Current Affairs - Defence

Lt Gen NS Raja Subramani was appointed as the next Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India, succeeding Gen Anil Chauhan after his retirement in May 2026. Along with serving as the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister, the CDS also functions as the Secretary of the Department of Military Affairs. Lt Gen Subramani has a distinguished military career, having been commissioned into the Garhwal Rifles in 1985 and later serving in key strategic roles along the Line of Actual Control and the western front. His appointment reflects the government’s emphasis on experienced leadership and integrated military coordination within India’s defence structure.

ICGS Achal is a new-generation Adamya-class Fast Patrol Vessel commissioned into the Indian Coast Guard at Goa Shipyard Limited on May 09, 2026. The vessel was designed and built entirely in India, supporting the government’s focus on indigenous defence manufacturing and self-reliance. More than 50 percent of its components are domestically produced, highlighting advancements in the Indian shipbuilding sector. The vessel is intended to strengthen maritime security and coastal surveillance operations across India’s maritime frontiers. The commissioning ceremony was attended by senior officials from the Ministry of Defence and the Indian Coast Guard, reflecting the strategic importance of the induction.

The 52nd All India Sainik Schools Principals’ Conference was inaugurated at Kazhakoottam in Kerala by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth on May 07, 2026. The conference brought together delegates from 33 Sainik Schools and principals of 79 New Sainik Schools through video conferencing. The event included activities such as a wreath-laying ceremony at the War Memorial and exhibitions on educational technology at the Gyan Mela. Several awards for academic excellence and contributions to defence academy admissions were presented during the conference, highlighting the role of Sainik Schools in preparing students for leadership and military careers.

The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) inaugurated a new Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Field Training and Demonstration Centre at Burari plains in Delhi. The facility was opened by Dr. Samir V Kamat, who serves as the Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D and Chairman of DRDO. The centre is part of the upcoming CBRN Centre of Excellence under the Institute of Nuclear Medicine & Allied Sciences (INMAS). It includes advanced infrastructure such as radiological test beds, heavy ion research facilities, and emergency response systems to provide specialized training for defence personnel and disaster management agencies.

The second edition of the Joint Commanders’ Conference is scheduled to be held in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on May 07 and May 08, 2026. The conference focuses on the theme “Military Capability in New Domains” and brings together top defence leadership, including Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh and Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan. Discussions during the event will centre on emerging challenges such as cyber warfare, space security, cognitive warfare, and unmanned systems. The conference also emphasises self-reliance in defence production under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and highlights the importance of civil-military fusion in strengthening India’s defence capabilities.