DEFENCE

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.World’s Defence (in last section)

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National Technology Day : It was celebrated across India on 11 may to commensurate the anniversary of Shakti which was the Pokhran nuclear test held on 11th of May, 1998.

‘14 points strategy’ : unveiled in 2006, stresses upon the States to adopt a collective approach and pursue a coordinated response to counter Naxalism.
 

Indian Navy Submarines

Kamorta-class corvettes or Project 28 

• a class of anti-submarine warfare corvettes built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. they are the first anti-submarine warfare stealth corvettes to be built in India.
• Project 28 was approved in 2003, with construction of the lead ship, INS Kamorta commencing on 12 August 2005. 
• Three of the 4 corvettes, INS Kamorta and INS Kadmatt, INS Kiltan (Carbon composite material)were commissioned in 2014, 2016 and 2017 respectively. 
• INS Kavaratti is under construction and slated to be completed by end of 2017.
• The platform and major internal systems of this class of corvettes are indigenously designed and built.The corvettes are named after the islands in the Lakshadweep archipelago.
• The Kamorta class corvettes are intended to succeed the Kora-class corvette by precedence and Abhay-class corvette by role.

• INS Arihant, India’s only operational ship submersible ballistic nuclear (SSBN) asset, is its most dependable platform for a second-strike, given the country “no first use” on nuclear weapons. The other options, land-based and air-launched, are easier to detect.
• Arihant has been immobilised even as the second ballistic missile submarine, Arighat, was launched on November 19 for sea trials. The launch was kept a low-profile event.
• INS Arihant and other nuclear launch platforms — land-based missiles and designated aircraft — are operationally handled by the Strategic Forces Command, and report to the Nuclear Command Authority chaired by the Prime Minister.

• INS Kiltan (P30) named after the coral island belonging to the Lakshadweep group of islands ) third Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) stealth corvettes built under Project 28 (Kamorta Class) was recently commissioned into the Indian Navy.

More than 80 % of the ship is indigenous with state of the art equipment & systems to fight in Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) warfare conditions. INS Kiltan is the first major warship with superstructure entirely of composite material propelled by ‘Combination of Diesel and Diesel (CODAD)’ propulsion system.

• Features resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section (RCS) achieved by X-form of hull and superstructure along with optimally sloped surfaces. It is as  ‘silent killer on the prowl’.

Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class submarine for the Indian navy. Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire 6 diesel-electric submarines, which will also feature advanced Air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase their operational range.

 In October 2014, the project got clearance from DAC Defence Acquisition Council. 

• Third Scorpene class sub marine under  project 75  is 'INS KARANJ '  commissioned by MDL in collaboration with french DCNS. It has features like advanced acoustic silencing technique, low radiated noise, hydrodynamical optimized shape.
• Diesel electric attack type Kalvari , Khanderi and now Karanj in the row of Project 75.

• The Directorate General Resettlement (DGR) is an Inter Service organisation functioning directly under the Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare (Ministry of Defence). In order to maintain a youthful profile of the Armed Forces, approximately 60,000 service personnel are retired/released every year at comparatively young age. Majority of the service personnel at the time of retirement are at an age where they have numerous unfinished domestic responsibilities, which necessitate their taking up second occupation. DGR assists Ex-Servicemen to train and acquire additional skills and facilitate their resettlement through a second career.

Rustom 2 : part of the Rustom line of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that includes Rustom-I, Rustom-H and Rustom-C.

• a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle, developed on the lines of predator drones of USA by DRDO with objective to carry out surveillance for the armed forces with an endurance of 24 hours.
• was developed for use by all 3 services of the Indian armed forces, primarily for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
• can fly missions on manual as well as autonomous modes

Fluorimeter : to measure traces of Uranium in water It is developed by a unit of Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Atomic Energy Regulatory Board has fixed the permissible radiological limit to 60 PPB of uranium concentration for drinking water.

HAL Tejas : 

• is result of Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme began in the 1980s to replace India's ageing MiG-21 fighters. 
• In 2003, the LCA was officially named "Tejas".
• is an Indian single-seat, single-jet engine, multirole light fighter designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. 

‘NIRBHAY’ Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile

• Nirbhay is an all-weather low-cost long-range cruise missile with stealth and high accuracy. The missile has a range of more than 1000 km.
• The missile has the capability to loiter and cruise at 0.7 Mach, at altitudes as low as 100 m.
•  It’s relatively slow flight speed allows it to navigate its way precisely to the target.
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•  The Nirbhay cruise missile is an Indian version of the American Tomahawk.
•  India’s first indigenously designed and developed Long Range Sub-Sonic Cruise Missile which can be deployed from multiple platforms on land, sea and air.

