Defence Current Affairs 2026 for Government Exams

DRDO and the Advanced Centre of Research in High Energy Materials (ACRHEM) at the University of Hyderabad secured an Indian patent for BAM-H24, a next-generation solid rocket propellant fuel. The Patent Office granted Patent No. 599900 on 20 August 2026 on an application filed in December 2022. Developed by Dr Muddamarri Hanumantha Rao and Prof Muralidharan Krishnamurthi, BAM-H24 is a boron-, hydrogen- and nitrogen-rich energetic compound usable as a solid rocket fuel, fuel additive and burn-rate accelerator. It offers high chemical and thermal stability, low impact and friction sensitivity, non-hygroscopic behaviour, high specific impulse and reduced ignition delay for missiles and space launch vehicles.

Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited (KSSL), the wholly-owned defence subsidiary of Bharat Forge Limited, signed a Strategic Alliance Agreement with French defence major Thales Group in September 2026 to build industrial capability in India for unguided and laser-guided variants of Thales' 70-mm rocket systems. The agreement was signed during Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever's state visit to India (2–4 September 2026). The first fully India-assembled rocket system is expected in early 2027. These systems support counter-drone missions and multi-platform integration on rotary-wing platforms including the ALH-WSI and Light Combat Helicopter, and are already used by 70 armed forces across 55 countries.

Samtel HAL Display Systems Limited (SHDS), a joint venture of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Samtel Avionics, inaugurated a new manufacturing facility at Udyog Vihar Phase-IV, Gurugram, Haryana. It is billed as India's first public-private JV in defence avionics to indigenously design, qualify and serially produce a Multifunction Display (MFD) for a fighter aircraft, and adds testing and quality-assurance capability. HAL CMD Ravi K. launched the plant. Separately, HAL and Safran Helicopter Engines signed the final contract with their JV SAFHAL for the 3,500-4,000 shp new-generation helicopter engine "Aravalli".

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the 'RAKSHA' document on defence diplomacy in New Delhi on 3 September 2026, setting out India's vision for strengthening defence ties over the next 10 years. Its core pillars are Strategic Partnerships, Capacity Building, Indigenous Exports and Maritime Security, including consolidating India's role in the Indian Ocean Region as a Net Security Provider and First Responder. The framework shifts India from reactive to proactive defence diplomacy, aligning military engagement with foreign policy and complementing Make in India in reducing import dependence. Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh attended the release.

The Indian Air Force successfully conducted the drop trial of the indigenously designed and developed Long-Range Glide Bomb (LRGB) 'Khagantak-243', announced on 2 September 2026, meeting all mission objectives in a stand-off precision-strike programme. Khagantak-243 is a 300 kg-class airborne precision-guided glide bomb able to engage targets more than 140 km away when released from around 12,000 metres, letting fighter aircraft strike from outside heavily defended airspace. It was developed jointly by Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), which supplied the electronics and guidance subsystems, and private firm JSR Dynamics, which developed the bomb body and control systems. Glide bombs use aerodynamic surfaces to extend range after release.

On 25 August 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh approved the transfer of technology (ToT) of all conventional missile systems developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to Indian defence manufacturers, a major push for Aatmanirbharta in defence production. Eligible Indian firms — including MSMEs — can now manufacture these systems subject to required qualifications, certifications and regulatory approvals, with DRDO supporting technology absorption and production. It widens an earlier August 2026 step in which DRDO invited expressions of interest from private players for missile production, moving from selective licensing to blanket access across the whole conventional missile portfolio.

Air Vice Marshal Shakti Sharma became the first woman officer from the non-medical stream of the Indian Defence Forces to attain two-star rank, assuming charge as Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Education) at Air Headquarters, New Delhi, on 1 September 2026. Commissioned into the IAF Education Branch on 18 June 1994, she has over 30 years of service across training establishments, field stations, command headquarters and Air Headquarters. She spearheaded the IAF Chairs of Excellence at IIT Kanpur and Savitribai Phule Pune University, and became the first woman from the Tri-Services to command a Sainik School, at Kapurthala, Punjab. Her promotion widens leadership pathways for women in the services.

