News In Shorts

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released Trends in International Arms Transfers, 2025. 

• SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. 

Key Highlights

• Second Largest Importer: India was the second largest recipient of major arms (Ukraine on top) globally in 2021–25, accounting for 8.2% of total global arms imports. 
  • India’s overall arms imports fell by 4.0% between the 2016–2020 and 2021–2025 periods. This decrease is partly attributed to the country’s growing capacity to design and produce its own weapons domestically. 
• Top Suppliers: India’s primary arms suppliers in 2021–25 were Russia (40%), France (29%), and Israel (15%).
• Pivot to the West: Over the past decade, India has actively shifted its reliance away from Russia and towards Western suppliers, notably France, Israel, and the USA.

Global Terrorism Index, 2026 was recently published by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), a Sydney-based independent, non-profit think tank.

Key Findings

• Top rank: Pakistan recorded the highest score, being the country most impacted by terrorism.
  • ~ 70% of deaths from terrorism occurred in only 5 countries: Pakistan, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). 
• Substantial fall in terrorism: Deaths from terrorism fell 28% and number of attacks declined by ~ 22%.
• 4 deadliest terrorist organisations (2025):  IS, Jamaat Nusrat Al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), and Al-Shabaab. 
• Indias’ rank: 13^th

Ministry of Defence signed contracts for acquisition of six ALH Mk-III (Maritime Role) for Indian Coast Guard and Vertical Launch – Shtil missiles for Indian Navy. 

About ALH Mk-III (MR)

• Twin-engine helicopters with state-of-the-art features superior to the currently operated airborne platforms. 
• Capable of undertaking a wide spectrum of maritime security missions from shore-based airfields as well as from ships at sea. 
• Signed with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bengaluru under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) category.

About Shtil missile

• Surface-to-Air missile, providing rapid-reaction, all-weather engagement capability and improved survivability in contested maritime environments.
• Contract signed with JSC Rosoboronexport, Russian Federation.

The United States conducted a test launch of Minuteman III.

About Minuteman III

• It is an intercontinental ballistic missile part of the US’ nuclear triad.
• It is the nuclear missile land-based weapon under the control of US Air Force Global Strike Command.
• It has three solid-propellant rocket motors with speed of approximately Mach 23 at burnout. 
• Range: 6,000-plus miles (5,218 nautical miles).

US said that it would deploy precision gravity bombs in war against Iran.

About Gravity Bombs

• It historically known as a “free-fall” bomb.
• It is an unpowered munition that, unlike cruise missiles, does not have an internal engine.
• Once released, its trajectory is dictated entirely by gravity, aerodynamics and the speed and altitude of the dropping aircraft.
• It can have both conventional as well as nuclear explosives.

• Exercise LAMITIYE-2026: Biennial joint military exercise conducted between India and Seychelles.
  • 2026 edition is the first tri-services participation from India.
• Exercise Sea Dragon 2026: Annual U.S. Navy-led multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise.