Defence News (Jan-Dec) by AffairsCloud

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Defence News January

DAC approves major changes in Defence Procurement Procedure
Defence Acquisition Council(DAC) led by Defence Minister ManoharParrikar has approved
major changes to the Defence Procurement Procedure(DPP).
New DPP will modernize defence acquisitions and give a big push to indigenisation through
the Make in India initiative.
Highlights
New category to promote domestic manufacturing, including government funding for
R & D and recognition of the MSME in technology development.
Funds up to 90 per cent of development costs to private companies to push research
and innovation
China reshuffles military headquarters in major revamp

Chinese President Xi Jinping reorganised four army headquarters by replacing them with 15
new agencies under the Central Military Commission(CMC) headed by him.
Reform includes five more divisions, administration, auditing, international cooperation,
reform, organisational structure and strategic planning.
Six new departments, joint staff, political work, logistical support, equipment
development, training, and national defence.
Currently China has four army headquarters staff, politics, logistics and armaments.
Part of major reforms initiated by Xi to revamp the 2.3 million-strong and the world largest
military, the Peoples Liberation Army (PLA).
First time integrated area commands looking after India and Pakistan.
Powerful ammo developed for Arjun Tank by DRDO

Two Pune based research labs of Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO)have developed new ammunition for Indias main battle tank Arjun.
More destructive than its predecessor, the new ammunition was successfully test fired at
Chandipur in Odisha.
Labs Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) and High Energy
Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL) did an extensive research on the
new Penetration-Cum Blast (PCB) and Thermobaric (TB) Ammunition which are
specially designed for Arjun.
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N Korea conducted successful hydrogen bomb test

North Korea had successfully carried out its first hydrogen bomb test marking a stunning step
forward in its nuclear development. This was the countrys fourth nuclear test since 2006, but
the first allegedly to involve a hydrogen weapon also known as thermonuclear device.
The regime in capital city Pyongyang detonated a hydrogen device at the Punggye-ri
underground test site in the far northeast.
UN Security Council prepares new sanctions as world leaders urge for strong actionto be
taken against Pyongyang following nuclear test which caused 1 magnitude earthquake.
Bombs which rely on nuclear fusion, release far more destructive power than other weapons
based on a fission reaction.
Sahayog Kaijin 2016: India and Japan joint Coast Guard exercise
The 15th edition of bilateral exercise between India and Japan titled Sahayog-Kaijin
2016has begun off the coast of Chennai, Tamil Nadu in the Bay of Bengal.
The focus of bilateral training would be Anti-piracy procedures, search and rescue
operations and interoperability between the two forces and other areas of common
professional interest.
India-France military exercise Shakti-2016 began

Indian and French troops commenced their 8 days counter-terrorism and counter-
insurgency joint exercise at the Mahajan field firing range in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
The French contingent comprising 56 personnel of 35th Infantry Regiment of 7th Armoured
Brigade, which had taken part in the Afghan war. It has been led by MajThibaut De
Lacoste Lareymondie.
IN-RNO joint naval exercise Naseem Al-Bahr kicked off

The 10th edition of the bilateral Indian Navy-Royal Omani Navy biennial exercise began on 22
Jan 2016 27 Jan 2016 in the Arabian Sea.
Initiated in 1993, the joint naval exercise aims to increase interoperability among the two
navies and develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security
operation.
As part of Indias strategy to develop relation with the countries in the region, an Indian Navy ship
had last year visited Oman in a goodwill visit.
INS Kadmatt, anti-submarine warfare corvette commissioned

INS Kadmatt, the second ship of Project 28 (P28) class anti-submarine warfare (ASW)
corvettes has been inducted into the Eastern Naval Command of Indian Navy.
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With the changing power dynamics in the Indian Ocean Region, INS Kadmatt will
augment the mobility, reach and flexibility of Indian Navy.
The ship is commanded by Commander Mahesh Chandra Moudgil.
Israel gets fifth German-made nuclear-capable submarine INS Rahav

Israel has marked the addition of a fifth German-made submarine to its fleet with a dedication
ceremony attended by the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The INS Rahav was built in Kiel, Germany.
Israel already has 4 similar German-made submarines.
All the submarines are capable of carrying nuclear-tipped cruise missiles.
The ship cost nearly $500 million to build, with Berlin providing about a third of the funding.
Anti-tank missile Nag successful test fired

After the multipurpose exercises carried out for improving the system, the indigenously-builtthird
generation anti-tank missile, Nag successfully hit the target 4 km away during a night trial in
the Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan.
Thermal Target System (TTS) developed by a defence laboratory at Jodhpur was used
as target for the missile, which is in the final user configuration.
Indian Mi-25 helicopters set to join Afghan Air Force

Three Mi-25 gunship helicopters manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) were
supplied by India are officially join the Afghan Air Force. These helicopters are designed to take on
fortified enemy positions and counter heavy ground fire.
Recently Mohammad HanifAtmar the National Security Advisor of Afghan visit New
Delhi for the deal.
Akash missile successfully test fired at Chandipuri in Odisha

Akash the medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile was successfully test fired from
complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipuri in Odisha.
About the Missile
Akash was developed by the Defense Research and Development
Organization(DRDO), Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) for Missile Systems, Ordnance
Factories Board and Bharat Electronics (BEL) for other Systems in India.
NASAs Kepler spacecraft finds 100 new alien planets orbiting other stars
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASAs) revamped planet-hunting
Kepler spacecraft has discovered more than 100 planets orbiting other stars.
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The Kepler spacecraft discovered these alien planets during its K2 mission by using
the transit method.
Defence News February
DIPP gives nod to set up Indias first Defence Industrial Park at Ottappalam
The Union governments Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) has agreed to set
up Indias first defense industrial park atOttappalam a proposal from the Kerala Industrial
Infrastructure Development Corporation.
It is expected that the park will be established in 231.25 crore, Union government and
Kinfra will invest in the project.
Key Highlights
The project will be recognized as a part of the Make in India, Make in Kerala project.
The proposed project aimed to attract the component manufacturers in the defense
industry with modern infrastructure facilities.
The project will be developed under the Modified Industrial Infrastructure
upgradation Scheme (MIIUS) as per the Union government decision.
The park would be established in 60 acres of land.
Such sort of project attracts the foreign investors and help in the Make in India campaign.
Ottappalam will be proved as the best location for the project in every manner.
The park will have its own development and research center with 24*7 power and water
supply.
NATO, EU sign agreement on cyber defence cooperation

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union (EU) had signed an
agreement on cyber defence to improve cooperation.
The agreement will establish a framework for emergency response teams from
NATO and the EU.
It aims to exchange information and share best practices.
It will also facilitate information-sharing to improve cyber incident prevention, detection
and response at both the EU and NATO.
Reliance Defence to set up DhirubhaiAmbani Centre for Innovation & Research in

Aerospace in Bengaluru
Reliance Defense had announced to set up DhirubhaiAmbani centre for research,
development and innovation in aerospace technology.
The proposed centre will produce more than 1,500 highly-skilled jobs.
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It will also support governments plan for indigenous design, development and
manufacturing of defenseequipments.
This research centre is first-ever private center of its class in India.
This is Make in India initiative by the government in the defense sector.
India joined in Cobra Gold 2016 Multilateral Exercise

On sidelines of Vice-President Hamid Ansari visit to Thailand, India has participated in the
35thedition of Cobra Gold multilateral exercise as an observer plus country, being hosted
by Thailand.
Indian has been accorded as the observer plus country because of its increasing regional
operability.
Theme of exercise Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief
Participants 35 Nations
Along with counterparts from China and Pakistan, a 12-member team of the Indian Army has
participated in the Cobra Gold multilateral exercise, which is considered Asias largest
multinational drill.
Indo-China held maiden JET on border

In order to ensure greater interaction between troops stationed along the Line of Actual
Control(LAC), India and China held their first joint tactical exercise (JET) codenamed Sino-
India Cooperation 2016in the Chushul-Moldo, Jammu and Kashmir.
This was the part of ongoing initiatives taken by India and China to
ensure peace andtranquillity along the border.
The Indian Army team of 30 personnel was led by Col. Ritesh Chandra Singh while
the Chinese delegation was led by Col. Qu Yi.
The exercise focused to jointly tackle aspects of Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief.
Indo-Nepal Battalion Level Combined Exercise Surya Kiran kicked off

The 9th Indo-Nepal Combined Battalion level Military Training Exercise Surya Kiran has
been started off today at Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand. The 14 days military training exercise is
under the aegis of Panchshul Brigade of Central Command.
Nepalese Army would be training together and sharing their experiences of counter-
terrorism operations and jungle warfare in hilly terrain.
The Surya Kiran series of exercises is a bi-annual event which is conducted alternatively in
Nepal and India.
The training also focus on humanitarian aid and disaster relief including medical and
aviation support.
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Exercise IBSAMAR between India, SA, Brazil begins

IBSAMAR is a joint naval exercise between India, Brazil and South Africa, this will be the
fifth edition of the Harbor Phase of the Exercise to commence from Goa Coast. This is done in two
phases namely Harbor phase and Sea Phase.
AIM: To increase the interoperability among three navies as well as common understanding
maritime security between the navies.
This is the first time the Exercise is held in India all the previous editions of the joint
Exercise hosted in South Africa initiated in 2006.
The scope of IBSAMAR-V includes range professional interactions during harbor phase
and diverse range operational activities during Sea Phase.
India, Seychelles joint military exercise began

Indian Army and Seychelles Peoples Defence Forces (SPDF) had joint the 7th joint
military exercise in Victoria.
The aim of the joint work is to enhance military cooperation and interoperability
between these two countries.
EX LAMITYE 2016 is conducted from 15 February to 28 February 2016 at Seychelles
Defence Academy (SDA) Victoria Seychelles.
Exercise Lamitye is the joint exercise of these two countries which means friendship in
Creole.
Navy showcases bio-diesel run patrol craft at IFR 2016

The Indian Navy conducted an International Fleet Review (IFR) at Visakhapatnam.
IFR 2016 Mascot Dolphin
IFR 2016 Theme Song United through Oceans
During the IFR 2016, Indian Navy showcased its bio diesel powered fast attack craft. It was
developed by the lab from the JatrophaCuracas plant.
Indias first Aviation Park to come up in Gujarat

The state government had decided to set up the countrys first Aviation Park in Gujarat. The
park will have an airstrip, training school, helipad and space for setting up small
manufacturing units.
The park aims to raise the awareness among students about the potential of the
aviation sector.
The park set up in Gujarat will also attract national and international industrial houses to
set up their manufacturing facilities in this park
Coast Guard to Induct 38 Aircraft and Helicopter By 2020

Indian Coast Guard had planned to induct 38 more aircraft and helicopters into navy
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By2020 with the aim to boost its supervision, search and rescue capabilities
Currently there are 62 airplanes and helicopters in Indian Coast Guard (CG).
CG is planning to sign a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for acquiring
16 Advanced Light Helicopters (ALHs) and 14 twin-engine heavy helicopters.
INS Viraat to be developed as tourism centre

INS Viraat an Aircraft carrier will be developed as a tourism centre in the Navy, Andhra
Pradesh.
This proposal was given by the defense Ministry of India
It aims to take awake the tourism-related activities on the warship.
The enhanced importance of the port city also enhance the tourism in the state
INS Viraatis a Centaur-class aircraft carrier in service with the Indian Navy.
Nidar Indias Lightest Revolver weighing 250gm

Ishapore Rifle factory in west Bengal had designed Indias lightest revolver Nidar
weighing 250gm
. The revolver was launched by the short arm manufacturer.
Nidar is .22 calibre with weighing 250gm.
It is capable of firing eight rounds loaded in a revolving chamber.
It can fire up to seven meters and as 40.3mm barrel length with accuracy.
Indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired

Indias indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile had been successfully test-fired from
the Chandipur, Odisha.
Key Highlights
Prithvi II is capable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of warheads.
It has a strike range of 350 km.
It is a surface to surface medium range ballistic missile.
Scientists from Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) had monitored
its activities.
The Strategic Force Command (SFC) had checked its performance and launched
activities.
The missile test was carried out from a mobile launcher from launch complex-3 of the
Integrated Test Range (ITR).
It is thruster by liquid impulsion twin engines.
Under Indias prestigious IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)
Prithvi II is the first missile to be developed by DRDO
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DRDO to conduct captive flight trails of Anti-Radiation Missile

Captive flight trials of an advanced state-of-the-art Anti-Radiation Missile (ARM) are planned
for April-May this year and the maiden flight test by year-end by the missile technologists of the
Defence Research and Development Organisation.
About Anti-Radiation Missile :
The air-to-surface tactical missile being developed by Defence Research and
Development Laboratory (DRDL) will target the enemys air defence capabilities by
attacking radars and communication facilities.
The range of the missile is 100 to 125 km and it will be mounted on combat aircraft
Sukhoi (Su-30) and Tejas-Light Combat Aircraft.
The missile picks up the radiation or signals of radars and communication facilities and
homes on to the targets to destroy them.
Only a few countries, including the U.S. and Germany have ARMs at present.
Defence News March

Government clears new Defence Procurement Policy
Govt approves key changes to accord priority to locally made equipment and fund private-
sector R&D the objective of the new Defence Procurement Procedure is to ensure expeditious
procurement of the approved requirements.
The Policy will come into effect from April 1, 2016.The DPP, which will have provisions
to fast-track acquisition of critically-needed equipments, will be unveiled at
the Defence Expo on March 28
The new DPP that will introduce measures to promote indigenization and self-reliance in
defence will be unveiled at the Defexpo India 2016, a biennial show of military and
security
Japan signs pact to supply defence equipment to Philippines

Japan signed an agreement with the Philippines to supply defence equipment, the first such
pact by japan in the South Asian region.
Defence Secretary Voltaire Gazmin has signed pact with Japanese Ambassador to
Philippines Kazuhide Ishikawa.
DIPP nods clearances for 12 industrial licenses for Reliance

The Development of Industrial Promotions Board gave its clearance to 12 industrial licenses
to Reliance Defence.
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Flash points
DIPP gave clearance to 12 industrial licenses for Reliance Defence an arm of Reliance
Infrastructure for manufacturing of Defence equipments in India and Overseas
DIPP gave its clearance to the Strategic Business Unit of Reliance
Aerospace sector: licences for manufacture of military aircraft and helicopters
Land systems: licenses for manufacturing of missiles & all terrain combat vehicles
Naval systems: licenses for air independent propulsion technology and hull
penetrators and connectors along with motor shafts and propulsion systems
Reliance signs deal with Rafael

MukheshAmbani owned Reliance defence has entered into a deal with Israeli based Rafael
defence to manufacture air to air missile systems, air defence and observatory balloons.
Features of the deal
Reliance will hold 51% of the stake and Rafael will hold 49% in the joint venture
agreement
They will target over $ 10 billion in the next 10 years
The project will have an initial capital outlay of more than Rs.1,300 crore,
excluding the cost of technology
Adani Aero Defence ties up with Elbit, Alpha for unmanned aircraft systems
A subsidiary of Adanigroup Alpha Design Technologies Pvt Ltdhas tied up with the
Israeli company Elbit Systems for Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
The Adani Group is worth over $10 billion. Aadanikept this pact for unmanned aircraft
system(UAS), and is an aircraft without a human pilot aboard
MoD Gives Nod To 7 Frigates Worth Rs 13,000 Cr

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) approved a Rs 13,000 crores weapons and sensors package
for the seven new stealth frigates being constructed by defence shipyards for the Navy as well as
accorded the initial approval for the Rs 7,200 crore project to indigenously manufacture 244 air
defence guns for the IAF.
Details
The Rs 13,000 crores package for stealth frigates will be undertaken on a single
vendor and repeat order basis.
The frigates will be equipped with long-range surface-to-air missile (LR-SAM) systems,
jointly developed by DRDO and Israeli Aerospace Industries, which are already fitted on
the three Kolkata-class destroyers.
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Military Exercise FORCE 18 kicked off in Pune

Indian Army kicked off a week long Multinational Field Training Exercise (FTX) Force 18in
Pune at headquarters of the Indian Armys Southern Command. It will conclude on March 8,
2016. This is the maiden multinational exercise ever conducted by ground forces on Indian soil.
Participants It involves army units from 18 countries.
Participants It involves army units from 18 countries.
10 members of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Brunei,
Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and
Vietnam.
8 observer states India, Japan, Korea, China, Russia, the United States, Australia,
and New Zealand.
Theme Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) and Peacekeeping Operations (PKO)
Aim To teach methods for maintaining peace and stability
South Korea and US Begin Military Exercise

A day after the North Koreas threat to US, the rivals of North Korea has began a joint military
exercise. The military exercise has started by US and South Korea.
Flash points
The joint U.S. and South Korean military command said the training involves
about17,000 American troops and more than 300,000 South Koreans
The latest N. sanctions imposed on North Korea were drafted by the United States and
China as punishment for its nuclear test and satellite launch of ballistic missile
technology
India Indonesia joint Military exercise- Shakti IV

India and Indonesia are begann their Joint Military Exercise Shakti IV from March 10-23 in
Indonesia.
Flash points
The Joint Military Exercise between India and Indonesia Shakti was started in 2012 in
India
It is conducted on a reciprocal basis with first edition in India ,second edition in
Indonesia and so on
This year is the fourth edition of Shakti and it is conducted at Meaglang, Indonesia
It is a thirteen day exercise conducted between March 10-23
The exercise is aimed at building and promoting positive relations between the two
Armies of India and Indonesia
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Launch Of Yard 2097

The sixth ship of LCU MK IV project, was launched on 12 March 2016 at an exciting ceremony
at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd, Kolkata.
The traditions, invocations from Atharva Veda were related and SmtSeemaVerma, wife
of Vice Admiral Bimal Kumar Verma, AVSM, Commander-in-Chief, Andaman & Nicobar
Command, applied Kumkum on the ships stem. She, thereafter, named the ship as
LCU-L56, wished the ship good luck and launched the vessel.The vessel is likely to be
delivered shortly to the Indian Navy.
India successfully test fired Agni -I ballistic Missile

In a move to strengthen our defence, India today successfully test-fired its indigenously built
nuclear-capable intermediate range Agni-I ballistic missile.
Target700 km
Launched fromOdisha coast
Developed by: Advanced Systems Laboratory, the premier missile development
laboratory of (DRDO) in collaboration with Defence Research
DevelopmentLaboratory and Research Centre Imaratand integrated by Bharat
Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad
Indian Coast Guard ship Arnvesh commissioned at Visakhapatnam

Indian Coast Guards fast patrol vessel (FPV) Arnvesh ship was commissioned at
Visakhapatnam, by the Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht.ThisIndian Coast
Guards fast patrol vessel (FPV) Arnvesh ship was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, by the
Eastern Naval Command, Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht.this
The Ship will enhance Coast Guards capability in furthering its mandate of maritime
safety, security on the eastern sea board
The 300-tonne and 50-m long vessel is propelled by triple Rolls Royce Kamewa
water jets and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots.
This is the 16th vessel among the 20 vessels in this category being constructed
by Cochin Shipyard limited.
DRDO develops RADAR to look through walls

The Indian Army gets its first Thermal based RADAR technology that will enable to look through
the walls.
Developed by: LRDE(Electronics & Radar Development Establishment) of DRDO
Features- It looks through walls of 20-30cm thickness and it works based on Thermal
RADAR technique
Name- Divyachaksu (divine eye)
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US Navy ship discovered after 95 years

The US Navy ship which went missing was discovered after 95 years at the San Francisco coast.
The USS Conestoga tug boat, which disappeared on March 25, 1921 after departing
San Francisco on its way to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii has been found in 2016
India deploys P8I maritime aircraft to Seychelles

Indian Navy has deployed a P8I maritime Aircraft to Seychelles for monitoring purpose.
This is the first time India has deployed a P8I maritime aircraft to Seychelles
It will be deployed in Seychelles till March 23,2016
It will help in curbing illegal activities and piracy as well as ensuring stability and
safety in the Indian Ocean region
Indian Coast Guard to re-base ICGS Rajkamal, six interceptor boats

The Indian Coast Guard re-based one ship and six boats from Chennai to Andaman and
NicobarRegion to rebase the assets was taken to strengthen the maritime border operations
in the region.
Among the assets that would find a new base are ICGS Rajkamal and six Interceptor
Boats (C-407, C-412, C-414, C-416, C-417 and C-428).
These platforms are rebased to Andaman and Nicobar Region as part of the Coast Guard
Headquarter rebasing plan, the newly commissioned ICGS Arnvesh has already
joined the Eastern CG fleet as part of replacement.
Singapore Corvette Test-Fires Barak Missile

Singapore Navy (RSN) has successfully test-fired a Barak missile from its Victory-class missile
corvette RSS Vigour during Fleet Exercise conducted in the South China Sea
The RSNs Missile Corvette Squadron, on the conduct of the exercise and the capabilities
of the missile corvette.
ManoharParrikar flags off Indias first indigenous Sonar Dome

Union Defence Minister ManoharParrikar has flagged off Indias first indigenous composites
sonar dome, a ships underwater eyes and ears.
The first indigenous composites bow mounted sonar dome was dedicated to the
nation during Def Expo 2016 in Goa. The sonar dome will be supplied to Mazgaon
Docks,Mumbai for use in the warships of Indian Navy.
The sonar dome has been designed by Research & Development Establishment
(Engineers), a Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
laboratory based in Pune and manufactured by composites manufacturing company
Kineco Ltd, Pilerne, Goa.
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Defence News April

International Defence Expo opens in Malaysia
Around 1000 defence companies including France major Airbus and UK based BAE Systems,
Bell Helicopter, SAAB and Thales are also participating in the Defence Services Asia (DSA)
exhibition in Malaysia
29 countries taking part in the exhibition in the form of group pavilion including
Australian, China, Britain and the US.
India becomes fourth largest spender on defence

US research firm IHS Inc report says India has become the worlds fourth largest spender
on defence, following a 13.1% increase in its 2016-17 defence budget.
India will finalize defence orders worth2.8 trillion by 2016 even as the defence ministry
is pushing for at least 40% indigenous content in the defence products, also India
becomes the USs largest defenseAprket.
The Leading Defence Spenders with their Rankings:
1. United States of America,
2. China,
3. United Kingdom.
Indias Spendings in Defence Sector:
Indias rise in the rankings from sixth position last year is a result of an increase in
expenditure to $50.7 billion.
Reliance Defence inks pact with 3 Ukrainian state firms

Mumbai based Reliance Defence has inked a pact with three Ukrainian state-owned firms namely
Ukroboronprom, Spetstechno Exports and Antonov to collaborate on a range of military
products.
The agreement pave the way for Reliance with Antonov credited as the manufacturer of
largest transport aircraft in the world Reliance and Antonov will jointly bid for the
Medium Military Transport Aircraft program of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
Both companies will also jointlyto work on assembly and manufacture, and
maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) of Antonov series of aircraft.
Coastal security exercise Tat Suraksha in Andamans

The 13 the Edition of bi-annual exercise Tat Suraksha of Andaman and Nicobar Command will
conduct a four-day-long coastal security exercise from April 5.
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This exercise will be 13th in the series, wherein, besides validation of standard
operating procedures for coastal security of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, various
drills and contingencies.
In this exercise Police, Aprine police force, India Reserve Battalion (IRBn), CISF,
customs, fisheries department and other agencies will be involved in the southern and
northern groups of islands.
India, US agree in principle on sharing military logistics

India and the United States have agreed in principle to share military logistics. Union Defence
Minister ManoharParrikar announced this agreement at a joint press conference with US Defense
secretary Ashton Carter.
According to Mr.Parrikar, the growing interaction between armed forces of the two
countries is a significant aspect of bilateral relationship. India has more joint
exercises with the US than any other country in the world.
Army conducts battle exercise Shatrujeet in Rajasthan

Indian Armys elite STRIKE 1 corps is to conducting a major exercise Shatrujeet in the deserts
of Rajasthan to evaluate the capability of the Army to strike deep into enemy territory in an
integrated air-land battle environment.
Nearly 30,000 soldiers are take part in exercise Shatrujeet to ensure the forces are
provided real war-like situations and are kept in a high state of battle readiness.
The exercise would culminate on April 23.
Army completes amphibious exercise JalPrahar

Indian military has completed an amphibious exercise JalPrahar which was began on Aprch 17
in Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Aim: To validate and fine-tune its strategy to take over enemy land via sea
All three wings of the armed forces Army, Air Force and Navy participated in in the
JalPrahar exercise
US Navy leads largest Apritime exercise in Middle East

The US Navy is leading 30-nation Apritime exercise across Middle East Waters. The
International Mine Countermeasures Exercise (IMCMEX) started with a conference in Bahrain.
The exercise was designed to stop militants from causing disruption to shipping.
It will help protect international trade routes against possible threats, including from
Islamic State and al Qaeda.
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Nomadic Elephant- 2016: 11th Indo-Mongolia joint military training exercise commence
The 11th Indo-Mongolia joint training exercise Nomadic Elephant -2016commenced today at
Mongolia.
Aim: To develop synergy and inter operability between the two armies to fight in counter-
insurgency and counter-terrorism environment
Participants:
India A platoon of the Kumaon Regiment of the Indian Army along with a team of two
observers
Mangolia 60 personnel from the Mongolian Armed Forces
Pakistan, China launch joint air force training exercise Shaheen 5

Chinas air force to launch joint training exercises with Pakistan, the fifth such edition between
the two countries.Shaheen-5 will take place from April 9 to 30 this year.
These exercises and exchanges between Chinese and Pakistani air forces in recent years
had effectively deepened cooperation between both the sides.
Pakistan Navy successfully test-fires shore-based anti-ship missile

The Pakistan Navy has successfully conducted a test launch of the shore-based anti-ship Zarb
Missile.
The trial was conducted in the Arabian Sea and the weapon launched from a coastal
site successfully engaged the surface target.
The new missile system was part of Pakistan Navys continuous efforts to augment its
capabilities.
Akash missile test fired in Odisha

Indias indigenously developed surface-to-air Akash missile was test fired for second consecutive
day from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur near Balasore in Odisha.
Missile target: Banshee and a para barrel target
Features of Akash Missile
Strike range: 25 km
Powered by : Ramjet-rocket propulsion system
Speed:Mach 2.8 to 3.5
Nuclear-capable K-4 undersea ballistic missile successfully test fired from INS Arihant
India has conducted a secret test of the nuclear-capable undersea ballistic missile K-4 SLBMin
the Bay of Bengal .
The subAprine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) was test-fired from INS Arihant from
the Vishakhapatnam coast in Andhra Pradesh.
Features of the K-4 SLBM:
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Range: 3,500 km.

