On July 17, India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. Conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, the launches validated all operational and technical parameters. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a boost to India’s strategic deterrence. The tests followed the July 16 trial of the Akash Prime missile in Ladakh, which intercepted two high-speed aerial targets at altitudes above 4,500 metres. Akash Prime features an indigenously developed radio frequency seeker and is tailored for high-altitude warfare. These back-to-back successes reinforce India’s air defence capabilities and readiness in forward regions. (PC: ANI & Business Today)

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved ₹1.05 lakh crore worth of acquisitions, replenishing surface‑to‑air missile (SAM) stocks and adding 12 undersea mine‑countermeasure vessels. Triggered by Operation Sindoor where layered SAM defences shot down hundreds of Pakistani drones and missiles the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Rajnath Singh, cleared Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for ten military systems via indigenous procurement. While the exact number of SAMs was undisclosed, sources confirm restocking of missiles expended during recent skirmishes. The DAC also approved an electronic‑warfare suite and a joint logistics inventory‑management software, alongside the long‑awaited specialised naval vessels. (PC: News18 & DD News) 

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved military procurements worth ₹1.3 lakh crore, including surface-to-air missiles, armoured recovery vehicles, and electronic warfare systems for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Defence on Thursday, was taken under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. All 10 acquisition proposals were cleared under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category, aimed at boosting indigenous defence manufacturing. The move reflects India’s growing emphasis on military self-reliance and enhanced combat readiness. The new equipment will significantly strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian armed forces across multiple domains. (PC:  AFP)

India is building a new version of its Agni-5 missile that can carry a huge 7,500-kg bunker-buster warhead. The missile is being developed by the DRDO and will target underground enemy bunkers. It can go 80 to 100 metres deep before exploding. The new missile will not carry nuclear weapons but will still be very powerful. Two types are being made—one for airburst and one for deep strikes. It will travel at hypersonic speed and have a range of 2,500 km. This move follows the US using similar weapons in Iran and shows India’s growing strength in defence technology. (PC: X/@Kunal_Biswas707)

India’s DRDO chief, Dr Samir V Kamat, confirmed to NDTV that the country's hypersonic glide missile is in an advanced development stage and could complete trials within the next 2–3 years. He also highlighted the stellar performance of indigenous systems BrahMos, Akash SAM, the D4 anti‑drone withered Pakistan’s defences during Operation Sindoor. Those successes underscore India’s growing aerospace prowess and strategic autonomy. Kamat emphasised that the hypersonic glide vehicle, a cutting‑edge boost‑glide system, will significantly enhance penetration capability against modern missile defences. This progress furthers India’s ambition to join a select club of nations with deployable hypersonic systems, marking a strategic leap in deterrence. (PC: X)

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) has partnered with France’s Dassault Aviation to manufacture Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India. A new facility in Hyderabad will produce four main fuselage parts, with a capacity of 24 units annually and first deliveries expected by FY28. This marks the first time Rafale fuselages will be made outside France. The move is part of a broader effort to bring up to 60% of Rafale manufacturing value to India. Over 100 fuselages are expected initially, with numbers likely to rise if India places more orders. The deal enhances India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem significantly. (PC: Economics Times)

On May 27, 2025, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the programme execution model for India's fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This model mandates that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) must compete with private firms for manufacturing rights, marking a shift from previous practices where HAL was the default choice. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under DRDO will oversee design, with an expression of interest to be issued soon. This initiative aims to bolster indigenous defence capabilities and foster a robust domestic aerospace ecosystem. The decision follows Operation Sindoor, highlighting the need for advanced air combat assets amid regional tensions, particularly with Pakistan. (PC: Mint & Outlook India)

India has moved a step closer to joining the elite club of nations with fifth-generation stealth fighters, as Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved a Rs 15,000-crore execution plan for the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). The indigenous jet, equipped with stealth, supercruise, and multi-role capabilities, will be developed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) in collaboration with Indian industry. Prototype rollout is expected by 2029, with induction into the Indian Air Force by 2034. With tensions rising in the Indo-Pacific, AMCA is seen as a strategic game-changer, aimed at boosting India’s self-reliance and countering China's growing air dominance. (PC: AMCA)

US urban warfare expert John Spencer hailed India’s military prowess, stating that its BrahMos missile strike during Operation Sindoor proved that India can target Pakistan “anytime, anywhere.” Spencer emphasized that Pakistan’s Chinese-supplied air defences were no match for India’s advanced systems. Lauding the precision and impact of BrahMos, he said the operation would be studied as a model for counter-terrorism worldwide. He urged the West to abandon “both-side-ism” and call out Pakistan’s terror links. Spencer also praised India’s strategic move to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, calling it a smart pressure tactic in the evolving regional conflict. (PC: Business Today)

India is poised to bolster its defence budget with an additional ₹50,000 crore allocation, following the success of Operation Sindoor. This supplementary funding, expected to be approved in the upcoming Winter session of Parliament, aims to enhance the procurement of new weapons, ammunition, and advanced technology. The operation, which targeted nine terror camps in Pakistan without breaching the border, demonstrated India's superior defence capabilities, including its indigenous multi-layered air defence system that effectively neutralised incoming threats. The current defence budget stands at ₹6.81 lakh crore, marking a significant increase from ₹2.29 lakh crore in 2014-15, reflecting the government's commitment to strengthening national security and military modernization. (PC: India Today, Hexagon Safety & Observer Research Foundation)