1. Western Air Command Commanders’ Conference held at New Delhi
Tags: Defence National News
Western Air Command Commanders' Conference was held in New Delhi on 10 and 11 November 2022.
Important facts
The chief guest of the conference was Air Chief Marshal VR Chowdhary, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS).
VR Choudhary stressed on the need to maintain operational preparedness, ensure serviceability of assets and physical and information security.
Speaking on the occasion, he directed all the commanders present to ensure operational readiness of all platforms, weapon systems and assets at all times.
Air Command in India
The Western Command, headquartered at New Delhi, looks after the Ladakh sector, among other areas.
There is a standoff between Indian and Chinese troops at several points in eastern Ladakh.
The Air Force has seven commands (Western, Eastern, Southern, Southwestern, Central, Training and Maintenance).
2. Army organises Walong Fair on the occasion of Diamond Jubilee Celebrations of Battle of Walong
Tags: Festivals Defence National News
The Indian Army organised the Walong Mela on 10 November 2022 to mark the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of the Battle of Walong.
Important facts
The Dao Division of Spear Corps has organised this fair at Walong circle of Arunachal Pradesh.
It aims to remember the unsurpassed bravery and sacrifice of the Indian Army while defending Indian territory against the Chinese invasion of 1962.
The objective of the Mela was to familiarise the public with the Indian Army and to encourage a sense of belongingness and togetherness.
The Mela held in Walong included a variety of spectacular sports and sporting events.
Battle of Walong
Walong is one of the easternmost region of India in Arunachal Pradesh.
In the Indo-China War of 1962, the Indian Army defended against China in all areas except Walong in Arunachal Pradesh.
With less ammunition and resources, the 6th Kumaon Infantry Battalion launched a counterattack between 14 and 16 November 1962 against the Chinese army with the aim of deterring the approaching enemy.
Indian troops fought the Chinese for more than 20 days in Walong, India's easternmost city, which is adjacent to the Tibet region.
3. Indian Army launches single-window facility for welfare, grievance redressal of ‘veer naris’
Tags: National Defence National News
The Indian Army has launched a single-window facility for welfare and grievance redressal of ‘veer naris’ on 10 October, 2022.
Important facts
The project was inaugurated by the Army Wives Welfare Association (AWWA) at the Indian Army Veterans Directorate (DIAV) campus, Delhi Cantt.
Veerangana Seva Kendra (VSK) will be available as a service on Indian Army Veterans Portal www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in.
Veer Nari or Kin will have many means of contact including telephone, WhatsApp, e-mail.
The widow of a member of the armed forces who sacrificed her life in war or military campaign is called 'Veer Nari'.
A single window facility named Veerangana Seva Kendra (VSK) has been launched for the welfare of 'Veer Naris' and redressal of grievances with the motto of 'Take Care of Your Own, No Matter What'.
The system caters to the applicant for tracking, monitoring and filing complaints with regular feedback.
Veer Nari or Kin will have multiple means of contacting VSK through Telephone, SMS, WhatsApp, Post, E-mail and Walk-in.
Stakeholders can monitor the status of complaints through Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software.
The applicant will receive regular updates of the status through SMS and email.
The 'Veer Naris' are appointed as VSK staff to maintain in-built engagement and empathy with the beneficiaries.
The project is spearheaded by the branch of DIAV, AG and the technology solution is developed by BISAG-N, while Hero MotoCorp has supported the project through its CSR initiatives.
4. 26th edition of the Malabar naval exercise begins off the Japanese island of Yokosuka
Tags: Defence
The 27th Malabar naval exercise 2022 featuring the navies of all four Quad countries India, the US, Australia and Japan began on 9 November 2022 off the Yokosuka island of Japan near the East China Sea.
Indian Naval ships INS Shivalik and INS Kamorta are participating in the 10-day exercise being hosted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The Japanese Navy is called the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
The Indian Naval chief R Hari Kumar witnessed the opening ceremony of the Malabar exercise.
The opening ceremony of the exercise was attended by Commander of Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet Rear Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Commander in Chief of Self Defense Fleet of Japanese Navy Vice Admiral Yuasa Hideki, Commander of US Navy's Seventh Fleet Vice Admiral Karl Thomas and Commander of Australian Fleet Rear Admiral Jonathan Earley.
Background of the Malabar Naval Exercise
The first Malabar exercise was held between the Indian and the US Navy along the Malabar Coast in Arabian Sea in 1992.
Japan became the permanent partner of the exercise from 2015 onwards.
Australia participated for the first time in 2007 and again in 2020 and 2021.
The 2021 exercise between the four navies was held in the Philippines Sea and also in the Bay of Bengal.
5. Indian Air Force chief and French Air Force chief participates in the Garuda VII exercise
Tags: place in news Defence
The Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF) Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, and Chief of the Air Staff of French Air and Space Force (FASF) General Stéphane Mille flew aircraft in the ongoing Garuda VII exercise being held at Jodhpur on 8 November 2022.
The 7th 'Garuda VIl' exercise is being held from 26 October to 12 November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari flew the French made Rafale fighter plane while General Stéphane Mille flew the Indian Su-30MKI fighter.
For the first time the indigenous LCA Tejas and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand is participating in an international military exercise.
Apart from the LCA and LCH, the IAF contingent consists of Su-30 MKI, Rafale and Jaguar fighter aircraft, as well as Mi-17 helicopters. The IAF contingent also includes Combat Enabling Assets like Flight Refuelling Aircraft, AWACS, AEW&C and Garud Special Forces.
Four French Air Force Rafale fighters and one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft are participating in the exercise.
