The Indian government has officially notified the acquisition of 382.82 acres of land in Assam to enhance the Tezpur Air Force Station’s capabilities. This initiative aims to facilitate the introduction of advanced weapon systems and associated strategic assets, thereby bolstering the operational readiness of the Indian Air Force’s 11 Wing. The acquisition, sanctioned under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Act, underscores India’s commitment to strengthening its defense infrastructure in strategic …

Japan’s Cabinet has approved a record defense budget exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for fiscal year 2026, marking a 9.4 percent increase amid escalating tensions with China. This budget supports the five-year Defense Buildup Program aimed at achieving a 2 percent GDP target, with significant allocations for long-range cruise missiles and the introduction of the ‘SHIELD’ coastal defense system employing unmanned vehicles. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi cited the necessity of this initiative in light …

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, has extended the Emergency Procurement framework until January 15, 2026, to bolster the operational readiness of the Indian armed forces. This framework, initiated in response to the 2020 standoff with China’s PLA, empowers the Vice Chiefs of the Army, Navy, and Air Force to expedite the procurement of critical military resources, addressing urgent needs arising from potential conflicts or unforeseen emergencies. For the financial …

A recent Pentagon report has uncovered significant oversight gaps in the monitoring of $13.4 billion in military aid provided to Israel, raising concerns about the accountability of defense articles amid the ongoing conflict following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. The report indicates that only 44% of defense articles were adequately tracked, a drop from 69%, largely due to staffing shortages and the complex operational environment. This lack of oversight poses risks to U.S. national …

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled the ‘Guide on Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Road Infrastructure Projects’ by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in New Delhi, aimed at enhancing the quality and consistency of project reports. This initiative, which addresses issues of time and cost overruns, is expected to improve strategic connectivity and socio-economic development in border regions, ensuring critical military mobility and logistics. Earlier, Singh dedicated 125 significant infrastructure projects across various states …

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has unveiled a comprehensive Guide on Preparation of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for Road Infrastructure Projects, aimed at enhancing India’s road infrastructure, particularly in challenging and strategic regions. Developed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the guide addresses engineering standards, construction methodologies, cost estimations, and risk management, significantly reducing project delays and improving efficiency. This initiative is pivotal for strengthening national security and strategic connectivity, facilitating socio-economic development, and improving access …

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in Report No. 28 of 2025 tabled in Parliament on December 18, flagged critical lapses in the Indian Army’s emergency procurements, revealing 72% of fast-track contracts—examined from November 2020-August 2021 post-Galwan clashes and under EP-1 to EP-5—faced delays up to 18 months, with only 28% delivered within a year. Key issues included procedural gaps at Army Headquarters, unclear delay reporting to the Defence Acquisition Council chaired by …

India is set to revamp its military procurement framework with the forthcoming Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2025, designed to enhance indigenous content norms and expedite the modernization of the Armed Forces. A high-level committee recommends a phased approach to Indigenous Content, allowing vendors to start with lower thresholds, and introduces a “single-vendor” route for urgent needs, aimed at domestic firms. These reforms intend to alleviate entry barriers for small and medium enterprises while ensuring operational …

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has emphasized the growing significance of air power in modern warfare, highlighting the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) successful Operation Sindoor as a prime example of India’s military capability. The operation, which commenced on May 7, involved precise strikes against terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, showcasing IAF’s agility and technological prowess. It effectively neutralized threats while maintaining air superiority, disrupting key operational capabilities of the Pakistan Air Force. Singh underscored …

The Indian government is contemplating a significant 20-25% increase in the defense budget for FY27 to enhance military capabilities and bolster domestic defense manufacturing. This proposed budgetary boost, alongside potential changes to procurement policies, aims to promote private sector participation and reduce dependency on imports. The Defense Ministry is advocating for an increase in research and development funding from approximately Rs 27,000 crore to Rs 35,000-40,000 crore to support innovative technological advancements. By leveling the …

U.S. President Donald Trump signed the nearly $1 trillion National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal 2026, which authorizes a record $901 billion in military spending, including $800 million for Ukraine’s defense. The bill represents a compromise in Congress, reinforcing security in Europe by limiting troop withdrawals and supporting Baltic nations. Despite Trump’s previous hesitations about European security commitments, the NDAA includes provisions that align with his executive orders, such as funding for the Golden …

The Indian government is considering a significant increase of 20-25% in the defense budget for FY27, with plans to enhance private sector participation in defense manufacturing and reduce reliance on imports. This proposed budget, which may allocate Rs 35,000-40,000 crore for defense research and development, aims to modernize India’s defense capabilities and support indigenous innovation. Additionally, reforms in defense procurement rules are expected to level the playing field for private companies, allowing them to compete …

DRDO Chairman Samir V. Kamat, speaking on December 14, 2025, called for a significant increase in India’s defense R&D spending, currently at about 5.5% of the defense budget, which is much lower than the 10-15% allocated by the US and China. He highlighted the need for greater investment in innovation to meet evolving warfare challenges across land, air, sea, space, cyber, and information domains. Kamat emphasized that boosting R&D is essential for India to achieve …