Length & Width:12 m & 1.3m
Weighs: 17 tonnes and Payload: 2,000 kilograms.
Russia Test-Fires Iskander Tactical Ballistic Missile

Russian Military test-fired a cruise missile named Iskander tactical missile system from the
Kapustin Yar practice range in the Astrakhan Region as part of drill.
A missile brigade has live-fired a cruise missile from the Iskander tactical missile against
a simulated enemys command post at a distance of around 200 km.
Iskander tactical ballistic missile:
Iskander flew at an altitude of about 40-50 km. It incorporates reduced signature
technology was not detected by a simulated enemys electronic warfare means and
successfully hit the target.
The missile systems are accomplished of hitting both small-size and large-area targets at a
distance of up to 500 km to abolish missile
INS Karmuk engaged in Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol(CORPAT)

INS Karmuk and a Dornier Apritime Patrol Aircraft, are participating in the 22nd Indo-Thai
Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT), scheduled from 19-27 April 2016 in the Andaman Sea.
The two navies have been carrying out CORPATs along the International Apritime
Boundary Line (IMBL)twice a year since 2005.
The CORPAT has also strengthened understanding and interoperability between the
navies and facilitated institution of measures to prevent unlawful activities at sea as well
as conduct Search and Rescue (SAR) operations.
Indian Naval Ships Veer, Nipat decommissioned

Naval Ships namely Veer and Nipat, served for the defence operations under illustrious 22nd
Killer Squadron decommissioned from the Indian Navy.
Both naval carriers that are of 1241 RE class missile vessels have completed 29 and 28
years of commissioned service respectively.
Throughout their service, the ships have contributed in many operations and
successfully completed so many deployments.
Veer and Nipat have been forward deployed to safeguard security of valuable assets off
Gujarat coast and International Apritime Borderline on various occasions.
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Defence News May

DRDO and Ayush join hands to impart yoga training to Defence Wing Staff
i. Delhi based DRDOs laboratory Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied
Sciences(DIPAS) DRDO in collaboration with Department of AYUSH organised a training
program on Yoga for the Defence Wing Staff.
ii. In the training programme 33 participants from Army, Defence Wing Staff, Navy and Air
Headquarters took part.
iii. Earlier the DRDOs lab has imparted training to about 8000 Army and Paramilitarypersonnel
deployed at various locations.
US India Defence Cooperation Act introduced in Senate

Expected visit: Prime Minister NarendraModis visit US next month.
Two top American senators :
Mark Warner and John Cornyn
Introduced a legislation passed by Congress.
To elevate the status of the Indo US defence relationship on par with that of
Americas closest allies like NATO and Israel.
The US India Defence Technology and Partnership Act:
i. The legislation has been sent to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for necessary
action.
ii. US governments focus on the US India security relationship while sending a powerful signal to
India that the US is a reliable and dependable defence partner.
iii. This bill supports strengthening our bilateral relationship partner in promoting security in
Asia. iv. India has huge potential as a market for US defence manufacturers, which support
millions of American jobs.
v. The bill puts India equal with Americas closest defence partners, including NATO
member states and Israel
Purpose: Congressional defence sales notifications.
Features of the bill:
It encourages the executive branch to designate an official to focus on US India defence
cooperation.
Facilitate the transfer of defence technology.
Maintain a special office in the Pentagon dedicated exclusively to the US India Defence
Technology.
It urges the US government to enhance Indias military capabilities in the context of
combined military planning.
Promote coproduction and codevelopment opportunities.
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It encourages the government to authorise combined military planning with the US for
missions of mutual interest.
US House approves move to bolster defence ties with India

i. The US House of Representatives gave nod to a bilateral legislative move to strengthen
defence ties with India.
ii. The bill is passed by the Senate also it will kept before US President Barack Obama to be
signed into law.
iii. The bill seeks US to improve Indias military capabilities in the combined military planning, and
promote co-production also co-development opportunities.
National Defence Authorisation Act (NDAA)-2017:
The bilateral NDDA Act that take along with NATO allies in terms of sale of defence equipment
and technology transfer also seeks to promote greater defence trade and encourage additional
military cooperation between the sides
The proposed changes in the bill was sponsored by Holding and House India Caucus Chairs and
Chair and Ranking Member of House Foreign Affairs Committee Ed Royce and Elliot
Engelrespectively.
India, US hold first Maritime Security Dialogue and made defence cooperation with one
another
In order to promote the partnership in the Maritime Field, India and US made the
successful first round of discussion under the Maritime Security Dialogue
First round of Discussion: Discover the scope of maritime cooperation under the framework of
this maritime dialogue at the bilateral and multilateral level to be brought up
Venue: New Delhi
Issues Discussed:
Asia-Pacific Maritime Challenges
Naval Cooperation
Multilateral Engagement
Delegates: Officials of Defence and External Affairs Ministries and US Counterparts
Represents India:
1. Joint secretary in charge of Planning and International Cooperation (PIC) in the Ministry
of Defence ShambhuKumaran
2. Ministry of External Affairs Joint secretary MunuMahawar
Represents America:
1. Assistant secretary of Defence for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear
2. Deputy assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian Affairs
ManpreetAnand
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3. Vice-Admiral Joseph Aucoin

Initiatives Agreed:
Defence Minister ManoharParrikar and U.S. counterpart Ashton Carter acceded the major
initiatives while on visit to India as part of the maritime security objectives under the India-US
Joint Strategic Vision for the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean Region.
Agreed to launch a bilateral Maritime Security Dialogue
White shipping technical arrangement to improve data sharing on commercial
shipping traffic
Navy-to-Navy discussions on submarine safety and anti-submarine warfare
Sunil Lanba to take over as next Indian Navy chief

i. Defence Ministry appointed Sunil Lanba as the newChief of Naval Staff and will assume charge
on May 31. The appointment was decided by the government.
ii. He is currently the Flag Officer commanding-in- Chief Western Naval Command. He is will
succeed Robin K. Dhowan as the Chief of Naval Staff when the latter retires in May this year.
iii. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Executive
Branch of the Indian Navy in 1978.
iv. Sunil is also an alumnus of the College of Defence Management, Secunderabad, where he
has served as a faculty.
Indian Navy:
The Indian Navy is the fifth largest in the world. The Indian Navy is headquartered in New
Delhi.
Indian Naval Academy atEzhimala in Kerala established in 2009, it is the largest naval
academy in Asia
Government sets up panel to relook defence expenditure

i. Union government has appointed the 11-member committee led by Lt Gen D B
Shekatkar(retd) to relook defence expenditure
ii. Aim : To ensure Indias combat capabilities and potential are enhanced, with a better teeth-to-
tail combat ratio, within budgetary constraints.
Committee Work:
Shekatkar committee will recommend measures to enhance the combat capabilities of the
over13-lakh strong armed forces and Re-balance the overall defence expenditure in view of
the escalating salary and pension bills.
Keys:
Rs 2.58 lakh crore allocated for defence in 2016-17 Budget
Defence Minister : ManoharParrikar
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US activates $800m missile shield base in Romania

i. The United States has activated a land-based $800 million missile defence
station inRomania, which sees as vital to defend itself and Europe from alleged rogue states.
ii. The remote Deveselu air base is declared operational the ballistic missile defense site, which is
capable of shooting down rockets from countries such as Iran that could one day reach major
European cities.
iii. The defensive umbrella upon completion will stretch from Greenland to the Azores. The full
shield also includes ships and radars across Europe.
iv. The site will be handed over to NATO in July, with command and control run from a US air
base in Germany.
Indian Army conducts Chakravyuh-II training exercise in Rajasthan

i. Indian Army is conducting a major military training exercise Chakravyuh-II to validate battle
readiness and operational effectiveness of the Pivot Formation and Rapid Division, in
SuratgarhRajasthan.
ii. This is Armys follow up mission with the Air Force to its recently-concluded month-long
Exercise Shatrujeet by the Strike Corps (Strike One)
iii. The exercise envisions mechanised manoeuvres of new generation weapons, platforms and
systems are employed in areas where rapid development and urbanisation along the border is
predominant.
iv. In the course of the exercise, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communication
systems were put to test in a network-centric battlefield environment supported by required
operational logistics.
RanveerJamwal Led Army Team Summits Mount Everest

i. A team of six Indian Army mountaineers successfully climbed the summit of Mount
Everestled by seasoned climber Lt. Col. RanveerJamwal. This records as the third Everest
expeditionfor him.
ii. Five members of the team will be participating in the Tenzing Hillary Everest Marathon,
considered one of the toughest trail marathons in the world.
iii. Besides another team headed by Major Nooruddin Ahmed is attempting to summit in the
fourth highest peak in the world Mount Lhotse.
ADMM plus Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter Terrorism at Brunei and
Singapore
In a bid to Indias Act East Policy and Indian Navysregular endeavour to enhance maritime
security in the Indo-Pacific regions .
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The Naval Ship (INS) Airavat of India arrived at Brunei and will take part in the ADMM
Plus (ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus) Exercise on Maritime Security and Counter
Terrorism from 01 to 09 May 16.
ADMM plus Ex MS & CT is a multinational exercise of ADMM Plus countries group. This
edition will commence at Brunei and conclude at Singapore.
During the course of the exercise the Indian Navy would engage with participating
navies from various ASEAN and other countries through professional interactions
in harbour and complex operations at sea.
Malaysia, Indonesia and Philippines to conduct joint water patrols to curb kidnappings
i. Three Southeast Asian nations namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines is set to conduct
coordinated maritime patrols to face the rising kidnappings and security challenges in the
waters bordering the three countries.
ii. These countries pledged to set up crisis centers within their countries as well as a hotline
between them to ensure speedy communication during maritime emergencies.
iii. The maritime borders extends along the Sulu and Celebes seas, over which 55 million tons
of goods and over 18 million people pass every year.
US and IAF conclude Exercise Red Flag in Alaska

i. An Indian Air Force (IAF) team successfully concluded their four-week Red Flag aerial
combat exercises at Alaska in the U.S.
ii. This Joint trial is to showcase the IAFs capability in undertaking integrated air ops but also to
absorb operational lessons from the exercise engagements.
iii. This Exercise is a successor to the Cope Thunder exercise series also the main phase of the
exercise had commenced on last month with a mix of combat and support elements from the IAF,
US Air Force and US Navy.
iv. As part of the Exercise India flew 10 aircraft which comprising four Su-30MKIs, four Jaguars
and two IL-78 aerial refuelling tankers. A team of over 170 personnel took part in the exercises
held from April 28 to May 13.
Indias Kalvari stealth submarine starts sea trials

