National
‘Mera Ghar Mere Naam’ Scheme
⇒ The Punjab Chief Minister, Mr Charanjit Singh Channi launched the ‘Mera Ghar Mere Naam’ scheme to confer proprietary rights on the people living in the houses within the ‘Lal Lakir’ of villages and the cities.
The scheme has been launched as a major reprieve for millions of families especially from weaker and underprivileged sections of society.
Earlier this scheme was launched only for the residents of villages but now it is being extended to the eligible residents of the cities within the ‘Lal Lakir’. Last year, the ‘Mission Lal Laqir’ scheme was started in Gurdaspur district and is now will be extended to 5 more districts.
11th P-8i, anti-submarine warfare aircraft
⇒ The Indian Navy received its 11th P-8i, anti-submarine warfare aircraft from US defence major Boeing on 18 October 2021.
The Long-Range Maritime Reconnaissance Anti-Submarine Warfare (LRMRASW) aircraft reached Goa from Seattle.
India’s Defence Ministry had signed a contract for the procurement of eight Boeing P-8i aircraft in 2009. In 2016, a contract for an additional four P-8is was signed.
This is the third aircraft to be delivered under the option contract for four additional aircraft that the Indian Ministry of Defence awarded in 2016.
2nd Naval Commanders' Conference 2021
⇒ The second edition of Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2021 commenced on 18 October 2021 at New Delhi.
Hon’ble Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders during the inaugural session and interacted with them on matters pertaining to the national security.
“Integrated Unmanned Roadmap for Indian Navy” launched:
The Raksha Mantri also launched the ‘Integrated Unmanned Road Map for Indian Navy’.
Aim:
This publication aims to provide a comprehensive Unmanned Systems Roadmap in consonance with the Indian Navy’s Concept of Operations and chart out a capability development plan for the Indian Navy.
A reference version of this Roadmap will also be promulgated for the benefit of industry, which will promote India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’ mission.
Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile 'Agni-5'
⇒ Surface to Surface Ballistic Missile ‘Agni-5’ was successfully launched on October 27, 2021 from APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha.
About Agni-5:
The missile, which uses a three-stage solid fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 kilometres with a very high degree of accuracy.
International
Maiden India–UK Joint Tri-Service Exercise 'KONKAN SHAKTI 2021'
⇒ The maiden India–UK Joint Tri-Service Exercise ‘KONKAN SHAKTI 2021’ was conducted in India from 21 to 27 October 2021.
The maritime component of the exercise was conducted in two phases off the west coast of India.
Harbour Phase:
The Harbour phase was held in Mumbai from 21 to 23 October 2021.
Sea Phase:
The sea phase of maiden Tri-Service exercise ‘Konkan Shakti 2021’ between the Armed Forces of India and United Kingdom (UK) was held off at the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.
On completion of harbour planning phase, the sea phase of the exercise commenced on October 24, 2021. It was culminated on October 27, 2021.
Participation:
Royal Navy was represented by its aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, with her integral F35 fighter aircraft and helicopters, the Type 45 Daring Class air-defence destroyer HMS Defender, the Type 23 frigate HMS Richmond, a Royal Fleet Auxiliary Fort Victoria, and a Royal Netherland Navy Frigate HNLMS Evertsen.
The Indian Navy (IN) was represented by three of its indigenously built stealth guided missile destroyers INS Kolkata, INS Kochi and INS Chennai, two stealth frigates, INS Talwar and INS Teg, and the tanker INS Aditya.
IN also participated with integral Sea King 42B, Kamov-31 and Chetak helicopters, MIG 29K fighter aircraft, Dornier and P8i (maritime patrol aircraft) and a submarine.
Exercise:
The exercise at sea featured advanced warfare tactics, Anti-Submarine Warfare exercises, over-the-horizon targeting drills, Air Defence Exercise, Cross Deck landings and other complex manoeuvers at sea.
The joint phase of the exercise also included air-tactical operations involving F35Bs, MiG 29Ks and Indian Air Force elements.
Aim:
The tri-service exercise KONKAN SHAKTI aims to derive mutual benefits from each other’s experiences and also showcase the continuing cooperation between the two countries.
Important Day
75th Infantry Day
⇒ The 75th Infantry Day to commemorate the contributions of Infantry, the largest fighting arm of the Indian Army was celebrated on 27 October 2021.
Background:
This day has a unique significance for the Nation, as it was on this day in 1947 that Infantrymen from Indian Army, led by 1 SIKH, landed at Srinagar Airfield and saved the State of J&K from a ruthless and treacherous Pakistani invasion.