Defense Exercises in News for UPSC IAS Prelims Examination
Curtain Raiser: Launch of Y – 12654 (Mahendragiri)
August 31, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Curtain Raiser: Launch of Y – 12654 (Mahendragiri)” published in PIB on 30th August 2023
What is the News?
India’s latest warship, Mahendragiri will be launched at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders in Mumbai.
What is Mahendragiri?
Mahendragiri is the seventh and last stealth frigate of Project 17A.
Named after: Mahendragiri is named after a mountain peak in Eastern Ghats located in the state of Orissa.
Developed by: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
Features: It has been incorporated with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems.
What is Project 17A?
Project 17A is a follow-on of the Project 17 Shivalik-class frigate for the Indian Navy.
A total of seven ships were built under Project 17-A.These are 1) INS Nilgiri 2) INS Himgiri 3) INS Udaygiri 4) INS Dunagiri 5) INS Taragiri 6) INS Vindhyagiri and 7) INS Mahendragiri.
The warships have been designed in-house by Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau
The four warships were built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited.The remaining three were developed at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
Around 75% of warship equipment has been ordered from indigenous firms, including Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) adhering to Prime Minister’s ‘Make in India’ call.
Indian Army contingent leaves for exercise BRIGHT STAR
August 30, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Indian Army contingent leaves for exercise BRIGHT STAR” published in PIB on 29th August 2023
What is the News?
Indian Army contingent comprising 137 personnel has departed to Egypt to participate in Exercise BRIGHT STAR- 23.
What is Exercise BRIGHT STAR?
Exercise BRIGHT STAR is a multinational tri-services joint military exercise that will be led by US CENTCOM and the Egyptian Army.
The exercise was initially started as a bilateral training event between the US and Egypt, dating back to the Camp David Accord in 1977.The first exercise took place in 1980. Since 1995, other countries have also joined in.
The previous Exercise BRIGHT STAR in 2021 involved the armed forces of 21 countries.
Exercise BRIGHT STAR 2023 will include the participation of 34 countries, making it the largest-ever joint military drill in the Middle East and North Africa region.
This is also the first time that Indian Armed Forces will be participating in the exercise.
What is the objective of Exercise BRIGHT STAR 23?
The exercise will consist of a large number of training activities focused on combating emerging unconventional threats and enhancing regional partnerships amongst participating nations aimed at maintaining world peace.
In addition, the exercise will also include a combined arms live firing exercise based on a tactical setting.
Further, a panel discussion on contemporary topics is also planned to be conducted on Cyber Security for which the Indian Armed Forces are the lead force.
Participation of Indian Air Force in Exercise Bright Star-23 at Cairo,Egypt
August 28, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Participation of Indian Air Force in Exercise Bright Star-23 at Cairo, Egypt” published in PIB on 27th August 2023
What is the News?
Indian Air Force(IAF) is participating in Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23.
What is Exercise BRIGHT STAR-23?
Exercise BRIGHT STAR is a biennial multilateral tri-service exercise being held in Cairo, Egypt.
Aim: To practice joint operations planning and execution, fostering bonds between nations and enhancing strategic relations.
Participating countries: India, United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Greece and Qatar.
Significance: This is for the first time that the Indian Air Force(IAF) is participating in the exercise.
What are the other exercises between India and Egypt?
Exercise Cyclone-I: It Is a bilateral exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army.The first edition of the exercise was held in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan in January 2023.
Malabar 2023 naval exercise to begin in Sydney, Australia
August 11, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Malabar 2023 naval exercise to begin in Sydney, Australia” published in PIB on 10th August 2023.
What is the News?
Malabar 2023 Naval exercise will begin at Sydney in Australia.
What is Malabar Exercise?
Exercise Malabar began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise featuring the maritime forces of the US and India.
In 2014, the entry of the Japan Navy made it a trilateral exercise. In 2020, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) also joined Malabar making it a quadrilateral exercise.
This year marks the 27th edition of MALABAR which is being hosted by Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Malabar 2023 will happen in two phases: Harbour Phase and Sea Phase. During the Harbour Phase, there will be activities like visits, exchanges, and sports. The Sea Phase involves intense exercises covering warfare areas like surface, air, and submarine combat.
Significance of the exercise: The exercise provides an opportunity to the Indian Navy to enhance and demonstrate interoperability and also gain from the best practices in maritime security operations from its partner nations.
Which Indian ships are participating in the exercise?
Indian Navy’s indigenous frontline warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata will participate in the exercise.
INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the indigenously designed and built Project-17 class multi-role stealth frigates.
INS Kolkata is the first ship of the indigenously designed and built Project-15A class destroyers.
Both ships have been built at Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai.
Japan India Maritime Exercise-2023 concludes
July 12, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Japan India Maritime Exercise-2023 concludes” published in PIB on 11th July 2023
What is the News?
The 7th edition of Japan India Maritime Exercise 2023 (JIMEX 23) has been concluded in the Bay of Bengal.
What is Japan India Maritime Exercise(JIMEX)?
JIMEX is an annual maritime exercise between India and Japan.
Aim: To consolidate the high degree of interoperability that exists between maritime forces of the two countries, through complex exercises in the surface, sub-surface and air domains.
JIMEX 2023 witnessed complex exercises undertaken jointly by the two navies. Both sides engaged in advanced level exercises in all three domains of maritime warfare: surface, sub surface and air.
