PIB – May 24 , 2019


Topic covered- Indigenization of technology and developing new technology

INDIGENOUS BIO-JET FUEL

Context

  • IAF’s formidable workhorse, the Russian made AN-32 aircraft was formally fleet certified to fly on blended aviation fuel containing up to 10% of indigenous bio-jet fuel.

Bio-Jet Fuel for Military Aircrafts

  1. The indigenous bio-jet fuel was first produced by the CSIR-IIP lab at Dehradun in 2013, but could not be tested or certified for commercial use on aircraft due to lack of test facilities in the civil aviation sector.
  2. It has formally granted its approval for use of this fuel, produced from non-conventional source i.e. non-edible vegetable/ tree borne oil to be used on military aircraft.
  3. The bio-jet fuel has been produced from seeds of Jatropha plant sourced from Chhattisgarh and processed at CSIR-IIP’s lab at Dehradun.
  4. Bio jet fuel can be produced from animal fat, used cooking oil, waste dairy fat, sewage sludge, etc.
  5. The oil needs to have a freezing point below -47 degrees so it doesn’t freeze at altitudes at which planes fly, should not catch fire on ground when being transferred into a plane, must have the same density as aviation turbine fuel, have a certain calorific value and should not choke the filters.
  6. It is also 1.8% more energy dense as compared to Aviation Turbine Fuel and is, therefore, more efficient.
  7. In August 2018, India has joined elite group of countries (others being US, Canada and Australia) that operate biofuel powered flights.

Importance of Bio-jet fuel

  1. Blended bio-jet fuel produced from Jatropha has the dual benefit of reducing the carbon footprint as well as usage of fossil fuels.
  2. Increased demand of bio-jet fuel would give impetus to increase in collection of tree-borne non-edible oil seeds.
  3. It will help generate ancillary income for tribal and marginal farmers, and encourage cultivation/ collection of oilseeds.

Topic covered – Defence Technology

GUIDED BOMB

Context

  • Defence Research and DefenceOrganisation (DRDO) successfully flight tested a 500 kg class Inertial Guided Bomb today from Su-30 MKI Aircraft from the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan.
  • The weapon system is capable of carrying different warheads.

What is the Guided Bomb?

  • The Guided Bomb technology indigenously is developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
  • The DRDO Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) is a long-range precision-guided anti-airfield weapon.
  • It is designed to be capable of engaging ground targets with high precision up to a range of 100 kilometres.
  • The SAAW project was approved by the Indian government in 2013.
  • Importance of SAAW
  • SAAW is India’s attempt at building an indigenous weapon for the specialized operation.
  • These precision-guided glide bombs are cheaper than conventional missiles since they do not have the complex propulsion systems that are the norm for cruise missiles.
  • Depending on the operational requirements, these missiles could also be used against other ground targets to give Indian forces enhanced area-denial capabilities such as taking out bridges or other ground infrastructure.

Topic covered- Bilateral, regional & global groupings & agreements involving India &/or affecting India’s interests

Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum

Context

  • The Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum is being held at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan May, 2019.

About SCO Mass Media Forum

  • Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum is forum of Media leaders of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member countries.
  • Indian delegation from I&B Ministry is participating in the SCO Mass Media Forum.
  • SCO Mass Media Forum is organized to accomplish the SCO objectives of mutual trust, friendly relations with neighbors and regional security in line with the “Shanghai Spirit”.
  • The theme of Second (SCO) Mass Media Forum is “carrying on the ‘Shanghai Spirit’ and ushering a new era for media cooperation,”
  • The first SCO Media Summit was held in Beijing in June 2018.

AIMS of SCO Mass Media Forum

  • To strengthen the exchange and cooperation in the field of mass media amongst SCO countries.
  • It offers a unique platform for active work through mass media to create an objective vision of the organization and strengthen its positive image in the global information space.
  • Call for establishing successful collaborations of Mass Media Organizations of the SCO member Countries.

SHANGHAI COOPERATION ORGANIZATION (SCO)

About

  • Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic and security organisation.
  • SCO grew out of Shanghai Five founded in 1996 with China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan as its original members.
  • India and Pakistan joined SCO as full members in June 2017 at a summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.
  • SCO is the largest regional organisation in the world in terms of geographical coverage and population and has become very powerful and influential.
  • At present it has 8 member states- China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.

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