US announces military package for Ukraine
Why is it in news?
Recently
the US has announced a military aid package of USD 775 million in line with its
promise to provide all possible assistance to Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia
war. The assistance would include "additional weapons, munitions and
equipment".
Highlights
•
The USD 775 million aid package will include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 mine-resistant,
ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs, including mine-clearing rollers and
2,000 anti-armor rounds, which will be delivered to Ukraine. K's troops advance
to the south and east, where Russian forces have planted mines.
•
That aid package also includes 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 Javelin missiles
and an undisclosed number of high-speed, anti-radiation or HARM missiles
targeting radar systems.
•
In addition, the US is sending 40 heavily armored MaxxPro Mine Resistant
Vehicles, which were originally developed for the US military in Iraq.
•
This latest aid comes as the Ukraine-Russia war approaches six months. This
brings total US military aid to Ukraine to about $10.6 billion since the
beginning of the Biden administration. The Pentagon has provided Ukraine with
equipment from Defense Department stocks for the 19th time since August 2021.
VINBAX 2022: Bilateral military exercise between Vietnam and India v
Why
is it in news?
•
In the midst of unusually hot and dry weather, the water level in the Rhine
River has receded.
•
Due to low water levels, it has been difficult for ships to navigate this
important European shipping route when fully loaded.
The
Rhine River is an important shipping route for the economy because:
1.
It is a major route from products like grain to chemicals and coal. The river
flows through German industrial areas from the Swiss Alps to the North Sea.
2.
It serves as an important link between industrial producers and global export
terminals in the North Sea ports including Rotterdam and Amsterdam.
•
But the water level is continuously decreasing. The water level at Kao
checkpoint on August 15, 2022 was 32 cms as against 42 cms last week.
•
When the water level drops, cargo ships have to move with less load. Due to
lower water levels, loading has been reduced to about a quarter of the regular
volume for some shippers.
Low Water Level Effect
•
Shipping bottlenecks due to low water levels will further downgrade the German
economy, which is in crisis due to high inflation, high prices and supply chain
disruptions.
•
Low water levels can increase costs for chemical companies and encourage
production cuts.
•
To avoid this situation, companies are sending more goods by road and rail.v
US announces military package for Ukrainev
US announces military package for Ukraine
Why is it in news?
Recently
the US has announced a military aid package of USD 775 million in line with its
promise to provide all possible assistance to Ukraine in the Ukraine-Russia
war. The assistance would include "additional weapons, munitions and
equipment".
Highlights
•
The USD 775 million aid package will include 15 Scan Eagles, 40 mine-resistant,
ambush-protected vehicles known as MRAPs, including mine-clearing rollers and
2,000 anti-armor rounds, which will be delivered to Ukraine. K's troops advance
to the south and east, where Russian forces have planted mines.
•
That aid package also includes 1,500 anti-tank missiles, 1,000 Javelin missiles
and an undisclosed number of high-speed, anti-radiation or HARM missiles
targeting radar systems.
•
In addition, the US is sending 40 heavily armored MaxxPro Mine Resistant
Vehicles, which were originally developed for the US military in Iraq.
•
This latest aid comes as the Ukraine-Russia war approaches six months. This
brings total US military aid to Ukraine to about $10.6 billion since the
beginning of the Biden administration. The Pentagon has provided Ukraine with
equipment from Defense Department stocks for the 19th time since August 2021.
Taiwan organizes Han Kuang military exercise 2022
Why
is it in news?
The
first phase of the Han Kuang military exercise concluded recently and its
second phase began on July 25, 2022. The second phase will continue till July
29. All branches of Taiwan's military are involved in this exercise.
Highlights
•
In this exercise an enemy attempted to take control of a major waterway near
the capital of Taiwan.
•
Invading forces attacked Taiwan's northern coast by sea and air and targeted
the mouth of the Tamsui River. The Tamsui River is a strategic estuary that
provides direct access to the center of Taipei.
•
To respond to the invading forces, Taiwan's military deployed indigenous
Defense Fighter (IDF) jets and tanks.
Significance
•
These exercises assume greater significance due to growing concerns over
China's intention towards Taiwan in 2022.
•
Taiwan is a self-governing island. But China's ruling Communist Party claims
Taiwan as its territory.
•
These concerns are exacerbated by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as China has
not ruled out using force to annex Taiwan.
Han Kuang Exercise
Han
Kuang exercise is being conducted since 1984. It is organized to boost the
forces' overall defense capabilities, to counter preparedness during an attack
by the People's Liberation Army of China.