1. Rajnath Singh co-chairs 4th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue with French Minister Sebastien Lecornu in New Delhi
Tags: place in news Defence Person in news
The Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the visiting French Minister for the Armed Forces Sebastien Lecornu jointly chaired the 4th India France Annual Defence Dialogue in New Delhi on 28 November 2022. Sebastien Lecornu is also scheduled to meet the External Affairs Minister S.Jaishankar and the National Security Advisor Ajit Doval today.
The French defence minister who is officially known as Minister for the Armed Forces is on a two day (27-28 November) visit to India to strengthen the bilateral defence ties with India. It is his first official visit to India.
On 27 November 2022 Sebastien Lecornu visited the Southern Naval Command Headquarters at Kochi and saw India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant.
According to the Defence Ministry, India and France have close and friendly relations. In 1998, the two countries entered into Strategic Partnership, marking convergence of their views on a range of international issues apart from a close and growing bilateral relationship.
The areas of Defence & Security cooperation, Space cooperation and civil nuclear cooperation constitute the principal pillars of India’s Strategic Partnership with France.
India and France military exercises.
The 20th Indian and French navy’s joint exercise “VARUNA” was conducted in the Arabian Sea from 30 March to 3 April 2022.
The 'Garuda VIl' exercise was held from 26 October to 12 November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
2. India - Malaysia joint military Exercise “Harimau Shakti -2022” commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia
Tags: Defence
India - Malaysia joint military Exercise “Harimau Shakti -2022” commenced at Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia on 28th November and will culminate on 12 December 22.
Important facts
Combat-experienced troops of the GARHWAL RIFLES Regiment of the Indian Army and the Royal Malay Regiment of the Malaysian Army are participating in the exercise.
During the exercise, the armies of both the countries will share their experiences to enhance interoperability in planning and execution of various operations in the Jungle terrain.
The scope of the exercise includes Command Planning Exercise (CPX) at battalion level and Company level Field Training Exercise (FTX) on sub-conventional operations in jungle terrain.
The joint exercise program includes establishment of a joint command post, joint surveillance centre, sharing of expertise in employment of air assets, technical demonstration, casualty management and casualty evacuation, apart from planning logistics at the battalion level.
About Exercise Harimau Shakti
It is an annual training event between the Indian and Malaysian Army which has been conducted since 2012.
The exercise will raise the level of defence cooperation between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army, which in turn will further boost bilateral relations between the two countries.
3. Aero India 2023 to be held form 13-17 February 2023 in Bengaluru
Tags: place in news Defence
The Union Ministry of Defence has announced on 27 November 2022 that the biennial air show AeroIndia-2023 will be held at the Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru's from 13-17 February, 2023. This would be the 14th edition of Aero India.
Aero India has been held in February month at Bengaluru since 1996.
The Aero India show is a premier global trade show which provides an opportunity for the international arms industry to showcase their products, technologies and solutions to the Indian military and decision makers and also to engage with India’s emerging Aerospace and Defence industry.
There are two main defence related expositions organised by the defence ministry in India. In India. One is the Aero India show which is for the Air Force and another is Defence expo.
The Defence expo 2022 was held at Gandhinagar, Gujarat in October 2022. The Defence expo is India’s premier military trade show for land, naval and homeland security systems.
4. India Australia military exercise ‘AUSTRA HIND 22’ to commence from 28 November in Rajasthan
Tags: place in news Defence
The Bilateral military training exercise “AUSTRA HIND 22” between the Indian Army and the Australian Army will commence on 28 November 2022 at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan). The exercise will take place from 28 November -11 December 2022.
This is the first exercise in the series of AUSTRA HIND with participation of all arms and services contingent from both armies. The Australian Army contingent comprising soldiers from the 13th Brigade of the 2nd Division has arrived at the exercise location. The Indian Army is represented by troops from the Dogra Regiment. Exercise “AUSTRA HIND” will be a yearly event that will be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.
During the exercise, participants will engage in a variety of tasks ranging from joint planning, joint tactical drills, sharing basics of special arms skills and raiding a hostile target. The joint exercise, besides promoting understanding and interoperability between the two armies, will further help in strengthening ties between India and Australia.
5. National Cadet Corps celebrates 74th foundation day
Tags: Defence Important Days
The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is celebrating the 74th anniversary of its Raising Day on 27 November 2022. The NCC raising day is also being celebrated all over the country with cadets participating in marches, blood donation camps and social development programmes. It is the largest uniformed youth organisation in the world.
NCC Raising Day
NCC Day is observed on the fourth Sunday of November. The NCC was raised on 15th July 1948 in New Delhi, which was the fourth Sunday of the November month in 1948.For this reason the NCC raising Day is observed every year on the fourth Sunday of the November Month.
Formation of the NCC
After Independence the NCC in India was formed under the National Cadet Corps Act of 1948 and was raised on 15 July 1948.
The NCC is a voluntary military cadet corps under the Union Ministry of Defence and is open to school and college students.
It was set up to create a human resource of organized, trained and motivate youth to provide leadership in all walks of life and always available for the service of the nation
The motto of NCC is: “UNITY AND DISCIPLINE”.
Colonel (later retired as Chief of Army Staff) Gopal Gurunath Bewoor was the first Director of the NCC. He took over as Director of NCC on 31 Mar 1948.
Headquarters: New Delhi
Director General: Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh
6. Indian Navy launches new survey vessel ‘Ikshak’
Tags: Defence
The Indian Navy launched 'Ikshak', the third of the four Survey Ships (Large) being built by GRSE/L&T at Kattupalli, Chennai on 26 November.
Important facts
In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Smt Madhumati Hampiholi, spouse of VAdm MA Hampiholi, launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda.
It was launched in the presence of VADM MA Hampiholi, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command.
