12 Sep PRELIMS BITS: EXERCISES IN NEWS
This article covers “Daily Current Affairs” and topic details of the defense exercises in the news.
Syllabus mapping:
Current events of national and international importance.
For Prelims:
What are the names of exercises, participating countries, and which branch of armed forces participating in each exercise?
Exercise Eastern Bridge VII
Recent Context:
An IAF contingent comprising MiG-29s, Jaguars, and C-17s is ready to set a course to participate in Exercise Eastern Bridge in Oman.
Key Facts: Exercise Eastern Bridge VII
Event: Exercise Eastern Bridge VII, a bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Oman Air Force.
Location: Conducted at Air Force Base Masirah, Oman.
IAF Contingent: Includes MiG-29s, Jaguars, and C-17s aircraft.
Objectives:
1. Enhance interoperability between the Royal Oman Air Force and the Indian Air Force.
2. Strengthen strategic cooperation and operational readiness through joint training missions.
3. Improve tactical and operational skills, including complex aerial maneuvering and air-to-air/air-to-ground operations.
Significance:
1. Reinforce the strategic partnership between India and Oman.
2. Promotes regional security and stability through shared expertise and operational experience.
Tarang Shakti Exercise
Recent Context:
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to inaugurate IDAX-24 in Jodhpur.
Key Facts about Tarang Shakti Exercise:
Location: Jodhpur Air Force Station, India
Scope: Tarang Shakti is one of the largest multinational air exercises conducted by the Indian Air Force.
Participating Countries: Air forces from seven major countries including the USA, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, and Greece.
Observer Countries: 16 countries are participating as observers in the exercise.
Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh will observe the exercise and inaugurate the Defence Aviation Expo (IDAX).
Air Show Features: The air show will showcase performances by the Suryakiran aerobatic team, Sarang helicopter display team, indigenous fighter aircraft Tejas, and Sukhoi-30.
Expo Focus: The IDAX will display a range of products and technologies from the Indian aviation industry, including contributions from Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), DRDO, private industries, and start-ups.
Objective: The exercise aims to demonstrate India’s air force capabilities, enhance international military cooperation, and showcase India’s advancements in aviation technology.
Exercise AL NAJAH V
Recent Context:
The Indian Army contingent has departed for the 5th edition of the India-Oman Joint Military Exercise AL NAJAH.
Key Facts: India-Oman Joint Military Exercise AL NAJAH V
Dates and Location: The exercise will take place from 13th to 26th September 2024 at the Rabkoot Training Area in Salalah, Oman.
Participants: The Indian contingent consists of 60 personnel from a Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment and other arms and services. The Royal Army of Oman will also send 60 personnel from the Frontier Force.
Exercise History: AL NAJAH has been conducted biennially since 2015, alternating between India and Oman. The previous exercise was held in Mahajan, Rajasthan.
Objective: The primary aim is to enhance joint military capabilities for counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
Focus Areas: The exercise will emphasize operations in desert environments and include tactical drills such as joint planning, cordon and search operations, fighting in built-up areas, and counter-drone operations.
Outcomes: The joint exercise aims to exchange best practices, improve interoperability, foster goodwill and camaraderie, and strengthen defense cooperation and bilateral relations between India and Oman.
Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024
Recent Context:
The 20th edition of the India-USA Joint Military Exercise, Yudh Abhyas 2024, has officially begun at the Foreign Training Node in the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan. This exercise, which runs from September 9 to September 22, 2024, is conducted annually and alternates between India and the USA.
Key Facts: Exercise YUDH ABHYAS-2024
Exercise Name: YUDH ABHYAS-2024
Location: Foreign Training Node, Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan, India
Edition: 20th
Participants:
Indian Army: the RAJPUT Regiment.
US Army: the Alaska-based 11th Airborne Division
Objective: Enhance joint military capabilities for counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter
Focus: Semi-desert environment operations, including joint response to terrorist actions and combined field training
Significance: Improves interoperability, facilitates sharing of best practices, and strengthens bilateral relations between India and the USA
Ocean 2024 Exercise
Recent Context:
The Russian Navy has launched a week-long, extensive exercise named ‘Ocean 2024’ in the Pacific, which involves the Northern and Baltic fleets, the Caspian flotilla, and includes ships from the People’s Liberation Army Navy along with aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force taking part in the Pacific Fleet segment of the drills.
Key Facts: Ocean 2024 Exercise
Exercise Name: Ocean 2024
Participating Fleets:
Russian Navy: Pacific Fleet, Northern Fleet, Baltic Fleet, and Caspian Flotilla
International Participation: Ships of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and aircraft from the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)
Equipment: More than 400 warships, submarines, and support vessels, Over 120 naval aircraft
Locations: Pacific Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, and Baltic Sea
Objectives:
1. Assess readiness of Russian Navy senior staff for operating all-arms groups
2. Test the use of high-precision and advanced weaponry
3. Expand cooperation with partner navies for joint maritime missions
Historical Context: Echoes the Soviet-era Ocean exercises of the 1970s and 1980s, which were the largest Cold War naval drills.
Focus: Emphasis on precision weapons, modern military hardware, and strengthening cooperation with friendly countries amid global geopolitical tensions.
PRELIMS QUESTION:
Q. Consider the following Information:
| Exercise name | Participating countries | Location | |
| 1 | Eastern Bridge | India and Thailand | Andaman Sea |
| 2 | Yudh Abhyas | India and USA | Florida Coast |
| 3 | Al Najah | India and Oman | Salalah |
| 4 | Tarang Shakti Exercise | India and Australia | Jodhpur |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
A. Only one
B. Only two
C. Only three
D. All four
ANSWER: B
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