Current Affairs - Defence

Air Marshal S. Sivakumar has taken over as the Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi. With over 35 years of service in the Indian Air Force since his commissioning in 1990, Sivakumar has held several key administrative and operational roles, including serving with the UN Mission in Congo and overseeing air base functions. He holds advanced degrees in Human Resource Management and Strategic Studies and previously served as Director General (Administration). Recognized with the Vishisht Seva Medal, his new role places him in charge of crucial administrative functions within the IAF, reflecting his vast experience and leadership capabilities.

INS Tamal, a stealth-guided missile frigate under the Project 1135.6 Talwar-class, was commissioned at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia, on July 1, 2025. This commissioning represents a significant moment in India’s naval modernization and its transition toward defence self-reliance. INS Tamal is the last major foreign-built warship for the Indian Navy, reflecting the shift toward indigenous warship production under initiatives like Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India. The ship’s inclusion in the Western Fleet enhances India’s blue-water naval capabilities. Kaliningrad, as the commissioning site, continues its legacy in Indo-Russian naval cooperation, marking the delivery of the 51st ship in their 65-year partnership.

INS Udaygiri was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 2025, as the second stealth frigate under the Project 17A initiative. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL) in Mumbai and designed by the Warship Design Bureau, the frigate was delivered in a record time of 37 months. It features advanced stealth capabilities, an indigenous weapons suite including supersonic and surface-to-air missiles, and cutting-edge radar-evading technology. The ship’s construction involved over 200 Indian MSMEs, underscoring India’s commitment to self-reliant defence manufacturing. Named after a decommissioned warship, INS Udaygiri represents a fusion of naval tradition and modern maritime strength.

Reliance Defence, in collaboration with U.S.-based Coastal Mechanics Inc., has launched a major Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in Maharashtra, specifically at MIHAN, Nagpur. This strategic move aims to modernize and extend the lifecycle of key defence platforms like Jaguar aircraft, MiG-29 fighter jets, and Apache helicopters. The initiative supports India’s broader Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, focusing on self-reliance in defence production and services. With a projected ₹20,000 crore MRO market, Maharashtra is positioned as a vital defence hub, leveraging its infrastructure and strategic location to support both domestic forces and international defence exports.

Parag Jain, a senior IPS officer from the 1989 Punjab cadre, has been appointed as the new Chief of RAW, India’s external intelligence agency. His appointment follows the retirement of Ravi Sinha on June 30, 2025. Jain earned high-level recognition for his instrumental role in Operation Sindoor, a strategic counterterrorism operation launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. With over two decades of experience within RAW and a solid background in counterterrorism, cross-border intelligence, and international espionage networks, his leadership is seen as a move to further strengthen India’s external security and intelligence operations amid evolving regional threats.