Correct Answer : Option (D) - Rs 40,000 Crore

India would be exporting defence equipment and materials worth Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000 crore by 2026, Union minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday (28th March 2023).

* The defence minister was delivering the Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw memorial lecture here on 'The role of youth in nation building', organized by Symbiosis International University.

* First, there should be a sense of self-confidence that we will make India 'atmanirbhar' (self-reliant). In 2014, we used to do defence exports of only Rs 900 crore, but since India has adopted Indianization (program), today we are doing the defence export of Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 16,000 crore.

* There is a need to create an eco-system, and more than the eco-system, there is a need to generate self-confidence among ourselves, as with self-confidence, anything is possible," he added. He was proud of the country's defence forces which are now meeting 80 per cent of their needs through indigenous procurement.

* Defence minister Rajnath Singh also urged the country’s youth to contribute to India’s growth by ideating, innovating, and setting up new companies and research and development establishments. He cited the establishment of a link between academia and industry as an example of the government’s efforts to promote research and development. He emphasized the need to direct the energy of youth towards nation-building and social welfare and to moderate this energy through values, cultures, and traditions.

Retail investors in India benefit from government initiatives :

Singh also spoke about the steps taken by the government to promote retail investment, such as curbing insider trading, promoting technology and digital architecture in the trading process, and making the trading process more transparent. He noted that the increased participation of retail investors has contributed to the depth and resilience of the market.

Government Aims to Transform India into a Powerful Nation: Singh

Finally, Singh emphasized India’s growing stature on the international stage, citing the country’s projected rise in the global economic rankings and the increased attention it receives at international forums. He urged his audience to embrace self-confidence and work towards creating a brighter future for India..

Source : Zeebiz

Correct Answer : Option (C) - 96 Hour

India & China remain in a stand-off at the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the Indian Army and Air Force have conducted a 96-hour multi-domain air and land exercise, ‘Vayu Prahar’, in the eastern sector.

* Sources in India’s defence and security establishment said the exercise was conducted in the second week of March 2023.

* Aim : The main aim, they explained, was to formulate plans that can lead to synergy in multi-domain operations.

* Essentially, multi-domain operations are used to coordinate activities across multiple branches of the military to achieve converging results.

* “The conduct of Vayu Prahar exercise enabled coordination and rehearsal among various agencies for quick mobilisation, transportation and deployment of forces within a theatre which can be executed across theatres,” a source said.

* The scope of the joint exercise included the “rapid mobilisation of a rapid reaction force from the hinterland”, according to the sources. This force was then tasked with air-land operations in a nominated advance landing ground (ALG).

Source : The Print

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Arabian Sea

Konkan 2023, a joint maritime exercise, was conducted between the Royal Navy of Britain and the Indian Navy from the 20th of March to 22nd March 2023, off the Konkan coast in the Arabian Sea.

* The joint drill by the two navies demonstrated operational readiness, enhancing interoperability and improving the ability to conduct joint operations.

* The exercise will go a long way in bolstering the combined efforts of the Indian Navy and Royal Navy to strengthen maritime security and uphold a rules-based order in the region.

* INS Trishul, a guided missile frigate, and HMS Lancaster, a Type 23 guided missile frigate, participated in this edition and undertook multiple maritime drills to enhance interoperability and imbibe best practices. The exercises covered all domains of maritime operations, air, surface, and subsurface.

* India and UK agreed to significant new cooperation on Maritime Domain Awareness, which includes new agreements on maritime information sharing, an invitation to the UK to join India's Information Fusion Centre in Gurugram.

* India considers the defence sector as one of the major areas where the bilateral partnership could be expanded around the Make in India campaign.

* In maritime cooperation, the engagements between both countries are increasing. The UK will be deploying a Carrier Strike Group in the Indian Ocean region this year in line with its strategic tilt to Indo-Pacific...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer : Option (B) - INS Androth

Indian Navy launched (INS Androth) another Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASWSWC) — the second in a series of eight indigenous ships built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) — on Tuesday (21st March 2023) at a Kidderpore yard.

