Defence Ministry: News
30 Jan 2024
Indian NavyIndian Navy rescues 19 Pakistani nationals from Somali pirates
The Indian Navy's INS Sumitra conducted a successful anti-piracy operation in the Arabian Sea on Monday evening, an official statement said on Tuesday.
29 Jan 2024
Narendra Modi31 all-Indian tunes to reverberate at Beating Retreat ceremony today
Republic Day celebrations will culminate on Monday evening with the Beating Retreat ceremony at Raisina Hills, New Delhi, featuring 31 captivating Indian tunes played by military and paramilitary bands.
12 Jan 2024
Indian Air ForceMystery solved! Missing IAF plane's wreckage found after 8 years
The long-standing mystery surrounding the disappearance of an Indian Air Force (IAF) An-32 transport aircraft in 2016 may finally have been solved.
31 Dec 2023
Indian ArmyIndian Navy enhances maritime security amid attacks on vessels
The Indian Navy said that it has enhanced maritime surveillance efforts in the central and north Arabian Sea and augmented force levels after the recent attacks on merchant vessels operating in the region.
31 Dec 2023
Bhagwant MannWhy Defence Ministry rejected Punjab, Bengal tableaus for R-day
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has rejected the Punjab and West Bengal governments' tableau proposals for the 2024 Republic Day parade, The Indian Express reported.
27 Dec 2023
Rajnath SinghRajnath Singh addresses Army amid J&K civilian death row
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Rajouri district in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday.
16 Dec 2023
Indian NavyIndian Navy intercepts Malta-flagged vessel allegedly hijacked by pirates
The Indian Navy responded swiftly to a distress call about a hijacking incident involving Malta-flagged MV Ruen in the Arabian Sea on Thursday.
15 Dec 2023
Indian ArmyBEL jumps 3% on securing Rs. 5,300cr defence contract
The Defence Ministry on December 15 inked a significant contract worth over Rs. 5,300 crore with state-owned Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) for the acquisition of electronic fuzes for the Indian Army.
23 Oct 2023
Rahul GandhiAfter RaGa's 'insult' charge, Army clarifies emoluments to fallen Agniveer
The Indian Army has reportedly sought to clarify the confusion surrounding the financial aid provided to the family of Agniveer Gawate Akshay Laxman, who lost his life on duty in Siachen on Saturday.
04 Oct 2023
Indian Air ForceFirst twin-seater LCA Tejas delivered to Indian Air Force
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Wednesday received its first twin-seater Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru.
13 Sep 2023
Indian Air ForceIndia to receive first C-295 military aircraft from Spain today
India will receive its first C-295 military aircraft on Wednesday, marking a significant milestone in the country's defense modernization.
India begins process to buy 31 predator drones from US
India has reportedly requested the acquisition of 31 MQ-9B Reaper or Predator-B drones from the United States (US), with the aim of finalizing the deal within this fiscal year.
22 Aug 2023
Pakistan News2 terrorists killed in Balakote but no surgical strike: Government
The Defence Ministry on Tuesday refuted reports of a surgical strike on Pakistan. It, however, stated that the Indian Army thwarted a terrorist infiltration attempt in Jammu and Kashmir's Balakote Sector.
Karnataka: DRDO drone crashes during trial run in Chitradurga
An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) crashed in agricultural fields in Karnataka's Chitradurga district on Sunday, ANI reported.
29 May 2023
Central Bureau Of Investigation (CBI)CBI books Rolls-Royce India, others over Hawk aircraft procurement
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case against British aerospace company Rolls-Royce India, its director Tim Jones, private individuals Sudhir and Bhanu Choudhrie, and some unidentified public servants, among others, for allegedly cheating the Indian government.
14 Apr 2023
NagalandCentre refuses sanction to prosecute Armymen for Nagaland civilian killings
The Defence Ministry's Military Affairs Department refused to sanction the prosecution of the 30 Indian Army commandos accused of killing 13 civilians in Nagaland's Oting in 2021, the Nagaland Police told the Mon district and sessions court.
15 Feb 2023
Aero IndiaIndian start-up displays jetpack suit at Aero India 2023
The 14th edition of the Aero India exhibition in Bengaluru, which began on Monday, showcases India's indigenous defense equipment and innovations.
23 Jan 2023
Indian NavyINS Vagir: 'Made in India' submarine commissioned into Indian Navy
INS Vagir—the fifth of the Kalvari-class submarines—was commissioned into the Indian Navy on Monday in presence of Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R Hari Kumar.
29 Dec 2022
Indian Air ForceIAF successfully test fires extended range version of BrahMos missile
The Indian Air Force (IAF) on Thursday confirmed that it successfully test-fired an extended-range version of the BrahMos Air Launched missile in the Bay of Bengal.
