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 Internal Security
CROSS BORDER SECURITY ................................. 2
Golden Triangle & Golden Crescent .............. 2
Project Sunrise ....................................................... 2
Humanity at Risk ......................................... 4
IEDs from Myanmar ............................................. 4
INTER-STATE SECURITY ........................................ 5
Naxals ......................................................................... 6
Bastar Dialogue ...................................................... 7
Ceasefire ends ......................................................... 8
Pellet gun .................................................................. 8
SECURITY FORCES AND AGENCIES ................... 9
Comprehensive Integrated Border DHARMA GUARDIAN – 2018 ........................ 15
Management System ............................................ 9
Operation All out ................................................. 10
Central Monitoring System ............................ 10
DEFENCE ..................................................................... 11
Security Dornier Aircraft ................................ 11
Fighter/Attack Aircrafts .................................. 11
Indian Coast Guards .......................................... 11
INS Tarangini ....................................................... 12
INS Arihant ............................................................ 12
Rafale fighter’s maiden flight ........................ 13
Army fire power –M777, K-9,6*6 Vehicle. 14
IONS Anniversary ............................................... 15
INDRA 2018 .......................................................... 15
SIMBEX exercise ................................................. 15
 CROSS BORDER SECURITY
Golden Triangle & Golden Crescent
What is Golden triangle?
§ The Golden Triangle is the area where the borders of Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar meet at
the confluence of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers.
§ The name "Golden Triangle" was coined by the CIA.
§ It is one of the most extensive opium- producing areas of the world.
What is Golden Crescent?
§ Consists of territories of three countries: Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan.
§ One of the world’s largest illicit opium producing regions (apart from the Golden Triangle
Region)
§ Afghanistan, present in this region is the world’s largest opium producer surpassing
Myanmar.
§ Afghanistan now produces over 90% of the world's non-pharmaceutical-grade opium and
also the world's largest producer of hashish.
Why in news?
§ International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking was celebrated on June 26th,
2018.
§ 26th of June was chosen to commemorate Lin Zexu's dismantling of the opium trade in Humen,
Guangdong in China.

Impact on India
§ India is vulnerable to narcotic drug trafficking as it is located between two largest Opium
producing regions of the world i.e. Golden Crescent in the west and Golden Triangle in the
east.
§ Drugs endanger peace, health and stability across regions and it places a heavy burden on
public health systems.

Project Sunrise
What is it?
 § HIV/AIDS are the acronym for Human Immuno deficiency Virus/ Acquired Immuno
deficiency Syndrome.
§ The disease attacks a person’s immune system, making the body vulnerable to diseases. Not
all HIV cases result in AIDS.
§ Usage of shared syringes, razors, Prostitution, Unprotected and unnatural sex are the
biggest sources of HIV.
§ There is no cure at present. However Anti- Retroviral Therapy exists to delay the onset of
AIDS for HIV infected patients. AIDS is the final stage of infection eventually resulting in a
patient’s death due to increased vulnerability to other diseases.
§ India has one of the highest numbers of persons with the infection.

What’s in the news?
§ As India aims to cut its disease burden of HIV/AIDS and is quite successful in its mission, it
has been observed that three northeastern states (Mizoram, Meghalaya, Tripura) have
shown increase in the disease’s incidence.
§ This is mainly due to the proximity to the “golden triangle”, an area covering India’s North
East and extending into Myanmar and beyond, a known area for narcotics peddling and
abuse, where drug abusers share syringes resulting in the spread of infection.
§ The other reason is the prevalence of unsafe sexual practices.
Project Sunrise
§ For the prevention of AIDS in the eight North-Eastern states, Ministry of Health and Family
Welfare has launched a project called ‘Project Sunrise’.
§ It is implemented in 20 districts of the eight states.
§ The project is expected to cover one lakh people living with HIV/AIDS by giving them
treatment and care facilities free of cost.
§ It will be implemented in the North East in addition to the existing projects of the National
AIDS Control Organization (NACO).
AIDS control Efforts in India
§ Following the first cases of HIV was detected in Chennai; the National AIDS Committee was
constituted in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
§ In 1992 India’s first National AIDS Control Programme (1992-1999) was launched, and
National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) was constituted to implement the programme.
§ Behavior Change Communication, management of STDs and condom promotion were
included. The School AIDS Education Programme was conceptualized. Voluntary counseling
and testing facilities were established.
§ In 2001, the Government adopted the National AIDS Prevention and Control Policy.
§ In 2010, NACO approved the Teach AIDS curriculum for use in India, an innovation which
represented the first time that HIV/AIDS education could be provided in a curriculum which
did not need to be coupled with sex education.
 § The Red Ribbon Express was launched in India on World AIDS Day, December 1, 2007. It has
emerged as the world’s largest mass mobilization programme against HIV/AIDS. Red Ribbon
Express is an AIDS/HIV awareness campaign train by the Indian Railways.

