From Suiting To Air Supremacy: Raymond's Aerospace Arm Wins Tender For High-Value Fighter Aircraft Structural Assembly Deal

Raymond Limited announced on Wednesday that it is strategically expanding its engineering and aerospace operations directly into large-scale aircraft structures.

Its subsidiary company, JK Maini Global Aerospace Limited, has successfully won a high-profile tender to execute the complex assembly of wing structures and centre-fuselage structures for a major indigenous fighter aircraft program in India, Economic Times reported.

The major corporate announcement was officially submitted in a regulatory exchange filing by the Mumbai-headquartered conglomerate. The company confirmed that the prestigious contract was formally awarded by a prominent Indian aerospace and defence original equipment manufacturer (OEM), although Raymond chose not to disclose the exact identity of the OEM customer, the specific fighter aircraft program involved, or the monetary contract value of the deal.

This landmark victory marks a planned and ambitious entry for Raymond into the high-technology aircraft structures vertical.

The strategic move enables the iconic group to expand beyond precision machining, micro-component manufacturing, and basic aerospace parts, transitioning into the manufacturing of far larger, highly integrated structural assemblies for combat aviation platforms.

Investors reacted positively to the expansion news on the stock exchanges. Raymond's shares were trading at ₹1,130.25 apiece on the BSE, marking an upward jump of 1.49% on Wednesday as of 1.50 PM, before settling around ₹1,114.90 by the market close, continuing an impressive rally for the stock throughout the calendar year.

A critical aspect of the contract structure is its lean asset model. The indigenous fighter aircraft assembly program is designed to completely leverage the defence OEM customer's existing facilities and infrastructure, thereby permitting Raymond to acquire essential technical expertise, operational experience, and assembly credentials without having to invest substantial capital upfront in building new dedicated manufacturing plants.

Commenting on the strategic development, Rakesh Tiwary, Group Chief Financial Officer of Raymond Group, highlighted that this opportunity holds strategic value far beyond its immediate financial metrics. He emphasised that the deal allows Raymond to make a smooth entry into the lucrative aircraft structures domain while strictly preserving capital efficiency across its balance sheet.

Tiwary further noted that the contract serves as a foundational stepping stone for the company's broader industrial ambitions. It enables Raymond’s aerospace subsidiaries to build critical, proven execution credentials, positioning the organisation to actively participate in significantly larger defence and commercial aerospace programs both within India and across global markets, driven by a steadfast focus on execution excellence.

The group reiterated that this aircraft-structures opportunity will empower JK Maini Global Aerospace Limited to systematically develop advanced capabilities for major structural sub-assemblies.

The capital-light framework ensures that the group achieves technical maturation while maintaining strong financial prudence and operational flexibility.

While the fundamental groundwork is set, Raymond has not publicly revealed the timeline for the commencement of structural production, nor has it outlined the specific financial revenue contribution expected from this defence project over the coming fiscal years.

The aerospace and defence vertical forms an integral component of Raymond's overall strategy to pivot towards engineering-led and high-technology growth sectors. The division supplies precision components and specialised assemblies to a diverse array of major domestic defence entities as well as international aerospace giants.

Following the corporate restructuring and demerger of its lifestyle and real estate businesses into separate entities, Raymond has aggressively expanded its engineering portfolio.

The group operates across two core engineering divisions, including Aerospace and Defence, alongside Tools and Auto Components, holding a global leadership position in traditional hand tools and industrial files while expanding into electric vehicle components and defence manufacturing.

The recent win builds upon sustained commercial momentum in Raymond's aerospace vertical. The group’s defence arm recently secured multi-program aerospace component orders representing over 300 part numbers and 37,000 annual components, creating a robust financial runway alongside impressive quarterly revenue growth exceeding 40% year-on-year to hit ₹123 crore.

Assembling wing structures and centre-fuselage structures requires extreme engineering precision, rigid quality control standards, and specialised manufacturing protocols.

This successful tender position places Raymond's Bangalore-connected manufacturing ecosystem in a prime position to capitalise on India's push for indigenous defence manufacturing and secure bigger contracts worldwide.

