Test: Current Affairs (Defence) - Software Development MCQ

The correct answer is Agni-5.

Key Points

• India successfully test-fired surface-to-surface ballistic missile Agni - V, on 27 October 2021.
• The missile, which uses 3-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of striking targets at ranges up to 5,000 km with a very high degree of accuracy.
• It was launched from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast.

Important Points

• Developed by DRDO, Agni - V is a nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile..
• ​It is about 17-metre long, 2-metre wide and has launch weight of around 50 tonnes.
• The missile can carry a nuclear warhead of more than one tonne. 
• Unlike other missiles of Agni series, the latest one 'Agni - V' is the most advanced having some new technologies incorporated with it in terms of navigation and guidance, warhead and engine.
• The redundant navigation systems, very high accuracy Ring Laser Gyro based Inertial Navigation System (RINS) and the most modern and accurate Micro Navigation System (MINS) had ensured the Missile reach the target point within a few metres of accuracy.
• India has at present in its armoury of Agni series: Agni-1 with 700 km range, Agni-2 with 2,000 km range, Agni-3 and Agni-4 with 2,500 km to more than 3500 km range.

Additional Information

The correct answer is Sanjay Vatsayan.

Key Points

• Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan assumed charge as Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command on 16 Dec 21.
• He commanded the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam from Feb 2020 to Feb 2021.
• He was Deputy Commandant and Chief Instructor of the National Defence Academy before assuming charge as the Chief of Staff, ENC, on promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral.

Important Points

• Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, Naval War College, Mumbai and the National Defence College, New Delhi.
• He is a Gunnery & Missile systems specialist.
• He has commanded an Indian Coast Guard Inshore Patrol Vessel, missile vessels Vibhuti and Nashak, the guided-missile corvette Kuthar and has also been the commissioning Commanding Officer the indigenously constructed state-of-the-art stealth frigate Sahyadri.
• His important staff assignments include Joint Director of Personnel, Director of Personnel (Policy), Director Naval Plans (Perspective Planning), and Principal Director Naval Plans at Integrated Headquarters Ministry of Defence.

Additional Information

• Recent Defence related Appointments:
  • In December 2021, Rear Admiral Sandeep Mehta has assumed office as the Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA), Mumbai.
  • Vice Admiral Biswajit Dasgupta assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C), Eastern Naval Command (ENC) on 1 December 2021.
  • Vice Admiral M.A. Hampiholi assumed charge as the 29th Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, on 30 Nov 2021.
  • Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Mago has taken over as the 34th Commandant of National Defence College (NDC), New Delhi.
  • The government has appointed Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar as the next Chief of the Naval Staff in November 2021.
  • In November 2021, Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan has assumed charge as Chief of Staff of Western Naval Command.

The correct answer is Option 2.

In News

• ‘Sandhayak’, the first of the four Survey Vessels (Large) project being built for the Indian Navy, was launched in Kolkata on December 05, 2021.

Key Points

• These Vessels have been designed and developed by Defence Public Sector Undertaking, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Limited, which is among the leading warship building companies in India.
• These survey ships are capable of full scale coastal & deep-water hydrographic survey of Ports & Harbour approaches and determination of navigational channels & routes.
• These ships are also capable of undertaking survey of maritime limits and collection of Oceanographic & Geographical data for Defence applications, thus boosting the maritime capabilities of the country.
• These ships are propelled by two Marine Diesel Engines combined with Fixed Pitch Propellers and fitted with Bow & Stern Thrusters for maneuvering at low speeds during surveys.

The correct answer is ​Thailand.

Key Points

• India and Thailand began the 32nd edition of coordinated patrols (CORPAT) on 12 November 2021.
• The aim is to reinforce maritime links between the two countries and keep a vital section of the Indian Ocean securely open for international trade.
• The two navies have been undertaking coordinated patrols bi-annually since 2005 along their International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).

Important Points

• The Indian Navy's indigenously built missile corvette Karmuk and Thailand's anti-submarine patrol vessel Tayanchon participated in the CORPAT.

Additional Information

•  About Thailand:
  • Capital: Bangkok
  • Currency: Thai baht
  • India and Thailand are members of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC).

The correct answer is Kolkata.
Key Points

• ‘Swarnim Vijay Gatha’ was organized at Victoria Memorial, Kolkata on 16th December 2021.
• It also marked the culmination of celebrations of Swarnim Vijay Varsh.
• An exclusive anthem has been composed for the occasion called Vijaya Bhava
• The symphonic military band of Eastern Command also performed patriotic and martial tunes.

Additional Information

• Vijay Diwas is observed every year on 16 December.
• The day celebrates India’s Operation Vijay's historic military victory against Pakistan in the 1971 war; which also liberated Bangladesh from Pakistan.
• The chief of the Pakistani forces, General Amir Abdullah Khan Niazi surrendered to the joint forces of Indian Army and Bangladesh's Mukti Bahini, along with 93,000 Pakistani troops.

