Correct Answer :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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

Correct Answer :   France

The third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse is scheduled to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region from 13 to 14 March 2023.

* This edition will witness participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters of Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy.

* The biennial exercise La Perouse is conducted by the French Navy.

* Aim : At enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimising maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.

* The two day exercise provides an opportunity for like minded navies to develop closer links in planning, coordination and information sharing for seamless maritime operations. The exercise will witness complex and advanced naval operations including surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defence exercises, cross deck landings and tactical manoeuvres.

* Indigenously built guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker INS Jyoti will be participating in this edition of the exercise.

* Participation of Indian Navy in the exercise showcases the high levels of synergy, coordination and inter-operability between the friendly navies, and their commitment to a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific region...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   HAL

The defence ministry on Friday (10th March 2023) signed a contract for procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of ₹667 crore.

* The addition of the six aircraft will further bolster the operational capability of the IAF in remote areas, the ministry said announcing the contract.

* The Dornier-228 aircraft is a highly versatile multi-purpose light transport aircraft. It has been developed specifically to meet the manifold requirements of utility and commuter transport as well as for maritime surveillance.

* ‘’The aircraft was used by IAF for route transport roles and communication duties. Subsequently, it has also been used for training of transport pilots of the IAF,‘’ it said.

* The present lot of six aircraft will be procured with an upgraded fuel-efficient engine coupled with a five bladed composite propeller, it added.

* The aircraft is ideally suited for short haul operations from semi-prepared/short runways of the North East and island chains of India.

* Earlier on Tuesday, the defence ministry sealed a deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to procure 70 HTT-40 basic trainer aircraft at a cost of over ₹6,800 crore for the Indian Air Force.

* The ministry also finalised a contract with the Larsen & Toubro Ltd (L&T) for acquisition of three cadet training ships worth over ₹3,100 crore...

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Indian Navy

Indian Navy’s major Operational level exercise TROPEX for the year 2023, conducted across the expanse of IOR over a duration of four months from November 2022 - March 2023, culminated this week in the Arabian Sea.

* The overall exercise construct included Coastal Defence exercise Sea Vigil and the Amphibious Exercise AMPHEX. Together, these exercises also witnessed significant participation from the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard.

* Set in the Indian Ocean including the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, the theatre of operations for the exercise extended approximately 4300 nm from North to South upto 35 deg South Latitude and 5000 nm from Persian Gulf in the West to North Australia coast in the East, spanning an area of over 21 million square nautical miles.

* TROPEX 23 witnessed participation of approximately 70 Indian Navy ships, six submarines and over 75 aircraft.

* The culmination of TROPEX 23 brings to an end an intense operational phase for the Indian Navy that commenced in Nov 2022.

* As part of the final Joint Phase, the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri spent a day at sea onboard the newly commissioned Indigenous Aircraft Carrier Vikrant on 06 Mar 23.

* He reviewed the Indian Navy’s operational preparedness and material readiness wherein the Navy demonstrated operational manoeuvers and various facets of combat operations, including deck operations of indigenous LCA and live weapon firings.

* While addressing the Fleets, he lauded the Operational preparedness of the Indian Navy and emphasised that the country looks up to the Navy to ensure that the economic lifelines and military capabilities of our adversaries are disrupted to the extent where their warfighting endeavours can no longer be sustained. 

* He also stated that he is fully reassured that Indian Navy is wholly capable of safeguarding India’s national interests in the maritime domain and will thwart the diabolical designs of any potential adversaries who seek to threaten India’s peaceful existence.

* The Hon’ble RM complimented the Indian Navy for being at the forefront of the ‘Make in India’ Initiative and leveraging the path of Aatmanirbharta to be ‘Combat Ready, Credible, Cohesive and Future Proof’...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   INS Visakhapatnam

* Indian Navy on Tuesday (7th Mar 2023) successfully tested Medium Range Surface-to-Surface Air Missile (MRSAM) from INS Visakhapatnam.

* Reason : To validate the capability of the anti-tank missiles

* MRSAM was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and produced at Bharat Dynamics Ltd.

* The DRDO has already handed over two other versions to Indian Army and Indian Air Force to augment the country’s air defense power...

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Russia

The Indian Navy on Sunday (5th March 2023) successfully test-fired in the Arabian Sea the ship-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic missile.

The missile that was tested had the indigenous “seeker and booster”, officials said.

The Indian Navy carried out a successful precision strike in the Arabian Sea by ship launched BrahMos missile with DRDO-designed indigenous seeker and booster, reinforcing our commitment towards Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance) in defence.

BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, an India-Russian joint venture, produces supersonic cruise missiles that can be launched from submarines, ships, aircraft, or land platforms.

BrahMos missile flies at a speed of 2.8 Mach or almost three times the speed of sound.

The anti-ship version of the supersonic cruise missile was successfully test-fired jointly by the Indian Navy and the Andaman and Nicobar Command in April last year.

India is also exporting BrahMos missiles.

In January last year, India sealed a USD 375 million deal with the Philippines for supplying three batteries of the missile..

Source : Tribune India

Correct Answer :   INS Vikrant

The first edition of the Naval Commanders' Conference 2023 began onboard India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant today (6th March 2023).

The conference serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to discuss important security issues at the military-strategic level as well as to interact with senior government functionaries through an institutionalised forum.

The first phase of the Commanders' Conference is being held at sea, and for the first-time, onboard  INS Vikrant. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders onboard INS Vikrant on the opening day today.

The Chief of Defence Staff and the Chiefs of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force would also interact with the Naval Commanders on subsequent days.

The Chief of the Naval Staff, along with other Naval Commanders will review major Operational, Materiel, Logistics, Human Resource Development, Training and Administrative activities undertaken by the Indian Navy in the last six months.

They will further deliberate upon future plans for important activities and initiatives. During the conference, Naval Commanders would also be provided with an update on ‘Agnipath Scheme’ executed in the Indian Navy in November last year.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh exhorted the Navy to continue focussing on futuristic capability development to effectively overcome the emerging security challenges in the maritime domain. He reviewed the operational capabilities of the Indian Navy during the Naval Commanders’ Conference held aboard India’s first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier INS Vikrant today. He interacted with the Naval Commanders and witnessed the operational demonstrations at sea, highlighting the Navy’s capability to undertake multi-dimensional missions towards safeguarding the maritime interests of the country..

Source : AIR