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.

India successfully test-fired the Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher on Thursday. The missile can hit targets up to 2,000 km away and is equipped with advanced features. This is the first launch of its kind from a rail system, allowing mobility and quick launch with low visibility. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated scientists at DRDO, the Strategic Forces Command, and the Armed Forces for the achievement. The test places India among select nations with canisterised missiles capable of being launched from moving rail networks, boosting the country’s self-reliance in defence. (PC: NDTV)

India is set to sign a Rs 66,500 crore deal for 97 Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets today. The contract will be between the Ministry of Defence and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). The deal comes just one day before the Indian Air Force retires its last two squadrons of MiG-21 jets. This follows an earlier 2021 agreement for 83 Tejas jets worth Rs 46,898 crore, which faced delays. The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the purchase in August. Separately, a deal with General Electric for 113 F-404 engines, which power Tejas jets, is also finalised. (PC: India Today)

India's armed forces have announced ambitious plans to establish three new joint military stations alongside a tri-services education corps, marking a significant step toward enhanced military integration and operational readiness. This strategic initiative aims to break down traditional service silos by creating unified command structures that bring together the Army, Navy, and Air Force under shared facilities and command. The tri-services education corps will focus on joint training programs, fostering inter-service cooperation from the ground up. These developments reflect India's commitment to modernizing its defense architecture, improving coordination between services, and creating a more cohesive military structure capable of addressing contemporary security challenges through integrated operations and shared expertise. (PC: India Senitals & The New Indian Express)

India and Russia are discussing new deliveries of S-400 missile systems, a senior Russian defence official confirmed. India signed a $5.5 billion deal with Moscow in 2018 for five S-400 systems to counter China’s military strength. The final two units from that order will arrive in 2026 and 2027. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov praised India for not giving in to US pressure to halt purchases from Russia. Despite rising imports from France and Israel, Russia remains India’s largest defence supplier, accounting for 36% of imports between 2020 and 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. (PC: X)

Security forces eliminated Bagu Khan, notorious "human GPS" terrorist facilitator, during Saturday's Gurez infiltration attempt. Known as Samandar Chacha, Khan operated from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir since 1995, masterminding over 100 successful infiltrations across Line of Control using intimate terrain knowledge. The Hizbul commander assisted all terror outfits in planning Gurez sector operations, earning his "human GPS" nickname for navigating secret mountain routes. His elimination alongside another terrorist near Nowshera Naar represents major blow to regional terror logistics networks. This follows Thursday's Operation Naushera Nar IV encounter where two infiltrators died, with five more reportedly hiding. Khan's decades-long evasion of security forces ended during latest cross-border attempt, significantly disrupting terror infiltration capabilities across Jammu-Kashmir's strategic Gurez sector. (PC: India Today)