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Defence - General Knowledge Questions
A)
INS Vagir
B)
INS Karanj
C)
INS Vikrant
D)
INS Mormugao

Correct Answer : Option (A) - INS Vagir

In a first-if-its-kind, longest ever deployment of India’s Scorpene submarines, INS Vagir, commissioned in January this year (2023), has made its way to Australia, covering a distance of nearly 7,000 km.

The Indian Navy released a statement Saturday evening saying that the submarine is on an extended-range deployment.

The deployment commenced in June 2023 and Vagir will reach Fremantle, Australia on 20 August 2023, it added.

The submarine, which is the Indian Navy’s fifth Kalvari class submarine, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in January this year and is based in Mumbai.

Sources in the defence and security establishment told ThePrint that except for one port call in Sri Lanka, as part of International Day of Yoga, the submarine has not made any other port call.

They also said that the submarine has traversed about 7,000 kilometres, or a little over 4,000 nautical miles, since it began its operational deployment in June.

This means that the Vagir has sailed continuously since the Sri Lanka stop, with it resurfacing every three-four days depending on the speed, to recharge its batteries for a few hours before sinking to the depth of the ocean again.

The extended range deployment is the maiden deployment by an Indian submarine to Australia and showcases the capability and professional acumen of the Indian Navy to undertake sustained operations at extended ranges from the base port for prolonged durations, the official statement read.

During her stay in Australia, INS Vagir will participate in various exercises with Royal Australian Navy (RAN) units on the West Coast of Australia.

Concurrently, on the East coast of Australia, Indian naval ships and aircraft are involved in Exercise Malabar between 11 and 21 August and AUSINDEX between 22-24 August.

During the Vagir’s ongoing deployment, basic, intermediate and advanced-level anti-submarine exercises are scheduled. In addition, RAN submarines and Indian Naval P8i aircraft are scheduled to exercise with INS Vagir..

Source : The Print

A)
Kolkata
B)
Ahmedabad
C)
Chennai
D)
Kolkata

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Kolkata

President Droupadi Murmu will launch Vindhyagiri, a Project 17A frigate, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited, Kolkata, on August 17, 2023, the Indian Navy said in a statement on Sunday (13th August 2023).

Named after a mountain range in Karnataka, Vindhyagiri is the sixth ship of the Project 17A frigates.

Under the Project 17A programme, four ships by Mumbai-based Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) and three by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) are under construction.

The project’s first five ships were launched by MDL and GRSE, between 2019-2022.

“These warships are follow-ons of the Project 17 Class Frigates (Shivalik Class), with improved stealth features, advanced weapons and sensors and platform management systems,” the Navy said, adding that the technologically advanced frigate pays a befitting tribute to the distinguished service of its predecessor, the erstwhile INS Vindhyagiri, a Leander Class ASW Frigate.

INS Vindhyagiri : which was the sixth and last of the Nilgiri class frigates—in its nearly 31 years of service from 8 July 1981 to 11 June 2012, had seen many multinational exercises and performed maritime surveillance, coastal patrol and anti-piracy operations. It was decommissioned after being damaged in an accident with a merchant vessel in 2011.

The newly christened Vindhyagiri stands as a symbol of India’s determination to embrace its rich naval heritage while propelling itself towards a future of indigenous defence capabilities.

The Project 17A ships have been designed in-house by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau. According to the Navy, as much as 75% of the orders for equipment and systems of Project 17A ships are from indigenous firms, including MSMEs..

Source : Indian Express

A)
INS Kirch
B)
INS Karmuk
C)
INS Kulish
D)
INS Kamorta

Correct Answer : Option (C) - INS Kulish

Indian Naval Ship Kulish (INS Kulish), a guided missile Corvette which is on a four-day visit to Singapore to take part in a multilateral exercise joined the celebration of the 77th Independence Day here on Tuesday (15th August 2023).

