Current Affairs - Defence

The Nyoma Airbase was inaugurated in Ladakh, a region of immense strategic importance due to its proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China. Situated at an altitude of 13,700 feet, the airbase significantly enhances India’s air combat readiness and logistical capabilities in high-altitude terrain. With a 2.7-km runway capable of handling aircraft such as the C-130J and various fighter jets, the base allows quicker troop movement, improved surveillance, and rapid response to frontier developments. Developed by the Border Roads Organisation, the project also showcased women-led engineering excellence. The airbase stands as a major leap in strengthening India’s frontier infrastructure and operational preparedness.

The Indian Air Force’s Eastern Air Command conducted its inaugural full-scale air show in Guwahati to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of the IAF. The spectacular event featured over 75 aircraft, including Rafale, Sukhoi, Mirage, and C-17, executing 25 coordinated formations above the Brahmaputra River. Operations were supported by seven regional bases to ensure precision and safety. The air show also included a cultural tribute to the late Assamese singer Zubeen Garg, with his popular song “Mayabini Ratir Bukut,” blending regional pride with national celebration and showcasing India’s growing air power and aviation excellence.

Exercise Mitra Shakti 2025 is the 11ᵗʰ edition of the bilateral joint military exercise conducted between the armies of India and Sri Lanka. Held from 10 to 23 November 2025 at the Foreign Training Node in Belagavi, Karnataka, the exercise focuses on counter-terrorism, drone warfare, and UN peacekeeping operations. Indian troops from the Rajput Regiment and Sri Lankan soldiers from the Gajaba Regiment are participating in this edition. The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability, mutual trust, and coordination between the two nations, reflecting their shared commitment to regional peace, security, and defence cooperation in South Asia.

The Ayni Airbase, located near Dushanbe in Tajikistan, was India’s only overseas military facility until its quiet withdrawal in 2022. Originally a Soviet-era base, Ayni was renovated by India’s Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in the early 2000s with an investment of around $80 million. The base featured a 3,200-metre runway, hangars, and fuel storage, and served as a key strategic outpost near Afghanistan, Pakistan, and China. India’s withdrawal followed the non-renewal of its lease by Tajikistan, reportedly under Russian and Chinese pressure, marking a significant reduction in India’s military footprint in Central Asia.

India signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) on Mutual Submarine Search and Rescue Support with Vietnam during the 15th India–Vietnam Defence Policy Dialogue held in Hanoi in November 2025. The agreement, co-chaired by India’s Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and Vietnam’s Deputy Defence Minister Sr Lt Gen Hoang Xuan Chien, aims to enhance cooperation in submarine rescue operations, ensure rapid assistance in emergencies, and strengthen interoperability between the two navies. Alongside, a Letter of Intent (LoI) was also signed to deepen collaboration in defence manufacturing and technology, reinforcing the India–Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and Indo-Pacific maritime security.