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

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.

Why in the News?

India is set to operationalise INS Varsha, a highly strategic naval base designed specifically to house nuclear-powered submarines, on the eastern coast near Rambilli in Andhra Pradesh by 2026.

About INS Varsha

• INS Varsha is being developed as a specialized base to house India’s growing fleet of nuclear-powered submarines, including both Nuclear-Powered Ballistic Missile Submarines (SSBNs) and Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine (SSNs).
• It will be situated near the coastal village of Rambilli, about 50 km south of Visakhapatnam, home to the Eastern Naval Command.
• The naval bases lies on the confluence of Sarada and Varaha rivers.
• The facility will have underground pens and tunnels to ensure stealthy operations for nuclear submarines.
• This design will allow submarines to enter and exit the base undetected, maintaining their stealth, particularly important for SSBNs which carry nuclear missiles during long patrols.
• The base will cover an area of 20 square kilometers and is designed to accommodate at least 10 nuclear submarines.
• Like China’s nuclear submarine base at Hainan Island (in the South China Sea), INS Varsha will be situated in waters that allow submarines to operate without detection from satellite surveillance.

Why in the News?

The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2025 between the Indian and Russian navies was held from 28 March to 02 April 2025.

About Exercise INDRA

• INDRA is a biennial joint military exercise that began in 2003.
• Over time, INDRA transformed into a tri-service exercise involving Army, Navy, and Air Force, making it more comprehensive and multifaceted.
• Recent Editions of INDRA:
  • 2021 (12th Edition): Held in Volgograd, Russia; Focused on counter-terrorism operations and enhancing operational synergy.
  • 2023 (13th Edition): Conducted in the Bay of Bengal, India; Involved naval forces from both countries, enhancing maritime cooperation and joint operations.
  • 2025 (14th Edition): It is being conducted in two phases: Harbour phase at Chennai and Sea phase in the Bay of Bengal.

Strategic Importance 

• The exercise reinforced jointmanship between the Indian and Russian forces, strengthening their ability to collaborate in maritime security operations.
• It highlighted the shared commitment to upholding maritime order and promoting global peace and stability.
• Best practices were exchanged, fostering a deeper understanding of each other’s operational doctrines and enhancing the capacity to respond effectively to contemporary maritime security challenges.

Why in the News?

The Indian Air Force will participate in Exercise INIOCHOS-25 hosted by the Hellenic Air Force at Andravida Air Base, Greece.

About Exercise INIOCHOS

• INIOCHOS is a biennial multinational air exercise that provides air forces with a platform to enhance their operational readiness.
• It is hosted by the Hellenic (Greek) Air Force and brings together military aviation units from various countries, promoting international cooperation.
• It was first conducted in the late 1980s, as a small-scale tactical level exercise.
• Objective: To allow air forces to practice Combined Air Operations and share tactical knowledge through realistic combat scenarios.

Key Features of Exercise INIOCHOS:

• It integrates air and surface assets from fifteen countries, promoting multinational cooperation in air warfare.
• It will simulate modern-day air warfare challenges, providing a real-world training environment for participating air forces.
• It will be placed on planning and executing Combined Air operations, refining tactics in complex air warfare scenarios.

Strategic Importance for India:

• India’s participation in INIOCHOS-25 underlines its commitment to global defence cooperation and showcases its ability to work seamlessly in joint operations.
• The exercise will reinforce India’s strategic partnerships with other nations and further enhance its readiness for joint operations in complex and dynamic air warfare environments.

Why in the News?

The Indian Army conducted a Tri-Service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise, called ‘Prachand Prahaar’, in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh.

About Exercise Prachand Prahaar

• It is a tri-service integrated multi-domain warfare exercise involving the Army, Indian Air Force (IAF), and Indian Navy.
• It is conducted in the high-altitude terrain of Arunachal Pradesh, near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), which spans 3,488 km.
• The exercise was carried out under the aegis of the Eastern Army Command.
• The primary objective was to validate a fully integrated approach to surveillance, command and control, and precision firepower across all three services.
• The exercise aimed at simulating future warfare scenarios with a synergised combat drill.

