attacks India, our forces will respond strongly…We have never attacked any country nor have occupied even an inch of anyone’s land. But, if anyone bats an eyelid at us, we are in a position to give a befitting reply,” he said at the event.

India and China have been locked in a military stand-off for nearly four years after the confrontations at friction points in eastern Ladakh in 2020.

The 20th round of Corps Commander-level talks between New Delhi and Beijing was held last October at Chushul as part of the ongoing efforts for overall disengagement and de-escalation to resolve the stand-off

Rajnath Singh emphasized the focus laid towards self-reliance in the defence sector, adding that the Modi government has worked on strengthening the country while believing in its capabilities.

“Ever since the Bharatiya Janata Party government came to power in 2014, defence has been one of our core priorities. We moved towards Atmanirbharta (self-reliance) in the sector. Whether it is the launch of the Department of military affairs, the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff, we have focused on indigenous production and export of defence equipment, as well as military modernization,” the Defence Minister said.

He added, “It’s not as if the previous governments didn’t work in the direction. But the major difference between their work and ours is that of vision. We aim to make India strong while putting emphasis on its capabilities, while the previous governments were a little sceptic and didn’t have that much faith in India’s capabilities.” 

The Defence Minister stated that the government’s focus had been on strengthening the Defence forces with a focus on self-reliance.

“India’s defence system became stronger because we focused on Indianness along with the defense system. We not only strengthened the defense system, but also strengthened it as per the vision of Indians” the  Defence Minister said

“Today, not only is the Indian defense system strong, but India is also emerging strongly on the global stage. And the day is not far when India will not only emerge as a developed nation, but our military power will emerge as the supreme military power in the world” the Defence Minister added. (ANI)

Indian Navy Rescues 21 From Drone-Hit Vessel

Indian Navy swiftly responded to a distress call from the Gulf of Aden where a merchant vessel caught fire after being hit by a missile, and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national.

The Indian Navy informed in a statement on Thursday that its naval warship, INS Kolkata swiftly acted against Wednesday’s maritime incident and all the crew members were safely evacuated to Djibouti.

As per the Navy, Barbados Flagged Bulk Carrier MV True Confidence was reportedly hit by a drone/ missile, approximately 55 nm South West of Aden, on Wednesday, resulting in a fire onboard and critical injuries to some of the crew members forcing the crew to abandon the ship.

INS Kolkata, deployed for Maritime Security Operations arrived at the scene of action at 1645 hours and rescued 21 crew members, including one Indian national, from the life raft using its integral helicopter and boats. Critical medical aid was also provided to the injured crew by the ship’s medical team.

The rescued crew, including the critically injured personnel, were evacuated to Djibouti on March 6 by INS Kolkata.

Earlier on Wednesday, INS Kolkata responded to another distress call from a Liberian-flagged container vessel, MSC Sky II which was reportedly attacked by a drone or missile in the southeast of Aden.

In a swift action after the distress call at 7:00 pm, the INS Kolkata mission deployed was immediately diverted to render necessary assistance and reached near the attacked ship at 10:30 pm, an official statement said.

Additionally, based on the request of the master, the Merchant vessel (MV) was escorted from the scene of the incident to the territorial waters of Djibouti by the Indian Navy ship.

According to the statement, the crew of 23 personnel, including 13 Indian nationals are safe and the vessel is proceeding to her next destination.

Earlier on Tuesday, a 12-member specialist firefighting team, ex-Kolkata, embarked on the MV and provided assistance in extinguishing the residual fire and smoke. Additionally, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team also embarked on the MV for residual risk assessment.

Last month, responding to the distress call from the Fishing Vessel, an Indian Naval ship, mission deployed in the North Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, provided damage control assistance and undertook strengthening of the hull, rendering the boat safe for further transit.

Medical aid was also extended to three injured crew members.

