Current Affairs SectionwisePDF

DEFENCE NEWS 2019 PDF (Jan-July)

Contents

2019 Defence News – January........................................................................................................................... 2

2019 Defence News – February......................................................................................................................... 3
2019 Defence News – March............................................................................................................................. 5
2019 Defence News – April............................................................................................................................... 6
2019 Defence News – MAY .............................................................................................................................. 8
2019 Defence News – June .............................................................................................................................. 12
2019 Defence News – July .............................................................................................................................. 13

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2019 Defence News – January

India-Myanmar bilateral army exercise, IMBEX 2018-19 held in Chandimandir
On January 14, 2019, India-Myanmar bilateral army exercise, IMBEX begun at
Chandimandir , headquarters of the Western Command in Chandigarh.It is the second
edition of the IMBEX EXERCISE.
Government approves setting up of three new naval air squadrons
On 18th January 2019,Government approved Setting up of Three Naval air Squadrons in Gujarat
and TamilNadu. This Decision is taken to enrich the Indian Navy’s Overall Strength.
IAF AN-32 lands in Sikkim’s first airport
On 16th January 2019, Indian Air Force AN-32 transport aircraft landed on the Sikkim’s first
airport and one of the highest airfield of the country, Pakyong Airport.
Governments to induct 20% women in military police
On January 19, 2019, Government decided to induct 20% women in military police.This
decision is taken with motive to represent women in the armed force , they will be appointed
for the first time in Personnel Below Officer Rank, PBOR.
Nirmala Sitharaman launched Tamil Nadu defence industrial Corridor in Tiruchirappalli
On Jan 20, 2019,Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a series of projects as a part of
the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor in Tiruchirappalli.This is considered mega corridor
that would link the remaining miltary manufacturing units present in South India and the
second corridor succeeding the one launched in Aligarh,Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Navy Coordinates largest ever Coastal Defence Exercise 10 years after “26/11”
On 22nd January 2019, Indian Navy commenced largest ever coastal defence exercise SEA
VIGIL in Indian Coast. It covered 7516.6km Indian Coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone
(EEZ) of India. Sea Vigil Exercise was a tri service exercise TROPEX (Theatre-level Readiness
Operational Exercise) which is conducted by Indian Navy in every 2 years.
RPF ‘all- women’ squad “JOYTI BAHINI” launched in Guwahati
On January 19, 2019,The Northeast Railway sector has launched a dedicated woman
squad ‘JYOTI BAHINI’ to enhance security of women in railway station and trains.This has been
launched in Kamkhya station ofGuwahati.
India Africa Field Training Exercise (IAFTX) 2019 to be held in Pune
On 23rd January 2019, the final planning conference to work out the modalities for India Africa
Field Training Exercise (IAFTX) which is to be held from 18th to 27th March 2019 commenced
in Pune, Maharashtra to boost strategic Cooperation, political and military ties between the
countries.
Nigrani, Nireekshan and Nakabandi-Exervise Sea Vigil
From 22nd January 2019, India’s largest-ever Coastal Defence Exercise, Exercise Sea Vigil was
conducted over an intense 36-hour period across all nine Coastal States and four Union
Territories.The Exercise was concluded on 23rd January 2019.
Coast Guards of India, Japan undertake disaster control exercise
On 23rd January 2018, Indian and Japanese Coast Guards started disaster, search and rescue
exercises off the cost of Yokohama in Japan. ICGS Shaunak is the main Indian Coast Guard Ship
taking part in the drills.
Israel Successfully Tests Arrow 3 Anti-ballistic Missile System
On January 22, 2019, Israel successfully tested the Arrow 3 missile system from Central Israel,
it is done in collaboration with American Missile Defense Agency.
Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba Commissioned new Naval Air Base ‘INS KOHASSA’ at Diglipur,
Andaman
On 24th January 2019, Navy Chief Admiral Sunil Lanba commissioned new Naval Air Base ‘INS
KOHASSA’ at Diglipur, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.The air base is situated at the
northernmost part of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It will be used for both defence and civil
aircraft.
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DRDO launches Long Range Surface to Air Missile off Odisha coast
On 24 January 2019, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully
launched Long Range Surface to Air Missile (LR-SAM) jointly developed by DRDO and Israel
Aerospace Industries from INS Chennai off the coast of Odisha.
India Tested New Anti-Radiation Missile NGRAM at Balasore
On January 24,2019, India tested the new generation anti-radiation missile(NGRAM) which
would destroy all the surveillance and radar systems. The new missile was test fired from
Sukhoi-30MKI fighter at Balasore,Odisha.
Nirmala Sitharaman launched Tamil Nadu defence industrial Corridor in Tiruchirappalli
On Jan 20, 2019,Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman launched a series of projects as a part of
the Tamil Nadu Defence Industrial Corridor in Tiruchirappalli.This is considered to be the
second corridor succeeding the one launched in Aligarh,Uttar Pradesh.
Indian Army and Punjab National Bank (PNB) singed MOU for updated salary packages
On January 8, 2019, Indian Army and Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed a Memorandum of
Understanding (MoU) on the Defence Salary Package.
Defence industries received Rs 1.21 cr FDI during 2014-18: Commerce Min
On January 2, 2019, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry C R Chaudhary announced
that India’s defence sector received Rs 1.21 crore (Rs 12,146,180 ) foreign direct investment
during 2014-18.
India to buy $5 billion oil, gas from US & spend $18 billion in defence
On 16th January 2019, India has decided to purchase $5 billion worth of oil and gas from the
US per annum and $18 billion worth for defence equipment. India-US bilateral trade has
increased from $119 billion to $140 billion in past two years.

