India Signs First Export Deal for Astra Mk 1 BVRAAM to Indonesia; Key Features & Strategic Significance

India Finalises Javelin ATGM Deal via US FMS After 16-Year Process; Co-Production with BDL in Focus

India has finally signed the Letter of Offer and Acceptance for the US-made Javelin anti-tank guided missiles after a 16-year procurement struggle. The deal, routed through Foreign Military Sales, shifts focus to co-assembly and co-production with Bharat Dynamics Limited, while the indigenous MPATGM programme also matures. For exams, remember the chronology: 2010 Javelin attempt → 2014 pivot to Spike → 2017 cancellation → 2019 emergency Spike-LR → 2025 Javelin revival.

India-UK Sign IGA for Maritime Electric Propulsion for Navy LPDs, Procure LMM Missiles

India and UK are set to sign an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) for developing maritime electric propulsion systems for four Landing Platform Docks (LPDs) for the Indian Navy. Additionally, a second IGA for procurement of British Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs) for the Indian Army is imminent. This collaboration includes establishing India's first maritime Land-Based Testing Facility for Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) by GE Vernova and BHEL.

₹1,943 Crore Deal: Indian Navy Leases 2 MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones from US for 30 Months

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943 crore contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from US firm General Atomics for 30 months, boosting Indian Navy's maritime surveillance capabilities across both eastern and western fronts. This expands the Navy's drone fleet to four units and bridges the gap until delivery of 31 MQ-9Bs ordered in 2024.

AI-Driven Cyber Threats Rise: India 2nd Most Attacked Nation, AI Agents Find Zero-Day Flaws

The article highlights how AI is transforming cyber threats—from automated reconnaissance to AI-generated polymorphic malware and autonomous zero-day vulnerability discovery. For India, already among the most targeted nations, the lag in indigenous AI capabilities poses a critical national security risk, demanding integrated AI-cybersecurity policymaking.

INS Nipun Commissioned: Indian Navy's 2nd Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel Enhances Submarine Rescue Capability

INS Nipun, the Indian Navy's second Nistar-class Diving Support Vessel, was commissioned at Mumbai. Built indigenously by HSL, it enhances India's submarine rescue, deep-sea diving, and salvage capabilities, marking a step towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence.

India’s Defence Sector Faces 40-45% Skill Gap in Specialised Roles by 2030, Warns Report

India's defence manufacturing is booming (production at ₹1.78 lakh crore, exports up 62.66%), but a structural talent gap threatens growth. A Quess Corp report warns 40-45% of specialised roles (radar, avionics, quantum communications) could remain unfilled by 2030. The core issue: conventional engineering education lacks the systems-level thinking and field exposure needed for defence deployability.

India-Japan Sign Maritime Security MoA: Deeper Naval Cooperation in Indo-Pacific

India and Japan signed a Memorandum of Arrangement (MoA) on Maritime Security Cooperation, deepening operational ties including information sharing, naval exercises, and logistics support under the 'Japan-India Special Strategic and Global Partnership'. This pact is crucial for UPSC exams as it ties into India's Act East Policy, Indo-Pacific strategy, and defence diplomacy.

HAL-Safran JV SAFHAL to Develop 'Aravalli' Engine for 13-Tonne IMRH Helicopter

HAL and France's Safran have signed a deal through their JV SAFHAL to co-develop the 'Aravalli' engine, India's first high-power indigenous helicopter engine. This marks a strategic shift from licensed production to joint design, powering the 13-tonne IMRH and its naval variant DBMRH, with manufacturing at Tumakuru, Karnataka.