Confusion Points

• Kargil Vijay Diwas:
  • It is celebrated every year on July 26.
  • It marks the successful completion of "Operation Vijay" that ended the 3-month war along the Line of Control.
  • The Kargil war took place between May and July of 1999 in Jammu and Kashmir's Kargil district against the Pakistani Armed Forces.
  • The Indian Army declared the mission successful on July 26, 1999.

The correct answer is INS Tabar.

Key Points

• The Indian and Algerian navies conducted their first-ever naval exercise off the coast of Algeria on August 29, 2021.
• INS Tabar represented India.
• The landmark exercise held off the Algerian coast, saw the participation of a frontline Algerian warship, 'Ezzadjer'.
• As part of the exercise, diverse activities including coordinated manoeuvring, communication procedures and steam past were undertaken between the Indian and Algerian warships.
• The exercise enabled the two navies to understand the concept of operations followed by each other, enhanced interoperability and opened the possibility of increasing interaction and collaboration between them in future.
• INS Tabar is the third of the Talwar-class frigate of the Indian Navy.

The correct answer is MiG-29.

Key Points

• Russia has handed over to India a commercial offer to deliver 21 MiG-29 fighters.
• The Indian Air Force staff received a tender request for the supply of 21 aircraft in 2021.
• The Air Force has three squadrons of the MiG-29s, a twin-engine single-seat air superiority fighter aircraft, which have been undergoing upgrades for extended life and are considered reliable in the air defence roles.
• In 2020, the Defense Ministry gave its approval to the Indian Air Force to speedily procure 21 MiG-29 fighter jets besides 12 Sukhoi MK1 from Russia.

The correct answer is INS Karmuk.

Key Points

• INS Karmuk is participating in the 3rd edition of India, Singapore, and Thailand Trilateral Maritime Exercise SITMEX – 21, from 15-16 November 2021 in Andaman Sea.
• It is being conducted annually since 2019 with an aim to enhance mutual inter-operability.
• The first SITMEX was hosted by the Indian Navy off Port Blair in September 2019.
• The Republic of Singapore Navy hosted the 2nd edition in November 2020.

Important Points

• ​Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is being represented by RSS Tenacious, a Formidable Class Frigate and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) by His Majesty’s Thailand Ship (HTMS) Thayanchon, a Khamrosin Class Anti-submarine Patrol Craft.
• The exercise is being conducted as a ‘non-contact, at sea only’ exercise in view of COVID-19 restrictions and highlights growing synergy, coordination and cooperation in the maritime domain between the three friendly navies.
• The two days of maritime drills will witness the three navies engaged in a various tactical exercises including naval manoeuvres and surface warfare drills.

Additional Information

• INS Karmuk, a 1,350-tonne guided missile corvette, in active service with the Indian Navy.
• It was launched in April 2001.

The correct answer is France.

In News

• The 6th Edition of the biennial training exercise “EX SHAKTI 2021” is being conducted from 15 to 26 November 2021 in Frejus, France.

Key Points

• A platoon strength of a Gorkha Rifles Infantry Battalion is representing the Indian Army in this bilateral exercise and the French side is being represented by troops of 21st Marine Infantry Regiment of 6th Light Armoured Brigade.
• Exercise SHAKTI will focus on Counter-Terrorism operations in the backdrop of semi-urban terrain under the United Nations Mandate with an aim to enhance military cooperation and interoperability between the two Armies.
• The last edition of Exercise SHAKTI was conducted at Foreign Training Node in Mahajan Field Firing Ranges, Rajasthan from 31 Oct to 13 Nov 2019.
• India and France carry out three biennial training exercises namely, Exercise GARUDA with Indian Airforce, Exercise VARUNA with Indian Navy and Exercise SHAKTI with Indian Army.

The correct answer is Karnataka.

Key Points

• The 13th edition of Aero India was held in Bangalore Karnataka.
• This event was a five-day event but was cut short to three days as two public days have been cut down due to COVID-19 norms.
  • It had a combination of both physical and virtual exhibitions.
  • The time span of the exercise is February 3rd to 5th.
  • An MoU was signed by the Union and the State governments ​for active participation, shared responsibility, and synchronization.
  • Comes under the Ministry of Defence.
    • ​Minister: Rajnath Singh.

Important Points 

• About Aero India:
  • Aero India exhibition is organized every alternate year.
  • It is one of the major exhibitions for the aerospace and defence industries with a public air show.
  • It enables industry professionals to gain market insights, announce new developments and gain media coverage.
  • Aero India offers a unique platform to the international aviation sector to bolster business.

Additional Information

• About Karnataka: (as of Aug 2021)
  • CM: Basavaraj Bommai
  • ​Governor: Thawar Chand Gehlot
  • No of constituency: 17th Lok Sabha 28.