1. The largest biennial exercise of the three services 'AMPEX' 2023 organised
Tags: Defence
The biggest tri-services exercise 'AMPEX' 2023 was conducted from January 17 - 22 near Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.
An overview of the news
Troops of the Indian Army, warships of the Indian Navy and aircraft of the Air Force participated during the five-day exercise.
The aim of this war exercise was to showcase India's capabilities to protect the territorial integrity of its areas including better coordination between the three services and enhance joint war fighting capabilities.
The exercise included Air Entry of Naval Marine Commandos, Air Entry of Army Special Forces, Naval Gunfire Support, Follow up operations like landing of troops from land, air and water.
The last edition of the exercise was conducted off Andaman and Nicobar Islands from 21 to 25 January 2021.
Chief of the Three Armies
Army Chief - General Manoj Pandey
Chief of the Air Staff – Air Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhary
Navy Chief – Admiral R Hari Kumar
Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) - Lt Gen Anil Chauhan
2. Indian Air Force to conduct ‘PRALAY’ exercise in Northeast
Tags: Defence
Amidst the ongoing standoff with China, the Indian Air Force is going to conduct a major exercise in Northeast India from February 1 to 5. This war exercise has been named 'Pralay'.
An overview of the news
The 'Pralay' will be organised by the Air Force from all major air bases in the Northeast.
The exercise will be conducted in preparation for another Air Force exercise named 'Eastern Akash', an annual command-level exercise, to be held in the first week of February.
The exercise is being conducted by the Air Force at a time when the Indian Air Force has recently deployed and activated S-400 air defence squadrons in the region which can intercept any enemy aircraft or missile from a distance of 400 kms. Only able to kill.
The exercise will involve transport and other aircraft as well as the main combat arms of the Air Force including Rafale and Sukhoi-30 fighter jets.
This is the second command-level exercise conducted by the Air Force in recent months.
3. Joint Training Exercise Cyclone-I
Tags: Defence
The first ever joint exercise between Indian and Egyptian armies “Cyclone-I” is being conducted in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan from January 14, 2023.
An overview of the news
This military exercise conducted in the deserts of Rajasthan will last for 14 days.
Its objective is to promote defense cooperation between the two countries and to share mutual coordination, operational and professional skills of special forces in the desert area.
The exercise includes anti-terrorist, reconnaissance, assault and other special operations.
During the exercise, the two countries will share skills such as advanced special forces sniping, combat-free fall, reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and exchange of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, techniques, strategies and procedures.
About Egypt
Egypt is a country located in North Africa.
Egypt is home to famous monuments such as the Giza Pyramid Complex and the Great Sphinx. One of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Pyramids of Giza are built on the banks of the Nile River. The Great Pyramid of Giza was built in 2560 BC.
Capital - Cairo
President – Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Currency - Egyptian pound
4. Fifth Kalvari class submarine “Vagir” inducted into Navy
Tags: Defence
The fifth Kalvari class submarine "Vagir" will be commissioned (commissioned) by the Indian Navy on 23 January 2023.
An overview of the news
The 6 Kalvari class submarines are being built in India by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) Mumbai in collaboration with M/s Naval Group, France.
Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar will attend the event as the chief guest.
The first four Kalvari class submarines have already been commissioned into the Indian Navy.
Formerly Vagir was commissioned on 01 November 1973 and decommissioned on 07 January 2001 after three decades of service.
Again 'Vagir' submarine which was launched on 12 Nov 20 has the distinction of being completed in the shortest construction time among all indigenously built submarines so far.
It was handed over to the Indian Navy by M/s MDL on 20 December 2022.
It is capable of attacking underwater or on the surface with torpedoes and tube-launched anti-ship missiles.
Five other Kalvari class submarines
INS Kalvari - It was launched on 27 October 2015 and commissioned on 14 December 2017.
INS Khanderi - It was launched on 12 January 2017 and commissioned on 28 September 2019.