2019 Defence News – February

EXERCISE’s:
Exercise Name Participating Countries Location
Exercise Rahat Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Jaipur, Rajasthan
Disaster Relief Exercise(Indian
Army)
Exercise Topchi Indian army demonstrated its Nashik,Maharashtra
artillery firepower, aviation and
surveillance capacity
Exercise ‘AMAN-19’ The 5-day multinational maritime Karachi,Pakistan
exercise in which 46 nations
participated from all over the world.
Motto “Together for Peace”.
CUTCLASS EXPRESS 2019 INS Trikand, the frontline warship Vicinity of Djibouti, Mozambique
of the Indian Navy, participated in a and Seychelles
multi-national training exercise
Exercise ‘Vayu Shakti’ Indian Air Force conducted mega Pokhran, Rajasthan
exercise. Advanced Light Helicopter
(ALP) and the Akash surface-to-air
missile were deployed in military
exercise for the first time.
Exercise Velayat 97 3-day annual navy drill of Iran It will be held in the waters of Strait
of Hormuz, Makran coast, Oman Sea
and the north of the Indian ocean
and will cover an area of 2 million
square kilometres.

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Cobra Gold military exercise 29 nations took part as participants

or observers

Testings:

Missile Name Location Features

Hoveizeh- Long-Range Surface to
Surface Missile
Nasr - short range surface-to-
surface ballistic missile
Helina, a helicopter-launched
version of the Nag anti-tank guided
missile
Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet’ (SFDR)
Tehran.Iran Strike range of 1,300 km (800
miles), to mark the remembrance of
1979 Islamic Revolution
Anniversary.
Pakistan Strike range of about 70-km.
Odisha Coast Hit range of 7-8 km
ITR, Chandipur, Odisha

Fateh- semi-heavy submarine Iran Strike range of about 2,000 km

(1,250 miles).
Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Chandipur in Balasore district,
Missile (QRSAM). It will replace the Odisha
‘Akash’ missile.

Other News Related to Defence:

DAC approves indigenous construction of 6 submarines worth Rs 40000 cr
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) chaired by Defence Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman
approved the indigenous construction of 6 Project 75 (India) submarines under the strategic
Partnership model at the cost of Rs 40,000 crore.
Defence Ministry approves procurement of 73,000 assault rifles from US
• Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman approved the procurement of around 73000 Sig Sauer
rifles from United States of America under fast track procurement mode. The procured rifles
will replace INSAS rifles.
Boeing 747-200 - Air India’s first ever Flight Simulator was exhibited in Nehru Science Centre,
Mumbai
• Air India’s First ever Flight Simulator known as ‘Boeing 747-200’ was exhibited in Nehru
Science Centre, Mumbai. The Simulator was acquired by Air India in 1980, which is designed
and manufactured by the CAE (Canadian Aviation Electronics), Canada.
Overview of the 12th Aero-India 2019 held in Bangalore
• Defence Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the 12th biennial edition of
International Aerospace and Defence Exhibition, the Aero India 2019 on 24th February 2019 at
the Air Force Station Yelahanka in Bengaluru. The theme of the event was “‘Runway to a Billion
Opportunities”. Click here to read detailed article
Tejas Networks Launches World’s First Ultra-Converged Broadband Product At Mobile World
Congress, Barcelona
• Tejas Networks today launched its broadband access product which provides both wireline as
well as wireless broadband services from a single integrated platform. It was launched by Mr.
Anshu Prakash, Additional Secretary, Department of Telecom, Government of India at the
Mobile World Congress (MWC), Barcelona.
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DAC consented to acquire Defence Equipment worth 2700 crores

• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) headed by Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
approved the acquisition of defence equipment at cost of Rs 2700 crores.