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Chowgule Shipbuilding Delivers Second Indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle ICG H-562 To Coast Guard, Boosting Coast Guard Capabilities

India’s maritime manufacturing sector has achieved a significant milestone with the handover of the second indigenous Air Cushion Vehicle, designated as ICG H-562, to the Indian Coast Guard.

The vessel was constructed by the shipbuilding division of Chowgule and Company, based out of Goa, and follows the delivery of the first hovercraft in the series, ICG H-561, which was handed over just three months prior in June 2026.

Both hovercraft were constructed, tested, and delivered strictly within the contractual timelines stipulated by the authorities, demonstrating exceptional efficiency in domestic vessel production.

During extensive trial runs, the vessels exceeded their contracted maximum speed of 45 knots, showcasing superior operational performance and engineering standards for the coastal security force.

This delivery marks an important milestone in the nation's defence manufacturing capabilities, representing a substantial step forward in building specialised naval craft domestically.

The project originates from a commercial contract awarded by the Ministry of Defence under the Buy (Indian) category for six 8,000TD Air Cushion Vehicles, valued at approximately ₹38,744 Lakhs ($40 million).

This initiative stands as the first-ever order for hovercraft to be constructed within India specifically for the operational needs of the Indian Coast Guard.

The manufacture of these specialised vessels is taking place at a dedicated hovercraft production facility established in Goa, equipped with specialised infrastructure to handle advanced hull structures and propulsion systems.

These Air Cushion Vehicles are specifically engineered to navigate and operate seamlessly across shallow, marshy, and inter-tidal waters where conventional sea vessels face operational limitations.

Once fully deployed, the hovercraft will execute crucial maritime duties including round-the-clock coastal surveillance, patrol operations, high-speed interception, and search-and-rescue missions along India's extensive coastline.

The continuous execution of this project highlights the expanding prowess of domestic industrial networks in catering to the specialised equipment requirements of the maritime defence sector.

By localising production in Goa, the project has successfully nurtured a local industrial supply chain, sourcing critical components from Goan companies and providing commercial opportunities for local MSMEs and skilled technical workers.

The success of the program directly supports the overarching policy goals of Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, promoting self-reliance while cultivating specialised engineering skills within the country.

With the second vessel now handed over, four remaining hovercraft in the series are currently in advanced stages of construction at the Goan shipyard.

As construction progresses, the project will further enhance the capability of local shipyards to design, build, and maintain complex vessels built for hostile and challenging inter-tidal environments.

The delivery of ICG H-562 showcases the strategic importance of indigenous innovation, technical collaboration, and local manufacturing prowess in safeguarding national waters and advancing a robust maritime ecosystem.

This video outlines the key milestones in the induction of the indigenous hovercraft series for the Indian Coast Guard, showing how these craft enhance coastal surveillance and maritime security.

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India's New Drone Killer Takes Flight: DRDO's 30kW Laser Weapon Moves Towards Mass Production With 5 km Strike Capability

India is taking a major step in counter-drone warfare as the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) moves its most powerful demonstrated directed-energy weapon, a 30kW-class laser system, from trials toward industrial production.

Mounted on a mobile truck platform for operational flexibility, the system is designed to engage drone swarms, fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and surveillance equipment at ranges up to 5 kilometres. DRDO plans to select a domestic industry partner within six months to support mass manufacturing.

The development addresses a critical global military challenge known as the cost-exchange imbalance. While adversaries can deploy inexpensive, low-cost drones for reconnaissance, probing, or saturation attacks, traditional air defence relies on costly interceptor missiles.

Using high-value ammunition against cheap aerial threats rapidly overwhelms missile stockpiles and creates unfavourable economic ratios for defenders.

Directed-energy weapons solve this dilemma by disabling targets with concentrated thermal energy rather than physical projectiles. The laser beam travels at the speed of light, eliminating engagement delay and flight time.

Powered by electrical energy management systems rather than conventional ammunition, the weapon enables repeated engagements without requiring missile reloads, provided power and thermal management systems remain operational.

