General Awareness

DEFENCE - January 2025

Jan 2025

Jun 25, 2026

Three Indigenous Naval Platforms Commissioned at Kolkata

Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned INS Dunagiri, INS Sanshodhak, and INS Agray into the Indian Navy in June 2026 at Kolkata’s Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE). Dunagiri is a stealth frigate, Sanshodhak a survey vessel, and Agray an anti‑submarine warfare craft. Built domestically, the trio strengthens India’s maritime capabilities and self‑reliant defence production. The event highlighted Make in India efforts and enhanced naval strength for coastal and blue‑water operations. The three platforms reflect progress in indigenous shipbuilding, project timelines, and the government’s push for a more capable and self‑sufficient navy.

Vessels: INS Dunagiri (frigate), INS Sanshodhak (survey), INS Agray (ASW craft)
Venue: GRSE, Kolkata; commissioning in June 2026
Significance: indigenously built; strengthens maritime capability
Strategic angle: Make in India and self‑reliant defence
Role: enhanced coastal and blue‑water operations

Canada–Australia A-OTHR Radar Deal Boosts Arctic Surveillance

In June 2026, Canada finalised a defence cooperation agreement with Australia for an Arctic Over‑the‑Horizon Radar (A‑OTHR) system, involving BAE Systems Australia. The deal strengthens Canada’s NORAD modernization programme and enhances Arctic surveillance and early‑warning capabilities. Described as a major defence export milestone for Australia, the arrangement could expand co‑production and technology transfer in northern defence infrastructure. The radar system is intended to supplement existing northern security networks and provide timely intelligence for strategic decision‑makers amid increasing polar activity and geopolitical competition in Arctic regions.

Agreement date: June 2026
System: Arctic Over‑the‑ Horizon Radar (A‑OTHR)
Parties: Canada and Australia; involving BAE Systems Australia
Context: NORAD modernization and Arctic security
Implications: defence export milestone; potential tech transfer

Jun 24, 2026

First Made-in-India C295 aircraft to roll out from Vadodara facility in 2026

India’s Air Force is set to receive its first Made-in-India C295 transport aircraft from the Vadodara facility in Gujarat. The aircraft is part of a 56-aircraft contract with Airbus, which includes 16 aircraft delivered from Spain and 40 manufactured in India by Tata Advanced Systems Limited. The programme represents a major milestone in India’s domestic defence manufacturing push and aims to boost strategic airlift capability, upgrade transport services, and create high-technology jobs. The first locally assembled unit is expected to roll out in September 2026, with full deliveries scheduled through the 2030s. Industry analysts say the project strengthens India’s bid to become a global defence manufacturing hub.

Contract: 56 C295 aircraft (16 Spain-made, 40 India-made)
Manufacturer: Tata Advanced Systems Limited (Vadodara) and Airbus
Aims: enhance airlift, upgrade transport services, create jobs
Roll-out expected: September 2026
Strategic importance: supports India’s defence manufacturing goals

Jun 20, 2026

Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2026 Begins in Mongolia

India participates in Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2026, being conducted in Mongolia from 20 June to 3 July 2026. The event takes place at the Five Hills Training Area in Ulaanbaatar and marks the 23rd edition of the multinational exercise. The focus is on interoperability and peace support operations, with participants practicing joint planning, communications, and medical evacuation procedures. The exercise strengthens defense cooperation with partner nations and enhances regional security in the Indo-Pacific space. It highlights India’s commitment to collaborative security efforts and to building practical military partnerships with Mongolia and allied forces.

Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2026 runs 20 June–3 July 2026 in Mongolia.
Location: Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar.
23rd edition of the multinational exercise.
Emphasis on interoperability for peace support operations.
India participates alongside partner nations.
Aims to strengthen regional security cooperation.

Jun 19, 2026

10th Thailand–India Defence Dialogue held in Bangkok

The 10th Thailand–India Defence Dialogue took place in Bangkok on 16 June 2026 to review bilateral defence cooperation and regional security issues. Co-chaired by Thailand’s Deputy Permanent Secretary for Defence Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich and India’s Joint Secretary for Defence, Satyajit Mohanty, the talks covered defence manufacturing, research and innovation, training exchanges, and maritime cooperation. The two sides reviewed ongoing engagements and discussed opportunities to deepen industry collaboration. The dialogue built on the elevation of India–Thailand relations to a Strategic Partnership in 2025, signaling intent to enhance strategic ties across security and defence sectors.

Date and place: 16 June 2026, Bangkok
Co-chairs: Admiral Nuttapol Diewvanich and Satyajit Mohanty
Topics: defence manufacturing, R&D, training, maritime cooperation
Focus: strengthen defence industry cooperation
Context: strategic partnership established in 2025

Indian Coast Guard inducts first indigenous Air-Cushion Vehicle H-561 in Goa

On 6 June 2026, the Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle, designated H-561, at Chowgule and Company Private Limited in Goa. The hovercraft is the first of six ACVs planned for the Coast Guard and is designed to operate in shallow waters, marshy areas, and mudflats, enabling rapid response along coastlines and inland waterways. The induction marks progress in Make in India and domestic defence manufacturing, with the ACV developed by Indian industries under the coast guard modernization programme. Officials say H-561 will improve coastal surveillance, search and rescue, and disaster response in challenging littoral environments.

Date and place: 6 June 2026, Goa; induction at Chowgule Shipyard
H-561 is the first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle for the Coast Guard
Part of a six-ACV programme to bolster coastal capability
ACV designed for shallow waters, marshy zones, and mudflats
Supports enhanced coastal surveillance, SAR, and disaster response

Jun 17, 2026

India to join Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia

India will participate in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, a biennial multinational air combat drill hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force in the Northern Territory. The exercise is scheduled from 20 July 2026 to 7 August 2026 and will involve air forces from several partner nations. The Indian Air Force will join in complex air-to-air and air-to-ground missions, focusing on interoperability and integrated air operations. The event seeks to improve tactical coordination, joint planning, and procedures across allied air components, while exposing Indian crews to varied mission environments. Observers and liaison teams will support logistics and debriefs to consolidate lessons learned.

Event: Pitch Black 2026
Dates: 20 July to 7 August 2026
Location: Northern Territory, Australia
Participants: Indian Air Force among multiple nations
Focus: Interoperability, joint planning, and mission readiness

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