Current Affairs - Defence

The Indian Air Force concluded the week-long counter-drone exercise ROTOR CLAP III at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Conducted with the theme "Counter-UAS" (Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems), the exercise focused on tackling emerging drone threats through realistic combat simulations. It validated mission planning, rapid response, and interoperability among various helicopter platforms operating in desert terrain. The exercise also included reconnaissance, troop insertion, casualty evacuation, and battlefield support missions. Pokhran, located in the Thar Desert, is also historically significant as the site of India's 1974 and 1998 nuclear tests.

Alka Nangia Arora, a 1991-batch officer of the Indian Defence Accounts Service (IDAS), assumed charge as the Controller General of Defence Accounts (CGDA) on August 1, 2026. As the head of the Defence Accounts Department under the Ministry of Defence, she brings over three decades of experience in public financial management. During her career, she has served as Additional Secretary and Financial Adviser in the Department of Agricultural Research and Education, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of MSME, Managing Director of the Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Limited, and Additional Development Commissioner for Handicrafts under the Ministry of Textiles.

Vice Admiral AN Pramod assumed charge as the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff on August 1, 2026, succeeding Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, who retired after 38 years of distinguished service. Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1990, he has played key operational roles in Operation Vijay, Operation Parakram, and Operation Snow Leopard following the Galwan incident. Before his appointment, he served as Director General Naval Operations and also held the post of Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area. His exemplary service has been recognised with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2024 and the Yudh Seva Medal (YSM) in 2025.

Air Marshal Sandeep Thareja was appointed as the next Director General Armed Forces Medical Services (DGAFMS) by the Government of India on July 31, 2026, with effect from August 31, 2026. He will succeed Surgeon Vice Admiral Arti Sarin and is currently serving as the Director General Medical Services (Air). During his distinguished career, he played a key role in operationalising the BHISHM Cube for rapid humanitarian medical response and strengthening medical preparedness for the Gaganyaan Human Spaceflight Mission. A recipient of the Sena Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal & Bar, he has also served as Commandant of AFMC Pune and held several important military medical appointments.

Nipun, the Indian Navy's second indigenous Diving Support Vessel, was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam. Constructed with nearly 75% indigenous content, the vessel supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative by promoting self-reliance in defence manufacturing. It serves as a mothership for Deep Submergence Rescue Vessels during underwater rescue missions and is equipped with advanced saturation diving systems and Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) for deep-sea salvage and underwater operations. The induction of Nipun significantly strengthens the Indian Navy's underwater rescue and maritime support capabilities.