Defense Exercises in News for UPSC IAS Prelims Examination
ICG Pollution-Control Vessel ‘Samudra Prahari’ carries out Pollution Response Table-Top exercise with Thai officials at Khlong Toei Port in Bangkok
September 22, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “ICG Pollution-Control Vessel ‘Samudra Prahari’ carries out Pollution Response Table-Top exercise with Thai officials at Khlong Toei Port in Bangkok” published in PIB on 21st September 2023
What is the News?
The Indian Coast Guard Ship Samudra Prahari, a specialized Pollution Control Vessel, has embarked on an overseas deployment to ASEAN countries.
This initiative was announced during the ASEAN Defence Minister Meeting Plus meeting in Cambodia in November 2022.
During this deployment, the ship is scheduled to make port calls in Bangkok(Thailand), Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam), and Jakarta(Indonesia).
What is Samudra Prahari?
Indian Coast Guard’s Samudra Prahari is a specialized Pollution Control Vessel.
Key Features: The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art pollution response and control equipment including containment equipment like Hi-Sprint Booms and river booms to prevent spread of oil spill, oil spill recovery devices such as skimmers and side sweeping arms and storage devices in the Indian Exclusive Economic Zone.
– The ship is capable of unhindered oil recovery operations with storage capacity of 500 KL.
– The vessel is designed to operate twin-engine Advanced Light Helicopters and to operate and embark Chetak helicopter.
– The ship also has unmanned machinery operation capability also.
Army likely to complete inducting 114 Dhanush guns by 2026
September 20, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Army likely to complete inducting 114 Dhanush guns by 2026” published in The Hindu on 20th September 2023
What is the News?
The Indian Army is on track to complete the induction of 114 Dhanush artillery guns by 2026, with one regiment already operational.
The Pralay missile is also in advanced stages of induction.
What is Dhanush?
Dhanush is a 155 mm, 45-calibre towed artillery gun with a range of 36 km.
The gun has demonstrated a range of 38 km.
The gun is an upgrade of the existing 155 mm, 39-calibre Bofors FH 77 gun.
The Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited, carved after corporatisation of the Ordnance Factory Board is now manufacturing the Dhanush guns.
What is a Pralay missile?
Pralay is a quasi-ballistic surface-to-surface missile.The missile is designed to destroy enemy radar, communication installations, command centres and airfields.
600 self-neutralizing ‘Vibhav’ anti-tank mines with safety mechanism inducted into Army
September 19, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “600 self-neutralizing ‘Vibhav’ anti-tank mines with safety mechanism inducted into Army” published in TOI on 19th September 2023
What is the News?
Indian Army has inducted six hundred indigenously manufactured self-neutralizing anti-tank mines known as “Vibhav”.
What is Vibhav?
Vibhav is an indigenously manufactured self-neutralizing anti-tank mine.
Developed by: Indian Army in a joint venture with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Purpose: It is designed to provide mobility kill against all enemy armoured vehicles.
Key Features:
Vibhav is constructed from modern plastic material, providing strength and durability for storage, handling, and use in various field conditions.
It can be deployed either manually or mechanically.
It incorporates a range of safety and activation mechanisms to ensure safe handling, effectiveness against targets, and reliability.
It features integrated explosive, mechanical, and electronic safety components, prioritizing operator safety.
The mine includes an electronic anti-handling and anti-lift device (EAHALD) that remains active for 120 days once armed.
It has a storage life of 10 years and does not require any special storage conditions.
Coastal security drill ‘Operation Sajag’ conducted by Indian Coast Guard along the west coast
September 19, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Coastal security drill ‘Operation Sajag’ conducted by Indian Coast Guard along the west coast” published in PIB on 18th September 2023
What is the News?
The Indian Coast Guard conducted a drill called “Operation Sajag” along the west coast.
What is Operation Sajag?
Operation Sajag is a monthly drill conducted by Indian Coast Guard
Purpose: To revalidate the coastal security system while raising awareness among fishermen at sea.
Significance: The drill involves a thorough review of various coastal security measures and highlights important lessons and emerging trends in coastal security.
What are the measures taken to strengthen coastal security?
The measures taken to strengthen coastal security are: Issuance of Biometric cards for the fishermen, colour coding of fishing boats as per each state, manning of fish landing centers and access control at entry/exit check points, coastal mapping, designating specific marine band frequency for security agencies, training of marine police personnel by Indian Coast Guard amongst others.
2nd Edition of Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar (Swavlamban-2023)
September 19, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “2nd Edition of Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar (Swavlamban-2023)” published in PIB on 18th September 2023
What is the News?
The 2nd Edition of the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO) Seminar – ‘Swavlamban 2023’ is scheduled to be conducted.
What is Swavlamban 2023?
Organized by: Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO)
Purpose: To engage Indian industry and academia towards achieving self-reliance in the Defence sector.
What is the SPRINT Initiative?
SPRINT is a collaborative initiative being undertaken by Naval Innovation and Indigenisation (NIIO) in conjunction with the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).
Full Form: SPRINT stands for Supporting Pole-Vaulting in R&D through Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), NIIO and Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC).
Aim: To give a boost to the usage of indigenous technology in the Indian Navy.
As part of this initiative, Indian Navy aims to induct at least 75 new indigenous technologies/products into the Indian Navy.
IAF chief takes delivery of first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain
September 14, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “IAF chief takes delivery of first C-295 transport aircraft in Spain” published in The Hindu on 14th September 2023
What is the News?
Indian Air Force(IAF) has received the first C-295 MW transport aircraft from Airbus.
What is a C-295 MW aircraft?
