1. Indian Air Force Day
Tags: Important Days
8 October is Indian Air Force day. Indian Air Force was raised on October 8, 1932, and it is completing 90 years 8 October, 2022.
Important facts
This time Air Force Day flypast was done over Sukhna Lake in Chandigarh.
Historically for the first time, the Air Force Day parades and fly-pasts have been taken out of the National Capital Region by the Indian Air Force.
President Draupadi Murmu and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh were present on this occasion.
This time 75 aircraft participated in the flypast, while 9 aircraft were put on standby mode.
The Light Combat Helicopter LCH which was recently inducted into the Indian Air Force displayed its air capabilities in the sky at Sukhna Lake.
Tejas, Sukhoi, MiG-29, Jaguar, Rafale and Hawk were also part of the flypast.
About Indian Air Force
It was officially established on 8 October 1932.
It is the air wing of the Indian Armed Forces whose primary mission is to secure Indian airspace and conduct aerial activities during armed conflicts.
Over 170,000 personnel are serving in the Indian Air Force.
It ranks as the fourth largest operational air force in the world.
The motto of the Indian Air Force is 'Touch the Sky with Glory' and was taken from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita.
After independence, it participated in four wars with Pakistan and one war with the People's Republic of China.
It works with the United Nations’ peacekeeping missions.
It participated in relief operations during natural calamities like the Gujarat cyclone in 1998, the tsunami in 2004 and the floods in North India.
2. Rajnath Singh signs MoU with Egypt on Defence Cooperation
Tags: International Relations International News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who is on a three-day visit to Egypt, met the Egyptian Defence Minister, General Mohamed Zaki in Cairo on 20 September and signed a MoU on Defence Cooperation to further expand the bilateral defence ties between the two countries.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- During the meeting, both sides discussed steps to strengthen defense ties and a consensus was reached for joint military exercises and training, especially in the area of counter-terrorism.
In addition, they also exchanged views on regional security and acknowledged the contribution of India and Egypt to peace and stability in the world.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi agreed to focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation and security aspects.
Singh has also invited his Egyptian counterpart to the India-Africa Defence Dialogue and the IOR Defence Ministers' Conference, which is scheduled to be held in Gujarat from October 18-22 this year as part of the 12th DefExpo.
Egypt is one of the largest investment destinations for India in the region with an existing Indian investment of USD 3.15 billion.
India - Egypt defence cooperation :
To boost defence cooperation between the two countries, an Indian Air Force team arrived in Egypt on 22 June to participate in a bilateral 'Strategic Leadership Program' with the Egyptian Air Force.
The year 2022 has special significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Egypt.
There was close cooperation between the Air Forces of both countries, with efforts at jointly developing a fighter aircraft in the 1960s.
Indian Air Force pilots had also trained Egyptian pilots from the 1960s until 1984.
In recent times, since 2015, there have been a number of high-level exchanges of visits by defense delegations.
3. Army Day parade to be held in different parts of India
The Indian Army has announced that the annual Army Day Parade will be held in different parts of India 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.
Till date the Army day parade was held in New Delhi. In the next year it will be held in the Southern Command area.
The Indian Air Force had also recently moved out its annual fly-past and parade from the Hindon Air Base (Uttar Pradesh) near Delhi to Chandigarh this year.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
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.
4. Defence Minister reaches Cairo on two-day official visit to Egypt
Tags: International Relations International News
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh reached Cairo on 19 September on a two-day official visit to Egypt.
IMPORTANT FACTS -
- During the visit, Rajnath Singh will hold bilateral talks with the Minister of Defence and Defence Production, General Mohammad Zaki.
Rajnath Singh's visit aims to further strengthen defence cooperation and friendship between India and Egypt.
The two ministers will review bilateral defence ties, explore new initiatives to intensify military ties and focus on deepening cooperation between the defence industries of the two countries.
An MoU will also be signed to promote defence cooperation between India and Egypt.
Singh will also meet Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
India - Egypt Relations :
Egypt is one of the largest investment destinations for India with the current Indian investment of USD 3.15 billion.
Indian companies are working on several projects in Egypt.
To strengthen defence cooperation between the two countries, an Indian Air Force team arrived in Egypt on 22 June to participate in a bilateral 'Strategic Leadership Program' with the Egyptian Air Force.
Earlier in November last year, Chief of Air Staff Chief Marshal VR Chowdhury had gone to Egypt for his five-day visit to attend the Air Power Symposium and Defence Exhibition (EDEX) in Cairo.