The ship has been named ‘Ikshak’ which means ‘Guide’.
The ship has been named to signify the contribution of the Survey ships towards facilitating safe passage for Mariners at Sea.
Contract for building four SVL ships was signed between MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 30 Oct 18 for a total cost of Rs 2435 Cr.
The first of class ship ‘Sandhayak’ was launched on 5 Dec 21 at GRSE, Kolkata, by Smt Pushpa Bhatt, wife of Ajay Bhatt, Raksha Rajya Mantri, who was the Chief Guest for Launching Ceremony.
SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships with new generation hydrographic equipment to collect oceanographic data.
Survey vessels (large) vessels are 110 meters long and 16 meters wide with a deep displacement of 3400 tons.
The Survey Vessels Large will have over 80% indigenous content by cost.
7. Indian Navy and Royal Enfield organises motorcycling expedition across North east India
Tags: place in news National Defence
The Indian Navy Motor Bike team, ‘The Sea Riders, in partnership with Royal Enfield, the world’s oldest motorcycle brand, embarked on an motorcycle expedition, as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav Celebrations’, commemorating the 75th year of independence, across the seven states of North East India from 25 Nov - 14 Dec 22. Royal Enfield is the owner of the famous brand ‘Bullet’.
The expedition was flagged off by Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar, by Video Conferencing from South Point School at Guwahati. Fifteen Sea Riders rode out on Royal Enfield Meteor 350 cc bikes on their journey to cover a total distance of 3500 kms over a period of 24 days across the seven states of NE India.
The expedition is being conducted over two phases across seven states with each phase covering some of the toughest and most breath-taking terrains in North East India. The riders will traverse along the Indo-Bangladesh border, visiting historical Unakoti sculptures, , the only floating national park in the world Keibul Lamjao National Park (Manipur) and witness the famous Hornbill festival (Nagaland). The expedition will pass through Guwahati (Assam), Shillong (Meghalaya), Aizawl (Mizoram), Imphal (Manipur), and Kohima (Nagaland).
North Eastern States
States | Capitals |
Assam | Dispur |
Manipur | Imphal |
Mizoram | |
Meghalaya | |
Sikkim | Gangtok |
Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
Nagaland | Kohima |
Tripura | Agartala |
8. Joint HADR Exercise Samanvay - 2022 to begin at Air Force Station Agra
Tags: Defence
The Indian Air Force is conducting the annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise 'Samanvay 2022' from November 28, 2022 to November 30, 2022 at Air Force Station Agra.
Important facts
The exercise will include a seminar on disaster management, a 'multi-agency exercise' aimed at assessing the effectiveness of institutional disaster management infrastructures and contingency measures.
There will also be static and flight demonstrations of various HADR assets and a 'table top exercise'.
Representatives of ASEAN countries will also participate in the exercise along with the participation of various stakeholders from the country.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will be the chief guest for the capability demonstration events to be conducted during the exercise on 29 November 2022.
Samanvay 2022 will promote a joint approach of various national and regional stakeholders including civil administration, armed forces, NDMA.
The exercise also aims to provide a unique platform for exchange of domain knowledge, experiences and best practices with ASEAN member countries.
9. Indian Navy and Oman Navy participate in 13th edition of bilateral exercise ‘Naseem Al Bahr’
Tags: Defence
Indian Navy's Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Trikand, Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Sumitra and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the 13th edition of the bilateral exercise 'Naseem Al Bahr' between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO).
Important facts
The exercise was conducted off the coast of Oman from 19 to 24 November 2022 and had three phases - harbour phase, sea phase and debrief.
Activities undertaken during the Harbor Phase included professional interactions between the Indian Navy and RNO Operations teams and friendly sporting events between the two navies.
Indian Naval Ships Trikand and Sumitra along with RNO Ships Al Shinas and Al Seeb departed for the sea phase.
Indian Navy's Maritime Patrol Aircraft Dornier, Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) Maritime Patrol Aircraft and shore-based RAFO fighter aircraft Hawks participated in the maritime phase of the exercise.
The sea phase consisted of tactical maritime exercises comprising surface action, air defence, maritime surveillance and interdiction/VBSS.
The debrief, the last phase of the exercise, was conducted on 23 November 2022 at the RNO Naval Base at Dukm.
The first exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman was conducted in 1993.
This year marks 30 years of bilateral exercise between Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman.
10. Second stealth-guided missile destroyer delivered to Indian Navy
Tags: Defence National News
The second ship of Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer being built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), was delivered to the Indian Navy on 24 November.
Important facts
When commissioned, the ship will be christened INS Mormugao.
The contract for four ships of Project 15B was signed on January 28, 2011.
The project is a follow-up to the Kolkata class (Project 15A) destroyers commissioned in the last decade and the lead ship of the project - INS Visakhapatnam has already been commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 21, 2021.
Designed by the Warship Design Bureau, Indian Navy’s in-house organisation and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai, the four ships of the project are christened after cities from four corners of the country — Visakhapatnam, Mormugao, Imphal and Surat.
The foundation stone of Mormugao was laid in 2015 and the ship was launched on 17 September 2016.
About Second stealth-guided missile destroyer
The ship is 163 metres long and 17 metres wide, displaces 7400 tonnes when fully loaded and has a maximum speed of 30 knots.
The overall indigenous content of the project is around 75 per cent.
The class of destroyers armed with indigenous weapons includes-
Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missiles (BEL, Bangalore)
BrahMos Surface-to-Surface Missiles (BrahMos Aerospace, New Delhi)
Indigenous Torpedo Tube Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai)
Anti-Submarine Indigenous Rocket Launchers (Larsen & Toubro, Mumbai)
76mm Super Rapid Gun Mount (BHEL, Haridwar)
