ASEAN–India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) Begins at Subic Bay

What’s the News?

• The second edition of the ASEAN–India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) has commenced at Subic Bay, Philippines.
• The Indian Navy is represented by INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish, alongside maritime forces from ASEAN member states.
• The exercise is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.”
• It seeks to improve maritime cooperation, operational coordination, mutual understanding and interoperability between India and ASEAN maritime forces.
• The exercise supports India’s Act East Policy and its MAHASAGAR vision.

AIME-2026

• Nature: Multilateral maritime exercise between India and ASEAN countries.
• Edition: Second.
• Host: Philippines.
• Venue: Subic Bay, a strategically located natural harbour with access to the wider South China Sea region.
• Objective: Build trust and enable participating maritime forces to operate together more effectively through professional interaction and practical training.

Exercise Structure

AIME-2026 is organised in two phases:

• Harbour Phase
  • Subject Matter Expert Exchanges.
  • Operational synchronisation.
  • Sporting and cultural activities.
  • Community engagement.
  • Pre-sail brief and professional interactions.
• Sea Phase
  • Coordinated maritime exercises and operational serials.
  • Practical maritime training.
  • Focus on operational coordination and interoperability among participating forces.

Indian Naval Ships

• INS Sahyadri
  • Shivalik-class guided-missile stealth frigate.
  • Indigenously designed and built.
  • Part of Project 17 series of multi-role stealth frigates.
• INS Kulish
  • Kora-class missile corvette of the Indian Navy.
  • Designed for surface warfare and missile-based maritime operations.

Their deployment also highlights India's growing indigenous warship-building capabilities.

Additional Info

• First AIME
  • The inaugural ASEAN–India Maritime Exercise was held in 2023, with its harbour phase in Singapore and sea phase in the South China Sea.
  • India participated with INS Delhi, INS Satpura and P-8I maritime patrol aircraft.
  • Its sea phase involved around 1,400 personnel and nine ships.
• MAHASAGAR
  • Stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions.
  • It provides a broader framework for India's maritime engagement, security cooperation and capacity-building partnerships.
• ASEAN
  • Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
  • Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia.
  • It currently has 11 members, following Timor-Leste's admission as the 11th member in 2025.
  • Members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and Timor-Leste.

Sources

• Indian Masterminds

Exercise Jai Se Vijay: Indian Army Uses NH-911 as Temporary Military Runway

What’s the News?

• The Indian Army conducted Exercise Jai Se Vijay near Dantour in Rajasthan, close to the India–Pakistan International Border.
• A strategically important stretch of National Highway-911 (NH-911) was converted into a temporary operating surface for military helicopters.
• Rudra, Dhruv and Chetak helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps carried out precision landings and take-offs from the highway.
• Conducted by the Sapta Shakti Command, the exercise tested operational readiness, rapid mobility and the ability to use alternative aviation sites during contingencies.
• The exercise was held under the theme “Mission Ready, Future Ready.”

Exercise Jai Se Vijay

• Conducted by: Indian Army.
• Command: Sapta Shakti Command, also known as the South Western Command.
• Location: NH-911 near Dantour, Rajasthan.
• Key activity: Highway-based helicopter landing and take-off operations.
• Purpose:
  • Validate operations from locations other than conventional airbases and helipads.
  • Test coordination between aviation and ground elements.
  • Improve rapid deployment and dispersal of aviation assets.
  • Demonstrate the military utility of dual-use civilian infrastructure.

Helicopters Used

• Dhruv
  • Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH).
  • Designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
  • Used for transport, reconnaissance, evacuation and other utility roles.
• Rudra
  • Armed and weaponised version of the Dhruv ALH.
  • Used for reconnaissance, escort and fire-support missions.
• Chetak
  • Based on the French Aérospatiale Alouette III.
  • Manufactured in India under licence by HAL.
  • Used for light transport, reconnaissance and support operations.

Why Use Highways for Military Aviation?

