TNPSC Current affairs May 2017 18 for group 1 & group 2 mains (ALL)

TNPSC Current Affairs May 2017

1.Maritime Bilateral Exercise Between India and  Singapore - SIMBEX-17 Commences 

The 24^th Maritime Bilateral Exercise between India and Singapore navy named SIMBEX-17 has commenced in South China Sea. 

The year’s exercise is aimed at increasing interoperability amongst the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)and Indian Navy as well as developing common understanding and procedures for maritime security operations.

About SIMBEX: 

• Abbreviation of SIMBEX is “Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercises”.
• The first bilateral training between Singapore and India navy was formalised in 1994 .
• This year exercise is divided into 2 phases , first wide-ranging professional interactions during the Harbour Phase and second diverse range of operational activities at sea during the Sea Phase.
• This year exercise would focus mainly on Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), integrated operations with Surface, Air and Sub-surface forces, Air Defence and Surface Encounter Exercises.
• Indian navy is represented by  Naval ships, INS Sahyadri, INS Kamorta, Shivalik, Joti and one P8-I Maritime Patrol and Anti-submarine warfare Aircraft.
• Singapore Navy is represented by RSN Ships Supreme, Formidable and Victory and Maritime Patrol Aircraft Fokker F50 in addition to the RSAF F-16 aircraft.

2.The annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise at Naval Station, Karwar. 

The Annual Joint Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) Exercise was held at Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command Station Karwar, Karnataka. The Exercise was named as KARAVALI KARUNYA, which means assistance to the coast of Karnataka.

The exercise, which involves both professional exchange and actual disaster response mechanisms for Tsunami disaster scenario.

About the Exercise: 

• The exercise which aims in synergising civil-military disaster relief efforts post a natural disaster.
• The exercise is planned in 2 phases, first phase - action taken prior to tsunami hitting and second  phase -  action taken post to tsunami hitting the coast.
• The exercise will make armed forces and central and state government agencies working together towards providing relief in a post-tsunami scenario.
• It also showcased modern high-tech equipment to manage the aftermath of a tsunami.