The Defence Acquisition Council has cleared defence purchase proposals worth ₹3.60 lakh crore, including 114 Rafale fighter jets for the Indian Air Force. Officials said most of the jets will be made in India. The approval also covers combat missiles and high-altitude surveillance air systems. The defence ministry said the Rafale deal will “enhance the capability of undertaking air dominance roles” and boost long-range strike power. The missiles are meant to improve deep-strike accuracy. New systems will support intelligence and surveillance work. Clearances were also given for Army vehicles, anti-tank mines, and Navy power and patrol aircraft projects. (PC: X)

The Indian Air Force has started trial runs at the northeast’s first highway Emergency Landing Facility in Moran, Assam, ahead of the Prime Minister’s February 14 inauguration visit. Sukhoi-30, Rafale, and Tejas jets, along with transport aircraft, carried out take-off and landing drills on the 4.2-km airstrip on NH-127. The trials will continue till February 13. Many local residents gathered to watch the exercises. Assam chief secretary Ravi Kota called it a “historic and rare experience” and urged people to attend. Police said security and traffic plans are in place. The facility will serve as an alternate runway during emergencies or wartime. (PC: X)

The Indian Air Force’s proposal to buy 114 Rafale fighter jets is set to come before the Defence Acquisition Council ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India. Officials said the council may grant Acceptance of Necessity, the first formal step in defence purchases. The plan includes 18 jets bought directly from France and 96 to be made in India with private partners. Some aircraft will be twin-seaters for training. The Defence Procurement Board has already cleared the proposal. After the council nod, commercial talks will begin, followed by approval from the Cabinet Committee on Security. The deal may cost about ₹3.25 lakh crore. (PC: HT)

During the May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict (Operation Sindoor), a Chinese-made PL-15E beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile fired by Pakistan’s Air Force reportedly landed nearly intact inside Punjab, India, without detonating. The surprise recovery of the advanced export variant of China’s long-range missile has drawn intense attention: analysts say its AESA radar seeker, guidance systems and propulsion tech could provide rare insights into Chinese military capability and weaknesses, sparking a quiet technological re-evaluation within China’s defence community. The incident highlights evolving aerial combat tech and intelligence stakes in South Asia. (PC: X)

India successfully test-fired the nuclear-capable Agni-3 intermediate-range ballistic missile on February 6 from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, validating all operational and technical parameters. The launch was conducted by the Strategic Forces Command, which oversees India's strategic nuclear assets. Agni-3 has a strike range of 3,000 to 3,500 kilometers, enabling coverage of strategic targets deep inside adversary territory. The two-stage solid-fuel missile system demonstrated reliability and readiness. Defence officials confirmed the test reaffirmed Agni-3's importance as a proven pillar of India's deterrence capability. The successful launch adds to India's validated strategic missile systems, underscoring its commitment to maintaining credible minimum deterrent. (PC: X)

India achieved a major technological breakthrough on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, when DRDO successfully demonstrated Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet technology from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur, off Odisha's coast. This success places India among an elite group of nations possessing this advanced propulsion technology, crucial for developing long-range air-to-air missiles providing tactical advantage. Unlike conventional solid-propellant rockets, ramjets draw oxygen from the atmosphere during flight, eliminating heavy oxidizer requirements. This drastically enhances missile range with higher average speeds while enabling larger payloads. All subsystems including nozzle-less booster, ramjet motor, and fuel flow controller performed as expected. The technology will power the Astra Mk-3 missile with 350-kilometer range capability, strengthening India's indigenous defense capabilities.

India successfully tested Solid Fuel Ducted Ramjet (SFDR) technology on Tuesday at the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha, joining an elite league of nations possessing this advanced capability. The SFDR technology is crucial for developing long-range air-to-air missiles, providing tactical advantages over adversaries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh congratulated DRDO and industry partners on the achievement. All subsystems, including the nozzle-less booster, SFDR motor, and fuel flow controller, performed as expected after initial propulsion by a ground booster motor. Senior scientists from various DRDO laboratories, including Defence Research & Development Laboratory and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory, monitored the launch. Flight data captured by tracking instruments confirmed successful performance.

The government has raised the defence budget to Rs 7.85 lakh crore for FY26, up from Rs 6.81 lakh crore last year, marking an increase of about 15 per cent. The Budget speech did not include any defence policy announcements, but allocations show higher spending on military readiness and upgrades. Defence capital expenditure rose 28 per cent to Rs 2.31 lakh crore for new equipment and systems. The move supports ongoing modernisation and domestic manufacturing goals. The increase comes after recent security tensions in the region. Customs duty was also exempted on key imported raw materials used for defence maintenance, repair, and overhaul work. (PC: India Today)

India achieved clear air superiority during Operation Sindoor and forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire, a Swiss military think tank has said. The report by the Centre for Military History and Perspective Studies reviewed four days of fighting in May 2025. It said early Indian aircraft losses did not decide the conflict. Indian forces later hit terror sites, air defences and major air bases using long-range weapons. Pakistan’s ability to operate in the air was sharply reduced. The study said strong Indian air defence systems also blocked retaliation. By May 10, India controlled the airspace and set the pace of operations.

Security forces busted a Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorist hideout in Kishtwar, Jammu and Kashmir, during ongoing Operation Trashi-I. The search operation uncovered substantial winter supplies including rations, ghee, utensils, gas cylinders, and stoves near the gunfight site. Officials confirmed the hideout was spacious enough to accommodate multiple people and stocked with provisions for winter months. This discovery follows Sunday's encounter between security forces and terrorists that claimed the life of one paratrooper. The operation continues as forces track down remaining militants in the Kishtwar district. The recovery highlights the terrorists' preparation for extended stays in the region, with authorities intensifying efforts to neutralize remaining threats and dismantle terror infrastructure. (PC: Times Now)