Defence Technology

6 mentions in the news, newest first.

• 2026-09-12

  Modi and Putin hold BRICS sidelines talks on 100 billion dollar trade target and defence ties

  Russian President Vladimir Putin held bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, his first in person participation at a BRICS summit outside Russia since the war in Ukraine began in 2022. The two leaders discussed raising bilateral trade to 100 billion US dollars by 2030 from about 65 billion US dollars currently, including through the Programme for Economic Cooperation 2030 covering infrastructure, energy and technology. On defence, the sides discussed possible BrahMos missile upgrades, remaining deliveries under the S-400 air defence contract, and talks on the proposed supply of Su-57 fighter jets, along with cooperation on critical minerals and civil nuclear energy. Modi also raised the safety of Indian seafarers in the Black Sea, and Putin invited him to Russia for the 24th India Russia Annual Summit, an invitation Modi accepted.

• 2026-09-08

  Defence Acquisition Council clears proposals worth about Rs 1.10 lakh crore

  The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, accorded Acceptance of Necessity on 7 September 2026 to acquisition proposals for the armed forces at an estimated cost of about Rs 1,10,000 crore. Acceptance of Necessity is in principle administrative approval, the first formal stage of a capital acquisition rather than a contract. For the Army the approvals cover Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear reconnaissance vehicles, high mobility vehicles, self propelled mechanical mine layers, Advanced Light Helicopters, trawl tanks and the Sarvatra bridge system, while the Navy received clearance for Arudhra radars and for the design, development and later procurement of marine gas turbines, and the Air Force for a ground based multi purpose jammer and a Defence Forces Secure Access Card system. About 98 percent of the procurements cleared are to be made from Indian industry.

• 2026-08-29

  India signs agreement with United States for Javelin anti-tank missile system

  India and the United States signed an agreement on Friday (28 August 2026) for the procurement of the Javelin anti-tank guided missile system through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) route, the US Embassy in New Delhi said. The Javelin is a medium range, fire and forget anti-tank guided missile that can be operated by a single soldier and is designed to engage armoured vehicles and fortified positions. The US Embassy said the agreement demonstrated the growing depth of the US India Major Defence Partnership and opened the way for greater cooperation between the two countries and their defence industries, with Bharat Dynamics Limited having earlier signed an agreement with the Javelin Joint Venture to explore future co-production in India.

• 2026-08-24

  Rajnath Singh lays foundation for Rs 3,500 crore GRSE and Yantra India expansion

  Defence Minister Rajnath Singh virtually laid the foundation stone on 23 August 2026 for five brownfield expansion projects of Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE) and Yantra India Limited (YIL) in West Bengal, comprising three GRSE projects and two YIL facilities worth nearly Rs 3,500 crore. As part of its expansion, GRSE has leased two small shipyards from the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port on either bank of the Hooghly, along with a 32-acre riverside property at Raichak, to expand its warship construction, refit and commercial vessel capacity; Bhumi Pujan ceremonies were held simultaneously at Kidderpore, Shalimar, Raichak and Ishapore. At Yantra India's Metal and Steel Factory in Ishapore, two Industry 4.0-equipped facilities worth over Rs 750 crore will strengthen indigenous metallurgical and defence manufacturing, reducing import dependence for the defence, railway and strategic sectors.

• 2026-08-23

  Army raises its first Baaz Battalion of drones in Punjab

  The Indian Army has raised its first Baaz Battalion, a dedicated unit for drone operations, under the Jalandhar-based Vajra Corps (11 Corps), known as the defenders of Punjab, it was reported on 22 August 2026. The battalion is named after 'Baaz', a bird of prey, and is meant to enhance aerial agility, responsiveness and battlefield reach, serving as the Corps' 'eyes in the sky'. The Vajra Corps' General Officer Commanding said technology, innovation and operational excellence would sharpen the aerial edge for the future battlefield.

• 2026-08-23

  Cochin Shipyard delivers 'Mangrol', third indigenous anti-submarine warfare craft, to Navy

  Cochin Shipyard Limited delivered 'Mangrol', the third of eight Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW SWCs) it is indigenously designing and building for the Indian Navy, on 21 August 2026. Built to Det Norske Veritas classification rules with approximately 80 per cent indigenous content, the vessel is powered by a diesel engine-waterjet propulsion system and carries lightweight torpedoes, indigenous ASW rockets and shallow-water sonars for anti-submarine, search and rescue, and mine-laying operations in coastal waters. The ship is named after the coastal township of Mangrol in Gujarat's Surat district.