Monthly Defence Current Affairs – October 2023

In Current Affairs for Monthly Compilation October 2023, 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.

Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan Takes Over As DG BRO

• Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan took over as the 28th Director General Border Roads (DGBR) on September 30, 2023. He assumed the charge following the superannuation of Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhry.
• Prior to his appointment as the DGBR, the General Officer was holding the appointment of Commandant, College of Military Engineering, Pune.
• Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers in 1987. He has participated in Operation Vijay, Operation Rakshak and Operation Parakram during his illustrious service.

SIMBEX 23 CONCLUDES                                         

• Indian Naval Ships Ranvijay (guided-missile Destroyer), Kavaratti (ASW Corvette), submarine Sindhukesari and a long range Maritime Patrol Aircraft P8I participated in the 30th edition of Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) in Singapore.
• First held in 1994, the three-decade-old annual exercise kicked off with an opening ceremony on 21 September 2023, which was attended by personnel from both the navies. The ceremony saw unveiling of the SIMBEX 30th Edition Logo.
• The Sea Phase of SIMBEX 23 was conducted from 25 to 28 September 2023, wherein units of Indian Navy alongwith RSS Stalwart, Valour, Tenacious, a submarine, Maritime Patrol Aircraft Fokker F-50 and fighter aircraft engaged in complex maritime security exercises including advanced anti-submarine warfare, surface and air defence exercises, as well as tactical manoeuvers and weapon firings.
• SIMBEX 23 ended on a high note reaffirming the close bonds of friendship and interoperability between the two maritime nations.

Military Nursing Service Celebrates 98^th Raising Day     

• MNS celebrated its 98th Raising Day on Oct 1, 2023. As one of the oldest and most distinguished all-women services in the Armed Forces, the Service holds more than 5,000 officers posted at various hospitals of the Armed Forces.
• To commemorate the 98th anniversary, the serving and retired officers led by Addl DGMNS Maj Gen I Delos Flora paid homage at the National War Memorial on 30 Sep 2023. A cake-cutting ceremony by MNS officers of Delhi Garrison was held at AH(R&R).
• The origin of MNS dates back to the pre-independence colonial era when British and Indian soldiers served in the British Army. The British Indian government established the Indian Army Nursing Services (IANS) in the year 1888.
• On 1st Oct 1926, the Permanent Nursing Service was raised in the Indian Army and designated as the Indian Military Nursing Service.

India To Get 3 ISTAR Aircraft Under ₹6,000-Crore                                          

• The air force has moved a proposal to acquire three airborne intelligence gathering aircraft under a project that will see the development of indigenous sensor technologies and systems.
• The new airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) platform will be vital to map out battlefields and monitor enemy movements in real time, said people with knowledge of the matter.
• They said the air force has sought approval for a ₹6,000 crore project under which three ISTAR aircraft will be acquired. While the sensors and monitoring equipment will be indigenous, the aircraft will be a commercial or executive jet acquired from abroad.

UK Companies To Design, Manufacture AUKUS Nuclear Submarines          

• The United Kingdom has awarded three UK companies a 4-billion-pound ( USD 4.9 bn) contract to design and manufacture a nuclear-powered attack submarine as part of the country’s AUKUS programme with Australia and the United States.
• The first of the submarines will be delivered into service in the UK in the late 2030s and the first Australian ones will follow in the early 2040s.
• The SSN-AUKUS program aims to enhance the capabilities of the UK, Australia, and the US to counter regional security challenges, particularly from China in the Asia-Pacific region.

SAMPRITI-XI 2023

• India and Bangladesh commenced the 11th edition of annual joint military exercise, SAMPRITI on 03rd October 2023 in Umroi, Meghalaya. This exercise, alternatingly organised by both countries, signifies strong bilateral defence cooperation initiatives.
• With its inception in Jorhat, Assam in 2009, the exercise has witnessed ten successful editions till 2022.
• SAMPRITI-XI, scheduled for 14 days, will engage approximately 350 personnel from both sides. The exercise underscores the importance of enhancing interoperability between the two armies, sharing tactical drills, and promoting best practices.
• 20 Officers from each contingent will participate in the CPX, focusing on decision-making after thorough deliberations. This will be followed by FTX wherein grassroots-level operations will be validated. The FTX will include a series of joint tactical drills for counter-terrorist operations such as hostage rescue, crowd control measures, and use of helicopters in counter-terrorist operations. The Validation Exercise will be conducted on 14th and 15th October 2023 in Darranga Field Firing Range, Assam. During the course of the exercise, the participants will also get to witness the prowess of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Equipment Display.

Apollo Micro Systems Plans To Set Up Defence Equipment Manufacturing Facility In Telangana

• Apollo Micro Systems Ltd (AMSL) is planning to set up a defence equipment manufacturing facility in Telangana at an investment of Rs 150 crore. The proposed facility will come up on an area of 3 lakh sq ft at its facility in Hyderabad, AMSL said.
• The company recently incorporated a wholly owned subsidiary — Apollo Defence Industries Private Ltd — to take forward its plans of manufacturing defence equipment.
• “These agreements mark a significant milestone in our ongoing partnership with DRDO and signify our commitment to excellence in technology and innovation in defense-related projects,” he said.
• AMSL offers technology-based solutions in sectors like infrastructure, transportation, aerospace, among others.

