Being strong with Current Affairs and General Knowledge is an added advantage in Defence Exams (AFCAT/CDS/NDA/TA) and SSB Interview, though this is not the only deciding factor, but this is an important factor because it shows how much aware you are of your surroundings, your country and international affairs. In this Article we will See important Defence Current Affair 2015 which could prove helpful in preparation of competitive written exams or interviews.

AFCAT/CDS/NDA/TA Defence Current Affair 2015

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• Anti-jamming capability of Astra missile successfully tested

Scientist from Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) recently have successfully tested crucial anti-jamming capability of the Astra missile. During the trials missiles ECCM (electronic counter-counter measure) features to overcome any jamming was successfully evaluated. This test was conducted after the missile’s RF seeker and other electronic components were sought to be jammed in the earlier trials.

• India’s first indigenously designed & built frigate INS Godavari decommissioned

India’s first indigenously designed warship INS Godavari has been decommissioned after 32 years of service. It was decommissioned at Naval Dockyard in Mumbai (Maharashtra) after it completed its full life cycle, meeting all responsibilities and duties assigned in 3 decades of service. After decommissioning, the ship would be used as a target to practice missile firing for final burial at sea.

• Indian Navy conducts large scale fleet exercise on eastern seaboard

Indian Navy has conducted a large scale Fleet exercise on the eastern seaboard to maintain high levels of combat readiness and counter emerging threats. The exercises were conducted across a vast geographical area on the eastern seaboard extending from Northern Bay of Bengal to Andaman Sea.

• Union Defence Ministry launches website for interface with industry and transparency

Union Ministry of Defence has launched a new Make in India website www.makeinindiadefence.com to make defence acquisition process simpler and to provide an interface with industry. The website was launched by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi. It was launched in line with Union Government’s ambitious goal in the process of creating a level playing field with more transparency in defence sector procurements.

• DAC gives nod to purchase of Russian S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems

Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared the purchase of Russian advance S-400 Trium Air Defence Missile Systems at an estimated cost of 40,000 crore rupees. Decision in this regard was taken by DAC meeting chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar in New Delhi. DAC approval for defence deal comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia later in December 2015.

• Pakistan successfully tests nuclear-capable Shaheen-IA ballistic missile

Pakistan has successfully tested the nuclear-capable Shaheen-IA ballistic missile with a range of 900 km. The test of the missile was aimed at re-validating several design and technical parameters of the weapon system. However the location of the test was not disclosed by Pakistan Government. It is second nuclear capable missile test to be undertaken by Pakistan in December 2015. Earlier Shaheen-III surface-to-surface ballistic missile with a range of 2,750 km was tested.

• Combined Commanders Conference held on INS Vikramaditya off Kochi coast

Combined Commanders Conference, an annual tri-services event chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was held on board INS Vikramaditya about 50 kms off Kochi coast. This is the first time when the conference was held outside New Delhi. It was attended by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval, all three services chiefs and other senior officers of three armed services.

• 44th Navy Day observed on 4 December 2015

44th Navy Day was observed on 4 December 2015. On this occasion, Chief of Naval staff Robin K Dhowan along with Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag paid tributes to martyrs at the Amar Jawan Jyoti in New Delhi.

• India-Russia joint naval exercise INDRA NAVY-15 begins in Visakhapatnam

The eighth edition of India-Russia joint naval exercise-INDRA NAVY-15 has begun in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. INDRA NAVY-15 is a bilateral maritime joint naval exercise between the Indian and Russian navies for epitomising the strategic relationship between the two countries.

• Interceptor boat ICGS C-422 commissioned into Indian Coast Guard service

Indian Coast Guard has commissioned interceptor boat ‘ICGS C-422’ into its fleet to further enhance its vigil along Pondicherry and South Tamil Nadu coast in the Bay of Bengal. It was commissioned in a traditional ceremony held at Karaikal port in Tamil Nadu by Puducherry Assembly Speaker V Sabapathy.

• India-Israel co-developed LRSAM missile successfully tested

Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) co-developed by India and Israel was successfully test-fired for the first time from an Israeli Naval Platform. Test: The trial test was undertaken by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) in the presence of Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists. During the test the missile achieved the desired goal by hitting the incoming target.

• Nuclear capable Agni-I missile successfully test-fired

Indigenously developed nuclear capable surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni-I was successfully test-fired from Dr Abdul Kalam Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast. The user trial of the strategic missile was carried out by the Strategic Forces Command (SFC) of Indian Army. Agni-I is the first missile of the Agni series launched in 1983 by the DRDO as part of Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) in India.

