March 2022 Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates [DOWNLOAD PDF]

Divyanshu Pandey
March 30, 2022
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In today’s Monthly Defence Current Affairs for March 2022, we are going to see the latest national and international defence current affairs. These defence current affairs questions and major events will be really helpful for your upcoming NDA, CDS, AFCAT, TA, INET, MNS, ACC exams and other SSB Interviews like SSC Tech, TGC, TES, NDA, CDS, AFCAT and more. Download the Defence current affairs PDF file at the end of this article.

Monthly Defence Current Affairs March 2022

DRDO Successfully Flight Tests MRSAM

DRDO conducted two successful flight tests of the Indian Army version of Medium Range Surface to Air Missile (MRSAM) at Integrated Test Range, Chandipur off the coast of Odisha on March 27, 2022. The flight tests were carried out as part of the live firing trials against high-speed aerial targets.
The missiles intercepted the aerial targets and destroyed them completely, registering direct hits at both ranges. The first launch was to intercept a medium-altitude long-range target and the second launch was for proving the capability of a low altitude short-range target.
This MRSAM version is a Surface-to-Air Missile developed jointly by DRDO and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Israel for use by the Indian Army. The MRSAM Army weapon system comprises multi-function radar, mobile launcher system, and other vehicles.

LRMR Air Squadron INAS 316 To Be Commissioned At INS Hansa

Indian Navy’s new long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) air squadron INAS 316 is to be commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa on 29Mar 22.
Nicknamed ‘The Condors’, INAS 316 will operate the potent LRMR P-8I aircraft
A sneak peak into the historic moment that will unfold.
“With the commissioning of INAS 316, we will be inducting four new P-8Is, delivered under the option clause with Boeing,” Kumar said. “These aircraft, with advanced maritime patrol radars, state-of-the-art acoustic suites, air-to-ship missiles and torpedoes are substantial capability enhancers.”

BRO Opens Manali- Sarchu Road A Month Ahead of Schedule

In another breakthrough of opening up of passes in the North-Western border areas, the Border Road Organisation (BRO) opened up the 210 km long Manali- Sarchu road on NH 1D in Himachal Pradesh.
During the Winter season, the road normally remains closed for over 160-180 days in a year, but this time Project Deepak of BRO has opened the road in 117 days, as the last convoy had moved on November 29, 2021.
Opening the Manali-Sarchu Road was premised on the successful conduct of snow clearance operations over one of the highest passes of the Zanskar Range, the formidable Baralacha La Pass (16,043 feet). The BRO adopted a two-prong approach, with the simultaneous deployment of snow clearance teams from two sides, one from Patsio to Baralacha La and the second from Sarchu to Baralacha La.

National Safety Day 2022

National Safety Day is celebrated every year on 4 March. The day aims to highlight the importance of following safety regulations and measures in order to avoid workplace mishaps.
The motive behind celebrations of this day is to create awareness and commitment to working safely.
Theme: ‘Nurture young minds Develop a safety culture’.
Organising Body: The National Safety Council
The first-ever National Safety Day was celebrated in 1972.

BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE SLINEX 2022

The Ninth Edition of India – Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise SLINEX (Sri Lanka–India Naval Exercise) is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from 07 Mar to 10 Mar 2022. The exercise is being conducted in two phases; the Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam on 07-08 Mar 22 followed by the Sea Phase on 09-10 Mar 22 in the Bay of Bengal.
- Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLNS Sayurala, an advanced offshore patrol vessel and the Indian Navy by INS Kirch, a guided missile corvette. Other participants from the Indian Navy include INS Jyoti, a Fleet support tanker, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH), Seaking and Chetak Helicopters and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft. The previous edition of SLINEX was conducted off Trincomalee in October 2020.
- SLINEX aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies. The Harbour Phase would include professional, cultural, sporting and social exchanges. Exercises during Sea Phase will include surface and anti-air weapon firing exercises, seamanship evolutions, aviation operations including cross deck flying, advanced tactical manoeuvres and special forces operations at sea. These will further enhance the high degree of inter-operability already existing between the two navies.
- SLINEX exemplifies the deep maritime engagement between India and Sri Lanka and has grown in scope over the years to strengthen mutual cooperation, in consonance with India’s policy of ‘Neighbourhood First’ and Hon’ble PMs vision of ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR)’.

