Current Affairs - Defence

Tamal is set to become India's last imported warship, with its commissioning scheduled for early June 2025. The Indian Navy crew has already reached St. Petersburg, Russia, to prepare for the ship's trials. This marks a significant step in India's transition to self-reliance in warship design and construction. After the commissioning of Tamal, India will no longer rely on imported warships, as it focuses on developing indigenous naval vessels. This shift underscores India's growing capabilities in defence manufacturing.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has partnered with the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology (DIAT), Pune, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance research, skill development, and technological innovation in the aerospace sector. This collaboration aims to bridge the gap between industry and academia, offering opportunities for higher education, research, and training in emerging aerospace technologies. HAL’s involvement will strengthen India’s aerospace and defence capabilities, contributing to self-reliance and global competitiveness in the sector.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG) conducted the ‘Sagar Kavach’ coastal security exercise along West Bengal's coastline on February 21-22, 2025. The exercise was aimed at enhancing coastal security by simulating real-life security threats, such as hijackings, smuggling, and IED threats. The operation involved multiple agencies, including the Navy, BSF, CISF, and local police, working in coordination to refine Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and improve inter-agency collaboration. This comprehensive drill focused on strengthening India's preparedness against potential maritime threats.

Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL) is showcasing its indigenously developed Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) and Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) at NAVDEX 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The vessels represent India's growing maritime capabilities under the "Make in India" initiative. NAVDEX provides GSL with a platform to highlight these advanced naval innovations and increase its presence in the global defence market. The exhibition is a significant event for showcasing India's defence manufacturing progress and enhancing international collaboration.

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.