Humanity at Risk
Why in news?
§ According to ‘Humanity at Risk - Global Terror Threat Indicant report’, Pakistan is placed
on top of the list of countries with the highest number of terrorist bases and safe havens.
What report says?
§ Pakistan is placed on top of the list of countries with the highest number of terrorist bases
and safe havens to Afghan Taliban and Lashkar-e-Taiba which poses the maximum threat
to international security.
§ The significant number of terrorist groups based in Afghanistan was operating with the
support of Pakistan.
§ Terrorism interlinked with the rise of competitive extremism of all shades, misuse of
weapons of mass destruction and economic disruptions can undermine human progress.
§ Most of the world’s terrorist groups are motivated by their own interpretation of ideology.

About ‘Humanity at Risk - Global Terror Threat Indicant report’
§ The report has been prepared jointly by the Oxford University and Strategic foresight Group
to discuss the security challenges in the next decade, presents an analytical framework for
policymakers to tackle terrorism.
Implication to India
§ In Pakistan, most of the terror groups are based in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (POK), Quetta
and Baluchistan, Punjab and Sindh, which are close to Indian border.
§ The Pakistan terrorist group has helping the several banned terrorist organization which
are unhappy with Indian government like ULFA in Assam, thus threatening internal
security.
§ They pose challenges to Indian security forces in maintaining the peace and stability in
border and sensitive areas especially in Kashmir valley.

IEDs from Myanmar
Why in news?
§ As much as 30 Intensive Explosive devices (IED) has been recovered in Manipur, which is
alleged to have been brought in by the insurgents from Myanmar.
More on the issue
§ While the intensity of Manipur’s decades- old insurgency has been contained, with security
 forces ensuring there are no insurgent camps left in the State, militants continue to take
advantage of the hilly terrain and porous border with Myanmar to carry out attacks with
IEDs and sophisticated weapons, army officials said.
§ Manipur has become a key centre as the Asian Highway 1 will link India to the Association of
South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) through Moreh.
§ In addition, Manipur and Myanmar have a 16-km Free Movement Regime along the border
which allows local residents to move freely.
§ Since India and Myanmar has a porous border, the army officials stressed the need to be
vigilant of this border to avoid increased insurgency.
About improvised explosive device (IED)
§ An improvised explosive device (IED) is a bomb constructed and deployed in ways other
than in conventional military action.
§ It may be constructed of conventional military explosives, such as an artillery shell, attached
to a detonating mechanism. IEDs are commonly used as roadside bombs.
§ IEDs are generally seen in heavy terrorist actions or in asymmetric unconventional warfare
by insurgent guerrillas or commando forces in a theatre of operations.

INTER-STATE SECURITY
NSCN
National Socialist Council of Nagaland
§ The National Socialist Council of Nagaland (abbreviated NSCN) is a Greater Naga
Revolutionist, Christian Naga nationalist insurgent group operating mainly in Northeast
India, with minor activities in northwest Myanmar (Burma) until2012.
§ The main goal of the organization is to establish a sovereign Naga state, "Nagalim", which
would consist of all the areas inhabited by the Naga people in Northeast India and
Northwest Myanmar.
§ According to the NSCN manifesto, their slogan is "Nagaland for Christ". The group is accused
of kidnapping, assassination, forced conversion and committing terrorist activities.
§ It is split into two groups: NSCN (K) lead by Khaplang and the other as NSCN(I-M) led by
Isak and Muviah.
Why in the news?
§ As a result of ’removing any Indian element’ in the NSCN(K), a reference to those who
were born in India in the group, the group impeached its chairman Konyak for supposed
violation of party discipline along with several others.