The operational urgency of such systems was highlighted during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where widespread drone usage demonstrated how low-cost unmanned platforms could be used to identify air defence positions and force defenders to expend expensive interceptors.

Laser weapons offer a lower-cost engagement alternative, allowing military units to preserve high-value missiles for more dangerous, conventional threats.

Following the successful conclusion of final evaluations in August 2025, the 30kW laser represents the pinnacle of DRDO's publicly demonstrated directed-energy capabilities. It builds upon a layered hierarchy of indigenous technologies, including a smaller 2kW system that is already in production with industrial partners including Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), Adani Defence, and Astra.

India is also advancing a 10kW laser system designed for operational ranges up to 2 kilometres. Having cleared the Acceptance of Necessity stage, an initial order for approximately 10 to 12 systems has been placed, with Larsen & Toubro and BEL serving as development-cum-production partners. The 30kW system significantly expands this operational envelope to 5 kilometres.

These laser developments form an integral component of Project Sudarshan Chakra, India's initiative to establish a comprehensive, multi-layered air defence architecture. This broader framework seeks to integrate missiles, guns, electronic warfare platforms, radar networks, and directed-energy weapons to counter a full spectrum of aerial threats across varying operational conditions.

DRDO is already pursuing even higher-power variants, with active research and development underway for 50kW and 100kW-class directed-energy systems.

These future iterations aim to deliver enhanced lethality, extended engagement ranges, and the ability to neutralise hardened, complex aerial targets on high-density battlefields.

India's advancement in directed-energy tech aligns with international trends.

Global powers are actively developing similar systems, including the United States' vehicle- and ship-mounted lasers, Israel's Iron Beam system, China's Silent Hunter and LY-1 platforms, and ongoing Russian developments. India's progress places it among a select group of nations pursuing operational laser defence.

Beyond tactical military advantages, the program underscores an ongoing structural shift within India's defence-industrial ecosystem.

DRDO is increasingly focusing on core research and innovation while transferring routine engineering, industrial scaling, and mass production to domestic industry partners, fostering long-term self-reliance.

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Missile City: New Footage Shows China’s Massive Underground Network For Missiles, Jets & Command Hubs

An investigation based on satellite imagery and expert analysis reveals that China is expanding infrastructure linked to its nuclear weapons program across seven key strategic locations, Times of India reported.

Identified at Pingtong, Zitong, Lop Nur, Jiuquan, Mianyang, Jinta, and Guangyuan, the expansion indicates that Beijing's nuclear modernisation spans warhead production, scientific research, testing, fuel reprocessing, and waste management.

The reported activity covers multiple stages of the nuclear cycle, demonstrating that China is bolstering the complete supporting infrastructure required for a larger and more survivable nuclear force.

This comes as China expands its land-based missile forces, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine fleet, and nuclear-capable bombers, even as President Xi Jinping met United States President Donald Trump in Washington, calling for stable bilateral relations.

The seven identified sites each fulfil distinct functions within China's nuclear weapons ecosystem. Pingtong is linked to warhead production, while Zitong focuses on fabrication and final assembly, both essential for producing complete warheads and modernising designs.

Lop Nur, historically China's primary nuclear testing facility in Xinjiang, shows new construction that could support test preparations or underground monitoring systems, despite Beijing observing a declared moratorium on explosive testing since 1996.

Jiuquan is associated with atomic energy, military nuclear research, and plutonium production, while Mianyang hosts major research facilities dedicated to advanced physics, hydrodynamic experiments, and computer simulations crucial for warhead design. Jinta is linked to nuclear fuel reprocessing for recovering usable materials, and Guangyuan is connected with the storage of nuclear-related waste.

According to the Federation of American Scientists' 2026 Nuclear Notebook assessment, China possesses approximately 620 nuclear warheads, expanding its stockpile at a faster pace than the United States or Russia.

While not all warheads are currently deployed, China is actively constructing vast intercontinental ballistic missile silo fields in its northern and western regions, alongside new silos for the heavy DF-5 missile. Beijing is also developing new mobile ICBM variants and multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle technology, allowing single missiles to strike separate targets.