China flight-tested its GJ-21 stealth unmanned aerial vehicle in August 2026 as the Type 076 amphibious assault ship 'Sichuan' entered the final phase of sea trials, signalling a shift toward carrier-based unmanned combat aviation. The GJ-21 is the naval variant of the GJ-11 stealth flying-wing drone, with test flights reported over Huludao in Liaoning province. The Sichuan displaces more than 40,000 tonnes and has a flight deck about 250 metres long and 62 metres wide. It is the world's first amphibious assault ship fitted with an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS), letting it launch fixed-wing aircraft and stealth combat drones - effectively a "drone carrier".

The fourth Tri-Services Future Warfare Course concluded in New Delhi on 30 August 2026 after a four-week programme that began on 3 August at the Manekshaw Centre. It was run under Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and coordinated by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies, drawing officers of the Army, Navy and Air Force along with academics, government officials and defence-industry participants. The syllabus covered artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, cyber and cognitive warfare, autonomous systems, space operations and grey-zone warfare. Chief of Defence Staff General N.S. Raja Subramani interacted with participants, Air Marshal Tejinder Singh handed over completion certificates, and graduating officers received Post Graduate Diplomas in Future Warfare.

The Indian Navy received Samarthak, its first indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel (MPV), built by Larsen & Toubro at its Kattupalli shipbuilding facility in Tamil Nadu under the Samarthak-class project. The Ministry of Defence had signed a Rs 887 crore contract with L&T on 25 March 2022 for two MPVs. *Samarthak*, meaning 'The Proponent', carries over 75% indigenous content and doubles as a trial and evaluation platform for testing indigenous naval weapons and sensors. Sister vessel INS Utkarsh was launched on 14 January 2025 and is under sea trials. It joins a run of Aatmanirbhar Bharat naval milestones alongside DRDO-NSTL's recent 'Mohini' decoy technology transfers.

PM Modi commissioned three warships at Kolkata: INS Dunagiri (a Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigate by GRSE), INS Sanshodhak (Survey Vessel Large) and INS Agray (Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft).

June 2026 saw India's largest single-month naval induction in recent years - five indigenous platforms: two Project 17A stealth frigates, one survey ship and two ASW shallow water craft - part of a planned ~19 warships in 2026.

INS Malwan, the second of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft built by Cochin Shipyard, was delivered to the Navy, boosting coastal anti-submarine capability.

India inducted INS Aridhaman, its third indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) under the Advanced Technology Vessel project, joining INS Arihant and INS Arighaat.

INS Taragiri, the fourth Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigate (~6,670 tonnes) built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam.

The Project 17A stealth frigate INS Dunagiri was delivered from GRSE (Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers), along with the survey vessel INS Sanshodhak, ahead of their later commissioning.

INS Anjadip, an Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, was commissioned into the Indian Navy at Chennai, part of the Navy's record induction plan for 2026.

Alongside MILAN, the Indian Navy hosted the International Fleet Review 2026 and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) Conclave of Chiefs at Visakhapatnam, aligned with the 'MAHASAGAR' vision.

The Indian Navy is set to commission a record 19 warships in 2026 - its biggest single-year addition - including INS Udaygiri and a Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, roughly one vessel every six weeks.

The Indian Coast Guard inducted ICGS Samudra Pratap, its first indigenously designed and built Pollution Control Vessel (built at Goa Shipyard); at 114.5 m and 4,170 tonnes it is the largest ship in the ICG fleet.

Navy Day was marked with an Operational Demonstration at Shangumugham Beach, Thiruvananthapuram, with President Droupadi Murmu as Chief Guest; theme 'Combat Ready, Cohesive, Credible and Aatmanirbhar Force'.

India signed a Letter of Offer and Acceptance on 28 August 2026 to procure the FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank guided missile from the United States under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, formally making India a Javelin customer. The Javelin is a man-portable, fire-and-forget, medium-range ATGM used against armour and fortified positions. Reports place the contract near USD 45.7 million for 100 missiles and launch units, inside a wider USD 93 million package covering 216 Excalibur guided artillery shells. Washington cleared the sale in November 2025; Bharat Dynamics Limited had signed a co-production pact with the Javelin Joint Venture (RTX–Lockheed Martin) in February 2025.

