Current Affairs - Defence

The Japan Coast Guard Ship Itsukushima arrived at Chennai Port on July 7, 2025, for a six-day training visit as part of Japan’s Global Ocean Voyage Training. This visit aimed to deepen cooperation and strengthen the operational partnership between the Indian and Japanese Coast Guards in the Indo-Pacific region. Activities included joint sea exercises, official meetings, ship tours, and a Sea Riders exchange programme involving Indian officers travelling to Singapore. The event reinforced shared maritime goals such as safety, openness, and security under India’s SAGAR vision and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative. Chennai served as the central location for these collaborative efforts.

The Indian Navy has inducted its first indigenously designed and constructed Diving Support Vessel (DSV) named Nistar. Built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited, the vessel was officially handed over during a ceremony in Visakhapatnam. Nistar is specially designed for deep-sea diving and submarine rescue operations—an advanced capability that only a few navies globally possess. The name “Nistar” comes from Sanskrit, symbolising liberation, rescue, or salvation, reflecting the ship’s mission profile. This induction marks a significant step toward self-reliance in critical naval capabilities under India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.

The successful user trials of the indigenous Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) were conducted from INS Kavaratti, a frontline warship of the Indian Navy. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), ERASR enhances India's underwater combat capabilities by accurately detecting and neutralising enemy submarines. The tests, carried out between June 23 and July 7, 2025, involved 17 rockets fired at varying distances to verify performance under operational conditions. INS Kavaratti’s role in these trials highlights its strategic importance and reflects India’s growing focus on self-reliance in cutting-edge defence technology and naval warfare systems.

INS Tamal, a Talwar-class frigate commissioned from Russia's Yantar Shipyard, represents the final Indian Navy warship to be acquired from a foreign shipyard. As part of Project 1135.6, it features BrahMos missiles and stealth capabilities. Its commissioning underscores India's transition to indigenous naval construction, with future Talwar-class ships being built at Goa Shipyard Limited. This aligns with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiative, ending decades of foreign dependence for naval platforms. The 4,035-tonne frigate combines Russian design (Krivak-class) with Indian weapon systems, symbolising strategic autonomy in defence manufacturing.

Air Marshal S. Sivakumar has taken over as the Air Officer-in-Charge Administration (AOA) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi. With over 35 years of service in the Indian Air Force since his commissioning in 1990, Sivakumar has held several key administrative and operational roles, including serving with the UN Mission in Congo and overseeing air base functions. He holds advanced degrees in Human Resource Management and Strategic Studies and previously served as Director General (Administration). Recognized with the Vishisht Seva Medal, his new role places him in charge of crucial administrative functions within the IAF, reflecting his vast experience and leadership capabilities.