2019 Defence News – March

EXERCISE’s:
Exercise Name Participating Countries Location
Mainamati Maitree Exercise 2019 India’s BSF and Bangladesh’s Border Agartala, Tripura
Guards Bangladesh(BGB)
“Key Resolve” was replaced by United States and South Korea While Foal Eagle drills will be
“Dongmaeng” replaced by a smaller battalion-
sized exercise.
Sampriti-2019 India and Bangladesh(Army) Tangail, Bangladesh

Red Flag 2019 Air forces from United States, the United States
United Arab Emirates, Belgium, the
Netherlands, Singapore and Saudi
Arabia
Exercise Al Nagah III India and Oman Jabel Al Akhdar Mountains in Oman

Africa-India Joint Field Training Indian Army and 16 African nations Pune, Maharashtra
Exercise (AFINDEX-19)
Theatre Level Operational Inter-service military exercise Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Readiness Exercise (TROPEX 19)

MITRASHAKTI – VI Indian and Sri Lanka Army Diyatalawa in Sri Lanka

Testings:
Missile Name Location Features
Guided Pinaka weapons system Pokhran ranges in Rajasthan The weapon system is equipped
with state-of-the-art guidance kit
comprising of an advanced
navigation and control system.
Man-Portable Anti-Tank Guided Pokhran ranges of Rajasthan desert MPATGM is incorporated with
Missile (MPATGM) advanced features including state-
of-the-art Imaging Infrared Radar
(IIR) Seeker with integrated
avionics.
Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island (earlier, It took just 3 minute. Mission Shakti
“Mission Shakti” Wheeler island) in Odisha is a joint programme of DRDO and
the Indian Space Research
Organisation (ISRO). ASAT
capability has been demonstrated
by only 4 countries: United States,
Russia, China and India.

Other News Related to Defence:

‘Smart Weapon’ from JF-17 fighter jet successful test fired by Pakistan
• Pakistan Air Force (PAF) successfully test-fired an indigenously developed “smart weapon”
from a JF-17 Thunder fighter jet amid tensions between India and Pakistan. JF-17 was

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previously referred as FC-1 Xiaolong which is a single-engine multi-role light fighter was being
jointly produced by Pakistan with China for several years with engines supplied by Russia.
Joint exercises to be conducted by US army and NSG in Hyderabad
• The US military forces and the Indian National Security Guard (NSG) is conducting joint
exercises in Hyderabad. This would be a part of the US-India security partnership. The aim of
these exercises is to enhance preparedness and tackle any crisis that affects the public health
and safety.
Indian Coast Guard ship ‘Vijit’ goes on its maiden voyage to Indonesia
• Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Vijit’ became the first-ever Coast Guard ship to visit Sabang,
Indonesia, highlighting the close maritime proximity between India and Indonesia and
strengthening cooperation in the area of maritime security and safety between New Delhi and
Jakarta.
Indian Army inducted Four Indigenous ‘Dhanush’ Howitzers guns
• Indian Army inducted the first batch of its domestically developed and manufactured Dhanush
artillery howitzer at a ceremony held the Ordnance factory in Jabalpur to give a major fire-
power boost to the Indian Armed Forces. It is the first long-range artillery gun having a range
of 38 km produced in India.

2019 Defence News – April

EXERCISE’s:
Exercise Name Participating Countries Location
AUSINDEX 19 India & Australia military exercise Vishakhapatnam, India

Australia is conducting 7 nation Sri Lanka, India, Malaysia, Thailand, Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean military exercises Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore
African Lion 2019 Morocco- US Morocco

Bold Kurukshetra–2019 India and Singapore Jhansi’s Babina Cantonment, Uttar

Pradesh,India

IN – VPN BILAT EX
Sea Vigil
Anti-Submarine Warfare drill
ADMM-PLUS (ASEAN Defence
Ministers' Meeting)
Indian Navy and Vietnam Peoples’ Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam
Navy
Indian Navy Exercise Sea Vigil's prime objective
is to safeguard India’s 7516.6 km
coastline and its exclusive economic
zone, thus helping in strengthening
India's Maritime and National
security.
India and US Navy Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.
This is the first bilateral anti-
submarine exercise after signing of
a Communications, Compatibility
and Security Agreement
(COMCASA).
Busan, South Korea. Indian Navy’s 2
warships, INS Kolkata and INS
Shakti had gone to Qingdao in China
to participate in the International
Fleet Review (IFR)

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Testings:
Missile Name Location Features
‘Nirbhay’ Chandipur, Odisha Long range sub sonic cruise missile
indigenously designed and
developed by Bengaluru – based
Aeronautical Development
Establishment (ADE), a lab under
Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO) was test fired
from launch complex-3 of the
Integrated Test Range (ITR).

Other News Related to Defence:

COMCASA: First secure link between India, US navies set up
• India and the US have structured the first reliable communication link between the Indian
Navy & US Central as well as Pacific Naval Commands under the COMCASA pact at New Delhi,
India. The Indo-US military-information sharing pact, COMCASA was signed at the 2+2 bilateral
summit on 6th September, 2018.
US has consented the sale of 24 "MH-60R Seahawk" helicopters to India for $2.6 bn
• US has consented the sale of 24 "MH-60R Seahawk" helicopters to India for $2.6 bnAt an
estimated cost of $2.6 billion, the United States has approved the sale of 24 multi-mission
Lockheed Martin-built MH-60 "Romeo'"Seahawk helicopters to India. These choppers designed
for targeting ships, hunting submarines and conducting search-and-rescue operations at sea,
would replenish the age-old fleet of British-made Sea King helicopters, used by India.
Project75I, the Indian Navy’s Rs. 50,000-crore venture to build 6 lethal submarines
• Under the ambitious Project75-India, the Indian Navy desires to build 6 standard diesel-
electric submarines. These submarines would be 50% massive in size than the Scorpene class
submarines which are under-construction at the Mazagon Dockyards Limited. This would incur
an overall cost of Rs. 50,000 crore. Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on of the Project 75
Kalvari-class submarines.
Indian Army patrol found wreckage of World War II US aircraft
• A 12-member patrol team of the Indian Army along with a police official has discovered the
wreckage of a World War II vintage US Air Force aircraft in Roing district of Arunachal Pradesh
The wreckage was located in a remote location at a distance of 30km from Roing and was
covered by thick undergrowth and buried under five feet of snow.
Vice admiral Bimal Verma drops petition challenging Karambir Singh’s appointment as navy
chief
• Vice Admiral Bimal Verma has dropped the petition to challenge the appointment of
Admiral Karambir Singh as the next Navy Chief. He will be seeking the "statutory remedy" of
approaching the government first. According to him, Vice present government is ignoring
seniority as the basis to appoint a Service Chief. He is six months senior to Vice Admiral
Karambir Singh.
Indian Navy Warships to take part in PLA Navy anniversary celebrations in China
• As part of the 70th Anniversary of People’s Liberation Army Navy celebrations in China, two
Indian Navy warships, namely INS Kolkata and INS Shakti will participate in the Chinese
International Fleet Review (IFR) maritime parade in Qingdao,on April 23.

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A Guided Missile Destroyer ‘INS Imphal’ launched by Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lamba
• Indigenously designed and constructed third ship under Project 15B, ‘INS Imphal’ a guided
missile destroyer launched by Navy Chief at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in
Mumbai. This ship is designed by the Indian Navy’s Directorate of Naval Designs, New Delhi.
Antares Rocket launches Cygnus Cargo Ship to International Space Station
• The Northrop Grumman Antares rocket and its unscrewed Cygnus Spacecraft launched which
contains tons of NASA’s supplies and 40 live mice to the International Space Station (ISS), from
the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spacecraft at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island in
Virginia. The first stage of rocket was developed by the Ukrainian Yuzhnoye State Design
Office.
Defence Ministry set to have three new tri-service agencies
• Ministry of Defence (MoD) is expecting to raise a Defence Cyber Agency (DCA) by May to tackle
non-civilian cyber issues arise from China and Pakistan, including safeguarding critical
infrastructure. Rear Admiral Mohit Gupta, Senior Navy officer will be the first head of this
agency, headquartered in New Delhi.
ICGS C-441 Commissioned at Vizhinjam
• The newly built Coast Guard Vessel ICGS C-441 was commissioned into the service by Tom
Jose, Chief Secretary of Kerala at Vizhinjam Harbour, Thiruvananthapuram. It is the seventh
Interceptor vessel amongst the series which is built by M/s. L&T Ltd (Larsen & Toubro
Limited), Surat. It is 27.4 metres long and has106 tonnes displacement capacity and can
achieve a maximum speed of 45 knots(83 km/hr).
Russia successfully tests World’s First Floating Nuclear Power Plant named ‘Akademik
Lomonosov’
• The 70 MW ‘Akademik Lomonosov’, world’s first floating nuclear power plant successfully
tested by Rosenergoatom, operator subsidiary of Rosatom, state owned atomic energy
cooperation of Russia. It’s nuclear reactor was developed by OKBM Afrikantov and assembled
by Nizhniy Novgorod Research and Development Institute Atomenergoproekt.

2019 Defence News – MAY

EXERCISE’s:
Exercise Name
17th edition of the Indo-French
naval exercise, Varuna 19.1
Bull Strike
Group Sail
8th Indo-Myanmar Coordinated
Patrol (IMCOR)
26th edition of Singapore India
Maritime Bilateral Exercise
(SIMBEX) -longest uninterrupted
naval exercise
Participating Countries Location
India and France The 2nd part of the naval exercise,
Varuna 19.2, will be held at May-end
in Djibouti.
Indian Army, Indian Navy and Teressa Island in Andaman and
Indian Air Force Nicobar
India(INS Kolkata and Fleet Support South China Sea
Ship, INS Shakti), Japan, Philippines
and US
Myanmar Navy Ship UMS King Andaman and Nicobar Command in
TabinShweHtee (773) and UMS Port Blair
Inlay (OPV-54) and Indian Naval
Ship Saryu have participated
Singapore & India(INS Kolkata and Singapore
INS Shakti)

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Pacific Vanguard Naval Exercise US, Japan, South Korea and Australia Guam

Testings:
Missile Names Locations Features
Medium Range Surface to Air Western seaboard, carried out by The test-firing of the missile was
Missile (MRSAM) Indian naval ships Kochi and collaboratively undertaken by the
Chennai. Indian Navy, Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO) and
Israel Aerospace Industries
Aerial version of supersonic Andaman and Nicobar archipelago This aerial version of air-to-surface
BrahMos cruise missile from Su- BrahMos missile weighed 2.5 tonnes
30 MKI fighter aircraft and a target range of around 300 km.
Shaheen-II Pakistan The range of the missile is up to 1500
km. The missile is capable of hitting
major cities of India.
BrahMos Missile Car Nicobar Islands The northernmost of the Nicobar
Islands, an archipelagic island chain in
the eastern Indian Ocean.

