WEEKLY DEFENCE UPDATES 8 – 14 AUGUST 2021
21 Indo-Pacific Nations Kick Off 20th SEACAT Exercise
- Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) Exercise began in Singapore and virtually on 10 Aug 21. It is a multilateral exercise designed to enhance cooperation among Southeast Asian countries and provide mutual support and a common goal to address crises, contingencies, and illegal activities in the maritime domain using standardized tactics, techniques, and procedures.
- Signifying the largest iteration to date, 21 nations will participate, including Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Canada, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Maldives, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.
- A maritime operations center in the International Fusion Center in Singapore will serve as a centralized hub for crisis coordination and information sharing. In all, SEACAT includes 10 ships and more than 400 personnel.
- United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC), EU Critical Maritime Route Wider Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO), and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) are also participants.
Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC(P71)) ‘Vikrant’ Returns After Successful Maiden Sea Voyage
- She had sailed on 04 Aug 21 from Kochi.
- During the maiden sailing, ship’s performance, including hull, main propulsion, Power Generation and Distribution (PGD) and auxiliary equipment were tested.
- Indigenous Aircraft Carrier (IAC) ‘Vikrant’ designed by Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Design (DND) is being built at Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), a Public Sector Shipyard under Ministry of Shipping (MoS). IAC is a leading example of the nation’s quest for “Atmanirbhar Bharat” and Indian Navy’s “Make in India” initiative, with more than 76% indigenous content.
- Trials, which were reviewed by Vice Admiral AK Chawla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Southern Naval Command on the last day; have progressed as planned and system parameters have been proved satisfactory.
Indian Army’s 101-member contingent to participate in International Army Games – 2021 in Russia
- IAG-2021 held from 22 Aug 21 to 04 Sep 2021.
- The contingent will participate in Army Scout Masters Competition (ASMC), Elbrus Ring, Polar Star, Sniper Frontier and Safe Route games showcasing various drills in High Altitude Area terrain, operations in snow, sniper actions, combat engineering skills in obstacle ridden terrain in the various competitions.
- Previously India stood first amongst the eight countries that had participated in Army Scouts Master Competition 2019 in Jaisalmer.
INS Shivalik & INS Kadmatt at Brunei to enhance ties
- In pursuance of India’s ‘Act East’ Policy, INS Shivalik and INS Kadmatt arrived at Muara, Brunei as part of their deployment to Southeast Asia on 09 Aug 21.
- During the stay at Muara the crew of both the ships participated in various bilateral professional interactions with Royal Brunei Navy.
- The bilateral exercise would conclude with a Passage Exercise with Brunei Navy at sea on 12 Aug 21.
- On completion of bilateral exercise with Royal Brunei Navy, the ships will head to Guam to participate in exercise MALABAR-21 with the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the United States Navy (USN).
Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Air Force Central Accounts Office (AFCAO)
- To mark the occasion, a ‘Special Day Cover’ was released in coordination with Army Postal Service by the CAS RKS Bhadauria.
- AFCAO is responsible for centralised disbursement of Pay and Allowances of all ranks of IAF besides maintaining their Ledger Accounts, Provident Fund Accounts and release of other benefits till retirement.
- AFCAO has been commended by the ‘Chief of the Air Staff-Unit Citation’ for its excellent contribution in “Ops Support Role” in 2020.
INS Tabar, as part of the ongoing deployment, entered Bergen harbor, Norway, on 05 Aug 21
- On completion of port visit, INS Tabar participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with Royal Norwegian Navy ship, HNoMS Storm, a Skjold class FAC (M) on 08 Aug 21. A range of operations like surface maneuvers, Visit Board Search & Seizure exercise (VBSS) and vertical replenishment by helicopter were exercised.
INS Talwar Exercises with Kenyan Naval Ship Shujaa
- Post conclusion of exercise Cutlass Express INS Talwar undertook a Maritime Partnership Exercise with a Kenya Navy Ship Shujaa, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, on 07 Aug 21. Basic maneuvering exercises were undertaken by the ships to enhance interoperability and strengthen maritime cooperation.
Indian Army Team to Attempt Simultaneous Scaling of 5 Virgin Peaks in Tehram Shehr Glacier
- The Indian Army mountaineers from the Ladakh Scouts Regiment will attempt scaling APSARASAS I, APSARASAS II, APSARASAS III, PT-6940 and PT-7140 simultaneously.
- It was flagged off by Major General Akash Kaushik, Chief of Staff, Fire and Fury Corps from Siachen Base Camp on 09 Aug 2021.
Maiden Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise Set to begin between Indian Navy and Saudi Arabian Navy
- Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet (FOCWF), Rear Adm Ajay Kochhar visited the Fleet Cdr of Royal Saudi Navy’s Eastern Fleet, Rear Adm Majid Al Qahtani on 10 Aug 21 at King Abdul Aziz Naval Base, Headquarters for Saudi Eastern Fleet.
- The FOCWF also visited the King Fahd Naval Academy and met with the Commandant Rear Admiral Faisal Bin Fahd Al Ghufaily.
- Dr Ausaf Sayeed, Indian Ambassador to Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, visited INS Kochi at Al Jubail.
- On 11 Aug 21, the Indian Western Fleet Commander accompanied by the Indian Ambassador called on the Governor of Eastern Province of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Saud bin Nayef Al Saud at Dammam.
Validation & Closing Ceremony – Exercise Indra-21
- It was held on 12 Aug 2021. The aim of the Indo-Russian exercise was to acquaint each other with operational planning, procedures, combat drills and conducting of joint operations against international terrorist groups.
- Please go through previous Weekly Defence Updates live class of SSBCrackExams to get a proper understanding of the exercise.
