The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri with the Japan Air Self Defence Force (JASDF). The exercise is being organised on the side-lines of the Indo-Japan Joint Army Exercise, Dharma Guardian, which is being conducted from 13 February 2023 to 02 March 2023 at Komatsu, Japan. The IAF contingent is participating in Exercise Shinyuu Maitri 23 with one C-17 Globemaster III aircraft. The Exercise is being conducted on 01 and 02 March 2023. The first phase of the exercise consists of discussions on transport operations and tactical manoeuvring, followed by the second phase of flying drills by IAF’s C-17 and JASDF C-2 transport aircraft.
For more information: Click here to read... [2]
Sir Ben Key First Sea First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Royal Navy is visiting India on a two-day official visit from 02 – 03 Mar 23 to participate in Raisina Dialogue at Delhi. During the visit, on 02 Mar 23, Sir Ben Key paid homage at National War Memorial and laid a wreath. He also interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff on 02 Mar 23. The discussions encompassed various issues of common interest and included maritime capability development and greater naval cooperation to further enhance the interoperability between the two navies to address emerging threats. The discussions emphasized on the significance accorded by both countries for a collaborative approach towards maritime security in Indo-Pacific.
VAdm Mark Hammond, Chief of Navy, Royal Australian Navy (CN) is on a three-day official visit to India from 09 – 11 Mar 23. During the visit, VAdm Mark Hammond interacted with Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff, at New Delhi on 10 Mar 23. During the interaction, avenues to strengthen the growing cooperation between the two nations and navies, cooperative ways to deal with prevalent/ emerging maritime security challenges, and initiatives to enhance collaboration and interoperability towards realisation of a Free, Open and Inclusive Indo-Pacific/ IOR, were discussed.
For more information: Click here to read... [3]
RM held a telephonic conversation with Defence Minister of Israel Mr Yoav Gallant on March 03, 2023. It was the first talk between the two Ministers. The Raksha Mantri congratulated Mr Gallant on his appointment as the Defence Minister of Israel.
Shri Rajnath Singh underlined the Government’s priority for indigenisation and domestic manufacturing of defence equipment under ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. He acknowledged the cooperation of Israeli industries towards nurturing a vibrant & world class defence manufacturing ecosystem in India and invited Israeli Industries to deepen their investments in Joint Ventures with Indian companies with an aim to identify areas for collaboration, particularly in niche technologies. He expressed pleasure at the signing of some important MoUs between Indian and Israeli companies during the recently concluded Aero India 2023.
For more information: Click here to read... [4]
The 6th meeting of Joint Working Group on Aircraft Carrier Technology Co-operation (JWGACTC), constituted under the auspices of the Indo – US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI), was organised in India from 27th February to 3rd March. An 11 member US delegation headed by RAdm James Downey, Programme Executive Officer (PEO), Carriers visited various defence/ industrial installations in Delhi and Kochi. The opening session of the Joint Working Group Meeting was held on 27th February at New Delhi and was co-chaired by RAdm Sandeep Mehta, Assistant Controller Carrier Projects (ACCP). Further, both sides highlighted the good work undertaken by the Joint Working Group so far. Plans for future co-operation under various aspects of Aircraft Carrier Technology were also discussed and a joint statement released. As part of the visit, the US delegation also interacted with the senior leadership at both Delhi and Kochi. The meeting marked yet another significant milestone in the ongoing co-operation between the two countries in the field of Aircraft Carrier technology.
For more information: Click here to read... [5]
The maiden Joint Military Exercise FRINJEX-23 between Indian Army and French Army will be conducted at Pangode Military Station, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala on 07th and 08th March 2023. It is for the first time armies of both the nations are engaging in this format with each contingent comprising of a Company Group each from the Thiruvananthapuram based Indian Army troops and French 6th Light Armoured Brigade. The exercise is aimed at enhancing inter-operability, coordination and cooperation between both forces at tactical level. The scope of the exercise involve establishment and operationalisation of a joint command post to secure an envisaged area for undertaking joint humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, establishing an Internally Displaced Population (IDP) camp and move of disaster relief material.