C-295 is a new-generation tactical airlifter in the light and medium segment.
The aircraft will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of the Indian Air Force.
It has been designed and built by Airbus, a European multinational aerospace corporation.
Key Features:
C-295 is capable of carrying up to nine tonnes of payload or as many as 71 troops at a maximum cruise speed of about 480 kilometre.
The aircraft can also be used for air-to-air refuelling of choppers and fixed-wing aircraft.
It can operate from short, soft, rough and unprepared airstrips unlike the Avro.
Besides essentially being a transport aircraft, it can also be modified for intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance with a multi-mission radar that can be weaponized to conduct effective close air support operations.
India-Airbus deal for C295 aircraft:
In 2021, India signed a deal with Airbus Defence and Space to procure 56 C295 aircraft.
Under the agreement, Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft in ‘fly-away’ condition from its final assembly line in Seville, Spain within four years and the subsequent 40 aircraft will be manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) in India as part of an industrial partnership between the two companies.
Significance: It is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.It is also the first time that the C295 aircraft will be manufactured outside of Europe.
Maritime information sharing workshop 2023
September 13, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Maritime information sharing workshop 2023” published in PIB on 12th September 2023
What is the News?
India will be hosting the three-day Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2023 (MISW 23).
What is Maritime Information Sharing Workshop 2023 (MISW 23)?
Hosted by: Gurugram-based Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR).
Aim: To bolster collaboration, cooperation and information sharing among partner countries for a safer, peaceful, and prosperous Indian Ocean Region.
Theme: “Advancing Maritime Security for a Sustainable Future”
Participating countries: 31 countries are participating in the workshop.
Note: These 31 countries are of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) and signatories to the Djibouti Code of Conduct/Jeddah Amendment (DCoC/JA).
What is the Djibouti Code of Conduct(DCOC)?
Djibouti Code of Conduct(DCOC) was established in 2009.It is a grouping on maritime matters aimed at repression of piracy and armed robbery against ships in the Western Indian Ocean Region, the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea.
India has joined the Djibouti Code of Conduct as Observer in 2020.
Indian Coast Guard participates in 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Istanbul, Türkiye
September 12, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Indian Coast Guard participates in 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) in Istanbul, Türkiye” published in PIB on 11th September 2023
What is the News?
Indian Coast Guard participated in the 19th Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM) at Istanbul, Türkiye.
What is the Heads of Asian Coast Guard Agencies Meeting (HACGAM)?
HACGAM is an annual event hosted by one of its member nations on a rotational basis.
It is an offshoot of the Japanese initiative to promote cooperation amongst regional Coast Guards, after the capture of the pirated vessel MV Alondra Rainbow by the Indian Coast Guard in Nov 1999.
Aim: It focuses on fostering cooperation between the Coast Guards of the member Asian states to ensure and promote safe, secure, and clean seas in the region.
Groups: The forum comprises four Working Groups to enable a focused and goal-oriented approach towards coordinated response and synergy towards common maritime issues.
– The Indian Coast Guard chairs the search and rescue (SAR) working group.
Member countries: Australia, Bahrein, Bangladesh, Brunei, Philippines, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Republic of Korea, Laos, Maldives, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Türkiye and Vietnam.
– Further, Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia- Information Sharing Center(ReCAAP-ISC) participates in the forum as an associate member.
18th edition: In 2022, the 18th edition of the meeting was hosted by the ICG in New Delhi
21st VARUNA Naval Exercise between India and France begins
September 9, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “21st VARUNA Naval Exercise between India and France begins” published in PIB on 8th September 2023
What is the News?
The 21st edition of Exercise Varuna (Varuna-23) between the Indian and French Navy was conducted in the Arabian Sea.
What is Exercise Varuna?
Type: Bilateral Naval Exercise
Countries Involved: India and France.
Started in: 1993.The exercise was named ‘VARUNA’ in 2001.
Aim: To provide an opportunity to learn from each other’s best practices and procedures and to facilitate operational level interaction between the two Navies.
What are the other exercises between India and France?
Exercise Garuda: It is a bilateral exercise between the Indian and French Air Force.The first edition of the exercise was held in 2003.
Exercise SHAKTI: It is a biennial military exercise conducted between India and France.It was first conducted in the year 2011.
Exercise La Pérouse: It is a multilateral maritime exercise led by the French Navy. The Indian Navy participated in this exercise for the first time in 2021.
Indian Air Force and Drone Federation of India to co-host Bharat Drone Shakti 2023
September 7, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Indian Air Force and Drone Federation of India to co-host Bharat Drone Shakti 2023” published in PIB on 6th September 2023
What is the News?
Indian Air Force (IAF) is teaming up with the Drone Federation of India to co-host ‘Bharat Drone Shakti 2023’.
What is Bharat Drone Shakti 2023?
Organized by: Indian Air Force (IAF) with the help of Drone Federation of India
Aim: To present the full potential of the Indian drone industry with an impressive lineup of over 50 live aerial demonstrations.
– These demonstrations will encompass a diverse range of drone applications, including survey drones, agriculture drones, fire suppression drones, tactical surveillance drones, drone swarms and counter-drone solutions.
Significance: Bharat Drone Shakti 2023 will give a fillip to India’s commitment to becoming a global drone hub by 2030.
What is the Meher Baba Swarm Drone competition?
Launched in: 2018 by Indian Air Force(IAF)
Aim: To encourage the development of swarm drones for the utilization of varied domains, including response to disaster relief operations.
– Note: Swarm drones consist of a number of drones controlled from the same station which can be programmed using an algorithm to carry out various tasks, including surveillance.
