Indo-Russia Bilateral Air Force Exercise Avia-Indra I ,Joint Military Exercise Hand-In-Hand 2014 Culminates

An eighteen member Russian Air Force team at Air Force Station Halwara in Punjab is participating in Phase II of the Indo-Russian bilateral exercise‘AVIA – INDRA I’. The Russian delegation headed by Major General Lyapkin Alexander N consists of Fighter and Helicopter aircrew among other members. Russian aircrew have flown IAF Su-30 MKI, Mi-35 & Mi-17 along with our aircrew. Earlier, members of the Russian delegation visited Bengaluru, where they were exposed to indigenous projects such as Light Combat Aircraft (Tejas), Light Combat Helicopter and Advance Light Helicopter (Dhruv). Today, the media witnessed ‘air to ground’ firing by aircraft and helicopters jointly flown by pilots of Indian Air Force (IAF) and Russian Federation Air Force (RFAF) at Sidhwan Khas range near Halwara. The joint exercise will further strengthen the relations between the two Air Forces taking forward the India – Russia strategic partnership. The Russian team will be in India till 28 November 14. Union Culture and Tourism Minister Dr Mahesh Sharma has expressed deep sorrow over the passing away of Kathak legend Sitara Devi who passed away in Mumbai today. In his condolence message, the Minister has said that passing away of Sitara Devi is a great loss to the Indian classical dance. She was a cultural icon of the country who devoted her entire life to Kathak and was instrumental in popularising the dance world over. She made a significant contribution towards reviving Kathak and ensuring its elevation to a dignified status. In her departure, we have lost a distinguished cultural figure whose absence will be felt by one and all, the Minister added. Joint Military Exercise Hand-In-Hand 2014 Culminates                                                                                                 The fourth India China Joint Training Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2014 culminated on   25 November 2014 after a Joint Tactical Exercise and a closing ceremony held at Aundh Military Camp, Pune. Twelve days of joint training included understanding of transnational terrorism, developing interoperability and conduct of a joint tactical operation controlled by a Joint Command Post.             Lt General Ashok Singh, Army Commander, Southern Command of the Indian Army and Lt General Zhou Xiaozhou, Chief of Staff, Chengdu Military Command, People’s Liberation Army of China witnessed a Joint Tactical Exercise conducted at College of Military Engineering, Pune, on 25 Nov. The exercise involved insertion of troops by slithering from helicopters and destroying a terrorist hide out. It demonstrated the commitment of both Armies in working closely with each other to eradicate the menace of terrorism in all its forms.             Later, Lt General K Surendranath, Chief of Staff of Southern Command of Indian Army & Lt General Zhou Xiaozhou, Chief of Staff, Chengdu Military Command, People’s Liberation Army of China jointly reviewed the parade commanded by Colonel MS Khan,  Commanding Officer of the 9 Rajputana Rifles.  Fly past by Sukhoi-30 aircrafts added colour to the impressive parade displayed by the joint contingent. Co-Opting Private Sector in Production of Defence Equipment The Defence Production Policy, 2011 aims at achieving substantive self-reliance in the design, development and production of equipment/weapon systems/platforms required for defence in as early a time frame as possible; creating conditions conducive for the private industry to take an active role in this endeavour; enhancing potential of SMEs in indigenisation and broadening the defence R&D base of the country. In pursuance of the Defence Production Policy 2011, the Government has taken the following major steps to promote the participation of private sector in the indigenous production of Defence equipment; • Technology perspective and Capability Roadmap, which gives out the details of the equipment and technologies required by our Armed Forces, has been put in public domain to provide the industry an overview of the direction in which the Armed Forces intend to head in terms of capability in future. • Preference to ‘Buy (Indian)’, ‘Buy & Make (Indian)’ ‘Make’ categories of acquisition over ‘Buy (Global)’ category, thereby giving preference to Indian industry in procurement. • The procedure for ‘Buy and Make (Indian)’ category has been further simplified in order to make the category more attractive for Indian Defence Industry. • A clear definition of indigenous content has been provided which would not only bring more clarity on the indigenous content required for difference categorization but also enhance the indigenisation in defence products in India. • Indian private sector industry has also been allowed to receive Maintenance Transfer of Technology (MToT) in ‘Buy (Global)’ cases. • FDI policy in Defence sector has been reviewed and as per the new policy, composite foreign investment up to 49% has been allowed through FIPB route and beyond 49% with the approval of Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). • Defence Products Lists for the purpose of industrial licensing has been revised and in the revised list most of the components /parts / raw materials have been taken out of the purview of industrial licensing. • Defence Export Strategy has been formulated and put in public domain. The Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for issuing NOC for export of military stores has been simplified and made online.