29-Dec-2021: Indian Army Establishes Quantum Laboratory at Mhow (MP)
The Indian Army is making steady, yet significant strides in the field of emerging technology domains. The Army, with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has recently established the Quantum Lab at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow (MP) MCTE to spearhead research and training in this key developing field. Gen MM Naravane, the Chief of Army Staff was briefed on the facility during his recent visit to Mhow.
Indian Army has also established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the same institution with over 140 deployments in forward areas and active support of industry and academia. Training on cyber warfare is being imparted through a state of art cyber range, and cyber security labs. Ideation for Army's involvement in Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations was done in a seminar on Electromagnetic Spectrum and National Security organised in October last year. Since then, an impetus has been given to Indian Army’s Technology Institutions for investing in AI, Quantum and Cyber.
Research undertaken by Indian Army in the field of Quantum Technology will help leapfrog into next generation communication and transform the current system of cryptography in the Indian Armed Forces to Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Key thrust areas are Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing and Post Quantum Cryptography
By undertaking a multi-stakeholder approach incorporating Academia (such as IITs), DRDO organisations, Research Institutes, Corporate firms, Startups and Industry players, this initiative is an apt example of Civil Military fusion with Atmanirbhar Bharat a key driving factor. Requisite timelines based objectives with adequate funding have been worked out for projects and progressive fielding of solutions in Indian Army is expected on a fast track basis.
24-Dec-2021: Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM assumed charge as Director General, Project Seabird
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM assumed charge as Director General, Project Seabird/ IHQ MoD (Navy) from Vice Admiral Puneet K Bahl, AVSM, VSM on 24 Dec 21.
Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti was Commanding Eastern Fleet prior assuming his present appointment and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jul 1988. He is an alumnus of the 72nd Course, National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla, and was awarded the President’s Gold Medal on passing out. He was the recipient of the ‘Binoculars’ during Sea Cadet Training, Sword of Honour during Midshipmen training and Adm RD Katari Trophy for standing first during Sub Lt Courses. The Flag Officer is a Navigation and Direction specialist, where he stood first in the Course and was adjudged the Best All-round Trainee.
He has undergone the Command and Staff Course from France during 2002-2003 and the Naval Higher Command Course in 2009-2010, where he has awarded the CNS Gold Medal for Best Op Paper.
His afloat appointments include Navigating Officer of INS Kirpan, commissioning Navigating Officer of INS Mysore, Direction Officer, INS Viraat and Executive Officer, INS Delhi. The Flag Officer has commanded INS Nishank, INS Kora and was the commissioning CO of INS Kolkata.
His other important staff appointments include Instructor, Project-15 Training Team, Joint Director of Staff Requirements and Joint Director of Personnel at Naval Headquarters and Captain Work Up at Local Workup Team (East), the Naval Attaché at the Embassy of India, Moscow Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala.
24-Jun-2021: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh reviews development works at Karwar Naval Base under ‘Project Seabird’
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh visited the Karwar Naval Base in Karnataka on June 24, 2021 to review the progress of ongoing infrastructure development under ‘Project Seabird’. Accompanied by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh, Shri Rajnath Singh undertook an aerial survey of the Project Area and Sites before arriving at the INS Kadamba Heli Pad. The visiting dignitaries were received by Flag Officer Commanding in Chief, Western Naval Command Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar and Flag Officer Commanding Karnataka Naval Area, Rear Admiral Mahesh Singh.
The Raksha Mantri inspected the ongoing works at the Naval Base and received on-site briefings including capability demonstration at the Shiplift Tower. He also undertook a tour of the Naval Harbour and reviewed the marine works/infrastructure being developed as part of Project Seabird Phase II A as also operationalisation of Piers. Shri Rajnath Singh visited the newly-constructed Sailors Married Accommodation which incorporates advanced features for water efficiency, handling of house-hold waste, energy efficiency and provides environment-friendly houses.