BrahMos Supersonic Cruise Missile:

• Flight-tested for the first time with an indigenous seeker technology which determines the accuracy of a missile.
• Fastest cruise missile of its class in the world flies almost 3 times the speed of sound at Mach 2.8 and has a range of 290 km.
• Jointly developed with Russia and is named after the rivers Brahmaputra and Moskva in Russia.
• The heaviest weapon to be deployed on India’s Su-30 fighter aircraft.
• Since India’s entry into the MTCR, the range has been extended to 450 km and the plan is to increase it to 600km.

Nuclear-capable ICBM Agni-V

• The Intercontinental surface-to-surface nuclear capable ballistic missile has a range of over 5,000 km and can carry about a 1,000-kg warhead. It can target almost all of Asia including Pakistan and China and Europe.
• The 17-metre long, weighs about 50 tonnes and is a very agile and modern weapon system.
• Fire-and-forget system that cannot be easily detected as it follows a ballistic trajectory. India describes the Agni – 5 missile system as a ‘weapon of peace’.
• India has already joined an elite club of nations that possess the ICBM launch capability when the maiden test-firing of Agni-V was successfully conducted in April, 2012. 
• Only the five permanent members of UNSC – China, France, Russia, USA and Britain, along with Israel, have so far possessed such long-range missiles. Means ( P5 + India + Israel )

IGMDP Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme

• As Ministry of Defence programme for the research and development of the comprehensive range of missiles and managed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Ordnance Factories Board in partnership with other Indian government political organisations.
• The project started in 1982–83 with popular political support from the successive governments and bestowed under the leadership of Abdul Kalam who oversaw its ending in 2008 after these strategic missiles were successfully developed.
• On 8 January 2008, the DRDO formally announced the successful completion of the IGMDP.
• As part of this program, the Interim Test Range at Balasore in Orissa was also developed for missile testing.
• 4 projects were born under the IGMDP…
• Short range surface-to-surface missile (code-named Prithvi)
• Short range low-level surface-to-air missile (code-named Trishul)
• Medium range surface-to-air missile (code-named Akash ) and
• Third-generation anti-tank missile (code-named Nag)

The Agni missile was initially conceived in the IGMDP as a technology demonstrator project in the form of a re-entry vehicle, and was later upgraded to a ballistic missile with different ranges.

Prithvi-II missile :

• tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) developed by DRDO of India under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program (IGMDP). 
• It is deployed by India's Strategic Forces Command.

‘Dhanush’ ballistic missile: is Nuclear-capable

• surface-to-surface missile, strike range of 350 km
• a naval variant of the indigenously developed ‘Prithvi’ missile i.e. variant of surface-to-surface or ship-to-ship Prithvi III missile.
• capable of carrying a payload of 500 kg and hitting both land and sea-based targets.
• The single-stage, liquid-propelled ‘Dhanush’, is ALREADY inducted into the defence services.
• One of the 5 missiles developed by DRDO under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

Anti Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) NAG

• 3rd generation Fire and Forget, equipped with many advanced technologies including IIR Seeker with integrated avionics, a capability possessed by few nations in the world.
• developed to support both mechanised infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army.
• incorporates an advanced passive homing guidance system and possesses high single-shot kill probability.
• designed to destroy modern main battle tanks and other heavily armoured targets.

The system includes a third generation Anti-Tank Guided Missile, the NAG, along with the Missile Carrier Vehicle (NAMICA).

Akash Missile :

Trishul Missile :

ASTRA Missile :

Muntra Tank :

• India’s first unmanned tank developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
• Muntra has three variants:
• Muntra-S has been developed for unmanned surveillance missions.
• Muntra-M is built for detecting mines.
• Muntra-N will be deployed in areas where nuclear radiation or bio weapon risk is high.

