YTA Defence Diary 28 Jun 25: News Every Student Should Know

YTA Defence Diary 28 Jun 25: News Every Student Should Know

1. NDA Alumni Shine in Space
It was a proud week for the National Defence Academy (NDA) as its second alumnus ventured into space, following the footsteps of Wg Cdr Rakesh Sharma. Sharma, an alumnus from NDA's 35th course, made history aboard the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 on 03 April 1984, becoming the first Indian to reach space.

Now, Gp Capt Shubhanshu Shukla, from NDA's 103rd course, has become India's second military officer and NDA alumnus in space. Shukla took off aboard the Axiom-4 spacecraft (SpaceX’s Crew Dragon) on 25 June 2025, docking successfully with the International Space Station (ISS) on 28 June 2025. During his stay, he is conducting pioneering scientific experiments including research into muscle atrophy, growth of indigenous plants like methi and moong daal in microgravity and studying resilient micro-organisms such as tardigrades. His mission is expected to provide invaluable insights to support India's ambitious Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission scheduled in the near future.

2. India’s Firm Stand at SCO Summit
India took a strong diplomatic stance at the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Defence Ministers' meeting in Qingdao, China. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh firmly opposed Pakistan’s attempt to exclude the mention of the Pahalgam terrorist incident from the joint declaration. Pakistan’s efforts were aimed at diluting the seriousness of state-sponsored terrorism, a key concern of the SCO. Singh’s resolute position led to India’s refusal to endorse the watered-down declaration, ultimately resulting in no joint declaration being adopted. This highlights India’s growing confidence in international forums to assert its position against terrorism unequivocally.

3. Operation Bihali: Neutralising Terrorist Threats
Ahead of the annual Amarnath Yatra, security forces launched Operation Bihali on 26 June 2025 in the sensitive Basantgarh area of Udhampur district, Jammu and Kashmir. The timely joint operation, involving the Indian Army and Jammu & Kashmir Police, successfully neutralised a key terrorist linked to the Jaish-e-Mohammed group.

4. HAL Boosts ‘Make in India’ Defence Initiative
In a significant step towards self-reliance, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) announced its capability to domestically manufacture engines for India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas and Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) by March 2026. This strategic move reduces dependency on foreign imports, enhances indigenous technological expertise and supports India's strategic autonomy in defence.

5. Emerging Drone Threats from China
China’s military advancements continue to draw global attention, with its development of micro-sized ‘mosquito drones’. These tiny drones are designed for precise surveillance, intelligence gathering and potentially covert sabotage activities. Such technologies could significantly transform warfare tactics, emphasizing the importance of innovation and preparedness in modern defence.

6. 50 Years of India's Emergency: Lessons for Democracy
On 25 June 2025, India marked the 50th anniversary of the Emergency period (1975–77). The Emergency highlighted vulnerabilities within democratic frameworks and emphasized the need for vigilance among citizens. Students must appreciate the value of democracy and remain alert to safeguard it against potential threats and authoritarian tendencies.