PM to unveil new Defence schemes

| | New Delhi
  • 0

PM to unveil new Defence schemes

Tuesday, 16 November 2021 | PNS | New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will unveil a number of schemes, including setting up of 100 Sainik schools all over the country in collaboration with the private sector, expanding the National Cadet Corps (NCC)network in border and coastal areas and a  Rs 400-crore factory in Jhansi for manufacturing propulsion system for anti-tank guided missile.

All these schemes will be dedicated to the nation during the two-day event in a celebration titled ‘Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv’ from November 17 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh. These events are part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahaotsav’ celebrations.

Giving details of the events here on Monday, Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar said the Prime Minister will dedicate several new initiatives of MoD to the Nation in a grand ceremony being organised in the precincts of Jhansi Fort on November 19, the birthday of Rani Lakshmi Bai.  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event on November 17.

The Rashtra Raksha Samparpan Parv is being organised along with the  Uttar Pradesh government.  The programme on November 19 will see the participation of the defence minister, minister of state for defence Ajay Bhatt, Uttar Pradesh Governor Anandiben Patel, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and other dignitaries.

The new initiatives to be launched include setting up of 100 New Sainik Schools, the defence secretary said.  The Cabinet recently approved setting up of 100 Sainik Schools throughout the country.

These Sainik Schools will be set up in partnership with private educational institutions, NGOs and state governments. At least one Sainik Schools is proposed in each State and Union Territory.  These 100 Sainik Schools shall be set up in the next two years. All Sainik Schools will be admitting girls also.

A NCC Alumni Association will also be launched and Modi is one of the ex-cadets from this institution.  The Association is expected to fulfill a felt demand of lakhs of former NCC cadets.

A national programme of Simulation Training for NCC Cadets and training facilities for all the three wings including Army, Air and Naval wings will also be inaugurated. This will enable NCC cadets across the country to get trained in their respective areas.

It may be recalled that the Prime Minister had announced on August 15, 2020, from the ramparts of the Red Fort, that NCC shall be expanded in border and coastal areas. A scheme for expanding NCC by one lakh cadets dedicated to the border and coastal areas of the country was approved by Ministry of Defence in September 2020.

Accordingly, 1,283 schools and colleges were identified out of which 896 are in border areas and 255 are in coastal areas and 132 are in Taluks housing Air Force stations. At least 27 States and union territories have benefitted with the implementation of the

scheme.

As regards the factory, the defence secretary said the public sector Bharat Dynamics Ltd is setting up a plant for propulsion system for Anti-Tank Guided Missiles in the Jhansi Node. It will be spread over 183 acres of land in Jhansi. The facility will involve an investment of Rs 400 crore.

It is expected to provide direct employment to 150 people and indirect employment to nearly 500 people. The foundation stone of the project will be laid by the Prime Minister on November 19.

The Prime Minister will hand over the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited(HAL)designed and developed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to Chief of the Air Staff.

The LCH is a new addition to the HAL’s helicopter division. This twin-engine helicopter is a dedicated combat helicopter of 5-8 tonne class.  The LCH incorporates advanced technologies and stealth features for effective combat roles and is designed to carry out roles such as destruction of enemy air defence, counter insurgency, search and rescue, anti-tank and counter surface force operations.  The LCH is the only attack helicopter in the world which can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 m (16,400 ft) with considerable load of weapons and  fuel.

The Prime Minister will also hand over drones designed and developed by Indian startups to Chief of the Army Staff. The Army has decided to procure these drones from the Indian industry.

Modi will also handover the Defence Research and Development Organisation(DRDO) designed and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) manufactured Advanced electronic warfare(EW) suite for naval ships including that for Indian Aircraft Carrier Vikrant.

Sunday Edition

CAA PASSPORT TO FREEDOM

24 March 2024 | Kumar Chellappan | Agenda

CHENNAI EXPRESS IN GURUGRAM

24 March 2024 | Pawan Soni | Agenda

The Way of Bengal

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

The Pizza Philosopher

24 March 2024 | Shobori Ganguli | Agenda

Astroturf | Lord Shiva calls for all-inclusiveness

24 March 2024 | Bharat Bhushan Padmadeo | Agenda

Interconnected narrative l Forest conservation l Agriculture l Food security

24 March 2024 | BKP Sinha/ Arvind K jha | Agenda