Indian Navys first indigenous Scorpene-class stealth submarine Kalvari has been sailed out of
Mumbai Harbour for sea trials with this feet Indias defence preparedness is set to get a shot in
the arm.
The submarine will go through a set of sea trials in the next few months that
includes surface trials, diving trials, weapon trials, Noise trials, then she would
be commissioned into the Indian Navy as INS Kalvari.
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The submarine is the first of the Navys Scorpene class stealth submarines being
fabricated under the Project 75. The submarines built by Mazagon Dock
Limited (MDL) and France based DCNS.
US Navy tested worlds largest unmanned surface vessel Sea Hunter

i. The US Navy tested worlds largest unmanned Surface Sea Hunter, As it pave the way for
the first step toward sending unmanned cargo vessels between
ii. With this Pentagon witnessed the surface vessel, a self-driving 132-foot ship could travel up
to 10,000 nautical miles on its own to hunt for stealthy submarines and underwater mines.
iii. The countrys research arm, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency developed
the ship in collaboration with Virginia-based Leidos.
Sea Hunter War Ship:
The driverless ships projected $20 million (14.2 million) price device and its $15,000
(10,650) to $20,000 (14,300) daily operating cost make it relatively inexpensive.
Offshore patrol vessel ICGS Shaurya launched

i. Goa Shipyard Limited has launched indigenously designed Indian Coast Guard ship Shaurya at
Vasco, It will be commissioned into service in early 2017
ii. It is the fifth in a series of six off-shore patrol vessels that the Coast Guard had tasked the
Vasco defence public sector undertaking to build.
iii. Shaurya is capable of travelling at a speed of 23 knots and has a range of 6,000 nautical
miles. It will be built-in with state-of-the-art machinery and incorporated bridge system.
iv. The ship is capable of search and rescue operations, pollution control and external
firefighting and will be deployed for ocean surveillance and for monitoring sea lanes of
communication.
Indian Navy launches underwater vigil system in Visakhapatnam &

decommissions fighter planes Sea Harriers
i. Indian Navy has launched Harbour Defence Systems at the Naval Dockyard in
Visakhapatnam.
1.Integrated Underwater Harbour Defence,
2.Surveillance System (IUHDSS), 3.Mine Warfare Data Centre (MWDC).
These state-of-the-art systems would enhance the Navys surveillance capability and response to
security threats.
ii. Navys Vice Admiral Bisht, AVSM Flag Officer commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command
inaugurated the two systems.
Surveillance System:
This IUHDSS is a multi-sensor system capable of detecting, identifying, tracking and generating
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warnings for all types of surface and underwater threats to Visakhapatnam harbour.
Mine Warfare Data Centre:
The MWDC will compare, analyse and classify data collected by the Navys Mine Hunting Ships
from various ports along the East coast.
Sea Harrier
The Iconic Sea Harriers will be decommissioned from the Indian Navy after 30 years of
glorious service for the countrys various mission. The Harriers have been replaced by a
squadronof Russian MiG 29k jets.
India test fires home-grown Advanced Air Defence interceptor missile

i. Indigenously built Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor missile successfully test fired from
the launch complex of Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.
ii. The advanced version of low altitude supersonic ballistic interceptor missile dubbed as Ashwin
was fired. This was 12th test of the interceptor missile.
iii. The home grown missile developed by DRDO which is a single-stage missile powered by solid
propellants. It is 7.5 metres tall and weighs around 1.2 tonnes. It had a diameter of less than 0.5
metre.
iv. While the target missile is run by liquid propellants. It is 11 metres tall and weighs five tonnes.
Its diameter is one metre.
v. The first phase of the missile seeks to destroy incoming enemy missiles in exo-atmospheric
region and the second phase predicts to kill enemy missiles of more than 2,000 km range in
inside the atmospheric region.
India successfully test fires its indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile

i. India has successfully blasted off its indigenously developed nuclear capable Prithvi-II missile
as part of a user trial by the army from a launch complex-3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at
Chandipur in Odisha.
ii. The Missile have a strike range of 350 km alsocapable of carrying 500 kg to 1,000 kg of
warheads and is thrusted by liquid propulsion twin engines also nine-metre-tall. It uses
advanced inertial guidance system withmanoeuvring trajectory to hit its target.
iii. DRDO developed Prithvi is Indias first indigenously-built ballistic missile. It is one of the five
missiles under the countrys Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
Israel successfully tests missile defence system at sea: Army

i. Israel has successfully tested a maritime missile interception system that can shoot down short-
range missiles. The missile also called Iron Dome of the Sea.
ii. The missile similar to those fired from Gaza which can shoot down short-range rockets also
successfully destroyed several missiles.
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iii. The test fire took place two weeks ago exhibits the countrys ability to protect Israels strategic
assets at sea against short-range strategic rockets.
Isreal:
Capital: Jerusalem
Currency: Israeli new shekel
Hypersonic superjet technology successfully tested in Australia

i. Australian military jointly with United States Military research team successfully blasted off a
hypersonic technology in the Australia.
ii. Researchers were tested a series of 10 trials of the hypersonic technology at the worlds
largest land testing range located at Woomera in Australia and at Norways Andoya Rocket
Range.
iii. Scramjet powered rocket booster was successfully sent to an altitude of 278
km at Machnumber over 7.5 which has speed ranges over seven times the speed of sound
Scramjet Engine:
This engine relies on high vehicle speed to forcefully compress the incoming air before
combustion and a airflow in a scramjet is supersonic throughout the entire engine.
INS Tarmugli Joins the Indian Navy

i. The Indian Navy commissioned indigenously built Fast Attack Craft INS Tarmugli for
deployment of coastal patrol and surveillance operations along the East Coast of India. This is the
first Follow-on WaterJet Fast Attack Craft.
ii. It was commissioned by the Vice Admiral HCS Bisht AVSM, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
Eastern Naval Command in Visakhapatnam. It was named after a pretty island in the Andaman
Islands group.
iii. Tarmugli is conceived, designed and built indigenously that measures 48 meters in length, can
achieve speeds in excess of 30 knots also weighing 320-tonne.
Defence News June

India, Singapore agreed to enhance scale of Military interaction
India and Singapore had the first dialogue between their defence ministers and they agreed to
enhance the scale and complexity of existing bilateral military interaction.
Delegates: Indian Government Defence Minister: ManoharParrikar
Singapore Defence Minister: Ng Eng Hen
Focus: Bilateral defence Cooperation to the highest level.
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Union Government allowed 100% FDI in Civil aviation, Defence and Food
processing
Union Government relaxed Foreign Direct Investment policies in the sectors such as Defence,
Civil aviation, e-commerce in Food products, Broadcasting carriage services and Private
Security agencies
Changes in Foreign Direct Investment
Sl No Sector Approved FDI

1 Defence 100%
2 Pharmaceuticals (Brownfield) 74%
3 Airports (Brownfield) 100%
4 Civil Aviation 100% (49% Automatic & 51% Govt
Approval)
5 Cable Networks, DTH and Mobile TV 100%
Union Defence Ministry gives nod for purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers guns from
the US
i. The Defence Ministry cleared decks for purchase of 145 Ultra Light Howitzers, worth about
USD 750 million, from the US and also approved bulk production of 18 Dhanush artillery guns,
the first acquisition of such weapon systems.
ii. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), headed by the Defence Minister ManoharParrikar,and
took up 18 proposals including new schemes worth Rs 28,000 crore for discussion.
iii. On the other hand the project has got nod that will now allow the Navy to issue
tenders, was the proposal to build six next generation missile vessels under Buy Indian
category for Rs 13,600 crore.
G Ashok Kumar assumes charge as Deputy Chief of Naval Staff

i. Vice Admiral G Ashok Kumar took charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff. He is an
alumnus of Pune National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Executive Branch in
1982.
ii. He has served as the navigating officer of Indian Naval Ships Beas, Nilgiri, Ranvir and Vikrant
also specialized in navigation and direction.
iii. Ashok worked as the commanding officer of INS Kulish and Ranvir, and executive officer
onboard INS Brahmaputra.
India joins Hague Code of Conduct against Ballistic Missile Proliferation

India jointly consolidated Hague Code of Conduct in opposition to Ballistic Missile Proliferation
which was apprised by HCoC Central Contact which is situated in Vienna.
Delhi has combined with HCOC for elevating Indias membership application towards desired
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Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR),

The NSG plenary meeting will be held in Seoul in June 2016.
India has become the 35th member of the Missile Technology Control Regime
India amalgamated in Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) as a complete member to
enlighten in high end missile technology.
Venue and date: New Delhi, 27 of June 2016
Purpose: Mutual benefits in intensifying global non-proliferation norms and to enlighten in high
end missile technology.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar signed a pact on multilateral export control regime for the first
time.
NATO launched Anaconda-16 exercise in Poland

i. Nato countries biggest ever joint military exercises Anaconda-16 was launched in
Warsaw, Poland.
ii. This Exercise is managed by Polands Lt Gen Marek Tomaszycki and around 31,000 Polish,
US and other troops are participating in the land, sea and air exercises.
iii. Anaconda Exercises are intended to test Natos ability to respond to threats also to
showcase the strength as a response to concerns about Russias assertiveness and actions.
Joint Indo-Korean coast guard exercise starts on June 8

i. Indian Coast Gaurd and their Korean Counterpart are taking part in a joint exercise
codenamed Sahyog-Hyeobleod-2016 is being scheduled in the Bay of Bengal inChennai.
These exercises are scheduled every year alternately between the two countries.
ii. The three day long exercise is kicked off on June 8 is to strengthen the working level
relationship between the two Coast Guards and also refine the joint operating procedures.
iii. Both the sides as following a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2004. Since then, the
floating assets of both maritime forces have held exchanges in the form ofcombined exercises.
iv. The best bit of this years exercise is a mock anti-piracy mission in which a hijacked vessel
is rescued in combined operation by teams from both the sides.
Malabar Exercise kicks off close to South China Sea

i. India, Japan and the US navies kicked off the Malabar Exercise, a naval exercise near
Okinawa Island near Japan.
ii. The 20th edition of the exercise, MALABAR-16, is being conducted from 14 to 17 June with
the harbour phase at Sasebo from 10 to 13 June and the sea phase in the Pacific Ocean from 14
to 17 June.
iii. The main aim of this trilateral exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the three
navies and develop common understanding of processes for Maritime Security Operations.
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iv. In the Japan controlled edition of the exercise Indian ships participating are from the Eastern
Fleet and include INS Sahyadri and INS Satpura, indigenously built guided missile stealth
frigates, INS Shakti, and INS Kirch.
North Korea test-fired Musudan ballistic missiles

North Korea has test fired two midrange ballistic missiles from its eastern coast under the
guidance of Leader Kim Jong Un to elevate the maximum range of missile
missiles Musudan missiles
The first launched missile under failure which was travelling about 150 km before north-korea-
missilelanded to the sea
The second missile is more efficient than previous one which is flew about 400 km and
touched height of 1,000 km
3 Indian Navy Ships Reach Russia To Enhance Maritime Cooperation

i. Three Indian naval ships reached Vladivostok in Russia on a four day visit as part of
efforts to enhance maritime cooperation between the navies of both countries.
ii. The ships representing Indian Navy namely INS Sahyadri, Shakti and Kirch, under the
Command of the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral SV Bhokare, as part of
deployment of the Eastern Fleet to the South China Sea.
iii. These ships will have professional interactions with the Russian Navy aimed at enhancing co-
operation and bolster the strong bonds of friendship between the two forces.
Indias First Integrated Defence Communication Network Launched

i. Indias first Integrated Defence Communication Network (DCN) was launched on 30June
2016.
ii. The DCN was inaugurated by Defence MinisterManoharParrikar at South Block.
iii. The network enables the Army, the Air Force, the Navy and the Special Forces Command to
share situational awareness for a faster decision-making process. It is the first tri-service
communication and IT network of the Armed Forces.
iv. It is a strategic, highly secure and scalable system. It has has a pan-India reach from Ladakh
to the North East to island territories.
v. The network has been fully designed and developed in India by HCL Infosystems.
Anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra inducted in Navy

Indigenously-built heavyweight anti-submarine torpedo Varunastra has been successfully inducted
in the navy, making India one of the eight countries to have the capability to design and build
such a system.
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Facts about Varunastra :

i. It has been developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a premier
laboratory of DRDO. Weighing around 1.25 tonnes, it can carry about 250 kg of explosives at a
speed of around 40 nautical miles an hour.
ii. The Varunastra torpedo has been developed by Naval Science and Technological Laboratory
(NSTL), a premier laboratory of DRDO. It weighs around 1.25 tonnes and carries about 250 kg of
explosives at a speed of around 40 nautical miles an hour.
iii. It has almost 95 per cent indigenous content. It is capable of targeting stealthy and quiet
submarines, both in deep and littoral waters in intense counter-measure environment.
iv. Varunastra has been designed with latest technologies such as high-speed and long endurance
propulsion, software driven intelligence, conformal array acoustic homing with wide look angle
and advanced digital signal processing.
v. It has a GPS-based locating aid, a unique feature in contemporary torpedoes in the world. It is
also equipped with advanced autonomous guidance algorithms with low drift navigational aids,
insensitive warhead which can operate in various combat scenarios.
Torpedo: It is a self-propelled weapon with an explosive warhead. It is launched above or below
the water surface and propelled underwater towards a target. It is designed to detonate either on
contact with its target or in proximity to it.
Defence News July