Three-tiered structure of National Security Management System in INDIA :

1. NSC National Security Council 
2. SPG Strategic Policy Group
3. NSAB National Security Advisory Board

NSC National Security Council :

• an executive government agency tasked with advising the Prime Minister's Office on matters of national security and strategic interest. 
• It was established by Atal Bihari Vajpayee government on 19 November 1998, with Brajesh Mishra as the first National Security Adviser.
• Prior to the formation of the NSC, these activities were overseen by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.  
• It is apex body of the three-tiered structure of the national security management system in India.
• NSA National Security Advisor is chief executive of NSC. 
• Members :
• Deputy NSA (Rajinder Khanna)
• Defence Minister 
• External Affairs Minister 
• Home Minister 
• Finance Minister
• Deputy Chairman of NITI Aayog

NSA National Security Advisor :

• All the NSAs appointed since the inception of the post in 1998 belong to the IFS Indian Foreign Service except M K Narayanan and the incumbent, Ajit Doval, who belong to the Indian Police Service. 
• NSA is a prominent and powerful office in the bureaucracy. 
• NSA is chief executive of National Security Council (NSC), and the primary advisor to PM on national and international security. 
• Indian Intelligence agencies such as RAW Research and Analysis Wing and IB Intelligence Bureau report to NSA, rather than directly PM. 
• NSA is tasked with regularly advising PM on all matters relating to internal and external threats to country, and oversees strategic issues. 
• The NSA of India also serves as PM’s Special Interlocutor on border issues with China, and frequently accompanies PM on Foreign State visits.
• The NSA receives all intelligence reports and co-ordinates them to present before Prime Minister. 
• NSA is head of executive council of Nuclear Command Authority.
• NSA is assisted by a Deputy NSA.
• Brajesh Mishra was appointed first NSA of India. The post was created on 19 November 1998 by Government of Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) is a technical intelligence agency under National Security Advisor in the Prime Minister's Office. •The NTRO was created in 2004, after the 1999 Kargil conflict, as a dedicated technical intelligence agency. •It also includes National Institute of Cryptology Research and Development (NICRD), which is first of its kind in Asia.

DPC Defence Planning Committee to be set up in 2018 :

• NSA Ajit Dhobhal will be chairman of this committee
• A permanent body and it will prepare draft for national security strategy besides undertaking strategic defence review and formulating international defence engagement strategy.

Policies related national security , partnering in International security

• It’s other Members
• The Chiefs of All Three Armed Forces
• Secretary of Foreign Affairs
• Secretary of Defence
• Secretary of Finance
• Secretary of Economic Expenditure
• Others members can also be included
• will submit report to Defence Minister Directly
• There will be 4 sub committees under DPC to advise on below
• NSS National Security Strategy
• DEI Defence Export improvement
• CE Capability enhancement
• DDE Defence Diplomacy exploitment

SPG Strategic Policy Group :

• First level of the three tier structure of the National Security Council. 
• It forms the nucleus of the decision-making apparatus of the NSC. 
• Cabinet Secretary (Pradeep Kr Sinha) is chairman of the group and it consists of the following members.
• All three Chiefs of Military (Bipin , Sunil and Mr. Dhanoa)
• Governor of RBI (Urijit)
• Secretaries of MoD , MEA , HM , FM , CBDT and many others
• Chairman of Joint Intelligence Committee 
• It undertakes Strategic Defence Review, a blueprint of short and long term security threats, as well as possible policy options on a priority basis.

Strategy Policy Group Reconstituted : under chairmanship of National Security Advisor NSA to assist National Security Council (NSC) in strategising on matters dealing with external, internal and economic security of the country.
It will be 16-member body chaired by National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval.Its members will include NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Cabinet Secretary, Chiefs of the three defence services, RBI governor, foreign secretary, home secretary, finance secretary and defence secretary.

NSAB National Security Advisory Board :

• consists of persons of eminence outside the GOI with expertise in external security, strategic analysis, foreign affairs, defence, the armed forces, internal security, science and technology and economics.
• The board meets at least once a month, and more frequently as required. 
• It provides a long-term prognosis and analysis to the NSC, and recommends solutions and address policy issues referred to it.

JIC Joint Intelligence Committee : 

• Analyses intelligence data from IB Intelligence Bureau, RAW Research and Analysis Wing and the Directorates of Military, Naval and Air Intelligence. 
• Recently JIC got the first member from Internal Security Division, Pratiksha Hazarika youngest member ever in JIC for her extraordinary performance. 
• The JIC has its own Secretariat that works under the Cabinet Secretariat.  

SFC Strategic Forces Command 

NCA National Command Authority

• responsible for the management and administration of the country's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile. 
• The SFC manages and administers all strategic forces by exercising complete command and control over nuclear assets, and producing all contingency plans as needed to fulfil the required tasks. 
• The RTI exempts security and intelligence establishments from its purview. But notification is issued to bring it under RTI.

Nuclear Command Authority  : comprises a Political Council and an Executive Council. 

• The Political Council is chaired by PM. It is the sole body which can authorise the use of nuclear weapons. 
• The Executive Council is chaired by NSA. 