Iran Puts Second Military Satellite into Orbit

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has successfully put a second military satellite, the Noor 2, into orbit.
The announcement came as talks held in Vienna to revive an agreement restraining Iran’s nuclear program have reached a critical stage.
Noor 2 is orbiting at an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles). The first military satellite, launched by the Islamic Republic in April 2020, placed the Noor, or “light” in Persian, at an orbit of 425km (265 miles) above the earth’s surface.
Noor 2 is orbiting at an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles). The first military satellite, launched by the Islamic Republic in April 2020, placed the Noor, or “light” in Persian, at an orbit of 425km (265 miles) above the earth’s surface.
Noor 2 is orbiting at an altitude of 500 kilometers (311 miles). The first military satellite, launched by the Islamic Republic in April 2020, placed the Noor, or “light” in Persian, at an orbit of 425km (265 miles) above the earth’s surface.

Visit of Australian Army Chief to India

Lt Gen Richard Maxwell Burr AO, DSC, MVO, Chief of Army Australia along with a four-member delegation is visiting India from 08 to 11 March 2022.
- On 09 March 2022, the Australian Army Chief laid a wreath at the National War Memorial and received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the South Block. Lt Gen Richard Burr called on the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Naval Staff, Chief of Air Staff and other senior military officers.
- Interaction between both the Chiefs of the Army Staff was warm and cordial. Both Chiefs exchanged views on the current global situation and the situation in Indo-Pacific in addition to discussing measures for enhancing defence cooperation between both armies.

India-Australia Relations:

Participation of Australia in Exercise Malabar.
- Various bilateral defence cooperation initiatives like AUSINDEX, Mutual Logistic Support Arrangement (MLSA), and Defence Science & Technology Implementing Arrangement (DSTIA) were reviewed.
- 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue held b/w both.
- Australia supports India’s candidature in an expanded UN Security Council.
- Both India and Australia are members of the Quad, Commonwealth, Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), ASEAN Regional Forum, Asia Pacific Partnership on Climate and Clean Development, and have participated in the East Asia Summits.
- A Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement between the two countries was signed in September 2014.

Macgregor Memorial Medals Presented By COSC

General MM Naravane, officiating Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC) and Chief of Army Staff presented the prestigious USI MacGregor Memorial Medal to four awardees.
- Two from the Indian Army and one each from the Indian Navy and Indian Airforce, for their outstanding achievements in operational reconnaissance and extreme adventure sports.
- Sanjay Kumar, Chief EA (P), of the Indian Navy, during 2018 – 2019. He participated in La Ultra 111 Kms, the toughest race including crossing of Khardungla Pass on Aug 18. He secured 1st position in Navy Team in Solanq Sky Ultra (60 Kms) in Sept 18 and secured runners up in 12 hours Stadium Run (110Kms) on Dec 18. He also won High 5 Format of Hell Race (211 Kms) on June 19 and set the new India Book of Records in Mumbai – Goa Ultra Relay (563 Kms) on Aug 19.
- Hav (Apr) (now Naib Subedar) Sanjeev Kumar of Army Adventure Nodal Centre (Hang Gliding), School of Artillery, Deolali created a new world record in powered harness hang glider on 12 Dec 2018 by staying aloft for 8 hours & 43 minutes, from Suratgarh to Barmer, Rajsthan, over a distance of 465.33 km. His achievement has been recognised by Limca Book of Records, India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records, breaking the previous record of 313.13 km.
- MWO Anshu Kumar Tiwari of Directorate of Adventure, Indian Airforce was tasked to check the feasibility of parachute landing at Khardungla pass (17982 feet), to demonstrate the airborne capability of the Indian Armed Forces. In that, he undertook the jump successfully from 24000 ft on 8th Oct 2020, thereby establishing the operational validity of this critical parachute system first time in international history.
- Maj Ajay Kumar Singh of a Para Special Forces Battalion, planned, trained and successfully led a 1660 km long ARMEX 21 (ski expedition) from the Karakoram in Ladakh to Uttarakhand, across 26 rugged passes above 18000 feet in “the great Himalayas” for 119 days during winters. The exploration has led to a better understanding and capabilities for military operations in super high-altitude terrain.

