1. Exercise INIOCHOS‑25 (Greece & India)
A biennial tactical-level air exercise by the Hellenic Air Force since the late 1980s, INIOCHOS became truly multinational around 2015. The name—meaning "charioteer" in Greek—echoes ancient discipline. From March 31 to April 11, 2025, this edition hosted 15 countries. India deployed Su‑30MKIs, IL‑78 tankers, and C‑17 transports. It emphasized counter-air, combat search-and-rescue, maritime support, and night operations. Strategically, India deepened its defence ties with Western powers, projecting long-range air mobility and enhancing interoperability.
2. Africa–India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025 – Dar es Salaam
Inaugurated April 13–18, this is India’s first biennial naval exercise with African littoral nations. “Aikeyme” stems from the Sanskrit for “unity.” Co-hosted with Tanzania and including 10 nations, it featured harbour-phase planning and sea-phase anti-piracy/VBSS drills. Indian ships INS Chennai, INS Kesari, and IOS SAGAR flagship INS Sunayna participated, with INS Sunayna visiting multiple East African ports. The exercise strengthens India’s SAGAR-to-MAHASAGAR maritime vision, counters Chinese influence, and presents India as a capable partner in Indian Ocean security.
3. Tri-Service Exercise Prachand Prahar – Arunachal Pradesh
Held from March 25–27, this multi-domain Himalayan exercise involved the Army, Air Force, and Navy. Platforms included surveillance aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, loitering munitions, swarm drones, and precision artillery. Targets were detected through joint ISR and struck within contested electronic warfare environments. Prachand Prahar follows ‘Poorvi Prahar’ (Nov 2024) and represents India’s commitment to integrated theatre-level commands and high-altitude preparedness along the LAC with China.
4. Exercise Desert Flag‑10 – Al Dhafra, UAE
A major regional air exercise at Al Dhafra Air Base featuring Middle Eastern and allied air forces. In its tenth iteration, Desert Flag pushed modern multi-aircraft missions, electronic warfare, and desert-operational readiness. The Indian Air Force’s participation—with aircraft like MiG‑29s—reinforced cross-regional air combat synergy and desert environment competency.
5. INS Ranvir – BONGOSAGAR Exercise (Bay of Bengal)
INS Ranvir participated in BONGOSAGAR, a bilateral naval exercise with the Bangladesh Navy, conducted annually to enhance maritime domain awareness and cooperation in fisheries protection, search-and-rescue, and coastal security.
6. Exercise INDRA – India–Russia (14th Edition) – Chennai
This long-standing bilateral tri-service exercise (land, maritime, air) reinforces India–Russia strategic and operational ties. The 14th edition in Chennai featured joint counter-terror, amphibious landings, and command-post operations, reaffirming interoperability and trust built since INDRA’s inauguration in 2003.
7. Procurement of T‑72 Tank Engines
The Ministry of Defence cleared the purchase of upgraded engines from Russia’s Rosoboronexport, enhancing T‑72 tanks from 780 hp to 1,000 hp. This upgrade markedly improves maneuverability and firepower in mechanized formations, key along both western and northern borders.
8. ASHWINI Low-Level Radar for IAF
DRDO-designed and BEL-manufactured, the ASHWINI radar fills gaps in detecting low-altitude threats—like drones and cruise missiles—in contested airspace. As a transportable system, it strengthens tactical air-defense layers amid growing aerial threats.
9. INS Imphal – Visit on Mauritius’s 57th National Day
INS Imphal's port call coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi receiving Mauritius’s highest civilian honour. This visit reaffirmed maritime ties under the SAGAR doctrine, underlining India’s crucial strategic and cultural engagement with the island nation.
10. Project 1135.6 – Frigate Builds “Triput” & “Tavasya”
Under a Russia-backed co-design, these advanced indigenous frigates are part of India’s Project 1135.6 class. They will feature stealth, upgraded sensors, and multi-role capabilities—boosting surface fleet strength and maritime resilience.
11. Navika Sagar Prakram – INSV Tarini Voyage
Lieutenants Commanders Roopa and Disha completed the INSV Tarini circumnavigation—a rare achievement in a nearly 60-foot, all-women crew expedition. This voyage of seamanship exemplifies women’s expanding roles in the Indian Navy.
12. Techkriti 2025 – IIT Kanpur
Launched by the Chief of Defence Staff, Techkriti 2025 claims Asia’s largest intercollegiate technology & entrepreneurship fest. It brings together students from across Asia to showcase innovations, pitch startups, and foster academia–industry collaboration, strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem.
13. “Gaurav” Long-Range Guided Bomb—Su-30MKI
DRDO successfully tested an indigenously developed precision-guided glide bomb from a Su‑30MKI. With extended range and improved accuracy, this weapon enhances the IAF's strike precision while reducing collateral damage.
14. INS Varsha – India’s First Strategic SSN Base
Commissioned in Andhra Pradesh, INS Varsha is India’s dedicated base for nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs and SSBNs). This enhances second-strike capability and stealth deterrence—cornerstones of India’s maritime strategy.
15. CRPF Cobra Battalion in Jammu & Kashmir
A specialized commando unit of the Central Reserve Police Force has been deployed in Jammu & Kashmir, providing elite counter-insurgency, rapid-response, and jungle-warfare capabilities—supporting internal security operations.
16. Samudra Pradakshina – All-Women Tri-Service Sailing Expedition
Conducted by the College of Military Engineering, this empowering sailing expedition by an all-women team highlights female leadership in national defence and showcases India’s expanding gender inclusion in uniformed services.
17. Exercise Aakraman – Rapid Deployment Drill by IAF
Aakraman focuses on rapid mobilization, airlift support, and swift strike coordination—practicing rapid airborne deployment under contested conditions, reinforcing India’s quick-response air capability.
18. Operation Kagar – Against Naxalite Insurgency
Led by the Ministry of Home Affairs, Operation Kagar targets Maoist insurgency in central India. It involves coordinated efforts by law enforcement and paramilitary forces to dismantle extremist networks and restore state control.
19. DRDO On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) for Tejas
Indigenously developed amply by DRDO’s DEBEL facility, the OBOGS underwent high-altitude trials aboard Tejas. It autonomously generates oxygen for pilots during extended high-altitude sorties, eliminating the need for traditional oxygen bottles, enhancing operational safety and endurance.
20. Astra‑Mk3 Renamed “Gandiva” – Beyond Visual Range AAM
The Astra‑3, India’s next-generation long-range air-to-air missile, has been rechristened "Gandiva" after the legendary bow of Arjuna from the Mahabharata—symbolizing precision-guided lethality and indigenous technological prowess.
