Current Affairs - Defence

India ranked fourth globally in military spending in 2023, allocating $83.6 billion for defence. This expenditure surge reflects India's strategic focus on modernizing its military infrastructure, particularly after the Ladakh standoff in 2020, to enhance defence capabilities and address evolving regional security challenges.

The Indian Navy conducted the 'Poorvi Leher' mega exercise along the East Coast to validate its procedures and assess its preparedness for maritime security challenges. This exercise involved multiple phases, including combat training and live-fire drills, showcasing the Navy's operational readiness and interoperability with other services.

India is planning to test the Astra Mark-2 air-to-air missile with a 130 km range, showcasing advancements in its defence capabilities and aiming to match the capabilities of other advanced missiles like Meteor.

India is delivering the first batch of BrahMos missiles to the Philippines as part of a deal worth nearly $375 million. This marks a significant milestone in India's defence exports, particularly with the BrahMos missile, which is jointly developed by India and Russia.

DRDO conducted a successful test flight of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from Chandipur, Odisha. The missile's performance, including precise navigation and low-altitude sea-skimming flight, demonstrated the reliability of the indigenous propulsion system developed in Bengaluru.