Defence - General Knowledge Questions

Correct Answer :   Mahindra

Mahindra Defence Systems (MDS), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Mahindra & Mahindra has started delivering Armado, an Armoured Light Specialist Vehicle (ALSV) to the Indian armed forces.

The Armado has been designed by and developed by Mahindra.


Mahindra Defence Systems Armado: What does the vehicle do?

* The Armado has been designed keeping in mind a variety of roles the armed forces may use it for. It can adapt and successfully perform in a wide variety of operational roles, MDS said. The Armado gets ballistic protection up to B7, Stanag Level II.

* According to MDS, the Armado can be utilised in counter-terrorist operations by facilitating patrolling in conflict-hit areas. It can carry security personnel and support special forces operations and quick reaction teams.

* It can also carry ammunition and can act as a reconnaissance vehicle, a border security vehicle. Given its design and build, it can operate effectively in tough terrains like open fields or even in deserts.

* It is powered by a mighty 3.2-litre, turbocharged, direct-injection diesel engine and can also operate on Nato-grade diesel.

* This engine produces 215hp and 500Nm of peak torque, an Autocar India report said. Power is delivered to all its wheels via a 4-speed automatic transmission system.

* The Armado can do speeds of more than 120kmph and despite its heavy built, it can attain 0-60 kmph in just 12 seconds. The vehicle has a payload capacity of 1,000kg.

* It gets 318/80 R17 profile tyres that can operate with a puncture or even without any air in the tyres. The Armado has a centralised tyre inflation system installed onboard and it can be customised as either a left-hand drive or a right-hand drive vehicle.

* While it can seat six passengers, including the driver, it can be configured to accommodate up to eight passengers..

Source : Business Standard

Correct Answer :   Mongolia

The Indian Army Contingent is participating in the multinational peacekeeping Joint Exercise "Ex Khaan Quest 2023" in Mongolia.

Defence Ministry said, Military contingents and observers from over 20 countries are participating in this exercise.

President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh inaugurated (19th June 2023) the Exercise.
 
The Indian Army is represented by a contingent from the Garhwal Rifles.

The 14-day exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability of the participating nations, sharing experience, and training uniformed personnel for the United Nations Peacekeeping Operations.

The exercise will prepare participants for future UN Peacekeeping missions, develop peace operations capabilities and enhance military readiness.

The exercise includes Command Post Exercise, Field Training Exercises, combat discussions, lectures, and demonstration.

The Ministry said, the military exercise will enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and participating countries, especially with the Mongolian Armed Forces which will enhance bilateral relations between the two countries..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   INS Vagir

Indian Navy's state-of-the-art submarine, INS 'Vagir', is all set to embark on an operational visit to Colombo from June 19 to June 22, 2023.

This visit is in commemoration of the 9th edition of the International Day of Yoga and aligns with the theme of 'Global Ocean Ring'.

During the visit, the Commanding Officer of the Indian Naval submarine, is scheduled to meet Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, the Commander of the Western Naval Area, during this visit.

In addition, INS 'Vagir' will also open its doors to visitors and school children, allowing them a rare opportunity to explore the submarine firsthand.

In conjunction with this visit, the Indian High Commission, in collaboration with the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre, has planned a grand event on the occasion of International Day of Yoga at Colombo Port on June 21.

Senior defence officials and personnel from both the Indian and Sri Lankan Navies will participate in this celebration.

This visit follows the previous visits of Indian Naval Ships Delhi, Sukanya, Kiltan, and Savitri to Colombo and Trincomalee, during which Yoga sessions were organised alongside the Sri Lanka Navy.

Recently, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces actively took part in a three-day Yoga workshop across five cities in Sri Lanka, organized by the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre.

The International Day of Yoga 2023, themed 'Global Ocean Ring', aims to connect individuals worldwide in their shared pursuit of well-being, resonating with India's ongoing G20 presidency and the principle of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, which emphasizes a united and harmonious future for all..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   United States

Amid preparations for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US, the Defence Ministry on Thursday (15th June 2023) approved the deal for acquiring the Predator (MQ-9 Reaper) drones from America for which the final decision would be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

* The deal for the Predator drones was given approval by the Defence Acquisition Council meeting 15th June 2023.

* The acquisition proposal will now have to follow a procedure after which it will have to be cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security," defence sources told here.

* The DAC is the highest body in the Defence Ministry to take decisions on acquisitions. All high value acquisitions are given final approval by the CCS.

* The Indian Navy is the lead agency for the deal in which 15 drones will be going to the maritime force for surveillance operations in its area of responsibility.

* The three services also have plans of going in for same type of medium altitude and long endurance drones from indigenous sources..

Source : Economic Times

Correct Answer :   Sanshodhak

‘Sanshodhak’, the fourth of four ships of Survey Vessels (Large) (SVL) Project, being built by L&T/ GRSE for Indian Navy was launched on 13 Jun 2023 at Kattupalli, Chennai.

The chief guest of the Launch Ceremony was VAdm Adhir Arora, Chief Hydrographer to Government of India. In keeping with the Naval maritime tradition, Smt Tanvi Arora launched the ship to the chanting of invocation from Atharva Veda.