Key Components and Execution:

• The exercise began with the deployment of advanced surveillance resources from all three services, which included:
  • Long-range surveillance aircraft from the IAF.
  • Maritime domain awareness aircraft from the Indian Navy.
  • Helicopters and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs).
  • Space-based resources and the Indian Army’s elite special forces.
• These resources created seamless domain awareness, which allowed for the identification of simulated targets.

Why in the News?

India is set to strengthen its military and maritime ties with African nations through two significant initiatives—Exercise Aikeyme (Africa-India Key Maritime Engagement) and IOS Sagar (Indian Ocean Ship Sagar).

About Exercise Aikeyme 

• Aikeyme is India’s first-ever multilateral naval exercise with 10 African nations, aimed at improving maritime cooperation, enhancing maritime security, and addressing regional threats.
• It will be held off Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania, from April 13 to 18, 2025.
• The nations taking part include Tanzania (co-host), Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, and South Africa.
• It is aimed at increasing interoperability between the Indian Navy and African navies, with a focus on combating common threats like piracy and drug trafficking.
• The goal is to make this exercise a biennial event and expand participation in future editions to include West African nations.
• Key Features:
  • Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) drills.
  • Arms firing exercises.
  • Helicopter operations.
  • Search and rescue missions.
  • Table-top and command post exercises on anti-piracy operations and information-sharing.

Why in the News?

India and France recently conducted the 23rd edition of Exercise Varuna, a key bilateral naval exercise aimed at enhancing interoperability and combat readiness between the two countries’ naval forces.

About Exercise Varuna

• Exercise Varuna is a bilateral naval exercise between India and France.
  • It was first initiated in 1993 and officially named Varuna in 2001.
• The exercise focuses on enhancing combat readiness, improving interoperability, and deepening maritime security cooperation between the two nations.
• It spans multiple domains, including air, surface, and sub-surface operations, with a strong emphasis on anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air combat drills.
• Key Highlights:
  • The 2025 edition took place from March 19-22 off the coast of Goa, with participants such as INS Vikrant (India) and Charles de Gaulle (France).
  • This year’s exercises included aircraft carrier operations, ASW drills, and joint surface warfare operations.
  • Rafale-M (French Navy) and MiG-29K (Indian Navy) fighters participated in advanced air defence and mock air-to-air combat scenarios. 
  • Indian Scorpene-class submarines acted as aggressors, while French and Indian frigates protected high-value assets, including the French oiler Jacques Chevallier.
  • These drills enhanced underwater domain awareness and improved ASW tactics.

Why in the News?

India remained the second-largest arms importer, despite a 9.3% decline in imports between 2015-19 and 2020-24 a/c to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Report.

India’s Arms Imports: Trends and Shifts

• India remained the world’s second-largest arms importer, despite a 9.3% decline in imports from 2015-19 to 2020-24.
• Russia accounted for 36% of India’s arms imports in 2020-24, significantly LOWER than 55% in 2015-19 and 72% in 2010-14.
• India has reduced dependence on Russia and increased arms deals with France, the U.S., and Israel.
• India became France’s largest arms importer (28%), with 36 Rafale fighter jets and six Scorpene submarines already contracted.
• India is finalizing agreements for 26 Rafale-M jets and three additional Scorpene submarines.

Global Arms Trade Highlights

• Ukraine – The Largest Importer: Due to the ongoing war, Ukraine’s arms imports surged nearly 100 times in 2020-24 compared to 2015-19.
  • The U.S. accounted for 45% of Ukraine’s imports, followed by Germany (12%) and Poland (11%).
• U.S. dominance in exports: The U.S. expanded its global arms market share to 43%, reinforcing its position as the top exporter.
• Russia’s decline: Russian arms exports fell by 64%, dropping to 7.8% of global exports, behind France (9.6%).
• European rearmament: European arms imports surged by 155% in response to rising security threats from Russia.
• Pakistan’s growing imports: Pakistan’s arms imports grew by 61%, with China supplying 81% of its weapons, up from 74% in 2015-19.
• China’s self-reliance: For the first time since 1990-94, China dropped out of the top 10 arms importers, reflecting its expanding domestic defense industry.
• Italy’s rise in arms exports: Italy climbed from 10th to 6th place, with a 4.8% share of global arms exports.