1. “BrahMos” and “Uran” missiles successfully test-fired
Tags: Defence
Indian Navy successfully test-fired land-based “BrahMos” and ship-launched “Uran (Kh-35)” anti-ship missiles on 2nd February 2022.
- The missiles were tested by the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was fired from a ground-based launcher and the Uran anti-ship missile was launched from the Indian Navy’s Guided Missile Corvette. It successfully destroyed retired Naval ship LCU-38, which was used as target practice.
- Brahmos cruise missile has been developed jointly by India and Russia and India will export the missile to the Philippines in a $375 million deal.
Uran missile or Kh-35 missile is a Russian subsonic cruise anti-ship missile which is being inducted in the Indian Navy.
2. Joint Maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) conducted in the Arabian Sea
Tags: Defence
A joint maritime exercise Paschim Lehar (XPL-2022) was conducted by the Indian Navy under the aegis of Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Western Naval Command was concluded on 25 January 2022.
- The objective of this exercise was to validate operational plans of the Western Naval Command and enhance Inter-Service synergy among the Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, Indian Army and Coast Guard.
- The IAF deployed SU 30 MKI & Jaguar maritime strike aircraft, Flight Refuelling Aircraft and AWACs, alongside the Indian Navy’s maritime reconnaissance aircraft P8i, Dorniers, IL 38 SD, unmanned aerial systems and MiG 29K strike aircraft.
- After a long gap, many Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) and Air Cushion Vessels of the Coast Guard also participated in exercise Paschim Lehar.
3. INS Khukri converted to be into a museum in Diu
Tags: Defence
The decommissioned Indian Naval Ship Khukri has been handed over to the Diu administration to convert it into a museum. The ship was built by Mazagon Dock, Mumbai and was commissioned in the Navy in 1983.
- It was decommissioned in 2019. The ship was named after the INS Khukri which was hit by a Pakistani torpedo and sank near Diu coast in the 1971 war.
- The present ship will be added to the INS Khukri memorial set up in Diu in 1999 to honour the INS Khukri of 1971.
4. Gallantry Award and other Military Honours 2022
On the eve of Republic Day 2022 (i.e. 25th January 2022) the President and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces Ram Nath Kovind approved award of 317 Gallantry and other Defence decorations to Armed forces personnels.
- The President honours the country’s military personnel for their show of gallantry and valour with a total of six awards: Param Vir Chakra, Mahavir Chakra, Vir Chakra, Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra.
- This year’s list of Gallantry and Distinguished awards being conferred on the occasion of Republic Day- 2022:
- Param Vishisht Seva Medal: 19
- Uttam Yudh Seva Medal: 4
- Ati Vishisht Seva Medal: 33
- Shaurya Chakra: 6
- Yudh Seva Medal: 10
- Bar to Sena Medal (Gallantry): 3
- Sena Medal (Gallantry): 81
- Sena Medal (Distinguished): 40
- Bar to Vishisht Seva Medal: 3
- Vishisht Seva Medal: 74
- Mention-in-dispatches (Various military operations): 44
The President will also honour the winners of :
- The 3 President’s Police Medals for meritorious service, for distinguished service, and for gallantry to law enforcement personnel in the country.
- Correctional Services Medal under two categories “Distinguished Service- 5”, and “Meritorious Service- 37” for their duties in the country’s correctional facilities.
- The 42 President’s Fire Medals which are similar to the President’s Police Medals. Out of these, the President’s Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to one personnel and the Fire Service Medal for Gallantry is awarded to two personnel for their respective acts of valour and gallantry.
- 25 Civil Defence & Home Guards Medals
- 51 Jeevan Raksha Padak awards to the civilians for saving lives from drowning, fire, or natural calamities. It is divided into three categories: Sarvottam Jeevan Raksha Padak, Uttam Jeevan Raksha Padak and Jeevan Raksha Padak.
5. Virat, Darmi, and Heena awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation
Tags: Defence
Virat, Darmi, and Heena were awarded the Chief of the Army Staff Commendation on the eve of Army Day on January 15 for their exemplary service. Virat is a horse with the President’s Bodyguard (PBG), while Darmi and Heena are Army dogs.
6. Indian Navy PASSEX with Russian Navy
Tags: Defence
Indian Navy’s indigenously designed and built guided missile destroyer, INS Kochi, exercised with Russian Federation Navy’s RFS Admiral Tributs on 14 January 2022 in the Arabian Sea.
- PASSEX or Passing Exercise is done between two navies.
- The exercise showcased cohesiveness and interoperability between the two navies and included tactical manoeuvres, cross-deck helicopter operations and seamanship activities.
7. Indian Army to introduce climate-friendly combat uniform on Indian Army Day
Tags: Defence
Army Day in India is celebrated on 15th January, every year to pay homage to our gallant soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice to protect the sovereignty of our Motherland. This year’s Army Day celebration has a new element. The Indian Army is all set to introduce a light and more climate-friendly combat uniform for its personnel.
All you need to know about the new Combat Uniform:
- The Indian Army has developed its new combat uniform with the help of the National Institute of Fashion and Technology (NIFT).
- The new uniform's digital disruptive pattern will provide Army personnel with increased field camouflage.
- Some modifications have been done in order to make the new combat uniform more comfortable for women.
8. Maritime Partnership Exercise between Ships of Indian Navy and JMSDF
Tags: Defence
Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt undertook Maritime Partnership Exercise with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force(JMSDF) Ships Uraga and Hirado in the Bay of Bengal on 13 Jan 22.
- The Japanese Navy is called the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.
- The exercise was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations, promoting defence cooperation, enhancing mutual understanding and interoperability between the two navies and sharing best practices.
9. LCA MK-1A to take flight in June
Tags: Defence
The Chief Managing Director of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) R. Madhavan said that HAL expects to deliver all Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas in the Final Operational Clearance (FOC) variant to the Indian Air Force (IAF) in 2022 while the LCA MK-1A, with specific enhancements, will take flight by middle of this year.
- “By June this year(2022) we should start flying the LCA MK-1A configuration. Once flying starts, we have about 20 to 24 months of testing. Once that is done, we will be ready for deliveries as expected”, said Mr. Madhavan.
- He then added that the design for LCA MK-2, a much bigger aircraft, has been frozen and some of the manufacturing activities have started. Hopefully by this year(2022) end or early 2023 we should have the first roll out of the aircraft, and one year after that it will be taking to the skies.
10. Indian Army Establishes Quantum Laboratory at Mhow (MP)
Tags: Defence
The Indian Army, with support from the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS) has established the Quantum Lab at Military College of Telecommunication Engineering, Mhow (MP) MCTE to spearhead research and training in this key developing field.
- The Army has also established an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre at the MCTE, by making more than 140 deployments in forward areas and with active support of academia and industry.
Significance:
- Research undertaken by the Indian Army in the field of Quantum Technology will help leapfrog into next generation communication and transform the current system of cryptography in the Indian Armed Forces to Post Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
- Key thrust areas are Quantum Key Distribution, Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing and Post Quantum Cryptography.