The officers and crew of the ship participated in the 77th Independence Day celebrations at the High Commission of India in Singapore, the Commanding Officer Ashish Delsaria presented a memento to the Acting High Commissioner Pooja Madan Tulli, to commemorate the ship’s visit to the Lion City.

One of the key highlights of the event was also the Naval Jazz band, which enthralled more than 1,000 Indian community members in attendance with patriotic numbers.

The corvette of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) at Port Blair is visiting Singapore from August 14 to August 18 to take part in the Harbour Phase of multinational exercise SEACAT 2023 aimed at enhancing interoperability and collaboration on maritime security challenges with the participating nations, scheduled between August 14 and August 17, followed by the sea phase till August 25.


The ship will also host a reception for officials from Singapore’s Ministry of Defence, as well as, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and distinguished members of the Indian diaspora.

Designed to enhance Maritime Domain Awareness, SEACAT addresses geopolitical crises, illegal activities, and contingencies, and standardizes tactics, techniques, and procedures.

Last year, the SEACAT was led by the US Navy's Seventh Fleet, the Republic of Singapore Navy, and the Information Fusion Centre for two weeks in August.

A)
INS Trikand and INS Kochi
B)
INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata
C)
INS Chennai and INS Vishal
D)
INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya

Correct Answer : Option (B) - INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata

Indian Navy's indigenous frontline warships INS Sahyadri and INS Kolkata will participate in Exercise MALABAR 2023.

* The 11-day exercise will commence 11th Aug 2023 in Sydney, Australia.

* Defence Ministry said, ships and aircraft from the US Navy, Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force, and the Royal Australian Navy will also participate in the exercise.
 

* MALABAR series of maritime exercises commenced in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between Indian Navy and US Navy.

* It has grown in stature over the years to include four prominent navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.

* The exercise provides an opportunity for the Indian Navy to enhance and demonstrate interoperability and also gain from the best practices in maritime security operations from its partner nations..

Source : AIR

A)
INS Vishal and INS Sahyadri
B)
INS Vikrant and INS Kochi
C)
INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand
D)
INS Vikramaditya and INS Kolkata

Correct Answer : Option (C) - INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand

Two Indian Navy ships, INS Visakhapatnam and INS Trikand, arrived at Port Rashid in Dubai on Wednesday (9th August 2023) for a bilateral exercise with the UAE Navy.

* The exercise, which will be held from August 8 to August 11, 2023.

Aim :  To share best practices and increase synergies between the two navies.

* Under Rear Admiral Vineet McCarty's command, the ships will engage in professional interactions with the UAE Naval Force, focusing on maritime operations.

* 'Zayed Talwar,' a bilateral exercise, is scheduled to enhance interoperability and synergy between the two navies, contributing to regional security.

* Led by Captains Ashok Rao and Pramod G Thomas, INS Visakhapatnam, and INS Trikand showcase advanced maritime capabilities.

* This visit underscores growing diplomatic collaboration between the Indian and UAE navies..

Source : AIR

A)
INS Chennai
B)
INS Kochi
C)
INS Kolkata
D)
INS Visakhapatnam

Correct Answer : Option (A) - INS Chennai

The Indian Navy has placed its locally built guided missile destroyer, INS Chennai, in a key location within the Red Sea as part of a strong commitment to safeguarding secure marine environments. This mission is a crucial step in preserving the world’s oceans.

The INS Chennai made a crucial port call to Jeddah between August 3 and August 5, 2023, strengthening the sense of camaraderie and diverse defence ties between India and Saudi Arabia.

The Jeddah Border Guards Commander and the Commanding Officer of INS Chennai had a productive conversation during this port visit. Mohd Shahid Alam, CGI Jeddah, inspected the ship and learned about its operating prowess, furthering the diplomatic cooperation.

The vessel was warmly welcomed upon arrival by dignitaries from the Royal Saudi Naval forces, Border Guards and the Indian embassy.