Kuki-Naga Conflict
Kuki-Naga conflict
§ Manipur is home to three major groups: Kuki, Naga, and Meitei.
 § While Meiteis want territorial integrity of the State to be maintained, Kukis and Nagas are
calling for separate administrative arrangements in the hill areas — Kukis for a Kukiland
and Nagas for Greater Nagalim comprising all contiguous Naga-inhabited areas, which
includes several districts of Assam, Arunachal and Manipur, as also a large tract of
Myanmar.
§ Ethnic violence from 1992 to 1997 between the two ethnic groups resulted in the death
of over 1,000 people, destruction of thousands of homes, and the displacement of tens of
thousands of people. While the physical violence has ceased, tensions still linger.
How did it start?
§ The biggest bone of contention is land. The Kuki National Front (KNF), later joined by the
Kuki National Organisation (KNO), is demanding that a Kukiland be carved out of the five
hill districts of Manipur: Churachandpur, Chandel, Senapati, Tamenglong and Ukhrul.
§ The demand for Kukiland is a direct challenge to the demand for Greater Nagalim by the
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN-IM).
§ The Kukis claim the violence unleashed by the NSCN-IM killed more than 1,000 of their
tribes people and displaced more than 1,00,000 people internally between 1992 and
1996.
Why in News?
§ Recently, the NSCN-IM has denied the accusation by the Kuki tribal group that it was
responsible for ethnic cleansing in Manipur more than two decades ago. It held that the
conflict in the 1990s was started by the Kukis.

Naxals
Who is a Naxal?
§ A Naxal or Naxalite is a member of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Why in news?
§ The Pune police have arrested several activists for alleged links with the Communist Party
of India-Maoists.
About Naxals
§ The term Naxal derives from the name of the village Naxalbari in West Bengal, where the
movement had its origin.
§ Naxalites are considered far-left radical communists, supportive of Maoist political
sentiment and ideology.
§ Naxalite movement was started by Charu Majumdar, Kanu Sanyal and Jangal Santhal in
West Bengal in 1967 under the banner of Communist Party of India (Marxist), the
movement has changed many banners over the past four decades and is now called the CPI
(Maoist), which is a banned organization in the country.
§ Maoism, is a political theory derived from the teachings of the Chinese political leader
MaoZedong, whose followers are known as Maoists
§ Greyhounds are elite commando force that specializes in anti-insurgency operations
against Naxals and Maoists and also expert in jungle warfare with operational jurisdiction
in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Formation of Maoist Party in India
§ In 2004, several Maoist groups merged to form the Communist Party of India (Maoist),
which is now the largest left-wing extremist organization in the country.
§ Their aim is to overthrow the state and usher in a classless society.
§ The Maoists are banned in India. They are different from the mainstream communist
parties in India like Communist Party of India (Marxist–Leninist), who regularly get
elected to legislatures and parliament.
Where are Maoists active in India?
§ Maoists are mostly active in what has come to be known as the "red corridor" from
Andhra Pradesh in the south to West Bengal in the east.
Organizational structure of Maoists
§ Each unit within the structure has a clear- cut role and prescribed area of operation.
§ The core body is the central committee (CC). The CC is supported by the polit bureau (PB)
and the central military commission (CMC).
§ The CC is supported by the four regional bureaus — central, east, north and south. Each
of the bureaus and the zonal committees is headed by a CC member.
§ Under the zonal committees, there are regional committees which are further divided
into divisional committees, area committees and finally the local area committees,
which focus on one or two tribal villages each.
Red Corridor
§ Red corridor region is demarcated by the union government to notify the districts which
are affected by left wing extremism.
§ It is spanning across 106 districts in 10 States, namely Bihar, Jharkhand, Andhra
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Telangana, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
and Chhattisgarh.
The three main categories based on naxal influence are:
§ Severely affected - Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Bihar
§ Partially affected - West Bengal, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh
§ Slightly affected - Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh

Bastar Dialogue
What is the Bastar Dialogue?
§ Around 150 people, from various States affected by the Maoist insurgency, undertook a
186-km long ‘Peace Padyatra’ (peace march) to appeal to “all sides to give peace a chance.”
§ The marchers symbolically walked the same path that the Maoists took in 1980 to enter
the Dandakarnya forest.
§ The Dandakarnya forest is spread across six states in central India and has been the
epicenter of operation of the Maoist movement. This march also seeks to appeal to Maoists
to drop arms and tread the path of non-violence to put across their demands.
Why in News?
§ The Bastar Dialogue, aimed at furthering peace in the Red Corridor, concluded in
Jagdalpur on Saturday with the passing of a resolution and finalizing a roadmap towards
achieving peace in the Dandakaranya region.
Alternative Peace Process
§ While one of the ideas of this march is to appeal to Maoists to drop their arms, however,
the motive of the march goes much beyond just that. It is being referred to as an
"alternative peace process".
§ It is aimed at creating a platform for the Adivasi community to raise their issues. Also,
there are plans to provide the community with a solution to improve their livelihood using
the traditional skills and knowledge they have.

Ceasefire ends
What is ceasefire?
§ Ceasefire is a temporary stoppage of a war in which each side agrees with the other to
suspend aggressive actions.
§ Ceasefires may be declared as part of a formal treaty, but they have also been called as
part of an informal understanding between opposing forces.
Why in news?
§ The government has decided not to extend the suspension of operations (Operation All
Out) in Jammu and Kashmir and that operations against terrorists would resume.
§ The Hurriyat leaders staunchly oppose the centre’s moves of recalling the ceasefire.
Who are Hurriyat?
§ All Parties Hurriyat Conference (APHC) is an alliance of 26 political, social and religious
organizations
§ Formed on March 9, 1993, as a united political front to raise the cause of Kashmiri
separatism.
§ This alliance has historically been viewed positively by Pakistan as it contests the claim
of the Indian government over the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Pellet gun
What is a pellet gun?
§ An air gun which fires using pellets instead of bullets
§ An air gun uses compressed air to launch its projectile, unlike a fire arm which uses
chemical reactions.
What about those ‘Pellets’?
§ A cartridge of a pellet gun contains few hundred pellets made of Lead. Pellets can be of
various shapes either like ball bearings or irregular.
§ These pellets, once fired they disperse in huge numbers and don’t follow a definite path.
§ They penetrate the skin’s soft tissues, and eye being the delicate structure is the most
vulnerable to damage.
§ Once the pellet goes inside an eye it shatters tissues and causes multiple damages to all
parts of the eye.

Who manufactures them?
§ Pellet guns are manufactured at the Ordinance Factory, Ishapore.
Why are they used?
§ Pellet guns offer a form of non-lethal crowd control methods and are used by police and
military worldwide.
§ They are intended to injure individuals & cause pain. They are effective over short ranges
up to 500yards.
§ When fired from close quarters can be lethal, particularly when sensitive parts like eyes
are hit.
When were they introduced?
§ They were first introduced in August 2010 to the Jammu & Kashmir Police and Central
Reserve Police Force(CRPF)
Where were they used?
§ In LWE affected areas and in J&K.
§ In 2016, pellets guns were used on 777 instances, with more than 40 dead and a 100
blinded with thousands injured.
Why in news?
§ The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has directed the Centre to pay
compensation of Rs. 3 lakh to a Class XII student from West Bengal’s Nadia district who
was allegedly shot with pellet guns by the Border Security Force.

SECURITY FORCES AND AGENCIES

Comprehensive Integrated Border Management System
About CIBMS
§ The CIBMS provides for round-the- clock laser-guided surveillance of the borders.
§ It is a web of surveillance, communication and data storage devices. It will enable
surveillance during difficult weather conditions and reduce the need for physical
patrolling of the borders. It will rely on thermal imaging, infrared and laser-based
intruder alarms to stop infiltration.
What’s in the news?
§ Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the first phase of comprehensive
integrated border management system (CIBMS) also known as "smart fencing" along
the India-Pakistan International Border (IB) in Jammu.
§ Initially the CIBMS project will be implemented to cover gaps in the physical fencing on
the border and subsequently these technological solutions will be implemented on the
entire 2026 km vulnerable border areas.


Operation All out
What is Operation All Out?
§ Operation All-Out is a joint offensive launched by Indian security forces started in 2017 to
flush out militants and terrorists in Kashmir until peace returns.
§ Operation All-Out includes the Indian Army, CRPF, Jammu and Kashmir Police, BSF and IB. It
was launched against numerous militant groups including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-
Mohammed, Hizbul Mujahideen and Al-Badr.
§ The operation All Out was initiated with the consent of Ministry of Home Affairs,
Government of India following the unrest in 2016 due to the death of Burhan Wani and
subsequent militant and terrorist attacks in the region.
Why in news?
§ The operations were suspended during the month of Ramadan.
§ Post Ramadan, government has decided to start phase 2 of Operation All Out citing the
continuance of violence in the valley.
Other Security Operation in J & K
§ Other operations include humanitarian missions such as Operation Megh Rahat .
§ Operations with a social aim such as Operation Goodwill and Operation Calm Down.
§ Operation Sarp Vinash is another security operation in J&K same as Operation All Out.

Central Monitoring System
Why in news?
§ Ten years after the 26\11 terror strikes, Maharashtra is better placed to benefit from real-
time, actionable intelligence, processed through its Central Monitoring System (CMS) and the
Lawful Interception System (LIS).
CMS
§ The Central Monitoring System, abbreviated to CMS, is a centralized telephone interception
provisioning system installed by the Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), an
Indian Government owned telecommunications technology development centre, and
operated by Telecom Enforcement Resource and Monitoring (TERM).
About the news
§ The successful implementation of the CMS with inclusion of the Location Area Code (LAC),Cell
Identification (CI) and Call Data Record (CDR) has enhanced the intelligence collection
abilities of the State in the past few years.
§ Senior officials of the State Intelligence said implementation of the CMS and LIM have helped
agencies get full data without any hindrances from Telecom Service Providers (TSPs).


DEFENCE
Security Dornier Aircraft
What it is?
§ The aircraft is a lightweight with a wide range of operating speeds and the fuel efficiency
uniquely made to operate from smaller airfields.
§ The Dornier 228 has quick role changing capability including Maritime Patrol & Surveillance;
Pollution Contingency; Search & Rescue; and Medical Evacuation.
§ Hindustan Aeronautics limited(HAL) holds the license to locally produce the Dornier-228
aircraft.

Why in News?
§ The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) approves the state of art technological upgradation
of 17 Dorniers Aircraft of Indian Coast Guard (ICG) carried out by the HAL.
What are the Advantages?
§ The approval of this aircraft with state-of- the-art technology, spares, Special Maintenance
Tools (SMT) and Special Test Equipment (STE) strengthens the fleet keeping and to face the
ICG emerging challenges in water.
§ The upgrade allows the new state-of-art equipment such as surveillance radar, pollution
surveillance system, satellite communication etc. to be fitted on-board as per the request of
Indian Navy.
About Indian Coast Guard (ICG)
§ ICG is a nodal agency for maritime pollution response and its primary role is to protect the
National interests in maritime zones of India, which entails the surveillance of sea areas of
India’s exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
§ The Coast Guard has Dornier 228 of twin- engine turboprop, highly versatile multi mission
maritime patrol aircraft.