The Defence Acquisition Council advanced a major modernisation package, including a decision to acquire five additional S-400 Triumf air-defence systems from Russia, plus remotely piloted strike platforms and transport aircraft.

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Rajnath Singh, cleared a large package (~$25 billion) including five additional S-400 Triumf air-defence systems from Russia, multirole transport aircraft and remotely piloted strike platforms.

The Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth a combined Rs 858 crore: one with Russian entities for the Tunguska air-defence system, and one with Boeing for P-8I maritime-reconnaissance-aircraft maintenance.

The Defence Acquisition Council approved the indigenous Air Defence Tracked System, a mobile platform to fill the short-range air-defence gap for mechanised formations.

The MoD signed contracts worth Rs 5,083 crore for ALH Mk-III helicopters from HAL for the Indian Coast Guard, and VL-Shtil surface-to-air missiles for the Indian Navy.

India and the US moved close to concluding a Reciprocal Defense Procurement Agreement (RDPA) to ease defence-industrial sales, with a senior US delegation visiting India during the month.

The Defence Acquisition Council approved procurement proposals worth about Rs 3.6 lakh crore, anchored by 114 Rafale fighter jets from Dassault (~Rs 3.25 lakh crore) - 18 from France and 96 assembled in India - plus six P-8I aircraft and T-72 tanks.

During Putin's visit, platforms including the Su-57 fighter, drones, air-defence systems and submarine technology were discussed, with both sides agreeing to reorient defence ties toward joint R&D and co-production.

The DRDO successfully tested the indigenous Military Combat Parachute System (MCPS) at the Nyoma-Mudh Drop Zone in Leh, Ladakh, with jumps from 22,000 feet AMSL in temperatures near -15 degrees Celsius. The system was designed by the Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, with life-support subsystems from the Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Laboratory (DEBEL), Bengaluru. Test jumpers used an indigenous para computer, oxygen system and specialised jumpsuits. The MCPS offers a lower descent rate, improved steering and NavIC compatibility, and supports HALO, HAMO and HAHO special-operations profiles.

Reliance Industries and Rolls-Royce announced a strategic partnership on 14 August 2026 to design, develop and manufacture an indigenous combat aircraft engine in India, linked to the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) — India's fifth-generation stealth fighter programme. The companies may set up an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India covering the full engine lifecycle (design, development, manufacturing, testing, maintenance); financial terms were not disclosed. Rolls-Royce (UK) brings propulsion technology, Reliance brings manufacturing scale; Safran (France) is separately linked with DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) on a rival high-thrust AMCA engine proposal. In May 2026 the Government of India had earmarked ₹15,000 crore for the next-generation fighter jet programme.

The Indian Coast Guard (ICG), together with the Vietnam Coast Guard (VCG), hosted the 2nd edition of joint exercise 'Sahyog HOP TAC' at Chennai, Tamil Nadu in August 2026 to strengthen maritime cooperation. VCG ship CSB 8002 and a six-member delegation took part, with the exercise coinciding with the 7th ICG–VCG high-level meeting. Drills focused on marine pollution response and maritime law enforcement, alongside professional exchanges of best practices. The inaugural edition was held in 2018 in the Bay of Bengal off the Chennai coast. The ICG, formally established in August 1978 under the Coast Guard Act, 1978, handles maritime law enforcement and search-and-rescue.

Indo-Russian Rifles Private Limited (IRRPL) at Korwa in Amethi district, Uttar Pradesh, produced and successfully test-fired the first 100% indigenised AK-203 'Sher' assault rifle in August 2026, built entirely from Indian components and materials. The gas-operated rifle uses a 7.62x39 mm cartridge, fires about 700 rounds per minute and has an effective range of 800 metres. It is meant to replace the INSAS rifle and goes for Armed Forces trials in September 2026. The Rs 5,200 crore contract covers 6,01,427 rifles, with delivery advanced from October 2032 to December 2030. IRRPL is a 2019 India–Russia joint venture under Make in India.