23 Dec 2022
Indian ArmySikkim: 16 army personnel dead as truck falls into gorge
The Ministry of Defence informed that an Army truck met with an accident at Zema in north Sikkim on Friday claiming the lives of 16 Indian Army soldiers.
16 Dec 2022
ChinaIndia successfully conducts night trial of nuclear-capable Agni-V ballistic missile
India successfully conducted the night trial of the nuclear-capable Agni-V ballistic missile on Thursday which can strike targets as far as 5,400 km with a very high degree of accuracy.
13 Dec 2022
Rajnath SinghLAC clash: Indian Army foiled China's landgrab attempt, says Rajnath
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday addressed the Parliament over the clash between Indian and Chinese troops near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.
10 Dec 2022
Supreme Court Of IndiaYou haven't been fair to women officers: SC to Army
The Supreme Court directed the Army authorities on Friday to pause giving placements to male officers who were given a promotion in October this year until the matter of women officers' promotion has been sorted.
29 Oct 2022
Chinese PLADefence Ministry is world's biggest employer with 2.92 million people
India's Ministry of Defence is the biggest employer in the world with nearly 2.92 million employees working in various positions, according to report published on Statista.
03 Oct 2022
Indian Air ForceEverything to know about 'Prachand,' first made-in-India light combat helicopter
The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally inducted the first batch of indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCH), named Prachand, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.
03 Oct 2022
Indian Air ForceAir Force formally inducts 'Prachand,' first made-in-India light combat helicopters
The Indian Air Force (IAF) formally inducted the first indigenously developed light combat helicopters (LCHs), named Prachand, in Jodhpur, Rajasthan, on Monday.
28 Sep 2022
Chief Of Defence StaffLt General (Retired) Anil Chauhan is India's new CDS
The Centre on Wednesday appointed Lt General (Retired) Anil Chauhan as the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
11 Sep 2022
RTI ActNo information under RTI as Agnipath files marked 'secret': Government
The Ministry of Defence refused to furnish the information sought under the Right To Information (RTI) on inter-ministerial deliberations regarding the Agnipath scheme which sanctions ad hoc military recruitment.
24 Aug 2022
Indian Air Force3 IAF officers terminated for misfired BrahMos landing in Pakistan
The services of three Indian Air Force (IAF) officers were terminated by the Central government after a Court of Inquiry (CoI) found them "primarily responsible" for the accidental firing of the BrahMos missile on March 9 this year.
29 Jul 2022
RajasthanRajasthan: IAF'S Mig-21 aircraft crashes in Barmer, both pilots dead
The Indian Air Force (IAF) lost two pilots on Thursday night when a MiG-21 fighter jet crashed in Rajasthan's Barmer district.
21 Jun 2022
LGBTQ+#NewsBytesExclusive: DefMin rejecting script on gay soldier 'homophobic,' says Onir
In January, National Award-winning director Onir revealed the script of his upcoming anthology We Are was rejected by the Defence Ministry.
20 Jun 2022
Narendra ModiMilitary reforms will bring change: PM Modi on Agnipath scheme
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday stated that while many policies and changes may appear unpalatable, the entire country would reap the advantages in the future.
20 Jun 2022
Indian ArmyNow, Anand Mahindra opens company doors for recruitment of Agniveers
Despite the ongoing unrest over the Centre's recently announced Agnipath military recruitment scheme, Mahindra Group Chairperson Anand Mahindra announced on Monday that youngsters trained under the scheme will be hired by the conglomerate.
20 Jun 2022
PunjabAgnipath scheme protests: States brace for Bharat Bandh today
As the protests against the Centre's Agnipath military recruitment scheme spread to several states across the country, some organizations have called for a nationwide Bharat Bandh on Monday prompting the administrations in the states to take preventive measures.
19 Jun 2022
Ministry Of Home AffairsNo roll-back of Agnipath scheme, all concessions pre-planned: Defence Ministry
The Ministry of Defence on Sunday stated that the Agnipath Scheme will not be rolled back, saying that such changes had been long overdue since the armed services sought to bring in more youth and experience.
18 Jun 2022
Ministry Of Home AffairsNow, Rajnath approves 10% reservation for Agniveers in Defence Ministry
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday accepted the proposal to reserve 10% of employment vacancies in the Defence Ministry for "Agniveers."
18 Jun 2022
Indian Army#NewsBytesExplainer: Why age relaxation in Agnipath scheme might be problematic?
The Centre on Friday announced a one-time relaxation of the upper age limit for the Agnipath military recruitment scheme entrants this year, raising it from 21 to 23 years.
17 Jun 2022
Indian Army#NewsBytesExplainer: What salary package, benefits Agnipath scheme offers to Agniveers
The central government has launched the Agnipath military recruitment scheme, which would recruit personnel for the armed forces for a four-year term.
