This document provides a summary of key terms related to Indian defense exercises, missiles, weapons, vehicles, aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs, submarines, navy ships, coast guard ships, and new Indian navy bases from 2012-2013. It lists over 50 defense-related items, describing each one in 1-2 sentences. The purpose is to compile important current affairs information on Indian defense for competitive exams.
This document provides a summary of key terms related to Indian defense exercises, missiles, weapons, vehicles, aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs, submarines, navy ships, coast guard ships, and new Indian navy bases from 2012-2013. It lists over 50 defense-related items, describing each one in 1-2 sentences. The purpose is to compile important current affairs information on Indian defense for competitive exams.
This document provides a summary of key terms related to Indian defense exercises, missiles, weapons, vehicles, aircrafts, helicopters, UAVs, submarines, navy ships, coast guard ships, and new Indian navy bases from 2012-2013. It lists over 50 defense-related items, describing each one in 1-2 sentences. The purpose is to compile important current affairs information on Indian defense for competitive exams.
Agni, Prithvi, Trishulwhenever youre preparing for
UPSC, State PSC, IBPS, SSC or LIC youve to prepare
these things over and over again. Sometimes it feels as if Indian Government tests these missiles not only to annoy China and Pakistan but also to annoy the competitive exam aspirants. Anyways, earlier I gave the compilation for persons in news 2012-13. click me if you havent read it already. Now here a new article dealing with defense related current affairs (2012-13) and basic stuff. If you feel any important term is missing, do mention it in the comments below. Defense exercises Kinda one of the most important topics for CSAT paper I. Its not that UPSC asks defense exercises every year but just because it was asked once or twice then it becomes important forever, especially when it has a catchy name hahaha. Name Country force Bold Kurukshetra India, Singapore in UP Army (Tanks) Cormorant Strike Iii India, Srilanka, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Maldives. (held in Sri Lanka) All 3 Garud Shakti India, Indonesia Army Indiaex-2012 India, US Navy Indra India, Russia, bi annual Navy Iron Fist Only India. In Rajasthan Air Force Jimex India, Japan Navy Konkan India, UK Navy Malabar India, US Navy Milan India and 14 other countries: Australia, Bangladesh etc. Navy Passex India, Japan Navy Pralay India only, in North East Airforce+Army Red Flag India, US in Nevada Airforce Shakti India, France in Uttarakhand Army Shatrujeet India, US in California Army (Infantry) Shoor Veer Only India, Rajasthan border Army Simbex India, Singapore Navy Tropex TROPEX=Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise.India only Navy Vajra Prahar India, US in Uttarakhand Army (Special Forces) Varuna India, France Navy Yudh Abhyas India, US in Rajasthan Army (Tanks) ^this is one of the uses of pib.nic.in Missiles, weapons and vehicles Agni Surface to surface missile by DRDO. Range increases as version increases. Agni- 5 >5000kms. It is Indias first Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). India is the 7 th country to have ICBM. Other 6 are= US, Russia, China, UK, France and Israel. North Korea is also developing an ICBM named Taepodong-2. Agni- 4 4000kms Agni- 3 3000kms Agni- 2 2000kms. Pakistans HATF-5 (Ghauri) has range of about 1300 kms. Agni- 1 700kms (some books/magazines say 800 but India 2013 Yearbook says 700 so I keep it 700). Prithivi Surface to surface. Short range (150-350) Range increases as number increases: Prithvi I=150, II=250 and III=350kms Its naval version is known as Dhanush. Dhanush can be launched from Navy ships. Aircraft destroyer Akash Surface to air (SAM) It can destroy many targets at once, using Rajendra radar system. Its range is higher than trishul. Astra Air to air missile to destroy enemy aircrafts. Trishul Surface to air (SAM) Destroy low level flying objects. E.g. from a ship against low flying attacking enemy missiles. Cruise Brahmos 290 km range. Only Supersonic cruise missile in the world. (speed close to 3 Mach) Named after two rivers: Brahmaputra of India and the Moskva of Russia. can be used against ship and land targets. Can be installed on ships, submarines & aircraft and ground vehicles Can receive navigation signals from both GPS (USA) and GLONASS(Russia). Nirbhay sub-sonic cruise missile Nirbhay is Indias equivalent of Tomahawk, a long-range, sub-sonic cruise missile, developed by the U.S. developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) will travel at a sub-sonic speed (less than the speed of sound). Navy / Submarine Dhanush It is the naval version of Prithvi II missile. Nuke capable. 