Current Affairs: Stay up to date with the latest developments in India’s defence sector and military affairs with our comprehensive roundup of the most important events from the second week of January 2024. From DRDO’s successful missile test to international military exercises and significant milestones like Army Day and Parakram Diwas, this article covers the crucial news and updates shaping India’s defence landscape. Read on for key insights on global rankings, special forces exercises, and cutting-edge military projects.
JANUARY 2ND WEEK CURRENT AFFAIRS CDSE & OTA
- DRDO conducted a successful flight-test of the New Generation AKASH (AKASH-NG) missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur off the coast of Odisha at 1030 hrs on January 12, 2024. The flight-test was conducted against a high-speed unmanned aerial target at very low altitude. During the flight-test, the target was successfully intercepted by the weapon system and destroyed. The flight-test was witnessed by senior officials from DRDO, IAF, Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), and Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The AKASH-NG system is a state-of-the-art missile system capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats.
- An Indian Air Force An-32 aircraft (registration K-2743) had gone missing over the Bay of Bengal on 22 July 2016 during an op mission. 29 Personnel were on board this flight. Large scale Search and Rescue operations by aircraft and ships could not locate any missing personnel or the aircraft debris. The National Institute of Ocean Technology which functions under the aegis of the Ministry of Earth Sciences, had recently deployed an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) with deep-sea exploration capability at the last known location of the missing An-32. This search was conducted at a depth of 3400 m using multiple payloads, including a multi-beam SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging), synthetic aperture SONAR, and high-resolution photography. The search images were scrutinized and found to be conforming with an An-32 aircraft. This discovery at the probable crash site, with no other recorded history of any other missing aircraft report in the same area, points to the debris as possibly belonging to the crashed IAF An-32 (K-2743).
- The country is celebrating the 76th Indian Army Day on January 15 with the main parade being held in Lucknow for the first time. Traditionally, the parade was conducted at Delhi Cantonment every year. The President, who is the Supreme Commander of the Armed forces, in her address to the Indian Army said, “I extend my warm felicitations to the Indian Army on the occasion of Army Day 2024.” Army Day is celebrated on this day to remember General (later Field Marshal) KM Cariappa taking over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir FRR Bucher, the last British Commander-in-Chief in 1949. He became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of Independent India.
- The eighth Tri-services Armed Forces Veterans Day was celebrated on January 14. This day is celebrated every year in a bid to offer “respect and recognition of the services” and sacrifices rendered by the Veterans. Armed Forces Veterans’ Day is celebrated on 14th January every year to recognize the service rendered by the First Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal KM Cariappa, who retired on this day in 1953. The day was first celebrated in 2016, and it is commemorated every year since by hosting such interactive events in the honor of the Ex-Servicemen.
- The maiden Bilateral Maritime Exercise between the Indian Navy (IN) and Royal Thai Navy (RTN) was conducted from 20 to 23 December 2023. Indigenously built Indian Naval ships Kulish and IN LCU 56 participated in the inaugural edition of the exercise. The RTN side was represented by His Thai Majesty’s Ship (HTMS) Prachuap Khiri Khan. The 36th edition of India-Thailand Coordinated Patrol (Indo-Thai CORPAT) was also conducted along with the maiden bilateral exercise. Maritime Patrol Aircraft from both navies participated in the Sea Phase of the exercise. The Indo-Thai Bilateral Exercise is being named as ‘Ex-Ayutthaya’, which literally translates to ‘The Invincible One’ or ‘Undefeatable,’ and symbolizes the significance of two of the oldest cities, Ayodhya in India and Ayutthaya in Thailand.
- The DRDO is continuing with its project to further develop the Tapas medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) drone in which one of the three services has shown interest to use them around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands for operations. The Tapas drones being developed by the Aeronautical Development Establishment Laboratory have not been able to fully meet the Joint Services Qualitative Requirements of flying at 30,000 feet for over 24 hours at a stretch and have been excluded from the category of mission mode projects. The Tactical Airborne Platform for Aerial Surveillance-Beyond Horizon-201 or TAPAS BH-201 is a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle being developed in India by the Aeronautical Development Establishment on the lines of General Atomics MQ1 predator.
- The United States continues to have the most powerful military in the world, followed by Russia and China, according to the Global Firepower rankings 2024. India has the fourth strongest military globally, according to the index which evaluated the strength of 145 countries. According to the ranking, Pakistan is at number 9, while Bhutan has the least powerful military in the world. Notably, South Korea overtook the UK and became the fifth most powerful country in the world in terms of military strength. GFP also analyzed the defense budgets of the 145 countries. The US spends the most money on its military with a defense budget of $831 billion. It’s followed by China ($227 billion), Russia ($107 billion), and India ($74 million).