6. Indian Navy Chief Admiral Hari Kumar arrives in Japan to witness International Fleet review and Malabar exercise
Tags: Defence
The Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral R Hari Kumar arrived in Japan on a 5 day visit. During his visit from 5 -9 November 2022 he will attend the International Fleet Review and witness the 26th Malabar Naval Exercise. The visit of the CNS to Japan signifies a high level of bilateral defence engagements with Japan.
Official engagement of the CNS in Japan
- The CNS has a packed schedule in Japan. He will witness the International Fleet Review (IFR) conducted by the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) at Yokosuka on 06 Nov 22 to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of its formation. Japan’s Navy is called the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.
- He will attend the 18th Western Pacific Naval Symposium (WPNS), to be held on 7th and 8th November 2022 at Yokohama, Japan. India is an observer at the Western Pacific Naval Symposium.
- He will witness the inauguration of the 26th edition of the Malabar naval exercise being held at Yokosuka with the participation of Australia, Japan and the USA. The Malabar Naval exercise started in 1992, is observing its 30th anniversary.
- Two Indian Naval Ships INS Shivalik and INS Kamorta have also arrived at Yokosuka, Japan to participate in the IFR and Exercise MALABAR – 2022. Both the naval ships have been built in India.
7. Indian Navy concludes Maritime Partnership Exercise with the Australian Naval Ship
Tags: Defence
The Maritime Partnership Exercise (PASSEX) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Australian Navy concluded on 3 November 2022 in Bay of Bengal. The PASSEX involving the India Naval Ship Jalashwa and Kavaratti and the Royal Australian Navy ships HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Anzac was held on 2nd and 3rd November 2022.
The Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Anzac visited Visakhapatnam from 30 Oct to 01 Nov 2022. This was part of Australia’s Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 (IPE 22).
What is PASSEX?
A passing exercise is done by two navies so as to ensure that two navies participating in it are able to smoothly coordinate and communicate in times of any disaster or war.
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy was founded on 26 January 1950.
It comes under the Union Ministry of Defence
President is the supreme commander of the Indian Navy.
Current Chief of Naval Staff: Admiral R. Hari Kumar
Navy Day: 4 December
The Headquarters of the Indian Navy is at New Delhi
Naval Command and its Headquarters
Operational Naval Commands | Headquarters |
Western Naval Command | Mumbai |
Southern Naval Command | Kochi |
Eastern Naval Command | Visakhapatnam |
8. Indian Army approves five Make-II projects to promote 'self-reliance'
Tags: National Defence National News
The Indian Army on November 4 has given approval for development of five Make-II Projects niche technology by Indian industry under the Make-II route of defence procurement.
What are Make-Category Projects?
The provision of 'Make' category of capital acquisition in the Defense Procurement Procedure (DPP) is an important pillar for realising the vision of 'Make in India' initiative.
It aims to promote indigenous capabilities through design and development of defence equipment/products/systems/sub-systems/components/parts required by both public and private sectors within a fast time frame.
Sub-categories of ‘Make’ Project
Make-I (Government Funded)
Make-I refers to the projects funded by the government.
This includes the development of big-ticket platforms such as light tanks and communication equipment with Indian security protocols.
Make-II (Industry Funded)
Industry-funded programs are covered under 'Make-II'.
The Make-II category includes the development of prototypes of military hardware or its up-gradation for import substitution, for which no government funding is provided.
The Army is already working on 43 projects under the Make II process of capital acquisition.
9. Army Commanders’ Conference to take place from November 7 in New Delhi
Tags: National Defence Summits National News
The Army Commanders' Conference will be held in New Delhi from 7-11 November to deliberate on the current and emerging security and administrative aspects and to chart the future for the Indian Army.
Important facts
During the conference, the top leadership of the Indian Army will deliberate on current/emerging security and administrative aspects to chart the future for the Indian Army.
Other activities planned during the conference will also include talks by eminent subject matter experts on "Contemporary India-China Relations" as well as "Technical Challenges to National Security".
During the conference, Defense Minister Rajnath Singh will address and interact with Army Commanders on 10 November 2022.
The Chief of Defense Staff and the Chiefs of the Indian Navy and Indian Air Force will also address the senior leadership of the Indian Army to promote tri-services synergy.
About Army Commanders’ Conference
It is an apex level biennial event which is an institutional forum for ideological level discussions and helps in taking important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
It is an apex level biennial event which is an institutional forum for ideological level discussions and helps in taking important policy decisions for the Indian Army.
It is also a formal forum for the senior leadership of the Indian Army to interact with senior officials from the Department of Military Affairs and the Department of Defence.
10. Joint Military Training-2022 With Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) at Air Force Station Kalaikunda
Tags: Defence
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Singapore Air Force (RSAF) began their six-week-long 11th annual Joint Military Training (JMT) on 3 November, 2022, at Air Force Station, Kalaikunda.
Important facts
The air forces of these two countries have resumed this training after a gap of two years.
This training could not take place during the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The bilateral phase of the exercise will be conducted from November 9 to 18, 2022 and both the air forces will engage in advanced air warfare exercise.
RSAF is participating with F-16 aircraft in JMT- 2022.
Apart from this, the IAF will field Su-30 MKI, Jaguar, MiG-29 and LCA Tejas aircraft in this exercise.
The exercise underlines the strong and long standing ties between India and Singapore in the field of defence cooperation.
Objective of Joint Military Training
It aims to provide an opportunity to the participating crews to share valuable operational knowledge, experience and best practices while strengthening the professional relationship between the two Air Forces.
India's Joint Military Exercise with other countries
Mitra Shakti - India & Sri Lanka
Maitree Exercise - India & Thailand
Yudh Abhyas - India and US
Vajra Prahar - India and US
Garuda Shakti - India & Indonesia
Nomadic Elephant - India & Mongolia
Shakti Exercise - India & France
Surya Kiran - India and Nepal
SIMBEX - India and Singapore
CORPAT - India and Thailand
