Defence - General Knowledge Questions

Correct Answer :   Minicoy Island

The Indian Navy on Wednesday (6th Mar 2024) commissioned its new naval base INS Jatayu at the strategically positioned Minicoy island, which together with the naval base in Andaman will serve as the “eyes and ears of the country.”

The navy also commissioned its first MH-60R helicopter squadron at Kochi, significantly enhancing its maritime surveillance and anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

As the force begins to augment the infrastructure at INS Jatayu, one of the first things that it will undertake is to build an airstrip for which the approval process is in the final stage. Also more accommodation would be created to house additional manpower.

A 24 hour chopper hanger at Kavaratti will be operational soon and the IAF has been allocated land to set up a radar station.

Commander Vrat Baghel, the first commanding officer of the unit took charge of the INS Jatayu that will play a significant role in operational surveillance and reduce the navy’s turnaround time in the western seaboard.

The commissioning ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.

"We expect that this unit will provide situational awareness to the Indian Navy in maintaining good maritime domain awareness of the entire region. INS Baaz to the east in the Andamans and INS Jatayu in the west will serve as eyes and ears to to the navy to safeguard our national interest," he said.

The navy chief said it was crucial to recognise the pressing need for heightened surveillance amidst the prevailing geopolitical developments, which underscored the strategic significance of the chain of islands in the Arabian Sea.

INS Jatayu straddles over two important sea lanes of communication – the eight degree channel between Minicoy and Maldives, and the nine degree channel between Minicoy and the main cluster of Lakshadweep island.

The 36 island archipelago has another naval base INS Dweeprakshak at Kavaratti. Besides, the Indian Coast Guard has a significant presence.

The commissioning took place on a day ongoing India-Maldives bitterness saw yet another low with the archipelago announcing that it would not rely on India any more for carrying out its hydrographic survey.

The Indian Navy also commissioned INAS-334 Seahawks, the first squadron housing the US-made MH-60R helicopters. New Delhi had signed an agreement with Washington to buy 24 of these choppers and six have been delivered so far. The first first MH 60R Indian Naval Air Squadron will be commanded by Captain M Abhisheik Ram.

"The MH-60R helicopters will be employed to protect our maritime epicenters. Their flexibility, reach and versatility will supplement our mission based deployments and consequently, our combat readiness,” Admiral Kumar said..

Source : Deccan Herald

Correct Answer :   Suman Kumari

Sub-inspector Suman Kumari made history by joining the Border Security Force (BSF) as its first female sniper. She received "instructor grade" at the Central School of Weapons and Tactics (CSWT) in Indore, where she had completed an eight-week sniper training.

"BSF is truly becoming an inclusive Force where ladies are taking rapid strides everywhere. In a step in this direction, after rigorous training, BSF has got the First #Mahila Sniper," BSF CSWT INDORE posted on its social media handle on March 2, 2024.

Suman opted for the sniper school after seeing the threat posed by cross-border sniper assaults while overseeing a platoon in Punjab. Her strong character won approval from her superiors to participate in the training.

It's noteworthy that Suman was the only female student enrolled in the sniper course out of 56 male peers. Through this achievement, she aims to inspire other women to join the military.

CSWT IG Bhaskar Singh Rawat, while speaking to the Times of India, said the sniper course is one of the most difficult after commando training. Rawat praised Suman's achievement and declared that she was now eligible to be sent as a sniper teacher.

“Most male trainees find it difficult to survive this training and do not even attempt the course but she volunteered. I am happy to say that she was leading in most activities during the course. Her hard work, determination and willingness to learn make her stand out," one of Suman's instructors told the newspaper.

Suman hails from a humble family in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district. While her father works as an electrician, her mother stays at home with the kids..

Source : Money Control

Correct Answer :   Malaysia

Exercise Samudra Laksamana, a significant bilateral maritime exercise between India and Malaysia, is currently underway from February 28 to March 2, 2024, off the coast of Visakhapatnam. This exercise marks the third edition of the collaboration, featuring the Indian Naval Ship Kiltan and the Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir. It is designed to foster stronger ties and enhance interoperability between the Indian and Royal Malaysian Navies.

Objectives of the Exercise Samudra Laksamana :

The primary aim of Exercise Samudra Laksamana is to bolster the bonds of friendship and cooperation between the two naval forces. By engaging in a series of harbour and sea-based activities, the exercise seeks to improve mutual understanding, share knowledge and best practices, and refine the operational skills of both navies. This collaboration underscores the commitment of India and Malaysia to ensuring maritime security and stability in the region.