S K Kohli appointed chief defence accounts auditor
i. Senior civil servant S K Kohli has been named as the Controller General of Defence Accounts
(CGDA). He is an Indian Defence Accounts Service officer.
ii. The Appointments Committee of Cabinet has given its nod to Kohlis empanelment for
promotion to the post of CGDA.
Lt. Anurag Thakur joins Territorial Army after clearing SSB

BJPs LokSabha member and Indian cricket board President Anurag Thakur is
commissioned into the Territorial Army in the rank of Lieutenant by army chief General Dalbir
Singh.
i. Lieutenant Anurag Thakur cleared the Services Selection Board and was found fit for joining the
Territorial Army, the second line of defence after the Indian Army and he has been commissioned
in 124 InfantaryBatallion (Territorial Army) Sikh.
ii. Lt. Thakur became the first serving BJP Member of the Parliament to join the military force.
iii. Anurag Singh Thakur is a member of LokSabha from Hamirpur in Himachal
Pradesh in India and he was elected as the youngest President of the Board of Control for
Cricket in India in May 2016.
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INS Viraat, Navys Grand Old Lady, Sets Sail For One Last Time
i. Indias majestic aircraft carrier, INS Viraat akaGrand Old Lady of Indian Navy set sail for
one last time from Mumbai to Kochi which will be decommissioned later this year.
ii. The 750-feet long giant served the Indian Navy with distinction for almost three decades.
iii. The second aircraft carrier of the country has spent 29 years under the Indian flag and 27
years with the Royal Navy (United Kingdom).
iv. The ship holds the Guinness Record for being the oldest serving warship.
First squadron of LCA Tejas inducted into Indian Air Force

i. The first squadron of indigenously designed and manufactured Light Combat
Aircraft(LCA) Tejas was inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF).
ii. The Tejas is a fourth-generation one which is lightweight, multi-role supersonic single-engine
aircraft designed and developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) jointly with
Indias largest defence PSU, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.
Indian Navy launches water jet craft in Kolkata

i. The Indian Navy launched the last of the series of the Water Jet Fast Attack Craft(WJFAC)
ship at a ceremony in Kolkata.
ii. The Water Jet vessel was launched in the waters by wife of chief of logistics, Vice-Admiral
JayantKorde, at Raja Bagan dockyard to build small ships.
iii. The fighter jet is capable of attack missions and is also used against smuggling and poaching
activities. Water Jet FAC (Fast Attack Craft) 49-meter long vessel weighs 315 tons and is
designed to reach a maximum speed of 35 knots.
iv. The ship Tarasa is named after an island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
Indo-Israel medium range surface-to-air missile, Barak 8 test-fired successfully

i. India successfully blasted off twice a medium-range surface-to-air ballistic missile,
developed in collaboration with Israel, from launch pad 3 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR)
at Chandipur-on-sea in Balasore district off the coast of Odisha.
ii. The missile has a strike range of 70 km, is designed to defend against any airborne threat,
apart from aircraft and helicopters, and can also intercept supersonic aircraft and missiles.
iii. The missile has made by Indias Defence Research and Development Organisation
(DRDO), Israel Aerospace Industries and Israels Administration for the Development of
Weapons and Technological Infrastructure.
China Navy Conducts Combat Drill in the South China Sea

i. The Chinese navy conducted combat drills near its southern island province of Hainan and the
Paracel islands in the South China Sea on July 9
ii. The drills come ahead of a July 12 ruling by the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration
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on a case brought by the Philippines disputing several of Chinas territory claims in

the South China Sea.
Admiral Sunil Lanba Commissions Marine Commandos Unit INS Karna

i. Indian Navy launched a dedicated base for its Special Operation Forces MARCOS (Marine
Commandos) named INS Karna was commissioned in Visakhapatnamby Chief of Naval Staff
Admiral Sunil Lanba.
ii. The first base for Indian Navys elite force with capability to operate in all three dimensions
of warfare air, land and sea in the homeport of the Navy on the Eastern Seaboard.
iii. The MARCOS East unit has developed in terms of manpower, infrastructure, equipment
holding and other resources.
DRDO successfully test fired ATAGS A pure Indigenous Combat system

i. DRDO successfully test fired the purely indigenous 155 mm x 52 caliber AdvancedTowed
Artillery Gun System (ATAGS), which the Indian Army is all set to get the much needed
weapon for user trials by early 2017.
ii. Giving the Make in India initiative for the defense sector yet another boost, DRDO (Defense
Research and Development Organization) built this 155 mm x 52 caliber Advanced Towed Artillery
Gun System (ATAGS) in India itself.
iii. The specialties of ATAGS are, the gun will have a firing range of 40 kms and boasts of
advanced features such as high mobility, quick deploy ability and auxiliary power mode, advanced
communication system, automatic command and control system with night firing capability in
direct fire mode.
Three Indian Naval Ships reaches Port Kelang in Malaysia on four day visit
i. Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri, Shakti and Kirch under the Command of the Flag Officer
Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral S V Bhokare, YSM, NM have made a visit at Port
Kelang on a four day visit.
ii. The current visit seeks to enhance maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the
Royal Malaysian Navy.
iii. The visiting ships are also to be expected to conduct exercises with the Royal Malaysian Navy,
aimed at enhancing interoperability in communication as well as Search and Rescue procedures,
post departure from Port Kelang.
RIMPAC 2016 Worlds largest international maritime exercise kicks off

i. Worlds largest international Biennial maritime exercise named RIMPAC (Rim of the
Pacific) 2016 kicked off in Pacific Ocean at Hawaii, United States.
ii. Over one month long RIMPAC 2016 exercise will see participation of navies from 26 countries.
This year it is the 25th edition of biennial exercise in the series that began in 1971.
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iii. India is being represented by Indian Naval ship (INS) Satpura, an indigenously built guided
missile stealth frigate.
RIMPAC 2016:
Theme: Capable, Adaptive, Partners.
Course of Exercise: 30 June to 4 August 2016.
Participating Countries: 26
Participants: 45 ships, 5 submarines, about 200 aircrafts and 25000 personnels.
New Nations Taking Part for the first time: Denmark, Germany and Italy.
Joint Indo-Thailand Military Exercise Maitree culminates

i. The Two Week long Indo-Thailand Military Exercise Maitree2016 is came to end at
Krabi, Thailand. The exercise had commenced on 15 July 2016.
ii. The Royal Thailand Army hosted the Exercise along with Indian Army where 90
Soldiersfrom India took part.
iii. In the two week exercise there was extensive training to expand interoperability between the
two countries
Defence News August

China holds first nuclear security emergency drill
i. China has held its first comprehensive nuclear security emergency drill Code-named as
Fengbao-2016 to expand the nuclear power generation.
ii. The country also stepping up the installed nuclear power capacity to 58 GW, besides it also to
generate 30 GW by 2020.
China tests heavy motor for space rockets

i. China has successfully tested its largest solid-fuel motor that can be used in heavy space
rockets for future deep space missions in the northwest city of Xian.
ii. The solid fuel rocket motor comes with three meter dia that can ran for 100 seconds after
ignition. It will be used in heavy lift and large rockets used in deep space
explorationsandmanned moon landing operations.
N Korea fires missile into Japan waters for first time

i. North Korea blasted off a ballistic Missile for the first time that landed in Japanese-
controlled waters posing a grave threat to the Japan.
ii. The tested ballistic missile was launched off the Norths east coast that landed in Japan Sea
after travelling about 1,000km. Japan defence side said that there were two missiles landed.
iii. The missile is set be the one of the North Koreas longest launches till date, the country had
been suspended by UN recently for developing nuclear and ballistic missile technology.
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South Indias first Doppler weather radar inaugurated

i. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar inaugurated the C
Band Polari metric Doppler Weather Radar to be installed in the southern states at the
VikramSarabahi Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram. This is the first of its kind.
ii. A Doppler weather radar, which can provide advance information about storms, cyclones and
other severe weather conditions also it would be available to India Meteorological
Department (IMD) to supplement its weather predictions.
Lt Gen BipinRawat to be new Army vice-chief

i. Lieutenant General BipinRawat took charge as the General Officer Commanding in Chief of
Pune based Southern Command. He will fill the shoes of Lt Gen Ashok Singh.
ii. Prior to his new assignment, He was General Officer Commanding Maharashtra. First he was
commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles from Indian Military Academy
Lt Gen Bipin Rawat the VCOAS of the Indian Army

i. Lt Gen Bipin Rawat will take over as the VCOAS of the Indian Army on 01 September
2016. He was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978,
from IMA, Dehradun, where he was awarded theSword of Honour.
ii. The Vice Chief of the Army Staff(VCOAS) issecond in command of the Indian Army next
to Chief of the Army Staff. He is responsible for operation and army related tasks.
Defence News September

Coast Guard sets up air enclave in Mangaluru
i. The Coast Guard was prepared an air enclave to step up aerial surveillance of Karnataka
coast for helping in search and rescue operations and also to check maritime crimes.
ii. District Coast Guards Executive Officer Commandant Rajender Singh Sapal declared at a
press meet held in the Coast Guard office that the agency was confident of a new Air Enclave
being sanctioned for Mangalore.
iii. The two state-of-the-art surveillance radars were being installed on the light houses in
Bhartkal and Suratkal. The Indian Coast Guard through the Defence Estate Officer has paid
Rs.1.88 crore for the 15.21 acres of land.
Army Design bureau created by Army to decrease import of equipment

i. The Indian Army has set up Army Design Bureau (ADB) with an aim to indigenize
procurements and reduce dependence on imports. ADB will be part of the governments
Make in India initiative and integrate various stake holders in its long-term requirements.
ii. This move was announced by Army Chief General Dalbir Singh at an Army seminar on Make in
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India where he also launched the Make in India Army Website meant to serve as a one stop
platform for information to vendors.
Prakampana-2016 held in Visakapatnam

i. A permanent facility of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) named Prakampana-
the first Joint Disaster Management Exercise was inaugurated in Visakhapatinam.
ii. The armed forces, in association with the National Disaster Management Authority and the
NDRF, would be represented in these exercises.
iii. The three-day exercise is being conducted by the Eastern Naval Command (ENC), in liaison
with the concerned Centre and state authorities.
State of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to get government Helicopter Services
i. The Government has given its approval for operation of helicopter services in the State of
Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh on a pilot basis in 10 sectors, as per the
stipulation that the most inaccessible destination points should be chosen.
ii. The scheme can be extended to other/additional sectors at a later date depending upon the
assessment of the justifiable needs of the local population.
iii.Under the scheme, in J&K Srinagar-Kargil, Srinagar-Drass, Kargil-Padum-Leh, Leh-Lingshed
and Srinagar-Leh are the five probable sectors where the government plans to operate the
helicopter services.
Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2016 began in Uttarakhand Sep 14

i. Indo-US defence co-operation, a joint military training exercise, YudhAbhyas 2016 was
prepared to be conducted in Uttarakhand from September 14 to 27.The exercise
inChaubattia was being conducted by the headquarter Central Command.
ii. This training was a series of one of the longest running joint military training and a major
ongoing bilateral defence cooperation endeavours between India and the US. It was the 12th
edition of the joint military exercise hosted alternately by the two countries.
Joint India-US army exercise Yudh Abhyas 2016- Chaubattia, Uttarakhand

i. 12th edition of military training exercise between Indian and US Armies Yudh Abhyas
2016 was held at Chaubattia in Uttarakhand.
ii. The Exercise Yudh Abhyas-2016 will simulate a scenario where both nations are working
together in counter insurgency and counter terrorism environment in mountainous terrain under
UN charter.
India Kazakhstan Joint Exercise PRABAL DOSTYK-16

i. India Kazakhstan Joint Exercise, PRABAL DOSTYK-16 is being conducted in Karaganda
region of Kazakhstan and will conclude on 17 Sep 2016.
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ii. This exercise will be conducted in two stages. The first stage will be to familiarize with each
others tactics, drills, weapons & equipment, whereas in the second stage troops of both the
armies will graduate to jointly execute a helicopter borne operation in a simulated environment.
China, Russia conducted joint naval exercises Joint Sea-2016 in South China Sea
i. Chinese and Russian naval forces began joint naval exercises in the South China Sea,
This added a new twist to ongoing tensions over Chinese island-building in the region.
ii. The 8 day exercises would highlight marine corps units in live-fire drills, sea
crossingand island landing operations and island defense and offense exercises was reported
from Chinas official Xinhua News Agency.
iii. The 8 day naval exercises (from September 13 to 19) were held in a non
disputed area in SCS off Chinas southern Guangdong province
8th edition of India-Russia Joint Military Exercise Indra-2016 Begins in Vladivostok,

