Agni, Prithvi, Trishulwhenever youre preparing for

UPSC, State PSC, IBPS, SSC or LIC youve to prepare

these things over and over again. Sometimes it feels as
if Indian Government tests these missiles not only to
annoy China and Pakistan but also to annoy the
competitive exam aspirants. Anyways, earlier I gave the
compilation for persons in news 2012-13. click me if you
havent read it already. Now here a new article dealing
with defense related current affairs (2012-13) and basic
stuff.
If you feel any important term is missing, do mention it in
the comments below.
Defense exercises
Kinda one of the most important topics for CSAT paper I. Its
not that UPSC asks defense exercises every year but just
because it was asked once or twice then it becomes
important forever, especially when it has a catchy name
hahaha.
Name Country force
Bold
Kurukshetra
India, Singapore in UP Army (Tanks)
Cormorant
Strike Iii
India, Srilanka, China,
Pakistan, Bangladesh and
Maldives. (held in Sri
Lanka)
All 3
Garud Shakti India, Indonesia Army
Indiaex-2012 India, US Navy
Indra India, Russia, bi annual Navy
Iron Fist Only India. In Rajasthan Air Force
Jimex India, Japan Navy
Konkan India, UK Navy
Malabar India, US Navy
Milan
India and 14 other
countries: Australia,
Bangladesh etc.
Navy
Passex India, Japan Navy
Pralay India only, in North East Airforce+Army
Red Flag India, US in Nevada Airforce
Shakti
India, France in
Uttarakhand
Army
Shatrujeet India, US in California Army (Infantry)
Shoor Veer
Only India, Rajasthan
border
Army
Simbex India, Singapore Navy
Tropex
TROPEX=Theatre Level
Operational Readiness
Exercise.India only
Navy
Vajra Prahar India, US in Uttarakhand
Army (Special
Forces)
Varuna India, France Navy
Yudh Abhyas India, US in Rajasthan Army (Tanks)
^this is one of the uses of pib.nic.in
Missiles, weapons and vehicles
Agni
Surface to surface missile by DRDO.
Range increases as version increases.
Agni-
5
>5000kms.
It is Indias first Intercontinental ballistic missile
(ICBM).
India is the 7
th
country to have ICBM. Other 6
are= US, Russia, China, UK, France and Israel.
North Korea is also developing an ICBM named
Taepodong-2.
Agni-
4
4000kms
Agni-
3
3000kms
Agni-
2
2000kms. Pakistans HATF-5 (Ghauri) has range of
about 1300 kms.
Agni-
1
700kms (some books/magazines say 800 but India
2013 Yearbook says 700 so I keep it 700).
Prithivi
Surface to surface. Short range (150-350)
Range increases as number increases: Prithvi I=150,
II=250 and III=350kms
Its naval version is known as Dhanush. Dhanush can be
launched from Navy ships.
Aircraft destroyer
Akash
Surface to air (SAM)
It can destroy many targets at once, using
Rajendra radar system.
Its range is higher than trishul.
Astra
Air to air missile to destroy enemy aircrafts.
Trishul
Surface to air (SAM)
Destroy low level flying objects. E.g. from a ship
against low flying attacking enemy missiles.
Cruise
Brahmos
290 km range.
Only Supersonic cruise missile in the world.
(speed close to 3 Mach)
Named after two rivers: Brahmaputra of India
and the Moskva of Russia.
can be used against ship and land targets.
Can be installed on ships, submarines &
aircraft and ground vehicles
Can receive navigation signals from both
GPS (USA) and GLONASS(Russia).
Nirbhay
sub-sonic cruise missile
Nirbhay is Indias equivalent of Tomahawk, a
long-range, sub-sonic cruise missile,
developed by the U.S.
developed by Defence Research and
Development Organisation (DRDO)
will travel at a sub-sonic speed (less than the
speed of sound).
Navy / Submarine
Dhanush
It is the naval version of Prithvi II missile.
Nuke capable.
350kms
K-15
Sagarika
Can be launched from submarines.
Range abt 700kms.
Will be used from nuclear powered
submarines (like Arihant).
Varunastra
Anti-submarine torpedo
Anti-Tank
HELINA
The helicopter-fired version of Nag (anti-tank
missile).
Helina =Helicopter + Nag
LAHAT
Laser Homing Attack or Laser Homing Anti-
Tank missile
will be used in the upgraded Arjun battle
tanks.
NAG
fire and forget anti-tank missile.
can destroy enemy tanks four km away
NAMICA=carrier of NAG missile.
Both of them did not perform well during field
trials in Rajasthan.
NAMIKA It is a vehicle to carry and launch NAG missles.
Invar
Anti-tank Missiles that can be launched from Arjun
T-90 tanks. India will buy these from Russia
Adrushya Anti-tank mine. By DRDO
Tanks and artillery
Arjun
Main battle tank. (T90)Kanchan=name of the
armour used on this tank.
Ajeya T-72 tank
SARVATRA
Mobile bridge laying system. So armys tanks
and vehicles can cross rivers.
DAKSH
It is a robotic vehicle for disabling IED
(explosives).
Pinaka
Multibarrel rocket system (it looks like a truck
with lot of rockets on its shoulder).
BHIM
155mm artillery gun. (these type of guns are
known as howitzer) Bofors is also a howitzer.
BMP-2
Infantry combat vehicle. To transport soldiers in
the battlefield.
Rifles/ uniforms
INSAS
it is a self loading rifle (SLR)
by DRDO.
INSAS=Indian small arms system.
Before INSAS, we had ISHAPORE SLR.
Sujav
Compact communication and electronic
warfare suit
Baby
viper
An equipment for clearing land mines. By
DRDO
Indian Radars and Sonars
First understand the difference.
Radar Sonar
RAdio Detection
and Ranging
SOund Navigation And Ranging
Uses radio waves Uses sound waves
Mostly used above
water (air)
Underwater.
Faster response
Slower (because speed of sound is
slower than radio waves and depends
on medium through which it travels)
1. aerial and
naval
navigation
2. air defense
3. checking
weather
patterns
1. Locate submarines and mines in
the sea
2. underwater surveillance and
communication
3. mapping underwater terrains
Now lets check the DRDO projects related to Radars and
Sonars
RADAR Sonar
Revati (3d radar for navy) HUMSA (shipborne)
Rohini (3d radar for
airforce)
MIHIR (airborne)
Indra
Panchendriya, USUSH
(Submarine)
Rajendra Tadpole

Darpan

3D Car 3D Central Acquisition
Radar
^most of these are given in India Yearbook, thats why
important for MCQs.
Aircrafts
(list is definitely not exhaustive)
SU30-
MKI
Fighter jets, India will buy them from Russia.
Dornier-
228
Transport aircraft
Saras Transport aircraft
LCA NP- Light combat aircraft, Naval prototype 1.Indias
1 first indigenous naval fighter jet (that can be used
from aircraft carrier ships such as INS
Vikramaditya).
It has STOBAR capability. STOBAR= Ski Takeoff
but arrested recovery.
Tejas
Light combat aircraft. (LCA)Kaveri=name of
Tejass engine. It is Indias first indigenous gas
turbine engine.
It single seat, single engine, supersonic, light-
weight, all-weather, multi-role aircraft.
Darin-III
It is upgraded version of Jaguar fighter. Developed
by Hindustan Aeronautics ltd.
AEWC
Airborne Early warning and control system.
it is a really huge airplane , with high tech
radar system.
It can detect enemy aircraft, ships and
vehicles at long ranges.
Mirage Fighter aircraft, From france
MiG-21 Russia
By the way, fifth generation air-craft were separately
discussed in another article long time back. Click me
Helicopters
Mi-17 v5
Attack helicopter, India will buy them from
Russia.Can carry out operation in any
weather, any terrain, day n night +
disaster, Search-rescue operations.
Rudra Attack helicopter.
Dhruv, Cheetal,
Chetak
Utility helicopter= transporting very few
men, material etc.
