Current Affairs - Defence

The Agni-III missile was successfully test-fired from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, located along the coast of Odisha. Conducted under the supervision of the Strategic Forces Command, the launch was part of a routine training exercise aimed at validating operational readiness rather than developing new capabilities. The test confirmed the performance of key subsystems such as propulsion, guidance, and control. Such launches play a vital role in maintaining India’s credible minimum deterrence posture by ensuring that deployed missile systems remain reliable, responsive, and fully prepared for real-world operational conditions.

The 13th edition of the India–Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise KHANJAR-XIII will be held at Misamari in the state of Assam from February 4 to 17, 2026. Misamari is a key military training location in Northeast India, offering diverse terrain suitable for advanced combat training. The exercise will involve elite Special Forces from both countries, focusing on counter-terrorism, urban warfare, and special operations under United Nations mandates. Hosting the exercise in Assam highlights India’s strategic emphasis on its eastern region and strengthens defence cooperation with Kyrgyzstan.

The fully automated 30 mm ammunition facility was inaugurated in Nagpur at Solar Defence & Aerospace by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. The event highlighted the government’s push toward strengthening indigenous defence manufacturing and achieving self-reliance in the sector. Emphasis was placed on increasing private sector participation beyond 50 per cent to build a robust defence industrial base. The occasion also marked India’s growing stature as a defence exporter, with the flagging off of Pinaka rocket system exports to Armenia, reflecting a strategic shift from dependence on imports to global defence manufacturing leadership.

INS Sudarshini reached Salalah, Oman, as the first international port call under Lokayan 26, a ten-month sail training deployment of the Indian Navy. This visit underscores the strong maritime relationship between India and Oman and includes planned training exchanges with the Royal Navy of Oman, along with community outreach activities. Lokayan 26 is designed to showcase India’s rich maritime heritage while fostering goodwill, mutual understanding, and public engagement across the Indian Ocean region, reinforcing India’s role as a responsible maritime partner.

Divakar Jayant took over as the Director General of Naval Armament, bringing with him more than three decades of experience in India’s naval armament ecosystem. A 1991-batch officer of the Indian Naval Armament Service, he has served in several senior leadership roles at key naval armament depots and at the Ministry of Defence. His technical background as an IIT Delhi graduate and expertise in areas such as torpedo life-cycle management and explosive infrastructure planning make him well-suited for the role. His appointment comes at a crucial time when India’s Navy is undergoing major modernisation and capability enhancement.