1. Consider the following statements about the proposed joint exercise between the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) and the Indian Navy in May 2025:
- It focuses on routine Passage Exercises (PASSEX) to maintain operational readiness.
- The exercise aims to enhance coordination and cooperation in counter-piracy operations, tactical manoeuvres, and communications.
- The exercise aims to strengthen joint maritime defence strategies against nuclear threats.
- The exercise aims to increase naval presence in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean.
Which of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 4
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] Only 1 and 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 and 4]
Notes:
The joint exercise between EUNAVFOR and the Indian Navy focusses on enhancing coordination and cooperation in counter-piracy operations, tactical manoeuvres, and communications (statement 2) and increasing naval presence in the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean (statement 4). However, it doesn’t focus on routine PASSEX (statement 1) or nuclear threats (statement 3). Hence, the correct answer is Option 2.
2. With reference to INS Sunayna’s recent deployment to Africa under the IOS SAGAR mission, consider the following statements:
- The mission is part of India’s regional initiative titled SAGAR, which emphasizes Security and Growth for All in the Region.
- The inaugural session of the India-Africa maritime partnership exercise AIKEYME 25 was conducted at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
- INS Sunayna was flagged off from Mumbai by the Hon’ble Minister of External Affairs.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:- Statement 1 is correct – SAGAR stands for Security and Growth for All in the Region.
- Statement 2 is correct – AIKEYME 25 was held at Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania.
- Statement 3 is incorrect – The ship was flagged off from Karwar by the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister), not the Minister of External Affairs.
The correct answer is option 1, which includes only the first and second statements.
3. Consider the following about the India-Africa maritime exercise AIKEYME 25, in which INS Sunayna participated:
- It marked the first India-Africa multilateral maritime exercise hosted in the western Indian Ocean.
- It was the first such exercise under the expanded SAGAR initiative involving nine African nations.
- It aimed at promoting operational coordination and interoperability in the Western Pacific region.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 only
[D] 3 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
The India-Africa maritime exercise AIKEYME 25 marked the first such bilateral exercise hosted in the western Indian Ocean (Statement 1). It was indeed part of the expanded SAGAR initiative and involved nine African nations (Statement 2). However, the exercise was not aimed at promoting operational coordination and interoperability in the Western Pacific region (Statement 3) but was focused on the Western Indian Ocean Region.
4. Consider the following objectives of the AIKEYME exercise:
- Develop solutions for regional maritime challenges
- Enhance interoperability among the maritime forces of partner nations
- Promote defence cooperation exclusively between India and Tanzania
Select the correct objectives using the code below:
[A] 1 and 2 only
[B] 1 and 3 only
[C] 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1 and 2 only]
Notes:
The AIKEYME exercise mainly focuses on developing collaborative solutions to regional maritime challenges and enhancing interoperability among the maritime forces of participating nations. It is a multilateral exercise involving several African nations and India and thus it is not an exclusive defence cooperation between only India and Tanzania.
5. Where was the Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) Exercise 2025 held?
[A] Tanzania
[B] Madagascar
[C] Mauritius
[D] South Africa
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Tanzania]
Notes:
The Africa India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025 was inaugurated on 13 April 2025 in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, marking a major step in India-Africa maritime cooperation. It is a large-scale multilateral maritime exercise jointly hosted by India and Tanzania to boost ties in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Eleven nations are participating: India, Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa. The aim is to enhance naval coordination and develop joint solutions to regional maritime challenges. It aligns with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) visions. Indian Navy ships INS Chennai, INS Kesari, and INS Sunayna are deployed, with INS Sunayna part of the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR mission. The exercise runs for six days (April 13–18, 2025) with harbour and sea phases.
