DEFENCE NEWS

Defence News is a heavyweight section across RRB and SSC exams, covering ship commissioning, military exercises, and major procurement deals. Vessel names, exercise names, and monetary values of contracts are common question anchors.

Defence Acquisition Council Clears Proposals Worth ₹2.38 Lakh Crore

• The approvals cover Army modernisation across air-defence, artillery, and surveillance systems.
• Key clearances included the Air Defence Tracked System and the Dhanush Gun System.
• A new High Capacity Radio Relay system is expected to strengthen fail-proof battlefield communication.

INS Dunagiri Joins the Navy, Advancing Self-Reliant Warship Building

• The Nilgiri-class frigate, the fifth under Project 17A, was delivered at GRSE Kolkata.
• It revives the name of an earlier Leander-class frigate that served for over three decades.
• The delivery marks continued progress in India's indigenous multi-mission warship programme.

Two More Anti-Submarine Warfare Craft Join the Fleet

• INS Agray, built by GRSE, and 'Malwan', built by Cochin Shipyard, were both delivered to the Navy.
• The vessels are among the largest Indian warships powered by waterjet propulsion.
• Both are equipped with lightweight torpedoes and shallow-water sonar for coastal anti-submarine operations.

India Takes Over Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium

• The role returns to India after a sixteen-year gap, covering the 2026-2028 cycle.
• A tabletop exercise held in Kochi focused on non-traditional maritime security challenges in the region.
• Participating navies used the platform to strengthen coordination frameworks under IONS.

Defence Ministry Fully Utilises Record Capital Budget

• The ₹1.86 lakh crore capital outlay for FY 2025-26 was spent in full, continuing a trend from the previous year.
• The original allocation was enhanced mid-year to accommodate higher procurement momentum.
• Overall defence budget utilisation, including civil and pension heads, stood at 62 percent.

BEL Wins ₹1,950 Crore Contract for Mountain Radars

• The indigenously designed radar systems will be integrated into the Air Force's command-and-control network.
• Development was led by DRDO's Electronics and Radar Development Establishment.
• The contract falls under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category, supporting domestic defence manufacturing.

India Commissions Its Third Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarine

• INS Aridaman follows INS Arihant and INS Arighat, strengthening the naval leg of India's nuclear triad.
• The submarine carries a higher displacement and more advanced reactor systems than its predecessors.
• India now joins a select group of nations operating nuclear-powered submarines.

Goa Shipyard Marks Twin Naval Milestones

• INS Shachi was ceremonially launched under the Navy's Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel programme.
• ICGS Achal was simultaneously delivered to the Indian Coast Guard.
• Both vessels feature high levels of indigenous content, exceeding 65 and 76 percent respectively.

India's Defence Exports Hit a Record High

• Exports reached nearly ₹38,425 crore in FY26, growing 63 percent year-on-year.
• Public-sector undertakings and private manufacturers both posted strong growth, with DPSU exports surging over 150 percent.
• India now exports defence equipment, including BrahMos missiles and Akash systems, to more than 80 countries.

DRDO's TRAWL System Boosts Army's Minefield-Breaching Capability

• The ₹975 crore contract covers TRAWL assemblies for T-72 and T-90 tanks.
• The system was developed indigenously by DRDO and will be manufactured domestically.
• It significantly enhances the Army's ability to clear minefields during offensive operations.

IAF Demonstrates Emergency Landing on Purvanchal Expressway

• Aircraft including the Sukhoi-30, Mirage-2000, and C-295 took part in the day-and-night exercise.
• The drill showcased the Air Force's ability to operate from highway strips during emergencies.
• Garud Commando Force personnel also participated in the demonstration.

India and Egypt Deepen Defence Ties at 11th Joint Committee Meeting

• Talks in Cairo reviewed progress since the last meeting and set out a Defence Cooperation Plan for 2026-27.
• Both delegations were led by senior defence officials from their respective ministries.
• The meeting reflects steadily expanding India-Egypt strategic engagement.

About Egypt: President: Abdel Fattah el-Sisi • Prime Minister: Mostafa Madbouly • Capital: Cairo • Currency: Egyptian Pound.

DRDO Unveils Advanced Armoured Platforms in Maharashtra

• The tracked and wheeled platforms, developed at Ahilyanagar, feature an indigenous 30mm crewless turret.
• They are designed to meet emerging mobility, firepower, and protection requirements of the armed forces.
• The unveiling was led by DRDO's Chairman at the organisation's Vehicles Research establishment.

About DRDO: Founded 1958 • HQ: New Delhi • Chairman: Dr. Samir V. Kamat • Apex defence R&D body under the Ministry of Defence.

