Union Budget 2026: Defence Allocation Sees Record Jump Amid Security Challenges

New Delhi | India’s defence preparedness received a major boost in the Union Budget 2026–27, with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announcing the highest-ever allocation for the armed forces, reflecting heightened security concerns and the government’s focus on military modernisation. The overall defence budget has been raised to ₹7.85 lakh crore, marking a significant increase over the previous year. Of this, ₹2.19 lakh crore has been earmarked for capital expenditure aimed at modernisation — a jump of nearly 22 per cent compared to FY 2025–26. Last year’s capital outlay stood at…

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HAL Secures ₹1,800 Crore Dhruv-NG Order, Expands Civil Aviation Footprint with Russian Jet Partnership

New Delhi: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has marked a major milestone in India’s aerospace sector after receiving a ₹1,800 crore contract from Pawan Hans for the supply of 10 Dhruv-NG helicopters. The deal significantly strengthens India’s indigenous rotary-wing manufacturing capabilities and reinforces HAL’s leadership in helicopter production. The Dhruv-NG is the next-generation version of HAL’s successful Dhruv platform, designed with enhanced performance, safety, and operational flexibility. The helicopters are expected to serve a wide range of roles across civil, utility, and strategic operations, further expanding Pawan Hans’ mission capabilities. In…

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Project to Develop Civil Aviation Infrastructure at Leh Inaugurated

Leh, Ladakh | A major project aimed at strengthening civil aviation infrastructure at Air Force Station Leh was inaugurated on January 28, 2026, marking an important step toward improving air connectivity in the Union Territory of Ladakh. The project was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Kavinder Gupta, in the presence of Air Marshal JS Mann, Senior Air Staff Officer, Western Air Command. The inauguration represents a significant milestone in enhancing Ladakh’s civil aviation capabilities and reflects the strong spirit of cooperation between the civil administration and various agencies involved in…

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Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron Concludes Port Visit to Phuket, Thailand

Phuket, Thailand | The Indian Navy’s First Training Squadron (1TS) successfully concluded its port visit to Phuket Deep Sea Port, Thailand, marking another milestone in strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Thailand. The visit culminated with a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) conducted on January 28, 2026, in coordination with the Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Huahin. The First Training Squadron comprised INS Tir, INS Sujata, INS Shardul, and ICGS Sarathi. During the harbour phase of the visit, a wide range of bilateral activities were undertaken between the Indian Navy and the Royal…

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Defence Minister Calls for ‘Survival of the Fastest’, Says Operation Sindoor Offers Major Lessons

New Delhi | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that the present era demands a mindset of “survival of the fastest”, rather than merely relying on the traditional idea of “survival of the fittest,” underlining the critical importance of speed, innovation, and rapid deployment in modern warfare. Addressing top-performing scientists and technical staff of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the Defence Minister said that Operation Sindoor clearly demonstrated how indigenous defence systems are significantly strengthening India’s operational readiness. He stressed that self-reliance in defence is no longer just a government…

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Law Graduates Lead Military Contingents at Republic Day Parade 2026, Creating History

New Delhi | The 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path this year showcased not only India’s military strength and modern weapon systems but also the evolving face of the Indian armed forces. Among the most striking moments of the parade was the leadership of key military contingents by officers who come from a legal education background, highlighting the armed forces’ growing embrace of diverse academic disciplines. Lieutenant Amit Chaudhary and Assistant Commandant Laxita Singh emerged as two standout names, drawing widespread attention for leading their respective contingents with confidence…

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India Showcases LR-ASHM Hypersonic Missile, Emerging as Game-Changer in Sea-Denial Operations

New Delhi | India has taken a major leap in advanced military capabilities with the public display of its Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-ASHM) during the 77th Republic Day Parade at Kartavya Path on January 26. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the missile was showcased for the first time in a vehicle-mounted, ground-launched configuration, signaling India’s growing readiness in hypersonic weapons technology. Capable of striking targets at a range of nearly 1,500 kilometers, the LR-ASHM can reportedly cover this distance in about 15 minutes due…

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India Set to Become Aerospace Manufacturing Hub; ‘Made in India’ C-295 to Roll Out by September 2026

New Delhi: India’s first “Made in India” C-295 military transport aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF) has entered its final phase of production, with a rollout expected by September 2026 from the Tata-Airbus plant in Vadodara, Gujarat. The announcement was made on January 21 by External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar in New Delhi, who highlighted India’s evolving role in defense collaboration with Spain—from a buyer of technology to a co-manufacturer. From 2021 Deal to 2026 Rollout The C-295 is a medium-range, twin-engine turboprop tactical transport aircraft originally developed…

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India-EU Defence Cooperation Strengthens as EU to Deploy Liaison Officer at Indian Navy’s IFC-IOR

New Delhi: India and the European Union are taking their maritime security cooperation to a new level. In a landmark decision, the EU will now station a Liaison Officer (LO) at the Information Fusion Centre – Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) in Gurugram, a key Indian Navy hub established to enhance maritime surveillance and security operations in the Indian Ocean. This development was confirmed during a high-level meeting in New Delhi on January 27, 2026, between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kaja Kallas, High Representative and Vice President of the European…

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S-400 Air Defence System Takes Republic Day Centre Stage in First-Ever Tri-Services Tableau

New Delhi: For the first time since its induction, India’s formidable S-400 air defence missile system will be showcased publicly at the Republic Day Parade 2026, marking a significant moment in the nation’s military display. The advanced system will feature prominently in the Department of Military Affairs’ Tri-Services tableau, highlighting its operational role and strategic impact. The tableau, themed “Tri-Services Tableau – Operation Sindoor,” underscores joint operational synergy between the Army, Navy and Air Force. The S-400 will serve as the centrepiece, symbolising India’s enhanced air defence shield and the…

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