Passing out Parade – Autumn Term 2020 held at Indian Naval Academy, Ezhimala

• In a spectacular Passing out Parade (POP) held at Indian Naval Academy (INA), Ezhimala, on Saturday, 28 November 2020, 164 trainees comprising Midshipmen (99th INAC and INAC-NDA), Cadets of the Indian Navy (30th Naval Orientation Course Extended) and two International trainees from Sri Lanka Navy passed out with flying colours, marking the culmination of their ab-initio training.
• The parade was reviewed by General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff, who awarded medals to meritorious Midshipmen and Cadets on completion of the Ceremonial Review. Vice Admiral M A Hampiholi, AVSM, NM, Commandant, INA was the Conducting Officer.
• The ‘President’s Gold Medal’ for the Indian Naval Academy B. Tech course was awarded to Midshipman Ankush Dwivedi. The ‘Chief of the Naval Staff Gold Medal’ for the Naval Orientation Course (Extended) was awarded to Cadet Cedric Cyril. The other medal winners were as follows: –
• CNS Silver medal for INAC B. Tech Course -Midshipman Harshil Kerni
• FOC-in-C South Bronze Medal for INAC B. Tech Course-Midshipman Jesin Alex
• FOC-in-C South Silver Medal for NOC (Extended) -Sub Lieutenant Shubharth Jain
• Commandant INA Bronze Medal for NOC (Extended)- Sub Lieutenant Khushal Yadav
• The successful trainees marched with their gleaming swords and rifles held in salute, past the Academy’s Quarterdeck, in Slow March, to the traditional notes of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ – the poignant farewell tune played by Armed Forces around the world when bidding adieu to colleagues and comrades, for their ‘Antim Pag’ or final step at the Indian Naval Academy.
• General Manoj Mukund Naravane, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, ADC, Chief of the Army Staff congratulated the cadets on parade for their impeccable turn out, smart drill and movements on parade. He reemphasised the Core values of Duty, Honour and Courage. The Reviewing Officer complimented the Instructors at INA for having moulded raw young boys into fine young officers.
• The Reviewing Officer and other dignitaries shipped the stripes of the passing out trainees and congratulated them for their successful completion of the rigorous training. These officers will proceed to various Naval ships and establishments to further consolidate their training in specialised fields. Stringent precautionary measures instituted by the academy has helped in accomplishing the challenging goal of training about 800 cadets during COVID-19 and successful culmination of the Autumn Term 2020 at INA.

Talks Between Defence Ministers of India and Vietnam

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Minister of National Defence of Socialist Republic of Vietnam H.E. General Ngo Xuan Lich held bilateral talks via video-conferencing, today.
• During the talks, both Ministers reaffirmed the strong India-Vietnam Defence cooperation which is a key pillar of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. They discussed various ongoing projects and the future trajectory of bilateral Defence engagements. The Defence Ministers expressed satisfaction that despite the COVID-19 situation Defence exchanges between both Armed Forces have maintained a positive momentum. Both the Ministers discussed collaboration in Defence Industry capability building, training and cooperation in UN Peacekeeping Operations.
• In a further step towards deeper bilateral cooperation, both sides signed an Implementing Arrangement for cooperation in the field of Hydrography between National Hydrographic Office, India and Vietnam Hydrographic Office in the presence of the two Ministers. The Arrangement will enable sharing of Hydrographic data and assist in production of navigational charts by both sides.
• Raksha Mantri underlined Prime Minister’s vision of “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” for enhancing self-reliance including Defence industries. He outlined that a strong and self-reliant India shall positively contribute to capacity building of friendly partner countries like Vietnam. He urged for closer Defence industry cooperation between India and Vietnam by concluding an institutionalised framework Agreement in the near future.
• Raksha Mantri appreciated Vietnam’s innovative and successful leadership of Defence related events in ASEAN during its presidency of ASEAN despite the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
• Vietnamese Defence Minister thanked the Raksha Mantri for the assistance by Indian Armed Forces in capacity building of Vietnamese Defence Forces especially in the field of Human Resource development. Raksha Mantri conveyed India’s willingness to enhance the scope and level of training for all three services of Vietnam Defence forces in Indian Defence Institutes.
• Vietnamese Defence Minister also invited the Raksha Mantri for ADMM Plus meeting being hosted by Vietnam on 10 Dec 2020, through virtual mode.

President Kovind Army Guard Battalion Changes from Gorkha Rifles to Sikh Regiment

• The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, witnessed the Ceremonial change-over of the Army Guard Battalion stationed at Rashtrapati Bhavan today (November 28, 2020) wherein the 5th Battalion of the 1st Gorkha Rifles, on completion of its three and half years tenure as Ceremonial Army Guard Battalion, handed over the charge to the 6th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment.
• Different Infantry units of the Army function as the Ceremonial Army Guard in Rashtrapati Bhavan by rotation. The Army Guard Battalion performs ceremonial duties at various important events such as Guard of Honours to the dignitaries, Republic Day Parade, Independence Day Parade, Beating the Retreat Ceremony apart from performing ceremonial guard duties at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
• The Commanding Officers of the 5th Battalion of the 1st Gorkha Rifles and the 6th Battalion of the Sikh Regiment will call on the President later in the day. The President will also interact with the outgoing Battalion, the 5th Battalion of the 1st Gorkha Rifles.

