Indian Military

New Delhi — Admiral Vladimir Sergeevich Vysotskiy, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy is visiting India from 17 -19 Jan 11 at the invitation of Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of Naval Staff.

A press release issued by the Indian defence ministry said the two Admirals had discussions on issues of common interest ranging from the maritime environment in the IOR, operational philosophies of the two navies, ongoing projects of Indian Navy and mutual training exchanges. Discussions on ongoing projects included detailed deliberations on the training of Indian Naval personnel for the operation of aircraft carrier Vikramaditya, scheduled to commence later this year.

Whilst discussing the maritime environment, specific emphasis was laid on the growing threat of piracy in the IOR and various possibilities for the two navies to co-operate. Other matters discussed included possibilities for instituting Navy-to-Navy interactions with ’staff talks’ and the feasibility of enhancing the scope of the INDRA exercises between the Indian Navy and the Russian Navy.

WASHINGTON: Retired army general John Shalikashvili, the first foreign-born chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, died early Saturday of complications from a stroke, a military hospital said. He was 75.
Shalikashvili -- known simply as "Shali" -- passed away at Madigan Army Medical Center in Tacoma, Washington, Joint Base Lewis-McChord said in a statement. He had previously suffered a severe stroke in 2004.
Shalikashvili is survived by his wife Joan and their son Brant.
A public memorial service is planned for August 6 in Tacoma, to be followed at an undetermined date by a funeral service at Arlington National Cemetery just outside the US capital.
The Polish-born Shalikashvili became chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 1993, serving under then-president Bill Clinton until he retired in 1997.
"As we mourn his passing, so, too, do we reflect on his contributions to our nation -- the lives he changed, the careers he mentored, the impact he made simply by virtue of his character and commitment," Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mike Mullen said.

New Delhi — The Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Nirmal Verma left New Delhi on a four day official visit to Indonesia from 10th Jan 11.

A press release issued by the Indian defence ministry said Admiral Verma will call on the Indonesian Minister of Defence Purnomo Yusgiantoro, Chief of Staff of the Indonesian Navy Admiral Soeparno, Coordinating Minister for Legal, Political and Security Affairs Air Chief Marshal Djoko Suyanto and the Commander-in-Chief of the Indonesian National Forces Admiral Agus Suhartono.

During his four day visit the Admiral will visit various facilities of the Indonesian Army, Navy and Air Force and the Admiral will be visiting Bandung and Bali in addition to Jakarta.

The release further stated that the Indian Navy and the Indonesian Navy have a longstanding working relationship with high levels of mutual co-operation and understanding fostered through regular co-ordinated patrols and exercises such as MILAN. Consistent information sharing on matters pertaining to maritime security also contributes significantly towards the healthy relationship.

COLOMBO: Already stripped off his military rank and medals, former Sri Lankan Army chief Sarath Fonseka, was on Friday held guilty of corruption charges by a second court martial, sentenced to a prison term of three years.

Now an opposition lawmaker, Fonseka, who led Sri Lankan Army's spectacular victory over the LTTE last year, was found guilty of corruption in defence deals at a hearing held on Friday, sources said.

The second court martial has recommended to the President a three-year jail term for Fonseka, they said.

The recommendations will be sent to the President, who has to approve them as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

The punishment will be officially declared only after the President signs the order, the sources said.

Fonseka had been charged with favouring an arms firm headed by his son-in-law in defence deals during his time as Army chief.

President Mahinda Rajapaksa is currently travelling to the US, and is scheduled to return next week.