Current Affairs - Defence

Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth has been appointed as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army with effect from April 1, 2026. Before this appointment, he served as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief (GOC-in-C) of the Southern Command based in Pune. The Southern Command is one of the largest geographical commands of the Indian Army and is responsible for military operations and infrastructure across several states in peninsular India. With extensive experience in operational, staff, and command roles, Lt Gen Seth succeeded Lieutenant General PP Singh in this prestigious position. The role of the Vice Chief of the Army Staff is the second-highest rank in the Indian Army hierarchy, just below the Chief of the Army Staff.

The Indian Army’s Central Command organised its inaugural Strategic Communication Conclave on 7 March 2026 in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. The event marked an important initiative to strengthen strategic communication as a key capability within India’s national security framework. Around 500 participants attended the conclave, including senior military officers, diplomats, government communication experts, media professionals, and specialists from the private sector. Discussions focused on the role of communication in managing the modern information environment shaped by digital platforms, social media, disinformation campaigns, and hybrid threats. The conclave also featured expert sessions and speeches by distinguished personalities, including retired diplomats and senior military officials.

Operation Sankalp is a major maritime security mission launched by the Indian Navy on June 19, 2019, to safeguard Indian merchant vessels and ensure the security of vital sea routes in the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz. The operation was initiated after several attacks on commercial ships raised global concerns about maritime safety in the region. Under this mission, Indian Navy warships such as frigates and destroyers maintain continuous deployment in strategic waters. The initiative also includes maritime surveillance and rapid response units like MARCOS commandos. Operation Sankalp plays a vital role in protecting India’s trade routes and securing energy supplies, as a large portion of India’s oil imports passes through these sensitive maritime corridors.

B.P. Singh, a 1994-batch officer of the Indian Naval Armament Service (INAS), assumed charge as the Director General of Naval Armament (DGONA) at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi on March 1, 2026. He succeeded Divakar Jayant, who retired on February 28, 2026, after completing a distinguished career. Before taking up this position, B.P. Singh served as the Chief General Manager of the Naval Armament Depot (NAD) Mumbai, where he handled operational, logistics, and infrastructure responsibilities. He also held key roles at NAD Aluva, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, and Trombay, contributing significantly to naval armament management and operational efficiency.

The Indian Army and the Ladakh Forest Department signed a Memorandum of Understanding to strengthen wildlife conservation efforts in fragile high-altitude ecosystems. The initiative focuses on protecting species such as the Snow Leopard, Himalayan Wolf, Bharal (Blue Sheep), Ibex, Himalayan Marmot, and the Black-necked Crane. The agreement also includes the establishment of a Joint Snow Leopard Conservation Cell to monitor wildlife and coordinate conservation actions. Ladakh’s cold desert environment, characterised by low oxygen levels, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation, makes its biodiversity highly vulnerable, making this collaborative conservation effort particularly important.