Defence Current Affairs 1 – 10 January 2021
HON’BLE VICE PRESIDENT VISIT TO IAC (P-71)/ VIKRANT
- Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu, Hon’ble Vice President visited the Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ under advanced stage of construction at Cochin Shipyard Ltd at Kochi, on 02 January 2022.
- Later, the Hon’ble Vice President visited Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and unveiled Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial.
P-8I AIRCRAFT COMMENCE OPERATIONS FROM INS HANSA
- The Indian Navy’s Boeing P-8I aircraft commenced operations from INS Hansa, Goa with two aircraft arriving on 30 December 2021. The aircraft were inducted after the fitment of indigenous equipment and Flight Acceptance Trials. On arrival, the aircraft was welcomed by a MiG 29K formation.
P-8I AIRCRAFT COMMENCE OPERATIONS FROM INS HANSA
- The Indian Navy had acquired the first batch of eight P-8I aircraft in 2013 that are stationed at INS Rajali, Arakkonam. The second batch of four additional aircraft will be based at Indian Naval Air Squadron 316, to be commissioned at INS Hansa.
Pensioner Charged with Murder Will Get Family Pension
- Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoP&PW) vide OM dated June 16, 2021, had allowed family pension to other eligible family member in the event of family pensioner, charged with the offence of murdering the Government servant or for abetting in the commission of such an offence. Laboratory as part of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ and unveiled Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Memorial.
- Ministry of Defence, Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare has issued order on January 05, 2022, regarding application of provisions contained in the above OM of DoP&PW mutatis–mutandis (making necessary alterations while not affecting the main point at issue) to the Armed Forces Pensioners. This provision shall be applicable with effect from June 16, 2021.
BRO Breaks Record at Zoji La Battling Extreme Weather Conditions
- The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has raised its benchmark of excellence yet again by extending access of the formidable Zojila at an altitude of 11,649 ft, that links the Union Territory of Ladakh with the rest of the country. For the first time Zoji mountain pass remained open beyond 31st December.
- The BRO achieved this feat through its frontline Projects – Vijayak and Beacon. They are collectively responsible for maintaining the axis that has strategic implications, in addition to the socio-economic well-being of Ladakh. Last year the same was extended till 31st December 2020.
DG NCC Lt Gen Gurbirpal Singh inaugurates NCC Republic Day Camp – 2022
- Director General of National Cadet Corps (DG NCC) Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh formally inaugurated NCC Republic Day Camp – 2022 at Delhi Cantt on January 04, 2022. The inauguration ceremony started with ‘Sarv Dharm Pooja’.
- The RDC is held at the culmination of one complete year of training of NCC cadets and is conducted at Parade Ground, Delhi Cantonment from January 01 to 29 every year. The Camp is attended by around 2,200 cadets, specially selected from all over India.
Veer Gatha project – Announcement of winners
- Republic Day 2022 assumes special significance in many ways as it falls in the 75th Year of India’s Independence. As part of the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, many new events have been introduced for the first time as part of Republic Day celebrations.
- For the first time as part of Republic Day celebrations, the Ministry of Defence has envisioned that school students may be motivated to do projects/activities based on gallantry award winners. Accordingly, the Ministry of Education, Department of School Education & Literacy & the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) organized the Veer Gatha Project from 21 October to 21 November 2021 all across the country.
- More than 8,03,900 students from 4,788 schools spread over 28 States & Eight Union Territories participated in this event and shared their inspirational stories in terms of essays, poems, drawings & multimedia presentations. After several rounds of evaluation, on 06 January 2022, the ‘Super 25’ have been selected and declared as winners. A National level Committee selected the best entries.
- The winners will be given a cash prize of Rs.10,000/- each and will be felicitated on 25 January 2022 on their arrival in New Delhi and will witness the Republic Day Parade as the special guests of the Ministry of Defence.
Rajnath Singh Flags-in India’s First Multi-dimensional Adventure Sports Expedition
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, on January 07, 2022, flagged-in India’s first multi-dimensional adventure sports expedition conducted by National Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (NIMAS) in France. The expedition was conducted in November 2021 and the team was led by Director NIMAS Colonel Sarfaraz Singh, comprising 12 people – eight Army personnel and four youths of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The Multi-dimensional Expedition culminated with 12 deep scuba dives in the Mediterranean Sea. The hoisting and unfurling of the Tricolour were carried out by the team during each adventure activity in air, land & underwater. The team leader, having requisite qualification and experience in mountaineering, cycling, paragliding, and scuba diving, participated in all the four adventure activities held during the expedition.
Rajnath Singh Says, 100 New Sainik Schools To Provide More Opportunities For Girls To Join The Armed Forces
- Shri Rajnath Singh said, the Government believes in increasing the role of women in the Armed Forces and a series of steps have been taken in that direction, including clearing the way for admission of girls in Sainik Schools and providing Permanent Commission to women officers.
