DEFENCE CURRENT AFFAIRS -2020

INDRA

India and Russia are to hold bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2020 in Andaman Sea, close to strategic Strait of Malacca.

P-75 I

Mega Project to build submarines in India,inlcuding nuclear submarines.
Related- In May 2020, the Government announced that the Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the defence sector is being increased from 49% to 74%.

INS VIRAT

To be dismantled at Alang,Gujarat.
INS Viraat is the longest serving ship of the Indian Navy. It was inducted into the Indian Navy in 1987.
The ship served the British Navy as HMS Hermes between 1959 and 1984.
Currently, the Indian Navy operates a single aircraft carrier, that is INS Vikramaditya. It was bought from Russia.
INS Vikrant is an indigenous aircraft carrier that is being built in Cochin Shipyard.
The INS Vishal is the proposed second indigenous aircraft carrier.

Anti drone system

Anti-drone system can detect micro drones up to 3 kilo metres. It uses LASER to bring down target up to 1-2.5 kilo metres. It can detect and identify drone threats.

Read about Drones article in Pro section,its an important topics this year.

SRIJAN

Online portal launched to promote indigenisation of Defence Production
The portal is to display those items that are currently being imported by Indian Defence Industry. This will help domestic industries of the country to learn and focus more on these specific items.

Light Combat Helicoptors

The LCH has twin engines and is the lightest attack helicopter in the world.
Developed by HAL.
2 LCHs recently deployed in Ladhak amid tensions with China

Project Cheetah

Under the project, around 90 Heron drones of the services are to be upgraded with laser-guided bombs, air launched anti-tank guided missiles and air to ground anti-tank guided missiles.
The Indian fleet of drones mainly includes Israeli equipment including Herons.

DASSAULT RAFALE

The Dassault Rafale ( literally meaning “gust of wind”and “burst of fire” in a more military sense) is a French twin-engine, canard delta wing, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built by Dassault Aviation.
Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy, interdiction, aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear deterrence missions. The Rafale is referred to as an “omnirole” aircraft by Dassault.
4^TH Generation fighter jet
Introduced in 2001, the Rafale is being produced for both the French Air Force and for carrier-based operations in the French Navy. The Rafale has been marketed for export to several countries, and was selected for purchase by the Indian Air Force, the Egyptian Air Force, and the Qatar Air Force.
The jets are to be equipped with MICA weapon system.
The jets can attain a maximum speed of 2,222.6 km/hr. It can climb up to 50,000 feet. It can be refueled in the mid air. Rafael can lift to 9,500 kg of weight. The cannon attached to Rafael can release 2,500 rounds in one minute. Also, it can carry nuclear weapons, long range air-to-air missiles and laser guided bombs.
The Rafale fighter jet is powered by two M88-2 engines from SNECMA.Each engine provides a thurst of 75 kN.
Rafale fighter jets can refuel each other in air.
It can fire METEOR missiles to targets that are out of visibility range.
METEOR — a beyond visual range air to air missile — can take out enemy aircraft at a rang of over 100 kms.
Rafale can be equipped with SCALP missiles, a precision long range ground attack missile, capable of taking out targets within a radius of 300 kms.
It can carry 6 AASM missiles at a time- each AASM missile has a GPS and imaging infrared terminal guidance and can hit a target with an accuracy of 10 metres.
Rafale’s electronic warfare system – Spectra.
There’s also a RBE2 passive electronically scanned radar-It has ‘look-down’ and ‘shoot-down’ abilities that can track 8 targets at a time.
Rafale radar is more powerful than Su-30 MkIs PESA radar.
Can carry AM39 EXOCET anti-ship missile.
HAMMER: Highly Agile and Maneuverable Munition Extended Range

What is Stealth Aircraft?

Stealth aircraft are designed to avoid detection using a variety of technologies that reduce reflection/emission of radar, infrared,visible light, radio frequency (RF) spectrum, and audio, collectively known as stealth technology.
Stealth is the combination of passive low observable (LO) features and active emitters such as low-probability-of-intercept radars, radios and laser designators.
The U.S. is the only country to have used stealth aircraft in combat.
Rafale is not stealth aircraft.

