Current Affairs - Defence

Exercise Suryakiran is a bilateral military training exercise conducted between India and Nepal, aimed at strengthening cooperation and interoperability between their armed forces. The 19th edition of the exercise commenced in Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, continuing the tradition of alternating locations each year. Launched in 2011, this annual exercise allows both armies to engage in joint drills, share operational expertise, and enhance coordination in mountain warfare and other tactical operations. Such exercises play a key role in reinforcing defence diplomacy, fostering mutual trust, and promoting regional security in the strategically important Himalayan region.

INS Vikrant, India’s first fully indigenous aircraft carrier, arrived at the Port of Colombo to take part in the International Fleet Review (IFR) 2025. The event is part of the Sri Lanka Navy’s 75th-anniversary celebrations and showcases naval capabilities and regional maritime cooperation by bringing together fleets from multiple countries. Commissioned in 2022, INS Vikrant represents a significant achievement in India’s naval self-reliance and technological advancement. Its participation in IFR 2025 highlights India’s commitment to strengthening maritime diplomacy, interoperability with international navies, and projecting strategic presence in the Indian Ocean region.

Bharat Electronics Limited is set to play a key role in the new joint venture with Safran Electronics and Defence of France by taking charge of the final assembly, testing, and quality assurance of the HAMMER precision-guided air-to-ground weapon. This collaboration signifies an important step toward enhancing indigenous defence manufacturing capabilities. By handling crucial stages of the weapon’s production, BEL strengthens India’s technological self-reliance and supports the broader vision of developing advanced defence systems within the country.

HAL entered into a strategic partnership with Germany’s HENSOLDT to enhance India’s capabilities in advanced helicopter safety technologies. The collaboration involves transfer of design, intellectual property rights, and manufacturing know-how for LiDAR-based Obstacle Avoidance and Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) systems, which are crucial for safe helicopter operations. The agreement, signed at the Dubai Air Show 2025, paves the way for joint system design, integration and rigorous testing. It also opens avenues for export in the future. By adopting such sophisticated technologies, India strengthens its indigenous aerospace ecosystem and moves closer to self-reliance in high-end aviation safety systems.

L&T secured the responsibility to build the BvS10 Sindhu all-terrain armoured vehicles for the Indian Army through a collaboration with BAE Systems. The project will be indigenised at L&T’s Hazira Armoured Systems Complex, ensuring that advanced manufacturing capabilities support domestic defence production. With BAE Hägglunds providing technical support, the programme includes integrated logistics support and provisions for future upgrades. These vehicles are designed for diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions, deserts, marshlands and amphibious environments. The partnership strengthens India's defence manufacturing ecosystem while enhancing the Army’s operational mobility across challenging landscapes.