America has once again described India as an important partner of its strategy in the Indo-Pacific region. During the prestigious Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth openly praised India’s military strength, defense modernization and defense production capabilities. He said India is playing an important role in maintaining regional stability and its growing military capability is helping advance the common strategic goals of the US and its allies.

India strong base of regional stability: Hegseth
During his address on the second day of the Shangri-La Dialogue, US Defense Minister Pete Hegseth said that India is playing the role of an important pillar in South Asia. He said, ‘India is a strong base in South Asia, which helps in maintaining regional balance. A strong India moving forward in accordance with its national interests strengthens our shared goal of maintaining the balance of power in the entire region.

Appreciation of modernization of Indian Army
Hegseth particularly praised India’s military modernisation. He said that India is continuously modernizing its army and is getting ready to play a bigger role in security related responsibilities. He said, ‘India is strengthening its military capabilities so that it can increase its contribution to security responsibilities, especially in the Indian Ocean region.’

Defense production capacity also praised
The US Defense Minister said that India is rapidly expanding industrial and logistics capabilities in the defense sector. He said, ‘India is developing such industrial and logistics capabilities that can support large-scale military operations for a long time. India is also developing the capability to repair and maintain our common military platforms as well as support US Naval ships deployed in the region.

Emphasis on India-US joint defense production
Hegseth said that America and India are moving rapidly towards joint production (co-production) in the defense sector. He said, ‘We have committed to pursue joint production of capabilities like Javelin anti-tank guided missile with India. These are concrete steps towards strengthening the collective preparedness of our forces.

India’s defense capability is important for the entire region
He said that India’s increasing defense production capacity is important not only for India but for the security of the entire region. “Such industrial power is not just a future goal, but a critical operational necessity of the present,” Hegseth said.

America will increase defense spending and production
The US Defense Minister said that the Trump administration is preparing for big investment in the defense sector. He said, ‘America is running a national production campaign at a historic level for its defense industrial infrastructure. We will produce the world’s best weapons on a large scale, quickly and at a reasonable cost.

Trump’s big defense investment
Hegseth said that this is not only his personal commitment but also a priority of President Donald Trump. He said, ‘After spending $1 trillion on the defense sector last year, President Trump is planning to make a historic investment of $1.5 trillion this year. Its purpose is to further strengthen America’s military power for many decades.

Demand for increased defense expenditure from allied countries also
The US Defense Minister also called upon allies and partner countries to invest more in the defense sector. He said, ‘We expect at least 3.5 percent spending on defense from our allies and partners and we ourselves are going even further than this. We want all our allies and partners to show similar commitment.

Countries that take responsibility will benefit
Hegseth indicated that the US will further strengthen defense cooperation with countries that take their security responsibilities seriously. He said, ‘The countries which accept this challenge and fulfill their responsibility as true partners will get clear benefits from it.’

America’s priority will be capable and reliable partners
Hegseth said that according to the American strategy, priority will be given to such allies who are capable, clear-thinking and ready to protect their national interests. He said, ‘We will give priority to working with ideal partner countries as part of our strategy. The countries that are most capable, far-sighted and ready to protect their interests will be at the forefront of our partnership.

Growing India-US partnership in Indo-Pacific
Hegseth’s statement is being seen as a sign of India’s growing strategic role in the Indo-Pacific region and deepening defense ties with the US. Cooperation between the two countries is continuously strengthening on issues of defense production, military cooperation, technical partnership and regional security.

US Navy Attacks Iran Warship: A major military attack has come to light in the sea amidst increasing tension in the Middle East. The US Navy recently attacked a modern Iranian warship with a submarine. This attack took place in the open sea, after which the warship of the Iranian Navy was completely destroyed and sank in the sea. It is being told that there were more than 100 people on board the ship and about 80 sailors died in this attack.

After this incident, concern has increased at the international level. Especially for the countries connected to the Indian Ocean like Sri Lanka and India, it is being considered a big strategic concern. Because the warship that was targeted had the capability to fight on all three fronts: air, sea and underwater. Despite this, the American Navy targeted it and completely destroyed it.

