GS Paper: GS3-24.Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate.

Why in the News?

India is taking part in Talisman Sabre 2025, the 11th and largest edition of the Australia-U.S.-led multinational military exercise, involving over 35,000 personnel from 19 countries.

About Exercise Talisman Sabre:

• Overview: It is a biennial multinational joint military exercise, co-led by Australia and the United States.
• Inception: It began in 2005 and has been conducted every 2 years, typically during odd-numbered years.
• Objective: The primary aim is to enhance combat readiness, improve interoperability, and strengthen the joint operations capability of participating armed forces.
• Scope of Operations: It focuses on high-end warfighting, including:
  • Crisis-action planning
  • Contingency response
  • Multi-domain operations across land, air, sea, cyber, and space
• Strategic Importance: It plays a key role in promoting regional security cooperation and supports the vision of a free, open, and inclusive Indo-Pacific.

Key Features of the 2025 Edition:

• Scale: The 2025 edition involves over 35,000 military personnel from 19 participating countries, making it the largest and most complex iteration of the exercise so far.
• Participating Nations:
  • Full participants: Australia, the United States, India, Canada, Fiji, France, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, and the United Kingdom.
  • Observer nations: Malaysia and Vietnam.
• Geographical Expansion: For the first time, parts of the exercise will be conducted outside Australia, with training also planned in Papua New Guinea.
• New Defence Capabilities: The 2025 edition will showcase:
  • UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
  • Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) system introduced by the Australian Defence Force
• Multi-Domain Focus: Operations will span across land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace, reflecting the modern, multi-domain nature of warfare.
• Strategic Outcome: It aims to improve regional response capabilities, strengthen defence partnerships, and promote peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.

Why in the News?

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has busted a global drug network spanning four continents through secret Operation Med Max.

About Operation Med Max:

• Launch: It was initiated by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in May 2024, beginning with the interception of a car in Delhi, it seized 3.7 kg of Tramadol tablets.
• Uncovering a Global Syndicate: Investigations revealed a transnational drug syndicate using encrypted apps, drop shipping, and cryptocurrency payments to smuggle controlled pharmaceutical drugs across four continents and over 10 countries.
• Global Ramifications: The probe triggered international enforcement actions, including the arrest of a money launderer in Alabama (USA), closure of an illegal pill factory in Australia, and identification of a UAE-based drug kingpin.

Also in News: Operation MELON

• Overview: It was a coordinated crackdown on India’s top-rated darknet drug vendor, alias “Ketamelon”, active for over two years.
• Drug and Crypto Seizures: The raid led to the seizure of 1,100 LSD blots, 131 grams of Ketamine, and ₹70 lakh worth of cryptocurrency, stored in a hardware wallet.
• Darknet Threat: Ketamelon was classified as a Level 4 darknet vendor, the highest possible rank, underscoring the growing cyber-narcotics threat and NCB’s technical capacity to counter it.

Why in the News?

India has advanced its indigenous naval capabilities with the induction of INS Udaygiri, the second stealth frigate built under Project 17A.

About INS Udaygiri:

• Overview: It is the second stealth frigate delivered under Project 17A, marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous naval capabilities.
• Legacy Name: Named after the decommissioned INS Udaygiri (F35), a Leander-class frigate that served from 1976 to 2007.
• Construction: Delivered on July 1, 2025, by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) just 37 months after its launch, making it one of the fastest deliveries in the project.
• Indigenous Technology: Contains homegrown sensors and combat systems, showcasing domestic defence manufacturing.
• MSME Contribution: Over 200 Indian MSMEs participated in construction, aligning with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat mission.
• Combat Features:
  • Blue-Water Capable: Designed for long-range operations, it can counter conventional and asymmetric threats, projecting Indian power in distant seas.
  • Stealth Features: Incorporates radar-absorbent materials and a low-infrared signature, making it hard to detect.
  • Arsenal: Equipped with supersonic surface-to-surface missiles, medium-range SAMs, a 76 mm main gun, and CIWS (30 mm and 12.7 mm).
  • Efficient Propulsion: Uses a combined diesel and gas (CODAG) propulsion system for both speed and efficiency.

Why in the News?