Exercise Dharma Guardian-2022 Culminates

Ex DHARMA GUARDIAN-2022, an annual exercise between Indian Army and Japanese Ground Self Defence Force which commenced on 27 February 2022 at Foreign Training Node, Belgaum successfully culminated on 10 March 2022.
Twelve days of intense joint military training, providing a unique opportunity of achieving synergy between the Armed Forces of both Nations which is focused on strengthening the timeless bonds of India – Japan friendship.
The exercise also provided a platform for professional and cultural learning as well as social interactions which in turn broadened their horizon towards knowledge and cooperation aiming towards co-existence as one in the Indo-Pacific Region.

HAL Begins Manufacturing Of AMCA

India’s state-owned aerospace & defence firm Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has started manufacturing India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) in association with DRDO’s Aeronautical Development Agency.
The AMCA programme entered a crucial phase with the starting of manufacturing activities. It is noteworthy that, the plan envisages equipping the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Indian Navy with a 5.5 Generation twin-engine stealth fighter.
Notably, the first two squadrons in AMCA Mark 1 configuration will be powered by an imported engine, another five squadrons with advanced features (Mark 2) will use made-in-India 125-kilonewton engines along with 6th Generation technologies.
AMCA can clock a maximum speed of over 2,600 kilometres per hour (Mach 2.15), along with the combat range of 1,620 km. The fighter will be equipped with 23 mm cannon and will have 14 hardpoints in non-stealth version to carry armaments weighing 6,500 kilogrammes.
The Critical Design Review (CDR) is expected later this year with the rollout planned in 2024 and first flight planned in 2025.”

Naval Air Ops School Kochi Celebrated Its Diamond Jubilee

The event saw the participation of serving officers & veterans including Gallantry award winners.
A Seminar themed “Shaping Maritime Air Operations – Evolution and Opportunities” was conducted on the occasion
The inaugural address for the seminar was delivered by VAdm MA Hampiholi, CinC, HQSNC.
The Naval Air Operations School trains the fledglings of the Indian Navy and Coast Guard into combat worthy men and women who are the cornerstone for mission accomplishment in Maritime Surveillance, Reconnaissance and targeting.
These ‘Airborne Tacticians’ enable ordnance on target which is the ultimate purpose of any force in combat.

INS Chennai and INS Teg Visit Colombo

Ships of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet, INS Chennai, and INS Teg, made a port call at Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 10 March 22 for a two-day visit. They were received by the Officer of the Guard (OOG) and the Sri Lanka Navy band.
Upon arrival, Rear Admiral Sameer Saxena, NM, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet visited the IPKF memorial to pay homage to the soldiers that sacrificed their lives for peace in the region. The memorial is also testimony to the inextricable ties between the people of India and Sri Lanka.
Many working level interactions are scheduled between naval personnel of the two countries, followed by familiarisation tour of Galle and Kandy for IN personnel, visits of Sri Lanka Navy personnel, school children & local visitors on board Indian warships.
In addition, an interaction between operational teams of the two navies is also scheduled to finalise the schedule of the Maritime Partnership Exercise on 12 Mar 22.

Pakistan Air Force Inducts New Batch of Chinese Fighter Jets

Pakistan’s air force officially inducted its first batch of Chinese-built J-10C fighter jets on Friday, holding a ceremony with officials from both sides in Islamabad.
Several of the jets flew overhead as PM Imran Khan welcomed the purchase, made for an undisclosed amount. Pakistan hasn’t said how many aircraft were bought in the deal, though authorities had earlier spoken of up to 25 jets. China is a longtime ally of Pakistan and has sold its military aircraft before.

ARMY CHIEF COMPLIMENTS RIMC ON Founder’s Day

The Rashtriya Indian Military College Dehradun is celebrating its centennial Founder’s Day on 13 March 2022.
In a message to the institution, Gen MM Naravane, Chief of Army Staff complimented and acknowledged the stellar contribution of the RIMC and the Alumni in the service of the Nation for the last one hundred years.
He also complimented the College staff for keeping the institution fully open and functional during the COVID pandemic.
The COAS urged Cadets to prepare for future leadership roles and challenges which will be shaped by rapid changes in technology.
Expressing confidence on the preparations made by the College to welcome and integrate girl cadets into the folds of the prestigious institution, the COAS remarked that “Girls joining the College would be its Centennial moment”

