India has signed a Rs 32,000-crore deal with the US for acquiring 31 Predator MQ-9B drones, enhancing its military’s surveillance and strike capabilities. The drones, split between the Navy, Air Force, and Army, will be stationed at four locations, including INS Rajali and Porbandar. The agreement includes establishing a Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facility in India. This deal follows recent talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Biden. The Predator drones, capable of carrying missiles and bombs, can fly at 50,000 feet and operate continuously for 35 hours.

India is poised to sign a Rs 32,000 crore Foreign Military Sales contract with the US government for 31 Predator drones, with the ceremony scheduled for tomorrow. The deal, approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security last week, allocates 15 drones to the Indian Navy, while the remaining will be equally divided between the Air Force and the Army. American military and corporate officials are currently in India for the signing. The drones will be stationed at four locations, including INS Rajali, Porbandar, Sarsawa, and Gorakhpur, enhancing India’s defense capabilities.

The Indian Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has approved a plan to build two nuclear-powered submarines and acquire 31 Predator drones from the U.S. The submarines will enhance India's capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, while the Predator drones, armed with Hellfire missiles and precision-guided bombs, will be divided among the Indian Navy, Army, and Air Force. The move is seen as a strategic response to regional threats, particularly from China. Some drones will be assembled locally, with 30% Indian components. The deal must be signed by October 31.

The Indian Armed Forces are considering several changes to eliminate colonial influences. These include introducing texts by Indian strategists in mid-career courses, reducing Scottish pipe bands, and creating a pan-India identity for infantry regiments. Efforts are also underway to draft a tri-service Act, replacing the individual service Acts for smoother operations. Some colonial-era customs have already been changed, such as adopting Indian military crests and tunes in ceremonial events. The goal is to further "Indianise" the military, following Prime Minister Modi’s call for increased indigenisation in the security system.

The Indian Navy is set to commission Vagsheer, its sixth Kalvari-class submarine, in December 2024 as part of the ₹23,562-crore Project 75. Built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) in Mumbai, the submarine is undergoing final trials. Vagsheer is a diesel-electric attack submarine with capabilities for anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, and long-range strikes. The Navy is also in discussions with France to build three more submarines at MDL to enhance maritime security. Recently, a submarine escape training facility, Vinetra, was commissioned at INS Satavahana, Visakhapatnam to improve crew preparedness in emergencies.

A senior US defense official revealed that China's newest nuclear-powered attack submarine sank earlier this year, likely between May and June. The incident, which occurred alongside a pier, is seen as a potential embarrassment for China as it seeks to enhance its military capabilities. China maintains the largest navy in the world, with more than 370 ships, and is in the process of producing a new generation of nuclear-armed submarines. In response to the reports, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington stated they had no information about the situation. It remains unclear what caused the submarine to sink or whether it contained nuclear fuel at the time.

India is preparing to finalize a $3.9 billion deal with the US for 31 MQ-9B Predator drones in October. The drones will be assembled domestically, with General Atomics sourcing over 30% of components from Indian companies. The deal includes Hellfire missiles, precision-guided bombs, and mobile control systems. These drones are crucial for India’s surveillance and defense in the Indian Ocean Region, especially against China's growing naval presence. The drones will be deployed for ISR and anti-submarine warfare operations at strategic locations like Arakkonam and Porbandar.

The Defence Ministry has approved the Indian Navy's Rs 2,500 crore plan to develop 100-tonne unmanned underwater vessels. The clearance, given at a recent high-level meeting, supports the creation of Extra Large unmanned underwater vessels with advanced strike capabilities against enemy submarines and surface vessels. These vessels will enhance the Navy's underwater warfare capabilities, allowing for more versatile and effective operations. The new technology represents a significant step in unmanned warfare, providing the Navy with a specialized asset in the underwater domain, according to former Navy Vice Chief Vice Admiral SN Ghormade.

India has reported an isolated case of mpox (monkeypox), confirmed by the Union Health Ministry. The infected individual recently traveled from a country experiencing mpox transmission and is currently in stable condition at a designated isolation facility. The ministry clarified that the detected strain is not related to the one declared a global public health emergency by WHO. Laboratory tests identified the virus as West African clade 2, consistent with previous cases in India since July 2022. Public health measures, including contact tracing, are being enforced to prevent further spread, with no widespread risk reported.

India successfully launched the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile (IRBM) Agni-4 on September 6, 2024, from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The test, conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, validated all operational and technical parameters, affirming the missile's readiness. This follows India's successful test of the Agni-Prime ballistic missile earlier this year. The Agni-4 missile is a key part of India’s nuclear deterrence strategy, with a strike range of up to 4,000 kilometers, enhancing the nation's defense capabilities.