AgustaWestland
Transport helicopter. From Italy but deal
is stuck due to scam.
UAV/Drones
NISHANT,
Rustom-I,
Lakshya-I
These are UAV= Unmanned Aerial vehicles.
Developed by DRDO
NETRA
Mini-UAV. CRPF will use it to fight naxals. BSF
in counter-insurgency.It looks like that
helicopter Mr.Lobo was building in 3-idiots
(and then he conveniently committed suicide
so that Amir Khan could fix it and dance on a
song.)
Harpy,
Heron,
Harop
These UAV are bought from Israel.
Submarines
INS Chakra
Nuclear submarine. We rented this from
Russia.Only US, UK, Russia, France and
China had such nuke submarines. (we are
the sixth one)
INS Arihant
Nuclear submarine. Currently undergoing
trial.
INS
Sindhurakshak
Submarine, bought from Russia
Navy Ship
INS Sahyadri
Stealth frigate.Project 17= Indian navy is
building stealth frigates under this project.
Teg, Tarkash,
Trikand
These are also stealth frigates. India bought
these from Russia.These will be used for
anti-piracy operations.
Sudarshini
Indian navy ship. It is on sailing expedition
to ASEAN nations.
INS
Vikramaditya
Aircraft carrier ship. Originally known as
Admiral Gorshkov. India bought this from
Russia.
Coast guard ships
Again list not exhaustive, but following names were in news
Samudra
Paheredar
Pollution control
Rani
Abbakka
Patrolling. By the way Rani Abbakka ruled
over coastal parts of Karnataka, had fought
against Portugese in late 16
th
centuary.
Dahanu patrolling (mainly Maharashtra coast)
Rajkamal Patrolling
Coast guard vs Navy
Navy Coast guard
Admiral Director general
Overall Maritime-
security
Coastal security in Territorial waters
Anti-piracy Anti-smuggling
Reports to Defense
ministry
Same

Help fishermen in distressSearch
and rescue

Marine pollution, environment
protection
Navy: New bases
Dweep
Rakshak
Indian Navys new base in Laskhweep
islands.
Baaz
Indian Navys new base in Andaman
Islands.
Blue water navy
It is a really powerful navy, can operate across the deep
waters in open oceans. E.g US Navy.
Indian navy also wishes to be a Blue water navy. The
purchase/induction of Vikramaditya, nuclear submarines,
fifth generation air crafts etc. are part of that strategy.
Defense PSUs
To run army, navy, airforce, coast guards or any other
force you need weapons, vehicles, uniforms etc. so who
provides these materials?= 1) via import from Russia,
US, Israel, etc.+ 2) domestic production via DRDO,
defense factories and PSUs.
Often, we import stuff from other countries, then our
PSUs will refit them to suit Indian terrain and
requirements.
Now lets take a look at the organizations related with
domestic production
The main boss is Dept of Defense production
>Defence ministry
Under this Department of defense production, youve
two type of organizations
Defense factories
Make ammunition, explosives,
weapons, uniforms etc.
Defense undertaking
(or PSUs)
HAL, BEL, other shipyards.
DRDO is a separate R&D organization that directly
reports to Defense ministry. DRDO does the research
Development stuff. Once that is complete, mass
production starts with the help of factories / PSUs.
Tagline of DRDO = Balasya Mulam Vigyanam = the
source of strength is science. (lolz but first you need
money to finance the scientific research, so then what is
the source of strength?)
Defense Undertaking (PSUs)
(list not exhaustive)
HAL
Hindustan Aeronautics ltd.
HAWK jet trainer
SU-30 MKI
LCA
Dornier (transport aircraft)
Dhruv (light helicopter)
Cheetal/Chetak (Helicopters)
BEL
Bharat Electronics
Sonar, communication devices, electronic
systems for tanks, aircrafts.
Also develops solar cells, EVM (electronic
voting machine) etc.
Shipyards
Garden Reach, Kolkata
Mazagon, Mumbai (and not Goa)
MIDHANI
MIshra-DHatu NIgam ltd.
