DEFENCE UPDATES 21 JUNE 2021

Maiden Indian Navy – European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) Exercise in Gulf of Aden

• Participating Ships: Indian Navy Ship INS Trikand, Italian Navy Ship ITS Carabinere, Spanish Navy Ship ESPS Navarra, and two French Navy Ship FS Tonnerre and FS Surcouf.
• Things done: Advanced air defence and anti-submarine exercises, cross deck helicopter operations, tactical maneuvers, boarding operations, underway replenishment, Search & Rescue, Man Overboard drills, and other maritime security operations.

EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy converge on multiple issues including:

• Counter piracy operations and protection of vessels deployed under the charter of World Food Programme (UN WFP)
• Regular interaction through SHADE (Shared Awareness and De-confliction) meetings held annually in Bahrain.
• Ensuring freedom of seas and commitment to an open, inclusive and a rules-based international order.

Raksha Mantri dedicates to the nation 12 roads, built by BRO, in Northern & Eastern border areas

• At an event organised in Lakhimpur district of Assam, the Raksha Mantri e-inaugurated a 20-km long double lane Kimin-Potin road, along with nine other roads in Arunachal Pradesh and one each in the Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir. The roads have been constructed under ‘Arunank’, ‘Vartak’, ‘Brahmank’, ‘Udayak’, ‘Himank’ and ‘Sampark’ projects of BRO.

8^th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus

• The Eastern Fleet ships participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Malabar-20, La Perouse, PASSEX with various navies and undertook Op Sahayam and Mission SAGAR for delivery of HADR stores and Op Samudra Setu for evacuation of stranded Indian citizen from overseas.

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh stressed on “peaceful resolutions of disputes through dialogue and adherence to international rules and laws”.
• India has strengthened its cooperative engagements in the Indo-Pacific based on converging visions and values for promotion of peace, stability and prosperity in the region.

Fleet Awards Function 2021

• This marks the culmination of the Operational Cycle of the Eastern Fleet and recognises accomplishments of the ‘Sword Arm’ of the Eastern Naval Command. Vice Admiral Ajendra Bahadur Singh AVSM, VSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief ENC was the Chief Guest at the event hosted by Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti VSM, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet.
• Best Ship of the Eastern Fleet amongst Capital ships – INS Sahyadri.
• Most Spirited Ship for displaying indomitable spirit and grit whilst undertaking a plethora of challenging missions – INS Kamorta.
• Best Corvette and similar class ships trophy – INS Kiltan & INS Khukri.
• The Eastern Fleet ships participated in several bilateral and multilateral exercises such as Malabar-20, La Perouse, PASSEX with various navies and undertook Op Sahayam and Mission SAGAR for delivery of HADR stores and Op Samudra Setu for evacuation of stranded Indian citizen from overseas.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

1. Which Indian Naval ship participated in IN-EUNAVFOR exercise in June 2021?
2. INS Shivalik
3. INS Trikand
4. INS Godavari
5. INS Kavaratti

ANSWER: B

• Which of these ships did not participate in EUNAVFOR?
• ITS Carabinere
• ESPS Navarra
• FS Tonnerre
• FS Charles de Gaule

ANSWER: D

• Recently, Raksha Mantri dedicated to the nation 12 roads, built by BRO, in Northern & Eastern border areas. How many of these were built in Arunachal Pradesh?
• 10
• 01
• 09
• 06

ANSWER: A

• Which of these is not a project of BRO?
• Arunank
• Vidhayak
• Vartak
• Brahmank

ANSWER: B

• Number of countries in ASEAN?
• 10
• 11
• 12
• 13

ANSWER: A

• Number of countries that participated in 8^th ADMM Plus Meeting?
• 18
• 19
• 20
• 21

ANSWER: A

• Which country is the Chair of the 8^th ADMM Plus forum this year?
• Laos
• Cambodia
• Brunei
• Philippines

ANSWER: C