Current Affairs - Defence

The Indian Air Force has deployed three out of the five agreed-upon S-400 air defense missile squadrons along the borders with China and Pakistan, marking a significant enhancement of India's defense system.

India has submitted a Letter of Request to the French government for 26 Rafale Marine fighter jets. This procurement will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's capabilities, allowing it to operate more effectively in the maritime domain. The Rafale Marine is a versatile fighter jet that can perform a variety of missions, including air superiority, ground attack, and maritime strike.

A group of 120 personnel from the Indian Army and Indian Air Force has left for Kazakhstan to participate in the 7th edition of the Joint Military 'Exercise KAZIND-2023' held in Otar, Kazakhstan from October 30 to November 11, 2023, enhancing bilateral ties.

The Indian Army's first Vertical Wind Tunnel (VWT) is located at the Special Forces Training School (SFTS) in Himachal Pradesh. It was inaugurated in October 2023. The VWT is a state-of-the-art facility that provides military trainees with a controlled environment to enhance their Combat Free Fall (CFF) skills by simulating real-life free fall conditions. This will allow the special forces to prepare for contemporary battlefields more effectively.

The European Union (EU) and India conducted their first joint naval exercise in the Gulf of Guinea on October 24, 2023. The exercise, which involved ships from the Indian Navy and three EU member states, was aimed at strengthening maritime security cooperation in the region. The EU-India Maritime Security Dialogue, which was held in Brussels on October 5, 2023, paved the way for the exercise. The dialogue focused on a range of issues, including maritime security cooperation, piracy, and human trafficking.