27 May 2020: PIB Summary & Analysis

May 27th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PM-KISAN
2. Tejas Mk-1 FOC
3. New Development Bank

1. PM-KISAN

Context:

Rs.19,350.84 crore released for 9.67 crore farmers during lockdown period under Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi Scheme.

Read more about PM KISAN Samman Nidhi Yojana at the linked article.

2. Tejas Mk-1 FOC

Context:

Tejas Mk-1 FOC handed over to the Indian Air Force (IAF).

Details:

• The IAF inducted Tejas Mk-1 FOC aircraft into the recently resurrected No 18 Squadron, the “Flying Bullets” at Air Force Station Sulur in Tamil Nadu.
• The Squadron is the first in the IAF to induct this platform.

About Tejas Mk-1:

• Tejas Mk-1 FOC is a single engine, light weight, highly agile, all-weather multi-role fighter aircraft capable of air-to-air refuelling thus, making it a truly versatile platform.
• The aircraft has been inducted in the FOC standard (Final Operational Clearance).
• The FOC variant has close combat gun, additional drop tanks, Beyond Visual Range (BVR) missile capability, updated avionics and flight control software suite.
• The LCA (Tejas) Mk-2, a bigger variant aircraft with bigger engine, was under design stage and test trials of the aircraft are expected to happen by 2022.

About the Number 18 Squadron:

• The No 18 Squadron was raised at Ambala in 1965 with the Folland Gnat Aircraft.
• The Squadron has the unique distinction of having operated two HAL made aircraft, the Tejas and the Ajeet, which it also operated from the same station.
• Over the years, it also operated MiG-27 ML aircraft from various bases across the country.
• The Squadron saw active combat during the 1971 war.
• The Squadron was number plated in Apr 2016.
• The Squadron falls under the operational control of the Southern Air Command which is responsible for integrating the Squadron into the IAF Concept of Operations.
• The Squadron was resurrected in April 2020.

Read more on LCA Tejas at the linked article.

3. New Development Bank

Context:

The Union Finance Minister attended the Special Board of Governors meeting of the New Development Bank (NDB) through video-conference.

About the NDB:

• The NDB is a multilateral developmental institution created by BRICS.

To know more about the NDB, check the article on BRICS under the heading ‘New Development Bank’.

May 27th, 2020 PIB:- Download PDF Here

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