Whats Happening
Amca project: HAL failed on ‘routine technical grounds’ to qualify for bid, defence secretary reveals
HAL’s failure to qualify for the AMCA prototype production bid was due to “fairly routine technical grounds”, defence secretary
Iran ready for ‘apocalyptic war’ with US but door for diplomacy open, Araghchi says
Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is prepared for renewed fighting with the US, including an “apocalyptic war”, while keeping the
India working towards 6th-generation fighter aircraft, Rajnath Singh says
Rajnath Singh said India is working towards developing indigenous capabilities for sixth-generation fighter jets and warned that the country
DR Congo politician beaten to death after Ebola radio appeal as cases cross 8,000
A Congo politician’s killing after an Ebola awareness broadcast comes as infections exceed 8,000 with the death toll approaching 4,000 and health services struggle to contain the outbreak.
OPINION & COMMENTARY
Army
Exercise Kazind 2026: Indian contingent heads to Kazakhstan for counterterrorism, drone drills
A 60-member Indian contingent will join Kazakhstan’s forces for counterterrorism training combining mountain operations, helicopter mobility and drone warfare
Army chief Gen Dhiraj Seth unveils ‘Samarth’ vision to prepare Indian Army for
General Dhiraj Seth’s Samarth vision prioritizes prolonged-war readiness, faster modernization and technology that strengthens the Indian soldier’s battlefield effectiveness.
India-Mongolia drill brings close-quarters combat, drones and cyber training into one battlefield package
India and Mongolia are combining close-quarters combat, small-arms training and traditional infantry drills with drones, counterdrone systems, cybersecurity and heliborne
SkyStriker takes centre stage as India-US troops test unmanned warfare at Yudh Abhyas
A SkyStriker loitering munition was used against a designated target at Rajasthan's Mahajan field firing range during Yudh Abhyas 2026,
CDS Gen Subramani unveils five-point BUILD framework to prepare India for future wars
Chief of defence staff, General NS Raja Subramani has unveiled a five-point BUILD framework to prepare India’s armed forces for
Kazind 2026 puts military interoperability alongside widening India-Kazakhstan strategic ties
Kazind 2026 will mark the ninth edition of the India-Kazakhstan military exercise, extending a partnership that has evolved from basic
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
Navy commanders to review combat readiness, energy security amid West Asia conflicts
The Indian Navy’s September 29–October 1 conference will examine operational readiness, protection of energy supplies and the integration
INS Sahyadri, Kulish join multinational maritime drills in Philippines
INS Sahyadri and INS Kulish joined multinational maritime drills in the Philippines during the sea phase of the
INS Sudarshini returns to Alexandria during 22,000-nautical mile Lokayan 26 voyage
INS Sudarshini has returned to Alexandria during its 10-month Lokayan 26 voyage, combining long-range sail training with professional engagement between
INS Trishul reaches France for Varuna 2026 naval exercise
INS Trishul has arrived in Toulon for Varuna 2026, joining the French Navy for harbour and sea engagements aimed at
Indian Navy ships Sahyadri, Kulish reach Philippines for ADMM-Plus maritime activity
Indian Navy ships Sahyadri and Kulish have reached the Philippines for the ADMM-Plus maritime activity, joining regional navies for exercises
India, Sri Lanka navies begin Slinex-26 in Visakhapatnam. What is the bilateral naval exercise?
India and Sri Lanka have begun their 13th bilateral naval exercise, Slinex-26, in Visakhapatnam, with the two navies focusing on
Airforce
Embraer joins Mahindra for IAF’s 60-aircraft transport aircraft bid
Embraer has partnered with Mahindra to offer its C-390 Millennium for the IAF’s 60-aircraft MTA programme.