• Nuclear capable Prithvi II missile successfully test fired

Indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II surface-to-surface missile was successfully test-fired by the Indian Army. The missile test was carried out by Strategic Force Command (SFC) from a mobile launcher at launch complex-3 from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur in Odisha.

• Nuclear-capable Dhanush missile successfully test fired from warship Subhadra

The nuclear-capable Dhanush ballistic missile was successfully test fired from warship Subhadra, off the Puri coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal. The test was conducted by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and it was a perfect mission as the missile hit the target point with high degree of accuracy.

• Supersonic interceptor AAD missile successfully test fired

Indigenously developed supersonic Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile was successfully test fired from the Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

Test facts: The supersonic interceptor missile was launched after getting signals from tracking radars. The missile moved through the trajectory path and destroyed the incoming electronically prepared target missile in mid-air at an endo-atmospheric altitude. During the test, the kill effect of the interceptor missile was analysed from data collected by multiple tracking sources.

• Naval Ship Vishwakarma commissioned

INS Vishwakarma, the erstwhile Shipwright School (SWS) and a premier training establishment of the Indian Navy has been commissioned. It was commissioned by Admiral RK Dhowan, Chief of the Naval Staff at a formal ceremony held at Visakhapatnam. INS Vishwakarma was commissioned in keeping with the Navy’s thrust towards indigenisation and ‘Make in India’ initiative. It also was commissioned keeping in view the role of the SWS which has assumed greater significance presently in honing Indian Navy’s warship and submarine design.

• Nuclear capable Agni-IV successfully test-fired

Nuclear capable surface-to-surface Agni-IV missile was successfully test-fired by the Indian Army’s Strategic Forces Command (SFC). This was overall the fifth test of the Agni IV missile and earlier it had undergone 1 failed and 4 successful tests over the past five years. The last successful test was conducted in December 2014.

• Union Government notifies implementation of OROP for ex-servicemen

Union Defence Ministry has issued notification for implementation of One Rank One Pension (OROP) Scheme for ex-servicemen in the country. OROP scheme will provide ex-servicemen of same rank and same length of service uniform pension regardless of date of retirement.

• India-Russia Joint Military Exercise Indra-2015 begins in Rajasthan

The seventh edition India-Russia Joint Military Exercise ‘Indra-2015’ has begun in Bikaner district of Rajasthan. This edition of exercise is focusing on ‘Counter Terrorism Operations in Desert Terrain under a United Nations Mandate’.

• Indian Army successfully test fires Brahmos supersonic land attack missile

Indian Army has successfully test fired the Brahmos supersonic land attack cruise missile at Pokhran in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.

Test: It was conducted by Indian Army and Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO). It was test fired from an Autonomous Mobile Launcher (AML) in full configuration and met all the mission objectives.

• Fast patrol vessel ICGS Arinjay commissions in Kochi

The fast patrol vessel (FPV) of Aadesh-Class of Indian Coast Guard, ICGS Arinjay was commissioned in Kochi, Kerala. It was commissioned by the chief of Southern Naval Command Vice Admiral Sunil Lanba. ICGS Arinjay is the 15th of the 20 vessels being constructed by Kochi Ship Yard under the of Aadesh-Class .

• BrahMos missile successfully test-fired from INS Kochi

BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully test fired from on board of recently inducted guided missile destroyer INS Kochi off the western coast.

Test: It was overall 49th trial of the BrahMos missile. It successfully hit decommissioned target ship “Alleppey” which was stationed 290 km away after performing high-level and complex manoeuvres.

• 4th edition India, Sri Lanka bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 15 begins in Sri Lanka

The fourth edition of Sri Lanka-India bilateral naval exercise SLINEX 2015 began off Trincomalee coast, Sri Lanka. The six days exercise seeks to reinforce the strong neighbourly ties underscored by extensive maritime interaction and improved understanding between neighbouring both countries.

• Union Government approves induction of women fighter pilots in Indian Air Force

Union Government has approved induction of women into the Fighter branch of Indian Air Force (IAF). Henceforth, women are eligible to get inducted in all branches and streams of the Air Force. Union Defence Ministry has taken this decision keeping in view the aspirations of Indian women and in line with contemporary trends in Armed Forces of developed nations. Under the new rules, the first women fighter pilots would be selected from the batch which is presently undergoing flying training at Air Force Academy in Hyderabad, Telangana.

• India-China Joint Exercise Hand-in-Hand 2015 concludes in Kunming

India-China Joint Military Training Exercise Hand in Hand 2015 concluded at Kunming Military Academy in Yunnan province of China. It was fifth edition of the exercise between the two countries which had started on 12 October 2015. The 12 day exercise concluded with a Joint Field Exercise between armies of both countries followed by a closing ceremony.

