General Awareness

DEFENCE - January 2019

Jan 2019

Jan 27, 2026

Indian Navy’s MAHASAGAR 1TS departs Belawan, strengthens maritime links with Indonesia

India’s MAHASAGAR First Training Squadron (1TS) departed Belawan, Indonesia, on January 23, 2026, after a three-day port call. The voyage reinforces maritime ties with Indonesia, a key IONS partner, and advances the MAHASAGAR vision. Trainees from INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, and ICGS Sarathi engaged in professional exchanges, training visits, and cultural and sports activities. The engagements deepened professional cooperation and people-to-people links between the two navies, underscoring continued collaborative maritime security and capacity-building efforts.

MAHASAGAR 1TS departed Belawan on Jan 23, 2026
Ships involved: INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata, ICGS Sarathi
Visits included professional exchanges and sports events
Strengthens India-Indonesia maritime cooperation within IONS

Indonesia Receives Three Rafale Jets from France

Indonesia received three Rafale fighter jets from France on 26 January 2026, marking the first deliveries of a multi-billion defence deal. Jakarta, a key Dassault Aviation client, has ordered up to 42 Rafales along with frigates and submarines as it modernises its air power. The deal signals strengthened strategic ties with Paris under President Prabowo Subianto. The delivery aligns with Indonesia’s broader defence spending and regional security objectives in Southeast Asia, illustrating active diversification of defence partnerships and capabilities across the region.

Date: 26 January 2026; first Rafale deliveries to Indonesia.
Indonesia has up to 42 Rafales planned.
Deal includes frigates and submarines; produced by Dassault Aviation.
Part of broader defence modernization under President Prabowo.
Represents strengthened Indonesia-France strategic ties.

Jan 25, 2026

Delhi Police to deploy AI-enabled smart glasses for Republic Day security

On 21 January 2026, Delhi Police announced the deployment of AI-enabled smart glasses for Republic Day security. The glasses include facial recognition and thermal imaging and will connect to a central database to identify suspects in real time. Over 10,000 police personnel will be deployed with more than 3,000 CCTV cameras and multiple control rooms. Officials said procurement is ongoing, but the glasses will be used in high-security operations. The move adds a digital layer to crowd management during the Republic Day events and aims to enhance threat detection and response time.

AI-enabled smart glasses to be used for Republic Day security.
Facial recognition plus thermal imaging features.
Large deployment with 10,000 personnel and 3,000+ CCTV cameras.
Procurement in progress; real-time database access planned.

Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework released by CDS

On 23 January 2026, Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework. The document outlines a plan to integrate quantum technologies across the Indian armed forces, covering Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing, Quantum Sensing and Metrology, and Quantum Materials and Devices. It stresses jointness, civil-military fusion, and coordinated execution under dedicated governance. Aligned with the National Quantum Mission, the policy seeks to strengthen defence capabilities through advanced quantum tools while addressing security, interoperability, and procurement challenges within Tri-Serves.

Policy framework released by CDS on 23 January 2026.
Four pillars: QC, CQ, QS and Metrology, QM Devices.
Emphasizes jointness and civil-military fusion.
Aligned with National Quantum Mission; governance in place.

Jan 24, 2026

Sikkim Police awarded President of India’s Colour Award

The Sikkim Police have been honoured with the President of India’s Colour Award, a prestigious national recognition for police forces. The award was announced by the state’s Director General of Police Akshay Sachdeva during a press conference, who called it a historic moment for the force and the state. He credited the Ministry of Home Affairs for guidance and support. The Colour Award places Sikkim Police among a select group of forces recognised at the national level for sustained service. The conferment is expected to boost morale and highlight security achievements in protecting people and maintaining law and order across the region.

Sikkim Police awarded the President of India’s Colour Award.
Announcement made by DGP Akshay Sachdeva.
Recognised for sustained service and national standing.
Ministry of Home Affairs credited for support.
Award expected to boost morale and regional security profile.

