Monthly Defence Current Affairs August 2024

In Monthly Defence Current Affairs for August 2024, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.

Monthly Defence Current Affairs August 2024

Hamas Chief Ismail Haniyeh Killed In Iran’s Capital

• Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and one of his bodyguards were killed after their residence was targeted in Iran, the Palestinian group said in a statement today.
• Hamas said Ismail Haniyeh was killed in “a treacherous Zionist raid on his residence in Tehran” Tuesday morning. The group said an investigation is on to find out more details about the attack.
• Haniyeh was in the Iranian capital to attend the swearing-in of Iran’s president Masoud Pezeshkian.
• “Brother, leader, mujahid Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the movement, died in a Zionist strike on his headquarters in Tehran after he participated in the inauguration of the new (Iranian) president,” the statement read.
• Iran’s Revolutionary Guards also confirmed his death, saying Haniyeh’s residence in Tehran was “hit” and he was killed along with a bodyguard.
• Hamas has accused Israel of Haniyeh’s killing, calling it “grave escalation”.
• He had travelled on diplomatic missions to Iran and Turkey during the war, meeting both the Turkish and Iranian presidents.
• Haniyeh was said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions, including rivals to Hamas.
• He joined Hamas in 1987 when the militant group was founded amid the outbreak of the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, against Israeli occupation, which lasted until 1993.
• Hamas is part of the “axis of resistance” of Iran-backed armed groups arrayed against arch-foe Israel around the Middle East. Iran has made support for the Palestinian cause a centerpiece of its foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic revolution.
• Hamas is likely to pick senior member Khaled Meshaal as its new leader after Wednesday’s ‘assassination’ of Ismail Haniyeh, apparently by Israel, in Iran’s capital, Tehran, where Haniyeh attended the swearing-in of Masoud Pezeshkian, Iran’s new President.

ICG launches ‘Suvidha Software Version 1.0’

• ICG launched ‘Suvidha Software Version 1.0’ during its maiden ‘Annual Operational Sea Training Conference’ at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh on July 30, 2024.
• This software is a cutting-edge tool designed to enhance training protocols and ensure consistency across all ICG platforms.Deputy Director General (Sea Training) Inspector General Anupam Rai delivered the keynote address on the occasion. He emphasised the importance of fostering a culture of excellence and adaptability within the ICG.
• The conference saw active participation from senior officers from various ICG regions, underlining the need for a unified approach to complex operations. It provided a valuable platform for discussing best practices, sharing insights, and aligning strategies to address the dynamic maritime security landscape. The event underscores the ICG’s commitment to excellence and innovation in operational training.

Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair becomes first woman DGMS

• Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair, on August 01, 2024, assumed the office of Director General Medical Services (Army), becoming the first woman to be appointed to this prestigious position. Prior to this, she was the first woman to hold the post of DG Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.
• Lt Gen Nair graduated from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune with a distinguished academic record and was commissioned into the Army Medical Corps in December 1985.

Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera assumes charge as DG of Assam Rifles

• Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera on Thursday assumed charge as the new director general of the Assam Rifles, which is known as the “Sentinels” of the northeastern region. He succeeds Lt Gen PC Nair who retired after four decades of service.
• Lt Gen Lakhera has varied professional experience in serving in the northeastern region. He was commissioned into the 4 SIKH LI of the Indian Army on Jun 9, 1990.
• The General Officer is a post graduate from Defence Service Staff College, Wellington. He is an alumnus of the Higher Defence Management Course from College of Defence Management, Secunderabad and completed the prestigious National Defence Course from the Royal College of Defence Studies, London.

Exercise MPX With Russia

• Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, INS Tabar arrived in St. Petersburg, Russia on 25 Jul 24 for a four day visit to participate in 328th Russian Navy Day Parade celebrations. India and Russia share warm bilateral relations and maritime co-operation that span diverse fields.
• INS Tabar, on departure from St. Petersburg, Russia successfully conducted Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with the Russian Navy Ship Soobrazitelny on 30 Jul 2024.
• Participation of Indian Navy Ship Tabar in the 328th Russian Navy Day Parade and conduct of MPX marks a significant milestone in the maritime cooperation between India and Russia, reinforcing the commitment of both nations to maintain peace, stability and security in the region.

