new frog species names ‘Indirana Salelkari’

Wildlife researchers have discovered new frog species in Netravali forest sanctuary of Goa. The discovered species has been christened as ‘Indirana Salelkari’ after Netravali Range Forest Officer Prakash Salelkar for his contribution to conservation of wildlife. It was discovered by team of researchers consisting of Nikhil Modak, Ninad Gosavi, Neelesh Dahanukar and Anand D Padhye. Indirana Salelkari has distinguished combination of morphological and genetically characters which are different from other known species of the genus. They belong to species of caecilians (legless amphibians). Its habitat is generally occupied in nearby riparian habitats of Goa’s Netravali forest sanctuary.

new secret planetary system

Astronomers have discovered a new secret planetary system which has 3 super-Earths and one outer giant planet. This secret planetary system christened as HD219134, is located at a distance of just 21 light years from Earth and has the constellation named Cassiopeia. The constellation hosts one outer giant planet and three inner super-Earths. Of these inner planets, one of them transits in front of the star and so far it is the closest transiting planet known. The transiting super Earth planet has a density similar to the Earth. The three inner planets are mostly rocky. This new secret planetary system was discovered by using HARPS-N spectrograph, a specially designed high-precision radial-velocity instrument built by an international consortium. It has been installed at the Telescopio Nazionale Galileo on the La Palma Island in Spain.

ASIA S BIGGEST MULTI APPLICATION SOLAR TELESCOPE [MAST]

Multi-Application Solar Telescope (MAST), Asia’s biggest telescope was inaugurated at the Udaipur Solar Observatory in Rajasthan. It was inaugurated by Professor U.R Rao, Chairman of Physical Research Laboratory, inaugurated. Facts about of MAST The telescope was installed under the project undertaken by Union Ministry of Science and Technology and was funded by Department of Space (DoS). The project will be monitored by Ahmedabad based Physical Research Laboratory. Features: MAST has a lens of 50 cm in diameter. These lenses were developed on the basis of optical and mechanical system of Belgium. The rear part of MAS has been developed by the observatory while its front part was developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). MAST has been designed in 2004 and its optical elements were added to it in 2008. In 2013, it was installed at the Udaipur Solar Observatory. Applications: It will provide 3 Dimensional (3D) images of solar activities such as solar blast and solar flares. It will also in vital studies about other planetary movements even in the day time. Site Specifications: Udaipur Solar Observatory was chosen as project site due to pleasant temperature around it as it is surrounded by water. Besides, the site provides ambient spot for observatory as it has more than 250 days of continuous sunshine, allowing observing the sun properly during day time

India Offered Help in Missile Defence Technology by NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which is led by the U.S, has offered to share its missile defence technology with India. NATO has specified that the nature of threats faced by the 28-nation Group as well India is the same and hence, cooperation between the two can be of strategic significance. With this offer, India has become the second nation besides Russia with which the US-led military alliance is willing to work in the critical missile defence technology sector. According to NATO officials, since both NATO nations and India face missile threat, the ability to defend against it could be made more potent by cooperating with each other. In fact, NATO's security dialogue with India can be raised to the same level as that of the existing bilateral dialogue between the United States and India, officials added. NATO has stated that it wants a deeper engagement with India in fields ranging from counter-terrorism and anti-piracy to cyber-security and ballistic missile defence (BMD). NATO officials further indicated that while India’s strategic situation differs, the technology of identifying and intercepting missiles is the same.  NATO has stated that since it is seriously venturing into the Ballistic Missile Technology (BMD), India can also benefit if NATO and India can train together and have cooperation in the area. Besides, since India and other NATO countries share the same threats, an overall stability can be attained by cooperating with each other.  In fact, NATO was also forging a special partnership with Russia which is outside of the NATO. India has become the fourth country to have successfully tested the anti-missile system after the US, Russia and Israel. India's BMD programme, launched in the middle of the previous decade, is a two-tiered shield system consisting of two interceptor missiles, namely the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) missile for high altitude interception and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) missile for lower altitude interception. However, the Indian BMD, mainly focusing to counter missiles with less than 5,000-km range, is still to become operational as further tests of the BMD system are being planned. The NATO missile defence project, launched in May 2001, aims to work with member-countries to meet the group's responsibility of defending itself from missile attacks. As of now, NATO is conducting three missiles defence-related activities including theatre ballistic missile defence capability for short- and medium-range ballistic missile threats, missile defence for the entire NATO territory and missile defence cooperation with Russia. The multiple-missile threat defence system called the National Missile Defence (NMD) of the US can shield an entire country against incoming missiles, such as intercontinental ballistic missiles of over 7,500-kilometer range and other shorter range ballistic missiles. NATO feels that India can benefit largely from these mega missile defence projects and can strengthen relations between them.

Successful test for the Indian ASTRA BVR missile

India’s Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile ASTRA completed a successful test flight on thursday. Developed by the Indian Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), the unarmed missile was launched from a Sukhoi Su-30MKI against a Lakshya target over the Integrated Test Range in Balasore, off the coast of Odisha. Telemetry and Electro-optical tracking stations confirmed the successful engagement. Operational ASTRA missiles will carry a 15kg high-explosive fragmentation warhead.

