Current Affairs - Defence

Australia hosted Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025, its largest bilateral military drill, where India participated for the first time. The exercise involved 35,000 troops from 19 nations, including the US, Japan, and Germany, with activities spanning multiple Australian regions. This participation strengthens India-Australia defence ties and enhances Indo-Pacific security cooperation. The drills included live-fire exercises, amphibious landings, and air combat operations, showcasing advanced military capabilities. India's inclusion reflects its growing strategic role in regional security partnerships alongside key allies. The opening ceremony was held aboard HMAS Adelaide in Sydney, led by Australian and US military officials.

The Astra missile, a Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) developed indigenously by the DRDO, was successfully test-fired by the Indian Air Force from a Sukhoi-30 Mk-I aircraft over Odisha. This marks a significant advancement in India's self-reliant defence capabilities. The Astra missile boasts a range of over 100 km and incorporates sophisticated guidance and navigation technologies. Odisha has become a key location for missile testing due to its strategic coastal ranges and established defence infrastructure. This test further strengthens the operational readiness and technological edge of India’s air defence systems.

The Indian Army has initiated a high-intensity annual security operation named ‘Operation SHIVA 2025’ to safeguard the Shri Amarnath Yatra. This operation is especially significant due to elevated threats posed by Pakistan-backed proxy groups. It involves meticulous coordination between the Indian Army, civil administration, and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) to ensure the safety and smooth conduct of the pilgrimage. The launch of this operation highlights the strategic importance of the Yatra and the proactive measures taken to neutralise any potential threats to national security and civilian safety.

The Japan Coast Guard Ship Itsukushima arrived at Chennai Port on July 7, 2025, for a six-day training visit as part of Japan’s Global Ocean Voyage Training. This visit aimed to deepen cooperation and strengthen the operational partnership between the Indian and Japanese Coast Guards in the Indo-Pacific region. Activities included joint sea exercises, official meetings, ship tours, and a Sea Riders exchange programme involving Indian officers travelling to Singapore. The event reinforced shared maritime goals such as safety, openness, and security under India’s SAGAR vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Chennai served as the central location for these collaborative efforts.

The Indian Navy has inducted its first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) named Nistar. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the vessel was officially handed over during a ceremony in Visakhapatnam. Nistar is specially designed for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations—an advanced capability that only a few navies globally possess. The name “Nistar” comes from Sanskrit, symbolising liberation, rescue, or salvation, reflecting the ship’s mission profile. This induction marks a significant step toward self-reliance in critical naval capabilities under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.