DEFENCE UPDATES 10 JULY 2021
U.S., Australian, ROK and Japanese Navies Train In Exercise Pacific Vanguard (PACVAN) 2021
- The nations met in the waters off the eastern coast of Australia to conduct cooperative maritime exercise beginning July 5.
- PACVAN is an opportunity for the four Indo-Pacific navies to strengthen their skills in maritime operations including anti-submarine warfare, air warfare, live-fire missile events, and advanced maneuvering scenarios.
- Representing Australia are the Royal Australian Navy Hobart-class destroyer HMAS Brisbane (DDG 41), Collins-class submarine HMAS Rankin (SSG 78), and aircraft from the Royal Australian Air Force.
- Representing the U.S. Navy is the newest addition to Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 15, Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Raphael Peralta (DDG 115).
- Representing the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is Takanami-class destroyer JS Makinami (DDG 112).
- The Republic of Korea (ROK) Navy Chungmugong Yi Sun-sin-class destroyer ROKS Wang Geon (DDH 978) participated in the exercise.
China Proposes “Africa-Quad” with Germany & France
- Xi on Monday, in a recent online summit, made the proposal of this cooperation on Africa, in the form of an invitation to French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel to join the development framework Beijing had launched with African countries in May.
- Separately, the French and German statements made no mention of the “Quad” proposal, however, France and Germany “welcomed China’s commitment to contribute to the restructuring of the debt of vulnerable countries,” as reported by a news agency.
- This three-way meet proposal was made after the Group of Seven (G7) countries launched a Build Back Better World Partnership to counter Beijing’s Belt and Road infrastructure-building initiative.
- On Tuesday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar addressed the first edition of the Indo-Pacific Business Summit, which saw the participation of over 40 countries including the US, Australia, France, Vietnam, Kenya, and Fiji.
- MEA explained that “the vision means the overcoming of the Cold War and a rejection of bipolarity and dominance and is an expression of our collective interest in promoting global prosperity and securing the global commons.”
HAL’s Rotary Wing Academy Training Nigerian Army Aviation Pilots
- HAL said six Nigerian Army officers were formally inducted into HAL’s Rotary Wing Academy on 5 July after a contract between HAL and the Nigerian Army was signed for phase one flying training.
- HAL established its Rotary Wing Academy in 2000 for the ab initio training of helicopter pilots. Training is carried out on Schweizer, Chetak and Dhruv helicopters.
BDL Signs Contract to Supply Akash Missiles to IAF
- Estimated cost of contract: Rs. 499 Crores
- BDL is the prime production agency for projects under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP). Akash is one of the missiles under IGMDP being manufactured by BDL, both for Indian Army and Indian Air Force.
- BDL has bagged new orders worth about Rs 2,803 crore (including taxes) during the FY 2020-21 which includes anti-tank guided missiles order worth about Rs 1,820 crore and surface to air missiles order worth about Rs 793 crore.
- With the contract signed for supply of Akash to Indian Air Force, the order book position now stands at about Rs 8,683 crore.
Sri Lanka Marks Chinese Communist Party’s Centenary with Commemorative Coins
- For the first time, Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has minted two gold and one silver commemorative coins to mark the centenary of the Communist Party of China and celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral relations with Beijing.
- The last time a gold coin was issued by Sri Lanka was in 1998 to celebrate the country’s 50th anniversary of independence from Britain.
- In 2012, the Central Bank had issued a nickel-plated silver coin to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations with Japan.
- Founded by Mao Zedong on July 1, 1921, China’s ruling Communist Party formally completed 100 years of existence on Thursday. It also remained in power since the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was formed in 1949.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
- Which nations are participating in Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2021?
- US, South Korea, UK, Japan
- US, UK, Australia, Japan
- US, UK, Australia, France
- US, South Korea, Australia, Japan
ANSWER: D
- Where is Exercise Pacific Vanguard 2021 conducted?
- East Australian Sea
- Japan Sea
- North Sea
- Baltic Sea
ANSWER: A
- China recently proposed “Africa-Quad” with:
- Germany & France
- Netherlands & France
- Germany & Netherlands
- Uzbekistan & France
ANSWER: A
- The China-France-Germany meet proposal was made after the G7 countries launched which programme to counter Beijing’s Belt and Road initiative?
- Build Back Better Nation Partnership
- Build Back Better World Partnership
- Build Back Better Water Partnership
- Build Back Better Roads Partnership
ANSWER: B
- HAL’s Rotary Wing Academy is training which country’s Army Aviation pilots?
- Cambodia
- Sri Lanka
- South Sudan
- Nigeria
ANSWER: D
- ___ is the prime production agency for projects under India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
- BDL
- BHEL
- NAL
- DRDO
ANSWER: A
- BDL had recently signed a contract to supply which air defence missiles to IAF?
- Brahmos
- Akash
- Prithvi
- S-125 Pechora
ANSWER: B
- For the first time, Sri Lanka’s Central Bank has minted two gold and one silver commemorative coins commemorating relationship with which country?
- India
- Pakistan
- China
- Bangladesh
ANSWER: C
- Chinese Communist Party was founded on:
- 1 July 1921
- 1 July 1927
- 1 June 1921
- 1 June 1927
ANSWER: A
- Chinese Communist Party was founded by:
- Liu Shaoqi
- Li Xiannian
- Mao Zedong
- Yang Shangkun
ANSWER: C
- People’s Republic of China (PRC) was formed in:
- 1 October 1947
- 1 October 1948
- 1 October 1949
- 1 October 1950
ANSWER: C
- Chinese currency is called as:
- Yen
- Baht
- Renminbi
- Kyat
ANSWER: C
