Current Affairs - Defence

The third edition of the Naval Innovation and Indigenisation Seminar, Swavlamban – 2024, commenced on October 29, 2024, in New Delhi, at Bharat Mandapam. This seminar aims to foster innovation and indigenisation within the Indian Navy, enhancing defence capabilities through local resources and technology. The event brings together defence forces, private sector companies, and start-ups to showcase niche technologies in areas like surveillance, autonomous systems, AI, and quantum technologies. The participation of numerous agencies and exhibits underscores the importance of Swavlamban 2024 in promoting India's defence self-reliance.

The Indian Army is participating in the 9th edition of the joint exercise GARUD SHAKTI 24 with Indonesia. A contingent of 25 personnel from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces) has been dispatched to Jakarta for the exercise, scheduled from November 1 to 12, 2024. The joint exercise aims to enhance interoperability and sharing of expertise between the two nations' special forces. It will focus on advanced skills, weapons, tactics, and techniques, culminating in a validation exercise to integrate these capabilities. This bilateral exercise strengthens the military ties and cooperation between India and Indonesia.

India and the United States are conducting the 15th edition of the joint Special Forces exercise, VAJRA PRAHAR, from November 2-22, 2024, at the Orchard Combat Training Centre in Idaho, US. This bilateral exercise aims to enhance interoperability and sharing of expertise between the two nations' special forces. The VAJRA PRAHAR exercise is the second India-US Army exercise in 2024, following the YUDH ABHYAS 2024 held in Rajasthan in September. This collaboration demonstrates the strengthening of defence ties and cooperation between India and the United States.

Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) has launched two indigenous fast patrol vessels, Adamya and Akshar, designed to enhance the protection of offshore assets, and island territories, and conduct surveillance operations for the Indian Coast Guard. GSL is constructing a total of eight fast patrol vessels (FPVs) for the Coast Guard, aligning with the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' vision of self-reliance in defence production. The vessels, measuring 52 meters in length and 8 meters in breadth, demonstrate GSL's capabilities in designing and building advanced maritime assets for India's defence forces.

The Atma Nirbhar Bharat initiative has had a profound impact on India's defence sector, leading to substantial growth and reforms. Defence production has seen a remarkable 174% increase from ₹46 thousand crore in 2014-15 to over ₹1.27 lakh crore in FY 2023-24. Additionally, defence exports have skyrocketed from ₹686 crore in 2013-14 to over ₹21 thousand crore in 2023-24. The development of key platforms such as the Dhanush Gun System, ATAGS, Tank Arjun, Tejas, and submarines further underscores the sector's transformation. This growth demonstrates the initiative's success in boosting India's self-reliance in defence.