National
Flight Trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing UAV
⇒ Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully carried out a flight trial of Autonomous Flying Wing Technology Demonstrator, an indigenous high-speed flying-wing Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) from the Aeronautical Test Range, Chitradurga in Karnataka in December 2023.
- The successful flying demonstration of this autonomous stealth UAV is a testimony to maturity in the technology readiness levels in the country.
- With this flight in the tailless configuration, India has joined the elite club of countries to have mastered the controls for the flying wing technology.
Designed and developed by:
This UAV is designed and developed by DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment.
Key Points:
- The aircraft prototype, with a complex arrowhead wing platform, is designed and manufactured with light-weight carbon prepreg composite material developed indigenously.
- Also, the composite structure, impregnated with fibre interrogators for health monitoring, is a showcase of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in the aerospace technology.
- The autonomous landing of this high-speed UAV, without the need for ground radars/infrastructure/pilot, showcased a unique capability demonstration, allowing take-off and landing from any runway with surveyed coordinates.
- This was possible using onboard sensor data fusion with indigenous satellite-based augmentation using GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) receivers to improve the accuracy and integrity of GPS navigation.
» The maiden flight of this aircraft was demonstrated in July 2022, followed by six flight trials in various developmental configurations using two in-house manufactured prototypes.
Indian Navy inducts INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft
⇒ Indian Navy commissioned INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft, at an impressive ceremony held at Naval Dockyard Visakhapatnam under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command on 14 December 2023.
Key Points:
- The ship is a Trinkat Class FAC which was gifted to the Maldivian Naval Defence Forces (MNDF) in 2006 by the Govt of India.
- The ship was returned to the Indian Navy in May this year, which also provided an in-service Waterjet Fast Attack Craft, to MNDF as the new MCGS Huravee.
- Post extensive restoration work by the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam the FAC has been reincarnated in its present avatar.
About Ship:
- The warship is fitted with MTU engines, the latest communication equipment, a 30 mm gun and an advanced Radar system and will be extensively used for coastal surveillance and protection of our ODAs in the KG Basin area along the East Coast of India.
- The 46-metre ship, named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group, displaces 320-tonne and can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots.
Cabinet approves Surat Airport as International Airport
⇒ The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has approved the proposal to declare Surat Airport as an International Airport in December 2023.
Benefits:
- Surat Airport will not only become a gateway for international travelers but also facilitate seamless export-import operations for the thriving diamond and textile – industries.
- This strategic move promises to unlock unprecedented economic potential, making Surat a key player in the international aviation landscape and fostering a new era of prosperity for the region.
- Elevating Surat Airport to international status is paramount for enhancing economic growth, attracting foreign investment, and bolstering diplomatic ties.
Prime Minister inaugurates Surat Diamond Bourse
⇒ Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Surat Diamond Bourse in Surat, Gujarat on 17 December 2023.
- Before the program, the Prime Minister also visited Panchtatva Garden, viewed the Green Building of Surat Diamond Bourse & SPINE-4, and signed the visitor booklet.
Key Points:
- Surat Diamond Bourse will be the World’s largest and most modern center for international diamond and jewelry business.
- It will be a global center for trading of both rough and polished diamonds as well as jewelry.
- Bourse will comprise state-of-the-art ‘Customs Clearance House’ for Import – Export; a Jewelry mall for retail jewelry business and a facility for International Banking and Safe Vaults.
International
Saint Lucia’s Tax Inspectors without Borders (TIWB) Programme
⇒ Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB), a joint initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), launched a programme in Saint Lucia on 14th December, 2023.
Partner Administration:
India has been chosen as the Partner Administration and provides Tax Experts for this programme.
Key Points:
- This programme is expected to be of 12-18 months’ duration.
- India, in collaboration with the TIWB Secretariat and support of the UNDP Country Office, Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, aims to aid Saint Lucia in strengthening its tax administration by transferring technical knowledge and skills to its tax administration, and through sharing of best practices.
- The focus of the programme is on effective use of automatic exchange of information under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS) framework.
- This programme is the seventh TIWB programme which India has supported by providing Tax Experts.