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In combat, speed is everything. Rockets, artillery shells and drones may offer only seconds or minutes of reaction time. A radar that can quickly detect launch, classify trajectory and generate engagement-quality tracks gives commanders precious time. This is why multi-mission radars have become essential to modern armies.
The discussions focused on the evolving threat from terrorism in South Asia, Central Asia and the wider region. Both sides exchanged assessments on terrorist groups operating globally and regionally, with particular attention to cross-border terrorism, radicalisation, terror financing, drug trafficking and the movement of foreign terrorist fighters.
INDRA-I represents an important phase in Indian defence electronics. It came at a time when India needed mobile air-surveillance radars that could detect low-flying aircraft, support forward air-defence units, provide early warning to weapon crews and reduce dependence on imported systems. It became one of DRDO’s early high-power radar achievements and helped establish the foundation for later Indian radars such as INDRA-II, Rohini, Bharani, Rajendra, Reporter and other battlefield surveillance systems.
Speaking on the theme “Future Trajectory of Science & Technology and its Impact on National Security”, Dr Singh said modern security can no longer be viewed only through the traditional lens of armies, weapons and borders. The character of conflict is changing rapidly, with technology now influencing surveillance, communications, strategic decision-making, precision engagement, cyber defence and operational resilience. In this emerging environment, scientific innovation has become a core pillar of national preparedness.
The vessel is part of a major indigenous shipbuilding contract signed between the Ministry of Defence and MDL on 20 December 2023. Under the programme, six Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels are being constructed for the Indian Coast Guard under the Buy Indian-IDDM category. This makes the project a strong example of India’s growing defence manufacturing depth, where design, development and construction are being carried out within the country.
The Netra AEW&C system has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation through its Centre for Airborne Systems in Bengaluru. It is based on the Embraer EMB-145 aircraft platform and carries a suite of mission systems that turn the aircraft into a flying command, control and surveillance centre. DRDO describes the system as an airborne platform equipped with sensors for locating and providing early warning of airborne targets, sea-surface targets and hostile emissions, while also giving information to onboard controllers and ground stations.
In modern land warfare, artillery remains one of the most destructive forces on the battlefield. Guns, rocket launchers and mortars can fire from concealed positions and move quickly before retaliation arrives. This “shoot and scoot” threat makes weapon-locating radars essential. SWATHI addresses this challenge by turning the enemy’s own projectile into a clue. Once a shell or rocket is fired, the radar tracks its flight path and mathematically works backwards to locate the weapon that launched it.
Along with the headquarters project, three completed infrastructure facilities were inaugurated. These include the Subordinate Officers’ Mess “Aditya” at the National Industrial Security Academy in Hyderabad, built at a cost of ₹34.22 crore, and the Advanced Training Building “Abhyas”, also at NISA Hyderabad, constructed at a cost of ₹20.53 crore. In Tamil Nadu, the Subordinate Officers’ Quarters at the 4th Reserve Battalion in Amravatipuram, Sivagangai, were inaugurated at a cost of ₹5.50 crore.
The three naval platforms were commissioned into the Indian Navy on June 21, 2026, during a major ceremony at Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port in Kolkata. INS Dunagiri is an advanced stealth frigate, INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare shallow water craft, and INS Sanshodhak is a large survey vessel. Together, they represent three important dimensions of naval power — combat capability, underwater threat response and maritime survey operations.
The agreement was signed by Lieutenant General Harsh Chhibber, Director General Information Systems, and Rajendran Dandapani, Director of Engineering at Zoho Corporation. The signing ceremony was witnessed by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff, and Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu.
