1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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)
4. India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garud Shakti 2022 commenced at Cilodong, Indonesia
Tags: Defence
A contingent of Indian Special Forces soldiers is currently participating in Exercise Garuda Shakti, a bilateral joint training exercise with Indonesian Special Forces at Sanga Buana Training Area, Karawang, Indonesia.
Important facts
Garuda Shakti, the eighth edition of the series of bilateral exercises, is being conducted at Sangga Buana Training Area, Karawang.
The exercise, which began on November 21, aims to enhance understanding, cooperation and interoperability between the special forces of both the armies.
The scope of the joint exercise includes orientation, sharing of information on weapons, equipment, innovations, tactics, techniques and procedures to upgrade the skills of the Special Forces.
The joint training will also focus on a high level of physical fitness, tactical drills, techniques and procedures, for which a comprehensive 13-day training program has been drawn up.
5. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh co chair the first India ASEAN defence ministers meeting in Cambodia
Tags: place in news Defence Summits
Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Cambodia on 21 November 2022 to participate in the to co-chair the first India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting and attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus).This year, India and Cambodia are celebrating 70 years of diplomatic ties.
On 22 November he along with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence of Cambodia General TEA Banh co-chaired the first India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting to commemorate the 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations. Also the year 2022 is being celebrated as the ASEAN-India Friendship Year to commemorate the 30 years of ASEAN-India Dialogue Relations.
He will also attend the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) to be held on 23 November 2022.
Cambodia is the current chairman of the ASEAN (Association of South East Nation) and all ASEAN related summits and conferences are being hosted by it. Both the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) and India-ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting will be held at Siem Reap, Cambodia. Siam Reap is the second largest city of Cambodia after its capital Phnom Penh.
Angkor Wat
Siem Reap province of Cambodia is home to Angkor Wat. It is a world heritage site and is the world's largest religious structure, covering some 400 acres. It is dedicated to Hindu gods and goddesses. Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is helping in the preservation of the Temple.
ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus)
The ADMM-Plus is a platform for ASEAN and its eight Dialogue Partners Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States (collectively referred to as the "Plus Countries"), to strengthen security and defence cooperation for peace, stability, and development in the region.
The first ADMM-Plus was convened in Ha Noi, Viet Nam, on 12 October 2010.
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
It is an association of 10 countries of SouthEast Asia. They are Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. The headquarters of ASEAN: Jakarta, Indonesia.
6. 13th bilateral naval exercise Naseem Al Bahr-2022, between Indian and Omani navy start off the coast of Oman
Tags: Defence
The 13th edition of bilateral exercise between the Indian and the Royal Oman navies, Naseem Al Bahr-2022, commenced off the coast of Oman on 20 November 2022. The exercise is being conducted in two phases: the Harbour Phase and the Sea Phase.
Naseem Al Bahr naval exercise was started in 1993. The last edition was conducted off Goa in 2019.
The Indian Navy’s guided missile frigate Trikand and Offshore Patrol Vessel Sumitra, with their integral helicopters, and the maritime patrol aircraft, Dornier, are participating in the exercise.
The exercise facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation and enhance good order at sea.
The exercise also aims to strengthen the ancient maritime and cultural linkages between India and Oman.
7. Shtrunash exercise conducted by the South Western command of the Indian Army in Rajasthan
Tags: place in news Defence
The South Western Command of the Indian Army conducted an Integrated Fire Power Exercise,“SHATRUNASH’’in Thar desert of Rajasthan on 21 November 2022.
The exercise witnessed use of multifarious firing platforms in an integrated manner involving both ground & aerial manoeuvres.
Various actions included insertion of troops, offensive ground actions involving comprehensive coordination incorporating contemporary technologies in a multi domain environment.
Real time communication and sharing of common operating pictures amongst various participants to overcome emerging threats were practiced & skills were honed.
South Western Command of Indian Army: Jaipur
General Officer Commanding In Chief of the South Western Command : Lieutenant General A S Bhinder
8. IAF Air Fest 2022 organised at Vayusena Nagar in Nagpur
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Air Force annual show, Air Fest 2022 commenced with a visually stunning and breath-taking performances of the Air Force’s planes & helicopters at Headquarters Maintenance Command, Vayusena Nagar in Nagpur on 19 November 2022.
The Air Fest is being conducted as a part of the 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav'. The objective of the Air Fest is to showcase various facets of the Indian Air Force and motivate the youth of Nagpur to choose the Indian Air Force for an exciting career.
Indian Air Force and its command structure
It was set up on 8 October 1932. It comes under the Union Defence Ministry.
President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Air Force.
Every year October 8 is observed as Air Force Day.
Chief of Air Staff: Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari
Command structure of the Indian Air Force
Serial No | Command | Headquarters |
1 | Western Air Command | Delhi |
2 | South-Western Air Command | Gandhinagar |
3 | Central Air Command | Prayagraj |
4 | Eastern Air Command | Shillong |
5 | Southern Air Command | Thiruvananthapuram |
6 | Training Command | Bengaluru |
7 | Maintenance Command | Nagpur |
9. 20th National Maritime Search & Rescue Board meeting of the Coast Guard held in Gujarat
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 20th National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting at Kevadia, Gujarat on November 18, 2022. The apex level meeting was chaired by Director General of the Coast Guard VS Pathania who is also the Chairman of NMSAR Board.
During the meeting, Shri VS Pathania launched the National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan-2022. It serves as a policy document for all the participating agencies & stakeholders for directing an integrated and coordinated approach towards the functioning of the M-SAR system.
The NMSAR Board, comprising 31 members from various central ministries/agencies, members of the Armed Forces, all Coastal States & Union Territories, meets annually to discuss policy issues, formulate guidelines & procedures, and assess the efficacy of National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan and services for mariners and fishermen in the vast 4.6 million sq km of Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR).
The Indian Coast Guard which comes under the Union Ministry of Defence and Its main role is to prevent seaborne smuggling of goods, to ensure the safety and protection of the islands, and to provide protection and assistance to the Indian fishermen and mariners at the high seas.
10. Army Chief General Manoj Pandey received guard of honour at Les Invalides in Paris
Tags: International Relations Defence International News
Army Chief General Manoj Pande who is on a four-day visit to France, received a Guard of Honour at the Les Invalides in Paris on 17 November, 2022.
Important facts
General Manoj Pande held talks with his French counterpart General Pierre Schille and discussed issues of mutual interest during his visit to the European country.
The Chief of Army Staff is on a visit to France from 14 to 17 November.
Gen Pande left for France on November 14 on a four-day visit with an aim to further strengthen the "bond of trust" between the Indian and French armies amid the rapidly evolving security matrix and geopolitical situation.
General Pande held extensive talks with the top military brass of France including the Chief of the Defence Staff, the Chief of the Army Staff and the Commander of the Land Combat Forces.
About France
France is located on the western edge of Europe
Prime minister: Élisabeth Borne
President: Emmanuel Macron
Capital: Paris
Currency: euro
