India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has signed a deal with GE Aerospace to buy 113 F404 engines for the Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The engines will be delivered between 2027 and 2032. They will power 97 Tejas Mk1A jets ordered by the Indian Air Force. The agreement comes amid easing trade tensions between India and the US. The Tejas Mk1A made its first flight last month in Nashik. The deal will boost India’s fighter jet strength as older MiG-21s are retired. HAL said the new engines will support faster rollout of aircraft in the coming years. (PC: India Today)

India's Armed Forces will launch Exercise Trishul, a massive tri-service joint exercise on the western front, from November 3-13. The first major drill post-Operation Sindoor will feature INS Vikrant and its Carrier Battle Group, 20-25 Navy warships including INS Jalashwa, 40 Air Force jets (Rafales, Su-30 MKIs), and over 25,000 Army personnel from two corps. The Navy-led multi-domain exercise spans from the Arabian Sea to airspace, including cyber and space domains. Joint command centers are established in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Mumbai. Coast Guard and BSF will participate. The exercise coincides with Pakistan's firing drills in the Arabian Sea, with Pakistan issuing NAVAREA warnings and NOTAMs for air routes.

India began its 12-day tri-service military exercise, Trishul, along the Pakistan border on Thursday. The war games involve the Army, Navy, and Air Force, including Rafale and Sukhoi jets, T-90 tanks, Prachand helicopters, and BrahMos missile units. The drills are being held across Gujarat and Rajasthan, mainly in the Kutch region, close to the disputed Sir Creek area. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh had earlier warned Pakistan against territorial claims there. Islamabad responded by closing large parts of its airspace. Officials say Trishul sends a clear message that India is ready to defend its borders and maintain regional security. (PC: NDTV)

India's 10-day tri-services exercise along the western frontier (October 30-November 10) has alarmed Pakistan, prompting high alerts across multiple commands. The drill focuses on the Sir Creek-Sindh-Karachi axis, Pakistan's weakest military sector. CNN-News18 learned Pakistan mobilized Southern Commands in Sindh and South Punjab, placing Air Force and Navy on standby. Air bases including Shorkot, Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, Jacobabad, Bholari, and Karachi received alerts, with increased Arabian Sea naval patrolling. Pakistan fears the exercise demonstrates India's capability to threaten Karachi's maritime chokepoints, through which 70% of Pakistan's trade passes. The Sir Creek-Badin-Karachi belt remains strategically vulnerable, flat, lightly defended, and logistically exposed, potentially isolating Karachi and disrupting maritime trade.

India will buy military hardware worth Rs 79,000 crore for the army, navy, and air force to strengthen defence capabilities. The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved several key purchases. The army will get the Nag missile system (Mk-II NAMIS), mobile electronic intelligence systems (GBMES), and high-mobility vehicles. The navy will receive landing platform docks, 30 mm naval guns, advanced torpedoes, and smart ammunition. The air force will get the Collaborative Long Range Target Saturation/Destruction System (CLRTS/DS). These acquisitions aim to improve combat, surveillance, and logistics support for India’s armed forces across all terrains. (PC: NDTV)

Operation Sindoor, India’s recent military action, has become a strong showcase of India’s indigenous defence power. The operation proved the effectiveness of locally made weapons like the Akash missile, D-4 anti-drone system, Nagastra-1, and BrahMos missiles in real combat. The success has drawn global attention, with France showing interest in India’s long-range Pinaka rocket systems and counter-drone technology. Defence experts say this could help India become a major arms exporter under the Atmanirbhar Bharat programme. Operation Sindoor not only strengthened India’s defence image but also turned into a powerful sales pitch for homegrown military systems. (PC: Economic Times)

State-run Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited (AVNL) will unveil the prototype of its new light-weight Bharat tank by late 2026. The Chennai-based company said the design and development phase will finish by the end of 2025. Weighing around 25 tonnes, the Bharat tank will have strong firepower and high mobility, making it ideal for use in border and high-altitude areas. The project supports the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat goal for self-reliance in defence. AVNL, which already makes Arjun, Bhishma, and Ajeya tanks, showcased five advanced models at the recent AeroDefCon 2025 in Chennai. (PC: The Week)

The UK and Indian navies have joined their carrier strike groups for the first time in history during Exercise Konkan 2025. The UK’s HMS Prince of Wales and India’s INS Vikrant are sailing together in the Indian Ocean to boost teamwork and skills at sea. The four-day exercise will include air operations, ship manoeuvres, and joint missions. Officials said the aim is to build trust and improve combined maritime and air power. The UK called the event “a show of steel, sea, and shared purpose” under Operation Highmast. The Indian Navy called it a “strong step toward closer cooperation.” (PC: X)

The Ministry of Defence signed a landmark ₹62,370 crore deal with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday for 97 LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter jets, marking India's largest indigenous defense contract. The deal encompasses 68 single-seat fighters and 29 twin-seat trainers along with associated equipment for the Indian Air Force. The upgraded Tejas Mk1A features UTTAM AESA radar, Swayam Raksha Kavach electronic warfare suite and improved flight capabilities. The project will boost defense self-reliance, create over 11,000 jobs, and involve 105 Indian companies. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the additional acquisition on August 19, 2025. This strengthens indigenization efforts as the IAF transitions from aging MiG-21 aircraft to modern indigenous fighters.

The iconic MiG-21 fighter jet bid its final farewell today at Chandigarh Air Force Station, ending six decades of distinguished service with the Indian Air Force. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the decommissioning ceremony, alongside Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi, Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, and senior Air Force officials. When the MiG-21 touched down on the tarmac at Chandigarh for the last time, it left behind 62 years of emblazoned service over the Indian subcontinent. Inducted in 1963, the aircraft was pivotal in wars from 1965 to the 2019 Balakot strikes. The farewell included a ceremonial flypast, marking an emotional end to the legendary fighter's unmatched service record as India transitions to new-generation aircraft.