MONTHLY DEFENCE UPDATES JULY 2021

12^th Indian Navy and Russian Navy Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘INDRA NAVY – 21’

• Held in the Baltic Sea from 28 to 29 July 2021.
• Initiated in 2003, this exercise epitomizes the long-term strategic relationship between the two navies.
• It was undertaken as part of the visit of INS Tabar to St Petersburg, Russia to participate in the 325^th Navy Day celebrations of the Russian Navy on 25^th July.
• The Indian Navy was represented by the stealth Frigate INS Tabar whilst the Russian Federation Navy was represented by Corvettes RFS Zelyony Dol and RFS Odintsovo of the Baltic Fleet.
• The included various facets of fleet operations such as anti-air firings, underway replenishment drills, helicopter ops, boarding drills and seamanship evolutions.

CAS Attends Training Command Commanders’ Conference in Bengaluru (28 & 29 Jul 21)

• On arrival, the CAS was received by Air Marshal RD Mathur, PVSM AVSM VSM ADC, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Training Command.
• CAS highlighted the need to be vigilant and remain poised to undertake all operational tasks assigned to the IAF.
• CAS presented the ‘Best Stations’ trophies to the recipients and in his closing remarks, he urged the Commanders to continue their efforts.

Indian Navy’s Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV)

• Remotely Operated Underwater vehicles (ROU) are remotely controlled by a human operator, whereas, Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs) are highly automated and operate independently.
• CNS Admiral Karambir Singh said: “The discovery of ‘Chinese-origin’ autonomous underwater gliders in the Indonesian waters indicate the extent to which underwater technologies are being harnessed for military advantage by China”.
• The Adamya AUV made by L&T capable to be launched from submarines 533mm torpedo tubes, which having operational endurance of more than 8 hours with speed upto 4 knots & dive upto 1500 ft. L&T displayed the Amogh, Adamya & the Maya AUVs in DefExpo 2020.
• “Advancements in Theatre and Strategic ASW would lead to advantageous outcomes in our favour, allowing us to deploy our capabilities in the right place at the right time,” Admiral Singh stressed.

MARCOS Conducted Training of Foreign Navy Personnel During Multinational Maritime Exercise Cutlass Express 2021

• Participating Force: INS Talwar.
• Dates: 26 July 2021 to 06 August 2021.
• Location: Along the East Coast of Africa.
• In the harbor phase (26 -28 Jul 21) at Bandari Maritime Academy at Mombasa, a team of MARCOS conducted training of personnel from navies of Kenya, Djibouti, Mozambique, Cameroon, and Coast Guard of Georgia.
• Exercise Cutlass Express is designed to improve regional cooperation, maritime domain awareness, and information sharing practices to increase capabilities between the U.S., East African, and Western Indian Ocean nations to counter illicit maritime activity in the Western Indian Ocean.

The 2021 edition of the exercise involves participation of:

• 12 Eastern African countries, US, UK, India
• International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
• International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol) 
• European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR)
• Critical Maritime Routes Indian Ocean (CRIMARIO)
• EU Capacity Building Mission of Somalia.

Induction Ceremony of Rafales into 101 Squadron

• IAF formally inducted the aircraft into No. 101 Squadron at Air Force Station Hasimara in Eastern Air Command on 28 Jul 21. ACM RKS Bhadauria presided over the induction ceremony.
• The event also included a fly-past heralding the arrival of Rafale aircraft to Hasimara followed by a traditional water cannon salute.
• 101 Squadron is the second IAF Squadron to be equipped with Rafale aircraft. The Squadron was formed on 01 May 1949 at Palam and has operated Harvard, Spitfire, Vampire, Su-7 and MiG-21M aircraft in the past. The glorious history of this Squadron includes active participation in 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars.

