Recent 6 months news in Defence

Paninian India Pvt Ltd, a deep-tech and aerospace startup, has launched the Yantur 4.5 kilo-Newton (kN) Turbofan engine programme. This is India's first privately developed turbofan engine in this class. The engine is designed to power the 'Svayatt L1', a long-range autonomous cruise missile platform developed by the company.

The Indian Army has launched 'Operation Jal Rahat' in Assam as a large-scale Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) mission to assist the state government. The operation was spearheaded by the Red Shield Division under the Spear Corps.

The United States of America (USA) has delivered the 21st MH-60R Seahawk multi-role maritime helicopter to the Indian Navy in Kochi, Kerala.

Manufactured by Lockheed Martin Corporation, these helicopters are part of a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) agreement signed in 2020 to procure 24 units at a total cost of $2.6 billion. The induction of these helicopters is intended to replace the ageing Sea King fleet.

DRDO has successfully conducted the maiden flight-test of the 'Kusha' Long-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (LRSAM) from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. The test involved the successful interception of an electronic target simulating a high-speed and high-altitude aerial threat.

Additionally, DRDO has developed the first indigenous Expendable Turbo Jet Engine of 350 kg thrust class. The engine was designed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and manufactured in collaboration with the Hyderabad-based Azad Engineering.

The United States Air Force (USAF) YFQ-44A Fury drone has successfully executed its first live firing of an Air Intercept Missile (AIM)-120 Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (AMRAAM) at a digital target.

The test was conducted at the Edwards Air Force Base in California, USA. This marks the first live missile launch performed by a US Collaborative Combat Aircraft.

The Centre for Air Borne Systems (CABS) under the DRDO has signed a contract with AI Engineering Services Ltd (AIESL), New Delhi, for the conversion of six A321 aircraft from commercial to green configuration. This process is crucial for the development of the Airborne Early Warning & Control (AEW&C) MKII Programme.

Additionally, a separate contract has been signed with Adani Defence Systems and Technologies (ADSTL), Ahmedabad, designating the company as the Development Cum Production Partner (DcPP) for Mission Systems under the AEW&C MKII Programme.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has participated in the 45th edition of the biennial multinational air combat exercise 'Pitch Black 2026', hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) at RAAF Base Darwin in northern Australia. The exercise witnessed the participation of air forces from 20 nations.

INS Malvan, the second indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), has been commissioned at Karwar, Karnataka.

It is the 2nd of 8 Mahe-class ASW-SWCs being constructed by Cochin Shipyard Ltd and the 6th of 16 ASW-SWCs to be commissioned into the Indian Navy (IN). The ship features over 80% indigenous content.

Named after the coastal town of Malvan in Maharashtra, it honours the maritime heritage of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and carries the legacy of its predecessor, an inshore Indian Naval Minesweeper that remained in service until 2003.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh has flagged-in 'Samudra Pradakshina', the inaugural Tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, via video conferencing.

The team, comprising nine women officers from the three Services, sailed aboard the Indian Army Sailing Vessel (IASV) Triveni. They returned to Mumbai after completing a 314-day voyage, covering nearly 25,500 nautical miles across four oceans.

'Operation Southern Readiness 26-2' has commenced at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi. The exercise is hosted by the Southern Naval Command under the the Indian Navy-led Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154), in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF).

The engagement involves 254 participants from 26 countries. It is to be noted that the CTF 154, which functions as the dedicated Training Task Force of the CMF, is currently commanded by the Indian Navy under the leadership of Commodore Milind M Mokashi.

INS Sudarshini, an indigenous three-masted sail training barque of the Indian Navy (IN), has represented India at the 'Sail4th 250' and the 'United States International Naval Review 250' celebrations held in New York Harbour.

The festival was organised to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the independence of the United States.

The 8th Defence Policy Dialogue between India and Japan was held in Tokyo, Japan. The Indian delegation was led by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

Both countries reviewed the progress in bilateral defence cooperation and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

Adani Defence and Aerospace, a division of the Adani Group, has invested ₹2,500 crore to establish a facility in Shivpuri, Madhya Pradesh, to create the largest private-sector missile ecosystem in South Asia.

This will be the first private-sector complex in India to integrate composite propellant production, Trinitrotoluene (TNT) manufacturing, and missile system integration at a single location.

General Dhiraj Seth has assumed office as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). Upon taking charge, he unveiled the 'VIJAY' roadmap, a high-tech blueprint designed to transform the Indian Army into a technology-enabled, future-ready force.

The roadmap is structured around five core pillars: Vigilance (border security and emerging threats), Innovation and Transformation (modern doctrine and technology-driven warfare), Jointness and Integration (tri-services approach for Viksit Bharat 2047), Aatmanirbharta (self-reliant defence), and Yodha (human capital development).

The Indian Navy has commissioned the indigenously built advanced stealth frigate 'INS Mahendragiri (F38)' into its Eastern Fleet at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam. The frigate was constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd (MDL) in Mumbai, based on an in-house design by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) of the Indian Navy.

The vessel, which has over 75% indigenous content, has a displacement of 6,670 tonnes and is 149 metres long. It uses a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, is capable of reaching a top speed of 28 knots, and has an operational range of 5,500 nautical miles.

The DRDO has successfully conducted a flight-test of the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (LRGR) at the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur. The rocket was tested for a user-defined minimum range of 60 km and successfully demonstrated all planned in-flight manoeuvres.

The Pinaka LRGR was designed by the Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (HEMRL).

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Union Minister Rajnath Singh, has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for various acquisition proposals for the defence forces, estimated at ₹52,000 crore.

For the Indian Army, the DAC approved the procurement of the 'AKASH TARANG' Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) Electronic Warfare System, Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Systems, Medium Range Surface-to-Air Missile (MRSAM) Weapon System, Very Short Range Air Defence System (V-SHORADS), Active Protection System for Tanks, and a Jet-Based Kamikaze Drone System.

For the Indian Navy, the council granted approval for the procurement of Multi Influence Ground Mines (MIGM), Naval Shipborne Unmanned Aerial Systems (NSUAS), and the establishment of a Land Based Testing Facility (LBTF) for Electric Propulsion Systems. For the Indian Air Force (IAF), approval was accorded for the procurement of Fixed-Wing Based High Altitude Pseudo Satellites (FW-HAPS).

Indian Naval Ships (INS) Udaygiri, INS Shakti, and INS Kavaratti have concluded their port call at the Changi Naval Base in Singapore.

The deployment of these Eastern Fleet ships was led by Rear Admiral Alok Anand, the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF).

The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed the construction of a 180-foot triple-double reinforced Bailey bridge in Kurung Kumey, Arunachal Pradesh.

Situated along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) corridor, this bridge restores vital connectivity along the Hapoli–Sarli–Huri road network. The project was executed under 'Project Arunank' by the 756 Task Force and Team 85 Road Construction Company (RCC).

The Indian Navy has participated in the 30th edition of the Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC 2026), the world's largest multinational maritime warfare exercise.

Hosted by the US Navy, the exercise was conducted at the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH) in Hawaii, USA. The theme for the 30th edition of RIMPAC was 'Partners: Integrated and Prepared'.