Current Affairs - Defence

Malaysia is participating with India in the Harimau Shakti 2025 military exercise, marking the fifth edition of this bilateral defence engagement. Conducted at the Mahajan Field Firing Range in Rajasthan, the exercise involves the Dogra Regiment of the Indian Army and the 25th Royal Malaysian Army. Their joint training focuses on counter-terrorism operations such as cordon-and-search drills, heliborne missions, and casualty evacuation techniques. The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability, enhance the exchange of tactical knowledge, and deepen defence cooperation between the two nations. This collaboration contributes to regional stability and reinforces long-term strategic ties.

DRDO successfully carried out a high-speed rocket-sled trial of an indigenous fighter jet escape system at the Rail Track Rocket Sled facility in Chandigarh. This system is crucial for safeguarding pilots during emergencies, and the test validated essential components such as canopy separation, ejection sequencing, and safe recovery. The trial involved collaboration with HAL and ADA, reinforcing the coordinated effort behind India’s aviation safety advancements. Dynamic tests like these replicate real-world flight conditions more accurately than static trials, enabling engineers to ensure the system’s reliability. The achievement strengthens India’s defence self-reliance and places the country among a select group capable of testing such advanced escape technologies.

The anti-tunnelling system has been deployed along the Punjab–Jammu Border, an area known for challenges such as weapon and drug smuggling, as well as attempts at terrorist infiltration. The system’s ability to generate real-time alerts strengthens surveillance and enhances the BSF’s operational effectiveness. This deployment forms part of a broader security strategy demonstrated during the BSF’s Diamond Jubilee, which highlighted several major operations, including anti-drone measures, large-scale seizures, and the arrest of intruders. By integrating advanced detection technologies, the BSF aims to create a more secure and better-monitored border environment.

The ‘Ekuverin’ exercise involves military personnel from India and the Maldives, reflecting a long-standing defence partnership built over years of collaboration. This edition includes 45 participants from India’s Garhwal Rifles and an equal number from the Maldives National Defence Force, working together to strengthen coordination in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations. The training covers diverse terrains such as jungles, semi-urban zones, and coastal regions. Conducted alternately in both countries since 2009, the exercise highlights mutual trust, operational cooperation, and India’s continued commitment to its “Neighbourhood First” policy, ensuring regional stability and stronger bilateral ties.

Chief Praveen Kumar, who currently serves as the Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), has taken additional charge as the Director General of the Border Security Force (BSF). His appointment followed the retirement of Daljit Singh Chawdhary and was formalised through an order issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs. A 1993-batch IPS officer from the West Bengal cadre, Kumar has extensive experience in security operations, including service in the Intelligence Bureau and leadership roles in Naxal-affected regions. His proven expertise is expected to strengthen India’s border management and enhance coordination across security agencies.