• Highways can provide alternative operating locations if conventional airfields or helipads are unavailable, damaged or operationally unsuitable.
• Dispersing aircraft across multiple temporary locations reduces dependence on fixed military bases.
• Such infrastructure can assist in:
  • Rapid movement of troops and equipment.
  • Logistics and supply operations.
  • Casualty evacuation.
  • Reconnaissance and battlefield support.
  • Rapid response during military contingencies.

Additional Info

• Sapta Shakti Command
  • Officially the South Western Command of the Indian Army.
  • It is one of the Army's operational commands and has responsibilities in India's western sector.
• Army Aviation Corps
  • Provides aviation support to land forces.
  • Major roles include reconnaissance, troop mobility, logistics, casualty evacuation and combat support.
• International Border vs Line of Control
  • The India–Pakistan International Border passes through areas including Gujarat, Rajasthan and Punjab.
  • It is distinct from the Line of Control (LoC) in Jammu and Kashmir.
• 2016 Surgical Strikes
  • Exercise Jai Se Vijay coincided with the 10th anniversary of India's 2016 surgical strikes across the Line of Control.
  • The strikes followed the terrorist attack on the Indian Army base at Uri.

Sources

• India Today
• The Times of India

Green Energy Corridor Phase-III Approved to Integrate 135 GW Renewable Energy

What’s the News?

• The Union Cabinet has approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) to strengthen India's Intra-State Transmission System (InSTS) for large-scale renewable energy integration.
• The scheme has a total project outlay of ₹1,86,405 crore and aims to create infrastructure capable of evacuating up to 135 GW of renewable energy.
• It also provides for deployment of 50 GWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to manage renewable-energy intermittency, grid congestion and non-solar-hour demand.
• The scheme is targeted for completion by FY 2032-33 and is linked to India's objective of reaching 900 GW of installed non-fossil capacity by 2035.

Green Energy Corridor Phase-III

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE).
• Renewable-energy evacuation capacity: Up to 135 GW.
• Total outlay: ₹1,86,405 crore.
  • Intra-State Transmission Systems: ₹1,36,378 crore.
  • 50 GWh BESS: ₹50,000 crore.
• Central Financial Support: ₹54,082 crore.
• Completion target: FY 2032-33.

Battery Energy Storage Systems

• GEC-III provides for 50 GWh of BESS, which may be installed at renewable-energy generation sites or other locations important for grid flexibility.
• BESS can store excess renewable electricity and supply it when generation falls, particularly during non-solar hours.
• It will help address:
  • Variability of solar and wind generation.
  • Transmission congestion.
  • Peak-hour renewable-energy curtailment.
  • Grid balancing and frequency management.
• Around ₹6,000 crore of Central support has been earmarked as Viability Gap Funding (VGF) for battery-storage projects.

Implementation Model

• Greenfield InSTS projects: To be implemented through Tariff-Based Competitive Bidding (TBCB).
• Brownfield projects: Existing-network strengthening and upgrades will follow the Cost Plus Basis (CPB).
• State Transmission Utilities (STUs): Overall implementing agencies.
• Transmission Service Providers (TSPs): Will participate in competitively bid projects under the Build-Own-Operate-Maintain (BOOM) model.

Why is GEC-III Needed?

• Solar and wind generation is geographically concentrated and variable in nature, while electricity demand is spread across states and varies throughout the day.
• Transmission constraints can prevent available renewable power from reaching consumers, resulting in renewable-energy curtailment.
• Strengthening intra-state transmission networks is therefore necessary to carry electricity from renewable-energy projects to substations and load centres.
• Combining transmission infrastructure with battery storage enables greater utilisation of renewable generation and improves grid flexibility.