SSB DG Chawdhary To Hold Additional Charge of BSF

• SSB DG Daljit Singh Chawdhary will hold the additional charge of the Border Security Force following the premature repatriation of incumbent Nitin Agrawal, a government order said Saturday.
• A Union home ministry order issued on Saturday said that Chawdhary, a 1990-batch IPS officer of the the Uttar Pradesh cadre, will hold the additional charge of the post of BSF DG “till the appointment of a regular incumbent or until further orders, whichever is earlier.”

14^th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue

• The 14^th India-Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue took place in New Delhi on August 01, 2024. It was co-chaired by Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane and Deputy Minister of National Defence of Vietnam Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien.
• During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the range of bilateral defence cooperation issues and noted the transformative progress in the ties after the signing of ‘Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030’ in June 2022 during the visit of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh to Vietnam.
• Vietnam proposed five focus areas for cooperation which included delegation exchanges and dialogue, staff-talks; Service-to-Service cooperation; Education and training; and Defence Industry cooperation.

India Selects 2 Crew Members For Axiom-4 Mission to ISS

• India has shortlisted two astronaut-designates for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station. Indian astronauts Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and Group Captain Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have been shortlisted to go to the U.S. to train for the upcoming Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station (ISS).
• The Axiom-4 mission is the fourth private astronaut mission to the ISS. The assigned crew members will be approved to fly to the ISS by the Multilateral Crew Operations Panel (MCOP).“The recommended Gaganyatris will commence their training for the mission from 1st week of August 2024,” Isro said. “The experiences gained during this mission will be beneficial for the Indian Human Space Program and it will also strengthen human space flight cooperation between ISRO and NASA.”
• The mission comes more than a year after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced plans for an Indian astronaut to visit the ISS during a state visit to the US.

IIT Indore Develops Shoes For Armed Forces

• In an innovation that can boost the safety and efficiency of armed forces personnel, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Indore has designed special shoes for soldiers equipped with a technology that can generate electricity and detect the wearer’s location in real time, officials said on Tuesday.
• IIT Indore has already supplied the first batch of 10 pairs of these shoes to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), they said.
• IIT Indore director Professor Suhas Joshi said the innovative features of these shoes will boost the safety, coordination and efficiency of Army personnel.
• The shoes, made under the guidance of Professor I A Palani, are enabled with Tribo-Electric Nanogenerator (TENG) technology that can generate electricity with every step.
• The TENG technology can be used to track the location of senior citizens suffering from Alzheimer’s, school children and climbers and can help monitor the attendance and work of workers in factories, they said.

Ex Tarang Shakti 2024

• As Exercise Tarang Shakti 2024 commenced in Tamil Nadu’s Sulur, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari said that it’s a huge achievement for India to organize an exercise of such scale and Air Force and all participants have lived up to the challenge.
• A German Air Force A-400M transport aircraft at Indian Air Force station Palam also took part in India’s first multinational exercise Tarang Shakti being held in India at Sulur and Jodhpur in two phases.
• The exercise is being conducted in two phases, first in Tamil Nadu’s Sulur and second in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur, which aim to showcase India’s defence prowess and provide a platform for participating militaries to foster coordination.

MPX With Sea Lynx Of German Navy

• Indian Navy’s frontline frigate, INS Tabar during her return leg from St Petersburg, Russia conducted Maritime Partnership Exercise (MPX) with German Navy off Kiel Canal on 05 Aug 24.
• INS Tabar had earlier visited Hamburg, Germany from 17 – 20 July 24. These engagements are aimed at strengthening the maritime relations between both the nations.
• The conduct of MPX between Indian Navy and German Navy off Kiel Canal signifies Indian Navy’s outreach and sustenance efforts also marking a significant milestone in the maritime cooperation between the two countries.
• The conduct of MPX between Indian Navy and German Navy off Kiel Canal signifies Indian Navy’s outreach and sustenance efforts also marking a significant milestone in the maritime cooperation between the two countries.