17 Jun 2022
IndiaAgnipath scheme: Government increases age limit to 23 amid protests
The Centre on Thursday raised the age limit for the Agnipath military recruitment scheme to 23 years from 21 for the year 2022 amid nationwide protests against the new model of enrollment of soldiers.
14 Jun 2022
Rajnath SinghNew CDS appointment soon, 'Agnipath' armed forces recruitment scheme unveiled
The post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)—which has been lying vacant since the tragic death of General Bipin Rawat in December last year—will be soon filled.
04 May 2022
Government of IndiaIdentification delay stalls pensions of 58,000+ retired armed forces personnel
The Defence Ministry said 58,275 former servicemen—who didn't receive their April pension—will have the same credited to their bank accounts by Wednesday night.
23 Apr 2022
Jammu And KashmirArmed forces want removal of AFSPA from J&K: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday stated India's all three defense forces wanted the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) to be removed from Jammu & Kashmir soon.
18 Apr 2022
Indian ArmyLieutenant General Manoj Pande appointed as next Indian Army chief
The Defence Ministry on Monday announced the appointment of Lieutenant General Manoj Pande as the next Chief of the Army Staff (CoAS) of India.
15 Mar 2022
IndiaMissile incident regrettable; Indian systems reliable, safe: Rajnath in Parliament
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday informed the Parliament that the government has taken "serious note" of the incident in which an unarmed supersonic missile was "inadvertently" launched on March 9 and landed in Pakistan.
23 Jan 2022
EntertainmentDefense Ministry rejected script for featuring gay soldier, says Onir
National award-winning filmmaker Onir's script on a gay soldier for his next feature has been rejected by the Defense Ministry, thereby leading to a major controversy.
10 Jan 2022
IndiaCOVID-19: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh tests positive 'with mild symptoms'
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday said he has tested positive for COVID-19.
14 Dec 2021
Supreme Court Of IndiaSupreme Court allows widening of Char Dham roads citing security
The Supreme Court on Tuesday allowed the central government to go ahead with the Char Dham Highway project.
08 Dec 2021
Indian Air ForceHow India's indigenous AESA radar could boost IAF's capabilities
The Indian Air Force (IAF) will demonstrate the use of an indigenously-built active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar late in December.
09 Nov 2021
Supreme Court Of IndiaRafale maker paid €7.5 million to middleman between 2007-12: Report
French manufacturer Dassault Aviation paid at least 7.5 million euro (Rs. 60 crore) in bribes to a middleman to help secure the sale of 36 Rafale fighter jets to India, French portal Mediapart reported.
24 Sep 2021
Supreme Court Of IndiaOnline NDA application for women opens; admissions to be 'provisional'
The Union Public Service Commission on Friday said it opened the online application for women candidates to apply for the National Defence Academy and Naval Academy Examination, 2021.
24 Sep 2021
Indian Air ForceIndia will purchase 56 C-295 military transport aircraft from Airbus
The Defense Ministry on Friday inked a nearly Rs. 20,000 crore contract with Airbus Defence and Space of Spain to procure 56 C-295 medium transport aircraft which will replace Avro-748 planes of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
22 Sep 2021
Supreme Court Of IndiaAllow women to appear for November NDA entrance: Supreme Court
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the central government to allow women candidates to appear for the entrance exam to the National Defence Academy (NDA) scheduled in November.
21 Sep 2021
Indian Air ForceVR Chaudhari to become IAF's next Chief of Air Staff
Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari is to be appointed as the next Chief of Air Staff, the Defence Ministry said on Tuesday.
16 Sep 2021
DelhiPM hits out at critics of the Central Vista project
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday hit out at critics of the ambitious Central Vista project and asserted that ease of living and ease of doing business was behind the spirit of the work being done under the initiative.
29 Aug 2021
AfghanistanIndia rethinking strategy on Afghanistan; changing situation challenging: Rajnath Singh
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Sunday said the "changing equation" in Afghanistan is a "challenge" for India, and it has compelled the government to rethink its strategy.
09 Aug 2021
Parliament Monsoon SessionPegasus row: Defence Ministry says 'no transaction' with spyware maker
The Union Ministry of Defence today said that it has done "no transaction" with NSO Group, the Israeli company which is at the center of a controversy involving its Pegasus spyware program.
09 Aug 2021
Indian ArmyDefence Ministry mulls merit over seniority for top military posts
The Defence Ministry is examining a proposal to select officers for top military posts like the Commanders-in-Chief (C-in-C) in the Army, Navy, and Air Force based on merit rather than seniority.
20 May 2021
Indian NavyINS Rajput to be decommissioned on May 21
After 41 years of service, the first destroyer of the Indian Navy, INS Rajput, will be decommissioned on Friday.
23 Apr 2021
GermanyDefense ministry to airlift 23 oxygen generation plants from Germany
The defense ministry has decided to airlift 23 mobile oxygen generation plants from Germany as several states reeled under an acute shortage of medical oxygen due to a massive surge in coronavirus cases, officials said Friday.
