1 – 7 August 2021 Weekly Defence Current Affairs And Updates [DOWNLOAD PDF]

WEEKLY DEFENCE UPDATES 1 – 7 AUGUST 2021 Commencement of Sea Trials of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC(P71)) ‘Vikrant’ Designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and is being...

Hemanth Kasturi
August 7, 2021
3,070

WEEKLY DEFENCE UPDATES 1 – 7 AUGUST 2021

Commencement of Sea Trials of Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC(P71)) ‘Vikrant’

Designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) and is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
Made with more than 76% indigenous content.
Around 550 Indian firms including about 100 MSMEs are registered with CSL and are providing various services for construction of IAC.
IAC is 262 m long, 62 m at the widest part and height of 59 m including the superstructure.
There are 14 decks in all, including five in the superstructure.
The ship has over 2,300 compartments, designed for a crew of around 1700 people, including specialised cabins to accommodate women officers.
‘Vikrant’ has a top speed of around 28 knots and cruising speed of 18 knots with an endurance of about 7,500 nautical miles.

Keel Laying Ceremony for 1^st warship of ASW Shallow Watercraft (ASWSWC) project & 3^rd warship of Survey Vessel Large (SVL) project on 06 Aug 21

The ships are being built by GRSE as part of the indigenous shipbuilding program for construction of eight ASWSWC and four SVL for the Indian Navy.
The ships are partly being built under a unique Public Private Partnership model by GRSE at L&T Shipyard, Kattupalli.
The Keel Laying is a major milestone activity in the shipbuilding process and indicates the amalgamation of various blocks towards construction of a ship.

Chief of the Air Staff RKS Bhadauria Visited UAE

He was called on Major General Ibrahim Nasser M. Al Alawi Cdr UAE Air Force and Air Defence (UAE AF & AD) on 01 Aug 21.
They noted the rapid progress made in bilateral engagements and had wide-ranging talks to identify avenues and measures for further strengthening the robust relationship between the two Air Forces.

IAF Chief RKS Bhadauria Officially Visits Israel

As strategic partners, India & Israel enjoy strong, multi-dimensional ties, an important pillar of which is defence cooperation & military level exchanges. Both sides will discuss enhancement in-depth & scope of bilateral exchanges between the two Air Forces.

300 Trainees Pass Out from MTTI AFS Avadi

They culminated Basic Phase Training at Mechanical Transport Training Institute (MTTI), and POP Ceremony was held with the Chief Guest as Air Cmde S Sivakumar, AOC-in-C AFS Avadi.
The trainees of Automobile Technician trade, Automobile Fitter and Air Force Police trade respectively go through 24 weeks Joint Basic Phase Training at MTTI and complete their training.

Visit of Gen. M M Naravane to Southern Command

During his Pune visit, the COAS visited Tata Motors at Pimpri where he observed the operations of the assembly lines of Passenger and Commercial Vehicles and Engineering Research Centre (ERC).
A range of Tata vehicles including Xenon, AWD (4×4) Troop Carrier, Light Bullet Proof Vehicle and Combat Support Vehicles, namely Mine Protected Vehicles and Wheeled Armoured Amphibious Platform AWD (8×8) configuration were on display.
He also visited the Strategic Systems Complex (SSC) of Larsen &Toubro at Talegaon near Pune to witness their production facilities and developmental efforts towards modernizing the Indian Armed Forces.
Gen MM Naravane will be visiting INS Hansa in Goa.

DRDO virtually organizes 2^nd IEEE International Conference on Range Technology (ICORT – 2021)

Organised by Integrated Test Range (ITR) Chandipur on 05 Aug 21.
Inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence R&D and Chairman DRDO Dr G Satheesh Reddy.
More than 250 technical articles were submitted by experts on the relevant subjects, out of which 122 articles have been selected by a specialised technical committee.

Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar launches website on 75^thIndependence Day celebrations

Platform to connect Indians from world over to celebrate Independence Day: https://indianidc2021.mod.gov.in.
To provide all information regarding activities of the celebrations.
Live streaming of main event from Red Fort; Live feed in VR 360 degrees format.
Other key features include Special IDC Radio, Gallery, Interactive filters, E-books & Blogs.

INS Tabar at Port Stockholm, Sweden on 01 Aug 21

This is the first visit of an Indian Navy Ship to Stockholm in nearly two decades. The ship was received by Brig Gen Peder Ohlsson, Deputy Chief of Royal Swedish Navy and Group Captain Pankaj Mittal, Indian Defence Attache (DA) at Sweden.
A reception for limited guests, adhering to all COVID protocols; was hosted by INS Tabar on 30 Jul 21. Maj Gen Jonas Wikman, Deputy Chief of Joint Operations of the Swedish Armed Forces was the Chief Guest.