The Indian Army raised its first 'Baaz Battalion' in Punjab under the Vajra Corps (11 Corps) in August 2026 - a dedicated unit equipped with advanced drones for aerial surveillance, target acquisition and battlefield support. The raising signals a shift from ad-hoc UAV detachments to permanent, establishment-level drone formations, in line with the Army's renewed emphasis on unmanned and counter-unmanned systems along the western front. It was announced alongside the Territorial Army's Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0) hackathon with CyberPeace, and sits in the same indigenisation arc as DRDO's fresh technology transfers to Indian defence firms. Vajra Corps is headquartered at Jalandhar.

The Naval Science & Technological Laboratory (NSTL), a DRDO laboratory at Visakhapatnam, signed two Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToT) in August 2026. The first transfers the Submarine Fired Decoy (SFD) 'Mohini' to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL); the second transfers fabrication, installation and commissioning technology for the LM2500 gas turbine to Vertex Engineering Systems Private Limited, Hyderabad. Signatories included Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, FOC-in-C Eastern Naval Command, and NSTL Director Dr Abraham Varughese. LAToT is DRDO's standard route for moving laboratory-developed technology into Indian industry, reinforcing the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push in naval systems seen recently in indigenous ASW and torpedo programmes.

Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered Mangrol, the third of eight indigenously designed Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), to the Indian Navy at Kochi on 21 August 2026. The 78-metre vessel is built to Det Norske Veritas (DNV) classification rules and uses diesel engine-waterjet propulsion, carrying shallow-water sonars, lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets and mine-laying equipment. It is meant for littoral anti-submarine work, low-intensity maritime operations and search-and-rescue. The delivery protocol was signed by CSL Director (Operations) Dr Harikrishnan S and Commanding Officer designate Commander U Sharan Kumar. The ship takes its name from Mangrol, a coastal township in Gujarat.

The Territorial Army, in collaboration with CyberPeace, launched Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0), a national-level hackathon seeking indigenous solutions to defence, cybersecurity and information-domain challenges. It draws participants from academia, industry, research institutions, government bodies and the Armed Forces across three tracks: Bug Hunting, an online Capture-the-Flag qualifier leading to a live sandbox finale on simulated critical infrastructure; AI Kavach, an AI/machine-learning challenge on predictive threat intelligence, automated defence and anomaly detection; and the Creators Challenge, a digital-storytelling contest building public awareness against deepfakes, phishing, online scams and misinformation.

Indian defence start-up Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace Technologies (FWDA) unveiled 'FWD Supreme Lite', billed as India's first AI-piloted fighter jet programme, moving the effort from digital engineering to a physical demonstrator. Designed and built entirely in India, the platform targets up to 30 hours endurance and a 3,000 km range, with AI autonomy enabling precision strikes, swarm operations and real-time ISR missions. The roughly 250 kg demonstrator is undergoing airframe development, system integration and ground testing. Phase-I targets Mach 0.9 maximum speed and 700–1,000 km operational range; Phase-II aims for Mach 2 and multi-aircraft autonomous teaming under the new 'Mobbing Doctrine'.

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation on 20 August 2026, during bilateral talks between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in New Delhi. The arrangement enhances operational cooperation between the Indian Navy and Japan's Maritime Self-Defense Force across maritime domain awareness, information sharing, search and rescue, disaster relief, naval exercises, ship repair and logistics support. The two ministers reaffirmed commitment to a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific under the "Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership," and agreed to promote exchanges between their Special Operations Forces and explore cooperation with India's integrated theatre commands, alongside deeper defence-technology collaboration through the Defence Industry Forum.

A new shore-based Launch and Recovery System (LARS) Test Plinth was inaugurated on 19 August 2026 at the Submarine Rescue Unit (East) in Visakhapatnam by Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Naval Command. LARS deploys and recovers a Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV), used to evacuate crew from a disabled submarine; the facility enables shore-based trials and maintenance without an active maritime deployment. It follows a run of naval capability additions this month — INS Nipun's commissioning (2 Aug) and the ₹1,943-crore MQ-9B Sea Guardian drone lease (18 Aug).

