Category: Defence

Kolkata: The Indian Navy achieved another important milestone in its indigenous shipbuilding programme with the launch of Yard 3039, the next-generation offshore patrol vessel named Sanghmitra, at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers in Kolkata on May 20. The vessel was formally launched by Sarita Vatsayan in the presence of Sanjay Vatsayan during a ceremony conducted with full naval honours and traditional maritime customs. Senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Indian Navy and GRSE attended the event. Sanghmitra is part of the Indian Navy’s ambitious programme to build 11…

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Seoul: Rajnath Singh and Kwon Oh-eul jointly inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park on May 21, marking a significant tribute to the bravery, sacrifice and humanitarian service of Indian troops during the Korean War. The memorial has been established as part of commemorations marking the 75th anniversary of the Korean War and honours the contributions of the 60 Para Field Ambulance of the Indian Army and the Custodian Force of India, both of which played vital humanitarian and peacekeeping roles during and after the conflict. The two ministers…

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Ahmedabad: The 138th meeting of the Offshore Security Coordination Committee (OSCC) was held in Ahmedabad on May 21 under the leadership of Paramesh Sivamani to assess and strengthen security arrangements protecting India’s offshore installations and critical maritime energy infrastructure. The high-level meeting focused on improving maritime domain awareness, enhancing inter-agency coordination and strengthening surveillance and emergency response systems to address evolving offshore security challenges. Officials also discussed emerging threats linked to modern warfare, including the growing use of unmanned systems and drone-enabled attacks in maritime environments. Particular attention was given…

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Rome — India and Italy have elevated their bilateral relationship to a “Special Strategic Partnership,” marking a major step forward in defence, technology, trade, and maritime cooperation. The announcement came after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni in Rome. A key highlight of the visit was the unveiling of an ambitious defence industrial roadmap aimed at promoting co-development and co-production of military systems. The initiative signals a fresh chapter in India-Italy defence ties, particularly after years of limited engagement following the AgustaWestland controversy…

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New Delhi: India’s plans to strengthen its air power capability are facing a critical moment as negotiations for the proposed acquisition of 114 Dassault Rafale fighter jets have reportedly slowed over disagreements related to technology access and operational control. According to reports, the key sticking point in the negotiations is India’s demand for deeper system-level access that would allow the integration of indigenous weapons systems such as the BrahMos and Astra missiles. France is said to be cautious about granting access to sensitive software and mission systems, particularly due to…

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Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh: India’s ambitious fifth-generation fighter jet programme entered a significant new phase on Friday with the foundation stone laying ceremony for a ₹16,000 crore combat aircraft infrastructure project linked to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The project was inaugurated in Puttaparthi by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and N. Chandrababu Naidu. The facility is being developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The new Aircraft Integration and Flight Testing Centre will serve as a key hub for aircraft integration, testing,…

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New Delhi: The Indian Air Force is planning a major long-term transformation of its combat fleet, aiming to restore its strength to 42 squadrons by 2040 while ensuring that nearly 60% of its fighter aircraft are indigenously developed. The strategy reflects a broader push toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing under India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision. According to the roadmap, the Air Force is expected to operate around 454 indigenous combat aircraft by 2040, forming the backbone of its future air combat capability. Tejas at the Core of Light Fighter Fleet The…

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New Delhi: The Indian Navy continued to deepen its strategic engagement with Vietnam as INS Sagardhwani, India’s oceanographic research vessel, concluded a successful visit to Cam Ranh from May 4 to May 8, 2026. The visit highlighted the growing maritime cooperation, scientific collaboration, and defence engagement between the two countries, reflecting the steady expansion of the India-Vietnam strategic partnership in the Indo-Pacific region. During the port call, the Commanding Officer of INS Sagardhwani held important interactions with senior Vietnamese military officials, including Tran Van Cuong and Nguyen Huu Minh. Discussions…

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New Delhi: Amid continuing tensions in West Asia and rising global uncertainty, the Government of India has assured citizens that there is no shortage of petroleum products or essential commodities in the country. Senior ministers and officials reiterated that India remains fully prepared to handle any disruptions arising from the international crisis while focusing on long-term energy security and economic stability. The assurances came during the fifth meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on West Asia, chaired by Rajnath Singh at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi on May…

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Goa: The Indian Coast Guard marked a significant milestone in its indigenous modernisation programme with the Girder Laying Ceremony of the fourth, fifth, and sixth Air Cushion Vehicles (ACVs) at the Rassaim Yard of Chowgule & Company Private Limited in Goa on May 11, 2026. The ceremony reflects India’s growing emphasis on self-reliance in defence manufacturing under the national vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The ACVs are being manufactured in India with nearly 50 percent indigenous material, representing an important step forward in strengthening domestic shipbuilding capability and advancing home-grown maritime…

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