South Korea and the US Hold Joint Military Exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield
South Korea and the United States are holding their annual large-scale joint military exercise Ulchi Freedom Shield to better cope with threats by nuclear-armed North Korea, which has warned the drills would deepen regional tensions and vowed to respond to any provocation against its territory.
The 11-day (August 18 to 28) Ulchi Freedom Shield, the second of two large-scale exercises held annually in South Korea, involves 21,000 soldiers, including 18,000 South Koreans.
Ulchi Freedom Shield is designed to improve joint operational readiness. It focuses on computer-simulated command post exercises and field training. The drills prepare forces to counter nuclear, missile, drone, and other unconventional attacks. The allies describe the exercise as defensive rather than offensive.
Aug 22, 2025
Government Approves Procurement of 97 Tejas Jets for IAF
The government approved the proposed procurement of 97 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas fighter jets and six advanced airborne early-warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft for the Indian Air Force at a cost around Rs. 85,000 crore.
The two procurement projects were given the green light by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) headed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Tejas jets will be procured at a cost of around Rs. 67,000 crore while the AEW&C project will cost the exchequer around Rs. 18,000 crore.
Aug 21, 2025
India Successfully Test-fires Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile 'Agni-5'
India successfully test fired the Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile 'Agni-5' from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur in Odisha.
The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. It was carried out under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.
The Agni-5 has been developed indigenously by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is one of India's most advanced long-range missiles, capable of striking targets well beyond 5,000 kilometres.
It is designed with modern navigation, guidance, warhead, and engine technologies and is strengthens India's strategic deterrence capability.
Aug 20, 2025
UK's Royal Navy Appoints Himachal Pradesh Cadet as First-ever Hindu Chaplain
The UK's Royal Navy appointed its first-ever Hindu chaplain, the first non-Christian to be appointed for the official role of offering spiritual support to fellow naval officers based on the tenets of Hinduism.
Bhanu Attri, originally from Himachal Pradesh, took over his new role after undergoing a somewhat different course from other Navy cadets.
He went through six weeks of officer instruction, including sea survival with four weeks at sea aboard the warship HMS Iron Duke, and three weeks focused on the role of a military chaplain.
Aug 19, 2025
Assam Rifles Signs MoU with IIIT Manipur to Boost Drone Technology for Defence
In a step toward modernising India's defence capabilities, the Assam Rifles signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) Manipur at Mantripukhri. The collaboration is aimed at advancing drone technology for security, surveillance, and logistics support, marking a milestone in defence-academia cooperation.
The agreement was formalised in the presence of Maj Gen Ravroop Singh, IG Assam Rifles (South), and the Director of IIIT Manipur. Both parties emphasised the importance of leveraging academic expertise and defence needs to build cutting-edge technological solutions.
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