INDIA’S DEFENSE: A NEWS JOURNAL
VOLUME– 2025/01
Collected, Compiled, and Edited By: SARASIJ MAJUMDER
Supreme Commander of Armed Forces: The President Of India.
Def Minister: Rajnath Singh– Present
Def Minister of State: –Present
Union Home: Amit Shah
National Security Advisor: Ajit Doval
Chief of Defense Staff:
Gen Anil Chauhan, PVSM UYSM AVSM SM VSM
GENERAL: –
National Security Advisor, Ajit Doval while delivering his speech at the 62nd convocation of IIT Madras at Chennai asserts India hit 9 terrorist targets criss-crossing Pakistan without any miss during Operation Sindoor; Dares foreign media to show any credible evidence of damage on Indian side.
Defense Minister Rajnath Singh described the National Cadet Corps, NCC, as a platform that serves as an ideal for the youth of the country. He referred to former NCC cadets as strong pillars of the nation, who are contributing to its development in diverse fields, not just passively, but as active drivers. The Defence Minister yesterday chaired the first Governing Council meeting of the National Cadet Corps Alumni Association (NCCAA) in New Delhi.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla and his fellow Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) crew members will remain aboard the International Space Station (ISS) longer than initially planned, as their return has been delayed beyond the original two-week schedule. The European Space Agency (ESA) has stated that the crew is now expected to return no earlier than July 14.
The Defense Ministry has agreed to allow utilisation of the compensation amount of ₹303.62 crore — to be paid by the Telangana Government towards acquisition of land for constructing the proposed elevated corridors — for improving the civic infrastructure in the Secunderabad Cantonment Board (SCB).
Vice Admiral Gurcharan Singh, Commandant of the National Defence Academy, delivered the valedictory address at the conclusion of the 42nd Naval Technical Staff Course (NTSC-42) at the Military Institute of Technology (MILIT) in Pune.
In a tribute to the heroes of Operation Vijay, a new multipurpose stadium was inaugurated at Garkhone in the Kargil district of Ladakh. The stadium is named after Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, PVC (Posthumous), who was awarded the Param Vir Chakra for his bravery during the Kargil War. The General Officer Commanding of the Fire and Fury Corps presided over the ceremony, dedicating the stadium to the community members of Aryan Valley and the Bravehearts of Operation Vijay.
DRDO: –
DRDO and Indian Air Force successfully test-fire Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Astra Missile in Odisha.
The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has made substantial progress in advancing India’s defense self-reliance in 2024, marked by the signing of over 2,000 technology transfer agreements and the issuance of more than 200 production licenses.
The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) project is being hailed as a landmark achievement in India’s pursuit of defense self-reliance and artillery modernisation. Developed by the DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune, the ATAGS is a 155mm/52 calibre howitzer designed to replace older, less capable artillery guns in the Indian Army’s arsenal.
The successful user trials of the Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) from INS Kavaratti mark a major advancement in India’s indigenous naval defence capabilities. The significance of ERASR lies in its role as a fully indigenous anti-submarine weapon system, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) in collaboration with key Indian defence laboratories.
User trials of Extended Range Anti-Submarine Rocket (ERASR) were successfully carried out from INS Kavaratti from June 23, 2025 to July 07, 2025. DRDO’s Armament Research & Development Establishment (ARDE), Pune, in association with High Energy Materials Research Laboratory and Naval Science & Technological Laboratory, has designed and developed ERASR for indigenous rocket launcher (IRL) of Indian Naval Ships.
The Indian Army is preparing to conduct extensive trials of a new indigenously developed Mounted Gun System (MGS), a 155mm/52 calibre truck-mounted howitzer designed for rapid deployment and high mobility in modern combat scenarios. It is Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) at the Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (VRDE) in Ahmednagar.
Defence Research and Development Organization, DRDO handed over the Medium Range-Microwave Obscurant Chaff Rocket (MR-MOCR) to the Indian Navy at a ceremony held in New Delhi.
Microwave Obscurant Chaff is a niche technology developed by DRDO’s Defence Laboratory in Jodhpur. It obscures radar signals and creates a microwave shield around platforms and assets, and reduced radar detection. Special type of fibers has been assembled in the medium range chaff rocket. The rocket forms microwave obscurant cloud in space when fired, spreading over a sufficient area.
Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has successfully completed six consecutive developmental trials of High-Speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) ‘ABHYAS’ with improved booster configuration from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur, Odisha.
DEFENSE PROCUREMENT:
The Indian Air Force (IAF) is actively considering the procurement of Israel Aerospace Industries’ Air-Launched Long-Range Artillery (Air LORA) missile system, marking a significant evolution in India’s precision strike capabilities. This development follows the successful deployment of the Israeli Rampage missile during Operation Sindoor in May 2025.
