TNPSC Current Affairs 2017 February 24(All)

1. Union Cabinet clears air defence missile deal with Israel for Rs 17,000 cr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved a mega deal worth Rs 17,000 cr       to develop jointly a Medium Range Surface-to- air missile (MR-SAM) system from Israel to protect India’s Airspace from enemy aircraft and Drones.

The Cabinet committee in Security (CCS), chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given nod for the deal which is executed by DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI). This mega deal will signed during the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel in June 2017.

About the Deal:

The Current deal is for procurement of 40 units of Medium Range Surface to Air Defense Missile (MR-SAM) system, known in Israel as the Barak 8. The system can shoot down enemy aircraft, drones, surveillance aircrafts and AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System) planes at the strike range between 50 to 70 km in the sky.

India and Israel also in talk for negotiation for the purchase of 2 long range Phalcon Airborne Warning and Control System. India currently has 3 Phalcon AWACS Israeli radar mounted on Russian IL-76 Transport Aricraft.

2.Union Cabinet gives nod to India Poland Agriculture Accord

The Union cabinet has given its approval for signing an agreement between India and poland Cooperation on Agriculture and Allied sectors. The union Cabinet was chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Agreement between India and Poland will cover exchange of information on various aspects which include the information about the current situation of Agriculture, the phytosanitary conditions of crops, threats posed harmful organism, disease of crops and the health of crops.

The Agreement also covers the participation in exhibition, Fairs, seminar and conference  related to Agriculture and agri-food processing.

The Agreement also undertake joint economic initiatives and Agri-food trade between countries.

As per the Agreement Joint working group will be constituted which comprise members of both countries. It will prepare plan for cooperation and also gives solution during the implementation of Agreement.

3.Cabinet gave its nod for Air Services Agreement between India and Greece.

The Union Cabinet has approved the Air Service Agreement between India and Greece,. The Union Cabinet was chaired by Prime minister Narendra Modi.

At present there is no Air service between India and Greece, the delegation of both the countries met in New Delhi on September  6 2016 and finalized the Air Service Agreement between both countries.

AS per the official statement, the agreement is expected to spur greater trade, investment and cultural ties. It also brings development in the civil aviation sector.

Features of ASA

As per the agreement both India and Greece can entitle to designate one or more airlines . The designated Airlines has the right to  establish offices in the territory of other country for the promotion of air services.

As per the Agreement, the designated Airlines would have fair and equal opportunity to operate agreed services on specified routes.

According to agreement, India can operate Air services to Athens ,Thessaloniki, Herklion and any three points to be specified later in Greece from points in India.

Greece can operate air services to 6 metro cities include, Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru