Air Marshal Arup Raha to be the next Chief of the Air Staff; A large scale annual operational exercise of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy held off the littorals of Gujarat and Maharashtra
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  • Reports noted that the Government has decided to appoint Air Marshal Arup Raha, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, at present the Vice Chief of Air Staff, as the next Chief of the Air Staff after the retirement of Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC on December 31, 2013. Air Marshal Raha was commissioned into the IAF on December 14, 1974 in the Fighter Stream of the Flying Branch. During a career spanning over nearly 39 years, he has held various command, staff and instructional appointments. He has served as Air Attache at the Embassy of India, Ukraine. Besides various technical courses, Air Marshal Raha has done National Defence College, Staff College, Strategic Nuclear Orientation Course and Junior Commanders’ Course. He has commanded Central Air Command and Western Air Command. He is one of the Honorary ADCs to the Supreme Commander. 1

    In another development, according to reports, a large scale annual operational exercise of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy will conclude on October 29, 2013 off the littorals of Gujarat and Maharashtra. The week long exercise termed ‘Defence of Gujarat Exercise’ tested the operational readiness of the Western Naval Command in relation to littoral combat and the defence of vital offshore assets in the northern coastal states of Western seaboard of India. In addition to large ship’s like Delhi class destroyers, Teg and Godavari class frigates operating under the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF) the exercise also involved a large number of vessels of the local flotilla including potent missile vessels of the 22nd Killer Squadron, Patrol Vessels and Minesweepers operating under the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG). Coast Guard Patrol Vessels, integrated into the operations played a key part in providing multiple layers of defensive surveillance. In addition to ships, the exercise also witnessed intense flying activity by the TU 142Ms, IL-38SDs, IN and CG Dorniers and Searcher and Heron UAVs. 2

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