1. India-Australia Maritime Patrol Reconnaissance Aircraft (Mpra) Coordinated Operations
Tags: Defence National News
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A P8I Maritime Patrol and Reconnaissance Aircraft of the Indian Navy have arrived at Darwin, Australia. The aircraft and its crew would be undertaking an operational turnaround at Darwin.
P8 aircraft from both the countries, would be conducting coordinated operations in Anti-Submarine Warfare and surface surveillance, to enhance maritime domain awareness.
In recent times, increased interaction between the two maritime nations, through bilateral and multilateral exercises at sea, has enhanced inter-operability and fostered bridges of friendship.
The P8 aircrafts, with their demonstrated long reach, have operated jointly during Malabar and AUSINDEX series of exercises, and have a common understanding of operating procedures and information sharing.
The maritime waters between Indonesia and Northern Australia is an area of mutual interest to both countries, being a gateway into the Indian Ocean Region.
Both India and Australia share strategic interests, promoting a free and open Indo- Pacific and rules based order in the region.
2. Helina Missile’s Testing Successful! Now It can hit the enemy tank accurately even in the dark
India successfully test-fired the anti-tank guided missile HELINA on 11 April. This missile was tested by Advanced Light Helicopter in the high altitude area of Ladakh, which has been a complete success.
This missile works on the principle of fire and forget. This means forget it after launch, as they are able to reach their target.
This missile works on Infrared Imaging System.
During the test, this missile accurately hit a simulated tank. The missile was launched from an Advanced Light Helicopter.
Its testing has been done in Pokhran.
Earlier, this missile was also successfully tested at Pokhran firing range in Rajasthan. India has another anti-tank missile named Nag. Both the missiles can be fired from helicopters and both have a range of 7 km.
According to the Ministry of Defence, DRDO, Indian Air Force and Army have jointly carried out this test.
Features of the missile:
It can be fired in any season.
This missile is capable of hitting the target accurately even in the dark night and can destroy enemy tanks.
They are capable of targeting enemy tanks in two ways. One it can hit the target straight and the other can target the tank in top attack mode.
India has recently released a list of 101 such weapons and systems which have been banned from importing from other countries. This ban is for the next five years. India's objective behind doing this is to make itself self-reliant in the field of defence.
3. Successfully test-fired anti-tank guided missile 'Helina'
Tags: Defence
Indigenously developed helicopter launched Anti-Tank Guided Missile ‘HELINA’ was successfully flight tested on April 11, 2022 at high-altitude ranges as part of user validation trials.
The flight-test was jointly conducted by the teams of scientists from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Indian Army and Indian Air Force (IAF).
The flight trials were conducted from an Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and the missile was fired successfully engaging a simulated tank target.
The missile is guided by an Imaging Infra-Red (IIR) Seeker operating in the Lock on Before Launch mode.
It is one of the most advanced anti-tank weapons in the world.
In continuation to validation trials conducted at Pokhran in Rajasthan, proof of efficacy at high altitudes paves the way for its integration on the ALH.
4. India successfully test-fires upgraded version of Pinaka Mk-I Rocket
Tags: Defence
Pinaka Mk-I Rocket System (EPRS) and Pinaka Area Denial Munition (ADM) Rocket System have been successfully test fired by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Army at Pokhran firing range.
The required accuracy and stability were achieved by these rockets during the trials, meeting all the test objectives satisfactorily.
Pinaka Mk-I :
Pinaka Mk-I is an upgraded rocket system with a range of about 45 km. The Pinaka-II rocket system has a range of 60 km. The rocket system has been jointly designed by two laboratories of DRDO, Ordnance High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) and Research and Development Establishment (ARDE).
Strategic Capabilities of Pinaka Mk-I:
During the escalation of tension with China, India had deployed this completely indigenous system on Eastern Ladakh and LAC.
It is named after 'Pinaka', the bow of Lord Shiva. It is a multi barrel rocket launcher system.
The Pinaka Mk-I Enhanced Rocket System is an upgraded version of the early Pinaka.
This rocket system has given the army a lethal alternative to ground attack.
The multi-barrel launcher is capable of firing 72 rockets in just 44 seconds.
5. DRDO test-fires two surface-to-air missiles
Tags: Defence
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted two successful flight tests of the Indian Army version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on March 27, 2022.
This MRSAM version is a Surface-to-Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel for use by the Indian Army.
It is capable of engaging multiple targets at ranges up to 70 kms.
The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises multi-function radar, mobile launcher system and other vehicles.
Important for Exam
DRDO chairman : Dr G Satheesh Reddy
The chairman of DRDO is also the Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister.
6. President of India Presents President’s Colour to INS Valsura
Tags: Defence
- President Ram Nath Kovind presented the President’s colour to the Indian Navy premier training technological training establishment, INS Valsura on 25 March 2022.
- The President’s Colour is bestowed on a military unit in recognition of the exceptional service rendered to the nation, both in peace and in war.
- The Navy was the first Indian armed force to be awarded the President’s Colour by Dr Rajendra Prasad on May 27, 1951.
- INS Valsura which was set up in 1942 as a torpedo training institute at Jamnagar, Gujarat is now a premier technical training institution in India.
7. 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
8. India- Seychelles military exercise LAMITYE starts in Seychelles
Tags: Defence
The 9th Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2022 between the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) is being conducted at Seychelles Defence Academy (SDA), Seychelles from 22 March to 31 March 22.
Exercise LAMITIYE-2022 is a biennial training event which is being conducted in Seychelles since 2001.
An Infantry Platoon strength each from both the Indian Army and Seychelles Defence Forces (SDF) along with Company Headquarters will be participating in this exercise
The Indian Army contingent comprising troops from the 2/3 Gorkha Rifles group (PIRKANTHI Battalion) arrived at Seychelles on 21 March 2022.
Seychelles
It is an island republic in the Western Indian ocean . It is a part of Eastern Africa .
Capital : Victoria
President : Wavel Ramkalawan
Currency : Seychelles rupee
9. 9th edition of SLINEX held at Visakhapatnam
The 9th edition of the India - Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise) concluded on 10 March 2022 at Visakhapatnam, in Bay of Bengal. It was held from 07 Mar to 10 Mar 2022.
Sri Lanka Navy was represented by SLNS Sayurala, an advanced offshore patrol vessel and the Indian Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette.
Other participants from the Indian Navy include INS Jyoti, a Fleet support tanker, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), SeaKing and Chetak Helicopters and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft.
The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Trincomalee in Sri Lanka in the month of October 2020.
10. 19th India-US Military Cooperation meeting held in Agra
The 19th edition of India-US Military Cooperation Group (MCG) meeting was held in Agra, Uttar Pradesh on March 01-02, 2022.
The meeting was co-chaired by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) Air Marshal BR Krishna from the Indian side and Deputy Commander, US Indo-Pacific Command Lieutenant General Stephen D Sklenka from the US side.
The India-US MCG is a forum established to progress defence cooperation between the countries through regular talks at the strategic and operational levels between Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff and the US Indo-Pacific Command.