Harbour Phase Activities :

During the harbour phase of the exercise, crew members from both ships are engaging in a variety of professional interactions. These include Subject Matter Expert Exchange (SMEE) sessions on topics of mutual interest, sports fixtures, and other cultural and professional exchanges. These activities are designed to enhance the knowledge base of the participants and foster a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect.

Sea Phase Operations :

The sea phase of Exercise Samudra Laksamana is a critical component, where the naval units from both countries collaboratively hone their skills through various operations. These exercises are aimed at improving the tactical and operational capabilities of the participating ships, ensuring they are better prepared to handle maritime challenges collaboratively.

Enhancing Interoperability and Cooperation :

One of the key outcomes of Exercise Samudra Laksamana is the enhanced interoperability between the Indian and Royal Malaysian Navies. By working closely together and sharing operational tactics and strategies, both navies aim to improve their readiness and capability to conduct joint operations, thereby contributing to regional maritime security.

Correct Answer :   Japan

The 5th edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self Defence Force commenced today (25th Feb 2024) at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 25th February to 9th March 2024.

Exercise 'DHARMA GUARDIAN’ is an annual exercise and conducted alternatively in India and Japan. The contingent of both sides comprises of 40 personnel each. The Japanese contingent is being represented by troops from the 34th Infantry Regiment and Indian Army contingent is being represented by a Battalion from the Rajputana Rifles.

Aim of the Exercise is to foster Military Cooperation and enhance combined capabilities to execute joint operations in semi-urban environment under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The Exercise would focus on high degree of physical fitness, joint planning, joint tactical drills and basics of special arms skills.

Tactical drills to be practiced during the Exercise will include establishing of Temporary Operating Base, creating an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Grid, setting up Mobile Vehicle Check Post, executing Cordon and Search Operations in a hostile village, Heliborne operations and House Intervention Drills. A Weapon and Equipment Display will also be organised showcasing ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative and the growing defence industrial capability of the country.

Lieutenant General TOGASHI Yuichi, Commanding General, Eastern Army, Japan Ground Self Defence Force is also scheduled to visit India on the sidelines of “Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN”. The General officer will visit Mahajan Field Firing Ranges on 3rd March 2024 and witness Combat Shooting demonstration, Special Heliborne Operation (SHBO) & House Intervention Drills.

Exercise ‘DHARMA GUARDIAN’ will enable the two sides to share their best practices in Tactics, Techniques and Procedures of conducting tactical operations. The Exercise will also facilitate developing inter-operability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops of both the sides. This will enhance the level of defence cooperation, further fostering bilateral relations between the two friendly nations..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Maldives

Seeking to enhance maritime security and interoperability, coast guard personnel from India, the Maldives and Sri Lanka have embarked on a four-day trilateral exercise to identify emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region.

Indian Coast Guard ship Samarth and ICGS Abhinav along with Sri Lanka Naval Ship Samudura reached here on Thursday (22nd Feb 2024) for the exercise ‘DOSTI-16′ that would be held between February 22 and 25. Bangladesh is participating as an observer.

Coast guard helicopter ICGS Dornier too is part of the trilateral exercise ‘Dosti,’ which Sri Lanka said aims to enhance cooperation, strengthen friendship, improve mutual operational capability, and develop interoperability among the Coast Guard personnel of India, the Maldives, and Sri Lanka.

The Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF) late Thursday evening extended a warm welcome to ADG S Paramesh, Additional Director General of the Indian Coast Guard.

“Upon his (Paramesh) arrival at the VIA, Colonel Mohamed Saleem, Commandant of MNDF Coast Guard, greeted him,” a post on X by MNDF said.

“Commanding Officers of both ICG ships called on Commandant MNDF CG and discussed mutual avenues of cooperative engagements,” the Indian Coast Guard said in a post on X.

The ICG ships would participate in a series of activities and take part in a joint sea exercise with the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and Maldives National Defence Force.

The Indian Mission in Maldives described the 16th edition of the India-Maldives-Srilanka trilateral exercise ‘Dosti’ as a “regional synergy to enhance maritime security & interoperability!” Earlier, a release from the Sri Lankan Navy said before its ship left for the Maldives: “Participating in this nature of exercises will allow the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance cooperation and interoperability with other maritime stakeholders in the region.” “It (also) offers numerous advantages, including acquiring new knowledge about maritime operations, exchanging strategies and experiences, identifying emerging maritime challenges in the Indian Ocean Region, and collaboratively finding solutions for them,” it added..

