Indian Defence News

IAF officer Squadron Leader Saanya has become the first woman to earn prestigious Category-A Qualified Flying Instructor qualification, the highest instructional rating for military pilots in India. Trained at Flying Instructors School in Tambaram near Chennai, she completed rigorous flying and ground training to achieve the top instructor grade.

IAF is developing AGNI, an advanced combat simulation system designed to train pilots and military commanders for modern warfare. Unlike older simulators, AGNI will connect fighter jets, drones, missiles on one real-time network. The system will simulate air, land and sea battles using virtual reality, electronic warfare and satellite imagery.

With no aircraft delivered more than two years past the original deadline, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s new chief has promised the Indian Air Force that the first Tejas-Mk1A jets will arrive by August or September 2026.

The Indian Army and Royal Cambodian Army successfully concluded the second edition of the 14-day joint military exercise CINBAX-II 2026 in Cambodia’s Kampong Speu Province. The exercise focused on tactical operations in semi-urban environments, including sniper drills, drone operations, mortar training, combat first aid and disaster relief.

General Anil Chauhan has emerged as one of the most influential military leaders in modern Indian defence history, playing a central role in reshaping the country’s military structure, strategic thinking, and future warfare preparedness.

India laid the foundation stone on Thursday for a core integration and flight-testing centre at Puttaparthi in Andhra Pradesh, the facility that will drive development of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the country’s first fifth-generation stealth fighter.

Bengaluru-based Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) and European major SKETCHPIXEL LDA forged partnership to manufacture AI (artificial intelligence) combat aircraft – Kaal Bhairava in Portugal, for the first time. Portugal is a NATO member state.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will visit Vietnam and South Korea from May 18 to strengthen defence cooperation. In Vietnam, talks on the BrahMos supersonic missile deal are at an advanced stage, valued at ₹5,800 crore. Vietnam could become the third BrahMos buyer. In South Korea, India will promote the new KIND-X defence innovation platform.

A powerful long-range missile roared into the air from the Odisha coast, leaving behind a glowing trail that was seen by thousands of people across Odisha, West Bengal, and even faraway Bangladesh.

Following a brief 2025 conflict initiated by Indian strikes, Pakistan sought a ceasefire after its retaliation failed and India struck key air bases. Despite framing the ceasefire as a diplomatic success, Pakistan immediately began a massive military overhaul.