The relentless and persistent efforts of the Indian Navy reaffirm its resolve towards the safety of all vessels and seafarers transiting in the region, the statement added. (ANI)

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Indian Navy Warship Rescues Vessel After Drone Attack

In a swift action after the distress call at 7:00 pm, the INS Kolkata mission deployed was immediately diverted to render necessary assistance…reports Asian Lite News

An Indian warship, INS Kolkata, responded on Monday to the distress call from a Liberian-flagged container vessel, MSC Sky II which was reportedly attacked by a drone or missile in the southeast of Aden, an official statement said.

In a swift action after the distress call at 7:00 pm, the INS Kolkata mission deployed was immediately diverted to render necessary assistance and reached near the attacked ship at 10:30 pm.

Additionally, based on the request of the master, the Merchant vessel (MV) was escorted from the scene of the incident to the territorial waters of Djibouti by the Indian Navy ship.

Later on, in the early hours of Tuesday, a 12-member specialist firefighting team, ex-Kolkata, embarked on the MV and provided assistance in extinguishing the residual fire and smoke. Additionally, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team also embarked on the MV for residual risk assessment.

According to the statement, the crew of 23 personnel, including 13 Indian nationals are safe and the vessel is proceeding to her next destination.

Earlier last month, responding to the distress call from the Fishing Vessel, an Indian Naval ship, mission deployed in the North Arabian Sea for maritime security operations, provided damage control assistance and undertook strengthening of the hull, rendering the boat safe for further transit.

Medical aid was also extended to three injured crew members.

The relentless and persistent efforts of the Indian Navy reaffirm its resolve towards the safety of all vessels and seafarers transiting in the region. (ANI)

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INS Jatayu to Boost Indian Navy’s Anti-Piracy Efforts

The Navy said that it is another step towards the force’s efforts to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important islands…reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Navy commissioned the INS Jatayu at Minicoy, a strategically important island in Lakshadweep, on Wednesday.

The Navy said that it is another step towards the force’s efforts to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important islands.

The base will enhance the Navy’s operational reach and facilitate its operational efforts towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea.

This is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti. The move will extend the Navy’s operational surveillance, reach and sustenance, besides augmenting capacity building. It will also boost the comprehensive development of the island territories.

According to the Navy, it will also augment the force’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland. The establishment of a naval base is in line with the government of India’s focus on the comprehensive development of islands.

The Naval Detachment Minicoy was set up in early 1980s under the operational command of the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep). Minicoy is the southern most island of Lakshadweep, which straddles the vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs).

Basing of an independent naval unit with requisite infrastructure and resources will enhance the overall operational capability of the Navy in the islands, an official said.

With the commissioning of INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy will strengthen its foothold in the Lakshadweep islands. It will also usher in a new era of capacity building and comprehensive development of the island territories.

Jatayu was the ‘first responder’

 On the commissioning of INS Jatayu at Minicoy, a strategically important island in Lakshadweep, on Wednesday, the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral R. Hari Kumar, said that in the Ramayana, Jatayu was the ‘first responder’ who tried to stop the abduction of Sita, even to the peril of his own life, exemplifying ‘service before self’.

The naming of this unit as ‘Jatayu’ is an apt recognition of this spirit of providing security, surveillance, and selfless service, he said.

“Jatayu’s information to Lord Ram provided him crucial situational awareness leading to the successful quest that followed,” he added.

Minicoy Island was traditionally considered to be the ancient capital of Lakshadweep Islands and is recognised among the locals as ‘The Island of the King’.

Admiral Kumar said, “Similarly to INS Baaz to the east in the Andamans, INS Jatayu in the west at Minicoy will serve as the eyes and ears of the Navy, whatever be the challenge and whosoever be the challenger.”

“As we commission Jatayu, it is crucial to recognise the pressing need for heightened surveillance amid the prevailing geo-political developments which underscore the strategic significance of Lakshadweep. The Indian Ocean Region is witnessing an upsurge in maritime terror, crime, and piracy,” he added.

