Which one of the following countries has hosted the Army Exercise TSENTR, 2019?
- (a)Russia
- (b)China
- (c)Kazakhstan
- (d)Kyrgyzstan
Correct — A, Russia. Exercise TSENTR (Tsentr, meaning 'Centre') 2019 was Russia's annual strategic command-staff exercise, hosted by Russia and held from 16 to 21 September 2019 at training ranges such as Donguz and Totsky. Seven foreign states — including India, China, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan — took part. 'Tsentr' is the Russian word for 'Centre', one of Russia's four rotating strategic exercises.
- (b)China — China was a participant in Tsentr-2019, not the host; the exercise was conducted on Russian territory.
- (c)Kazakhstan — Kazakhstan sent troops to Tsentr-2019 but did not host it — the drills were held in Russia.
- (d)Kyrgyzstan — Kyrgyzstan participated (its President even observed the drills), but the host and organiser was Russia.
Russia runs a four-year rotation of large strategic exercises — Zapad (West), Vostok (East), Tsentr (Centre) and Kavkaz (South). Tsentr-2019 rehearsed Central-Asian-theatre operations and coalition counter-terrorism, with India joining as a participant.
The trap is the several Central Asian participant countries. The host is Russia, and the exercise name 'Tsentr' is itself the Russian word for 'Centre'.
- Tsentr-2019 was hosted by Russia, from 16 to 21 September 2019.
- 'Tsentr' means 'Centre' — one of Russia's four strategic exercises (Zapad, Vostok, Tsentr, Kavkaz).
- Participants included India, China, Pakistan and Central Asian states.
- India took part with a contingent, reflecting India-Russia defence cooperation.
- Picking a Central Asian participant as the host — the host is Russia.
- Confusing Tsentr with the SCO's 'Peace Mission' exercise.
A defence current-affairs recall — 'Tsentr' (Centre) is a Russian strategic exercise, hosted by Russia.
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune). 3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation. 4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise. Select the answer using the code given below :
- (a) 1, 2 and 3
- (b) 1, 2 and 4
- (c) 1, 3 and 4
- (d) 2, 3 and 4
Answer(d) 2, 3 and 4
Same theme — military exercises and their partner countries. UPSC tests facts about Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 (an India-Sri Lanka exercise); this NDA item tests which country hosted the Tsentr-2019 strategic exercise (Russia).
Exercise Desert Cyclone is a joint military exercise between India and:
- (a) Kuwait
- (b) Saudi Arabia
- (c) United Arab Emirates
- (d) Oman
Answer(c) United Arab Emirates
Same concept — identifying the partner or host of a named military exercise. That NDA item asks India's partner in Exercise Desert Cyclone (the UAE); this one asks which country hosted Tsentr-2019 (Russia).
- practice — not a real PYQ
'Tsentr', 'Vostok', 'Zapad' and 'Kavkaz' are the strategic military exercises of which country?
- (a)China
- (b)Russia
- (c)USA
- (d)France
Answer(b) Russia — its four rotating strategic exercises named for the compass directions.
- practice — not a real PYQ
India participated in the Tsentr-2019 strategic exercise hosted by
- (a)Kazakhstan
- (b)China
- (c)Russia
- (d)Uzbekistan
Answer(c) Russia — the host of Tsentr-2019.