Current Affairs - Defence

The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron, consisting of INS Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Veera, arrived at Changi Naval Base on 6th February 2025. This visit is part of a Long-Range Training Deployment aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation. During their stay, engagements such as professional exchanges, cross-training visits, and sports fixtures with the Republic of Singapore Navy were planned, highlighting the significance of naval partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.

The Indian Army has collaborated with IIT Guwahati to develop bamboo-based composite bunkers as an alternative to conventional construction materials. These bunkers aim to enhance sustainability, reduce weight, and improve deployability in high-altitude areas like Arunachal Pradesh. The agreement, signed between the Army’s 4 Corps and IIT Guwahati, aligns with the Army’s ‘Decade of Transformation’ vision. The new bunkers will be tested for durability, including small arms fire resistance, and provide an eco-friendly solution to military infrastructure challenges while improving logistics and operational efficiency.

The 13th edition of the bilateral military exercise ‘Ekuverin’ between India and the Maldives is being held in the Maldives. This annual exercise is conducted alternately in both nations, fostering military cooperation and strengthening defence ties. The previous edition in 2023 took place in Chaubatia, Uttarakhand. ‘Ekuverin,’ which means ‘Friends’ in the Dhivehi language, reflects the close partnership between India and the Maldives in maintaining regional security and enhancing interoperability between their armed forces.

The Large Area Additive Manufacturing (LAAM) system was developed at the DRDO-Industry-Academia Centre of Excellence (DIA-CoE) at IIT Hyderabad. This collaboration between IIT Hyderabad, DRDO’s Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), and industry partners aims to revolutionize manufacturing in the aerospace and defence sectors. The LAAM system, capable of fabricating large metal components, provides India with a major technological breakthrough in advanced manufacturing. This system uses laser and blown-powder technology, enabling the production of complex and large-scale parts essential for defence and aerospace applications.

The DRDO successfully conducted three consecutive flight trials of the Very Short-Range Air Defence (VSHORAD) system, demonstrating its capability to intercept low-altitude, high-speed threats. During these tests, the missile precisely targeted and destroyed objects mimicking low-flying drones. This showcases the system’s effectiveness in countering aerial threats at close range. The trials, conducted in a final deployment configuration, highlight the operational readiness of VSHORAD, reinforcing its role in strengthening India’s defence against modern aerial warfare tactics, particularly against drones and other low-altitude threats.