Neeraj Chopra On Missing Gold At Paris Olympics

• Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, said on Friday, August 9, 2024, that while he gave his best, it was Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem’s day to win gold. Chopra said it was time to assess his performance and focus on future improvements. “We all feel happy whenever we win a medal for the country. It’s time to improve the game now. We will sit and discuss and enhance our performance,” Chopra told ANI.
• Also read: Neeraj Chopra is ‘excellence personified’, says PM ModiNeeraj’s throw of 89.45m earned him second place on the podium. Although it was his best performance of the season, it wasn’t enough to secure gold, which went to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem with a throw of 92.97m, setting a new Olympic record.
• The previous Olympic record of 90.57m was held by Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway, set during the 2008 Beijing Games. Thorkildsen was present in the stands, along with three-time Olympic champion and world record holder Jan Zelezny of the Czech Republic.

Lt. Gen. Sigdel is Nepal’s New Army Chief

• The government of Nepal appointed Lieutenant General Ashokraj Sigdel as the Acting Chief of Army Staff of the Nepal Army with effect from Friday, an official statement said on Thursday. CoAS Prabhuram Sharma, who is going on a mandatory month’s leave starting Friday before formally retiring on September 9, handed over the charge to Lt. Gen. Sigdel at a function held at the Nepal Army Headquarters on Thursday, according to the statement issued by Directorate of Military Public Relations and Information.
• On the recommendation of the Council of Ministers, President Ram Chandra Paudel designated Lieutenant General Sigdel as the Acting CoAS effective from August 9, the statement said.

BSF-led Panel Formed To Monitor Situation Along Bangladesh Borders

• Amid the ongoing Bangladesh crisis, the Union home ministry on Friday formed a committee to monitor the situation along the India-Bangladesh border and to ensure the safety of Indian nationals amid crisis in the neighbouring country.
• The six-member committee will be headed by ADG, Border Security Force, Eastern Command.
• Bangladesh is in the grip of a political crisis after its prime minister Sheikh Hasina resigned and fled to India. An interim government under Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus has been formed to govern the country.
• The BSF has increased vigil along the borders adjoining Bangladesh. The security agencies have warned BSF that over 1,200 prisoners including terrorists have escaped jails in Bangladesh and could attempt to infiltrate into India.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said, “My best wishes to Professor Muhammad Yunus on the assumption of his new responsibilities. We hope for an early return to normalcy, ensuring the safety and protection of Hindus and all other minority communities. India remains committed to working with Bangladesh to fulfill the shared aspirations of both our peoples for peace, security and development.”

India’s Plan For Advanced Fighters

• In a significant boost to India’s indigenous fighter aircraft program, 4.5 generation plus LCA Mark 2 fighter jets are slated to commence flights by March 2026, with mass production expected to begin by 2029.
• Furthermore, the mass production of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), a fifth-generation fighter, is anticipated to start by 2035, according to defense officials. These timelines emerged during a high-level meeting presided over by DRDO chairman Dr. Samir V. Kamat and Indian Air Force Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
• The LCA aircraft are scheduled to be powered by American GE engines; LCA Mark 1 and Mark 1A by GE-404 engines, while the LCA Mark 2 will utilize the more advanced GE-414, manufactured in India with indigenous content.
• The Indian government aims to replace the primary fleets, including the Mirage 2000, Jaguar, and MiG-29s, with over 250 LCA Mark 2 planes over the next 10-15 years. Additionally, the Indian Air Force has placed an order for 180 LCA Mark 1A planes. Officials indicated that the production of the LCA Mark-1A is likely to be completed by 2032.

