GMR Group launches Blockchain Centre of Excellence for airports

GMR Group launched a Blockchain Centre of Excellence (CoE) for airports as part of its expansion of the GMR Innovex initiative.

GMR Innovex - Blockchain Centre of Excellence will identify and incubate startups and catalyze innovative product development under the guidance of business leaders and domain experts in association with blockchain technology partners, according to a statement released by GMR Group.

The Blockchain CoE will provide access to the required infrastructure and labs to start-ups, and SMEs for the development and validation of solutions and services, from design to prototyping. It will also enable thought leadership, research, and training programs for upskilling in the field of blockchain.

https://twitter.com/GInnovex/status/1561029925553188864

GMR Innovex signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Idealabs, Polygon, Koinearth, India Blockchain Forum and Veroince to explore opportunities and identify blockchain technology-related use cases for airports and ancillary businesses.

Jayesh Ranjan, Principal Secretary of the Industries and Commerce (I&C) and Information Technology (IT), Govt of Telangana was the chief guest on the occasion.

"We are excited to launch the Blockchain CoE for our group, which intends to work with various Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) technology players, to build a slew of applications for the distributed technology landscape.We believe the industry is slowly emerging with respect to utility and value that DLT systems present, specifically for a multi-stakeholder environment like airports. We already have use-cases that we are ear marking to build on which will help create transparency, trust, data bartering and shared value and experience for our partners and customers."SGK Kishore, ED-South and Chief Innovation Officer, GMR Airports

GMR Innovex has onboarded Pankaj Diwan as the Chief Evangelist for leading the GMR Innovex Blockchain CoE, who has been associated with blockchain-related activities for a long time.

He will also be supported by a group of blockchain advisors who are expert grouping and practitioners in different industry verticals, GMR Group said in the statement.

"Blockchain is emerging as the biggest disruptor in business after the advent of the internet with a potential to transform entire business ecosystems. Idealabs is happy to partner with GMR Group and GMR Innovex for the Blockchain CoE. We are excited to help the GMR Innovex Blockchain CoE develop internal blockchain competency and explore relevant use cases in the airport ecosystem."Pankaj Diwan, Chief Evangelist for leading the GMR Innovex Blockchain CoE and Founder, Idealabs Future Tech Ventures

A dedicated new facility for innovation has also been established at the Hyderabad Airport campus to serve as a platform for various innovation activities by various collaborating start-ups, industry partners and GMR employees.

"India Blockchain Forum, is excited to partner with GMR Innovex on its journey to building the CoE and building enterprise class dApps. We believe being Foundational Technology, Blockchain has lot of applicability and relevance in the broader aviation space. We should see this collaboration will bring much needed innovation for aviation space."Prasanna Lohar, President, India Blockchain Forum

As per Grand View Research, the global blockchain technology market size was valued at USD 5.92 billion in 2021 and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 85.9% from 2022 to 2030. The market growth can be attributed to the increasing venture capital funding in blockchain technology companies.

GMR Group launches Blockchain Centre of Excellence for airports

GMR-Innovex, the new business vertical of GMR Group, was launched in April 2021 to foster innovation. It has innovation-focussed partnerships with multiple new partners, including Airbus, Plug and Play (leading global corporate innovation platform), Swedish Institute (SI), T – Hub (Innovation intermediary and business incubator based in Hyderabad), IIT-Hyderabad, International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) and Schulich Business School (Business School of York University Located in Toronto, Canada).

An air traffic controller (ATC) at the Delhi airport tested positive for a psychoactive substance and has been removed from duty by the aviation regulator DGCA, sources said on Sunday, August 21.

This is the first instance of an air traffic controller (ATC) testing positive for psychoactive substance after the rules for the testing of the flight crew and ATCs for psychoactive substances came into force in the country in January 2022, they said.

The sources said that an ATC posted at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) was subjected to a drug test. The person was found positive in the confirmatory test report received on August 18 and he has been removed from the ATCO duty.

ATC at Delhi Airport removed from duty by DGCA as he tests positive for psychoactive drug

The Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) detailing the procedure for examination of the aviation personnel for consumption of psychoactive substances came into effect on January 31. The test is done for the flight crew and ATCs on a random basis.

ALSO READ - DGCA orders pre-flight alcohol tests for 50% of pilots and cabin crew daily

Since the rules were implemented, three pilots of different airlines have been found positive after the confirmatory test and are being dealt with as per the provisions of DGCA regulations.