On August 5, the INS Chennai set sail from Jeddah for its next destination and participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) alongside the Royal Saudi Naval Ship HMS Al Jubail. Off the coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, this collaborative operation involved complex tactical manoeuvres, skillful seamanship developments, and rigorous communication drills.

These joint efforts strengthened not only the foundation of mutual dependence but also the operational chemistry between the two maritime forces. Additionally, this drill was a demonstration of the growing interoperability between the Saudi Navy and its Indian counterpart.

The mission of INS Chennai takes crucial relevance in a world where the waters are a witness to several difficulties. India’s commitment to maritime security and global security is embodied by its critical location within the Red Sea. Additionally, the joint exercise with HMS Al Jubail highlights the shared dedication of the two countries to foster long-lasting friendships in addition to protecting their waters.

A collaborative effort can be heard throughout the nautical expanse as the waves of the Red Sea encircle the INS Chennai and the echoes of joint manoeuvres reverberate with the HMS Al Jubail..

Source : First Post

A)
Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
B)
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
C)
Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL)
D)
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)

Correct Answer : Option (A) - Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)

The Indian Army inducted the lighter and more compact version of the indigenously developed Weapon Locating Radar (WLR-M) called "Swathi Mountains."

The induction ceremony took place on August 5, 2023, at Agra, where Lieutenant General JB Chaudhari, the Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (DCOAS) for Capability Development and Sustenance (CD&S), flagged off the radar system.

The Swathi Mountains WLR is an advanced electronically scanned phased array radar, specifically designed for operations in mountainous and high-altitude areas and was developed by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) in Bengaluru.


What is a Weapon Locating Radar?


The Weapon Locating Radar (WLR) stands as a critical asset for modern militaries, employing advanced signal processing techniques to autonomously detect and track hostile artillery, mortars, and rocket launchers. Notably, it even tracks friendly fire trajectories, enabling precise calculations for more accurate artillery strikes. The radar's sophistication lies in its ability to detect and track small projectiles across the battlefield while factoring in environmental conditions for precise launch and impact point estimations.

A hallmark of the WLR is its high mobility and swift deployment capabilities, allowing it to adapt to changing operational requirements efficiently. Its slewable platform further enhances its agility, enabling scanning of different areas without the need for physical repositioning. Ensuring effectiveness in hostile environments, the radar is designed with survivability and resistance to electronic warfare measures in mind. The WLR also acts as a potent friendly force multiplier by providing critical information on enemy weapon systems.

The older version of India's Swathi WLR (Plains) operates on a passive phased array system with side lobe levels, making it capable of handling simultaneous fire from weapons deployed at multiple locations. It can effectively process a high density of returned signals caused by various factors such as weather conditions, ground clutter, and aerial objects, enabling it to provide real-time information for mission success.


Swathi Plains vs. Swathi Mountains :


The Swathi radar comes in two versions: the Swathi Plains (WLR) and the Swathi Mountains (WLR-M). The Swathi Plains version is primarily designed to locate hostile guns, mortars, and rockets, and it can also track the fall of shot from friendly weapons for corrective measures on flat terrains like Plains, as the name of the version suggests.

On the other hand, the Swathi Mountains version, the one inducted yesterday, is a more compact and mobile version specifically designed for operations in mountainous and high-altitude terrains.The WLR-M, or Swathi Mountains, is capable of detecting mortar shells and rockets and tracking projectiles. It classifies projectile and non-projectile targets, rejecting unwanted signals like birds, clutter, and aircraft. Moreover, it offers trajectory estimation and launch/impact point extrapolation, automatically correcting for height to enhance accuracy. The radar system is equipped to store and display trajectory data and maintain communication with higher echelons for better coordination.


Swathi's Success :


The Ministry of Defence signed contracts on March 30, 2023, for the procurement of an improved Akash Weapon System and 12 Weapon Locating Radars (WLR) Swathi (Plains) for the Indian Army, worth over Rs 9,100 crore.Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated, "A welcome development, which will boost self-reliance and particularly help the MSME sector."