Germany’s TKMS Gains Upper Hand In Indian Navy Submarine Contest

• Germany has an upper hand in a high-stakes contest to construct next-generation conventional submarines for an Indian Navy order, with trials completed and the selection set to move to the next stage. It has partnered with MDL for an estimated ₹43,000-crore contract for six new submarines.
• In the Rs 60,000 crore project to build six advanced conventional submarines, government-owned Mazagaon Dockyards Limited (MDL) has got an edge as it has cleared crucial trials in the programme.
• Mumbai-headquartered MDL and Larsen and Toubro are the two contenders in the project with German ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems and Spanish Navantia as their respective partners.
• The Indian Navy’s long-term submarine acquisition plan was modified post-2014 to have 18 conventional and 6 nuclear attack submarines.
• The next-gen Project 76 to build six conventional submarines with complete Indian design and construction has also been activated and was on the 100-day agenda of the Defence Ministry.

Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 Concludes

• After successful participation in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024 at Malaysia, the IAF contingent returned to India, on 10 Aug 24. The joint air exercise was conducted in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Air Force from 05 to 09 August 2024 at Kuantan, Malaysia.
• During the exercise, IAF’s Su-30MKI fighter jets engaged in air combat missions alongside the RMAF’s Su-30MKM fighters, enabling the crew of both air forces to familiarize with each other’s operational protocols, thereby enhancing interoperability, commonality and overall effectiveness in Su-30 aircraft operations.

DRDO Carries Out Successful Maiden Flight Test of ‘GAURAV’

• DRDO has carried out successful maiden flight test of Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), GAURAV from Su-30 MK-I platform of the Indian Air Force (IAF). The test was conducted off the coast of Odisha.
• GAURAV is an air launched 1,000 kg class glide bomb capable of hitting targets at long distance. After being launched, the glide bomb steer towards the target using highly accurate hybrid navigation scheme with a combination of INS and GPS data.
• GAURAV has been designed and developed indigenously by the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad.

MoD To Sign Rs 21,000 Cr Deal For 230 Sukhoi Engines

• The defence ministry is set to ink an estimated ₹21,000 crore deal to acquire jet engines for its Su 30MKI fighter fleet. The engines will be made in India from the raw material stage by HAL and will replace older engines that are coming to the end of their service life.
• The order for about 230 engines will be placed in the coming days, with deliveries to take place over the next few years, said people familiar with the matter.. The total requirement of the AL 31 FP engines is close to 950.
• The AL-31FP engines are crucial for the Su-30MKI, a twin-engine fighter jet that forms the backbone of the IAF. The total requirement for these engines is approximately 950 to maintain the operational readiness of the entire fleet.
• The engines will be produced by HAL, which has established a robust vendor and supplier network over the years. A significant portion of the deal’s value will benefit this local ecosystem, promoting indigenization in defence manufacturing.
• In addition to the engine procurement, there are plans to upgrade around 100 Su-30MKI jets with new avionics, radars, and electronic warfare systems. This upgrade initiative is projected to exceed ₹60,000 crore and will be conducted entirely within India, with HAL leading the project in collaboration with the IAF and various partners.

Renowned DRDO Scientist Ram Narain Agarwal, Passes Away

• Renowned DRDO missile scientist Ram Narain Agarwal, widely celebrated as the Father of Agni Missiles, passed away on Thursday in Hyderabad. Agarwal was a pioneering figure in India’s defense research and development, significantly contributing to the country’s long-range ballistic missile program.
• Agarwal’s work was instrumental in shaping India’s missile capabilities. As the first Programme Director of the Agni missiles, he played a pivotal role in the development of these strategic weapons. His leadership and vision earned him the moniker “Agni Man”.
• Dr Agarwal led India’s Agni missile programme from its inception in 1983 until his retirement in 2005. He spearheaded the development of various versions of the Agni missile, culminating in the successful Agni V, capable of striking targets over 5000 kilometers.

