1. Eastern Naval Command conducts offshore security exercise ‘Prasthan’
Tags: Defence
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Offshore security exercise 'Prasthan' was conducted at Krishna Godavari Basin Offshore Development Area (ODA) during 11-12 October, 2022.
Important facts
It was conducted under the aegis of the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters, Ministry of Defence.
This exercise is conducted every six months.
This Exercise was conducted in the KG basin to validate Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), address various contingencies and strengthen the command & control organisation towards Maritime Security.
It aims to integrate the efforts of all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore defence.
The exercise was coordinated by the Indian Navy and involved all stakeholders in the maritime sector, including Oil and Gas Operators, State Marine Police, Fisheries Department and Indian Coast Guard etc.
It practiced contingencies such as terrorist infiltration, bombing, evacuation of casualties, search and rescue, fire incidents, oil spills and mass evacuation.
2. INS Tarkash reaches South Africa to participate in 7th edition of IBSAMAR
Tags: Defence International News
INS Tarkash reached Port Gqeberha (also known as Port Elizabeth), South Africa to participate in the 7th edition of IBSAMAR, a joint multinational maritime exercise among Indian, Brazilian and South African Navies from 10 - 12 Oct 2022.
Important facts
The previous edition of IBSAMAR (IBSAMAR VI) was conducted at Simons Town, South Africa from 1 to 13 October 2018.
The Indian Navy is represented by a Teg class guided missile frigate, INS Tarkash, a Chetak helicopter and personnel from the Marine Commando Force (MARCOS).
The Harbor phase of IBSAMAR VII includes major exercises such as damage control and fire fighting exercises, VBSS/Cross boarding lectures and interactions between Special Forces.
This joint maritime exercise will strengthen inter-operability for maritime security, joint operational training, sharing of best practices and addressing common maritime threats.
INS Tarkash
INS Tarkash is a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Indian Navy.
It is built by Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad, Russia.
It is equipped with a versatile range of weapons and sensors capable of addressing threats in all three dimensions.
The ship incorporates the latest stealth features such as low radar, infra-red, acoustic and magnetic signatures, making it difficult to detect at sea.
The ship is part of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy based at Mumbai under the Western Naval Command.
3. Army Day Parade 2023 to be held in Bengaluru
Tags: place in news Defence
The Indian Army has announced that the annual Army Day Parade 2023 will be held on 15 January in Bengaluru, Karnataka as per the Prime Minister's vision to move significant events and festivities out of the national capital.
Army Day is observed every year on 15 January and till date it was held in New Delhi.
Recently for the first time the Air Force Day and flypast was held in Chandigarh on 8 October.
Indian Army Day
It was on this day that for the first time an Indian took over the command of the Indian Army from the Britishers.
On 15 January, 1949 Field Marshal Kodandera Madappa Cariappa (K. M. Cariappa), took over as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) from General Francis Robert Roy Bucher.
Current Chief of Army Staff : General Manoj Pande
4. India hosts SCO joint anti-terror exercise
Tags: National Defence National News
India is currently hosting the multilateral counter-terrorism exercise 'Manesar Anti-Terrorism 2022' to be held from October 8 to 13.
Important facts
It is organized under the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS).
This is the Phase 2 of the exercise, "Phase-1 of the exercise was conducted from 27 July to 1 August by the National Anti-Terrorist Forces of the SCO member countries in their respective territories.
Phase-2 of the Exercise is being conducted at NSG Manesar Garrison, in which eight representatives from National Counter Terrorism Forces of Republic of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Republic of Uzbekistan, Russian Federation and NSG of Republic of India are participating.
The exercise is aimed at exchanging expertise, best practices and build synergy between the Counter Terrorism Forces of the SCO RATS Member Countries to enhance capabilities for conducting Anti-Terrorist operations and countering other security threats collectively.
Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS)
The Regional Anti-Terrorism Structure (RATS) is one of the permanent organs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and is headquartered in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
SCO RATS aims to facilitate cooperation and coordination against terrorism, extremism and separatism.
India assumed the chairmanship of the Council of SCO RATS in October 2021.
About SCO
The SCO is an eight-member economic and security bloc in which India and Pakistan joined as full-time members in 2017.
The founding members of this group include China, Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
5. Govt approves creation of new Weapon Systems branch in Indian Air Force
Tags: Defence National News
On the occasion of the 90th anniversary of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8 October, the Centre has approved the creation of a weapon system branch for IAF officers.
Important facts
This branch will enhance the war capability of the Indian Air Force.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary said that this is the first time after independence that a new operational branch has been created in the Indian Air Force.
The Weapon Systems Branch will work to strengthen the branches dealing with Surface-to-Surface Missiles, Surface-to-Air Missiles, Remotely Operated Aircraft and Special Weapon System Operators in twin and multi-crew aircraft.
The establishment of this branch will save Rs 3,400 crore by reducing the expenditure on flight training.
The Indian Air Force is also planning to induct women Agniveers from next year.