350kms K-15 Sagarika Can be launched from submarines. Range abt 700kms. Will be used from nuclear powered submarines (like Arihant). Varunastra Anti-submarine torpedo Anti-Tank HELINA The helicopter-fired version of Nag (anti-tank missile). Helina =Helicopter + Nag LAHAT Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti- Tank missile will be used in the upgraded Arjun battle tanks. NAG fire and forget anti-tank missile. can destroy enemy tanks four km away NAMICA=carrier of NAG missile. Both of them did not perform well during field trials in Rajasthan. NAMIKA It is a vehicle to carry and launch NAG missles. Invar Anti-tank Missiles that can be launched from Arjun T-90 tanks. India will buy these from Russia Adrushya Anti-tank mine. By DRDO Tanks and artillery Arjun Main battle tank. (T90)Kanchan=name of the armour used on this tank. Ajeya T-72 tank SARVATRA Mobile bridge laying system. So armys tanks and vehicles can cross rivers. DAKSH It is a robotic vehicle for disabling IED (explosives). Pinaka Multibarrel rocket system (it looks like a truck with lot of rockets on its shoulder). BHIM 155mm artillery gun. (these type of guns are known as howitzer) Bofors is also a howitzer. BMP-2 Infantry combat vehicle. To transport soldiers in the battlefield. Rifles/ uniforms INSAS it is a self loading rifle (SLR) by DRDO. INSAS=Indian small arms system. Before INSAS, we had ISHAPORE SLR. Sujav Compact communication and electronic warfare suit Baby viper An equipment for clearing land mines. By DRDO Indian Radars and Sonars First understand the difference. Radar Sonar RAdio Detection and Ranging SOund Navigation And Ranging Uses radio waves Uses sound waves Mostly used above water (air) Underwater. Faster response Slower (because speed of sound is slower than radio waves and depends on medium through which it travels) 1. aerial and naval navigation 2. air defense 3. checking weather patterns 1. Locate submarines and mines in the sea 2. underwater surveillance and communication 3. mapping underwater terrains Now lets check the DRDO projects related to Radars and Sonars RADAR Sonar Revati (3d radar for navy) HUMSA (shipborne) Rohini (3d radar for airforce) MIHIR (airborne) Indra Panchendriya, USUSH (Submarine) Rajendra Tadpole
Darpan
3D Car 3D Central Acquisition Radar ^most of these are given in India Yearbook, thats why important for MCQs. Aircrafts (list is definitely not exhaustive) SU30- MKI Fighter jets, India will buy them from Russia. Dornier- 228 Transport aircraft Saras Transport aircraft LCA NP- Light combat aircraft, Naval prototype 1.Indias 1 first indigenous naval fighter jet (that can be used from aircraft carrier ships such as INS Vikramaditya). It has STOBAR capability. STOBAR= Ski Takeoff but arrested recovery. Tejas Light combat aircraft. (LCA)Kaveri=name of Tejass engine. It is Indias first indigenous gas turbine engine. It single seat, single engine, supersonic, light- weight, all-weather, multi-role aircraft. Darin-III It is upgraded version of Jaguar fighter. Developed by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd. AEWC Airborne Early warning and control system. it is a really huge airplane , with high tech radar system. It can detect enemy aircraft, ships and vehicles at long ranges. Mirage Fighter aircraft, From france MiG-21 Russia By the way, fifth generation air-craft were separately discussed in another article long time back. Click me Helicopters Mi-17 v5 Attack helicopter, India will buy them from Russia.Can carry out operation in any weather, any terrain, day n night + disaster, Search-rescue operations. Rudra Attack helicopter. Dhruv, Cheetal, Chetak Utility helicopter= transporting very few men, material etc. AgustaWestland Transport helicopter. From Italy but deal is stuck due to scam. UAV/Drones NISHANT, Rustom-I, Lakshya-I These are UAV= Unmanned Aerial vehicles. Developed by DRDO NETRA Mini-UAV. CRPF will use it to fight naxals. BSF in counter-insurgency.It looks like that helicopter Mr.Lobo was building in 3-idiots (and then he conveniently committed suicide so that Amir Khan could fix it and dance on a song.) Harpy, Heron, Harop These UAV are bought from Israel. Submarines INS Chakra Nuclear submarine. We rented this from Russia.Only US, UK, Russia, France and China had such nuke submarines. (we are the sixth one) INS Arihant Nuclear submarine. Currently undergoing trial. INS Sindhurakshak Submarine, bought from Russia Navy Ship INS Sahyadri Stealth frigate.Project 17= Indian navy is building stealth frigates under this project. Teg, Tarkash, Trikand These are also stealth frigates. India