Army Issues Rs 6,500 Crore Tender For Buying 400 Howitzers

• The army has issued a tender to acquire next-generation artillery guns that will be designed, developed and manufactured in India. It requires 400 of these gun systems in the first phase though the demand could rise manifold in the coming years as legacy equipment is replaced.
• “A tender for buying 400, 155-mm 52-calibre towed artillery gun systems (TAGS) along with towing vehicles from Indian firms under the Buy Indian-IDDM category has been issued,” senior military officials told ANI.
• “The firms who have received the tender include local defence majors Bharat Forge, Larsen and Toubro, Adani, and Ordnance Factory Board,” they said.
• The Indian Army has already issued a tender for buying 307 Advanced Towed Artillery Gun Systems (ATAGS) along with one for finding a mounted gun system for its requirements along borders with China and Pakistan.

India, Vietnam 4^th ‘Maritime Security Dialogue’

• The 4^th India-Vietnam Maritime Security Dialogue was held on 16 August 2024, in Hanoi, Vietnam, during which the two sides discussed enhancing maritime cooperation and maritime law enforcement, the MEA said.
• “During the dialogue, the two sides discussed the ways to enhance maritime cooperation in furthering a conducive environment for mutual growth and global well-being,” the MEA stated in the release.
• They agreed to further strengthen their shared efforts in areas such as Marine Scientific Research, Ocean Economy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, Navy and Coast Guard cooperation and maritime law enforcement.
• They welcomed the signing of the Plan of Action for the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the period of 2024-2028.

IAF Condoles Death of DG of ICG Rakesh Pal

• Following the sudden demise of Rakesh Pal, the Director General of the Indian Coast Guard, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari and Indian Air Force personnel extended their heartfelt condolences on Monday.
• ICG Chief Rakesh Pal passed away in Chennai on Sunday after suffering a cardiac arrest. He was taken to Rajiv Gandhi Government Hospital in the city after feeling unwell. Despite receiving immediate treatment, he could not be saved.
• DG Rakesh Pal was appointed as the 25th Director General of the Indian Coast Guard in July last year.

Indian Army Mourns The Loss Of Gen Padmanabhan

• The Indian Army deeply mourns the passing of General Sundararajan Padmanabhan (Retired), who served as the 20^th COAS. The Chief of Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi and all ranks of the Indian Army offer their tribute and heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family.
• Born on December 5, 1940, in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala; General Padmanabhan was a distinguished alumnus of the RIMC, Dehradun, and the NDA, Khadakwasla. He was commissioned into the Regiment of Artillery on December 13, 1959, marking the beginning of an illustrious career spanning over four decades.
• On September 1, 1996, General Padmanabhan took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command and later, the Southern Command. He assumed the office of the Chief of Army Staff on October 1, 2000.

ICG Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre

• Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly-constructed state-of-the-art Indian Coast Guard (ICG) Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre building in Chennai, Tamil Nadu on August 18, 2024.
• He also virtually launched the Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre, located at the Chennai Port premises, and the Coast Guard Air Enclave in Puducherry.
• Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre
• This state-of-the-art facility aims to significantly enhance the coordination and effectiveness of maritime rescue operations for mariners & fishermen in distress at sea. It underscores the Government’s resolve to protect lives and ensure a swift response in critical situations.
• Regional Marine Pollution Response Centre
• This establishment is a first-of-its-kind facility for coordinating response against marine pollution, particularly oil and chemical pollution, in waters adjoining the coastal states in the Indian Ocean Region. The creation of this centre was first announced by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh during the maiden Indo-ASEAN meeting held in Cambodia on November 22, 2022.
• Coast Guard Air Enclave
• This facility marks a significant milestone for ICG and will play a vital role in maritime security along the Puducherry and south Tamil Nadu coast. The Air Enclave will be equipped with Chetak and ALH Squadrons.

Para-drop of BHISHM Critical Trauma Care Cube

• IAF and Indian Army have jointly carried out a first-of-its-kind precise para-drop operation of the Aarogya Maitri Health Cube at a high-altitude area close to 15,000 feet.
• These critical trauma care cubes have been indigenously developed under Project BHISHM (Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog Hita and Maitri). The operation was conducted in line with PM Narendra Modi’s vision of providing critical supplies to HADR affected areas.
• The successful para-drop and deployment of the BHISHM trauma care cube exemplified the synergy & jointness of the Armed Forces and underscored the commitment to providing timely & effective assistance as first responders.

