DEFENCE

• MoD releases draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020.
• MoD signs tripartite MoU with IIT Kanpur and Deptt of ARPG to conduct predictive analysis of public grievances.
• MoD's big push to Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative; Import embargo on 101 items beyond given timelines to boost indigenisation of defence production.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches modernization/ up-gradation of facilities and new infrastructure creation of Defence PSUs and OFB
• DAC approves procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore, including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for IAF.
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh Launches Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO).
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches 15 products developed by Defence PSUs and OFB
• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches Indigenisation portal SRIJAN.

International Terrorism

Africa

Somalia

• 10 people were killed in conflict between al-Shabaab and residents;
• Eight Somali soldiers martyred in a suicide bombing in Mogadishu.

Afghanistan

• LeT & JeM are symbolically linked with AQ and IS, said Afghan Foreign Minister;
• Three Indian-origin IS terrorists killed in a prison attack in Nangarhar.

Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir

• ISI and JeM conspired Pulwama attack, claimed NIA;
• HM commander killed in Pulwama;
• Security forces arrested a HM terrorist and four OGWs from Kupwara.

Left-Wing Extremism

• Security forces busted 4 Maoists camps in Odisha;
• 12 Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh;
• Security forces killed four Maoists in Chhattisgarh;

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

• UK government does not support Khalistan propaganda, said BSA Chairman.

Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

• US Congressman introduced NIST COVID-19 Cybersecurity Act.

Defence

MoD releases draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020

Ministry of Defence (MoD) has formulated a draft Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy 2020 (DPEPP 2020). The DPEPP 2020 is envisaged as overarching guiding document of MoD to provide a focused, structured and significant thrust to defence production capabilities of the country for self-reliance and exports.

The policy has laid out following goals and objectives:

1. To achieve a turnover of Rs 1,75,000 Crores (US$ 25Bn) including export of Rs 35,000 Crore (US$ 5 Billion) in Aerospace and Defence goods and services by 2025.
2. To develop a dynamic, robust and competitive Defence industry, including Aerospace and Naval Shipbuilding industry to cater to the needs of Armed forces with quality products.
3. To reduce dependence on imports and take forward "Make in India" initiatives through domestic design and development.
4. To promote export of defence products and become part of the global defence value chains.
5. To create an environment that encourages R&D, rewards innovation, creates Indian IP ownership and promotes a robust and self-reliant defence industry.

The Policy brings out multiple strategies under the following focus areas:

1. Procurement Reforms
2. Indigenization & Support to MSMEs/Startups
3. Optimize Resource Allocation
4. Investment Promotion, FDI & Ease of Doing Business
5. Innovation and R&D
6. DPSUs and OFB
7. Quality Assurance & Testing Infrastructure
8. Export Promotion

The draft DPEPP 2020 can be accessed at https://ddpmod.gov.in/dpepp and https://www.makeinindiadefence.gov.in/admin/webroot/writereaddata...
Click here to read...

MoD signs tripartite MoU with IIT Kanpur and Deptt of ARPG to conduct predictive analysis of public grievances

A Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed today between Department of Defence (DoD) Ministry of Defence (MoD), Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) and Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur (IITK). The MoU envisages IIT Kanpur to develop Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Techniques to conduct exploratory and predictive analysis of Public Grievances received on the web based Centralized Public Grievances Redress & Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) pertaining to the MoD. The DARPG, the nodal Department of Government of India in respect of policy initiatives on Public Grievances and custodian of data on web based CPGRAMS portal will provide the data dump on the Public Grievances pertaining to MoD to IIT Kanpur to facilitate their analysis.The project is expected to help the MoD to identify the cause and nature of grievances and bring about systemic changes and policy interventions wherever required. Click here to read...

MoD's big push to Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative; Import embargo on 101 items beyond given timelines to boost indigenisation of defence production

The Department of Military Affairs (DMA), Ministry of Defence (MoD) has prepared a list of 101 items for which there would be an embargo on the import beyond a certain timeline. The list is prepared by MoD after several rounds of consultations with all stakeholders, including Army, Air Force, Navy, DRDO, Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and private industry to assess current and future capabilities of the Indian industry for manufacturing various ammunition/weapons/platforms/equipment within India.

