Current Affairs - Defence

SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd was the company responsible for the projection and launch of the 8th Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 11, in Mira Bhayandar, Maharashtra. The company, based in Visakhapatnam, signed the contract for these barges in February 2021 and worked in collaboration with an Indian ship design firm and the Indian Register of Shipping to design and build the barges.

India is finalizing a $200 million deal with the Philippines for the acquisition of its Akash surface-to-air missile system. This deal is part of India’s growing defence exports, showcasing the advanced technology of the Akash missile system. The system’s capabilities, including targeting various threats and its mobility, make it an attractive defence option for countries like the Philippines, which is enhancing its military strength amid tensions in the South China Sea. This acquisition underscores the growing defence collaboration between India and the Philippines.

The sixth edition of Exercise Dharma Guardian 2025 will be held at Mount Fuji, Japan, from February 25 to March 9. The exercise will focus on urban warfare and counter-terrorism. This military exercise strengthened the defence cooperation between India and Japan, building on the momentum from the Indian Army Chief’s visit to Japan in October 2024. The location of Mount Fuji in Japan has been specifically chosen for the exercise.

Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) partnered with Safran Electronics & Defense to jointly manufacture and maintain the HAMMER (Highly Agile Modular Munition Extended Range) weapon in India. HAMMER is a precision-guided, air-to-ground weapon that can be adapted for use with Rafale and LCA Tejas jets. This collaboration is part of India’s effort to strengthen its defence manufacturing capabilities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, reducing dependency on imports for advanced weaponry and supporting the growth of Indigenous defence technology.

Saab signed an MoU with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collaborate on the production and maintenance of the Electronic Warfare Laser Warning System-310 (LWS-310) in India. The agreement allows HAL to manufacture this advanced system domestically and involves the transfer of critical maintenance technology. This partnership aligns with India’s "Make in India" initiative, enhancing the country's self-reliance in key defence technologies. The system will improve the survivability of military assets by providing early warnings against laser-guided weapons.