22 June 2023 : Indian Express
Indian Express
22-June-2023
The Indian Express, CSE candidates can stay informed about current events and developments in India and around the world.
1. Why jet engine is a big deal
Syllabus – GS III
Recent Context – The anticipated deal to build GE’s F414 military aircraft engine powers state-of-the-art fighters in India for the LCA Tejas Mk2 will mark a milestone in India-US defence cooperation.
What is the anticipated deal?
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A deal will be announced between the American multinational corporation General Electric (GE) and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the manufacture under licence in India of GE’s F414 engine for the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TejasMk2.
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The likely agreement for the technology transfer was discussed in the talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin. It was a key highlight of National Security Advisor Ajit Doval’s meeting with his American counterpart Jake Sullivan in February when the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) was operationalised.
The GE-414 engine
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According to GE, the engines are in the thrust class of 22,000 lb or 98kN and feature advanced technology such as Full Authority Digital Electronic Control (FADEC) — the latest aircraft ignition and engine control system that controls engine performance digitally.
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The use of advanced materials and cooling techniques improves performance and extends component life.
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According to the GE Aerospace website, the turbo fan engine, part of GE’s suite of military aircraft engines, has been in use by the US Navy for more than 30 years.
F414-powered jets
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F414-GE-400 engines power the US Navy’s Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornet and EA18G Growler electronic attack aircraft. Saab’s Gripen E/F fighters use the F414G, the single-engine variant of the F414-GE-400.
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According to GE, eight nations have F414-powered aircraft in operation or on order.
For Indian aircraft
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The India-specific version of the engine, F414-INS6, was selected by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) of the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) for the LCA Tejas Mk2.
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The LCA Tejas is powered by a single GE-404-IN20 engine.
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Safran SA of France and HAL have co-developed the Shakti engine for the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
Why the deal matters
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The US, Russia, the UK, and France — have mastered the technology and metallurgy needed to manufacture an engine that can power combat aircraft. India is not in this elite list; its major push for self-reliance in manufacturing several critical technologies.
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The DRDO’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) first worked on developing the GTX-37 engine for the LCA. Subsequently, the ambitious Kaveri engine project was sanctioned in late 1989.
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In 2011, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) pulled up the GTRE for its inability to produce the engine for the LCA despite heavy cost overruns.
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The countries with the technology to manufacture advanced fighter aircraft engines have traditionally been unwilling to share them. That is why the anticipated deal to manufacture GE’s F414s in India is path-breaking. The pact will lift India-US defence cooperation to a new level.
2. THE CHINA HURDLE
Syllabus – GS III
Recent Context – The US proposal to designate Sajid Mir, the Lashkar-e-Toiba mastermind behind the Mumbai terrorist attacks. The proposal was sponsored by the US and India last September.
Main Issue
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It was apparent that China’s technical hold was merely a delaying tactic, as it was in the case of the proposal on Jaish e Mohammed chief Masood Azhar for several years.
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Placing the proposal under “permanent objection” is the next step. This is what China has deployed now. Any further efforts to designate Sajid Mir will require a new proposal.
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China has used its veto against sanctioning India-focused terrorists since 2006 while signing off on those it sees as a threat to its own interests, such as the East Turkistan Islamic Movement and the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan. The unfortunate message from its latest move is that Beijing views terrorism directed against India from the soil of its friend and ally Pakistan through a narrow lens of regional geopolitics.
About Sajid Mir
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David Headley—the Pakistani-American Lashkar operative — had named Mir and a Major Iqbal, who he described as an ISI officer, during his testimony in a US court in 2011, as well as in his testimony to a court in Mumbai in 2016.
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Mir was also on the FBI’s list of most wanted terrorists— the FBI described him as the “chief planner” of the Mumbai attacks.
Lashkar-e-Toiba
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It was responsible for major 2008 terror attacks in Mumbai and numerous other high-profile attacks.
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It is banned in India as per the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act 1967.
3. Who pays for the clean-up?
Syllabus – GS III
Recent Context – The European Union (EU) has recently put forward a proposal called the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). This involves imposing tariffs on imports from other countries that are seen to be using carbon-intensive production methods.
Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
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Starting in 2026, this mechanism will cover products such as cement, steel, aluminium, oil refinery, paper, glass, chemicals and electricity generation.
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The countries most affected will be Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, India and China (the UK, though outside the EU, has regulations similar to the EU’s). Only three of the 12 exporters to the EU have a mechanism for “pricing carbon”.
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The CBAM is expected to achieve three objectives. First, reduce EU’s emissions; second, for the EU not to lose competitiveness in carbon-intensive goods; and third, to make the targeted countries reduce the carbon intensity of their exports.
Issues
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The CBAM is a unilateral move against the spirit of multilateralism. The problems of measurement mean that it could be used for protectionism.
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It targets production processes (not the product itself) that the WTO disapproves of.
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It is targeting the emissions embodied in a limited number of traded goods. Its effect on climate change is likely to be small.
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It is designed to help rich countries avoid paying for creating the climate problem.
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This mechanism also seeks to penalise “free riders”. A free-rider is one who is not contributing, although has the means to do so, riding on the contribution of others. The country that fits this definition is the US.
Way Forward
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The analytical framework for tackling climate change is based on putting a price on carbon emissions. Since burning carbon anywhere in the world affects climate change exactly in the same way, we need a global price for carbon to redress this global “externality”.
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The developing countries did not create the problem and have limited means to pay for a “clean up”.
4. Soft power, hard ware
Syllabus – GS I
Recent Context – Prime Minister Narendra Modi leads the International Yoga Day celebrations at the UN headquarters.
International Day of Yoga
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It is celebrated annually on 21st June.
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It is a day dedicated to raising awareness about the numerous benefits of practising yoga and promoting its holistic approach to health and well-being.
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Yoga is an ancient practice that originated in India and has gained worldwide popularity for its physical, mental and spiritual benefits.
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The theme for International Yoga Day is determined by the United Nations, which officially recognised this observance in 2014.
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“Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” is the theme for this year’s International Yoga Day 2023 which beautifully captures our shared aspiration for “One Earth, One Family, and One Future.”
History and Significance
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In 2014 India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, proposed the idea during his address to the United Nations General Assembly.
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His proposal received overwhelming support from the UN member states, leading to the adoption of June 21 as International Yoga Day by the United Nations General Assembly on December 2014.
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The significance of International Yoga Day lies in its ability to bring people from various backgrounds, cultures, and nations together to celebrate and practice yoga.
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These events aim to encourage people of all ages and abilities to try yoga and experience its transformative effects.
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International Yoga Day highlights the significance of yoga as a holistic practice for physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
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