- D1: Exercise Komodo
- D2: Defense FDI reformed
- D3: Navy War-room leak & Transfer of Technology contracts
D1: Exercise Komodo
- @Indonesia (28th March to 3rd April) 2014
- Navies of many countries: India, Indonesia, USA, China, Russia etc.
- India has sent INS Sukanya with Chetak helicopter.
This exercise will benefit in future operations for:
- Humanitarian Assistance
- Disaster Relief, civilian rescue
- Oil Leakage Control
- Sports and Social Interaction among defence personnel.
D2: Defense FDI reformed (Sep 2014)
Old policy | New policy | |
---|---|---|
FDI | 26% |
|
FII | banned |
|
JV | Single Indian resident to have 51% share | NO such requirement |
Duration | Three years lock-in period on foreign investor. | No such requirement. |
Investment limit | Approving agency |
---|---|
Upto 1200 crore | FIPB |
>1200 crore | CCEA |
>49% FDI | CCS (cabinet committee on security) |
Challenges in Defence FDI
- 49% FDI means the foreigner still can’t get management control of the Joint ventures with Indian companies.
- Hence they’ll be hesitant in transferring the proprietary technology to India.
- This was the same reason why old policy did not attract large investmnt.
- Secondly, Government has yet to notify what constitutes “modern and state of art technology”, (because there more than 49% FDI permitted, and foreign companies may get attract to invest and transfer secret technology.)
D2: Defense Procurement:
Defense Acquisition Council (DAC) is chaired by Defense Minister.
This DAC cleared following proposals (in August 2014):
- Stopped the tender process to import helicopters for army. (perhaps don’t want to burn hands again like UPA did with AgustaWestland)
- Instead, Government will now buy 400 desi helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. for moving men and material in border region.
- Will induct 118 new (Desi) Arjun tanks.
- Will produce Self Propelled (SP) guns to mount on Arjun tank- this will give us advantage in swift desert battles in Rajasthan and Western Border.
- Will upgrade six submarines.
D3: Navy War-room leak & Transfer of Technology contracts
(Interview)
- What do you know about the Navy War room leak case? What is the present status?
- What are your views on transfer of technology (ToT) contract?
What is Navy war room leak?
- This is about spy scandal in purchase of Scorpene submarines from France.
- Directorate of Naval operations in New Delhi is known as Navy war room.
- Ravi Shankaran, a retired Naval officer cum London-based arms dealer cum relative of then Navy chief Arun Prakash.
- Ravi acquired certain sensitive documents from Navy war room, and leaked them to Thales (French company that makes Scorpene submarines).
- Another middleman Abhishek Verma helped transferring money.
Year 2005:
- Then Defence minister Pranab Mukharjee approved the deal.
- Navy conducts a secret inquiry, dismisses three officers but nothing reported to courts or CBI.
- Media exposes the scam. CBI starts inquiry but at turtle speed.
Year 2007
- Prashan Bhushan filed PIL.
- Delhi HC orders CBI to make haste.
- CBI interrogates Ravi’s partners, and finds out Ravi escaped India without any valid travel documents. He may be hiding in UK, Sweden or some other European country.
2010 |
|
2013 |
|
March 2014 |
|
Transfer of technology (ToT) contract?
- These Scorpene Submarines were to be acquired under transfer of technology (ToT) contract.
- Meaning, the seller company (Thales, France) will not only sell the “product” (submarine), but also handover the technology of its critical components.
But, until now the problem was= Seller Company [Original equipment manufacturer/OEM] would demand
- That we must pay them additional license fees/royalty for such tech.transfer. and OR
- That our local companies (Defence factor/DRDO etc) CANNOT export or sell items produced with such technology.
But, Defense Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013 has fixed this issue (atleast in theory!)
DPP-2013 says that:
- The TOT should be provided without licence fee
- There should be no restriction on domestic production, sale or export- of any items manufactured with help of such ToT technologies.
Visit Mrunal.org/Diplomacy for entire list articles on Diplomacy & International relations (IR) for Mains GS2 paper of UPSC Civil service IAS/IPS Exam.
IBPS PO ADMIT CARD RELEASE…..
MRUNAL SIR…PLZ UPDATE GK FOR PO EXAM…..
Sir plz provide GA for IBPS PO
As per my sources from UPSC chairmans office:
The cut-offs are Open- 190, OBC- 180, SC-170, ST- 160.
what is meant by Negative externalities?
It is the bad impact that is caused in the surrounding whenever any new thing is undertaken. For eg. Opening a liquour shop in a residential area may lead to loot, increase in crime etc
hey…communist dont spread fake news. i bet with you….cut off generel not cross 200. challenge. are you ready…
Believe on communist he is absolutely ryt bcz ……..I also got this same news from my friend whose father assistant clerk at department of personel and training ……….or mn dekta hi blyo gando farahn khan ro….this is a typical aadivasi song …konsi tribe isse gaati h is bar ka 10 number ka question h
thanks mrunal for ur affords….
thanks mrunal sir for ur affords….
according to my reading sources chancllor apointed for nalanda university is goppa sabbarwal and amartya sen is chairman of “nalanda mentor group”
https://www.facebook.com/pages/UPSC-QA/715889578488825
like this to read my answers and share yours. Based on GS and PubAD.
sir , pls tell me how to divide time for optional(sociology) and GS, is it essential to make notes of every subject and how many hours one should study, as I am preparing for 2015 .