The year 2022 has special significance as it marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Egypt.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
About Egypt :
Capital - Cairo
President - Abdel Fattah al-Sisi
Official Language - Arabic
Official Religion - Islam
Currency - Egyptian pound
5. Gaganyaan first test flight in 2022: Dr Jitendra Singh
Tags: Science and Technology
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology Dr Jitendra Singh has said that India's first human space-flight mission Gaganyaan is expected to be launched in 2024.
He said that the government had planned the human space flight in 2022 itself to commemorate the 75 years of Independence but due to Covid it couldn't be completed.
The first test flight of the mission is expected this year. The first test-flight will be followed by sending a female-looking spacefaring humanoid robot ‘Vyom Mitra’ in outer space likely next year,
IMPORTANT FACTS -
Gaganyaan Mission :
- The Gaganyaan mission was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day speech in 2018 with a budget of Rs 10,000 crore.
- Four Indian Air Force pilots have been identified as crew for the mission who are undergoing training in Russia.
- Indian Space research Organisation (ISRO) intends to send at least 2 astronauts in low earth orbit in 2024.
Human Space Flight :
- At present only three countries, the United States, Russia and China have the capability to launch manned space missions.
- The first person to go into space was Yury Gagarin of the Soviet Union on 12 April 1961 onboard the Vostok Rocket.
- The first woman to go into space was Valentina Tereshkova of the Soviet Union on 16 June 1963 onboard the Vostok 6 Rocket.
- Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma is the only Indian to go into space. He was part of the Soviet mission aboard Soyuz T-11 on 3 April 1984.
- Humans who travel in space are called astronauts. The Chinese call them Taikonauts and the Russians call them Cosmonauts.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION -
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) :
- It was set up on 15 August 1969
- It is India's national space agency.
- Headquarters: Bengaluru
- Chairman: S.Somanath
6. India gift Dornier Maritime Reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka
Tags: International Relations Defence
India on August 15 gifted Sri Lanka a Dornier maritime reconnaissance aircraft that will enable the island nation to tackle a range of challenges such as human and drug trafficking and other organized crimes in its waters.
Important facts
It was gifted at a special event at the Sri Lanka Air Force Base in Katunayake.
Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force personnel who have undergone training in India for nearly four months will operate the aircraft.
Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Indian High Commissioner Gopal Baglay were also present on the occasion.
The celebrations took place as India celebrates its 76th Independence Day and a day later China's high-tech missile and satellite surveillance vessel will anchor at Sri Lanka's Hambantota port.
The aircraft has been delivered to Sri Lanka by the Indian Navy to help meet the immediate security needs of Sri Lanka.
The Indian Navy has also given intensive training in maritime reconnaissance aircraft to a team of the Sri Lankan Navy and Air Force.
During the 2018 Defence Dialogue between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi, Sri Lanka had discussed the possibility of acquiring two Dornier reconnaissance aircraft from India to enhance its maritime surveillance capabilities.
Dornier Aircrafts
In March 2022, India and the Government of Sri Lanka signed a Memorandum of Understanding to provide two Dornier 228 aircraft to the Sri Lankan Navy.
Dornier 228 Aircraft
It is a 17-seater non-pressurised aircraft that has a turboprop engine.
It is capable of day and night operations, short take-off and landing, and can take off from semi-prepared runways.
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) started manufacturing Dornier-228 in India.
The Dornier-228 aircraft have been used by the armed forces so far.
Alliance Air had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with HAL to operate Dornier aircraft.
7. 12th edition of Defence Expo to be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Tags: Defence
On 8 August The Ministry of Defence announced that the 12th edition of the Defence Expo, India's flagship exhibition on Land, Naval and Homeland Security systems, will be held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
Important facts
The event will take place from October 18 to 22, 2022.
Theme of the 12th edition - 'Path to Pride'
The theme invokes nationalist pride and encourages citizens to participate in nation building through the establishment of a capable indigenous defence industry.
The five-day event will have three business days followed by two public days.
Live demonstration of equipment and skill sets of Armed Forces, DPSUs and Industry will be done for five days at Sabarmati River Front through active participation and synchronized efforts.
This helipad exhibition will be organized in a three-venue format over an area of one lakh square metres.
It was postponed in March 2022 due to logistics problems being faced by the participants.
It is Asia's biggest event in the defence sector.
Aim of Defence Expo 2022
Achieving 'Atmanirbharta' in defence and achieving the $5 billion defence export target by 2024.
To make India a major destination for the Army, Navy, Air Force and homeland security systems and defence engineering.
Significance of the Defence Expo
The participants will get an opportunity to showcase their tools and platforms.
