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This year Indian fishermen attended the Annual Feast of St.Anthony’s church, at the Kachchativu (Katchatheevu) Island on February 27 and 28 as the war on terrorism is over in Sri Lanka. The feast was attended by both Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen and devotees. Due to war against terrorism, the feast was not attended by Indian fishermen since 1983. Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Navy coordinated the event successfully.

Some interesting features of this event are:

• Kachchativuwhich is located (9°23′ N, 79°32′ E) closer to Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
• St Antony’s (Anthoniyar) Church was established in 1905 in Kachchativu. As per the 1974 Treaty between India and Sri Lanka, the Island was ceded to Sri Lanka (by India) ensuring the free access for the pilgrimages from India.
• 3387 Indian fishermen and devotees left Rameshwaram in 114 boats on February 27.
• Local devotees numbering 824 also participated in the feast.

Here is a photograph of the annual feast from Sri Lanka Navy.

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Here is an amazing vehicle “Amfibus” to integrate road ways and water ways. A two day demonstration of this amphibious bus was conducted on February 08 on the River Clyde in Scotland to evaluate the performance. The vehicle would operate on road as a coach (bus) from Braehead to the Renfrew ferry slipway. Then the same vehicle would operate as a ferry by using the existing slipway to reach Yoker by crossing the River Clyde. Thereafter it would reach Clydebank by road.

The demonstration was conducted by Stagecoach Group, a leading international public transport group having extensive operations in the UK, United States and Canada. The vehicle Amfibus has already undergone trials in Rotterdam harbour, Netherlands.

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The Commander-in-Chief of the Myanmar Navy, Vice Admiral Nyan Tun arrived India on February 20 on a five day visit. It may be recalled that Myanmar Navy participated in the recently concluded Milan 2010 hosted by Indian Navy. India also shares border of over 1,600 kilo metres with Myanmar.

Here is a photograph from Press Information Bureau.

Vice Admiral Nyan Tun with the Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma, in New Delhi on February 22.

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A national seminar “Coast WATCH 2010 – Coastal Security of India” was held on February 24 at Seafarer’s Club, Chennai. The seminar enlightened the audience on Coastal Security scenario, its challenges and required responses.

Some interesting features of the seminar are:

• Conducted by the Department of Strategic Studies, University of Madras and the National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter.
• Coast WATCH focused on Wherewithal, Attitudes, Technology, Coordination, Human resources relating to Coastal Security of India.
• The Seminar:
  • Inaugural session
    • Welcome Address was given by Prof Dr Gopalji Malviya – Head, Department of Strategic Studies, University of Madras.
    • Keynote Address was given by Vice Admiral Anurag G Thapliyal, AVSM, the Commandant, Naval Academy, Ezhimala.
    • Special Address was given by Mr Rajesh Das, IPS, Inspector General of Police, Coastal Security Group, Tamil Nadu.
  • Plenary I – Strategy and Policy: Chair – Rear Admiral Venkat Shankar, VSM, CI (Navy), DSSC.
  • Plenary II – Functional and Institutional Security: Chair – Commodore S Shekhar, Regional Director, National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter.
  • Plenary III – Systems and Technology: Chair – Mr R Ramamurthy, President, Cyber Society of India.
• The seminar was followed by an Open House: Moderator – Captain H Balakrishnan, Navy Foundation.
• Convenors
  • Dr S Utham Kumar Jamadhagni, Assistant Professor, Department of Strategic Studies, University of Madras.
  • Commander R Venkatesan, National Maritime Foundation, Chennai Chapter.

The seminar and the response from the audience highlighted certain thought provoking issues:

• During rough seas, sea sickness is bound to affect the performance of marine police as they are not professional seafarers.
• Need to recognise the role of fishermen in coastal security and to integrate them in coastal security operations like Territorial Army.
• Fully using Customs and Police (as they have informers) intelligence to enhance coastal security.
• Using acoustic sensors to detect low flying aircrafts along with coastal radars being installed in light houses.
• Use of GenKey’s Biocryptic Identity Management System to identify fishermen at sea with handheld units. This helps to instantly and accurately identify militants entering the coast through sea.
• All citizens need to have awareness on security.

However,

• developing indigenous nano-satellites by ISRO (like Nanosatellite Tracking of Ships – NTS in Canada) as a long term, cost effective solution for coastal security needs has to be taken up.
• developing marine mammals to detect underwater threat as a means to counter threats through underwater and means to identify and eliminate threats from armed Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (drones – launched from sea) need to be taken up.

Here are some photographs covering the seminar.

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On February 19, MiG-29K aircraft carrier based multi purpose fighter aircrafts have joined the Indian Navy as “Black Panthers”. The induction ceremony was held in the presence of the Defence Minister, Shri A. K. Antony at INS Hansa, Vasco da Gama, Goa. The ceremony was also attended by a Russian delegation led by Industry and Trade Minister Viktor Khristenko.

