Defence & Security Current Affairs
Indo-Seychelles Joint Training ‘Exercise Lamitye’ Concluded
- Exercise ‘Lamitye – 2016’, 7th in the series of Indo-Seychelles Joint Training Exercises, was conducted from February 15 to 28, 2016 at Victoria, Mahe Island, Seychelles with an aim to improve interoperability between both Armies in jointly fighting Counter Terrorism.
- The Indian contingent comprised of an infantry platoon and representatives from the Special Forces. The Seychelles People’s Defence Forces (SPDF) was represented by the Tazar (Special Forces Unit) and Seychelles Infantry.
- ‘Exercise Lamitye’ meaning Friendship in Creole has been a bridge between the Armed Forces of India and SPDF since 2001. A number of activities and exercises had been conducted during the joint training.
- Exercise Sea Hunt’, was an apt culmination, wherein Cordon & Search operations were enmeshed with hostage rescue operations in an Anti-Piracy setting at Cape Temay, with realistic orchestration of events extending over two days in an urban insurgency environment.
India’s First Nuclear Submarine INS-Arihant Passed Deep Sea Tests
- As on February 23, 2016, India’s first nuclear armed submarine is ready for full-fledged operations after passed several deep sea diving drills as well as weapons launch tests over the past five months.
- A Russian diving support ship, the RFS Epron that arrived on October 1, 2015 has been accompanying the Arihant on its deep sea dives and launch tests at Vishakhapatnam where it was build.
- At present, work is already in progress on two more Arihant class submarines at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Vishakhapatnam which will be larger and more advanced than the first boat. A formal induction INS-Arihant into the naval fleet is only a political call away.
Indo-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol & Signing of Standard Operating Procedure
- The Fourth Edition of the India-Myanmar Coordinated Patrol (IMCOR) was successfully undertaken from February 13 to 16, 2016 along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) in the Andaman Sea.
- Indian Navy Ships Saryu and Bitra along with Union of Myanmar Ships Aung Zeya and FAC 563 participated in the 4th IMCOR. Cmde Girish Garg, Naval Component Commander from the Tri-Service HQs in Port Blair was embarked onboard INS-Saryu.
- During the Closing Ceremony of 4th IMCOR, the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for IMCOR was also signed between Indian Navy and Myanmar Navy. Navies of the two countries have conducted Coordinated Patrols along the Maritime boundary since 2013.
Exercise TBSAMAR’ between India, South Africa, Brazil Held
- The fifth edition of ‘Exercise IBSAMAR’ between Brazil, India and South Africa held in the country’s West Coast with the harbor phase being conducted at Goa.
- The primary aim of this exercise is to increase interoperability amongst the three navies as well as develop common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.
- The thrust of this exercise at sea in 2016 was on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), surface . firings, air defences, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), flying operations, search and rescue and tactical procedures.
- Indian Navy was represented by INS-Mumbai, an indigenous designed and built guided missile destroyer, INS-Trishul, a stealth frigate and INS-Shalki, a Shishumar class submarine.
- In addition, various fast attack craft. Sea Harriers and Mig 29K fighter aircraft, domier maritime patrol aircraft and integral rotary wing helicopters were also participated.
- The South African Navy represented by South African Naval Ship SAS SpiOenkop with integral helicopter and embarked special forces. Both Brazilian and South African ships are on return passage after participating in the International Fleet Review held at Visakhapatnam earlier in February, 2016.
India Joined Multilateral Exercise ‘Cobra Gold’
- As on February 16, 2016, a 12-member team of the Indian Army is participating in the ‘Cobra Gold’ multilateral exercises being hosted by Thailand, along with its counterparts from China and Pakistan.
- The 35th edition of the exercises, considered Asia’s largest multinational drill, started on January 20, 2016 and ended on February 18, 2016. This year, 8564 personnel from Thailand, the USA, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and South Korea and other nations are playing various roles in the exercises.
- Theme of the exercise, involving 35 countries. Is humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. India has been invited to the exercises as an ‘observer plus’ country because of the recent trend of India’s increasing regional inter-operability with a series of multi-lateral exercises on land and sea.
India-Nepal Military Exercise Held at Pithoragarh
- A 14-day India-Nepal combined military exercise, named Surya Kiran IX, held at Pithoragarh on February 8, 2016. This 9th India-Nepal combined exercise was culminated on February 21, 2016 where’focus was also be laid on humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations, including medical and aviation aspects.
- Nepal army was represented by officers and troops of RudraDhoj battalion while an infantry battalion is participating on behalf of the Indian Army. The combined battalion-level exercise was conducted under the aegis of the Panchshul Brigade of the Central Command.
- During the combined training, emphasis was laid on upgrade of tactical and practical skills by sharing each other’s experiences and also on enhancing inter- operability in jungle warfare and counter terrorism operations in mountain terrain.
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