Current Affairs November 2019 - Defence
1 - India-Uzbekistan Joint military Exercise - Dustlik-2019
The first Indo-Uzbek Joint Exercise named 'Dustlik-2019' was held in Tashkent from November 4 to November 13. The exercise focused on counter-terrorism.
The exercise will enable sharing of best practices and experiences between the Armed Forces of the two countries and will lead to greater operational effectiveness. India and Uzbekistan have signed three Memoranda of Understanding in the fields of Military Medicine and Military Education.
2 - Defence innovations conference showcasing accomplishments of iDEX held
Defence Ministry organised Def-Connect in New Delhi to showcase the accomplishments of the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative and construct a strong outreach towards the potential future entrepreneurs of the defence sector.
The objective of the conference was to bring together all stakeholders of the iDEX ecosystem, Ministry of defence, iDEX selected startups, Partner Incubators, Defence Innovation Organisation, Nodal agencies (Indian Army, Navy, Airforce), Defence Research and Development Organisation and Defence Public Sector Undertakings and Indian Ordnance Factories.
3 - Indian Navy – Indonesian Navy Bilateral Maritime Exercise ‘Samudra Shakti’
The Indian Navy participated in a Bilateral Exercise named ‘Samudra Shakti’ along with Indonesian Navy. The joint exercises included manoeuvres, Surface Warfare exercises, Air Defence exercises, Weapon firing drills, Helicopter Operations and Boarding Operations. The exercise started with Harbour Phase followed by Sea Phase.
It was the second edition of Ex ‘Samudra Shakti’. The exercise aimed to strengthen bilateral relations, expand maritime co-operation, enhance interoperability and exchange best practices.
4 - MPC for MILAN 2020 Concludes at Visakhapatnam
The Mid Planning Conference (MPC) for MILAN exercise concluded at HQENC Visakhapatnam. The three-day conference was attended by 29 delegates from 17 friendly Foreign Navies. MILAN 2020 is scheduled to be conducted at Visakhapatnam in March 2020.
MILAN series of biennial a multilateral naval exercise which commenced in 1995, was conducted at Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC) until last year. MILAN 2020 is aimed to enhance professional interaction between friendly foreign navies and learn from each other’s strengths and best practices in the maritime domain.
5 - Curtain Raiser - HADR Exercise TIGER TRIUMPH held at Visakhapatnam
The maiden India US joint Tri services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise named ‘TIGER TRIUMPH’ was conducted at Visakhapatnam from 13-21 Nov, 2019. The Exercise is aimed to developing interoperability for conducting HADR operations.
At the HADR Exercise Area, a Joint Command and Control Centre was established jointly by the Indian Army and US Marines. The IAFRAMT (Indian Air Force Rapid Action Medical Team) and the US Navy Medical Team established a Medical Facility Camp for providing medical aid to victims, who would have been previously evacuated by road and air to the Camp.
6 - GRSE delivered fast patrol vessel, ‘Annie Besant’ to Indian Coast Guard
Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE) delivered Fast Patrol Vessel (FPV) ICGS Annie Besant to Indian Coast Guard (ICGS) in Kolkata, West Bengal. Second in the series of five Fast Patrol Vessel to the Indian Coast Guard, Annie Besant is a medium-range vessel with a length of 50 metres, width of 7.5 metres and displacement of around 308 tonnes with powerful, fuel-efficient platforms to perform multipurpose operations like patrolling, anti- smuggling, anti-poaching and rescue operations.
GRSE has responded to the RFPs for two Pollution Control Vessels (PCVs) and eight Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) for Indian Coast Guard.
7 - Indian Coast Guard conducted Exercise ReSAREX-2019
The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the 'Regional Level Search and Rescue Workshop and Exercise 2019': ReSAREX- 19 off Goa coast. Coast Guard District Headquarters - 11 (Goa) organized the exercise to check the preparedness and response measures for search and rescue at sea in a coordinated manner. ReSAREX - 19 tested the efficiency of operations of various SAR agencies in Goa.
The workshop cum exercise was witnessed by 5 ICG Ships, Dornier aircraft, two Chetak helicopters, Captain of port, State Marine Police, Indian Mission Control Centre (INMCC) Bangaluru, Goa state administration and Marmugao Port Trust.
8 - 35th Infantry Commanders Conference held in Madhya Pradesh
35th Infantry Commanders’ Conference was held in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. The conference was a biennial event aimed at taking a holistic review of operational, training and management aspects of the Infantry which are crucial to retaining, maintaining and enhancing its role.
The conference provided an appropriate platform for eminent speakers and professionals to share their thoughts and gave an opportunity to introspect the matters related to Infantry in a fresh prospective.
9 - Indian Army conducted HIM VIJAY Military Exercise
The Indian Army conducted HIM VIJAY Military Exercise to validate operational capabilities of combat formations and meet the requirements of modern warfare keeping the military progress of the enemy threats in mind. The exercise was an all Arms exercise and approximately a Division strength participated.
The exercise involved company level mechanised forces, including infantry combat vehicles, fighter jets and warships.The exercise is to test mobility, communication and coordination of such huge body of fast-moving troops in difficult terrain.
10 - Government gives in-principle nod to create Chief of Defence Staff post
The Government has granted in-principle approval for the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). An Implementation Committee was also approved and constituted to further determine and finalize the exact responsibilities, an enabling framework for this new post and all other issues involved to ensure smooth operationalization.
The high-level committee headed by National National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval submitted its report to the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). As per recommendations of the committee, the CDS would be given age limit of 64 years.
11 - Indian Army conducted ‘Sindhu Sudarshan’ exercise in Rajasthan
The Sudarshan Chakra Corps of the Indian Army conducted the Sindhu Sudarshan exercise in Rajasthan's Barmer to undertake large scale offensive manoeuvres as part of an integrated air-land battle.
Around 40,000 jawans of the Indian Army, 700 x A Vehicles, and 300 x Guns of Sudarshan Chakra Corps of Southern Command participated in the exercise and witnessed the mechanized battle groups in a network-enabled environment using multiple force multipliers.
12 - Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh inaugurated Air Force Commanders’ Conference
Second bi-annual IAF Commanders’ Conference was inaugurated by the Hon’ble Raksha Mantri. Raksha Mantri addressed the Commanders on strengthening defence capability through increased domestic production and reduced dependence on import of military hardware. The Commanders’ Conference emphasised the need for enhanced joint training with the Indian Army as well as the Indian Navy for fostering jointmanship and ensuring national security.
During the conference, discussions took place on joint operations, anti-drone operations, countering asymmetric warfare and further strengthening our precision targeting, cyber and information warfare capability.
13 - US cleared sale of $1 billion worth of Naval Guns to India
The US State Department cleared the sale of sophisticated MK-45 naval guns worth $1 billion to India. The MK-45 Gun System will provide the capability to conduct anti-surface. The sale will support the foreign policy and national security of the United States by improving the security of a strategic regional partner and improve India’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems.
BAE Systems Land designed MK-45 Gun System will provide the capability to conduct anti¬-surface warfare and anti-air defense missions while enhancing interoperability with US and other allied forces.
14 - Mine Counter Measure Exercise-first time held between India and Japan
The Mine Countermeasure Exercise (MINEX) is an annual exercise between India and Japan. This maiden exercise was conducted in Kerela between Indian Naval Forces and the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. This is the first time an explosive ordnance disposal and mine countermeasure exercise was held by Indian and Japanese forces for increasing maritime cooperation.
Other exercise between both the nations include JIMEX, Exercise Malabar Sahayog-Kaijin and Exercise DHARMA GUARDIAN.
