Indian Army Contingent in Australia for Joint Military Exercise
The Indian Armed Forces contingent, comprising 81 personnel, is in Perth, Australia and is participating in the second edition of the joint military exercise, AUSTRAHIND-23. The exercise is being conducted from November 22 to December 6, 2023.
The Indian contingent comprises 60 personnel from a Battalion of the Gorkha Rifles. The Australian Army contingent comprising 60 personnel is from the 13th Brigade. One officer from the Indian Navy and 20 personnel from the Indian Air Force are also participating from the Indian side. The Australian contingent includes 20 personnel each from the Royal Australian Navy and Royal Australian Air Force.
The 'AUSTRAHIND' was started in 2022 and the first edition was conducted in Mahajan, Rajasthan.
Nov 22, 2023
Russia Holds Naval Drills with India in Bay of Bengal
Russia held joint naval exercises with India in the Bay of Bengal, as the two countries bolster security ties despite Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.
The United States has in the past voiced concern about India holding joint drills with Russia, which has been trying to expand its influence in the region.
The purpose of the exercise was to comprehensively develop and strengthen naval cooperation between Russia and India.
The drills helped the two navies jointly counter global threats and ensure the safety of civilian shipping in the Asia-Pacific region.
The drills involved ships from Russia's Pacific Fleet, including the Admiral Tributs anti-submarine destroyer.
India-US Joint Drill Begins in Meghalaya
The 14th edition of Indo-US Joint Special Forces' exercise 'Vajra Prahar 2023' commenced at Umroi, Meghalaya. The US contingent is represented by personnel from the 1st Special Forces Group (SFG) of the US Special Forces. The Indian Army contingent is led by Special Forces personnel from the Eastern Command.
The three-week exercise aims at sharing best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics.
Both sides will jointly plan and rehearse a series of special, counter-terrorist and air-borne operations in simulated conventional and unconventional scenarios in the mountainous terrain.
Nov 21, 2023
Indian Navy, DRDO Test Indigenously Developed Naval Anti-ship Missile
Attempting to boost self reliance or 'Aatmanirbharta', the Indian Navy, in association with Defence Research and Development Organissation (DRDO), successfully undertook guided flight trials of the first indigenously developed naval anti-ship missile from Sea King 42B helicopter.
Even in May 2022, India tested its first indigenously built anti-ship missile falling in the short-range category weighing around 380 kilograms with a range of 55 kilometres. Names as 'Naval Anti-ship Missile-short range' (NASM-SR), they can be launched from attack helicopters.
Launch of Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78)
The launch of 'Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78)', the fourth Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd (SEPPL), Visakhapatnam for Indian Navy, was undertaken at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (launch site of M/s SEPPL). The launching Ceremony was presided over by Cmde Shanmugam Sabesan, CRO (East).
The contract for building 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge was signed between MoD and M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam in February 2021. The availability of these Barges would provide impetus to operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles/ ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours.
Nov 20, 2023
IAF's First Bomber Unit and the First to Use Jet Aircraft in Combat Marks 75 Years
The first bomber unit to be raised by the Indian Air Force (IAF) is the No. 5 Squadron, the Tuskers. It commemorated its 75th anniversary at its home base in Ambala. It is also the first IAF unit to use jet aircraft in combat.
A series of events, including a ceremonial parade, home-paying to martyrs, aerobatic performance by the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, skydiving by the Akash Ganga Team, and flypast by Rafale and Jaguar fighters were organised to mark the milestone.
The Squadron was raised as part of the erstwhile Royal Indian Air Force in November 1948 at Kanpur on B-24 Liberator propeller-driven heavy bombers under the command of Wing Commander (Wg Cdr) JRS 'Danny' Dantra.
INS Sharda Visits Port Antsiranana, Madagascar to Strengthen Ties of Friendship
Indian Navy Ship (INS) Sharda is on a visit to Port Antsiranana, Madagascar, from November 17-23 as part of an ongoing operational deployment.
The ship's visit aims to strengthen bridges of friendship and the Indian Navy's sustained efforts towards ensuring maritime security in the region by partnering with regional navies in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
Nov 19, 2023
Alok Sharma New Special Protection Group Chief
The Central government appointed 1991-batch Uttar Pradesh cadre Indian Police Service officer Alok Sharma as Director of the Special Protection Group (SPG), India's elite force entrusted with the task of providing proximate security to the Prime Minister of India and their immediate family members.
The decision was taken after the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the appointment of Alok Sharma as the new SPG chief.
SPG was formed in 1988 by an Act of the Parliament of India.
Royal Navy Uncrewed Aircraft Trial Marks European First
A specially-modified aircraft codenamed 'Mojave', measuring 9 metres long and featuring a wingspan of 17 metres, became the largest crewless machine ever flown from an aircraft carrier outside of the US Navy.
The aircraft was operated remotely at a computer terminal by a 'pilot', taking off and safely landing back onboard HMS Prince of Wales, a Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carrier, during a trial off the US east coast.
Produced by General Atomics, 'Mojave' is a version of the MQ1C Gray Eagle aircraft which has been adapted for take-off and landing on short runways. It can perform long endurance missions from medium altitude and has a maximum air speed of 167 knots.
The Mojave trial is a European first – the first time that a remotely piloted air system of this size has operated to and from an aircraft carrier outside of the US.