Prelim Snippets 04-09-2019

1.Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2019

Why in News?
  • As part of the ongoing Indo-US defence cooperation, a joint military training, Exercise Yudh Abhyas – 2019 is being conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington, USA.
Yudh Abhyas 2019:
  • Exercise Yudh Abhyas will provide an opportunity to the armed forces of both countries to train in an integrated manner at Battalion level with joint planning at Brigade level.
  • Multiple scenarios will be rehearsed during the joint exercise with a view to understanding each other’s organisational structure and battle procedures.
  • This would result in a higher degree of joint manship that would further facilitate interoperability between the armed forces of both countries to meet any unforeseen contingency across the globe.
  • The exercise is also an ideal platform to learn from each other’s expertise and experiences of planning and execution of operations.
  • Both armies will jointly train, plan and execute a series of well-developed operations for neutralization of threats of varied nature.
  • The end of a joint exercise will be undertaken by both countries in an operational setting under a UN mandate. Experts from both sides will hold expert academic and military discussions to share each other’s experiences on varied topics for mutual benefit.

2.Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program

  • Launched in 2014, the ITHCP is a strategic funding mechanism that aims to save tigers in the wild, their habitats and to support human populations in key locations throughout Asia.
  • It has already facilitated 12 projects in six countries (Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Indonesia, Nepal and Myanmar) to better manage Tiger Conservation Landscapes.
  • It is contributing to the Global Tiger Recovery Programme (GTRP), a global effort to double tiger numbers in the wild by 2022.

3.AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter

Why in News?
  • The IAF (Indian Air Force) formally inducted the AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter into its inventory at Air Force Station Pathankot.
AH-64E Apache Attack Helicopter:
  • Apaches have been an integral part of numerous historic campaigns worldwide. These aircraft have been modified specifically to suit the exacting standards demanded by IAF.
  • IAF has signed a contract with ‘The Boeing Company’ and US Government for 22 Apache Attack Helicopters. The first eight helicopters have been delivered on schedule and the last batch of helicopters is to be delivered by March 2020.
  • The helicopter is capable of delivering a variety of weapons which include air to ground Hellfire missiles, 70 mm Hydra rockets and air to air Stinger missiles.
  • Apache also carries one 30 mm chain gun with 1200 rounds as part of area weapon subsystem.
  • To add to the lethality of the helicopter, it carries fire control radar, which has a 360° coverage and nose-mounted sensor suite for target acquisition and night vision systems.
Significance of the Induction:
  • Apache attack helicopters are being purchased to replace the Mi-35 fleet.
  • The addition of Apache Attack Helicopter is a significant step towards modernisation of Indian Air Force helicopter fleet.
  • This procurement will enhance the capability of IAF in providing integrated combat aviation cover to the army strike corps.
  • These tandem seating helicopters are day/night, all-weather capable and have high agility and survivability against battle damage. These are easily maintainable even in field conditions and are capable of prolonged operations in tropical and desert regions.

4.Project REPLAN

Project REPLAN (Reducing PLAstic in Nature):
  • KVIC, as part of its commitment to Swachh Bharat Abhiyaan, had started manufacturing of plastic-mixed handmade paper under its project REPLAN (Reducing PLAstic in Nature).
  • In this project, the waste plastic is collected, cleaned, chopped, beaten and treated for softness.
  • After that, it is mixed with the paper raw material i.e. cotton rags pulp in a ratio of 80 % (pulp) and 20% (plastic waste).
  • The institute has sold over six lakh handmade plastic mixed carry bags since September 2018.

5.Association of World Election Bodies

Context: Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora appointed as the chief of Association of World Election Bodies for the term 2019-21.

About:
  • The Association of World Election Bodies, commonly referred to as ‘A-WEB,’ was established on October 14, 2013 in Song-do, South Korea.
  • A-WEB is the first global organization of election management bodies, and the membership currently consists of 97 organizations from 94 countries.
  • Under the slogan of ‘Democracy to Grow for All Worldwide,’ the A-WEB Secretariat provides training programs for election officials of member nations and undertakes country programs at the request of member organization, providing support during the election cycle to boost election management capacity.
  • The National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea first proposed the creation of a global election management body institution to the Association of Asian Election Authorities (AAEA) in 2010.
  • After a series of Working Group meetings, a Charter was drawn up and the name A-WEB was chosen upon the suggestion of the Election Commission of India.
  • A-WEB has three main bodies. The Executive Board, The General Assembly and The Secretariat.
  • The Executive function and meets yearly to make decisions on A-WEB’s general direction.
  • The General Assembly convenes once every two years and votes on important issues related to A-WEB and decisions made by the Executive Board.
  • The Secretariat carries out the general administrative work of A-WEB and is based in the country where the Secretary General (elected by the Executive Board) resides.
  • Currently the secretariat is based in Song-do, South Korea. Other member countries send secondee staff to operate the office.
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