22^nd Anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas

• The day marks the victory of Indian armed forces in Operation Vijay in 1999 when they evicted the infiltrators backed by the Pakistani army from high outposts in the Kargil sector.
• President Ram Nath Kovind became the first President to visit Kargil War Memorial at Drass and he participated in the celebrations. CDS Gen Bipin Rawat also paid homage to the martyrs.
• India is also celebrating the Golden Victory of Bangladesh Liberation this year.

BRIEF HISTORY OF KARGIL WAR OF 1999:

• Kargil war took place between May 3 and July 26, 1999, in Kargil of Kashmir and along the Line of Control.
• This was a 60-day long war, fought at an altitude of 8780 feet, in minus 10-degree Celsius temperatures.
• First intelligence report was received when local Kargil shepherds noticed major activities in the foothills on 3 May 1999.
• When India investigated, it was surprising that Pakistan has ordered lakhs of high-altitude gear from UK.
• Later we came to know that Pakistan is trying to infiltrate and capture Kargil and the surrounding areas that might be a strategic gain in later capturing all of Kashmir. In response, Indian Army launched Operation Vijay.
• This was the time when K R Narayanan was the President of India, Vajpayee ji was the Prime Minister, Gen. Ved Prakash Malik was the Chief of the Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal Anil Yashwant Tipnis was the Chief of Air Staff.
• Indian Air Force launched Operation Safed Sagar in response to help Indian Army in capturing posts that were difficult on ground warfare.
• Initially, Pakistan claimed that India was on war with Kashmiri independence activists but later, it gave medals to those who got killed in war – which proved that Pakistan had a hand in it.
• Among 5000 Pakistani soldiers & terrorists, 4000 died.
• Facing international diplomatic opposition and being severely crushed by Indian armed forces, Pakistan withdrew from LOC.
• The war is the most recent example of high-altitude warfare in mountainous terrain that posed significant logistic problems on both sides. It is also the sole instance of direct, conventional warfare between the nuclear nations.
• Kargil is just 173 km from Pakistani-controlled town of Skardu which was connected by road. It was closed in 1949.
• Pakistanis were humiliated by their defeat in 1971 war and that was an added fire to their aim to launch war in 1999. But Indian Armed forces are even smarter – we killed 4/5ths of them.
• However, we should also know about Operation Talwar of Indian Navy. Our white heroes created a blockade in Arabian sea and cut off all supplies to Pakistani ports. Navy’s eastern and western fleets did aggressive patrolling and blocked all oils and essential supplies – this proxy naval exercise was named SUMMEREX. Due to this, Pakistan faced severe losses. By the end of war, Pakistan declared that it had only that much oil left that will sustain nation for around six days. Operation Talwar is an unsung one, but it was crucial in creating a stop towards escalation of conflict. Under this operation, Karachi port of Pakistan was severely damaged.
• Grenadier Yogendra Singh Yadav, Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, Captain Vikram Batra and Rifleman Sanjay Kumar received Param Vir Chakras for their unparalleled dedication and sacrifice and brave attitude in combating Pakistanis in this war. Captain Anuj Nayyar, Major R S Adhikari, Capt Gurjinder Singh, Naik Digendra Kumar, Lt Balwan Singh, Naik Imliakum Ao, Capt K C Nongrum, Capt N Kenguruse, Maj Padmapani Acharya, Maj Sonam Wangchuk & Maj Vivek Gupta received Maha Vir Chakras. Many Vir Chakras & Sena medals were also awarded. It’s your duty as an Indian to share and remember these heroes. Let us feel proud of their sacrifice.
• After the end of war, in February 2000, Indian Stock Market rose by more than 30%. Next national budget included major increase in military spending.
• There was a surge in patriotism. National Democratic Alliance was re-elected in the 13th General elections in Lok Sabha with majority of 303 seats out of 545.
• Indo-US relations improved. Israel was the only country to support India during this war. It sent numerous ordinance supply materiel like Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, laser guided bombs and supply of crucial satellite imagery.
• Kargil Review Committee gave numerous changes to India’s nuclear and war docrines and contained huge classified informations.
• Kargil War Memorial, built in Tololing foothills, about 5 km from Tiger hill commemorates the victory with pride and honour.
• The national flag that is hoisted here weighs 5 kg and a Hindi poem “Pushp ki Abhilasha” written by Makhanlal Chaturvedi greets the visitors with happiness. The museum attached to this memorial showcases all equipment used in this war on both sides and the stories of the fallen heroes.
• May we gain pride and honour in remembering this day and try to do atleast a millionth of what these heroes did.
• Happy belated 22nd Kargil Victory Day to all of you! Jai Hind!

