Current Affairs - Defence

Air Marshal Tejinder Singh took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command, bringing with him extensive operational and leadership experience. Air Marshal Tejinder Singh is a highly seasoned fighter pilot with more than 4,500 flying hours and holds the distinction of being a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor. His career spans command of fighter squadrons, radar stations, and major air bases, along with serving as AOC Jammu & Kashmir. An alumnus of NDA, DSSC, and NDC, he has also held key appointments at Air Headquarters, HQ IDS, and earlier led the Training Command.

Air Marshal S. Shrinivas took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force Training Command, marking a significant leadership transition in one of the IAF’s most crucial commands. A Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, Air Marshal S. Shrinivas brings extensive aviation experience with more than 4,200 flying hours across fighter, trainer, and helicopter platforms. An alumnus of prestigious institutions such as NDA, DSSC, and NDC, he has commanded important training and operational establishments. Prior to this appointment, he served as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters South Western Air Command, strengthening his credentials for this key role.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) successfully carried out a salvo launch of two indigenously developed Pralay missiles from a single launcher off Odisha’s coast. The test demonstrated high precision, reliability, and operational readiness, marking a crucial step towards induction into the Indian Armed Forces. Developed with contributions from multiple DRDO laboratories and industry partners like Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited, Pralay is a solid-propellant quasi-ballistic missile with advanced guidance systems capable of carrying multiple warhead types. The successful trial reinforces India’s indigenous missile development program and strengthens national defence capabilities.

The Indian Ministry of Defence has signed contracts worth ₹4,666 crore to modernise infantry weapons and naval capabilities. Bharat Forge Ltd & PLR Systems Pvt Ltd will supply over 4.25 lakh Close Quarter Battle Carbines to the Indian Army and Navy, replacing older rifles. These carbines feature compact design, high rate of fire, and enhanced lethality, improving effectiveness in urban and confined-space combat. The procurement supports the Make in India initiative, boosts indigenous defence manufacturing, encourages MSME participation, and strengthens operational preparedness of India’s armed forces. Other contracts, like heavyweight torpedoes, involve different companies.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) recently conducted the maiden flight of the Dhruv–New Generation (NG) helicopter in Bengaluru, marking its entry into the civil and export helicopter markets. The Dhruv NG is a 5.5-tonne, twin-engine, multi-role helicopter derived from the Dhruv ALH Mk-III civil platform, powered by indigenous Shakti engines. It is designed for day-night, all-weather operations, including offshore roles for ONGC. With DGCA certification for the Shakti civil engine and EASA restricted certification, Dhruv NG strengthens India’s indigenous helicopter capabilities, supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat, and provides a cost-effective alternative to imported twin-engine helicopters.