1. India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2024 Commences in Auli
Tags: Defence
The 8th edition of the India-Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise, KAZIND-2024, began on 30th September 2024.
An Overview of the News
The exercise is held at the Surya Foreign Training Node, Auli, Uttarakhand, and will run until 13th October 2024.
KAZIND has been conducted annually since 2016. The last edition was held in Otar, Kazakhstan, from 30th October to 11th November 2023.
Participating Forces
Indian Armed Forces are represented by 120 personnel from the KUMAON Regiment of the Indian Army, along with personnel from other arms and services, and the Indian Air Force.
The Kazakhstan contingent includes personnel from the Land Forces and Airborne Assault Troopers.
Objectives and Focus
The exercise aims to strengthen joint military capabilities to conduct counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional scenario under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Focus areas include operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain.
Key objectives: achieving high physical fitness, refining tactical drills, and sharing best practices.
Tactical Drills and Key Activities
Drills include joint responses to terrorist actions, setting up Joint Command Posts, and Intelligence and Surveillance Centres.
Other activities: securing helipads, combat free falls, Special Heliborne Operations, Cordon and Search operations, and the use of drones and counter-drone systems.
The exercise fosters interoperability, cooperation, and camaraderie between the two armies, enhancing overall defence cooperation and bilateral relations.
2. Indian Navy to Host 5th Goa Maritime Symposium
Tags: Defence
The Indian Navy will host the 5th edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium at the Naval War College, Goa, starting 24 September.
An Overview of the News
The event is organized by the Defence Ministry of India.
The symposium aims to promote collaborative thinking, cooperation, and mutual understanding between India and key maritime nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The theme of the symposium is "Common Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region: Progressing Lines of Efforts to Mitigate Dynamic Threats".
Key Highlights:
Discussions will focus on addressing illegal and unregulated fishing and other illegal maritime activities.
The event will promote collaborative efforts to enhance maritime security in the region.
Naval representatives from 12 Indian Ocean Littoral countries—Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and Thailand—will participate.
Observers from Kenya and Tanzania will also attend the two-day symposium.
3. Indian Navy Joins 16th Exercise Kakadu in Australia
Tags: Defence
The Indian Navy's P8I aircraft, commanded by Captain Ajay Kanwar, has arrived in Darwin, Australia.
An Overview of the News
They are set to take part in the 16th edition of Exercise Kakadu 2024 from September 7-20, 2024.
Exercise Details
Exercise Kakadu is Australia's largest warfare exercise, involving warships, helicopters, and maritime patrol aircraft from over 30 participating nations.
The theme for this year's exercise is 'Regional Cooperation through Trusted and Proven Partnerships.'
Program Components
The exercise includes both at-sea and harbour phases, featuring tactical maritime activities, briefings, a Fleet Commanders and Senior Leaders' conference, as well as cultural, social, and sporting events.
4. Indian and Omani Armies Begin 5th Edition of Joint Exercise "AL NAJAH" in Salalah
Tags: Defence International News
The Indian Army contingent has departed for the 5th edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise “AL NAJAH” in Salalah, Oman.
An Overview of the News
The Defence Ministry announced that the Indian Army’s contingent comprises 60 personnel from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
The Royal Army of Oman’s contingent also consists of 60 personnel from the Frontier Force.
Objectives and Schedule
The primary goal of the joint exercise is to enhance the joint military capability of both nations for counterterrorism operations.
The exercise will focus on operations in a desert environment.
Exercise AL NAJAH has been conducted biennially since 2015, alternating between India and Oman.
About Oman
Sultan - Haitham bin Tariq Al Said
Capital - Muscat
Official Language - Arabic
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Omani rial
5. India-US Joint Military Exercise, "YUDH ABHYAS-2024" Begins in Rajasthan
Tags: Defence
The 20th edition of the India-US joint military exercise, "YUDH ABHYAS-2024", began at the Foreign Training Node located at Mahajan Field Firing Range in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
An Overview of the News
The exercises began with a parade ceremony on 9 September.
Around 1200 soldiers from the South Western Command of the Indian Army and the US military are participating.
Duration and Activities
The exercise will last for 15 days.
Soldiers from both countries will engage in practicing various war strategies.
Key Features
For the first time, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) from the US is being demonstrated, with a range of 310 kilometers.
The exercise will showcase and practice multiple military strategies.
Strategic Importance
The aim is to enhance the internal capabilities of both armies and improve joint operational potential.
The exercise is significant for strengthening the growing bilateral defense relations between India and the US.
6. Indian Navy's New Anti-Submarine Warfare Vessels Launched at Cochin Shipyard
Tags: Defence
Two indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Watercrafts for the Indian Navy were launched at Cochin Shipyard in Kerala.
An Overview of the News
These are the fourth and fifth vessels of their kind being built for the Navy.
The vessels will be named INS Malpeand INS Mulki upon commissioning.
Vessel Specifications and Features
Designed for anti-submarine operations in coastal waters, low-intensity maritime tasks, mine-laying operations, sub-surface surveillance, and search and rescue missions.
Equipped with lightweight torpedoes, anti-submarine warfare rockets, a close-in weapon system, and remote-controlled guns.
Specifications: length of 78 meters, breadth of 11 meters, full load displacement of 900 tons, and maximum speed of 25 knots.
Launching Ceremony
It was attended by Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral V Srinivas and CMD Cochin Shipyard Madhu S Nair along with other senior naval officers.
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Rajya Sabha - 9 seats
Lok Sabha - 20 seats
Governor - Arif Mohammed Khan
Chief Minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
7. DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous GAURAV Glide Bomb from Su-30 MK-I
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
DRDO conducted a successful maiden flight test of the Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), named GAURAV.
An Overview of the News
The test was carried out from an Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF) off the coast of Odisha.