Raksha Mantri addresses SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (28 Jul 21)

Highlights of Shri Rajnath Singh’s address:

• SCO completed 20 years; has collective stakes to create a safe and secure region
• India completed 500 projects in Afghanistan; gave aid of USD 3 Bn.
• Peace and Prosperity cannot coexist with terrorism, which is a crime against humanity.
• Non-traditional threats like water security, climate change pose challenges as Covid-19 pandemic.
• Indian Armed Forces and DRDO played a stellar role to counter Covid-19 challenges.
• India determined to vaccinate 90 crore adult population and to help other friendly countries with vaccine.
• 6.6 crore doses of vaccines provided to 94 countries and UN peacekeepers.
• ‘Vande Bharat’ logistic service helped over 70 lakh stranded people including foreigners move out of distress.
• India accords high priority to consolidation of trust in security domain within SCO as well as strengthening ties with SCO partners.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flags-in Indian Army Skiing Expedition, ARMEX-21, in New Delhi

• Army Skiing Expedition is conducted in Himalayan Mountain ranges and was flagged off at Karakoram Pass in Ladakh on March 10, 2021, and culminated at Malari in Uttarakhand on July 06, 2021, covering 1,660 kms in 119 days.
• During the expedition, the team travelled through several passes of 5,000-6,500m, glaciers, valleys and rivers. The team also interacted with the local population of the far-flung areas.
• The team gathered information about several hitherto unchartered areas along international boundary.
• ​​​Raksha Mantri commended the courage, dedication, and spirit of the Armed Forces. Safety & security of the country is in safe hands, says RM.

DRDO conducts two successful flight tests of Akash-NG

• It was tested on July 21, 2021, and then again on July 23, 2021, at ITR Chandipur, Odisha.
• This is capable of intercepting high speed & agile aerial threats and is a force multiplier to the defence capabilities of Indian Air Force.

About Akash-NG:

• It is a new variant of the Akash missile that can strike targets at around 60 km and fly at a speed of up to Mach 2.5.
• Developed by DRDL, it is being produced by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
• The missile is reportedly cheaper and more accurate than US’ Patriot missiles due to its solid-fuel technology and high-tech radars.

DRDO Successfully Flight Tests Indigenously Developed MPATGM for Minimum Range

• Man-Portable Antitank Guided Missile (MPATGM) was launched from a man-portable launcher integrated with a thermal site on July 21, 2021.
• The missile is incorporated with state-of-the-art Miniaturized Infrared Imaging Seeker along with advanced avionics.

Do not forget:

• In June 2021, a new generation nuclear capable ballistic missile Agni-P (Prime) was successfully test-fired by the DRDO.
• In February 2021 India also successfully test-fired indigenously-developed anti-tank guided missile systems ‘Helina’ and ‘Dhruvastra’.

PASSEX with Royal Navy Carrier Strike Group – 21

• The maiden exercise between Indian Navy and the Royal Navy’s latest Aircraft Carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth (conducted on 21 to 22 Jul 21) included participation of CSG-21 comprising Type 23 Frigates and an Astute-class submarine in addition to the other surface combatants.
• Indian Navy was represented by IN Ships Satpura, Ranvir, Jyoti, Kavaratti, Kulish and a submarine. Anti-Submarine Warfare capable Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I also participated in the exercise.
• Regular IN-RN interactions over the years have augmented their professional content, interoperability and adaptability in the ever-changing security scenarios.

