Whats Happening
Indian Army launches Bharat Rice for service personnel, taps FCI warehouses to strengthen frontline supplies
The Indian Army’s Bharat Rice initiative and five-year FCI pact aim to improve troop rations and strengthen supply networks
Zelenskyy warns of retaliation as Russian grid strikes on Ukraine cast doubt on Trump’s ‘energy ceasefire’
The Ukrainian president has warned that Kyiv will retaliate against continued Russian energy strikes as uncertainty surrounds Trump’s ceasefire
Riyadh airport shut after Houthi strikes. Why Saudi Arabia’s $83 billion military is struggling to stop them
Repeated Houthi strikes have shut Riyadh’s airport, exposing why Saudi Arabia’s vast military spending has not overcome Yemen’s resilient
Iran threatens US-UAE Gulf oil shuttle near Oman as tanker attacks intensify in Strait of Hormuz
Tehran has threatened an oil-transfer arrangement allegedly backed by US and UAE forces, raising concerns over Gulf exports as tanker strikes intensify, shipping costs rise and two Indian seafarers remain missing.
OPINION & COMMENTARY
Army
Indian Army launches Bharat Rice for service personnel, taps FCI warehouses to strengthen
The Indian Army’s Bharat Rice initiative and five-year FCI pact aim to improve troop rations and strengthen supply networks
Gen Dhiraj Seth lauds Army athletes who won 20 Asian Games medals, targets
Indian Army athletes won 20 medals at the 2026 Asian Games, including six gold, as General Dhiraj Seth emphasised
Japanese military delegation studies Indian wargaming and defence technology
The 34-member Japanese delegation visited Indian defence research and military training institutions as New Delhi and Tokyo expand professional exchanges,
Indian Army orders 225 FPV drones after high-altitude trials at 17,500 feet
The procurement follows competitive testing in extreme Himalayan conditions, where thin air, freezing temperatures and mountainous terrain pose significant challenges
From Mumbai gangster Manya Surve’s family to actor and Army man. Nana Patekar’s
Nana Patekar died at 75. From a family linked to Mumbai gangster Manya Surve, he went on to become an
Nana Patekar dies at 75: From film set to Kargil frontline, how he
Veteran actor Nana Patekar died of cardiac arrest at 75 in Goa. From three years of Army training for Prahaar
The Tankman Arrives: Gen Dhiraj Seth ends Armoured Corps’ 30-year wait for Indian Army’s top
General Dhiraj Seth takes charge as India’s 31st Army chief, becoming only the seventh Armoured Corps officer –
Navy
INS Mangrol commissioned into Indian Navy: What is ASW-SWC and why does India need them?
INS Mangrol, the third Mahe-class vessel, has been commissioned in the Indian Navy, boosting the force’s ability to
Exercise Konkan – 2026: INS Trishul arrives in Plymouth for India-UK naval drills
INS Trishul has arrived in Plymouth for Exercise Konkan – 2026, scheduled from October 8 to 15. The
Exercise Indra – 2026: Navy’s stealth frigate INS Sahyadri reaches Vladivostok for India-Russia naval drills
INS Sahyadri will join Russia’s Pacific Fleet for Indra-2026, with harbour engagements in Vladivostok followed by joint drills in the
GRSE launches Shreyas as Indian Navy expands its long-range maritime patrol fleet
GRSE has launched Shreyas, the third of four next-generation offshore patrol vessels being built for the Indian Navy.
Operation Firewall 2026: 13 Navy personnel under scanner as Andhra Police crackdown on Pakistan-linked espionage
Andhra Pradesh Police have arrested two people and placed 13 Navy personnel under scrutiny in “Operation Firewall 2026”, a probe
Miniratna DPSU HSL delivers INS Surya, launched by Rajnath Singh, as India expands Navy’s fleet
India’s first indigenous fleet support ship (FSS-1) will provide at-sea replenishment for longer naval deployments, while new infrastructure at Hindustan
Airforce
New Zealand seeks bigger Tarang Shakti role, puts maritime ties with India first
New Zealand seeks greater involvement in Tarang Shakti as naval cooperation, specialist exchanges and maritime agreements expand its
No formal US offer for F-35 jets, says IAF chief; Su-57 decision pending
The IAF chief says India has received no formal US offer for F-35 fighters, while a decision on
IAF chief warns against falling behind changes in warfare as fighter inductions lag
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh has stressed the need to anticipate emerging threats and accelerate capability development, with greater
IAF Day 2026: From Hindan parade to Jodhpur skies, IAF displays combat power
IAF marks its 94th Air Force Day with a powerful display of combat aircraft, helicopters and precision aerobatics at Hindan
Air Force Day: Five IAF moments that changed battles and saved lives
On its 94th anniversary, remembering five defining IAF achievements that helped turn battles, defend India and save thousands of lives.
