Defence - General Knowledge Questions

Correct Answer :   Jaisalmer

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will conduct Exercise Vayu Shakti-24, where it will demonstrate its offensive and defensive capabilities spanning across day and night.

The exercise will take place on 17 February 2024 at the Pokhran Air to Ground Range, near Jaisalmer, an official statement said here on Friday (2nd Feb 2024).

This year, 121 aircrafts, including the indigenous Tejas, Prachand and Dhruv will participate in the exercise. Moreover, Rafale, Mirage-2000, Sukhoi-30 MKI, Jaguar, Hawk, C-130J, Chinook, Apache and Mi-17 will also be part of the exercise.

Indigenous Surface to Air Weapon systems Akash and Samar will demonstrate their capability to track and shoot down an intruding aircraft.

Exercise Vayu Shakti will be a demonstration of the IAF's capability to deliver weapons with long range, precision capability as well as conventional weapon accurately, on time and with devastating effect, while operating from multiple air bases.

Special operations by the IAF transport and helicopter fleets, involving the Gaurds and Indian Army elements will also be on display.

The last edition of exercise Vayu Shakti was held on 16 February 2019.

The exercise will also showcase joint operations with the Indian Army, the statement added..

Source : UNI India

Correct Answer :   Preeti Rajak

Havildar Preeti Rajak, a distinguished trap shooter in the Indian Army, has reached a historic milestone by being promoted to the esteemed rank of Subedar. Her promotion marks a groundbreaking achievement, as she becomes the first woman in the Indian Army to hold this prestigious rank, signifying not only her personal accomplishment but also a significant advancement for women in the armed forces.

A Testament to Nari Shakti :

The Indian Army, in a statement lauded Rajak’s promotion as an extraordinary display of Nari Shakti, recognizing her exceptional talent, dedication, and contribution to the field of sports and military service. Her journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring female athletes and soldiers across the nation, showcasing the immense potential and capabilities of women in traditionally male-dominated domains.

A Remarkable Journey Begins :

Rajak embarked on her journey with the Corps of Military Police in December 2022, earning her place through her outstanding performance in trap shooting. She made history as the first meritorious sportswoman in the shooting discipline to be enrolled in the army as a havildar, laying the foundation for her trailblazing career.

Triumph on the International Stage :

Rajak’s prowess as a trap shooter shone brightly on the international stage at the 19th Asian Games 2022 held in Hangzhou, China, where she clinched the silver medal in the trap women team event. Her stellar performance not only brought glory to the nation but also earned her recognition as a formidable athlete on the global platform.

Recognition and Reward :

In recognition of her extraordinary achievements, Rajak was awarded the first out-of-turn promotion to the rank of Subedar. The pipping ceremony, presided over by Lieutenant General Gajendra Joshi, commandant of the Infantry School, served as a momentous occasion to celebrate Rajak’s exemplary performance and dedication to her craft.

Aiming for Excellence :

Currently ranked 6th in India in the trap women event, Rajak continues to hone her skills and sharpen her aim at the elite Army Marksmanship Unit in Mhow. With her sights set on the Paris Olympics, she remains steadfast in her pursuit of excellence, embodying the spirit of determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment to her country and her sport.

Correct Answer :   Saudi Arabia

The inaugural edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commenced today at Mahajan, Rajasthan. The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 29th January to 10th February 2024.

The Saudi Arabian contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by Royal Saudi Land Forces. The Indian Army contingent also comprising 45 personnel is being represented by a Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry).

Aim of the Exercise is to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain. It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both the sides.

The Exercise will involve Establishment of Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon & Search Operation, House Intervention Drill, Reflex Shooting, Slithering and Sniper Firing. The Exercise will provide an opportunity to both the contingents to strengthen their bond. It will act as a platform to achieve shared security objectives, enhance the level of defence cooperation and foster bilateral relations between the two friendly nations..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Thailand

The maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted from 20 to 23 December 2023.

Indigenously built Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise. The RTN side was represented by His Thai Majesty's Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan.

The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise. Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise.