- The Raksha Mantri reiterated that Government’s resolve to provide opportunities to the youth of the country. National Education Policy-2020; increase in the vacancies in National Cadet Corps; Khelo India, Start-up India and Fit India campaigns.
Taliban Claims to Form 100,000-member Defense Force
- Afghanistan’s Ministry of Defence will form a 100,000-member Defense Force under Taliban rule.
- The current Afghan government has repeatedly called on the former security forces, who fled the country due to security threats.
Israeli Forces Say Launching Attacks on Gaza Strip Targets
- The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) are launching attacks against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, following two rocket launches from Gaza. As fireworks lit up the skies to celebrate #NewYear2022 around the world, a different type of fire came from Gaza – terrorist rocket-fire toward Israel.
160 Km Astra Mk2 Will Be Tested In 2022: Project Director
- Dr. S Venugopal, Project Director for the Astra Program speaking to Dr. Anantha Krishnan Tarmak Media House has confirmed trials of the Astra Mk2 that will have a range of 160km. Venugopal also confirmed that Astra Mk1 integration into Tejas Mk1 is nearly completed, and trials can happen any time in the coming weeks.
- Astra Mk2 when inducted will be India’s Second longest BVR air to air missile after Meteor air to air missiles.
V.S. Pathania takes over as Coast Guard Director-General
- V.S. Pathania took over as the 24th Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard on December 31 from Krishnaswamy Natarajan who retired from service.
- He is an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the National Defence College, New Delhi. He is a qualified helicopter pilot and holds a master’s degree in defence & strategic studies from the University of Madras.
DRDO Celebrates Its Foundation Day
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) celebrated 64th DRDO Day on January 01, 2022. The DRDO is working on multiple cutting-edge military technology areas, which include aeronautics, armaments, combat vehicles, electronics, instrumentation, etc. for defense.
- The DRDO was formed in 1958 from the amalgamation of the then already functioning Technical Development Establishment (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
KALPANA CHAWLA CENTRE FOR RESEARCH IN SPACE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
- Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science & Technology (KCCRSST) at Chandigarh University on January 03, 2022.
- Established with the objective of training students in space science, satellite development, and meeting future challenges in space research, the state-of-the-art KCCRSSTwould be the Ground Control Station for the Chandigarh University’s Student Satellite.
Indian Navy’s 1971 War Veteran Vice Admiral S H Sarma Dies
- The Indian Navy’s 1971 Indo-Pak war veteran Vice Admiral S H Sharma passed away in Bhubaneswar on Monday at the age of 99.
- Sarma, who turned 99 last December, was the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet during the 1971 war.
- Sarma also served as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command.
Indian Navy Has a New Plan To Buy 26 Carrier-borne Fighter Aircraft
- The navy is now looking for 26 carrier-borne fighters. This revised figure is for a reduced number of aircraft from that explored in a 2017 RFI for 57 aircraft.
- While the numbers are smaller, the acquisition needs to be addressed soon, given that India’s new Vikrant (IAC-1) aircraft carrier is expected to be commissioned this year. With the TEJAS (Navy) not considered fit for carrier operations
DRDO hands over Technology of Extreme Cold Weather Clothing System
- Dr. G Satheesh Reddy handed over technology for indigenous extreme cold weather clothing system (ECWS) to 05 Indian companies.
- ECWCS is an ergonomically designed modular technical clothing with improved thermal insulation and physiological comfort based required at climatic conditions in Himalayan regions.
- The 3 layered ECWCS is designed to suitably provide thermal insulation over a temperature range of +15 to -50° Celsius.
VISIT BY INDIAN NAVAL SHIPS TO BEYPORE
- INS Sharda, an Offshore Patrol Vessel & INS Kabra, a Waterjet Fast Attack Craft visited Beypore port for participating in Beypore International Water Fest. The fest was organised by the Govt of Kerala wherein IN ships and aircraft participated on 26 & 27 Dec 21.
- The ships were deployed towards ongoing 75 years of Independence celebrations at the behest of Southern Naval Command. The visit was aimed to raise awareness about coastal security and instil patriotism in the local populace.
Raksha Mantri Dedicates 24 Bridges & Three Roads Built By BRO To The Nation
- Shri Rajnath Singh dedicated to the Nation 24 bridges and three roads, built by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in four states and two Union Territories, through a virtual event from New Delhi on December 28, 2021. Of the 24 bridges, nine are in Jammu & Kashmir; five each in Ladakh & Himachal Pradesh; three in Uttarakhand, and one each in Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh.
