Monthly Defence Current Affairs July 2024

In Monthly Defence Current Affairs for July 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 July 2024

General Upendra Dwivedi Takes Over As The COAS

• General Upendra Dwivedi, PVSM, AVSM, takes over as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff from Gen Manoj Pande who superannuated after more than four decades of service to the nation on 30 Jun 2024.
• General Upendra Dwivedi is an accomplished military leader, with 40 years of service in the Armed Forces. An alumnus of Sainik School, Rewa (MP), he was commissioned into Regiment of Jammu & Kashmir Rifles in 1984. The General officer has a unique distinction of balanced command as well as staff exposure across Northern, Eastern and Western theatres, in varied operational environment.

RIM of The Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) – 24

• Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik, mission deployed in South China Sea and North Pacific Ocean, has reached Pearl Harbour in Hawaii to take part in the RIMPAC exercise, which is world’s largest naval exercise.
• INS Shivalik sailed into Pearl Harbour on completion of JIMEX 24, a bilateral exercise between India and Japan.
• The harbour phase of the exercise conducted from 27 Jun to 07 Jul 2024 & saw participation in multiple symposiums, exercise planning discussions, sports competitions and reciprocal deck visits. The sea phase of RIMPAC – 24, divided into three sub-phases witnessed ships undertaking basic and advanced level integration exercises during the first two sub-phases.
• RIMPAC-24, spanning over six weeks of intense operations and training is aimed at enhancing interoperability and building trust among the navies of friendly foreign countries. Led by the US Navy, approx 29 countries are participating in the current edition of the multi-dimensional exercise.

India Develops New Explosive 2.01 Times More Lethal Than TNT

• India has successfully developed and certified a new explosive that is 2.01 times more lethal than standard TNT (Trinitrotoluene).
• The formulation, named SEBEX 2 – manufactured by a unit of Solar Industries – is said to provide a more powerful blast effect than any currently available solid explosive. The new explosive is reported to be 2.01 times more powerful than a standard TNT (Trinitrotoluene) explosion.
• The impact of an explosive is measured in terms of TNT equivalence, and any explosive with a higher TNT equivalence has greater destructive power.

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani Assumes Charge

• Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani on Monday assumed charge as the new Vice Chief of the Army Staff. The officer, who was helming the Army’s Central Command, succeeded Gen Upendra Dwivedi. Gen Dwivedi took charge as the Army Chief.
• Lt Gen Subramani has an insightful knowledge and deep understanding of operational dynamics on both the Western and Northern borders, the Army said.
• Lt Gen Subramani was commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in 1985. He has a distinguished and illustrious military career spanning more than 37 years.

Exercise Maitree 2024

• The Indian Army contingent departed yesterday for the 13th edition of India- Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE. The exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 1st to 15th July 2024 at Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province of Thailand.
• Last edition of the same exercise was conducted at Umroi, Meghalaya in September 2019.
• The Indian Army contingent comprising 76 personnel is being represented mainly by a Battalion of the LADAKH SCOUTS along with personnel from other arms and services. The Royal Thailand Army contingent also comprises 76 personnel mainly from 1st Battalion, 14 Infantry Regiment of 4 Division.

Exercise “Nomadic Elephant – 2024”

• The 16^th edition of Joint Military Exercise Nomadic Elephant between Indian Army & Mongolian Army will be conducted in Umroi, Meghalaya from 03 Jul to 16 Jul 2024.
• Indian Army contingent comprising of 43 personnel left for Mongolia. The contingent will participate in the 15^th edition of bilateral joint military exercise “NOMADIC ELEPHANT-23”.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability between both Armies in conducting semi conventional operations in semi urban/ mountainous terrain under the UN mandate.
• India and Mongolia have a shared commitment to regional security and cooperation. Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT-24 will be yet another significant milestone in the defence cooperation between the Indian Army and Mongolian Army which will further foster bilateral relations between the two nations.
• Multinational Peacekeeping Joint Exercise “Ex Khaan Quest 2023” featuring participation from military contingents and observers from over 20 countries has commenced in Mongolia.

Weapon Systems School Inaugurated By IAF Chief

• A new chapter has been introduced in the history of the IAF with the inauguration of the Weapon Systems School by Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad on 01 July 24.
• The WSS will impart effect based training that is contemporary in nature and prepare officers of the newly formed branch in line with the requirements of the IAF. With inauguration of the WSS, Flight Cadets of WS Branch will undergo their second semester of training at this institute.

