Current context: The Indian Navy is set to conduct AIKEYME off Tanzania’s coast, showcasing India's commitment to strengthening maritime ties and security cooperation with African nations. Exercise AIKEYME: Full Form: Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement. Aim: Strengthen defence cooperation, maritime security, and interoperability with 10 African nations. Venue: Off the coast of Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. Hosts: Indian Navy and Tanzania Peoples Defence Force. Participating Nations: Tanzania, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, South Africa. Objectives: Counter piracy and illegal fishing. Promote information sharing and surveillance. Build capacity of African navies. IOS Sagar Initiative: Deployment of INS Sunayna with a combined....Read More

Current Context: India launched the stealth frigate ‘Tavasya’ on March 22, 2025, at Goa Shipyard Limited. The event marks a milestone in India’s indigenous defence production under the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Important Facts Project 1135.6 (Talwar-Class Frigates) Collaborative project between India and Russia, based on Krivak III-class design. ‘Tavasya’ is the second vessel built in India; the first, ‘Triput’, was launched in July 2024. Specifications Dimensions:8 m length, 15.2 m beam, 4.5 m draught. Displacement: ~3,600 tons. Speed: Up to 28 knots with a gas turbine propulsion system. Combat and Stealth Capabilities Stealth: Radar-absorbing materials reduce radar cross-section. Weapons:....Read More

Current Context: Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise started on March 4, 2025, off Guam, hosted by the U.S. Navy's 7th Fleet. Participants:S., India, Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), and Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN). Objectives: Enhance ASW capabilities and tactical coordination. Conduct submarine-hunting exercises. Strengthen Indo-Pacific maritime security. Evolution: Initiated in 2019 as a U.S.-Australia drill. Expanded to include Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand (2020); India joined in 2021. Awards: Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) has won the Dragon Belt Award since 2022. Significance: For India: Boosts ASW skills and Quad cooperation. For Indo-Pacific: Ensures....Read More

Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) Ltd successfully completed Contractor Sea Trials (CSTs) for Himgiri (Advanced Frigate, Project 17A) and Androth (ASW Shallow Water Craft), marking a key milestone in India’s naval shipbuilding. About the Vessels Himgiri: First of three Advanced Frigates under Project 17A, enhancing stealth & combat capabilities. Androth: Second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare vessels, improving India’s coastal defence. Significance of Project 17A Boosts India’s maritime strength with modern, indigenously designed ships. 80% indigenous materials, supporting 2000+ Indian firms & MSMEs, promoting Atmanirbhar Bharat. First gas turbine propulsion vessels at GRSE, featuring stealth & advanced weapon systems.Read More

The 23rd edition of the India-France naval exercise VARUNA will take place from March 19–22, 2025, in the Arabian Sea, strengthening naval cooperation between the two nations. Established in 2001, VARUNA enhances maritime interoperability and operational synergy between the two nations. About VARUNA 2025 Participants: Indian & French Navies Key Assets: INS Vikrant (India) & Charles de Gaulle (France) – Aircraft carriers MiG-29K (India) & Rafale-M (France) – Fighter aircraft Destroyers, frigates, and an Indian Scorpene-class submarine Focus Areas: Air defence, anti-submarine warfare, surface combat, maritime patrol, and replenishment-at-sea Significance Strengthens naval cooperation and Indo-Pacific security. Promotes a rules-based maritime....Read More

The Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers, organized a workshop on the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech Sector (PRIP) Scheme to advance research and development in pharmaceuticals and medical technology. Key Participants: Secretaries from five key ministries including Pharmaceuticals, Science & Technology, Electronics & IT, Scientific & Industrial Research, and Health Research, along with over 100 experts from premier research institutions and industry stakeholders. Focus Areas: Discussions covered emerging trends, industry-academia collaboration, funding mechanisms, and digital health innovations such as AI, precision medicine, and clinical research advancements. Government Support: PRIP aims to catalyze innovation, strengthen industry-academia....Read More

China has recently installed a Large Phased Array Radar (LPAR) in Yunnan Province, boosting its surveillance over India and the Indian Ocean. Key Features of LPAR Advanced Surveillance: Uses electronically controlled antennas for rapid scanning and multi-target tracking. Extended Range: Over 5,000 km, capable of monitoring India’s missile tests in real time. Early Warning System: Detects and tracks ballistic missile launches, providing critical trajectory data. Strategic Location & Intelligence Capabilities Positioned in Yunnan Province, allowing surveillance over the Indian Ocean, Bay of Bengal, and Indian missile test sites. Enables real-time tracking of Indian missile tests, including those from Dr APJ....Read More

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a ₹2,906 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Ghaziabad for procuring Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) "Ashwini" on March 12, 2025 in New Delhi. Indigenous Development: LLTR (Ashwini) is designed and developed by DRDO’s Electronics & Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. Key Features: This Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar is based on solid-state technology, capable of tracking high-speed fighter jets, UAVs, and helicopters, enhancing Indian Air Force (IAF) operational capabilities. Strategic Importance: The procurement reduces dependency on foreign equipment, strengthens India’s indigenous defence ecosystem, and supports Make in India....Read More

The 6th edition of Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) and the 4th edition of Exercise BONGOSAGAR between the Indian Navy and Bangladesh Navy commenced on March 10, 2025, in the Bay of Bengal and will continue until March 12, 2025. Background India and Bangladesh have conducted joint naval exercises since 2018, strengthening regional maritime security. Previous BONGOSAGAR-23 & CORPAT-23 were held in November 2023, featuring patrolling, tactical drills, and humanitarian assistance exercises. Participating Naval Forces Bangladesh Navy: BNS ABU UBAIDAH (warship) & maritime patrol aircraft Indian Navy: INS RANVIR (warship) & helicopter Objectives The exercises aim to enhance maritime security, combat illegal....Read More

The Ministry of Defence has signed a $248 million contract with Russia’s Rosoboronexport (RoE) for the procurement of 1000 HP engines to upgrade T-72 tanks of the Indian Army. About T-72 Tank Main Battle Tank (MBT) of the Indian Army, currently powered by a 780 HP engine. Originally designed by Uralvagonzavod (USSR) and later manufactured & upgraded in India at Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi. Equipped with a carousel-type automatic loader, reducing reload time and increasing combat efficiency by maintaining a steady fire rate. Key Features of T-72 Enhanced Mobility: New 1000 HP engine improves speed and maneuverability. Better Armour Protection:....Read More