Current Affairs - Defence

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) handed over the Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Ajit (Yard 1277) to the Indian Coast Guard on August 25, 2026. The vessel was built with more than 65% indigenous content, supporting the Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat initiatives. It is equipped with twin marine diesel engines driving Controllable Pitch Propellers, a first-of-its-kind feature for this class of vessel. ICGS Ajit can exceed 27 knots and has an operational endurance of 1,500 nautical miles. The vessel will undertake coastal patrol, EEZ surveillance, anti-smuggling, search, and rescue missions.

Chennai hosted the 7th High-Level Meeting between the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) and Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG) on August 25, 2026. The meeting aimed to strengthen maritime cooperation and security between India and Vietnam under the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding on Coast Guard Cooperation. Discussions covered Maritime Search and Rescue, maritime law enforcement, marine pollution response, capacity building, professional exchanges, and previous ship visits. The two sides also planned the bilateral maritime exercise SAHYOG-HOPTAC, scheduled to be conducted at sea on August 27, 2026. Chennai’s strategic location on India’s eastern coast makes it an important centre for maritime cooperation.

The United States unveiled the AIM-424 Malice long-range air-to-air missile in August 2026 following a fit test on an F-35 aircraft. The missile was developed and built by Raytheon for high-end aerial combat and has an operational range exceeding 250 nautical miles (463 kilometres). It is designed to maintain manoeuvrability against fighter-sized targets and incorporates specialised aerodynamic features and a dedicated datalink infrastructure. The AIM-424 Malice is planned for deployment on platforms including the F-47, F-35C, F/A-18, and developmental F/A-XX, representing a significant advancement in long-range aerial warfare capabilities.

Haryana hosted the inauguration of the National Security Guard’s (NSG) first-ever Mahila Commando Conversion Course (MCCC) on August 26, 2026. The 12-week specialised program is being conducted at the NSG training centre in Manesar. It is designed for women personnel selected from various State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces. The training covers counter-terror operations, tactical intervention, marksmanship, hostage rescue, physical conditioning, and weapons handling. The initiative aims to establish uniform professional standards among participating personnel and strengthen coordination between India’s security agencies in responding to complex security and counter-terrorism situations.

Punjab National Bank (PNB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Army on August 21, 2026, to introduce specialised credit cards tailored for Army personnel. The PNB LUXURA Metal Credit Card is designed for Army officers, while the PNB Parakram Credit Card is intended for Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs) and other ranks. Benefits include 3% cashback at CSD outlets, zero forex markup on international transactions, airport lounge access, golf lessons, and BOGO movie ticket offers. The Parakram card also features a biodegradable design, supporting environmental sustainability.