1. Anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra inducted in navy
Indigenously-built heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra has been successfully inducted in the navy, making India one of the eight countries to have the capability to design and build such a system.
Developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier laboratory of DRDO, the electric torpedo was today formally handed over to Indian Navy and the induction is set to be a "game-changer" boost for it.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the programme is not only a boost to country's indigenous capability but also an opportunity for export to other countries.
Defence sources said sale of Varunastra, weighing around 1.25 tonnes that carries about 250 kg of explosives at a speed of around 40 nautical miles an hour, was also one of the issues that came up for discussion during Parrikar's recent visit to Vietnam.
Having almost 95 per cent indigenous content, Varunastra, costing about Rs 10-12 crore per unit, is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines, both in deep and littoral waters in intense counter-measure environment.
2. Renowned modern artist K G Subramanyan dies at 92
Legendary artist K G Subramanyan, credited with being one of the pioneers of Indian modern art, passed away in Vadodara at the age of 92.
Subramanyam was fondly referred to as 'Mani Da' and the Seagull Foundation for the Arts has been organising exhibition of the master's works in cities across the country.
In a career spanning over six decades, the multifaceted artist, who lived and worked in Baroda, had been a painter, sculptor, muralist and print maker besides an author of children's books. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2012, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Shri in 1975.
He was renowned for his outdoor murals, terracottas, and toys and also experimented with weaving. In the 1970s, he began experimenting with reverse painting, an 18th century craft tradition where the artist paints on a sheet of glass and reverses the glass to view the final image.
3. Second BRICS Youth Summit to kick-off in Guwahati on July 1
The second BRICS Youth Summit will begin in Guwahati from July 1. The three-day summit with the theme 'Youth as bridge for intra-BRICS exchanges' will focus on enhanced people-to-people contacts of BRICS members - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
4. Odisha inks pact with WorldFish to boost fish production
To enhance fish production in the state, Odisha government has entered into an agreement with WorldFish, an international non-profit research organisation, for the overall development of fisheries sector.
5. India test-fires new surface-to-air missile co-developed with Israelis
India successfully test fired a new surface-to-air missile, developed jointly with Israel, from a defence base off Odisha coast.
The medium range missile (MR-SAM), a product of joint venture between India and Israel, was successfully test launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at around 08.15 hours, a DRDO official said.
The missile positioned at launch pad-3 of the ITR swung in to action after getting signal from the radars to intercept a moving aerial target supported by an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) 'Banshee' over the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile, they said.
"The missile along with MF-STAR will provide the users with the capability to neutralise any aerial threats," said a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist.
Indian Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), a laboratory of DRDO based at Hyderabad, has jointly developed this missile in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), he said.
A new production facility to deliver 100 missiles a year has been established for such type of long rang and medium range surface-to-air missiles at M/s Bharat Dynamics Limited, India.
Earlier, Indian Navy had successfully test launched the long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM). The test was undertaken on the Western Seaboard by INS Kolkata on December 30, 2015, officials said.
Such type of medium range surface-to-air missiles (SR-SAM), having striking ranges from 50 to 70 km, can fill the gap of existing missiles that India has in its armory at present, they said.
These missiles would be inducted in all three services after user's trial is completed.
6. Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as 16th Philippine president
Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as the 16th President of Philippines.
7. WJFAC launched at the GRSE
The last ship in the series of four Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (WJFAC) being built for the Indian Navy by defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) was launched.
At the Raja Bagan dockyard, which is a dedicated facility for building small ships, the WJFAC was launched in the waters by Aruna Korde, wife of Vice Admiral Jaywant Korde, Controller of logistics in the Navy.
The vessels are used for conducting attack missions, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue operations, an official said.
Launching of a ship marks completion of the main hull of a ship and putting it into waters for the first time.
Named Tarasa, after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, the ships fitting out equipment and systems will now be completed and put to sea for trials before being inducted into the navy later in the year.
The WJFAC will also be fitted with CRN-91 indigenous 30 mm gun to provide artillery fire support during attack missions, he said.
The 48 m long vessel has a displacement of around 315 tons and is designed for a maximum speed of 35 knots. It can accomodate 29 personnel on board, he said.
Indigenously-built heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra has been successfully inducted in the navy, making India one of the eight countries to have the capability to design and build such a system.
Developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier laboratory of DRDO, the electric torpedo was today formally handed over to Indian Navy and the induction is set to be a "game-changer" boost for it.
Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said the programme is not only a boost to country's indigenous capability but also an opportunity for export to other countries.
Defence sources said sale of Varunastra, weighing around 1.25 tonnes that carries about 250 kg of explosives at a speed of around 40 nautical miles an hour, was also one of the issues that came up for discussion during Parrikar's recent visit to Vietnam.
Having almost 95 per cent indigenous content, Varunastra, costing about Rs 10-12 crore per unit, is capable of targeting quiet and stealthy submarines, both in deep and littoral waters in intense counter-measure environment.
2. Renowned modern artist K G Subramanyan dies at 92
Legendary artist K G Subramanyan, credited with being one of the pioneers of Indian modern art, passed away in Vadodara at the age of 92.
Subramanyam was fondly referred to as 'Mani Da' and the Seagull Foundation for the Arts has been organising exhibition of the master's works in cities across the country.
In a career spanning over six decades, the multifaceted artist, who lived and worked in Baroda, had been a painter, sculptor, muralist and print maker besides an author of children's books. He was awarded Padma Vibhushan in 2012, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Shri in 1975.
He was renowned for his outdoor murals, terracottas, and toys and also experimented with weaving. In the 1970s, he began experimenting with reverse painting, an 18th century craft tradition where the artist paints on a sheet of glass and reverses the glass to view the final image.
3. Second BRICS Youth Summit to kick-off in Guwahati on July 1
The second BRICS Youth Summit will begin in Guwahati from July 1. The three-day summit with the theme 'Youth as bridge for intra-BRICS exchanges' will focus on enhanced people-to-people contacts of BRICS members - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
4. Odisha inks pact with WorldFish to boost fish production
To enhance fish production in the state, Odisha government has entered into an agreement with WorldFish, an international non-profit research organisation, for the overall development of fisheries sector.
5. India test-fires new surface-to-air missile co-developed with Israelis
India successfully test fired a new surface-to-air missile, developed jointly with Israel, from a defence base off Odisha coast.
The medium range missile (MR-SAM), a product of joint venture between India and Israel, was successfully test launched from a mobile launcher in the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur at around 08.15 hours, a DRDO official said.
The missile positioned at launch pad-3 of the ITR swung in to action after getting signal from the radars to intercept a moving aerial target supported by an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) 'Banshee' over the Bay of Bengal, officials said.
Apart from the missile, the system includes a Multi Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for detection, tracking and guidance of the missile, they said.
"The missile along with MF-STAR will provide the users with the capability to neutralise any aerial threats," said a Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) scientist.
Indian Defence Research Development Laboratory (DRDL), a laboratory of DRDO based at Hyderabad, has jointly developed this missile in collaboration with Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), he said.
A new production facility to deliver 100 missiles a year has been established for such type of long rang and medium range surface-to-air missiles at M/s Bharat Dynamics Limited, India.
Earlier, Indian Navy had successfully test launched the long range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM). The test was undertaken on the Western Seaboard by INS Kolkata on December 30, 2015, officials said.
Such type of medium range surface-to-air missiles (SR-SAM), having striking ranges from 50 to 70 km, can fill the gap of existing missiles that India has in its armory at present, they said.
These missiles would be inducted in all three services after user's trial is completed.
6. Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as 16th Philippine president
Rodrigo Duterte sworn in as the 16th President of Philippines.
7. WJFAC launched at the GRSE
The last ship in the series of four Water Jet Fast Attack Crafts (WJFAC) being built for the Indian Navy by defence PSU Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) was launched.
At the Raja Bagan dockyard, which is a dedicated facility for building small ships, the WJFAC was launched in the waters by Aruna Korde, wife of Vice Admiral Jaywant Korde, Controller of logistics in the Navy.
The vessels are used for conducting attack missions, anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue operations, an official said.
Launching of a ship marks completion of the main hull of a ship and putting it into waters for the first time.
Named Tarasa, after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, the ships fitting out equipment and systems will now be completed and put to sea for trials before being inducted into the navy later in the year.
The WJFAC will also be fitted with CRN-91 indigenous 30 mm gun to provide artillery fire support during attack missions, he said.
The 48 m long vessel has a displacement of around 315 tons and is designed for a maximum speed of 35 knots. It can accomodate 29 personnel on board, he said.