Air Force Day 2026: President Murmu leads nation in commemorating IAF’s 94th anniversary
India’s top constitutional and political leadership saluted the Indian Air Force for its professionalism, courage and service, as Operation Sindoor
Russia Launches Record 479 UAVs On Ukraine, Shows Growing Mettle Of Drone Warfare
Russia launched a record-breaking 479 drones in overnight attacks across multiple regions of Ukraine, including for the first
IAF, USAF Sharpen Joint Special Ops Skills in First-Ever Exercise Tiger Claw
Exercise Tiger Claw 2025 marked the first-ever independent Special Forces exercise conducted jointly by the Indian Air Force
International
Iran threatens US-UAE Gulf oil shuttle near Oman as tanker attacks intensify in
Tehran has threatened an oil-transfer arrangement allegedly backed by US and UAE forces, raising concerns over Gulf exports as
Netanyahu orders identification and prosecution of IDF Gaza whistleblowers behind ‘Naza’ documentary
Netanyahu seeks prosecution of anonymous military sources in “Naza”, escalating the dispute over its Gaza allegations and protection of
Pakistan deploys army in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa after emergency, governor’s rule
Islamabad has authorized military assistance to civil authorities after suspending the PTI-led provincial government, placing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under governor’s rule
Trump weighs halting Nidal Hasan execution livestream amid mounting backlash
Trump is weighing whether to allow Nidal Hasan’s execution to be livestreamed as political, security and human rights objections mount.
Zelenskyy warns of retaliation as Russian grid strikes on Ukraine cast doubt on
The Ukrainian president has warned that Kyiv will retaliate against continued Russian energy strikes as uncertainty surrounds Trump’s ceasefire announcement.
Riyadh airport shut after Houthi strikes. Why Saudi Arabia’s $83 billion military is
Repeated Houthi strikes have shut Riyadh’s airport, exposing why Saudi Arabia’s vast military spending has not overcome Yemen’s resilient armed
The Tankman Arrives: Gen Dhiraj Seth ends Armoured Corps’ 30-year wait for Indian Army’s top
General Dhiraj Seth takes charge as India’s 31st Army chief, becoming only the seventh Armoured Corps officer –
Coast Guard
Coast Guard seizes 526kg drugs worth over ₹3,000 crore off Lakshadweep, five Pakistanis held
The Indian Coast Guard and Gujarat ATS have seized about 526kg of heroin and methamphetamine worth more than
Two Chinese survivors reach Paradip after MV Ocean Winner sinking, search continues
Two Chinese survivors of sunken cargo vessel MV Ocean Winner were brought safely to Paradip, while the search
Rajnath Singh announces gender-neutral entry and faster ex gratia rules for Coast Guard
The defence minister, Rajnath Singh, has announced gender-neutral officer induction and faster ex gratia payouts for the Indian Coast Guard,
Coast Guard Commissions Indigenous Patrol Vessel ICGS Akshay
The Indian Coast Guard commissioned ICGS Akshay, an indigenous fast patrol vessel built by Goa Shipyard Limited, strengthening India's maritime
Indian Coast Guard inducts first indigenous hovercraft H-561 in major maritime Boost
The Indian Coast Guard has inducted H-561, its first indigenous hovercraft, boosting maritime operations and strengthening India's self-reliance in defence
Despite US Sanctions, India Signs Rs 2,182 Cr Missile Deal With Russia; Rs 2,901 Cr
Worth mentioning here is that the major defence procurement decision comes at a time when the United States is tightening
Paramilitary
Assam Rifles soldier from Odisha dies of gunshot wound on duty in Nagaland; organs donated
Rifleman V Teja of the 15 Assam Rifles, from Odisha’s Rayagada, died of a gunshot wound on duty
In J&K’s Kathua, CISF head constable shoots dead four colleagues including assistant commandant
Four CISF personnel died after a colleague allegedly opened fire at a Kathua hydroelectric project unit, with the
CRPF women in combat: Four decades, six battalions and a widening frontline
CRPF will honour serving and retired women personnel on September 25, marking four decades of expanding operational roles.
