1. ICG conducts 24th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan and Preparedness Meeting
Tags: Defence National News
Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on 30 November conducted the 24th National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan (NOS-DCP) and Preparedness Meeting in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Important facts
Director General, ICG V S Pathania, who is the Chairman of NOS-DCP, chaired the meeting.
During the meeting, national capabilities were reviewed with the objective of ensuring collective preparedness to respond to any oil and chemical spill contingency in Indian waters.
The meeting was attended by around 100 delegates including representatives from various ministries, central and state government departments and agencies, state pollution control boards, ports and companies dealing with oil spills.
Currently, as the third largest importer of crude, India receives a large volume of oil through ships.
Similarly, India stands sixth in the world as a major chemical importer country.
Risks of oil and chemicals spill
Spills of both oil and chemicals pose inherent risks to coastal populations, marine ecosystems, industry and the ancillary tourism industry as well as various establishments in India's maritime zones and associated coastlines.
Hence, preventive measures are required to be taken by the Central Coordinating Agency, Ports, Ship Owners, Oil Handling Facilities, Coastal States and other relevant stakeholders to prevent any possible marine spillage.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
It is an Armed Force, Search and Rescue and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence.
It was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.
It is the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world.
It has played a vital role in securing Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in India's maritime zones.
It is headquartered in New Delhi.
2. 4 US soldiers promoted high up on Nanda Devi during India-US military exercise
Tags: Defence International News
For the first time, four US Army officers from the 11th Airborne Division have been promoted to India's second highest Himalayan peak Nanda Devi during the 18th edition of Indo-US joint military exercise 'Yudh Abhyas' in Uttarakhand.
Important facts
Capt. Cerruti, Lt. Russell, Lt. Brown and Lt. Hack became the first four USArmy Officers to be promoted in the Himalayas during Yudh Abhyas Exercise.
US soldiers from the 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldiers from the Assam Regiment are participating in a two-week joint military exercise.
Yudh Abhyas is conducted annually between India and the US with the aim of exchanging best practices, tactics, techniques and procedures between the armies of the two nations.
The aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability and share expertise in peacekeeping and disaster relief operations between the two armies.
The joint exercise will also focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
Nanda Devi Peak
Nanda Devi is the second-highest mountain in India, after Kangchenjunga, and located entirely within India (Kangchenjunga is on the border of India and Nepal). It is in the state of Uttarakhand (Chamoli district).
It is the 23rd-highest peak in the world.
The Nanda Devi Peak is a part of the Garhwal Himalayas.
3. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh appeals for generous contribution to ‘Armed Forces Flag Day Fund’ during CSR Conclave in New Delhi
Tags: place in news Defence
The Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has appealed to the nation to contribute generously to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund. Addressing the 4th edition of the Armed Forces Flag Day CSR Conclave, organised by Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare, Ministry of Defence, in New Delhi on 29 November 2022. He asked the corporates to donate fulfilling their Corporate Social Responsibility.
Armed Forces Flag Day
Every year 7 December has been observed as the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund since 1949. It is managed by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare under the Ministry of Defence. It was set up by the government so that the public can contribute to this fund.
The fund is used by the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare for the welfare and rehabilitation of war widows, wards of martyred soldiers and Ex-Servicemen, including disabled ones by providing financial assistance for their identified personal needs such as penury grant, children’s education grant, funeral grant, medical grant and orphan/disabled children grant.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Under CSR certain public or private sector companies have to spend a minimum 2% of the average net profits made during the 3 immediately preceding financial years on certain sectors identified by the government.
CSR funds are spent on measures for the benefit of armed forces veterans, war widows and their dependents, community development programmes related to safe drinking water, education, conservation of natural resources, setting up of orphanages, old age homes etc.
It was implemented on 1 April 2004 under the Companies Act 2003.
4. The Indian Army is training dogs and Kites to deal with drone menace
Tags: Defence
To deal with the menace of drones the Indian Army is training dogs and Kites (Cheel in Hindi) to identify and destroy the drones. Hostile elements from Pakistan are sending drugs, arms and ammunition to India through drones which is creating a security problem for India.
Recently on 24 November, Jammu and Kashmir Police recovered a consignment of weapons and Indian currency that were dropped by a Pakistani drone in the Samba district of Jammu.
The Dog alerts the Army after hearing the noise of the drones and the Kite is used to identify the location of the drones.
A trained Kite named ‘Arjun’ was demonstrated during the ongoing 18th edition of the Indo-US joint training exercise "Yudh Abhyas 22" in Auli, Uttarakhand. The 18th edition of the Yudh Abhyas is being held from 14 October to 31 October 2022.
What is a Drone?
Drones are also called pilotless aircraft or Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). It is not flown by humans but is remotely controlled by the humans.
It is equipped with infrared cameras, GPS and laser. It is used in Space, in the military, for transporting goods, for spraying insecticides for land mapping etc.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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
10. 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.