The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Tamal, a stealth multi-role frigate and the last warship commissioned outside India, on July 1, 2025, at Kaliningrad, Russia.

About INS Tamal:

• Overview: It is the 8th Krivak-class and 2nd Tushil-class stealth frigate from Russia.
• Last to be imported: Final Indian Navy ship to be commissioned abroad, under the 2016 India-Russia IGA.
• Built at Yantar Shipyard, Kaliningrad; sister ship INS Tushil was commissioned in Dec 2024; designed by Severnoye Bureau; overseen by the Indian Navy.
• Etymology: Name inspired by a mythical sword of Indra; mascot blends Jambavant and Eurasian Brown Bear.
• Motto: “Sarvada Sarvatra Vijaya” – Victorious Always, Everytime.

Important Features:

• Indigenous components: It uses Indian-made parts in 26% of its systems, including those from companies like BEL and Tata.
• Stealth capacity: It has radar, sonar, and electronic systems to detect enemy ships and submarines.
• Patrol features: It can carry helicopters that help in sea patrol and rescue missions.
• Size: It is 125 metres long, weighs about 3,900 tonnes, and can move very fast, over 30 knots.
• Digital warfare: It has modern control systems that allow all its weapons and sensors to work together.

Why in the News?

INS Arnala, the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), was officially commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam.

About INS Arnala:

• What is it: INS Arnala is the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC) commissioned into the Eastern Naval Command on June 18, 2025, at Visakhapatnam.
• Behind the name: It is named after the historic Arnala Fort near Vasai, Maharashtra.
• Development: The vessel was designed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and built in partnership with L&T Shipbuilders under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
• Project: It marks the beginning of the induction of 16 ASW-SWC class ships, aimed at enhancing India’s shallow water anti-submarine capabilities.

Key Features:

• Propulsion: 77.6 metres long; first Indian Navy warship powered by a Diesel Engine-Waterjet combination.
• Indigenous Content: Over 80% indigenous systems, with contributions from BEL, L&T, Mahindra Defence, and over 55 MSMEs.
• Arsenal: Equipped with a single centreline rocket launcher, lightweight torpedoes, anti-torpedo decoys, and mine-laying systems.
• Sensor Suite: Incorporates Hull-Mounted Sonar (Abhay), Low-Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), and Underwater Acoustic Communication System (UWACS).
• Multi-role Capability: Designed for ASW operations, Search and Rescue (SAR), low-intensity maritime operations, and subsurface surveillance in shallow coastal waters.

Significance:

• Strategic Defence Upgrade: Replaces ageing Abhay-class corvettes and significantly strengthens India’s anti-submarine warfare posture.
• Enhanced Coastal Security: Ideal for detecting midget submarines and Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) in waters less than 30 metres deep, where larger warships struggle to operate.
• Make-in-India Milestone: Demonstrates India’s growing self-reliance in defence manufacturing and contributes to the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Why in the News?

The Indian Army has deployed it’s contingent to participate in Exercise KHAAN QUEST 2025, a major multinational peacekeeping exercise being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Concurrently, India is also set to conduct Exercise SHAKTI 2025 with France.

About Exercise KHAAN QUEST, 2025:

• Overview: It is a multinational peacekeeping military exercise being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from June 14 to 28, 2025.
• Origins: The exercise was initiated in 2003 as a bilateral drill between the United States and Mongolian Armed Forces and became a multinational event in 2006.
• Indian Participation: India has sent a 40-member contingent, primarily from the Kumaon Regiment, along with personnel from other arms and services, including one woman officer and two women soldiers.
• Focus: The exercise trains troops for Peacekeeping Missions under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which deals with action regarding threats to peace and acts of aggression.
• Key Training Drills: Participating forces will engage in checkpoint establishment, cordon and search operations, civilian evacuation from conflict zones, counter-IED tactics, and combat casualty care.
• Objectives: The main goal is to build interoperability, promote joint planning, and strengthen tactical coordination among different participating nations.

Why in the News?

The 17th edition of the India–Mongolia Joint Military Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT is being held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from May 31 to June 13, 2025.