Tarang Shakti 2026 in pictures: F-35s, Rafales and F-16s take to Jodhpur skies
Tarang Shakti 2026 has entered its operational phase in Jodhpur, bringing together the IAF and seven foreign air
Tarang Shakti 2026 opens in Jodhpur with F-35 debut, seven-nation flying contingent
Tarang Shakti 2026 has opened at Jodhpur with the US F-35A making its exercise debut in India alongside French Rafales,
India-Japan defence ties deepen as Veer Guardian 2026 concludes, technology cooperation advances
Veer Guardian 2026 has concluded after 14 days of advanced India-Japan air combat training, as the two countries simultaneously push
Tarang Shakti 2026: IAF kicks off its biggest multinational air exercise at Jodhpur
Tarang Shakti 2026 will bring fighter jets from India, the US, France and other partner nations to Jodhpur for a
US F-35 jets expected at Tarang Shakti 2026 air exercise in Jodhpur
US F-35 stealth fighters are expected at Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur, where they could take part in their first
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
DR Congo politician beaten to death after Ebola radio appeal as cases cross
A Congo politician’s killing after an Ebola awareness broadcast comes as infections exceed 8,000 with the death toll approaching
Xi links ‘Peaceful China’ push to security, technology and modernization
Xi Jinping’s renewed push for a higher-level “Peaceful China Initiative” links public security, technology and social governance directly to
Iran military claims control of both Hormuz approaches as US disputes its grip
The Iranian armed forces claimed control of both approaches to Hormuz as disputed shipping access raises energy concerns for India
Netanyahu’s secret Abu Dhabi visit revives questions over pre-October 7 warnings
Benjamin Netanyahu’s reported secret UAE visit comes amid renewed scrutiny over claims that Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed warned him about
Iran ready for ‘apocalyptic war’ with US but door for diplomacy open, Araghchi
Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is prepared for renewed fighting with the US, including an “apocalyptic war”, while keeping the door
H-1B faces shake-up within a year, US watchdog warns; no shutdown announced yet
The US labour department’s inspector general has warned that the foreign-worker visa system could change substantially within a year but
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
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 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
Kalari Leap In Lakshadweep And Minicoy Archipelago: Army’s Southern Command Flexes Air-Maritime-Special Ops
The drills simulated a spectrum of operational scenarios that India could face in its island territories, from hostile maritime threats
Paramilitary
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
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
In Manipur, 46 members of militant group surrender with arms as state intensifies peace push
Forty-six cadres of the KCP Taibanganba faction have laid down arms in Imphal, adding momentum to a surrender and rehabilitation
India deports over 40 undocumented migrants to Bangladesh; BSF-BGB faceoff at border
The BSF’s efforts to send away undocumented migrants to Bangladesh were confronted by the BGB at the border in West
Defence r&d
₹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
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
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
DRDO to build new missile testing range at Junput in Bengal to ease pressure on
DRDO is set to build a new missile and weapons testing range at Junput in West Bengal’s Purba Medinipur district,
DRDO’s GaN breakthrough strengthens India’s push for self-reliant radar and electronic-warfare technology
DRDO’s indigenous gallium nitride semiconductor programme marks an important step towards reducing India’s dependence on foreign suppliers for critical high-frequency
Defence Industry
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
IAF to get 160 indigenous SAT-SAAW weapons as MoD signs ₹811 crore BDL deal
The Indian Air Force is set to receive 160 indigenous SAT-SAAW precision weapons under an ₹810.79 crore contract
DRDO’s 5km drone-killing laser moves towards production, industry partner search next
DRDO plans to seek an industry partner for its 30-kilowatt counterdrone laser, advancing the 5km-range weapon towards production.
Tejas-Mk1A enters final testing phase, induction expected soon: IAF vice-chief
The Indian Air Force is expected to begin inducting the indigenous Tejas-Mk1A fighter within one to two months, with engine
HAL boss says company working to resolve Tejas-Mk1A issues, begins deliveries to IAF
No firm timeline as software, radar and missile-integration work remains before first handover
Cochin Shipyard lays keel for first of six next-generation missile vessels for Indian Navy
Cochin Shipyard has laid the keel of the first of six next-generation missile vessels for the Indian Navy, advancing a
Cyber
OpenAI pauses advanced AI training again as rogue agents expose gaps in safeguards
OpenAI has paused advanced AI training again after an agent bypassed internet controls, as investigations widen into unauthorized
Meta faces huge penalty after jury finds Facebook misled users over privacy
A New Mexico jury found Facebook misled consumers over privacy and content policies, leaving Meta facing potentially substantial
OpenAI AI agents accessed dozens of governments and institutional websites
OpenAI has alerted dozens of institutions after its AI agents accessed government and public websites in unexpected ways, including attempts
Anthropic faces Pentagon blacklist as US court upholds defence action
A US appeals court has upheld the Pentagon's decision to blacklist Anthropic over national security concerns linked to its Claude
OpenAI agent breaches Australia’s Medicare portal, Albanese slams delayed disclosure
Australia is investigating an OpenAI agent’s unauthorized access to a Medicare statistics portal, with delayed disclosure drawing criticism from Albanese.
British Columbia sues OpenAI and Sam Altman over missed warnings before Tumbler Ridge school mass
British Columbia alleges OpenAI ignored warning signs before the Tumbler Ridge Secondary School shooting and seeks compensation and stronger ChatGPT
Space
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
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
US confirms on-orbit space weapons as Washington signals new phase in space warfare
The United States has acknowledged that it has deployed weapons in orbit for space-control missions, signalling a new phase in