For more information: Click here to read... [6]
Ministry of Defence, on March 07, 2023, signed contracts with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T) for procurement of 70 HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft & three Cadet Training Ships respectively. The procurement of 70 HTT-40 trainer aircraft from HAL will be at a cost of over Rs 6,800 crore. The cost of acquisition of three Cadet Training Ships from L&T would be worth more than Rs 3,100 crore under Buy {Indian-IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)} category.
For more information: Click here to read... [7]
RM held a telephonic conversation with Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence of Australia Mr Richard Marles on March 09, 2023. Both the Ministers reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening the bilateral defence relationship. The telecon was reflective of the trust and friendship the two countries share especially in matters related to defence and security. India and Australia are pursuing a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the defence cooperation between the two countries has been consistently deepening in recent years.
For more information: Click here to read... [8]
The Australian Prime Minister, Hon’ble Anthony Albanese, visited INS Vikrant in Mumbai on 09 Mar 23 as part of his visit to India from 08 to 11 Mar 23. This is his first bilateral visit to India after he assumed charge in May 22. While addressing the media, he underscored the strong diplomatic and military ties between the two countries and announced that Australia, for the first time, will host the 27th edition of the annual multilateral naval war gaming exercise, MALABAR, that is scheduled later this year among the navies of the USA, India, Japan and Australia. The MALABAR Exercise is an annual multilateral naval wargaming exercise that began in 1992 between the navies of India and the United States. Japan joined the exercise in 2015, while Australia became part of it in 2020.
For more information: Click here to read... [9]
Ministry of Defence, on March 10, 2023, signed a contract for procurement of six Dornier-228 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of Rs 667 crore. The aircraft was used by IAF for Route Transport Role and communication duties. Subsequently, it has also been used for training of transport pilots of the IAF. The present lot of six aircraft will be procured with an upgraded fuel-efficient engine coupled with a five bladed composite propeller.
For more information: Click here to read... [10]
The policy initiatives aimed at encouraging indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment in the country, thereby reducing dependency on imports in long run. The expenditure on defence procurement from foreign sources has reduced from 46% of overall expenditure in 2018-19 to 36.7% as per data till December 2022.
For more information: Click here to read... [11]
Department of Defence Production issues authorisation for export of Munitions List items covered in Category 6 of Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies (SCOMET). The major defence equipment exported during last 05 years include Weapon Simulators, Tear Gas Launcher, Torpedo Loading Mechanism, Alarm Monitoring & Control, Night Vision Monocular & Binocular, Light Weight Torpedo & Fire Control Systems, Armoured Protection Vehicle, Weapons Locating Radar, HF Radio, Coastal Surveillance Radar etc. At present, the exports are being made to more than 80 countries all over the world. Names of the countries cannot be divulged due to strategic reasons. The details of export value during the last five years is as under:
| (Rs in crores) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | 2017-18 | 2018-19 | 2019-20 | 2020-21 | 2021-22 | 2022-23 (till 06.03.2023) |
| Total Export Value | 4,682 | 10,746 | 9,116 | 8,435 | 12,815 | 13,399 |
For more information: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1906337
The third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse is scheduled to be conducted in the Indian Ocean Region from 13 to 14 March 2023. This edition will witness participation of personnel, ships and integral helicopters of Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy.
The biennial exercise La Perouse is conducted by the French Navy, and is aimed at enhancing maritime domain awareness and optimising maritime coordination amongst the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.
For more information: Click here to read... [12]
The Singapore Army and Indian Army participated in the 13th edition of Exercise Bold Kurukshetra, a bilateral armour exercise from 06-13 March 2023 at Jodhpur Military Station, India.
Hosted by the Indian Army, the exercise involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment and an Armoured Brigade of Indian Army. The ten-day long joint training that commenced on 05th March fostered common understanding of mechanised warfare in emerging threats and evolving technologies, developing inter-operability through a computer simulation-based Wargame using joint operational and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post. Both contingents not only learnt about each other’s operating drills and procedure, but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed in a modern combat zone.