Mega IAF List Of Desi Projects Worth Over Rs 3 Lakh Crore          

• The Indian Air Force is taking up some of the biggest indigenisation projects in defence sector as the force led by Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari is working on ‘Make in India’ programmes worth over Rs 3.15 lakh crore.
• The list of weapon systems and platforms includes the 180 Light Combat Aircraft Mark1A, 156 Light Combat Helicopters, Light Utility Choppers and many other weapon systems which are supposed to form a large chunk of the service in coming times.
• The LCA Mark1A alone is supposed to be worth over Rs 1.2 lakh crore and is going to create a huge impact on developing a fighter aircraft manufacturing ecosystem in the domestic industry.
• In the fighter aircraft domain, the Indian Air Force is taking up a major programme to upgrade the Su-30MKI fighter jet fleet under a Rs 65,000 crore project.
• Project Kusha
• The Defence Ministry recently cleared the Project Kusha of the IAF under which it is going to get five units of the Long-Range Surface to Air Missile which would be similar to the capabilities of the Russian-origin S-400 air defence missile systems, 3 squadrons of which have already been inducted in the service.
• The Project Kusha has been given approval for worth around Rs 21,700 crores and would be carried out by the DRDO jointly with private and public sector industry.
• The Indian Air Force is also going to get the basic trainer aircraft in the HTT-40 being built by the HAL at a cost of Rs 6,100 crores.

Raksha Rajya Mantri Ajay Bhatt Hands Over Twin Seater LCA Tejas to the IAF

• Ajay Bhatt said that the LCA Tejas symbolizes India’s journey towards self-sufficiency in defence manufacturing. This programme has been a shining example of commitment to reduce country’s dependency on foreign aircrafts, and it serves as a beacon of hope for a self-reliant India.
• RRM further said that the LCA Tejas program has been an inspiring saga of relentless dedication and innovation. The inception of the LCA Tejas aircraft was rooted in the dream of equipping our Indian Air Force with a world-class indigenous fighter aircraft. It was a dream that many believed was too ambitious at the beginning of the programme, but the men and women at Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), DRDO Labs, CEMILAC, DGAQA, PSUs, IAF and countless other institutions and individuals who contributed to this programme proved that nothing is impossible when the country’s interest comes first and all institutions come together for completion of this important cause.
• The HAL’s first Series Production twin seater  of LCA Tejas is decked with state-of-the-art technology, agility, and versatility, It will provide  suitable training to the Pilots of IAF.  The IAF has already placed an order for 83 LCAs with HAL.

Navy Brings Out Dual-chip Debit Card For Offline Transaction          

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday unveiled a unique dual-chip debit card that has been developed primarily to facilitate naval personnel at high seas carry out offline transactions if required.
• The ‘SBI NAVeCash Card’ can be used in online mode (as a regular debit card) as well as in offline mode while at sea with no direct connectivity with banks, the defence ministry said.
• Singh unveiled the card at the ‘Swavlamban 2.0’ seminar organised by the Indian Navy.
• It is a one-of-its-kind dual-chip debit card developed by the State Bank of India (SBI) and the Indian Navy, the ministry said in a statement.
• “The card is a positive step towards the Prime Minister’s dream of Digital India with cashless financial transactions as it obviates the usage of cash onboard ships even in high seas,” the statement said.
• The Project Kusha has been given approval for worth around Rs 21,700 crores and would be carried out by the DRDO jointly with private and public sector industry.
• The Indian Air Force is also going to get the basic trainer aircraft in the HTT-40 being built by the HAL at a cost of Rs 6,100 crores.

Indian Navy Develops Indigenous Navigation System, Anti-swarm Drones                                           

• The Indian Navy has developed an indigenous navigation system and an anti-swarm drone, capable of building walls around its own warships or assets to protect them from any attack by enemy drones, said officials.
• Anti-swarm drone ammunition, Commander Indian Navy, MN Pasha said, “The speciality of this ammunition is it has 300 steel balls, on detonation, it will spread and create a wall of balls and it will destroy the drones. It is highly effective and completed lab trials.”
• These two systems actually represent the indigenization in its true sense as well as the total comprehensive integration for the Indian naval ships and submarines, added the Naval officer.
• The Dronaam counter-drone system was displayed at the Indian Navy’s Swavalamban 2023 exhibition yesterday in the national capital.

India, Italy To Undertake Joint Counter-terror And Capacity Building Exercise

• India and Italy have condemned terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and shared their experience in preventing and countering terrorism, violent extremism, radicalization, cross-border terrorist travel and financing of terrorism.
• This was decided at the 4^th meeting of the India-Italy Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime was held at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.
• High-level Indian and Italian officials met to share views, assess domestic, regional and international terrorist threats and discuss bilateral and multilateral cooperation in fighting terrorism and transnational organised crime, the official release said.

Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumes charge as Chief of Personnel, Indian Navy

• Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as Chief of Personnel, Indian Navy. The Flag Officer was Commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1987 and is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Defence.
• Swaminathan is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, added the statement.
• On promotion to the Flag rank, he served as Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters Southern Naval Command, Kochi and played a key role in the conduct of all training in the Indian Navy. He was also instrumental in raising the Indian Navy Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all verticals of the Navy. He then went on to head the work up organisation of the Navy as the Flag Officer Sea Training, after which he was privileged to be appointed as Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. After commanding the Sword Arm, he was appointed Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India, and thereafter as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command. The Flag Officer was later Controller Personnel Services at NHQ, a position he held till assuming his current assignment.
• Admiral Swaminathan’s educational qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; MA in Defence Studies from King’s College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University; and PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.

23^rd Raising Day of A&NC

• On 8 October A&NC celebrated its 23^rd raising day. Mere patrolling is not enough to ensure maritime security of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and capability development across the spectrum is required to combat “invisible enemies” in the region, Air Marshal Saju Balakrishnan, Commander-in-Chief, A&NC (CINCAN), has said.
• Around 30 per cent of India’s exclusive economic zone falls in this vast region, Balakrishnan said. CINCAN is the chief of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), the only tri-service theatre command of the ministry of defence, based at Port Blair.

EXERCISE 2023 – (CHAKRAVAT 2023)

• The Annual Joint HADR Ex is an outcome of Hon’ble PM’s directive promulgated during Combined Commanders’ Conference-2015. Since its first edition in 2015, the Annual Joint HADR Exercise, CHAKRAVAT, has transformed itself into a multi-agency endeavour involving participation of all three Services, Paramilitary Forces.
• The 2023 edition would further synergise efforts at the national level among all stakeholders, as well as witness participation from eight countries of the Indian Ocean Region.
• The exercise has been conducted by Indian Army, Indian Navy and IAF in rotation since 2016. The last edition of the exercise was conducted at Agra by IAF. The 2023 edition of the exercise is being hosted by the Indian Navy at Goa from 09 to 11 Oct 23.

Nagaland: 75^th Territorial Army Day Celebrated in Dimapur

• The 113 Infantry Battalion TA (Rajput) on 09.10.2023 celebrated 75^th Territorial Army Day in Dimapur, Nagaland and as part of a public outreach programme, the Batallion held a blood donation camp at the District Hospital, during which 25 soldiers of the Army donated blood for the people of Dimapur.
• An Awareness and Motivational drive was undertaken at various educational institutes during which information and guidance for joining the Territorial Army was disseminated to the students.
• The Territorial Army has a rich history of valor and sacrifice. Being deployed across the length and breadth of the country the TERRIERS have been instrumental in serving the people in counter-insurgency environments, relief and rescue during natural calamities, and many other people-centric operations.
• The TA was constituted by the Territorial Army Act of 1948 in the Dominion of India as a successor to the Indian Defence Force (1917–1920) and the Indian Territorial Force (1920–1948). It is commanded by a three-star ranking Director General of the Territorial Army—a Lieutenant General-ranking officer deputed from the Indian Army—and headed by the Chief of Defence Staff under the Department of Military Affairs of the Ministry of Defence.

Indian Army’s BrahMos Missile Regiment Test Extended Range BrahMos Missile

• As per sources, In a significant achievement, the BrahMos Missile Regiment of the Indian Army conducted a highly successful launch of the extended-range BrahMos supersonic cruise missile.
• The missile demonstrated its prowess by striking its intended target with pinpoint accuracy in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This remarkable event was attended by esteemed dignitaries, including the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor, Devendra Kumar Joshi, and the GOC-in-C of Southern Command, Pune.
• India has also developed an air-launched version named BrahMos-A, which is half a tonne lighter at 2.5 tonnes compared to the ground and ship-launched variant, weighing 3 tonnes.
• Another lighter and faster variant of the missile, namely, the BrahMos-NG missile, is under development and can also be carried by Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets.

India Launches “Operation Ajay”

• India has launched Operation Ajay to facilitate the return of citizens from Israel amid a full-blown war with the Hamas group in Gaza. There are 18,000 Indians in Israel.
• “Special charter flights and other arrangements are being put in place. Fully committed to the safety and well-being of our nationals abroad,” Foreign Minister S Jaishankar said in a post on X.
• Israel has formed an emergency government to conduct the war against Hamas, five days after the group’s fighters killed civilians in their homes and on the streets in an unprecedented assault on Israeli soil.

ICG Conducts 21^st NMSAR Meeting

• The 21st National Maritime Search and Rescue (NMSAR) Board meeting was held at Kolkata on 12 October 2023. The meeting was chaired by Director General Rakesh Pal, ICG in his capacity as Chairman, NMSAR Board. ICG is the coordinating and executing agency for Maritime Search and Rescue in Indian Search and Rescue Region.
• The meeting was attended by representatives from stakeholders and resource agencies including Navy, Indian Air Force, ISRO, Customs,  Coastal Police, DGCA, AAI, SCI, IMD, Fisheries, DG Shipping , Maritime boards, Port authorities, coastal States/UTs and other agencies, which are NMSAR Board members.
• The United Kingdom Flag vessel MV Furious was awarded in the merchant vessel category, Indian Fishing Boat New Aparajita from West Bengal was awarded in fishing boat category, ICG Ship Sujeet & ICG Air Squardon 835 Sqn(CG) in Govt owned SAR unit category while Gujrat Maritime Board and INMCC received the award in the ashore unit category.
• The NMSAR Board was formed in 2002 and since the Board meeting is being held annually to discuss policy issues, formulate guidelines/ procedures and consider recommendations for reviewing the National Search and Rescue plan. Speaking on the occasion, the Chairman emphasised on synergy amongst the stakeholders to  ensure  safer  sea for all seafarers.

