1. Defence production target of Rs 2 lakh crore in 2026 and Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029: RM Rajnath Singh

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, speaking at an event in New Delhi, said annual defence production reached a record high of approximately Rs 1.78 lakh crore in FY 2025-26, up from around Rs 40,000 crore in 2014. He added that defence exports have touched an all-time high of Rs 38,000 crore, compared to Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14. "Our defence production target is to surpass Rs 2 lakh crore this year and Rs 3 lakh crore by 2029. Our goal is to ensure that defence exports reach Rs 50,000 crore by 2029. Given the current pace of progress, I am confident that we will succeed in achieving these targets," he said.

2. Armenia initiates advanced discussions for the Astra missile

Armenia has initiated advanced negotiations with India to integrate the Astra beyond-visual-range (BVR) air-to-air missile onto its Su-30SM fighter jets, according to a report by The Hindu Business Line. The DRDO-developed Astra missile has a range of 110 km. Armenia has already procured the Akash surface-to-air missile system, Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launchers, Swathi weapon-locating radars, 155mm Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) howitzers, and ZEN anti-drone systems from India. The report also states that Saudi Arabia is eyeing the Astra missile, but integration remains a challenge as it operates Western-origin Eurofighter Typhoon and F-15SA fighter jets.

3. Paninian Aerospace unveils Yantur 4.5 kN turbofan engine programme

Indian private defence startup Paninian India Private Limited has unveiled the Yantur 4.5 kN Turbofan Engine Programme, which is set to become India's first privately developed turbofan engine in its class. The programme marks a significant step towards building indigenous private-sector capability in compact aerospace propulsion for next-generation autonomous systems. The Yantur engine is being developed to power Svayatt L1, Paninian's long-range autonomous cruise missile platform, designed to meet the Indian Ministry of Defence's Make-I programme requirements for the Long-Range Land Attack Cruise Missile (LRLACM).

4. Kuwait looking to sign defence pact with Pakistan

Kuwait is looking to sign a defence pact with Pakistan, according to a report by The Economic Times. Islamabad is reportedly negotiating a broader defence agreement with Kuwait in return for energy cooperation and investment in resource-deficient Pakistan. If the agreement goes through, Pakistani military personnel and equipment could be deployed in Kuwait.

5. US CENTCOM completes ninth consecutive strike against Iran

U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) carried out its ninth consecutive strike against Iran on July 19. The U.S. began strikes on July 8 after President Trump announced at the NATO Summit in Türkiye that the MoU signed with Iran was over and "a waste of time." The strikes have targeted Iranian military command centres, air defence and coastal surveillance sites, maritime capabilities, missile and drone launch sites, and communications networks to further reduce Iran's ability to attack commercial vessels and civilian mariners transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Chakra Desk

Chakra News is a specialised digital media platform committed to in-depth coverage of India’s defence, national security, geopolitics, and critical technologies.