BEML signs MoU with Indian Navy

• Bengaluru headquartered BEML, India’s leading defence and heavy engineering PSU, on Tuesday signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding with the Directorate of Marine Engineering, Indian Navy.
• The agreement was signed at the Naval Headquarters in Delhi, with Ajit Kumar Srivastav, Director of Defence at BEML, and Rear Admiral K Srinivas, ACOM (D&R) of the Indian Navy.
• The collaboration will enhance indigenous marine engineering capabilities, ensuring that both current and future naval projects are equipped with state-of-the-art, domestically produced technology, BEML said.

3^rd India-Japan 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

• India and Japan on Tuesday reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining and strengthening the rules-based international order founded on the principles of the UN Charter, respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity and appreciated the progress made for the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related technologies and early signing of related arrangements.
  • During the 2+2 meeting held here, the two sides highlighted their common strategic vision towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, that is inclusive, peaceful, prosperous and resilient, as part of the rules-based international order.
  • The Ministers welcomed the possibilities to further enhance the bilateral security and defence cooperation following the National Security Strategy of Japan issued in December 2022 and recognized such cooperation as an important pillar of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.
  • The Ministers appreciated that the first Joint Service Staff Talks were held. The Ministers further appreciated the successful completion of the cooperation in the areas of Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV)/Robotics. They appreciated the progress made for the transfer of Unified Complex Radio Antenna (UNICORN) and related technologies and early signing of related arrangements. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the seventh India-Japan Joint Working Group on Defence Equipment and Technology Cooperation.

Naval Science and Technological Laboratory celebrates 55^th Lab Raising Day

• Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) celebrated its 55th Lab Raising Day on Tuesday in presence of senior naval officer with great zeal and enthusiasm.
• Established on 20 Aug 1969 with 10 staff members, NSTL has grown multifold with 603 personnel including 186 Scientists and has made significant contributions to defence R&D and is recognized as one of the premiere labs of DRDO engaged in the development of underwater weapons and systems.

US, India Sign Pact For Reciprocal Priority Support

• The United States (US) and India have signed an agreement to provide reciprocal priority support for goods and services that promote national defence.
• The arrangement will enable both countries to acquire the industrial resources they need from one another to resolve unanticipated supply chain disruptions to meet national security needs.
• The Security of Supply Arrangement (SOSA) was signed by Vic Ramdass, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Industrial Base Policy, on behalf of the United States, and Samir Kumar Sinha, Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisitions), on behalf of the Indian Ministry of Defence.
• India is the 18th SOSA partner of the US after Australia, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Norway, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.
• “This Security of Supply Arrangement represents a pivotal moment in the US – India Major Defence Partner relationship and will be a key factor in strengthening the US- India Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI),” said Ramdass.

US Approves Sale Of Anti-submarine Warfare Sonobuoys To India

• The United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has approved a possible foreign military sale of anti-submarine warfare Sonobuoys and related equipment to India at an estimated cost of USD 52.8 million.
• “The Government of India has requested to buy AN/SSQ-53G High Altitude Anti-Submarine Warfare (HAASW) sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-62F HAASW sonobuoys; AN/SSQ-36 sonobuoys; technical and publications and data documentation; US Government and contractor engineering and technical support; and other related elements of logistics and program services and support. The estimated total cost is USD 52.8 million,” the agency stated.

IIT-Kanpur To Host India’s Largest Unmanned Aerial Systems Testing Facility

• In a groundbreaking collaboration, EndureAir Systems has emerged as the sole private entity partnering with five DPSUs to establish a state-of-the-art Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) testing facility at IIT Kanpur. This Rs. 60 crore project, part of the Defense Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS), aims to create the largest dedicated UAS testing center in India.
• The Ministry of Defense (MoD) has formalized this partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop advanced testing facilities within the Uttar Pradesh Defense Industrial Corridor (UPDIC).
• The five DPSUs (Defense Public Service Undertaking) involved are Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Gliders India Limited (GIL), Yantra India Limited (YIL), and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEM).
• The establishment of these state-of-the-art testing facilities will drive technological advancements and provide essential infrastructure for testing and refining specialized defense technologies, especially Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
• Launched by Defense Minister Rajnath Singh in May 2020 with an allocation of Rs 400 crore ($50M), the Defense Testing Infrastructure Scheme (DTIS) aims to establish state-of-the-art testing facilities in collaboration with private industry and central/State Governments.

