Current Affairs - Defence

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation (UAC) to jointly produce SJ-100 civil commuter aircraft in India. This collaboration represents a landmark achievement for India’s aviation sector, as the SJ-100 will become the first complete passenger aircraft manufactured domestically. The initiative aligns with the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision by strengthening indigenous manufacturing capabilities, reducing dependence on foreign imports, and positioning India as a key player in the global civil aviation production ecosystem.

The second edition of the biannual Naval Commanders’ Conference 2025 concluded in New Delhi after a three-day session that focused on strategic discussions and technological advancements within the Indian Navy. During the conference, a new digital platform named ‘NIPUN’ (Naval Intellectual Portal for Unified Knowledge) was launched to serve as an online hub for naval research and intellectual contributions. Additionally, five key naval publications were released, underscoring the Navy’s commitment to knowledge sharing, modernization, and enhancing operational readiness across India’s maritime domain.

The Indian Navy’s hydrographic vessel INS Sutlej successfully completed the 18th joint hydrographic survey with Mauritius, mapping around 35,000 square nautical miles of Mauritian waters. This mission, conducted under the 2005 India-Mauritius MoU on hydrographic cooperation, strengthened maritime safety, environmental management, and regional security. Equipped with advanced instruments such as multibeam echo sounders and side-scan sonar, INS Sutlej also conducted joint EEZ surveillance and anti-piracy patrols alongside the Mauritius National Coast Guard. The initiative reflects India’s broader MAHASAGAR vision—Mutual & Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across the Regions—promoting sustainable maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean.

Exercise Ocean Sky 2025 is being hosted by the Spanish Air Force at Gando Air Base in Spain, with participation from several allied nations, including India, Germany, Greece, Portugal, and the United States. The Indian Air Force is showcasing its Su-30MKI fighter jets during the exercise, aimed at enhancing interoperability, mutual learning, and advanced air combat skills among the participating air forces. Spain’s role as host highlights its growing collaboration with global defence partners, while India’s involvement underscores its commitment to strengthening international military cooperation and operational readiness through such joint exercises.

The Indian Coast Guard launched two Advanced Fast Patrol Vessels—ICG Ship Ajit and ICG Ship Aparajit—at Goa Shipyard Limited in Goa. Each vessel measures 52 meters in length and weighs about 320 tonnes, marking the seventh and eighth ships in a series of eight indigenously built patrol vessels. These ships are equipped with Controllable Pitch Propellers, a technological advancement introduced for the first time in this class of vessels in India. The launch underscores Goa’s important role in India’s naval and shipbuilding capabilities, strengthening the nation’s coastal defence infrastructure.