It was the fifth air launch of the Indian BVR missile. The first live launch was carried out on May 4, 2014. A previous test earlier this week has failed, as the missile failed to launch. More tests are scheduled to follow, as part of the weapon’s validation and integration program, with SU-30MKI and LCA, activities currently undertaken by Hindustan Aircraft Ltd. The recent test confirmed the missile’s high turn rate (30g). Astrais designed to intercept targets beyond visual range, head on at a range of 80km, or 20 km-range in tail-chase mode.

Prior to the live launch, rigorous Captive Flight Tests (CFTs) were carried out by IAF with the support from HAL during the 2012-2014 period. The CFT trials were carried out in three phases to assess the aero-structural and mechanical integrity for carriage, validation of Weapon Control System and its electrical and avionic interfaces with missile and performance of missile system in transmission and reception mode of missile seeker respectively.

RAFALE FIGHTER

India is doubling the number of Rafale jet fighters it intends to buy from France, increasing the quantity of aircraft built in France from 18 to 36. Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and French president Francois Hollande have reached the agreement during their summit meeting today in Paris. The procurement will be part of a government-to-government (G2G) deal worth $7.5 billion, rather than the commercial sale by the manufacturer Dassault Aviation, that would have cost over $20 billion which has been dragged along for three years.

This decision represents the second win for Rafale this year, following the Egyptian order for 24 aircraft that could be built within two years. Qatar and UAE have expressed interest in buying the French fighter (UAE is in for 60 jets, Qatar has a requirement for 36). Dassault is currently producing about one aircraft per month (the minimum rate designed to fulfill the deliveries for the French military by 2018). The company said it can increase production rate to 2.5 aircraft per month, which could deliver the Egyptian, Indian and remaining French orders by mid 2017. However, according to Indian defense minister Manohar Parrikar, the jets are not expected in India before the end of 2017. “Fly-away means not tomorrow, it has to be designed as per India’s need, plus there is a requirement of working out the price.” Parrikar said.

Higher Cost, Faster Delivery
The original deal was for 126 fighter aircraft under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) contest. Dassault Aviation Rafale was shortlisted in 2012 after rigorous evaluation but negotiations have been stuck over pricing and delivery guarantees for the aircraft manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) in India. Dassault’s bid price was 10 billion, but the program cost soon escalated to over $20 billion, due to the investments of technology transfer and infrastructure involved with life-cycle support cost. However, while average cost per aircraft would cost $158 million under the original plan, the current buy represents per aircraft cost of 208 million.

It is anticipated that a direct purchase would better control the cost and risk, as it will not involve technology transfer. Since the first deal will pay for much of the initial infrastructure and support costs necessary to maintain the aircraft in India, it is expected that future orders could cost less. A direct sell will also buy time for further discussions enabling the two sides to agree on future options that would include local production.

Analysts also expect the G2G deal involve more Indian private sector companies, as it will not be bound to go through HAL, but rather involve the Reliance group – the local partner Dassault has selected for the MMRCAproject.

Buy in France or Make in India?
While the Rafale was an important part of Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, the urgency and need for replacement of IAF MiG-21 and MiG-27 units left little room for alternatives. Nevertheless, the agreement over Rafale was part a comprehensive pact included 17 different agreements, pertaining to in urban development, railways, defence and the nuclear sectors. France also intends to invest two billion euros in Indian technology ventures, responding to Modi’s invitation to French businesses to invest in his ‘Make in India’ initiative.

French companies are in discussion with India for the construction of six power-generating nuclear reactors with a total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW. The program known as Jaitapur project follows a partnership agreement between India’s Larsen and Toubro and France’s Areva that will lead the project.

While the Rafale was an important part of Modi’s ‘Make in India’ campaign, the urgency and need for replacement of IAF MiG-21 and MiG-27 units left little room for alternatives. Nevertheless, the agreement over Rafale was part a comprehensive pact included 17 different agreements, pertaining to in urban development, railways, defence and the nuclear sectors. France also intends to invest two billion euros in Indian technology ventures, responding to Modi’s invitation to French businesses to invest in his ‘Make in India’ initiative. The G2G sale of the rafale is likely to cost $7.5 billion and, according to Indian offset policy, would require a ‘buyback’ of about $2.3 billion – about the same amount that France has committed to invest in Indian technology initiatives. Indian sources explain this leaves the net worth of the current deal at about four billion Euros.

French companies are in discussion with India for the construction of six power-generating nuclear reactors with a total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW. The program known as Jaitapur project follows a partnership agreement between India’s Larsen and Toubro and France’s Areva that will lead the project.

Vikramaditya Growing Air-Defense Teeth

The Indian Navy completed refitting its new aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya with Barak-1 air defense systems and associated radars, preparing the new carrier for operational service. The carrier was acquired from Russia and commissioned into service in November 2013 without self protection systems.

The Vikramaditya is equipped with an Israeli Barak-1 point defence missile system and Russian made AK-630 close-in weapon system, ‘borrowed’ from a to-be-decommissioned Godavari-class ship. According to Vice-Admiral P. Murugesan, Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff the carrier was originally scheduled to receive the Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missile (LRSAM) system developed jointly with Israel, but the new system has yet to be inducted to service, pending final acceptance tests on the Kolkata Class destroyer.