Bold Kurukshetra exercise concludes in Jodhpur

• The armies of India and Singapore participated in the 13th edition of Bold Kurukshetra exercise, a bilateral armour exercise at Jodhpur Military Station.

• Bold Kurukshetra exercise is conducted under the ambit of the bilateral arrangement for the joint army training and exercises between the Indian Army and Singapore Army. 

• First conducted in 2005, this exercise underscores the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between both countries and enhances cooperation between the two armies. 

• Both defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level visits, policy dialogues, courses and other professional exchanges.

• For the first time in the exercise series, both armies participated in a command post exercise, which involved battalion and brigade level planning elements and computer wargaming. 

• Hosted by the Indian Army, the exercise involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and an Armoured Brigade of the  Indian Army.

• The ten-day long joint training that commenced on March 5 fostered common understanding of mechanised warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing interoperability through a computer simulation-based wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post. 

• Both contingents not only learnt about each other’s operating drills and procedure, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in a modern combat zone.

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DRDO conducts two successful flight tests of VSHORADS missile

• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two consecutive successful flight tests of Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) missile at Chandipur off the coast of Odisha.

• The flight tests were carried out from a ground-based man portable launcher against high speed unmanned aerial targets, mimicking approaching and receding aircraft. The targets were successfully intercepted, meeting all mission objectives.

• VSHORADS is a man portable air defence system (MANPAD) meant for neutralising low altitude aerial threats at short ranges. 

• It has been designed and developed indigenously by Research Centre Imarat, Hyderabad in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Indian industry partners. 

• The missile incorporates many novel technologies including Dual-band IR Seeker, miniaturised reaction control system and integrated avionics. The propulsion is provided by a dual thrust solid motor.

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Successful flight-test of DRDO's power take off shaft conducted on LCA Tejas

• A successful flight-test of power take off (PTO) shaft was conducted on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Bengaluru. The PTO is a critical equipment that transmits power from aircraft engine to gearbox.

• With this successful test, the DRDO has achieved a greater technological feat by realisation of complex high-speed rotor technology which only few countries have achieved..

• The maiden successful flight-test of PTO shaft was conducted on LCA Tejas Limited Series Production (LSP)-3 aircraft.

• The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by Chennai-based Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• The PTO shaft will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft and their variants and offers competitive cost and reduced time of availability.

• The light weight, high speed, lubrication free PTO shaft transmits higher power between aircraft engine gearbox and aircraft mounted accessory gearbox while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line.

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PM Modi inaugurates longest railway platform in Hubballi

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated to the nation the “longest railway platform in the world” at Shree Siddharoodha Swamiji Hubballi Station in Karnataka.

• The 1,507 m long platform has been built at a cost of about Rs 20 crore.

• According to South Western Railways, it is also the world’s longest platform and the record has been recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records.

• Gorakhpur platform in Uttar Pradesh is the second longest in India with 1,366.33 meters and Kollam Junction in Kerala has the third longest platform with 1,180.5 meters.

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Li Qiang named as China’s new Premier

• China’s Parliament confirmed President Xi Jinping’s trusted ally Li Qiang as the new Premier.

• Li Qiang, 63, succeeds Li Keqiang, 67, who held the post for the last 10 years.

• The annual session of the National People’s Congress (NPC), a largely ceremonial body which routinely passes the proposals of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), approved Li Qiang’s candidature after his name was proposed by Xi himself.

• Li Qiang, stated to be a pro-business politician in Xi’s inner circle, will be the number two ranked official of the CPC and the government after Xi.

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INS Sahyadri participates in maritime exercise with French Navy

• Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri joined two frontline warships of France in carrying out a two-day Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) in the Arabian Sea.

• The exercise witnessed a wide spectrum of drills at sea including cross deck landings, boarding exercises and seamanship evolutions.

• The French Navy deployed Mistral class amphibious assault ship FS Dixmude and La Fayette class frigate FS La Fayette in the exercise.

• INS Sahyadri is fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors, which makes her capable of detecting and neutralising air, surface and sub-surface threats.

• The ship is a part of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam. 

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