Maintenance Command Commanders’ Conference
- CAS attended the Conference of at Vayu Sena Nagar, Nagpur on 11 & 12 Aug 21. On arrival, he was received by Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary, AOC-in-C MC.
- The two-day event was attended by Commanders of Base Repair Depots, Equipment Depots, and other Stations/Units under MC, who reviewed ongoing projects and took stock of goals and tasks for MC in the year ahead.
Indian Army Unfurled Tallest National Flag at Gulmarg
- The 100 feet high Indian flag symbolizes the beginning of a new era of peace and patriotism in Kashmir. The project has been jointly executed by the Indian army and Solar Industries Pvt Ltd. Foundation stone of the project was laid on February 7, 2021, and the flag dedicated to the nation on August 10, 2021.
- After the flag hoisting ceremony, the army accorded honour to the flag by saluting it. Ceremony presided by Lt Gen YK Joshi, Army Cdr Northern Command Indian Army who also honoured Next of Kin of soldiers who made supreme sacrifice in service of Nation.
- Set amidst the beautiful & salubrious surroundings of Gulmarg, Monument adds to the Tourist attraction of the local monument has already become a major draw for Tourists who have been flocking to take selfies with the National Flag.
REVIEW QUESTIONS
The 20th Southeast Asia Cooperation and Training (SEACAT) Exercise began in
- Singapore
- Brunei
- Bangladesh
- South Korea
ANSWER: A
Total number of countries participating in SEACAT 21:
- 18
- 19
- 21
- 26
ANSWER: C
Which of these is not a participant in SEACAT 2021?
- Maldives
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Laos
ANSWER: D
Which among these is not a participant in SEACAT 21?
- United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
- EU Critical Maritime Route Wider Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO)
- International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)
- United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)
ANSWER: D
International Army Games – 2021 will be held from 22 Aug 21 to 04 Sep 2021 at:
- United Kingdom
- Russia
- Japan
- India
ANSWER: B
Which country stood first amongst the eight countries that had participated in Army Scouts Master Competition 2019 in Jaisalmer previously?
- South Korea
- India
- Russia
- Japan
ANSWER: B
Recently (Aug 2021) which Indian Naval ships arrived at Brunei to enhance ties?
- INS Shivalik & INS Kadmatt
- INS Kiltan & INS Kadmatt
- INS Shivalik & INS Kiltan
- INS Kiltan & INS Talwar
ANSWER: A
To mark the occasion of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of AFCAO, a ‘Special Day Cover’ was released in coordination with which Army Organization by the CAS RKS Bhadauria?
- Army Ordinance Corps
- Army Dental Service
- Army Postal Service
- Army Education Corps
ANSWER: C
AFCAO is responsible for:
- Centralised disbursement of Pay and Allowances of all ranks of IAF
- Maintaining Ledger Accounts
- Maintaining Provident Fund Accounts
- All the above
ANSWER: D
INS Tabar participated in a Maritime Partnership Exercise with which Royal Norwegian Navy ship on 08 August 2021?
- HNoMS Storm
- HNoMS Utsira
- HNoMS Skudd
- HNoMS Steil
ANSWER: A
On 07 August 21, INS Talwar did an exercise with which Kenyan Naval Ship?
- KNS Nyayo
- KNS Umoja
- KNS Shupavu
- KNS Shujaa
ANSWER: D
Fire and Fury Corps original name:
- XVII Corps
- XV Corps
- XIV Corps
- XVIII Corps
ANSWER: C
Commander of Fire and Fury Corps
- Major General Akash Kaushik
- Lieutanant General Devendra Pratap Pandey
- Lieutenant General PGK Menon
- Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar
ANSWER: C
Indian Army Team will be attempting to simultaneously scale 5 Virgin Peaks in which glacier?
- Chorabari glacier
- Tehram Shehr glacier
- Bara Shigri glacier
- Kafni glacier
ANSWER: B
Indian Army Team will be attempting to simultaneously scale 5 Virgin Peaks in Tehram Shehr Glacier. This event was flagged off at:
- Siachen Base Camp on 09 Aug 2021
- Makalu Base Camp on 09 Aug 2021
- Siachen Base Camp on 10 Aug 2021
- Makalu Base Camp on 10 Aug 2021
ANSWER: A
Which among these is not the one among the five Virgin Peaks in Tehram Shehr Glacier that our Army team is attempting to climb?
- APSARASAS I
- APSARASAS II
- APSARASAS III
- APSARASAS IV
ANSWER: D
King Fahd Naval Academy is the national naval academy of:
- Qatar
- Maldives
- Saudi Arabia
- Egypt
ANSWER: C
Maiden Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise is set to begin between Indian Navy and
- Saudi Arabian Navy
- Qatar Navy
- Maldives Navy
- Bahrain Navy
ANSWER: A
Maiden Al-Mohed Al-Hindi Exercise Set to begin at:
- King Abdul Aziz Naval Base, Jubail, Headquarters for Saudi Eastern Fleet
- King Faisal Naval Base Naval Base, Jeddah, Headquarters for Saudi Western Fleet
- Both A and B
- Neither A nor B
ANSWER: A
Which among the following is not an exercise conducted between the armed forces of India and Saudi Arabia?
- Al-Mohed Al-Hindi
- Desert Flag
- Desert Eagle
- Al-Jubail
ANSWER: C
IAF Maintenance Command Commanders’ Conference was held at:
- Bangalore
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Nagpur
ANSWER: D
IAF Maintenance Command Commander
- Air Marshal Amit Dev
- Air Marshal Shashiker Choudhary
- Air Marshal Manavendra Singh
- Air Marshal BR Krishna
ANSWER: B
Indian Army Unfurled Tallest National Flag at:
- Gulmarg
- Leh
- Baramulla
- Kathua
ANSWER: A
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