Daily News Digest 15 Jan 2024

Table of content

• Year of technology absorption for Army
• Punganur cows
• Astra Missiles
• Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu and Lohri
• Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024

Year of technology absorption for Army

Why in News?

On the occasion of the Army day on January 15th, the Chief of Army Staff has announced that the Indian Army will observe the year 2024 as the 'Year of Technology Absorption’.

Why is Army day celebrated?

• Indian Army Day is celebrated to commemorate the taking over of the command by the first Indian Commander-in-Chief, General KM Cariappa, from the last British Commander-in-Chief, General Sir Francis Roy Bucher, on 15th January 1949.
• Prior to this, the Indian Army was led by British officers, symbolizing the colonial legacy.

How can technology enhance traditional combat abilities?

• Intelligence and surveillance:
  • Satellites and drones: Provide real-time, high-resolution images and data on enemy movements, terrain, and infrastructure. Eg. the DRDO's Netra and the Army's Heron UAVs deployed in Tawang.
  • Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: Analyze vast amounts of data from sensors and satellites to predict threats, identify patterns, and automate target identification. The Indian Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness System (MDAS) leverages AI for this purpose.
  • Cybersecurity: Protect critical infrastructure and communication networks from cyberattacks. The Indian Army's Defence Cyber Agency spearheads this effort, using advanced software and trained personnel.
• Combat and weaponry:
  • Precision-guided munitions: Reduce collateral damage and improve accuracy, like the Indian Air Force's BrahMos and Astra missiles.
  • Robotic and unmanned systems: Carry out dangerous tasks like de-mining, reconnaissance, and combat in high-risk environments. The Indian Army's Daksh and Nishant robots are examples.
  • Directed-energy weapons: Offer non-lethal options for crowd control and disabling enemy equipment. The Indian Army's High-Power Laser Weapon System is under development at DRDO.
• Logistics and communication:
  • Automated supply chains: AI-powered logistics systems can optimize the delivery of supplies and equipment to troops in the field, minimizing delays and shortages.
  • Advanced communication systems: Ensure secure and reliable communication across diverse terrain and environments.
  • Robotics and autonomous vehicles: Automate logistical tasks like transportation, supply delivery, and maintenance, improving efficiency and reducing manpower needs.
  • Big data analytics: Optimize resource allocation, predict maintenance needs, and improve decision-making in logistics and supply chain management.
• Training and simulation:
  • Virtual reality and augmented reality (VR/AR): Provide immersive training environments for soldiers to practice combat scenarios, weapon handling, and decision-making in safe and controlled settings. The Indian Army's SIMBA (Simulator for Battlefield Awareness) utilizes VR.
  • AI-powered simulation platforms: Generate realistic and adaptable training scenarios, allowing for personalized training and continuous improvement.
• Government initiatives (BOX)
  • Make in India: It aims to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country. Further, 68% of Defence Capital Acquisition Budget (DCAB) allocations have been earmarked for domestic procurement.
  • Defence Procurement Policy (DPP): Prioritizes "Buy Indian – IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)" procurement, signifying a clear push towards self-reliance.
  • Defence Innovation Fund (DIF): It has helped in nurturing a burgeoning innovation ecosystem within the Indian defence landscape.
  • DRDO Achievements: India's indigenous weapons systems like Agni missiles, Tejas Light Combat Aircraft, and Akash air defence system showcase the prowess of DRDO.
  • Liberalisation of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy: allowing 74% FDI under automatic route;
  • Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) scheme: It aims at creation of an ecosystem to foster innovation and technology development in Defence and Aerospace by engaging Industries including MSMEs, start-ups, individual innovators, R&D institutes & academia.

What are the challenges in technological absorption?

• R&D investment gap: India's R&D spending in defence as a percentage of GDP (0.7%) lags behind major world powers (around 2%). This necessitates increased budgetary allocation and public-private partnerships for sustained R&D efforts.
• Private sector hesitation: Indian defence companies often encounter financial constraints and limited access to advanced technologies, making them hesitant to undertake large-scale R&D projects.
• Technology transfer Reluctance: Foreign suppliers may be hesitant to share critical technology due to intellectual property concerns and strategic considerations, limiting the scope of technology absorption.
• Bureaucratic bottlenecks: Complex procurement procedures and lengthy decision-making processes can hamper the timely acquisition and deployment of indigenous technologies.
• Skill gap: The Indian defence sector requires a skilled workforce in specialized fields like robotics, cybersecurity, and advanced materials. Addressing this through targeted training programs is crucial.
• Cybersecurity threats: government servers managed frequently face cyber attacks and compromises from adversaries seeking to obtain confidential information and intelligence using implanted malware. For instance, AIIMS malware attack to steal medical information.

