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Explore Defence & Security Current Affairs from 13 to 25 August 2026 covering the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force, DRDO technologies, defence deals, military exercises, indigenous weapons, cybersecurity, defence diplomacy, maritime security and major national-security developments. Useful for UPSC, CDS, NDA, AFCAT, SSC, CAPF, State PSC, Banking, Railways and other competitive exams.
President Droupadi Murmu, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, approved 78 Gallantry Awards for Armed Forces and Central Armed Police Forces personnel on the eve of India's 80th Independence Day.
Of the 78 awards, 13 were awarded posthumously. The President also approved 89 Mention-in-Despatches for personnel recognised for distinguished operational contributions.
Occasion: 80th Independence Day
Gallantry Awards: 78
Posthumous awards: 13
Mention-in-Despatches: 89
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed contracts worth approximately ₹1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Limited and NIBE Limited on 14 August 2026 for supplying Loiter Munition Systems, munitions and associated equipment to the Indian Army.
The systems are being procured under the Buy (Indian) category through the Fast Track Procedure.
Value: ₹1,577 crore
Companies: Tata Advanced Systems and NIBE
User: Indian Army
Procurement category: Buy (Indian)
The newly contracted Loiter Munition Systems are intended primarily to strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian Army's Artillery Regiments.
Loitering munitions combine surveillance and strike capabilities by remaining airborne over a target area before engaging an identified target. The procurement also strengthens indigenous defence manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, in his Independence Day-eve address to Armed Forces personnel, stated that military modernisation supported by a self-reliant and future-ready defence sector remains a major government priority.
He highlighted the transformation of India's defence-manufacturing ecosystem through initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, including India's emergence as a defence exporter.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted “Raksha Shakti” as an important pillar in India's journey towards Viksit Bharat during his 2026 Independence Day address.
The defence focus included strengthening indigenous capabilities, military preparedness and India's domestic defence-manufacturing ecosystem.
Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth embarked on an official visit to Nepal during the period.
The visit sought to strengthen the longstanding military relationship between India and Nepal through high-level interactions and defence cooperation.
Indian Army Chief: General Dhiraj Seth
Country visited: Nepal
An Indian Army contingent departed for Thailand for the 15th edition of India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV.
The exercise is being conducted at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand, from 18 to 31 August 2026.
The Indian contingent primarily comprises troops from 9 Gorkha Rifles, while the Royal Thai Army is represented by personnel from the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.
Exercise: MAITREE-XV
Countries: India and Thailand
Edition: 15th
Location: Surat Thani, Thailand
Dates: 18–31 August 2026
Exercise MAITREE-XV aims to improve interoperability and coordination between the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army.
The training focuses on joint tactical operations and strengthening the ability of both armies to operate together in relevant operational scenarios.
The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) on 17 August 2026 to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems for the Indian Navy.
The lease is for 30 months and is valued at approximately ₹1,943 crore.
Aircraft: MQ-9B Sea Guardian
Number: 2
Lease period: 30 months
Contract value: ₹1,943 crore
Company: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
The MQ-9B Sea Guardians are equipped with sophisticated sensors and payloads for long-duration Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) operations.
They will significantly enhance the Indian Navy's Maritime Domain Awareness by providing persistent surveillance across large areas of the Indian Ocean Region.
The eighth edition of the Indian Navy-US Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise 2026 concluded at Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
The specialised bilateral exercise involved Explosive Ordnance Disposal and diving personnel from the two navies.
Training included expert exchanges, cross-training, equipment demonstrations and practical scenarios.
Edition: 8th
Countries: India and United States
Location: Southern Naval Command, Kochi
Area: Explosive Ordnance Disposal
The Indian Navy and US Navy have been conducting joint Salvage and Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercises since 2005.
The 2026 exercise focused on interoperability, professional cooperation, contemporary EOD methodologies and sharing operational best practices.
Indian Navy sail training ship INS Sudarshini continued its Lokayan 2026 transoceanic expedition during the period.
The ship concluded a port call at Ponta Delgada before continuing its voyage towards Portugal.
Ship: INS Sudarshini
Expedition: Lokayan 2026
Service: Indian Navy
The Department of Defence Production (DDP) notified the 6th Positive Indigenisation List on 18 August 2026.
The list contains 405 strategically important defence items with an estimated business potential of approximately ₹3,070 crore.
List: 6th Positive Indigenisation List
Items: 405
Estimated business potential: ₹3,070 crore
Of the 405 items:
389 items belong to Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
16 items relate to the Indian Coast Guard.
The list includes Line Replaceable Units, sub-systems, sub-assemblies, spares, components and raw materials.
The sixth Positive Indigenisation List covers components associated with major platforms and systems including:
Advanced Light Helicopter
Light Utility Helicopter
Su-30MKI
Light Combat Aircraft
AL-31FP Engine
T-72 and T-90 tanks
BMP-II
Warships
Konkurs-M
Invar
MRSAM
Radars, sonars and satellite-communication systems.
The listed items are intended to be progressively sourced from Indian industry rather than imported.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the NCC's All India Girls High Altitude Long Trek – “Aparajita-Parang La 2026” on 18 August.
The expedition promotes adventure, endurance, leadership and participation of women cadets in challenging high-altitude activities.
Expedition: Aparajita-Parang La 2026
Organisation: National Cadet Corps
Participants: Girl cadets
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh concluded a two-day official visit to Armenia on 19 August.
The visit formed part of India's expanding defence engagement with Armenia and provided an opportunity to discuss bilateral defence cooperation and areas of mutual interest.
Defence Secretary: Rajesh Kumar Singh
Country: Armenia
India announced that it will host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) in New Delhi in February 2027.
The summit will bring together coast-guard and maritime-law-enforcement organisations to discuss maritime safety, security, environmental protection and international cooperation.
Event: 5th Coast Guard Global Summit
Host country: India
Venue: New Delhi
Scheduled: February 2027
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi held the India-Japan Defence Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 20 August 2026.
The ministers reviewed growing defence cooperation under the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership and reaffirmed their commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Countries: India and Japan
Indian Defence Minister: Rajnath Singh
Japanese Defence Minister: Shinjiro Koizumi
Meeting venue: New Delhi
India and Japan agreed to continue strengthening cooperation between their defence ministries and armed services.
Their engagement includes military exchanges, exercises, defence technology and industrial cooperation and broader maritime-security coordination in the Indo-Pacific.
India and the United Kingdom conducted the 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group (DCG) Meeting in New Delhi on 21 August 2026.
The meeting was co-chaired by Indian Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and UK's Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Jeremy Pocklington.
Meeting: 25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group
Venue: New Delhi
Indian co-chair: Rajesh Kumar Singh
UK co-chair: Jeremy Pocklington
India and the UK reviewed defence-industrial cooperation with particular emphasis on Research & Development under the India-UK Vision 2035 and the Ten Year Defence Industrial Roadmap.
Both sides agreed to expand exchanges between their armed forces through joint exercises, training and capacity building.
India and the UK also reviewed maritime-security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
An important element is the establishment of the Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE) under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI).
The Territorial Army, in collaboration with CyberPeace, launched Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0) on 21 August.
It is a national-level hackathon designed to develop indigenous solutions for contemporary defence, cybersecurity and information-domain challenges.
Programme: Terrier Cyber Quest 2026
Edition: TCQ 3.0
Organisers: Territorial Army and CyberPeace
TCQ 3.0 consists of three major tracks:
Bug Hunting – identifying vulnerabilities in simulated critical infrastructure.
AI Kavach – AI and machine-learning solutions for predictive threat intelligence, anomaly detection and automated defence.
Creators Challenge – awareness campaigns addressing deepfakes, phishing, online scams and misinformation.
Registrations remain open until 31 August 2026, with the Grand Finale scheduled in New Delhi from 6–8 October 2026.
Mangrol, the third Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) built by Cochin Shipyard Limited, was delivered to the Indian Navy on 21 August 2026.
The vessel contains more than 80% indigenous content.
Vessel: Mangrol
Builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited
Type: ASW Shallow Water Craft
Indigenous content: More than 80%
Mangrol is designed for:
Underwater surveillance
Anti-submarine warfare in coastal waters
Low-Intensity Maritime Operations
Mine warfare.
It uses waterjet propulsion and is equipped with torpedoes, anti-submarine rockets, advanced radars and sonars.
The vessel is named after Mangrol, a coastal town and minor port in Gujarat's Junagadh district.
