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). 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…