Three Theatre Command Bases Identified

• Even as Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured that the creation of Theatre Commands was on track, the Defence Ministry has identified three locations in Lucknow, Jaipur and Thiruvananthapuram as their headquarters.
• The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under CDS Gen Anil Chauhan, who is responsible for raising the theatre commands, is now focusing their energy towards implementing over 150 points to enhance integration among the three services and make ready for the multi-domain warfare of the future.
• As per the plans of the DMA, the Western Theatre being raised to look after the Pakistan side is planned to be raised at Jaipur while the Northern Theatre to tackle the threat from the eastern and northern sides is planned to be set up at Lucknow.
• The Indian Navy-headed Maritime Theatre Command is now planning to come up at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala and will be looking after the maritime borders of the country and threats emanating from the maritime zone.

India Hosts 6^th EAS Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation

• The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced the commencement of the 6th East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Maritime Security Cooperation in Mumbai.
• Co-chaired by India, Australia, and Indonesia and organised in collaboration with the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the National Maritime Foundation the conference aims to bolster cooperation across the Indo-Pacific region.
• Discussions at the event are set to address critical issues, including maritime domain awareness, capacity building, and joint exercises among regional navies.

Dassault Aviation To Set Up A Maintenance Facility In India

• French defence major Dassault Aviation has filed an application with the Indian government to set up a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility near Jewar international airport in Uttar Pradesh to cater to not just India’s fleet of Mirage 2000s and Rafale fighter jets, but also that of Indonesia.
• Government sources told that the proposed MRO facility is a standalone venture of Dassault Aviation and will be fully owned by the French aviation firm.
• This means Dassault has decided to move away from its Indian partner Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence for this project. Reliance has a joint venture called Dassault Reliance Aerospace Limited (DRAL) which operates a plant in Nagpur to make parts for the Falcon business jets and Rafales.They added that the facility will initially look at MRO-related work for the 36 Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the 26 Rafale Marine under discussion between Dassault and the Indian Navy.Sources also said that Dassault Aviation had informed them the MRO facility would also cater to the needs of Indonesia which operates 42 Rafale fighters with the option for more. This is the first step of a larger plan proposed by Dassault Aviation for operations in India, they added.
• Interestingly, the IAF has a long-pending requirement for new fighters under the Medium Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) programme, as part of which they want to procure 114 new fighters through the ‘Make in India’ route.

Indo-Russian Joint Venture Delivers 35,000 AK-203

• Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia, Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL), a joint venture between India and Russia, has announced successful delivery of 35,000 AK-203 assault rifles to the Indian Army.
• Production has been deployed in India in full compliance with the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan (Self-Reliant India) programmes. The project includes technology transfer, and its concept includes 100 per cent localization of AK-203 production.
• The Kalashnikov AK-203 assault rifle is a version of the AK-200 rifle chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge used in the Indian Army. The weapon has the traditional advantages of Kalashnikov assault rifles: reliability and ease of maintenance.

Annual Defence Production Hits Record High

• Ministry of Defence has achieved the highest-ever growth in indigenous defence production in value terms during FY 2023-24, on the back of successful implementation of the policies and initiatives of the Government, led by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
• The value of defence production in the country has gone up to a record-high figure i.e., Rs 1,26,887 crore, reflecting a growth of 16.7% over the defence production of the previous financial year. The value of defence production in FY 2022-23 was Rs 1,08,684 crore.
• Of the total value of production (VoP) in 2023-24, about 79.2% has been contributed by DPSUs/other PSUs and 20.8% by the private sector. The data shows that in terms of absolute value, both DPSUs/PSUs and private sector have recorded a steady growth in defence production.

Centre to ban ‘Sikhs For Justice’ for another 5 years

• The Centre is all set to ban ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ) for another five years under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, citing “fresh evidence” from the investigation carried out by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), against SFJ and its patron Gurupatwant Singh Pannun, said officials.
• The NIA is investigating half a dozen cases against SFJ and Pannun, a US national. The agency last year attached his properties in Punjab and Chandigarh UT. SFJ was banned for the first time on July 10, 2019, under UAPA for five years.
• NIA investigations stated that Pannu was the main handler and controller of the SFJ. He has been actively exhorting Punjab-based gangsters and youth over social media to fight for the cause of an independent state of Khalistan, challenging the sovereignty, integrity and security of the country. NIA probe has shown Pannun has been in the news for issuing blatant threats to senior Indian diplomats and government functionaries in public forums.

UP Defence Corridor Attracts Rs 25,000 Crore In Deals

• The Uttar Pradesh government has signed more than 150 defence manufacturing agreements valued at ₹25,000 crore. This move aligns with India’s record-breaking annual defence production, which reached ₹1.27 trillion in the fiscal year 2023-24, marking a 16.7% increase from the previous year.
• The defence projects are strategically located within the UP Defence Industrial Corridor (UPDIC), spanning six nodes across Lucknow, Kanpur, Jhansi, Aligarh, Chitrakoot, and Agra districts. These projects are expected to generate 40,000 new jobs, significantly contributing to the state’s economic growth.
• India’s defence exports witnessed a remarkable 32% surge, reaching ₹21,083 crore ($2.5 billion USD) in 2023-24. UP is leveraging its vast MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) base to propel the “Make in UP” initiative.

Philippines And Japan Sign Defence Pact

• The Philippines and Japan have signed a reciprocal access agreement (RAA) allowing them to deploy their forces on each other’s soil, a milestone in their security relations amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Philippine defence minister Gilberto Teodoro and Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa signed the deal in a ceremony in Manila witnessed by Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr, presidential communications secretary Cheloy Garafil said in a message.
  • The agreement creates a framework to facilitate military cooperation, such as making the entry of foreign personnel and equipment easier for the visiting force. The deal, the first of its kind to be signed by Japan in Asia, would take effect after ratification by both countries’ legislatures, officials said.
  • A Japanese military presence in the Philippines could help Manila counter Chinese influence in the South China Sea, where Beijing’s expansive maritime claims conflict with those of a number of Southeast Asia nations.
  • An international tribunal in 2016 said China’s claims had no legal basis, a ruling that Beijing rejects.

‘Exercise Pitch Black’ in Australia

• The India Air Force said its Su-30 MKI fighter jets are set to take part in a biennial multinational aerial warfare exercise in Australia starting later this month that will be its largest edition with participation from 20 countries across the globe. India will be part of ‘Exercise Pitch Black 24’ which will take place from July 12 to August 2.
  • “Exercise Pitch Black 24 will be the largest in the exercise’s 43-year history. It will bring together 20 participating nations and over 140 aircraft from around the world, with approximately 4,435 personnel participating,” according to the website of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).
  • This year’s exercise will be conducted primarily from RAAF Base Darwin and RAAF Base Tindal in the Northern Territory; with additional aircraft operating from RAAF Base Amberley, located near Ipswich in Queensland, according to the RAAF’s website.

DRDO Sanctions Seven New Projects To The Private Sector

• Providing impetus to Aatmanirbharta, DRDO has awarded seven new projects to industries under the Technology Development Fund scheme for various requirements of the Armed Forces and aerospace & defence sectors.
• These project sanctions are a testimony to the continuing endeavour of DRDO in nurturing Industries, especially MSMEs & start-ups, in defence and aerospace domains.
• The details of the sanctioned projects are given below:

Indigenous Scenario and Sensor Simulation Toolkit

• The project involves development of an indigenous toolkit for simulator training of pilots in realistic scenarios. This will help in full mission planning and large force engagement. The project has been awarded to start-up, Oxygen 2 Innovation Pvt Ltd, Noida.

Underwater Launched Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

• The project relates to a versatile marine battlefield accessory which can be deployed in multiple combat roles. The objective is Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA). The project has been awarded to Sagar Defence Engineering Pvt Ltd Pune.

Long-range Remotely Operated Vehicles for Detection & Neutralisation

• The vehicles are dual-use systems that will enable detection, classification, localisation & neutralisation of underwater objects while keeping the key assets away from the suspected operational area. The project has been awarded to a start-up, IROV Technologies Pvt Limited, Kochi.

Development of Ice Detection Sensor for Aircraft

• The project aims to develop detecting icing condition inflight, caused by super cooled water droplets that freezes after their impact against the aircraft external surfaces and is utilised by the aircraft for turning on the aircraft Anti-icing mechanism. It has been awarded to Craftlogic Labs Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru.

Development of Radar Signal Processor with Active Antenna Array Simulator

• The project will enable deployment of multiple target system for test and evaluation of multiple short range aerial weapon system. It serves as the basic building block for larger radar systems. The project has been sanctioned to Data Pattern (India) Limited, Chennai.

Development of Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System-based Timing Acquisition & Dissemination System

• The project has been sanctioned to Accord Software & Systems Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru. It aims to enable indigenisation of timing acquisition and dissemination system, use of Indian Constellation for acquiring time & development of customised and flexible timing system as per range requirements.

Development of Graphene Based Smart & E-textiles for Multifunctional Wearable Applications

• The start-up, Alohatech Private Limited, Coimbatore has been sanctioned the project. It will develop a conductive yarn and fabric-making processes using graphene nanomaterials and conductive inks. The outcome will be advanced nanocomposite materials-based E-textiles utilising the inherent advantages for practical clothing applications.

