General Awareness

DEFENCE - July 2023

Jul 2023

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.

Nov 18, 2023

China, Pakistan Navies to Conduct First Joint Maritime Patrols in Arabian Sea

The navies of China and Pakistan held their largest naval exercises in the Arabian Sea which included their "first joint maritime patrol.
The China-Pakistan Sea Guardians-3 joint maritime exercise, with the theme of "Joint Response to Maritime Security Threats", was held off at a naval base in Karachi, Pakistan, in the waters and airspace of the northern Arabian Sea.
The exercise was divided into two phases, shore-based exchanges, and maritime joint operations, which included training courses on formation manoeuvring, VBSS (visit, board, search and seizure), helicopter cross-deck landing, joint search and rescue, and joint anti-submarine drills.

Conclusion of the 37th Infantry Commanders' Conference in Mhow

The 37th Infantry Commanders' Conference, a two-day event, concluded successfully at the Infantry School in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. The conference, held every two years, was presided over by General Manoj Pande, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), and addressed a wide range of critical issues related to infantry operations, training, capability development, and technology integration.
The conference thoroughly evaluated the capabilities of the infantry in both conventional warfare scenarios and counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. It aimed to make necessary decisions to enhance infantry capabilities in preparation for future challenges.

Nov 17, 2023

India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise 'Mitra Shakti'

The ninth edition of joint military exercise 'Mitra Shakti-2023' between India and Sri Lanka is being held in Aundh (Pune). The exercise is being conducted will conclude on November 29, 2023. The Indian contingent, of 120 personnel, is being represented mainly by troops from the Maratha Light Infantry Regiment. The Sri Lankan side is being represented by personnel from 53 Infantry Division. Fifteen personnel from Indian Air Force and five personnel from Sri Lankan Air Force are also participating in the exercise.
The aim of the exercise is to jointly rehearse conduct of Sub Conventional operations under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter. The Scope of the exercise includes synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations. Both sides will practice tactical actions such as raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc. In addition, Army Martial Arts Routine (AMAR), combat reflex shooting and Yoga will also form part of the exercise curriculum.

Fourth Anti-submarine Waterfare Craft Launched by GRSE

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd launched the fourth Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), barely five months after the launch of the third ship.
GRSE is building eight such ASW SWCs for the Indian Navy. The warship 'INS Amini' was launched by Manju Naithani, wife of Vice Admiral Sandeep Naithani, Chief of Materiel, Indian Navy, who was the chief guest at the event.

Nov 16, 2023

Russia Seals Deal to Supply Igla Anti-aircraft Missiles to India

In a major development, India and Russia signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India, nearly eight months after Moscow officials anticipated that a key contract on the supply and licensed production of Igla-S man-portable air defense systems in India will be inked.
The Igla-S is a man-portable air defense system (MANPADS) that can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft.

Nov 14, 2023

Navies of India and Bangladesh Conduct Joint Exercise

The 4th edition of bilateral exercises between the Indian and Bangladesh navies, Bongosagar-23, and the 5th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) by the two navies were conducted in the northern Bay of Bengal from November 7 to 9.
Ships and aircraft from both the navies undertook joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL), and subsequently conducted maritime exercises to enhance interoperability.
Indian Navy Ships Kuthar and Kiltan, and Maritime Patrol Aircraft (MPA) Dornier participated in the exercise, along with Bangladesh Navy Ships Abu Bakr and Abu Ubaidah, and MPA.
The ships undertook communication drills, surface gun-shoots, tactical manoeuvres and other exercises that culminated in a steam past.
CORPAT-23 also included the maiden Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) drills conducted by the two navies, wherein a search-and-rescue scenario at sea was done. Regular bilateral exercises and coordinated patrols strengthened mutual understanding and cooperation between the two navies.

Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar Assumes Command of the Eastern Fleet

Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar assumed command of the Eastern Fleet, a significant and prestigious position within the Eastern Naval Command. This change of command ceremony, which marked the transition from Rear Admiral Gurcharan Singh, took place at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The Eastern Fleet, often regarded as the Sword Arm of the Eastern Naval Command, plays a crucial role in safeguarding maritime interests in the region.
Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankhar's naval journey began on July 1, 1990, when he was commissioned into the Indian Navy.
With a specialisation in Navigation & Direction, Rear Admiral Dhankhar has accumulated an impressive array of qualifications and experiences throughout his career.

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