Shri Rajnath Singh interacted with Project Seabird Contactors & Engineers and Officers, Sailors & Civilians of Karwar Naval Base. In his address, he expressed satisfaction at the progress of works being carried out under ‘Project Seabird’. He hoped that after the completion of the project, the Kawar Naval Base would become Asia's largest Naval base which would further bolster the operational readiness of the Armed Forces and help in augmenting trade, economy & humanitarian aid operations.
The Raksha Mantri complimented the Indian Navy for being a strong arm of the Armed Forces that is making an invaluable contribution towards maritime and national security, besides strengthening India's position at the strategic as well as diplomatic & commercial levels. He stated that the Navy is successfully discharging its duties of protecting the country, which through its coastline of more than 7,500 kms, about 1,300 islands and an exclusive economic zone of 2.5 million sq kms, is playing a crucial role in the development of the world. Shri Rajnath Singh added that the Navy is continuously strengthening India’s relations with its maritime neighbours with focus on 'SAGAR' (Security & Growth for All in Region) envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He also praised the role of Indian Navy during Goa Liberation War of 1961 and the 1971 Indo-Pak war among others.
Shri Rajnath Singh lauded the efforts of Indian Navy for providing humanitarian assistance to not just the country, but the world, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. “From rescuing stranded Indian nationals from affected countries to ferrying in critical equipment, including oxygen cylinders, from abroad, Indian Navy has worked tirelessly in the fight against COVID-19. It also extended assistance to various countries,” he said.
The Raksha Mantri also highlighted some of the reforms undertaken by the Government to further strengthen the operational preparedness of the Armed Forces, including appointment of Chief of Defence Staff and setting up of Department of Military Affairs in Ministry of Defence. He also listed out a number of initiatives taken by the Government to promote self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The initiatives include allocation of 64 per cent of modernisation funds under capital acquisition budget for 2021-22 for domestic procurement; changes in Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020 and increase in FDI limit in the defence sector to 74 per cent.
On the efforts to boost self-reliance in Indian Navy, Shri Rajnath Singh said more than two-thirds of Navy's modernisation budget has been spent on indigenous procurement in the last five financial years. Lauding Navy’s commitment towards ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’, he stated that out of the 48 ships and submarines, 46 are being inducted through indigenous construction. The Raksha Mantri described Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant as a shining example of Navy's self-reliance efforts. He said the commissioning of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant will be a momentous occasion in the history of Indian defence as it is coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. He expressed confidence that Indian Navy will become one of the top three Navies in the world in the coming years and continue to play a crucial role in protecting the nation.
13-Nov-2021: Multicopter DRONE design & developed by National Aerospace Laboratories- NAL has successfully demonstrated Covid-19 Vaccine delivery at remote location in outskirts of Bengaluru
National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) a constituent of CSIR, India has developed indigenous, medium class BVLOS multi-copter UAV. The UAV is made out of light weight carbon fiber foldable structure for ease of transportation and has unique features like autonomous guidance through dual redundant MEMS based digital Autopilot with advanced flight instrumentation systems. Ministry of Civil Aviation, Govt. of India has granted conditional permission to CSIR-NAL for conducting BVLOS flight trials on 13th sept 2021.
NAL’s octacopter can carry a payload of 15 kg with hovering endurance of 40 minutes. It can fly at an operational altitude of 500 m AGL and at maximum flying speed of 36 kmph. Its regulatory compliance includes DGCA-NPNT, Geo fencing and digital sky with 360 degree Collison avoidance making it one of the best UAV in its class. Octacopter developed by NAL can be used for variety of BVLOS applications for last mile delivery like medicines, vaccines, food, postal packets, Human organ’s etc. NAL Octacopter is integrated with Powerful on board embedded computer and latest generation sensors for versatile applications like agricultural pesticide spraying, crop monitoring, mining survey, magnetic geo survey mapping etc.