The aircrafts would be operating from INS Hansa till the arrival of INS Vikramaditya (expected to be delivered in 2012 by Russia).

Some interesting features of MiG-29K Fulcrum-D carrier-based fighter jets to Indian Navy are:

• Russia and India signed a contract in 2004 for the supply of 12 single-seat MiG-29K and four two-seat MiG-29KUB by 2009 as part of a $1.5 billion deal to deliver INS Vikramaditya to Indian Navy (ex Admiral Gorshkov aircraft carrier being refitted in Russia)
  • the contract also has an option to supply additional 30 fighters by 2015.
  • the contract for the jets also include the procurement of hardware for pilot training and aircraft maintenance, flight simulators and interactive ground and sea-based training systems.
• In September 2008, Indian Navy’s pilots commenced their five-month training course for MiG-29K in Russia.
• First supply of two MiG-29K and two MiG-29KUB fighters in a knocked down condition reached India in December 2009.
• The aircraft
  • 15% of the aircraft uses composite materials
  • has folding wings to suit carrier based operations.
  • has substantially reduced radar signature.
  • has Digital-Fly-By-Wire (DFBW) control system with multiple redundancy system.
  • belongs to generation: 4++
  • the pilot’s helmet is equipped with advanced features permitting the pilot to shoot a target by merely looking at it.

Here are some photographs from Press Information Bureau.

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The sixth edition of biennial Def Expo-2010 (Land & Naval Defence Systems Exhibition) is ready to start at New Delhi on February 15. The four day event will be inaugurated by the Defence Minister Shri AK Antony at Pragati Maidan. The Def Expo-2010 is the largest ever Defence Exposition in Asia and provides an opportunity to the international defence industry to promote and showcase their products and services. The event is being organized by the Defence Exhibition Organisation, Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence, Government of India. The first exhibition was held in 1999 and subsequently in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2008.

It may be noted that China and Pakistan were not invited to this event as these countries also do not invite India to participate in similar events conducted by them.

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INS Deepak (Yard 6186), the first of the two Fleet Tankers being constructed by M/s Fincantieri Shipyard, Italy, was launched on February 12, at Muggiano. The double hulled tanker is expected to commence trials in April. Commissioning of the vessel is scheduled in India by end 2010.

The vessel was launched by Mrs Farida Khan, wife of the ambassador, His Excellency Shri Arif S. Khan, the Indian Ambassador in Rome.

Some interesting features of INS Deepak (photograph of INS Deepak from Shippingonline) are:

• 175 metres long, 25 wide and 19 high.
• has a displacement at full load of 27,500 tonnes.
• has propulsion system powered by two 10,000 kW diesel engines, shaft with adjustable pitch propellers.
• can reach maximum speed of 20 knots.
• has a flight deck for medium weight helicopters (up to 10 tons).
• has maximum capacity of is 250 including crew and additional forces.
• equipped to refuel four vessels at the same time.

Here is a photograph from Press Information Bureau.

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Indian Coast Guard observes Coast Guard Day every year on February 01, signifying the formation of Indian Coast Guard on February 01, 1977. To mark this occasion, this year at Chennai the Coast Guard Region East has conducted exercises off Chennai.

A Coast Guard Ball is also going to be held at Le Royal Meridien, Chennai on February 13.

Indian Coast Guard has its Head Quarters at New Delhi. Vast coast line of approximately 7500 km is guarded by the following four Coast Guard Regions:

• Coast Guard Region West,with Regional Head Quarters at Mumbai
• Coast Guard Region East,with Regional Head Quarters at Chennai
• Coast Guard Region Andaman & Nicobar islands,with Regional Head Quarters at Port Blair
• Coast Guard Region North West, with Regional Head Quarters at Gandhi Nagar, Gujarat (newly formed in 2009)

Here are some photographs of the exercise released by Press Information Bureau.

Chetak Helicopter of the Indian Coast Guard on splash target firing during the exercise.

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An interesting, day long seminar on “Opportunities for Maritime Research in Academia and Industries” was hosted by the AMET University, Chennai in support with National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi on February 06 at Hotel Le Royal Meridien, Chennai.

The seminar was held to commemorate the 18th year of AMET’s establishment and the 3rd year of becoming the First University for Maritime Education in India.

After registration by the participants, delegates and media, the seminar started around 1000 hours with introduction of all speakers. A souvenir was also released and distributed on this occasion.

Welcome Address was given by Capt. S. Bhardwaj, Vice Chancellor, AMET University; followed by Opening Address by Mr. J. Ramachandran, Chancellor, AMET University and Theme Address by Dr. L.R. Chary, Prof. Emeritus, AMET University.

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Indian Navy’s Milan 2010 a biennial meeting of navies from the Indian Ocean region/Asia-Pacific region commenced on February 05 at Port Blair in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The four day event is being participated by 12 navies from Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.

On this occasion, an international seminar on "Navies in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations" was also held on February 05.