Provides high quality metals, alloys,
materials required for air-craft, tank,
weapons production.
NIRDESH
National institute for Research and
Development in Defense Shipbuilding.
For self-reliance in defense production
related to navy.
Near Kozhikode, Kerala
It is not a PSU but a society.
Private sector
Before 2001, private sector wasnt allowed in defense
production. But now
26% FDI is allowed in Defense sector.
Issue: 26% is very low. It doesnt encourage foreign
players transfer their defense technologies in India,
therefore Commerce ministry wants this FDI limit to be
increased to 74%. for more, click me to read the news
article
Exhibitions
AERO india: air force related. 2013s show held in
Bengaluru.
Defexpo India: weapons, machines related to Land,
Naval and Internal Security. 2012s show held in New
Delhi.
Paramilitary forces?
Different books give different definitions of what is meant
by Paramilitary forces.
For example, some would say Paramilitary = those fall
under Home ministry and not under Defense ministry.
E.g. CRPF, BSF, ITBP etc. Others will counter it saying
forces like IB and CBI also fall under Home ministry but
by no means theyre paramilitary.
In 2011, Government of India made the formal definition:
Paramilitary force =headed by Military officer (and not an
IPS officer).
CRPF, BSF, ITPB etc are all headed by Director
Generals but these director generals are actually IPS
officers (and not military officers.) Hence going by that
definition, we are left with only three real paramilitary
forces
1. Assam Rifles
2. Special Frontier Force
3. Coast Guard
Ok then
1. what are CRPF, BSF, ITBP, CISF and SSB? =these are
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF).
2. Then what are RAW and IB = they are intelligence
gathering agencies (internal and external)
3. Then what are CBI and NIA= they are law enforcement
agencies.
Organizations
Establishment Years are not important but the chronology is.
1835
Assam
Rifles
originally Catchar Levy.
Also known as Sentinels of North
East and Friends of the hill people
(kinda too clichd, hence unlikely for
MCQs).
Falls under Home ministry (and not
Defense ministry).
However, its DG is an army officer,
hence it is a true/real paramilitary
force.(and the oldest one)
It also protects the Indo-Myanmar
border. (SSB looks after Nepal, Bhutan
border)
1861 RPF
Railway protection force. Its evolution
can be traced to Indian police Act made
in 1861. Under that Act, part of the
British police manpower was deployed
for protection of railways.
1920 TA
Territorial army. Falls under Defense
Ministry.
This is like a part time job. A member
can continue his routine job / business
as a civilian and every year he has to
render service in Territorial army for a
few months.
Similar force in USA = known as
National Guards.
1939 CRPF
CRPF (originally Crown
representatives police).
Sardar Patel renamed it to Central
Reserve Police force.
Falls under Home ministry. This is the
main fighting force against naxal and
internal disturbances.
1941 CBI
Under special police establishment Act.
Later turned into CBI. (1963)
On TV channels, you often hear
Congies giving argument that CBI is
independent because doesnt fall
under Home ministry so we are not
controlling CBI.
It is a bogus argument because CBI
reports to Department of personnel and
training, and personnel ministry falls
under Prime Minister. Although for
corruption cases, CBI reports to CVC.
Similar force in USA=FBI.
1946
Home
Guards
Home guards. (Army has similar force
known as Territorial army). These are
Voluntary forces (part time job).
Work: bandobast during election,
rioting, traffic, disasters etc.
Home ministry frames the policies,
functions, training for home guards.
The cost of force is shared between
centre +states.
1948 NCC
National cadet Corps.
Motto: Unity and Discipline (Ekta aur
anushasan.)
1962 ITBP
Indo Tibetan border police. Setup in the
wake of Chinese aggression.
It was also responsible
for KASABs security in Mumbai jail.
Then they asked crores of rupees and
Maharashtra Government refused to
pay.
Falls under Home Ministry.
1962 SFF
Special Frontier Force. For carrying
guerilla operations behind Chinese
lines.
Falls under Defense ministry.
1963 SSB
Originally Special service bureau, now
Sashastra Seema Bal.