India, Russia Fail To Sign RELOS

• PM Narendra Modi visited Russia, where he was warmly greeted by President Vladimir Putin. During the visit, the long-awaited Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) was expected to be signed, paving the way for simplified logistical support for military operations, including military exercises, training, port calls, humanitarian assistance, and disaster relief efforts.
  • Despite Russia and India having long standing defense ties, India inked a similar agreement with the US way before in 2016. Once signed, the RELOS will be valid for five years and automatically renewed unless either country decides to terminate it.
  • The biggest winner of RELOS would have been the Indian Navy, which would get access to Russian military facilities in the Arctic. With its economy largely dependent on agriculture, India will be impacted by the climate change around the Arctic, rising sea levels, and the monsoon pattern. The sea level in the Arctic has been declining at a rate of 13 percent per decade.

South Korea To Deploy ‘Star Wars’ Lasers Against North’s Drones

• South Korea will begin deploying drone-melting laser weapons designed to shoot down North Korean UAVs this year, the country’s arms procurement agency told AFP Friday.
• The new laser weapons — dubbed the “Star Wars Project” by the South — are invisible and noise-free, require no additional ammunition, operate solely on electricity and cost only about 2,000 won ($1.45) per shot, according to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA).
• The “Block-I” system, developed by Hanwha Aerospace, will be “put into operational deployment in the military this year”, Lee Sang-yoon, a DAPA official, told AFP.
• The two Koreas remain technically at war because the 1950-53 conflict ended in an armistice, not a peace treaty.
• In December 2022, Seoul said five North Korean drones crossed into the South, the first such incident in five years, prompting its military to fire warning shots and deploy fighter jets, but they failed to shoot any of them down.
• The South’s “ability to respond to North Korea’s drone provocations will be significantly enhanced” by the laser weapons system, DAPA said in a statement Thursday.

Defence Manufacturer BEL Secures Export Order Worth Rs 230 Crore

• State-owned aerospace and defence electronics company Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) has obtained an export order worth Euro 25.75 million (estimated value of Rs 230 crores) from Thales Reliance Defence Systems (TRDS) for the manufacture and supply of transmit-receive (TR) modules, the company informed stock exchanges on Friday.
• The TR modules will be used in the radars of fighter aircraft.
• Additionally, BEL has secured orders valued at Rs 192 crores following the last disclosure on June 28, 2024, which comprises communication equipment, encryptors, spares and services for radars, fire control systems etc.
• With these, BEL has now accumulated orders totalling Rs 5,225 crores in the current financial year.
• Shares of state-owned defence and aerospace company Bharat Electronics have been hitting all-time highs on and off, backed by a series of orders the firm received over the past months.

India, Thailand conclude ‘Maitree’ Military Exercise

• The 13^th edition of the joint military exercise Maitree 2024 between the Indian Army and the Royal Thailand Army culminated with a grand closing ceremony at Tak Province, Thailand.
• The ceremony, graced by Major General Narongrit Panikabutr, Commander of the 4th Infantry Division of the Royal Thailand Army, as Chief Guest, marked the successful completion of two weeks of intensive training and collaboration.
• From the Indian side, Group Captain Brijesh Paul, Defence Attache to Thailand, was the guest of honour.
• The joint training activities during Maitree 2024 encompassed a wide range of tactical activities including weapon training, day and night firing, rappelling, jungle survival techniques, navigation training, communication exercises, combat first aid and casualty evacuation drills among others.

Russian Army Marches On ‘Made In Bihar’ Boots

• As the Russian Army continues its operation in Ukraine, the soldiers march on using ‘Made in Bihar’ boots manufactured in Hajipur.
• Bihar’s Hajipur city, known for its agricultural production, is writing its own story by manufacturing safety shoes for the Russian army, which has an acclaimed international presence.
• Hajipur-based Competence Exports, a private limited company, makes safety shoes for companies based in Russia and designer shoes catering to European markets.
• They exported 1.5 million pairs last year, which is worth Rs 100 crore, and their aim is to increase it by 50 percent next year.

Raksha Rajya Mantri visits HAL & BEML

• Sanjay Seth visited the facilities of HAL and BEML Limited in Bengaluru, Karnataka on July 15, 2024 to review the works being carried out by the two Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
• The Raksha Rajya Mantri exhorted the officials of the DPSUs to evolve with changing times, emphasising on the need to stay abreast with latest technological advancements to develop niche products & platforms.
• During his visit to BEML Limited, Shri Sanjay Seth flagged-off a new driverless MRS-1 Metro trainset, marking another milestone in the achievements of the DPSU. This trainset is the 55th to be supplied to the Mumbai Metro Rail Metropolitan Authority.

