Current Affairs - Defence

VSHORADS, standing for Very Short-Range Air Defence System, is a missile system developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It has undergone successful flight tests, demonstrating its capability to intercept and destroy high-speed unmanned aerial targets. Designed as a Man Portable Air Defence System (MANPAD), VSHORADS incorporates advanced technologies and features, including a miniaturized Reaction Control System (RCS) and integrated avionics, ensuring its effectiveness in neutralizing low-altitude aerial threats at short ranges.

NATO initiated the Steadfast Defender 2024 military exercise, its largest in Europe in decades, in January 2024. This exercise, involving over 90,000 troops and various military assets, underscores NATO's readiness and commitment to collective defence, particularly amidst regional tensions like the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The Adani Group's inauguration of the Ammunition & Missiles Complex in Uttar Pradesh's Kanpur signifies a major leap in India's defence sector. With an investment of over Rs 3000 crore and the creation of 4,000 jobs, this complex underscores Uttar Pradesh's role in fostering self-reliance and technological advancement in defence.

The second India-U.S. Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X) Summit took place in New Delhi, India. The summit, jointly organized by iDEX, the Indian Ministry of Defense, and the United States Department of Defense, highlighted Indo-Pacific security cooperation and defence partnership between the two nations.

The "Dharma Guardian" military exercise involves Japan alongside India, and it takes place at the Mahajan Field Firing Ranges in Rajasthan, India. This joint exercise aims to enhance interoperability and foster closer military cooperation between the Indian Army and the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF), showcasing the strengthening of defence ties between the two nations.