Rupal Kalebere<\/p>\n\n\n\n
June 2025 marked a watershed moment in India’s defence modernisation journey. With major inductions across naval platforms, accelerated procurement under emergency frameworks, cutting-edge breakthroughs in quantum communication, and systemic policy reviews, the month saw both operational and institutional strides. Aligned with the Government of India\u2019s flagship initiatives such as Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India, and the declaration of 2025 as the ‘Year of Reforms’, these developments collectively reflect India\u2019s maturing defence-industrial base and strategic foresight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Naval Modernisation: Expanding India\u2019s Maritime Reach<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n INS Arnala: Commissioning of India\u2019s First ASW Shallow Water Craft<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Commissioned on 18 June 2025 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, INS Arnala is the first in a series of 16 Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC). Built by GRSE in partnership with L&T, Arnala integrates over 80% indigenous content and brings enhanced subsurface surveillance and maritime patrolling capabilities to shallow coastal zones, a critical component of anti-submarine operations. The vessel\u2019s propulsion through a Diesel Engine\u2013Waterjet combination and its integration with systems from BEL, Mahindra Defence, MEIL, and others reflect a successful public-private partnership model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next-Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs): Keel Laying of Yard 1283<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 9 June 2025, the keel of the fourth NGOPV was laid at Goa Shipyard Ltd (GSL), under a contract for 11 vessels (7 by GSL and 4 by GRSE). The 3,000-ton class ships will support coastal defence, EEZ surveillance, anti-piracy, and humanitarian operations. The NGOPV program demonstrates India’s commitment to building a blue-water navy with indigenous assets, critical for India\u2019s presence in the Indo-Pacific.<\/p>\n\n\n\n ICG FPVs: \u2018Achal\u2019 and \u2018Adamya\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Induction of Bollard Pull Tug \u2018Ojas\u2019<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Indian Navy inducted Ojas, the fifth 25-ton Bollard Pull Tug, on 27 June 2025 in Visakhapatnam. Built by Titagarh Rail Systems, these tugs will support ship berthing, fire-fighting, and limited SAR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Strategic Implication:<\/em> Though auxiliary, tugboats like Ojas enhance harbour operations and reflect India\u2019s growing self-reliance in naval logistics infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Coast Guard Infrastructure: Operationalising the Vizhinjam Jetty<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 7 June 2025, the Indian Coast Guard inaugurated a 76.7-metre dedicated jetty at Vizhinjam Harbour, Kerala just 10 nautical miles from international shipping lanes. This jetty supports faster deployment of ICG vessels for search and rescue (SAR), anti-smuggling, and fisheries protection. This infrastructure positions India as a maritime security anchor along the southwest coast and complements Vizhinjam\u2019s role as an international transshipment hub.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Emergency Procurement: Rapid Response for Counter-Terrorism<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 24 June 2025, MoD concluded 13 contracts worth \u20b91,981.90 crore under the Emergency Procurement (EP) framework for the Indian Army. Key procurements include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The fast-tracked procurement highlights MoD\u2019s commitment to closing operational gaps in real-time, particularly for counter-insurgency and asymmetric warfare in J&K and the Northeast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Defence R&D and Technology Infusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n DRDO Transfers Nine Land Systems to Ten Private Companies<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 7 June 2025, DRDO\u2019s VRDE transferred technologies for 9 advanced systems to companies including BEL, BEML, Bharat Forge, Tata Advanced Systems, and Metaltech. Notable systems include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This technology transfer promotes dual-use land systems development and aligns with India\u2019s goal to create a globally competitive defence manufacturing base.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Quantum Communication Breakthrough by DRDO & IIT Delhi<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n On 16 June 2025, India demonstrated free-space quantum secure communication over 1 km at IIT Delhi using quantum entanglement. The system achieved:<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a paradigm shift in cyber defence, offering unbreakable encryption vital for nuclear command and strategic communication networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Policy and Institutional Reform: Review of DAP 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n In line with the ‘Year of Reforms’, MoD initiated a comprehensive review of the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020 on 19 June 2025. A committee led by the DG (Acquisition), with inputs from former IAS officer Apurva Chandra, academia, and industry, will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A revamped DAP will be instrumental in lowering entry barriers for MSMEs and startups, enhancing ease of doing defence business, and accelerating tech acquisition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Conclusion: Building for Future Conflicts, Sustainably<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The defence developments in June 2025 offer a multi-dimensional snapshot of India’s strategic priorities:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Together, these initiatives reinforce India’s transition from a buyer\u2019s defence market to a producer\u2019s power, one that is confident in its capacity to protect its interests from the Himalayas to the high seas, from conventional combat to cyber frontiers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Rupal Kalebere June 2025 marked a watershed moment in India’s defence modernisation journey. With major inductions across naval platforms, accelerated […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[46],"tags":[891,755,793,738,583,277,890,204,588,643,289,142,121,278,334,239,811,892],"yoast_head":"\n