General Awareness

DEFENCE - December 2018

Dec 2018

Nov 16, 2021

Egypt Activates Rafale Contract

Egypt's contract with France for a further 30 Dassault Rafale combat aircraft came into force on 15 November.
The manufacturer announced that the contract signed on 4 May to bring Egypt's total Rafale fleet from 24 up to 54 aircraft has now been activated.
As announced earlier in the year, Egypt is to acquire the additional Rafales for EUR3.8 billion (USD4.6 billion) via a 10-year loan.
Egypt signed for its first 24 Rafales (16 Rafale B/DM two-seaters and eight Rafale C/EM single-seaters) in early 2015, with deliveries commencing later the same year and running through to late 2017. Neither the composition of this latest order nor its delivery timeline have yet been revealed.

Belarus Eyes Iskander Missiles amid Border Crisis with Poland

Amid a rapidly escalating border row with Poland, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko renewed his request with Russian President Vladimir Putin to acquire Iskander missile systems for his country's armed forces.
The authoritarian leader's request comes as ties between Poland and Belarus have become increasingly strained over the past weeks.

Nov 15, 2021

The 32nd Edition of Indo Thai Coordinated Patrol Concludes

The 32nd edition of the India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy concluded on November 14, 2021. Indian Naval Ship (INS) Karmuk, an indigenously built Missile Corvette and His Majesty's Thailand Ship (HTMS) Tayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft, along with Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the CORPAT.
CORPAT builds up understanding and interoperability between navies and facilitates the institution of measures to prevent and suppress unlawful activities like Illegal Unreported Unregulated (IUU) fishing, drug trafficking, maritime terrorism, armed robbery and piracy. It further helps enhance the operational synergy by exchange of information for the prevention of smuggling, illegal immigration and for conduct of search and rescue (SAR) operations at sea.

Defence Ministry Formally Lifts Ban on Italian Firms Leonardo SpA, AgustaWestland

The defence ministry formally lifted a ban on Italian firm Leonardo SpA and its subsidiary AgustaWestland as their names did not figured in an updated list of companies debarred and suspended from business dealings with it.
Leonardo SpA, which was earlier known as Finmeccanica, and AgustaWestland were banned in 2014 in the wake of allegations of corruption in a Rs. 3,500-crore VVIP helicopters deal.
The updated list figured six companies as 'debarred firms' while 15 companies have been put under the category of 'put on hold/suspended'.

Thailand Becomes First Foreign Customer of AT-6 Light-attack Aircraft

The Royal Thai Air Force awarded a $143 million contract to Textron Aviation for eight Beechcraft AT-6 Wolverine aircraft, ground support equipment, spare parts, training and other equipment.
Thailand's deal with the American company on the first day of the Dubai Airshow makes it the first international customer of the light attack aircraft. Under the contract, work will take place at the company's Wichita, Kansas, facility.

Russia Starts Supplying S-400 Air Defence Missile Systems to India

In a major boost to Indian capabilities to take out enemy fighter aircraft and cruise missiles at long range, Russia has started supplying the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system to India.
Russia has started supplying S-400 air defense system to India", Director of Russian Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC) Dmitry Shugaev said in Dubai air show. FSMTC is the Russian government's main defence export control organisation.
As per reports, the parts of the air defence system have started reaching India and they would be first deployed at a location close to the Western border from where it can tackle threats from both parts of the Western and Northern borders with Pakistan and China both.
The S-400 air defence system was contracted for by India in a deal worth around Rs. 35,000 crore and five squadrons would be provided to India for tacking air threats from up to 400 km.

Nov 14, 2021

Israel, UAE, Bahrain, US Hold Major Red Sea Drill

The navies of Israel, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain launched a joint exercise in the Red Sea, in response to their shared adversary Iran's presence and aggression in the waters of the Middle East.
The five-day drill included at-sea training aboard amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland.
While the Israeli Air Force had previously taken part in international drills with the UAE, this drill marks the first time that Israel publicly trained with the UAE and Bahrain. It comes as a result of the transfer of the responsibility for Israel from the US Europe Command (EUCOM) to the US Central Command (CENTCOM).

Nov 13, 2021

Indian, French Armies to Carry out Military Drills

India and France will carry out a 12-day military exercise beginning in the French port town of Frejus with a focus on counter-terror operations.
A platoon strength of a Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion will represent the Indian Army while the French side will deploy troops of 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of 6th Light Armoured Brigade at the exercise.
'Exercise Shakti' will focus on counter-terrorism operations in the backdrop of semi-urban terrain under United Nations mandate with an aim to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the two armies.

Nov 12, 2021

Sheel Vardhan Singh Appointed CISF DG, Atul Karwal is New NDRF Chief

The government announced the appointment of chiefs of two key Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). These are the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), which has been without a regular chief since May 25 when its then chief Subodh Jaiswal was appointed as CBI Director — and, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), which currently has IPS officer S. N. Pradhan as its chief.
Special Director in the Intelligence Bureau Sheel Vardhan Singh was appointed as the new CISF DG, while National Police Academy Director Atul Karwal was appointed as the NDRF DG.

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