MCEME Webinar on ‘Artificial Intelligence Based Prescriptive Maintenance for Armed Forces’

• ‘Major stakeholders discussed new ideas for a roadmap for effective AI based Prescriptive Maintenance implementation’
• In its efforts to increase the footprint of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the Indian Army and reap its benefits, the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME) held a webinar on “Artificial Intelligence Based Prescriptive Maintenance for the Armed Forces” on Saturday.
• Discerning readers will know that the Army’s Training Command based out of Shimla is responsible for the Indian Army’s doctrines and training and research development initiatives in all fields.
• “MCEME has been in the news for advancing the cause of technical research and education even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and was the proud recipient of the Golden Peacock National Award for Training,” an official release said.

Pakistan Buying Mini Drones from Turkey to Bolster its Border Offensive Against India

• According to the report, the Islamic nation is negotiating a deal to buy small drones from multiple Turkish companies to bolster its UAV fleet for deployment on the border with India.
• The Indian security forces recently shot down a drone in the Kathua region of Jammu and Kashmir, with reports of more drone shootings in recent months by the Indian army. Pakistan is, therefore, hunting for more drones, especially mini-UAVs, to up its game against India.
• With Turkish drones gaining worldwide popularity for their battle performances, as demonstrated in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and the wars in Syria and Libya, Pakistan is reportedly planning to profit from its closest ally’s autonomous assets.
• The reports in the Indian media also talked about Pakistan conducting trials in early September this year for the S-250 mini UAV at its 506 UAV base workshop. Subsequently, more trials were held in the 12 Infantry Division area from 8th to 18th September.
• The S-250 is considered an ideal drone for effective monitoring of a designated area at any time of the day, ensuring the security of assets, detecting acts of unauthorized activity in areas of responsibility. Despite its small size, it can fly for up to 3 hours, with a video transmission range up to 25 km, and a control range of up to 50-70 km.
• The Pakistan army has been looking for mini UAVs, which can stay for several hours in the air, to monitor the border, with a preferable range of 150 km. The trails S-350 UAV and there have been trials at Gwadar, Muzaffarabad, and Turbat, in Balochistan. It can be in the air for over four hours and has a range of 280 km.
• The unmanned aerial vehicle S-350 is designed for panoramic and planimetric aerial photography and video shooting and other similar tasks. Its modular architecture allows for quick and efficient changes of UAV payloads and aircraft equipment variations.
• The sealed design of the control system module and payload considerably prolongs the service life of the costly equipment under regular operation.
• Pakistan has also been negotiating to buy advanced drones from Turkish companies, such as Bogazici Savunma, a Turkish firm, for the ILTER drone detection and neutralization systems.
• The ILTER Drone Detection and Prevention System is the latest feature in today’s drones, with automatic detection, stopping and deception features against drones using ISM bands while communicating remotely.
• Turkey is becoming a hub of modern drone technologies and has exported its armed drones to many countries in recent years. The Turkish drones used in the recent Nagorno-Karabakh war helped Azerbaijan claim a decisive victory over Armenia, and Pakistan is aiming to bolster its offensive capabilities by incorporating the country’s newly acquired edge.
• Pakistan has a dire need for advanced drones as it is fighting a proxy war in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, where the UAVs can be used for dropping weapons and surveilling the target areas. The Pakistan army has used drones to supply AK-47s to the militants on the Indian side of the border multiple times in recent years.
• Besides, during the frequent border skirmishes, the army will need to keep an eye on the weapons and human targets on the other side of the border without exposing itself, which is why drone warfare will become the order of the day in the near future.

QUICK REVIEW

1. Who was the reviewing officer at POP at INA of the 99^th course conducted recently? 
2. Chief of Naval Staff
3. Chief of Air Staff
4. Chief of Army Staff
5. The President

ANSWER: C

• President’s Ceremonial Army Guard Battalion changed
• From Gorkha Regiment to Sikh Regiment
• From Sikh Regiment to Rajput Regiment
• From Rajput Regiment to Sikh Regiment
• From Sikh Regiment to Gorkha Regiment

ANSWER: A

• MCEME has recently conducted a Webinar on
• ‘AI Based Prescriptive Maintenance for Armed Forces’
• ‘AI Based Manufacturing Maintenance for Armed Forces’
• ‘AI Based Prerogative Maintenance for Armed Forces’
• ‘AI Based Autonomous Maintenance for Armed Forces’

ANSWER: A

• With which country did we recently sign the agreement “Implementing Arrangement for cooperation in the field of Hydrography”?
• Sri Lanka
• Phillipines
• Japan
• Vietnam

ANSWER: D