Current Affairs - Defence

‘AJEYA WARRIOR-25’ is a bilateral military exercise conducted between India and the United Kingdom, reflecting the strong and historic defence ties shared by the two nations. Held at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, the exercise brings together equal troop strength from both sides to train under a UN mandate, focusing on counter-terror operations in semi-urban terrain. This collaboration enhances interoperability through joint planning, tactical drills, and field exercises, helping both armies prepare for complex modern security challenges. The long-running series, active since 2011, continues to play a key role in strengthening mutual trust and operational synergy between India and the UK.

The Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) partnered with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya to strengthen India’s capabilities in smart defence technologies and secure logistics systems. This collaboration focuses on areas such as operational logistics modelling, indigenous chip design, hardware security, and advanced encryption technologies, all of which are vital for national defence preparedness. By linking GSV’s expertise in transportation and logistics with DRDO’s cutting-edge defence R&D, the partnership accelerates innovation in sensitive domains. It also fosters capacity building through joint research, workshops, and conferences, helping nurture a new generation of scientists and professionals aligned with India’s Aatmanirbharta vision in defence technology.

The Indian Air Force contingent arrived in France to take part in the Garuda-2025 air exercise held at the Mont-de-Marsan Air Base. This bilateral exercise is an important symbol of the deep strategic cooperation between India and France, particularly in the area of defence and aviation. The drill involves frontline fighter aircraft from both nations, enhancing interoperability and strengthening mutual operational capabilities. The exercise also helps Indian pilots gain exposure to advanced tactics, mission planning frameworks, and logistical environments of the French Air and Space Force. Such engagements further reinforce a long-standing partnership rooted in technology, trust and shared strategic goals.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam, has successfully created next-generation Man-Portable Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (MP-AUVs). These systems are designed to significantly enhance underwater mine countermeasure capabilities. Equipped with side scan sonar, underwater cameras, deep learning-based target recognition, and acoustic communication, the AUVs enable accurate detection and classification of mine-like objects while coordinating effectively with multiple units. Field trials validated their ability to autonomously execute complex missions with minimal human involvement. This development strengthens India’s underwater defence preparedness and supports the nation’s broader goal of indigenising critical military technologies.

Operation Akhand Prahar was carried out in Jaisalmer as part of Exercise Trishul, demonstrating India’s ability to coordinate across multiple domains of warfare. The exercise involved close synchronisation between the Indian Army and the Indian Air Force, highlighting improved joint operational readiness. It also validated the capabilities of the newly established RUDRA Brigade, an integrated formation combining infantry, armoured units, mechanised forces, and air defence assets. Advanced technologies such as drones, counter-drone systems, and indigenous equipment further strengthened the exercise’s objective of showcasing next-generation combat preparedness and modernised battlefield effectiveness.