Indian Army Orders An Additional 73,000 SIG716 Rifles

• Ammunition and pistol maker SIG SAUER has announced a second procurement contract with India’s Ministry of Defence to supply an additional 73,000 SIG716 rifles.
• When completed, 145,400 such rifles will be in service with the Indian Army, a statement from Sig Sauer said.
• The Ministry of Defence first awarded SIG SAUER a contract for the SIG716 in 2019 for 72,400 rifles. The successful “fielding and overwhelming” acceptance by soldiers led to this follow-on award for an additional rifles, the company said in the statement.

Multiple Choice Questions of DCA

1. Which Indian Navy ship participated in the 328th Russian Navy Day
   celebrations?
   A. INS Vikrant
   B. INS Tabar
   C. INS Shivalik
   D. INS Kolkata
   ANSWER: B
2. What is the name of the software launched by the ICG?
   A. Suvidha Software Version 1.0
   B. Shakti Software Version 2.0
   C. Suraksha Software Version 1.0
   D. Samudra Software Version 2.0
   ANSWER: A
3. Who became the first woman to be appointed as the DG Medical Services
   (Army) on August 01, 2024?
   A. Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair
   B. Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera
   C. Air Marshal Aruna Sharma
   D. Lt Gen Anita Desai
   ANSWER: A
4. What day is celebrated as the AFHQ Civilian Services Day?
   A. 15th August
   B. 26th January
   C. 1st August
   D. 10th October
   ANSWER: C
5. Who assumed charge as the new director general of the Assam Rifles?
   A. Lt Gen PC Nair
   B. Lt Gen Sadhna Saxena Nair
   C. Lt Gen Vikas Lakhera
   D. Lt Gen Rajesh Kumar
   ANSWER: C
6. Which public sector firm has been given clearance by the IAF for the
   production of 200 Astra Mark 1 missiles?
   A. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
   B. Bharat Dynamics Limited
   C. Bharat Electronics Limited
   D. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
   ANSWER: B
7. Who holds the additional charge of the Border Security Force?
   A. Rajnath Singh
   B. Sadhna Saxena Nair
   C. Daljit Singh Chawdhary
   D. Vikas Lakhera
   ANSWER: C
8. Where is the first phase of the Tarang Shakti 2024 exercise conducted?
   A. Rajasthan’s Jodhpur
   B. Tamil Nadu’s Sulur
   C. Ladakh
   D. Gujarat’s Bhuj
   ANSWER: B
9. What elements are included in the large-scale strike corps exercise being
   conducted in Eastern Ladakh?
   A. Naval and air force units
   B. Artillery, armoured, and infantry troops
   C. Special forces and paramilitary units
   D. Cyber and electronic warfare units
   ANSWER: B
10. What innovation has IIT Indore designed for soldiers?
    A. Bulletproof vests with embedded communication devices
    B. Helmets with night vision capabilities
    C. Special shoes that generate electricity and detect location in real-time
    D. Lightweight drones for surveillance
    ANSWER: C
11. What is the focus of the Indian Army’s strategic military exercise ‘Parvat
    Prahaar’ conducted in Ladakh?
    A. Desert warfare
    B. Urban warfare
    C. High-altitude warfare and operations
    D. Naval operations
    ANSWER: C
12. Where was the 10th edition of the joint exercise “Mitra Shakti” held?
    A. Colombo, Sri Lanka
    B. Maduruoya, Sri Lanka’s Southern Province
    C. New Delhi, India
    D. Kandy, Sri Lanka
    ANSWER: B
13. With which navy did INS Tabar conduct a MPX off Kiel Canal on 05 Aug 24?
    A. Russian Navy
    B. French Navy
    C. German Navy
    D. British Navy
    ANSWER: C
14. Which medal did Neeraj Chopra win at the Paris Olympics in javelin throw?
    A. Gold
    B. Silver
    C. Bronze
    D. No medal
    ANSWER: B
15. Who won the gold medal in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics, setting a
    new Olympic record?
    A. Neeraj Chopra
    B. Johannes Vetter
    C. Anderson Peters
    D. Arshad Nadeem
    ANSWER: D
16. Where are the headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)
    located?
    A. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
    B. Dubai, UAE
    C. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
    D. Islamabad, Pakistan
    ANSWER: C