INS Karanj - It was launched on January 31, 2018 and commissioned on March 10, 2021.
INS Vela - It was launched on 6 May 2019 and commissioned on 25 November 2021.
INS Vagsheer - It was launched in April 2022.
5. Indo-Russian joint venture has started manufacturing Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles in India
Tags: Defence National News
The manufacturing of Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles has recently started in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh by an Indo-Russian joint venture.
An overview of the news
Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited plans to ensure 100 percent production of AK-203 rifles in India.
In the future, the company may increase production and upgrade its production facilities to produce advanced rifles based on the Kalashnikov assault rifle platform.
India is the first country to start production of the world famous brand AK-200-series assault rifles.
The first batch of 7.62 mm Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifles has been produced by the Korwa Ordnance Factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh.
Deliveries to the Indian Army are expected to commence soon.
About AK 203 Rifles
The AK-203 assault rifle is considered to be the latest and most advanced version of the AK-47 rifle.
It is a 7.62×39mm variant from the AK-100 rifle family.
This variant will replace the Indian Small Arms System (INSAS) 5.56×45mm assault rifle, which is currently being used by the Army, Navy and Air Force besides other security forces.
INSAS rifles are not suitable for use at high altitudes. These rifles also have problems like gun jamming, oil leakage etc.
Other India-Russia bilateral projects
Indigenous production of T-90 tanks and Su-30-MKIaircraft
Supply of MiG-29-K aircraft and Kamov-31 and Mi-17 helicopters
Upgrade of MiG-29 aircraft and supply of Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher Smerch
Develop and produce supersonic BrahMos cruise missiles in India
6. Indian Army organises Cyber Threat Seminar cum Workshop "Sayanya Ran Kshetram 2.0"
Tags: Defence
The Indian Army, under the HQ Army Training Command, organised the second edition of Hackathon - “Sannya Rankshetram 2.0” from October 2022 to January 2023.
"Sayanya Ran Kshetram 2.0" aims to identify indigenous talent in the field and raise the level of training in the areas of cyber deterrence, security software coding, Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) and Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) Was.
This cyber threat seminar cum workshop was organised under four sub-programmes. This includes the following activities:-
Secure Software Coding - The objective was to engage with academia to identify talent capable of securing software programs and meeting cyber security needs in software code.
ESMO: Indian Army Specific Stack Optimized for Wi-Fi 6 - The objective of this sub-program was to explore a solution with respect to implementing the Indian Army specific version of the secure Wi-Fi stack to enhance the level of security .
Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning - This subprogram helped build an AI stack to address the conversion and decryption of multilingual radio transmissions.
Cyber Nivaran: Capture the Flag (CTF) - This was a seven stage cyber security exploit challenge to identify talent to strengthen the existing cyber security regime.
7. 21st edition of bilateral naval exercise 'Varuna' - 2023 to be held
Tags: Defence
On 16 January 2023, The 21st edition of the bilateral naval exercise "Varuna" between India and France began off the western seaboard.
The exercise will be conducted for five days from 16 to 20 January 2023.
The current edition of the exercise will involve Indian Navy's indigenous Guided Missile Stealth Destroyer Ship INS Chennai, Guided Missile Frigate INS Teg Nauka, Maritime Patrol Aircraft P-8I and Dornier, integral helicopters and MiG29.
The French Navy will be represented by aircraft carriers Charles de Gaulle, FS Forbin and Provence yachts, support ship FS Marne and maritime patrol aircraft Atlantique.
Enhanced air defence exercises, tactical manoeuvres, surface firing, replenishment and other maritime operational activities will be conducted during the exercise.
The bilateral exercise between the navies of India and France was started in the year 1993, it was named 'Varuna' in the year 2001.
Three biennial training exercises are conducted between India and France -
Garuda – Exercise Garuda VII between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the French Air and Space Force (FASF) was held in November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
VARUNA - The 20th edition of the bilateral naval exercise named 'Varuna' between the Indian Navy and the French Navy was conducted from March 30 to April 03, 2022 in the Arabian Sea.