The Indian Air Force concluded participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 in Australia.
Hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, the multinational exercise involved air forces from more than 20 countries.
The IAF deployed its frontline Rafale fighter aircraft and participated in complex Large Force Employment missions in a high-threat, multi-domain environment.
Exercise: Pitch Black 2026
Host: Australia
IAF aircraft: Rafale
Participating countries: More than 20
Following Exercise Pitch Black, the IAF contingent deployed directly to Subang, Malaysia, for Exercise Udara Shakti 2026.
The consecutive deployments demonstrated the IAF's long-range operational reach and strengthened interoperability with partner air forces across the Indo-Pacific.
Exercise: Udara Shakti 2026
Country: Malaysia
Location: Subang
INS Sudarshini arrived in Lisbon, Portugal, on 22 August 2026 as part of the Lokayan 2026 transoceanic expedition.
The three-masted sail training ship entered through the Tagus River and participated in professional exchanges, cross-deck visits and cultural interactions.
Lisbon marked the vessel's 15th port visit in seven months of the expedition.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and the West Bengal Chief Minister carried out the Bhumi Pujan for five expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL) on 23 August 2026.
The projects involve investment of around ₹3,500 crore and are aimed at expanding India's capabilities in shipbuilding, ship repair, metallurgy and defence manufacturing.
Investment: Around ₹3,500 crore
Organisations: GRSE and YIL
Focus: Shipbuilding and defence manufacturing
During the GRSE and YIL expansion programme, the Defence Minister highlighted India's potential to emerge as a global ship-design and shipbuilding hub.
The expansion supports Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India and Make for the World, while strengthening domestic shipbuilding and defence-industrial capacity.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives' Talks on the India-China boundary question, scheduled for 25 August 2026.
He is expected to hold discussions with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, with the talks focused on the boundary issue and maintaining stability along the India-China frontier.
Round: 25th
Indian Special Representative: Ajit Doval
Chinese Special Representative: Wang Yi
Venue: Beijing, China
The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL) of DRDO signed a Licensing Agreement for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) for the Submarine Fired Decoy – Mohini to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL).
Mohini is an indigenous underwater defensive system designed to improve submarine survivability against hostile underwater threats. The technology transfer supports large-scale indigenous production and reduces dependence on imported naval-defence systems.
Technology: Submarine Fired Decoy – Mohini
Developer: DRDO-NSTL
Technology recipient: Bharat Dynamics Limited
Application: Submarine defence
DRDO's NSTL also transferred technology relating to fabrication, installation and commissioning associated with the LM2500 Gas Turbine to Vertex Engineering Systems Private Limited, Hyderabad.
The transfer is intended to strengthen domestic industrial capabilities associated with marine propulsion and naval platforms.
Organisation: DRDO-NSTL
Technology recipient: Vertex Engineering Systems
Location: Hyderabad
Technology area: Marine gas turbines
The technology-transfer agreements involving NSTL demonstrate the government's strategy of moving technologies from defence laboratories into Indian industrial production.
Such agreements allow public and private companies to manufacture technologies developed by DRDO and help expand India's domestic defence supply chain.
The Indian Army raised its first Baaz Battalion, a specialised formation designed around the operational use of drones and unmanned aerial systems.
The battalion was raised under the Vajra Corps (11 Corps) in Punjab.
The formation reflects the Army's growing emphasis on integrating drones into battlefield surveillance, reconnaissance, targeting and tactical operations.
Formation: Baaz Battalion
Service: Indian Army
Corps: Vajra Corps / 11 Corps
Location: Punjab
Focus: Drone warfare
The Baaz Battalion is intended to provide enhanced Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities while enabling faster acquisition of battlefield information.
Drone-based formations have become increasingly important because modern warfare requires real-time surveillance, precision targeting and rapid dissemination of battlefield intelligence.
Developments during the period—including loitering-munition procurement, the Baaz Battalion, MQ-9B Sea Guardians and cybersecurity initiatives—demonstrated India's increasing emphasis on unmanned and autonomous military capabilities.
The shift includes:
Unmanned aerial vehicles
Loitering munitions
Long-endurance surveillance drones
AI-enabled defence systems
Cybersecurity
Counter-drone capabilities
Real-time battlefield surveillance.
