1. "Locked Shields" cyber-defense exercise 2023 to be held by NATO in Tallinn
Tags: Defence International News
The 2023 edition of the annual exercise "Locked Shields" was hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn (Estonia).
An Overview of the News
"Locked Shields" is an annual cyber defence exercise hosted by the NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence in Tallinn. The exercise started on 18 April 2023.
More than 3000 participants from 38 countries including NATO alliesand partners took part in the exercise.
The exercise simulates real-time attacks and tests strategic decision making in critical situations.
The exercise highlights the importance of international collaboration and cooperation in the field of cyber defence.
The NATO Cooperative Cyber Defense Center of Excellence helps participating countries and organisations improve their cyber defence capabilities.
About Locked Shields
It is an annual cyber defence exercise that simulates a large-scale cyber incident.
Rapid Reaction Teams from different countries work together to assist a fictional nation in managing a massive cyber attack.
Blue Teams made up of CCDCOE member nations protect the mock state's information systems and critical infrastructure from thousands of attacks.
The aim of the exercise is to improve the skills and capabilities of the participating teams and enhance international cooperation and communication in cyber defence.
The exercise includes both defensive and offensive operations, with Red Teams simulating attacks and Blue Teams defending.
About the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
Established -4 April 1949
Founders -United States, United Kingdom, France, Canada, Italy
Headquarters - Brussels, Belgium
Secretary General - Jens Stoltenberg
2. Air Marshal Sandeep Singh appointed Military Advisor to National Security Council
Tags: Defence Person in news
Former Vice Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sandeep Singh (Retd) has been appointed as the new Military Advisor to the National Security Council Secretariat (NSCS). He will assume charge on April 24.
An overview of the news
He will replace General Anil Chauhan, who was appointed Chief of Defense Staff in October last year.
Sandeep Singh retired as the Vice Chief of the Air Force on January 31, 2023, after a military career of four decades.
Sandeep Singh, an alumnus of the National Defense Academy, who was appointed as the new military advisor in the National Security Council Secretariat, was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in December 1983 as a fighter pilot.
He has flown a number of aircraft, and has close to 4,900 hours of operational and test flying experience on Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, MiG-21, AN-32, Avro, Jaguar and Mirage 2000.
He also played a key role in the induction, production and arming of the Su-30 MKI aircraft in India.
In recognition of his services of an exceptionally high order, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2022.
3. DRDO and Indian Navy Conduct Successful Trial of BMD Interceptor
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
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Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Navy successfully conducted a maiden flight trial of sea-based endo-atmospheric interceptor missile off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal on April 21.
An overview of the news
The objective of the test was to target and destroy the effect of an enemy ballistic missile threat.
The test could place the Indian Navy in an elite club of nations with BMD capabilities.
Earlier, DRDO had successfully demonstrated the capability of the surface-based BMD system and thus achieved the capability to neutralize incoming ballistic missile threats from the enemy.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It is working on several cutting-edge military technology areas, including aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, engineering systems, missiles, materials, naval systems, advanced computing, simulation, cyber, hypersonic technology, quantum computing and communications
DRDO's first project for the Indian military was in surface-to-air missiles (SAM) known as Project Indigo.
Since inception, DRDO has made several breakthroughs in developing key systems and critical technologies such as aircraft avionics, UAVs, small arms, artillery systems, EW systems, tanks and armoured vehicles, sonar systems, command and control systems and missile systems
It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
It was set up in 1958.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Samir V Kamat
4. Air Force Commanders' Conference
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan on 20th April attended the Indian Air Force Commanders’ Conference at Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhavan) in New Delhi.
An overview of the news
The theme of this year's three-day conference, which began on April 19, is 'Beyond Boundaries: Robust Foundations'.
Held every year, this conference discusses the progress made in the past year and for the future.
The CDS highlighted the need to create a clear path towards fleet maintenance while taking steps towards increasing indigenization.
He also discussed the modalities for increasing the integration between the three services and the benefits that would accrue from it.
Chief of Defence Staff - General Anil Chauhan
Chief of Indian Air Force -V. R. Chaudhari
Chief of Indian Army - General Manoj Pande
Chief of Indian Navy - Admiral R Hari Kumar
5. Exercise INIOCHOS-23
Tags: Defence International News
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will be participating in Exercise INIOCHOS-23, a multi-national air exercise hosted by the Hellenic Air Force, the air force of Greece.
An overview of the news
The exercise will be conducted at the Andravida Air Base in Greece from 24 Apr 2023 to 4 May 2023.
The Indian Air Force will be participating with four Su-30 MKI and two C-17 aircraft.
The exercise will be conducted in a realistic combat scenario involving a wide variety of air and surface assets.
It will also enable participating parties to engage in professional interactions, providing valuable insight into each other's best practices.
Objective of Exercise INIOCHOS-23
The exercise aims to enhance international cooperation, synergy and interoperability among the participating air forces.
About exercise INIOCHOS-23
This exercise to be held at Greece's Andravida Air Base is considered to be Europe's biggest air exercise.
Many countries like France, Italy are participating in this. The Indian Air Force will participate in this exercise for the first time.
The exercise will see participation of air assets from countries like France, USA, Italy, Saudi Arabia and Jordan apart from India's Su-30MKIs.
