Category: Defence

New Delhi: In a landmark moment for India’s armed forces, the first batch of women cadets trained at the National Defence Academy (NDA) has been commissioned as officers, marking a significant step forward in the integration of women into the country’s military leadership. A total of 17 women cadets, who joined the NDA in August 2022 as part of the 148th Course, have successfully completed their rigorous pre-commission training across the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force. Commissioning across three services In the Indian Army, nine women officers were commissioned…

NCC Establishes Two New State Directorates in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, Expanding Access and Opportunities for Youth Delhi: In a significant step towards empowering youth and expanding access to the National Cadet Corps (NCC), Headquarters Directorate General NCC approved the creation of independent State Directorates in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand, increasing the total number of NCC State Directorates in India from 17 to 19. The establishment of independent State Directorates in Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand will bring the NCC closer to the cadets and educational institutions it serves. The new…

Nice, France: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in France on the first leg of a six-day European tour that is expected to focus heavily on defence cooperation, technology partnerships, and strategic ties between India and Europe. At the center of the discussions is a proposed multibillion-dollar agreement for the acquisition of 114 additional Dassault Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. The proposed deal, one of the largest defence procurement programs in India’s history, remains under negotiation as both sides work to resolve technical and operational issues related…

New Delhi: France has reaffirmed its support for India’s “Make in India” initiative in the defence sector, indicating that future strategic collaborations—including the proposed acquisition of 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force—will be based on co-development, local manufacturing, and industrial partnership rather than a traditional buyer-seller arrangement. The development comes ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on June 13-14 for the G7 Summit, where he is expected to hold bilateral talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the gathering. French diplomatic…

Moscow: In a significant development for India-Russia defence ties, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed Moscow’s willingness to deepen cooperation with India on the fifth-generation Sukhoi Su-57 fighter jet programme, including potential technology sharing and joint development opportunities. Speaking during an interaction with heads of major global news agencies in St. Petersburg, Putin described the Su-57 as one of the world’s most advanced combat aircraft and said Russia sees no obstacles to collaborating with India on the project. His remarks have reignited discussions about future defence cooperation between the two…

NEW DELHI — India’s indigenous defense capabilities have achieved a major milestone as the Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted high-stakes flight-tests of the advanced RudraM-II air-to-surface missile. Launched from an airborne platform, the weapon system met all its mission objectives, reinforcing the nation’s stride toward self-reliance in cutting-edge military hardware. Overcoming Extreme Operational Conditions The testing phase subjected the RudraM-II to extreme release parameters, intentionally pushing the boundaries of the platform’s operational envelope. The missile successfully executed a highly critical trajectory,…

NEW DELHI — India and Zimbabwe have officially set a new trajectory for their bilateral security architecture following the successful conclusion of the inaugural India-Zimbabwe Joint Defence Committee meeting. The high-profile defense assembly resulted in a comprehensive roadmap designed to expand military-to-military ties, elevate joint operational capabilities, and explore strategic defense co-production. Activating the Aero India 2025 Security Blueprint This inaugural committee meeting directly operationalizes the strategic objectives originally laid down in a Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation. The foundational agreement was signed by the defense ministers of both…

NEW DELHI — In a solemn ceremony reflecting the pinnacle of national gratitude, President Smt Droupadi Murmu conferred 51 gallantry awards during Phase-I of the Defence Investiture Ceremony 2026 at Rashtrapati Bhawan. The honors presented included 07 Kirti Chakras (02 posthumous), 15 Vir Chakras (03 posthumous), and 29 Shaurya Chakras (01 posthumous). The decorations recognize personnel from the Indian Armed Forces, Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), and State/Union Territory Police forces for displaying raw courage, unparalleled bravery, and total disregard for personal safety…