Dhruvastra

On July 22, 2020, India successfully conducted the flight trial of Dhruvastra anti-guided missile at the Interim Test Range of Odisha.
The trials of the helicopter launched Nag Missile (HELINA) were successful. The missile has now been renamed as “Dhruvastra”.
Helina is a third-generation anti-tank guided missile mounted on Advanced Light Helicopter. The missile system can engage targets in direct hit mode and attack mode. Also, the system has all-weather day and night capability, defeat battle tanks with conventional armour and explosive reactive armour.

The Mine Plough

It is a device that helps tanks to clear minefields. The mine ploughs are to be fitted with T-90 tanks. The induction of mine ploughs has been planned to be completed by 2027.

P-8I Aircrafts

The P-8I aircrafts are mainly used for maritime surveillance purposes. India’s long-range reconnaissance, anti-submarine, electronic jamming and surveillance capabilities in the Indian Ocean Region will get a boost with the arrival of P-8I.
The P-8I is integrated with Harpon Block II air launched missiles and lightweight torpedoes. It is capable of carrying 129 sonobuoys that locate submarines and can also launch anti-ship missiles killing the submarine.
Developed by Boeing.

PASSEX Exercise

On July 20, 2020, the US Navy carrier USS Nimitz conducted maritime drills with Indian warships in the Middle East.
USS Nimitz- world’s largest aircraft carrier
PASSEX- Passage Exercise
The Indian Navy has conducted similar PASSEX with Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and French Navy. PASSEX is a passage exercise. A passage exercise is normally conducted when there is an opportunity in contrast to pre-planned maritime drills.

National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID)

The National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) will provide a link between the data of 14,000 police stations from across the country.
The National Intelligence Grid is expected to go live by the end of the year 2020.
A Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) was established in the year 2009 for the digitization of police records, since then, all Police Stations from across the country enters the details of the FIRs in the CCTNS.
In March 2020 a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed. As per the MoU, NATGRID got access to the database of CCTNS.

AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven

The RQ-11 Raven is a remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicle that is launched with hand. It is manufactured by AeroVironment (U.S. California based Defence Contractor).

Spike Firefly

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle- UAV
The Spike Firefly is developed under a joint venture of Israeli company- Rafael Advanced Defense Systems and Israel’s Ministry of Defence.

Operation Samudra Setu

In an effort to repatriate Indian Citizens from overseas, the Operation Samudra Setu was launched on 5^th May 2020 by the Indian Navy.
The Operation Samudra Setu lasted over 55 days in which 3,992 Indian Citizens were brought back to their homeland by the sea route by the Indian Navy.
Amphibious transport dock -INS Jalashwa, and 3 Landing Ship Tanks- INS Airavat, INS Shardul, and INS Magar- took part in the operation.

Torpedo

A Torpedo is a self-propelled underwater missile that can be launched from a surface vessel, submarine, and airplane.

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV)

The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) was inaugurated at the Vishakhapatnam Complex.
The DSRV has been designed in such a way that the system can be quickly be mobilized in road or air. This is being done to facilitate submarine rescue operations even in far away locations.

Operation Desert Chase

The Operation is an anti-espionage operation that was started by the Military Intelligence in 2019.

ARPIT: Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation by Indian Air Force

The Indian Air Force recently developed Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT). The pod is to be used to evacuate critical patients that are suffering from COVID-19.
The ARPIT uses HEPA, High frequency Particulate Air H 13 filters to support invasive ventilation.

Shekatkar Committee

On May 18, 2020, the Government of India implemented the recommendations made by the Shekatkar Committee to create border infrastructure.
Read about geotextiles in Science Tech terminology article.

ToD- Tour of Duty

In order to help the country fight unemployment generated due to COVID-19 and also citing resurgence of nationalism and patriotism, the Indian Army has launched “ToD”. ToD is Tour of Duty. ToD is a three year internship for youths to work as officers and soldiers in the Indian Army.
The earnings made by the individual under the scheme has been made tax free. Also, these candidates are to be given preferences in public sector jobs and also in post-graduate courses.

ICGS Sachet

Indian Coast Guard commissioned the first Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel, ICGS Sachet in Goa
ICGS Sachet is one of the five ships under CGOPV (Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vehicle) project.

Resistance Front

The Resistance Front is the new name of terror group in Kashmir. The group is made of existing terror groups such as Jais-e-Mohammad, Hizbul Mujahidin, LeT (Lashkar-e-Taiba) and Al-Badr.