Zen Technologies Launches AI-powered Robot

• Zen Technologies, an anti-drone technology and defence training solutions provider, in collaboration with its subsidiary AI Turing Technologies on Monday introduced AI-powered robot Prahasta, among other products, for the global defense market.
• Prahasta is an automated quadruped that uses LiDAR (light detection and ranging) and reinforcement learning to understand and create real-time 3D terrain mapping for unparalleled mission planning, navigation, and threat assessment.
• The company also launched anti-drone system camera Hawkeye, remote-controlled weapon station Barbarik-URCWS, and Sthir Stab 640, a rugged stabilized sight designed mainly for armoured vehicles, ICVs, and boats.

Govt Clears Plan For Two Military Airfields In Lakshadweep

• The government has approved plans to construct two military airfields in Lakshadweep islands, in a move that will expand the reach of the armed forces in the region.
• The tri-services proposal, that got clearance, is to build an airbase in Minicoy and extend the existing facility on the Agatti island. These airfields can be used both by the military and civil airliners to boost tourism in the island chain.
• The Minicoy airfield will come up at naval base ‘INS Jatayu’ in the Lakshadweep islands that was commissioned in March. It is the nearest major military installation to the Maldives.
• The closest land to Minicoy is Thuraakunu Island in Maldives, which is located at a distance of about 100 km to the south, across the Vangaaru Channel.

Indian Navy’s Annual Safety Review-2024

• The Annual Safety Review- 2024 (ASR-24), the 7^th edition of Indian Navy’s apex meeting on safety, was conducted at Southern Naval Command, Kochi on 19 Jul 24.
• Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, Chief of the Naval Staff delivered the keynote address virtually and reviewed the Annual Safety Report. The CNS emphasized the need to build a robust safety culture by encouraging units to educate and train personnel to think and act safely.
• The Indian Navy conducts the safety review at the apex level every year, with the objective of taking stock of all aspects concerned to operational and functional safety whilst identifying and institutionalizing steps to reduce occurrence of incidents and provide an organisational framework to strengthen safety culture.

India’s Defence Exports Skyrocket To $2.5 Billion in 2023-24

• India recorded its highest-ever defence exports, reaching $2.5 billion (Rs 20,915 crore) in the fiscal year 2023-24, as revealed by the Economic Survey 2023-24 presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Lok Sabha. This significant milestone marks a 25% increase from the $2 billion reported in FY23.
• MoD data highlighted a remarkable increase in India’s annual domestic defence production, which reached nearly Rs 1.27 trillion in FY24, a 16.7% rise from Rs 1.09 trillion in the previous fiscal year. This surge is attributed to substantial efforts by both the private defence sector and defence public sector undertakings.
• The Economic Survey reported a rise in the number of export authorisations issued to defence exporters. The number of authorisations grew from 1,414 in FY23 to 1,505 in FY24, representing a growth of approximately 6.6% year-on-year. This increase has facilitated the expansion of India’s defence exports.
• India’s defence industry, comprising around 100 domestic companies, exports a wide variety of products and equipment.

Rs 6.22 Lakh Crore Allocated To Mod, Highest Among Ministries

• In the Regular Union Budget of Financial Year (FY) 2024-25, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has been allocated Rs 6,21,940.85 crore (approx. US $75 Billion), the highest among the Ministries.
• While maintaining the allocation made to MoD during interim budget, the Government has made an additional allocation to the tune of Rs 400 crore on innovation in defence through the Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI) scheme.
• A grant of upto 50% of Product Development Budget with enhanced limit (Max) of Rs 25 crore per applicant will be awarded as per extant iDEX guidelines.
• The allocation to MoD for FY 2024-25 is higher by approx. Rs one lakh crore (18.43%) over the allocation for FY 2022-23 and 4.79% more than allocation of FY 2023-24. Out of this, a  share of 27.66% goes to capital; 14.82% for revenue expenditure on sustenance and operational preparedness;
• 30.66% for Pay and Allowances; 22.70% for Defence Pensions, and 4.17% for civil organisations under MoD. The total allocation comes out as approx. 12.90% of  Budgetary Estimate of Union of India.
• In absolute terms, budgetary allocation under capital head to the Defence Forces for FY 2024-25 is Rs 1.72 lakh crore, which is 20.33% higher than the actual expenditure of FY 2022-23 and 9.40% more than the Revised Allocation of FY 2023-24.
• The Government has increased the allocation on innovation in defence through iDEX from Rs 115 crore during FY 2023-24 to Rs 518 crore in the current fiscal year, which will boost start-ups/MSMEs/innovators in developing Def-Tech solutions and invite young ignited minds.