Types of Aircraft in Indian Armed Force
Fighter/Attack Aircrafts
Aircrafts Origin Role
Sukhoi-30 MKI Russia Air Superiority Fighter
Mig-29 UPG Russia Air Superiority Fighter
Mirage-2000H France Multirole Fighter Aircraft
Mig-27 Russia Ground Attack Aircraft
SEPECAT Jaguar France-Britain Ground Attack Aircraft
Mig-21 Russia Interceptor Aircraft
HAL Tejas India Multirole Fighter Aircraft
Dassault Rafale France Multirole Fighter Aircraft
Indian Coast Guards
 Helicopters/Aircrafts Origin Role
HAL Chetak France/India Light Utility Helicopter
HAL Dhruv France/India Light Utility Helicopter
Dornier Do-228 Germany/India Light Transport Aircraft



INS Tarangini
What is INS Tarangini?
§ INS Tarangini is a three masted 'square rigged' Braque which carries a total of 20 sails.
§ She is the First Sail Training Ship in Indian Navy and was commissioned on 11 Nov 1997.
§ She is the first of two Sail Training Ships in the First Training Squadron, the other being INS
Sudarshini.
§ The primary role of these Sail Training Ships is to develop character and professionalism,
amongst the Sea Trainees and also impart practical training to them, primarily on navigation,
sailing and seamanship.
§ INS Tarangini has been extensively deployed for long voyages away from her base port of
Kochi, which includes one circumnavigation of the globe (2003-04) and three previous
‘Lokayans’ (2005, 2007 and 2015)
Why in news?
§ The sail training ship of Indian Navy, INS Tarangini based at Kochi, returned after a seven
month long “Lokayan 18” voyage across the world, Kochi on 30 Oct 18.
About Lokayan 18:
§ Lokayan 18 was voyage made by the INS Tarangini , which was flagged off on 10 April 2018
from Kochi, during voyage, the Ship proudly showed the flag and highlighted the diverse
culture of India across 15 ports in 13 countries.
§ The voyage of the ship sailed across the Arabian Sea, Red Sea, Suez Canal, Mediterranean Sea,
Strait of Gibraltar, North Atlantic Ocean, Bay of Biscay, English Channel and North Sea, right
up to Norway before commencing her homeward passage back to Kochi.
§ In course of voyage ship also participated in the culminating event of the ‘Three Festival Tall
Ships Regatta’ at Bordeaux, France. As well as the ‘Tall Ships Races Europe 2018’ which
started at Sunderland, UK and touched Esbjerg, Denmark and Stavanger, Norway before
finishing at Harlingen, Netherlands.

INS Arihant
Why in news?
§ Prime Minister felicitates crew of INS Arihant on completion of Nuclear Triad.

About INS Arihant:
§ INS Arihant is nuclear submarine capable of carrying nuclear ballistic missiles.
 § It belongs to class referred to as Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear (SSBN).
§ It was built with Russia’s help under Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project started in
the 1980s.
§ It weighs 6000 tonnes and is 112 metre long.
§ It is powered by 83 MW pressurized light water nuclear reactor with enriched uranium fuel.
§ It is armed with the K-15 Sagarika missiles with a range of 750 km. Later to be armed with
much longer range K-4 missiles (3,500 km range) being developed by DRDO.
§ With its induction, India has completed its nuclear triad.
§ The Arihant is harder to detect than India’s nuclear weapons platforms on land and in the air,
giving it a “second-strike” capability.
What is Nuclear Triad?
§ A nuclear triad is a three-pronged military force structure that consists of land- launched
nuclear missiles, nuclear-missile- armed submarines and strategic aircraft with nuclear
bombs and missiles.
§ Specifically, these components are land- based intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs),
strategic bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs).
§ The purpose of having this three-branched nuclear capability is to significantly reduce the
possibility that an enemy could destroy all of a nation's nuclear forces in a first-strike attack.
§ This, in turn, ensures a credible threat of a second strike, and thus increases a nation's nuclear
deterrence.
About Ballistic Missile
§ A ballistic missile/projectile is one which follows “ballistic trajectory”.
§ The ballistic trajectory is the path followed by the projectile (missile) after thrust forces
(propulsion) stop and the projectile are only acted upon by gravity and friction (drag
forces).
§ A ballistic missile is guided in the initial phase, i.e. lift off, while the rest of the trajectory is
dependent on gravity and require minimal guidance.
§ They have very long range,as they travel above the atmosphere, experience less drag and
use gravity and earth’s rotation.
§ They are highly fuel efficient. Their pay load carrying capacity is significantly more than
cruise missiles.

