(a) whether the first multilateral Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise of Indian Air Force (IAF) in association with South Asian Region nations was held off the coast of Kerala;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the exercise was based on scenario of tsunami and resulting in post-tsunami disaster management along western coast and western Islands of India; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF DEFENCE (SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) & (b): Yes, Madam. A Multilateral Air Exercise (Ex Samvedna) on HADR theme involving Indian Air Force and Air Forces of Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and observers from UAE Air Force was held at Trivandrum from 12-17 March, 2018.
(c) & (d): Yes Madam, the settings of the exercise were based on a tsunami event originating from an earthquake and resulting disaster along the western coast and western islands of India. The exercise included ground training and Table Top Exercise as well as field / flying exercise. During the course of exercise, there were field demonstrations showcasing communication vehicles and employment of communications assets for providing voice and digital connectivity from disaster hit remote locations. Medical capabilities were also demonstrated in which a designated zone and a Rapid Action Medical Team (RAMT) along with a Patient Transfer Unit (PTU) and Critical Care Air Transport (CCAT) team was deployed. The employment of Garuds for carrying out on ground rescue and evacuation and field bridging was also demonstrated.
This exercise is the first step to practice and evolve greater HADR capability in the region and helped in putting in place a basic framework for conduct of coordinated HADR efforts.
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