INTERNATIONAL
China to sell 8 submarines to Pakistan
China will sell eight submarines to Pakistan, with four of them being built in Karachi under a technology transfer agreement. The construction of the eight submarines will simultaneously begin in Pakistan and China and four of them will be built in Karachi. China will transfer technology to Pakistan for submarine construction. The deal is for Yuan-class Type 041 diesel-electric submarines equipped with air independent propulsion (AIP) systems.
North Korea celebrated 70th Anniversary of the Country
North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un attended the Military parade and mass rally in PyongYang on 10 October to mark the 70th anniversary of the country’s ruling party. Thousands of goose-stepping troops, tanks, armored vehicles, rocket launchers and a variety of missiles mounted on trucks rolled through the Square.
China starts biggest dam on Brahmaputra in Tibet
China on 13 October operationalised the 1.5 billion US Dollars Zam Hydropower Station, the largest in Tibet, built on the Brahmaputra river. Located in Gyaca county, Shannan prefecture, Zam Hydropower station also known as Zangmu Hydropower station, harnesses the waters of the Brahmaputra, known in Tibet as Yarlung Zangbo. Considered the world’s highest altitude hydropower station and the largest of its kind, the dam will produce 2.5 billion kilo-watt-hours of electricity a year.
Fiji Parliament elects new President Jioje Konrote
Fiji Parliament on 12th October 2015 has elected the Minister for Employment, Productivity and Industrial Relations as the next President of the country, namely Jioji/George Konrote. He was nominated by the ruling Fiji First party gaining 31 votes in the presidential elections held at the parliament. Opposition SODELPA party candidate Ratu Epeli Ganilau received a mere 14 votes. As per the constitution of Fiji, PM and leader of opposition submit presidential candidate’s name to Parliament Speaker for voting. Konrote is an ex major general who had joined the Republic of Fiji Military Forces in the 1960s.
NATO launched Trident Juncture Military Exercise
To test the alliance’s ability to respond to new security threats, North Atlantic Treaty organization (NATO) launched a biggest military excercise called Trident Juncture Military Excercise in Italy. The Military exercise has mobilised around 36,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen from more than 30 NATO countries.