Air Warriors of IAF Representing the Nation in Tokyo Olympics 2021

Men in Whites Qualified for Tokyo Olympics

Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar, Chief Hydrographer to Govt. of India, Receives Alexander Dalrymple Award

• He received the prestigious award from the British High Commissioner, Mr Alex Ellis at a presentation ceremony held at the High Commissioner’s residence at New Delhi.
• He was awarded this in recognition of his unparalleled dedication, professionalism and leadership in the disciplines of hydrography and nautical cartography, not only as the Chief Hydrographer to the Government of India but throughout the Indian Ocean region.

About Alexander Dalrymple Award:

• The recipients of the award are selected by the chief Committee of the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO) for his or her efforts in raising the standards of hydrography, cartography, and navigation around the world.

About Alexander Dalrymple:

• A Scottish geographer and the first Hydrographer of the British Admiralty.
• Main proponent of the theory that there existed a vast undiscovered continent in the South Pacific, Terra Australis Incognita.
• Produced thousands of nautical charts, mapping a remarkable number of seas and oceans for the first time, and contributing significantly to the safety of shipping.

HAL’s High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (HAPS): India’s Futuristic Defence Satellite

• HAPS are advanced unmanned flying systems, which operate in the stratosphere at an altitude of 70,000 feet continuously for 2-3 months, to maintain surveillance on the ground below.
• The solar energized system is designed to act as a bridge between Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and conventional satellites. The futuristic project has not been designed by any other country yet.
• The design work has already been initiated by HAL and HAPS will be induced by 2024-2025.
• These unmanned aircraft may be airplanes, airships, or balloons and are stationed at a fixed place to enable versatile intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) options thereby eliminating performance and capability limitations of satellites.

Advantages of HAPS:

• Cost-effective and are easier to launch.
• Can be controlled from anywhere using Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) technology.
• Communication in remote locations or in deep seas.

HAL’s CATS – Another advanced milestone…

• In a ‘loyal wingman system’, an aircraft with a human in it operates an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) flying somewhere else using artificial intelligence.
• HAL along with the Bengaluru-based NewSpace startup is developing the indigenous ‘Combat Air Teaming System’ (CATS) drone that can be used in deep penetration strike warfare.
• On being aligned with CATS, HAPS can provide communication to the troops in strike missions with live video feeds and images.

4^th Edition of Joint Training ‘Exercise Ekatah’ Between Indian Navy Marine Commandos and MNDF Marines

• It was carried out at MNDF CTC over a span of 12 days wherein participants were trained in aspects of Special Ops, Combat Diving, & the interoperability of the forces.
• Closing ceremony was attended by V Adm AK Chawla, FOC-in-C Southern Naval Command, Mr. Sunjay Sudhir, High Commissioner, and Maj General Abdulla Shamaal, Chief of Maldives National Defence Force.

Vice Adm. G. Ashok Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff Visits Commander, U.S. 3rd Fleet

• He met with Vice Adm. Steve Koehler, the commander of U.S. 3rd Fleet, during a visit to San Diego, June 28.
• The purpose of the meeting, held at the invitation of Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, focused on U.S. and Indian Navy cooperation in the area of undersea domain awareness, and is part of a larger visit which included various stops throughout San Diego and the Pacific Northwest
• While in San Diego, VCNS visited Undersea Warfighting Development Center, Submarine Squadron 11, Undersea Rescue Command, Fleet Anti-Submarine Warfare Training Center, and the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt.
• In the Pacific Northwest, VCNS visited with elements of Submarine Development Squadron 5 and Commander, Undersea Surveillance.

Raksha Mantri launches Artificial Intelligence powered grievance management application CPGRAMS

• A tripartite MoU for the project was signed among Department of Defence of MoD, Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG) and IIT Kanpur on August 04, 2020. The AI tool developed has capability to understand the content of the complaint, categorize them, and gives geographical analysis along with whether the complaint was adequately addressed or not.