* On Tuesday(21st March 2023), the ship made its first contact with the water and headed to the fitting-out jetty where it will be fitted with weapons, machinery and sensors before it can be commissioned next year.

* Vice admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, the flag officer, commanding-in-chief, Western Naval Command was the chief guest at the occasion as the ship named INS Androth was christened and launched by his wife Shashi Tripathi.

* Former Indian cricketer Arun Lal was the guest of honour at the ceremony which saw the presence of other dignitaries like GRSE chairman and MD, CMDE PR Hari; Navy’s vice admiral Kiran Deshmukh and others.

* GRSE is building eight ASWSWCs for the Indian Navy, and these ‘Silent Hunters’ when delivered, shall be a potent force multiplier enhancing the Indian Navy's capability to detect enemy submarines in coastal waters.

* These 77.6-metre-long and 10.5-metre-wide vessels propelled by three diesel-driven water jets will pack a punch as they will be capable of full-scale sub-surface surveillance of coastal waters as well as Search and Attack.

* The ship is capable of a maximum 25 knots speed and will carry lightweight torpedoes, ASW rockets and mines, a close-in weapon system (30mm gun) and 16.7 stabilized remote-controlled guns..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Pune

* The 10-day Africa-India Field Training Exercise (AFINDEX 2023) will be organized in Pune, India from March 21 to March 30, 2023 to strengthen the military ties between the countries.

* The India-Africa Army Chiefs Conclave will be held in Pune from March 28-29, 2023.

* The exercise will promote the idea of Africa-India Militaries for Regional Unity (AMRUT) and will focus on incorporating the current dynamics of UN peacekeeping operations (UNPKF) through practical and comprehensive discussions and tactical exercise.

* The first AFINDEX was held in Pune in March 2019 which saw the participation of 20 African nations. In 2020, the India-Africa Defence Ministers Conclave was held on the sidelines of the DEFEXPO in Lucknow.

Theme : A comprehensive validation exercise on the theme “Humanitarian Mine Actions and Peace Keeping Operations”..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer : Option (C) - INS Dronacharya

INS Dronacharya, the premier gunnery school of the Indian Navy, will receive the prestigious President's Colour on Thursday (16th Mar 2023) in recognition of its commendable services.

* President Droupadi Murmu will confer the award, according to the defence ministry. The award is considered the highest honour that the President, who is also the Supreme Commander of the three services, bestows on a unit for its exceptional service to the nation.

* Located in Kochi, INS Dronacharya is entrusted with the training of officers and sailors of the Navy, Coast Guard and friendly foreign maritime forces on all aspects of gunnery and missile warfare.

* Training of officers and sailors to deliver ordnance on target effectively is the core focus of INS Dronacharya.

* INS Dronacharya was designated as the Centre for Excellence in gunnery and missile warfare in 2004.

* The unit is affiliated with the Indian Army School of Artillery in the spirit of jointmanship. The alumni of the institution have distinguished themselves in war and peace through exemplary acts of courage, unwavering commitment and impeccable professionalism.

* INS Dronacharya include one Mahavir Chakra, Kirti Chakra and Yudh Seva Medal, five Veer Chakra and seven Shaurya Chakra awardees.

* "The Gunnery School has evolved over a period of time to become an institution of international repute providing training on all facets of gunnery and missile warfare," the ministry said.

* The ceremonial parade for the presentation of colours would be reviewed by the President.

* The governor and chief minister of Kerala will also be present on the occasion..

Source : ABP Live

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Rs 70,500 Crore

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), the defence ministry’s apex body for clearing weapons procurement, met on Thursday (16th Mar 2023) under the chairmanship of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisitions worth Rs 70,500 crore.

* Which are being processed under the highest-priority category of “Buy {Indian –IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)}”, Indian Navy acquisitions account for more than Rs 56,000 crore.