Russia
Eleven days India-Russia Joint Military Exercise INDRA-2016 began in the Ussiriysk District
in Vladivostok, Russia on September 23, 2016.
i.Objective: Counter-Terrorism Operations in semi mountainous and jungle terrain under United
Nations Mandate
ii. Both Contingents marched in unison, past the saluting dais, exhibiting their resolve to further
the Indo-Russian friendship.
Russia joins Pakistan in anti-terror drill in Pakistan

i. The two Cold War enemies Russia and Pakistan joined together for their first-ever joint military
exercise called Friendship 2016
ii. Aim: To strengthening and developing military cooperation with Pakistan
iii. Friendship 2016 held in the territory of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in at the bases
of Rattu, the military mountain training school and a training center of the special units in
Cherat
SAHAYATA-2016 annual joint disaster relief exercise held in Gujarat

i. Disaster Relief Exercise Ex SAHAYATA was inaugurated by Air Marshal RK Dhir AVSM VM ADC
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, South Western Air Command at IAF headquarters in
Gandhinagar, Gujarat on September 14, 2016.
ii. This is the first such exercise bringing together Central and State Government agencies, Armed
Forces, private companies, prime educational & research institutes media.
GRSE hands over fast attack craft TIHAYU to Indian Navy

i. Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Limited (GRSE) handed over the Water Jet Fast
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Attack Craft (WJFAC), TIHAYU to Indian Navy.

ii. TIHAYU is the second ship of the Follow-on Series of WJFACs while INS Tarmugli is the first
ship of the same series.
Union Ministers commissioned ICGS Sarathi into the force in Goa

i. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Defence Minister Manohar Parrikarcommissioned
the 105 metre vessel ICGS Sarathi into the force in Goa.
ii. The vessel, which would be commissioned in the presence of Coast Guard Director General
Rajendra Singh, is the third vessel of the Sarathi Class vessels being designed and built
indigenously by Vasco-based Goa Shipyard Limited.
Indian Navy launches missile destroyer Mormugao

i. The Indian Navy launched an advanced indigenously built guided-missile destroyer,
Mormugao, in financial capital of the country (Mumbai).
ii. Navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba, who was present when the vessel was released into
the Arabian Sea, announced that the stealth destroyer was at par with the best vessels in the
world.
iii. The vessel was built by Centre-owned Mazgaon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
India successfully test-fires surface-to-air missile Barak-8 off Odisha coast

i. India successfully test fired a new surface-to-air missile Barak-8, from a defense base in
its eastern sate of Odisha, was reported by state-run broadcaster All India Radio (AIR).
ii. The missile was successfully launched. from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) launch pad
at Chandipur in Balasore district.
iii. The 4.5-meter missile weighs around 3 tons and can carry a payload of 70 kilograms. The
system also includes a Multi-Functional Surveillance and Threat Alert Radar (MF STAR) for
detection, tracking and guidance of the missile.
IAF successfully fires long-range air-to-air missile

The Indian Air Force had successfully fired recently acquired long range air-to-air MICA
missile on a maneuvering target from Mirage-2000 Upgrade combat aircraft.
Mirage-2000:
It is a single-engine fourth-generation jet fighter manufactured by Frances Dassault
Aviation.
The upgraded Mirage 2000 fighter jets were fitted with the Thales RDY 2 radar, new avionics,
helmet-mounted display. They have ability to fire new weapons including BVR MICA, Meteor
missiles.
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Manohar Parrikar Inaugurated 35th Coast Guard Commanders Conference

i. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar inaugurated the 35th Coast Guard Commanders
Conference at New Delhi. Parrikar appreciated the efforts of the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) in
augmenting maritime and coastal security not only by deployment of assets but also by efficient
exploitation of Coastal Security Network Phase I .
ii. The conference was attended by senior officers of the Ministry of Defence and Indian Coast
Guard (ICG) which included the Director General Rajendra Singh, Additional Director Generals
and Coast Guard Regional Commanders.
Indian Army carried out surgical strikes on terror launch pads across LoC
i. Indian Army had successfully conducted surgical strikes on terror launch pads across the Line
of Control () in Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK).
ii. The strikes were Indias first direct military response to the attack on the Uri army
base earlier this month that killed 18 Indian soldiers and was blamed on Pakistan-based
militants.
iii. The cross-border action came days after New Delhi reviewed its 56-year-old Indus Waters
Treaty with Pakistan and pulled out of the regional Saarc Summit in Islamabad as part of
a wider diplomatic offensive to isolate its nettlesome neighbor.
Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Manohar Parrikar cleared proposals worth Rs

1,900 cr
i. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has cleared proposals worth 1,900 crore
rupees(close to $3 billion). All these approved proposals would be executed under Buy
India by Indian contractors.
ii. Decision in this regard was taken by DAC meeting chaired by Union Defence Minister Manohar
Parrikar in New Delhi. The electronic warfare system is worth Rs.330 crore.
Lt Gen Surinder Singh Takes Charge Of Western Command

i. Lt Gen Surinder Singh took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of theWestern
Command at Chandimandir on September 17, 2016. He is the successor of Lt Gen KJ Singh
who retired on July 31,2016.
ii. Prior to this, he was on attachment to the Deputy Chief of Army Staffs Branch at the Army
Headquarters in New Delhi after having completed his tenure as the GOC, 33 Corps at Siliguri in
August.
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Defence News October

Coordinated Patrol and India-Indonesia Bilateral Maritime Exercise Commenced at
Belawan, Indonesia
i. India and Indonesia commenced their second coordinated patrol and bilateral maritime
exercise in the Andaman Sea.
ii. Indian Naval Ship Karmuk, an indigenously built missile warship, based under the Andaman
and Nicobar Command,along with a Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft, participated in the 28th
India-Indonesia Coordinated Patrol and Second Bilateral Maritime Exercise, scheduled in
the Andaman Sea.
16 countries participating in Pakistan military exercises

i. Sixteen countries are slated to participate in the 5th Physical Agility and Combat Efficiency
System military exercises began on October 18, 2016 in Lahore
ii. The countries will take part in the six-day drills aimed at enhancing physical and military
capabilities of troops.
iii. Sixteen Countries :
Nepal, United Kingdom, Kazakhstan, China, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Maldives, Bahrain,
Australia, USA, Turkey, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Turkey and Pakistan.
Second Joint tactical Exercise held by Indian and Chinese army in Ladakh
i. The Indian and Chinese armies held Second Joint Exercise Sino India Cooperation 2016 ,
as a sequel to the first Joint Exercise held in the area of Border Personnel Meeting Hut at
Chushul Garrison of Eastern Ladakh, along with Chinese troops of Moldo Garrisonunder the
provisions of Border Defense Cooperation Agreement, 2013.
ii. During the day-long exercise on Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR), a fictitious
situation of earthquake striking an Indian border village was painted.Thereafter the joint teams
carried out rescue operations, evacuation and rendering of medical assistance, a statement said
here today
iii. The Indian Team for the exercise was led by Brigadier RS Raman
Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, NM takes over as Director General of Naval Operations

i. Vice Admiral SN Ghormade, NM takes over as Director General of Naval Operations on October
21 , 2016.
ii. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 01 Jan 1984.
US Navy Commissions Most Advanced Stealth Destroyer, Zumwalt

i. US Navy has commissioned its largest, most expensive and technologically advanced
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destroyer, Zumwalt.
ii. The 610-foot-long ship, commissioned in Baltimore also has an advanced power plant and
weapon systems.
iii. The ship is named after Adm. Elmo R Bud Zumwalt, a Bronze Star winner from World War
II .
India set to complete N-triad with Arihant commissioning

India is finally close to operationalising its long-awaited nuclear weapons triad the capability to
launch nukes from land, air and sea.
Indias N Triads,
INS Arihants 750km and 3,500km missiles may be somewhat dwarfed by SLBMs with ranges
of well over 5,000km with the US, Russia and China, but the completion of the nuclear-triad is
critical for a country like India, which has a clearly declared policy of no first-use of nuclear
weapons. It makes its second-strike capability much more credible.
A pre-emptive enemy strike can conceivably take out a rivals nuclear missiles and fighter
bombers. That is why an SSBN, capable of lurking underwater for months without being
detected, is considered the most effective and deadly platform for a retaliatory nuclear
strike.
INS Arihant has undergone a whole host of surface and dived sorties during its trials to
prove its sea-worthiness. But the full weapons integration with the K (named after
former president APJ Abdul Kalam) series of SLBMs will take some more time. While
the K-15SLBM has a 750-km range, the K-4 can go up to 3,500-km.
INS Arihant is the first of three such SSBNs being constructed under the secretive ATV
programme launched decades ago. The construction of the second one, INS Aridhaman, is
also almost complete now, with its delivery slated for 2018.
New Fast Attack Craft INS Tihayu Commissioned In Vizag

The Indian Navy commissioned the newest Car Nicobar-class fast attack craft INS Tihayu at the
Eastern Naval Command.
i. INS Tihayu, specifically built for meeting needs of extended coastal and offshore surveillance
and patrol, has a length of 49.9 metres and maximum breadth of 7.5 meters. Named after an
island in Nicobar, the vessel has an endurance of 2,000 nautical miles at 12 to 14 knots of
economical speed.
ii. The ship, which has a 30 mm CRN 91 gun and an electronic day-night fire control system, has
a crew of four officers and 41 sailors led by Commander Ajay Kashhov.
iii. It is also equipped with two 12.7 mm heavy machine guns and multiple medium machine guns
besides shoulder launched air missiles to combat aerial threats.
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Coast Guard Ship ICGS Rani Gaidinliu Commissioned

i. Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Rani Gaidinliu was commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard in
Visakhapatnam by Director-General of Coast Guard Rajendra Singh.The vessel is named
after freedom fighter and famous Naga spiritual and political leader Rani Gaidinliu, who
belonged to the Heraka cult of Manipur.
ii. Deputy Chief Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam Gangamei, former Deputy Chief Minister and
former Union minister ThounaojamChaoba Singh and AdmiPamei, who belongs to Rani Gaidnlius
clan, were present
iii. Recently INS Tihayu, a fast attack craft, was commissioned by Vice-Admiral HCS Bisht, Flag
Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC). The ship was built by the
Kolkata-based Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd.
Coast Guard Ships Aryaman and Atulya commissioned

i. The Indian Coast Guard Ships Aryaman and Atulya, the eighteenth and nineteenth in the
series of twenty Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs), designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited,
were commissioned at Kochi by Financial Advisor to Defence Services Shri Sunil Kumar Kohli.
ii. The ships have been christened ICGS Aryaman and Atulya. Aryaman literally meaning is
Possessor of Greatness and Atulya meaning is Unrivalled
iii. Both FPVs are 50m long and have displace of 317 tonnes of water. They can
4th Nepal-India Joint Commission commences in New Delhi

i. The fourth meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission began in New Delhi was setting
the tone for the minister-level meeting scheduled.
ii. Foreign Secretaries Shankar Das Bairagi and S Jaishankar are directing the Nepali and
Indian delegations. The Nepal-India ministerial level meeting is expected to focus on
implementing the past agreements and accords signed between the two countries.
Indian Army team wins gold medal in gruelling Cambrian Patrol exercise
i. India Army team has won a gold medal at Exercise Cambrian Patrol which was organised by the
British Army in Wales.The Indian Army team presented a tradition khukri as a memento to the
British Army.
ii. The eight men of the 2nd Battalion of 8 Gorkha Rifles received the medal from British Prime
Minister Theresa May.
iii. The exercise is so difficult that many teams are unable to finish. However, those who do are
honoured by gold, silver, bronze medals or an accreditation for passing the test.
Indo-Sri Lanka military exercise Mitra Shakti 2016 begins in Ambepussa

i. The fourth edition of the India-Sri Lanka Joint Military Exercise MITRA SHAKTI 2016 is being
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conducted at Sinha Regimental Centre in Ambepussa, Sri Lanka from October 24 to November 6
ii. The main focus of this edition of the joint exercise is to enhance inter-operability while carrying
out Counter Insurgency (CI)/Counter Terrorism (CT) operations under the United Nations
Mandate.
iii. The Indian contingent is represented by a platoon from the RAJPUTANA RIFLESRegiment
and the Sri Lankan Army will be represented by a platoon from the Sinha Regiment.
Rear Admiral Vennam Srinivas is new Flag Officer Submarines

i. Rear Admiral Vennam Srinivas took charge as the Flag Officer Submarines on October 24,
2016. He will replace Rear Admiral Sanjay Mahindru .
ii. Srinivas was commissioned on July 1, 1897 and has served 25 years in the submarine arm.
iii. He has commanded two conventional submarines, a destroyer prior assuming command of the
nuclear submarine INS Chakra.
Indian Navy said goodbye to worlds oldest aircraft carrier INS Viraat.
i. INS Viraat, the worlds oldest aircraft carrier, was accorded a grand send-off from the port city
in Kochi, after over five decades of its service to the Navy.
ii. The final journey of the carrier began with Navy officials led by the Chief of Staff, Southern
Naval Command, Rear Admiral Nadkarni bidding farewell to the carrier at Ernakulam Wharf of
Cochin Port Trust.
10th Indo-Nepal Joint Exercise Surya Kiran Commenced

i. A 14-day India-Nepal joined military exercise, named Surya Kiran IX, began at Pithoragarh.
The exercise would end on February 21.
ii. To enhance defence co-operation relations with Nepal, an Indo-Nepal joint Military exercise
Surya Kiran-X commenced at Army Battle School in Nepal.
iii. The aim of this exercise is to conduct battalion level joint training with special importance
on Counter Terrorism in mountainous terrain
iv. Featuring Disaster Management have also been included in the exercise. It is the tenth in the
series of such exercise between the two nations which would last for 14 days starting from
October 31, 2016.
20th ASEAN Regional Forum Heads of Defence Universities / Colleges / Institutions

