The Indian Navy's new Russian-made guided missile frigate, INS Tushil, was commissioned on Monday in Kaliningrad, Russia. The 3,900-tonne warship, part of a $2.5-billion deal signed in 2016, is expected to enhance India's naval capabilities, especially in the Indian Ocean, amidst rising tensions with China's PLA Navy. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, alongside senior officials, attended the ceremony. The ship features a mix of Russian and Indian technologies, with 26% indigenous content. Its design includes advanced stealth features and improved stability. INS Tushil marks a significant milestone in Indo-Russian defence cooperation.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) has postponed the MiG-21 Bison's retirement, initially set for December 2025, due to production delays in the Tejas Mk1A fighter jets. Engine supply issues have hindered Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) from meeting timelines, impacting the planned induction of Tejas jets. The IAF currently operates two MiG-21 squadrons, extending their service despite safety concerns and the aircraft's aging technology. The MiG-21 has been pivotal in conflicts like the 1971 war and the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The IAF urgently requires new fighters, operating only 30 squadrons against the sanctioned strength of 42.

France’s nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, Charles de Gaulle, will visit India next month with three other French warships, strengthening Indo-French defence ties. The carrier, capable of deploying Rafale naval jets, will participate in joint exercises with Indian Navy vessels, including INS Vikrant or INS Vikramaditya. Italy's defence minister will also accompany the Amerigo Vespucci, a training ship, signaling enhanced Indo-Italian defence cooperation. The visit reflects Western nations' strategic pivot to the Indo-Pacific amid rising Chinese aggression in the South China Sea and tensions over Taiwan. The renewed collaboration follows India lifting its ban on Italy’s Leonardo defence conglomerate.

India’s Navy successfully test-fired the 3,500-km-range K-4 ballistic missile from the nuclear submarine INS Arighaat on Wednesday. This test validates India’s second-strike capability, strengthening its nuclear deterrence. INS Arighaat, inducted in August 2024, is one of two submarines in the Indian Navy equipped to fire ballistic missiles, alongside INS Arihant. Further tests are planned to refine the missile system. A third nuclear submarine is under development and expected to join the fleet next year. This test marks a significant step in enhancing India's maritime strategic defense capabilities.

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.