It will also be able to explore the expanding strengths and capabilities of the Indian defence industry to forge business partnerships.
The event will help boost investments, expand manufacturing capabilities and find avenues for technology absorption.
About Defence Expo
The 11th edition of Defense Expo was held in Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) in 2020.
It is a major biennial event of the Ministry of Defence, showcasing Army, Navy, Air Force and Homeland Security systems.
Achievements in defence sector
Defence exports have grown by 334% in the last five years.
India is exporting defence to more than 75 countries.
In February 2021, India was the first country to organize a hybrid aerospace exhibition, Aero India-2021, in Bengaluru.
8. Western Naval Commands conducts security exercise Prasthan
Tags: Defence State News
The Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy conducted an offshore security exercise, ‘Prasthan’ off the coast of Mumbai . The exercise is conducted by the Western Naval Command every six months .
Led by the Navy, the exercise saw participation from the Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, ONGC, Mumbai Port Trust, JawaharLal Nehru Port Trust, Customs, state fisheries department, Mercantile Marine Department and the Marine Police.
Important for exam
Current Chief of Navy : Admiral R.Hari Kumar
Navy Day : 4 December
The Headquarters of the Indian Navy is at New Delhi
Operational Naval Commands Headquarters
Western Naval Command Mumbai
Southern Naval Command Kochi
Eastern Naval Command Visakhapatnam
9. Indian Navy's 12th Presidential fleet review at Visakhapatnam.
Tags: National News
President Ram Nath Kovind participated in the Indian Navy's 12th Presidential fleet review at Visakhapatnam held on 21 February 2022.
A fleet review is usually conducted once during the tenure of the President.
President Ram Nath Kovind participated in the Presidential fleet review on an indigenously built Naval Offshore Patrol Vessel, INS Sumitra, which will lead the Presidential Column.
President Kovind, who is also the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, will be reviewing over 60 ships and submarines, and 55 aircraft of the Indian Navy.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Navy Chief Admiral R Hari Kumar were also present at the review.
The first Presidential fleet review was held in 1953 for the first President Dr. Rajendra Prasad.
Important for Exam
Indian Navy
The headquarters of the Indian Navy is at New Delhi.
The other command centre of the Indian Navy are as follows
Command Headquarters
Western Command : Mumbai
Southern Command: Kochi(Kerala)
Eastern Command : Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh)
Tri service command : Port Blair (Andaman and Nicobar)
(It means Army,Navy,Air Force joint command )
Navy Day : 4 December
10. Uttar Pradesh selected as the best state tableau of Republic Day parade 2022
Tags: State News
The Government of India has announced the best tableaux and best marching contingents of the Republic Day parade 2022 on 4 February 2022.
A three member panel was appointed by the Government of India to judge the best performing marching contingent and tableaux at the Republic day 2022.
Best tableau among the States/Union Territories
12 States and Union Territories tableau participated in the Republic day parade 2022.
- The Uttar Pradesh tableau based on the theme ‘One District One Product and Kashi Vishwanath Dham’ was declared as the best
- At the second place was Karnataks’s for its tableau based on ‘Cradle of Traditional Handicrafts’.
- The third position went to Meghalaya for its tableau on ‘Meghalaya’s 50 years of Statehood and its tribute to women-led cooperative societies & SHGs’.
Best tableau in the category of Central Ministries/Departments.
Total nine tableaux of Central Ministries/Departments had participated in the parade.
- The tableaux of the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Civil Aviation have been declared as joint winners.
- The theme of the tableau of Ministry of Education & Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship was ‘National Education Policy’.
- The theme of the tableau of the Ministry of Civil Aviation was ‘Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik’.
Special Prize
The tableaux of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (CPWD), based on the theme ‘Subhash @125’ and the ‘Vande Bharatam’ dance group have been selected for the special prize category.
Best Marching Contingent
Amongst Armed Forces: Indian Navy marching contingent was adjudged as the best marching contingent.
Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)/other auxiliary forces: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) has been named the best marching contingent.
Popular Choice
For the first time the general public chose the best marching contingents and tableaux. The voting period was open from January 25-31, 2022 at the MyGov platform.
Best tableau among the States/Union Territories
Maharashtra was voted as the best Tableau among the States/UTs in the popular choice category. The tableau of Maharashtra was based on the theme ‘Biodiversity and State Bio-symbols of Maharashtra’.
Best Marching Contingent
Amongst Armed Forces: Indian Air Force was voted as the best marching contingent among the three Services.
Central Armed Police Force (CAPF)/other auxiliary forces: Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received maximum votes on MyGov as the best marching contingent.