Rs 2.19 Lakh Crore To Home Ministry

• The Union Budget 2024-25 on Tuesday allocated Rs 2,19,643.31 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs with the majority of it — Rs 1,43,275.90 crore — being given to central police forces like the CRPF, BSF, and CISF which are responsible for internal security, border guarding, and security of vital installations.
• The interim budget 2024-25 had allocated Rs 2,02,868.70 crore to the home ministry, helmed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has allocated Rs 42,277.74 crore to Jammu and Kashmir which is currently under the direct control of the central government after the abrogation of Article 370.
• In the budget, Rs 5,985.82 crore has been given to Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rs 5,862.62 crore to Chandigarh, Rs 5,958 crore to Ladakh, Rs 2,648.97 crore to Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu and Rs 1,490.10 crore to Lakshadweep.
• The budget also allocated Rs 1,309.46 crore (Rs 578.29 crore in 2023-24) towards work related to census and Rs 1,606.95 crore to the National Disaster Response Force (Rs 1,666.38 crore in 2023-24).
• The Intelligence Bureau (IB) has been allocated Rs 3,823.83 crore (Rs 3,268.94 crore in 2023-24), the Delhi Police got Rs 11,180.33 crore (Rs 11,940.33 crore in 2023-24), the Special Protection Group got Rs 506.32 crore (Rs 446.82 crore in 2023-24).
• Meanwhile, Rs 3,756.51 crore has been allocated to the Border Infrastructure and Management, Rs 3,152.36 crore has been given for developing police infrastructure, Rs 1,105 crore for schemes related to women’s safety, Rs 9,305.43 crore for various central sector projects and schemes sponsored by the home ministry, Rs 3,199.62 crore for security-related expenditure and Rs 1,050 crore for Vibrant Villages Programme.

DRDO Successfully Flight-tests Phase-II Ballistic Missile

• DRDO successfully flight-tested Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System on July 24, 2024. The Target Missile was launched from LC-IV Dhamra at 1620 hrs mimicking adversary Ballistic Missile, which was detected by weapon system radars deployed on land and sea and activated the AD Interceptor system.
• The Phase-II AD Endo-atmospheric missile was launched from LC-III at ITR, Chandipurat 1624 hrs. The flight test fully met all the trial objectives validating complete network centric warfare weapon system consisting of Long Range Sensors, low latency communication system and MCC and Advance Interceptor missiles.
• The test has demonstrated Nation’s indigenous capability to defend against the Ballistic Missiles of 5000 km class. The performance of the missile was monitored from the flight data captured by Range tracking instruments like Electro-Optical Systems, Radar and Telemetry Stations deployed by ITR, Chandipur at various locations including on-board ship.

Launch of ‘Triput’

• The first of two Advanced Frigates under construction by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) for the Indian Navy, was launched on 23 Jul 24 at GSL, Goa. In keeping with maritime tradition, the ship was launched by Smt Rita Sreedharan to the invocation from Atharva Veda.
• The ship has been named Triput, after the mighty arrow, representing the indomitable spirit of Indian Navy and its ability to strike far and deep.
• The contract for building two Triput class Advance Frigates was signed between the Ministry of Defence and Goa Shipyard Limited on 25 Jan 19. The ship is designed for combat operations against enemy surface ships, submarines and air crafts.
• The Triput class ships are 124.8 m long and 15.2 m wide, with a draught of 4.5 m. Their displacement is approx. 3600 tons and speed a maximum of 28 knots. The ships are equipped with stealth features, advanced weapon & sensors and platform management systems.

Ex Khaan Quest 2024

• The Indian Army contingent participated in the 21^st edition of the multinational joint military exercise Khaan Quest 2024, which is scheduled to be held in Mongolia later this week.
• The joint military exercise held from July 27 to August 9.
• Khaan Quest 2024 aimed at enhancing the interoperability of the participating nations during peacekeeping missions in a multinational environment.
• The exercise aims to enhance interoperability of the participating nations during peacekeeping missions in a multinational environment,” the Indian Army stated.

Update On Incident Onboard INS Brahmaputra

• Following the unfortunate incident of INS Brahmaputra in Naval Dockyard Mumbai, Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS visited Mumbai on 23 Jul 24. He reviewed the sequence of events leading to the accident and efforts undertaken to locate the missing sailor.
• The CNS was briefed on the mitigating actions taken to limit the extent of the damage, plan to recover and undertake repairs to restore the ship’s functionality at the earliest. The CNS directed that all actions by the Command and Naval Headquarters to make INS Brahmaputra seaworthy and combat ready are to be initiated immediately.
• Adm Dinesh K Tripathi, CNS and all personnel of Indian Navy extend their deepest condolences to the family of Sitendra Singh, Leading Seaman. The Indian Navy stands resolutely with the bereaved family in this hour of grief.