About Exercise NOMADIC ELEPHANT:

• About: It is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and the Mongolian Armed Forces.
• Launch Year: It was first conducted in 2004 in Mongolia, followed by the second edition in 2005 in Vairengte, Mizoram.
• Frequency and Hosting: The exercise is held annually, with India and Mongolia alternating as hosts.
• Recent Editions: The 15th edition was conducted in Ulaanbaatar in July 2023, and the 16th edition was held at Umroi, Meghalaya in July 2024.

Objectives and Focus:

• Interoperability: The main goal is to improve joint operational coordination between the two-armed forces.
• Terrain Focus: It trains troops for task force operations in semi-urban and mountainous regions under a UN peacekeeping mandate.
• Counter-Terrorism Training: The exercise enhances capabilities in counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.
• Regional Cooperation: It helps build mutual trust, encourages regional peace, and supports strategic cooperation.

Why in the News?

Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent has recently departed for the Desert Flag-10 exercise, being held at the Al Dhafra air base in the UAE.

About Exercise Desert Flag:

• Exercise Desert Flag is a multi-nation air combat exercise held at Al Dhafra Air Base in the UAE.
• It offers participating air forces the opportunity to engage in complex fighter operations and enhance combat capabilities in a collaborative environment.
• Focus Areas: Fighter engagements, interoperability, and the exchange of operational knowledge.
• Participants: Air forces from United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, and India.

Significance of the Exercise:

• Improving Interoperability: Enhances the ability of air forces from different nations to work together seamlessly, sharing information and responding to regional security challenges.
• Learning from Global Air Forces: Provides the IAF with exposure to advanced combat tactics and air defence technologies from the world’s top air forces.
• Diplomatic and Strategic Influence: India’s participation underscores its role in global security and enhances its defence diplomacy.

Why in the News?

The 6th edition of India-Uzbekistan Joint Military Exercise DUSTLIK-6 commenced at the Foreign Training Node at Aundh in Pune, Maharashtra.

About Exercise DUSTLIK

• Exercise DUSTLIK is an annual event alternating between India and Uzbekistan.
• It is named after Dustlik, a town in the Jizzakh region of Uzbekistan.
• The first edition of the exercise was held in 2019 near Tashkent.
• The 5th edition was held in Termez District, Uzbekistan.
• 4th edition held in Pithoragarh, India, in February 2023.

Objectives and Focus Areas:

• Focus on physical fitness, joint planning, and tactical drills.
• Emphasis on special arms skills and multi-domain operations.
• Tactical drills include establishing command posts, intelligence centers, heliborne operations, and room intervention.

Back2Basics: India’s bilateral exercises with Central Asian Countries

Why in the News?

India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested the Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) system, marking a major achievement in the country’s defense capabilities.

About Mk-II(A) Laser-Directed Energy Weapon (DEW) System 

• The Mk-II(A) Laser-DEW system, also known as Sahastra Shakti, is an indigenously developed Laser weapon with an operational range of 5km.
• It is designed to neutralize threats like drones, missiles, and remotely piloted aircraft using a 30-kilowatt laser.
• It is developed by DRDO’s Centre for High Energy Systems and Sciences (CHESS), in collaboration with other DRDO labs, academic institutions, and Indian industries.
• It focuses primarily on neutralizing aerial threats such as drones and missiles, offering a cutting-edge solution against modern warfare tactics.

How does it work?

• It utilizes radar and Electro-Optic (EO) systems for target detection.
• The laser engages the target at the speed of light, causing structural failure or significant damage.
• It delivers rapid, precise strikes with lethal impact in seconds.
• The energy used for a few seconds of firing costs as little as a couple of litres of petrol, making it cost-efficient.
• The 30-kilowatt laser ensures quick target neutralization with minimal collateral damage.

Significance of the Mk-II(A) Laser-DEW System

• Cost-Effective: Far more affordable than traditional missile systems, providing sustainable defense options.
• Reduced Ammunition Dependence: Reduces reliance on expensive ammunition, offering a long-term sustainable defence solution.
• Precision & Speed: Engages targets almost instantaneously, minimizing collateral damage and ensuring high-value targets are neutralized quickly.
• Strategic Advantage: Enhances India’s defence capabilities, providing an advanced method for protecting infrastructure and addressing evolving aerial threats.