Current Affairs - Defence

India will be sending over 700 troops to Egypt for ‘Exercise Bright Star 2025,’ one of the largest multilateral military exercises in the Middle East and North Africa. Initially launched in 1980 as a bilateral drill between Egypt and the United States, Bright Star has since grown into a major tri-service exercise involving multiple nations. India’s participation, with personnel from the Army, Navy, and Air Force, will focus on integrated drills, live firing, cyber warfare modules, and command post exercises. This deployment enhances India’s defence diplomacy, boosts interoperability with global partners, and underscores its commitment to regional peace and stability.

The ‘RAN SAMWAD-2025’ tri-service dialogue was inaugurated at the Army War College in Madhya Pradesh. This important event brings together representatives from the Army, Navy, and Air Force to deliberate on critical issues of war, warfare, and warfighting. Organised under the guidance of the Chief of Defence Staff, it is curated by HQ Integrated Defence Staff and the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS). The dialogue aims to enhance communication, foster interaction, and improve cooperation among military communities. Hosting the event in Madhya Pradesh underscores the state’s strategic significance as the home of the Army War College.

The Indian Navy will commission the advanced Project 17A stealth frigates INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri on 26 August 2025 at the Naval Base in Visakhapatnam. This dual commissioning, overseen by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, is historic as it marks the simultaneous induction of two frontline surface combatants built at different shipyards—Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd. (Mumbai) and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (Kolkata). With enhanced stealth features, modern propulsion systems, and advanced weapons, these ships embody India’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision in defence production. Their induction into the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam strengthens maritime readiness and reinforces India’s strategic focus on the eastern seaboard.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully carried out the maiden test of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System (IADWS) off the Odisha coast. This advanced system integrates multiple cutting-edge defence technologies, including the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM), Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS), and a laser-based Directed Energy Weapon (DEW). The system is centrally managed through a Command & Control Centre developed by the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL). Additionally, VSHORADS and DEW were developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and the Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), marking a significant step in strengthening India’s air defence capabilities.

The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) launched its first all-women commando unit in Madhya Pradesh, marking a major step towards strengthening gender inclusivity in paramilitary forces. The training for this unit is being conducted at the Regional Training Centre in Barwaha, where 30 women personnel are undergoing an intensive 8-week advanced course. The training modules include physical fitness, advanced weapons handling, live-fire drills, rappelling, and survival techniques. Once trained, these women commandos will be deployed in Quick Reaction Teams (QRTs) and Special Task Forces (STFs), enhancing the force’s operational capabilities while promoting women’s empowerment in security services.