The National Security Guard (NSG) has launched its first Mahila Commando Conversion Course at Manesar in Haryana’s Gurugram, training women personnel from State Police Forces and Central Armed Police Forces for specialised counter-terror operations. The intensive 12-week programme covers physical conditioning, weapons proficiency, marksmanship, tactical intervention, hostage rescue and other specialised skills. NSG said the initiative aims to create a larger pool of operationally capable women, establish common professional benchmarks and strengthen interoperability across India’s security establishment. After completing the course, the women will return to their parent forces as force multipliers, carrying enhanced combat skills and operational expertise. The NSG described the initiative as a milestone in women’s empowerment and national security preparedness.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has approved the transfer of technology for all conventional missile systems developed by the DRDO to eligible Indian defence companies. The move will allow domestic firms to manufacture these missile systems, subject to required qualifications, certifications and regulations.   The Defence Ministry said the decision aims to boost indigenous manufacturing, reduce dependence on imports and expand the role of Indian companies, including MSMEs, in the defence supply chain. The initiative is also expected to help move DRDO-developed missile systems from the development stage to large-scale industrial production, strengthening India’s domestic defence capabilities. (PC: HT)

India’s AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’, has achieved 100% indigenisation, with full-scale domestic production set to begin at Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited’s Korwa plant in Amethi. Ten fully indigenous prototypes will be handed to the Indian Army within a month for user, quality assurance, infantry and environmental trials. The rifles have already completed 3,000 successful factory test firings. Deliveries are scheduled from April 2027, with 7,000 rifles planned in the first three months. IRRPL aims to produce 1.5 lakh annually and fulfil its over-six-lakh rifle order by 2030-31, ahead of schedule. Localising 50 major components, 180 child parts and 1,600 precision gauges required extensive engineering work. Export plans are also underway. (PC: News18)

India's first fully indigenous AK-203 assault rifle, named ‘Sher’, has been successfully test-fired at the Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited factory in Amethi, Uttar Pradesh. The rifle is expected to undergo Indian Army trials in September. The development marks a major step in India's efforts to increase domestic defence production and reduce dependence on imported components. The AK-203 rifles are being manufactured under the India-Russia joint venture and are intended to strengthen the Indian Army's infantry capabilities. Successful trials could further advance the indigenisation of the AK-203 programme under the government's Make in India initiative.  

India has signed a ₹1,943 crore deal with US-based General Atomics to lease two more MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Navy. The 30-month lease will help prevent a gap in maritime surveillance before India receives its own drones. The Navy already operates two leased MQ-9Bs, which have supported anti-piracy missions in the Arabian Sea. India signed a $3.99 billion deal in 2024 to buy 31 MQ-9B drones for the Navy, Army and Air Force. Deliveries are expected from 2029. The drones can fly for up to 27 hours and provide long-range intelligence and surveillance over land and sea.

India has signed a Rs 1,943-crore contract with US defence company General Atomics to lease 2 MQ-9B SeaGuardian drones for the Indian Navy for 30 months. The high-altitude, long-endurance drones can remain airborne for more than 30 hours and operate above 40,000 feet. Equipped with advanced sensors and an anti-submarine warfare kit, they will strengthen India’s maritime surveillance and intelligence capabilities across the Indian Ocean Region. The lease comes after India signed a $3-billion deal to acquire 31 MQ-9B drones for the 3 services. The Navy will receive 15 SeaGuardians, while the Army and Air Force will get 8 each. (PC: NDTV)

India’s long-delayed Project 75(I) submarine programme could see progress soon, with the proposal likely to go before the Cabinet Committee on Security. The project involves building 6 advanced conventional submarines for the Indian Navy at an estimated cost of Rs 70,000 crore. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders will build the submarines in India in partnership with Germany’s ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The submarines are expected to feature air-independent propulsion, modern sensors, missiles, torpedoes and electronic warfare systems. The deal aims to strengthen India’s submarine fleet while expanding domestic shipbuilding, technology transfer and underwater warfare capabilities. (PC: NDTV)

Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce have announced a strategic partnership to develop an indigenous combat aircraft engine for India’s Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme. The proposed collaboration will combine Rolls-Royce’s expertise in advanced aircraft-engine technology with Reliance’s manufacturing, technology and execution capabilities. The companies also plan to explore establishing an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India, potentially strengthening the country’s aerospace manufacturing ecosystem. The initiative marks a significant step in India’s effort to develop home-grown fighter-jet engine capabilities and reduce dependence on foreign technology. The partnership could also support the government’s broader push for defence indigenisation, advanced manufacturing and private-sector participation in strategic aerospace programmes. Further details on the proposed engine and facility were not provided.

The Ministry of Defence has issued a Rs 1-lakh-crore tender for 60 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) to replace the Indian Air Force’s ageing Soviet-origin AN-32 fleet. HAL, Tata and Mahindra will partner foreign manufacturers, with technology transfer required. Airbus, Lockheed Martin and Embraer are competing with the A400M, C-130J and C-390 Millennium respectively. The aircraft must carry 18-30 tonnes, operate from short, unprepared runways and support high-altitude logistics along Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh. They should transport equipment including the 25-tonne Zorawar tank and M777 howitzers. Twelve aircraft will be imported, while 48 will be manufactured in India. Local content is expected to exceed 50%, alongside domestic MRO facilities and open architecture for future upgrades. (PC: The Tribune)

India has rejected social media claims alleging that China is carrying out a “slow encroachment” in Arunachal Pradesh, with government sources describing such posts as attention-seeking claims. Sources told ANI that there is no such encroachment and said Indian security forces are fully prepared to monitor and dominate the border and check Chinese activities. India has repeatedly conveyed to China that Arunachal Pradesh is an integral and inalienable part of the country. The comments come amid renewed Chinese assertions over Arunachal Pradesh, which Beijing refers to as “South Tibet.” China reportedly articulated territorial claims over the region during 1960 border talks, claiming around 69,000 square kilometres of Arunachal Pradesh. Indian authorities continue to reject these claims. (PC: ANI)