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) issued an Expression of Interest on 18 August 2026 through the Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad, inviting Indian private firms into long-term partnerships for missile and guided bomb manufacturing under the Development-cum-Production Partner (DcPP) model — DRDO handles design, private partners handle prototype integration and mass production. The partnership covers Agni-series missiles, submarine-launched systems and hypersonic missiles under development. Eligible firms need active defence and PESO licences, a net worth above ₹34 crore, and profitability in two of the last five years; proposals are due by 24 September 2026.

A total of 210 Indian peacekeepers, including six women and seven staff officers, received the United Nations Medal in Juba, South Sudan, on 17 August 2026 for service with the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS). UNMISS was established in 2011 after South Sudan's independence, with a mandate covering civilian protection, humanitarian support and assistance to the peace process. India is the second-largest contributor of uniformed personnel to UN peacekeeping operations, with more than 4,200 Indian military and police personnel — including 155 women — deployed globally in 2026. Since 1948, India has contributed more than 200,000 personnel to 49 of the 71 UN peacekeeping missions created, with more than 160 Indian peacekeepers having died in UN service. A separate group of Indian peacekeepers also received UN medals with the UN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) on 15 August 2026, in the disputed Abyei Area between Sudan and South Sudan — underlining India's simultaneous engagement across multiple active UN missions in the region that week.

The 15th edition of the India-Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE-XV began on 18 August 2026 and will run until 31 August 2026 at the Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp, Surat Thani, Thailand. 85 personnel each from the Indian Army (mainly 9 Gorkha Rifles) and the Royal Thai Army (3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division) are participating. The company-level exercise focuses on joint operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain, with emphasis on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

The Ministry of Defence signed a Rs 1,943 crore contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) drones for the Indian Navy, for a 30-month period. The pact was signed on 17 August 2026 at Kartavya Bhawan-2, New Delhi. The Sea Guardian can stay airborne for 30-40 hours at altitudes above 40,000 feet, boosting India's persistent surveillance over critical sea lanes and choke points in the Indian Ocean Region.

On 13 August 2026, the Ministry of Defence signed two contracts worth about Rs 1,577 crore with Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) and NIBE Ltd for loitering munitions — precision-guided "suicide" drones that loiter over a target area before striking — advancing indigenous Atmanirbhar Bharat defence procurement.

The Indian Navy's second Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV), named Shruti and designated Yard 3037, was launched on 11 August 2026 at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, by Mrs Manika Sadhu in the presence of Vice Admiral Sanjay Sadhu, Controller of Warship Production and Acquisition. The name Shruti references the four Vedas. The vessel is about 113 metres long, 14.6 m wide, with a displacement of about 3,000 tonnes, a top speed of 23 knots and an endurance of 8,500 nautical miles at 14 knots. GRSE is building 4 NGOPVs, with work shared with Goa Shipyard Limited; the first, Sanghmitra, was launched on 20 May.

The Indian Navy (IN) and the United States Navy (USN) commenced the 8th edition of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Exercise 2026 at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, Kerala, held from 10 to 14 August 2026. The five-day bilateral exercise aims to enhance interoperability, operational synergy and professional cooperation between the specialist diving and EOD teams of the two navies. It includes Subject Matter Expert Exchanges (SMEEs), cross-training sessions, equipment demonstrations and scenario-based practical exercises. The 7th edition (SALVEX) was conducted from 26 June to 6 July 2023 in Kochi.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) conducted the 3rd edition of Exercise ROTOR CLAP-III, a Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) exercise, at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Jaisalmer (Rajasthan) on 1-2 August 2026. It validated helicopter-based operational concepts against emerging drone threats. The exercise featured AH-64 Apache, Mi-25/35, HAL Prachand (LCH), CH-47 Chinook, Mi-17 and HAL Dhruv (ALH) helicopters — underscoring the IAF''s focus on countering low-cost drones and swarms.