As per the CAR, in case the result of the confirmatory drug test is positive for the first time, then the person concerned will be referred to a de-addiction centre by the organisation concerned for a de-addiction and rehabilitation.

If the same person tests positive for the second time, then his or her licence will be suspended for three years. And if the violation happens for the third time, then the particular personnel's licence will be cancelled.

In the introduction to the CAR, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) mentioned that the worldwide spread of the use of psychoactive substances, their general availability and the ever-increasing number of addicted users is a serious concern to aviation safety.

Citing a study conducted by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment and the report published in February 2019, DGCA said that after alcohol, cannabis and opioids are the next commonly used psychoactive substances in India.

In the introduction to the CAR, DGCA mentioned the worldwide spread of the use of psychoactive substances and the ever-increasing number of addicted users is a serious concern to aviation safety.

ALSO READ - A dozen airport and airlines maintenance staff reported working drunk in India

Two pilots of leading Indian airlines failed dope tests in July end, becoming the first aviation personnel to do so since India started testing flight crew and air traffic controllers for psychoactive substances on a random basis starting January 31, 2022. 

ALSO READ - Two pilots of leading Indian airlines fail dope tests

As this is the first time they have failed the test, the two are being sent for de-addiction or rehabilitation. After undergoing the programme successfully, they can return to work with a negative dope test and a fitness certificate from their airline doctor. 

Kolhapur airport is all set to be transformed into a world-class airport by getting a new terminal building with enhanced capacity and top-notch facilities to accommodate increased passenger traffic growth at the airport.

The new terminal building of Kolhapur Airport in Maharashtra is likely to be ready by March 2023, with more than 60 per cent of work completed.

Work on upgrading the airside facilities is completed. A new Air Traffic Control Tower is also being constructed to cater for future traffic growth. A parking area with a capacity of 110 cars and ten buses are also part of the development activities.

A world-class terminal will enhance the connectivity to this industrial city, boosting the tourism industry of the region.

The new terminal building is being constructed in an area of 4000 sqm and will be able to process 300 passengers during peak hours. With 10 check-in counters, the Terminal will be equipped with all modern passenger amenities.

The building will be a Four-Star GRIHA-rated energy-efficient building with sustainability features. The interiors of the terminal building will reflect the art and culture of local culture & heritage.

Considering the tremendous passenger traffic growth at the Kolhapur airport, the Airports Authority of India has undertaken the work of developing the airport for enhanced capacity.

Kolhapur airport upgrades to a new terminal building

The increased connectivity will not only create new employment opportunities for the local community provide access to better educational and medical facilities.

Kolhapur Airport has been identified for RCS operations under the UDAN scheme and is presently connected to Hyderabad, Bangalore, Mumbai, and Tirupati. Recently, the Airport Aerodrome license has been upgraded to 24*7 flight operations.

ALSO READ - AAI undertakes the installation of night landing facility at Kolhapur airport

In a major change in how airport safety is managed, the government has allowed airport operators (both private and government) to deploy non-public safety guards at airports.

This is the first time since 2002 that private security has been allowed in airports since the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) became responsible for airport security after the Kandahar Hijack incident.

Against the required airport security strength of 30,003, CISF has 29,399.

This move comes after the centre felt that the strength of CISF was not enough to cater to the burgeoning growth in air traffic. Currently, out of 118 operational airports, 64 are manned by CISF’s Aviation Security Group.

The rest are with state police or India Reserve Battalions. Against the required airport security strength of 30,003, CISF has 29,399, leaving a shortfall, said a survey by the Centre.

The Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), which is responsible for aviation security has passed an instruction to airports, which has allowed them to outsource the job of manning security in five non-core areas like segregating passengers at airport gates, queue management in front of boarding counters, baggage control, cargo area and security of visitor’s gallery.

The private security guards will work under CISF’s direct operational control and will also be trained by it.

With footfalls rising in major metro airports and several new airports joining India’s aviation network driven by the Centre’s regional connectivity scheme (read: UDAN) scheme, the deployment of private security guards will lessen the burden on CISF.

“Private security agency has been allowed in non-core or non-strategic areas of airports. Along with CISF, if private security guards are also deployed, this will increase the effectiveness and quality of airport security.”Jaideep Prasad, Joint DG, BCAS

The training of private security guards will be similar to that of CISF, which will also be beneficial for the industry in the long run which is seeing an exponential increase in traffic. Multiple private airports have already started deploying private security guards.

