1. Defence ministry approves procurement of  Rs 79,000 crores

In a major boost to the Armed Forces, the Defence Ministry cleared several acquisition proposals worth around Rs 79,000 crore to strengthen the capabilities of the Indian Armed Forces. The meeting of the Defence Acquisition Council was headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Acceptance of Necessity (AON) were given for the purchase of the Nag Missile System (Tracked) Mark-II, Ground-Based Mobile Electronic Intelligence System, and High Mobility Vehicles fitted with Material Handling Cranes. The Indian Navy obtained approval for landing platform dock, 30-millimetre Naval Surface Guns, Advanced Lightweight Torpedoes, Electro-Optical Infrared Search and Track Systems, and Smart Ammunition for the 76-millimetre Super Rapid Gun Mount. THE council approved the Collaborative Long-Range Target Saturation and Destruction System for the IAF. 

2. Cochin Shipyard delivers first ASW SWC MAHE to the Indian Navy

Cochin Shipyard delivered the  MAHE, the first Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWC), built by CSL, to the Indian Navy.  Senior officials of the Indian Navy and CSL were present during the occasion. The vessel will be used for underwater surveillance, search & rescue operations in coastal areas.

3. HAL HTT-40 Series Production aircraft takes first flight

The first Hindustan Turbo Trainer-40 (HTT-40) Series Production aircraft, TH 4001, which will train the next generation Air Warriors, took to the skies at the HAL facility in Bengaluru today. HTT-40 Basic Trainer Aircraft is a fully aerobatic, tandem-seat, turboprop aircraft built to provide basic flight training, aerobatics, instrument flying, and night flying.

The IAF has ordered 70 HAL HTT-40 aircraft in March 2023. These aircraft are expected to serve alongside the Swiss Pilatus PC-7 MK-II in the IAF.

4. PNS KHAIBAR undergoing tests 

PNS KHAIBAR, the second ship of the class built under the Pakistan MİLGEM Project, has completed its firing tests,  a report by Defence Turk said

The PN MİLGEM-class corvettes, an advanced variant of the Turkish Ada-class, were specifically designed and constructed to meet the operational needs of the Pakistan Navy. These ships feature an extended hull length and beam, with all calculations and internal layouts redesigned from scratch. The PN MİLGEM Project is $1.5 billion, Türkiye’s largest single naval defence export. Beyond economics, it holds profound strategic significance, enhancing defence cooperation between Türkiye and Pakistan. 

5. Russian military aircraft enter Lithuania

Lithuania said two Russian military aircraft entered its airspace on Thursday for about 18 seconds, prompting a formal protest and a reaction from NATO forces, while Russia denied the incident.

The two aircraft, a Su-30 fighter and an Il-78 refuelling tanker, were possibly on a refuelling training mission when they flew 700 metres (0.43 miles) into Lithuania from the Kaliningrad region at about 1500 GMT, the military said. The Russian Defence Ministry said that none of the Su-30 jets training in Kaliningrad on violated the borders of other countries.

Spanish Eurofighter Typhoon jets from the NATO Baltic Air Police were scrambled in response and were patrolling the area, the military said.

6. Ties with Russia will advance non-stop: President Kim Jong Un

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un said military brotherhood between his country and Russia would "advance non-stop", state media KCNA reported on Friday. Kim made the comments during a speech at the ground-breaking ceremony for a memorial for North Korean soldiers who fought alongside Russian troops in Russia's Kursk region during Moscow's ongoing war with Ukraine, KCNA said.

"The years of militant fraternity, in which a guarantee has been provided for the long-term development of the bilateral friendship at the cost of precious blood, will advance non-stop," Kim said, according to KCNA.

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.