Way forward

• Streamlining procurement: Simplifying procedures, reducing delays, and increasing transparency to attract private sector participation.
• Promoting innovation: Encouraging R&D through tax breaks, grants, and incubation centers for startups and small enterprises.
• Technology transfer incentives: Negotiating favorable terms with foreign partners and offering incentives like joint ventures and intellectual property protection for knowledge sharing.
• Talent development: Investing in specialized training programs to create a skilled workforce in areas like robotics, cybersecurity, and advanced materials.
• Focus on critical technologies: Prioritize research in areas like artificial intelligence, drones, hypersonic missiles, and cyber warfare.
• Building a robust supply chain: Develop a strong domestic ecosystem for raw materials, components, and sub-systems to reduce dependence on foreign imports.
• Cybersecurity: Develop robust cybersecurity solutions to protect critical defence infrastructure and technologies from cyberattacks.

Punganur cows

Why in news?

Recently, on the auspicious festival of Makara Sankranthi, Hon’ble PM fed several Punganur cows.

About Punganur Cows

• Punganur (dwarf) cattle which originated from the Chitoor District of Andhra Pradesh is among the world's smallest humped cattle breeds.
• They are among the world's most miniature-humped cattle breeds, with an average height of 70-90 cm and an average weight of 115-200 kg.
• A Punganur cow can give around 1 to 3 litres a day, and the milk fat content is 8 per cent as compared to 3 to 4 per cent in other native breeds.
• The milk a Punganur cow provides has high nutritional value.
  • Known for its high-fat content A2 milk, rich in nutrients such as Omega fatty acids, calcium, potassium, and magnesium, which are essential for maintaining good health.
• Vulnerability: The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) lists the breed as facing extinction.
  • According to livestock journals, it is on the verge of extinction due to cross-breeding by farmers.

Astra Missiles

Why in news?

Recently, the Minister of State for Defence, flagged off the indigenously developed and manufactured Astra Missiles for supply to the Indian Air Force at Bharat Dynamics (BDL).

About Astra Missiles System

• ASTRA is an indigenously developed Beyond Visual Range Air - to - Air missile comprising Astra Missile and Launcher.
• Astra is a beyond visual range (BVR) air-to-air missile indigenously developed by DRDO and manufactured by BDL for the IAF.
• It is to be the best in its class weapon systems in the world in the category of Air-to-Air missiles.
• Key features:
  • Range is 80 -110 km, Altitude up to 20 km, and Launch platform is Su-30 MKI.

Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu and Lohri

Why in news?

Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Bihu and Lohri are celebrated with different names, there are a lot of similarities in them. These festivals are celebrated during the same period.

About Festivals

• The day is a marker for a change of season – warmer months are close and we are moving away from winter, which is seen as a period of inactivity in many ways.
• It is said that the northward journey of the sun (Uttarayan) begins on this day.
• In the Hindu belief system, the end of January heralds the beginning of longer days.
• It marks the Sun changing directions and shifting its trajectory towards the north, therefore, entering the Makara or Capricorn zodiac sign.
• 14 January - Unlike most festivals that follow the lunar cycle, Makar Sankranti follows the solar cycle and thus, is celebrated almost on the same day every year.

Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar 2024

Why in news?

Recently, the nominations/applications are invited for the Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) for individuals or in teams in various fields of science, technology and technology­ led innovation.

About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar

• It has announced by the Government of India.
• The awards shall be announced on 11th May 2024 (National Technology Day).
• The Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar are given in the following 13 domains, namely: Physics, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Mathematics & Computer Science, Earth Science, Medicine, Engineering Sciences, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Technology & Innovation, Atomic Energy, Space Science and Technology, and Others.
• The awards shall be given in following four categories:
  • Vigyan Ratna (VR): Maximum of three awards to be bestowed to recognize lifetime achievements & contributions made in a given field of Science and Technology.
  • Vigyan Shri (VS): Maximum of 25 awards to be given to recognize the distinguished contributions in the given field of Science and Technology.
  • Vigyan Yuva: Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB) award: Maximum of 25 awards to be given to recognize and encourage young scientists who made an exceptional contribution in the given field of Science and Technology.
  • Vigyan Team (VT) award: Maximum of three awards may be awarded to a team comprising three or more scientists/researchers/innovators who have made an exceptional contribution working in a team in a given field of Science and Technology.