The Indian Navy has responded with alacrity in the West and North Arabian Sea, undertaking anti-drone and anti-piracy operations to safeguard all merchant traffic in the region.

The Navy Chief said, “I am sure that INS Jatayu will serve as a vanguard providing crucial ‘Maritime Domain Awareness’ and OTR facilities while enhancing our sustenance and surveillance of the Arabian Sea.

“This occasion not only symbolises the strength of our Navy, but also underscores the Government of India’s commitment to safeguarding our maritime interests in line with the Prime Minister’s vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region).

“The growing strength of the Indian Navy is not just to cater for the short-term ongoing crises, but more importantly to ensure the future balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region.”

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Indian Navy to Commission MH 60R ‘Seahawk’ Chopper at INS Garuda in Kochi

The Seahawks squadron will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334. …reports Asian Lite News

The Indian Navy will commission the newly inducted MH 60R Seahawk (a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter) multi-role helicopter on March 6 at INS Garuda in Kerala’s Kochi marking a pivotal moment in India’s defence modernisation journey.

The Seahawks squadron will be commissioned in the Indian Navy as INAS 334. The helicopters are a part of the 24-aircraft FMS contract signed with the US government in Feb 2020.

The Indian Navy is set to witness a significant surge in its maritime prowess with the induction of the Seahawks. The helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP).

The helicopter has been rigorously tested in Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions and is fully integrated into the fleet. The advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the Seahawks ideal for the Indian Navy’s maritime security needs, offering enhanced capabilities for both conventional and asymmetric threats.

The advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the Seahawks ideal for the Indian Navy’s maritime security needs, offering enhanced capabilities for both conventional as well as asymmetric threats.

The MH 60R helicopter would enhance India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and over vast maritime domains.

The Seahawk’s deployment in the IOR would strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime presence, dissuading potential threats and ensuring a secure and safe environment in this strategically crucial region.

The commissioning of the Seahawks underscores the Navy’s steadfast dedication to fortifying maritime security, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s visionary goal of ensuring security and growth for all in the region. (ANI)

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Newly Inducted Seahawks Set to Boost India’s Maritime Prowess

The Seahawks, a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter, are a part of the 24-aircraft contract signed with the US government in February 2020….reports Asian Lite News

In what will mark another milestone in India’s defence modernisation journey, the Indian Navy will commission the newly inducted MH 60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter on March 6, 2024. The commissioning ceremony will be held at INS Garuda in Kochi, Kerala.

The Seahawks, a maritime variant of the Blackhawk helicopter, are a part of the 24-aircraft contract signed with the US government in February 2020.

The Indian Navy is set to witness a significant surge in its maritime prowess with the induction of the Seahawks, the Ministry of Defence said on Sunday (March 3, 2024).

1. The helicopter is designed for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) and vertical replenishment (VERTREP).

2. The helicopter has been rigorously tested in Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions and is fully integrated into the Fleet. 

3. The advanced weapons, sensors and avionics suite make the Seahawks ideal for the Indian Navy’s maritime security needs, offering enhanced capabilities for both conventional as well as asymmetric threats.

4. The MH 60R helicopter would enhance India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and over vast maritime domains. 

5. The Seahawk’s deployment in the IOR would strengthen the Indian Navy’s maritime presence, dissuading potential threats and ensuring a secure and safe environment in this strategically crucial region.

“The commissioning of the Seahawks underscores Indian Navy’s steadfast dedication to fortifying maritime security, aligning seamlessly with the Government of India’s visionary goal of ensuring Security And Growth for All in the Region,” the Ministry of Defence said.  (India News Network)

ALSO READ: Indian Navy Set to Commission New Base in Lakshadweep

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India Clears Major Hurdle in Purchase of MQ-9B Drones

The entire package of drones with ammunition that India has sought will cost an estimated $3.99 billion….writes Yashwant Raj

The decks are clear now for India to take the next steps in acquiring 31 MQ-9B SkyGuardian armed drones with ammunition with the lapse on Friday of the 30-day period for Congressional review of the deal.