Akash-1S surface-to-air defence Balasore off the Odisha coast This is a new version of the missile
missile system fitted with an indigenous seeker. The
missile was developed as part of the
Integrated Guided-Missile Development
Programme (IGMDP).
Other News Related to Defence:
GRSE to construct eight ASWSWCs for Indian Navy
• Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) Ltd. has signed a contract with defence ministry
to build eight anti-submarine warfare shallow water crafts (ASWSWCs) for Indian Navy at the
cost of Rs 6311.30 crore. These vessels will have a deep displacement of 750 tonnes and speed
of 25 knots and also capable of full-scale sub surface surveillance of coastal waters.
Ministry of Defence approved Indian Navy’s Rs 3,600 crore deal for 10 ‘Kamov Ka-31’
Helicopters
• Ministry of Defence gave approval to Indian Navy to acquire 10 ‘Kamov Ka-31’ Airborne Early
Warning and Control Helicopter for a deal worth of Rs 3,600 crore from Russia. These 10
helicopters would be deployed on the aircraft carriers and warships of the Indian Navy
including the INS Vikrant and Grigorovich-class frigates. The Kamov Ka-31 helicopters will
strengthen the capability of Indian Navy against aerial threats to its aircraft carriers and large
warships.
After 36 years of service, Indian Navy’s frontline missile destroyer, INS Ranjit has been
decommissioned
• After 36 years of service, Indian Navy's frontline missile destroyer, INS Ranjit has been
decommissioned at the naval dockyard in Visakhapatnam. INS Ranjit was commissioned on
15th September 1983 with Captain Vishnu Bhagwat as the chair. INS Ranjit was the 3rd of the 5
Kashin-class destroyers built by the former USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). INS
Ranjit's motto was 'Sada Rane Jayate' or 'Ever Victorious in Battle'.
The US Air Force tested a laser system to shoot down multiple air launched missiles
• The US Air Force Research Laboratory tested a laser system called ‘Self-Protect High Energy
Laser Demonstrator (SHiELD) at the US Army’s White Sands Missile range in New Mexico which

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successfully shot down multiple air-launched missiles while in flight. The system is designed
for the purpose of protecting the aircrafts from incoming surface-to-air and air-to-air launched
missiles.
INS Vela: Indian Navy’s 4th Scorpene-class made in India submarine launched
• INS Vela, Indian Navy's 4th Scorpene-class submarine was launched at Mazagon Dockyard in
Mumbai. This is the fourth submarine in the series of six submarines under Project 75 built by
Mazagon Dock Ltd, Mumbai. The Scorpene-class submarine has been termed as the Kalavari
Class.
NASA’s first Planetary Defence Technology to collide with small moonlet in 2022
• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) will hit an asteroid named
Didymoon or Didymos B with a spacecraft called Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) in
2022. This will be the first mission which demonstrates a planetary defence technique. The
asteroid is 150 m tall which orbiting a larger body called Didymos A. This will help in
understanding the state of the asteroid system.
The Indian Navy’s Service Selection Board was inaugurated at Diamond Harbour, Kolkata
• The Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba inaugurated Indian Navy’s first full-fledged Service
Selection Board (SSB) at Diamond Harbour, near Kolkata. This is the fifth SSB- Service Selection
Board of the Indian Navy. It selects both Permanent and Short Service Commission officers. The
other Boards are located in Bhopal, Bengaluru, Visakhapatnam and Coimbatore.
India receives its first Apache Guardian attack helicopter in Boeing’s production facility in
Mesa, Arizona US
• The Indian Air Force legally received its 1st Apache Guardian attack helicopter AH-64E (I)
during a ceremony at the Boeing production facility in Mesa, Arizona, US (United States). This
first attack helicopter in India’s defence arsenal was received by Air Marshal AS Butola, IAF.
Chinese Navy launches two Type 052D new guided missile destroyers
• Chinese Navy has commissioned two new Type 052D guided missile destroyers in Dalian, a
coastal city. They are the 19th and 20th ships in the class and are named as Tangshan and
Suzhou. China, at present, has 20 Type 052Ds either in active service or to be launched for
service soon.
Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully conducted the flight test
of ABHYAS in Odisha
• Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully conducted the flight
test of ABHYAS, a High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) drone which is to be used for
autonomous flying with the help of an autopilot. The flight test was conducted from an Interim
Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha. It uses Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS)
based navigation system for its navigation and guidance.
US agreed to sell air-defense missiles to Japan & South Korea
• US State Department has approved to sell air-defense missiles for the worth of more than USD
600 million to Japan and South Korea. This approval was the result of rising tension with North
Korea when a pair of the missile was tested by North Korea last week. US government has
approved sale of 94 SM-2 missiles used by ships against air threats along with 12 guidance
systems for a total cost of USD 313.9 million.
Tech Mahindra signed defence contract with Indian Navy
• Tech Mahindra signed a defence contract worth of Rs 300 crore with Indian Navy. Under
‘Armed Forces Secure Access Card’ (AFSAC) Project, Tech Mahindra will implement Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) based Access Control System across all naval bases and ships.