It protects Nepal and Bhutan border.
1965 BSF
Border security force.
During war time, BSF will do the
policing work in any enemy territories
captured by Indian Army + taking care
of refugees and prisoner of war (PoW).
1968 RAW
Research and Analysis wing (RAW)
Doesnt fall under Home / Defense /
Foreign ministry. This organization
directly reports to PM.
Similar force in USA=CIA, Russia=FSB
(earlier KGB), Israel= Mossad,
China=MSS.
RAW looks into External intelligence
gathering.
IB (Intelligence bureau) under Home
ministry looks into Internal intelligence
gathering. Before RAW was created
(1968), this IB used to do both internal
and external intelligence gathering.
1969 CISF
Central Industrial security force.
Protection of airports, PSUs, nuke labs
and powerplants.
CISF is a cost-reimbursement
force meaning its cost is borne by the
client and not the taxpayer. E.g. if
airport is getting CISF cover, then air
port has to pay them (so ultimately air-
passengers have to pay.)
Infosys is the first private company to
get CISF protection.
1985 SPG
Special protection group. Setup after
Indiras assassination. Provides
security to PM, and his family.
1990 RR
Rashtriya Rifles. Counter insurgency in
Kashmir. It is part of Army (hence
defense ministry).
1992 RAF
Rapid Action force
Made from CRPF
It was setup mainly for controlling riots.
But nowadays also used in disaster
Management, anti-naxal ops, UN
peace keeping ops.
Vajra= riot control vehicle of RAF.
Falls under Home ministry.
2008 COBRA
Combat battalion for resolution action.
Made from CRPF. To fight naxals.
Similar force of Andhra police Is known
as Grey-hounds.
2009 NIA
National investigation agency. After
26/11 attacks. Just like CBI, this one
also reports to Personnel Ministry.
Lets try to consolidate some important stuff from above table
Defense ministry vs Home ministry
Defense ministry Home
1. Army: Rashtriya
Rifles, Territorial
army
2. Navy
3. Airforce
4. Coast guard
5. For special
ops: Marcos (Navy),
Garuda (Airforce),
Ghatak (Army),
Special Frontier
Force.
6. NCC
1. Internal security=CRPF,
RAF, COBRA, Assam
Rifles(NE), CISF (PSUs,
Airports etc.)
2. Border security=SSB
(Nepal Bhutan), BSF (Pak,
Bangla), ITBP (Tibet),
Assam Rifles (Myanmar)
3. Law Enforcement=CBI,
NIA: but they dont report to
home ministry.
4. Intelligence=IB (internal) +
RAW (external) but RAW
falls directly under PM.
5. For special
operations=NSG
Special forces across world
For Surgical operations like airplane hijack, terrorist/hostage
situation.
NSG India
SAS UK
Delta Force US
GSG-9 Germany
GIGN France
Shar-et-matkal Israel
Mock questions
1. Which of the following is not a UAV?
a. Nishant
b. Rustom
c. Netra
d. Dhruv
2. Which of the following has highest range in kms?
a. Prithvi
b. Brahmos
c. Dhanush
d. Agni-V
3. Which of the following country doesnt have ICBM
missiles?
a. India
b. China
c. USA
d. South Korea.
4. Which of the following is not a Surface to surface missile
a. Agni
b. Prithvi
c. Trishul
d. None of above.
5. What is the FDI limit in Defense sector in India?
a. 0
b. 26
c. 49
d. 74
6. What is NIRDESH?
a. State of the art electronic communication system
for Navy
b. An organization for making India self-reliant in
defense technology
c. Joint naval exercise between India and USA
d. None of above
7. Correct statement
a. Garden Reach shipbuilders= Andhra
b. Mazagon dock= Goa
c. Both A and B
d. None
8. In terms of range, find correct order: from lower to
higher?
a. Agni V, Sagarika, Dhanush, Brahmos
b. Sagarika, Dhanush, Brahmos, Agni V
c. Brahmos, Dhanush, Sagarika, Agni V
d. None of above.
