India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully tested its first long-range hypersonic missile, achieving a significant milestone in military technology. Conducted off Odisha's coast, the missile can travel over 1,500 km and carries various payloads. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh celebrated the achievement, highlighting that India now joins a select group of nations with such advanced capabilities. Hypersonic missiles, traveling at Mach-5 or higher, provide precision, speed, and maneuverability, enhancing national security. Developed indigenously by DRDO labs and industry partners, this cutting-edge system strengthens India’s defence capabilities amid a global arms race in hypersonic technologies.

India successfully conducted the flight trial of its first long-range hypersonic missile, capable of exceeding 1,500 km, on Saturday night. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a "historic moment," placing India among the few nations with advanced hypersonic technology, alongside the U.S., Russia, and China. Developed indigenously by DRDO’s Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex in Hyderabad, the missile demonstrated precise terminal manoeuvres and impact accuracy. Hypersonic missiles, known for their extreme speed and manoeuvrability, are revolutionizing global military capabilities. They present significant challenges for detection and interception, enhancing India’s defense readiness.

A Russian navy frigate, the Admiral Golovko, equipped with Zircon hypersonic missiles, conducted drills in the English Channel, according to Russian state news. The Project 22350 warship undertook counter-terrorism exercises and practiced evading dangerous targets as it passed through Pas de Calais en route to the Atlantic. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the mission's primary goal was to "demonstrate the flag and ensure naval presence in strategic maritime areas." Admiral Golovko had departed from Severomorsk on November 2, marking a display of Russia's advanced naval capabilities in the region.

India has inaugurated its first Tata-Airbus facility in Vadodara to manufacture the C-295 military aircraft, in a project launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. The C-295, a tactical transport aircraft developed by Airbus Defence and Space, is designed for multiple military applications, including troop and cargo transport, medical evacuation, surveillance, and humanitarian missions. With its 5,000 km range, 9,250 kg payload, and advanced avionics, the C-295 has been adopted by over 20 countries. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in boosting India's defense production capabilities and military self-reliance.

India has quietly launched its fourth indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, S-4*, amidst ongoing tensions with China and a diplomatic rift with Canada. This follows the induction of the second submarine, INS Arighaat, in August 2024, while the third, INS Aridhaman, is set for commissioning in 2025. The new submarine significantly strengthens India's second-strike capability, vital for maintaining nuclear deterrence in the region. The government has kept details of the launch discreet, focusing instead on inaugurating a naval communication facility in Telangana.

Germany will deploy warplanes capable of tracking Russian submarines off the coast of Scotland starting next year, under a new defense pact with the UK. The agreement, to be signed on Wednesday by UK Defence Secretary John Healey and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, will also allow a German defense company to establish a factory in Britain to manufacture artillery gun barrels. This move will be the first production of such weapons in the UK in a decade, addressing the urgent need for expanded military manufacturing capabilities highlighted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine nearly three years ago.

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.