bought these from Russia.These will be used for anti-piracy operations. Sudarshini Indian navy ship. It is on sailing expedition to ASEAN nations. INS Vikramaditya Aircraft carrier ship. Originally known as Admiral Gorshkov. India bought this from Russia. Coast guard ships Again list not exhaustive, but following names were in news Samudra Paheredar Pollution control Rani Abbakka Patrolling. By the way Rani Abbakka ruled over coastal parts of Karnataka, had fought against Portugese in late 16 th centuary. Dahanu patrolling (mainly Maharashtra coast) Rajkamal Patrolling Coast guard vs Navy Navy Coast guard Admiral Director general Overall Maritime- security Coastal security in Territorial waters Anti-piracy Anti-smuggling Reports to Defense ministry Same
Help fishermen in distressSearch and rescue
Marine pollution, environment protection Navy: New bases Dweep Rakshak Indian Navys new base in Laskhweep islands. Baaz Indian Navys new base in Andaman Islands. Blue water navy It is a really powerful navy, can operate across the deep waters in open oceans. E.g US Navy. Indian navy also wishes to be a Blue water navy. The purchase/induction of Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines, fifth generation air crafts etc. are part of that strategy. Defense PSUs To run army, navy, airforce, coast guards or any other force you need weapons, vehicles, uniforms etc. so who provides these materials?= 1) via import from Russia, US, Israel, etc.+ 2) domestic production via DRDO, defense factories and PSUs. Often, we import stuff from other countries, then our PSUs will refit them to suit Indian terrain and requirements. Now lets take a look at the organizations related with domestic production The main boss is Dept of Defense production >Defence ministry Under this Department of defense production, youve two type of organizations Defense factories Make ammunition, explosives, weapons, uniforms etc. Defense undertaking (or PSUs) HAL, BEL, other shipyards. DRDO is a separate R&D organization that directly reports to Defense ministry. DRDO does the research Development stuff. Once that is complete, mass production starts with the help of factories / PSUs. Tagline of DRDO = Balasya Mulam Vigyanam = the source of strength is science. (lolz but first you need money to finance the scientific research, so then what is the source of strength?) Defense Undertaking (PSUs) (list not exhaustive) HAL Hindustan Aeronautics ltd. HAWK jet trainer SU-30 MKI LCA Dornier (transport aircraft) Dhruv (light helicopter) Cheetal/Chetak (Helicopters) BEL Bharat Electronics Sonar, communication devices, electronic systems for tanks, aircrafts. Also develops solar cells, EVM (electronic voting machine) etc. Shipyards Garden Reach, Kolkata Mazagon, Mumbai (and not Goa) MIDHANI MIshra-DHatu NIgam ltd. Provides high quality metals, alloys, materials required for air-craft, tank, weapons production. NIRDESH National institute for Research and Development in Defense Shipbuilding. For self-reliance in defense production related to navy. Near Kozhikode, Kerala It is not a PSU but a society. Private sector Before 2001, private sector wasnt allowed in defense production. But now 26% FDI is allowed in Defense sector. Issue: 26% is very low. It doesnt encourage foreign players transfer their defense technologies in India, therefore Commerce ministry wants this FDI limit to be increased to 74%. for more, click me to read the news article Exhibitions AERO india: air force related. 2013s show held in Bengaluru. Defexpo India: weapons, machines related to Land, Naval and Internal Security. 2012s show held in New Delhi. Paramilitary forces? Different books give different definitions of what is meant by Paramilitary forces. For example, some would say Paramilitary = those fall under Home ministry and not under Defense ministry. E.g. CRPF, BSF, ITBP etc. Others will counter it saying forces like IB and CBI also fall under Home ministry but by no means theyre paramilitary. In 2011, Government of India made the formal definition: Paramilitary force =headed by Military officer (and not an IPS officer). CRPF, BSF, ITPB etc are all headed by Director Generals but these director generals are actually IPS officers (and not military officers.) Hence going by that definition, we are left with only three real paramilitary forces 1. Assam Rifles 2. Special Frontier Force 3. Coast Guard Ok then 1. what are CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB? =these are Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). 