The ship named ‘Sanshodhak’, meaning ‘Researcher’, signifies the primary role of the ship as a Survey Vessel.

The contract for building four SVL ships was signed between MoD and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata on 30 Oct 2018. As per the build strategy, the first ship would be built at GRSE, Kolkata and construction of the remaining three ships upto outfitting stage, has been sub-contracted to M/s L&T Shipbuilding, Kattupalli.

The first three ships of the project, Sandhayak, Nirdeshak and Ikshak were launched on 05 Dec 21, 26 May 22 and 26 Nov 22 respectively.

SVL ships will replace the existing Sandhayak Class survey ships, with new generation hydrographic equipment, to collect oceanographic data. The Survey Vessel (Large) ships are 110 m long, 16 m wide with a displacement of 3,400 tons. The hull of these ships is made from indigenously developed DMR 249-A steel manufactured by Steel Authority of India Limited.

With a capability to carry four Survey Motor Boats and an integral helicopter, the primary role of the ships would be to undertake full scale coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys of Ports and navigational channels.

The ships would also be deployed for collecting oceanographic and geophysical data for defence as well as civil applications. In their secondary role, the ships are capable of providing limited defence, HADR, and can serve as Hospital ship during emergencies.

The Survey Vessels Large will have over 80% indigenous content by cost, ensuring defence production by Indian manufacturing units with a spin off in employment generation and warship building capability in the country. Launch of the fourth Survey Vessel reinforces our resolve in indigenous shipbuilding, as part of the Government’s vision of ‘Make in India’ and ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’. .

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Uttarakhand

The 12th edition of joint military exercise “Ex Ekuverin” between the Indian Army & the Maldives National Defence Force has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand from 11 to 24 June 2023.

* Ekuverin meaning ‘Friends’ is a bilateral annual exercise conducted alternatively in India and Maldives.

* A platoon strength contingent from Indian Army and Maldives National Defence Force will be participating in 14 days long exercise.

* The exercise is aimed at enhancing interoperability in Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorism Operations under the UN mandate and carry out joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. The focus is to share best practices, enhance coordination and cooperation between both the forces at tactical level.

* The 11th edition of the exercise was held in Maldives in December 2021.

* The defence cooperation between the two countries extends from joint exercises to assisting Maldives with defence training and equipment requirements.

* Both the nations have very close and friendly relations in economic, cultural and military cooperation. ‘Ex Ekuverin’ will assist in further bolstering of these ties between the two nations..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   INS Trishul

The Indian Navy’s frontline warship INS Trishul arrived at Durban port in South Africa on Wednesday(7th June 2023) to commemorate the 130th anniversary of the 7 June 1893 incident at Pietermaritzburg railway station when Mahatma Gandhi was evicted from a train, which led to his fight against racial oppression.

The warship’s three-day visit to Durban is in continuation with the Navy’s celebration of 75 years of India’s independence and will also mark 30 years of the restoration of diplomatic relations between India and South Africa, the defence ministry said.

INS Trishul will participate in a commemorative event at Pietermaritzburg railway station which would include paying floral tributes at the Gandhi Plinth, and a performance by the Indian Navy band. The ship will also participate in other professional and social engagements during the visit.

A ‘Gandhi-Mandela-King Conference’ will also be held in collaboration with the Pietermaritzburg Gandhi Foundation and the University of KwaZulu-Natal..

Source : Hindustan Times

Correct Answer :   Gulf of Oman

* The navies of India, France and the United Arab Emirates have carried out a two-day mega wargame in the Gulf of Oman reflecting their growing cooperation to deal with challenges in the maritime sphere. It was the first edition of the wargame involving navies of the three countries.

* Indian Naval ship INS Tarkash, French ship Surcouf, French Rafale aircraft and the UAE Navy's maritime patrol aircraft participated in the exercise that began on Wednesday (7th June 2023).

* "The exercise featured a wide spectrum of naval operations such as surface warfare, involving tactical firing and drills for missile engagements on surface targets, helicopter cross deck landing operations, advanced air defence exercise and boarding operations".

* Exercise Aim :  To enhance trilateral cooperation between the three navies and pave the way for adopting measures towards addressing traditional and non-traditional threats in the maritime environment..

Source : CNBC

Correct Answer :   Agni Prime

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Wednesday (7th June 2023), successfully test-fired its New Generation Ballistic Missile Agni Prime from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha.

* The test flight was completed at around 7:30 pm on the coast of Odisha. The flight test successfully demonstrated all objectives of the missile.

* After performing well in three development trials, the Agni Prime missile successfully test-fired in the first pre-induction night launch conducted by the users.

* The test flight validated the accuracy and reliability of the system. The successful test flight of the missile has opened its gates of entry into the Armed forces.

* The range instrumentation like Radar, Telemetry, and Electro-Optical Tracking Systems were also deployed at different locations. These tracking systems were fitted at two down-range ships, at the terminal point to capture flight data covering the entire trajectory of the vehicle, the statement said.

* The test flight of the ballistic missile was conducted in the presence of senior officials from DRDO and Strategic Forces Command. On DRDO's success, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and the Armed Forces for the success as well as the copy-book performance of the Agni Prime missile.

* The Secretary Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also applauded the DRDO team for its efforts in making the test flight a success..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   Agni-1