Category: Defence

New Delhi: Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) has officially handed over INS Taragiri, the third stealth frigate of the Project 17A Nilgiri-class, to the Indian Navy. This delivery marks a significant boost to India’s modern naval fleet, enhancing its multi-role and stealth warfare capabilities. Built under the ambitious Project 17A, these advanced frigates are far more powerful, stealthy, and indigenously designed compared to the older Shivalik-class (Project 17) vessels. INS Taragiri (Yard 12653) was designed by the Warship Design Bureau and monitored by the Warship Overseeing Team, Mumbai. The keel-laying…

Bhopal: The Indian Navy’s special Car Expedition, launched to commemorate the 290th anniversary of the Mumbai Naval Dockyard, was ceremonially flagged off today at the Dronachal Military Cantonment in Bhopal. The expedition aims to honour India’s maritime heritage and highlight the deep inter-services synergy between the Army, Navy, and Air Force. Lieutenant General Arvind Chauhan, YSM, SM, General Officer Commanding, Sudarshan Chakra Corps, flagged off the convoy in the presence of naval personnel, defence civilians, and military officials. Celebrating a 290-Year-Old Legacy The expedition marks the completion of 290 years…

New Delhi: India and France have sealed a landmark pact to jointly develop a cutting-edge fighter jet engine—an agreement that grants India complete control over the intellectual property of a high-thrust powerplant vital for the country’s future air combat fleet. Valued at more than ₹61,000 crore (about $7 billion), the partnership marks the first time a major Western nation has agreed to share the deepest layers of jet engine technology, including sensitive hot section metallurgy. The engine, expected to generate 110–130 kN thrust, will power India’s fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat…

New Delhi: India has issued its strongest warning yet to defence manufacturers worldwide, cautioning that any delay in equipment delivery will result in immediate contract cancellation. The message comes from Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, who stressed that accountability will now be strictly enforced across all procurement channels. Speaking at the National Security Summit in New Delhi on 28 November, Singh said the Ministry of Defence will no longer tolerate missed timelines—whether the vendor is domestic or foreign. Under the current emergency procurement guidelines, equipment must be delivered within one…

New Delhi: India has officially launched Mission Sudarshan Chakra, an ambitious programme that aims to build a next-generation, multi-layered national air-defence and counter-drone shield by 2035. The initiative, announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, seeks to secure major cities, vital military hubs, and key national infrastructure against emerging aerial threats. Designed as a fully integrated defensive and offensive system, Mission Sudarshan Chakra focuses heavily on indigenisation, aligning with Make in India and IDDM (Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) principles. The mission will consolidate India’s air-defence assets into a single, technologically…

New Delhi: The recent TEJAS fighter jet crash at the Dubai Air Show, which led to the tragic loss of IAF Wing Commander Namansh Syal, is a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in military aviation. However, this unfortunate incident must not trigger unfair criticism of the Indian Air Force, the pilot, or Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The crash occurred during a high-risk, low-altitude aerobatic manoeuvre, a routine but inherently dangerous component of international air displays. Aviation experts note that such demonstrations push aircraft to their absolute limits. Despite the…

New Delhi: The contest to partner with India on its most ambitious naval project—the INS Vishal supercarrier—is heating up, with the UK’s BAE Systems and France’s Naval Group emerging as the leading contenders. Both European defence majors are pushing hard to secure the prestigious co-development contract for the roughly 65,000-ton carrier that will elevate India’s maritime power projection capabilities well into the 21st century. The INS Vishal programme is central to India’s long-term goal of fielding three fully operational carrier strike groups by 2035, a move that will significantly bolster…

New Delhi: India is set to launch one of its largest-ever fighter aircraft upgrade programmes, with the government moving toward approval of a massive modernisation push for the Indian Air Force’s frontline Sukhoi Su-30MKI fleet. According to defence sources, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) is expected to clear upgrades for an initial tranche of 84 aircraft out of the IAF’s current inventory of 259 Su-30MKIs. The ₹63,000-crore project—popularly known as the “Super Sukhoi” or “Super-30” upgrade—is designed to enhance the jet’s combat performance, survivability, and weapons integration while extending…

New Delhi: The Union government has initiated a fast-track procurement of nearly 300 S-400 air-defence missiles from Russia to replenish the arsenal significantly depleted during Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The acquisition, valued at over ₹10,000 crore, is expected to be cleared within the current financial year following approvals from the cost negotiation committee and the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). According to defence establishment sources, the missiles—sourced from Russia’s state-run arms exporter ROSOBORONEXPORT—will restore the operational depth of the S-400 systems that played a decisive role in neutralising Pakistani…