The Indian Air Force has successfully conducted a drop trial of the indigenously designed and developed Long Range Glide Bomb (LRGB), Khagantak-243, marking a boost to India’s indigenous precision-strike capabilities. The IAF said the trial met all objectives, describing it as a significant milestone for the force and Indian defence industry. The successful test underscores the growing focus on indigenous weapons development under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative and is expected to strengthen India’s long-range strike capabilities. “A significant milestone for the #IAF and Indian Industry. The Indian Air Force successfully conducted the drop of an indigenously designed & developed Long…
Author: Digital Desk
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has strengthened its research infrastructure in the Northeast with the inauguration of a state-of-the-art Animal House Facility at the Defence Research Laboratory (DRL), Tezpur. Dr U. K. Singh, DS & DG (Soldier Support System), DRDO Headquarters, New Delhi, inaugurated the facility on September 3 in the presence of Dr Rajesh Kumar Garg, Centre Head, DRL Tezpur; J. Venkateswarlu, CCE (R&D) East, Kolkata; Dr P. Chattopadhyay, Scientist ‘G’, DRL Tezpur, and other laboratory personnel. During the inauguration, Dr Y. D. Bhutia, Scientist ‘F’, DRL Tezpur, highlighted the significance of the facility and its potential…
India and Belgium have agreed to significantly deepen their strategic partnership, with defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, advanced technologies and economic engagement emerging as key pillars of the relationship following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in New Delhi. In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to expanding bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation, setting an ambitious target of doubling bilateral trade over the next five years. The two sides identified substantial opportunities for collaboration in defence manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, semiconductors, critical minerals, renewable energy, ports and…
India and Belgium on Thursday called for deeper defence-industrial cooperation, with a focus on co-development and co-production of niche technologies to strengthen military capabilities and build more resilient defence supply chains. Belgian Defence and Foreign Trade Minister Theo Francken and Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth made the call while addressing the India-Belgium Defence CEOs Roundtable and B2B Meetings in New Delhi, attended by Belgian defence companies, the Confederation of Indian Industry and the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers. Francken highlighted the scope for greater industrial collaboration between the two countries, stressing the need for joint efforts to strengthen…
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday unveiled RAKSHA, a comprehensive defence diplomacy document outlining India’s strategic roadmap and long-term vision for global defence partnerships over the next decade. Released in New Delhi on September 3, the document seeks to provide a structured and actionable framework for India’s evolving defence diplomacy, aligning national security objectives with proactive international engagement and deeper cooperation with partner countries. The RAKSHA framework marks an important shift towards a more proactive, partnership-driven approach to strategic engagement, with emphasis on long-term stability, mutual growth and strengthening India’s role in shaping the emerging global security architecture. The document…
India and Belgium on Thursday agreed to further strengthen bilateral defence and industrial cooperation, with a renewed focus on institutionalised defence dialogue, high-level military exchanges, training and capacity building. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks with Belgium’s Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade Theo Francken in New Delhi on September 3, 2026. The two sides reviewed the entire spectrum of defence and defence-industrial cooperation and discussed measures to expand engagement between the two countries. The talks underscored the importance of strengthening structured defence cooperation through regular defence cooperation dialogue, high-level visits, training programmes and capacity-building initiatives. The move is…
Air Marshal PV Shivanand, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command (SWAC), undertook a comprehensive operational review of air bases in the Saurashtra sector, reiterating the Indian Air Force’s emphasis on sustained combat readiness and round-the-clock operational vigilance along the western theatre. The visit commenced with a ceremonial Guard of Honour accorded to the AOC-in-C on his arrival. During the review, Air Marshal Shivanand assessed the operational preparedness of the bases and reviewed key facilities supporting air defence and air operations. A key highlight of the visit was his sortie on a maritime strike aircraft, underlining SWAC’s focus on…
Assam Rifles conducted a Security Interaction Meeting with village leadership and community representatives at Shangshak Village Community Hall, Ukhrul District, Manipur, on 30 August 2026. The interaction was attended by Assam Rifles personnel, the Headman of Shangshak Village, members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and 20 village representatives and residents. The interaction provided a platform for candid exchange of views on the prevailing security situation, community welfare and issues of mutual concern. Discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the security forces and village authorities, maintaining peace and harmony, facilitating timely information sharing and promoting responsible participation of the local community…
Surgeon Vice Admiral Dilip Raghavan, VSM, assumed charge as the Director General Hospital Services (Armed Forces) on 01 September 2026. A distinguished officer of the Indian Navy Medical Service, Surgeon Vice Admiral Dilip Raghavan was born and educated in Chennai and Mumbai. He joined the Armed Forces Medical College (AFMC), Pune, in 1985 and completed his MBBS in 1989. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 26 December 1989. During his illustrious career spanning over three decades, the Flag Officer has held several key appointments, including Command Medical Officer, Southern Naval Command; Command Medical Officer, Eastern Naval Command; and…
Ambassador Nebiyu Tedla, Chargé d’Affaires, Embassy of Ethiopia, met Joint Secretary Shri Amitabh Prasad in New Delhi on September 2 to discuss avenues for further strengthening India-Ethiopia defence cooperation. The discussions focused on key areas of bilateral defence engagement, including military training, defence industry collaboration and United Nations peacekeeping operations. Both sides also explored opportunities to expand cooperation into new and emerging areas, reflecting the growing scope of the India-Ethiopia defence partnership. The interaction provided an opportunity to review ongoing areas of cooperation and identify new avenues for enhancing institutional and professional linkages between the two countries. India and Ethiopia…