Exercise ‘Pragati’
- Context: The Indian Army is set to host military delegations from 11 friendly countries for the inaugural edition of the multilateral exercise ‘Pragati’ at the Foreign Training Node in Umroi, Meghalaya.
- Pragati stands for ‘Partnership of Regional Armies for Growth and Transformation in the Indian Ocean Region’
Nature of Exercise
- A multilateral military exercise
- Focus on joint training and cooperation
Objectives
- Strengthen defence cooperation among nations
- Enhance interoperability between armed forces
- Build mutual trust and coordination
Strategic Significance
- Promotes collective security
- Supports regional peace and stability
- Reflects commitment to international military collaboration
Current Facts
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, established in 2001 in Shanghai, is one of the largest regional organisations promoting political, economic and security cooperation.
- Its member states include India, Russia, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran, and Belarus.
- India became a full member of the grouping in 2017, and assumed its rotating presidency in 2022-23, underlining its growing role in regional security and multilateral cooperation.
India Successfully Conducts First NASM-SR Salvo Launch
- Context: The Defence Research and Development Organisation, in collaboration with the Indian Navy, has successfully conducted the first salvo launch of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile–Short Range (NASM-SR).
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- The trial took place from a naval helicopter off the coast of Odisha, marking a major advancement in India’s indigenous missile technology.
- This test is notable as it represents India’s inaugural salvo launch of an air-launched anti-ship missile system.
- All mission goals were successfully met, with sophisticated tracking tools including radar, telemetry, and electro-optical systems—monitoring the operation at the Integrated Test Range Chandipur.
Advanced features of NASM-SR
- The NASM-SR incorporates advanced indigenous technologies, making it a strong addition to India’s naval arsenal.
- It uses a solid-fuel booster along with a long-duration sustainer, enabling efficient flight and extended range.
The missile is equipped with several high-end systems, including
- A fibre-optic gyroscope-based navigation system
- A highly accurate seeker for target acquisition
- Advanced control and guidance algorithms
- A high-bandwidth two-way data link
- A radio altimeter for precise targeting