Almost 260 schemes of such items were contracted by the Tri-Services at an approximate cost of Rs 3.5 lakh crore between April 2015 and August 2020. With latest embargo on import of 101 items, it is estimated that contracts worth almost Rs four lakh crore will be placed upon the domestic industry within the next five to seven years. Of these, items worth almost Rs 1,30,000 crore each are anticipated for the Army and the Air Force while items worth almost Rs 1,40,000 crore are anticipated by the Navy over the same period.

The list of 101 embargoed items comprises of not just simple parts but also some high technology weapon systems like artillery guns, assault rifles, corvettes, sonar systems, transport aircrafts, light combat helicopters (LCHs), radars and many other items to fulfil the needs of our Defence Services. The list also includes, wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFVs) with indicative import embargo date of December 2021, of which the Army is expected to contract almost 200 at an approximate cost of over Rs 5,000 crore. Similarly, the Navy is likely to place demands for submarines with indicative import embargo date of December 2021, of which it expects to contract about six at an approximate cost of almost Rs 42,000 crore. For the Air Force, it is decided to enlist the light combat aircraft LCA MK 1A with an indicative embargo date of December 2020. Of these, 123 are anticipated at an approximate cost of over Rs 85,000 crore. Click here to read...

RakshaMantri launches modernization/ up-gradation of facilities and new infrastructure creation of Defence PSUs and OFB

Pinaka Rocket Complex at Ordnance Factory Chanda has launched Upgradation of facilities to meet the enhanced requirement of Pinaka and other rockets as well as the Assembly and testing facility for SRCG at OF, Trichy all of which are critical requirements towards defence preparedness. Modernization of facilities at OLF Dehradun will serve the purpose of manufacturing of high-end Optoelectronic products for T-90 Tanks.

BEL has launched fully indigenized Maareech Integration facility for manufacturing, integration and testing of Anti Torpedo Defence System Maareech which has been designed by DRDO. HAL has handed over the 500th AL-31FP overhauled engine to the IAF which are mounted on its most lethal frontline fighter aircraft Su-30MKI. It has been done by the Koraput Division of HAK. BEML has set up Industrial Design Centre at Bengaluru as part of its new infrastructure creation. The Centre is first of its kind in India, focusing on implementing factors of Industrial Design & Human Factors as a part of developmental strategies for setting the global benchmarking in Industrial Design and Ergonomics in Products. It is proposed to develop this facility further as a national facility and would be offered to the industry in the next stage.

Under modernisation of facilities, GRSE has enhanced the capability at its Raja Bagan Dockyard to meet the production requirement for the ongoing prestigious P17A project.

New infrastructure has been created in the defence sector in the shape of foundation laying of Seeker Facility Center (SFC) at BDL, a new modular facility for manufacturing of Missile System (RF Seeker) that will reduce import dependence for seekers and Foundation Laying for Warheads Production Facility at BDL for manufacturing and testing of indigenously developed warheads required for Konkurs-M, Invar, Akash, Astra missiles etc. The facility being modular will cater to all futuristic missile warheads with incremental modifications.

A new state of art Steel Preparation Shop (SPS) at GSL has been inaugurated today that will enable indigenous construction of high technology Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) hull MCMVs along with other supporting infrastructure for the country. Click here to read...

DAC approves procurement proposals worth Rs 8,722.38 crore, including 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft for IAF

With Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) having successfully developed Basic Trainer Aircraft (HTT-40) Prototypes and certification process underway, the DAC approved procurement of 106 Basic Trainer Aircraft to address the basic training requirements of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Post Certification 70 Basic Trainer Aircraft will be initially procured from HAL and balance 36 after operationalisation of HTT-40 fleet in IAF.

To improve the fire power of Indian Navy, the DAC approved procurement of an upgraded version of Super Rapid Gun Mount (SRGM) which is fitted as the main gun onboard Navy and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) warships from Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL). The DAC also approved procurement of 125 mm APFSDS (Armour Piercing Fin Stabilized Discarding Sabot) ammunition for Indian Army as a ‘Design and Development Case’. The ammunition being procured will have a 70 per cent indigenous content. The DAC also gave approvals that are likely to speed up the procurement of AK 203 and Unmanned Aerial Vehicle upgrades. Click here to read...