- The main highlight was the inauguration of India’s first indigenous Class 70 140-feet Double-Lane Modular Bridge, built at the height of 11,000 feet at Flag Hill Dokala, Sikkim and Chisumle-Demchok road at Umling La Pass at over 19,000 feet in Ladakh which also holds the Guinness World Record of world’s highest motorable road.
India’s former Envoy to China Appointed Deputy NSA
- Vikram Misri, a 1989 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, who served as envoy in China amid the border dispute, has been appointed as Deputy National Security Advisor in the National Security Council secretariat.
- The appointment of Rawat, who was serving as the Indian envoy to the Netherlands before being given this sensitive post, comes in the midst of the lingering eastern Ladakh border standoff.
Japan plans Record Defence Spending in 2022
- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s government on Friday approved record defence spending, with a 10th straight annual increase in 2022, against a backdrop of China’s rapid military expansion and North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
- The budget for the fiscal year starting April 1 will rise 1.1% to 5.4 trillion yen ($47.18 billion). Big-ticket items in the draft budget include 128 billion yen for 12 Lockheed Martin Corp F-35 stealth fighters.
Biden signs $768.2 billion Defense spending Bill into Law
- President Joe Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, authorizing $768.2 billion in military spending. The NDAA authorizes a 5% increase in military spending.
- The bill includes $7.1 billion for the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and a statement of congressional support for the defense of Taiwan, measures intended to counteract China’s influence in the region. It also includes $300 million for the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, as well as $4 billion for the European Defense Initiative.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- Which Award was awarded to Group Captain Varun Singh?
- Veer Chakra
- Param Veer Chakra
- Kirti Chakra
- Shaurya Chakra
ANSWER: D
- Current Director-General of National Cadet Corps is__
- Lieutenant General Veer Singh
- Lieutenant General Gurpreet Singh
- Lieutenant General Ashok Singh
- Lieutenant General Gurbirpal Singh
ANSWER: D
- Which country is not the participant in the Malabar exercise?
- Japan
- USA
- Russia
- India
ANSWER: C
- Beypore International Water Fest was organised by the
- Govt of Kerala
- Govt of Tamil Nadu
- Govt of Goa
- Govt of Odisha
ANSWER: A
- Who is the chairperson of the DRDO?
- K. Sivan
- T.S.R Subramaniam
- G. Sateesh Reddy
- V.K Saraswat
ANSWER: C
- INS Sharda is a ______
- Submarine
- Offshore Patrol Vessel
- Oil Container
- Destroyer
ANSWER: B
- Which of the following is not the neighbouring country of Japan?
- Taiwan
- China
- Vietnam
- South Korea
ANSWER: C
- Indigenous extreme cold weather clothing system (ECWS) is designed & developed by which organization?
- BRO
- DRDO
- ISRO
- HAL
ANSWER: B
- A contract for procurement of quantity 6,01,427 Assault Rifles AK-203 was signed between
- India & USA
- India & Japan
- India & Russia
- India & France
ANSWER: C
- Second flight-test of the Agni P held from where?
- Trombay
- Sriharikota Range
- Dr APJ Abdul Kalam island
- Down Range Station
ANSWER: C
- ASTRA missile is a type of
- Surface to Surface
- Surface to Air
- Air to Surface
- Air to Air
ANSWER: D
- Rajnath Singh inaugurated Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science & Technology at
- Chandigarh University
- Lucknow University
- Delhi University
- Allahabad University
ANSWER: A
- BRO was founded on___
- 7 May 1960
- 8 May 1960
- 9 May 1960
- 10 May 1960
ANSWER: A
- Tejas is a ___ generation fighter aircraft developed in the country after a technology gap of two decades by DRDO.
- 2nd
- 3rd
- 4th
- 5th
ANSWER: C
- Indian Coast Guard comes under which ministry?
- MHA
- MoD
- MEA
- None of these
ANSWER: B
- DRDO day annually held on
- 2 January
- 1 January
- 4 January
- 5 January
ANSWER: B
- Who took over as the 24th Director General (DG) of the Indian Coast Guard?
- Krishnaswamy Natarajan
- V.S. Pathania
- R. Hari Kumar
- R K S Bhadauria
ANSWER: B
- S-400 air defence missile system is designed & developed by
- Turkey
- Russia
- North Korea
- China
ANSWER: B
- Israel is surrounded by how many countries
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
ANSWER: B
- ASTRA MK –I & II missile is developed by
- Dassault Aviation
- DRDO
- ISRO
- NASA
ANSWER: B
- With which country does India conduct a joint military exercise named “Exercise SAMPRITI”?
- Indonesia
- Bangladesh
- Sri Lanka
- Nepal
ANSWER: B
- Where is the headquarters of Western Command of Indian Navy?
- Kochi
- Vishakhapatnam
- Gandhi Nagar
- Mumbai
ANSWER: D
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