Apache Helicopters

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

The United States has approved the proposed sale of support services and related equipment for Apache helicopters to India at an estimated cost of 198.2 million US dollars.

About

Apache helicopters are among the world’s most advanced multi-role attack helicopters.
Developed by Boeing, it combines firepower, agility, and modern avionics.
It is equipped with Hellfire missiles, 70mm rockets, and a 30mm chain gun, enabling it to engage ground targets, armoured vehicles, and even low-flying aircraft.
They have advanced sensors, targeting radar, and night vision systems that make it effective for operations in all weather conditions, including high-altitude and low-visibility combat zones.
Besides India, other users include Egypt, Israel, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and more.

Syllabus: GS3/Space

In News

Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory have used data from Chandrayaan-3 to reveal new details about the Moon’s surface.

Chandrayaan-3,

It is a follow-on mission to Chandrayaan-2, successfully achieved a soft landing on the Moon’s south pole in 2023.

Lander payloads:

Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE) – to measure the thermal conductivity and temperature
Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA) – for measuring the seismicity around the landing site etc.

Rover payloads:

Alpha Particle X-ray Spectrometer (APXS) & Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscope (LIBS) for deriving the elemental composition in the vicinity of landing site.

Additional Information – Chandrayaan-1

It was launched in 2008.
It was India’s first lunar mission.
It made India the fifth country to reach the Moon.
The mission’s most significant discovery was the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface, a finding confirmed by NASA.

Chandrayaan-2

It was launched in 2019 with an orbiter, a lander (Vikram), and a rover (Pragyan).
The mission aimed to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface, but ISRO lost contact with the lander just before touchdown, resulting in a crash landing.
Despite this setback, the orbiter continued functioning and provided crucial data on the Moon’s surface and atmosphere.

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

India and Italy bilateral relations

Partnership: Elevated to Special Strategic Partnership, focusing on the Indo-Mediterranean corridor.
Initiatives: Enhanced cooperation on the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
Tech: Collaboration through the INNOVIT hub focusing on AI and space
Cultural Focus: Italian involvement in India’s National Maritime Heritage Complex.

Syllabus: GS3/Biodiversity and Conservation

Context

National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSCM) has completed the documentation and Ground-truthing of Maharashtra’s 23,415 wetlands.

Wetlands

Definition – ‘A wetland is the transitional land between terrestrial and aquatic eco-systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water’.
These are ecotone between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
India has around 6% of its land as wetlands, 99 Wetlands of India are under the List of Wetlands of International Importance called as Ramsar Sites.
India boasts the largest Ramsar site network in Asia and the 3rd largest in the world in terms of number of sites.
Tamil Nadu holds the highest number of Ramsar sites in India in 2026 with 20 sites.

India’s Latest Additions in Ramasar site

Connect with the basics – Ramsar Convention

A Ramsar site is a wetland designated as one of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
Ramsar Convention – It is one of the inter-governmental accords to preserve the wetlands of international importance.
It was signed on February 2, 1971 in Ramsar, Iran and came into force in 1975.
India became a signatory to the Ramsar Convention in 1982.

Syllabus: GS1/ Modern History

Context

Recently, a statue of Veera Pasi, often remembered as a “forgotten hero” of the Revolt of 1857, was unveiled in Raebareli.

Veera Pasi

Veera Pasi (born Shivdeen Pasi) was a valiant 19th-century warrior and army commander from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh, who played a heroic role in the 1857 Uprising.
Born on November 11, 1835, in Lodhwari village, he was orphaned early and lived with his sister.
In the local dialect, a brother living with his sister’s family was affectionately called “Veerna,” which eventually evolved into the name Veera.
He became a trusted commander and associate of Rana Beni Madhav Baksh Singh, ruler of the Shankarpur Estate in Awadh.
When British forces captured Rana Beni Madhav Singh, Veera Pasi displayed remarkable courage by launching a rescue operation and freeing him from prison.