Current Affairs Update: Exercise LAMITIYE-2026, Gary Kirsten Appointed Sri Lanka Coach, India 2nd Largest Arms Importer
Here are the latest international and defence related updates that are important for competitive exams and government job preparation.
These updates cover the joint military exercise between India and Seychelles, the appointment of Gary Kirsten as Sri Lanka’s cricket head coach,
and the latest global arms import report released by SIPRI.
India–Seychelles Joint Military Exercise LAMITIYE-2026
A contingent of the Indian Armed Forces has reached Seychelles to participate in the bilateral military exercise
LAMITIYE-2026. This is the eleventh edition of the joint exercise conducted between India and the
Seychelles Defence Forces.
The training activities are being organized at the Seychelles Defence Academy. The exercise began on
9 March 2026 and will continue until 20 March 2026.
The main aim of this joint training programme is to improve coordination and operational cooperation between the armed
forces of both countries. The exercise mainly focuses on sub-conventional operations conducted in a semi-urban environment.
Key Details of Exercise LAMITIYE-2026
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| Exercise Name | LAMITIYE-2026 |
| Edition | 11th Edition |
| Participating Countries | India and Seychelles |
| Host Force | Seychelles Defence Forces |
| Training Location | Seychelles Defence Academy |
| Start Date | 9 March 2026 |
| End Date | 20 March 2026 |
| Main Focus | Sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environment |
| Objective | Improve coordination, peacekeeping cooperation, and interoperability |
The twelve-day exercise includes field training activities, tactical drills, and discussions related to combat operations.
The programme will conclude with a two-day validation phase to assess the effectiveness of joint training.
Gary Kirsten Appointed Head Coach of Sri Lanka Men’s Cricket Team
Former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten has been appointed as the new head coach of the
Sri Lanka men’s national cricket team. His coaching tenure will officially begin on
15 April 2026.
The contract has been signed for a period of two years and will run until 14 April 2028.
Kirsten is widely respected in international cricket both as a player and as a coach. During his playing career,
he represented South Africa from 1993 to 2004 and scored more than 14,000 international runs.
Gary Kirsten Career Highlights
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Gary Kirsten |
| Nationality | South Africa |
| International Playing Career | 1993 – 2004 |
| Total International Runs | 14,087 Runs |
| Test Centuries | 21 |
| ODI Centuries | 13 |
| Former Role | Head Coach of India Men’s Cricket Team (2008–2011) |
| Major Achievement | India won ICC Cricket World Cup 2011 during his tenure |
| New Role | Head Coach – Sri Lanka Men’s Team |
| Contract Period | 15 April 2026 – 14 April 2028 |
Kirsten previously served as head coach of the Indian men’s cricket team from 2008 to 2011. During that period,
India achieved major success, including winning the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011.
India Remains Second Largest Arms Importer in the World: SIPRI Report
According to the latest report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI),
India remained the second-largest importer of major weapons globally during the period
2021 to 2025.
The report highlights global trends in arms trade and identifies the leading importing and exporting countries in the world.
Top Arms Importing Countries (2021-2025)
| Rank | Country | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ukraine | Largest arms importer during the period |
| 2 | India | Second largest importer of major weapons |
| 3 | Saudi Arabia | Major defence procurement |
| 4 | Qatar | Significant arms purchases |
| 5 | Pakistan | About 4.2% of global imports |
India’s Major Arms Suppliers
| Country | Share / Role |
|---|---|
| Russia | Largest supplier, around 40% share |
| France | Major defence equipment supplier |
| Israel | Advanced defence technology and systems |
The report also mentioned that India’s arms imports declined by approximately
4 percent compared with the 2016–2020 period.
Global Arms Trade Trends
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Largest Import Region | Europe |
| Europe Share (2021-2025) | 33% of global imports |
| Previous Share | 12% in the earlier five-year period |
| Top Arms Exporter | United States (about 42% global share) |
| Other Major Exporters | France, Russia, Germany, China |
| India in Export Ranking | Not among top 25 arms-exporting countries |
The SIPRI report also highlighted that nearly 80 percent of Pakistan’s weapons imports
are supplied by China.
Conclusion
These developments highlight important global defence and sports updates. The India-Seychelles joint military exercise
strengthens defence cooperation between the two countries. Meanwhile, Gary Kirsten’s appointment as Sri Lanka’s head
coach marks a significant change in the team’s coaching setup. The SIPRI report also shows India’s continued dependence
on imported defence equipment despite ongoing efforts to boost domestic defence manufacturing.