Whats Happening
Katie Zacharia ‘transitioning out’ of White House press secretary role after her first press briefing
Katie Zacharia is transitioning out of her White House press secretary role after just five days, thanking Donald Trump
Manipur Naga village guard injured in reported attack near India-Myanmar border
A Naga village guard volunteer sustained serious bullet injuries during an alleged patrol attack in Manipur's Kamjong district. Police
Ladakh notifies Sankoo as eighth district, adds five tehsils and separate hill council
Ladakh has formally notified Sankoo as its eighth district, separating it from Kargil and raising the Union territory's tehsil
Zelenskyy cites test results, calls Ukraine Starlink restrictions a ‘planned operation’
Zelenskyy says Ukrainian tests show Starlink speed limits are affecting military drones, raising questions over who imposed the restrictions
OPINION & COMMENTARY
Army
India, Mongolia review defence ties, explore deeper military and cybersecurity cooperation
India and Mongolia have reviewed bilateral defence cooperation at the 14th joint working group meeting in Ulaanbaatar, focusing on
Indian, Russian Army commanders discuss deeper defence ties as Indra 2026 naval exercise
Senior Indian and Russian military commanders have discussed expanding professional exchanges and defence cooperation as the two countries conduct
Assam Regiment wins gold at UK’s Cambrian Patrol 2026 by beating 9 other
The Indian Army contingent earned gold at the British Army hosted military patrolling exercise in Wales, which tested soldiers on
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 for
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 scientific
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,
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
India-UK Konkan 2026 naval exercise ends after joint warfare drills
India and the UK have concluded the Konkan-26 naval exercise off Plymouth after joint drills involving INS Trishul
INS Samarthak joins Indian Navy as drone mothership and weapons testbed
INS Samarthak enters Indian naval service with capabilities spanning weapons trials, unmanned-system operations, maritime surveillance and disaster relief.
Indian Navy to commission indigenous multi-purpose vessel Samarthak at Karwar on October 16
Built by Larsen & Toubro with over 75 per cent indigenous content, Samarthak will support maritime surveillance, weapons and sensor
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 hunt submarines
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 annual India-UK
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
Airforce
In pictures: ACM AP Singh’s final Tejas flight echoes the spirit of a fighter pilot
IAF chief ACM Amar Preet Singh flew his final Tejas sortie during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur
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 evaluating Russia’s
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.
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
Zelenskyy cites test results, calls Ukraine Starlink restrictions a ‘planned operation’
Zelenskyy says Ukrainian tests show Starlink speed limits are affecting military drones, raising questions over who imposed the restrictions
Iran declares Strait of Hormuz closed, calls US military ‘terrorist’ after tanker fire
Iran has reaffirmed the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and called the US military “terrorist” after a supertanker
Zelenskyy slams Trump for waiving Russia sanctions, warns of Ukraine blackout before winter
Zelenskyy has criticized Trump for waiving key Russia sanctions, warning that easing pressure on Moscow could fuel further attacks as
Katie Zacharia ‘transitioning out’ of White House press secretary role after her first
Katie Zacharia is transitioning out of her White House press secretary role after just five days, thanking Donald Trump as
China opens key air facility at former CIA site in Laos, draws scrutiny
China’s new aviation facility at a former CIA-used airfield in Laos expands its regional military access, drawing scrutiny over its
Zelenskyy defends Russian refinery strikes after Trump’s ‘disgrace’ comment, seeks €70 billion from
Volodymyr Zelenskyy has defended Ukraine’s right to respond to Russian attacks and sought €70 billion in European assistance as Moscow’s
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
Benjamin Netanyahu seeks Saudi Arabia’s backing to fight Houthis, but Mohammed bin Salman resists, report
The Israeli prime minister is reportedly seeking Saudi approval to join the campaign against Yemen’s Houthis, but the
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 cause of
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
Defence r&d
DRDO tests quantum key distribution on live network to protect weapons trial data. What is
DRDO’s successful Chandipur trial brings quantum key distribution into a live weapons-testing network, advancing protection for sensitive defence
DRDO to showcase homegrown chips at ESTIC 2026 as India pursues semiconductor self-reliance
DRDO will showcase indigenous semiconductor technologies at ESTIC 2026, highlighting their defence applications and India’s efforts to strengthen
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 minutes, advancing
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 ahead.
₹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
Defence Industry
Munitions India executive Anil Kumar suspended as CBI widens ₹500 crore ammunition deal probe
The defence ministry has suspended Munitions India Limited executive Anil Kumar as the CBI widens its investigation into
CBI arrests Munitions India executive, SMPP CEO in ₹500 crore ammunition contract probe
The CBI has arrested three people in a bribery probe linked to a ₹500 crore ammunition contract, with
India signs ₹4,106 crore defence contracts for Air Force satellite, Varunastra torpedoes
The defence ministry has signed contracts for a dedicated Air Force communication satellite and indigenous heavyweight torpedoes for the Navy,
India, Czech Republic seek wider defence-manufacturing ties after Rajnath Singh-Havlicek talks
The two countries plan to expand defence industrial cooperation through their joint defence committee, building on existing partnerships without announcing
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 deliveries.
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, with the
Cyber
Anthropic in talks with India over AI safety testing, seeks binding transparency rules
Anthropic is discussing model access for India’s AI safety institute while seeking mandatory transparency rules for domestic and
Israeli firm Discover-Tech linked to zero-click spyware attacks through online ads
Israeli firm Discover-Tech helped deliver zero-click spyware through online ads, researchers say, linking the system to attacks on
Hackers disrupt refrigeration at 700 French supermarkets, trigger substantial food losses
A cyberattack targeting remotely controlled refrigeration equipment affected hundreds of French supermarkets, forcing food disposal and prompting an investigation into
Anthropic report exposes how Yemen-based group used Claude AI to develop missile guidance software
Anthropic’s September 2026 report reveals how a Yemen-based group used Claude AI to develop missile guidance software and test-fire a
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 public backlash
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 responsibility.
Space
Nasa’s Perseverance rover breaks Mars driving record, can eventually cover 100 kilometres
Nasa’s Perseverance rover has surpassed Opportunity’s off-world driving record, with engineers optimistic that the Mars rover could eventually
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 controllers opted
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