These land-based advancements, combining hardened fixed silos and mobile launchers, significantly enhance the survivability and destructive potential of China's strategic retaliatory force.

Beyond land-based systems, China is expanding its nuclear triad across sea and air domains. The Indian Ocean and Indo-Pacific regions face changing strategic dynamics as China equips its Type 094 Jin-class nuclear submarines with longer-range JL-3 ballistic missiles, enabling them to strike distant targets from protected home waters.

Furthermore, China is developing its next-generation Type 096 submarine, designed for greater stealth and extended patrols. On the aerial front, China has assigned a strategic nuclear role to modified variants of its H-6 bomber fleet, equipping them with air-launched ballistic missiles. This multidomain expansion strengthens China's nuclear deterrence by providing flexible, dispersed, and resilient delivery options across all domains.

Despite these observable developments, Beijing maintains that its nuclear posture remains purely defensive, governed by a strict no-first-use policy and a commitment to maintain forces at the minimum level required for national security. Statements from Chinese officials reaffirm that the nation will not participate in a nuclear arms race.

However, analysts note that the concept of "minimum deterrence" evolves alongside missile defence advances and geopolitical competition. While there is no evidence that China has officially abandoned its no-first-use pledge, the sheer scale, diversity, and readiness of its expanding infrastructure allow for greater operational flexibility during a potential crisis, raising questions among global security planners.

The expansion of China's nuclear capabilities carries serious implications for regional and global strategic stability. For the United States, managing a tri-polar nuclear dynamic involving both Russia and China complicates traditional missile defence, deterrence planning, and arms-control negotiations. Russia continues to monitor the expansion along its shared border despite close bilateral ties.

For India, China's nuclear upgrades—particularly along the Himalayan frontier and across maritime transit corridors—require continuous monitoring and adjustments in surveillance, early warning systems, and retaliatory capabilities. Other regional actors, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, are closely evaluating how these changes impact extended deterrence and Indo-Pacific security.

Global arms-control frameworks face additional strain as China continues to decline participation in formal trilateral nuclear negotiations, arguing that its stockpile remains vastly smaller than those of Washington and Moscow.

Meanwhile, activities at Lop Nur attract scrutiny regarding commitments under the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, though infrastructure upgrades do not inherently confirm imminent explosive testing. Establishing clear crisis communication, military transparency, and bilateral dialogue remains critical to preventing miscalculation.

Furthermore, these large-scale construction projects across remote desert regions involve heavy engineering logistics requiring thousands of tons of steel, concrete, and specialised construction equipment.

Start-Up enterprises focusing on geospatial intelligence and satellite imagery analytics are increasingly playing a critical role in tracking such hidden underground networks and remote facilities globally.

Ultimately, the activity across these seven sites confirms that Beijing is building a robust, modernised, and enduring strategic architecture, reshaping the global nuclear balance while preserving official ambiguity regarding its long-term operational doctrine.

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West Bengal Allots 256 Acres To Jupiter Defence For Mega Manufacturing Hub

West Bengal has taken another substantial step forward in building up its defence industry infrastructure within the state, as reported by Hindustan Times.

The state government has handed over approximately 256 acres of prime land to Jupiter Defence Private Limited to establish a large-scale, state-of-the-art integrated defence equipment manufacturing plant at Raghunathpur in Purulia district.

The significant land allocation was officially announced during the prestigious 'Allotment of Land for Industry' program held at the Milan Mela premises in Kolkata on Wednesday.

This ambitious project will be set up inside Phase-II of the Jangal Sundari Karmanagari Industrial Park, marking a pivotal moment in the industrial development of the region.

Rigorous efforts are underway by the state government's Industry, Commerce and Enterprises Department to transform and develop Raghunathpur into a thriving modern industrial hub.

According to official administrative data, the expansive industrial park of Raghunathpur spans across roughly 1,924 acres of strategically designated land in its core zone.

The strategic area benefits from strong connectivity via well-maintained state highways as well as an extensive regional railway network. The key Adra Junction railway station is situated in close proximity, and the major arterial National Highway 19 is located just a short distance away.

