Defence Current Affairs MCQs

Notes:
The Quad countries—India, Australia, Japan, and the U.S.—conducted back-to-back naval exercises, focusing on anti-submarine warfare. ‘Exercise Malabar’ took place off the coast of Visakhapatnam from October 8 to 18, 2024. It was termed the most comprehensive edition yet, with complex operational scenarios. The earlier ‘Exercise Kakadu,’ hosted by Australia, involved nearly 3,000 personnel from 30 nations. Ships from 10 countries and aircraft from five nations participated, highlighting Australia’s commitment to regional maritime security. The Indian Navy contributed a P-8I Maritime Patrol Aircraft for the exercise.

Notes:
The 31st Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) held at Eastern Naval Command, Visakhapatnam from 23 to 29 Oct 2024. SIMBEX, an annual exercise between the Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy, began as ‘Exercise Lion King’ in 1994. The exercise includes a Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam with expert exchanges, sports, and cross-deck visits, and a Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal. Advanced drills in the Sea Phase covers live weapon firing, anti-submarine, anti-surface, anti-air operations, and tactical manoeuvres.

Notes:
The 15th edition of Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR took place at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, USA. This follows the last exercise held in December 2023 in Meghalaya and is the second joint exercise this year, after Exercise YUDH ABHYAS in Rajasthan. The exercise aims to enhance military cooperation, interoperability, and special operations tactics between the two countries. Activities includes joint planning, reconnaissance missions, using unmanned aerial systems, and psychological warfare drills.

Notes:
The fifth Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX) 2024 conducted in Ambala, Haryana. VINBAX-2024 aims to strengthen the joint military capabilities of India and Vietnam. For the first time, the exercise includes Bi-Service participation, with personnel from both countries’ Army and Air Force. India’s contingent consists of 47 members, mainly from a Regiment of the Corps of Engineers, alongside personnel from other services.

Notes:
After disengagement in eastern Ladakh, India launched the ‘Poorvi Prahaar’ tri-services exercise on November 8. The 10-day exercise involved the Army, Navy, and Air Force, highlighting their combat coordination. The Army deployed units, artillery, Light Combat Helicopters (LCH), and UAVs. The Air Force used Su-30 MKI, Rafale jets, C-130J aircraft, and helicopters from Kolkata, Hashimara, Paanagarh, and Kalaikunda bases. The Navy’s MARCOS commandos also participated. The exercise strengthened operational readiness in the eastern sector. India and China continued talks on troop de-escalation and patrolling rights in the Yangtse area of Tawang.

Notes:
The autonomous surface vessel completed a 1,500-km voyage from Mumbai to Thoothukudi as part of the ‘Sagarmala Parikrama’ journey. The journey was flagged off virtually by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the NIIO’s annual event, Swavlamban. The initiative is supported by the Indian Navy’s Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Organisation (NIIO), Technology Development Acceleration Cell (TDAC), and iDEX under the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO). This achievement highlights India’s progress in autonomous systems for defense, enhancing capabilities in coastal surveillance, patrol, and anti-piracy operations.

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The President of India recently witnessed a demonstration on INS Vikrant, India’s first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier. Designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited. It strengthens India’s position as a ‘Blue Water Navy’ with global reach, joining the US, Russia, France, UK, and China in the elite group capable of building aircraft carriers. The ship has a displacement of 43,000 tonnes, an endurance of 13,890 km, and can accommodate up to 30 aircraft, including fighter jets and helicopters. It uses the STOBAR method for aircraft operations.

Notes:
The Indian Army conducted the ‘Sanyukt Vimochan 2024’ exercise on 18-19 November in Ahmedabad and Porbandar, Gujarat. It is an annual multilateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise by the Konark Corps of Southern Command. The inaugural event in Ahmedabad included a Table Top Exercise on managing cyclones in Gujarat’s coastal region. The exercise focused on interagency coordination for efficient disaster response. A Multi-Agency Capability Demonstration at Porbandar’s Chowpatty Beach simulated logistics, rapid response, and disaster management in a cyclone scenario.

Notes:
The Indian Coast Guard hosted SAREX-24 in Kochi from November 27-30, 2024, under the National Maritime Search and Rescue Board. The event aims to validate the National Maritime Search and Rescue (M-SAR) framework through an inclusive, collaborative approach. It addresses India’s vast 4.6 million sq km Search and Rescue Region (ISRR), emphasizing cooperation with agencies, littorals, and friendly nations. The focus will be on Mass Rescue Operations (MRO) during large-scale sea contingencies. The theme, “Enhancing Search and Rescue capabilities through Regional Collaboration,” highlights ICG’s dedication to providing aid across ISRR.

Notes:
The bilateral military exercise “Agni Warrior 2024” between India and Singapore conducted at Devlali Field Firing Ranges, Maharashtra, from November 28 to 30. It focuses on strengthening interactions between the artillery units of both nations. The exercise includes joint firepower planning and execution using New Generation Equipment. The goal is to enhance interoperability and mutual understanding of drills and procedures between the two armies.