147 Additional Indian Army Women Officers Granted Permanent Commission

• A Special Number 5 Selection Board for screening Women Officers for grant of PC was constituted in September 2020 and results were declared in November 2020.
• Consequently, 147 more Women Officers are being granted PC, taking the total PC granted to 424 out of the 615 officers considered. Results of few Women Officers have been withheld for administrative reasons.

IAI unveils latest loitering munition at DEFEA in Greece

• IAI says the Mini-Harpy is the world’s only loitering munition with Dual EO/IR and Anti-Radiation seeker. The ability to seek and attack any target from any direction at any angle gives the Mini HARPY a significant advantage in any environment.

The loitering munitions family developed by IAI includes the:

• Harpy-NG – a third generation of the system homing against radiating targets,
• HAROP, a second-generation of a precision electro-optical attack system,
• Mini-Harpy dual (Electro-optical day& night + Anti-Radiation seeker) tactical advanced munitions system and
• Tactical loitering Green-Dragon system,
• ROTEM VTOL Tactical Loitering Munition.

Three Aircraft Carriers Meet Up in the Gulf of Aden

• UK, Dutch and U.S. naval forces conducted an integrated at-sea exercise on 12 July 21, designed to enhance maritime interoperability and demonstrate naval integration through a series of training scenarios.
• The Queen Elizabeth (UK) and Ronald Reagan carrier strike groups (CSG), alongside the Iwo Jima amphibious ready group (ARG) of US, conducted this exercise in Gulf of Aden.

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 06 Jul 21, 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, Sri Lanka 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.”

MoD implements SPARSH web-based integrated system for sanction & disbursement of defence pension

• SPARSH [System for Pension Administration (Raksha)] portal is available for pensioners to view their pension related information, access services and register complaints for redressal of grievances, if any, relating to their pension matters.
• This system processes pension claims and credits pension directly into the bank accounts of defence pensioners without relying on any external intermediary.

Egypt Inaugurates New Naval Base Near Libyan Border

• The new naval base, “3rd of July Base”, is located in Gargoub on Egypt’s northwest coast, around 255 kilometers (160 miles) west of the Alexandria port.
• The base aims to preserve the country’s economic wealth, secure shipping lines, and maintain maritime security by using naval surface units, submarines, and aircraft.
• The position of the 3rd of July base is strategic because it is located at the entrance of the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and very close to the Libyan border. Egypt considers the developments in Libya as a national security issue.

Webinar between IAF Training Command & CAPS

Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS), New Delhi

• It was established in 2001 as an autonomous defence research and analysis body for research and focused analyses on issues related to national security, defence, and aerospace issues in the evolving strategic and international security environment.
• CAPS is governed by a Trust, named Forum for National Security Studies, an independent non-profit NGO.

Lt Cdr Nitin Kumar adjudged Best International Officer at Egyptian Naval Command & Staff Course 2021

• Heartiest congratulations to Lt Cdr Nitin Kumar for being adjudged Best International Officer at Egyptian Naval Command and Staff Course 2021.
• The officer was also awarded best individual research paper among international officers.

GRSE Kolkata bags order for supply of patrol boats to Bangladesh

• The 13 metres six surveillance patrol boats for Marine Fisheries Surveillance Check-post (MFSC), Government of Bangladesh, will be used in surveillance activities, shallow water operations and patrolling fishing grounds day and night for illegal fishing gear and retrieval of survivors. The patrol crafts will be fitted with a water jet drive, suitable for shallow water operation up to 0.60 metres.

Entire Nagaland declared ‘disturbed area’ for 6 more months under AFSPA

• The Act empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without any prior warrant.
• Killings, loots and extortion cases have been going on in various parts of the state which necessitated the action for the convenience of the security forces operating there.
• The framework agreement (signed on August 3, 2015) came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland.
• However, there has been no progress in the peace talks as the NSCN-IM has sought a separate flag and constitution for Nagaland, which was rejected by the Central government.