• NATO launches biggest Trident Juncture Military Exercise in Italy

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has launched Trident Juncture Military Exercise in Italy to test the alliance’s ability to respond to new security threats. It will also demonstrate NATO’s capability to deal with conventional military engagements to more subtle hybrid warfare techniques and propaganda. It is the biggest military exercise conducted by alliance in past 13 years as it has mobilized around 36,000 soldiers, sailors and airmen from more than 30 countries of NATO.

• India, US and Japan navies kick off 2015 Malabar Naval Exercise

India, United States and Japan navies have started 2015 Malabar Naval Exercise of the eastern coast in Bay of Bengal and India Ocean. The high-end warfighting and complex trilateral exercise is part of annual series of exercises conducted to advance multi-national maritime relationships and mutual security issues.

• India celebrates 83rd Air Force Day

Indian Air Force (IAF) on 8 October 2015 celebrated its 83rd foundation day at the Hindon Air Force Station in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh. Significance of Day: It was celebrated for first in 1932 as an auxiliary air force of Indian Empire. The celebration of day seeks to increase the awareness about the importance of IAF as an important part of the national security.

• Indigenously built INS Astradharani commissioned into Indian Navy

INS Astradharani was commissioned into Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. It is Indian Navy’s first totally indigenously-designed and built Torpedo launch and recovery vessel (TRV). It is advanced replacement for INS Astravahini which was decommissioned from India Navy in July, 2015.

• Reliance Defence inks strategic partnership MoU with Emirates Defence Industries Co.

Reliance Defence has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Emirates Defence Industries Company (EDIC) in defence sector. The MoU seeks to boost partnership between both countries for manufacturing, knowledge transfer, services and technology development from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

• CCS clears Military helicopters deal with US aviation giant Boeing

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has given its approval to a multi-billion dollar deal to purchase Military helicopters from United States aviation giant Boeing. Under this deal, India will purchase 22 Apache Attack helicopters and 15 Chinook heavy-lift choppers from Boeing.

• Two Indian Coast Guard ships Apoorva & C-421 commissioned

Indian Coast Guard has commissioned two new ships named Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Apoorva and Interceptor Boat C-421. The ships were commissioned by Vice Admiral SPS Cheema, Flag Officer Commanding in Chief of Western Naval Command (Mumbai) off the naval dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• Anti-Tank guided Amogha-I Missile test fired

An indigenously developed second generation anti-tank guided missile, Amogha-I was successfully test fired. Test: Test firing was carried out on September 10, 2015 at Babina Army Range, Madhya Pradesh. In the test two missiles were fired and both hit targets placed at 2.8 km as well as 2.6 km respectively. Both missile flights met all design parameters and designed path profile without any deviation.

• AUSINDEX15, first Australia and India maritime exercise begins in Visakhapatnam

Inaugural bilateral maritime exercise between India and Australia AUSINDEX15, commenced off coast of Visakhapatnam. The inaugural biennial exercise began with briefings and practical demonstrations ashore between Royal Australian Navy and Indian Navy before moving to sea.

• 6th Indo-Maldives Joint Military Exercise, KUVERIN 2015 begins in Thiruvananthapuram

The sixth Indo-Maldives joint Training Exercise, KUVERIN 2015 has commenced at Pangode Military Station in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala. Aim of the Joint Exercise is to acquaint forces of both countries with each other’s operating procedure and increase understanding and interoperability between Armies of both countries.

• Delhi High Court allows permanent commission for women in Indian Navy

Delhi High Court in its landmark judgment has allowed women to get permanent commission in Indian Navy and allowed them to board on warships. The ruling was given by a Division Bench of Delhi HC headed by Justice Kailash Gambhir on the writ petition moved by a group of women naval officers both retired and serving. The HC also ruled that, henceforth female naval officers will have full term service in the Indian Navy and also enjoy retirement benefits same as their male counterparts.

• 50th anniversary of 1965 Indo-Pak war observed

50th anniversary of 1965 India-Pakistan war was observed across the country on 28 August 2015. President Pranab Mukherjee paid rich tributes to the war martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti, New Delhi. Army Chief, General Dalbir Singh, Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha and Navy Chief Admiral RK Dhowan also paid their tributes to the martyrs.

• India gifts former Indian Coast Guard Ship Varaha to Sri Lanka

India has gifted its former Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Ship Varaha to Sri Lanka. The ceremonial of handing over of the ship took place at the port of Colombo in keeping with naval customs and traditions. The patrol ship had been in service with Sri Lanka Navy as Sri Lanka Naval Ship Sagara since 2006. It will now help the island nation to further maintain maritime security in the region.

