General Awareness

DEFENCE - July 2023

Jul 2023

Feb 09, 2026

INS Arnala strengthens India’s indigenous naval capability

INS Arnala, the Indian Navy’s first indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, marks a milestone in India’s shift from a ‘Buyers Navy’ to a ‘Builders Navy’ under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision. Arnala is the lead ship of a new ASW‑SWC class developed for coastal and shallow waters, featuring advanced sensors and propulsion to counter submarine threats near the shoreline. The platform is intended to enhance coastal security, bolster domestic shipbuilding and supply chains, and underline India’s self‑reliance in defence manufacturing. Officials emphasise strategic value for protecting India’s long coastline and maritime interests.

Vessel: INS Arnala (ASW Shallow Water Craft)
Strategic aim: builder’s navy under Aatmanirbhar Bharat
Role: coastal and shallow water anti-submarine operations
Impacts: strengthens domestic shipbuilding ecosystem
Significance: enhanced maritime security for long Indian coastline

Feb 07, 2026

Defence conclave highlights integrated, multi-domain warfighting

Headquarters Western Air Command hosted a two-day Joint Operations Conclave as part of the All Domain Joint Operations Exercise 2026. The Defence Ministry stated the aim was to strengthen joint planning, interoperability and intelligence sharing across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains. Senior officers from the Integrated Defence Staff, Army, Navy, Defence Space Agency and Air Force participated, with emphasis on institutionalising joint mechanisms for planning and capability gap analysis. Air Marshal J. S. Mann underscored the importance of jointness and efficiency, while Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit stressed sustainable multi-domain coordination for future conflicts. (Sources: Defence Ministry briefing; Western Air Command communications, February 2026.)

Two-day Joint Operations Conclave under All Domain Exercise 2026.
Focus on interoperability across air, land, sea, space and cyber domains.
Participants included IDS, Army, Navy, DSA and Air Force.
Emphasis on integrated planning and intelligence sharing.
Officials highlighted identification of capability gaps and joint mechanisms.

Feb 06, 2026

Indo‑US 24th Joint Technical Group Plenary Advances Defence Tech

India and the United States held the 24th Joint Technical Group Plenary at DRDO Headquarters in New Delhi on 3–4 February 2026 to advance cooperation in defence sciences and technology. Co‑chairs were DRDO’s Director General for Production, Coordination and Services Interaction and the US Assistant Secretary of War for Critical Technologies. The discussions focused on joint projects, knowledge exchange and potential co‑development of defence technologies, with the aim of strengthening security collaboration and technological interoperability between the two countries.

Event: 24th Indo‑US JTG Plenary; DRDO HQ, New Delhi; 3–4 Feb 2026.
Participants: DRDO leadership; US War Department official for Critical Technologies.
Focus: Defence science collaboration and co‑development.
Outcome: Strengthened dialogue on technology sharing and projects.
Context: Part of broader defence partnership.

Adani-Leonardo Sign MoU for Military Helicopter Manufacturing in India

Italian defence major Leonardo and Adani Defence and Aerospace have signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish an integrated helicopter manufacturing ecosystem in India. The partnership aims to meet the requirements of the Indian armed forces as well as the civilian sector, strengthening India's self-reliance in helicopter production. The collaboration focuses on phased indigenisation, development of maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) capabilities, and comprehensive pilot training. The MoU was signed in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and A Anbarasu, Director General (Acquisition), Ministry of Defence. The agreement follows closely after Adani's strategic collaboration with Brazil's Embraer for fixed-wing aircraft manufacturing in India.

Partners: Adani Defence and Aerospace; Leonardo (Italy).
Agreement: Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
Sector: Military and civilian helicopter manufacturing.
Key Features: Phased indigenisation; MRO capabilities; pilot training.
Officials Present: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh; DG (Acquisition) A Anbarasu.
Objective: Enhance self-reliance in helicopter production in India.
Context: Follows Adani–Embraer collaboration for fixed-wing aircraft manufacturing.

Feb 05, 2026

Russia launches Khabarovsk submarine capable of Poseidon drone

Russia launched its new nuclear-powered submarine Khabarovsk, designed to carry the Poseidon underwater drone, at Sevmash shipyard in Severodvinsk. Defence Minister Andrei Belousov and Naval Chief Admiral Alexander Moiseyev attended the ceremony. The Poseidon drone, described by some as a doomsday weapon, can travel long distances with potential for strategic impact. The launch signals continued modernization of Russia’s submarine fleet and its emphasis on next-generation underwater capabilities within its strategic deterrent landscape.

Khabarovsk nuclear submarine launched at Sevmash.
Designed to carry Poseidon underwater drone.
Poseidon described as a potential doomsday weapon.
Event attended by senior defence officials.

Feb 04, 2026

India-Kyrgyzstan joint exercise KHANJAR begins in Assam

The 13th edition of the KHANJAR joint military exercise between India and Kyrgyzstan began today at Misamari, Sonitpur district, Assam. Spanning 14 days, the exercise focuses on interoperability in urban warfare and counter-terrorism under United Nations mandates. India’s Parachute Regiment and Kyrgyzstan’s Scorpion Brigade will participate, practicing advanced skills such as sniping, room intervention, building clearance, mountain craft, and specialized counter-terrorism drills. Exercise KHANJAR has been held annually since 2011, with venues alternating between the two nations to strengthen defence cooperation and bilateral ties.

KHANJAR 13th edition kicked off in Misamari, Assam.
Duration: 14 days; focuses on urban warfare and counter-terrorism.
Participants include Indian Parachute Regiment and Kyrgyz Scorpion Brigade.
Exercises emphasize sniping, room intervention, and building clearance.
Annually held since 2011 to deepen defence partnership.

DRDO demonstrates SFDR propulsion; India joins elite missile tech club

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) propulsion from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha. Officials stated the test places India among a select group with this advanced long-range propulsion capability for air-to-air missiles. The SFDR system comprises a nozzle-less booster, a solid-fuel sustainer, a hot gas valve, air intakes, and an onboard guidance suite. The test data confirmed performance across subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster and ramjet sustainer, enabling missiles to achieve extended ranges and higher speeds with improved maneuverability.

SFDR propulsion demonstration conducted at Chandipur, Odisha.
Test underlines India’s advanced long-range missile capability.
Key subsystems include nozzle-less booster and ramjet sustainer.
System supports higher speeds and extended engagement ranges.
DRDO-led initiative enhances air-to-air missile development.

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