India has been elected to steering committee of GlobE (Global Operational Network of Anti-Corruption Law Enforcement Authorities) network. 

About GlobE Network:

• Genesis: Established in 2021 at UN General Assembly Special Session against Corruption (UNGASS). 
  • It is an initiative launched under G20 framework. Earlier, Riyadh Initiative for creation of GlobE network was approved by G20 in 2020.
• Objective: Operational law enforcement authorities with an anti-corruption mandate can join forces to counter transnational corruption cases. 
• Governance: Governed by its members and supported by United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) (Its secretariat).
• Members: Includes 121 member countries and 219 law enforcement authorities.
  • Ministry of Home Affairs serves as Central Authority for GlobE Network in India.
  • While CBI and ED represent India as member authorities.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence will study India’s preparedness to deal with Non-Kinetic Warfare.

About Non-Kinetic or Hybrid Warfare

• It is an evolving concept that extends beyond the usual military tactics and involves electronic warfare, cyber, information, psychological and economic, and may include non-military stakeholders as well. 
  • It may be deadlier than traditional methods and may be won even before a bullet is fired. Ex. massive cyber or malware attack on critical infrastructure like power grids; hospitals, etc. 
• While in case of Kinetic warfare, a range of military weapons to physically destroy targets like Tanks are deployed, Non-kinetic ones use laser or electro-magnetic waves to disrupt their operations.
• Recent Pager blasts in Lebanon is an example of non-kinetic warfare.
  • Also witnessed during Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Palestine Conflicts. 

Emerging Threats for India that call for Non-Kinetic Warfare Readiness

• Hostile Neighbours: Pakistan on the western and China on the Northern and North-Eastern fronts. 
  • China adopts three warfares which include psychological, political and legal tactics to achieve its geopolitical goals.
• Role of Non-state actors: Hezobollah have recently deployed such methods. 
• Others: Internal Stability including Naxal challenges in Central India, emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence, etc. 

DefConnect 4.0 is being organised by Innovations for Defence Excellence - Defence Innovation Organisation (iDEX-DIO), under Ministry of Defence. 

Key Initiatives launched

• 2^nd edition of Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX (ADITI 2.0):
  • Features:  19 challenges from the Armed Forces and allied agencies in the domains of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Quantum Technology, anti-drone systems etc.
  • Grants:  Offers up to ₹25 crore to iDEX winners.
  • Focus: 30 Critical and Strategic defence technologies.
• 12^th edition of Defence India Start-up Challenges (DISC 12): 
  • Features: 41 challenges in key technology domains: UAVs, AI, Networking and Communication.
  • Grants: Offers up to ₹1.5 crore for selected innovations.
  • Launched in partnership with Atal Innovation Mission to support start-ups, MSMEs, and innovators to develop prototypes and commercialize products.
  • Introduces Medical Innovations and Research Advancement (MIRA) initiative for developing medical technologies for the Armed Forces.

Scheme for Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

• Launched in 2021 by MoD and implemented by DIO, a not-for-profit company, under MoD. 
• Grants: Provides up to Rs. 1.50 Cr (up to Rs. 10 Cr in case of iDEX Prime) to Start-ups/MSMEs under DISC and Open Challenge through the Support for Prototype and Research Kick start (SPARK Framework).
• 26 products have been developed under iDEX, for which procurement orders worth more than Rs 1,000 crore have been placed.

Cabinet Committee on Security cleared deals for 31 MQ-9B drones from US and two Indigenous Nuclear Attack Submarines.

• Procurement of 31 MQ-9B drones and indigenous construction of two nuclear-powered attack submarines (SSNs) will enhance India's military prowess.

About MQ-9B Drones

• Description: High Altitude Long Endurance Unmanned Aerial vehicles designed for surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision strike missions.
• Features: Fly over horizon via satellite for upto 40 hours; hit targets on land, at sea, and in air.
• Two variants: SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian (maritime variant).
  • Deal includes 16 Sky Guardian and 15 Sea Guardian variants (eight each for Indian Army and Air Force).
• Significance of deal
  • Boosts India's surveillance and intelligence for monitoring sensitive areas like Line of Actual Control with China.
  • Part of broader defence modernization strategy aimed at enhancing India’s military posture in Indo-Pacific region, further improves operational readiness with advanced technologies.
  • Deepens defense partnership between India- U.S.