NATGRID National Intelligence Grid  is the integrated intelligence grid connecting databases of core security agencies of GOI to collect comprehensive patterns of intelligence that can be readily accessed by intelligence agencies. NATGRID is a tool used for networking of information.

DAC Defence Acquisition Council headed by Defence Minister.

• To counter corruption and speed up decision - making in military procurement, set up in 2001.
• The objective is “to ensure expeditious procurement of the approved requirements of the Armed Forces, in terms of capabilities sought, and time frame prescribed, by optimally utilizing the allocated budgetary resources”.
• It is responsible to give policy guidelines to acquisitions, based on long-term procurement plans. It also clears all acquisitions, which includes both imported and those produced indigenously or under a foreign license.

In order to execute its assigned functions, the Ministry of Defence is assisted by the three Services Headquarters and a number of Inter-Service Organisations (ISOs).  Integrated Headquarters of Ministry of Defence comprising Army Headquarters, Naval Headquarters, Air Headquarters and Defence Staff Headquarters are associated in the formulation of policies in relation to matters concerning the Defence of India and Armed Forces of the Union. They are responsible for providing executive direction required in the implementation of policies laid down by the Ministry of Defence. 

Recently It has simplified ‘Make II’ procedure, which prescribes guidelines to be followed to develop and manufacture defence equipment through Indian Industry with minimal government control.

Defence, aerospace SME fund:

• Announced by Department of Defence Production As It would help channelise investments into the two defence corridors announced by GOI in Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.
• The fund will be registered with SEBI Securities and Exchange Board of India, where a minority stake could be taken by investors.

Rafale Deal Controversy :

• The twin-engine Rafale combat jet is designed from the beginning as a multi-role fighter for air-to-air and air-to-ground attack is nuclear-capable and its on-board Electronic Warfare (EW) systems can also perform reconnaissance and radar jamming roles.
• in September 2016, India signed an inter-governmental agreement with France, dubbed as "Rafale deal", 
• India will pay about Rs. 58,000 crore or 7.8 billion Euros for 36 off-the-shelf Dassault Rafale twin-engine fighters.
• Additionally, an accompanying offset clause was sealed through which France will invest 30 per cent of the 7.8 billion Euros in India's military aeronautics-related research programmes and 20 per cent into local production of Rafale components.

Defexpo India 2018 

• An international land, naval and internal homeland security systems exhibition – is being held in Chennai. 
• It will brand India as a defence exporter of several defence systems and components for all three Services – Army, Navy and Air Force.
• In 2018 , It is the 10th edition of the exhibition.
• It is the first time that the defence expo is going to be held in Chennai.
• Till 2016, all defence expos had been held only in New Delhi. It was held in Goa (in 2017)

Theme of DefExpo2018 :

Indian Military Review :

• Indian defence monthly magazine was started by IDYB Group in December 2009 and edited by a team of retired service officers from Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Navy. 
• It was recommended by the USI of India, a think tank of the three Indian services, which runs UN peacekeeping programmes and correspondence courses for staff college course aspirants and for promotion examinations

• Stealth technology

ICGSSujay Indian Coast Guard Ship – Sujay –  six 105 meter OPV(Offshore Patrol Vessel) has been designed and built by Goa Shipyard Limited. fitted with state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment and sensors and machinery. The ship is based at Paradip, Odisha under the operational and administrative control of the Commander Coast Guard Region (North-East).

Beating retreat Ceremony held on 29th Jan by all three wings of armed force on completion of republic day.

• The Armed Forces (including Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Navy) and Indian Coast Guard under the Defence Ministry are primarily responsible for ensuring the territorial integrity of the nation.

Indian Coast Guard ICG

• Protects India's maritime interests and enforces maritime law, with jurisdiction over the territorial waters of India, including its contiguous zone and exclusive economic zone(till 200 nautical miles). 
• ICG established on 18 August 1978 by Coast Guard Act, 1978 of Parliament of India as an independent Armed force of India. 
• It operates under the Ministry of Defence.

The Coast Guard works in close cooperation with the Indian Navy, the Department of Fisheries, the Department of Revenue (Customs) and the Central and State police forces.

Indian Territorial Army

• inaugurated by India’s first Governor General Shri C Rajagopalachari in 1949.
• comes under the Defence Ministry. Nine Ecological Task Force (ETF) battalions of TA have been raised to execute specific environment-related projects. 
• an organisation where volunteers apply for a short period of training every year, so as to be ready to tackle any emergent situation or to serve for the defence of India. 
• considered the second line of national defence after the regular Army. 
• Composite Ecological Task Force (CETF) battalion of Territorial Army  for National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) with funding provided from the budget of the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation.

• Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) 

• Refers to uniform nomenclature of five security forces under authority of Ministry of Home Affairs , generally headed by IPS officer.
• They are in Police Division - II as
• Border Security Force (BSF),
• Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), 
• Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), 
• Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), 
• Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
• National Security Guard (NSG)

Assam Riffles and Special Frontier Force are ParaMilitary forces also comes under Home Ministry.

• Bangladesh and Pakistan borders – BSF;

China border – ITBP;

Myanmar border – Assam Rifles;

Nepal and Bhutan borders – Sashastra Seema Bal;

Besides, Indian army guards land borders along the LOC on Pakistan border and LAC on China border. The Indian Navy and Coast Guard are vested with the responsibility of coastal borders, where the State (Marine) Police act as the second line of defence.

Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958

• enacted in 1958, gives powers to the army and state and central police forces to shoot to kill, search houses and destroy any property that is “likely” to be used by insurgents in areas declared as “disturbed” by home ministry.
• The Act provides army personnel with safeguards against malicious, vindictive and frivolous prosecution. 
• Security forces can “arrest without warrant” a person, who has committed or even “about to commit a cognizable offence” even on “reasonable suspicion”.

• The Central Government, or the Governor of the State or administrator of the Union Territory can declare the whole or part of the State or Union Territory as a disturbed area. A suitable notification would have to be made in the Official Gazette. As per Section 3 , it can be invoked in places where ―the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power is necessary‖.
  

• The state or central government considers those areas as ‘disturbed’ “by reason of differences or disputes between members of different religious, racial, language or regional groups or castes or communities. It is declared when official notification issued by state governor followed by Centre’s authority to deployed Army personnels. 
• According to The Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976 once declared ‘disturbed’, the area has to maintain status quo for a minimum of 3 months.
• State governments can suggest whether the act is required to be enforced or not But their opinion can be overruled by the governor or the Centre.
• The justice Jeevan Reddy Committee was set up in 2005 to review Afspa and make recommendations. It recommended that Afspa should be repealed and the Unlawful Activities Protection Act strengthened to fight militancy. However, No steps were taken to repeal or reform the act.
• At present, the AFSPA has been enforced in 6 states viz. Jammu and Kashmir(since 1990), whole of Assam, whole of Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh (only the Tirap, Changlang and Longding districts plus 20-km belt bordering Assam), Manipur (except Imphal municipal area , 7 assembly constituencies ), Meghalaya (Revoked since 1 April 2018).
• APSPA applied in States code —> JANAM (Not in Mizoram, Tripura, Meghalaya )
• For Punjab, Chandigarh It was passed in 1983 and withdrawn in 1997. (Khalistan issue)
• It was lifted in Tripura in May 2015.
• RECENTLY It is revoked from Meghalaya from April 1, 2018.

Unlawful Activities Protection Act : an Indian law aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India. Its main objective was to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.

•  PAP Protected area permit :

• Under the Foreigners (Protected Areas) Order, 1958, all areas falling between the Inner line and the International Border of some states have been declared as protected areas.
• The protected areas currently include whole of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland and Sikkim, besides parts of Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir. 
• Some parts of Sikkim fall under the protected area regime while others under the restricted area.

• In cases of foreign diplomats, including the members of UN and international organisations holding diplomatic or official passports, the special permits to visit such protected or restricted areas are issued by MEA Ministry of External Affairs.
• In cases of the citizens of Afghanistan, China and Pakistan and foreign nationals of Pakistani origin, No permit is allowed, however, can be issued with the prior approval of the Union home ministry.

The Union Home Ministry is planning to relax the protected area permit (PAP) regime to enable foreign tourists to access border areas.

• Every foreigner, except a citizen of Bhutan, who wants to enter and stay in a Protected Area, is required to get a special permit.
  

Exercises

Foundational Agreements of USA's high technology cooperation with its Defence Partners :

1. GSOMIA General Security Of Military Information Agreement : 
• Signed b/w Ind and USA in 2002
2. LEMOA Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement
• Signed b/w Ind and USA in 2016
3. COMCASA Communication Compatibility and Security Agreement 
• Signed b/w Ind and USA in 2018
4. BECA  Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement 
• Yet to be Signed b/w Ind and USA

——> INTERNAL

‘Paschim Lehar’ : a tri-service maritime exercise, is being held off India’s western coast with objective to build interoperability. This exercise includes participation of a large number of ships, submarines and aircraft from the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy. Units from Eastern Naval Command, Indian Army, Indian Air Force and the Coast Guard are also participating to build interoperability.