South Korea Conducts its First Submarine-Launched Ballistic Missile Test

• This paves the way to the Republic of Korea (ROK) entering the “elite club” of countries able to design and field its own SLBMs.
• North Korea is arguably the 7^th country in the world to have acquired this technology. All countries that have designed SLBMs so far are nuclear states.
• South Korea is notably the only country that will possess SLBMs without strategic nuclear weapons.
• Details about the test are not fully open to the public, but it was reportedly conducted with a variant of Hyunmoo 2B missiles (locally known as Hyunmoo 4-4) that can be fired within the range of 500 km.
• The ROK Navy expects to enhance K-SLBMs after the Moon-Biden press conference confirmed that both countries agreed to lift the ROK-U.S. Missile Guidelines on May 2021.

Indian Army Inducts 12 Indigenously Developed Short Span Bridging Systems (SSBS)-10 M

• The SSBS-10 m plays a crucial role of bridging the gaps up to 9.5 m as a single span providing a 4 m wide, fully decked roadway, ensuring faster movement of the troops.
• R&D Establishment (Engineers) Pune, a premier laboratory of DRDO, has designed and developed the system in association with M/s L&T Ltd.

Youth from 25 countries to participate in Republic Day 2022 celebrations as part of ‘Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav’

• The National Cadets Corps (NCC) will be inviting youth delegations of 25 countries from across all six inhabited continents to participate in the Republic Day 2022 celebrations.
• Of these 25, 15 countries are going to represent their youth delegations for the first time and the rest 10 nations are those with NCC already conducts Youth Exchange Programme (YEP).
• 15 countries representing for first time: USA, Canada, UK, France, Japan, Oman, UAE, Brazil, Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria and Seychelles.
• 10 other participating countries with whom India already undertakes YEP: Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Singapore, Kyrgyz Republic, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Vietnam.

SCGS Zoroaster inducted into Seychelles Coast Guard

• Gen. Dalbir Singh Suhag, former Army Chief is now the High Commissioner of Seychelles.
• The 48.9-metre patrol boat was built by GRSE (under the administrative control of the MoD) at a cost of Rs. 100 crore and has a top speed of 35 knots and an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles.
• The vessel will be used for multi-purpose operations, such as patrolling, anti-smuggling and anti-poaching operations, and search and rescue.
• India gifted similar vessels to the Seychelles in 2005, 2014 and 2016.

REVIEW QUESTIONS

• 12th Indian Navy and Russian Navy Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘INDRA NAVY – 21’ will be held in:
• North sea from 29 to 30 July 2021
• Baltic sea from 28 to 29 July 2021
• Tyrrhenian sea from 29 to 30 July 2021
• Barents sea from 28 to 29 July 2021

ANSWER: B

• Chief of Air Staff attended the Training Command Commanders’ Conference at:
• Hyderabad
• Bengaluru
• Mumbai
• Chennai

ANSWER: B

• During the harbor phase, the MARCOS conducted training of foreign navy personnel during Multinational Maritime Exercise Cutlass Express 2021 at:
• Bandari Maritime Academy, Mombasa, Kenya
• Egyptian Naval Academy, Alexandria Governorate, Egypt
• Interarmas General Obiang Military Academy, Equatorial Guinea
• Higher Technical Military Institute, Guinea-Bissau

ANSWER: A

• Which among these nations’ naval personnel was not trained by Indian Navy MARCOS during Multinational Maritime Exercise Cutlass Express 2021?
• Kenya
• Djibouti
• Cameroon
• Madagascar

ANSWER: D

• 2021’s SCO Defence Ministers’ meeting was held at:
• Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
• Dushanbe, Tajikistan
• Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan

ANSWER: C

• Army Skiing Expedition is conducted in Himalayan Mountain ranges and was flagged off at which Pass in Ladakh on March 10, 2021?
• Zanskar
• Karakoram
• Pir Panjal
• Siwaliks

ANSWER: B

• Akash-NG is being produced by Bharat Electronics Ltd and:
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
• Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL)
• Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
• Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

ANSWER: D

• One of the outstanding features of Akash-NG is that:
• It is reportedly cheaper and more accurate than US’ Patriot missiles due to its solid-fuel technology and high-tech radars.
• It can be launched underwater with Mach 2 due to its torpedo-type propulsion injection technology.
• Both A and B.
• Neither A nor B.