- Parakram Diwas is celebrated to commemorate the 127th birth anniversary of freedom fighter Subhas Chandra Bose. Subhash Chandra Bose Jayanti, officially known as Parakram Diwas, is celebrated every year on January 23. People commemorate Bose Jayanti, also known as Parakram Diwas, in remembrance of Netaji’s courage as one of India’s greatest liberation fighters. This year it will also be celebrated on 23rd January 2024. It aims to pay tribute to Indian heroes, several of whom had made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the sovereignty and integrity of India. Subhas Chandra Bose was born on 23rd January 1897, in Cuttack, Orissa Division, Bengal Province, to Prabhavati Dutt Bose and Janakinath Bose.
- The Indian Army contingent comprising 25 personnel reached Egypt to take part in the 2nd edition of India-Egypt Joint Special Forces Exercise CYCLONE. The Exercise will be conducted at Anshas, Egypt, from 22nd January to 1st February 2024. The first edition of the exercise was conducted last year in India. The Indian contingent is being represented by troops from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), and the Egyptian contingent comprising 25 personnel is being represented by Egyptian Commando Squadron and Egyptian Airborne Platoon.
- On 23 Jan 24, the IAF conducted Exercise Desert Knight along with French Air and Space Force and UAE Air Force. While the French participation included the Rafale fighter aircraft and a Multi-Role Tanker Transport, the UAE Air Force fielded the F-16. These aircraft operated from the Al Dhafra airbase in the UAE. The IAF contingent comprised of Su-30 MKI, MiG-29, Jaguar, AWACS, C-130-J, and Air to Air Refueller aircraft. The exercise in Indian FIR was conducted over the Arabian Sea, with IAF aircraft operating from bases within India. The main focus of Exercise Desert Knight was on enhancing synergy and interoperability between the three Air Forces. The interactions during the exercise facilitated the exchange of operational knowledge, experiences, and best practices amongst the participants. Such exercises are indicative of the growing diplomatic and military interactions in the region, apart from showcasing the prowess of the IAF.
- The inaugural edition of joint military exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ between India and Saudi Arabia will be held from January 29 to February 10 in Rajasthan, Army officials said. Taking to X, the Indian Army said, “JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE BETWEEN INDIA & SAUDI ARABIA. Exercise SadaTanseeq. The inaugural edition of Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ between India and Saudi Arabia will be held from 29 Jan to 10 Feb 2024 in Rajasthan. “The exercise aims to enhance synergy, interoperability, and joint Manship by learning & sharing best practices between the Armies of both nations,” the post added.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- What is the AKASH-NG missile, and why is it important?
The AKASH-NG is a next-generation surface-to-air missile developed by DRDO, capable of intercepting high-speed, agile aerial threats. It was successfully tested in January 2024 and is part of India’s advanced missile defense systems. - What was the significance of the Indian Army Day 2024?
The 76th Indian Army Day was celebrated in January 2024, with a historic parade in Lucknow. This day honors General KM Cariappa, the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, who took charge in 1949. - What is Parakram Diwas?
Parakram Diwas, celebrated on January 23 each year, commemorates the birth anniversary of Subhas Chandra Bose, one of India’s most prominent freedom fighters. It honors his courage and contributions to India’s independence movement. - What is the Indo-Thai Bilateral Maritime Exercise?
The first-ever India-Thailand Bilateral Maritime Exercise, named ‘Ex-Ayutthaya,’ took place in December 2023. The exercise focused on enhancing the maritime cooperation between the Indian Navy and the Royal Thai Navy. - What is Exercise Desert Knight?
Exercise Desert Knight was a joint exercise between the Indian Air Force, French Air and Space Force, and UAE Air Force, held in January 2024. It aimed to improve synergy and interoperability between the participating forces, focusing on operational knowledge exchange. - What is the focus of the India-Saudi Arabia joint military exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’?
The inaugural ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ joint military exercise between India and Saudi Arabia will be held in Rajasthan from January 29 to February 10, 2024. The exercise focuses on enhancing synergy, interoperability, and sharing best practices between the two nations’ armies. - What is the Tapas drone, and how is it being developed?
The Tapas drone is a medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle being developed by DRDO. It is designed for surveillance and reconnaissance missions and is being further developed for use in operations around the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. - How did India rank in the Global Firepower Military Rankings 2024?
India ranked as the fourth strongest military globally, according to the Global Firepower rankings 2024, following the US, Russia, and China. The ranking evaluates the military strength of 145 countries based on various factors including manpower, defense budgets, and equipment.
