SPR 2023 | IMPORTANT DEFENCE EXERCISES IN NEWS

Important Defence Exercises in News

Operation Desert Chase 

• Context:
  • Under this operation, Rajasthan Police arrested two civil defence employees in Jaipur based on Military Intelligence (MI) inputs that they had been passing on sensitive information to Pakistan's spy agency ISI.
• About:
  • It was the name of the Anti-espionage operation started by Military Intelligence (MI) in early 2019. It successfully culminated in June 2020 with the arrest of two men. Both were arrested under relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act, of 1923.

EX-Indra 2022

• About EX-Indra 2022
  • It is a joint, tri-services exercise between India and Russia.
  • This series of exercises began in 2003 and the First joint Tri-Services Exercise was conducted in 2017.
  • Company-sized mechanized contingents, fighter and transport aircraft, as well as ships of respective Army, Air Force, and Navy, participate in this exercise of ten days duration.

Exercise SLINEX

• Context: 
  • The Ninth Edition of India – Sri Lanka Bilateral Maritime Exercise SLINEX is scheduled at Visakhapatnam from 07 Mar to 10 Mar 2022.
  • The eighth edition of SLINEX was conducted off Trincomalee in October 2020.
• About:
  • It is a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy.
  • The Sri Lanka Navy will be represented by SLN Ships Sayura (Offshore Patrol Vessel) and Gajabahu (Training Ship).
  • The Indian Navy will be represented by ASW corvettes Kamorta and Kiltan.
  • The Indian Navy Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Chetak helicopter embarked onboard IN ships and Dornier Maritime Patrol Aircraft will also be participating.
  • It aims to enhance inter-operability, improve mutual understanding, and exchange best practices and procedures for multi-faceted maritime operations between both navies.

Malabar Excercise

• Context:
  • Recently, the Navies of the Quad (Quadrilateral Framework) Nations (India, the United States, Japan, and Australia) have participated in the 25th edition of the Malabar Exercise, which began off the coast of Guam in the Pacific Ocean.
• About:
  • It is an annual exercise between the navies of India, Japan, and the U.S. held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
  • It began in 1992 as a bilateral exercise between India and the U.S. It got permanently expanded into a trilateral format with the inclusion of Japan in 2015.
  • The four Navies would conduct a range of high-end training, including air-defence and anti-submarine exercises, aviation, communications, and at-sea replenishment between ships, a statement from the Australian Defence Ministry.

Exercise SITMAX-2022

• Context:
  • The Indian Navy is hosting the 29th edition of the Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise (SIMBEX) from 26 to 30 October 2022 at Visakhapatnam.
  • SIMBEX-2022 is being conducted in two phases – Harbour Phase at Visakhapatnam from 26 to 27 October 2022 followed by the Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal from 28 to 30 October 2022. Two ships from the Republic of Singapore Navy, RSS Stalwart (a Formidable Class Frigate) and RSS Vigilance (a Victory Class Corvette) arrived in Visakhapatnam on 25 October 2022 for participation in the exercise.
• About:
  • The SITMEX series of exercises enhance mutual interoperability and imbibing best practices between the Indian Navy, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), and the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
  • It also aims to strengthen mutual confidence and develop a shared understanding and procedures towards enhancing the overall maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region.
  • The exercise is in line with India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) vision.
  • The genesis of SITMEX is seen in the Prime Minister of India's keynote address at Shangri-La Dialogue in June 2018 announced the conduct of a trilateral naval exercise between India, Singapore, and Thailand.
  • In the 2020 edition, The Indian Navy deployed indigenously Anti-Submarine Warfare corvette INS Kamorta and missile corvette INS Karmuk for the exercise.

Exercise CORPAT

• Context:
  • The Navy conducted a coordinated patrol with Thailand in the Andaman Sea.
  • Simultaneously it also provided food aid to South Sudan in the western Indian Ocean Region under Mission Sagar II.
• About:
  • To develop interoperability and joint operational skills through the conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations.
  • Naval ships from both countries along with maritime patrol aircraft and helicopters will be participating in the exercise.
  • It will be followed by the 3rd edition of India-Bangladesh Coordinated Patrol (IN-BN CORPAT), wherein both countries will undertake joint patrolling along the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
  • CORPATs have strengthened the understanding between both navies and instituted measures to stop the conduct of unlawful activities.

