National
Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) launches third Stealth Frigate of Project 17A ‘TARAGIRI’
⇒ Taragiri (YD 12653), a Project 17A Frigate was launched at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Mumbai on 12 September 2022.
- The fifth Stealth Frigate of Project P17A was launched by Smt Charu Singh, President NWWA (Western Region) who named the ship ‘Taragiri’.
Designed by:
The P17A ships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau (viz. Bureau of Naval Design) which is the pioneer organization for all warship design activities of the Nation.
- This ship has been built using Integrated construction methodology which involves hull blocks construction in different geographical locations and integration/erection on Slipway at MDL.
- ‘Taragiri’ is the reincarnation of erstwhile ‘Taragiri’, the Leander Class ASW Frigate, which saw numerous challenging operations in its illustrious service to the nation spanning over three decades from 16 May 1980 to 27 Jun 2013.
About Taragiri:
- ‘Taragiri’, named after a hill range in Himalayas located at Garhwal, is the fifth ship of Project 17A Frigates.
- These ships are advanced version of the P17 Frigates (Shivalik Class) with improved stealth features, state of the art weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
- The 149.02 M long & 17.8 M wide ship, propelled by a CODOG combination of two Gas Turbines and 02 Main Diesel Engines which are designed to achieve a speed of over 28 knots at a displacement of approx 6670 Tons.
- The steel used in Hull construction of P17A frigates is indigenously developed DMR 249A which is a low carbon micro alloy grade steel manufactured by SAIL.
- This indigenously designed stealth Frigate will have state-of-the-art weapons, sensors, an advanced action information system, an integrated platform management system, world class modular living spaces, sophisticated power distribution system and a host of other advanced features.
- It will be fitted with supersonic surface-to-surface missile system. The ship’s air defence capability, designed to counter the threat of enemy aircraft and anti-ship cruise missiles will revolve around the vertical launch and long-range surface to air missile system.
- Two 30 mm rapid-fire guns will provide the ship with close-in-defence capability while an SRGM Gun will enable her to provide effective naval gunfire support.
- Indigenously developed triple tube light weight torpedo launchers and rocket launchers will add punch to the ship’s anti-submarine capability.
Background:
- Under the P17A program, a total of seven ships, with 04 at MDL and 03 at GRSE are under construction.
- The total value of the Project 17A is around Rs 25,700 Crores.
- Four P17A Project ships (two each at MDL and GRSE) have been launched so far between 2019 and 2022.
MDL’s Four P17A Project ships:
- The first ship of the Project 17A, ‘Nilgiri’ was launched on 28th Sept 2019 & expected for sea trials in the first half of 2024.
- The second ship of P17A class ‘Udaygiri’ was launched on 17 May 2022 and is expected to start sea trials during the second half of 2024.
- The keel of fourth and final ship has already been laid on 28 Jun 2022.
International
2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue
⇒ The Raksha Mantri, Shri Rajnath Singh along with External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, participated in the 2nd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue in Tokyo on September 08, 2022.
The Japanese side was represented by Minister of Defence Mr Yasukazu Hamada and Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Yoshimasa Hayashi.
- The 2+2 Dialogue reviewed bilateral cooperation across domains and charted the way forward.
- India and Japan are pursuing a Special Strategic and Global Partnership. This year marks 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
» The Raksha Mantri emphasised on the need to expand the scope of partnership in the field of Defence Equipment and Technological Cooperation. He invited Japanese industries to invest in India’s defence corridors where a conducive environment for the growth of the defence industry has been created by the Government of India.
Joint Statement:
- The Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a rules-based global order that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations.
- They emphasized the need for all countries to seek peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international law without resorting to threat or use of force or any attempt to unilaterally change the status quo.
- The Ministers highlighted their commitment to a common strategic goal of achieving a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive and resilient, based on the rule of law and free from coercion.
- They also reiterated their strong support for ASEAN’s unity and centrality and their full support for the ‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific’ which upholds the principles such as the rule of law, openness, freedom, transparency and inclusiveness.
- Acknowledging Japan’s determination to reinforce its defence capabilities, Indian side expressed its support to work towards enhanced security and defence cooperation.
- The Ministers expressed their commitment to continuing bilateral and multilateral exercises including ‘Dharma Guardian’, JIMEX and Malabar.
- The two Ministers agreed that the early conduct of the inaugural fighter exercise will pave way for much greater cooperation and interoperability between the Air Forces of the two countries.
- The Ministers concurred to launch the Joint Service Staff Talks between the Japan Joint Staff and the Indian Integrated Defence Staff.
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visits Mongolia
⇒ To boost strategic partnership with East Asian countries, Raksha Shri Rajnath Singh paid an official visit to Mongolia from 05-07 September, 2022.
This visit by Raksha Mantri was the first ever visit by an Indian Defence Minister to Mongolia and further consolidated the defence cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries.
» On the first day of engagements of his Mongolia visit, Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with his Mongolian counterpart Lt Gen Saikhanbayar Gursed in Ulaanbaatar on September 06, 2022. He also called on the President of Mongolia and Chairman of State Great Khural.
» The Raksha Mantri also inaugurated a Cyber Security Training Centre, built with assistance from India, and laid the foundation stone of the India-Mongolia Friendship School, to be constructed with Indian assistance.
- Cyber Security Training Centre has been built with assistance from Government of India at National Defence University in Ulaanbaatar.
Bilateral talks:
- Delegation level talks were held between the Raksha Mantri and his Mongolian counterpart.
- They discussed effective & practical initiatives to further expand bilateral defence engagements and deliberated on regional & global issues of mutual interest.
- Both Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to fully implement the Strategic Partnership based on mutual trust & understanding, common interests and shared values of democracy & rule of law.
- The two Ministers also reiterated their resolve to reinvigorate the India-Mongolia Joint Working Group (JWG), which will meet in India later this year.
Sports
President of AIFF
⇒ The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on 02 September 2022 got a former player Kalyan Chaubey as its president for the first time in its 85-year history.
- 45-year-old Chaubey, Kalyan Chaubey, who played as a goalkeeper trounced the legendary Bhaichung Bhutia in the election for the top post with a comprehensive 33-1 margin.
Vice president:
Karnataka Football Association president NA Haris, a sitting Congress MLA, won the election for the lone post of vice president, beating Manvendra Singh of Rajasthan FA 29-5.
Career of Kalyan Chaubey:
- Chaubey made his senior club football debut in 1996 with Mohun Bagan and went on to represent East Bengal, JCT and Salgaocar among others from 1997 to 2003.
- The former goalkeeper is remembered for being a part of SAFF Championship winning squad thrice and representing five different states in the national championship during his career.
- During his professional career spanning 15 years, Chaubey became a five-time runner-up in the I-League/National Football League.
- Chaubey represented the Indian team in U-17 Asian Youth Championship held at Tehran in 1994, U-20 Asian Youth Championship held at Suwon/Seol South Korea in 1996 and pre-Olympic Qualification 1999–00.