Current Affairs - Defence

The Indian Coast Guard is conducting SAREX-24 in Kochi from November 27-30, 2024. This event aims to enhance maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) capabilities through regional cooperation and advanced technology, including drones and satellite distress beacons. It features workshops, a Table Top session, and a Sea exercise to address large-scale contingencies, emphasizing the importance of preparedness in maritime safety.

INSV Tarini is the vessel used in the Navika Sagar Parikrama-II expedition. This initiative aims to promote gender equality, maritime cooperation, and India’s maritime heritage. During the expedition's second leg, the vessel embarked on a 3,400 nautical-mile journey from Fremantle, Australia, to Lyttelton, New Zealand, showcasing India's maritime prowess and highlighting its global outreach.

The Indian Army's 'Sanyukt Vimochan 2024' exercise aimed to enhance disaster response capabilities, specifically focusing on cyclone scenarios in coastal regions. Conducted in Ahmedabad and Porbandar, Gujarat, the exercise demonstrated inter-agency coordination and readiness. Led by the Konark Corps of Southern Command, it included tabletop exercises and multi-agency demonstrations. This effort strengthens India's disaster management infrastructure, particularly in vulnerable coastal areas. The exercise's success underscores the importance of collaborative preparedness for effective disaster response and mitigation.

The joint military exercise 'Poorvi Prahar' was conducted in Arunachal Pradesh's Shi-Yomi district, involving the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. The exercise aimed to enhance combat effectiveness, inter-service coordination, and operational readiness. High-ranking officials, including Eastern Army Commander Lt Gen RC Tiwari and Air Marshal IS Walia, participated in the exercise. This display of military prowess demonstrates India's commitment to regional security and defence preparedness, particularly in strategic border regions.

India's Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully tested its first long-range hypersonic missile from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha. This significant milestone demonstrates India's advancement in hypersonic technology, joining an elite group of nations, including the United States, China, and Russia. The missile's capability to carry various payloads for ranges over 1,500 km enhances India's defence capabilities. Odisha's coastline provides a strategic location for testing missile technology, with Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island serving as a key testing facility for India's defence research and development.