1. 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.
2. 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
3. For the first time, six women officers clear Defence Services Staff College examination
Tags: National Defence National News
For the first time in the history of the Indian Army six women officers have cleared the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) examination.
Important facts
Of the 15 women officers who appeared in this year's DSSC exam, six cleared it.
Every year, 1,500-1,600 officers appear for this prestigious exam but only around 300 get selected.
Six women officers will join the prestigious War College in Wellington, a move that comes after the Army granted permanent commission to women officers last year.
They will start their academic session from April 2023.
The DSSC course is run for Major and Lt Col equivalent ranks of the three Services.
After the completion of the DSSC course, officers will be eligible for important staff appointments to higher ranks of the Indian Army as well as for foreign postings.
About Defence Services Staff College (DSSC)
It is one of the oldest military institutions in India. It was set up in India in 1905 as the Army Staff College at Deolali and was relocated to Quetta, now in Pak, in 1907.
It was shifted to Wellington in 1947 after the partition of the subcontinent.
Many army officers have done the DSSC course, including former Chief of Defense Staff General Bipin Rawat.
4. INDO - US Joint training Exercise“YUDH ABHYAS 2022” to commence in Uttarakhand
Tags: Defence National News
The 18th edition of Indo-US joint training exercise "Yudh Abhyas 22" will be held in Auli, Uttarakhand in November 2022.
Important facts
The 'Yudh Abhyas' between India and the US is held annually with the aim of exchanging best practices, strategies, techniques and procedures between the armies of the two countries.
The previous edition of this exercise was conducted in October 2021 at Joint Base Elmdorf Richardson, Alaska (USA).
The US Army soldier from the 2nd Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division and Indian Army soldier from the Assam Regiment will participate in the exercise.
The training schedule focuses on employment of an integrated battle group under Chapter VII of the UN Mandate.
The training program will cover all functions related to peacekeeping and peace enforcement.
Soldiers of both the countries will work together to achieve common objectives. The joint exercise will also focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations.
Troops of both the countries will practise launching quick and coordinated relief efforts in the wake of any natural calamity.
The exercise was started in 2004 under the US Army Pacific Partnership Program.
Other Exercises between India and the USA
Exercise Tiger Triumph - Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief exercise
Exercise Vajra Prahar - Special Forces’ Exercise
Cope India - Air Force
Malabar Exercise - Quadrilateral naval exercise of India, USA, Japan and Australia
Red Flag - US’ multilateral air exercise
5. The third edition of Coastal Defence Exercise 'Sea Vigil-22' began on 15 November
Tags: Defence National News
The third edition of the two-day 'Sea Vigil-22' is commencing on the eastern seaboard from November 15 as part of an all-India coastal defence exercise.
Important facts
The exercise was conceptualised in the year 2018 among various measures initiated to enhance maritime security since the 26/11 Mumbai attacks.
The exercise will be conducted along the country's 7,516 km long coastline covering India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
The exercise will involve all coastal states, union territories and other maritime stakeholders including fishing and coastal communities.
The exercise is being conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and the ministries tasked with maritime activities.
This exercise is a build-up towards the major Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise (TROPEX), which is conducted by the Indian Navy every two years.
'Sea Vigil' and 'TROPEX' together will cover the entire spectrum of maritime security challenges.
Assets from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Customs and other maritime agencies will participate in the 'Sea Vigil' exercise.
Apart from the Defense Ministry, the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Petroleum and Natural Gas, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Customs and other Central/State agencies are also assisting in the conduct of this exercise.
The exercise will provide a realistic assessment of India's strengths and weaknesses, which will help further strengthen maritime and national security.
6. Chief of Army Staff General Manoj Pande embarks on 4-day official visit to France
Tags: Defence Person in news
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Manoj Pande left on a 4 day (14-17 November) official visit to France on 14 November 2022. General Pande will hold a meeting with his French counterparts and senior military leadership with the aim to strengthen defence ties between the two nations.
His visit is aimed to give impetus to the ever growing Indo-French defence ties. During his visit he will lay a wreath at Neuve Chapelle Indian Memorial, which commemorates the sacrifices of 4,742 Indian soldiers during the First World War.
Earlier on November 7, Army Chief General Manoj Pande held a meeting with French Chief of Staff of Air and Space Force, General Stephane Mille. During the meeting, both sides discussed various aspects of defence cooperation between France and India.
The seventh edition of the bilateral exercise between the Indian Air Force and the French Air and Space Force,' Exercise Garuda-VII' concluded at Air Force Station in Jodhpur on 12 November 2022.
General Manoj Pande is the 29th Chief of Army Staff in India .He is the first officer from the Corps of Engineers to become the Chief of Army.
7. Indian Navy conducts an offshore security exercise ‘Prasthan’ off Mumbai coast
Tags: Defence
The Indian Navy’s Western Command conducted an exercise ‘Prasthan’ on 12 November 2022 to evaluate organizational effectiveness in protecting offshore assets off Mumbai on an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) platform 150 km into the sea.
The Prasthan’ is conducted twice a year under the Western Naval Command. It aims to assess various measures and protocols conceived to address security threats and other contingencies that may arise in offshore oil production platforms.
The Indian Navy is the lead agency and has been entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the oil production platforms off the coasts of India.
Mumbai High and Sagar Samrat
Mumbai High or earlier known as Bombay High is an offshore oilfield located in the Arabian Sea, approximately 160 km west of the Mumbai coast, Maharashtra.
It is one of the largest oil and gas fields in India. It was discovered in 1974, by the Russian and Indian team from seismic exploration vessel Academic Arkhangelsky while mapping the Gulf of Cambay between 1964 and 1967.
The oil field commenced production in 1976 and is operated by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).
Sagar Samrat is India’s first oil rig platform that drilled the first offshore oil well offshore in Mumbai High.
The new One Rupee note issued by the Government of India has the picture of Sagar Samrat on its reserve side.
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
8. 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).
9. 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.
10. 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.