Meet held in New Delhi
i. The 20th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Heads of Defence Universities / Colleges /
Institutions Meet (HDUCIM) held in New Delhi.The meeting was hosted by the National Defence
College (NDC), New Delhi under the aegis of Ministry of Defence.
ii. The meeting was end with a clear commitment to contribute towards promotion and
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maintenance of peace and prosperity in the region and the world at large through collective
efforts to counter non-conventional threats and violent terrorism in the South East Asia Region.
iii. The next ARF meet to be held in Manila in 2017.
India, Russia to hold discussions on deepening military co-operation

i. India and Russia would hold detailed discussions on deeper military cooperations, specifically
on joint production of fifth generation fighter aircraft, upgradation of Su-30 MKI planes and
firming up the contract for the S400 Triumf air defence system.
ii. Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu will co-chair a meeting of the Indo-Russian Inter
Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGCMTC)with his Indian
counterpart Manohar Parrikar.
iii. Both countries had firmed up plans to acquire the air defence system and other deals which
were recently signed on the sidelines of the BRICS meet in Goa
Defence News November

India conducted Twin Trail of Prithvi-II missile in Odisha
A successful test firing of two nuclear capable Prithvi-IImedium-range ballistic missiles, was
conducted by the Indian Armed Forces on November 21, 2016, back-to-back in quick
succession, as part of training exercise, from a defence testcenter Chandipur in Odisha.
The two surface-to-surface missiles were mounted on two Mobile Tatra Transporter-
erector Launchers (MTL) and launched from the launching complex-III (LC-III) of the
Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
The first missile was fired at about 9.37 AM and the second one at 9.38 AM.Both the
medium-range ballistic missiles (MRBMs) have a strike range of around 350 km and a
tendency to carry about 500 kg to 1,000 kg of weapons.
This was the first test fire in a range of three nuclear missile tests that have been lined
up in a row. Along with Prithvi-II, the other two missiles include the most sophisticated
Advanced Air Defence (AAD) interceptor which is capable of destroying incoming enemy
missiles of more than 2,000 km range and the Agni-I with a 700 km range.
Agni-I and AAD interceptor will be launched from LC-IV in the Abdul Kalam Island in full
operational configuration on November 22 and November 23 respectively.
About Prithvi
The Prithvi missile project have three variantsfor use by the Indian Army, Indian Air Force and
the Indian Navy.
Prithvi I: Indian Army
Prithvi II: Indian Air Force
Prithvi III: Indian Navy
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Destroyer ship INS Chennai commissioned into Indian Navy

i. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar commissioned INS Chennai, the third indigenously built
guided missile destroyer in Kolkata class on November 21, 2016.
ii. INS Chennai was built at the Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd in Mumbai; the ships
construction brings an end to the crucial Project 15A of Indian Navy.
iii. INS Chennai is one of the largest destroyers in the Indian Navys fleet and also the final
destroyer ship in this class.
iv. The overall length of the ship is 164 meters and displacement of over 7,500 tons,
GJ 536b Super Earth found orbiting nearby star

i. Scientists from the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC) and the University of La Laguna
(ULL) have discovered a new super Earth planet GJ 536 b with a mass around 5.4 times that of
the Earth.
ii. It is a very bright star near to our Sun. Its short orbital period of 8.7 days
iii. A cycle of magnetic activity similar to that of the Sun has been observed, but with a shorter
period of three years.
Agni-I successfully test fired from Odisha Coast

i. The Strategic Forces of Command (SFC) of the armed force successfully test-fired Agni-
I missile. The missile was test fired at at 10.08 a.m. on 22 November 2016 from launch pad-4 of
the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Abdul Kalam Island (Wheeler Island) Odisha coast. The
missile took 10 minutes to reach its targeted destination in Bay of Bengal.
ii. Agni-I is a surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile [MRBM] . The strike range
of Agni-I is 700-750 km. The 12 tonne and 15 meter long missile is capable of carrying payload of
about 1000 kg.
Seventh Landing Craft Utility Ship Launched at GRSE

i. Indian Navy launched the seventh ship of the LCU MK IV project, LCU-L57 on 24 November
2016 at a ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata.
ii. Chairman & Managing Director of GRSE Ltd, Rear Admiral AK Verma (Retd), commenced the
welcome of the ceremony, which was followed by inaugural of the ship by the Chief Guest Dr.
Subhash Ramarao Bhamre , Honble Raksha Rajya Mantri.
iii. This is the largest ship of this kind built anywhere in the world. The ship is cost effective,
fuel efficient and best suited for protection of island territories of Andaman and Nicobar in the
Bay of Bengal as well as Lakshadweep islands in the Arabian Sea.
iv. The ship will be extremely useful for joint operations carried out by the Indian Navy and Indian
Army for ensuring maritime security and protection of remote islands
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Army launched School chlo operation in south Kashmir

i. AfterOperation Calm down in South Kashmir, Army is now aiming on another
operationSchoolChalo, under which it identifies areas and provides students with free
coaching and make them participate in extra-curricular activities.
ii. This situation was dealt on the internal front and doing that with desired results
iii. The army had launched Operation Calm Down in August- September to eradicate different
parts of the Valley of militants and protesters using minimum force.
10th Command Level Navy Coast Guard (COMNAVGUARD) held in Visakhapatnam

i. The 10th Command Level Navy Coast Guard (COMNAVGUARD) meeting was held
in Visakhapatnam on November 2, 2016 to discuss inter-operatability issues
between Navy and Coast Guard.
ii. The meeting was co-chaired by Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command (ENC), Vice
Admiral Atul Kumar Jain and Inspector General RajanBargotra, Commander, Coast Guard
Region (East) and Inspector General K R Nautiyal, Commander Coast Guard Region (North East),
along with senior officers of Navy and Coast Guard.
Government approved the Blacklisting Policy for Tainted Defence Deals

The government on 7 November approved the policy to blacklist defence companies which are
involved in corruption and wrongdoing related to arms purchase.The government has decided to
impose heavy fine on the blacklisted companies instead of blanket blacklisting, and complete
banning would be the last option with no other choice left.
The concept of graded blacklisting and fines will be adopted as per new policy. It means
that rather than banning a guilty supplier for ever, it will be banned for specific number of
years from dealing in a particular segment along with suitable fine. The supplier will however
be permitted to bid for projects in other segments.
The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar as its head
approved the proposal of procuring fighter jets, tanks and attack helicopters with worth of
around Rs 82,000 Crore.
Other approval of DAC :
DAC gave Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) to purchase 83 Tejas Mark 1A aircraft
worth Rs 50,025 crore.
The Acceptance of Necessity (AON) approval for the Tejas fighter jets would be in
addition to the 40 Tejas already ordered by the IAF
DAC gave AoN to purchase 15 Light Combat Helicopter(LCH) for the Indian Army
and Air Force at a cost of about Rs 2,911 crore. Both Tejas aircraft and Light Combat
Helicopters are being manufactured by HAL.10 are for IAF and 5 are for Air force.
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AoN for buying upgraded version of Russian T90 tanks 464 in quantity manufactured
by the Ordnance Factory Board for Rs 13,448 crore.
Request For Proposal (RFP) for procurement of six additional Pinaka Multi-Barrel
Rocket Launchers at a cost of 14,633 crore.
Procurement of 598 mini Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) at a cost of Rs 1,100
crore.
Armys Demchok Mission Successfully Completed

i. The Indian Army successfully completed the task of laying an irrigation pipeline for the
villagers in Demchok region of Eastern Ladakh.
ii. The project was undertaken under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment
Guarantee Scheme for the purpose of linking the village with a hot spring.
Indian Navy to select Candidates through JEE (Main) ranks

i. Indian Navy is considering to select candidates into the 10+2 B Tech cadet scheme
through JEE (Main) ranks, instead of class 12th
ii. Earlier, the candidates were selected on the basis of their PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Maths)
percentage, scored in their class 12 board examination.
India-Bangladesh joint military exercise SAMPRITI-2016 to commences

i. India and Bangladesh defence cooperation, a joint military training exercise SAMPRITI
2016 is being started at Tangail in Dhaka, Bangladesh from 05 to 18 November 2016.
ii. Exercise SAMPRITI is an important bilateral defence cooperation effort between India and
Bangladesh and will be the sixth edition of the exercise which is hosted alternately by both
countries.
iii. The SAMPRITI 2016 will simulate a scenario where both nations are working together in
a Counter Insurgency and Counter Terrorism environment under the UN Charter..
China developed high speed unmanned sea vessel

i. China has developed a high-speed, intelligent unmanned sea vessel which could be used for a
host of applications including submarine detection.
ii. According to Xinhua, the SeaFly-01completed a test at Nanhu Lake in Wuhan. The 10.25-
meter-long vessel could acquire a maximum speed of 45 knots.
ISRO Conduts Tests For Chandrayaan-II Mission

i. The Indian Space Research Organsiation (ISRO) Chairman A S Kiran Kumar, on
November 11, 2016, revealed that ISRO has started to conduct the test for its second moon
mission, Chandrayaan-II at its center in Challakere, Karnataka.
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ii. Chandrayaan-2 mission is tentatively set for late 2017 or early 2018 and includes soft-landing
on Moon and moving a rover on its surface.
iii. The lead centre for the second Moon mission, ISRO Satellite Centre or ISAC, has artificially
created several craters, resembling the terrain of the Moon, to test instruments and sensors on
the lander of Chandrayaan-2.
Pakistan conducts Military Exercise Close To Indian Border

i. Pakistan conducted military exercise Raad ul Barq (Strike of Thunder) in an area located
in Punjab province, bordering India.
ii. It was a joint exercise carried out jointly by Pakistan Army and Air Force to reflect the
preparedness of their armed forces to respond to any threat to its national security.
iii. The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Nawaz Sharif was the chief guest at the event which
was conducted at Khairpur Tamewali in Bahawalpur in Punjab and also attended by powerful
Army chief General Raheel Sharif, Chiefs of Staff Committee General Rashad Mahmoud and the
three services chiefs.
Annual joint training exercise Hand in Hand 2016 begins in Pune

i. The sixth annual joint training exercise Hand in Hand 2016 between Indian and Chinais
being hosted by India.
ii. The India-China Joint Training Exercise between the Indian Army and the Peoples
Liberation Army of China began in Pune on November 15 and will end on be November 27.
iii. This exercise between the Indian Army and the Peoples Liberation Army of China is held
annually, alternately, in India and China. The first exercise was held in China at Kunming in
Yunnan province in 2007.
INSV MHADEI flagged Off with all-women crew

i. An all-women crew of the Indian Navy was set off in the Indian Navy Sailing Vessel
Mhadei for the Cape 2 Rio Yacht Race 2017 on November 9, 2016.
ii. The vessel was flagged off from Goa to Cape Town, South Africa by Rear Admiral Monty
Khanna, Commandant Naval War College on 09 Nov 16 in a ceremony held at the Boat Pool of
INS Mandovi, Goa
iii. The Cape to Rio Race (Cape Town to Rio de Janeiro) which will start from Cape Town on 26
Dec 16.
DRDOs drone Rustom-2 successfully completes its test flight.

i. Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV) developed by DRDO named Rustom-2 completed its
first flight on 15 November 2016 in Challakere, Chitradurga district, Karnataka.The drone can
be used by Indian Army, Navy and Air Force to keep an eye on enemy territory and carry a
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variety of cameras and radar for surveillance.