Indian defence start-up D-Propulse Aerospace Private Limited successfully demonstrated an indigenous 5 kN air-breathing Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) integrated with an aerospike nozzle.
The test was conducted at a DRDO facility in Hyderabad and achieved Technology Readiness Level-5 (TRL-5).
The company is incubated at IIT Madras.
The technology has potential applications in high-speed military aircraft, UAVs and missile systems.
Developer: D-Propulse Aerospace
Engine: Rotating Detonation Engine
Thrust: 5 kN
Test location: Hyderabad
Readiness: TRL-5
Rotating Detonation Engines use continuously propagating detonation waves rather than conventional combustion.
The indigenous RDE is expected to offer approximately 15–25% higher thermodynamic efficiency compared with conventional air-breathing propulsion systems.
The technology could become important for India's future aerospace and defence-propulsion programmes.
Cybersecurity remained an important defence and national-security priority during the period.
The launch of Terrier Cyber Quest 2026, growing use of artificial intelligence and the focus on cyber-threat detection demonstrate the Armed Forces' efforts to develop capabilities beyond traditional land, air and maritime warfare.
Modern military planning increasingly treats cyberspace as an operational domain alongside conventional domains.
The AI Kavach track of Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 focuses specifically on using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning for cybersecurity.
Participants are expected to work on technologies related to:
Predictive threat intelligence
Anomaly detection
Automated cyber defence
Identification of malicious activity
Protection of digital infrastructure.
This reflects the growing role of AI in national-security systems.
Another Terrier Cyber Quest track, the Creators Challenge, focuses on public awareness regarding emerging digital threats.
Major areas include:
Deepfakes
Phishing
Online scams
Digital misinformation
Cyber awareness.
The inclusion of deepfakes reflects growing concern about AI-generated misinformation and its potential implications for national security.
India's indigenous defence-production ecosystem continued to expand significantly.
Official government data show defence production reaching approximately ₹1.78 lakh crore in FY2025-26, compared with ₹46,429 crore in FY2014-15.
This expansion reflects increased domestic procurement, participation of private industry, indigenisation programmes and investments by Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
The Ministry of Defence allocation for FY2026-27 reached approximately ₹7.85 lakh crore.
For comparison, India's defence budget was approximately ₹2.53 lakh crore in FY2013-14.
The higher allocation supports military modernisation, procurement, infrastructure, research and development and operational preparedness.
The sixth Positive Indigenisation List, loitering-munition procurement, indigenous naval construction and expansion of domestic defence facilities collectively demonstrate India's continued transition towards Aatmanirbharta in defence.
The government is increasingly seeking to source defence equipment, components, sub-systems and raw materials from Indian manufacturers.
The Indian Navy continued implementation of the Indian Naval Indigenisation Plan 2015–2030, aimed at increasing domestic content across naval platforms, systems, weapons and equipment.
Indigenous shipbuilding has become one of the strongest components of India's defence-manufacturing ecosystem.
Official information highlighted that 51 large ships, valued at approximately ₹90,000 crore, are under construction in India as part of the country's expanding shipbuilding ecosystem.
The development supports employment, domestic manufacturing and India's ambition to strengthen naval self-reliance.
Delivery of Mangrol, with more than 80% indigenous content, reinforced the Navy's strategy of building increasingly sophisticated warships domestically.
The vessel's anti-submarine capability is particularly important for protecting coastal waters against underwater threats.
The Ministry of Defence's release list confirms delivery of Mangrol during the current-affairs period.
The Indian Air Force's participation in Exercise Pitch Black 2026 provided its Rafale fighters with opportunities to operate alongside aircraft and personnel from numerous international air forces.
Large Force Employment exercises simulate complex air-combat environments and test interoperability, mission planning and multinational coordination.
Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 strengthened cooperation between the Indian Air Force and the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
The exercise provided opportunities for professional exchanges, joint flying activities and sharing operational practices.
Exercise: Udara Shakti
Countries: India and Malaysia
Venue: Malaysia
Exercise MAITREE-XV reinforced military cooperation between India and Thailand.
The exercise is particularly important in the context of India's growing defence engagement with Southeast Asian countries and its broader Indo-Pacific strategy.