For more information: Click here to read... [13]
On 05 March 2023, the al-Qa’ida group claimed that one of its key leaders in Yemen had been killed in an airstrike. The AFP reported quoting security and local government officials, that al-Qa’ida’s senior and top leader of al-Qa’ida in Arab Peninsula (AQAP)— Hamoud al-Tamimi, had been killed. According to the statements reported by the SITE Intelligence Group, on 26 February, Tamimi, aka Abdel Aziz al-Adnani, was killed in a drone strike at his residence in north Marib province, Yemen. Tamimi had headed AQAP’s leadership council and acted as a “judge” in the group.
For more information: Click here to read... [14]
On 10 March 2023, Boko Haram attacked the remote Mukdolo village in Ngala Local Government in Borno State and killed over 30 fishermen and farmers. “The United Nations strongly condemns the reported ambush and brutal killing of more than 30 civilians in Mukdolo village in Ngala local government. Several others were injured, and some were missing when terrorists ambushed the village,” said the United Nations (UN) Resident Coordinator in Nigeria— Matthias Schmale.
In another incident on the same day, 26 people were killed in the Dikwa area. The attack on fishermen was the first major incident in the region, amid a decade of terrorist activities by Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
For more information: Click here to read... [15]
On 14 March 2023, an explosive-laden car was detonated at a building housing regional officials in Bardhere in the southern Gedo region. Multiple casualties have been reported in the attack. A resident said, “at least two soldiers are believed to have died, and an unspecified number of others were injured in the attack.”
In a Telegram post, al-Shabaab claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing and said that a bomber drove a suicide car bomb into a building where regional officials were meeting to plan anti-al-Shabaab mobilisation.
For more information: Click here to read... [16]
The Islamic State (IS) claimed responsibility for the bombing of the cultural centre operated by the Shiite community in Mazar-e-Sharif in Balkh province, Afghanistan. In the attack, a person got killed, and eight others were injured. On 11 March 2023, the IS carried out a bombing at the Tabian Centre of the Hazaras in Balkh province during an event honouring local journalists.
In a statement released by IS’s Amaq News Agency, the explosives were planted in a bag hidden at the centre. The Taliban’s appointed spokesman for the Interior Ministry— Abdul Nafi Takor, said that “one person killed was a security guard at the centre. Three children were amongst the eight wounded.” Earlier on 09 March 2023, IS targeted and assassinated the Balkh province’s Governor— Daud Muzmal and two others in a bombing in Mazar-e-Sharif.
For more information: Click here to read... [17]
On 04 March 2023, security forces arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists from Monchkhud Kunzer village in the Kunzer area of the Baramulla district. Post arrest, security forces seized 02 AK-47 magazines, 15 rounds of AK-47, 20 blank posters of LeT and other material from their possession.
For more information: https://www.therightnews.in/2023/03/08/two-terrorists-of-lashkar-e-taiba-arrested-in-baramulla/" target="_blank">Click here to read...
On 03 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) attached over 153 bank accounts/Mutual Fund accounts containing a total sum of ₹ 20,65,20,496 belonging to a firm— M/S Santosh Construction, and its different partners, under Section 25(1) of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A]. An investigation by the NIA revealed that an accused, Mrityunjay Kumar Singh, aka Sonu Singh, one of the partners of the said firm, had close connections with key CPI (Maoist) operatives. Mrityunjay Kumar had provided funds to Maoist— Ravindra Ganjhu, a Regional Committee operative of CPI (Maoist), for further Maoist activities.
For more informationClick here to read... [18]
On 14 March 2023, the Minister of State (MoS) Home Affairs informed the Parliament that “in 2022, 98 civilians and security forces personnel lost their lives in violence activities related to Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)/Maoist compared to 147 in 2021.” Between 2010 and 2017, only two major Maoist attacks on security forces personnel took place. In 2010, 75 CRPF personnel attained Veergati in a Maoist ambush in Dantewada, Chhattisgarh, whereas in 2017, 25 CRPF personnel attained Veergati in a Maoist attack Chhattisgarh’s Sukma. The recent decline in attacks and Maoist activities is because of the infrastructure development in the Maoist-affected areas. Click here to read... [19]
On 07 March 2023, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) cracked a Hawala network and arrested five Hawala operatives in the ‘Phulwarisharif PFI’ case. The investigation has led the NIA to unearth an extensive network of Hawala operatives based in South Bharat and their arrest from Karnataka. A Hawala network operating out of Bihar and Karnataka with roots in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was cracked with the arrests of five Popular Front of India (PFI) operatives from Kasaragod (Kerala) and Dakshin Kannada (Karnataka).