New Air-launched Version of Brahmos Would Be Able To Targets At 800 Km

India is developing a new air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile which would be able to strike at enemy targets at more than 800 km.
The missile earlier had the capability of hitting targets at around 300 kilometers after being released from a Su-30MKI combat aircraft.
“The range of the BrahMos missile has been increased already and with the advantage of being airborne at high altitudes, the missile can travel a longer distance and can hit targets at 800 km and beyond.”
The BrahMos missile was recently in the limelight after one of it was misfired due to a technical malfunction from an Indian Air Force unit during a Command Air Staff Inspection (CASI) there.
The Indian Air Force has equipped around 40 of its Su-30 combat aircraft with the BrahMos cruise missiles which can cause heavy destruction in enemy camps.

GOVERNMENT PLANS ON AMCA

Process for obtaining Cabinet Committee on Security’s (CCS) approval for design and prototype development of Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) has been initiated.
- 5th Generation fighter aircraft, due to very special features, are costlier than 4th Generation fighter aircraft. Since AMCA is an indigenous 5th Generation aircraft, it is less costly than similar aircraft available outside.
- This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Smt Shanta Chhetri in Rajya Sabha on March 14, 2022.

HAL, Safran to set up Helicopter Engines MRO facility in Goa

The ground-breaking ceremony for a new facility of Helicopter Engines MRO Pvt Limited (HE-MRO), a joint venture of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Safran, was held on Monday at Sattari, 40 km from Panaji, in Goa.
The facility will be operational by the end of 2023 with a capacity to repair 50 engines a year and a full-capacity goal of 150 engines in the coming years, HAL said.
“The 1,000 sqm training and office facility and a 3,800 sqm international class shop facility will provide Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services for Safran TM333 and HAL Shakti engines installed on HAL-built helicopters to increase the operational readiness of the Indian Armed Forces.”
Shakti is installed on HAL’s ALH/Dhruv variants including ‘Rudra’ and has also been selected to power the HAL-designed Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). The Ardiden 1U variant powers the new Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), a three-ton single-engine aircraft. The engine was certified by DGCA (India) on July 26, 2021, for civil applications.

ISRO Successfully Carried Out Testing of Booster SSLV

ISRO successfully carried out the ground testing of the newly developed solid booster stage (SS1) for its new launch vehicle Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 1205 hrs.
The Indian Space & Research Organisation on Monday successfully conducted the ground testing of the newly developed solid booster stage (SS1) for its new Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV). The test was conducted at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota.
The test was conducted at 12:05 pm when the booster was fired up. ISRO said that the successful testing has given it sufficient confidence to proceed with the first developmental flight of SSLV (SSLV-D1).
The remaining stages of SSLV (SS2 & SS3) have successfully undergone necessary ground tests and are ready for integration.

Airborne Exercise 2022

The Airborne and Special Forces of the Indian Army practiced aerial insertion and rapid response capabilities in an Airborne Exercise in Peninsular India.
The exercise involved advanced aerial insertion techniques including Combat Free Fall and integrated battle drills.

ICG Ship ‘Saksham’ Dedicated to Nation

Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Saksham’, the fifth in the series of 105 M-Class offshore patrol vessel, has been commissioned on Wednesday in Goa.
Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar commissioned offshore patrol vessel Indian Coast Guard Ship Saksham into service in Goa.
The 5th and the last Offshore Patrol Vessel designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Coast Guard was launched in December 2020. The vessel christened ‘Saksham’ is a part of the indigenous project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in November 2016.

The 2nd India-Indonesia Security Dialogue

The second India-Indonesia Security Dialogue (IISD) was held in Jakarta yesterday.
It was co-chaired by National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of Indonesia, Mohammad Mahfud.
The IISD is a forum that brings the coordinating minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs of Indonesia and National Security Adviser of India together to discuss and enhance cooperation between the two countries on political and security issues.
They discussed current global and security issues, countering terrorism and violent extremism, and enhancing maritime, defence, and cyber security cooperation.
India-Indonesia:
Both of them have agreed to work together for peace, security, and prosperity in order to achieve their shared vision on maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Strait of Malacca – waterway connecting the Andaman Sea (Indian Ocean) and the South China Sea (Pacific Ocean) – runs between the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the West and peninsular (west) Malaysia and extreme southern Thailand to the east.
Trade and Commerce: Bilateral trade has increased from USD 4.3 billion in 2005-06 to USD 21 billion in 2018-19.
Indonesia has emerged as the second largest trading partner of India in the ASEAN region.
India is the second largest buyer of coal and crude palm oil from Indonesia and imports minerals, rubber, pulp and paper, and hydrocarbons reserves.
Both countries are members of G20, the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), East Asia Summit, and the United Nations.
Bilateral Exercises:
Exercise Samudra Shakti the bilateral maritime exercise.
Garuda Shakti is a joint military exercise between India and Indonesia.