ANSWER: A

• Which of these is not correct regarding recent PASSEX between Indian and British Navies in Indian Ocean?
• Indian Navy was represented by IN ships Satpura, Ranvir, Jyoti, Kavaratti, and Kulish.
• No submarine from India participated.
• Long Range Maritime Reconnaissance Aircraft P8I participated.
• This exercise increases IN-RN interaction in IOR.

ANSWER: B

• Which IAF airman has been selected by United World Wrestling (UWW) as a Referee to officiate in the Wrestling Competition of the Tokyo Olympics Games?
• Sgt Shivpal Singh
• MWO Ashok Kumar
• Cpl Alex Antony
• JWO Deepak Kumar

ANSWER: B

• Among the following IAF personnel who have been shortlisted for Tokyo Olympics 2021, who is not an athlete or who is not participating in Athletics?
• Sgt Noah Nirmal Tom
• Sgt Shivpal Singh
• Cpl Alex Antony
• JWO Deepak Kumar

ANSWER: D

• Which of these Indian Navy personnel has become the first Indian athlete in 33 years to seal a berth in the 400m Hurdles event in Olympics after PT Usha’s debacle in the same event back in the 1988 Seoul Olympics?
• PO Madari Pillyalil Jabir
• PO Tajinderpal Singh Toor
• Seaman RP Muhammad Anas Yahiya
• None of the above

ANSWER: A

• Chief Hydrographer to Govt. of India
• Vice Admiral Atul Kumar Jain
• Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani
• Vice Admiral Vinay Badhwar
• Vice Admiral SV Bhokare

ANSWER: C

• Which of these is not true regarding HAL’s HAPS?
• The system is solar energized.
• It acts as a bridge between UAVs and conventional satellites.
• It has not been designed by any other country yet.
• It can be controlled only from designated air pods.

ANSWER: D

• HAL’s Combat Air Teaming System (CATS) is a type of “Loyal Wingman System”. This means, a drone under this system is likely:
• Ground-launched
• Sea-launched
• Air-launched
• Space-launchedc

ANSWER: C

• ISRO recently conducted the third Vikas Engine long duration hot test for Gaganyaan mission. This is going to be a part of:
• Solid propulsion in GSLV Mk III
• Liquid propulsion in GSLV Mk III
• Solid propulsion in GSLV Mk II
• Liquid propulsion in GSLV Mk II

ANSWER: B

• 4th Edition of Joint Training ‘Exercise Ekatah’ was conducted between Indian Navy Marine Commandos and the marines of which country?
• Mauritius
• Maldives
• Malaysia
• Madagascar

ANSWER: A

• Vice Adm. G. Ashok Kumar, Vice Chief of Naval Staff recently visited Commander of the U.S. 3^rd Fleet. What was the main purpose of this meeting?
• Undersea domain awareness
• Aerial combat
• Naval systems integration
• Submarine acquisition

ANSWER: A

• Which of these is the place where US Pacific 3^rd fleet is based whose location is in San Diego?
• Naval Base Norfolk
• Naval Base Point Loma
• Naval Base Coronado
• Naval Base Ventura County

ANSWER: B

• Raksha Mantri launched a grievance management application CPGRAMS. Its specialty is that:
• It is Artificial Intelligence powered
• It is first such application in our country
• It is used for redressal of grievances of pension seekers
• All the above

ANSWER: D

• CPGRAMS full form:
• Centralized Pension Grievance Recovery and Monitoring System
• Centralized Pension Grievance Redress and Monitoring System
• Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System
• Centralized Public Grievance Recovery and Monitoring System

