Defence - General Knowledge Questions

Correct Answer :   India-Saudi Arabia

The sea phase of 2nd edition of bilateral exercise 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23', between Indian Navy and Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) was held from 23 - 25 May 23 off Al Jubail, Saudi Arabia.

* INS Tarkash, INS Subhadra and Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft (MPA) participated in the exercise from the Indian side.

* The Royal Saudi Naval Force (RSNF) was represented by HMS Badr and Abdul Aziz, MH 60R helo and UAV.

* The three-day exercise at sea witnessed a wide spectrum of maritime operations. The exercise culminated with debrief at sea followed by traditional steam past.

* The successful conduct of 'Al Mohed Al Hindi 23' showcased high degree of professionalism, interoperability and exchanges of best practices between the two navies. The bilateral exercise met all its objectives and both sides intend to graduate to more advanced level of exercises in the next edition...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Iran

Iran successfully test-launched a ballistic missile with a potential 2,000-km range on Thursday (25th May 2023), state media said, two days after the chief of Israel's armed forces raised the prospect of "action" against Tehran over its nuclear programme.

* Iran, which has one of the biggest missile programmes in the Middle East, says its weapons are capable of reaching the bases of arch-foes Israel and the United States in the region.

* Despite U.S. and European opposition, the Islamic Republic has said it will further develop its "defensive" missile programme.

* Iran's message : To enemies is that we will defend the country and its achievements. Our message to our friends is that we want to help regional stability, Iranian Defence Minister Mohammadreza Ashtiani said.

* State TV broadcast a few seconds of footage of what it said was the launch of an upgraded version of Iran's Khoramshahr 4 ballistic missile with a range of 2,000 km (1,243 miles) and able to carry a 1,500-kg (3,300-pound) warhead.

* The liquid-fuel missile had been named the "Kheibar", a reference to a Jewish castle overrun by Muslim warriors in the early days of Islam..

Source : Reuters

Correct Answer :   Bangladesh-US

The Joint Bangladesh-US Naval drill Exercise ‘Tiger Shark 40’ started at BNS Nirvik in Chattogram on Sunday (21st May 2023).

* The objective of the exercise is to increase strategic capabilities of both the countries and to acquire mutual technical and procedural knowledge.

* It is being undertaken to improve the existing good relations between the armed forces of the two countries, said an official press release of the Bangladesh Inter Services Press Relations (ISPR) issued on Monday (22nd May 2023).

* Special Forces of Bangladesh Army and Navy and US Special Forces participated in this training exercise held under the management of Commodore Swords Command.

* Chattogram Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Abdullah AL Mamun Chowdhury attended the event as the Chief Guest. Some of the representatives of the US Embassy in Bangladesh also participated in the event. Among others, the Armed Forces Department, Army, Navy and other officials of Chittagong Naval Region and invited guests were present in the exercise...

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   Myanmar

India launched ‘Operation Karuna’ to assist Myanmar which has been devastated by Cyclone Mocha. Three Indian Navy ships carrying relief material reached Yangon on Thursday (18th May 2023) and a fourth ship would be reaching on Friday (19th May 2023), External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said.

* The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, sanitary and hygiene items, etc,” Mr. Jaishankar said. India extended a hand of friendship to the people of Myanmar affected by Cyclone Mocha, he said, adding, “India continues to be the first responder in the region.

* Indian Ambassador in Myanmar Vinay Kumar handed over the first batch of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material to the Chief Minister of Yangon region.

* “More than 40 tonnes of HADR materials brought by INS Shivalik, INS Kamorta and INS Savitri included emergency food items, tents, portable generators, clothes, water pumps, medicines, tarpaulins, hygiene and sanitary items, wheel chair, face masks etc,” the Indian Embassy in Myanmar said on social media.

* The fourth ship INS Gharial will bring more HADR materials, including emergency medicines and medical kits, it stated.

* Super cyclone Mocha hit Bangladesh and Myanmar over the weekend causing widespread devastation and killing hundreds. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has said that relief agencies were ready to deliver food and essential supplies, but were awaiting approval from the military regime.

* In Myanmar, Rakhine state is the worst-hit while in Bangladesh the cyclone destroyed shelters in the world’s largest refugee camp at Cox’s Bazar which houses a million Rohingya refugees from Myanmar..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   Assam

Gajraj Corps of the Indian Army conducted a Joint Flood Relief 'Exercise Jal Rahat' at Hagrama Bridge on Manas River, Assam to validate joint drills and coordinate preparedness by multi-agency flood relief columns.

* Apart from Indian Army- SSB, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and police representatives took part.

* The event included coordination and rehearsals for rescue mission of people from inundated areas by joint efforts of specialist teams from Army, NDRF and SDRF.

* Practice on use of innovative expedients by the flood relief columns was also organised in which teams of Army and SSB demonstrated use of local resources during such calamity.

* The event was witnessed by senior dignitaries from the Army, Civil, CAPF, DC Offices, Bongaigaon & Chirang and SSB.

* Notably, the Indian Army has been at the forefront during flood relief operations over the years has evacuated  thousands of lives..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   INS Mormugao

A BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully tested from the Indian Navy's frontline guided missile ship INS Mormugao on Sunday (14th May 2023). The missile launch displayed the Indian Navy's might at sea.

* INS Mormugao, the latest guided-missile destroyer, successfully hit 'bulls eye' during her maiden BrahMos supersonic cruise missile firing, a Navy official was quoted as saying.

