Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said on Saturday that the United States had made no official offer to sell F-35 stealth fighter jets to India. Speaking during the Tarang Shakti air exercise in Jodhpur, he remarked that US personnel did not even allow Indian officials near the aircraft despite discussions about a possible sale.   The F-35 participated in the multilateral exercise for the first time, alongside forces from 7 foreign countries. Singh also highlighted the IAF’s operational capabilities, citing its experience during Operation Sindoor in 2025. (PC: HT)

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed the next Chief of the Air Staff and will become the 29th Chief of the Indian Air Force. He will take charge as Air Chief Marshal on October 31, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires the same day. Dixit is currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. An experienced fighter and experimental test pilot, he has logged more than 3,500 flying hours. He has commanded a Mirage 2000 squadron and held key positions, including Chief of Integrated Defence Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. (PC: NDTV)

A CISF personnel allegedly opened fire on colleagues at a camp near the Sewa Power Project in Kathua, Jammu and Kashmir, killing four, including an officer, following an argument, according to sources. The incident occurred around 6:40 pm in Mashka village, Basohli. The victims were identified as Assistant Commandant Ankit Kumar Pandey, Sub-Inspector Lakshman Singh, Constable Rafiq Ahmed and Constable Sandeep Kumar. The suspected shooter, Head Constable Avdesh Kumar Singh, allegedly used his AK-47 rifle and was carrying 150 rounds, the CISF said. The injured personnel were taken to an NHPC hospital in Himachal Pradesh and later died from injuries. Singh was arrested and handed over to police. Authorities are investigating.

India has not yet decided whether to acquire Russia’s Su-57 fifth-generation stealth fighter, Defence Secretary RK Singh said at the NDTV Defence Summit 2026. He said India’s main fifth-generation fighter programme remains the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), with its first prototype expected in September 2028. Russia has offered licensed production of the Su-57 in India with technology transfer. Singh also highlighted the potential of artificial intelligence to improve the performance of existing Tejas fighters by strengthening India’s radar, sensor and air defence networks. India is exploring these technologies as it works to address its stealth fighter capability gap. (PC: NDTV)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said India would no longer tolerate “nuclear blackmail” and warned that hostile action originating from Pakistani soil would be treated as an act of war. Speaking at News18 DEFCON 2026, Singh said Operation Sindoor had demonstrated India’s resolve following the Pahalgam attack, which he said killed 26 people. He stated that terrorism, talks and trade could not proceed together and said there would be no distinction between terrorists and their sponsors. Singh also cited India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, saying “blood and water” could not flow together. He highlighted India’s expanding strategic partnerships through the Quad, I2U2, BIMSTEC, BRICS and SCO, while emphasizing security preparedness.

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) is marking 40 years of women in combat service, commemorating the first women combatant battalion raised in 1986. The force will hold a special event on September 25 to honour serving and veteran women personnel. The CRPF now has six dedicated Mahila Battalions deployed across India, while women personnel also serve in Rapid Action Force units and specialised frontline roles, including the Bastariya Battalion operating in Left-Wing Extremism-affected areas. Women officers and personnel have received several gallantry and distinguished-service awards. The milestone highlights the expanding operational role of women in India’s security forces. (PC: X)

US-based drone company Powerus signed an agreement with India’s Paras Defence in June to manufacture and commercialise its Guardian-1 counter-drone system, months before its deal with the Pakistan Army. Under the agreement, Paras Defence received exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the Guardian-1 system in India. The battery-powered interceptor is designed to detect, track and neutralise aerial threats, including attack drones and drone swarms. In September, Powerus signed an MoU with the Pakistan Army involving unmanned aerial systems, with the order details kept confidential. Powerus is linked financially to Donald Trump’s sons through an investment fund, though they have been described as passive investors. (PC: India Today)

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh laid the foundation for five expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL) in West Bengal, aimed at boosting shipbuilding and defence manufacturing under Make in India. GRSE will develop Hooghly riverside sites: a Rs 2,500-crore Raichak facility for warships and commercial vessels, a Rs 100-crore Shalimar site for medium-sized ships and repairs, and a Rs 70-crore Kidderpore facility for vessel repairs, electric ferries and small crafts. At YIL’s Ishapore factory, projects worth over Rs 750 crore will expand metallurgical production, including forging presses for gun barrels, ammunition components, ordnance hardware, railway axles and nuclear reactor components, while reducing import dependency. (PC: Uinewz)

An Indian Navy warship, INS Kolkata, and Pakistan Navy vessel PNS Hunain collided in the North Arabian Sea on Tuesday. India said the incident occurred during a routine surveillance mission, while Pakistan disputed India’s account and protested the presence of the Indian vessel in its Exclusive Economic Zone. INS Kolkata, a 7,400-tonne guided-missile destroyer, is significantly larger than the 2,600-tonne PNS Hunain, an offshore patrol vessel. The Pakistani ship suffered damage and returned to harbour, while India said INS Kolkata continued its mission without structural damage. The collision has also triggered diplomatic protests from both countries. (PC: India Today)

Two terrorists, believed to be foreigners and likely affiliated with Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), were killed in a late-night gunfight with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir’s Udhampur district on Wednesday. Security forces launched a major cordon and search operation in the Sohan area after receiving inputs about suspicious movement. A heavy gunbattle followed between the forces and the terrorists. In the early morning hours, security forces recovered the bodies of the two terrorists and arms and ammunition from their possession. Their identities were being ascertained. The operation came after security forces received information regarding terrorist movement in the area, prompting the search operation and subsequent encounter. (PC: X)