Defense Exercises in News for UPSC IAS Prelims Examination
Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23: Indian Army contingent departs for Australia
November 23, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23: Indian Army contingent departs for Australia” published in “PIB” on 22nd November 2023.
Why in the News?
The Indian Armed Forces contingent has departed to take part in the second edition of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 being held in Perth, Australia.
What is Exercise AUSTRAHIND?
What is it It is a joint military exercise between India and Australia. Instituted in 2022 (The first edition was conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan) Conducted Annually Aim To foster collaborative partnership and share best practices between the two sides. Significance The exercise will help promote exchange of ideas and jointly rehearse tactics, technique and procedures for conducting tactical operations. Other Exercises between India and Australia 1) Exercise AUSINDEX: It is a biennial bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN). The first edition of the exercise took place in 2015.
2) Exercise Pitch Black: It is a biennial multilateral air combat exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) since 1981. The Indian Air Force had taken part in the exercise for the first time in 2018.UPSC Syllabus: Exercises in News
Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR: INDIA-USA JOINT EXERCISE
November 22, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR: INDIA-USA JOINT EXERCISE” published in “PIB” on 22nd November 2023
Why in the News?
The 14th Edition of the Exercise “VAJRA PRAHAR” has started at Umroi, Meghalaya.
What is Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR?
Specifications Details What is it It is a joint exercise between Indian Army and US Army Special Forces. Started in 2010 Aim To share best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics. Significance 1) Evolved as a mechanism to exchange ideas and share best practices between the Special Forces of both the nations.
2) It is a platform to enhance interoperability and strengthen defense cooperation between two countries.Other Exercises between India and US 1) Exercise Yudh Abhyas: It is a military exercise between India and the US.
2) Exercise Tiger Triumph: It is a tri-service military exercise between India and the US.
3) Exercise Cope India: It is a series of bilateral Air Force exercises between India and the United States.UPSC Syllabus: Exercises in News
Exercise MITRA SHAKTI: India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise
November 20, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI: India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise” published in “PIB” on 16th November 2023
Why in the News?
The Ninth Edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” has started in Pune, India.
What is Exercise MITRA SHAKTI?
Specification Details Conducted between India and Sri Lanka Type Military Exercise Started in 2012 Conducted Annually Aim To jointly rehearse sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter which authorizes the UN Security Council to take enforcement measures including the use of military force, to address threats to international peace and security. Other exercises between India and Sri Lanka Exercise SLINEX: It is a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian and Sri Lankan Navy. It was started in 2005. The 10th edition of the exercise was held in April, 2023 in Colombo. UPSC Syllabus: Exercises in News
Exercise BONGOSAGAR: India & Bangladesh Navies Undertake BONGOSAGAR
November 15, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Exercise BONGOSAGAR: India & Bangladesh Navies Undertake BONGOSAGAR” published in “PIB” on 15th November 2023
Why in the News?
The 4th edition of Exercise BONGOSAGAR was conducted in the Northern Bay of Bengal.
What is Exercise BONGOSAGAR?
Specification Details Conducted between India and Bangladesh Type Naval Exercise Started in 2019 Conducted Annually Aim To develop a high degree of interoperability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations between the two navies Participation Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise. Other exercises between India and Bangladesh Exercise SAMPRITI: It is an annual joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh UPSC Syllabus: Defence Exercises in News
Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness(IPMDA) Initiative
November 7, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness(IPMDA) Initiative” published in “The Hindu” on 7th November 2023
Why in the News?
Indian Navy Chief Admiral has said that the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) initiative is a testament to the commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based Indo-Pacific region.
What is the Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness(IPMDA) Initiative?
Specifications Details Launched by Quad grouping (India, Australia, Japan and U.S) at the Tokyo summit in 2022 Aim To enhance maritime security and shared domain awareness in the region via technology and training support. Objectives 1.To establish a comprehensive system for monitoring and securing maritime activities in the Indo-Pacific
2.To ensure the safety of critical sea lines of communication
3.Promote cooperation among like-minded nations in the regionSignificance The initiative will help the Indo-Pacific partners to rapidly detect and respond to a wide range of challenges such as dark shipping, humanitarian crisis among others.
Note: Dark ships are vessels with their Automatic Identification System (AIS) – a transponder system – switched off so as not to be detectable.UPSC Syllabus: International Relations
Indian Army and Air Force Contingent Departs for India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2023
October 30, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Indian Army and Air Force Contingent Departs for India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2023” published in “PIB” on 30th October 2023
Why in the News?
The 7th edition of Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ will be conducted at Otar, Kazakhstan.