Source : Indian Express

Correct Answer :   Turkey

Turkey celebrates a milestone achievement as its first fifth-generation aircraft, KAAN, successfully completes its inaugural flight, marking a significant advancement in the country’s military capabilities.

Key Highlights :

* Successful Maiden Flight : On February 21, KAAN embarked on its first flight, soaring through the skies for 13 minutes and reaching an altitude of 8,000 feet, highlighting Turkish engineering and aviation expertise.

* Strategic Significance : Turkish Aerospace Industries CEO Temel Kotil emphasizes the strategic importance of KAAN, noting its role in upgrading the country’s air force and enhancing national defense capabilities.

* Collaborative Effort : Produced by Turkish Aerospace Industries with collaboration from BAE Systems, KAAN embodies synergy between Turkish and international defense industries, leveraging technologies to deliver an air superiority fighter.

* Powerplant and Performance : Initially powered by General Electric F-110 engines, KAAN boasts stealth capabilities, twin-engine propulsion, and all-weather operational capability, positioning it as an asset for the Turkish Air Force.

* Strategic Imperatives : Turkey’s TF-X project, initiated in 2016, underscores the nation’s commitment to developing indigenous combat aircraft, reducing reliance on foreign acquisitions, and bolstering its defense industrial base.

* Filling the Void : With its expulsion from the F-35 program, Turkey seeks to fill the capability gap with KAAN, signaling a shift towards domestically-produced alternatives amid geopolitical tensions and strategic realignments.

* Path to Operationalization : While KAAN marks a significant milestone, experts anticipate a decade-long journey before it assumes active service, prompting Turkey to explore interim options including Eurofighter Typhoons and newly unfrozen F-16 fighters.

A Symbol of Technological Advancement and Strategic Victory for Turkey :

* Turkey’s successful maiden flight of KAAN symbolizes not only a technological feat but also a strategic triumph, underscoring the nation’s determination to safeguard its sovereignty and strengthen its defense capabilities amidst evolving geopolitical dynamics.

* As Turkey navigates its path towards military modernization, KAAN stands as a testament to innovation, resilience, and strategic foresight in securing the nation’s future.

Correct Answer :   DRDO

Imagine a weapon that can neutralize drone attacks, deflect ballistic missiles, and even destroy fighter jets at the speed of light. This is the promise of India’s ambitious “DURGA-2” project, a directed-energy weapon (DEW) being developed by the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO).

Current anti-aircraft and anti-missile systems have limitations. “DURGA-2” aims to overcome these limitations by offering a 100% kill probability, potentially revolutionizing the military landscape. This has sparked excitement in Indian strategic circles, envisioning the system effectively countering threats from China and Pakistan.

The project holds immense significance considering the vulnerability of Indian cities to ballistic missile attacks. While the S-400 system offers some protection, it doesn’t guarantee complete defense. “DURGA-2” aspires to fill this gap by destroying missiles and even crippling enemy radar and electronic warfare systems, rendering their missile infrastructure ineffective.

The Laser Science and Technology Centre (LSTC) in New Delhi is spearheading the project, developing various laser generation techniques for both defensive and offensive purposes. The project, funded with $100 million, aims to integrate the laser system with land, sea, and air platforms.

Initial successes include a 25KW laser capable of targeting missiles at a distance of 5 km, with efforts underway to extend this range significantly. However, providing adequate power for high-power lasers remains a significant challenge.

While “DURGA-2” holds immense potential, its development requires overcoming technical hurdles and navigating international regulations surrounding DEWs. Nevertheless, the project represents a significant step forward in India’s defense capabilities, potentially ushering in a new era of laser-based warfare..

Source : Defence

Correct Answer :   Visakhapatnam

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has called upon the international community to collectively aspire for peace in this age of democratic and rules-based world order, where individual countries proactively collaborate for shared peace & prosperity. He was addressing the formal opening ceremony of the 12th edition of the multi-nation Exercise MILAN in Visakhapatnam on February 21, 2024. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar and a distinguished gathering of Ministers, Ambassadors, Chiefs of Navies and representatives of Maritime Forces from over 50 friendly countries were present on the occasion.

Sharing his insights on the concept of ‘peace’, the Raksha Mantri asserted that the absence of wars and conflicts is the most irreducible minimum element of peace. He spoke of “negative peace” which, he said, often stems from dominance or hegemony, where one power imposes its will upon others. He said such peace, not backed by fairness and justice, is what physicists and economists call “unstable equilibrium”.

Shri Rajnath Singh elaborated on what he called “cold peace” where parties do not kill each other in the open, but do their best to undermine one another. He described cold peace as merely an interval between direct conflicts.