DRDO’s Vessel ‘INS Sagardhwani’ Embarks on Sagar Maitri Mission-4 

• INS Sagardhwani, an oceanographic research vessel of Naval Physical & Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, embarked on a two-month long Sagar Maitri Mission-4 from South Jetty, Southern Naval Command, Kochi on October 12, 2023.
• Sagar Maitri is a novel initiative of DRDO that supports the broad objective of PM Narendra Modi’s policy declaration ‘Safety and Growth for All in the Region’ to promote closer cooperation in socio-economic aspects as well as more significant scientific interaction, especially in ocean research among Indian Ocean Rim (IOR) countries.
• INS Sagardhwani is a marine acoustic research ship designed and developed by NPOL, Kochi and constructed indigenously by GRSE Ltd. It was launched in July 1994.

Army establishes first-ever BSNL BTS on world’s highest battlefield Siachen Glacier

• The Indian Army, in collaboration with the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited on Thursday established the first-ever BSNL base transceiver station (BTS) on the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier.
• “Siachen Warriors in collaboration with BSNL established first ever BSNL BTS at forward posts of the highest battlefield on October 6, to extend mobile communication for the soldiers deployed at more than 15,500 feet,” posted the Fire and Fury Corps of the Indian Army on X.
• A base transceiver station (BTS) is a fixed radio transceiver in any mobile network. The BTS connects mobile devices to the network. It sends and receives radio signals to mobile devices and converts them to digital signals that it passes on the network to route to other terminals in the network or to the Internet.

Indian Army Wins Gold Medal In Cambrian Patrol 2023 Military Exercise In UK 

• The Indian Army won a gold medal at the Cambrian Patrol Competition 2023 International Military Exercise in Wales, UK.
• A team from 3/5 Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) represented the Indian Army at the prestigious Cambrian Patrol Exercise in Wales, UK, the Army said.
• The Indian Army team participated in the event and competed against a total of 111 teams, which included 38 international teams representing special forces and prestigious regiments from around the world.
• In the year 2021, the Indian Army also won a gold medal at the Cambrian Patrol Exercise held in the UK while competing against 96 teams including 17 international teams representing Special Forces and prestigious Regiments from around the world.

NSG To Develop National-level IED Management Software                                          

• The National Security Guard is in the process of developing national-level Improvised Explosive Device management software to facilitate national and select international partners, dealing with IEDs to be connected and share relevant inputs in real-time, the Director General of NSG MA Ganapathy said.
• He was speaking at the two-day seminar that concluded on Friday and organised on ‘Sub-conventional threats: challenges and prospects for definite and enduring solutions’ at DRDO Bhawan in Delhi.
• The seminar aimed to find some enduring solutions to sub-conventional threats from each other’s experiences and recommend an effective and synchronised response mechanism by the responders at all levels. It also aims to build synergy between Defence Forces, CAPFs, State Special Forces, ATS, and Investigation Agencies to deter any terror incident.

ARMY CHIEF PRESENTS THE PRESIDENT’S COLOURS              

• General Manoj Pande, the Chief of Army Staff presented the prestigious ‘President’s Colours’ to the Third Battalion of the Naga Regiment during an impressive Colour presentation parade held at Kumaon Regimental Centre, Ranikhet (Uttarakhand) on 13th October 2023.
• After reviewing the parade, the Army Chief appreciated the rich traditions of the Naga Regiment in all spheres of military activities to include operations, training and sports. The COAS also complimented the newly raised unit for their remarkable performance within a short period of time and conveyed his best wishes to all ranks to serve the Nation with pride.

SAGAR KAVACH 02-23               

• A two-day comprehensive Coastal Security Exercise Sagar Kavach 02/23 involving all maritime security agencies was conducted by the Indian Navy in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and the UT of Puducherry from 11-12 Oct 2023.
• About 2500 personnel from the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, State and U/T Administration, Marine Police, Fisheries, Customs,  Intelligence Agencies, Light Houses, Ports Forest etc were engaged in the exercise.
• The exercise witnessed close coordination and synergy among all coastal security stakeholders. Lessons learnt from the exercise would be incorporated to strengthen the coastal security architecture.

Ministry of Defence Signs Contract With CSL

• Ministry of Defence signed a contract on October 16, 2023, in New Delhi for Mid Life Upgrade and Re-Powering of “INS Beas” with Kochi-based M/S Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) at an overall cost of Rs. 313.42 Cr.
• INS Beas is the first of Brahmaputra Class Frigate to be re-powered from Steam to Diesel Propulsion. After completion of Mid Life Upgrade and Re- Powering in 2026, INS Beas will join the active fleet of the Indian Navy with a modernized weapon suite and upgraded combat capability.
• The transformative maiden re-powering project marks a significant stride in the maintenance philosophy of the Indian Navy and repair capabilities of M/s CSL. The project would involve more than 50 MSMEs and would lead to generation of employment for more than 3500 personnel.
• The project will be a proud flag bearer of Atmanirbhar Bharat in consonance with the Make-in-India initiative of the Government of India.