IRIS Dena was Iran’s modern warship

The name of the warship which was targeted was IRIS Dena. It was a ship of Iran’s Mauj class frigate and was counted among the most modern warships of the Iranian Navy. The pennant number of this ship was 75 and it was part of the Southern Fleet of the Iranian Navy. It was named after the famous mountain of Iran, Mount Dena.

The warship was built in Iran itself

IRIS Dena was built at the naval factories in Bandar Abbas, Iran. Its construction work started in the year 2012. After this, it was launched into the sea in 2015 and on 13 June 2021, it was officially inducted into the Iranian Navy. The special thing was that this ship was completely prepared with indigenous technology of Iran. Many important parts, from its engine to weapon system, were made in the country itself.

95 meter long warship, provision for 140 sailors

The length of this warship was about 95 meters and width was 11.1 meters. Its draft was approximately 3.25 metres. Its total weight i.e. displacement was about 1500 tons. Two 10,000 horsepower engines and four diesel generators were installed in the ship. With the help of these engines, this warship could move at a maximum speed of 30 knots i.e. about 55 kilometers per hour. There were also arrangements for living and working on the ship for a total of 140 sailors.

The ship was equipped with modern radar and electronic systems

IRIS Dena was fitted with modern radar and electronic warfare systems. Asr 3D PESA long-range radar was installed in it, which could track multiple targets simultaneously within a range of up to 300 kilometers. Chaff launchers were also installed in the ship to avoid enemy attacks. These systems work to confuse enemy missiles.

Anti-ship missiles and capability to fight submarines

Talking about weapons, this frigate was fitted with a 76 mm rapid firing naval cannon. Apart from this, 40 mm Fatah anti-aircraft gun was also present, which is believed to be based on Bofors design.
20 mm Oerlikon cannons were also installed on the ship. C-802 or Noor class anti-ship missiles were deployed in it to attack enemy ships. To protect against air attacks, Sayyad-2 surface-to-air missiles were also installed in it.

Special arrangements to combat submarines

To combat submarines, this warship was fitted with 324 mm light torpedo launchers. Apart from this, there was also a helipad in the ship, where the Bell 212 anti-submarine helicopter could be landed and flown, that is, this warship was capable of fighting on all three fronts, sea, air and underwater.

This warship also came to India recently

IRIS Dena was sent to visit many countries of the world in the year 2022-23. Recently it came to India to participate in the International Fleet Review 2026 exercise. It was targeted only after completing the program. For this reason, this attack has raised new questions regarding the security of the entire region and concerns have increased in the countries of the Indian Ocean region.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom: In 1988, India carried out one of the fastest and most decisive military rescue missions in South Asian history. The name of this mission was Operation Cactus. This operation saved the life of Maldives President Mamoon Abdul Gayoom. His government was on the verge of collapse after a sudden armed coup in the center of the capital Male. What happened after this surprised the whole world.

Sudden coup in Maldives

On the morning of 3 November 1988, armed rebels attacked Malé, the capital of Maldives. 80 to 200 mercenaries belonging to the Sri Lankan Tamil militant group People’s Liberation Organization of Tamil Eelam had attacked simultaneously. They rapidly captured large areas including government buildings, communication centers and strategic bases with the aim of toppling the government of President Mamun.

the president went into hiding

As the rebels strengthened their hold on the city, the President’s security team quickly swung into action. He secretly sent the President to a safe place to avoid being caught or killed. Isolated, downtrodden and facing a threat to the existence of his government, Mamun was in urgent need of external military assistance.

India helped

President Mamoon contacted several major powers including the United States, United Kingdom and Pakistan. But no one could answer immediately. Due to shortage of time, he contacted Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. India took stock of the situation and decided to take action without any delay.

Within a few hours, India planned and started Operation Cactus. Ilyushin II transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force took off from Agra carrying elite paratroopers of the Indian Service. The troops were airlifted more than 2,000 kilometers away and landed at Hulhule air base near Male within just nine hours of the distress call.

won quickly

It is said that the Indian Army did not have maps of the Maldives and had to rely on tourist brochures to understand the layout of the islands. Even landing at the airport was risky. The pilots were not sure whether the runway was under rebel control or not. Despite these difficulties, Indian soldiers secured the airport, reached Male by boats and controlled the rebels as well as rescued the President from his hideout.

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