General Awareness

DEFENCE - July 2022

Jul 2022

Feb 25, 2026

Dharma Guardian 2026 kicks off in Uttarakhand with 120 per side

Dharma Guardian 2026, the seventh India–Japan joint military exercise, commenced in Uttarakhand on 24 February and runs until 9 March. The event gathers 120 personnel from each nation for two weeks of joint training. Indian forces hail from the Ladakh Scouts, while Japan’s contingent comes from the 32nd Infantry Regiment. The exercise emphasizes interoperability for urban and semi-urban operations, counter-terrorism drills, and modern warfare concepts, including ISR integration and heliborne missions. This year’s edition highlights sustained defence cooperation and the practical sharing of best practices between Indian and Japanese forces.

Dharma Guardian 2026 begins 24 February; ends 9 March.
India and Japan: 120 personnel each side.
Indian contingent: Ladakh Scouts; Japanese: 32nd Infantry Regiment.
Focus: interoperability, semi-urban operations, urban warfare.
Significance: deepening defence ties in the Indo-Pacific.

7th India–Japan Dharma Guardian exercise starts in Uttarakhand

The seventh India–Japan Joint Military Exercise, Dharma Guardian 2026, commenced on 24 February at the Foreign Training Node, Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, and will run until 9 March 2026. The biennial drill, held alternately in India and Japan, brings together 120 personnel from each side. Indian troops come from the Ladakh Scouts, while Japan is represented by the 32nd Infantry Regiment. The exercise focuses on interoperability for joint operations in semi-urban environments, planning, and combined tactics. Activities include setting up operating bases, ISR coordination, cordon-and-search, heliborne missions, and urban-entry drills, strengthening defence cooperation and regional security in the Indo-Pacific.

Dharma Guardian 2026 began on 24 February in Chaubattia, Uttarakhand.
120 personnel from India and 120 from Japan per side.
Indian contingent: Ladakh Scouts; Japanese contingent: 32nd Infantry Regiment.
Dates: 24 February to 9 March 2026.
Focus: interoperability, semi-urban operations, and urban warfare.

Feb 24, 2026

INS Anjadip to be commissioned on 27 February 2026

The Indian Navy will commission INS Anjadip, the third vessel of the eight‑ship Anti‑Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW‑SWC) project, on 27 February 2026 at Chennai Port. The commissioning ceremony will be presided over by Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K. Tripathi. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, INS Anjadip strengthens India’s ASW capabilities and supports the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat defence manufacturing vision. The vessel is designed for shallow‑water operations, with advanced sonar and tracking systems to enhance coastal defence and submarine detection in littoral waters.

Event: Commissioning of INS Anjadip on 27 February 2026.
Location: Chennai Port; presiding official: Chief of the Naval Staff Dinesh K. Tripathi.
Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
Role: strengthens anti‑submarine warfare in shallow waters.
Strategic context: supports Make in India and Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

Feb 20, 2026

President Murmu Presides Over International Fleet Review 2026 Off Vizag

President Droupadi Murmu presided over the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2026 off Visakhapatnam on 18 February 2026, reviewing a large multinational fleet as part of IFR-MILAN-IONS activities. Approximately 70 ships and dozens of aircraft participated, gathered in six columns for the ceremonial review aboard the Presidential Yacht INS Sumedha. The President delivered remarks on maritime diplomacy, unity, and the shared responsibilities of navies from around the world in safeguarding sea lanes. The event highlighted India’s growing role in blue-water operations and its capacity to host large-scale multinational maritime exercises, underscoring the country’s commitment to peaceful, cooperative security at sea.

IFR 2026 conducted off Visakhapatnam with 70+ ships and multiple aircraft.
President Murmu reviewed the fleet from INS Sumedha, the Presidential Yacht.
Event included a ceremonial guard and 21-gun salute.
International participation underlines India’s maritime diplomacy.
Theme reflected unity and cooperative security at sea.

Feb 18, 2026

H125 Helicopter India Plant: Private Sector Milestone

India’s first private helicopter manufacturing plant for the H125 family was launched virtually by Prime Minister Modi and President Macron. Located in Karnataka’s Vemagal Industrial Area, the facility will begin by producing 10 helicopters annually and aims to scale up to meet estimated demand over the next two decades. The project represents a strategic milestone in private aerospace manufacturing in India and reinforces bilateral defence collaboration with France, supporting domestic capabilities and potential exports. ([timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-set-to-stake-claim-as-global-techbio-hub-with-bioasia-2026/articleshow/128434728.cms?utm_source=openai))

Private sector H125 plant underway
Initial production of 10 helicopters per year
Located in Vemagal, Karnataka
Aims for long‑term scale‑up to meet demand
Strengthens India–France defence ties

Modi & Macron Launch H125 Private Helicopter Facility

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron virtually inaugurated India’s first private‑sector helicopter manufacturing facility on 17 February 2026. The Final Assembly Line for H125 helicopters is located in Vemagal Industrial Area, Karnataka, near Bengaluru. The plant will initially produce 10 H125 helicopters per year, with plans to expand to meet domestic and export demand. The project marks a significant milestone in India–France defence partnership and strengthens the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in aerospace manufacturing by enabling domestic assembly of critical platforms and expanding export potential. ([timesofindia.indiatimes.com](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/telangana-set-to-stake-claim-as-global-techbio-hub-with-bioasia-2026/articleshow/128434728.cms?utm_source=openai))

Inauguration on 17 February 2026
First private helicopter plant in India
Location: Vemagal, Karnataka
Initial output: 10 H125 helicopters/year
Advances India–France defence cooperation

Feb 17, 2026

India-France Defence Pact: HAMMER Weapon to be Locally Manufactured

India and France are primed to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for local production of the HAMMER air-to-surface weapon, marking a milestone ahead of the 6th India-France Annual Defence Dialogue in Bengaluru on 16 February 2026. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin are expected to formalise the agreement, enabling joint production in India with Safran Electronics and Defense. The HAMMER is already integrated with the Indian Air Force Rafale fleet and was used in Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The deal is seen as a major step to boost indigenous capability and India’s stand-off strike posture in modern warfare.

MoU for local HAMMER production signed during defence dialogue in Bengaluru (16 February 2026).
Signatories: Rajnath Singh and Catherine Vautrin.
Joint production with Indian industry and Safran Electronics & Defense.
HAMMER already integrated with Rafale jets; used in Operation Sindoor (May 2025).
Aims to enhance indigenous capability and strategic autonomy.

IMACC 2026 to Be Hosted by Indian Army in Eastern Himalayas

The Indian Army will host the International Military Adventure Challenge Cup IMACC 2026 in the Eastern Himalayas from 18 to 23 February. Defence Ministry statements confirm participation from seven friendly foreign countries—Bhutan, Brazil, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia—alongside Indian Army, Air Force, Coast Guard and ITBP contingents. The event will feature endurance competitions designed to test physical fitness, teamwork, leadership and decision-making under pressure. Organisers hope IMACC 2026 strengthens military cooperation with partner nations and showcases India’s border regions and mountain warfare capabilities.

Event: IMACC 2026; dates 18–23 February.
Location: Eastern Himalayan region (India).
Participants: seven foreign nations plus Indian services.
Focus: endurance, fitness, teamwork, leadership.
Significance: enhances military ties and regional capabilities.

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