A parliamentary panel, led by BJP MP Radha Mohan Singh, has urged the Defence Ministry to fully utilise allocated funds, emphasizing the importance of sustained financial support for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The committee expressed confidence in DRDO’s advancements in cutting-edge technologies, including hypersonics, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing, underscoring the significance of self-reliance in defense manufacturing within the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework. With a substantial budget allocation of ₹26,816 crore for the …

A Parliamentary committee has criticized Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for significant delays in obtaining international civil aviation certifications, resulting in a financial loss of over 108 crore and missed export opportunities for indigenous helicopters. The report highlighted HAL’s decade-long struggle for certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), emphasizing that the company failed to engage with civil regulators early in the design process. To address these challenges, the committee has urged the government …

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan emphasized the transformation of the Indian armed forces, driven by the principles of jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and innovation, collectively termed JAI, during the Combined Graduation Parade at the Air Force Academy in Hyderabad. He noted that India’s future combat capabilities will be shaped by these pillars, promoting integrated operational planning and a national commitment to defense self-reliance. While acknowledging a reduction in the intensity of military operations, he …

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, addressing newly commissioned officers at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal, emphasized that India’s future combat capability will rely on three core principles: jointness, Atmanirbharta (self-reliance), and innovation, collectively termed JAI. He noted that while the tempo of military operations has somewhat reduced, Operation Sindoor remains active, requiring constant vigilance and operational readiness throughout the year. General Chauhan contrasted India’s strong military institutions and professionalism with the institutional …

Secretary (Defence Production) Shri Sanjeev Kumar stressed the need for self-reliance in India’s defence manufacturing to tackle conventional and unconventional challenges. Delivering a lecture on ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat in Defence Sector and Various Government Initiatives’, organised by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India in New Delhi on December 12, 2025, he defined Aatmanirbharta as avoiding dependence on others through indigenous design and development of equipment, upgrade capabilities, and full control over products. He highlighted initiatives …

The Indian government has reported that approximately 11,152 acres of defense land is currently under encroachment out of a total of 1.8 million acres, raising concerns about land management and utilization. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth highlighted that while some land appears unused, it is earmarked for military training and infrastructural development, crucial for national security. Additionally, around 8,113 acres are embroiled in legal disputes, further complicating land usage. The Ministry is also …

The Committee on Public Undertakings’ Twenty-Sixth Report, tabled in Parliament on December 11-12, 2025, flags chronic delays in HAL’s Rs 441.41 crore gas turbine engine program since 2018, targeting a 25 kN turbofan for Intermediate Jet Trainers and a turboshaft for helicopters. Procurement bottlenecks, delayed test-bed approvals, and three-year land clearance lags have stalled Stage II, forcing HAL to write off Rs 159.23 crore. Chaired by Baijayant Panda, the panel slams MoD’s interim responses lacking …

A Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence report, presented in Parliament on December 9, 2025, reveals that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) saved ₹2,64,156 crore over the past five years through indigenous research, significantly advancing India’s self-reliance in defence. Key milestones include the successful flight test of India’s first long-range hypersonic anti-ship missile in November 2024 and the Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology demonstration on the Agni missile in March 2024, enhancing …

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence has noted significant progress in the development of a high-power computing AI cloud for the Army, Navy and Air Force, calling it central to India’s drive for technologically driven self-reliance and 24×7 operational readiness. Presented in Parliament as part of action taken on Demands for Grants 2025-26, the report links the AI cloud and National Quantum Mission to future warfare domains such as space, cyberspace and unmanned systems, positioning …

The Indian government has refuted a Bloomberg report claiming a new $2 billion submarine deal with Russia, clarifying that any discussions pertain to a previously established 2019 contract for a nuclear-powered submarine, with delivery now expected in 2028. Concurrently, reports suggest that India is finalizing a $2 billion lease for a Russian nuclear submarine, marking a significant move in defense procurement just ahead of President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. This deal, which aims to …

The Defence Symposium 2.0 at IIT Bombay, scheduled for December 22-24, 2025, will convene India’s top military leaders, including Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan, to address national security, frontier technologies, and the burgeoning field of defence tourism. This significant event underscores India’s commitment to military innovation and its evolving role as a global hub for defence-related tourism, highlighting the integration of advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and cybersecurity in modern warfare. The …

The Indian Navy has extended its Maritime Capability Perspective Plan target to 2032, as articulated by Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, emphasizing the need for a realistic approach amidst budgetary constraints. With indigenisation efforts achieving 90% for float components and a goal of 100% self-reliance by 2047, the Navy is focused on enhancing its fleet, currently comprising 138 ships and 264 aircraft, and plans for a second indigenous aircraft carrier. India’s strategic leadership in the Indian …