As a direct consequence of these logistical advantages, this specific zone is regarded as exceptionally well-suited for hosting mega industrial undertakings. This time around, high-value defence hardware production is set to be integrated into that expanding industrial infrastructure landscape.

Jupiter Defence Private Limited operates as a specialized entity within the well-established Jupiter Wagons Group umbrella.

The enterprise group, long celebrated for its decades-old expertise in heavy railway engineering and rolling stock manufacturing, has recently expanded its operational footprint into several other strategic sectors, including defence production.

The proposed greenfield manufacturing facility in Purulia forms a vital component of that strategic diversification and growth roadmap, according to internal company statements.

Beyond establishing a massive manufacturing facility in Purulia, this project carries the dynamic potential to build a complete local supply chain ecosystem.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises, specialized component manufacturers, and various subsidiary units will gain direct commercial opportunities to integrate with a major defence production hub.

According to Vivek Lohia, Managing Director of Jupiter Wagons Limited, this landmark initiative will boost the nation's domestic defence production capabilities while concurrently generating significant local business growth and widespread employment opportunities.

Systematic policy efforts have been underway over the past few years to enhance private sector participation in the indigenous manufacturing of defence hardware across the country. A central objective of this broader national directive is to curtail heavy reliance on costly foreign imports while accelerating domestic manufacturing.

Jupiter Defence's Purulia venture has been highlighted by the parent organization as fully aligned with the overarching vision of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'.

The strategic prominence of Raghunathpur is steadily rising on the state's industrial map.

The state administration is actively making land parcels available and developing civic infrastructure across non-metropolitan sectors with the explicit aim of building vibrant industrial nodes outside Kolkata.

Comprehensive master plans are also being executed at Raghunathpur to construct dedicated industrial roadways, high-capacity electrical grids, uninterrupted water supply, advanced drainage networks, and other essential industrial support frameworks.

Another distinctive operational advantage of the industrial park's logistics chain is its convenient proximity to the Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor.

This critical freight network feature is poised to play an increasingly important role in facilitating the smooth and rapid movement of raw materials and finished goods in the future.

The long-term extent to which this state-backed initiative strengthens West Bengal's footprint in the national defence sector will depend heavily on subsequent capital investments, plant construction speed, and the formal commencement of factory production.

Nevertheless, the formal allocation of 256 acres of industrial land has effectively opened the doors to a major land-based, mega defence production project in Purulia, setting the stage for transformative impacts on regional industry, job creation, and local supply chain businesses.

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GRSE Clears ₹2,896 Crore Investment For New Raichak Shipyard To Accelerate Naval And Commercial Shipbuilding Capacity

Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd (GRSE), one of India’s leading warship and commercial vessel builders, has approved a capital budgetary outlay of ₹2,896 crore for the construction of a major greenfield shipyard at Raichak in West Bengal.

The investment, equivalent to nearly ₹29,000 lakh, represents one of the most significant infrastructure expansion decisions undertaken by the company in recent years.

The approval was granted by the company’s Board of Directors during its 423rd Board meeting held on 21 September 2026. The decision marks an important milestone in GRSE’s long-term strategy to increase shipbuilding capacity and strengthen its position in both military and civilian maritime sectors.

The proposed facility will be developed at Raichak, a strategically located riverside area in West Bengal that offers access to maritime infrastructure and connectivity. The greenfield yard will be built from the ground up and is expected to become a major addition to GRSE’s production network.

According to the company, the purpose of the project is to expand shipbuilding infrastructure and significantly enhance production capabilities across both naval and commercial segments. The expansion comes at a time when demand for domestically built warships, auxiliary vessels, patrol platforms, ferries and merchant ships continues to rise.

The Raichak shipyard forms part of a broader infrastructure expansion plan that GRSE had previously disclosed in August 2026. The wider plan envisages the creation of three new facilities aimed at increasing manufacturing capacity and supporting future order execution requirements.

The approval of the Raichak project now provides a concrete financial commitment towards implementation of that larger expansion strategy. The move underlines the company's confidence in sustained order inflows from both government and commercial customers.

