Current Affairs - Defence

'Gyan Shakti,' the new think tank established by the South Western Command, is based in Jaipur, Rajasthan. The initiative aims to foster collaboration between the armed forces, industry, state government, and academia, with a focus on strengthening the region's defence industrial base. By bringing together veterans, experts, and organizations, it seeks to contribute to India’s defence transformation and support Rajasthan’s growth, particularly in defence manufacturing. This initiative is also aligned with the state’s vision of becoming a $350 billion economy by 2029.

The 35th Tri-Services Commanders’ Conference (TSTCC) was held in Kochi, chaired by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan at the Southern Naval Command. This annual conference brought together senior commanders from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and other defence formations to discuss joint training initiatives and evolving strategies. Emphasizing the need for unified operations, the conference focused on enhancing jointmanship and inter-service synergy to address emerging security challenges and prepare the forces for future conflicts as a theaterised, integrated force.

The Defence Space Agency's "Antariksha Abhyas - 2024" exercise represents a significant milestone in India's defence preparedness, focusing on securing space assets and integrating cutting-edge technologies. This comprehensive exercise brings together key stakeholders from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Defence Cyber Agency, Intelligence Agency, Strategic Forces Command, ISRO, and DRDO. By hosting this tri-services exercise, the Defence Space Agency demonstrates its critical role in safeguarding India's national security interests in space, ensuring the country's strategic advantage and readiness in this vital domain.

The Indian Navy's 'Sea Vigil-24' exercise is a comprehensive nationwide coastal defence exercise, involving 21 organizations alongside six government ministries. This significant participation demonstrates an unprecedented level of coordination and cooperation among various stakeholders. The exercise aims to enhance India's coastal security capabilities, protect vital infrastructure, and prevent maritime threats. The involvement of multiple organizations ensures a unified approach to national security, showcasing India's commitment to defence preparedness. The exercise's scope covers India's entire coastline and Exclusive Economic Zone, underscoring its strategic importance.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) achieved a significant milestone with the successful maiden flight test of the Long Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM), demonstrating its capability with a range of 1,000 km. Launched from a mobile platform off Odisha's coast, the missile showcased advanced avionics, waypoint navigation, and varying altitude and speed capabilities. This new variant of the Nirbhay missile highlights India's growing self-reliance in missile development, with contributions from DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment and Indian industries like Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited.