India has successfully test-fired the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 from a drone at the National Open Area Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the flight trials mark a major boost to India’s missile capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement, congratulating DRDO and its industry partners, including DcPPs, MSMEs, and start-ups. The success demonstrates India’s readiness to absorb and produce critical defence technologies. The ULPGM-V3 enhances precision strike capabilities from unmanned aerial vehicles, reducing risk to personnel and expanding strategic flexibility. This milestone aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

India has successfully test-fired the UAV Launched Precision Guided Missile (ULPGM)-V3 from a drone at the National Open Area Range in Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh. Conducted by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the flight trials mark a major boost to India’s missile capabilities. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement, congratulating DRDO and its industry partners, including DcPPs, MSMEs, and start-ups. The success demonstrates India’s readiness to absorb and produce critical defence technologies. The ULPGM-V3 enhances precision strike capabilities from unmanned aerial vehicles, reducing risk to personnel and expanding strategic flexibility. This milestone aligns with India’s push for self-reliance in defence under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

The Indian Army has officially inducted the advanced Apache AH-64E combat helicopters after a 15-month wait. Known for their lethal precision, agility, and survivability in combat, the Apache helicopters mark a significant boost to India’s defence capabilities. These multi-role helicopters are equipped with cutting-edge technology to enhance both offensive and defensive operations. Defence experts call this a milestone moment for India’s military preparedness, especially for high-altitude warfare. The induction strengthens India’s strike capabilities along sensitive borders. Army officials praised the Apache for its unmatched performance in complex combat environments, calling it a “game changer” for future missions. (PC: India Today)

The Indian Air Force (IAF) will retire all MiG-21 Bison fighter jets by the end of 2025, marking the end of an era. These jets, introduced in 1963, have served for over six decades and played a key role in the 2019 Balakot airstrikes. The IAF has already phased out three MiG-21 squadrons since 2022, with the final unit, based in Rajasthan’s Nal, set to retire by year-end. Known for both their legacy and accident record, the MiG-21s are being replaced with advanced aircraft like the Tejas. The decision is part of IAF's larger modernisation and fleet upgrade strategy. (PC: The Sunday Guardian & AFP)

On July 17, India successfully test-fired its nuclear-capable short-range ballistic missiles Prithvi-II and Agni-I from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, Odisha. Conducted under the Strategic Forces Command, the launches validated all operational and technical parameters. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh hailed the achievement as a boost to India’s strategic deterrence. The tests followed the July 16 trial of the Akash Prime missile in Ladakh, which intercepted two high-speed aerial targets at altitudes above 4,500 metres. Akash Prime features an indigenously developed radio frequency seeker and is tailored for high-altitude warfare. These back-to-back successes reinforce India’s air defence capabilities and readiness in forward regions. (PC: ANI & Business Today)

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved ₹1.05 lakh crore worth of acquisitions, replenishing surface‑to‑air missile (SAM) stocks and adding 12 undersea mine‑countermeasure vessels. Triggered by Operation Sindoor where layered SAM defences shot down hundreds of Pakistani drones and missiles the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Rajnath Singh, cleared Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for ten military systems via indigenous procurement. While the exact number of SAMs was undisclosed, sources confirm restocking of missiles expended during recent skirmishes. The DAC also approved an electronic‑warfare suite and a joint logistics inventory‑management software, alongside the long‑awaited specialised naval vessels. (PC: News18 & DD News) 

India’s Defence Acquisition Council has approved military procurements worth ₹1.3 lakh crore, including surface-to-air missiles, armoured recovery vehicles, and electronic warfare systems for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The decision, announced by the Ministry of Defence on Thursday, was taken under the leadership of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. All 10 acquisition proposals were cleared under the ‘Buy (Indian-IDDM)’ category, aimed at boosting indigenous defence manufacturing. The move reflects India’s growing emphasis on military self-reliance and enhanced combat readiness. The new equipment will significantly strengthen the operational capabilities of the Indian armed forces across multiple domains. (PC:  AFP)

India is building a new version of its Agni-5 missile that can carry a huge 7,500-kg bunker-buster warhead. The missile is being developed by the DRDO and will target underground enemy bunkers. It can go 80 to 100 metres deep before exploding. The new missile will not carry nuclear weapons but will still be very powerful. Two types are being made—one for airburst and one for deep strikes. It will travel at hypersonic speed and have a range of 2,500 km. This move follows the US using similar weapons in Iran and shows India’s growing strength in defence technology. (PC: X/@Kunal_Biswas707)

India’s DRDO chief, Dr Samir V Kamat, confirmed to NDTV that the country's hypersonic glide missile is in an advanced development stage and could complete trials within the next 2–3 years. He also highlighted the stellar performance of indigenous systems BrahMos, Akash SAM, the D4 anti‑drone withered Pakistan’s defences during Operation Sindoor. Those successes underscore India’s growing aerospace prowess and strategic autonomy. Kamat emphasised that the hypersonic glide vehicle, a cutting‑edge boost‑glide system, will significantly enhance penetration capability against modern missile defences. This progress furthers India’s ambition to join a select club of nations with deployable hypersonic systems, marking a strategic leap in deterrence. (PC: X)

Tata Advanced Systems Ltd (TASL) has partnered with France’s Dassault Aviation to manufacture Rafale fighter jet fuselages in India. A new facility in Hyderabad will produce four main fuselage parts, with a capacity of 24 units annually and first deliveries expected by FY28. This marks the first time Rafale fuselages will be made outside France. The move is part of a broader effort to bring up to 60% of Rafale manufacturing value to India. Over 100 fuselages are expected initially, with numbers likely to rise if India places more orders. The deal enhances India's aerospace manufacturing ecosystem significantly. (PC: Economics Times)