IAF Squadron Leader Bhawana Kanth became the first woman pilot in India to clear the elite Fighter Combat Leader (FCL) course, graduating on 6 August 2026 from the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), Gwalior. The 20-week programme — the IAF''s equivalent of the US Navy''s Top Gun — is cleared by only about 1% of selected fighter pilots and qualifies them to lead complex air-combat operations. Kanth was commissioned in June 2016 in India''s first batch of women fighter pilots, and in May 2019 became the first Indian woman fighter pilot cleared for daytime combat missions.

Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam delivered 'Nipun', the second indigenously built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), to the Indian Navy at Visakhapatnam on 31 July 2026. The vessel supports deep-sea diving, underwater inspection, salvage operations and submarine-rescue missions, enhancing the Navy's underwater maintenance and emergency-response capability. HSL is a defence CPSE under the Ministry of Defence, HQ Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and is the only Indian shipyard with submarine-building experience. The first DSV was INS Nireekshak. The delivery advances Atmanirbhar Bharat in naval shipbuilding.

On 31 July 2026, Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth launched the indigenously developed Xtreme Weather Grade (XWG) Diesel in New Delhi, jointly developed by the Indian Army and Oil Marketing Companies, with Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) as the key developer. The fuel remains fully functional at temperatures as low as minus 42 degrees C, designed for Ladakh, Siachen Glacier and other snow-bound forward areas. It complies with BS-VI emission norms and IS 1460:2025 fuel-quality standards, enabling immediate use in the existing vehicle fleet without engine modification or re-homologation. The Army Chief called it a real game changer.

In July 2026, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually inaugurated the Department of Military Medicine at the Command Hospital (Central Command), Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh — India's first dedicated academic and operational department focused exclusively on military medicine. Established under the Directorate General of Medical Services (DGMS) of the Indian Army, it aims to strengthen the operational medical preparedness of the Armed Forces Medical Services (AFMS). It will develop Centres of Excellence for HADR and CBRNE defence, covering military trauma, combat psychiatry, operational and emergency medicine, plus PG programmes in Military Studies.

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh felicitated nine women officers in New Delhi on 30 July 2026 for completing the first-ever tri-service all-women circumnavigation sailing expedition, named 'Samudra Pradakshina'. The expedition demonstrated the growing role of women in the armed forces and India's maritime capability, echoing earlier all-women Navy sailing voyages such as INSV Tarini's expeditions. It reflects the government's continued push for greater gender inclusion across the three services.

Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) Rajnath Singh announced two policy reforms for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) at Kartavya Bhavan-2, New Delhi, including a move towards gender-neutral induction. The Indian Coast Guard, established on 1 February 1977 and formally constituted under the Coast Guard Act, 1978, is an armed force under the Ministry of Defence responsible for maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and protection of India's maritime zones. Its motto is 'Vayam Rakshamah' ('We Protect').

The DRDO on 24 July 2026 carried out the maiden flight test of the indigenous Kusha long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) from APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast. Kusha (Project Kusha / LR-SAM) features three interceptor variants with ranges of about 150 km, 250 km and up to 400 km, able to engage fighter aircraft, drones and missiles. Cleared by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) in 2022, the Rs 21,700-crore programme is expected to enter service between 2028 and 2030, reducing India's reliance on imported systems such as the Russian S-400. The launch was monitored by DRDO Chairman and Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.

The Indian Navy is hosting Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, a multinational maritime training engagement, at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi (Kerala), from 20 to 23 July 2026. Conducted with: The four-day engagement is conducted in partnership with the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) under the India-led Combined Task Force (CTF) 154, which is the CMF's dedicated training task force. Objective: To enhance maritime security cooperation, improve interoperability among partner navies and strengthen professional capabilities in tackling emerging maritime challenges. Training content: A blend of classroom sessions, simulator-based instruction and practical training covering maritime law, maritime domain awareness, information sharing, counter-narcotics operations, force protection, asymmetric threats and the employment of maritime uncrewed systems. Participants: Personnel from over 40 nations are associated with the engagement, with participating countries including Australia, Canada, Japan, Thailand, the UAE, Oman, Djibouti, Seychelles, the USA and the UK.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will take part in Exercise Pitch Black 2026, the Royal Australian Air Force's (RAAF) largest multinational air-combat exercise, held in Australia's Northern Territory from 20 July to 7 August 2026. Pitch Black is a biennial exercise featuring large-force employment air-combat drills with air forces from around the world, strengthening interoperability among participating nations.