17. Which country collaborated with India in Exercise Udara Shakti 2024?
    A. Singapore
    B. Thailand
    C. Malaysia
    D. Indonesia
    ANSWER: C
18. By when are the LCA Mark 2 fighter jets expected to commence flights?
    A. March 2025
    B. March 2026
    C. March 2027
    D. March 2028
    ANSWER: B
19. What is the theme of International Youth Day this year?
    A. Youth for Climate Action
    B. Digital Transformation and Youth
    C. Youth Empowerment for Sustainable Development
    D. From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development
    ANSWER: D
20. Which region does the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres advocate for a
    permanent seat at the UNSC?
    A. Asia
    B. Latin America
    C. Africa
    D. Europe
    ANSWER: C
21. Which of the following is a function of the US SBA (Small Business
    Administration)?
    A. Regulating international trade
    B. Offering financing options, from micro-lending to debt and equity investment
    capital
    C. Managing federal unemployment insurance
    D. Providing healthcare subsidies
    ANSWER: B
22. What is the purpose of the INDUS-X initiative between India and the United
    States?
    A. Promoting cultural exchanges
    B. Strengthening technology partnership and defense industrial cooperation
    C. Facilitating trade agreements
    D. Enhancing educational collaboration
    ANSWER: B
23. What is the name of the Long Range Glide Bomb successfully tested by DRDO?
    A. AGNI
    B. PRITHVI
    C. GAURAV
    D. SHAKTI
    ANSWER: C
24. Which organization will manufacture the new jet engines for the Su-30MKI
    fighter fleet in India?
    A. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
    B. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
    C. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
    D. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
    ANSWER: C
25. Ram Narain Agarwal, who passed away recently, was known as the Father of
    which missile program?
    A. BrahMos Missiles
    B. Prithvi Missiles
    C. Agni Missiles
    D. Akash Missiles
    ANSWER: C
26. What is the name of India’s 2nd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine?
    A. INS Arihant
    B. INS Chakra
    C. INS Sindhurakshak
    D. INS Arighat
    ANSWER: D
27. Which organization signed a strategic MoU with the Directorate of Marine
    Engineering, Indian Navy?
    A. DRDO
    B. HAL
    C. BEML
    D. BEL
    ANSWER: C
28. What is the estimated cost of the anti-submarine warfare Sonobuoys and
    related equipment to India by the United States?
    A. USD 50 million
    B. USD 52.8 million
    C. USD 55.2 million
    D. USD 60 million
    ANSWER: B
29. Which type of missiles and equipment are included in the latest military aid
    package sent by the USA to Ukraine?
    A. S-400 missiles and submarines
    B. HIMARS munitions, Javelins, and counter-drone systems
    C. Patriot missiles and tanks
    D. Tomahawk missiles and aircraft carriers
    ANSWER: B
30. Motto of IMA Is
    A. Valour and Wisdom
    B. Always Brave
    C. Service Before Self
    D. None
    ANSWER: A

ALSO READ:

• Latest Daily Current Affairs and Defence Updates
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs July 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs June 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs May 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs April 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs March 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs February 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs January 2024 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates Year End Review 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates November 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates October 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates September 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates August 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates July 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]
• Monthly Defence Current Affairs And Updates June 2023 [DOWNLOAD PDF]