IAF Successfully Tests Indigenous Long-Range Glide Bomb Khagantak-243, Boosts Atmanirbhar Bharat

HAL Partners with Adani Defence & BEML for 90 LCH Fuselage Structures

HAL has signed agreements with Adani Defence Systems and BEML to manufacture 90 fuselage structures for the Prachand Light Combat Helicopter (LCH). This marks the first integration of private industry into helicopter fuselage production, significantly boosting India's indigenous aerospace manufacturing capacity and supply chain.

US Envoy Visits Tata-Lockheed C-130J Plant as India Seeks 80 MTA Under Make in India

US envoy's visit to Tata-Lockheed Martin JV highlights India's push for 80 Medium Transport Aircraft (MTA) under Make in India. The C-130J Super Hercules, already operated by IAF, is a top contender. The visit underscores deepening US-India defence ties and India's integration into global aerospace supply chain.

IAF & JASDF Chiefs Fly Tejas in Veer Guardian 2026; First JASDF Fighters on Indian Soil

India-Japan air exercise Veer Guardian showcases indigenous Tejas fighter, as both air chiefs flew in formation. This marks the first time JASDF fighters operated from Indian soil, strengthening bilateral defence ties and highlighting India's growing defence exports potential.

HAL's LUH with 60% Indigenous Content Set to Replace Ageing Cheetah/Chetak Fleets

India's military helicopter fleet in the Himalayas is critically ageing, with Cheetah/Chetak helicopters over 50 years old. The indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) by HAL, with 60% indigenisation and 1,300+ hours of testing, is the strategic solution to enhance operational readiness and self-reliance under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Agni-4 Medium-Range Ballistic Missile Test-Fired from Chandipur, Odisha

India successfully test-fired the medium-range Agni-4 ballistic missile from Chandipur, Odisha, under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command. The test validated all operational and technical parameters, reinforcing India's nuclear deterrence capability.

INS Nipun Commissioned: 9,000-tonne Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel Boosts Navy's Submarine Rescue Capability

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Nipun, the second Nistar-class diving support vessel, significantly enhancing deep-sea diving, saturation diving, and submarine rescue capabilities. This 9,000-tonne ship, built by Hindustan Shipyard Ltd, strengthens the Western Naval Command and supports the Deep Submergence Rescue Vessel (DSRV) for crew rescue up to 650 metres. For exam aspirants, this marks a key defence modernization and indigenization milestone.

UPSC Key: 14 Internal EC Dissents, Tarang Shakti-26 Multinational Exercise, and AI-Driven Semiconductor Supercycle

This Indian Express 'UPSC Key' compilation covers six critical topics: unprecedented internal dissent within the Election Commission (14 objections in 10 months), the second edition of India's largest multinational air exercise Tarang Shakti-26, the Supreme Court's reaffirmation of the Bijoe Emmanuel precedent on Vande Mataram, a new Centre scheme for lithium and nickel processing, the evolution of Yemen's Houthis from a local revivalist movement to a Red Sea power, and the global semiconductor 'supercycle' driven by AI demand. Each story is mapped to UPSC syllabus with previous year questions.

RIL, Rolls-Royce Sign JV for Indigenous AMCA Combat Engine; Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex Planned

Reliance Industries (RIL) and Rolls-Royce have formed a joint venture to design, develop, and manufacture a sovereign combat engine for India's Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). This is a major step towards defence indigenisation and Atmanirbhar Bharat, with plans for an Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex. For exam aspirants, this links to defence technology, Make in India, and strategic autonomy.