Rafale fighter’s maiden flight
Why in news?
§ The first Rafale aircraft made by Dassault aviation for IAF made its maiden flight on Oct 30th
in France.
About Rafale flight
§ The Dassault Rafale is a French twin- engine, multirole fighter aircraft designed and built
by Dassault Aviation.
§ Equipped with a wide range of weapons, the Rafale is intended to perform air supremacy,
aerial reconnaissance, ground support, in-depth strike, anti-ship strike and nuclear
deterrence missions.
§ It has 'Omni role' capability to perform several actions at the same time, such as firing air-
to-air missiles at a very low altitude, air-to-ground, and interceptions.
§ The aircraft is fitted with an on-board oxygen generation system (OBOGS).


Army fire power –M777, K-9,6*6 Vehicle.
Why in news?
§ India added another marking milestone towards capacity building and capability
enhancement of the Indian Army. The Defence Minister dedicated the globally combat
proven M777 A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, K-9 Vajra-Tracked Self Propelled Guns and 6x6
Filed Artillery Tractors to the service of the Nation.
More on the news
§ Emerging from the shadow of the Bofors scandal, the Army inducted its first artillery gun
systems in three decades.
§ The M777 Ultra-Light Howitzers from U.S. and K9 Vajra-T self-propelled artillery gun from
South Korea were inducted in Maharashtra.
§ The common gun tower, a 6x6 vehicle with cross-country capability are made by the Indian
company Ashok Leyland.
§ The M777 brings a new level of capability to the artillery unit by offering rapid deployment
and extreme accuracy.The M777 is a 155-mm, 39-calibre towed artillery gun. It weighs just
four tonnes, making it transportable under slung from helicopters.
§ The K9 Vajra-T is a 155-mm, 52-calibre self-propelled gun with a maximum range of 40
km. It has been customized from the original K9 Thunder. Its fire control system has been
customised for desert conditions.

IONS Anniversary
What is IONS?
§ The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is an important regional maritime security
initiative launched by India in February 2008.
§ IONS aims to generate a flow of information among naval professionals which results in
understanding and developing agreements in the view to tackle common concerns.
§ The outcomes of the discussions could thereafter be implemented through agreements to
enhance of regional maritime security.
Why in News?
§ The 10th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) started with
release of the ‘Special Cover’ by the Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Sunil Lanba, PVSM, AVSM,
ADC on 13 Nov 18 at Lulu International Convention Centre, Kochi.
§ Chiefs of Navies of Bangladesh, Iran, Japan, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique,
and Netherlands, South Africa and the UAE as well as senior delegates from 16 other IONS
member nations attended the IONS anniversary celebrations.

INDRA 2018
Why in News?
§ INDRA military exercise (IND- India & RA- Russia) is a bi-annual military exercise among
both the nations since 2003. This time they are commencing in Uttar Pradesh from 18 Nov
2018 under the aegis of UN.
§ The aim of the exercise is to practice joint planning and to enhance interoperability of the
two Armies in the peacekeeping/ enforcement environment under the aegis of the UN.
§ The major focus of field exercise is to share best practices among both the militaries.The
topics chosen for the exercise are both live and contemporary affecting both the nation alike.

DHARMA GUARDIAN – 2018
Why in News?
§ After naval exercises, India and Japan had their first land-based joint military exercise
between Indian Army (6/1 Gorkha Rifles) and Japan’s Ground Self-Defence Force (GSDF) in
Mizoram which concluded on 15 Nov.
§ The primary focus of the exercise was to train and equip the contingents to undertake joint
counter-insurgency and counter-terrorist operations in urban and semi urban terrain and it
also involved training on handling of improvised explosive devices.
§ The exercise represents the continuing expansion of the military-to-military relationship
between New Delhi and Tokyo.