CRPF Foundation Day

• The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) stands as a premier central police force of the Union of India, entrusted with the critical task of maintaining internal security.
• Initially established as the Crown Representatives Police on July 27, 1939, in response to escalating political turmoil and unrest within the princely states, the CRPF has evolved into one of the oldest and most distinguished central paramilitary forces in the country.
• The force’s creation was notably influenced by the Madras Resolution of the All-India Congress Committee in 1936, which underscored the need for a robust internal security apparatus.
• Post-independence, the CRPF underwent a significant transformation. On December 28, 1949, through an Act of Parliament, it was renamed as the Central Reserve Police Force.
• Over time, the CRPF has evolved into a formidable organization, now comprising 246 battalions. The force is headed by a Director General and is further divided into four zones located in Jammu, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Guwahati, each under the command of Special Directors General (DGs).
• As we commemorate the 86th Foundation Day of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), we reflect on the enduring legacy and invaluable contributions of this formidable force.

Operation Sarp Vinash 2.0

• In response to escalating terrorist activities in Jammu, the Indian Army has launched Operation Sarp Vinash 2.0, marking the largest anti-terrorism campaign conducted by the army in the past 21 years. The operation aims to neutralize 55 active terrorists operating in the Jammu division.
• The operation is being overseen directly by the Prime Minister’s office, with reports being submitted to the NSA and the Chief of Army Staff. The campaign has been intensified following the recent martyrdom of 48 army personnel over the past two years, as part of a retaliatory effort.
• In response to the surge in attacks over the last few months, primarily carried out by Pakistani terrorists who have recently infiltrated into Jammu, the army has deployed 3,000 additional troops.
• This contingent includes 200 snipers and 500 paratroopers. Enhanced monitoring along the international border and the Line of Control (LOC) has also been implemented, with the Border Security Force (BSF) and army on high alert.

DAC Clears Capital Acquisition Proposals

• A meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), under the chairmanship of Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh, took place on July 29, 2024, in which various capital acquisition proposals were considered.
• Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded to the procurement of Advanced Land Navigation System (ALNS) for Armoured Fighting Vehicles (AFVs) of the Indian Army. The system is spoof-proof with high levels of encryption.
• The ALNS Mk-II is compatible with Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System, NAVigation using Indian Constellation (IRNSS, NavlC), India in addition to Global Positioning System (GPS) and Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS).
• The ALNS Mk-II offers compatibility with Defence Series Maps resulting in very high accuracy in navigational applications for AFVs. This equipment will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Chennai under Buy [lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured (lDDM)] category.
• In order to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Coast Guard, the DAC accorded AoN for procurement of 22 Interceptor Boats with latest state-of-art system capable of quick interception and shallow water operation in territorial waters.

