- Current Affairs December 2018
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Current Affairs December 2018 - Defence
1 - India-US Air Forces Military Drill
To increase the operational coordination, Air forces of India and the United States have successfully completed military exercise in Kalaikunda and Panagarh air bases located in West Bengal, India. This is for the first time the military exercise was held at two air force bases.
The 'Ex Cope India-18' was the fourth edition in the series of bilateral military drills between the Indian Air Force and the United States Air Force. The objective of such joint military exercise is to provide operational exposure and undertake mutual exchange of best practices towards enhancing operational capability.
The Indian Air Force has participated with the Su-30 MKI, jaguar, Mirage 2000, AWACS (Airborne Warning and Control System Aircraft), and C-130J; on the other hand, the United States Air Force participated with F15 C/D and C-130 military aircrafts.
2 - Indian Navy Will Conduct 'Exercise sea vigil'
The Indian Navy will conduct a large-scale coastal defense exercise namely 'Exercise sea vigil' in January, 2019. This exercise is designed to test the robustness of the entire coastal security apparatus.
The 'Exercise sea vigil' planned to involve all stake holders across mainland and Island territories. It will also invite all operational ship, submarines, and aircraft along with Indian coast guards, Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, to participate in this exercise.
As per the report, the exercise sea vigil will help to enhance interoperability and ensure security in country’s maritime neighborhood as well as in the global commons.
3 - Joint Exercise - SHINYUU Maitri-18
The joint air exercise of SHINYUU Maitri-18 was held at Air Force Station, Agra. The Japanese Air Self Defence Force (JASDF) and Indian Air Force jointly organized this exercise with the theme ‘Joint Mobility/Humanitarian assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) on Transport aircraft.
The JASDF C2 aircraft and the aircrew/observers were the part of this first air exercise between the two Air Forces of Japan and India. Indian Air Force is participating with AN-32 and C-17 aircraft. The objective of this exercise was to set for the IAF and JASDF crews to undertake Joint Mobility/ HADR operations.
4 - India Test Fires Nuclear Capable 2nd Agni-5 Missile in Last Six Months
Agni-5, the indigenously developed surface-to-surface ballistic missile has been successfully test-fired from Dr. Abdul Kalam Island off Odisha coast.
The Agni missile was launched with the help of a mobile launcher from the launch pad-4 of the Integrated Test Range (ITR) located at Dr Abdul Kalam Island in the Bay of Bengal.
Major Highlights of Agni-5 Missile
- It is a surface-to-surface missile;
- It is an indigenously developed missile;
- It has a strike range of 5,000 km;
- It is a three stage missile;
- It is 17-meter-tall and 2 meter wide; and
- It is capable of carrying 1.5 tons of nuclear warheads.
5 - Air Force Tested Surface-To-Air Missiles
The Indian Air Force, in a first-of-its-kind exercise (code-named CROSS BOW-18), has successfully conducted a combined guided weapons firing of Surface-to-Air Missiles. The missile is tested from the Air Force Station located at Suryalanka in Andhra Pradesh.
As per the report, CROSS BOW-18 that successful tested has four different classes of missiles like Akash, Spyder, OSA-AK-M and IGLA.
Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Birender Singh Dhanoa said that it has further improved the professional skills and would definitely enhance the IAF's combat capability.
6 - Navy Installs Submergence Rescue Vehicle
Indian Navy's first flyaway Deep Sea Submarine Rescue System was formally installed at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai. It is inducted by Admiral Sunil Lanba, Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee and Chief of the Naval Staff.
The acquisition of this capability is a significant and pioneering jump in the Indian Navy's capability particularly in the deep submarine rescue. This Deep Sea rescue system would have a global footprint. It can be mobilized from the Naval base at Mumbai to the nearest mobilization port by air/land or sea and will provide rapid rescue to the Submarines in distress.
Moreover, the Indian Navy's Deep Sea Submarine Rescue System is considered as the most advanced system currently in operation globally. It is capable of undertaking rescue from a disabled Submarine up to 650 meters deep in the water.
7 - Indo-Russia Bilateral Naval Exercise
The bilateral maritime exercise between Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy namely INDRA NAVY has been exercised in Vishakhapatnam from December 9 to 16, 2018.
Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) Ships Varyag, Admiral Panteleyev and Boris Butoma participated in the joint exercise from Russian side. From India side, the exercise has been led by the Command of Rear Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet.
The primary objective of the joint navy exercise is to increase inter-operability amongst the two navies and develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations. INDRA NAVY joint navy exercise was initiated in 2003. The thrust of such exercises at sea was on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Air Defence drills, Surface Firings, Visit Board Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations and tactical procedures.
During exercise INDRA NAVY-18, the Indian Navy has been represented by −
- INS Ranvir - a guided missile destroyer,
- INS Satpura - an indigenous frigate,
- INS Kadmatt - an indigenous anti- submarine warfare (ASW) corvette,
- IN Ships Kuthar and Khanjar - both indigenous missile corvettes,
- INS Jyoti - a fleet tanker,
- One Sindhughosh class submarine,
- Dornier maritime patrol aircraft,
- Hawk fighter aircraft, etc.
8 - Military Literature Festival Held at Chandigarh
Punjab government has organized 3-day Military Literature Festival at the Lake Club in Chandigarh. The festival was commenced on December 6 and ended on December 9, 2018.
Some of the pre festival activities such as archery competition, shotgun shooting, and Army Polo were also the point of attraction.
Besides, in this literature festival, some other activities also organized including military-themed photography competition, cyclothon, off roading show, nature trail run for women and children, and a bird watching workshop.