Defence Minister

Defence ministry inks ₹2,906 cr contract with BEL for transportable radar

The defence ministry on Wednesday signed a Rs 2,906 crore contract with state-run Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL) for procurement of transportable radar (Ashwini) for the Indian Air Force. The radar has been indigenously designed and developed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is capable of tracking aerial targets from high-speed fighter aircraft to slow moving targets such as unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters. The defence ministry said acquisition of the radar will significantly enhance the operational preparedness of the Indian Air Force. "As part of the government's efforts to strengthen indigenous defence capabilities, the Ministry of Defence has inked a capital acquisition contract with BEL for the procurement of Low-level Transportable Radar, LLTR (Ashwini) at a cost of Rs 2,906 crore," an official readout said. The contract was signed in presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. Th

India's security apparatus must stay adaptive to emerging threats: Rajnath

India's security apparatus must remain adaptive to emerging threats such as cyber and hybrid warfare as well as "space-based espionage", Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Tuesday. He said internal security is not just about managing conventional threats like terrorism, separatist movements, and left-wing extremism but it is also about preparing for unconventional threats that can destabilise the nation's economic and strategic interests. "The adversaries of today do not always come with traditional weapons; cyber-attacks, misinformation campaigns, and space-based espionage are emerging as new-age threats that require advanced solutions," he said. The defence minister was speaking at a conference on 'Advanced Technologies for Internal Security and Disaster Relief Operations' organised jointly by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). In his address, Singh highlighted the growing complexities in global security and the ..

Boost in defence spending coming amid China threats, says Taiwan's minister

Taiwan's defence minister says the island is planning to boost military spending in the face of the rapidly changing international situation and the escalating threats from adversaries. Wellington Koo gave no figures but said President William Lai Ching-te was working with the ministry in consideration of enemy threats and urgent readiness needs, a reference to China's threats to invade the island, which it considers its own territory. Those would increase the proportion of the defence budget in relation to GDP, Koo said, in comments Monday that were embargoed until Tuesday. Taiwan currently spends about 2.45% of its gross domestic product on its military. At the same time, in coordination with national security and foreign policy, the military will continue to deepen cooperation with the United States and other allied nations, expanding multilateral military exchanges to jointly uphold regional peace and stability," Koo said. Taiwan sees a growing threat from China, which regularl

Aero India 2025: Defence secy meets with leading global aerospace companies

These meetings focused on advancing strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and future opportunities in the aerospace and defence sectors

Rajnath holds bilateral talks with ministers of Armenia, Malawi, Madagascar

Rajnath Singh met Suren Papikyan, MoD Armenia; Monica Chang' Anamuno, MoD Malawi; and Lieutenant General Sahivelo Lala Monja Delphin, Minister of Armed Forces of Madagascar

Evolving global security demands innovation, stronger ties: Rajnath Singh

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday asserted that the evolving global security scenario demands innovative approaches and stronger partnerships. Addressing the Defence Ministers' Conclave organised as part of the Aero India 2025 here, he said, India believes that international order and peace cannot be ensured from a position of weakness. "Today, increasing number of conflicts is making our world, a more unpredictable place. New power plays, new methods and new means of weaponisation, increased role of non-state actors and disruptive technologies, have made the world order more fragile," Singh said. At the same time, the distinction between security of the borders and internal security is getting blurred, as hybrid warfare can target critical national infrastructure even during the peace time, he said, "the definition of front line is changing fast today. Moreover, the dimensions of cyberspace and outer space are challenging the established definition of sovereignty." "It is

Rajnath Singh to inaugurate 'India Pavillion' at Aero India 2025 on Feb 10

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Sunday said he will be attending the 15th edition of 'Aero India' in Bengaluru that will showcase cutting-edge defence technologies and global aviation excellence. 'Aero India' is billed as Asia's largest air show, and hosted at Air Force Station, Yelahanka in the southern city. "Leaving New Delhi for Bengaluru to attend the 15th edition of Biennial Aero-India. #AeroIndia2025 will showcase cutting-edge defence technologies and global aviation excellence. Looking forward to witness the future of aerospace sector," Singh posted on X. The Department of Defence Production also shared an update on its X handle about the show that will take place from February 10-14. In a post on X on Sunday, the department said that the defence minister will inaugurate the 'India Pavillion' at Aero India 2025 on February 10. "India's commitment to Make-in-India featuring defence manufacturing capabilities, cutting-edge technologies & future prospects on global stage,"

Rajnath Singh announces doorstep medical delivery for ex-servicemen

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Tuesday announced doorstep delivery of medical facilities for ex-servicemen and their families residing in remote areas of the country through mobile medical units. Asserting the government's commitment to the welfare of veterans of the armed forces, he said that preparations for the initiative have already begun. "Though it will take some time, I assure you that this doorstep delivery will commence." Singh, while addressing an Armed Forces Veterans' Day event in Akhnoor, expressed his gratitude to the veterans and martyrs who safeguarded the nation. "The government has taken several steps to support ex-servicemen and their families. While I do not claim that all measures are sufficient, one significant initiative this year is the introduction of mobile medical units for veterans and their families in remote areas," the defence minister announced. "We have decided to provide doorstep delivery of medicines to veterans and their families in remote areas