The Raksha Mantri was of the view that the concept of positive peace goes beyond the mere absence of direct military conflict and encompasses broader notions of security, justice, and cooperation. “The positive peace is the shared peace of one and all, with the cooperation of one and all. There is no Indian peace or Australian peace or Japanese peace, rather it is the shared global peace. This sentiment was also eloquently set forth by our Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi when he said ‘This is not an era of war. But it is one of dialogue and diplomacy’,” he said.

Shri Rajnath Singh emphasised that the Armed Forces play a dual role - conduct wars as well as maintain peace and good order. “Historically, Navies and Armies were established and maintained with the primary objective of extending political power through military conquests. Our historical experience informs us that the Armed Forces also play a significant role in preserving peace. It is seen in concepts and practices such as deterrence, conflict prevention, peace-keeping, and also in various humanitarian assistance efforts especially during disasters,” he said.

The Raksha Mantri stressed that in this evolution of the nature of the Armed Forces, international military exercises have emerged as crucial mechanisms for fostering friendship, understanding, cooperation, and military interoperability among friendly nations within the framework of a democratic world order. He termed MILAN 2024 as one such attempt to build the much-needed fraternal bonds across the oceans and mountains.

While Shri Rajnath Singh batted for peace and shared goodness, he assured that “we will not shrink from countering any threat that undermines our collective well-being, piracy and trafficking included”. He referred to the recent events in the Western Indian Ocean which have brought to the fore some pressing challenges in the maritime domain, ranging from attacks on the merchant shipping to piracy and hijacking attempts..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Nepal

Multinational military exercise - 'Shanti Prayas IV' - kicked off in Kathmandu, Nepal  on Tuesday (20th Feb 2024) at the Army headquarters here with the participation of 19 countries, including India, Bangladesh and Pakistan to enhance the interoperability and peacekeeping skills of the forces.

Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal “Prachanda” inaugurated the two-week-long military drill amidst a special ceremony, according to a press release issued by the Nepal Army Headquarters.

The multinational military exercise is taking place at the Birendra Peace Operation Training Centre in the Kabhre district, 50 km east of Kathmandu. It will see the participation of 1,125 army personnel from 19 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

The exercise has been organised with the assistance of the Global Peace Operation Initiative of the US government and with the joint efforts of the Nepal Army and the US Army, the release said.

The US delegation to the joint military exercise is led by Deputy Assistant Secretary Rachel Schiller.

During the inaugural event at the playground of Nepal Army headquarters, participating countries displayed their respective flags, fly passes and bands.

Nepal hosted the inaugural multi-platoon training event 'Shanti Prayas' in 2000. Since then, three successful multi-platoon exercises have taken place in the Himalayan country, with the participation of military forces from various countries.

According to the centre, the objective of the exercise, which will run till March 4, is to increase interoperability and peacekeeping skills at various levels before deployment to the UN missions and operational level staff training (STE).

The key events of the exercise are the tactical level field training event (FTE) and critical enabler and capability enhancement (2CE)..

Source : Deccan Herald

Correct Answer :   Rs 57,000 Crore

The Indian Army is embarking on a significant endeavor to modernize its armored forces by replacing its aging Russian T-72 tank fleet with cutting-edge Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs).

These FRCVs, totaling 1,770 units, will be produced indigenously in India with advanced technologies including artificial intelligence (AI), drone integration, active protection systems, and enhanced situational awareness. The induction will occur in three phases, each incorporating newer technologies for maximum survivability and lethality.

Replacement of T-72 Tanks with Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) :

* Request for Proposal (RFP) for a Rs 57,000 crore project to produce 1,770 FRCVs.
* Incorporation of advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, drone integration, active protection systems, and enhanced situational awareness.
* Manned-unmanned teaming capability and seamless integration into network-centric warfare environments.
* Phased induction with each phase integrating newer technologies for maximum survivability, lethality, and agility.

Induction of Indigenous Tanks and Light Tanks for High-Altitude Warfare

* Induction of 118 indigenous Arjun Mark-1A tanks equipped with upgrades to firepower, mobility, endurance, and protection.
* Deployment of 354 indigenous light tanks under Project Zorawar for superior performance in mountainous terrain.
* Complementing existing tank capabilities, especially in regions like eastern Ladakh.

Upgrades to Existing Tank Fleets

* Installation of 1000-horsepower engines in T-72 tanks for improved mobility.
* Integration of advanced thermal sights, fire detection systems, and other enhancements to enhance operational capabilities.