Jan 20, 2026

INS Sudarshini sets off on Lokayan 26 voyage; training and diplomacy

Indian Navy’s sail training ship INS Sudarshini began its Lokayan 26 flagship voyage, a 10‑month transoceanic mission starting January 20, 2026. The vessel will cover more than 22,000 nautical miles and visit 18 ports across 13 countries, with 200+ trainees undergoing advanced seamanship and navigation training. The voyage includes participation in Escale à Sète (France) and SAIL 250 (New York, USA), showcasing India’s maritime heritage and international naval cooperation. The mission supports government strategic goals of MAHASAGAR and expands international naval exchanges with partner nations.

INS Sudarshini begins Lokayan 26 voyage
Duration: 10 months; 22,000+ nautical miles
Ports: 18 across 13 countries; 200+ trainees
Events: Escale à Sète and SAIL 250
Aligns with MAHASAGAR and naval diplomacy goals

Jan 19, 2026

INS Sagardhwani Flagged Off for Sagar Maitri Fifth Edition

INS Sagardhwani, a naval oceanographic research vessel of the DRDO, was flagged off from Kochi for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative. The voyage retraces the route of INS Kistna that served in the 1960s and aims to build sustained ocean research collaboration with eight Indian Ocean Rim nations. The MAHASAGAR framework supports socio economic engagement and scientific partnership. DURING the mission INS Sagardhwani will collect critical oceanographic and acoustic data to enhance Underwater Domain Awareness for maritime security. Commissioned in July 1994, Sagardhwani has contributed to India s maritime science capabilities.

Flag off location: Kochi
Purpose: Sagar Maitri fifth edition
Retains historic Kistna route from 1962–65
Partners: eight IOR countries
Role: DRDO and Navy collaboration

Operation Sagar Bandhu Builds Third Bailey Bridge in Sri Lanka

As part of Operation Sagar Bandhu, Indian Army Engineers completed a 120 foot Bailey bridge across 15 kilometres of the B-429 highway in Sri Lanka. The bridge connects the Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts, restoring a lifeline disrupted by Cyclone Ditwah. Earlier Bailey bridges were installed in Jaffna and Kandy. The operation shows tri service cooperation and rapid deployment of engineering assets to support civilian infrastructure and relief work. The bridge improves access for residents and relief services, demonstrating continued humanitarian engagement and regional solidarity in the wake of natural disasters.

Bridge length: 120 feet, location on B-429 highway
Connections: Kandy and Nuwara Eliya districts
Third Bailey bridge after Jaffna and Kandy
Context: Cyclone Ditwah aftermath
Significance: civilian access and relief capability

Trilateral DOSTI 17 Maritime Exercise Begins in Maldives

The trilateral maritime exercise DOSTI-17 began officially in the Maldives, bringing together coast guards of India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Inaugurated in Malé on 17 January 2026, the exercise aims to enhance maritime cooperation, coordination, and security in the Indian Ocean region. Senior defence officials and diplomats attended the opening, underscoring growing regional collaboration. DOSTI-17 includes coordinated patrol planning, information sharing, and joint exercises to improve interoperability among participating nations. The exercise strengthens maritime domain awareness and demonstrates ongoing security engagement with IOR partners.

Inauguration: 17 January 2026, Malé
Participants: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives
Objectives: cooperation, coordination, security
Activities: information sharing, joint exercises
Significance: regional maritime interoperability

Rajnath Singh Inaugurates Ammunition Facility in Nagpur

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a new Medium Calibre Ammunition Manufacturing Facility at Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited in Nagpur. The facility will manufacture 30 mm ammunition for the Indian Army and Navy. Singh stressed the government push for Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence and greater private sector participation. He also inspected the Pinaka Rocket manufacturing facility and flagged off the first tranche of guided Pinaka rockets exported to Armenia, signaling growing defence exports. The event highlights efforts to address past shortages and strengthen national security through domestic manufacturing.

Facility: 30 mm ammunition production
Location: Nagpur
Policy focus: Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence
Export note: Pinaka rockets to Armenia
Impact: domestic production and security resilience

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