Current Affairs - Defence

On July 31, 2025, the Indian Navy inducted INS Himgiri, a Nilgiri-class stealth frigate built indigenously under Project 17A by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. Armed with BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles, LR SAM systems, anti-submarine torpedoes, and a powerful medium-range naval gun, the warship significantly boosts India's maritime strike capability. INS Himgiri revives the legacy of its namesake from the Leander-class and embodies India’s commitment to self-reliance in defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. Its integrated propulsion and management systems enable seamless control over navigation, combat, and operations, making it a cutting-edge addition to the Indian Navy’s surface fleet.

Commodore Varghese Mathew has officially assumed the role of Naval Officer-in-Charge (Kerala), taking over the leadership of the Southern Naval Command, which is India’s primary naval training command. With nearly 30 years of service and expertise in Gunnery and Missile Warfare, he brings extensive experience and strategic insight to this key post. An alumnus of the NDA and Sainik School, Commodore Mathew has also served at the Tri-Services Headquarters in New Delhi. His appointment is strategically important as Kerala holds significant maritime value, and his leadership is expected to enhance naval training, coastal defence, and regional maritime preparedness.

Lt Gen Pushpendra Singh, a decorated officer with over 35 years of military service, is set to become the next Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) on August 1, 2025, succeeding Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani. A veteran of elite units like the 4 Para (Special Forces), Lt Gen Singh has led critical operations such as Operation Pawan, Meghdoot, Rakshak, and Orchid. His international experience includes peacekeeping missions in Lebanon and Sri Lanka. He also previously commanded the Rising Star Corps in Himachal Pradesh, contributing significantly to India’s defence preparedness. His vast operational and strategic experience makes him well-suited for this role.

Uttarakhand has announced the induction of Agniveer soldiers into its upcoming Tiger Protection Force at the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The declaration, made by Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on International Tiger Day, highlights a unique collaboration between environmental conservation and national defence personnel. This move aims to leverage the discipline and training of Agniveers to enhance protection for wildlife, especially tigers, in the state. More than 80 youth will be recruited for this force to help guard against poaching, habitat destruction, and other wildlife crimes. The initiative positions Uttarakhand as a leader in integrating military-trained youth into conservation efforts.

Exercise Divya Drishti was conducted by the Indian Army in East Sikkim under high-altitude operational conditions. Organised by the Trishakti Corps, the exercise aimed to evaluate the application of advanced technologies in modern warfare. It focused on testing artificial intelligence-based battlefield awareness, real-time surveillance, and next-generation combat readiness. The operation utilised ground-based systems, drones, and UAVs to simulate battlefield missions, enhancing operational coordination and situational responsiveness in challenging terrain. Conducting such exercises in Sikkim underscores the strategic importance of the region and the Indian Army’s focus on technological integration in defence preparedness.