Current Affairs - Defence

The Indian Air Force’s Surya Kiran aerobatic team conducted a spectacular air show in Patna as part of the Valour Day Vijayotsav, paying tribute to Babu Kunwar Singh, a revered figure of the 1857 freedom movement. The event celebrated his bravery and legacy in Bhojpur, Bihar. Such commemorative events not only honour historical heroes but also serve to inspire patriotism and showcase the capabilities of India's armed forces. Bihar, being the birthplace and battlefield of Kunwar Singh’s revolutionary acts, was the fitting venue for this grand tribute.

INS Sunayna visited Port Nacala in Mozambique as part of the IOS Sagar Mission, which is a maritime security initiative led by India in the Southwest Indian Ocean Region. The mission includes participation from nine countries: Comoros, Kenya, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, and South Africa. The objective is to enhance regional maritime cooperation, conduct port calls, and strengthen ties among Indian Ocean littoral states. The port call to Mozambique emphasizes its strategic importance and reflects India’s commitment to collaborative maritime security efforts in the region.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) is participating in the multinational 'Desert Flag-10' exercise, which is being hosted at Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This exercise involves 12 global air forces and aims to enhance operational knowledge and best practices through complex and diverse fighter engagements. The exercise focuses on improving the readiness and interoperability of participating air forces, helping them to exchange valuable expertise and refine operational strategies. It will run from the start of the exercise until the 8th of the following month.

Slovakia became the first nation to sign a defence Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India through the JCBL Group during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit in April 2025. This partnership marks a milestone in India’s efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing under the "Make-in-India" initiative. The MoU enables co-development of next-generation combat vehicle technologies, with JCBL Group’s defence division, ADSL, spearheading the work. Slovakia will contribute advanced technologies, while manufacturing will occur in India, ensuring technology transfer and boosting local industry. The collaboration also aims to position India as a potential exporter in the global defence market, further enhancing strategic ties.

India has set an ambitious goal to achieve ₹3 lakh crore in defence production by 2029. This target is a part of the country's broader strategy to enhance self-reliance in the defence sector, reduce dependency on imports, and strengthen indigenous capabilities. The goal aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, emphasizing the importance of boosting domestic manufacturing and defence exports. Additionally, India plans to increase defence exports to ₹50,000 crore by 2029, which will play a crucial role in strengthening global supply chains and India's position as a defence manufacturer.