On 17 July 2026, the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent arrived in Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026, with four Rafale fighter jets, two C-17 Globemaster III transport aircraft and over 120 Air Warriors — the first time IAF Rafales join the drill. The exercise runs 20 July-7 August 2026 across RAAF bases Darwin, Tindal and Amberley. One of the Indo-Pacific's largest air-combat exercises, it involves up to 100 aircraft and 2,500+ personnel from around 20 nations, aiming to enhance interoperability and combat skills.

The <b>World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA)</b> Global Air Power Rankings 2026 ranked the <b>Indian Air Force (IAF)</b> as the <b>3rd-most powerful air force</b> globally, behind only the United States and Russia, staying ahead of China's PLAAF for the <b>5th consecutive year</b>. When all air arms (Army, Navy, Air Force) are considered together, the IAF ranks 6th overall with a True Value Rating (TVR) of <b>69.4</b>; the US Air Force tops with a TVR of <b>242.9</b> (5,004 aircraft). The assessment evaluated 129 air services across 103 countries. Pakistan's air force ranked 18th and Bangladesh 83rd.

The Indian Navy commissioned the indigenous stealth frigate INS Mahendragiri (F38), the sixth and final Nilgiri-class (Project-17A) frigate, into the Eastern Fleet at Visakhapatnam, with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh presiding. Designed by the Warship Design Bureau and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, it bears the motto "Mighty, Majestic, Matchless". Sister ships: Nilgiri, Himgiri, Udaygiri, Taragiri, Vindhyagiri.

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahendragiri (F38) on 11 July 2026 at the Naval Dockyard, Visakhapatnam, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Navy Chief Admiral Krishna Swaminathan. It is the sixth of the Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) indigenous stealth guided-missile frigates, designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai, with over 75% indigenous content. Named after the Mahendragiri range in the Eastern Ghats, it carries BrahMos and Barak-8 missiles and joins the Eastern Fleet. Its motto is 'Sthitpragyah, Raneshu, Aprajitah' (steadfast, wise, invincible in battle). Project 17A frigates are all named after Indian mountain ranges.

The Indian Air Force (IAF) and the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) conducted the bilateral air exercise "Udara Shakti 2026" at Subang Air Base, Malaysia, strengthening interoperability and defence ties.

The multilateral UN peacekeeping exercise Khaan Quest 2026 ran 20 June to 3 July at the Five Hills Training Area, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with the Indian Army participating in checkpoint, cordon-and-search, counter-IED and casualty-evacuation drills.

India's maiden multilateral military Exercise PRAGATI-I 2026, held at Umroi, Meghalaya, brought together troops from 12 friendly nations for counter-terrorism drills in jungle and semi-mountainous terrain.

The fourth edition of the India-Egypt joint special forces exercise 'Cyclone' was held at Anshas, Egypt, focusing on special-forces training and counter-terrorism cooperation.

A high-intensity tri-service military drill was conducted 24-28 March 2026, focused on coastal and island defence and joint operational readiness for maritime security.

The 16th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces exercise was held at the Special Forces Training School, Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh, from 24 February to 16 March 2026.

The 7th edition of the India-Japan joint military exercise concluded at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand, running 24 February to 9 March 2026, to enhance interoperability in jungle and semi-urban terrain.

The Indian Navy's flagship multilateral exercise MILAN 2026 was held under the Eastern Naval Command with 74 friendly foreign countries, 42 ships/submarines and 29 aircraft; the closing ceremony was aboard INS Vikrant.

The 13th edition of the annual India-Kyrgyzstan bilateral special-forces exercise 'Khanjar' focused on urban and mountain warfare, sniping and counter-terrorism, strengthening India-Central Asia defence cooperation.

DRDO handed over the Final Operational Clearance for the indigenous Netra Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) system in Bengaluru, making India the fifth country with indigenous AEW&C capability.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the first comprehensive 'Joint Air Defence Doctrine', aimed at integrating multi-service anti-aircraft radars and assets under a unified tri-service interface for coordinated air defence.