CISF head constable dies after rifle discharges while cleaning in Dantewada
The service rifle reportedly discharged while the CISF personnel was cleaning it at a camp in Bacheli, police are investigating
CRPF set to replace Army at 21 ‘hypersensitive’ posts in Jammu’s Kathua-Udhampur belt, CoBRA units
The CRPF is preparing to take over counterinsurgency duties from the Indian Army at 21 hypersensitive locations in Jammu’s Kathua
NSG launches first ‘Mahila Commando’ course for women police, CAPF personnel
Women serving in state police forces and CAPFs will undergo 12 weeks of training at Manesar in weapons, marksmanship, tactical
Defence r&d
DRDO’s high-altitude surveillance platform reaches 21 kilometres in test-flight
India’s experimental stratospheric platform reached 21 kilometres and maintained an altitude of 20 kilometres for more than 30
Kaveri engine clears Russian trials, opens path to India’s Ghatak stealth drone
Kaveri’s reported success in Russian trials advances India’s Ghatak propulsion effort, with aircraft integration and operational qualification still
₹50 crore DRDO-CSIR project develops lighter bulletproof glass for armoured vehicles
DRDO and CSIR-CGCRI are developing a new generation of lightweight transparent armour that could cut the weight and thickness of
DRDO develops indigenous software-defined radio for IAF fighter aircraft
DRDO is developing an indigenous Software Defined Radio for the IAF to enable secure communication between fighter aircraft and ground
DRDO inks ₹500 crore TDF’s first high value deal for indigenous quantum refrigerator
DRDO has signed its first high-value deep-tech agreement under the Technology Development Fund with Rajasthan-based start-up Zero mK India to
DRDO showcases Astra MkI, Akash-NG and surveillance systems at AAD 2026 in South Africa
India Pavilion in Tshwane features indigenous technologies across airborne surveillance, air defence, maritime reconnaissance and underwater detection
Defence Industry
GE reveals it shipped four more Tejas engines in September as HAL seeks to recover
GE Aerospace’s September shipment of four F404-IN20 engines improves supplies for Tejas-Mk1A as HAL works to accelerate aircraft
MOD signs ₹661.50 crore contract for Brahmos fire-control systems, launchers for Navy ships
The procurement covers the shipboard systems used to control and launch the Indian Navy’s primary surface-to-surface missile weapon,
After Akash air-defence systems exports to Armenia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, India eyes more global orders
India’s indigenous air-defence system has secured customers in the Caucasus and Central Asia, while continuing military orders at home are
BrahMos exports set to cross $600 million as India expands Southeast Asian sales, defence secretary
BrahMos exports are expected to exceed $600 million as Philippine deliveries and sales arrangements with Vietnam and Indonesia widen India’s
Asean envoys visit Brahmos headquarters in Delhi as missile exports expand in Southeast Asia
Three Asean envoys have visited Brahmos Aerospace headquarters in New Delhi as India’s missile exports gain momentum across Southeast Asia.
India-Germany $8 billion submarine deal nears signing as Berlin’s envoy Jasper Wieck sets out vision
Germany’s $8 billion submarine deal with India nears signing as new envoy Jasper Wieck outlines a broader push on defence,
Cyber
OpenAI and Anthropic wargame public revolt after potential AI catastrophe
OpenAI has confirmed preparedness exercises amid reports that AI companies are rehearsing responses to catastrophic incidents and the
India moves towards AI regulation, with safety blueprint due within a month
India will publish an AI regulation consultation paper within a month, focusing on safety, deepfakes, cybersecurity and industry
Anthropic bars ‘cruelty’ towards Claude, tightens rules on weapons and election deception
Anthropic’s revised Claude policy bars sustained, needless abuse and clarifies restrictions on weapons, surveillance and deceptive campaigns from November 12.
Anthropic takes Claude’s ethics to a Vedantic monk, priests and counsellors. The harder question is
Swami Sarvapriyananda of Vendanta Society says Anthropic flew him to San Francisco to join theologians and mental health experts in
OpenAI fires three safety researchers over allegedly sharing confidential information
OpenAI has dismissed three researchers over alleged mishandling of confidential information as scrutiny grows over AI safety and independent oversight.
China-linked hackers pose as AI experts to target US policy insiders
China-linked hackers impersonated prominent AI policy figures to target US experts with deceptive invitations and cloud-account phishing attacks.
Space
US races China and Russia to put nuclear reactors on Moon
The US and China-Russia partnership are pursuing lunar nuclear reactors to power sustained exploration, raising safety and access
SpaceX Starship reaches orbit for first time despite engine failure, deploys 26 Starlink satellites
SpaceX’s Starship reached orbit for the first time and deployed 26 Starlink satellites despite an engine shutdown, before
China’s Shenlong spaceplane appears to recapture satellite twice in orbital tests
China’s Shenlong spaceplane appears to have retrieved a satellite twice, highlighting advances in orbital manoeuvring with civilian and military applications.
China warns of space arms race after US confirms weapons in orbit
China warns of an accelerating space arms race after the US confirms orbital weapons but withholds details of their capabilities.
China’s Kinetica-1 places nine satellites in orbit as six launches in six days signal rising
China’s Kinetica-1 carried nine satellites into orbit, completing six successful launches in six days as Beijing accelerates constellation deployment and
China conducts two space launches in four hours, advances internet constellation and radar remote-sensing capabilities
China carried out two space launches within just over two hours on Thursday, deploying another low-orbit internet-satellite group and two