* The ship and her potent weapon, both indigenous, mark another shining symbol of 'AatmaNirbharta' and Indian Navy's firepower at sea.

* Earlier in March, Indian Navy had successfully test-fired in the Arabian Sea the ship-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic missile.

* BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between India and Russia, manufactures supersonic cruise missiles that can potentially be launched from submarines, ships, aeroplanes, or land platforms.

* The BrahMos missile travels at 2.8 Mach, or nearly three times the speed of sound. The BrahMos missiles are also exported by India.

* In January of last year (2022), India signed a $375 million deal with the Philippines to deliver three missile batteries..

Source : Business Today

Correct Answer :   4th

INS Kavaratti, indigenously designed & built ASW Corvette, arrived at Batam, Indonesia to participate in the 4th edition of India-Indonesia Bilateral exercise Samudra Shakti-23 from 14-19 May 23.

* An Indian Navy Dornier Maritime Patrol aircraft and Chetak helicopter is also participating. The Indonesian Navy will be represented by KRI Sultan Iskandar Muda, CN 235 Maritime Patrol Aircraft and AS565 Panther Helicopter.

* Exercise Samudra Shakti is aimed at enhancing interoperability, jointness and mutual cooperation between both the navies.

* The Harbour phase will comprise Cross deck visits, professional Interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, and sports fixtures.

* During the Sea Phase, weapon firing, Helicopter Operations, Anti-submarine warfare & air defence exercises and boarding operations are planned.

* Samudra Shakti -23 will showcase the high level of interoperability between the two navies and their shared commitment towards peace and stability in the region...

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   35th

The Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy conducted the 35th edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) from May 3 to May 10, 2023, in the Andaman Sea, the Ministry of Defence said.

* The bi-annual coordinated patrol aims to reinforce maritime linkages between the two countries and ensure the safety and security of the international trade route in the Indian Ocean.

* The Indian Naval Ship (INS) Kesari, an indigenously built LST (L), and His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Saiburi, a Chao Phraya Class Frigate, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the exercise.

* According to the ministry, the patrol helps in understanding and interoperability between the two navies and facilitates the prevention and suppression of unlawful activities such as Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, piracy, and armed robbery.

* It also enables the exchange of information to prevent smuggling, illegal immigration, and conduct search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

* The Indian Navy has been proactively engaging with countries in the Indian Ocean Region towards enhancing regional maritime security as part of the Government of India’s vision of SAGAR (Security And Growth for All in the Region).

* The 35th Indo-Thai CORPAT is another step towards consolidating inter-operability and forging strong bonds of friendship between India and Thailand.

* The Indian Navy and Royal Thai Navy have enjoyed a close and friendly relationship that has strengthened over the years, covering a wide spectrum of activities and interactions..

Source : Mint

Correct Answer :   INSV Tarini

Indian Naval Sailing Vessel Tarini is currently on her return passage to India after a six-month-long transoceanic intercontinental expedition that commenced at Goa on November 17, 2022 and is scheduled to complete at the same venue on 24th May 2023.

During the expedition, Tarini sailed to Rio de Janerio, Brazil via Cape Town, South Africa, participating in Cape to Rio Race 2023, and she will complete an arduous 17,000 nautical miles passage when she touches the Indian shores again, a senior Navy official said.

Indian naval ship Tarini had set sail to Cape Town to participate in an ocean sailing voyage from the South African city to Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro.

The 50th edition of the race was to be flagged off from Cape Town on January 2 and culminate at the Brazilian city, according to the Indian Navy.

INSV Tarini is known for circumnavigating the globe with an all-women officer crew in the historic expedition titled Navika Sagar Parikrama that began in 2017.

The six members of Navika Sagar Parikrama during their 254-day expedition had covered 22,000 nautical miles, facing rough seas, scorching sun, biting cold and freezing winds with an unrelenting spirit.

Source : The Print

Correct Answer :   INS Magar

Indian Naval Ship (INS) Magar, Landing Ship Tank (Large) amphibious assault ship of the Indian Navy decommissioned after 36 years of exceptional service to the nation. The Decommissioning ceremony was held at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on Saturday (6th May 2023).

* The ship was indigenously built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd, Kolkata. She was launched on 16 November 1984 and commissioned into the Indian Navy on 18 July 1987 by Admiral R H Tahiliani, then Chief of the Naval Staff.

* Commander D.B Roy was the first Commanding Officer. The ship has a displacement of 5,600 tonnes, a length of 125 metres, a beam of 17 metres.

* INS Magar is the lead ship of the Magar class amphibious warfare vessels of the Indian Navy.

* The ship has been a vital asset of the Indian Navy for over 30 years and participated in various naval operations ranging from amphibious operations, Fleet deployments and HADR missions.

* The major operations undertaken by the ship include Op Pawan, wherein she played a pivotal role in movement of logistics supplies to the area of operation, in support of the forces on ground. The ship has also played a key role in a number of HADR operations, the most noteworthy being during the December 2004 Tsunami wherein it was instrumental in evacuation of over 1,300 civilians from the affected areas.

* 'Magar’ has been named after a species of crocodile. The crest design depicts a Brown coloured crocodile with its mouth open swimming over White and Blue ocean waves. The aft portion of the crest shows a cut out of the thick and impenetrable armour like skin of the crocodile. The design has been taken from a Mathura sculpture of 1st Century AD, preserved in original in the Lucknow museum..

Source : AIR