The clearance for acquiring 114 additional Rafale fighter jets marks a pivotal step for the Indian Air Force amid escalating regional tensions.This decision by the Defence Acquisition Council aligns strategic imperatives with procurement action at a time when India’s squadron strength languishes far below authorised levels. With the IAF sanctioned for 42 fighter squadrons, it currently operates
Why Is India Stocking Up On S-400 Missiles After Massive Rafale Jet Order
India accelerates S-400 replenishment post-Rafale deal to counter two-front threatsIndia is intensifying its air defence posture by procuring hundreds of additional S-400 interceptor missiles from Russia, hot on the heels of approving a massive order for 114 Rafale fighter jets from France. This dual acquisition, valued at tens of thousands of crores, forms a cornerstone of New Delhi’s ₹3.6 lakh
Rafale Jet Deal From France To Fill IAF’s Squadron Void Amid Multi-Domain Critical Procurements
India is set to bolster its defence capabilities through the acquisition of Rafale fighter jets from France, addressing critical gaps in its air force arsenal. This move comes amid ongoing efforts to modernise the military amid regional security challenges.The deal focuses on plugging capability gaps exacerbated by the Indian Air Force’s declining squadron strength. Legacy Soviet-origin fighters
India And South Korea Chart Course For Strategic Leap In 2026 Seoul Dialogue
P Kumaran, Secretary (East) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), has co-chaired the sixth India-Republic of Korea (ROK) Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue (FPSD) in Seoul on 12-13 February 2026.This key diplomatic engagement underscores the deepening ‘Special Strategic Partnership’ between the two nations.Kumaran’s counterpart was Park Yoon-joo, the ROK’s First Vice Foreign Minister.
Home Minister Amit Shah’s Border Inspection On Feb 21 In Assam Signals BJP’s Hard Stance On Illegal Immigration Ahead of Polls
Union Home Minister Amit Shah is set to visit the India-Bangladesh international border in Assam’s Cachar district on 21 February, underscoring the Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) firm commitment to curbing illegal immigration from Bangladesh.This high-profile trip arrives just weeks before the Assam Assembly elections, where action against cross-border infiltrators has emerged as a cornerstone of
Avantel Secures ₹123 Crore NSIL Contract For Advanced Multi-Band Tracking Antennas
Avantel, a leading Indian firm specialising in advanced communication products, has secured a substantial ₹122.58 crore order from NewSpace India Limited (NSIL), the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).This contract involves the supply, installation, and commissioning of full motion antennas capable of operating in S/X-band frequencies, with readiness for Ka-band
Chowgule & Company To Deliver On Schedule With Indian Coast Guard’s First Indigenous Hovercraft Set For May Handover
Chowgule & Company, the Goa-based shipbuilder renowned for its expertise in specialised vessels, is set to deliver the first of six hovercraft on schedule to the Indian Coast Guard in May. This milestone underscores the firm’s growing prowess in indigenous maritime manufacturing, aligning with India’s push for self-reliance in defence production.The hovercraft, part of a contract secured in
OPINION: Defence Budget 2026-2027 Lacks Atmanirbharta
by Col (Dr.) P K VasudevaThe Union Budget 2026-27, presented on February 1, 2026, by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, prioritises defence modernisation and self-reliance. In a decisive push to strengthen national security in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor and focus on indigenous defence production, the Union Budget has allocated a record ₹7.85 lakh crore to defence services, marking the
Nikhil Gupta Faces 24-Year Term In The Plot To Assassinate Khalistani Terrorist Gurpatwant Pannun
Nikhil Gupta, an Indian national also known as "Nick," has pleaded guilty in a New York court to charges stemming from a foiled assassination plot against Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, a prominent Sikh Khalistani designated as a terrorist by India.On Friday, local time, Gupta admitted guilt to all three counts in the Second Superseding Indictment: murder-for-hire, conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire,
DRDO’s DIPAS And IIT-Ropar Forge Strategic MoU For Human Performance And High-Altitude Tech Advancements
A pivotal Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on 13 February 2026 between the Defence Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences (DIPAS), a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Institute of Technology Ropar (IIT-Ropar).This agreement aims to foster collaborative research, facilitate academic exchanges, and drive technological