1. 1st woman Rafale pilot in IAF team for multi-nation drill being held in France
Tags: Defence Person in news
Shivangi Singh, the first woman pilot of the Indian Air Force to fly the Rafale fighter jet, is part of the Indian Air Force (IAF) team that will take part in the multinational exercise 'Orion' in France.
An overview of the news
She is the first woman fighter pilot of the Rafale squadron, and is all set to create history by flying the multi-role air dominance aircraft.
Shivangi Singh joined the Indian Air Force in 2017 and was inducted into the second batch of IAF's women fighter pilots.
Prior to flying Rafale, Shivangi had also flown the MiG-21 Bison aircraft.
She hails from Varanasi and is currently undergoing conversion training and will soon be a part of the Golden Arrows Squadron of the Indian Air Force based at Ambala, Haryana.
Shivangi Singh became the first woman fighter pilot to fly Rafale after being selected as a Rafale pilot in 2020 after a rigorous selection process.
2. Indian Coast Guard conducts Coastal Security Exercise 'Sagar Kavach'
Tags: Defence National News
Coast Guard District Headquarters Haldia, under the aegis of Headquarters Coast Guard Region (NE) conducted the joint Coastal Security Exercise named “Sagar Kavach”, from 25-26 April 23 along the coast of West Bengal.
An overview of the news
The stakeholders who participated in the exercise alongwith Indian Coast Guard included Indian Navy, BSF, Marine Police, West Bengal Police, CISF, Forest Dept., Fisheries Dept., Customs, Haldia Dock Complex, MMD and various intelligence agencies.
Coast Guard, Indian Navy ships and aircraft, BSF patrol boats, Marine Police, Customs and CISF were deployed in the two-day exercise.
The efficacy of men and materials was tested for vigilance in preventing any intrusion into our coastal areas.
Purpose of the Exercise
To assess maritime threats in the current geo-political situation and validate existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of all stakeholders.
Strengthening of security system along the coast of West Bengal.
To examine the effectiveness of layered security arrangements such as air-surveillance, deep sea patrolling by large ships of the Coast Guard and Navy and patrolling by boats of Coast Guard air cushion ships, Marine Police, CISF, Customs and BSF.
3. 11th High Level Meeting between Indian Coast Guard and Korean Coast Guard
Tags: Defence International News
The 11th high level meeting between the Indian Coast Guard and the Korean Coast Guard was held in New Delhi on 25 April.
An overview of the news
A seven-member delegation of the Korean Coast Guard held a meeting with theIndian Coast Guard.
Both sides discussed ways to strengthen the existing relationship in accordance with the provisions of the MoU to share best practices, conduct joint exercises and enhance training cooperation.
The high-level meeting between the two Coast Guards was held under the provisions of the MoU signed in 2006.
The high level meeting focused on enhancing operational level interactions and capacity building in the areas of maritime search and rescue, marine pollution response and maritime law enforcement.
About South Korea
South Korea is a country located in East Asia that is known as the 'Land of Quiet Mornings'.
The Korean peninsula was divided into communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) and Republic of Korea (South Korea) after the Korean War in 1953.
The nation's capital, Seoul, is the world's second largest metropolitan area and a major global city.
Martial arts Taekwondo originated in Korea.
President- Yoon Suk-yol
Currency- South Korean won
4. "Locked Shields" cyber-defense exercise 2023 to be held by NATO in Tallinn
Tags: Defence International News
The 2023 edition of the annual exercise "Locked Shields" was hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn (Estonia).
An Overview of the News
"Locked Shields" is an annual cyber defence exercise hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn. The exercise started on 18 April 2023.
More than 3000 participants from 38 countries including NATO alliesand partners took part in the exercise.
The exercise simulates real-time attacks and tests strategic decision making in critical situations.
The exercise highlights the importance of international collaboration and cooperation in the field of cyber defence.
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence helps participating countries and organisations improve their cyber defence capabilities.
About Locked Shields
It is an annual cyber defence exercise that simulates a large-scale cyber incident.
Rapid Reaction Teams from different countries work together to assist a fictional nation in managing a massive cyber attack.
Blue Teams made up of CCDCOE member nations protect the mock state's information systems and critical infrastructure from thousands of attacks.
The aim of the exercise is to improve the skills and capabilities of the participating teams and enhance international cooperation and communication in cyber defence.
The exercise includes both defensive and offensive operations, with Red Teams simulating attacks and Blue Teams defending.
About the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Established -4 April 1949
Founders -United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy
Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium
Secretary General - Jens Stoltenberg
5. Air Marshal Sandeep Singh appointed Military Advisor to National Security Council
Tags: Defence Person in news
Former Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sandeep Singh (Retd) has been appointed as the new Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). He will assume charge on April 24.
An overview of the news
He will replace General Anil Chauhan, who was appointed Chief of Defense Staff in October last year.
Sandeep Singh retired as the Vice Chief of the Air Force on January 31, 2023, after a military career of four decades.
Sandeep Singh, an alumnus of the National Defense Academy, who was appointed as the new military advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in December 1983 as a fighter pilot.