These armed drones are meant for intelligence gathering, surveillance, reconnaissance and for land, air and sea warfare. India has two of these drones — MQ-9A — company-lease-and-operation basis from the manufacturers, General Atomics.

The entire package of drones with ammunition that India has sought will cost an estimated $3.99 billion.

The drones will come with 161 embedded global positioning and inertial navigation systems; 35 L3 Rio Grande Communications Intelligence Sensor Suites; 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles; 16 M36E9 Hellfire Captive Air Training Missiles; 310 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs; and eight GBU-39B/B LSDB Guided Test Vehicles with live fuzes.

The proposed sale of these drones were announced by US President Joe Biden during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington D.C. in June 2023. The administration notified Congress of the deal, as it must for all military exports of a certain value, on February 1, giving lawmakers 30 days to raise objections to the proposed deal, which will be deemed cleared of no there is opposition to it.

“The Congressional review period will conclude at the end of the 30th calendar day after notification and the posting of the media announcement,” said a US official.

The announcement came on February 1.

“After that it’s up to the parties to conclude and sign a Letter of Offer and Acceptance.”

A wrinkle in the deal had emerged before the notification period when Ben Cardin, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is a key Congressional body for clearing foreign military sales, linked his support for the the deal to assurance from the Biden administration that India would cooperate in the murder-for-hire case involving the alleged to murder a Khalistani activist. He subsequently announced his support for the deal shortly after Congress was notified.

General Atomics says that the SkyGuardian “is designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for up to 40-plus hours in all types of weather and safely integrate into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness anywhere in the world–day or night”. And apart from his combat capabilities, “it can be used for humanitarian assistance/disaster relief, search and rescue, law enforcement and border enforcement”.

ALSO READ: Indian Navy Set to Commission New Base in Lakshadweep

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Indian Navy Set to Commission New Base in Lakshadweep

Indian Navy set to commission INS Jatayu naval base in Lakshadweep, to enhance operational capability

The Indian Navy is all set to commission the naval detachment in Minicoy as INS Jatayu in the presence of Admiral R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, on March 6.

The event marks an important milestone in the Navy’s resolve to incrementally augment security infrastructure at the strategically important Lakshadweep Islands.

Naval Detachment Minicoy was set up in the early 1980s under the operational command of Naval Officer-in-Charge (Lakshadweep).

Minicoy is the southernmost island of Lakshadweep, which straddles the vital Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs). The establishment of an independent naval unit with the requisite infrastructure and resources will enhance the overall operational capability of the Indian Navy in the islands.

The base will enhance operational reach and facilitate the Indian Navy’s operational effort towards anti-piracy and anti-narcotics operations in the Western Arabian Sea. It will also augment the Indian Navy’s capability as the first responder in the region and augment connectivity with the mainland.

The establishment of a naval base is in line with the Government of India’s focus on the comprehensive development of islands.

INS Jatayu is the second naval base in Lakshadweep after INS Dweeprakshak in Kavaratti.

With the commissioning of INS Jatayu, the Indian Navy will strengthen its foothold in the Lakshadweep islands and along with extending operational surveillance, reach and sustenance, it will usher in a new era of capacity building and comprehensive development of the island territories.

Notably, the Indian Navy is also going to hold its commanders’ conference on board the twin aircraft carriers, including INS Vikramaditya and INS Vikrant, where they will be undertaking high-tempo operations like taking off from one carrier and landing at the other, along with participation from other warships and submarines in the carrier battle groups, defence officials told ANI.

The Indian Navy is also going to formally commission the multirole helicopter MH-60 Romeo at Kochi in the next week, they said.

The Indian Navy is also going to demonstrate for the first time the twin carrier operations in the areas near Lakshadweep. This would be the first time, after the induction of INS Vikrant, that the Navy would be carrying out the operations of the two aircraft carriers together. (ANI)