DRDO conducted three consecutive successful flight trials of the indigenous Very Short-Range Air Defence System (VSHORADS) from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha - a man-portable system against low-altitude threats and drones.

DRDO's DRDL conducted a long-duration ground test (over 1,000 seconds) of an actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor in Hyderabad - a foundation for India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.

India carried out the second developmental trial of the Long-Range Land-Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM) from Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the Odisha coast, advancing indigenous cruise-missile capability.

On 10-11 June 2026, DRDO conducted two consecutive flight tests of its multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence interceptors AD-1 and AD-2 from the Integrated Test Range off the Odisha coast, validating capability against ICBM-class threats.

The Indian Army successfully tested its newly inducted FPV kamikaze loitering-munition drone system 'Divyastra MK-1' under extreme combat configurations in Jodhpur, reflecting the push toward drone warfare.

In early June 2026, DRDO and the IAF successfully flight-tested the RudraM-II air-to-surface missile from an airborne platform under extreme release conditions, demonstrating the maturity of India's indigenous precision-strike weapons.

DRDO test-fired the indigenous Naval Anti-Ship Missile (Medium Range), NASM-MR, off the eastern coast. It has a range of about 300 km and uses INS+GPS midcourse guidance with a radar altimeter for sea-skimming flight.

DRDO completed developmental trials of the final configuration of the UAV-launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM-V3) in air-to-ground and air-to-air modes at a test range near Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh.

DRDO's DRDL achieved a run-time of over 1,200 seconds (20 minutes) in an actively cooled full-scale scramjet combustor test in Hyderabad, a foundation for India's Hypersonic Cruise Missile Development Programme.

DRDO conducted the second flight test of its Long-Range Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile (LR-AShM) off the Odisha coast at hypersonic speeds, a major leap in India's strike capability.

India announced plans to integrate the DRDO-developed Astra Mk-2 Beyond Visual Range air-to-air missile - with a range up to ~240 km - onto Mirage 2000 fighters to boost aerial dominance.

The third live-fire test of the US Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW / 'Dark Eagle') with a Common Hypersonic Glide Body was conducted from Cape Canaveral.

DRDO fired two Pralay quasi-ballistic missiles in quick succession from the same launcher off the Odisha coast, validating rapid multi-missile deployment; Pralay is a 150-500 km surface-to-surface missile.

DRDO successfully flight-tested the Pinaka Long Range Guided Rocket (~120 km strike range) at the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, Odisha, hitting the target with precision.

A HAL review on 8 June 2026 emphasised LCA Tejas Mk1A timelines: 18 airframes prepared and six GE engines delivered, with GE to deliver 20 engines between June and December 2026; the first Mk1A from the Nashik line was targeted for end-June.

The first C-295 medium tactical transport aircraft manufactured in India completed its maiden flight, a milestone for domestic aerospace manufacturing. A total of 40 aircraft are being built at the Tata-Airbus Final Assembly Line in Vadodara, Gujarat, for the Indian Air Force.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the Advanced Weapon System Complex at DRDL Hyderabad, supporting Mission Sudarshan Chakra - a planned three-layer missile defence shield for India.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with Vietnam's Defence Minister in Hanoi and jointly inaugurated the Indian War Memorial at Imjingak Park, Seoul, with South Korea's Minister of Patriots and Veterans Affairs.

May 2026 marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor (7-10 May 2025), India's response to the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, with commemorations highlighting drone and multi-domain warfare lessons.

An Indian Air Force Su-30MKI crashed after take-off for a training flight in Karbi Anglong district, Assam, killing both pilots. The Su-30MKI is the IAF's frontline multirole fighter.

The 78th Army Day was observed with a parade at Jagatpura, Jaipur - the first ever held outside a cantonment area - under the theme 'Year of Networking and Data Centricity'.

Reports indicated India began developing two new interceptors under Phase-III of its Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, designed to counter hypersonic weapons, MIRVs and non-ballistic atmospheric-entry vehicles.