Rajnath Singh Assures Parliament Over Inadvertent Missile Firing Incident

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that a high-level probe has been ordered into the inadvertent firing of a missile that landed in Pakistan on March 9 saying that “if any lapses are found, action will be taken accordingly”.
Addressing Rajya Sabha, the minister informed that standard operating procedures (SOPs) for “operations, maintenance, and inspection” of such systems were being reviewed in the wake of the incident.
“I’d like to tell this House about an incident that occurred on 9th March 2022. It’s related to an accidental missile release during the inspection. During routine maintenance and inspection of the missile unit, around 7 pm, one missile got accidentally released. While this incident is regretted, we are relieved that nobody was hurt due to the accident,” the Defence Minister told Rajya Sabha.
Singh sought to assure Parliament that the “Indian missile system is very reliable and safe” and that the “safety procedures and protocols are of the highest order”.

Exercise- MACE STRIKE

Black Mace Brigade, of Desert Corps, conducted an All-Arms Integrated Firing Exercise- MACE STRIKE at Pokharan Firing Ranges, showcasing unparalleled firepower and offensive punch of a Combat Command.
- Desert Corps
- XII Corps is a corps of the Indian Army and one of the two corps in the Pune-based Southern Command.
- Southern Command is a formation of the Indian Army, active since 1895. It has seen action during the integration of several Princely States into modern India, during the 1961 Indian liberation of Goa, and during the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pakistani Wars. Lieutenant General Jai Singh Nain is the current Southern Army Commander.

83^rd CRPF Day 2022

The CRPF Raising Day is held on March 19 after India’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel presented colours to the CRPF following the enactment of the CRPF Act by the Parliament in 1950. The CRPF was raised in 1939 and was then known as the Crown Representative’s Police.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday participated in the 83rd Raising Day program of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in Jammu.
About Central Reserve Police Force
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is one of the premier Central Armed Police Forces of India (under the Ministry of Home Affairs) for internal security.
History: Originally constituted as the Crown Representative Police in 1939, it is one of the oldest Central paramilitary forces. After Independence, the force was renamed as Central Reserve Police Force by an Act of Parliament on December 28, 1949.
Duties performed by the CRPF include:
Crowd/ Riot control
Counter Militancy/Insurgency operations
Dealing with Left Wing Extremism
Protection of VIPs and vital installations
Checking environmental degradation and protection of local Flora and Fauna
Fighting aggression during War time
Participating in UN Peacekeeping Mission
Rescue and Relief operations at the time of Natural Calamities

Rescue Mission Launched for Indian Ship

The Indian Coast Guard on Saturday launched a rescue operation for a distressed Indian cargo ship, MSV Devi Krupa, near the Iranian coast with 12 Indian crew members on board.
The operation was launched by the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Mumbai, in coordination with their Iranian counterpart.
The distressed vessel is in an area 408 miles far from the Indian coast and nearly 90 miles away from the Iranian coast. MSV Devi Krupa was transiting from Porbandar to Kuwait with cargo onboard. It was supposed to reach Kuwait but developed technical problems and couldn’t reach its destination, informed sources added.
About ICG
ICG was established in August 1978 by the Coast Guard Act, of 1978 as an independent Armed force of India.
As the fourth largest Coast Guard in the world, it has played a significant role in securing the Indian coasts and enforcing regulations in the maritime zones of India.
It is an Armed Force, Search and Rescue, and Maritime Law Enforcement agency under the Ministry of Defence.
It is headquartered in New Delhi.
The concept of forming ICG came into being after the 1971 war.
The blueprint for a multidimensional Coast Guard was conceived by the visionary Rustamji Committee.