India has one of the largest Defence Industrial Ecosystems in Asia: Rajnath

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh emphasised the crucial role of these reforms in shaping India's self-reliance, noting the immense potential for foreign companies in India's aerospace and defence sector

Rajnath Singh reaffirms strengthening bilateral ties with Maldives

He emphasised the enduring spiritual, historical, linguistic, and ethnic ties between the nations

Israel's sacked defence minister quits Parliament over conscription law

He further said that this decision comes after 45 years of mission and service to the country

MoD seeks to modernise armed forces, will observe 2025 as 'Year of Reforms'

In order to give impetus to the ongoing and future reforms, it was unanimously decided to observe 2025 as the 'Year of Reforms' in the MoD

Stay vigilant against internal, external enemies, Rajnath tells Army men

He was addressing Army personnel at the more-than-two-century-old Mhow cantonment in the Indore district of Madhya Pradesh

Rajnath Singh pays floral tributes at Ambedkar Memorial in MP's Mhow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh along with Chief of Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi on Sunday paid floral tributes at the memorial Dr B R Ambedkar at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh's Indore district. The memorial of Ambedkar, the architect of India's Constitution, has been built at his birthplace in the Kali Paltan area of Mhow cantonment, located about 25 km from the Indore district headquarters. "Defence Minister Singh accompanied by General Dwivedi paid floral tributes to Dr Ambedkar and later took darshan of his asthikalash (ashes) kept at the central hall of the memorial," Ambedkar Memorial Society secretary Rajesh Wankhede told PTI. "Singh then went the first floor of the memorial building and saw the life of Dr Ambedkar depicted through various portraits and paintings put up there," Wankhede said. Earlier, General Dwivedi received Singh upon his arrival for a two-day visit to MP at a helipad situated at the Army War College (AWC) in Mhow cantonment on Sunday afternoon. Thereafter

India's cultural foundation is rooted in the Vedas, says Rajnath Singh

The foundation of India's culture lies in the Vedas and they contain a wealth of knowledge that can be helpful to find solutions to the problems of the modern age, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Sunday. In an address at an event held to commemorate Swami Dayanand Saraswati's 200th birth anniversary, Singh also said that the Vedas have numerous mathematical concepts, indicating that mathematics existed during the Vedic era. "It is evident that what we know as Indian culture is fundamentally rooted in the social norms and cultural frameworks prescribed by the Vedas and in the science and mathematics mentioned in the Vedas," he said. "For instance, the Vedas have numerous mathematical concepts, indicating that mathematics existed during the Vedic era as a science," Singh said. "The 'Shulva Sutras' serve as an example, presenting geometric principles to the world long before we got to know about the Pythagorean theorem," he added. Emphasising the relevance of Dayanand Saraswat

Rajnath Singh reaches Moscow to participate in INS Tushil's commissioning

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on an official visit during which he will witness the commissioning of a stealth warship into the Indian Navy and attend the 21st meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation.Singh received a warm welcome on late Sunday night by Indian Ambassador to Russia, Venkatesh Kumar, and Russian Deputy Minister of Defence, Alexander Fomin.During his visit, Singh will also pay tributes at 'The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' in Moscow to honour the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War. He will also interact with the members of the Indian community, a release said.During his visit, Singh is set to hold crucial discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and co-chair the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC M & MTC) alongside Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.Sharing a post on X, the Embassy of India in Russia wrote,

South Korean prosecutors detain ex-defence chief over imposing martial law

South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained a former defence minister who allegedly recommended last week's brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case, news reports said. The reported development came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers. The main liberal opposition Democratic Party said it will prepare a new impeachment motion against Yoon. On Sunday, ex-Defence Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared at a Seoul prosecutors' office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained, Yonhap news agency reported. Other South Korean media carried similar reports, saying Kim was moved to a Seoul detention centre. The reports said police were searching Kim's former office and residence on Sunday. Repeated calls to the Seoul

Rajnath Singh to attend 21st Inter-Governmental Commission meet in Russia

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to visit the Russian Federation from December 8-10.During the visit, Rajnath Singh and the Defence Minister of Russia Andrey Belousov will co-chair the 21st meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M & MTC) in Moscow on December 10, a Defence Ministry release said.The two leaders will review the entire range of multi-faceted relations between the two countries in the field of defence, including military-to-military and industrial cooperation. They will also exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.As part of the visit, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will also commission the Indian Navy's latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate 'INS Tushil' at Yantra Shipyard, Kaliningrad on December 09, 2024. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi will accompany Rajnath Singh for the commissioning ceremony, the release ...

Rajnath meets his Asia-Pacific counterparts, US secy of defence in Laos

India and Korea share a Special Strategic Partnership which has made significant progress in recent years and is bound to move to the next higher level, a release said

Need to focus on cooperation, not conflict: Rajnath tells Chinese minister

Emphasises confidence building between India and China through de-escalation