General Awareness

DEFENCE - April 2019

Apr 2019

Nov 15, 2026

India exports BrahMos missiles to Philippines; defence pact with Vietnam signed in 2026

India’s BrahMos Aerospace announced major export activity in mid-November 2026. On 13 November 2026, BrahMos CEO Jaiteerth R. Joshi said BrahMos missiles have been supplied to the Philippines and that a defence agreement with Vietnam for a coastal-defence and multi-platform package was signed earlier in 2026. The Vietnam package is valued at about US$629–700 million. Indonesia had also concluded a BrahMos deal in July 2026. The Philippines has emerged as the first foreign buyer of the missile system, underscoring India’s expanding defence partnerships in Southeast Asia.

Date: 13 November 2026
Philippines: first foreign buyer of BrahMos
Vietnam: defence agreement signed (May 2026) for US$629–700 million package
Indonesia: BrahMos deal signed in July 2026
Significance: growing India–Southeast Asia defence ties

IMNEX-26 India–Myanmar Naval Exercise underway at Visakhapatnam (10–14 Nov 2026)

The eighth edition of the India–Myanmar Naval Exercise (IMNEX-26) is under way at Visakhapatnam from 10 to 14 November 2026. Myanmar Navy ship UMS King Sin Phyu Shin arrived on 10 November to participate alongside Indian Navy ships INS Rana and INS Sumedha. The exercise features harbour and sea-phase activities, SME exchanges, cross-deck visits, and tactical drills to improve interoperability. IMNEX-26 supports maritime cooperation and security in the Bay of Bengal under the MAHASAGAR framework. The event highlights ongoing defence-to-defence engagement between India and Myanmar and strengthens regional maritime security partners.

Dates: 10–14 November 2026
Participants: Myanmar Navy (UMS King Sin Phyu Shin); Indian Navy (INS Rana, INS Sumedha)
Phases: harbour and sea-phase activities; SME exchanges; cross-deck visits
Purpose: improve interoperability and maritime security
Context: part of MAHASAGAR regional security efforts

Nov 14, 2026

India and Oman Conduct 15th Edition of Naseem Al Bahr Naval Exercise

India and Oman conducted the 15th Naseem Al Bahr naval exercise in 2026 to strengthen maritime cooperation and interoperability between their navies. The exercise, first held in 1993, involves the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. Indian Naval Ship INS Surat arrived at Muscat to participate. Naseem Al Bahr aims to enhance coordination and bilateral defence relations and to improve the ability of both navies to conduct joint maritime operations in diverse sea conditions.

Exercise: Naseem Al Bahr 2026, 15th edition.
Participants: Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman; INS Surat participated.
Origins: first conducted in 1993.
Aims: deepen maritime cooperation and interoperability.

Nov 12, 2026

Defence Ministry signs ₹498.58 crore contract for INS Betwa

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹498.58 crore contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited in November 2026 for the normal refit and re-powering of INS Betwa, a Brahmaputra-class guided-missile frigate. The project will replace its steam propulsion system with diesel engines and upgrade weapon systems, sensors, and combat management. The refit involves over 50 MSMEs, supporting indigenous shipbuilding under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The work will extend the frigate's service life and enhance endurance, mobility, and integration within the Navy's modernization efforts. The contract reflects a broader push for domestic defence manufacturing and local industry participation.

₹498.58 crore contract with Cochin Shipyard Limited.
INS Betwa refit and re-powering; diesel propulsion upgrade.
Weapon systems and sensors upgraded.
Involves 50+ MSMEs; supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Extend service life and modernization of Navy.

8th India–Myanmar Naval Exercise IMNEX-26 begins in Visakhapatnam

The 8th edition of the India–Myanmar Naval Exercise IMNEX-26 commenced on 10 November 2026 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and will run until 14 November 2026. Indian Navy ships INS Rana and INS Sumedha, along with Myanmar Navy ship UMS King Sin Phyu Shin, participate. The exercise supports India's MAHASAGAR vision by strengthening maritime cooperation, interoperability, and mutual understanding. It includes anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, seamanship, and communications drills, enhancing professional exchanges and joint readiness. The event underscores regional security in the Bay of Bengal and provides a platform to discuss future cooperation and learning. Maritime observers will monitor readiness and coordination.

IMNEX-26 runs 10–14 November 2026 in Visakhapatnam.
Participants: INS Rana, INS Sumedha (India) and UMS King Sin Phyu Shin (Myanmar).
Part of MAHASAGAR vision to boost interoperability.
Focus areas include anti-submarine and surface warfare.
Aims to enhance regional security and cooperation.

Indian Air Force unveils VAYU Vision to boost self-reliance

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit unveiled the VAYU vision, a plan to strengthen the Indian Air Force's capacity and self-reliance. The framework rests on four pillars: V for Vigilance, Victory and Readiness; A for Aatmanirbharta; Y for Yukti (Ingenuity); and U for Unity of Effort. The strategy prioritises indigenous defense production, advanced training, and improved jointness among services. Officials say VAYU will guide modernization, procurement, and technology development while emphasizing cybersecurity, air defence, and maintenance ecosystems. Officials also emphasise collaboration with industry and academia to expand domestic manufacturing and reduce import dependence. The move aligns with a broader national objective for defence self-reliance.

Four pillars: Vigilance, Aatmanirbharta, Yukti, Unity of Effort.
Emphasis on indigenous production and advanced training.
Focus on cybersecurity, air defence, maintenance ecosystems.
Industry-academia collaboration to expand domestic manufacturing.
Aims to reduce import dependence.

Nov 11, 2026

India–Myanmar Conduct First Tri‑Services HADR Exercise Rahat Mitra 2026

India and Myanmar conducted their first bilateral Tri‑Services Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercise, Rahat Mitra 2026, in Chennai on 5–6 November 2026. Coordinated by the Indian Navy, Army and Air Force, the exercise involved over 300 personnel and aimed to enhance disaster response capabilities and bilateral defence cooperation. The two‑day event included joint planning, cyclone scenario tabletop scenarios, and demonstrations of flood relief and casualty evacuation capabilities. The exercise underscored strengthened interoperability and regional security collaboration, with a theme emphasizing humanity and partnership to address natural disasters and emergencies.

Dates: 5–6 November 2026; location: Chennai
Participants: Indian Navy, Army, Air Force; Myanmar delegation
Objectives: enhance HADR interoperability; disaster response
Activities: joint planning, cyclone tabletop, demonstrations
Outcome: strengthened bilateral defence cooperation

Nov 08, 2026

INS Sahyadri Arrives at Yokosuka for MALABAR 2026

The Indian Navy’s indigenous Guided Missile Stealth Frigate INS Sahyadri arrived at Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan on 4 November 2026 to participate in MALABAR 2026. The multilateral naval exercise, hosted by Japan, involves India, the United States, Japan and Australia, and runs from 5 to 12 November 2026. The deployment showcases India's growing maritime diplomacy and defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. The exercise includes harbour and sea-phase activities, flag meetings, and joint drills intended to strengthen interoperability and professional exchanges among Quad partners and other participants.

Ship: INS Sahyadri
Arrival: Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan (4 November 2026)
Exericse: MALABAR 2026; participants: India, USA, Japan, Australia
Dates: 5–12 November 2026
Purpose: Enhance interoperability and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific

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