History bears testimony to the fact that phenomenal damage has been caused more by sea mines in terms of material than land mines. One sea mine may cost about Rs 40,000 but has a potential to sink a thousand crore ship if it hits the target. To prevent mines from damaging own shipping, mine sweepers had been inducted in the Indian Navy in late seventies. The main role of a mine sweeper is to detect and destroy or neutralise any such mines, be it in our territorial waters, neutral waters or in enemy waters.

In any operation before any major war vessels sail out, mine sweepers 'sanitise' their path and carry out extensive mine hunting using sonars fitted onboard. The Western Fleet has six minesweepers. These ships carry three types of sweeps viz TEM-3, AT-2 and MT-1 which are streamed from their quarter-deck. The ships’ hull is made of special U3 steel to reduce her own magnetic signature. These sweeps acts as mine-counter equipment and cater for various types of mines such as electro-magnetic influenced mine, acoustically influenced mine, moored mines etc. TEM-3 and AT-2 simulate various signatures that a ship produces and causes mine to explode, thus, saving major war vessels and merchant shipping from any damage.

India and Oman agreed to step up defence cooperation relating to military-to-military contacts, especially in the field of training and joint exercises by the armed forces of both the countries. This agreement was reached during the recent three-day visit of the Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes to Oman.

During the visit, the need for collaboration in defence production was also discussed and both the sides agreed to enhance joint production of defence equipment. In particular, a close interaction between the defence establishments of the two countries in related fields would be established. Both the countries have joint ventures in several areas and are in the process of identifying newer areas of cooperation to take the economic exchange to higher levels.

During his stay in Oman, Mr Fernandes called on Sultan Qaboos in the southern city of Salalah and held talks with him on bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual interest. Mr Fernandes also met the Indian community at 'India House' in Muscat. Mr Fernandes has been the first Indian Defence Minister to have visited Oman. He visited Oman at the invitation of Mr Sayyid Badr Saud bin Hareb Al Busaldi, Minister for Defence Affairs, Oman.

Defence Minister, Mr George Fernandes stated that the structural changes brought about in the defence sector consequent to GoM recommendations would, inter alia, expedite decision making in matters of defence procurement. This, he said, would help in meeting the urgent requirements of the IAF. Resources for the ongoing projects and acquisition as also the future acquisition plans have not been a constraint. He was addressing the Air Force Commanders on the inaugural day of week-long bi-annual Commanders Conference.

The Defence Minister assured full support for the IAF proposals for a Light Attack Helicopter on the ALH platform, upgrading airfield security from within the existing manpower of the IAF and for visit of Suryakiran aerobatics team of the IAF to perform abroad.

- PIB (DW)

The Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) inspected equipment and goods worth Rs 12808 crore during 2001-02 out of which stores worth Rs 11070 crore were cleared for acquisition. The previous year's figures stand at Rs 11837 crore and Rs 10647 crore respectively. This was stated by the Defence Minister Mr George Fernandes while addressing the meeting of the Consultative Committee for Defence in New Delhi. Lauding DGQA for its vital role in the field of quality assurance, the Minister said that there was still room for improvement.

Mr Fernandes informed the members that DGQA is also taking up quality assurance of imported equipment and weapon systems being acquired by the Armed Forces. He said this is being carried out by DGQA experts not only in the manufacturing country but also on arrival at the Indian depots. Mr Fernandes said that during the last three years imported equipment worth over Rs 2500 crore were quality assured by DGQA.