Current Affairs - Defence

India recently unveiled the 'Zorawar' light tank, developed in collaboration with DRDO and Larsen & Toubro. Named after General Zorawar Singh, the tank is designed for high-altitude operations and features advanced weaponry and protection systems. It marks a significant advancement in India's defence capabilities, particularly aimed at enhancing military presence in challenging terrains like Ladakh, Sikkim, or Kashmir, following strategic requirements highlighted during recent geopolitical tensions.

INS Shivalik, described as an indigenous guided missile stealth frigate, took part in Exercise RIMPAC-24 at Pearl Harbour. RIMPAC is recognized as the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, organized by the US Navy's Indo-Pacific Command and involving approximately 29 countries. This participation underscores India's naval engagement in multilateral exercises aimed at enhancing interoperability and maritime security cooperation with other nations across the Indo-Pacific region.

India's defence production in fiscal year 2023-24 reached a record high of Rs 1,26,887 crore, marking a growth rate of 16.7% compared to the previous fiscal year. This substantial increase underscores India's advancing capabilities and commitment to bolstering domestic manufacturing in the defence sector, reflecting a significant milestone towards achieving self-reliance.

Signaltron, a Bangalore-based firm, provided the indigenous chip-based 4G mobile base station to the Indian Army. This base station, known as Sahyadri LTE, incorporates chips developed by Signalchip, an Indian semiconductor company. This development marks a milestone as it is the first time an Indian system using locally developed chips has been adopted for complex communication technology within the military. Signaltron's solution, procured through the government e-marketplace portal, underscores India's move towards self-reliance in critical defence technologies, enhancing security and operational control.

The Indian Air Force inaugurated the Weapon Systems School (WSS) in Hyderabad, signalling a significant advancement in its capabilities. Led by Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, this school aims to provide specialized training to officers of the newly formed Weapon Systems branch, integrating various weapon system operators and enhancing the IAF’s readiness and effectiveness in modern air warfare. The establishment of WSS underscores India's commitment to developing skilled personnel and cutting-edge capabilities in defence technology.