Additional Info

• Green Energy Corridor
  • The programme originated from a POWERGRID study in 2012 that identified inadequate transmission infrastructure near major renewable-energy zones.
  • Its objective is to build dedicated transmission infrastructure for integrating large-scale solar and wind power into India's electricity grid.
  • Implementation of the first phase began in 2015.
• GW vs GWh
  • GW (Gigawatt): Unit of power or generating/evacuation capacity.
  • GWh (Gigawatt-hour): Unit of energy; in this context, it measures how much electricity battery systems can store.
  • Thus, 135 GW refers to renewable-power evacuation capacity, while 50 GWh refers to battery-storage capacity.
• Intra-State Transmission System
  • Carries electricity within a State, connecting generating stations and substations with the state's transmission network.
  • It differs from the Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS), which transfers electricity across state boundaries.
• Earlier GEC Phases
  • GEC Phase-I: Developed transmission infrastructure for renewable-rich states and targeted integration of about 24 GW of renewable capacity.
  • GEC Phase-II: Expanded the programme and targeted integration of around 20 GW of renewable generation through intra-state networks.
  • GEC-III substantially increases the scale to 135 GW and introduces a major battery-storage component alongside transmission development.

Sources

• The Economic Times

Flydubai FZ1073 Cockpit Attack Averted; Indian Captain Injured

What’s the News?

• Flydubai Flight FZ1073, operating from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia, after a serious altercation inside the cockpit.
• Indian Captain Smit Machchhar was seriously injured after allegedly being attacked by the co-pilot.
• Despite his injuries, Machchhar managed to open the cockpit door, enabling passengers and other crew members to intervene and restrain the alleged attacker.
• Other qualified pilots travelling on the aircraft subsequently took control and the Boeing 737 MAX 8 landed safely at Tabuk.
• The aircraft was carrying 174 passengers and 8 crew members — 182 people in total.
• Authorities are investigating the motive, including the possibility of terrorist links. The motive has not yet been conclusively established.

How the Crisis Unfolded

• The aircraft was cruising at about 34,000 feet when the cockpit incident occurred.
• Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft descending from around 34,000 feet to 16,600 feet in roughly 90 seconds during the crisis.
• Captain Machchhar, though injured, succeeded in opening the secured cockpit door.
• Passengers and crew entered the cockpit and restrained the alleged attacker.
• A reserve/off-duty pilot took control of the aircraft before its emergency diversion to Saudi Arabia.

Aviation Emergency Codes

During the incident, the aircraft transmitted internationally recognised transponder or “squawk” codes:

• 7500: Unlawful interference, including suspected hijacking.
• 7600: Radio communication failure.
• 7700: General emergency.

FZ1073 initially transmitted 7700, subsequently switched to 7500, and later returned to 7700 before landing.

Investigation

• Saudi Arabia: The aircraft landed at Tabuk, bringing Saudi authorities directly into the investigation.
• United Arab Emirates: The aircraft is UAE-registered, giving Emirati authorities jurisdiction under applicable aviation law.
• UAE authorities have constituted an investigation to determine:
  • The circumstances behind the cockpit attack.
  • Whether it involved prior planning.
  • Whether any terrorist organisation or external actor was involved.
• A senior UAE official subsequently characterised the incident as a “terrorist act”, but the formal investigation into motive remains ongoing.

Captain Smit Machchhar

• Nationality: Indian.
• He suffered serious injuries during the cockpit attack but was later reported to be recovering in the UAE.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with Machchhar through a video call and praised his courage and quick decision-making.
• Indian diplomatic missions in Saudi Arabia and the UAE assisted in monitoring his treatment and recovery.

Additional Info

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
  • Specialised agency of the United Nations.
  • Established under the Chicago Convention, 1944.
  • Headquarters: Montreal, Canada.
  • Develops global standards and recommended practices for international civil aviation.
• Tokyo Convention, 1963
  • Deals with offences and certain acts committed on board aircraft.
  • Recognises the jurisdiction of the State of registration of the aircraft.
• Hague Convention, 1970
  • Formally relates to the suppression of unlawful seizure of aircraft.
  • Primarily addresses aircraft hijacking.
• Montreal Convention, 1971
  • Deals with unlawful acts against the safety of civil aviation, including violence aboard aircraft and destruction or sabotage of aircraft.
• Aircraft Cockpit Security
  • Modern commercial aircraft generally use reinforced and access-controlled cockpit doors to prevent unauthorised entry.
  • These measures were significantly strengthened globally following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
• Flydubai
  • Dubai-based airline headquartered in the United Arab Emirates.
  • Its main operating hub is Dubai International Airport.