Exercise Kavach

• It is a Joint Military exercise involving assets of the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force, and Indian Coast Guard.
• It is being conducted in the coming week under the aegis of the Andaman and Nicobar Command (ANC), the only Joint Forces Command of the country.
• The tri-services exercise aims to fine-tune joint war-fighting capabilities and SOPs towards enhancing operational synergy.

Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022

• Context:
  • The 13th Edition of India – USA Joint Special Forces Exercise VAJRA PRAHAR 2022 culminated at Bakloh (HP) on 28 August 2022. This annual exercise is hosted alternatively between India and the United States. The 12th edition was conducted at Joint Base Lewis Mc Chord, Washington (USA) in October 2021.
• More about the News:
  • The joint exercise by the Special Forces of both countries is conducted alternatively between India and the United States to share the best practices and experiences in areas such as joint mission planning and operational tactics as also to improve interoperability between the Special Forces of both nations.
  • Such Bilateral military exercises and defense exchanges are an important facet of deepening bilateral defense cooperation between friendly countries.
  • Other than this, India and the United States also participated in a joint military exercise 'Yudh Abhyas’ in February 2021.

Passage Exercise(PASSEX)

• Context: 
  • Recently, India, the US begin a two-day naval exercise in the eastern Indian Ocean region. 
• Aim:
  •  To improve the cooperation between the U.S. and Indian maritime forces and to maximize training and interoperability, which also include air defence.
• Impact:
  •  It will enhance both sides' ability to counter threats at sea, from piracy to violent extremism. It will also present opportunities to build upon the pre-existing strong relationship between the United States and India and allow both countries to learn from each other.
  • Indian Navy deployed its warship Shivalik and long-range maritime patrol aircraft P8I in the 'PASSEX' exercise while the US Navy was represented by the USS Theodore Roosevelt carrier strike group.
  • The exercise is aimed at consolidating the synergy and interoperability achieved during the Malabar exercise.

Joint Exercise Dustlik

• The Second Edition of Joint Exercise Dustlik between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army is being held in India.
• The exercise is based on counter-terrorist operations and aims at enhancing military cooperation.

EX Desert FLAG VI

• Ex Desert Flag is an annual multi-national large force employment warfare exercise hosted by the United Arab Emirates Air Force.
• The Indian Air Force is participating for the first time in Exercise Desert Flag-VI along with the air forces of the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America, France, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Bahrain.

DHARMA GUARDIAN

Context:

• The fourth edition of the India-Japan bilateral Army exercise Dharma Guardian’ began at Camp Imazu in Shiga province Japan and will go on till March 2.

About:

• 2022 marked 70 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
• It is an annual training exercise.
•  Other joint exercises between India and Japan:
  •  Shinyu
  • Maitri (Air Force)
  • JIMEX (Navy)
  • Sahayog-Kaijin (Coast guards)
  • Veer Guardian (Air Force).

VARUNA’ – 2023

Context:

• The 21st Edition of the Bilateral Naval Exercise between India and France – Exercise Varuna commenced on the Western Seaboard.

About:

• While the bilateral exercise between the two navies was initiated in 1993,  it was christened as ‘VARUNA’ in 2001 and has become a hallmark of the India – France strategic bilateral relationship.
• The exercise facilitates operational-level interaction between the two navies to foster mutual cooperation for good order at sea, underscoring the shared commitment of both nations to security, safety, and freedom of the global maritime commons.
• List of exercises between India and France:
  • Army- Shakti.
  • Navy- Varuna.
  • Airforce- Garuda.

EXERCISE CYCLONE-I

• The first-ever joint exercise between the special forces of the Indian Army and the Egyptian Army named “Exercise Cyclone-I” is in progress at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan since 14 January 2023.
• In 2019, India held its first-ever joint exercise with African countries, Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019 (AFINDEX-19), which saw participation by 17 African countries.

VEER GUARDIAN 2023

• Veer Guardian 2023 is the inaugural edition of the 16-day bilateral air exercise between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defence Force has concluded in Japan.
• Other exercises with Japan:
  •  Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX)
  • Malabar Exercise (India – US-Japan – Australia)

AMPHEX (Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh)

• It is a biennial tri-services amphibious exercise, focused on the joint training of elements of all three services in various facets of amphibious operations to enhance interoperability and synergy.

TROPEX-23

•  It is a biennial (every two years) Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX), aimed at “validating and refining” the Navy’s concept of “operations” as well as testing overall combat capabilities.

