General Awareness

DEFENCE - August 2019

Aug 2019

May 11, 2023

Tribunal Rules in Favour of Short Service Officers Getting Extension

The Armed Forces Tribunal held that all Short Service Commission officers (SSCOs) who are not selected for permanent commission will be granted extension in service if considered fit and are willing for the same.
Allowing the plea of a woman SSCO who was denied permanent commission or extension in service after the initial period of 10 years, the Tribunal observed that "grant of extension of service is not contingent upon vacancy". The judgment has wide implication for SSCOs in the defence forces that have an initial contractual obligation of 10-year service, extendable by four years. On opting for it, the SSCOs are considered by a selection board for grant of permanent commission on completion of 10-year service or four-year extension.

Army Officers in Brigadier Rank and Above to Don Common Uniform from August 1

The Indian Army will adopt a common uniform for Brigadier and above rank officers irrespective of the parent cadre and appointment. The decision was taken after detailed deliberations during the recently concluded Army Commanders' Conference.
Different types of uniforms and accoutrements have specific associations to respective arms, regiments and services in the Indian Army.
At the unit or battalion level, a distinct sense of identity reflects a strong bond among officers and men in the same regiment.
However, to promote and strengthen a common identity and approach in service matters amongst senior leadership, beyond the boundaries of regimentation, the decision was taken to adopt a common uniform.

May 09, 2023

'Operation Trinetra' in Rajouri Mountains to Flush Out Hiding Militants

Security forces continued "Operation Trinetra" for the fourth consecutive day to track down terrorists hiding in the Kandi forested area in Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri district.
Five Army personnel were killed while a major-rank officer was injured in an explosion triggered by the terrorists in the Kesari hill forest area of Rajouri last week.
Rajouri and Poonch districts in Jammu region, which were declared terrorism-free more than a decade ago, have been rocked by a series of deadly attacks since October 2021, resulting in the killing of 35 people, including 26 soldiers.

Air Force Receives 1st Batch of Indigenous VTOL Loitering Munition

The air force received its first indigenously designed and developed loitering munitions. These are capable of operating from all kinds of terrain and high altitude areas and can take down targets at a range of over 50 km, without exposing any personnel to risk. Developed by Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), the autonomous system is designed for Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) and has successfully demonstrated its capability to carry out precision strikes during trials and tests.

IAF's 1st C295 Completes Maiden Flight in Spain

The Indian Air Force's first C295 medium transport aircraft completed its maiden flight in Spain, ahead of its induction into the IAF later this year (2023), European firm Airbus Defence and Space said.
This first flight represents a significant accomplishment for the first Make in India aerospace programme, with the IAF set to become the largest operator of the C295 in the world.
The maiden flight took place at Seville and lasted three hours. IAF crews are at Airbus's Seville facility for training.
The maiden flight is yet another milestone in the C295 programme, and the induction of these planes will significantly boost the capabilities of the IAF vis-a-vis the Avro-748 aircraft they are replacing.

May 08, 2023

Navy Decommissions INS Magar after 36 Years of Service

INS Magar, the oldest landing ship of the Indian Navy was decommissioned after a prestigious service to the country for 36 years.
The ship, commanded by Cdr Hemant V. Salunkhe, was decommissioned at a ceremony held at the Naval Base.
The ship's timeline and a special postage cover were also released during the ceremony which was witnessed by dignitaries including senior personnel from the Armed forces, veterans and civil administration.
INS Magar was launched on November 16, 1984 by Meera Tahiliani and commissioned on July 18, 1987 at Garden Reach Shipyard and Engineers Limited, Kolkata by late Admiral R. H. Tahiliani.
During her service, she participated in numerous operations, amphibious exercises and humanitarian missions and operations including Samudra Setu wherein more than 4,000 Indian nationals were repatriated from various corners of the world, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Rajnath Singh Initiates Construction of Coast Guard Establishment in Maldives

The Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh, and his Maldivian counterpart, Mariya Didi, initiated the construction of a harbour at Sifavaru for the coast guard of Maldives. This move is aimed at enhancing the country's maritime security capabilities, especially as China is increasing its presence in the Indian Ocean Region by sending more warships and undertaking projects in the region.
The coast guard facility will stop the Maldives from sending its ships abroad for maintenance.
The coast guard functions as the armed maritime unit of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF), which has received patrol vessels and surveillance aircraft from India because the Maldives does not have a navy.

May 04, 2023

Tri-services Special Ops Division Sets up Headquarters in Bengaluru

In a step towards strengthening the newly created Armed Forces Special Operations Division (AFSOD), the tri-services unit was moved to Bengaluru from Agra in Uttar Pradesh.
The AFSOD is now headquartered in Bengaluru, which is the centre for Special Forces' training activities as it has amenities for training of parachute regiment troops, too.
The tri-services unit was set up to increase jointness among the three services.
The troops of the AFSOD include the Army's Para (Special Forces), the Navy's Marine Commandos (MARCOS), and the Indian Air Force's Garud.

Buland Bharat Exercise Conducted at High Altitude Artillery Ranges of Eastern Theatre

An integrated surveillance and firepower training Exercise BULAND BHARAT was conducted in the newly operationalised longest High Altitude Artillery Ranges of Eastern Theatre.
Exercise BULAND BHARAT involved the synergised application of surveillance and firepower capabilities of the Artillery and the Infantry in close coordination with Special Forces, Aviation and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in West Kameng and Tawang districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
The exercise validated plans for bringing down integrated firepower by orchestrating synchronised firing by artillery guns and fire support components of Infantry, aimed toward the destruction of designated targets.

May 03, 2023

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan Takes over Charge of Southern Air Command

Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southern Air Command. An impressive Guard of Honour was presented to the Air Marshal on taking over the command.
He has flown over 5,400 hours on various types of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft and is a Helicopter Combat Leader and a Type Qualified Flying Instructor.
Balakrishnan has had instructional tenures at National Defence Academy and at Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), commanded a frontline helicopter unit and two premier IAF stations.
Prior to taking over the charge of the Southern Air Command, the Air Marshal was the Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command, handling air operations.

Centre Ends 'Archaic Colonial Era' Cantonments

As per reports, sixty-two cantonments across the nation will cease to exist and be classified as military stations, while those housing civilians will fall under local municipalities.
This is a significant departure from the "archaic colonial practice of creating cantonments.
Yol in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district is the first to shed its cantonment tag.
As per officials, contrary to popular belief, the move will prove beneficial to all alike.
Citizens who were unable to access state government welfare schemes through the municipality, will now be able to do so. As far as the Army is concerned, it too can now focus on the construction of the military station.

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