- US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified US Congress for possible military sale of MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones and related equipment to the Government of India.
- Drones are powered aerial vehicles that can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely and can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload(s).
- About MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones
- Designed to fly over the horizon via satellite for over 30 hours.
- Safely integrate into civil airspace, enabling joint forces and civil authorities to deliver real-time situational awareness.
- Integrates advanced maritime intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities
- Enables real-time search and patrol above and below the ocean's surface.
- Significance of Drone technology in defense
- Strategic: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) through real-time visuals and data to aid decision-making.
- Reduced risk to personnel, cost-effective as compared to conventional manned aircraft, etc.
- Tactical: Precision strikes with minimal collateral damage, improved coordination and logistics in challenging terrain, etc.
- Strategic: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) through real-time visuals and data to aid decision-making.
- Challenges associated with drones: Complex airspace management framework in India, impact of adverse weather conditions like strong winds, potential misuse to breach privacy and safety, etc.
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- Flight trials of ABHYAS-HEAT were successfully carried out by the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
- About ABHYAS-HEAT
- Designed for autonomous flying with the help of an auto-pilot.
- Indigenously developed by the DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE).
- It has Radar Cross Section, Visual and Infrared augmentation system required for weapon practice.
- It also has a laptop-based Ground Control System.
- ABHYAS requires minimum logistics and is cost-effective compared to imported equivalents.
- INS Sandhyak, first Survey Vessel Large (SVL) Ship, commissioned into Indian Navy in Visakhapatanam.
- About INS Sandhayak
- First in a series of four SVL ships.
- Equipped with state-of-the-art hydrographic equipment including Deep & Shallow Water Multi-Beam Echo-Sounders, Autonomous Underwater Vehicle, etc.
- Can offer limited defence capabilities and serve as hospital ship during wartime or emergencies.
- Has an indigenous content of over 80% by cost.
- Russia blamed the use of US-supplied Patriot missiles for downing the plane carrying Ukrainian prisoners of war.
- PATRIOT (Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target), is a theater wide surface-to-air missile defense system.
- It is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the U.S. arsenal.
- It was also used in 1991 Gulf War and during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
- It is usually equipped with powerful radar, a control station, a power generator, a launch station, etc.
- It is considered one of the most advanced air defense systems in the U.S. arsenal.
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- SADA TANSEEQ: It is a joint military exercise between India and Saudi Arabia. Inaugural edition will be held from January 29 to February 10 in Rajasthan.
- MILAN 2024: MILAN 2024 is a multilateral naval exercise, hosted by India.
- Exercise 'DOSTI-16': 16th biennial trilateral coast guard exercise between India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka started. Bangladesh is participating as an observer.
- Exercise Steadfast Defender 24: NATO started its largest military exercise since the Cold War called Steadfast Defender 2024.