Tarkash 2023

• It is a counter Terrorism Exercise between India’s National Security Guard and US Special Operations Forces
•  

SEA VIGIL-22

Context:

• The third edition of the ‘pan-India’ coastal defence Exercise‘Sea Vigil-22’ is scheduled to be held.

About:

• The exercise was conceptualized in 2018 to validate various measures that have been instituted toward enhancing maritime security since ‘26/11’.
•  It is conducted by the Indian Navy in coordination with the Coast Guard and other Ministries entrusted with the task of maritime activities.
• Sea Vigil-22 will see the activation of the coastal security apparatus across India and will be undertaken along the entire 7,516 km coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone of India.
• The exercise is a warm-up for the Indian Navy’s major Theatre Level Readiness Operational Exercise(TROPEX), which takes place every two years.
•  Sea Vigil and TROPEX will work together to address the broad spectrum of maritime security challenges.

YUDH ABHYAS 2022

Context:

• 18th Indo-US joint training Army exercise will commence in Uttarakhand.

About:

• The previous exercise was in the USA in 2021.
• The joint exercise will focus on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operations and peacekeeping operations.
• Yudh Abhyas’s yearly exercise started in 2004 and has been the longest-running bilateral military training project between the two countries.
• Other Indo-US exercises: 
  • Tiger Triumph (between armed forces);
  • Vajra Prahar (between special forces);
  •  Cope India(between Air force);
  •  Malabar Exercise (between navies of India, the US, Japan, and Australia)

GARUDA SHAKTI 

• The Exercise is the eighth edition of the series of bilateral exercises between India and Indonesia and is part of the military-to-military exchange programs.
• The exercise which commenced on 21st November 2022 aims to enhance understanding, cooperation, and interoperability between the Special Forces of both armies.
• Other exercises with Indonesia: 
  • India-Indonesia Coordinat- ed Patrol (IND-INDO CORPAT); 
  • Samudra Shakti: A bilateral maritime exercise.

AUSTRA HIND 22

Context:

• A bilateral training exercise – Austra Hind 22 – between the armies of India and Australia is scheduled to take place at Mahajan Field Firing Ranges (Rajasthan).

About:

•  This is the first exercise in the series of Austra-Hind with the participation of all arms and services contingent from both armies.
• The aim of the exercise is to build positive military relations, imbibe each other’s best practices and promote the ability to operate together in semi-desert terrain under a UN peace enforcement mandate.

Exercise Pitch Black 2022

• It is a biennial three-week multilateral (including India) air combat training exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Multinational Naval Ex Kakadu, Australia

• Indian Navy participates in the Multinational Naval Ex Kakadu, Australia.
• Exercise KAKADU (started in 1993), is a multilateral regional maritime engagement exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).

Japan-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise – Jimex 2022

• JIMEX series of exercises commenced in January 2012, focusing on maritime security cooperation.
• It is conducted biennially between the Indian Navy and the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF).

Vostok-2022

•  The Indian Army is participating in the multilateral strategic and command exercise ‘Vostok-2022’ 
• at the training grounds of the eastern military district in Russia.

INS TARKASH MISSION (India-Nigeria)

• Reinforcing the Indian Navy’s commitment to maritime security, INS Tarkash is currently mission deployed in the Gulf of Guinea (GoG) for anti-piracy operations.

EX VINBAX 2022

Context:

• Vietnam-India Bilateral Army exercise Vinbax 2022 concluded at Chandimandir (Haryana).
• The exercise commenced on 01 August and was focused on the deployment of Army Engineers and Medical teams in UN Peacekeeping operations.

Aim:

• It aims to strengthen mutual confidence, and interoperability and enable sharing of best practices between the Indian Army and the Vietnam People’s Army.
• It was the first time ever that the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) was undertaking a Field Training Exercise with any foreign Army.

INDIA-JAPAN MARITIME PARTNERSHIP EXERCISE (MPX) 

Context:

• The exercise is between Japan’s maritime self-defence force and the Indian navy in the Andaman Sea.

Aim:

• Enhancing interoperability, communication and streamlining seamanship.

Unique feature: 

•  INS Sukanya ( named after notable women from Indian epics), an offshore patrol vessel of the Indian Navy will be participating in it.

  Other exercises with Japan:

• Japan-India Maritime Exercise (JIMEX) and Malabar Exercise (India –US-Japan – Australia).