He has flown a number of aircraft, and has close to 4,900 hours of operational and test flying experience on Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, MiG-21, AN-32, Avro, Jaguar and Mirage 2000.
He also played a key role in the induction, production and arming of the Su-30 MKI aircraft in India.
In recognition of his services of an exceptionally high order, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.
6. DRDO and Indian Navy Conduct Successful Trial of BMD Interceptor
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal on April 21.
An overview of the news
The objective of the test was to target and destroy the effect of an enemy ballistic missile threat.
The test could place the Indian Navy in an elite club of nations with BMD capabilities.
Earlier, DRDO had successfully demonstrated the capability of the surface-based BMD system and thus achieved the capability to neutralize incoming ballistic missile threats from the enemy.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It is working on several cutting-edge military technology areas, including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communications
DRDO's first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo.
Since inception, DRDO has made several breakthroughs in developing key systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems
It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
It was set up in 1958.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Samir V Kamat
7. Air Force Commanders' Conference
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on 20th April attended the Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan) in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The theme of this year's three-day conference, which began on April 19, is 'Beyond Boundaries: Robust Foundations'.
Held every year, this conference discusses the progress made in the past year and for the future.
The CDS highlighted the need to create a clear path towards fleet maintenance while taking steps towards increasing indigenization.
He also discussed the modalities for increasing the integration between the three services and the benefits that would accrue from it.
Chief of Defence Staff - General Anil Chauhan
Chief of Indian Air Force -V. R. Chaudhari
Chief of Indian Army - General Manoj Pande
Chief of Indian Navy - Admiral R Hari Kumar
8. Exercise INIOCHOS-23
Tags: Defence International News
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, the air force of Greece.
An overview of the news
The exercise will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece from 24 Apr 2023 to 4 May 2023.
The Indian Air Force will be participating with four Su-30 MKI and two C-17 aircraft.
The exercise will be conducted in a realistic combat scenario involving a wide variety of air and surface assets.
It will also enable participating parties to engage in professional interactions, providing valuable insight into each other's best practices.
Objective of Exercise INIOCHOS-23
The exercise aims to enhance international cooperation, synergy and interoperability among the participating air forces.
About exercise INIOCHOS-23
This exercise to be held at Greece's Andravida Air Base is considered to be Europe's biggest air exercise.
Many countries like France, Italy are participating in this. The Indian Air Force will participate in this exercise for the first time.
The exercise will see participation of air assets from countries like France, USA, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Jordan apart from India's Su-30MKIs.
9. IAF to participate in multilateral international air exercise ORION in France
Tags: Defence
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) arrived at the Air Force Base Station of the French Air and Space Force (FASF) in Mont de Marsan, France to participate in the Orion exercise.
An Overview of the News:
- The ORION exercise program is being conducted from 17 April to 05 May 2023.
- The IAF contingent for the exercise includes four Rafale aircraft, two C-17 and two ll-78 aircraft and 165 airmen.
- This will be the first overseas exercise for the Rafale aircraft inducted into the IAF.
Participant countries in the Orion exercise:
- Apart from IAF and French Air and Space Force, air forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and USA are also participating in the exercise.
- The participation during this exercise will further enrich the working style of IAF with air forces of other countries.
- The exercise is the largest ever multinational exercise of the French Defense Forces, involving their Army, Navy and Air Force along with their main partner countries.
France:
- Capital: Paris
- Currency: Euro
- President: Emmanuel Macron
10. Iniochos-2023 international exercise to be held in Greece from April 18
Tags: Defence
An international exercise named Iniochos-2023 is going to take place in Greece from 18 April. In which the world's deadliest fighter jets will be included.
An Overview of the News:
- The main objective of this exercise is to live up to the high standards during the war and understand all the dimensions of air attack.
Organized in three phases:
- It will be organized from 18 April to 8 May 2023 in three phases:
- Phase I: April 18 to 23
- Phase II: April 24 to May 4
- Phase III: May 5 to May 8
Countries participating in Iniochos-2023:
- In this, apart from India and Greece, fighter aircraft of many countries like America, France, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Spain will also be included.
India's eye on F-16 fighter aircraft:
- During this, the Indian Air Force will get an opportunity to practice with the F-16 fighter aircraft (this aircraft is also with Pakistan). He will get a full opportunity to test his ability and skill during the battle. Whereas, there is still no official information from India.
These will be practiced:
- In this exercise, offensive counter operation, defensive counter operation, strategic air operation, exercise of air support to ground forces, exercise of air support to navy, search, combat search and rescue, exercise of destruction of vital targets of the enemy, there will also be an exercise to protect your important bases.
Highlights of the Iniochos-2023 exercise:
- Apart from India's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, Greece's F-16 and Rafale fighter jets, Cyprus' AW-139 helicopters, France's Rafale, Italy's Tornado, Jordan's F-16, Saudi Arabia's AU- 15, Slovenia's PC-9, Spain's EF-18 and America's MQ-9 Reaper drones will participate.
- Apart from this, officers from Austria and Canada will witness the entire exercise.
