An Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) “Vishwast”, indigenously designed in house and built by Goa Shipyard Limited was ceremoniously launched on 4th July 2008 by Smt Bharti Kumar, wife of Hon’ble Secretary (Defence Production) Govt. of India at the Shipyard.
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EADS North America’s first two UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters for the U.S. Army National Guard were formally presented to the 1-114 Security & Support Battalion, which performs homeland security, counter-drug and other operations from its base at Mississippi’s Tupelo Regional Airport. Army National Guard units will be the primary operators of UH-72As, ultimately receiving 200 of the total 345 Lakotas planned for acquisition through 2017.
The first two helicopters received by the Army National Guard were the 28th and 29th UH-72As delivered by EADS North America – all of which were provided on or ahead of schedule. Previously-delivered Lakotas have been assigned to the Army’s National Training Center Air Ambulance Detachment at Ft. Irwin, California; the Training and Doctrine Command’s flight detachment at Fort Eustis, Virginia; and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
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Finnish Border Guard has chosen the AW119 Ke as its new helicopter to sustain its fleet modernization and enhancement programme. A total of three AW119 Ke single turbine powered helicopters have been ordered with an option for one additional aircraft. These helicopters will be used to perform various tasks including border patrol, special operations and firefighting. These new helicopters will be delivered in 2010 and will operate from Helsinki and Rovaniemi (Polar Circle) bases, flying in the harshest environmental and weather conditions and covering the entire Russian border. Vice Adm. Jaakko Smolander, Chief of Border Guard and Italian Ambassador Elisabetta Kelescian attended the signing ceremony held in Helsinki today.
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Indian Coast Guard commissioned the 5th Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel of the. CGS ‘Sankalp’ 20 May 2008. The ICGS Sankalp has been designed and built indigenously by the defence PSU, Goa Shipyard Limited. The AOPV is designed to carry one twin engine helicopter, including the indigenously built Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), and five high speed boats for search & rescue, prompt interception and marine pollution response missions. It is equipped with sophisticated navigational and communication sensors.
The special features include an Integrated Bridge System (IBS), Integrated Machinery Control System (IMCS), high power External Fire Fighting System and two indigenously built Gun Mounts. Besides, an Infra-Red Surveillance System will impart the AOPV with night vision capability.
Only weeks after the successful trials on Frigates, the CAMCOPTER S-100 continued to prove its naval capabilities on 14th April south of Gran Canaria from a vessel of the Spanish Guardia Civil. The CAMCOPTER® S-100 demonstrated its outstanding capabilities as well as its naval versatility for the first time from a small vessel.
India has recently approved the raising of 35 additional India Reserve (IR) battalions during the period 2007-08 to 2009-10, to be sanctioned, as per the internal security situation and requirements, to various States, including those affected by naxalite activities.
In the 9 states, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal, where, for dealing with naxalite activities, assistance for the policing and operational needs of security forces is provided under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) scheme of Ministry of Home Affairs, 26 IR battalions have already been sanctioned earlier. These have added to the capabilities of the State police forces in dealing with various law and order problems.
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The Indian Army within the framework of the Government’s Counter Naxal Strategy is extending training and advice to Central Police Organisations (CPOs)/State Police Forces in Naxal affected States. 139 companies of State Police Forces / CPOs have been trained so far. There is no proposal to deploy Army in the Naxal affected areas.
To help States maintain law and order and for tackling insurgency and Naxalite problem more effectively, 15 Bns of CRPF, 20 Bns of SSB and 12 Indian Reserve Bns have been sanctioned.
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U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen, in a recent visit to General Dynamics C4 Systems, said the Rescue 21 program is operationally ready. Rescue 21 is now the Coast Guard’s primary command, control and communication system and is effectively locating vessels in distress and helping the Coast Guard rescue mariners in the regions in which it is deployed. During his visit to General Dynamics, Admiral Allen met with employees who work on the system, participated in a program review and toured the Rescue 21 production facility.
“With every rescue made and life saved, we are seeing the return on our investment in Rescue 21,” said U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Admiral Thad Allen. “Rescue 21 is helping the Coast Guard take the ’search’ out of search and rescue. We’re proud of the strong partnership we have developed with General Dynamics to put this vital lifesaving tool into the hands of Coast Guard men and women.”
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gustaWestland is pleased to announce that the Korean Government has signed a contract for two AW139 medium-twin helicopters in maritime patrol configuration for operation by the Korean Coast Guard. The order represents the first AW139 helicopters to be sold into Korea for government applications and both helicopters are scheduled to enter service at the end of 2009. The Korean Coast Guard AW139s will perform Maritime Patrol, SAR and EMS missions and will be equipped with a Forward Looking Infra-Red (FLIR) camera, search/weather radar, rescue hoist, emergency flotation system and a four-axis autopilot with SAR modes.
Speaking after the contract award, Giacomo Saponaro, Senior Vice President International Business Unit, AgustaWestland said “We are delighted the AW139 has been selected by the Korean Government for its maritime patrol helicopter requirement and proud to be able to add the Korean Coast Guard to our growing list of customers. This deal marks the first sale of the AW139 to a government agency in the Republic of Korea and we look forward to building upon this success.
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A separate unit, called Special Security Group, has been constituted in the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for protection of VIPs.
As per the report received from CISF, a total of 998 security personnel out of the sanctioned strength of 1200 for this unit have been trained in VIP security duties so far. There are 23 lady personnel deployed in this unit.
These security personnel are deployed for providing security to central protectees as per requirements.
The Swedish Space Corporation had signed a contract in march 2007 with the government of India for delivery of three MSS 5000 Pollution Surveillance Systems along with spare parts, installation assistance and training.
First of the system is already installed onboard Dornier 228 aircraft and is in operation. The aircraft are produced by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) in Kanpur and will be operated by the Indian Coast Guard.
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