Defence Ministry signs contract for construction of the first ICG Ship                                           

• Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the construction of one Training Ship for the ICG with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd, Mumbai at a cost of Rs 310 crore under the Buy category in New Delhi on October 17, 2023.
• This is the first dedicated training platform with integral helicopter capabilities that will provide basic sea training to 70 Coast Guard and other international under-trainee officers to prepare these budding mariners on the multi-dimensional maritime aspects of Coast Guard life.
• This training ship with advanced and modern high-tech surveillance and monitoring systems will provide profound insight and expertise to the ICG cadets on the challenges at sea while ensuring the security of coastline and offshore assets.

Udhampur Military Station Gets ‘Best Green Military Station’ Award                                            

• The Udhampur military station has bagged the ‘Best Green Military Station’ award, the Army said on Wednesday. The Best Green Station Awards were presented by Army Chief Gen Manoj Pande at the Army Commanders’ Conference here.
• “General Manoj Pande #COAS awarded Best Green Station Awards during the Army Commanders’ Conference #ACC in New Delhi. Udhampur Military Station was awarded the Trophy for “Best Green Military Station” while Dehradun Military Station secured the “Second Best” award. Also, Bikaner Military Station was awarded with “Best Transformative Station” trophy,” the Army said in a series of posts on X, formerly Twitter.
• “General Manoj Pande awarded the ‘COAS Flight Safety Trophy’ for the year 2022-23 to ‘671 Army Aviation Squadron (R&O)’ for maintaining the highest standards of flight safety & proficiency in establishing, managing & promoting a #Flightsafety culture,” it said.

Indian Air Force Successfully Tests Brahmos Supersonic Cruise Missile                 

• In a significant milestone, the Indian Air Force has successfully fired the air-launched version of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in the Bay of Bengal.
• The missile was testfired from a Sukhoi fighter jet which has the capability to launch BrahMos cruise missiles that can hit enemy targets at long ranges.
• “The BrahMos air-launched missile was fired from a Su-30MKI fighter jet in the last few days. The aircraft had taken off with the missile from an air base in the southern peninsula and travelled over 1,500 Km to successfully strike a target from a longer range than before,” defence officials told ANI.
• The missile was the longer-range version of the supersonic weapon system which has been one of the unique weapons possessed by India in partnership with the Russian industry.
• ndian Air Force recently conducted two successful trials of the land attack missile system, with the missiles striking their targets with pinpoint accuracy.
• In addition to these achievements, India is actively exporting these missiles to friendly nations, including the Philippines, where they will be deployed for coastal defense purposes.
• Furthermore, the BrahMos Aerospace corporation is exploring opportunities to expand missile exports to more countries, aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambitious export targets.

Nashik- Next Aircraft Manufacturing Hub of HAL

• The new plant for the Mk-1As will enable HAL to advance the deliveries of the 83 such fighters ordered by IAF for ₹48,000 crore in February 2021 by at least a year, HAL chief CB Ananthakrishnan said in an interview.
• His comments came days after IAF chief ACM VR Chaudhari announced plans to order 97 more LCA Mk-1As at an estimated cost of ₹67,000 crore.
• HAL has a capacity to build 16 LCA Mk-1As every year in Bengaluru, and the Nashik line will help the firm ramp up production to a total of 24 jets.

India Plans To Equip Russian-origin Su-30MKIs

• Working on upgrading its fleet of its Russian-origin Su-30 MKI combat aircraft, the Indian Air Force is planning to equip them with an indigenous advanced radar named ‘Virupaaksha’.
• The Indian Air Force is working on the upgrade programme of the Su-30MKI fleet under a package worth over Rs 65,000 crore where 84 planes would be upgraded indigenously with advanced made in India radars and weapon systems.
• Virupaaksha is one of the names of god Mahadev worshipped by Hindus living across the world.
• The Indian Air Force has already decided to replace the Israeli radar on the LCA Tejas Mark 1A fighter jet with the indigenous Uttam Actors Electronically Scanned Array radar along with the Angad electronic warfare suite.
• The Su-30 fighter jets are the mainstay of Indian Air Force with 260 of them already in service. The jets have been inducted in different batches and have now form around 50 per cent of the fighter fleet.

Exercise Prasthan In Andhra’s Kakinada

• Under the aegis of Eastern Naval Command, the Naval Officer-in-Charge, Andhra Pradesh conducted Exercise Prasthan 2023 for security of offshore development area in Kakinada.
• As per a Navy statement, the exercise was conducted on the Rig ship Platinum Explorer of ONGC and RG Fixed Oil Platform of Vedanta Ltd.
• The exercise was aimed at rehearsing responses in handling contingencies and checking the efficacy of security mechanisms at ODA.
• It witnessed participation from multiple organisations, namely the Indian Navy, Coast Guard, Oil Operators, Port Authorities, the State Fisheries Department and Marine Police.
• Assets from the Indian Navy comprised of INS Kora, INS Tihayu, four Immediate Support Vessels, Marine Commandoes, Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team and Helicopters. ICG Ship Kanaklata Barua also participated in the exercise.
• During the exercise various situations viz Terrorist Attack, Bomb Scare, Major Fire, Gas Leak, Oil Spill, Explosion etc. were simulated and measures to overcome the contingencies were exercised in close coordination with all state agencies and oil operators.

