1. Goa Maritime Symposium
Tags: Defence National News
The fourth edition of the Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS) is being conducted by the Naval War College (NWC) at Goa from 31 October to 1 November 2022.
Important facts
The theme of GMS-2022 is Maritime Security Challenges in the Indian Ocean Region: Converting Common Maritime Priorities into Collaborative Mitigation Frameworks.
The Symposium was inaugurated by Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar, Commandant, Naval War College.
The participants of the symposium include Captains/ officers of the rank of Commander or equivalent from navies/ maritime forces from friendly countries like Bangladesh, Comoros, Indonesia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Thailand besides India.
About Goa Maritime Symposium (GMS)
It was conceptualised and instituted by the Indian Navy in 2016.
It is a forum for promoting collaborative thinking, cooperation and mutual understanding between India and the major maritime countries of the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
The Symposium is organised biennially by NWC, Goa and so far three editions of the event have been organised.
2. Indian Navy participates in the first Trilateral Naval exercise with Mozambique and Tanzania Navies
Tags: Defence
The first trilateral naval exercise (IMT TRILAT) between Indian, Mozambican and Tanzanian navies commenced at Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania on 27 Oct 2022. It is the first time that the Indian Navy is participating in an exercise with these navies.
The exercise will be held from 27 to 29 October 2022 which includes harbour and sea phases.
The Indian Navy is being represented by the guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and special commando unit of the Indian Navy, MARCOS (Marine Commandos).
3. Indian Ministry of Defence is the largest employer in the world: Statista
Tags: Defence
According to the German Statista infographic, the Union Defence Ministry is the world's biggest employer with 2.92 million people as employees. The Statista report on ‘Employers with the largest workforce worldwide 2022” has included the active service personnel, reservists and civilian staff in the Defence ministry personnel list.
Statista is a Hamburg-based private organisation that provides data and statistics about various issues worldwide.
The American Department of Defense which employs 2.91 million personnel comes second in the list.
The Chinese Military Commission which is equivalent to the Defence ministry in India employs around 6.8 million people. But it was not included in the list as there was doubt over its data.
Largest private sector employer
According to Statista, amongst the private sector, Walmart is the largest employer with 2.3 million personnel.
Amazon is the second largest employer with 1.6 million personnel.
World’s largest armed forces
According to Statista the largest military personnel based on active services personnel is China.
The top 10 largest militaries based on active personnel:
- China - 2,000,000
- India - 1,450,000
- United States - 1,390,000
- North Korea - 1,200,000
- Russia - 850,000
- Pakistan - 640,000
- Iran - 575,000
- South Korea - 555,000
- Vietnam - 470,000
- Egypt - 450,000
4. 7th India France bilateral Air exercise 'Garuda VIl'commences in Jodhpur
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Air Force (IAF) and French Air and Space Force (FASF) are participating in a bilateral exercise, named 'Garuda VIl', from 26 October to 12 November 2022 at Air Force Station Jodhpur.
This is the seventh edition of the bilateral exercise. The first, third and fifth editions were conducted in India in 2003, 2006 and 2014 at Air Force Stations Gwalior, Kalaikunda and Jodhpur, respectively. The second, fourth and sixth editions were conducted in France in 2005, 2010 and 2019.
In this exercise, FASF will participate with four Rafale fighter aircraft, one A-330 Multi Role Tanker Transport aircraft and a contingent of 220 personnel. The IAF is participating with Su-30 MKI, Rafale, Tejas and Jaguar fighter aircraft, as well as the Light Combat Helicopter and Mi-17 helicopters.
Participation of the IAF and FASF in this exercise will promote professional interaction, exchange of experiences and enhancement of operational knowledge, besides strengthening bilateral relations between the two countries.
5. Tata, Airbus to make C-295 transport aircraft for IAF in Gujarat
Tags: Defence National News
A consortium led by the Tata group and Airbus will manufacture the C-295 transport aircraft in Gujarat, the government said in a statement on 27 October.
Important facts
The total cost of the project is ₹21,935 crore.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone for the transport aircraft manufacturing project for the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Vadodara, Gujarat on October 30.
As part of the contract, 16 aircraft will be delivered in flyaway condition and 40 will be manufactured in India.
It will manufactured by the Indian Aircraft Contractor, Tata Consortium of Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) led by TASL.
This is the first project of its kind in which a military aircraft will be manufactured in India by a private company.
The aircraft can also be used for civilian purposes.
The first 16 fly-away aircraft will be received between September 2023 and August 2025.
The first Made in India aircraft is likely to be received by September 2026.
Aircraft capability
C-295MW is a transport aircraft of 5-10 tonne capacity with contemporary technology.
It will replace the ageing Avro aircraft of IAF.
It has a rear ramp door for quick reaction and para dropping of troops and cargo.
Short take-off/land from semi-prepared surfaces is another of its features.
It will strengthen the logistic capabilities of the IAF.
6. Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise ‘Simbex’ - 2022
Tags: Defence National News
The Indian Navy is hosting the 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) in Visakhapatnam from October 26 to 30, 2022.
Phases of SIMBEX-2022
Port Phase at Visakhapatnam from 26th to 27th October 2022
Sea phase in the Bay of Bengal from 28 to 30 October 2022
Important facts
Two ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy, RSS Stalwart (a Formidable Class Frigate) and RSS Vigilance (a Victory Class Corvette) arrived at Visakhapatnam on 25 October 2022 for participation in the exercise.