ii. Rustom 2 is developed by Aeronautical Development Establishment(ADE)laboratory of
DRDO.It is a medium-altitude long-endurance UAV (MALE UAV). A MALE UAV is one that flies in
altitude range of 10,000 to 30,000 feet for extended durations of time, typically 24 to 48 hours.
iii. Some features of Rustom 2
1.Wingspan of more than 20m
2.Endurance of 24-30 hours.
3.Automatic takeoff and landing capabilities
Four Naval System developed by DRDO inducted to Indian Navy

i. The Defence Minister Shri Manohar Parrikar will hand over Four Naval Systems developed
by DRDO to the Indian Navy at a function on November 18, 2016 in New Delhi.
ii. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Sunil Lanba will formally take over the systems from the
Defence Minister.
iii. The Four naval Systems include:
1.ABHAY Compact Hull Mounted SONAR for Shallow Water Crafts,
2.HUMSA UG Upgrade for the HUMSA SONAR System,
3.NACS Near-field Acoustic Characterisation System, and
4.AIDSS Advanced Indigenous Distress SONAR System for submarines.
Army launches full fledged bench of Armed Forces Tribunal in Jammu

i. Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir, N Paul Vasanthakumar inaugurated the
full fledged Bench of the AFT at the Sunjuwan Military Station in Jammu Kashmir on November
25, 2016
ii. Union Government in the second phase has sanctioned two Regional Benches, one
at Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh and another one at Jammu .
Defence Ministry Released a policy to re-assist blacklisting global defence firms

i. The Union Defence Ministry released new policy Guidelines of the Ministry of Defence for
penalties in business dealings with entities on November 21, 2016, to relook at the list of
the companies that are banned from doing business in India.
.New Policy Features:
1.Ban period has been reduced to 5 years from the previous 10 years but the upper ban limit is
not specified.
2.It allows doing business with black listed firm for achieving National security only for the
purpose of supporting the critical spare and maintenance or if the firm is the only source to
support a certain system, but with the approval of the Defence Minister.
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Lt Gen SatishDua takes over as Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC)

i. Lt Gen SatishDua took over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of
Staff Committee (CISC). He was also accorded a Tri-Services Guard of Honour at the lawns of
South Block.
ii. He was commissioned in December 1979 into 8 JAK LI (Siachen), a Unit of the Indian Army
which is presently the Ceremonial Battalion in RashtrapatiBhavan.
MOU on Defence Salary Package Signed between Indian Army and Corporation Bank
i. Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Army and Corporation
Bank on the Defence Salary Package.
ii. The MoU is adapted to suit the requirements of serving soldiers, pensioners and families and
includes free / concessional services including free drafts, free cheque books, free funds transfers
to any bank in India through RTGS / NEFT, free ATM cards, Unlimited transactions on all ATMs
including that of other Banks.
Defence News December

British and Indian Navy Exercise KONKAN-2016 begin at Mumbai
The 12 day annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal
Navy KONKAN 16 began on December 5, 2016 at Mumbai. The exercise will be conducted in two
phases at Mumbai and Goa.
i. Phase 1 : 05 09 Dec 16 at Mumbai
It would be a Command Planning exercise involving the two navies
ii. Phase 2:12 16 Dec 16 at Goa
India steps closer to become the Major Defence Partner of US

i. US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter along with Indian Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar
finalised the Major Defence Partner status to India.
ii. The Major Defence Partner status will allow India to buy more advanced and sensitive
technologies from the U.S. This was Parrikars 7th meeting with Carter since the fromer became
the Defence Minister.
9th Edition of INDRA NAVY Military Exercise Begins in Visakhapatnam

i. The 9th edition of the annual bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian
Navy, INDRA NAVY, started off in the Bay of Bengal on December 14 and will continue till 21
December 2016.
ii. Aim: to increase inter-operability among the two navies and develop common understanding
and procedures for maritime security operations.
iii. The exercise will be progressed in two phases:
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1.Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam from 14 to 18 December 2016

2.Sea Phase off Visakhapatnam from 19 to 21 December 2016
Indian Air Force personnel cannot keep beard: SC

i. The Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India T S Thakur informed that Indian Air
Force(IAF) officers do not carry beard.
ii. The regulations do not interfere with religious rights of individuals and that they have the
sanctity of ensuring discipline.
Seventh Edition of bilateral Exercise EKUVERIN commences in Maldives

i. Seventh edition of India and Maldives bilateral Exercise EKUVERIN began at Kadhdhoo,
Laamu Atoll, Maldives on December 15, 2016.
ii. The 14 day platoon level joint military exercise will conclude on December 28, 2016. The
exercise is conducted between the Indian Army & the Maldives National Defence Force on a yearly
basis.
iii. Aim: to enhance interoperability between the two armies by conducting military training with
emphasis on amphibious & counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations.
Pakistan Successfully Test Fires Babur Cruise Missile

i. The Pakistan Army successfully test-fired an enhanced version of an indigenously-designed
cruise missile Babur on December 14, 2016. The missile is named after the first Mughal emperor
and founder of Mughal dynasty.
ii. The missile is part of Babur Weapon System version- 2. It incorporates advanced
aerodynamics and avionics that can hit targets at 700 kms both at land and sea with high
accuracy.
India and Russia Agree to Extend Brahmos Range Beyond 300 KM

i. India and Russia have agreed to undertake joint technical development work to extend the
range of Brahmos supersonic cruise missiles beyond the range of current 300 km.
ii. The agreement was reached after India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime MTCR in
June as a full member.
iii. Brahmos is a short-range ramjet supersonic cruise missile that travels at speeds of up to
Mach 3.0. India and Russia are also planning to develop a new generation of these missiles that
could likely have an ability to hit protected targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Landing Craft Utility LCU 58 launched at GRSE, Kolkata

i. The eighth and the last ship of LCU MK IV project, an amphibious ship, was launched at a
ceremony at Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd (GRSE), Kolkata on December
16, 2016.
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ii. The chief guest for the occasion was Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, Honble Union Minister of State
Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (Independent Charge), Government of India.
iii. The ship was named LCU-L58 after performing the rituals and was finally launched for its
first contact with water by Smt Neelam Pratap Singh Rudy, wife of Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy.
Defence Ministry Approves Defence Projects over Rs. 7000 Crore

i. The Defence Ministry led by Manohar Parrikar approved four defence proposals worth
over Rs 7,000 crore in a meeting on December 23, 2016.
ii. The Defence Acquisition Council approved purchasing six multi-mission
maritime aircraft for the Indian Coast Guard to keep an eye on the 7,500 km-long coastline
worth Rs 5,500 crore.
Nepal to hold first ever military exercise with China

i. Nepal has announced to hold its first ever joint military exercise with China on February 10,
2017 to begin a new level of bilateral military engagement with China.
ii. The focus of the military exercise, named Pratikar-1, will be on training Nepali forces in dealing
with hostage scenarios involving international terror groups.
iii. Nepals Chief of Army Staff General Rajendra Chhetri visited Beijing in March when both sides
had resolved to strengthen military ties.
Barack Obama signs $618 billion defence budget for 2017 to boosts security
cooperation with India
i. US President Barack Obama has signed a $618 billion defence policy bill for 2017 on
December 23, 2016, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to enhance security cooperation with India.
ii. The National Defence Authorization Act (NDAA), which was passed by both the House and the
Senate with veto-proof majorities earlier in December.
Warangal Cops Set World Record In Biggest Self-Defence Class

i. Telanganas Warangal police have set world record by conducting the largest self-defence
class at a single venue earlier this week said by Warangal police commissioner G Sudheer Babu
ii. Objective: Safety of women employees
iii. In this class 21,276 college girls, working women and some from foreign countries were took
part at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
Long range nuclear-capable subsonic cruise missile Nirbhay fails Test for fourth Time
i. India successfully test-fired its long range subsonic cruise missile, Nirbhay, from the launch
complex 3 of Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, Odisha coast at 11: 56 hours on
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December 21, 2016.

ii. The state-of-the-art surface-to-surface missile is developed by the Defence Research and
Development Organisation.
iii. It was fourth test of Nirbhay missile and out of four, three have ended in failure. The maiden
launch was conducted in March 2013 but it was failure, the second test was conducted in October
2014 was a big success while the third mission on October 16, 2015 was again a failure.
DRDO successfully tests smart anti-airfield weapon SAAW

i. The Defence and Research Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested an
indigenous Smart Anti-Airfield Weapon (SAAW) from an Indian Air Force aircraft on December
24, 2016.
ii. Weight: 120 kg, Range: 100km & Project Outlay: Rs.56.58 Cr
iii. The smart weapon is used to destroy runways, bunkers, aircraft hangers and other reinforced
structures. It is one of the world class weapons systems.
iv. The captive and release trials were tracked by radar and telemetry ground stations at the
Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha during the entire duration of the flight.
India Successfully Test-Fired ICBM Missile Agni V in Odisha

India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable, Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM),
the Agni V, on December 26, from Dr Abdul Kalam island, formerly known as Wheeler Island,
off the coast of Odisha.
The three-stage, solid propellant surface-to-surface missile was test-fired from a mobile
launcher from launch complex-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at 11:05 am in
Balasore district.
This was the fourth and final test of the missile. With the success of the final development
test, Agni-V is now ready for the induction into the strategic arsenal (collection of weapons)
of India.
The successful induction of Agni V will give India long-range strike capability.
20th fast patrol vessel delivered to Coast Guard

i. The Cochin Shipyard delivered ICGS AYUSH, the 20th Fast Patrol Vessel, to the Indian Coast
Guard.
ii. With this, it has completed construction of 20 Fast Patrol Vessel series for the Coast Guard.
iii. ICGS Ayush will be operated from the Coast Guard Station at Krishnapatanam During the
current financial year.
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Defence News January

China reshuffles military headquarters in major revamp

Powerful ammo developed for Arjun Tank by DRDO

N Korea conducted successful hydrogen bomb test

India-France military exercise Shakti-2016 began

IN-RNO joint naval exercise Naseem Al-Bahr kicked off

INS Kadmatt, anti-submarine warfare corvette commissioned

Israel gets fifth German-made nuclear-capable submarine INS Rahav

Anti-tank missile Nag successful test fired

Indian Mi-25 helicopters set to join Afghan Air Force

Akash missile successfully test fired at Chandipuri in Odisha

Defence News February

NATO, EU sign agreement on cyber defence cooperation

Reliance Defence to set up DhirubhaiAmbani Centre for Innovation & Research in

India joined in Cobra Gold 2016 Multilateral Exercise

Indo-China held maiden JET on border

Indo-Nepal Battalion Level Combined Exercise Surya Kiran kicked off

Exercise IBSAMAR between India, SA, Brazil begins

India, Seychelles joint military exercise began

Navy showcases bio-diesel run patrol craft at IFR 2016

Indias first Aviation Park to come up in Gujarat

Coast Guard to Induct 38 Aircraft and Helicopter By 2020

INS Viraat to be developed as tourism centre

Nidar Indias Lightest Revolver weighing 250gm

Indigenously developed Prithvi-II missile successfully test-fired

DRDO to conduct captive flight trails of Anti-Radiation Missile

Defence News March

Japan signs pact to supply defence equipment to Philippines

DIPP nods clearances for 12 industrial licenses for Reliance

Reliance signs deal with Rafael

MoD Gives Nod To 7 Frigates Worth Rs 13,000 Cr

Military Exercise FORCE 18 kicked off in Pune

South Korea and US Begin Military Exercise

India Indonesia joint Military exercise- Shakti IV

Launch Of Yard 2097

India successfully test fired Agni -I ballistic Missile

Indian Coast Guard ship Arnvesh commissioned at Visakhapatnam

DRDO develops RADAR to look through walls

US Navy ship discovered after 95 years

India deploys P8I maritime aircraft to Seychelles

Indian Coast Guard to re-base ICGS Rajkamal, six interceptor boats

Singapore Corvette Test-Fires Barak Missile

ManoharParrikar flags off Indias first indigenous Sonar Dome

Defence News April

India becomes fourth largest spender on defence

Reliance Defence inks pact with 3 Ukrainian state firms

Coastal security exercise Tat Suraksha in Andamans

India, US agree in principle on sharing military logistics

Army conducts battle exercise Shatrujeet in Rajasthan

Army completes amphibious exercise JalPrahar

US Navy leads largest Apritime exercise in Middle East

Pakistan, China launch joint air force training exercise Shaheen 5

Pakistan Navy successfully test-fires shore-based anti-ship missile

Akash missile test fired in Odisha

Range: 3,500 km.

Russia Test-Fires Iskander Tactical Ballistic Missile

INS Karmuk engaged in Indo-Thai Coordinated Patrol(CORPAT)

Indian Naval Ships Veer, Nipat decommissioned

Defence News May

US India Defence Cooperation Act introduced in Senate

US House approves move to bolster defence ties with India

3. Vice-Admiral Joseph Aucoin

Sunil Lanba to take over as next Indian Navy chief