With the institution of a Bilateral Exercise, both navies have taken a step towards strengthening operational synergy and progressively increasing the exercise complexity. During the maiden edition of the exercise, participating units from both navies conducted surface and anti-air exercises including weapon firing, seamanship evolutions and tactical manoeuvres.

As part of Government of India's vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region), the Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region towards enhancing regional maritime security. The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy have maintained a close and friendly relationship which has strengthened over the years. The conduct of maiden IN-RTN Bilateral Exercise along with Indo-Thai CORPAT is a testimony to the growing bilateral relations between the two maritime neighbours and has enabled in enhancing interoperability between the two navies.

The Indo-Thai Bilateral Exercise is being named as ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable’, and symbolises the significance of two of the oldest cities Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand, the historic legacies, rich cultural ties and shared historical narratives dating back to several centuries..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   INS Cheetah

Indian Navy Ships Cheetah, Guldar and Kumbhir were decommissioned on 12 Jan 2024 after rendering four decades of glorious service to the nation. The decommissioning event was conducted at Port Blair in a traditional ceremony wherein the National Flag, the Naval Ensign and Decommissioning Pennants of the three ships were lowered for the last time, at sunset.

 Cheetah, Guldar and Kumbhir were built at Gdynia Shipyard, Poland as Polnocny class Landing Ships and were commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1984, 1985 and 1986 respectively, in presence of Shri S K Arora (Cheetah and Guldar) and Shri A K Das (Kumbhir) then Ambassadors of India to Poland. The Commanding Officers of the three ships were Cdr V B Mishra, Lt Cdr SK Singh and Lt Cdr J Banerjee respectively. During her initial years, Cheetah was based at Kochi and Chennai for brief periods, and Kumbhir and Guldar were based at Visakhapatnam.

The ships were subsequently re-based at Andaman and Nicobar Command, where they served till their decommissioning. These ships were in active Naval service for nearly 40 years, and collectively traversed about 17 lakh nautical miles whilst being at sea for over 12,300 days. As the amphibian platforms of the Andaman and Nicobar Command, these ships have conducted over 1300 beaching operations for landing of army troops ashore.

During their illustrious journeys, these ships participated in numerous maritime security missions and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. Notable amongst them are their role during Operation Aman as part of IPKF operations and Operation Tasha a joint operation carried out between Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard in May 1990 to control smuggling of arms and ammunition and illegal immigration across Indian and Srilankan border and made stellar contributions in relief operations post 1997 cyclone off Sri Lanka and the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Indian Naval Ships Cheetah, Guldar and Kumbhir have left an indelible mark on the maritime landscape and their decommissioning marks the end of a significant chapter of the Indian Navy’s history.

Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, AVSM, VM, Commander-in-Chief Andaman and Nicobar Command (CINCAN), Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, AVSM, VSM, Deputy Chief of Naval Staff, Flag Officers, former Commanding Officers and commissioning crew of the three ships attended the ceremonies at Port Blair. The event was also unique since three warships of the same class were decommissioned simultaneously on a single day..


Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   air from the surface

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has conducted a successful flight test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at 10.30 am today (12th Jan 2024).

The flight test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at a very low altitude. During the flight test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed.

This testing was done on high speed unmanned air targets at very low altitude. Akash is a new generation 'Surface-to-Air' missile defense system.

The system performance was also validated through the data captured by several Radars, Telemetry, and Electro-Optical Tracking System deployed by ITR, Chandipur.

The flight test was witnessed by senior officials from DRDO, Indian Air Force (IAF), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The AKASH-NG system is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats.

The successful flight test has paved the way for user trials. The AKASH-NG system is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   UAE

India and UAE began a joint military exercise called ‘DESERT CYCLONE’ in Mahajan, Rajasthan on 2nd Jan 2024. The exercise will conclude on January 15.

* The UAE contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by troops from the Zayed First Brigade while the Indian Army contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion from the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.

* The aim of the drill is to enhance interoperability in sub-conventional operations including Fighting in Built-Up Area (FIBUA) in desert and semi desert terrain under the United Nations Charter on Peace Keeping Operations. The exercise will enhance cooperation and interoperability between both the sides during Peace Keeping Operations. The exercise will also foster collaborative partnership and help in sharing best practices between the two sides.