Airborne Tacticians Join Naval Air Arm

16 officers of the Indian Navy and 3 officers of ICG graduated as Observers and were awarded wings on the 05 Aug 21 at INS Garuda, Kochi.
2 officers graduated as Qualified Navigation Instructors (QNIs) and were awarded instructional torches.
Rear Admiral AN Pramod, Deputy Commandant, INA was the chief guest for the event.

Indo–Russia Joint Exercise INDRA 2021 Commenced at Prudboy Ranges, Volgograd on 04 Aug 21

The aim of the exercise is to facilitate joint training between Indian and Russian Armies to jointly plan and conduct counter terror operations under the United Nations mandate.

Know About Essential Defence Service Bill

Introduced in Lok Sabha by the Minister of Defence, Mr. Rajnath Singh, on July 22, 2021.
The Bill allows the central government to prohibit strikes, lock-outs, and lay-offs in units engaged in essential defence services.
The Bill amends the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 to include essential defence services under public utility services. Under the Act, in case of public utility services, a six-week notice must be given before:
persons employed in such services go on strike in breach of contract or
employers carrying on such services do lock-outs.

DEFINITION OF A STRIKE:

Under the Bill, strike is defined as cessation of work by a body of persons acting together. It includes:
mass casual leave,
coordinated refusal of any number of persons to continue to work or accept employment,
refusal to work overtime, where such work is necessary for maintenance of essential defence services, and
any other conduct which results in, or is likely to result in, disruption of work in essential defence services.

PROHIBITION OF A STRIKE:

The government may issue such order, if necessary, in the interest of: (i) sovereignty and integrity of India, (ii) security of any state, (iii) public order, (iv) public, (v) decency, or (vi) morality.
The prohibition order will remain in force for six months and may be extended by another six months.
The prohibition will not apply to lay-offs made due to power shortage or natural calamity or lay-offs of temporary or casual workmen.
All offences punishable under the Bill will be cognizable and non-bailable.

PUNISHMENTS FOR AN ILLEGAL STRIKE / LOCK-OUTS / LAY-OFFS:

No.	Offence	Punishment
1.	Persons commencing or participating illegal lock-outs or lay-offs	One year imprisonment or Rs 10,000 fine, or both.
2.	Persons commencing or participating in illegal strikes	One year imprisonment or Rs 10,000 fine, or both.
3.	Persons instigating, inciting, or taking actions to continue illegal strikes, or knowingly supplying money for such purposes	Two years imprisonment or Rs 15,000 fine, or both
Further, such an employee(s) will be liable to disciplinary action including dismissal as per the terms and conditions of his service.

President Addresses Student Officers of 77^th Staff Course of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington

Shri Ram Nath Kovind addressed the Student Officers of DSSC Wellington in Tamil Nadu on August 4, 2021.
He appreciated the outstanding grit and determination displayed by men and women of the armed forces in dealing with the situation on our borders as well as the Covid-19 pandemic.
The President said that Geo-strategic and geo-political compulsions and many other factors have made the security landscape more complex.

Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, AVSM, NM assumes Charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff

Alumnus of NDA Khadakwasla, Naval Staff College at the US Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, and the Naval War College, Mumbai.
A Navigation and Direction specialist.
Commanded INS Brahmaputra, INS Nireekshak, INS Alleppey & INS Ganga.
Held many major appointments.

Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Chawla takes over as the new Director General of Artillery

Commissioned into a Field Regiment of Artillery in June 1984.
The General officer served as a Military Observer at the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNOMIL).
His civil qualifications include dual Master degree in Defence & Strategic Studies and Weapon Systems and a Master of Philosophy degree in Defence and Strategic Studies.

Rear Admiral Subir Mukherjee took over as Admiral Superintendent of Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY)

Prior to assuming the present appointment, the Flag Officer held the post of Command Refit Officer at HQENC (Visakhapatnam).
Commissioned into Engineering Branch of the Indian Navy in November 1988.
He has served as the Warship Production Superintendent at Yantar Shipyard at Kaliningrad, Russia, overseeing the construction of Teg-class frigates.

Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor takes over as the new Commandant of Air Force Academy, Hyderabad

An alumnus of NDA Khadakwasla, DSSC Wellington, Flying Instructors’ School, College of Defence Management and National Defence College of New Delhi.
A pioneer in Aerial Refueling Operations and has flown the Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) aircraft.
He was previously Assistant Chief of Air Staff (personnel-Airmen & Civilians).

Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha AVSM assumes charge as Air Officer in Charge Personnel

Commissioned in the Fighter stream of IAF on 08 June 1984, in a career spanning 37 years, the officer has flown over 2900 hours.
He was the CO of a front-line fighter squadron and has also commanded a premier fighter base.
As an Air Vice Marshal, he held the coveted appointments of AOC Advance Headquarters, Commandant of College of Air Warfare, Assistant Chief of Integrated Defence Staff at Head Quarter IDS and Joint Secretary (Air) at Department of Military Affairs under MoD.

Overall New Appointments This Week

No.	Officer Details	Appointment	Date of Appointment	Previous Holder of Post
1.	Vice Admiral Satish Namdeo Ghormade, AVSM, NM	Vice Chief of the Naval Staff, Indian Navy	31 Jul 21	Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar, PVSM, AVSM, VSM, ADC
2.	Lt Gen Tarun Kumar Chawla, AVSM	Director General of Artillery, Indian Army	31 Jul 21	Lt Gen K Ravi Prasad, PVSM, VSM
3.	Rear Admiral Subir Mukherjee	Admiral Superintendent of Naval Ship Repair Yard (NSRY), Kochi	01 Aug 21	Rear Admiral Sanjay Sharma
4.	Air Marshal Sanjeev Kapoor	Commandant of Air Force Academy, Hyd.	02 Aug 21	Air Marshal IP Vipin
5.	Air Marshal Suraj Kumar Jha AVSM	Air Officer in Charge Personnel	01 Aug 21	Air Marshal Richard John Duckworth

REVIEW QUESTIONS

Which of these regarding IAC is NOT correct?

Designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND)
It is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL).
It is made with more than 56% indigenous content.
Around 550 Indian firms including about 100 MSMEs are registered with CSL and are providing various services for construction of IAC.

ANSWER: C

How many decks does INS Vikrant have in its superstructure?

ANSWER: A

Which of these regarding INS Vikrant is correct?

The ship has over 2,300 compartments
The ship is designed for a crew of around 1700 people
The ship has specialized cabins for women officers
All the above

ANSWER: D

Which among these regarding INS Vikrant is NOT correct?

Top speed = 28 knots
Cruising speed = 18 knots
Endurance = about 3500 nautical miles
No. of decks = 17

ANSWER: C

DRDO virtually organizes 2^nd IEEE International Conference on which subject on 05 August 2021?

Range Technology
Integrated Missile Development
Mass Drone Carriage System
Loyal Wingman System

ANSWER: A

IEEE full form:

Institute of Essential Electronics Engineers
International Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
Institute of Essential Electrical Engineers

ANSWER: C

Defence Secretary of Govt. of India:

Ajay Kumar
T. V Somanathan
Ajay Kumar Bhalla
Pradeep Singh Kharola

ANSWER: A

Who launched website on 75^th Independence Day celebrations?

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Minister of State for Defence Ajay Bhatt
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

ANSWER: C

INS Tabar was at what port on 01 Aug 21?

Port of Stockholm, Sweden
Port of Degerhamn, Sweden
Port of Gothenburg, Sweden
Port of Bergen, Norway

ANSWER: A

Officers of the Indian Navy and of ICG undergo training as Observers and will be awarded wings at which naval base?

INS Hansa
INS Garuda
INS Rajali
INS Patanjali

ANSWER: B

INS Garuda is in:

Kochi
Ahmedabad
Visakhapatnam
Chennai

ANSWER: A

INS Garuda is adjacent which naval station?

INS Kochi
INS Hansa
INS Rajali
INS Venduruthy

ANSWER: D

Indo–Russia Joint Exercise INDRA 2021 Commenced at ____ on 04 Aug 21.

Prudboy Ranges, Volgograd
ITR Chandipur, Odisha
New Delhi
None of the above

ANSWER: A

Which minister placed Essential Defence Services Bill in Lok Sabha?

Home Minister Amit Shah
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
Water Resources Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi

ANSWER: B

Which among these is not defined as a “strike” under Essential Defence Service Bill 2021?

A mass casual leave.
Coordinated refusal of any number of persons to continue to work or accept employment.
Refusal to work overtime, where such work is necessary for maintenance of essential defence services.
Mass leaves taken by the workers due to health reasons.

ANSWER: D

According to Essential Defence Service Bill, the prohibition of a strike order will remain in force for __ months and may be extended by another ___ months.

6, 12
6, 6
12, 12
12, 6

ANSWER: B

According to Essential Defence Services Bill, the punishment for the persons instigating, inciting, or taking actions to continue illegal strikes, or knowingly supplying money for such purposes is: