Defence - General Knowledge Questions

Correct Answer :   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 :   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 :   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 :   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