The first regiment of 18 Dhanush artillery guns, the indigenously upgraded variant of the Swedish Bofors guns, is scheduled to be inducted into the Army by the end of the year. Dhanush is based on the original design of the Swedish 155-mm Bofors howitzers, which India procured in the mid-1980s. It is a
155- mm, 45-calibre gun with a maximum range of 40 km in salvo mode, compared to the 39-calibre, 27-km range of the original guns. It has undergone extensive trials in various conditions, and is now in the final leg of battery trials, which are likely to be completed by end July. The Army has placed an initial order for 114 guns. The first regiment of 18 guns will be inducted this year, another 36 guns will be inducted in 2018 and the remainder guns in 2019. This will equip five artillery regiments. With a range of 40 km and a high angle of attack, it is suitable for deployment in all terrain as obtaining on India’s borders. It is a 155- mm, 45-calibre gun with a maximum range of 40 km in salvo mode, compared to the 39-calibre, 27-km range of the original guns. The gun is 80 percent indigenous, and is manufactured by the ordnance factory in Jabalpur.
WOMEN TO GET COMBAT ROLES
The Indian Army is all set to open up combat positions for women, a gender barrier broken by only a few 
countries globally. Army Chief Gen. Bipin Rawat said the process to allow women in combat role is under consideration and initially, women will be recruited for positions in military police. As of now, women are allowed in a number of select areas, including in medical, legal, educational, signals and engineering wings of the Army, but combat roles are kept off limit for them due to operational concerns and logistical issues. Gen Rawat also said that he was ready to recruit women as jawans and the matter is being taken up with the government. He said women will have to show grit and strength in taking up challenges in combat role and shattering the glass ceiling. Earlier, the IAF created history by inducting three women as fighter pilots, less than a year after the government decided to open the fighter stream for women on an experimental basis. A decision on having women as fighter pilots will be taken after evaluating performance of the three women— Avani Chaturvedi, Bhawana Kanth and Mohana Singh—who are now part of fighter squadron. The Navy too is deliberating on a policy on having women onboard ships. It allows women in legal, logistics, naval architecture and engineering departments. 32-35-News_14_19_ BEING A FLY GIRL.
TEJAS TEST FIRES MISSILE
Tejas, the Light Combat Aircraft successfully demonstrated an Airto- Air Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile firing capability by releasing Derby Air-to-Air BVR missile in RADAR guided mode on 12 May 2017. The missile launch was performed in Lock ON after Launch mode for a BVR target in the look down
mode and the target was destroyed. The objective of the test was to assess the Derby integration with aircraft systems on-board Tejas including the aircraft avionics, fire-control radar, launchers and Missile Weapon Delivery System and to verify its performance. The test was conducted on a Manoeuvrable Aerial Target at the Interim Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The sensors at ITR also tracked the target and missile. A safe separation was followed by missile guidance towards RADAR acquired target. The flawless launch was demonstrated with all on-board systems performing satisfactorily and the missile scored a direct hit on the target with complete destruction of it. The test firing achieved all its planned objectives. The Derby firing is a major step towards clearing BVR capabilities on LCA aircraft for FOC.
TOP OF THE WORLD
A team of four Indian Army personnel created history, when, on 21 May 2107, they successfully scaled Mount Everest without using oxygen cylinders. This is the first instance when any team has succeeded in climbing Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen. However, the feat has been accomplished by climbers on an individual basis. Speaking on the occasion, Col Vishal Dubey, leader of the Snow Lion Everest Expedition 2017, said that they had formed a team of 10 people with the aim to scale the Everest without using oxygen cylinder, of which four members eventually succeeded in getting to the summit without supplementary oxygen. These four mountaineers are Kunchok Tenda, Kelshang Dorjee Bhutia, Kalden Panjur and Sonam Phuntsok. Another three climbers, Urgyen Topgye, Ngwang Gelek and Karma Zopa also successfully climbed Mount Everest with the support of supplementary oxygen.
15th BSF INVESTITURE CEREMONY 2017
In a glittering ceremony at Plenary Hall, Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, 29 BSF personnel were awarded 
Shri KK Sharma first paid rich tribute to the martyrs of the Force who gave supreme sacrifice on the altar of duty, serving the motherland. He said that BSF remains in constant endeavour of preparing itself in terms of strategy, infrastructure, weaponry and training and is carrying out relentless vigil along the borders. Amongst the proud award winners were Constable Daljeet Singh, who was honoured with Prime Ministers Life saving Award and Constable Harendra Singh who despite losing a limb, opted for cycling as sport and recently won Bronze medal in 6th Asian Para cyclist rally. Constable Harender Singh is the first Paracyclist from CAPF to win a medal in the competition.
Honouring the Bordermen, Shri Rajnath Singh said that Border Security Force is the first “WALL” of Defence for our country. Saluting the bravery of BSF men, the Home Minister said that along with Army, the credit for the decreased infiltration across LC/IB goes to BSF also.
BULLET PROOF JACKET
A bullet-proof jacket designed by Bengali scientist Professor Shantanu Bhowmick has finally received the government’s approval. The empowered committee of the Ministry of Defence approved the jacket, which is made from indigenous ultra modern lightweight thermoplastic technology. It will be included in the Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ project. The task of manufacturing the jackets will begin after the PMO gives it the green-light.A joint collaboration between the DRDO and defence ministry, this is the first time in 70 years that the Indian Army will have bullet-proof jacket manufactured completely through indigenous technology.Currently, India spends Rs 1.5 lakh on a single jacket used by the military and para-military forces, which are imported from America. Dr Bhowmick’s jacket will cost only Rs 50,000 per jacket, which will result in a net saving of Rs 20,000 crore. The present bullet proof jackets being used by our jawans in the Army, and by police personnel in BSF, CRPF and state police forces.