The Harbor Phase saw extensive professional and sporting interactions between the two navies which included cross deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) and planning meetings.
About SIMBEX series of exercises
It began in 1994 and was initially known as Exercise Lion King.
The scope and complexity of the exercise has risen substantially over the past two decades to include advanced naval drills covering a wide spectrum of maritime operations.
The exercise exemplifies the high level of cooperation between India and Singapore in the maritime sector.
It also highlights the commitment and contribution of the two countries towards enhancing maritime security in the Indian Ocean region.
7. Shaurya Diwas celebrated in Srinagar
Tags: place in news Defence
The Defence ministry organised the ‘Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) on October 27, 2022 to commemorate the 75th year of air landed operations of the Indian Army at Budgam Airport in 1947.
The Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was the Chief Guest at the Shaurya Diwas’ celebrations. The event was organised as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’.
Background to the Day
On October 27, 1947, the Indian Army was air-lifted by the Indian Air Force and landed at the Budgam Airport to evict the Pakistani backed Tribal invaders from J&K, a day after the ‘Instrument of Accession’ was signed between Maharaja Hari Singh and the Republic of India.
Infantry Day
27th October is also observed by the Indian Army as ‘Infantry Day’. It was on this day in 1947 that Infantry-men from the Indian Army became the first troops to land at Srinagar airport.
Speaking on the occasion Rajnath Singh paid rich tribute to the courage and valour of the first Param Vir Chakra recipient, Major Somnath Sharma, who despite being injured led a company & saved the Srinagar airfield. This enabled the Indian to land its forces in Jammu and Kashmir and saved the state from falling into Pakistan’s hand.
He also paid glowing tributes to the bravery of other Gallantry award winners such as Brigadier Rajinder Singh and Lt Col Dewan Ranjit Rai, who gave away their lives to protect the motherland.
8. PM launches Mission DefSpace for Armed Forces
Tags: Defence National News
Realising the economic and strategic potential of global space, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 19 October launched “Mission DefSpace” for developing innovative solutions for the Armed Forces.
Important facts
The mission is launched for developing innovative solutions for the Armed Forces.
The Prime Minister also released the fourth Defence Indigenization List, which prohibits the import of 101 items after a certain time limit.
Under Mission DefSpace, 75 challenges in the space sector have been identified for private firms to work on.
Space technology is shaping new definitions of India's liberal space diplomacy and giving rise to new possibilities.
There are more than 60 developing countries with whom India is sharing its space science. The South Asia satellite is an effective example of this.
Fourth defence indigenisation list
As part of efforts to boost the domestic defence industry and defence exports, the Ministry of Defence has released a positive indigenization list.
It pays special attention to the equipment/systems which are being developed and which are likely to be converted into solid orders in the next five to ten years.
The Ministry of Defence had earlier released the first, second and third positive indigenization list, which consisted of 310 items.
What is a positive indigenization list?
A positive indigenization list means that the armed forces will procure the listed items only from domestic manufacturers.
Manufacturers can be private sector players or Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
Govt Initiatives for indigenisation in defence sector
The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) limit under the automatic route in the defence sector has been increased from 49% to 74%.
In October 2021, the government dissolved the four-decade-old Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) and merged 41 factories of seven new state-owned companies to manufacture defence hardware ranging from munitions to heavy weapons and vehicles.
India has inaugurated two defence industrial corridors, one in Tamil Nadu and the other in Uttar Pradesh, to promote the flagship "Make in India" programme.
According to an estimate, the Indian Armed Forces are projected to spend around USD 130 billion in capital procurement over the next five years.
9. India successfully test nuclear capable Agni prime missile
Tags: Defence
India has successfully tested its new generation nuclear capable Agni Prime’ or Agni P ballistic missile from the coast of Odisha on 21 October 2022. It was the third test of the missile which is being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The first test was in June last year and the second test was in December 2021.
Agni Prime is a two-stage canisterised missile with a maximum range of 2,000 km. It is a two stage missile that can be launched from rail or road, be stored for longer periods
DRDO Chairman: Dr Samir Kamat
10. Prime Minister Modi lays the foundation stone of the strategic Deesa Air Base in Gujarat
Tags: place in news Defence State News
Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for a new air base at Deesa in Banaskantha district of north Gujarat near the India-Pakistan border. The air base is of strategic importance as it will reduce the strategic gap of 355 Kms between the Air Force station in Bhuj and Uttarlai. The air base is expected to be completed by 2024.
Deesa Air Force Base
The project was approved by the Vajpayee government in 2000 but the project actually took off in 2017 when Modi became the Prime Minister. Deesa is a Greenfield air base spread over an area of 4,519 acres being developed in the Banaskantha region.
It is 130 km away from the Pakistan border.
Strategic significance of the Deesa Airbase
Gujarat is economically very important for India and Pakistan is expected to hit the state during a conflict situation. The Deesa base will provide the Indian Air force the capability to take down the Pakistani planes launched from Mirpur Khas, Hyderabad, Shahbaz F-16 airbase in Jacobabad.
Deesa will also make Pakistani cities of Hyderabad, Karachi, and Sukkur vulnerable with its deep penetration strike aircraft.
The airbase can also be used to retaliate against Pakistan in case of a major terror strike in Gujarat or along the south-western sector apart from giving support to any land offensive in future.
The Indian fighter plane can cross the international border in mere two minutes at Mach 2.0 speed if there is an emergency.
Indian Air Force Chief: Air Marshal Vivek Ram Choudhary