Rajnath Singh to Lead India at SCO Defence Ministers' Meeting

• The Bishkek meeting will focus on regional security, counter-terrorism, and defence cooperation among SCO members.
• India became a full SCO member in 2017 and held its rotating chairmanship in 2023.
• The meeting continues India's active engagement within the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

About SCO: Established 15 June 2001, Shanghai • Members include India, Russia, China, Pakistan and Central Asian states • India became a full member in 2017.

Border Roads Organisation Marks Two Milestone Anniversaries

• Project Chetak, active in Rajasthan, Punjab, and Gujarat, celebrated 47 years of service.
• Project DANTAK marked 66 years of infrastructure cooperation with Bhutan.
• Both projects underline BRO's long-standing role in strategic border-area connectivity.

About BRO: Formation 7 May 1960 • HQ: New Delhi • Director General: Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan.

Indian Tanker Resumes Hormuz Transit After Ceasefire

• Jag Vikram became the first India-flagged vessel to cross the strait following the Iran-Israel ceasefire.
• The strait carries roughly a fifth of global oil and gas trade, making its reopening economically significant.
• Several other Indian-flagged vessels remained temporarily stranded awaiting safe passage.

IAF and GE Aerospace to Set Up Engine Maintenance Depot in India

• The facility will service F404-IN20 engines used in the Light Combat Aircraft programme.
• The IAF will own and operate the depot, with GE Aerospace providing technical expertise and training.
• It is expected to improve turnaround times and reduce dependence on overseas maintenance.

Army Launches First Border-Village Community Radio Station in Sikkim

• 'Radio Sikkim Sundari' broadcasts from East Sikkim near the India-China border under the Vibrant Villages Programme.
• The solar- and UPS-powered station ensures uninterrupted service in a remote border area.
• It aims to strengthen last-mile communication and community engagement.

Regiment of Artillery Launches First Blue-Water Sailing Expedition

• 'Samudra Sahas' set sail from Mumbai to mark the regiment's bicentenary celebrations.
• The expedition forms part of a series of commemorative activities planned through the year.
• It highlights the Army's growing engagement with maritime training initiatives.

Australia and Japan Sign $7 Billion Stealth Warship Deal

• Japan will deliver three upgraded Mogami-class frigates from 2029, with eight more built in Australia.
• The agreement ranks among Japan's largest defence export deals in recent decades.
• It reflects deepening Indo-Pacific defence cooperation amid regional security concerns.

About Australia: Prime Minister: Anthony Albanese • Capital: Canberra • Currency: Australian Dollar.

India and China Hold First SCO-Level Bilateral Defence Talks Since Border Thaw

• The New Delhi talks follow the 2024 resolution of the eastern Ladakh military standoff.
• They mark the first formal SCO-level consultations between the two countries since the thaw.
• The engagement signals a gradual, cautious normalisation of bilateral relations.

Army Medical Corps Inaugurates New Specialty Healthcare Centres

• New Ophthalmology, Oncology, and Joint Replacement centres were inaugurated at Army Hospital (R&R) in Delhi.
• Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt, also received expanded infrastructure with added crisis-capacity beds.
• The upgrades aim to strengthen tertiary healthcare access for defence personnel.

Indian Army Releases Roadmap for Drones and Loitering Munitions

• The strategic document outlines long-term priorities for unmanned systems and precision-strike capability.
• It is intended to align industry, academia, and R&D investment with the Army's operational needs.
• The roadmap supports India's broader push toward a self-reliant drone ecosystem.

India-Egypt Special Forces Exercise 'Cyclone-IV' Gets Underway

• Indian special-forces personnel travelled to Egypt for the fourth edition of the joint exercise.
• The training focuses on improving interoperability and joint mission-planning capability.
• It builds on a successful previous edition hosted in India.

Army Launches Operation Him Setu After Sikkim Landslide

• The rescue operation evacuated tourists stranded in North Sikkim after a major landslide cut off road connectivity.
• Troops worked in extreme weather conditions to open alternate routes for safe passage.
• The Border Roads Organisation coordinated closely with the Army on road-clearance efforts.

Indian Navy Continues MAHASAGAR Outreach Across the Indian Ocean Region

• Multiple deployments under the IOS SAGAR banner visited ports across Southeast Asia and East Africa this month.
• The outreach emphasises India's commitment to a free, open, and secure Indian Ocean Region.
• Port calls typically combine professional naval engagement with cultural and community outreach activities.

⚡ QUICK REVISION — DEFENCE NEWS

• INS Dunagiri, INS Agray, 'Malwan' — new Project 17A frigate and ASW craft join the Navy
• India commissions INS Aridaman, its 3rd nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine
• India's defence exports hit a record ₹38,424 crore in FY26, up 63% YoY
• India assumes IONS Chairmanship for 2026-2028 after a 16-year gap
• Australia-Japan sign $7 billion stealth warship deal (Mogami-class frigates)
• Jag Vikram — first India-flagged vessel to cross Hormuz post-ceasefire