The five PFI operatives have been involved in a criminal conspiracy to move and channelise funds procured from outside Bharat for distribution among PFI leaders and operatives. In the same case, seven PFI operatives were arrested when they gathered in Phulwarisharif area of Patna (Bihar) in July 2022, for training and to carry out terror acts.
For more information: Click here to read... [20]
At the instance of the Government of India, at least six YouTube channels promoting pro-Khalistan content have been blocked. Information and Broadcasting Secretary— Apurva Chandra said, "over the past ten days, at least six to eight YouTube channels operating from foreign countries have been blocked. The blocked channels with content in the Punjabi language attempted to foment trouble in Punjab.”
For more information: Click here to read... [21]
On 04 March 2023, pro-Khalistan sympathisers attacked and vandalised a Hindu temple— Shree Lakshmi Narayan Temple in Brisbane, Australia. “Temple priest and devotees called this morning and notified me about the vandalism on the boundary wall of our temple,” said Temple’s president— Satinder Shukla. In an interview with Australia Today, the Director of Hindu Human Rights— Sarah Gates, said, "This latest hate crime is a pattern of Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) globally, clearly attempting to terrorise Australian Hindus. Coupled with a barrage of propaganda, illegal signs, and cyber-bullying, the organisation intends to present all-pervasive threats, fear, and intimidation.”
In January 2023, Shree Shiva Vishnu Temple in Carrum Downs, Australia, was vandalised with anti-Hindu graffiti.
For more information: Click here to read... [22]
The Australian High Commissioner to Bharat— Barry O’Farrell, on 06 March 2023, said that Australia’s respect for Bharat’s sovereignty is unwavering and so-called Khalistan referendum has no legal standing in Australia. “Most appalled to see temples being targeted, police are active and continue to be active to deal with those responsible,” said the Australian High Commissioner to Bharat.
For more information: Click here to read... [23]
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Links:
[1] https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2023/march/22
[2] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1903417
[3] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1903920 and https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1905760
[4] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1903945
[5] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1904172
[6] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1904604
[7] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1904828
[8] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1905336
[9] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1905903
[10] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1905670
[11] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1906335
[12] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1906351
[13] https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1906808
[14] https://www.wionews.com/world/al-qaeda-says-top-leader-killed-in-strike-in-yemen-568947
[15] https://www.aa.com.tr/en/africa/death-toll-in-nigerias-boko-haram-attack-exceeds-30-un-says/2841705
[16] https://www.voanews.com/a/al-shabab-bombing-targets-regional-officials/7003644.html
[17] https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/islamic-state-claims-bombing-at-shiite-centre-in-northern-afghanistan/article66614449.ece
[18] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1410_1_Pr1.pdf
[19] https://www.vifindia.org/For more information: <a href=
[20] https://nia.gov.in/writereaddata/Portal/PressReleaseNew/1413_1_Pr.pdf
[21] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/centre-blocks-six-youtube-channels-streaming-pro-khalistan-content/articleshow/98545701.cms
[22] https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/diaspora/pro-khalistan-supporters-vandalise-laxmi-narayan-temple-in-australia-485107
[23] https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/so-called-khalistan-referendum-call-has-no-legal-standing-in-australia-envoy/articleshow/98453519.cms
[24] http://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?title=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 01-15 March 2023&desc=&images=&u=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2023/march/22
[25] http://twitter.com/share?text=VIF News Digest: National Security - Defence Studies & Terrorism, 01-15 March 2023&url=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2023/march/22&via=Azure Power
[26] whatsapp://send?text=https://www.vifindia.org/defensenationalsecurityterrorism/2023/march/22
[27] https://www.vifindia.org/author/anurag-sharma
[28] https://www.vifindia.org/author/Naval-Jagota