SHAKTI - The 6th edition of the biennial training exercise 'Yudhbhayas Shakti 2021' between the armies of India and France was conducted from November 15-26, 2021 at Frejus, France.
8. Rajnath Singh launches ‘Soul of Steel’ Alpine Challenge
Tags: Defence National News
To promote tourism in border areas, the defence minister Rajnath Singh launched the “Soul of Steel" Alpine Challenge on 14 January.
An overview of the news
Rajnath Singh also flagged off the 460 km long car rally 'Road to the End', a joint operation by the Indian Army and CLAW.
The rally will reach its destination in the Garhwal Himalayas near Niti village in Chamoli district in the next three days.
A team of Indian Special Forces veterans with multiple expertise in CLAW, mountaineering, skydiving, SCUBA diving, unarmed combat, multi-terrain survival techniques and emergency medical response will lead the challenge.
About ‘Soul of Steel’ challenge
It will test the high altitude endurance of an individual and will initially feature 12 Indian participants and six international teams between the ages of 18 and 30.
This challenge will run for three months.
It is being organised by CLAW Global, a conglomerate of giants.
The Indian Army is supporting the adventure challenge.
It is modelled on the lines of the 'Ironman Triathlon', a long distance triathlon held in Europe that tests a person's physical abilities.
The initiative aims to enable life skills training and youth development.
This is also expected to give a boost to the global promotion of adventure tourism in Uttarakhand.
9. ICG ship ‘Kamla Devi’, last vessel of FPV series, commissioned
Tags: Defence National News
Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICG ship 'Kamala Devi' was commissioned on 12 January in Kolkata, the capital of West Bengal.
An overview of the news
This Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) designed, built and delivered by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd to the Indian Coast Guard.
A passenger-cum-cargo ocean going ferry 'MV Ma Lisha' built by the shipyard for the Republic of Guyana was also flagged off.
This is the first such ship built by a Defense Public Sector Shipyard for export to a Latin American country.
About ICG Kamla Devi
ICG Kamla Devi is 48.9 meters long and 7.5 meters wide with a displacement of 308 tonnes.
It is capable of a top speed of 34 knots and an endurance of over 1,500 nautical miles, with three engines and water jets.
She also has an integrated bridge system and is fitted with a 40/60 gun as the main armament.
The ship has advanced livable facilities with fully air-conditioned accommodation for 35 personnel.
ICGS Kamla Devi will patrol the seas and undertake anti-smuggling, anti-poaching and search and rescue operations when required.
About MV Ma Lisha
It has been designed and built by GRSE and will be housed at Chennai, a semi-submersible vessel MV Sun Rise for the long voyage to Guyana.
The ship was launched on June 15, 2022 and within six months, GRSE secured the 'technical acceptance' of the ship on December 16.
The 70 metre long vessel with a displacement of 1,700 tonnes is propelled by two diesel engines and can attain a maximum speed of 15 knots.
The ship can accommodate 294 passengers including 14 crew members along with 14 cars, two trucks and 14 containers and cargo.
10. Successful training launch of Prithvi-2 at Chandipur, Odisha
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Prithvi-2 was successfully trained on 10 January 2023 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
An overview of the news
Prithvi-II is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of approximately 250-350 km. and it can carry one ton payload.
The Prithvi-II class is a single-stage liquid-fueled missile with a payload of 500–1000 kg. has warhead mounting capability.
The missile system is capable of hitting targets with a very high degree of accuracy.
The state-of-the-art missile uses an advanced inertial guidance system with an efficient trajectory to hit its target.
It was initially developed for the Indian Air Force as the primary user and was later inducted into the Indian Army as well.
While the missile was first inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003, it was the first missile developed under the IGMDP.
Five missiles developed under IGMDP
The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Agni: Surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5).
Trishul: Short-range surface-to-air missile.
Nag: Third generation anti-tank missile.
Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.