2. Then what are RAW and IB = they are intelligence gathering agencies (internal and external) 3. Then what are CBI and NIA= they are law enforcement agencies. Organizations Establishment Years are not important but the chronology is. 1835 Assam Rifles originally Catchar Levy. Also known as Sentinels of North East and Friends of the hill people (kinda too clichd, hence unlikely for MCQs). Falls under Home ministry (and not Defense ministry). However, its DG is an army officer, hence it is a true/real paramilitary force.(and the oldest one) It also protects the Indo-Myanmar border. (SSB looks after Nepal, Bhutan border) 1861 RPF Railway protection force. Its evolution can be traced to Indian police Act made in 1861. Under that Act, part of the British police manpower was deployed for protection of railways. 1920 TA Territorial army. Falls under Defense Ministry. This is like a part time job. A member can continue his routine job / business as a civilian and every year he has to render service in Territorial army for a few months. Similar force in USA = known as National Guards. 1939 CRPF CRPF (originally Crown representatives police). Sardar Patel renamed it to Central Reserve Police force. Falls under Home ministry. This is the main fighting force against naxal and internal disturbances. 1941 CBI Under special police establishment Act. Later turned into CBI. (1963) On TV channels, you often hear Congies giving argument that CBI is independent because doesnt fall under Home ministry so we are not controlling CBI. It is a bogus argument because CBI reports to Department of personnel and training, and personnel ministry falls under Prime Minister. Although for corruption cases, CBI reports to CVC. Similar force in USA=FBI. 1946 Home Guards Home guards. (Army has similar force known as Territorial army). These are Voluntary forces (part time job). Work: bandobast during election, rioting, traffic, disasters etc. Home ministry frames the policies, functions, training for home guards. The cost of force is shared between centre +states. 1948 NCC National cadet Corps. Motto: Unity and Discipline (Ekta aur anushasan.) 1962 ITBP Indo Tibetan border police. Setup in the wake of Chinese aggression. It was also responsible for KASABs security in Mumbai jail. Then they asked crores of rupees and Maharashtra Government refused to pay. Falls under Home Ministry. 1962 SFF Special Frontier Force. For carrying guerilla operations behind Chinese lines. Falls under Defense ministry. 1963 SSB Originally Special service bureau, now Sashastra Seema Bal. It protects Nepal and Bhutan border. 1965 BSF Border security force. During war time, BSF will do the policing work in any enemy territories captured by Indian Army + taking care of refugees and prisoner of war (PoW). 1968 RAW Research and Analysis wing (RAW) Doesnt fall under Home / Defense / Foreign ministry. This organization directly reports to PM. Similar force in USA=CIA, Russia=FSB (earlier KGB), Israel= Mossad, China=MSS. RAW looks into External intelligence gathering. IB (Intelligence bureau) under Home ministry looks into Internal intelligence gathering. Before RAW was created (1968), this IB used to do both internal and external intelligence gathering. 1969 CISF Central Industrial security force. Protection of airports, PSUs, nuke labs and powerplants. CISF is a cost-reimbursement force meaning its cost is borne by the client and not the taxpayer. E.g. if airport is getting CISF cover, then air port has to pay them (so ultimately air- passengers have to pay.) Infosys is the first private company to get CISF protection. 1985 SPG Special protection group. Setup after Indiras assassination. Provides security to PM, and his family. 1990 RR Rashtriya Rifles. Counter insurgency in Kashmir. It is part of Army (hence defense ministry). 1992 RAF Rapid Action force Made from CRPF It was setup mainly for controlling riots. But nowadays also used in disaster Management, anti-naxal ops, UN peace keeping ops. Vajra= riot control vehicle of RAF. Falls under Home ministry. 2008 COBRA Combat battalion for resolution action. Made from CRPF. To fight naxals. Similar force of Andhra police Is known as Grey-hounds. 2009 NIA National investigation agency. After 26/11 attacks. Just like CBI, this one also reports to Personnel Ministry. Lets try to consolidate some important stuff from above table Defense ministry vs Home ministry Defense ministry Home 1. Army: Rashtriya Rifles, Territorial army 2. Navy 3. Airforce 4. Coast guard 5. For special ops: Marcos (Navy), Garuda (Airforce), Ghatak (Army), Special Frontier Force. 6. NCC 1. Internal security=CRPF, RAF, COBRA, Assam Rifles(NE), CISF (PSUs, Airports etc.) 2. Border security=SSB (Nepal Bhutan), BSF (Pak, Bangla), ITBP (Tibet), Assam Rifles (Myanmar) 3. Law Enforcement=CBI, NIA: but they dont report to home ministry. 