1. Joint India Singapore Exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra' concludes at Jodhpur
Tags: Defence
The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra', a bilateral exercise at Jodhpur Military Station, India from 6 to 13 March.
An overview of the news
For the first time, both the armies participated in a command post exercise, which included battalion and brigade level planning elements and computer wargaming.
Organized by the Indian Army, soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armored Regiment and the Armored Brigade of the Indian Army participated in the exercise.
The exercise developed a common understanding ofmechanized warfare across emerging threats and emerging technologies, developing interoperability through a computer simulation-based wargame using tactical procedures.
Both the armies not only learned about each other's operational drills and procedures, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in the modern battlefield.
About Exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra'
The exercise is conducted within the scope of joint military training and exercise between the Singapore Army and the Indian Army.
First held in 2005, the exercise underlines the strong and long-standing bilateral defense ties between the two countries.
This exercise enhances cooperation between the two armies.
2. DRDO successfully flight tests indigenous power take off shaft on LCA Tejas in Bengaluru
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
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A successful flight-test of power take off (PTO) shaft was conducted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas in Bengaluru on 14 March.
An overview of the news
First successful flight test of PTO shaft on LCA Tejas Limited Series Production (LSP)-3 aircraft.
The PTO shaft has been indigenously designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai of the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).
The PTO is an important device that transmits power from the aircraft engine to the gearbox.
With this successful test, DRDO has achieved a major technological achievement with the realization of complex high-speed rotor technology that only a few countries have achieved.
Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme
It was started by the center in 1984.
It replaced the Mig 21 fighter planes.
It was Designed by Aeronautical Development Agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development.
It was Manufactured by State-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
It features as the lightest, smallest and tailless multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
About Light Combat Aircraft Tejas
It is a single-engine multirole light combat aircraft.
It was designed and developed by India’s HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited).
It replaced the ageing Mig 21 fighter planes.
It is the lightest and smallest multi-role supersonic fighter aircraft in its class.
It is designed to be air-to-air, air-to-surface, precision guided and weapon-carrying.
Variants of Tejas
LCA Tejas Navy MK2
LCA Tejas Mk-1A
LCA Navy
3. Centre signs Rs 934 crore deal with HSL to Refit INS Sindhukirti Submarine in Visakhapatnam
Tags: Defence National News
In a further boost to achieve 'Atmanirbhar Bharat', the Ministry of Defense on March 13, 2023 signed a contract for General Refit of Sindhukirti Submarine at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam at a total cost of Rs 934 crore .
Overview of the News
Sindhukirti is the third Kilo class Diesel Electric Submarine.
The project involves over 20 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and will generate employment of 1,000 man-days per day for the project duration.
INS Sindhukirti Submarine
It is a diesel-electric submarine.
It was commissioned on June 7, 1990 and since then has been serving the nation in various capacities.
It has a displacement of 1860 tonnes when submerged and is 67.5 metres in length.
The submarine has a maximum speed of 20 knots (about 37 km per hour) when submerged and can dive to a depth of 300 metres.
It is armed with six 533 mm torpedo tubes and can carry up to 18 torpedoes or missiles.
About Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)
The shipyard 'Hindustan Shipyard Limited' is located in Visakhapatnam.
It is the country's first shipbuilding yard.
Establishment - 21 June 1941
Construction - Walchand Hirachand
4. Exercise 'La Perouse' between navies of India, US, Japan, France, UK and Australia begins
Tags: Defence
The third edition of the multilateral exercise 'La Perouse' was held from 13 to 14 March 2023 in the Indian Ocean region.
An overview of the news
It saw the participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters from the Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force, Royal Navy and United States Navy.
Indian Navy's indigenously built guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker INS Jyoti participated in the exercise.
Indian Navy's participation in the exercise reflects the high level of synergy, coordination and interoperability between friendly navies and their commitment to a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region.
The exercise involved complex and advanced naval operations, including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defense exercises, cross-deck landings and tactical maneuvers.
About Exercise 'La Perouse'
The first edition of this joint exercise was initiated by France in 2019.
The biennial exercise La Perouse is organized by the French Navy.
It aims to enhance maritime domain awareness and optimize maritime coordination among the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific region.
5. Defence forces halt ALH Dhruv fleet operations in wake of Navy accident
Tags: National Defence National News
Due to the crash of the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv fleet of the Indian Navy, the defense forces have halted the operation of ALH Dhruv helicopters till the investigation report comes.
An overview of the news
The Army, Navy and Air Force along with the Indian Coast Guard operate the ALH helicopter.
ALH Dhruv helicopters are used by the Indian Defense Forces in a number of roles including transport of men and material.
ALH Dhruv is one of the vital parts of the helicopter missions used by the three forces, which are deployed in different terrains.
About Dhruv
Advanced Light Helicopter or ALH-DHRUV is an indigenously developed aircraft by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with a twin-engine.
This helicopter was first flown in 1992, but was put into service in2002 after certification.
The aircraft is certified for military operations by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
The major variants of Dhruv are classified as Dhruv Mk-I, Mk-II, Mk-III and Mk-IV.
6. Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Navy
Tags: Defence National News
Indian Navy's indigenously built Guided Missile Frigate, INS Sahyadriparticipated in the Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with French Navy (FN) ships in the Arabian Sea from 10 - 11 March 2023.
An overview of the news
French Navy (FN) ships FS Dixmude, a Mistral class amphibious assault ship, and FS La Fayette, a La Fayette class frigate participated in the exercise.
The exercise featured a wide spectrum of development at sea which included cross deck landings, boarding exercises and seamanship development.
The smooth conduct of the exercise reaffirmed the high level of interoperability and cooperation between the two navies.
INS Sahyadri is equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors capable of detecting and neutralizing air, surface and sub-surface threats.
The ship is a part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam, under the operational control of FOCinC (East).
7. Colonel Geeta Rana became the first woman officer to command a field workshop
Tags: Defence Person in news
Colonel Geeta Rana of the Indian Army's Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers has become the first woman officer of the Indian Army to command a field workshop on the forward front in eastern Ladakh.
An Overview of the news:
Ms. Rana is currently a Colonel in the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME).
The Indian Army has also approved women officers to take up the role of commanders.
After this Colonel Geeta has become the first woman officer to achieve this achievement. Colonel Geeta will command the independent field workshop deployed along the China border.
Increasing role of women officers in the army:
The Indian Army has recently released 108 vacancies for women military officers to command independent units in the Corps of Engineers, Ordnance, Electronics and Mechanical Engineers and other branches.
In future other women military officers may also be given such appointments. Women officers who will be able to get approval from the boards can also be given command roles and in future they can be given appointments in higher positions.
The Indian Army is also inducting women military personnel in military exercises with friendly countries.
Along with this, women military officers are also being sent for peacekeeping missions.
Army Chief General Manoj Pandey is in favour of giving all possible opportunities to women officers in the Army.
Very soon women military personnel can be given appointments in the Artillery Regiment in the Army.
8. Shalija Dhami becomes first woman officer to command a fighter unit in IAF
Tags: Defence Person in news
The Indian Air Force (IAF) has announced on 8 March 2023 that Group Captain Shalija Dhami will take over the command of the Missile Squadron in the Western Sector. Ms. Dhami has become the first Indian woman officer to achieve this.
An overview of the news:
Dhami was commissioned as a helicopter pilot in the year 2003.
She is currently posted in the Operations Branch of Forward Command Headquarters.
Dhami is the second deployment after Captain Shiva Chauhan of the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army.
Shiva Chauhan is currently the first woman officer to be operationally posted in Siachen.
In another achievement, Major Abhilasha Barak has become the first woman officer to join the Army Aviation Corps as a combat aviator after completing her training.
Indian Air Force (IAF):
Headquarters: New Delhi
It is the fourth largest air force in the world.
Motto: Touching the sky with glory (taken from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita).
Chief of the Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal VR Chowdhary.
9. First Naval Commanders' Conference in the year 2023
Tags: Defence
The first Naval Commanders' Conference for the year 2023 began on 6 March 2023.
An overview of the news
For the first time, the conference is being organized on board India's first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.
The conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level as well as an institutional platform to interact with senior government officials.
This year the first phase of the Commanders' Conference is being held at sea.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders onboard INS Vikrant on the opening day.
Significance of the conference
The conference has its own importance and relevance because of the current geo-strategic situation.
In line with India's growing maritime interests, there has been a significant uptick in naval operations over the years.
The Commanders are also deliberating on the Navy's preparedness to address challenges to maritime interests.
The Indian Navy is focused on establishing itself as a force that is battle-ready, credible, cohesive and adaptable to future requirements.
It works tirelessly and hard to ensure the maritime security of the country.
10. INS Trikand participates in International Maritime Exercise / Cutlass Express 23
Tags: Defence
INS Trikand is participating in the International Maritime Exercise/ Cutlass Express 2023 (IMX/CE-23) being held in the Gulf region from 26 February to 16 March 2023.
An overview of the news
The exercise is being conducted with more than 50 countries and international maritime agencies with the common objective of enhancing maritime security and securing sea lanes in the region for maritime commerce.
IMX/CE-23 is one of the largest multinational maritime exercises in the world.
This is the Indian Navy’s maiden IMX participation.
It also marks the second occasion where an Indian Naval ship is participating in an exercise conducted by the CMF.
Earlier, in November 2022, INS Trikand had participated in the CMF led Operation Sea Sword 2.
Participation in exercises such as Sea Sword 2 and IMX/CE-23 enables the Indian Navy to strengthen ties with maritime partners in the IOR and enhance interoperability and collective maritime capability.
It also enables the Navy to make a constructive contribution to regional stability and security.
INS Trikand
It is a state-of-the-art Guided Missile Stealth Frigate.
It is part of the Western Fleet which functions under the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command, based at Mumbai.
It is the third and last ship of the second batch of Talwar-class frigates ordered by the Indian Navy.
It was built by the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia.
It was inducted into the Indian Navy on 29 June 2013.