9. Find the odd term
a. Helina
b. Nirbhay
c. Sagarika
d. Nirdesh
10. Find the odd sequence
a. Indra, Rajendra, Mihir, Revati
b. Mihir, Panchendriya, USUSH, Rajendra
c. Indra, Rajendra, Rohini, Revati
d. None of above.
11. incorrect Match
a. Mirage=Russia
b. J31=Japan
c. SU30-MKI=S.Korea
d. All of above.
12. Kaveri is an engine Developed for
a. INS Arihant
b. Light combat aircraft
c. T90 Arjun tank
d. none of above
13. Which of the following ship can be used during oil
spills?
a. Sahyadri
b. Arihant
c. Chakra
d. Samudra Paheredar
14. Correct Match
a. Dweep Rakshak:Indian Navys new base in
Andaman
b. Baaz: Indian Navys new base in Maldives.
c. Both A and B
d. None
15. First private sector company to get CISF cover was
a. TCS
b. WIPRO
c. Satyam
d. infosys
16. Which of the following is not a central armed police
force?
a. BSF
b. CRPF
c. CISF
d. Rashtriya Rifles
17. Which of the following is not a central paramilitary
force?
a. Assam Rifles
b. Special Frontier Force
c. Coast Guard
d. NSG
18. Which of the following doesnt report to home
ministry
a. RAF
b. CRPF
c. SSB
d. RAW
Main article stop here. Now just some filler material.
Operations
this is too cliched for the MCQs.
Operation Why Force year
Blossom
Evacuate Indians from
Libya
navy 2011
Black Tornado
Kill terrorists responbile
for 26/11
NSG 2008
Sukoon
Evacuate Indians during
Israel-Lebanon conflict.
Navy 2006
Madath, Sea
Waves, Castor,
Gambhir,
Rainbow, Rahat
Relief after 2004 tsunami Navy 2004
Enduring
Freedom
It was US operation in
Afghanistan but India
navy escored American
ships through straight of
Malacca
Navy 2001
Talwar
Kargil war
Navy 1999
Vijay(99) Army 1999
Safed sagar Airforce 1999
Cactus
To prevent coup in
Maldives
All 3 1988
Pawan
Peace keeping in Sri
Lanka
Army 1987
Meghdoot Capturing Siachen glacier Army 1984
Triden, Python Attacking Karachi port Navy 1971
Vijay (61)
Capture of Goa, Daman
and Diu and Anjidiv
Islands
Army 1961
Polo Hyderabad freedom Army 1948
Now Some more misc. GK that is not much important for
MCQs.
Field formation, in terms of no. soldiers= corps >
division > brigade > battalion > company > platoon >
section.
In gallantry awards: Param Vir > Maharvir > Vir.
Ashok chakra = equivalent of Param Vir charka, given
for bravery in peacetime. (e.g. given to police officers
who martyred during 26/11).
Medal of Honor = American equivalent of Param Vir
Chakra.
Highest rank in Indian Army is not General but Field
marshal. So far only two field marshals: Cariappa and
Manekshaw. In American system, these two are five
star generals and rest (e.g. V.K.Singh, Bikram Singh, )
are four star generals.
India= RAW (external intelligence) , IB (internal)
Similarly UK = MI5 (internal intelligence) and MI6
(external intelligence).
Finally some time pass questions/ food for thought
1. If India has CBI and US has FBI then what does UK
have?
2. Every country would need a RAW but not a CBI why?
3. USA has FBI + US Marshalls. FBI looks after federal
investigation and US Marshalls do the transporting of
federal prisoners, serving warrants and securing federal
courts. On that logic, While India has CBI, but why
doesnt India have Indian marshals?
Answers for time pass questions
1. Nothing. Because UK is not a federal country. Although
UK does have special police forces to fight organized
crime and narcotics. But in terms of jurisdiction and
functions, theyre not equivalent to CBI/FBI.
2. Hint given in answer 1.
3. because most of the federal prisoners in India are
either out on bail or doing Aiyaashi in the jail so separate
police to transport prisoners=not needed.