Adani-owned Ahmedabad and Guwahati airports have deployed around 100 private security personnel to man the non-core areas.

(With Inputs from The Economic Times)

The defence trade between India and Russia has crossed $15 billion since 2018, in the backdrop of some big deals including the $5.43 billion S-400 long-range air defence systems. India continues to remain Russia’s largest arms buyer with a major chunk of legacy hardware from Russia and the Soviet Union, although the volume of imports has reduced in the last decade.

According to the head of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation Dmitry Shugayev, Russia and India are collaborating in the deliveries of Igla-S man-portable air defence systems and MiG-29UPG fighter aircraft.

Dmitry Shugayev | Forecast International

The following projects of bilateral cooperation are at various stages of their approval: arranging the production of Ka-226T helicopters in India, delivering and setting up the licensed production of Igla-S man-portable air defence systems, delivering additional sets for the manufacture of Su-30MKI aircraft, delivering additional MiG-29UPG planes and delivering additional Ka-31 helicoptersthe defence cooperation chief said

What is the Igla-S Air Defence System?

The 9K38 Igla, NATO reporting name (SA-18 Grouse) is a Russian/Soviet man-portable infrared homing surface-to-air missile (SAM) system.

9K38 Igla | Armies Power, Aug 20, 2020 | Youtube

The Igla-1 entered service in 1981, the Igla in 1983, and the Igla-S in 2004. The Igla-S man-portable air defence missile system (MANPADS) is designed as a way for countering low-flying aircraft, as it forms the last line of defence against flying objects in a multi-layered air defence system.

The defence system features combat equipment, including the 9M342 missile and the 9P522 launching mechanism; maintenance equipment, including the 9V866-2 mobile test station and the 9F719-2 test set, training facilities and night firing devices. Additionally, they can also reportedly down combat helicopters as well as cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

The Army 2022 international military-technical forum organized by Russia’s Defence Ministry runs on August 15-21 on the premises of the Patriot Park near Moscow, at the Alabino practice range and the Kubinka airfield, and also in all of Russia’s Military Districts and the Northern Fleet, in more than 30 Russian regions.

SOURCE(s)

COVER: Air Power Asia

Aerial prowess has always been a major differentiator when it comes to establishing air supremacy. In what can be termed a show of strength in foreign skies, four Indian Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets and two C-17 Globemaster-III strategic airlifter have touched down in Australia for the major 'Pitch Black' air combat exercise.

What is a "Pitch Black" air combat mission?

Exercise Pitch Black 2022 is the Royal Australian Air Force’s most significant International Engagement activity with allied nations and other partners participating, developing and enhancing military relationships at all levels.

This year, the RAAF Base Amberley, located near Ipswich will also be included and will witness the participation of around 100 aircraft and 2,500 military personnel from 17 nations- including France, Germany, Indonesia, India, Singapore, Japan, Republic of Korea, UK, the Philippines, Thailand, UAE, Canada, Netherlands, Malaysia, New Zealand and the US.

A JAS-39 Gripen from the Royal Thai Air Force prepares to taxi out of the shelters for another mission during Exercise Pitch Black 2018 at RAAF Base Darwin | defence.gov.au

It is also to be noted that Germany, Japan, and the Republic of Korea will be participating fully for the first time.

It is a biennial three-week multi-national large force employment exercise conducted primarily from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal.

The mission features a range of realistic, simulated threats similar to a modern battle-space environment. It will include day and night flying involving up to approximately 100 participating aircraft. There will not be any overarching scenario for the exercise. Each mission will be executed as a stand-alone serial with distinct training objectives.

The exercise which has already commenced is slated to go on until 8 September 2022.

India's participation in the exercise

The IAF contingent, led by Group Captain YPS Negi, will undertake multi-domain air combat missions in a complex environment and will exchange best practices with the participating air forcesan officer said

https://twitter.com/IAF_MCC/status/1560634660429844485

The IAF last participated in the Pitch Black exercise two years back in 2018 and since then has bolstered military ties between the two countries.

Indian Air Force SU-30 Flanker aircraft conduct air-to-air refuelling from a Royal Australian Air Force No. 33 Squadron KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport during Exercise Pitch Black 2018 | defence.gov.au

Conversely, Australia has also become a regular participant in India's Malabar naval exercise with the US and Japan. This time around, the exercise has a special significance with China's recent activities concerning Taiwan and the "Quad" countries pledging their intent to deter any "coercion" in the Indo-Pacific region.

Source(s)

Cover: defence.gov.au