Defense

Designed and constructed by GRSE in accordance with the Classification Rules of the Indian Register of Shipping (IRS), the ASW SWC class is intended to strengthen the Navy’s capability to operate in shallow coastal waters against underwater threats. The delivery of Agray adds further momentum to India’s efforts to expand domestically built frontline and support naval platforms under the broader push for defence self-reliance.

In essence, Vayu Baan is designed to be released from a helicopter or transport platform in flight, stabilize after the drop, unfold into autonomous flight, and then execute a pre-designated mission. That mission could range from target detection and battle-space surveillance to direct target destruction, giving the launch platform a new stand-off option in contested air and land environments.

Virupaksha is a multimode, multifunction Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar intended for the Indian Air Force’s Su-30MKI upgrade programme.

The exercise saw participation from 12 countries — Bangladesh, France, Indonesia, Kenya, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Seychelles, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Timor-Leste — reflecting the growing emphasis on regional coordination and shared maritime responsibility in one of the world’s most strategically important oceanic spaces.

Technically, the OSA-AK is a Soviet-origin short-range, low-altitude tactical surface-to-air missile system from the 9K33 Osa family, known in NATO reporting as the SA-8 Gecko.

In media reporting during the May 2025 escalation, the Indian Air Force publicly stated that it had used “CUAS, PECHORA, SAMAR and AD guns,” presenting Pechora as an active part of the defensive umbrella during Pakistani drone incursions.

The twin agreements reflect the government’s continued focus on strengthening operational readiness across both land-based air defence and maritime surveillance capabilities, while also expanding indigenous maintenance and support infrastructure for key military platforms.

For the Indian Army, the DAC approved proposals for the Air Defence Tracked System, Armoured Piercing Tank Ammunition, High Capacity Radio Relay, Dhanush Gun System and Runway Independent Aerial Surveillance System.

The initiative comes at a time when the Indian Ocean Region is facing a complex mix of shared maritime challenges, including piracy, trafficking, illegal fishing, maritime security threats, natural disasters and the need to keep critical sea lines of communication secure. Against this backdrop, IOS SAGAR has been designed to promote joint preparedness and closer cooperation among regional navies.

The training focused on building operational capability in counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), an area that is gaining urgency as drone-based threats become more complex and widespread. During the programme, CISF officers received hands-on training in detecting, tracking, assessing and neutralising hostile drones. The sessions were led by domain experts from DIAT and DRDO, with DIAT Vice Chancellor Dr. B H V S Narayana Murthy inaugurating the programme and underlining the growing importance of counter-drone capabilities in safeguarding strategic assets.