* These largely include indigenous BrahMos missiles, Shakti Electronic Warfare (EW) systems, and Maritime Utility Helicopters.

* Including the latest proposals, AoNs granted for capital acquisitions in the current financial year 2022-23 amount to over Rs 2.71 trillion. Out of these, 99 per cent of the procurement will be sourced from Indian industries.

* “Such quantum of indigenous procurement will galvanise Indian industries towards achieving the goal of Aatmanirbhar Bharat,” said a defence ministry press release.

* The Navy’s additional procurement of BrahMos missile systems will enhance its maritime strike capabilities and anti-surface warfare operations. Meanwhile, the acquisition of utility helicopters will multiply the navy’s operational readiness in the domain of search & rescue operations, casualty evacuation, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR).

* Similarly, Shakti EW systems will equip and modernise the Navy’s frontline warships for countering the adversaries’ naval operations.

* Accordance of AoN for medium speed marine diesel engine under the “Make-I” category is significant as, for the first time, India is venturing into the development and manufacturing of such engines indigenously.

* For achieving the same objectives, the DAC accorded approval to Indian Air Force’s (IAF’s) proposal for equipping the Sukhoi-30MKI fighter with the indigenous Long Range Stand-Off Weapon (LRSOW).

* For the Army’s artillery modernisation programme, AoN was accorded for procurement of 155mm/52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) along with High Mobility Vehicles (HMVs) and Gun Towing Vehicles (GTVs).

* The DAC also accorded AoN for procurement of Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH) MK-III from Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) for the Indian Coast Guard...

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer : Option (B) - 15th March - 30 March , 2023

The third edition of the Sea Dragon 2023 exercises is being started in the USA (host) from  15th March - 30 March , 2023.

* It is a coordinated multilateral anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise for long-range maritime reconnaissance aircraft.

* In this exercise, Indian Navy participated with its P8I aircraft, which arrived at Guam, USA on 14 March 2023.

* Apart from India, US Navy with P8A, Japan with P1, Canada with CP 140, and South Korea with P3C participated.

Source : PIB 

Correct Answer : Option (D) - 13th

The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour exercise from 06-13 March 2023 at Jodhpur Military Station, India.

* For the first time in the exercise series, both armies participated in a command post Exercise, which involved Battalion and Brigade level planning elements and computer wargaming.

* Hosted by the Indian Army, the exercise involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and an Armoured Brigade of Indian Army.

* The ten-day long joint training that commenced on 05th March fostered common understanding of mechanised warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing inter-operability through a computer simulation-based Wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post.

* Both contingents not only learnt about each other’s operating drills and procedure, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in a modern combat zone.

* Exercise Bold Kurukshetra is conducted under the ambit of the bilateral arrangement for the joint Army Training and exercises between the Singapore Army and the Indian Army.

* First conducted in 2005, this exercise underscores the strong and long-standing bilateral defence relationship between both countries and enhances cooperation between the two armies.

* Both defence establishments also interact regularly through high-level visits, policy dialogues, courses and other professional exchanges..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Bengaluru

Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully conducted a maiden flight-test of the Power Take off (PTO) Shaft on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas) Limited Series Production (LSP) -3 aircraft in Bengaluru.

* The PTO shaft is indigenously designed and developed by the Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Chennai of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

* Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO, PSUs and the Industry and said that the successful realisation of the PTO shaft is another major milestone towards ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

* In a statement, the Defence Ministry said, the PTO shaft, which is a critical component in the aircraft, will support the requirements of future fighter aircraft and their variants and offers competitive cost and reduced time of availability.

* The PTO shaft was designed with a unique innovative patented ‘Frequency Spanning Technique’ which enables it to negotiate different operating engine speeds. The lightweight high speed, lubrication free PTO shaft transmits higher power between the aircraft engine gear box and Aircraft Mounted Accessory Gear Box while accommodating misalignments that arise in the drive line..

Source : AIR