1. Raksha Mantri witnesses F-35 refuelling from KC-30A

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, on his visit to Australia, witnessed the refuelling of an F-35 from a KC-30A while travelling from Sydney to Canberra. Singh is on a two-day official visit to Australia (9–10 October).

India and Australia signed an agreement in 2024 permitting the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) and Indian armed forces to conduct air-to-air refuelling. The KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) is a heavily modified Airbus A330 airliner that enables air-to-air refuelling and strategic airlift. It features advanced communications and navigation suites and an electronic-warfare self-protection system to guard against surface-to-air threats. Australia’s seven KC-30As are based at RAAF Base Amberley and operated by No. 33 Squadron.

The A330 MRTT has long been the frontrunner for a tanker for the IAF. Although selected, it was not procured; the IAF has instead leased one A330 MRTT (Phénix) from the French Air Force.

2. India, Australia deepen defence ties; ministers review full-spectrum ties

Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh, on his two-day visit to Australia (9–10 October), held a productive meeting in Canberra with Australia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Richard Marles. The ministers reviewed the full spectrum of India-Australia defence cooperation, including defence industry collaboration, cyber security, maritime cooperation and regional security.

They reaffirmed their commitment to the comprehensive strategic partnership and discussed avenues for deeper collaboration between the defence industries of both nations. Singh thanked Australia for its consistent support in countering cross-border terrorism and for efforts to preserve a free, open and resilient Indo-Pacific.

3. IAF to receive first LCA Tejas Mk-1A by late October

The Indian Air Force is scheduled to receive its first LCA Tejas Mk-1A in the last week of October — a milestone for India’s indigenous fighter programme, reported The Hindu.

Officials say Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will witness the first flight of Tejas Mk-1A jets in Nashik on 17 October and will visit the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) facility to interact with production staff.

HAL’s contract to deliver 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft — originally due to begin in February 2024 — has been delayed largely due to slow engine deliveries from GE Aerospace. With only one or two engines arriving per month, HAL now targets completing deliveries within four years, subject to no further setbacks.

4. Bharat Dynamics to set up ₹1,400 crore propellant plant at Donakonda

Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) will establish a propellant production facility and a weapons-system integration unit at Donakonda with an investment of ₹1,400 crore.

The plant will form part of the Jaggaiahpet-Donakonda hub of the defence industrial corridor — India’s third after Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu proposed the corridor to Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh on 23 May.

BDL will collaborate with DRDO to manufacture missiles and other weapon systems for the Indian Armed Forces. The facility will house advanced engineering systems to coordinate sensors, communications, missiles and guns, and will produce rocket motors capable of carrying large payloads for both military and space-research applications.

5. Security forces recover country-made rocket, 200 kg explosives; three militants arrested in Manipur

Security forces in Manipur recovered a nine-foot-long country-made rocket with explosives and a detonator, weighing 200 kg, and arrested three militants from two different outfits.

“On 06.10.2025, security forces recovered a 9-foot-long country-made rocket consisting of explosives and a detonator weighing 200 kg from the area between S. Lonphai and Tuikong villages under Churachandpur Police Station, Churachandpur district,” Manipur Police said on X.

The arrests include militants from the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP) and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) / Revolutionary People’s Front (RPF). The PLA — one of Manipur’s oldest militant outfits — remains active in the Imphal valley region and operates a political wing, the RPF.

6. USAF orders eight additional MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopters worth $173m

The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a contract worth more than $173 million to produce eight additional MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters and provide training and sustainment support. The MH-139A is intended to replace the USAF’s UH-1N Huey for nuclear missile security and other utility missions.

Derived from the Leonardo AW139 and fitted with bespoke military equipment by Boeing, the MH-139A is a multi-mission helicopter for patrol, search-and-rescue, troop and cargo transport. To date, Boeing has delivered 18 aircraft, including 12 low-rate initial production examples; the company completed deliveries for the first operational unit at Malmstrom AFB, Montana, earlier this year and expects to deliver four more before year-end.

7. Pentagon moves ahead on US Navy’s F/A-XX fighter programme

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth authorised moving ahead with a selection for the U.S. Navy’s next stealth carrier-based fighter — the F/A-XX — on 4 October, sources told Reuters. Boeing and Northrop Grumman are competing to design and build the aircraft, a multibillion-dollar effort central to U.S. strategy to counter China. Officials say the Navy could announce a winner as soon as this week, though past last-minute issues have delayed progress and could do so again.

8. FN delivers LICC weapon for US DoD testing and evaluation

FN America, the U.S. subsidiary of Belgian gunmaker Fabrique Nationale (FN), has delivered test and evaluation samples of two new weapon systems — the LICC-IWS and LICC-AMG — along with ammunition, under a long-term development contract with the Department of Defense’s Irregular Warfare Technical Support Directorate (IWTSD). FN also conducted new equipment training and armorer’s training to demonstrate unit-level maintenance.

The LICC-IWS program centres on the 6.5×43 LICC ammunition, the LICC-IWS individual weapon with the FN IPC (Improved Performance Carbine), purpose-built magazines and a signature suppressor. The LICC-AMG is a belt-fed assault machine-gun variant sharing common ammunition and lightweight links. The 6.5×43mm steel-cased rounds are approximately 20% lighter than equivalent brass-cased cartridges and are claimed to offer improved accuracy, range and performance over typical 5.56×45mm loadings.

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.