VIF Information Alerts - 29 November 2019

First international liaison officer posted to IFC-IOR
Published: The New Indian Express

29 Nov 2019

The first international liaison officer with a mandate to oversee the functioning of the Information Fusion Centre-Indian Ocean Region has begun his work giving a push to the Indian initiative to engage friendly foreign countries in meeting maritime challenges. The foreign naval officer reported at the Centre in Gurugram, Haryana, in September.Click here to read... [2]

After Trump’s visit, Taliban says ready to resume peace talks
Published: The Hindu

29 Nov 2019

The Taliban said on Friday they were ready to restart peace talks with the United States, a day after President Donald Trump made a surprise visit to U.S. troops in Afghanistan and said he believed the radical group would agree to a ceasefire.
Trump's Thanksgiving Day visit was his first to Afghanistan since becoming president and came a week after a prisoner swap between Washington and Kabul that has raised hopes for a long elusive peace deal to end the 18-year-long war.Click here to read... [3]

Defence ministry to seek Cabinet nod for prototype of desi stealth jet
Published: The Economic Times

29 Nov 2019

With the IAF now fully backing the indigenous development of a fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA), it’s all systems go for the desi stealth jet. The defence establishment plans to seek the Cabinet Committee on Security’s approval for the detailed design and prototype development of the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) by early next year.
The twin-engine AMCA will basically combine advanced stealth, supercruise (the capability to achieve supersonic cruise speeds without the use of afterburners), super-manoeuverability, data fusion and multi-sensor integration with AESA (active electronically scanned array) radars.Click here to read... [4]

Maldives ex-President jailed for corruption, money laundering
Published: The Tribune

29 Nov 2019

Former Maldives president Abdulla Yameen was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison for money laundering today. Dozens of his supporters gathered outside the courtroom saying he was innocent.
Yameen, who ran the Maldives with an iron hand for five years, unexpectedly lost an election last year and has since faced investigations over a number of deals sealed during his tenure.Click here to read... [5]

Pakistan army chief granted right to stay on after constitutional stand-off
Published: The Telegraph

28 Nov 2019

Pakistan’s army chief, arguably the most powerful figure in the nation, will serve at least another six months after the Supreme Court backed down from a high-stakes attempt to limit his influence.
The extension paves the way for a potential further three-year term for the chief of army staff in a country where military leaders often run over their allotted time but no prime minister has reached the end of their term.Click here to read... [6]

Defence Ministry approves procurement of military platforms and weapons worth Rs 22,800 crore
Published: The Economic Times

28 Nov 2019

The Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday approved procurements worth more than Rs 22,800 crore for the defence services which includes airborne warning aircraft, anti-submarine P8i aircraft and thermal imaging sights for assault rifles.Click here to read... [7]