CSIR-NAL has teamed with Department of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of Karnataka for aerial delivery of covid-19 vaccine’s in remote area. The Octacopter has successfully delivered 50 vials of Covid-19 vaccines along with syringes in a special container from Chandapura PHC to Haragadde PHC on 13th November 2021. CSIR-NAL’s octacopter took off at 9.43 am from Chandapura PHC carried covid-19 vaccines and delivered to Haragadde PHC at 9.53 am. Octacopter flown at an altitude of 300m AGL at a speed of 10m/sec and covered an aerial distance of about 7 kms in about 10 minutes. After delivery of vaccines at Haragadde the Octacopter returned back to Chandapura PHC. The entire mission has covered distance of about 14 km in 20 mins including delivery of vaccines. Medical Officer Dr Manisha has told correspondent that usually it takes about 30-40 minutes to deliver vaccines to Haragadde from Chandapura by road. The Doctors at PHCs were delighted to witness the demonstration of the fast and safe aerial delivery of vaccines.
Dr Srinivas, DHO, Dr. Vinay, THO and Dr. Nalini, AMO, General Hospital, Anekal expressed their happiness and complimented the great initiative of CSIR-NAL towards the societal cause and extended support to continue the joint initiative to farthermost remote places in the coming days.
Dr. P V Satyanarayana Murthy, Head UAV, CSIR-NAL while congratulating his team has said that the Octacopter for delivery of vaccines is a need of the hour of the country for a much deeper penetration of vaccines in the remote areas. NAL octacopter is perfectly designed for such a mission with easy to operate by unskilled operators. NAL has already tied up with private firms for drone manufacturing and offering operational services.
11-May-2020: CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bengaluru develop BiPAP Non Invasive Ventilator “Swasth Vayu” in 36 Days for COVID -19.
CSIR - National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) Bangalore, a constituent of lab of CSIR has developed a Non Invasive BiPAP Ventilator in a record time of 36 days to treat COVID-19 patients. BiPAP Non-Invasive ventilator is a microcontroller-based precise closed-loop adaptive control system with a built-in biocompatible “3D printed manifold & coupler” with HEPA filter (Highly Efficient Particulate Air Filter). These unique features help to alleviate the fear of the virus spread. It has features like Spontaneous, CPAP, Timed, AUTO BIPAP modes with provision to connect Oxygen concentrator or Enrichment unit externally. The system has been certified for safety and performance by NABL accredited agencies. The system has undergone stringent biomedical tests and beta clinical trials at NAL Health Centre.
The major advantage of this machine is that it is simple to use without any specialized nursing, cost effective, compact and configured with majority of indigenous components. This is ideal for treating COVID -19 patients in Wards, Make shift Hospitals, dispensaries and home in current Indian COVID 19 scenario. CSIR-NAL is in process of taking it forward with the regulatory authorities for the approval and expected to get shortly. CSIR-NAL has already initiated dialogue with major public/private industries as a partner for mass production.
DG CSIR, Dr Shekhar C Mande, complemented CSIR NAL team which has enabled a spin-off technology based on its expertise in the aerospace design domain. He also recalled the contribution of CSIR-NAL in the flight of indigenously developed Hansa-3, on May 11th in 1998, which is one of the achievements that is also celebrated on National Technology Day.
Director CSIR-NAL, Shri Jitendra J. Jadhav stated that based on global experience and specific inputs from pulmonologists in India and abroad, CSIR-NAL developed BIPAP Non Invasive Ventilator with externally connected Oxygen concentrator which will be ideal to treat moderate or mid-stage severe COVID-19 patients who do not require intubation and invasive ventilation.
The success is the culmination of efforts of team of technocrats and medical practitioners under the leadership of Dr. CM Ananda, Head Electronics Dept., Dr. Amarnarayan D, Chief Medical Officer- NAL, Dr. Viren Sardana – Respiratory Physiologist CSIR-IGIB and team of scientists at NAL who have worked relentlessly during Covid-19 restrictions.