Exercise Gaganshakti - Apr 2018:    An all encompassing coordinated and composite exercise conducted by the IAF with aim to real time coordination, deployment and employment of Air Power in a short & intense battle scenario. This exercise will hone the war fighting skills of the air warriors in a real time scenario thus affirming the IAF’s role as the cutting edge of our nation’s military capability.

‘Chakravat’:  A multi-agency humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) exercise to review the response mechanism in the event of a cyclonic storm. It is held at Kochi in 2018 hosted by Indian Navy & will see participation by 3 Services, the Coast Guard, State administration, State Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force, Fisheries Department, Coastal Police, and members of the fishing community.

Ex Samvedna : Multilateral Air Force exercise spearheaded by Indian Air Force and conducted by Southern Air Command (SAC). It is first composite HADR Air exercise in the South Asian region and would be focused on practicing Air Force centric HADR solutions in a Multi-national cooperative Disaster Management environment. It is aimed at setting up a scenario of pre and post Tsunami disaster requirements and guide participants to work out Air Force Centric HADR solutions.

Operation Brasstacks was a codename of a major military exercise of the Indian Army in Rajasthan state of India, that took place in 1986 until its execution in 1987 with two aims - deployment of ground troops & conduct a series of amphibious assault exercises Indian Navy near to the Pakistan naval base.

MILAN biennial naval exercise :  being organised at Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The aim of the exercise is to expand regional cooperation and combat unlawful activities in critical sea lanes.

both are same

Milan 2018 : The multinational mega event will be hosted by Andaman & Nicobar Command this year. It aims to showcase the rich heritage and pristine natural beauty of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to the foreign visitors.

‘Charlie-435’:  state-of-the-art patrol vessel of the Indian Coast Guard which was commissioned at Karaikal in Puducherry recently. The patrol vessel is equipped with modern navigation and communication systems.

SARAS PT1N: new upgraded version of the Saras plane, a 14-seater plane developed by the National Aeronautics Laboratories (NAL) which is overseen by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR). The flight recently completed a successful first flight in its new avatar. It is first Indian multi-purpose civilian indigenous built aircraft in light transport aircraft (LTA)category.

Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations:

signed on December 31, 1988, and entered into force on January 27, 1991, provides that the two countries inform each other of nuclear installations and facilities to be covered under the pact on the first of January of every calendar year.

Vijay Prahar : In April 2018 , Formations of South Western Command are carrying out Exercise VIJAY PRAHAR in the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges close to Suratgarh in Rajasthan. The month-long exercise is essentially to practice the troops in penetrative manoeuvres across the obstacle ridden terrain under a nuclear umbrella. It aimed to orchestrate wide spectrum of threats which are planned to be tackled through high tempo joint air and land operation involving hundreds of aircrafts, thousands of tanks and artillery pieces supported by real time intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and just in time logistic support.

——> INTERNAtional ——> With EXTERNAL

First bilateral air exercise SHINYUU Maitri-18 between Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) and Indian Air Force (IAF) began at Air Force Station Agra.

PITCH Black : Biennial warfare air exercise hosted by RAAF (royal Australian air force ) held in Northern Australia. Indian Air force participated first time in 2018.

Red Flag is joint exercise b/w Air Forces of  India and USA.

AVIAINDRA : Between Indian air force and Russian air force was completed in two phases in Lipetsk and Jodhpur.

COPE India Air Exercise : started in 2004 ,
India - USA along with Japan have participated in Tri-lateral Air Exercise as 4th edition in 2018.

RIMPAC or Rim of the Pacific Exercise : 

• World's largest international maritime warfare exercise is held BIENNIALLY during June and July of even-numbered years from Honolulu, Hawaii.

• It is hosted and administered by USA Navy's Pacific Fleet, headquartered at Pearl Harbour, in conjunction with the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, and Hawaii National Guard forces under the control of the Governor of Hawaii. 
• The USA invites military forces from the Pacific Rim and beyond to participate (Including INDIA). 
• With RIMPAC, USA Pacific Command seeks to enhance interoperability between Pacific Rim armed forces, ostensibly as a means of promoting stability in the region to the benefit of all participating nations. 
• It is a unique training opportunity that helps participants foster and sustain the cooperative relationships that are critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the world's oceans.
• The 1st RIMPAC, held in 1971, involved forces from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, UK and USA. Australia, Canada, and US have participated in every RIMPAC since then.
• On 23 May 2018, the Pentagon announced that it had "disinvited" China because of recent militarization of islands in the South China Sea, after China had announced in January that it had been invited.