6. Kenya’s first woman General leads delegation to Indian Military Academy
Tags: Defence
A high level delegation from the Kenya Military Academy visited the Indian Military Academy (IMA), Dehradun on 5-7 October. This tour has been done under the Indo-Kenya Defence Cooperation.
Important facts
A five-member delegation, led by Major General FG Ahmed, Commandant, Kenya Military Academy, reached the Academy, participated in the military training for Gentlemen Cadets at the IMA.
Major General FG Ahmed is the first woman to hold the rank of General in the Kenya Armed Forces and Commandant Kenya Military Academy.
She was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1985 and was posted to the Kenya Air Force.
The Kenyan military delegation also met Lt Gen VK Mishra, Commandant, IMA and discussed military training and administrative matters in detail.
Indian Military Academy (IMA)
IMA was established in 1932 by Field Marshal Sir Philip W Chatwood.
In 1947, the command of the Indian Military Academy was given to Brigadier Thakur Mahadev Singh.
In 1960, the institute was renamed as Indian Military Academy (IMA).
The then President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan presented the flag to the Academy for the first time on 10 December 1962.
It is located in Dehradun.
About Kenya
President - William Ruto
Capital - Nairobi
Official Languages -Swahili, English
Currency - Kenyan shilling
7. 30th Rapid Action Force Anniversary Parade in Hyderabad
Tags: Defence National News
Minister of State for Home Ajay Kumar Mishra attended the 30th Rapid Action Force Anniversary Parade in Hyderabad on October 7.
Rapid Action Force
It is a special force which was created in October 1992 by converting 10 independent battalions of CRPF.
These units were formed for riots, riot-like situations, to build trust among all sections of the society and for internal security duty.
It is the most reliable force that reaches the site without wasting time, in the shortest possible time when a crisis situation arises.
This force is in possession of a separate flag which is a symbol of peace.
This flag was presented by the then Deputy Prime Minister Lal Krishna Advani on 7 October 2003 to commemorate the 11 years of the RAF's service to the nation.
It is continuously training men and women jointly every year for UN peacekeeping missions in different countries (Haiti, Kosovo, Libera etc.).
There are 10 battalions in this special force, which are battalion numbers 99 to 108 in CRPF, they are headed by an Inspector General.
Inspector-General of RAF - Arun Kumar
8. Vice Admiral Arti Sarin assumes charge of Commandant AFMC Pune
Tags: Defence Person in news
Vice Admiral Arti Sarin took over as the commandant of the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC) in Pune on 5 October 2022. She was commissioned in 1985 into Armed Forces Medical Services and she has the distinction of having completed two postgraduate degrees.
She is from the Indian Navy.
Colonel P P Chowdry was the first commandant of the AFMC.
Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC)
Armed Forces Medical College is the first medical college to be set up by armed forces in Asia.
It was set up on 1 May 1948 at Pune, Maharashtra.
It caters to the medical needs of the armed forces in India.
9. The Indian Army deploys M777 Howitzers
Tags: Defence National News
The Indian Army has deployed the M777 Ultra Light Howitzer (155 mm) in the harsh terrain of the country's northern border.
Important facts
This gun is highly transportable for rapid deployment to meet any operational contingency.
In the next five years, there are plans to induct several guns, including indigenous ones, into the Army's artillery regiments.
India has contracted 145 M777 guns from BAE Systems (British Aerospace) and more than half of them have been inducted.
The Indian Army has also deployed the K9 Vajra-T52-caliber self-propelled artillery gun in Ladakh.
M777 Ultra Light Howitzer
The M777 is a key component of the Army's Field Artillery Rationalization Plan (FARP), which was approved in 1999.
The 155 mm/39-caliber M777 howitzer has a range of up to 30 km, but is capable of striking targets at ranges of more than 40 km in some areas.
Built with titanium and aluminum alloys, the howitzers weigh 4,218 kg.
The Indian Air Force CH-47F Chinook helicopter can carry the howitzer as an underslung load for rapid deployment in high altitude areas.
10. Defence Minister inducted first indigenously developed light combat helicopters into Indian Air Force in Rajasthan
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inducted the first indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH) named Prachand was inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF) at Jodhpur in Rajasthan on October 3.
Important facts
The LCH was inducted at an event in Jodhpur in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Choudhary.
The LCH is designed to promote the combat prowess of the Indian Air Force.
In March 2022, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) had approved the purchase of 15 indigenously developed Limited Series Production (LSP) LCHs at a cost of Rs 3,887 crore.
About Light Combat Helicopter (LCH)
It is a dedicated combat helicopter designed and developed indigenously by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
The Advanced Light Helicopter in LCH is similar to Dhruv.
It has several stealth features, armoured-protection system, night attack capability and crash-worthy landing gear.
The helicopter can be deployed for high-altitude bunker-busting operations, counter-insurgency operations in jungles and urban environments, as well as assisting military forces on the ground.
It has indigenized several key aviation technologies like glass cockpit and composite airframe structure.
It is the only attack helicopter in the world that can land and take-off at an altitude of 5,000 meters or 16,400 feet with weapons that meet the specific requirements of the Indian Armed Forces.