12 Feb 2021
Rahul GandhiNot conceded any territory in the agreement with China: Government
India, on Friday, said it has not conceded any territory as a result of the agreement with China for disengagement of troops in the Pangong lake area.
08 Feb 2021
Line of Control (LoC)Forty-six security-personnel killed in ceasefire violations by Pakistan in 2020
Pakistan resorted to 5,133 incidents of ceasefire violations last year in which 46 security force personnel were killed, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Monday, referring to Pakistani hostilities along the LoC and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir.
13 Dec 2020
GujaratCan INS Viraat be rescued before its end?
After completing the last leg of its journey in September this year, Indian Navy aircraft carrier INS Viraat awaits being stripped apart for scrap.
24 Oct 2020
IndiaImported items, including liquor, to be banned in Army canteens
The government is set to ban imported items, including liquor, in the defense canteens as it has ordered its 4,000 military shops to stop purchasing all "direct imported" goods, reported Reuters.
19 Oct 2020
IndiaAmid India-China border row, Australia to join Malabar naval exercise
The Defence Ministry on Monday announced that Australia will be joining the upcoming Malabar naval exercise, completing the Quad or quadrilateral coalition along with the United States and Japan.
30 Sep 2020
Indian ArmyBrahMos missile successfully test-fired at nearly 3X speed of sound
India on Wednesday successfully test-fired the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur.
03 Sep 2020
PunePune institute develops 'immunity-boosting' room freshener to limit coronavirus spread
A Pune institute has developed a herbal-based room freshener to contain the spread of COVID-19, the Union Ministry of Defence said on Thursday.
09 Aug 2020
Rajnath SinghAtmanirbhar Bharat: Defence Ministry announces ban on 101 import items
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday announced an import embargo on 101 items in a bid to boost the indigenization of defense production.
06 Aug 2020
Pangong LakeDefense Ministry accepts Chinese intrusion in Ladakh, later deletes document
For the first time since tensions with China sparked along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) earlier this year, the Ministry of Defense (MoD) admitted to intrusion. This information which was available on MoD's website since Tuesday has now been taken down, said reports.
29 Jul 2020
France5 Rafale jets reach India; land at Ambala airbase
The first batch of five Rafale fighter jets have entered the Indian airspace, the Defence Ministry confirmed on Wednesday afternoon. Shortly after, the jets were confirmed to have landed at the Indian Air Force's (IAF) Ambala airbase.
04 Jun 2020
Rajnath SinghDefense secretary tests coronavirus positive, part of South Block sealed
Defense Secretary Ajay Kumar tested positive for coronavirus and is quarantining at his home, reports said. The 1985-batch IAS officer is the first top bureaucrat to have contracted COVID-19.
17 Feb 2020
Supreme Court Of IndiaSC clears permanent commission, command roles for women Army officers
In a historic judgment, the Supreme Court on Monday directed the Centre to grant permanent commission to all women officers in the Army.
04 Feb 2020
SiachenSoldiers in Siachen and Ladakh lack proper gear, ration: CAG
Soldiers deployed in brutish locations like Siachen and Ladakh lack adequate gear and ration, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) said in a report filed before the Parliament on Monday.
03 Jan 2020
Indian ArmyWhat are the responsibilities of India's Chief of Defence Staff?
On Monday, General Bipin Rawat stepped into the role of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).
02 Jan 2020
West BengalBengal's tableau won't be seen at R-Day parade this year
In what could ignite fresh tensions between Centre, ruled by BJP, and the Trinamool government in West Bengal, the Ministry of Defense rejected the state's tableau proposal for Republic Day parade.
21 Nov 2019
Farooq AbdullahRow erupts over terror-accused Pragya's nomination to Defence Ministry panel
In a controversial move, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Pragya Thakur has been nominated to the parliamentary consultative committee of the Ministry of Defence.
18 Mar 2019
IndiaDelhi: In a first, mother, daughter receive PhD degrees together
Getting a PhD is a huge achievement and a memorable experience. However, for 56-year-old Mala Dutta, whose dream of receiving a PhD came true 34 years after college, it was even more memorable.
09 Mar 2019
Supreme Court Of IndiaNow, Attorney General says Rafale documents weren't "stolen" but "copied"
Two days after he told the Supreme Court that classified documents related to Rafale Deal were "stolen" from Ministry of Defense, Attorney General KK Venugopal on Friday clarified that the papers were in fact "photocopied".
09 Mar 2019
Jammu And KashmirReports of jawan's abduction from home are untrue: Defense Ministry
The Defense Ministry, in a tweet, clarified the army jawan, who was reported to have been kidnapped by terrorists in Jammu and Kashmir, is safe.