*Russia offers Su-57E & S-70 Okhotnik-B Combo to India for Advanced MUM-T*: Russia has proposed a strategic package for India, offering the Su-57E stealth fighter alongside the S-70 Okhotnik-B unmanned combat aerial vehicle in a manned-unmanned teaming configuration, including technology transfer and support for India’s AMCA program.
Defense Secretary RK Singh has confirmed that India is moving forward with plans to procure US-made Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) through a combination of emergency procurement routes and long-term negotiations.
India is set to receive three additional Apache attack helicopters from the United States in July 2025, as confirmed by Defense Secretary RK Singh. These helicopters are part of a six-unit order signed in February 2020 for the Indian Army, valued at approximately ₹5,691 crore. The first three Apache’s are expected to arrive by July 15.
PROPOSALS: –
India is moving to clear a ₹20,000-crore tri-service acquisition of 87 indigenously made medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Spearheaded by the Indian Air Force and demanding at least 60% local content, the proposal is slated for a high-level Defense Ministry meeting in the coming weeks.
Approximately 17 warships and nine submarines of the Indian Navy are currently undergoing various stages of approval. This is in addition to the existing fleet of 61 warships and submarines, which are at various stages of construction. The newly approved vessels are slated for domestic construction.
“ISRO”:
The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) has officially announced the successful completion of two hot tests of the Gaganayan Service Module Propulsion System (SMPS) at its Propulsion Complex in Mahendragiri recently on 3 July 2025. These tests mark a significant milestone in India’s ambitious human spaceflight program, Gaganayan, which aims to send Indian astronauts into space.
Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) is currently developing a reusable launch vehicle (RLV) technology. As part of the RLV program, ISRO plans to use a modified Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket to launch RLVs in the next phase of testing, specifically for orbital re-entry demonstration missions.
ALLIANCE:
India is advancing its strategic partnership with Russia by exploring the establishment of a maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facility for the S-400 air defense systems within its territory.
NEW INDUCTION:
The Indian Navy has received its first indigenously designed and built Diving Support Vessel (DSV), INS Nistar, from Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) at Visakhapatnam on Wednesday.
*Navy to sharpen edge in Indian Ocean with six stealth frigates*: The Project 17A stealth frigates that the navy will commission by August-September 2026 are Udayagiri, Taragiri, Mahendragiri, Himgiri, Dunagiri and Vindhyagiri.
CIVILIAN SERVICES IN EMERGENCY:
A medical officer with the Army Medical Corps, Major Dr Rohit Bachwala, 31, came to rescue a pregnant woman who suffered extreme labor pain on July 5. The young doctor used a few resources like a pocket knife and hair clip during delivery of a baby girl at foot over bridge of Jhansi Railway Station. The pregnant woman, traveling on the Panvel-Gorakhpur Express, was in distress when Dr Rohit intervened, saving both mother and child.
INTERNATIONAL:
China has delivered HQ-9B long-range surface-to-air missile systems to Iran through an oil-for-weapons arrangement.
The Japan Coast Guard Ship JCGS Itsukushima arrived at the Chennai Port on Monday (July 7, 2025) as part of its ‘Global Ocean Voyage Training’ programme.
India and Maldives held the 7th Joint Staff Talks at the Maldivian capital city on Thursday. The Indian delegation was led by Air Vice Marshal Prashant Mohan.
NEW CONSTRUCTION IN NAVY:
(a) Proposal of the Rs 70,000 crore project 17 B, for construction of seven Next Generation Frigates,
(b) Project 75-I is for the construction of six modern submarines, with an estimated cost of Rs 70,000 crore.
(c) Project 75 (add-ons) is for the construction of three Scorpene-class submarines, costing approximately Rs 36,000 crore.
Defense Secretary RK Singh has categorically denied reports that India lost Rafale fighter jets during Operation Sindoor, calling such claims “absolutely not correct” and affirming that suggestions of multiple Rafale losses are unfounded.
The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday unveiled the indigenous Light Tank ‘Zorawar’, which it is developing with private sector firm Larsen and Toubro (L&T).
MAKE IN INDIA:
Adani Defense & Aerospace has partnered with Thales Group to produce 70mm rockets in India, supporting the “Make in India” initiative. This collaboration aims to enhance India’s defence capabilities with locally produced rockets for HAL Rudra and Prachand helicopters.
The Indian Navy has signed a contract with M/s Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Bengaluru for the implementation of National Maritime Domain Awareness (NMDA) Project towards strengthening maritime and coastal security. The contract was signed in the presence of V.Adm. Tarun Sobti, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, and Shri Manoj Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, M/s BEL.
The project will bring in an integrated approach to data collation, analysis and information sharing amongst the various maritime stakeholders.
Notes: –
- All information is in PUBLIC DOMAIN. No reference is needed.
- Images: GOOGLE