6. IAF to participate in multilateral international air exercise ORION in France
Tags: Defence
- The Indian Air Force (IAF) arrived at the Air Force Base Station of the French Air and Space Force (FASF) in Mont de Marsan, France to participate in the Orion exercise.
An Overview of the News:
- The ORION exercise program is being conducted from 17 April to 05 May 2023.
- The IAF contingent for the exercise includes four Rafale aircraft, two C-17 and two ll-78 aircraft and 165 airmen.
- This will be the first overseas exercise for the Rafale aircraft inducted into the IAF.
Participant countries in the Orion exercise:
- Apart from IAF and French Air and Space Force, air forces from Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and USA are also participating in the exercise.
- The participation during this exercise will further enrich the working style of IAF with air forces of other countries.
- The exercise is the largest ever multinational exercise of the French Defense Forces, involving their Army, Navy and Air Force along with their main partner countries.
France:
- Capital: Paris
- Currency: Euro
- President: Emmanuel Macron
7. Iniochos-2023 international exercise to be held in Greece from April 18
Tags: Defence
An international exercise named Iniochos-2023 is going to take place in Greece from 18 April. In which the world's deadliest fighter jets will be included.
An Overview of the News:
- The main objective of this exercise is to live up to the high standards during the war and understand all the dimensions of air attack.
Organized in three phases:
- It will be organized from 18 April to 8 May 2023 in three phases:
- Phase I: April 18 to 23
- Phase II: April 24 to May 4
- Phase III: May 5 to May 8
Countries participating in Iniochos-2023:
- In this, apart from India and Greece, fighter aircraft of many countries like America, France, Italy, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Slovenia, Cyprus, Spain will also be included.
India's eye on F-16 fighter aircraft:
- During this, the Indian Air Force will get an opportunity to practice with the F-16 fighter aircraft (this aircraft is also with Pakistan). He will get a full opportunity to test his ability and skill during the battle. Whereas, there is still no official information from India.
These will be practiced:
- In this exercise, offensive counter operation, defensive counter operation, strategic air operation, exercise of air support to ground forces, exercise of air support to navy, search, combat search and rescue, exercise of destruction of vital targets of the enemy, there will also be an exercise to protect your important bases.
Highlights of the Iniochos-2023 exercise:
- Apart from India's Sukhoi Su-30MKI fighter aircraft, Greece's F-16 and Rafale fighter jets, Cyprus' AW-139 helicopters, France's Rafale, Italy's Tornado, Jordan's F-16, Saudi Arabia's AU- 15, Slovenia's PC-9, Spain's EF-18 and America's MQ-9 Reaper drones will participate.
- Apart from this, officers from Austria and Canada will witness the entire exercise.
8. Exercise Cope India 2023
Tags: Defence
Exercise Cope India 2023, a bilateral air force exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the United States Air Force (USAF), is being held at Air Force Stations Arjan Singh (Panagarh), Kalaikunda (West Bengal) and Agra from 10 April.
An Overview of the News:
- The aim of the exercise is to enhance mutual understanding between the two air forces and to share their best practices.
- The first phase of this exercise has started on 10 April 2023. This phase of the exercise will focus on air mobility and will involve transport aircraft and special forces assets from both the air forces.
- Both countries will field C-130J and C-17 aircraft in the exercise, along with USAF MC-130J operations.
- The exercise also features the presence of Japanese Air Self Defense Force personnel, who will participate in the capacity of observers.
- The first Cope India exercise was held in the year 2004 at Tekanpur, Air Force Station, Gwalior.
9. Joint Military Exercise ‘Ex KAVACH’ concludes at Andaman and Nicobar Command
Tags: Defence National News
The Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) conducted a large-scale joint military exercise 'X Kavach' involving assets of the Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
An overview of the news
Commencing on 23 February 2023, the exercise concluded on 7 April 2023.
The exercise was aimed at fine-tuning joint combat capabilities and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and enhancing interoperability and operational synergy between the armies.
Army's 'Shatrujit Brigade', Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), Navy's Special Forces and ANC's amphibious troops carried out an exercise at a remote island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The exercise featured multi-domain exercises involving amphibious landings, airborne operations, heliborne operations and rapid entry of special forces off the coast.
'X Kavach' showcased the capabilities and preparedness of the Armed Forces to safeguard India's maritime interests and ensure the security of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
10. President of India takes a historic sortie in a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft
Tags: Defence National News
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu took a historic sortie in a Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft at the Tezpur Air Force Station in Assam on April 8, 2023.
An overview of the news
The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces, flew for about 30 minutes.
The aircraft was flown by Group Captain Naveen Kumar, Commanding Officer of 106 Squadron.
The aircraft flew at an altitude of about two kilometers above sea level and at a speed of about 800 kilometers per hour.
The President's flight in the Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft is a part of his efforts to engage with the armed forces as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces.
Country's second President to fly in fighter jet
President Draupadi Murmu is the second President of the country to fly in Sukhoi MKI 30 fighter jet and the fourth President of the country to fly in a fighter aircraft.
Earlier, former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil and Ramnath Kovind have flown in Indian Air Force fighter aircraft.
Before President Draupadi Murmu, country's first woman President Pratibha Patil flew in Sukhoi in 2009.
Sukhoi 30 MKI fighter aircraft
It is a two-seat multirole fighter aircraft.
It is developed by Russian company Sukhoi and manufactured under license by India's Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Range – 3000 Km