During 13–25 August, India's defence diplomacy involved engagement with several countries, including:
Thailand
Japan
United Kingdom
Australia
Malaysia
Nepal
United States
Armenia
These engagements included military exercises, high-level meetings, defence consultations and operational cooperation.
The India-Japan Defence Ministers' Meeting reaffirmed both countries' commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.
Defence cooperation between India and Japan increasingly includes maritime security, military exercises, technology, industrial collaboration and service-to-service exchanges.
India and the UK reviewed implementation of their Ten Year Defence Industrial Roadmap during the 25th Defence Consultative Group meeting.
The roadmap is intended to deepen defence-industrial collaboration, including joint research, development and production of military technologies.
India and the UK also reviewed progress related to the proposed Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE).
The initiative forms part of cooperation under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) and aims to strengthen maritime-security capabilities.
India will host the 5th Coast Guard Global Summit in New Delhi in February 2027.
The event will provide a platform for coast guards and maritime agencies to discuss:
Maritime safety
Maritime security
Search and rescue
Environmental protection
Transnational maritime crime
International cooperation.
National Security Adviser Ajit Doval travelled to Beijing for the 25th round of Special Representatives' talks on the India-China boundary question on 25 August 2026.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi represents China in the Special Representatives mechanism.
The talks are significant for maintaining dialogue on boundary management and broader stability along the India-China frontier.
Indian Special Representative: Ajit Doval
Chinese Special Representative: Wang Yi
Round: 25th
Venue: Beijing
Independence Day Gallantry Awards: 78
Posthumous Gallantry Awards: 13
Mention-in-Despatches: 89
Loitering-munition contracts: ₹1,577 crore
Companies: Tata Advanced Systems and NIBE
Procurement category: Buy (Indian)
Indian Army Chief: General Dhiraj Seth
Exercise MAITREE-XV: India and Thailand
MAITREE edition: 15th
MAITREE venue: Surat Thani, Thailand
MAITREE dates: 18–31 August 2026
Indian unit in MAITREE: 9 Gorkha Rifles
MQ-9B Sea Guardians leased: 2
MQ-9B lease: 30 months
MQ-9B contract: ₹1,943 crore
MQ-9B manufacturer: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
MQ-9B user: Indian Navy
India-US Navy EOD Exercise: 8th edition
EOD venue: Kochi
Joint India-US Salvage/EOD exercises began: 2005
6th Positive Indigenisation List: 405 items
Estimated business potential: ₹3,070 crore
DPSU items: 389
Indian Coast Guard items: 16
Aparajita-Parang La 2026: NCC girls' high-altitude trek
Defence Secretary: Rajesh Kumar Singh
Defence Secretary's foreign visit: Armenia
5th Coast Guard Global Summit: New Delhi, February 2027
India-Japan Defence Ministers' Meeting: New Delhi
Japanese Defence Minister: Shinjiro Koizumi
25th India-UK Defence Consultative Group: New Delhi
UK co-chair: Jeremy Pocklington
India-UK framework: Ten Year Defence Industrial Roadmap
Terrier Cyber Quest: TCQ 3.0
TCQ organisers: Territorial Army and CyberPeace
TCQ tracks: Bug Hunting, AI Kavach and Creators Challenge
Mangrol: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft
Mangrol builder: Cochin Shipyard Limited
Mangrol indigenous content: More than 80%
Exercise Pitch Black: Australia
IAF aircraft at Pitch Black: Rafale
Exercise Udara Shakti: India and Malaysia
INS Sudarshini expedition: Lokayan 2026
INS Sudarshini port visit: Lisbon, Portugal
GRSE/YIL expansion: Around ₹3,500 crore
Submarine Fired Decoy: Mohini
Mohini developer: DRDO-NSTL
Mohini technology recipient: Bharat Dynamics Limited
India's first Baaz Battalion: Indian Army drone formation
Baaz Battalion: Vajra Corps / 11 Corps
Indigenous RDE: D-Propulse Aerospace
RDE thrust: 5 kN
RDE technology level: TRL-5
FY2025-26 defence production: Approximately ₹1.78 lakh crore
FY2026-27 defence budget: Approximately ₹7.85 lakh crore
Large ships under construction in India: 51
Approximate value: ₹90,000 crore
25th India-China Special Representatives' Talks: Beijing
Indian representative: Ajit Doval
Chinese representative: Wang Yi