In 2016 RIMPAC, 26 Participating Countries are : Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, China, Peru, Korea, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, the United Kingdom and the United States.   That time India is being represented by Indian Naval ship (INS) Satpura, an indigenously built guided missile stealth frigate.

MALABAR Naval Exercise in June 2018 : Among India, USA and Japan held at Guam Island of USA.

Varuna-18 : is The Indo-French joint naval exercise, commenced in the Arabian Sea off the Goa coast. The Indian Navy and the French Navy have been conducting naval exercises since 1983. 

MILES 18 : First ever multi nations Naval exercise at Andaman sea.

Kakadu Naval Exercise : Hosted by Australlia , participated by 25 Countries including India.

Sahyog HOPTAC : joint exercise b/w coast guard of India and Vietnam held at Tamilnadu's Coast. 

Sahyog – Hyeoblyeog 2018 : Bilateral joint search and rescue exercise between Indian Coast Guard and Korea Coast Guard. The joint exercise is part of a proposed establishment of a MoU between the two Coast Guards to improve maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region. It included scenarios of the hijacking of a merchant vessel and its subsequent rescue, interdiction of a pirate vessel, cross boarding, external fire fighting and the SAR (search and rescue) demonstration.

Dharma Guardian : The first joint Military exercise between India and Japan has begun at Indian Army's Counter-Insurgency Warfare School, Vairengte, Mizoram.

Vajra Prahar :  A Indo-USA Special Forces joint Military training exercise conducted alternately in India and the US.

Yudh Abhyas :  Combined Indo-USA Military Training Exercise for 2018 in Uttarakhand.

Shakti IV : Military exercise b/w India and France with 2018 edition was held in France.

Harimau Shakti : Military exercise b/w India and Malaysia.

Lamitye VIII : The Biennial joint military exercise between Indian Army and Seychelles People’s Defence Forces. The March 2018 exercise as 8th edition was held at Mahe Island of Seychelles  for bilateral exercises being conducted in beautiful island nation. It is conducting since 2001 with the aim of enhancing military cooperation and interoperability between the armies of the two countries.

Khanjar V : The military exercise b/w India and Kyrgystan was held in Mizoram for 2018 edition.

SAMPRITI – It is joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh 

Surya Kiran : military exercise between India and Nepal 

Maitree : military exercise between India and Thailand

Indra X - Military exercise b/w India and Russia held at Jhansi for 2018.

VINBAX 2018- First Miliatry exercise b/w India and Vietnam held at Jabalpur to carry out training for UN Peace keeping operation. Ind and Vietnam have signed protocol on Defence co operation in 1994.

SCO Peace Mission : The army exercise was held in 2018 in Russia to combat terrorism. 

Nomadic Elephant : military exercise between India and Mangolia.

Operation Sankat Mochan - an operation of the Indian Air Force with help of MEA to evacuate Indian citizens and other foreign nationals from South Sudan during the South Sudanese Civil War. The operation was carried out in view of 2016 Juba clashes. 

MILEX exercise : First field training military exercise held at Pune among BIMSTEC nations in which Nepal and Thailand did not participate.

----------------------Other Than India---------------

Underwater surveillance network: developed by China, based on a network of platforms — buoys, surface vessels, satellites and underwater gliders — that gather data about the underwater environment, particularly water temperature and salinity, which the navy can then use to more accurately track target vessels as well as improve navigation and positioning , gathered from the South China Sea, and the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Dynamic Monarch by Turkey in 2017 for NATO

Gulf Shield 1 : Royal Saudi Navy is holding exercises “Gulf Shield 1” in the Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, and Oman Sea aiming to raise combat readiness, gain the necessary skills, and improve ability to perform the essential leadership services.

“Desert Tiger 5”: Joint military exercise between United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Malaysia , aimed at sharing expertise and enhancing joint military actions. Also aimed at raising the level of performance and combat efficiency and working together based on a strategy to improve the overall ability and combat readiness of the ground forces.

RAPID Trident : Launched by Ukraine as joint annual military exercise with USA and NATO members.

Trident Juncture : By NATO members except Ukraine

VOSTOK 2018 : Hosted by Russia and participated by China , Mongolia as well as NATO Member Turkey.

India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier IAC-I Vikrant is named after India’s first aircraft carrier INS Vikrant – purchased from the UK (and which was decommissioned in 1997). It is being built by Cochin Shipyard.

