Current Affairs - Defence

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers’ meeting took place in Qingdao, China. During this meeting, India declined to sign the joint declaration due to dissatisfaction with the document's language, particularly its failure to address cross-border terrorism, including the recent Pahalgam terror attack. This disagreement led to the meeting concluding without a unified communique. The event underscored tensions in multilateral diplomacy and India's firm stance on issues of national security and terrorism. China's role as the host nation highlights its central position in regional groupings like the SCO.

India and South Africa entered into two significant agreements focused on submarine cooperation during the 9th Joint Defence Committee (JDC) meeting held in Johannesburg. These agreements aim to enhance bilateral capabilities in areas such as submarine rescue operations, training, surveillance, and joint research and development. This collaboration is particularly important in strengthening maritime security and countering non-traditional threats like piracy and trafficking in strategic sea routes. The defence ties between India and South Africa reflect a growing alignment in their maritime interests and shared commitment to maintaining regional stability in the Indian Ocean and surrounding waters.

In a decisive step to enhance India's defence preparedness and self-reliance, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has offered 28 indigenously developed weapon systems for emergency procurement. These systems are intended for immediate deployment by the Army, Navy, and Air Force under the government’s emergency procurement framework. This move follows the success of Operation Sindoor and supports military readiness amid heightened tensions with Pakistan. The list includes key indigenous assets like the BrahMos cruise missile, Akash and MRSAM air defence systems. The initiative is aligned with the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision to reduce reliance on foreign arms and empower domestic defence manufacturing.

INS Tamal is a Krivak/Tushil class multi-role stealth frigate built in Russia and will be commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 2025. Its induction marks a historic turning point as it is the final foreign-built warship to join the fleet, reinforcing India’s strategic shift toward indigenisation under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ and ‘Make in India’ initiatives. Built at the Yantar Shipyard, INS Tamal features advanced stealth capabilities, BrahMos cruise missiles, and a displacement of 3,900 tons. Its commissioning not only highlights India-Russia defence collaboration but also symbolizes the nation’s growing defence self-reliance and technological capability.

India is set to induct advanced variants of the Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher system with a maximum range of 300 km. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), these new systems mark a significant upgrade from previous versions and are a key part of India's push for indigenous defence capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. The upgraded versions—Pinaka-3 and Pinaka-4 will offer both 120 km and 300 km range options. These systems are equipped with precision guidance, rapid firing capabilities, and mobility features such as shoot-and-scoot, enhancing India’s artillery strength and strategic deterrence.