GRSE has emerged as one of India's most successful shipbuilding public sector enterprises, with a strong portfolio that includes frigates, corvettes, survey vessels, landing craft, anti-submarine warfare platforms and various specialised naval vessels constructed for the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard.

The company's order book has witnessed substantial growth in recent years, driven by the Government of India's emphasis on indigenous shipbuilding, maritime security and self-reliance in strategic sectors.

The new Raichak yard is expected to play a vital role in supporting future naval acquisition programs. As the Indian Navy continues to expand its fleet and modernise existing capabilities, domestic shipyards are being required to handle larger and more complex projects.

The investment also reflects India's broader ambition of becoming a major global shipbuilding hub. Policymakers have increasingly focused on boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities in order to capture a larger share of the international shipbuilding market.

Apart from servicing defence requirements, the facility is expected to support commercial shipbuilding activities. Demand for cargo vessels, coastal ships, inland waterway vessels, ferries and specialised maritime platforms has been increasing as India seeks to strengthen logistics and maritime transportation networks.

Industry observers note that greater commercial shipbuilding capacity could enable GRSE to diversify revenue streams and reduce dependence on government contracts over the long term. The approved investment of ₹2,896 crore exceeds earlier estimates associated with the company's expansion plans, highlighting the scale and ambition of the proposed facility.

Previous disclosures linked to GRSE's infrastructure expansion program indicated that the company intends to develop facilities capable of handling substantially larger vessels than those currently produced at existing locations.

Reports associated with the earlier expansion plan suggested that the new infrastructure could support the construction of warships measuring up to 200 metres in length and commercial vessels of up to 60,000 deadweight tons. Such capabilities would significantly enhance GRSE's manufacturing profile and competitiveness within the domestic shipbuilding sector.

The Raichak project is not an isolated investment. GRSE's broader infrastructure roadmap also includes plans to invest around ₹100 crore in rejuvenating the Timber Pond facility at Shalimar in Howrah for shipbuilding, repairs and associated construction activities.

Additionally, the company has outlined investment plans of around ₹70 crore at the Damodar facility in Kidderpore, which is intended to support vessel repair operations and the construction of electric ferries and other smaller craft.

Taken together, these projects indicate a comprehensive effort to strengthen manufacturing, repair and maintenance infrastructure across multiple locations in West Bengal. The creation of a large modern shipyard could also stimulate growth across ancillary industries, including steel fabrication, marine systems integration, propulsion equipment, electronics, coatings and logistics services.

As India continues to increase investments in maritime security, coastal infrastructure and commercial shipping, facilities such as the proposed Raichak shipyard are expected to become increasingly important components of the country's industrial ecosystem.

The approval of the ₹2,896 crore (₹29,000 lakh) greenfield shipyard therefore represents far more than a standalone infrastructure project. It reflects GRSE's long-term growth ambitions, its confidence in future demand across naval and commercial markets, and its intention to emerge as a larger and more capable shipbuilding enterprise capable of executing sophisticated maritime projects on a significantly expanded scale.

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India Deepens Strategic Defence Partnership With Armenia Through Akash Air Defence Training And Growing Military Engagement

India and Armenia are continuing to strengthen their rapidly expanding defence relationship, with Indian military personnel now providing specialised training on the Akash air defence system to Armenian troops within Armenia itself.

The training effort represents another significant milestone in a partnership that has evolved considerably in recent years and highlights the increasing operational cooperation between the armed forces of both nations.

The deployment of Indian officers to train Armenian personnel on the Akash air defence system demonstrates the growing trust between New Delhi and Yerevan.

Beyond the sale and delivery of military hardware, the training component underscores India's commitment to ensuring that Armenian forces are able to effectively operate and maintain the sophisticated air defence platform.

The Akash air defence system has become one of the most visible symbols of India's emergence as a major exporter of advanced military equipment. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation and produced by leading Indian defence manufacturers, the system is designed to protect critical assets and military formations against a wide range of aerial threats, including fighter aircraft, helicopters, drones and cruise missiles.