Sources

• The Indian Express
• Firstpost
• CNN

Switzerland’s Aletsch Glacier Records Its Biggest-Ever Melt

What’s the News?

• Aletsch Glacier, the largest glacier in Switzerland and the Alps, recorded its greatest melt on record in 2026.
• Switzerland’s glaciers collectively lost about 5.5% of their total ice volume, making 2026 the second-worst year for overall glacier mass loss after 2022.
• The Rhône Glacier and Clariden Glacier also recorded their highest-ever annual melt.
• Nearly 20% of Switzerland’s glacier volume has disappeared in just five years, indicating an accelerating decline of Alpine ice.

Aletsch Glacier

• Located in the Bernese Alps of Switzerland.
• It is the largest glacier in the Alps, as well as Switzerland’s largest by area and ice volume.
• It forms part of the Swiss Alps Jungfrau-Aletsch region, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape.
• Its exceptional 2026 melt reflects the wider deterioration of the Alpine cryosphere.

2026 Glacier Loss

• Total Swiss glacier-volume loss: about 5.5%.
• Average reduction in glacier thickness: around 2.5–4 metres.
• Some glacier tongues lost as much as 10 metres of ice.
• Around 2.2 trillion litres of meltwater were released from Swiss glaciers between July and September—more than four times the annual drinking-water consumption of Swiss households.
• Smaller glaciers such as Bella Tola in Valais and Griessfirn in Glarus disappeared completely.

Why Was the Melt So Severe?

• Low winter snowfall: Winter snow accumulation was among the weakest recorded, leaving glaciers with limited protective snow cover.
• Extreme summer heat: Persistent hot and dry conditions accelerated melting between spring and autumn.
• For around 76 days, the freezing level rose above 4,000 metres, more than twice the normal frequency and a Swiss record.
• By September, snow had disappeared even from glacier surfaces at around 3,500 metres elevation.
• Reduced snow cover also lowers surface albedo, causing darker glacier ice to absorb more solar radiation and melt faster.

Why Glacier Loss Matters

• Water security: Alpine glaciers act as natural freshwater reservoirs, supplying meltwater during dry summer periods.
• River flows: Continued glacier shrinkage may initially increase runoff, but progressively reduces the long-term availability of glacier-fed water.
• Natural hazards: Retreating glaciers can destabilise mountain slopes and contribute to formation or expansion of glacial lakes.
• Ecosystems: Changes in water temperature and seasonal river flows affect freshwater and Alpine ecosystems.
• Sea-level rise: Mountain-glacier loss collectively contributes to global sea-level rise.
• Climate indicator: Glaciers respond rapidly to changes in temperature and precipitation, making them important indicators of climate change.

Additional Info

• Glacier Mass Balance
  • Difference between the amount of snow and ice a glacier gains through accumulation and loses through melting, sublimation and other processes.
  • A persistent negative mass balance results in glacier shrinkage.
• Cryosphere
  • Refers to parts of Earth where water exists in frozen form.
  • Includes glaciers, ice sheets, snow cover, sea ice and permafrost.
• Albedo Effect
  • Fresh snow reflects a high proportion of incoming solar radiation.
  • When snow disappears, darker underlying ice absorbs more heat, accelerating melting—a positive feedback mechanism.
• GLAMOS
  • Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland is the national glacier-monitoring network.
  • It monitors glacier mass balance, length and ice-volume changes using field measurements and remote-sensing data.
• Recent Trend
  • Swiss glaciers have experienced several exceptionally severe melt years since 2022.
  • The 2026 data reinforce the trend of increasingly frequent extreme glacier-loss years in the Alps.

Sources

• The Economic Times
• Phys.org
• Sky News