1. China hands over third Hangor class submarine to Pakistan

China has delivered the third of the eight Hangor class submarines which were ordered by Pakistan.The launching ceremony of the third Hangor-class submarine was held in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, on August 14 2025.The second of the eight submarines China is building for Pakistan was handed over in March this year.

Speaking at the launch of the third submarine, Pakistan's Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Project-2 Vice Admiral Abdul Samad said the Hangor-class submarine's cutting-edge weaponry and advanced sensors would be instrumental in sustaining regional power equilibrium and ensuring maritime stability.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, said that the Hangor-class submarine is characterised by its strong underwater combat capabilities, including comprehensive sensor systems, excellent stealth characteristics, high mobility, long endurance and formidable firepower.

2. Indian Naval Ships to take part in SLINEX exercise

Indian naval ships INS Rana and INS Jyoti have arrived at Colombo to participate in a bilateral exercise between the navies of India and Sri Lanka that aims at enhancing interoperability and maritime cooperation. 

SLINEX exercise also known as Sri Lanka-India Naval Exercise (SLINEX) is a bilateral exercise that has strengthened maritime cooperation between the two nations over two decades.

A Navy spokesperson said that INS Rana, a guided missile destroyer, and INS Jyoti, a fleet tanker, have arrived at Colombo to participate in the 12th edition of the exercise, running from August 14-18. 

3. INS Tamal conducts PASSEX exercise with Italian Navy

INS Tamal participated in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with ITS Trieste, a landing platform dock of the Italian Navy, prior to entering harbour in Naples.

INS Tamal celebrated India's 79th Independence Day in Naples on August 15.

The defence ministry said that The stealth frigate arrived in Naples on August 13, during her return passage to India after the commissioning in Russia.The visit underscores the deepening of bilateral relations between India and Italy since the elevation to a 'Strategic Partnership' in 2023, centered on expanded cooperation in defence, energy, and technology, and is aimed at enhancing interoperability and jointmanship between both the navies.

4. A new Chinese tank spotted ahead of Victory Day Parade

A Chinese (PRC) light tank, weighing 30-40 tons, was spotted in Beijing during preparations for the upcoming Victory Day parade commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan in WW2. The parade will be hed on September 3 2025.

From the images of the tank it can be said that it is a 40-tonne class. The tank has next-generation 105 mm main gun.Remotely controlled turret, three-person crew compartment at the front of the hull. It is powered by plug-in, single-mode, long-range hybrid engine.New medium size hard-kill APS and RCWS air defense system for counter-drone protection. The main feature of the tank is Quad-aspect radar and at least 13 optical-lidar systems providing full 360-degree situational awareness and has limited unmanned operations.

The name of the tank is said to be ZTZ-201 medium tank and it resembles the Russian T-14 Armata  and many analysts are wondering why a 40-tonne class tank has a 105mm main gun. The IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) derivative of the tank was also seen practicing for the parade.

5. Pakistani Minister claims of having video proof of downing 6 Indian jets

Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has claimed to have video proof of downing 6 Indian Rafale fighter jets.

The minister repeated claims that the nation downed six Indian aircraft during the brief military confrontation between the two nations in May, claiming that Islamabad had “video proof”. However, he did not, once again, provide any details to back the assertion.

Addressing a seminar in Lahore on Sunday, Naqvi boasted about being privy to key pieces of information surrounding the recent India-Pakistan war. There, he insisted that Pakistani intelligence had knowledge about India's plans ahead of time and that the nation had footage of six Indian planes being downed by the Pak military.

The claim is not new and has already been refuted by India. On May 31, India's Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan, speaking in Singapore, had flatly rejected Pakistan's claims of downing Indian jets, including Rafale's, as "absolutely incorrect".

6. One Jawan killed, three injured in IED blast in Chattisgarh

One jawan was killed and two others injured in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast triggered by Naxalites in the National Park area of Bijapur district on Monday, a police official said.

According to IG Bastar P Sundarraj, during an anti-Maoist operation by DRG team in Bijapur district's National Park area, an IED blast occurred in the morning.

One DRG jawan, Dinesh Nag, was KIA, and three others were injured.The injured personnel are in stable condition and out of danger. They have received first aid and are being evacuated for further treatment.

7. Indian Air Force planning to integrate SCALP missile on Tejas

The Indian Air Force is planning to integrate the French MBDA SCALP cruise missile on Tejas MK1A and MK2. The SCALP missile is currently carried by the Rafale fighter aircraft of the Indian Air Force. It has a range of 500 km.

The SCALP missile, also known as Storm Shadow, is a long-range, air-launched cruise missile jointly developed by the United Kingdom and France. It is designed for precision strikes against high-value, heavily defended targets. The missile is known for its stealth capabilities, long range, and powerful warhead. 

The missile was used in Operation Sindoor where it struck the enemy targets precisely and accurately.

8. SMPP and ADFC announce Joint Venture

A leading Indian defence technology company,  SMPP signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Asia Defence and Firepower Corporation (ADFC) of the Philippines to establish a strategic joint venture corporation (JVC).

The proposed JVC will be headquartered in the Philippines and focus on manufacturing, assembling, and distributing a range of SMPP’s advanced defence products, tailored to support the Philippine government’s Self-Reliant Defence Posture (SRDP) initiative under Republic Act No. 12024.

SMPP, which produces ammunition components, bulletproof jackets, ballistic helmets and armour kits for vehicles and aircraft, has been a supplier to the Indian armed forces for over a decade. Last month, the company announced an order worth more than Rs 300 crore under emergency provisions, covering the supply of 27,700 bulletproof jackets and 11,700 advanced ballistic helmets to the Indian Army. 

9. China to unveil XLUUV at Victory Day Parade 

An extra large uncrewed underwater vehicle was seen during the rehearsals of the Victory Day Parade in China. 

The resemblance of the underwater vehicle is very much similar to Russia's Poseidon underwater vehicle.

While the specifications of the vehicle is not known but its resemblance with Poseidon shows that China also has entered the race of developing the XLUUV vehicle.

10. China’s Tiltrotor Prototype Takes First Flight

China has flown the first prototype of a tiltrotor aircraft under development by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC).

From the photos, the aircraft bears strong conceptual similarities to the American V-280 Valor. Like the U.S. design, the engines remain fixed in place while the rotors and drive shafts tilt to transition between vertical and horizontal flight.

The prototype features a straight wing with a driveshaft running through it, allowing both rotors to be powered by a single engine in the event of an engine failure. This design is intended to enhance safety and maintain flight stability. Other visible characteristics include retractable landing gear and a T-tail configuration.

11. Bangladesh Army Chief attends Janmashtami festivity

To safeguard communal harmony the Bangladesh Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman attended Janamashtami festivity in Dhaka on 16 August 2025.He was joined on the occasion by Navy chief Admiral M Nazmul Hassan, Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmood Khan, and Bangladesh Army's 9th Infantry Division GOC Major General Md Moin Khan, signalling that the military will play a critical role in protecting Bangladesh's secular traditions amid the rise of fundamentalist forces.

Referring to the presence of the Navy chief, Air chief, and the GOC of the 9th Infantry Division, General Waker-uz-Zaman said: "Together, we will always stand beside you. You will live in this country without fear. Celebrate your religious festivals with joy. We will share in your celebrations together.

Emphasising that all citizens have equal rights in the country, the Army Chief said, "You will live in this country without fear. We will always stand by your side."

Arjun Dev Singh

Arjun Dev Singh has a deep interest in defence, security, and strategic affairs. With a strong analytical lens and a passion for military and geopolitical developments, Arjun strives to bring clarity and context to complex national and international issues.