6th annual Defence and Security Dialogue between India and China held in New Delhi; Indigenously developed Surface to Air missile Akash successfully flight tested
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    • FEBRUARY 24-MARCH 2

    According to reports, the 6th Annual Defence and Security Dialogue between India and China was held in New Delhi, on February 24. The meeting was co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary, RK Mathur and the Deputy Chief of General Staff of the PLA, Lt Gen Wang Guanzhong. During the meeting, both sides exchanged views on a number of regional and global security issues of mutual concern. However, the focus was on security situation in South Asia, the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean region. Both sides agreed that strengthening of strategic consultation and communication would facilitate sharing of perspectives and mutual understanding in the evolving regional security situation. 2014 has been designated as the ‘Year of Friendly Exchanges’ between both sides and the two countries agreed to continue to expand the exchanges between their Armed Forces. The two sides decided on a number of measures for exchanges and interactions between the Armed Forces in 2014. 1

    In another development, according to reports, the indigenously designed developed and produced Surface to Air missile Akash for the Indian Army was successfully flight tested on February 24 at the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur. The 24th February flight destroying a target in receding ting mode, as well as the one conducted on 21st February 2014 destroying an approaching target, fully met the mission objectives and few more trials are planned in different engagement modes. Akash is India’s first indigenously designed, developed and produced air defence system and is capable of engaging aerial threats up to a distance of approximately 25 kms. The army version of Akash is developed by DRDO and is being produced by Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) as the nodal production agency with the involvement of Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and a large number of other industries. The total production value of Akash air defence systems cleared for induction by Indian Army and Indian Air force is more than Rs 23,000 crore. 2

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