SIMBEX exercise
About Singapore
§The country of Singapore consists of one main island (small and extensively urbanized)
present extreme south of Malay Peninsula, as well as consists over 60 small islands (islets).
§ The highest point of Singapore is Bukit Timah at only 545 ft. (166 m). Johor strait separates
Singapore and Malaysia and Singapore Strait separates Singapore and Indonesia.
SIMBEX naval exercise
§ It was started in 1994 as anti-submarine warfare exercise; today it has become a gesture of
trust and cooperation. The two countries are strategic partners and Act East policy also
extends mutual logistical support and gives India access to the Changi naval base.
§ SIMBEX-2018 was the 25th naval exercise and was the largest of all the previous exercises,
which undertook in extended geography i.e, in Andaman Sea and Bay of Bengal.
 § 7 Ships from Indian side and 5 ships from Singapore side participated in the exercise which
had 4 phases. Harbour phase I was conducted in Port Blair, Sea phase in Andaman Sea,
Harbour Phase II in Visakhapatnam (cultural activities, 10km friendship run) and last sea
phase in Bay of Bengal.
Other Bilateral Military Exercise
NAVAL Exercise
SL No Name of the Partner Country/Countries Details
Exercise
1. IBSAMAR South Africa and Brazil It’s a joint naval exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
February in Goa.

2. SLINEX Sri Lanka It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
October 2015 in Sril Lanka.

3. RIPMAC Around 25 nations, including It’s the world's largest
the USA, the UK, China and international maritime
France. exercise.
It is held under the leadership of
the USA. The recent exercise
was held in June 2016 in Hawaii.

4. Sahyog- Kaijin Japan It’s a joint exercise between
the coast guards of two
countries.
The recent exercise was held in
January 2016 in Chennai.

5. Malabar The USA and Japan
It’s a joint naval exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
July 2017 in the Bay of Bengal.

6. AUSINDEX Australia It’s a joint naval exercise.
The recent exercise was held
along the coast of Australia in
June 2017.

7. SIMBEX Singapore It’s a joint naval exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
May 2017 in the South China
Sea.

8. IND–INDO CORPAT Indonesia It’s a joint naval exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
May 2017 at Port Blair



 KONKAN United Kingdom It’s a joint naval exercise.
9. The recent exercise was held in
December 2016 in Mumbai.



Army and Air Force Exercise
10. Nomadic Elephant Mongolia It’s a joint exercise between
two armies.

11. Surya Kiran Nepal It’s a joint exercise between
two armies.
The recent exercise was held in
March in 2017 in Uttarakhand.


12. Al-Nagah Oman It’s a joint army exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
March 2017 in Himachal
Pradesh.


13. EKUVERIN Maldives It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
December 2017 in the Maldives.


INDRA Russia It refers to joint exercises
14. conducted between army,
navy and air force.
The recent INDRA Navy was held
in December 2016 in the Bay of
Bengal

15. Hand in Hand China It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
November 2016 in Pune.

16. Mitra Shakti Sri Lanka It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
October 2016 in Sri Lanka.

17. Maitree Thailand It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
July 2016 in Thailand.


18. Yudh Abhyas The USA It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
September 2016 in
Uttarakhand.


19. SAMPRITI Bangladesh It’s a joint military exercise.
 The recent exercise was held in
November 2016 in Dhaka.


20. Garuda Shakti Indonesia It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
March 2016 in Indonesia.

21. Lamitye Seychelles It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was
conducted in March 2016 in the
Seychelles.

22. PRABAL DOSTYK Kazakhstan It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
September 2016 in Kazakhstan.

23. SHAKTI France It’s a joint military exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
January 2016 in Rajasthan.

24. Indradhanush The United Kingdom It’s a bilateral air exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
August 2015 in Britain.

25. Desert Eagle United Arab Emirates It’s a joint air combat exercise.
The recent exercise was held in
May-June 2016 in Abu Dhabi.