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It will replace the existing paper-based identity cards for all Navy personnel which also
includes dependents and ex-servicemen.
Indian Coast Guard Ship ‘Vigraha’ decommissioned at Vishakhapatnam
• Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS) ‘Vigraha’ decommissioned at Vishakhapatnam, Andhra
Pradesh. It is a frontline offshore patrol served for 29 years from 1990 to 2019. It was the
seventh offshore patrol vessel built by the Mazagaon Dock Limited, Mumbai.
India delivered 2 Mi-24 helicopters to Afghanistan
• Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan, Vinay Kumar made the hand-over of the first pair of
replacement Mi-24 attack helicopters to Afghanistan Defence Minister, Asadullah Khalid at the
Kabul Air Force base with the main objective of strengthening the Afghan air force as it battles
Taliban insurgency against the fact of US’ lookout for exiting the Afghanistan after a 17-year
stay.
IAF Chief B S Dhanoa leads ‘Missing Man’ formation in tribute to heroes of Kargil
• Recently, Indian Air Force (IAF)’s Air Chief Marshal B S Dhanoa flew the ‘missing man’
formation in a MiG-21 aircraft to pay tributes to Squadron Leader Ajay Ahuja and heroes of the
Kargil war. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) Western Air Command Air Marshal R
Nambiar also companied B S Dhanoa in the flypast organised at Air Force Station in Bhisiana.
IAF 'Golden Arrows' 17 Squadron to be first Rafale combat aircraft unit
• The first Rafale combat aircraft would be inducted in the 'Golden Arrows' 17 Squadron of
Indian Air Force (IAF). This squadron was commanded by Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa during
the Kargil war in 1999. Another squadron of the fighter aircraft will be based out of Hashimara
in West Bengal to tackle the front facing China.
DRDO successfully test fired a guided bomb from Sukhoi combat jet in Pokhran, Rajasthan
• The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully test fired a 500 kg
class guided bomb from Sukhoi combat jet (Su-30 MKI Aircraft) in Pokhran, Rajasthan. The
mission was accomplished two days after the Indian Air Force successfully test fired the aerial
version of the supersonic BrahMos cruise missile from Sukhoi jet at the Andaman and Nicobar
Islands.
IAF`s AN-32 aircraft formally certified to operate on indigenous bio-jet fuel
• The Russian made AN-32 transport aircraft of Indian Air Force's (IAF) has got the formal fleet
certification to fly on blended aviation fuel containing up to 10% of indigenous bio-jet fuel. The
approval certification was given by P Jayapal, Chief Executive, Centre for Military
Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) to Air Commodore Sanjiv Ghuratia, Air Officer
Commanding at the aero-engine test facilities at Chandigarh. The certification has been
provided after its thorough evaluation against international standards. Also, the use of bio-fuel
is a major push to Make in India’ mission.

