Current Affairs - Defence

Lieutenant General Pushpendra Pal Singh has taken charge as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Command, a crucial formation of the Indian Army. This command is responsible for safeguarding India’s western frontiers and ensuring operational preparedness in sensitive border areas. Headquartered at Chandimandir, the Western Command plays a pivotal role in national defense, particularly in the north-western region. His leadership involves overseeing military operations, maintaining readiness, and strengthening strategic defence mechanisms to uphold the country’s territorial integrity and respond effectively to any security challenges.

Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain has taken over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command on April 1, 2026. He succeeded Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth, who moved to a senior position in New Delhi. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the MAHAR Regiment in 1988 and currently serves as its Colonel. Over his distinguished career, he has contributed significantly to indigenous capability development and technological advancement within the Army. His service has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Sena Medal.

BEL is the company that signed a major contract with the Ministry of Defence for supplying Mountain Radars to the Indian Air Force. Bharat Electronics Limited, a leading public sector enterprise in defence electronics, will manufacture these radars, which have been indigenously designed by DRDO’s LRDE. The project falls under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, supporting the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. These advanced systems are specifically designed for high-altitude operations, significantly enhancing air defence and surveillance capabilities in mountainous regions, thereby strengthening national security.

Dunagiri is the indigenous stealth frigate delivered to the Indian Navy as part of Project 17A, which represents the Nilgiri class of advanced warships. Built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers in Kolkata, it is a modern multi-mission platform equipped with advanced stealth features, sensors, and weapon systems such as BrahMos missiles and MRSAM. The ship is named after the earlier INS Dunagiri, continuing its legacy. With around 75% indigenous content, the project significantly boosts self-reliance, supports MSMEs, and contributes to employment generation in the defence sector.

The Survey Vessel ‘Sanshodhak’ was delivered to the Indian Navy at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), located in Kolkata. This milestone marks the completion of the Survey Vessel (Large) project, showcasing India’s growing strength in indigenous shipbuilding with over 80% local content. Kolkata, a major shipbuilding hub, played a crucial role in this achievement. The vessel is designed for hydrographic surveys and oceanographic data collection, and can also serve in humanitarian missions. Its delivery highlights advancements in India’s naval capabilities and self-reliance in defence manufacturing.