Here is a photograph from Press Information Bureau.

Participants of the International Seminar on "Navies in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Operations" with the Lt. Governor of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lt. Gen. (Retd) Bhopender Singh and the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Nirmal Verma.

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The AMET University, Chennai in support with National Maritime Foundation, New Delhi is organizing an International Seminar on “Opportunities for Maritime Research in Academia and Industries” on February 06, at Chennai. It is interesting to note that the seminar is being hosted to commemorate the 18th year of AMET’s establishment and the 3rd year of becoming the First University for Maritime Education in India.

Seminar to focus on:

• Emerging and challenging research issues in the maritime domain and marine disciplines in the Academia and the Industry.
• Research activities/culture among faculty members of maritime colleges and Institutes.
• Trends in academia-industry collaboration in research and provide the platform for Indian maritime industry to appreciate and initiate research work in collaboration with Academia.
• The formation of a “maritime research networking” for intra- and inter-disciplinary research groups across various institutes and industry bodies.

To be addressed by:

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PNS Shamsheer has now joined the Pakistan Navy fleet.

PNS Shamsheer (F 252), type F22P frigate built by China, was commissioned on December 19 at Shanghai. Before reaching Pakistan, the frigate visited Colombo on January 16. Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy visited PNS Shamsheer and was warmly received by the Commanding Officer Captain Neimatullah.

Here are some photographs.

Commissioning of PNS Shamsheer at Shanghai, China. (Photograph taken from Pakistan Navy News Vol 23, December 2009)

PNS Shamseer at Colombo, Sri Lanka. (Photograph from Sri Lanka Navy)

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January 26 is celebrated as Australia Day.
HMAS Stuart (FFH 153), the sixth Anzac Class Guided Missile Frigate is presently on deployment in the Gulf of Oman, carrying out counter terrorism and counter narcotic smuggling operations. The crew celebrated Australia Day at sea by playing cricket on the flight deck. On completion of the match, the crew had a steel deck barbecue dinner by witnessing Arabian sunset.

The crew also collected $700 as charity and the proceeds will be donated to Gran’s Van, a food van based in Burnie Tasmania which provides meals to the homeless and needy.

Here is a photograph from Department of Defence, Australia.

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Commander Dilip Donde of Indian Navy commenced his solo circumnavigation voyage in INSV Mhadei from Mumbai on August 19, 2009. After sailing 14000 Nautical miles, INSV Mhadei arrived at Port Stanley, Falkland Islands, United Kingdom on January 16 (see photograph below).  Presently the vessel is undergoing essential repairs and maintenance. Indian Defence Attaché Commodore Bannerjee flew from UK to meet Commander Dilip Donde on his arrival. Commodore Bannerjee and Commander Donde also visited HMS York and HMS Clyde.

On January 26, the 60th Republic day of India, Commander Dilip Donde would unfurl the tri-colour on his 56 feet yacht INSV Mhadei. He is scheduled to continue with his fourth leg of the circumnavigation voyage to Cape Town in South Africa on February 01.

Here is the photograph of INSV Mhadei at Port Stanley.

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Ethiopian Airlines passenger plane flight ET- 409 with 90 people on board crashed into the Mediterranean Sea about two kilo metres from the sea shore shortly after take-off from Beirut airport on January 25. Eye witnesses report that the aircraft crashed into the sea as a ball of fire. Nobody has survived and rescue operations are going on to recover the dead. Divers are trying to recover the black box of the aircraft.

The aircraft Boeing 737-800 with registration number ET-ANB involved in the accident had undergone regular maintenance service last on December 25, 2009 and was declared safe and fit to fly. The pilot of flight ET409 had over 20 years of experience in flying various aircrafts over the expanded network of the airline.

Some disturbing reports available regarding the crash are:

• Ethiopian flight ET- 409 bound for Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) lost contact with the Lebanese air controllers shortly after take off from Beirut (Lebanon). The flight departed at 02:35 Lebanese time from Beirut International Airport.
• Aircraft carried 82 passengers and 8 Ethiopian Crew members. Out of the total passengers 23 are Ethiopian, 51 Lebanese, 1 Turkish, 1 French, 2 British, 1 Russian, 1 Canadian, 1 Syrian, 1 Iraqi nationals.
• A team comprising of 14 people from Ethiopian’s Safety & Emergency Response department, Medical Unit, Flight Operations, Maintenance & Engineering, the Ethiopian Civil Aviation and Ethiopian’s Chief Airline Security office has reached Beirut to provide additional support to the team in Beirut.
• The Lebanese Government is providing all support for the rescue operations carried out by Ministry of Transport including Lebanese Navy and the UN peace keeping force in the region.
• A team of Aircraft Accident Handling and Crisis Management experts will be traveling to Beirut from London. The team consisting of 8 people from BLAKE Emergency services is proceeding from London to Beirut to assist with the rescue mission and establish a family assistance center to help the families.

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