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2019 Defence News – June

Testings:
Missile Name Location Features

Supersonic cruise missile Chandipur in Odisha BrahMos, with a strike range of around
BrahMos 290 km, can be fired from land, sea, and
air.
Hypersonic Technology Coast of Odisha It is developed by DRDO with help from
Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV) Israel and the UK. With this launch,
India has joined the US, Russia, and
China that possess this technology.
Nuclear-capable missile Prithvi-II, Odisha coast Prithvi is the first missile developed by
the Defence Research Development
Organisation (DRDO) under the
Integrated Guided Missile Development
Programme (IGMDP).
Other News Related to Defence:
Indian Navy successfully conducted ‘live mating’ of submarine rescue system DSRV
• The Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) based at Visakhapatnam, successfully
conducted the live mating exercise. It involved the transfer of personnel from the bottomed
submarine, INS Sindhudhvaj. The DSRV is equipped with sophisticated radar and a remotely
operated vehicle (ROV).
Armies of India and Myanmar carried out a coordinated operation ‘Operation Sunrise 2’
• The armies of India and Myanmar carried out a three-week-long coordinated operation from
May 16 in their respective border areas named ‘Operation Sunrise 2’. They targeted the
militant groups operating in Manipur, Nagaland, and Assam to bust terror camps. It included
the Kamtapur Liberation Organisation (KLO), NSCN-K (National Socialist Council of Nagaland-
Khaplang), the United Liberation Front of Assam (I) and the National Democratic Front of
Boroland (NDFB).
Balakot airstrikes code named as ‘Operation Bandar’ by IAF
• The Indian Air Force mission to bomb a terrorist hideout in Pakistan's Balakot was codenamed
'Operation Bandar’ (Monkey). The name was possibly inspired by the fact that monkeys have
always held a special place in India’s war culture, as evident in Lord Hanuman’s exploits in
Ravana's kingdom of SriLanka.
Indian Navy executes Operation Sankalp in the Gulf of Oman to undertake maritime security
• India Navy launched “Operation Sankalp” in the Gulf of Oman. It is to recheck Indian flagged
vessels operating through the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman following the maritime incidents
in the region. Indian Navy has deployed (Indian Navy Ship) INS Chennai and INS Sunayna in the
region to undertake maritime security operations.
INS Tarkash reaches Alexandria as part of the Overseas Deployment programme
• As a part of the Western Fleet Overseas Deployment programme, Indian Navy Ship(INS),
Tarkash reached Alexandria in Egypt for three days visit. This visit to Egypt will seek to
strengthen the ties between the two countries & increase the footprint and operational reach
of the Indian navy.
India scraped $500 mn arms deal with Israel
• India scraped $500 million arms deal with Israel for the purchase of Spike anti-tank missiles
from defence contractor Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. This was done after Defence

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Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) claimed that it could deliver an alternative with
a partnership with VEM technologies Ltd within two years.
Cabinet approved hike in rates of scholarship under National Defence Fund
• In the first meeting of Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved major
changes in the PM’s Scholarship Scheme under the National Defence Fund. The Cabinet has
increased the rates of scholarship from Rs 2,000 per month to Rs 2,500 per month for boys and
Rs 2,250 per month to Rs 3,000 per month for girls.

2019 Defence News – July

EXERCISE’s:
Exercise Name Participating Countries Location

Garuda VI
1st edition of the joint security
exercise of International
Security Alliance (ISA),
ISALEX19
8th edition of Hand-in-
Hand(HiH)Military exercise
2019
IndSpaceEx-1st ever simulated
space warfare exercise
Indian Air Force (IAF) and Armée
de l'Air (French Air Force)
UAE, France, the Italian Republic,
Bahrain, Morocco, Spain, Senegal,
Singapore, and the Slovak
Republic
India & China
Three armed forces of India
(Army, Navy, and Air Force)
Mont de Marsan in France
Abu Dhabi, UAE (United Arab
Emirates)
Umroi near Shillong in
Meghalaya, India
New Delhi

Testings:

Missile Name Location Features

Submarine-launched ballistic China The JL-3 is expected to have a

missile (SLBM), JL-3
Nag missiles
Third-generation anti-tank
guided missile NAG
range of around 14,000
kilometers, with a capacity to
carry 10 independent guided
nuclear warheads.
Pokhran, Rajasthan It is in the final stage to be
inducted in the Indian Army. In
2018, the Defence Acquisition
Council had approved the
procurement of DRDO's
designed and developed NAG
Missile System (NAMIS) at the
cost of Rs 524 crore. It is a third
generation Anti-Tank Guided
Missile.
Pokhran, Rajasthan It is developed by the Defence
Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO). It was
launched from the NAG Missile
Carrier (NAMICA) and is capable

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of carrying up to 6 combat
missiles. It will be inducted in
the Indian Army.

Medium-range ballistic missile - Iran It is derived from a North

Shahab-3 Korean missile called the
Nodong-A and can fly 1,150 to
2,000 kilometers, or up to 1,242
miles, depending on the variant.
Two short-range ballistic North Korea They were fired from mobile
missiles launch vehicles. The first short-
range missile, launched from
Wonsan, a coastal town east of
the capital, Pyongyang, flew 430
kilometers (267 miles), reaching
a height of 50 kilometers (31
miles) before landing in waters
between North Korea and Japan.
Anti-ballistic missile system Israel and the United States (US) The test was carried out with
"Arrow-3" U.S. Missile Defense Agency
(MDA) at Pacific Spaceport
Complex-Alaska (PSCA) in
Kodiak, Alaska, US.
Other News Related to Defence:
Operation Sudarshan launched by BSF to fortify the anti-infiltration grid along Pakistan border
• The operation, code named 'Sudarshan' was launched by the Border Security Force (BSF) to
fortify Anti-Infiltration Grid along the Pakistan border in Punjab and Jammu. The Union Home
Ministry will go through the final report of the operation. After the scrutiny, sanctions will be
made to procure gadgets, equipment and infrastructure that is required to plug gaps and
strengthen border management.
Two new heavy-lift Chinook helicopters for IAF arrived at the Mundra port, Gujarat
• Boeing, American aerospace company, informed the arrival of 2 new heavy-lift CH-47F (I)
Chinooks helicopters for the Indian Air Force (IAF) at the Mundra port in Gujarat. It will
provide IAF an unmatched strategic airlift capability. In 2015, IAF had ordered 15 Chinooks
along with 22 Apache attack helicopters. The first 4 Chinooks were received in February, 2019.
Indian Army plans to buy American howitzer ammo for long-range accurate strikes
• The Indian Army will buy the Excalibur artillery ammunition from the US (United States) under
the emergency procurement procedures. It can strike targets more than 50 km away with the
use of the GPS (Global Positioning System).
INS Tarkash reached Tangier in Morocco as part of a visit for overseas development
programme
• In an ongoing Overseas Deployment by the Indian Navy to the Mediterranean Sea, Africa and
Europe, INS (Indian Navy Ship) Tarkash, a state-of-the-art stealth frigate of the Indian Navy
equipped with a versatile range of weapons, reached at Tangier in Morocco as part of a visit of
the 3-day visit. It seeks to strengthen the bonds of friendship between India and Morocco.
INS Sagardhwani starts on mission Sagar Maitri
• The Marine Acoustic Research Ship (MARS), INS Sagardhwan started its two-month long
second mission Sagar Maitri from Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala. It was flagged off
by Southern Naval commander Vice Admiral A.K. Chawla and Defence Research and
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Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman G. Satheesh Reddy. It will be visiting Thailand,

Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia and would be initiating collaborative research programmes
with selected institutes in these countries.
Indian Navy's frontline warship INS Tarkash reaches Sweden
• The Indian Naval Ship(INS) Tarkash reached Sweden on a three-day visit, as a part of Indian
Navy's mission of building "bridges of friendship" and strengthening international cooperation
with friendly countries. This marks the first visit of an Indian Naval Ship which made a port call
at Karlskrona in Sweden shores after a gap of 15 years.
Indian Navy commissions fifth Dornier Aircraft Squadron in Chennai
• Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh commissioned the fifth Dornier squadron of the
Indian Navy- Indian Naval Air Squadron 313 (INAS 313 ) at the Naval Air Enclave in
Meenambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It will operate the indigenous Hindustan Aeronautics
Limited (HAL) built Maritime Surveillance version multi-role Dornier 228 Short Range
Maritime reconnaissance aircraft from Chennai Airport.
Two Defence Industrial Corridors to be set up in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu
• In pursuance of the announcement made by the then Finance Minister Mr Arun Jaitley in the
budget speech 2018-19, the Government has decided to set up 2 Defence Industrial Corridors
in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It will cover the needs of Micro, Small and Medium
Enterprises (MSME). Investments worth Rs 4,000 crore have been received and the project is
expected to cost Rs 20,000 crore.
Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh Launches DDP Dashboard
• Union Minister of Defence Shri Rajnath Singh launched a Dashboard of Department of Defence
Production (DDP) to help in effective monitoring of various initiatives and schemes of the
departments of the Ministry of Defence in the presence of Secretary (Defence Production) Dr
Ajay Kumar, Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Shripad Yesso Naik and other senior officials of the
Ministry.Click here to read more.
US finalizes $670 million foreign military sales to support India's C-17 aircraft
• The United States (US) approved foreign military sales worth $670 million to support India's C-
17 military transport aircraft in order to enhance operational readiness and ability to provide
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR) assistance in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chetak helicopters by HAL delivered to the Indian Navy ahead of schedule.
• The Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) delivered one Chetak helicopter to the Indian Navy
ahead of its scheduled month of august. The HAL entered into a contract with the Indian Navy
in the year 2017 to supply 8 Chetak helicopters by August 2020, with the first two by August
2019. The Chetak helicopters are produced by HAL under the license from Eurocopter, France.
Rs.1500 crore deal signed by India and Russia to acquire Russia’s R-27
• India signed a contract with Russia for the acquisition of R-27air-to-air missile which gives the
additional capability to target enemy aircraft at long Ranges. These missiles are to be equipped
on the Su-30MKI combat aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF). It is a medium-to-long-range air-
to-air missile developed by Russia for its MIG and Sukhoi fighter jets.
IAF receives 1st batch of 4 AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack helicopters from the US
• Indian Air Force (IAF) has received 1st batch of 4 of total 22 AH-64E Apache Guardian Attack
helicopters from US (United States)aerospace major Boeing at Hindon airbase in Ghaziabad,
Uttar Pradesh(UP). An additional four Apache helicopters will arrive next week, and these 8
helicopters will be then moved to Pathankot Air Force Station, Punjab for their formal
induction by the IAF in September 2019.

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Indigenously built LCU MK IV class ship “LCU L56” commissioned into Indian Navy
• Vice Admiral, Atul Kumar Jain, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command,
commissioned the Land Craft Utility (LCU)MK IV class ships LCU L56 at Visakhapatnam,
Andhra Pradesh. This sixth of the LCU MK IV class ships, built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders
and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), will be used for deployment and recovery of Main Battle Tanks,
armoured vehicles, Troops and equipment from ship to shore and vice versa.

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