ANSWER: C

• Which of the squadrons along with their nicknames is wrongly assigned?
• 17 Squadron – Golden Arrows
• 101 Squadron – Raiding Raptors
• 77 Squadron – Veiled Vipers
• 18 Squadron – Flying Bullets

ANSWER: B

• Mini-Harpy is the world’s only loitering munition with Dual EO/IR and Anti-Radiation seeker. It is developed by which organisation?
• Defence Research & Development Organization
• Israeli Aerospace Industries
• Roscosmos of Russia
• Thales Air Defence System of US

ANSWER: B

• UK, Dutch and U.S. naval forces conducted an integrated at-sea exercise on 12 July 21 at:
• Gulf of Aden
• Gulf of Mexico
• Gulf of Mannar
• Gulf of Khambhat

ANSWER: A

• Which of these is not correct regarding Gulf of Aden?
• India-EUNAVFOR Naval Exercise happened there recently.
• Quad, France & UAE also had a naval exercise there previously.
• Approximately 11% of the world’s seaborne petroleum passes through this gulf.
• It separates Indian Ocean from South China Sea.

ANSWER: D

• 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

• China recently proposed “Africa-Quad” with:
• Germany & France
• Netherlands & France
• Germany & Netherlands
• Uzbekistan & France

ANSWER: A

• Gen. M M Naravane inaugurated the Indian Army Memorial in Italy in which town?
• Rome
• Cassino
• Venice
• Milan

ANSWER: B

• Egypt recently inaugurated a new naval base which is near the border of:
• Sudan
• Israel
• Libya
• Saudi Arabia

ANSWER: C

• On departure from port of Naples, Italy, INS Tabar conducted maritime exercise with ITS Antonio Marceglia in which sea?
• Caspian Sea
• Tyrrhenian Sea
• Mediterranean Sea
• Adriatic Sea

ANSWER: B

• GRSE has bagged order to make 13-metre six surveillance patrol boats for Marine Fisheries Surveillance Check-post (MFSC) for Government of:
• Sri Lanka
• Bangladesh
• Myanmar
• Maldives

ANSWER: B

• Which of these is/are the achievements of GRSE Kolkata:
• Delivered a Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) to the Government of Seychelles.
• Bagged an order on competitive bidding of one ocean-going passenger & cargo vessel for the Republic of Guyana.
• Has been an exporter of prefabricated steel bridges to friendly countries like Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar.
• All the above.

ANSWER: D

• Operation Sankalp of the Navy stretches from the Persian Gulf to the:
• Malacca Strait
• Strait of Hormuz
• Strait of Labrador
• Palk Strait

ANSWER: A

• Nethra Kumanan is the first Indian woman sailor to qualify for Olympics in which category in Sailing?
• Laser Radial category
• Laser Standard category
• Forty-niner category
• Both A and B

ANSWER: A

• Hyunmoo 4-4 is a very special missile for Republic of Korea because:
• It is the first SLBM under their arsenal.
• It is notably the only country that will possess SLBMs without strategic nuclear weapons.
• It is the only one available that can answer North Korean missiles.
• Both A and B only.

ANSWER: D

• Air Marshal BR Krishna AVSM SC is the new AOC-in-C of:
• Western Air Command
• Eastern Air Command
• Southern Air Command
• South-Western Air Command

ANSWER: A

• Lt Gen Sunil Puri Goswami took over as the Director General of which corps of Indian Army?
• Army Aviation Corps
• Army Air Defence Corps
• Army Ordinance Corps
• Army Medical Corps

ANSWER: B

• Prior to his appointment as VCAS, Air Marshal V R Chaudhari was the AOC-in-C of:
• Central Air Command
• Southern Air Command
• Western Air Command
• Eastern Air Command

ANSWER: C

• Which made-in-India ship was recently inducted into Seychelles Coast Guard?
• SCGS Zoroaster
• PS Constant
• PS Topaz
• HMS Seychelles

ANSWER: A

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