6. Which country is co-hosting the maritime exercise named AIKEYME with India in April 2025?
[A] Mauritius
[B] Mozambique
[C] Kenya
[D] Tanzania
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Tanzania]
Notes:
The Indian Navy will participate in the ‘Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement’ (AIKEYME) with African nations. AIKEYME means ‘Unity’ in Sanskrit and aims to improve naval interoperability. The maiden edition is co-hosted by the Indian Navy and the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will inaugurate the event in mid-April 2025. The six-day exercise involves 10 nations, including Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa, India, and Tanzania. The Indian Navy emphasized maritime security, combating piracy, illegal trafficking, and unreported fishing. India’s partnerships in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) align with its ‘Security and Growth for All in the Region’ (SAGAR) vision.
7. Regarding naval exercises, consider the following statements:
- Exercise Malabar involves naval cooperation between India, Japan, and Australia.
- Exercise RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise.
- Exercise Black Sea Breeze is conducted by NATO in the Black Sea region.
- Exercise Cobra Gold is held annually in Thailand and focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All four
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All four]
Notes:- Exercise Malabar involves naval cooperation between India, Japan, and Australia: This is correct. It enhances maritime security and interoperability.
- Exercise RIMPAC is the world’s largest international maritime exercise: This is correct. It includes naval forces from over 25 countries, held biennially in Hawaii.
- Exercise Black Sea Breeze is conducted by NATO in the Black Sea region: This is correct. It aims to enhance regional security and interoperability among NATO allies.
- Exercise Cobra Gold is held annually in Thailand and focuses on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief: This is correct. It is one of the largest multinational military exercises in Asia.
Thus, all four statements are correct. The correct answer is (C) All four.
8. Regarding Exercise Sea Dragon, consider the following statements:
- Exercise Sea Dragon has been held annually since 2000.
- The Dragon Belt award is given to the nation that scores the most points during the exercise.
- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) won the Dragon Belt in 2023.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Exercise Sea Dragon has been held annually since 2000: This is incorrect. The exercise has been held annually since 2019.
- The Dragon Belt award is given to the nation that scores the most points during the exercise: This is correct. The award is indeed given based on performance.
- The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) won the Dragon Belt in 2023: This is correct. JMSDF has won the award in recent years, including 2022 and 2023.
9. With reference to Exercise Komodo, consider the following statements:
- Exercise Komodo is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Indonesia.
- It aims to enhance maritime interoperability and regional security cooperation.
- The exercise is named after a species of lizard native to Indonesia.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Exercise Komodo is a bilateral naval exercise between India and Indonesia: This is incorrect. Exercise Komodo is a multilateral exercise involving multiple countries, not just India and Indonesia.
- It aims to enhance maritime interoperability and regional security cooperation: This is correct. The exercise focuses on improving collaboration among participating navies.
- The exercise is named after a species of lizard native to Indonesia: This is correct. The name “Komodo” refers to the Komodo dragon, which is indigenous to the region.
Thus, two statements are correct.
10. Match the following military exercises with their participating countries or primary objectives:
| Exercise | Participating Country/Objective |
|---|
| A. Exercise SURYA KIRAN | 1. India and Indonesia Special Forces |
| B. Exercise LA PEROUSE | 2. Multinational maritime partners |
| C. Exercise Sanyukt Vimochan | 3. India and Nepal |
| D. Exercise GARUD SHAKTI | 4. Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) |
Select the correct options:
[A] A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
[B] A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
[C] A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
[D] A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1]
Notes:- Exercise SURYA KIRAN is a bilateral joint military exercise between India and Nepal, conducted annually since 2011, with the host nation alternating between the two countries.
- Exercise LA PEROUSE, now in its fourth edition, is a multinational maritime exercise involving navies from countries including Australia, France, the UK, the USA, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Canada. This exercise focuses on enhancing Maritime Situational Awareness, maritime interdiction, and air operations while fostering cooperation, information sharing, and tactical interoperability among like-minded naval forces.
- Exercise Sanyukt Vimochan is a multilateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise organized by the Konark Corps of the Indian Army’s Southern Command.
- Exercise GARUD SHAKTI 2024, the ninth edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces exercise, involves the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) of the Indian Army. The exercise aims to familiarize both armies with each other’s operational procedures and improve mutual understanding, cooperation, and interoperability.