‘IMPHAL’- 3^rd Stealth Destroyer of P15B Delivered     

• Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has delivered the Third Stealth Destroyer of Project 15B Class Guided Missile Destroyer i.e., Yard 12706 (IMPHAL) to the Indian Navy.
• The Acceptance Document was signed by Sanjeev Singhal, Chairman & Managing Director, MDL and RAdm Sanjay Sadhu, AVSM, NM, CSO (Tech) at MDL in the presence of Commanding Officer (Designate) Capt. K K Choudhury, MDL Directors, WOT(MB) and Navy personnel today.
• The ship is constructed using Indigenous Steel DMR 249A and is amongst the largest Destroyers constructed in India, with an overall length of 164 meters and a displacement of over 7500 Tons.
• The ship can accommodate a crew of 312 persons, has an endurance of 4000 Nautical Miles and can carry out a typical 42 days mission with extended mission time in out of area operation.
• The indigenous content in P15B Class Destroyers is 72% which is a notch above their predecessors P15A (59%) and P15 (42%) Class Destroyers, reaffirming the Government’s focus in ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ Programme along with large eco system development of sub vendors.
• This ship has completed all Sea Trials in 03 CSTs (Contractor’s Sea Trials) including firing of major critical weapons in the very first CST.
• The first Ship of P15B (Visakhapatnam) was commissioned on 21 Nov 2021. The 2^nd ship (Mormugao) was commissioned on 18 Dec 2022. The 3^rd ship (IMPHAL) has been delivered to Indian Navy on 20 Oct 2023. The 4^th ship (Surat) was launched on 17 May 2022 and is at an advance stage of outfitting.

Raksha Mantri Launched ‘Project Udbhav’                                            

• Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh launched ‘Project UDBHAV’, during the inauguration of the Indian Military Heritage Festival, in presence of General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.
• Project UDBHAV, a collaboration between the Indian Army and the USI, is an endeavour to revisit the roots of India’s ancient military thoughts.
• ‘Udbhav’, which translates to ‘origin’ or ‘genesis’, acknowledges the vintage scriptures and writings of our Nation, that span centuries in the past and contain profound knowledge that can benefit modern military strategies.
• The two-day festival aims to celebrate India’s rich military culture and heritage, through conversations, art, dance, drama, storytelling, and exhibitions. The festival seeks to create a benchmark in the domain of public engagement with military history and heritage through interaction while adhering to the goals for developing the Armed Forces in the 21st century. It also provides a platform for discussing various contemporary issues relating to India and the world pertaining to security, strategy, and international relations.

Mission Gaganyaan: Indian Navy Units Successfully Recover Crew Module

• The Crew Module, separated from the ISRO’s test vehicle, which lifted off on Saturday for the Gaganyaan mission, has been successfully recovered by the units of the Indian Navy, officials said.
• The Crew Module has been prescribed by the Indian Space Research Organisation to be recovered using a dedicated vessel and diving team from the Indian Navy after touchdown in the Bay of Bengal.
• ISRO successfully conducted the first test flight of the ‘TV-D1’ (Test Vehicle Development Flight 1) in the Gaganyaan Mission from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Andhra Pradesh’s Sriharikota after it was aborted at 8:45 am due to a problem in the engine ignition.

Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023

• A joint bilateral training exercise of Indian and Malaysian armies has commenced in Meghalaya’s Umroi Cantonment to enhance military capability for conduct of multi-domain operations in a sub-conventional scenario.
• The ‘Exercise Harimau Shakti 2023‘, began on Monday and will continue till November five with the Malaysian contingent comprising troops from the 5th Royal Battalion of the Malaysian army and the Indian contingent represented by a Battalion of the Rajput Regiment, a defence release said on Tuesday.
• The previous edition of the exercise was conducted in Pulai, Kluang, Malaysia in November 2022.
• The exercise will engage approximately 120 personnel from both sides with both contingents establishing a joint command post and an integrated surveillance grid along with a Joint Surveillance Centre.

Air Marshal Sadhna Saxena Nair takes charge as Director General Hospital Services

• Air Marshal Sadhna S Nair assumed the appointment of Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) in the office of DGAFMS on Oct 23, 2023, becoming the first woman to hold the position on promotion to the rank of Air Marshal.
• A graduate from the Armed Forces Medical College, Pune,  Air Marshal Sadhna S Nair was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in Dec 1985. She holds a Post Graduate degree in Family Medicine and has undergone a two-year training program in Medical Informatics at AIIMS, New Delhi.
• She was trained in CBRN Warfare with the Israeli Defence Forces and in Military Medical Ethics in Switzerland. She is the first and only woman Principal Medical Officer of Western Air Command and Training Command.
• For her meritorious service she has been awarded the AOC-in-C (WAC) and CAS Commendations as well as the Vishisht Seva Medal by the President of India. Three generations of her family have served in the IAF over the last seven decades.