BRO Achieves Rare Feat; Zoji La Pass Opened For Traffic

Border Roads Organisation (BRO) opened the gateway between Union Territories of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir – the Zoji La Pass – for traffic on Srinagar-Kargil-Leh road at 11,650 feet on March 19, 2022, setting up an all-time record of the pass being opened after just 73 days of its closure this year.
This is the first time BRO has been able to achieve the feat, after it had kept the pass open till January 05, 2022, through relentless snow clearance operations amidst tough weather conditions.
Border Roads Organisation
BRO was conceived and raised in 1960 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru for coordinating the speedy development of a network of roads in the North and the North-Eastern border regions of the country.
It works under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
It has diversified into a large spectrum of construction and development works comprising airfields, building projects, defence works, and tunneling and has endeared itself to the people.

CDS Bipin Rawat Conferred Padma Vibhushan Posthumously

The First Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat was posthumously awarded Padma Vibhushan for his exceptional & distinguished service.
Daughters of General Bipin Rawat received the award on his behalf from the President of India at the ceremonial function in New Delhi.
General Bipin Rawat, the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) died in an IAF helicopter crash in December last year.

President’s Colour to INS Valsura

On 25Mar 2022, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, the Hon’ble President of India & Supreme Commander of Indian Armed Forces, will award the President’s Colour to INS Valsura at Jamnagar.
INS Valsura is a “stone frigate” (shore establishment) of the Indian Navy in Jamnagar, Gujarat. A premier technological training institution, it is the Electrical school of the Indian Navy.
The President’s Colour Award is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon any military unit of India. It is also known as ′Nishaan′ which is an emblem that will be worn by all unit officers on the left-hand sleeve of their uniform.
It was the Indian Navy that was the first branch of the Armed Forces to receive the President’s Colour in May 1951.

Wings India 2022

On the occasion of Wings India 2022, Team Sarang-the brand ambassadors of the, and one of kind four helicopter military display team in the world participated in one of the largest and one of the most successful events on civil aviation.
Wings India 2022, Asia’s largest event on civil aviation, beginning at Begumpet Airport in Hyderabad on Thursday. The four-day biennial event is being organised jointly by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Indian Industry (FICCI).
As part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, the theme of the event is “India@75: New Horizon for Aviation Industry”. The focus will be on new business acquisition, investments, policy formation, and regional connectivity.
The show will have exhibition, discussions, demonstration, exhibition and flying display by the Sarang team of the Indian Air Force, roundtable/panel discussion on helicopter industry, business aviation, Krishi UDAN, golden age of drones, India-US Roundtable with AMCHAM, drone demonstrations, Global CEOs Forum, and the Wings India awards 2022 ceremony.
Brahmos is one of the fastest cruise missiles currently operationally deployed with the speed of Mach 2.8, which is nearly 3 times more than the speed of sound.

COAS presented the “President’s Colours” To 20,21 DOGRA Regiment

Chief of Army Staff General MM Naravane on Thursday presented the President’s colours ‘Nishan’ to the newly raised Infantry battalions during a colour presentation parade at Dogra Regimental Centre in Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad.
The Colour Presentation Parade was also witnessed by General NC Vij (retd) former COAS & Honorary Colonel of The Dogra Regiment, Army Commanders of Southern Command & Central Command along with a large number of serving and retired personnel. After reviewing the parade, the Army Chief appreciated the rich traditions of the Dogra Regiment in all spheres of military activities to include operations, training and sports. The COAS also complimented the newly raised units for their remarkable performance within a short period of time and conveyed his best wishes to all ranks to serve the Nation with pride.
General Naravane also interacted with the National Cadet Corps Cadets and school children on the occasion.

EXERCISE PRASTHAN 2022

An offshore security exercise, ‘Prasthan’ was conducted in the Offshore Development Area (ODA) off Mumbai on 23 March 2022, under the aegis of Headquarters, Western Naval Command. Conducted every six months, this exercise is an important element of ensuring offshore security and aims to integrate efforts of all maritime stakeholders involved in offshore defence.
Led by the Navy, the exercise saw participation from the Indian Air Force, Coast Guard, ONGC, Mumbai Port Trust, Jawahar Lal Nehru Port Trust, Customs, state fisheries department, Mercantile Marine Department and the Marine Police. The day-long exercise resulted in refining standard operating procedures (SOPs) and response-actions to a number of contingencies in the Offshore Defence Area off Mumbai.
The exercise was conducted on the B-193 platform of ONGC located about 38 nm west of Mumbai.
Contingencies such as terrorist intrusion, bomb explosion, casualty evacuation, search and rescue, man overboard, major fire, oil spill and mass evacuation were exercised. Earlier, on 17 March 22, loss of control of an OSV that necessitated towing by an Emergency Towing Vessel was also exercised.
The exercise provided all stakeholders a realistic experience to assess their readiness to respond and combat contingencies in the Western ODA, as also to operate together in a coordinated and synergised manner.