JIMEX 23 saw the participation of 1) INS Delhi – India’s first indigenously built Guided Missile Destroyer 2) INS Kamorta – an indigenously designed and built Anti-Submarine Warfare Corvette 3) P8I, maritime patrol aircraft and 4) Dornier, ship-borne helicopters and fighter aircraft.
What are the other exercises between India and Japan?
Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN: It is an annual joint military exercise between India and Japan from 2018.
SHINYUU Maitri: It is a joint exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF).
Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea
May 2, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “Inaugural ASEAN-India maritime exercise in South China Sea” published in The Hindu on 2nd May 2023
What is the News?
Two Indian Naval Ships(INSs) Satpura and Delhi have reached Singapore to participate in the inaugural ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME).
Note: INS Delhi, India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer and INS Satpura, an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate are a part of Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.
What is ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME)?
AIME is a maritime exercise between India and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
Aim: To provide an opportunity for Indian Navy and ASEAN navies to work closely and conduct seamless operations in the maritime domain.
Phases: The exercise will be held in two phases: ‘Harbour Phase’ of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base and ‘Sea Phase’ in the South China Sea.
The ships during their port call at Singapore will also participate in the International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference being hosted by Singapore.
Exercise Tarkash: First time, India-US exercise includes response to nuke & bio terror attacks
February 11, 2023↓Source: The post is based on the article “First time, India-US exercise includes response to nuke & bio terror attacks” published in Indian Express on 11th February 2023.
What is the News?
Exercise Tarkash between India and US is currently underway in Chennai.
What is Exercise Tarkash?
It is a counterterrorism Exercise between India’s National Security Guard(NSG) and US Special Operations Forces(SOF).
Objective: To rapidly neutralize the terrorists, rescue the hostages safely and deactivate the chemical weapons being carried by the terrorists.
Significance: For the first time, the exercise included Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) terror response in its drill.
What are Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear(CBRN) weapons?
CBRN weapons which are also classified as weapons of mass destruction (WMD) have been used by States and terror elements in the past.
The most recent use of CBRN in the form of a sarin gas attack was witnessed in Syria in 2017 when more than 100 people died.
Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise “Kazind – 2022” to Commence at Umroi (Meghalaya)
December 15, 2022↓Source: The post is based on the article “Indo-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise “Kazind – 2022” to Commence at Umroi (Meghalaya)” published in PIB on 14th December 2022
What is the News?
The 6th Edition of India – Kazakhstan joint training exercise “KAZIND-22” is scheduled to be conducted at Umroi (Meghalaya).
What is Exercise KAZIND?
Exercise KAZIND is an annual bilateral military exercise between India and Kazakhstan.
Started in: This exercise was instituted in 2016 as Exercise Prabal Dostyk which was later upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed as Ex Kazind in 2018.
Aim: To build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together while undertaking counter-terrorist operations in semi-urban / jungle scenarios, under a UN peace enforcement mandate.
Significance: The exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Kazakhstan Army which will further foster the bilateral relations between the two nations.
Joint Exercise Agni Warrior with Singapore Armed Forces Concludes at Devlali (Maharashtra)
December 2, 2022↓Source: The post is based on the article “Joint Exercise Agni Warrior with Singapore Armed Forces Concludes at Devlali (Maharashtra)” published in PIB on 2nd December 2022.
What is the News?
The 12th Edition of Exercise Agni Warrior between the Singapore & Indian Army has concluded at Field Firing Ranges, Devlali (Maharashtra).
What is Exercise Agni Warrior?
Exercise Agni Warrior is a bilateral exercise between the Singapore & Indian Army.
Aim: To enhance mutual understanding of drills & procedures and improve interoperability between the two armies.
The exercise involved showcasing joint firepower planning, execution and use of new-generation equipment by the artillery arm of both armies.
What are the other exercises between India and Singapore?
Exercise SITMEX: It is a trilateral annual maritime exercise between India, Singapore and Thailand.
Exercise SIMBEX: It is a bilateral naval exercise between the Indian and Singapore Navy.
Exercise Yudh Abhyas: India-U.S. exercise near LAC irks China
December 1, 2022↓Source: The post is based on the article “India-U.S. exercise near LAC irks China” published in The Hindu on 1st December 2022.
What is the News?
China has expressed concern over the India-US joint military exercise Yudh Abhyas being held in Uttarakhand, about 100 km from the Line of Actual Control(LAC).
What is Exercise Yudh Abhyas?
Exercise Yudh Abhyas is a military exercise between India and the US.
Aim: To enhance understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the armies of India and the US with a number of complex drills being planned.
The exercise was started in 2004 under the US Army Pacific Partnership Program. The exercise is hosted alternately between both countries.
What is the condition at LAC between India and China?
Since the beginning of May 2020, Chinese and Indian forces have faced off in clashes with rocks, batons, and clubs wrapped in barbed wire at multiple locations along the LAC. Differing perceptions of border demarcations along the LAC is the reason behind.
The disengagement of troops is still under process after several rounds of talks between India and China.
Each country seeks the withdrawal of the other’s forces and a return to the pre-stand-off conditions, but neither China nor India agreed to the conditions.
Moreover, since the stand-off began, both sides have undertaken massive upgradation of infrastructure and building of habitats and support to house thousands of additional troops along the LAC.
India has also constantly stated that the relationship cannot go back to normal as long as the situation along the LAC continues and has repeatedly called for the restoration of the status quo along the LAC.