Harpoons and Torpedoes

USA missiles being purchased by India- Torpedoes lightweight missiles and Harpoon air-launched missiles.
The lightweight Torpedoes will be used to in anti-submarine warfare missions.The torpedoes is an underwater missile that can be launched below or above the water.
The Harpoon is an anti-ship missile used to attack an enemy boat or ship.

Exercise NCC Yogdan

National Cadet Corps (NCC) launched “Exercise NCC Yogdan” to offer a helping hand to the authorities fighting against COVID-19.

Operation Namaste

Indian Army launched “Operation Namaste” to contain the spread of Corona Virus in the country. Under the operation, the army will help the Government of India fight against the deadly disease.

Tejas

The Light Combat Aircraft LCA-Tejas was designed by the Aircraft Development Agency (ADA). The ADA operates under DRDO (Defence Research Development Organization). It was manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

National Policy and Action Plan-2015

The Government primarily erected 2,329 mobile towers in LWE affected regions. With the increase in connectivity and construction of road, GoI aims to develop the region. This will decrease the number of youths joining the organizations.

“Trends in International arms transfers 2019”

Released by The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) .
According to the report, India is the second largest arms importer in the world.
The report says that Russia is the largest supplier to the Indian market between 2015-19.
The report also says that the top 5 arms importers in the world include Saudi Arabia, India, Egypt, Australia and China.

Swati Radar

The Radar is capable of handling multiple weapons at different locations. Currently, Indian army is also using the same radar along the line of control to trace source of attack of the Pakistan army.
India and Armenia signed deals on DRDO built “Swati” weapon locating radars.

RalDer-X

New explosive detection device.

VAJRA

On February 27, 2020, the 6^th Coast Guard OPV-6 (Offshore Patrol Vessel-6) called the “VAJRA” was launched in Chennai.

Exercise Indra Dhanush

It is a joint air force exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom.

Ra’ad II missile

Pakistan test fired 600 km range Ra’ad II missile successfully on land and at sea. The missile range has been upgraded from 550km in 2017 to 600km.

Milan 2020

Biggest multilateral naval exercise to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region.
The Exercise is to be conducted under the theme Theme: Synergy across the Seas
Around 42 countries are to participate in the exercise. It includes Russia and USA as well. India has not invited China to participate in the exercise. The exercise is to be conducted in Vishakhapatnam in March 2020.

Bhabha Kavach

New bullet proof jacket developed by BARC-to be used by CISF.

Ajeya Warrior

India-UK hold joint exercise called Ajeya Warrior on February 13, 2020. The exercise is being held from 2005.

Parth

World’s Cheapest Gun Shot Locator developed by Indian Army.

Malta Abhiyan

The Indian Navy conducted the Coastal Security Exercise, Malta Abhiyan in the Sunderbans region to create awareness about the coastal security to the local community.

SAMPRITI-IX

A Joint Military Exercise between India and Bangladesh to be held at Umroi, Meghalaya between 3^rd February, 2020 and 16^th February, 2020.

Tiger Sharks

On January 20, 2020, the 222 Squadron of Sukhoi-30MKI fighter jets was inducted by the Indian Air Force in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. The squadron has been named “Tiger Sharks”.

K-4 Missiles

The K-4 is an intermediate-range submarine launched ballistic missile. The K-series missiles are named after former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
Faster than Agni missiles.
The K-15 missiles also known as Sagarika missiles is a replica to the land-based Shaurya missile. The only difference is that K-15 are compatible to be deployed from submarines. The K-15 missile gets help from Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS).
The other under water missile being developed by India is BO-5, whose range is 700-km.
India has also begun its research on K-5 whose target is 5,000 km.

Winged Raider

The Indian Army recently conducted the largest air borne exercise called the Winged Raider. The exercise was conducted in the north-eastern theatre.
The C-130 Hercules, Dhruv Helicopters and C-17 globe master transport aircraft participated in the exercise.

Him Vijay

Mountain combat exercise by Indian Army in Arunchal Pradesh.

Sahyog-Kaijin

On January 16, 2020, India and Japan took part in a joint exercise called “Sahyog-Kaijin”. The exercise was held between the coastal guards of the countries at Chennai Port.

Sea Guardians