LRMR Air Squadron INAS 316 To Be Commissioned At INS Hansa

Indian Navy’s new long-range maritime reconnaissance (LRMR) air squadron INAS 316 to be commissioned at INS Hansa, Goa on 29Mar 22.
Nicknamed ‘The Condors’, INAS 316 will operate the potent LRMR P-8I aircraft
A sneak peak into the historic moment that will unfold.
INS Hansa is an Indian naval air station located near Dabolim in Goa, India.[1] It is India’s biggest naval airbase. The military airbase has a civil enclave, that operates as Dabolim Airport.
INS Hansa was commissioned on 5 September 1961 at Sulur near Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. It was initially co-located with the Sulur Air Force Station of the Indian Air Force.

BRO Opens Manali- Sarchu Road A Month Ahead of Schedule

In another breakthrough of opening up of passes in the North-Western border areas, the Border Road Organisation (BRO) opened up the 210 km long Manali- Sarchu road on NH 1D in Himachal Pradesh.
During the Winter season, the road normally remains closed for over 160-180 days in a year, but this time Project Deepak of BRO has opened the road in 117 days, as the last convoy had moved on November 29, 2021.
Opening the Manali-Sarchu Road was premised on the successful conduct of snow clearance operations over one of the highest passes of the Zanskar Range, the formidable Baralacha La Pass (16,043 feet). The BRO adopted a two-prong approach, with the simultaneous deployment of snow clearance teams from two sides, one from Patsio to Baralacha La and the second from Sarchu to Baralacha La.

Neeraj Chopra, Pramod Bhagat received Padma Shri

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra on Monday received the Padma Shri, the country’s fourth highest civilian award. The 24-year-old javelin thrower received the prestigious award from President Ram Nath Kovind at the Rashtrapati Bhavan during a ceremony.
Chopra made history at the Tokyo Olympics by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in a track and field event in the Games’ history.

He also became only the second Indian to win an individual Olympic gold after shooter Abhinav Bindra.

“EX DUSTLIK” CONCLUDES IN UZBEKISTAN

The 3rd edition of Indo-Uzbekistan Joint Field Training Exercise “EX DUSTLIK” concluded at Yangiarik, Uzbekistan on 29 March 2022. The joint exercise provided an opportunity for both the contingents to train in Counter Terrorism operations in a semi-urban environment.
“Exercise DUSTLIK” will enhance the level of defence cooperation between both the Armies and will act as a catalyst for many such joint programs in future to further consolidate the traditional bond of friendship between India and Uzbekistan.

Assam, Meghalaya Sign Border Pact

Chief Ministers of Assam and Meghalaya on Tuesday signed a historic agreement for the settlement of inter-state border dispute in presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
The Home Minister said it is “a historic day” for a dispute-free northeast and noted that in a short span of time, 6 out of 12 issues have been settled between Assam and Meghalaya and about 70 per cent of the border between the two states has become dispute-free.
According to the proposed recommendations for the 36.79 square km of land, Assam will keep 18.51 square km and give the remaining 18.28 square km to Meghalaya.
He said during the last three years, the union government has signed several agreements for ending extremism and for lasting peace in the northeastern states.
The Home Minister said PM Modi has made several efforts for the peace process, development, prosperity, and promotion of the cultural heritage of the northeast, which “we all have witnessed, since 2014, when he became the Prime Minister”.
Looking at the journey from 2019 to 2022, there have seen many big achievements in establishing peace in the Northeast – NLFT agreement in August 2019, the Bru-Reang agreement on January 16, 2020, the Bodo agreement on January 27, 2020, the Karbi-Anglong agreement on September 4, 2021, and today’s Assam-Meghalaya border agreement.
The long-standing land dispute was sparked in 1972 when Meghalaya was carved out of Assam. The border issues came as a result of different readings of the demarcation of boundaries in the initial agreement for the new state’s creation.

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