Page 2 - Defence Minister

Rajnath to skip Russia's Victory Day parade, his deputy to represent India

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to skip Russia's Victory Day parade and his deputy Sanjay Seth is likely to represent India at the event in Moscow this week, official sources said on Saturday. The move to send the Minister of State for Defence to the May 9 ceremony comes amid increasing tensions between India and Pakistan over the Pahalgam terror attack. Russia had invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the Victory Day parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the Soviet victory over Germany in the Second World War, but it was decided that Singh would attend the event. The sources said Seth will represent India at the parade. Russia has invited leaders of several friendly nations to attend this year's Victory Day parade. Modi had travelled to Russia twice last year for an annual summit with President Vladimir Putin and to attend the BRICS Summit in Kazan. The Russian president is expected to visit India for the annual summit this year.

Pete Hegseth speaks to Rajnath Singh, backs India's right to defend itself

During the call, the US secretary of defence offered his sympathies for the deceased and reaffirmed his country's support for India in its battle against terrorism

Rajnath Singh holds meeting with PM Modi on security preparedness

This meeting comes a day after Chief of Defence Staff Anil Chauhan briefed the Defence Minister on the key decisions

Aero-engine development priority area of government: Defence Minister

Defence Minister Rajanth Singh on Wednesday said aero-engine development is a "priority area" of the government in view of the IAF's needs and the effort is to make this engine indigenously on a "co-development and co-production" model with full intellectual property rights. Addressing an event at the Air Force auditorium in Subroto Park here, he said "shifting geo-strategic equations" have a direct interest in India's national security as was never before. What kind of challenges these geo-strategic uncertainties pose for national security and how "we are prepared to handle them" is of paramount importance for India, Singh said. His remarks came on the occasion of a lecture hosted by the Air Force Association in memory of the Marshal of the Indian Air Force Arjan Singh, whose birth anniversary was on April 15. "He was a visionary military leader who, even today, inspires the youth. If the IAF is one of the world's strongest air forces today, it is because of the vision and ethos o

Building future-ready defence ecosystem 'necessity', says Rajnath Singh

He further said that the Armed Forces must operate jointly and remain future-ready in today's ever-evolving multi-domain environment

Colombian rebel group starts handing over arms as peace talks progress

A rebel group called the Commoners of the South has begun handing its weapons over to Colombia's government, the Defense Ministry said Saturday, as part of peace talks expected to lead to the group's disarmament in the coming months. The group of about 250 fighters operates in Colombia's Southwestern Nario province and has been in negotiations with the government since last year. This is a historic moment, Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said in a ceremony in the town of Pasto, where several accords with the group were outlined by officials. Sanchez said that over the past two days, the Commoners of the South have handed over land mines, grenades and rockets to an army unit that is destroying them. Farmers will be able to walk without the fear of coming across a minefield, Sanchez said. Until recently, the Commoners of the South was part of the National Liberation Army, or ELN, a group of about 6,000 fighters that is still fighting Colombia's government. In May last year, the Comm

Rajnath Singh inaugurates various infra projects at Karwar naval base

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to flag off Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR from the strategically located Karwar naval base in Karnataka on Saturday under a mission that seeks to reinforce India's commitment to regional maritime security and international cooperation. During his visit to the base in the afternoon, he will also inaugurate some newly developed infrastructure at the key naval site, officials said. The Navy is expanding the crucial naval base as part Project 'Seabird'. "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh will flag off #INSSunayna as the Indian Ocean Ship SAGAR with 44 personnel from 9 navies embarked onboard, from #Karwar today," the Office of Raksha Mantri posted on X on Saturday. It also shared a video in the post depicting the training phases, held both on land and at sea under this mission. "IOS SAGAR will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the Indian Ocean Region, reaffirming India's commitment to build stronger ties with its maritime neighbours and .

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