🔫 1. Phantom Red‑Dot Pistol (India)
- Manufacturer: Astr Defence (Phantom series).
- Key Feature: India’s first factory‑fitted red‑dot sight (calibrated at 1× magnification) on a striker‑fired pistol chambered in .32 ACP with a 17-round magazine—enhancing precision and rapid target acquisition.
- Why It Matters: Boosts indigenous capability and reduces reliance on imports under the “Make in India” initiative.
🛡️ 2. India to Procure Russia’s Pantsir Air‑Defence Missile & Gun System
- Platform: Pantsir‑S1M short‑range air‑defence system combining 30 mm guns and surface‑to‑air missiles.
- Status: India and Bharat Dynamics Ltd signed MoU with Russia’s Rosoboronexport in late 2024 for acquisition and co-production .
- Why It Matters: Addresses threats from low‑flying aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles—critical for protecting frontline formations.
🤖 3. Barbarik URCWS by Zen Technologies
- Developer: Zen Tech (Hyderabad).
- System: Barbarik‑ Barbarik - Ultralight Remote-Controlled Weapon Station—world’s lightest remote-controlled weapon station (supports 5.56–7.62 mm calibres), tested at Mhow and Ahmednagar.
- Why It Matters: Enables remote engagement from ground vehicles/UAVs with reduced soldier exposure and swift deployment.
🎖️ 4. Indian Army Day 2025 – 15 January, Pune
- Edition: 77th Army Day.
- Theme: “Samarth Bharat, Saksham Sena” (“Capable India, Capable Army”).
- Venue: Cariappa Parade Ground, Southern Command HQ, Pune.
- Significance: Celebrates Field Marshal Cariappa’s succession as India’s first Commander‑in‑Chief in 1949, underlining modernization and self‑reliance.
⚔️ 5. Exercise Devil Strike – Joint Army‑IAF Airborne Drill
- Participants: Indian Army Parachute Regiment (Airborne) + IAF transport/fighter support.
- Timing & Location: Mid‑January 2025 near the Siliguri corridor.
- Purpose: Validating rapid vertical insertion for deep‑strike missions and behind‑enemy‑lines operations.
🛰️ 6. Launch of SANJAY Battlefield Surveillance System
- Name: Situational Awareness and Networked Joint Advanced Surveillance System (SANJAY).
- Inauguration: 24 Jan 2025 by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
- Function: Consolidates satellite, drone, radar, and sensor imagery into a unified real-time Common Surveillance Picture .
- Importance: Enhances real-time C2 across Army, Navy & IAF for better battlefield situational awareness.
🌍 7. Exercise Ekuverin 2025 – Indo‑Maldives (13th Edition)
- Edition: 13th, India–Maldives joint exercise.
- Dates & Venue: 2–15 Feb 2025 in Maldives (alternating with Chaubatia, Uttarakhand where the 12th occurred in 2023).
- Indian Units: Platoon-sized contingent (likely Kumaon Regiment).
- Focus: Counter‑insurgency, counter‑terrorism, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR).
- Why It Matters: Strengthens interoperability, regional security, and supports India’s “Neighbourhood First” vision.
🐫 8. Exercise Cyclone‑III – Indo‑Egypt Special Forces Drill
- Edition: 3rd iteration.
- Dates & Venue: 10–23 Feb 2025 at Mahajan Field Firing Range, Rajasthan.
- Indian Contingent: 25 SF personnel from two special forces battalions.
- Partner: Egyptian Special Forces (25 personnel).
- Activities: Desert warfare, joint tactical drills, 48‑hr validation exercise, and review of indigenous equipment.
- Why It Matters: Boosts special operations interoperability and defence ties with Africa and Middle East allies.
🌊 9. TROPEX‑25 – Theatre-level Exercise in Indian Ocean
- Forces: Indian Navy, Army, IAF & Coast Guard.
- Timing: Feb–Apr 2025 across the Indian Ocean region.
- Objective: Combined arms theatre readiness—maritime security, amphibious warfare, and joint operations.
- Note: Pattern consistent with previous TROPEX cycles; exact public citation pending.
🛟 10. 49th Raising Day of Indian Coast Guard
- Date: 1 February 2025.
- Significance: Marks 49th Anniversary since ICG’s inception in 1977, celebrated across all Coast Guard units.
📘 11. MoD Hindi Magazine “Sashakt Bharat”
- Publisher: Ministry of Defence.
- Content Focus: Indigenous weapons programs, force modernization, defence policy, and strategic affairs.
- Frequency: Published periodically; recognized as official MoD magazine.
🚀 12. MoD, Economic Explosives & Munitions India Ltd for Pinaka Munitions
- Partnership: MoD with Economic Explosives Ltd & Munitions India Ltd.
- Purpose: Co‑production of rockets for Pinaka Multi‑Barrel Rocket Launcher System.
- Objective: Reduce import dependency and ramp up domestic arms output.
✈️ 13. 15th Aero India 2025 – Yelahanka, Bengaluru
- Dates: 13–17 Feb 2025.
- Highlights: Display of Su‑57, potential F‑35 discussions, India’s Hansa‑NG, HTT‑40 IJT, Light Utility Helicopter (LUH), Su‑30MKI, and Tejas.
- Theme: Runway to the billion opportunities.
- Purpose: Platform for showcasing aviation tech, defence exports, and international air interaction.
🏜️ 14. Exercise Desert Hunt 2025 – Tri‑Service Special Forces
- Forces: IAF Special Forces with support from Army & Navy.
- Venue: Jodhpur desert ranges (early 2025).
- Goal: Enhance desert‑terrain infiltration, rapid response, and tri‑service synergy.
🗻 15. Exercise Khanjar XII – Indo‑Kyrgyzstan Paracommando Drill
- Edition: 12th.
- Location: Kyrgyzstan (high‑altitude terrain).
- Indian Unit: Parachute Regiment.
- Aim: High‑altitude joint parachute operations and mountain warfare readiness.
🤝 16. Exercise Dustlik‑6 – Indo‑Uzbekistan Training
- Edition: 6th.
- Venue: Aundh, Pune (some elements likely in Uzbekistan too).
- Indian Unit: Jat Regiment supported by IAF assets.
- Focus: Joint training, regional security cooperation, and cross-border defence engagement.
🚨 17. Operation Brahma – India’s Earthquake Relief in Myanmar
- Scope: Humanitarian and Disaster Relief under "Neighbourhood First".
- Trigger: Earthquake in Myanmar (2025).
- Objective: Rapid mobilization of Indian Army engineers, medical teams, and IAF logistics to support relief operations across the border.
NOTE: This image is especially important from the AFCAT exam perspective as it visually displays all commissioned officer ranks—making it a frequently asked question in the exam.