* Exercise ‘DESERT CYCLONE’ signifies further strengthening of bonds of friendship and trust between India and the UAE. The exercise aims to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly nations..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   INS Imphal

INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at an impressive ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on December 26, 2023. The event marks the formal induction of the third of four indigenous ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, being designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai.

* Speaking on the occasion, the Raksha Mantri described INS Imphal as a shining example of ‘Aatmanirbharta’ in defence and a reflection of the commitment of Indian Navy, MDL & all other stakeholders towards national security. “INS Imphal is a symbol of India's growing maritime power and it will strengthen it further. It will bolster our principle of ‘Jalmev Yasya, Balmev Tasya’ (One Who Controls the Sea is All Powerful) in the Indo-Pacific region,” he said.

* The ship measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India. It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas & Gas configuration, and is capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.

* The Raksha Mantri defined INS IMPHAL as a conglomeration of different strengths of the nation. “Brahmos Aerospace installed Brahmos missile on the ship. Torpedo tube launchers are of Larsen & Toubro (L&T). Rapid Gun Mount has been installed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), and Medium Range missiles by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). In addition, many start-ups and MSMEs are involved in its construction. Just like many elements have given a concrete form to INS IMPHAL, people from all walks of life should work together for us to become ‘Viksit Bharat’. Every citizen is a carrier of India's security and progress. Whenever one works, the betterment of the nation must be kept in mind,” he said.

* Shri Rajnath Singh reiterated the Government’s resolve to lay equal emphasis on the modernisation of all the three Services to safeguard national interests, stating that earlier governments focussed only on protecting the country from land-based threats. He pointed out that with the Himalayas in the north and the hostile behavior of Pakistan in the west, most of India’s goods trade comes through sea, which makes it an island country from ‘trade’ perspective. He stressed on the need to continuously develop the Navy’s capabilities as global trade is of great importance to India to secure its national interests.

* The Raksha Mantri also referred to the recent suspected drone attack on Merchant Vessel (MV) Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea and the attack on 'MV Sai Baba' in the Red Sea. He stated that India's growing economic and strategic power has filled some forces with jealousy and hatred. He added that the Government of India has taken the attacks very seriously and the Navy has increased its surveillance. He assured that the perpetrators of these attacks will soon be brought to justice and strict action will be taken against them.

* “India plays the role of a Net Security Provider in the entire Indian Ocean Region. We will ensure that maritime trade in this region touches greater heights. For this, together with our friendly countries, we will keep the sea lanes secure. We have full confidence in the ability and strength of our Navy,” said Shri Rajnath Singh..


Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Iran

Iran has reinforced its air defence capabilities by adding combat drones equipped with air-to-air missiles to its arsenal, state media reported on 10th December 2023.

"Dozens of Karrar drones armed with air-to-air missiles have been added for air defence in all border areas of the country."

It is an Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) developed by Iran.

It is the first long-endurance, combat-capable Iranian drone.

It will be strategically deployed along border areas, providing air defence units with the capability to intercept and neutralise hostile aerial threats at significantly reduced costs compared to traditional manned fighter sorties..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Visakhapatnam Dockyard

INS Tarmugli, a Fast Attack Craft has been commissioned into the Navy at a ceremony held at Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam on 14th Dec 2023.

* Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, AVSM, VSM, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy commissioned the Trinkat Class FAC which was gifted to the Maldivian Naval Defence Forces (MNDF) in 2006 by India.

* The ship returned in May this year and post extensive restoration work by the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, was reincarnated in its present avatar.

* The warship is fitted with advanced MTU engines, water jet propulsion, latest communication equipment, a 30 mm gun and an advanced Radar system and will be extensively used for coastal surveillance and protection of our ODAs in the KG Basin area and along the East Coast of India.

* INS Tarmugli would operate under the Naval Officer-in-Charge (Andhra Pradesh). Named after a picturesque island in the Andaman group, the 320-tonne INS Tarmugli, measuring 48 meters in length, can achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots..


Source : AIR