Last year, the IA ordered six additional Swathi WLR-M systems. With the inclusion of the recent orders for the Swathi Plains radar, the IA will soon operate a total of 48 such systems. The initial order of Swathi radars was delivered by BEL in 2007 and was accepted by the IA in 2008. As of today, according to estimates, the IA operates 30 Swathi MK 1 radars, with 12 more on order. Additionally, the induction of MK 2 radars began yesterday.

Also, in March 2020, India exported four Swathi Weapons Locating Radars to Armenia valued at $40 million. Both countries are currently discussing expanding their collaboration for defence equipment sales..

Source : Republicworld

A)
USA
B)
China
C)
North Korea
D)
India

Correct Answer : Option (D) - India

Made-in-India laser-guided Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) were successfully test-fired from Main Battle Tank (MBT) Arjun by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Army 4th August 2023 from the KK Range in Maharashtra's Ahmednagar.

The missiles hit targets with precision and successfully defeated them from two different ranges. Telemetry systems recorded the flight performance of the missiles.

The all-indigenous Laser Guided ATGM employs a High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT) warhead to defeat Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA)-protected vehicles.

The ATGM has been developed with multi-platform launch capability and is currently undergoing technical evaluation trials from a 120 mm rifled gun of MBT Arjun.

With today’s trials, conducted with the support of Armoured Corps Centre & School (ACC&S), Ahmednagar, the consistency of ATGM’s capability to engage targets from minimum to maximum range has been established successfully.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh complimented the DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful performance of the laser-guided ATGMs..

Source : India Today

A)
Russia
B)
Israel
C)
France
D)
United States

Correct Answer : Option (B) - Israel

Indian Air Force (IAF) received (3rd August 2023) air-launched Israeli Spike Non Line of Sight (NLOS) Anti-Tank Guided Missiles(ATGM) from Israel which can hit targets upto 50 km from a helicopter and 32 km from the ground.



The NLOS missiles will be integrated with the fleet of Russian-origin Mi-17V5 helicopters, manufactured by Kazan Helicopters.

Key features of Spike Non Line of Sight (NLOS) missiles :

* It was designed by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems.
* It is available in various configurations, including man-portable, vehicle-launched, and helicopter-launched variants.
* Utilizes a fire-and-forget system with lock-on before launch and automatic self- guidance features.
* The long and extended range versions of the Spike introduce the “Fire, Observe and Update” operating mode.
* Air-launched SPIKE NLOS ATGMs are capable of executing precise strikes against ground targets from standoff distances.
* Demonstrates the ability to inflict significant damage to enemy tank regiments and effectively halt their advances.
* It has the highest level of survivability due to stand-off range and passive guidance.
* It enables the handling of Anti-access/area denial (A2AD) targets

Increased production of missiles through “Make-in-India” :

A limited quantity of Spike NLOS ATGMs has been placed on order. There is intent to produce a more substantial amount of these missiles through the “Make-in-India” approach.

A)
USA
B)
China
C)
UK
D)
Russia

Correct Answer : Option (D) - Russia

Russia announced Wednesday (2nd August 2023) that it had begun naval exercises in the Baltic Sea, amid rising tensions with its European neighbours over the conflict in Ukraine.

Russia regularly holds naval drills in the Baltic Sea, often in response to NATO exercises in the area.

The Russian navy has played a key role in Moscow's assault on Ukraine by pummelling the Western-backed country with ship- and submarine-launched cruise missiles, among other weapons.

"The Ocean Shield-2023 naval exercises have begun in the Baltic Sea," the defence ministry said in a statement.

It added that 30 warships and boats as well as 20 support vessels would participate alongside some 6,000 military personnel.

During the drills, the navy will practise how to protect sea lanes, transport troops and military cargo, and defend the coastline, the statement said.

"In total, it is planned to perform more than 200 combat exercises, including with the use of weapons," it said..

Source : NDTV