Multiple Choice Questions of DCA

1. Where has the Indian multi-role stealth frigate INS Shivalik reached to
   participate in the RIMPAC exercise?
   A. San Diego
   B. Yokosuka
   C. Pearl Harbour
   D. Guam
   ANSWER: C
2. What is the name of the third 25T Bollard Pull (BP) Tug delivered to the Indian
   Navy on 29 June 2024?
   A. Bajrang
   B. Bhim
   C. Arjuna
   D. Dronacharya
   ANSWER: A
3. Who has taken over as the 30th Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) from General
   Manoj Pande?
   A. General VK Singh
   B. General Bipin Rawat
   C. General MM Naravane
   D. General Upendra Dwivedi
   ANSWER: D
4. Ex ‘RIMAC’ Hosted By
   A. Qatar
   B. Oman
   C. UAE
   D. USA
   ANSWER: D
5. “Why Bharat Matters“ Book Written By
   A. S Jaishankar
   B. V R Chaudhary
   C. Manoj Pande
   D. Admiral R Hari Kumar (Retd.)
   ANSWER: A
6. Who has assumed the appointment of the Vice Chief of Army Staff in India?
   A. General Bipin Rawat
   B. General MM Naravane
   C. Lieutenant General NS Raja Subramani
   D. Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan
   ANSWER: C
7. Where is the 13th edition of the India-Thailand joint military Exercise MAITREE
   conducted?
   A. Bangkok
   B. Chiang Mai
   C. Fort Vachiraprakan in Tak Province
   D. Pattaya
   ANSWER: C
8. Ex Nomadic Elephant 2024 Conducted At
   A. Meghalaya
   B. T.N
   C. U.P
   D. M.H
   ANSWER: A
9. Which locations have been identified as the headquarters for Theatre
   Commands by the Defence Ministry?
   A. Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai
   B. Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad
   C. Lucknow, Jaipur, Thiruvananthapuram
   D. Pune, Ahmedabad, Kochi
   ANSWER: C
10. How much funding has the Ministry of Defence sanctioned through its TDF to
    enhance capabilities in cutting-edge technology?
    A. Rs 100 crore
    B. Rs 200 crore
    C. Rs 300 crore
    D. Rs 400 crore
    ANSWER: C
11. Where is the 6th East Asia Summit (EAS) Conference on Maritime Security
    Cooperation being held?
    A. New Delhi
    B. Chennai
    C. Kolkata
    D. Mumbai
    ANSWER: D
12. Current Raksha Rajya Mantri Is _.
    A. Rajnath Singh
    B. Sanjay Seth
    C. Ajay Bhatt
    D. Narendra Modi
    ANSWER: B
13. What was the value of defence production in the country in the financial year
    2023-24?
    A. Rs 1,00,000 crore
    B. Rs 1,08,684 crore
    C. Rs 1,26,887 crore
    D. Rs 1,16,000 crore
    ANSWER: C
14. How many AK-203 assault rifles were successfully delivered to the Indian
    Army?
    A. 20,000
    B. 25,000
    C. 30,000
    D. 35,000
    ANSWER: D
15. What is the name of India’s first indigenously designed and developed light
    battle tank?
    A. Arjun
    B. Bhishma
    C. Zorawar
    D. Vijayanta
    ANSWER: C
16. For how many more years is the Centre set to ban ‘Sikhs For Justice’ (SFJ)
    under the UAPA, 1967?
    A. 3 years
    B. 4 years
    C. 5 years
    D. 6 years
    ANSWER: C
17. How many defence manufacturing agreements has the UP government signed,
    and what is their total value?
    A. 100 agreements worth ₹20,000 crore
    B. 150 agreements worth ₹25,000 crore
    C. 200 agreements worth ₹30,000 crore
    D. 250 agreements worth ₹35,000 crore
    ANSWER: B
18. Exercise Pitch Black Is Hosted By
    A. Qatar
    B. Oman
    C. UAE
    D. Australia
    ANSWER: D
19. Which country is hosting the 28th Malabar naval exercise?
    A. United States
    B. Japan
    C. India
    D. Australia
    ANSWER: C
20. RELOS Stands For
    A. Reciprocal Export of Logistics Agreement
    B. Reciprocal Exchange of Log Agreement
    C. Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement
    D. None
    ANSWER: C
21. Which company obtained an export order worth Euro 25.75 million from
    Thales Reliance Defence Systems (TRDS)?
    A. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
    B. Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
    C. Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
    D. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)
    ANSWER: B
22. What percentage of constable positions in the CISF and BSF has the Indian
    government reserved for former Agniveers?
    A. 5%
    B. 7%
    C. 10%
    D. 15%
    ANSWER: C
23. Which company is the first Indian rolling stock manufacturer to design,
    develop, manufacture, and supply driverless trains?
    A. BEL
    B. BEML
    C. HAL
    D. DRDO
    ANSWER: B
24. Where has the gov approved the construction of two military airfields to
    expand the reach of the armed forces?
    A. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
    B. Lakshadweep Islands
    C. Sikkim
    D. Arunachal Pradesh
    ANSWER: B
25. INS Brahmaputra Is A
    A. Destroyer
    B. Frigate
    C. Aircraft
    D. OPV
    ANSWER: B
26. How much money was allocated to the Ministry of Home Affairs in the Union
    Budget 2024-25?
    A. Rs 1,43,275.90 crore
    B. Rs 2,19,643.31 crore
    C. Rs 6,21,940.85 crore
    D. Rs 3,12,500.45 crore
    ANSWER: B
27. Which ministry received the highest allocation in the Regular Union Budget of
    Financial Year 2024-25?
    A. Ministry of Home Affairs
    B. Ministry of Finance
    C. Ministry of Defence
    D. Ministry of External Affairs
    ANSWER: C
28. Which Company Manufactured the first of two Advanced Frigates for the
    Indian Navy launched?
    A. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL)
    B. Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL)
    C. Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL)
    D. Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL)
    ANSWER: C
29. Where was the Phase-II Ballistic Missile Defence System successfully flighttested by DRDO?
    A. ITR Chandipur
    B. Mumbai
    C. Chennai
    D. None
    ANSWER: A
30. In which country is the 21st edition of the exercise Khaan Quest 2024 held?
    A. India
    B. Mongolia
    C. Russia
    D. China
    ANSWER: B

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