Correct Answer :   Nepal

The Nepal Army contingent comprising of 334 personnel arrived in India to participate in 17th edition of Joint Military Exercise SURYA KIRAN.

The exercise will be conducted in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand from 24th November to 07th December 2023. It is an annual event and conducted alternatively in the two countries.

The Indian Army contingent comprising of 354 personnel is being led by a Battalion from the KUMAON Regiment. The Nepal Army contingent is represented by Tara Dal Battalion.

Exercise Aim : Aim of the exercise is to enhance interoperability in jungle warfare, counter terrorism operations in mountainous terrain and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief under United Nations Charter on peace keeping operations.

The exercise will focus on employment of drones and counter drone measures, medical training, aviation aspects and also environment conservation. Through these activities, the troops will enhance their operational capabilities, refine their combat skills and strengthen their coordination in challenging situations.

 The exercise will provide a platform for soldiers from India and Nepal to exchange ideas and experiences; share best practices and foster a deeper understanding of each other’s operational procedures.

Exercise SURYA KIRAN signifies the strong bonds of friendship, trust, common cultural linkages that exist between India and Nepal. It sets the stage for a productive and fruitful engagement, showcasing the unwavering commitment of both nations towards a broader defence cooperation. The exercise aims to achieve shared security objectives and foster bilateral relations between two friendly neighbours..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Australia

The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising of 81 personnel departed for Australia 22nd November 2023 to take part in the second edition of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23.

The exercise will be conducted at Perth, Australia from 22nd November to 06th December 2023.

Indian Army contingent comprises 60 personnel from a Battalion of the GORKHA Rifles. The Australian Army contingent comprising 60 personnel will be from the 13th Brigade.

One officer from Indian Navy and 20 personnel from Indian Air Force will also participate from the Indian side. The Australian contingent will include 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.

Exercise AUSTRAHIND was instituted in 2022 and the first edition was conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan. It is planned to be an annual training event to be conducted alternatively in India and Australia.

Exercise Aim :  Aim of the exercise is to foster collaborative partnership and share best practices between the two sides. The exercise will also promote inter- operability while undertaking multi-domain operations in Urban and Semi- Urban terrain under Chapter VII of United Nations on peace keeping operations.

The joint exercise will promote exchange of ideas and jointly rehearse tactics, technique and procedures for conducting tactical operations. Training curriculum also includes sniper firing, and jointly operating surveillance and communication equipment to achieve a high degree of situational awareness. Casualty management and evacuation will also be rehearsed besides tactical actions at Company/ Battalion level.

The exercise will also help in promoting understanding between the two militaries and further strengthen the defence cooperation between the two friendly nations..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   USA

14th Edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise “VAJRA PRAHAR 2023” commenced at the Joint Training Node, Umroi 21st Nov 2023.

The US contingent is represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) of US Special Forces. The Indian Army contingent is led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR is a joint exercise conducted between Indian Army and US Army Special Forces. It aims at sharing best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.

The first edition was conducted in the year 2010 in India and the 13th edition of the Indo-US Joint Special Forces exercise was conducted at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS), Bakloh (HP). The current edition is being conducted in Umroi Cantonment, Meghalaya from 21st November to 11th December 2023.

During the course of the next three weeks, both sides will jointly plan and rehearse a series of Special Operations, Counter Terrorist Operations, Air Borne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in mountainous terrain.

Key highlights :

Key highlights include ‘Combat free fall insertion of troops from stand-off distances’, ‘Water borne insertion of troops’, ‘Precision engagement of targets at long ranges’, ‘Combat air controlling of fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft’ besides ‘Airborne insertion and sustenance of troops’.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR has evolved as a mechanism to exchange ideas and share best practices between the Special Forces of both the nations. It is also a platform to enhance inter-operability and strengthen defence cooperation between the armies of India and the United States of America..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Sri Lanka

The 9th edition of Joint Military exercise “Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023” commenced 16th Nov 2023 in Aundh (Pune). 

The exercise is being conducted from 16th to 29th November 2023.

The Indian contingent, of 120 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY Regiment. The Sri Lankan side is being represented by personnel from 53 Infantry Division. 15 personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise.

Aim : The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The Scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. Both sides will practice tactical actions such as raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc. In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum.

Exercise MITRA SHAKTI – 2023 will also involve employment of Drones and Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems besides helicopters. Drills to secure helipads and undertake casualty evacuation during counter-terrorist operations will also be rehearsed jointly by both sides.

Collective efforts will focus on achieving an enhanced level of interoperability amongst the troops and reduce the risk of life and property while keeping the interests and agenda of the UN at the forefront during peace keeping operations.

Both sides will exchange views and practices of joint drills on a wide spectrum of combat skills that will facilitate the participants to mutually learn from each other. Sharing of best practices will further enhance the level of defence cooperation between Indian Army and Sri Lankan Army. The exercise will also foster strong bilateral relations between the two neighbouring nations..

Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Visakhapatnam

The 4th edition of the Bilateral Exercise between the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy, BONGOSAGAR-23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies were held at Visakhapatnam.

Ships and aircraft from both navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line and maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.

Indian Navy Ships Kuthar, Kiltan and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise. The ships undertook communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical maneuvers and other exercises.

CORPAT-23 also included the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief drills held between the two navies. The bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols have strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies..