• Pakistan, Russia ink landmark defence deal

Pakistan and Russia have signed a landmark defence deal including the sale of 4 advance Mi-35 ‘Hind E’ combat helicopters to Pakistan. The agreement was signed by top defence officials from both countries in Rawalpindi as per negotiations for the deal which had taken place in 2014.

• India’s first Harbour Defence System commissioned in Kochi

ndia’s first Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence and Surveillance System (IUHDSS) was commissioned in Kochi, Kerala. First of its kind system in the country is part of initiatives to strengthen and beef up coastal security in the western coastline.

• Kalyani Group partners with Israel’s Rafael to make Spike Missile

India’s Kalyani Group and Israel’s Rafael have partnered to produce Spike Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) in India. In this regard both the entities have formed a manufacturing Joint Venture (JV) and this move is considered to deepen India-Israel strategic cooperation. The manufacturing JV will be as per the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) guidelines which means that the 51% ownership stake in JV will hold by the Kalyani Group.

• Union Home Ministry approves 17 new police battalions for J&K, Naxal-hit states

Union Home Ministry has approved to raise seventeen new police battalions in Jammu and Kashmir and the Naxal-hit states. Of these 17 police battalions, 5 battalions will be for Jammu and Kashmir and 12 for the Maoist-affected states. In this regard central government will provide financial assistance which is around 61 crore rupees. 75 per cent of the required will be provided by the central government.

• India and Myanmar to strengthen Defence ties

India and Myanmar have announced plans to strengthen their defence cooperation during a joint consultative commission (JCC) meeting held in New Delhi. JCC meeting was chaired by Union External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Myanmar’s Foreign Minister Wunna Maung Lwin.

• INS Astravahini decommissioned after 31 years of service

INS Astravahini, indigenously built torpedos launch and recovery vessel was decommissioned after its service for almost 31 years to the nation.

• Nag anti-tank missile tested from helicopter platform

Indigenously developed Nag anti-tank guided missile was successfully tested from a helicopter platform. Test: During the test, three-round trial of helicopter-launched Nag (HeliNa) missile were conducted at a Chandhan firing range in Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The two of the trials successfully had hit the target while one had reportedly missed the target.

• Lt Gen Man Mohan Singh Rai appointed as new Vice-Chief of Army

Lt Gen Man Mohan Singh Rai has been appointed as new Vice-Chief of the Indian Army. He is presently the Eastern Army Commander and will succeed Lt Gen Philip Campose who superannuates on 31 July 2015.

• Indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash Missile inducted in IAF

Indigenously developed supersonic surface-to-air Akash Missile has been inducted in Indian Air Force (IAF). The Akash missile was inducted by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar at a function held at Maharajpur Airbase in Gwalior after he handed over the symbolic key of Akash defence system (ADS) to Air chief Marshal Arup Raha.

Few Highlights:

Light Combat Helicopter successfully clears hot weather trials at Jodhpur

Sri Lanka, China begin joint military training exercise ‘Silk Route- 2015’

China conducts fourth test of Wu-14 nuclear delivery hypersonic vehicle

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier INS Vikrant undocked at Cochin

India, US ink new 10-year Defence Framework Agreement

Pinaka Mark-II rockets successfully tested at Pokhran

Tripura government decides to withdraw AFSPA from state

India-Singapore bilateral naval exercise SIMBEX-15 commences in Singapore

Union Cabinet approves PSLV Continuation Programme

Yamuna Expressway becomes India’s first road runway after IAF Mirage 2000 jet successfully lands

Astra missile successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI in Odisha

INS Kavaratti, anti-submarine warfare ship launched in Kolkata

BrahMos land-attack cruise missile successfully test-fired from Car Nicobar Islands

Indian Navy commissions INS Sardar Patel naval base in Porbandar

North Korea successfully conducts underwater test-fire of submarine-launched ballistic missile

Indian Army inducted the first regiment of the indigenously-developed surface-to-air Akash missile system.

14th edition of Indo-French naval exercise VARUNA concludes

Indian Army conducts Akraman–II defense exercise in Rajasthan

INS Visakhapatnam, stealth destroyer of Indian Navy launched

India successfully test-fires nuclear-capable Agni-III ballistic missile

Indigenously Developed Astra successfully test-fired from Sukhoi-30 MKI fighter aircraft

India-Nepal joint military exercise Surya Kiran VIII concludes

India successfully test-fires N-capable Prithvi-II missile in Odisha

10th Aero India show begins in Bengaluru

HAL signs contract with IAF to supply 14 Dornier-228 aircrafts

Army Day is being observed on 15 January