• India currently operates INS Vikramaditya procured from Russia and was purchased by India in 2004. 
• Like INS Vikramaditya, Vikrant too would employ the STOBAR (Short Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) mechanism with a ski-jump and arrestor cables to launch and recover aircraft.

India’s port & airbases at Oversees

Farkhor Air Base is a military air base located near the town of Farkhor in Tajikistan, 130 kilometres (81 mi) southeast of the capital Dushanbe. It is operated by the Indian Air Force in collaboration with the Tajik Air Force. Farkhor is India's first military base outside its territory.

Bhutan - an Indian Military Training Team (IMTRAT) is permanently stationed in western Bhutan. Bhutan is India's protected state.

Madagascar - a Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station, with berthing rights for the Indian Navy.

Fiji ISRO's satellite tracking and intelligence station, 2007 defence cooperation pact.

Maldives - part of India's security grid including Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station of Indian Navy's National Command Control Communication Intelligence network on all 28 atolls run by India and permanently basing 2 helicopters and as well as regular Dornier sorties over Maldives by the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).

Mauritius - part of India's security grid including Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station of Indian Navy's National Command Control Communication Intelligence network,[16] with berthing rights for the Indian Navy, strategic assets in Agaléga, the Head of Mauritius Navy and the Mauritian National Security Advisor are Indian officers.

Mozambique - berthing rights for the Indian Navy.

Nepal - Surkhet Air base built by India and intelligence sharing, also see India–Nepal Military cooperation

Oman - Indian listening post at Ras al Hadd,with berthing rights for the Indian Navy at Mascat naval base,

Seychelles - Indian Overseas Military Base at Assumption Island (IOMB Assumption Island), Seychelles' Maritime Security Advisor is also an Indian naval officer, part of India's security grid including Coastal Surveillance Radar (CSR) station of Indian Navy's National Command Control Communication Intelligence network, also see India–Seychelles Military cooperation

Tajikistan - Farkhor Air Base, India's first external military base, also see India–Tajikistan Military cooperation

Vietnam - berthing rights at Cam Ranh Bay Naval Base for the Indian Navy usage rights to Cam Ranh Air Base, the Satellite Tracking and Imaging Centre in Southern Vietnam by Indian Space Research Organisation for intelligence gather. India has developed Sittwe Port in Mayanmar, India is also developing Trincomalee port in Sri Lanka.

For India

• Chabahar Port in Iran — 
• Jafanna Port in Sri Lanka —
• Duqm in Oman — India got access of it for military use and logistical support.

For China —

• Djibouti 
• Gwadar Pakistan
• Hambantota Sri Lanka
• Maldives

Space Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Flight-4 satellite is the latest satellite to join the US Air Force’s orbiting missile warning constellation equipped with powerful scanning and staring infrared surveillance sensors

‘Mission Seven Summits’:

After scaling of Mt Everest in 2005, IAF launched a unique and unprecedented series of mountaineering expedition ‘Mission Seven Summits’ with an aim to fly the tricolour and the IAF flag on the highest peaks in every continent. With this, the IAF has become the first organisation in India to achieve this unique feat.

The highest peak on each continent are part of Misson7Summit.– 

1. Asia Mt. Everest, 
2. Australia Mt. Kosciuszko, 
3. South America Mt. Aconcagua, 
4. Antarctica Mt. Vinson Massif, 
5. North America Mt. Denali (aka Mount McKinley) 
6. Europe Mt. Elbrus 
7. Africa Mt. Kilimanjaro 

• African Plate –  Mt. Kilimanjaro
• Antarctic Plate –Mt. Vinson Massif
• Australian Plate – Puncak Jaya / Mt. Kosciuszko
• Eurasian Plate – Mount Everest
• North American Plate – Denali
• Pacific Plate – Mauna Kea
• South American Plate – Aconcagua

Atlas Mountains — North Africa

Appalachian Mountains: North America

VADA MEK PEK

.World’s Defence 

THAAD Terminal High Altitude Area Defense  <-— in UPSC Prelims 2018 

• It is a USA Army antiballistic missile system. 
• It is designed to intercept and destroy short and medium-range ballistic missiles in their final flight phase. 
• Its role, by use of powerful radar, is to simply track and destroy missiles before they are launched. 
• US deployed THAAD to South Korea to protect South Korea from North Korea. 

MoAB Mother of All Bombs :

USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78) : Officially inducted by US Navy recently as the world’s largest nuclear-powered aircraft carrier. It is the most advanced aircraft carrier in the world. USS Gerald Ford is first in the series of 3 of the futuristic ships of the Ford-class carriers ordered by US Navy.