DRDO carried out maiden flight tests of the Integrated Air Defence Weapon System off the Odisha coast On 23 Aug 2025 at about 12:30 pm. The test follows the announcement of Mission Sudarshan Chakra on 15 Aug 2025. IADWS combines indigenous QRSAMs, VSHORADS and a high-power laser directed energy weapon. The Ministry of Defence said the system will help detect and destroy missiles, aircraft and drones. It will link with Indian Air Force and Army command networks. DRDO will work with private firms to speed development. A defence official said, "This test shows our defence strength." (PC: X)

India has successfully test-fired the Agni-5 ballistic missile from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The missile, with a range of up to 5,000 km, can reach almost the entire Asian continent, including northern China, and parts of Europe. The Defence Ministry said the test was carried out under the Strategic Forces Command and met all technical and operational requirements. Powered by a three-stage solid-fuel rocket, Agni-5 can carry nuclear warheads with high accuracy. The test, held three months after Operation Sindoor, highlights India’s growing military strength and makes Agni-5 a vital part of its nuclear deterrence. (PC: HT)

India on Wednesday successfully test-fired its Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile ‘Agni 5’ from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. The Defence Ministry confirmed that the missile validated all operational and technical parameters during the launch. “The test was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command,” the Ministry said in a statement. The successful test strengthens India’s deterrence capability and comes as North Korea also test-fired cruise missiles into the sea last week. (PC: HT)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Independence Day address, unveiled the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a decade-long plan to secure India’s skies by 2035. Inspired by Lord Krishna’s legendary weapon, the indigenous system will combine the Integrated Air Command and Control System (IACCS) with an Integrated Rocket Force for nationwide air defence and precision strikes, akin to Israel’s Iron Dome. Developed entirely in India, it will protect critical infrastructure, religious sites, and strategic assets from aerial threats. The mission follows recent Pakistani attempts to target civilian infrastructure and aims to ensure every citizen feels secure under a rapidly expanding protective shield. (PC: India Today)

On India’s 79th Independence Day, PM Narendra Modi unveiled the Sudarshan Chakra Mission, a next-gen defence initiative to be launched by 2035. Inspired by Lord Krishna’s mythical weapon, the system will form a multi-layered shield protecting strategic, civilian, and religious sites. It will integrate advanced surveillance, interception, and counter-attack capabilities across air, land, and sea domains. Modi emphasized domestic development, aligning with Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The mission aims to rival Israel’s Iron Dome and counter threats like Pakistan’s recent attacks, including the Pahalgam incident. Operation Sindoor was praised for its decisive retaliation. Modi warned against nuclear blackmail, asserting India’s readiness to respond with force and autonomy.

India is expediting deliveries of US-made F404 engines for its Tejas Mk-1A fighters, with General Electric committing one engine per month and two monthly after October. Two engines have been received after delays, with a third due this month. Talks with the US include a follow-on order for 97 more Tejas Mk-1A jets and procurement of F414 engines for AMCA and Tejas Mk-2, to be made in India. The Ministry of Defence denied reports of pausing US defence deals after President Trump’s tariff hike, confirming ongoing discussions for P8I aircraft, MRFA fighters, and other procurements to address capability gaps. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Navy will commission two advanced frontline warships, INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri on August 26 at Visakhapatnam, marking a historic milestone in indigenous naval shipbuilding. Both vessels are part of the Project 17A stealth frigate programme and represent a generational leap in design and capability. Udaygiri, built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (Mumbai), and Himgiri, constructed by Garden Reach Shipbuilders (Kolkata), feature reduced radar cross-sections, advanced weapon systems including BrahMos missiles, and CODOG propulsion. This is the first time two major warships from separate Indian shipyards will be commissioned simultaneously. Rigorous sea trials have confirmed their operational readiness, underscoring India’s growing self-reliance in maritime defense under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. (PC: PTI)

A gunfight erupted in the Dul area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district as the Indian Army established contact with terrorists during an ongoing anti-terror operation. The encounter began early on August 10, with security forces launching a cordon and search mission based on intelligence inputs. The operation is part of intensified efforts to neutralize terror threats in the region following recent escalations. The White Knight Corps confirmed the engagement via social media, stating that contact had been made and the operation was in progress. No casualties were reported at the time of publication. The situation remains tense, with reinforcements deployed and the area under strict surveillance. (PC: NDTV & Greater Kashmir)

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh confirmed that India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one AEW&C aircraft during Operation Sindoor, marking the largest-ever recorded surface-to-air kill at 300 km. Speaking at a memorial lecture in Bengaluru, Singh praised the S-400 air defence system as a “game-changer” that prevented Pakistani aircraft from deploying long-range glide bombs. He emphasized the operation’s success was driven by strong political will and coordination among military branches. Singh also dismissed former U.S. President Donald Trump’s claims of brokering peace through trade leverage. Satellite images revealed extensive damage to Jaish-e-Mohammed’s Bahawalpur headquarters, with minimal civilian casualties. The operation aimed solely at terror targets, not military escalation. (PC: X)

Following the success of Operation Sindoor, the Indian Air Force and Navy are set to place massive orders for BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles. These missiles, developed through an Indo-Russian joint venture, were pivotal in striking Pakistani air bases and Army cantonments during the four-day conflict. The Navy plans to deploy them on Veer-class warships, while the Air Force will equip its Su-30 MKI fighter jets. A high-level defence ministry meeting is expected to approve the procurement soon. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the indigenous systems, highlighting BrahMos as a symbol of ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’. The move marks a strategic boost to India’s defence capabilities and regional deterrence posture. (PC: BrahMos Aerospace & Defence News)