What is Exercise KAZIND?
Specification Details Conducted between India and Kazakhstan Started in 2016 Earlier Name Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK Type Annual Exercise Aim To enhance the capabilities of both sides in counter-terrorism operations within the purview of United Nations mandates Significance From 2023, it has been upgraded as a bi service exercise (Both Indian Army and Indian Air Force participates) UPSC Syllabus: Defence Exercises
Gulf of Guinea: EU and India carry out joint naval exercise
October 27, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Gulf of Guinea: EU and India carry out joint naval exercise” published in “PIB” on 27th October 2023
Why in the News?
India and the European Union (EU) have conducted their maiden joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea.
The exercise was conducted with the aim to boost maritime security cooperation in the region.
Where is the Gulf of Guinea?
Specification Details Location Western African Coast Ocean Northeastern most part of the Atlantic Ocean Rivers The Volta and Niger rivers are two of its primary tributaries Known for Oil and natural gas. Significance Null Island, defined as the intersection of the Equator and Prime Meridian (zero degrees latitude and longitude) is in the gulf. Piracy The Gulf of Guinea is also known as the world’s hotspot for maritime piracy. UPSC Syllabus Topic: Places in News
In a first, Army gets vertical wind tunnel to train special forces
October 26, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “In a first, Army gets vertical wind tunnel to train special forces” published in “The Hindu” on 26th October 2023
Why in News?
The Indian Army has installed its first vertical wind tunnel (VWT) at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) at Bakloh in Himachal Pradesh.
Why is the Vertical Wind Tunnel(VWT) installed by the army?
Purpose: It offers a controlled environment to enable military trainees to enhance their skills by simulating real-life free fall conditions.
Benefits:
1. Improved Skill Development: It helps armed forces personnel enhance their abilities by simulating various freefall scenarios.
2. Stability and Safety: It reduces potential instability during freefall and parachute deployment.This makes it an invaluable tool for training beginners and advanced free-fallers.
3. Assessment: The system aids in assessing individual reactions to situations in airborne operations.
UPSC Syllabus Topic: Indian Defence
CBI launches Operation Chakra-II: What it is and why Microsoft and Amazon are part of this
October 25, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “CBI launches Operation Chakra-II: What it is and why Microsoft and Amazon are part of this” published in “TOI” on 25th October 2023
What is the News?
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched Operation Chakra-II.
What is Operation Chakra-II?
Launched by: Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
Aim: To fight against transnationally organized cyber-enabled financial crimes in India.
For the operation, CBI has partnered with Microsoft and Amazon as well as with national and international agencies to combat and dismantle infrastructure of illegal call centers.
Why Microsoft and Amazon are part of Operation Chakra-II?
Most of the illegal call centers raided by CBI posed as Microsoft and Amazon customer support.
These call centers target vulnerable individuals and defraud thousands annually.
That is why, Microsoft and Amazon have collaborated with CBI to share critical information and help Indian law enforcement agencies in their investigations.
Army to start phasing out Cheetah, Chetak helicopters from 2027
October 23, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Army to start phasing out Cheetah, Chetak helicopters from 2027” published in “The Hindu” on 23rd October 2023
Contents
What is the News?
The Army will start phasing out the Cheetah and Chetak helicopters from 2027.
They plan to replace these helicopters with indigenous light utility helicopters(LUHs).
What is Chetak Helicopter?
The Chetak Helicopter is a two ton class helicopter.It is a versatile, multi role, multi purpose and spacious helicopter.
It is designed for seven seaters (two pilots and five passengers).
Manufactured by: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
What is a Cheetah?
Cheetah is a five seater helicopter.It is a high performance helicopter designed for operation over a very wide range of weight, center of gravity and altitude conditions.
It holds the world record in high altitude flying among all categories of Helicopters.
Manufactured by: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
What is Indigenous light utility helicopters(LUHs)?
LCH is the first indigenous Multi-Role Combat Helicopter.
Designed and developed by: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Specifications:
– Maximum take-off weight: 3,100 kg.
– Can carry a useful load of 1,500 kg.
– Maximum speed: 220 km/h, cruise speed: 200 km/h.
– Service ceiling (maximum altitude it can reach): 6,500 meters.
Range: Approximately 500 km.
Features: It has potent ground attack and aerial combat capability.
– Equipped with a 3-axis autopilot for stable and controlled flight in various conditions.
– Features a modern glass cockpit with digital avionics and instrumentation.
– Includes a weather radar system for real-time weather information.
– Cockpit lighting works with night-vision goggles for low-visibility conditions.