4. Intelligence=IB (internal) + RAW (external) but RAW falls directly under PM. 5. For special operations=NSG Special forces across world For Surgical operations like airplane hijack, terrorist/hostage situation. NSG India SAS UK Delta Force US GSG-9 Germany GIGN France Shar-et-matkal Israel Mock questions 1. Which of the following is not a UAV? a. Nishant b. Rustom c. Netra d. Dhruv 2. Which of the following has highest range in kms? a. Prithvi b. Brahmos c. Dhanush d. Agni-V 3. Which of the following country doesnt have ICBM missiles? a. India b. China c. USA d. South Korea. 4. Which of the following is not a Surface to surface missile a. Agni b. Prithvi c. Trishul d. None of above. 5. What is the FDI limit in Defense sector in India? a. 0 b. 26 c. 49 d. 74 6. What is NIRDESH? a. State of the art electronic communication system for Navy b. An organization for making India self-reliant in defense technology c. Joint naval exercise between India and USA d. None of above 7. Correct statement a. Garden Reach shipbuilders= Andhra b. Mazagon dock= Goa c. Both A and B d. None 8. In terms of range, find correct order: from lower to higher? a. Agni V, Sagarika, Dhanush, Brahmos b. Sagarika, Dhanush, Brahmos, Agni V c. Brahmos, Dhanush, Sagarika, Agni V d. None of above. 9. Find the odd term a. Helina b. Nirbhay c. Sagarika d. Nirdesh 10. Find the odd sequence a. Indra, Rajendra, Mihir, Revati b. Mihir, Panchendriya, USUSH, Rajendra c. Indra, Rajendra, Rohini, Revati d. None of above. 11. incorrect Match a. Mirage=Russia b. J31=Japan c. SU30-MKI=S.Korea d. All of above. 12. Kaveri is an engine Developed for a. INS Arihant b. Light combat aircraft c. T90 Arjun tank d. none of above 13. Which of the following ship can be used during oil spills? a. Sahyadri b. Arihant c. Chakra d. Samudra Paheredar 14. Correct Match a. Dweep Rakshak:Indian Navys new base in Andaman b. Baaz: Indian Navys new base in Maldives. c. Both A and B d. None 15. First private sector company to get CISF cover was a. TCS b. WIPRO c. Satyam d. infosys 16. Which of the following is not a central armed police force? a. BSF b. CRPF c. CISF d. Rashtriya Rifles 17. Which of the following is not a central paramilitary force? a. Assam Rifles b. Special Frontier Force c. Coast Guard d. NSG 18. Which of the following doesnt report to home ministry a. RAF b. CRPF c. SSB d. RAW Main article stop here. Now just some filler material. Operations this is too cliched for the MCQs. Operation Why Force year Blossom Evacuate Indians from Libya navy 2011 Black Tornado Kill terrorists responbile for 26/11 NSG 2008 Sukoon Evacuate Indians during Israel-Lebanon conflict. Navy 2006 Madath, Sea Waves, Castor, Gambhir, Rainbow, Rahat Relief after 2004 tsunami Navy 2004 Enduring Freedom It was US operation in Afghanistan but India navy escored American ships through straight of Malacca Navy 2001 Talwar Kargil war Navy 1999 Vijay(99) Army 1999 Safed sagar Airforce 1999 Cactus To prevent coup in Maldives All 3 1988 Pawan Peace keeping in Sri Lanka Army 1987 Meghdoot Capturing Siachen glacier Army 1984 Triden, Python Attacking Karachi port Navy 1971 Vijay (61) Capture of Goa, Daman and Diu and Anjidiv Islands Army 1961 Polo Hyderabad freedom Army 1948 Now Some more misc. GK that is not much important for MCQs. Field formation, in terms of no. soldiers= corps > division > brigade > battalion > company > platoon > section. In gallantry awards: Param Vir > Maharvir > Vir. Ashok chakra = equivalent of Param Vir charka, given for bravery in peacetime. (e.g. given to police officers who martyred during 26/11). Medal of Honor = American equivalent of Param Vir Chakra. Highest rank in Indian Army is not General but Field marshal. So far only two field marshals: Cariappa and Manekshaw. In American system, these two are five star generals and rest (e.g. V.K.Singh, Bikram Singh, ) are four star generals. India= RAW (external intelligence) , IB (internal) Similarly UK = MI5 (internal intelligence) and MI6 (external intelligence). Finally some time pass questions/ food for thought 1. If India has CBI and US has FBI then what does UK have? 2. Every country would need a RAW but not a CBI why? 3. USA has FBI + US Marshalls. FBI looks after federal investigation and US Marshalls do the transporting of federal prisoners, serving warrants and securing federal courts. On that logic, While India has CBI, but why doesnt India have Indian marshals? Answers for time pass questions 1. Nothing. Because UK is not a federal country. Although UK does have special police forces to fight organized crime and narcotics. But in terms of jurisdiction and functions, theyre not equivalent to CBI/FBI. 2. Hint given in answer 1. 3. because most of the federal prisoners in India are either out on bail or doing Aiyaashi in the jail so separate police to transport prisoners=not needed.