General Awareness

DEFENCE - March 2025

Mar 2025

Feb 10, 2026

India and Greece sign defence industrial cooperation pact

India and Greece signed a joint declaration of intent to deepen defence industrial cooperation. The agreement pursues a structured five-year roadmap for collaboration, focusing on indigenous defence production, maritime security, and secure supply chains. The declaration followed bilateral talks between India’s defence minister Rajnath Singh and Greece’s minister of national defence Nikolaos Georgios Dendias at the Manekshaw Centre. The pact signals a long-term partnership rather than isolated projects and envisions joint research, technology transfers, and co-production. Officials stressed resilience of defence supply chains and closer military exchanges as both countries seek diversified strategic partnerships.

Declaration signed after talks between Rajnath Singh and Nikolaos Dendias
Five-year roadmap for defence industrial cooperation
Focus on indigenous production, maritime security, secure supply chains
Emphasis on joint research, technology transfer, and co-production
Long-term strategic partnership with Greece

Buddy Squadron: South Korea and US begin joint aerial exercise

South Korea and the United States launched the Buddy Squadron joint aerial exercise at Osan Air Base in Pyeongtaek this week. The drills aim to improve interoperability and integrated tactical capabilities between the two air forces, featuring fourth- and fifth-generation fighters. The exercises will run through Friday and have seen participation expand this year with more aircraft and sorties. Officials say the maneuvers focus on air-to-air combat, formation flight, and real-time data sharing to strengthen readiness against regional security challenges. Analysts note the exercise underscores ongoing security coordination between Washington and Seoul in the Indo-Pacific.

Buddy Squadron exercise started at Osan Air Base
Aims: interoperability and joint tactical capability
Involves fourth- and fifth-generation fighters
Runs through Friday; participation expanded this year
Reflects allied defense posture in the Indo-Pacific

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.

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