SF Training School Gets A Cutting-edge Vertical Wind Tunnel                                             

• In a landmark move to augment the training infrastructure of special forces and combat free-fallers, the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, gets Indian Army’s first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT).
• General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff, virtually inaugurated the facility. The state-of-the-art wind tunnel is set to refine the Combat Freefall (CFF) skills of armed forces personnel.
• As part of the ongoing transformation of the Indian Army, technology is being infused into the training methodologies. Installation of a VWT is also a step in that direction.  Functioning as a freefall simulator, the VWT creates a column of air at specific velocities, orchestrating different CFF conditions.
• The system simulates varied freefall scenarios which is crucial in assessing individual reactions to numerous situations in an airborne operating environment. It reduces potential instability in the air and during parachute deployment thereby assisting trainees to get used to free-fall conditions.

Death Sentence For Eight Indian Ex-navy Personnel in Qatar

• The Court of First Instance in Qatar on Thursday announced a death penalty verdict for eight former Indian Navy personnel who were detained in Doha in August 2022 in an alleged espionage case.
• Reacting strongly to the verdict, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) expressed “deep shock” and affirmed that it will provide all consular and legal assistance and explore all possible options to rescue the veterans.
• MEA ON DEATH PENALTY
• “We have initial information that the Court of First Instance of Qatar has today passed a judgement in the case involving 8 Indian employees of Al Dahra company,” the MEA said in an official press release.
• WHO ARE THE 8 INDIANS SENTENCED IN QATAR?
• Since August 8, 2022, eight former Indian Navy personnel have been detained in Qatar, facing accusations of espionage related to a submarine program.
• The former Indian Navy officers — Captain Navtej Singh Gill, Captain Birendra Kumar Verma, Captain Saurabh Vasisht, Commander Amit Nagpal, Commander Purnendu Tiwari, Commander Sugunakar Pakala, Commander Sanjeev Gupta and Sailor Ragesh — were arrested by Qatar intelligence agency from Doha on August 30, 2022.

India Gives ‘Letter of Request’ To France for buying 26 Rafale-M

• In a significant development, India has given the Letter of Request to the French government for the procurement of 26 Rafale Marine fighter aircraft for the Indian Navy under a government-to-government deal.
• The Letter of Request has been delivered to the French government a few days back and they are expected to decide on the Indian request and respond in the near future, top defence sources told ANI.
• The LoR is like a tender document in which the Indian government has specified all its requirements and capabilities that it would want to have in the Rafale Marine aircraft being acquired for the aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, they said.

Infantry Day Wreath Laying Ceremony On 27 Oct 2023

• Infantry Day is celebrated every year to commemorate the landing of the 1st Battalion of the SIKH Regiment at Srinagar airfield on 27 Oct 1947 to protect the people of Jammu & Kashmir from the nefarious designs of Pakistani Kabaili Raiders aided by the Pakistan Army.  This gallant action resulted in foiling of Pakistan’s plans to occupy Jammu & Kashmir. Infantry is also known as the “Queen of the Battle” and it’s history is as old as the first human war.
• The infantry has played a crucial role in the army in protecting the sovereignty of the nation since independence.  Be it the war of 1962 with China or of 1947-48 with Pakistan, be it the war of 1965, 71 or 1999 Kargil conflict.  The contribution of infantry in triumphing these historical wars is unparallel.
• Apart from these wars, the Counter Insurgency/ Counter Terrorist Operations in North and Northeast, Op BLUE STAR and Op RAKSHAK in Punjab, Op PAWAN in Sri Lanka and recently Op SNOW LEOPARD in Eastern Ladakh have been the continuous witness of the sheer professionalism and commitment of infantry which eventually led to success of these operations.

Military Exercise ‘KAZIND-2023’

• The Indian Army and Indian Air Force contingent comprising 120 personnel has departed for Kazakhstan to take part in the 7th edition of Joint Military ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’, the Ministry of Defence said.
• ‘Exercise KAZIND-2023’ will be conducted from October 30 to November 11 at Otar in Kazakhstan and 90 personnel of the Indian Army contingent led by a Battalion from the DOGRA regiment will participate in the joint exercise.
• The Joint Exercise between India and Kazakhstan was instituted as ‘Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK’ in the year 2016. After the second edition, the Exercise was upgraded to a company-level exercise and renamed as ‘Exercise KAZIND’.