Raksha Mantri Launches Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO)

Raksha Mantri launched the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO) through an online webinar. The NIIO puts in place dedicated structures for the end users to interact with academia and industry towards fostering innovation and indigenisation for self-reliance in defence in keeping with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

The NIIO is a three-tiered organisation. Naval Technology Acceleration Council (N-TAC) will bring together the twin aspects of innovation and indigenisation and provide apex level directives. A working group under the N-TAC will implement the projects. A Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC) has also been created for induction of emerging disruptive technology in an accelerated time frame. Click here to read...

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launches 15 products developed by Defence PSUs and OFB

Raksha Mantri launched here today four products each by OFB and BEML, two by BEL and one each by HAL, BDL, MDL, GRSE and GSL. Click here to read...

Raksha Mantri launches Indigenisation portal SRIJAN

Raksha Mantri launched Department of Defence Production, MoD’s portal SRIJAN which is a ‘one stop shop online portal that provides access tothe vendors to take up items that can be taken up for indigenization.Commending DDP for creating SRIJAN portal, Shri Singh said this will help industry partners to play active role in the goal of self-reliance in defence sector. Department of Defence Production, MoD has developed an indigenization portal, srijandefence.gov.in, as “opportunities for Make in India in Defence”, which will give information on items that can be taken up for indigenization by the private sector. On this portal, DPSUs/OFB/SHQs can display their items which they have been importing or are going to import which the Indian Industry can design, develop and manufacture as per their capability or through joint venture with OEMs. The Indian Industry will be able to show their interest. The concerned DPSUs/OFB/SHQs, based on their requirement of the items and their guidelines & procedures will interact with the Indian industry for indigenization.The portal displays information in a structured way, which includes the item name, image and specification, values of imports, NATO Classification (indicative), etc. It also has a search facility.

International Terrorism

Africa

Somalia

10 people were killed in conflict between al-Shabaab and residents

On 12 August, al-Shabaab terrorists tried to impose taxes on the residents of Shabellow village but confronted by the armed villagers. At least 10 people and six al-Shabaab terrorists were killed in a gun-battle between al-Shabaab terrorists and villagers. Al-Shabaab killed eight civilians, including women and children, said Mohamed Ibrahim—Head of the village. Click here to read...

Eight Somali soldiers martyred in a suicide bombing in Mogadishu

At least eight Somali soldiers were martyred, and 15 civilians were injured in a suicide bombing on 08 August, at the front gate of Somali military base in Mogadishu. “A suicide bomber driving an explosive-laden vehicle sped toward the front gate of the camp, but the guards opened fire to stop it before it detonated,” said Aden Mohamed, a police officer. Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility of the attack. Click here to read...

Afghanistan

LeT&JeM are symbolically linked with AQ and IS, said Afghan Foreign Minister

Addressing a virtual event at Hoover Institution on 07 August, Afghanistan’s Foreign Minister—Mohammed Haneef Atmar has said that Pakistan-based terrorist groups—Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) have symbolic ties with transnational terrorist organisations—al-Qaeda and Islamic State (IS); and collectively posing threat to the region. There are 4 groups of transnational terror networks which includes Afghanistan based Taliban as a first network, second network consists of regional terrorist groups such as Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU), East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM), the third network is of Pakistani terrorist groups such as LeT, TTP and JeM, and fourth is of transnational terrorist groups such as al Qaeda and IS, said Minister Atmar. Collectively, all these groups benefit from narcotics and organised crime; and pose a serious national security threat, to the region and the world. Click here to read...

Three Indian-origin IS terrorists killed in a prison attack in Nangarhar

In a failed attempt to release Islamic State (IS) prisoners held at a prison in Jalalabad in Nangarhar province, 11 IS terrorists stormed the prison on 03 August, and got killed in gun-battle with the Afghan security forces. Among 11 IS terrorists, three of them were of Indian-origin, including Kerala resident—Dr Ijaz Kallukettiya Purayil. On condition of anonymity, people connected to the development has confirmed that all three Indian-origin IS terrorists had travelled to Afghanistan to join IS in 2016 as a part of 22-member Kasargod module led by Abdul Rashid Abdulla.

