1. President Murmu approves 412 Gallantry Awards to Armed Forces personnel
President Droupadi Murmu on 25 January approved 412 Gallantry awards, including six Kirti Chakras and 15 Shaurya Chakras for Armed Forces personnel and others on the eve of the 74th Republic Day.
An overview of the news
These include six Kirti Chakras, including four posthumous, and 15 Shaurya Chakras including two posthumous.
These include one Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry), 92 Sena Medals, including four posthumous, one Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry), seven Vayu Sena Medals (Gallantry) and 29 Param Vishisht Seva Medals.
The Kirti Chakra is India's second highest gallantry award after the Ashoka Chakra. The Shaurya Chakra is the country's third highest gallantry award.
The President has also awarded the President's Tatrakshak Medal to Indian Coast Guard personnel for conspicuous gallantry, exceptional devotion to duty and distinguished service.
Kirti Chakra Awardees
Major Shubhang of the Dogra Regiment from Indian Army
Naik Jitendra Singh of the Rajput Regiment from Indian Army
Jammu and Kashmir police constable Rohit Kumar (Posthumous)
Sub Inspector Deepak Bhardwaj (Posthumous)
Head constable Sodhi Narayan (Posthumous)
Head constable Shrawan Kashyap (Posthumous)
Shaurya Chakra Awardees
Major Aditya Bhadauria, Kumaon Regiment, Indian Army
Captain Arun Kumar, Kumaun Regiment, Indian Army
Captain Yudhvir Singh, mechanised infantry, Indian Army
Captain Rakesh TR, Parachute Regiment, Indian Army
Naik Jasbir Singh, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, Indian Army (Posthumous)
Naik Vikas Choudhary, Jammu and Kashmir Rifles, (Posthumous)
Constable Mudasir Ahmad Sheikh, Jammu and Kashmir Police
Group Captain Yogeshwar Krishnarao Kandalkar, Air Force
Flight Lieutenant Tejpal, Air Force
Squadron leader Sandeep Kumar Jhajhria, Air Force
Corporal Anand Singh, Air Force
Leading aircraftman Sunil Kumar, Air Force
Assistant Commandant Satendra Singh
Deputy Commandant Vikki Kumar Pandey
Constable Vijay Oraon
Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Major Rakesh Kumar, Indian Army
Nao Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Late CDR Nishant Singh (Posthumous), Navy
Vayu Sena Medal (Gallantry)
Wing Commander Sumedh Ashok Jamkar, Air Force
Squadron leader Krishna Kumar Singh, Air Force
Junior Warrant officer Srikanth Bonam, Air Force
Sergeant Pankaj Kumar Rana, Air Force
Corporal Satendra Kumar, Air Force
Corporal Anthony Mang Kham, Air Force
Leading Aircraftman Ravinder Singh, Air Force
Uttam Yudh Sewa Medal
Lieutenant General Ram Chander Tiwari, Indian Army
Lieutenant General Anindiya Sengupta, Indian Army
Lieutenant General Amardeep Singh Aujla, Indian Army
2. Border Security Force (BSF) started a seven-day "Operations Alert'' exercise
Tags: Defence National News
The Border Security Force (BSF) has started an "Operations Alert'' exercise to enhance security along the Indo-Pak border in Kutch district of Gujarat and Barmer in Rajasthan in view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations.
An overview of the news
The 'Operations Alert' exercise commenced on January 21 and will continue till January 28 "all along the Indo-Pak international border from Sir Creek (marshy area) to the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and Barmer district of Rajasthan.
The BSF will carry out special operations in the depth areas as well as in the creek and 'Harami Nala' as part of the exercise.
It has also planned public outreach programs as part of the exercise.
The Indo-Pak border along Kutch in Gujarat is sensitive as several Pakistani nationals have been caught in the past after entering Indian waters on fishing boats.
To enhance security, for the first time concrete "permanent vertical bunkers" are being built to deploy BSF troops in the strategically important Sir Creek and Harami Nala marshy areas.
Sir Creek
Its original name is Baan Ganga which is named after a British representative Sir Creek.
It is a 96 kilometre long strip of water disputed between India and Pakistan in the Rann of Kutch marshlands.
It opens into the Arabian Sea and divides the Kutch region of Gujarat from the Sindh province of Pakistan.
Harami Nala
It is also known as the Sir Creek area.
This area is a 22 km long and about 8 km wide marshy area which is navigable most of the time.
3. Indian Navy's flagship maritime exercise TROPEX 2023 held in the Indian Ocean
Tags: Defence
Amaritime exercise called TROPEX is being conducted by the Indian Navy in the Indian Ocean region.
An overview of the news
TROPEX-2023 is being organised over a period of three months from January to March.
The TROPEX exercise is held once every two years.
Apart from the Indian Navy the exercise will involve their participation with assets from the Indian Army, Air Force and Coast Guard.
The aim of the exercise is to test the combat readiness of the Navy and safeguard national interests in the maritime domain and promote stability and peace in the Indian Ocean region.
The first exercise of maritime surveillance was held in January 2019. It is also called the biggest war game of the Indian Navy.
4. Border Security Force (BSF) started a special combat exercise "Ops Alert"
Tags: Defence
A seven-day 'Ops Alert' exercise is being conducted by the Border Security Force (BSF) from 21 to 28 January 2023 along the Indo-Pak International Border from Sir Creek to Rann of Kutch in Gujarat and Barmer district of Rajasthan.
An overview of the news
The exercise has been started from the India-Pakistan border - Line of Control (LOC).
Amid preparations for the Republic Day celebrations in the country, exercise 'Ops Alert' has been launched to thwart the nefarious designs of anti-India elements.
During this exercise special operations will be carried out in forward and depth areas as well as in Creek and Harami Nala.
Border Security Force (BSF)
The Border Security Force was established on 1 December 1965 after the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
It comes under the Union Home Ministry.
It is a border force deployed along the international border with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
BSF is also known as the 'first line of defence' of the country.
5. 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
6. 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.
7. 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
8. 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.
9. 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
10. 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.