Monthly Defence Current Affairs October 2023 Questions

1. Who Become The New DG BRO?
   A. Lt Gen Raghu Srinivasan
   B. Lt Gen Amit Tyagi
   C. Lt Gen Rajiv Chowdhari
   D. None
   ANSWER: A
2. The British Indian government Established The Indian Army Nursing Services
   (IANS) In The Year __.
   A. 1885
   B. 1888
   C. 1926
   D. 1947
   ANSWER: B
3. Which INS Participated In SIMBEX 23?
   A. INS Ranvijay
   B. INS Delhi
   C. INS Durg
   D. None
   ANSWER: A
4. What is the purpose of establishing Border Intelligence Posts along the IndiaChina frontier?
   A. To enhance diplomatic relations between India and China
   B. To conduct joint military exercises
   C. To provide additional surveillance and information gathering along the border
   D. To build infrastructure for tourism in the border regions
   ANSWER: C
5. Who will be responsible for manning the Border Intelligence Posts along the
   India-China frontier?
   A. Indian Army personnel
   B. Intelligence Bureau officials
   C. ITBP personnel
   D. Local residents of the border areas
   ANSWER: B
6. Why is the IAF proposing to acquire three airborne intelligence gathering
   aircraft?
   A. To transport troops
   B. To conduct aerial surveillance of wildlife
   C. To monitor enemy movements in real-time
   D. To deliver humanitarian aid
   ANSWER: C
7. Which countries are part of the AUKUS program mentioned in the text?
   A. India, United States, and Australia
   B. United Kingdom, Australia, and United States
   C. United Kingdom, China, and Australia
   D. India, China, and Australia
   ANSWER: B
8. Where was the Tri-Services Commanders’ Conference-2023 (Western
   Grouping) held?
   A. Mumbai
   B. Chennai
   C. New Delhi
   D. Kolkata
   ANSWER: C
9. What is the purpose of the ‘SBI NAVeCash Card’ unveiled by Defence Minister
   Rajnath Singh?
   A. To facilitate online transactions for naval personnel
   B. To facilitate offline transactions for naval personnel at sea
   C. To encourage more naval personnel to use debit cards
   D. To replace traditional debit cards for all Indians
   ANSWER: B
10. Who won the gold and silver medals in javelin throw at the Asian Games?
    A. Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena
    B. Neeraj Chopra and another Indian athlete
    C. Kishore Jena and a foreign athlete
    D. Neeraj Chopra and a foreign athlete
    ANSWER: A
11. Savalamban 2.0 Held In
    A. New Delhi
    B. Chennai
    C. Kochi
    D. Mumbai
    ANSWER: A
12. What is the primary objective of the Annual Joint HADR Exercise, CHAKRAVAT?
    A. To enhance military readiness and combat capabilities.
    B. To promote international cooperation in disaster response.
    C. To celebrate India’s armed forces through public events.
    D. To conduct blood donation camps in different regions.
    ANSWER: B
13. Which branch of the Indian Armed Forces is hosting the 2023 edition of the Annual Joint HADR Exercise?
    A. Indian Army
    B. Indian Navy
    C. Indian Air Force
    D. Indian Paramilitary Forces
    ANSWER: B
14. Agni, Prithvi, Trishul, Nag & Akash Missile Was Developed Under Which Programme?
    A. Nishan
    B. IGMDP
    C. RAKSHAK
    D. Tej
    ANSWER: B
15. Which Force Conducted Annual Joint HADR Exercise, CHAKRAVAT?
    A. IAF
    B. NSG
    C. Indian Army
    D. Indian Navy
    ANSWER: D
16. Op Ajay Launched By Bharat To Rescue People From
    A. USA
    B. Israel
    C. UK
    D. Iran
    ANSWER: B
17. DGAQA Stands For
    A. Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance
    B. Directorate General of Aeronautical Query Assurance
    C. Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assured
    D. None
    ANSWER: A
18. Ex AL NAGAH, NASEEM-AL-BAHR, Ex EASTERN BRIDGE Conducted b/w India &
    A. Qatar
    B. Oman
    C. UAE
    D. Maldives
    ANSWER: B
19. What is the primary objective of the INS Sagardhwani’s Sagar Maitri Mission4?
    A. To establish communication infrastructure on Siachen Glacier
    B. To facilitate maritime search and rescue operations
    C. To conduct oceanographic research
    D. To coordinate and execute Indian Coast Guard operations
    ANSWER: C
20. Where is the world’s highest battlefield, Siachen Glacier, located?
    A. Near the Indo-Pak Line of Control
    B. On the Indian Peninsula
    C. In the Southern Naval Command (SNC) region
    D. In the Indian Search and Rescue Region (ISRR)
    ANSWER: A
21. Who Chaired the 21st National Maritime Search and Rescue Board meeting?
    A. Secretary, Department of Defence R&D
    B. Chairman DRDO, Dr. Samir V Kamat
    C. Rear Admiral Upal Kundu
    D. Director General Rakesh Pal
    ANSWER: D
22. India Isn’t A Member Of Which Of The Following Groups?
    A. Nuclear Suppliers Group
    B. Australia Group
    C. Missile Technology Control Regime
    D. Wassenaar Arrangement
    ANSWER: A
23. Udarshakti Is A Exercise Held B/W India And Which Other Country?
    A. Malaysia
    B. Singapore
    C. Russia
    D. Japan
    ANSWER: A
24. Ex Sagar Kavach Conducted By
    A. Indian Navy
    B. IAF
    C. ICG
    D. None
    ANSWER: A
25. Ministry of Defence signed a contract for the construction of one Training Ship
    for the ICG with
    A. MDL
    B. CSL
    C. GRSE
    D. HSL
    ANSWER: A
26. Which Military Station Gets ‘Best Green Military Station’ Award?
    A. Leh
    B. Delhi
    C. Udhampur
    D. None
    ANSWER: C
27. AESA Stands For
    A. Activated Electronically Scanned Array
    B. Active Electronically Scanned Array
    C. Active Electronics Scanned Array
    D. None
    ANSWER: B
28. The Uttam AESA, Developed By
    A. DRDO
    B. HAL
    C. BEL
    D. NASA
    ANSWER: A
29. Exercise ‘Prasthan’ 2023 Conducted In
    A. Kochi
    B. Mumbai
    C. Kakinada
    D. None
    ANSWER: C
30. What is the meaning of ‘Udbhav’ in the context of ‘Project UDBHAV’?
    A. Innovation
    B. Origin
    C. Strategy
    D. Military Power
    ANSWER: B

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