About SSNs

• Description: Designed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship operations, and intelligence gathering.
• Features:
  • Armed with torpedoes and sometimes cruise missiles but do not carry ballistic missiles.
  • Faster, quieter, difficult to detect and can remain underwater for long periods of time.
• Significance of deal
  • Strengthens India’s deterrence and operational capabilities, boosting underwater combat effectiveness.
  • Bolster indigenous defence manufacturing under Make in India initiative.

Click here to read more about Drones and its implications for Internal Security

Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), along with researchers of IIT Delhi has developed ABHED.

About ABHED

• These are Light Weight Bullet Proof Jackets.
• These jackets have been created from polymers and indigenous boron carbide ceramic material.
• The design configuration is based on characterisation of various materials at high strain rate followed by appropriate modelling and simulation.

Indian Army has completed the acquisition of 100 Akashteer Air Defence Systems.

About Akashteer Systems 

• They are advanced Air Defence Control and Reporting Systems (ADCRS) which will serve as a critical asset in safeguarding country from aerial threats, including missile and rocket attacks. 
• They are developed indigenously by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL)
• Significance: Enable monitoring of low level airspace over battle areas of Indian Army, offers ability to monitor and respond to enemy attacks in real-time, etc.

DRDO successfully conducted flight-tests of the 4th Generation, technically-advanced miniaturised Very Short Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) at Pokhran Range, Rajasthan.

• The trials showcased repeatability of hit-to-kill capability of the weapon system.

About VSHORADS

• It is an indigenously developed man portable air defence system (MANPAD).
• Designed and developed by Research Centre Imarat (RCI) in collaboration with other DRDO laboratories and Development cum Production Partners (DcPPs).
• It is meant to neutralize low altitude aerial threats at short ranges.
• It employs a dual thrust solid motor and a state-of-the-art uncooled imaging infrared seeker.

A new type of drone called “dragon drone” has been used recently in the Russia-Ukraine war. 

Dragon Drone

• It is a type of unmanned aerial vehicle that can release a substance called thermite which is a mixture of aluminum and iron oxide. 
• Thermite: When ignited, it produces a self-sustaining reaction that makes it almost impossible to extinguish.
  • Thermite was used in both the world wars. On humans, it causes severe, possibly fatal, burns and bone damage.
• Thermite isn't banned internationally, but using incendiary weapons in civilian areas is prohibited by the UN's Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons.

USA announced that it will send its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defence (THAAD) Battery System to aid Israel.

About THAAD System

• It is an advanced defence system against short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats developed by Lockheed Martin Corporation.
• It is the only US system designed to intercept targets outside and inside the atmosphere employing “hit-to-kill” technology.
• A THAAD battery consists of 95 soldiers, truck-mounted launchers, interceptors, radar surveillance and radar, etc.

Note: India bought S-400 Triumf air defence missile system from Russia.

India has signed a deal with the US to acquire 170 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles.

AGM-114R Hellfire Missiles

• A short-range Air to Ground Missile (AGM) with a range of around 7-11 km. 
• Precision strike, Semi-Active Laser (SAL) guided missile.
• Can neutralize a broad range of targets including air defence, patrol boats, armour, enemy combatants etc. with its multi-purpose warhead.
• Can launch from various platforms, including aircraft, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles etc. 

• Exercise KAZIND-2024: 8th edition of India-Kazakhstan Annual Joint Military Exercise KAZIND-2024 commenced in Auli (Uttarakhand).
• Exercise Malabar 2024:
  • Annual maritime exercise, which will take place both in harbour and at sea.
  • Participant: Australia, Japan, the United States and India.
• Naseem-Al-Bahr: It was conducted between the Indian Navy and Royal Navy of Oman in Goa.