Islamic State-Khorasan Province (IS-KP)’s media wing released a 20-minute audio message in which group’s spokesman—Sultan Aziz Azzam claimed the attack. Click here to read...

Domestic Terrorism

Jammu and Kashmir

ISI and JeM conspired Pulwama attack, claimed NIA

In its charge-sheet in Pulwama attack, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) stated that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and its proxy-terror group—Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) had planned and executed the Pulwama attack in February 2019 in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel attained Veergati(fell in the battle). In charge-sheet, NIA claimed that Pakistan used Adil Ahmad Dar—who carried out VBIED (Vehicle-Borne Improvised Explosive Device) attack on the convoy of the CRPF. Click here to read...

HM commander killed in Pulwama

On 12 August, security forces eliminated Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) commander—Azaad Lalhari in a gun-battle which took place in Kamrazipura area of Pulwama district. “Azaad Lalhari was involved in the killing of police head constable Anoop Singh on 22 May 2020 at Prichu Pulwahma where he fired at a Naka party,” said Director-General of Police (DGP) Dilbag Singh. Click here to read...

Security forces arrested a HM terrorist and four OGWs from Kupwara

On 10 August, joint team of 28 Battalion of Indian Army’s Rashtriya Rifle, 162 Battalion of CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and Kupwara police carried out an operation and arrested a Hizbul-Mujahideen (HM) terrorist—Parvaiz Ahmed Bhat, and four Over Ground Workers (OGWs)—Altaf Ahmad Mir, Ghulam Mohammad Kohli, Nizam Din Gujjar, and Abdul Qayoom Gujjar, from Kupwara district. Incriminating materials, arms and ammunition including a pistol, 60 AK-47 rounds, two pistol magazines, 12 pistol rounds and a pouch were recovered from their possession. Also, a AK-47 rifle and a Chinese pistol with magazines were recovered from the possession of HM terrorist—Bhat. Click here to read...

Left-Wing Extremism

Security forces busted 4 Maoists camps in Odisha.

The joint team of Odisha police’s Special Operations Group (SOG) and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) on 09 August cracked down four Maoists camps after a gun-battle in the Gandhamardhan reserve forest in Bargarh district. During the combing operation in the forest, security forces spotted a group of 10-15 Maoists, who started firing on the security personnel. This led to the exchange of fire between security forces and Maoists, said Superintendent of Police (SP) Bargarh—PadminiSahoo. Click here to read...

12 Maoists surrendered in Chhattisgarh

On 09 August, 12 Maoists surrendered before police and CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) personnel in Dantewada after they were found disappoint in the hollow Maoist ideology and got impressed with the rehabilitation programme run by the police. Five of them were collectively carrying reward of ₹ 6 lakh on their heads. Click here to read...

Security forces killed four Maoists in Chhattisgarh

On 12 August, joint teams of the District Reserve Guard (DRG), Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), and CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) launched an anti-Naxal operation in which four Maoists were killed in the forest near Phulampar village in Sukma district in Chhattisgarh. Post-operation, security forces recovered a .303 rifle, huge cache of country-made weapons and explosives, said the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Bastar Range—Sundarraj P. Click here to read...

Khalistan-inspired Extremism

UK government does not support Khalistan propaganda, said BSA Chairman

The Chairman of the British Sikh Association (BSA) and businessman—Lord Rami Ranger has said that the United Kingdom (UK) government led by PM Boris Johnson does not support Khalistan movement/propaganda or any activity against India. Lord Ranger informed PM Johnson that many pro-Khalistan organisations (based in UK) are working for Khalistan agenda. Categorically, “PM Johnson assured me that the British government does not support such organisations or anything against India”, said Lord Ranger. Click here to read...

Cyber & Artificial Intelligence (Security Perspective)

US Congressman introduced NIST COVID-19 Cybersecurity Act

The United States (US) Congressman Andy Barr introduced a legislation—The NIST COVID-19 Cyber-Security Act, which instructs the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to produce standards for mitigating and protecting the COVID-19 research carried-out at US universities against cyber-attacks. The incidents of recent state-sponsored cyber-attacks from the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) targeted universities and organisations conducting key research on COVID-19 vaccines, said Congressman Frank Lucas—serving as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. Click here to read...