Source : AIR

Correct Answer :   India

An Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has landed at the Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai for participation in the biennial Dubai Airshow, scheduled from 13 to 17 November 2023.

The IAF contingent comprises two indigenous platforms - the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and the Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv.

While the Tejas will be part of both, the static and aerial displays during the Airshow; the Sarang Helicopter Display Team will be displaying their formation aerobatics skills.

    

Having participated in the 2021 edition as well, this is the second consecutive occasion for the Tejas and Sarang display teams to enthrall the crowd at the Dubai Airshow.

The IAF contingent is being staged by its C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft. The teams will first perform on the opening ceremony on 13 November 23, and will thereafter share the airspace with other leading aerial display teams of the world.

This is also an opportunity to showcase the rapid strides made by the Indian Aviation Industry, through the participation of indigenous platforms like the Tejas and Dhruv..


Source : PIB

Correct Answer :   Pralay

India on 7th November 2023 successfully test-fired its surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) 'Pralay' from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, a Defence official said.

The missile has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

The missile, launched around 9.50 am, met all its mission objectives, the official said.

A battery of tracking instruments monitored its trajectory along the coastline, he said.

'Pralay' is a 350-500 km short-range, surface-to-surface missile with a payload capacity of 500-1,000 kg, the official said.

'Pralay' has been developed for deployment along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) and Line of Control (LoC), he added..

Source : The Hindu

Correct Answer :   India and Singapore

India and Singapore on Wednesday (1st Nov 2023) decided to further boost interaction between their armed forces as well as cooperation in military technologies and industries. The two countries have also inked an implementing agreement on submarine rescue support between their navies.

The pact will involve India helping Singapore if one of its submarines gets disabled underwater.

"India is fortunate to have a defence partner like Singapore. The interaction will benefit both countries on many bilateral issues that are being pursued to further strengthen our special relationship," said Rajnath Singh, after holding the fifth defence ministerial dialogue with his counterpart Ng Eng Hen through video-conferencing.

The submarine rescue cooperation pact will involve India helping Singapore if one of its submarines gets disabled underwater. Apart from other capabilities, the Indian Navy in 2018 had inducted two deep submergence rescue vessels (DSRVs), which are capable of rescuing trapped sailors from a disabled submarine up to a depth of 650 meters.

The two ministers, while expressing satisfaction at the progress of ongoing bilateral defence cooperation despite limitations imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, discussed new areas of potential cooperation and articulated their vision in this direction, said officials.

Under bilateral pacts inked over a decade ago, Singapore already uses Indian military facilities for training of its mechanized forces at Babina, artillery at the Deolali ranges and F-16 fighter jets at the Kalaikunda airbase on a regular basis. Singapore may also use the integrated test range for firing of missiles at Chandipur in Odisha in the future.

Apart from regular naval exercises, India has also inked a naval pact with Singapore to access each other’s bases and reciprocal logistics support for warships, as part of the overall policy to steadily build military ties with Asean countries with an eye firmly on China.

India has often joined the other countries in the region to reiterate the need for all to respect freedom of navigation and trade in international waters in the backdrop of China’s aggressive and expansionist behavior in the Asia Pacific region.

A joint statement issued on Wednesday said, "Both ministers were committed to further enhance bilateral defence ties between India and Singapore, and supported multilateral initiatives to promote lasting peace and stability in the region."

Rajnath Singh, on his part, reaffirmed "Asean centrality" in the regional security architecture and pledged India’s support to all endeavours of the Asean defence ministers’ meeting ADMM-Plus..

Source : Times of India

Correct Answer :   Sidhartha Babu

Siddharth Babu won gold medal in 50 meter rifles SH-1 event in Asian Para Games.

Indian Para athletes created history by winning the most medals in the Asian Para Games on 26 October 2023, taking the country's medal tally to 82, including 18 gold.

India had earlier won 72 medals in the 2018 Asian Para Games.

Correct Answer :   India and Malaysia

Joint bilateral training exercise “Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023”, between Indian & Malaysian Army commenced 23rd Oct 2023 in Umroi Cantonment, India.

The Malaysian Army contingent comprises troops from 5th Royal Battalion of Malaysian Army. The Indian contingent is being represented by a Battalion of THE RAJPUT REGIMENT. Last edition of the Exercise was conducted in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia in November 2022.

Ex Harimau Shakti, scheduled till 5th November 2023, will engage approximately 120 personnel from both sides. It is aimed at enhancing military capability for conduct of Multi Domain Operations in a sub conventional scenario.

During the exercise, both contingents will establish a Joint Command Post & establish an integrated surveillance grid along with a Joint Surveillance Centre.

 

Both sides will rehearse employment of joint forces in jungle/ semi urban / urban environment. In addition, intelligence collection, collation and dissemination drills will also be rehearsed.

The Exercise will also witness employment of Drones/UAVs & Helicopters. Two sides will also practice casualty management and evacuation drills. Both the contingents will discuss logistics management and practice survival training at the Battalion level.

The training will focus primarily on high degree of physical fitness, conduct of drills at tactical level and sharing of best practices with each other. The Exercise will culminate with a 48-hour long validation exercise in a semi-urban area.

“Exercise HARIMAU SHAKTI” is aimed to enhance the level of defence co-operation between Indian Army and the Malaysian Army, which will also foster the bilateral relations between the two nations..

Source : PIB