General Awareness

DEFENCE - August 2025

Aug 2025

Oct 29, 2026

Goa Shipyard Launches INS Srishti for Indian Navy

Goa Shipyard Limited launched INS Srishti (Yard 1283) on 27 October 2026 at the Vaddem facility in Goa. The fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel will enhance maritime surveillance, anti-piracy operations, search and rescue, and humanitarian assistance. The Indian Navy’s Buy (Indian-IDDM) programme includes 11 vessels total, valued at about ₹9,781 crore, underscoring a push for Indigenous Defence Manufacturing. INS Srishti will strengthen coastal security and regional capabilities, complementing existing patrol fleets. The vessel’s introduction aligns with broader government aims to expand domestic shipbuilding, deepen supplier networks, and improve rapid-response capabilities across sea lanes.

INS Srishti launched on 27 October 2026 at Vaddem, Goa
Fourth Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel in the series
Supports coastal surveillance, anti-piracy, search and rescue
Part of 11-vessel Buy Indian-IDDM programme worth ₹9,781 crore
Advances indigenous defence manufacturing in India

Oct 28, 2026

AUSTRAHIND 2026 Fifth Edition Begins in Kerala

The fifth edition of Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026, a joint India‑Australia drill, began on 19 October 2026 in Kerala and runs until 1 November 2026. The Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthuram hosts the exercise, with about 120 personnel from each army taking part. Indian troops include units from the Garhwal Rifles, while Australia is represented by 13 Brigade. The exercise focuses on joint operations in island and coastal environments and aims to improve interoperability between the two forces. It enhances shared procedures, planning and rapid response capabilities for future coastal security scenarios.

AUSTRAHIND 2026 is the fifth edition of the joint India‑Australia exercise.
Dates: 19 October to 1 November 2026.
Location: Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Participants: ~120 personnel from each army; Indian Garhwal Rifles and Australian 13 Brigade.
Focus: island and coastal operations and interoperability.

Oct 27, 2026

India to Lead Delegation at 13th ADMM-Plus in Cebu

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh led the Indian delegation to the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), scheduled for 28–29 October 2026 in Cebu, Philippines. The meeting aims to strengthen regional defence cooperation, with emphasis on maritime security, counter-terrorism, and emerging security challenges in the Indo-Pacific. The ADMM-Plus platform facilitates dialogue among ASEAN members and dialogue partners to enhance interoperability, information sharing, and joint exercises. India has sought to expand defence ties and cooperation through multilateral forums, while addressing regional stability. The gathering comes at a time of evolving security architectures and growing partnerships in the region, with implications for regional peace and collaborative security.

Rajnath Singh to lead India’s delegation at ADMM-Plus in Cebu, 28–29 Oct 2026.
Focus areas include maritime security, counter-terrorism, and emerging threats.
ADMM-Plus serves as a platform for dialogue among ASEAN and partners.
India aims to expand defence cooperation and interoperability.
Event occurs amid shifting security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Oct 26, 2026

Wings over Ganges air show highlights IAF capabilities in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the Indian Air Force aerial display Wings over Ganges at Namo Ghat, Varanasi, on 25 October 2026. The event marked the IAF's 94th anniversary and showcased aircraft including Rafale, Sukhoi Su-30MKI, and Tejas. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attended. The demonstration aimed to boost public engagement with air power and showcase India’s evolving defence capabilities. The air show reflected ongoing modernization efforts and the emphasis on domestic aviation manufacturing and pilot training within the broader security framework.

Date: 25 October 2026
Location: Namo Ghat, Varanasi
Attendees: PM Modi, Defence Minister, UP CM
Aircraft on display: Rafale, Su-30MKI, Tejas
Purpose: public engagement and capability showcase
Context: IAF’s 94th anniversary

Swavlamban 2026 highlights domestic innovation in defence

The Indian Navy announced the fifth edition of Swavlamban 2026, a Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, scheduled for 26–27 October 2026 at the Manekshaw Centre in New Delhi. The event carries the theme 'Strength & Power through Innovation and Indigenisation'. It will gather defence organizations, startups, MSMEs, industries and researchers to discuss indigenous technologies, including artificial intelligence, maritime surveillance and counter-drone systems. The seminar aims to foster collaboration across government, industry, and academia to accelerate development from concept to deployment. It underscores the government’s push for self-reliance in defence and faster adoption of homegrown solutions.

Dates: 26–27 October 2026
Venue: Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
Theme: Strength & Power through Innovation and Indigenisation
Participants: defence bodies, startups, MSMEs, researchers
Focus areas: AI, maritime surveillance, counter-drone tech
Objective: accelerate indigenisation and deployment

Oct 23, 2026

BRICS Parliamentary Forum prep in New Delhi signals formal engagements

Parliamentary preparations in New Delhi focused on hosting the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum next week, with venues at the Parliament complex being readied for the event in late October 2026. The forum will discuss topics such as ethical digital transformation, global governance reform and parliamentary diplomacy, while showcasing cultural displays from Indian states. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla will chair the proceedings and oversee bilateral meetings with visiting delegates. The gathering aims to strengthen BRICS cooperation and discuss policy coordination, with attendance expected from multiple BRICS member countries and partners.

BRICS Parliamentary Forum scheduled in New Delhi late October 2026.
Themes include ethical digital transformation and global governance reform.
Parliament halls being prepared for the event.
Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to chair sessions.
Attendees from BRICS members and partner states anticipated.

SIMBEX-2026 showcases India-Singapore maritime interoperability

The 33rd Singapore–India Maritime Bilateral Exercise, SIMBEX-2026, runs from 21 to 26 October 2026 in Visakhapatnam and the Bay of Bengal. Harbour Phase lasts 21–23 October, followed by Sea Phase 24–26 October, featuring anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare drills. Primary participants include Indian ships INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta, alongside Singapore’s RSS Supreme. SIMBEX began in 1994 as Exercise Lion King and has since become a cornerstone of bilateral defence cooperation, enhancing mutual operating procedures, navigation safety and maritime security in the region.

SIMBEX-2026 is the 33rd edition, 21–26 October 2026.
Harbour Phase: 21–23 October; Sea Phase: 24–26 October.
Drills cover anti-submarine, anti-surface and anti-air warfare.
Major ships: INS Nilgiri, INS Kamorta (India); RSS Supreme (Singapore).
Originated in 1994 as Exercise Lion King and evolved since.

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