Key Features of GAURAV
GAURAV is a1,000 kg class air-launched glide bomb capable of striking targets at long distances.
The bomb uses a hybrid navigation system, combining INS and GPS data, to steer towards the target with high accuracy.
Indigenous Development
GAURAV was designed and developed by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in Hyderabad.
The project involved collaboration with Adani Defence and Bharat Forge, serving as Development cum Production Partners.
Accurate Target Hit and Data Collection
The glide bomb hit its target with pinpoint accuracy during the test.
Complete flight data was captured using Telemetry and Electro Optical tracking systems along the coastline.
About DRDO
It serves as the Research and Development (R&D) arm of the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Founded:- 1958
Chairman:- Dr. Samir Venkatpati Kamat
HQ:- New Delhi, Delhi
8. Indian and Sri Lankan Armies to Commence Joint Exercise 'Mitra Shakti
Tags: Defence
The 10th edition of the joint military exercise "Mitra Shakti" between the Indian and Sri Lankan armies will begin on August 12, 2024, at Maduruoya in Sri Lanka’s Southern Province.
An Overview of the News
The exercise will conclude on August 25, 2024, and focuses on fostering cooperation and enhancing interoperability between the two nations’ armed forces.
Participating Forces
120 soldiers from the Indian Army’s Rajputana Rifles (Raj Rif) will participate, joining an equal number of troops from Sri Lanka Army’s Gajaba Regiment.
The Gajaba Regiment is known for its elite operational expertise.
Exercise Focus
This year’s exercise will focus on joint operations in semi-urban environments.
The operations are aligned with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter, addressing actions regarding threats to peace and security.
Objectives and Significance
"Mitra Shakti" aims to improve operational proficiency through the exchange of skills, experiences, and best practices.
The exercise is designed to enhance the armies’ capabilities in counter-terrorism and urban warfare.
It plays a crucial role in strengthening defense ties and improving coordination between the Indian and Sri Lankan armed forces.
Previous Edition Highlights
The 9th edition of "Mitra Shakti" was held at Aundh Military Station in Pune, India, involving the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment.
The previous exercise included the use of drones, counter-unmanned aerial systems, securing helipads, and conducting casualty evacuations during counter-terrorist operations.
9. Indian Navy and IOCL Signed MoU to Promote Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology for E-Mobility
Tags: Defence
The Indian Navy (IN) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), also known as Indian Oil, to promote and expand hydrogen and fuel cell technology for heavy-duty e-mobility.
An Overview of the News
The Indian Navy will pioneer the evaluation of this technology in partnership with IOCL.
The MoU was signed by Vice Admiral Deepak Kapoor, Controller of Logistics, IN, and Dr. Kannan Chandrasekaran, Executive Director (ED), IOCL.
The signing ceremony was attended by Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), and Shrikant Madhav Vaidya, Chairman of IOCL, at the Nau Sena Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi.
State-of-the-Art Green Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus
As part of the MoU, IOCL handed over a state-of-the-art green hydrogen fuel cell bus to the Indian Navy.
The bus will bear the motto 'Indian Navy Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Ready Force'.
IOCL Operations and Mileage
IOCL currently operates 15 fuel cell buses across Gujarat and the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR), achieving a total mileage of 300,000 kilometers, with each bus expected to run a minimum of 20,000 kilometers.
Performance Assessment
This initiative aims to assess the performance of fuel cell electric buses in the challenging conditions of the Delhi-NCR region.
The assessment will include an analysis of the impact of local fuel and air quality on fuel-cell systems and vehicles.
The evaluation will focus on the effectiveness, longevity, and operational dependability of fuel cell buses designed for public fleet use.
About Indian Navy
Founded: 26 January 1950
Headquarters: New Delhi
Indian Navy: Maritime branch of the Indian Armed Forces
Supreme Commander: President of India
Chief of Defence Staff (CDS): General Anil Chauhan
Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS): Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi
Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS): Krishna Swaminathan
Notable Commanders: Admiral S. M. Nanda, Admiral Sourendra Nath Kohli, Admiral Ram Dass Katari
10. India Unveils Indigenous Light Tank Zorawar for High-Altitude Operations
Tags: Defence
On July 6, 2024, Indian Defence officials unveiled the prototype of the indigenous light tank Zorawar, marking a crucial advancement in India's defense capabilities.
An Overview of the News
This tank, named Zorawar, is designed to excel in high-altitude environments like Ladakh, focusing on enhanced mobility and operational efficiency.
Developed jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian firm Larsen & Toubro (L&T), with L&T as the primary integrator.
Design and Features
Layout: Driver compartment at the front, turret in the middle, powerpack at the rear for balanced weight distribution.
Engine: Powered by a 1,000 hp Cummins engine for superior maneuverability in high-altitude regions.
Armament: Features a COCKERILL-3105 105mm turret with modifications for Indian Army requirements.
Weapon Systems: Includes a local 12.7mm NSV remote-controlled weapon station and twin anti-tank guided missile launcher.
Protection: Advanced active protection system to counter anti-tank guided missiles and enhance survivability.
Amphibious Capability: Designed to operate in water bodies like Pangong Tso Lake for tactical versatility.
Strategic Significance
Deployment: Initial order for 59 tanks with plans for 355 to form seven light tank regiments.
Strategic Purpose: Enhances defensive and offensive capabilities in border regions, particularly against armored threats.
Technological Integration
AI and Drones: Integrated with AI-enabled systems for improved situational awareness and tactical drone deployment.
Modern Warfare Edge: Capable of deploying loitering munitions, providing a strategic advantage.
Production and Trials
Manufacturing: Part of 'Make in India' initiative to reduce reliance on foreign military imports.
Testing: Currently undergoing internal trials, with user trials by the Indian Army expected by mid-2024.