Indian military instructors are helping Armenian operators familiarise themselves with the system's capabilities, operational procedures, maintenance requirements and tactical employment. Such training is essential for maximising the effectiveness of modern air defence networks and ensuring seamless integration into Armenia's broader defence architecture.

The training initiative reflects a maturing defence partnership that has moved well beyond a traditional buyer-seller relationship. Increasingly, cooperation between the two countries encompasses knowledge sharing, military exchanges, operational training and long-term strategic engagement.

Armenia has emerged as one of the most important destinations for Indian defence exports in recent years. Faced with evolving regional security challenges, Yerevan has sought to modernise its military capabilities through acquisitions from trusted international partners, with India becoming a key supplier.

The Akash system occupies an important place within Armenia's air defence modernisation efforts. As a mobile medium-range surface-to-air missile system, it is capable of providing protection against multiple aerial threats while operating across varied terrain and weather conditions.

One of the platform's principal advantages is its mobility. Unlike fixed air defence installations, the system can relocate along with military formations, allowing rapid deployment in response to changing tactical situations. This capability is particularly valuable in modern warfare, where flexibility and survivability are critical.

The system integrates advanced radar, command-and-control networks and missile launchers within a unified architecture. This network-centric design enables rapid target detection, tracking and engagement, helping operators respond swiftly to aerial threats.

Reports from Armenian military exercises have highlighted positive assessments of the system's operational characteristics. Armenian personnel have reportedly praised its mobility, automated radar architecture and ability to handle multiple aerial targets simultaneously during training activities.

The Akash system is capable of tracking numerous targets at the same time while engaging several threats concurrently. Such capabilities are increasingly important as militaries around the world confront more complex aerial threat environments involving drones, precision-guided munitions and coordinated attacks.

The training mission being conducted by Indian officers therefore serves not only as a technical instructional program but also as a strategic investment in long-term bilateral military cooperation.

The growing defence relationship between India and Armenia is occurring against the backdrop of wider geopolitical changes in the South Caucasus region. Armenia has sought to diversify its defence procurement sources and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers, creating opportunities for deeper engagement with India.

Indian defence exports to Armenia have expanded significantly over the past few years. Alongside the Akash air defence system, various reports have highlighted Armenian interest in a range of Indian-origin military technologies and platforms.

The strengthening relationship has also been supported through high-level military interactions and official visits. Senior military leaders from both countries have engaged in discussions covering defence cooperation, military modernisation and regional security challenges.

Military education and professional exchanges have become another pillar of bilateral cooperation. Armenian officers have previously participated in training programmes in India, gaining exposure to Indian military doctrine, operational concepts and technical expertise.

The latest training activities in Armenia represent the next logical stage of this engagement. By conducting instruction within Armenian territory, Indian trainers are able to provide operationally relevant guidance tailored to local conditions and requirements.

The collaboration also enhances interoperability and facilitates a deeper understanding between the armed forces of both countries. Such interactions create institutional relationships that often endure well beyond individual procurement projects.

Another noteworthy aspect of the expanding relationship is Armenia's participation in Exercise Tarang Shakti as an observer. Exercise Tarang Shakti has emerged as one of India's most significant multinational air exercises, bringing together air forces and military representatives from numerous countries. The exercise serves as a platform for operational cooperation, professional exchanges and strategic engagement among participating nations.

Armenia's presence as an observer reflects its growing interest in military cooperation with India and its desire to learn from large-scale multinational exercises involving advanced air operations. Observer participation provides valuable opportunities to study air warfare concepts, command structures, operational planning processes and multinational coordination mechanisms.

For India, the participation of Armenia in Exercise Tarang Shakti underscores the increasing international appeal of Indian-led military engagements and highlights New Delhi's expanding role as a defence and security partner.

The involvement of Armenia in such activities also carries symbolic significance. It demonstrates the broadening scope of bilateral defence relations from equipment acquisition and training to participation in major military events and strategic dialogues.

The Akash program itself has played a major role in this transformation. Originally developed to meet India's own air defence requirements, the system has gradually evolved into a successful export product that demonstrates the growing sophistication of indigenous Indian defence technologies.

The presence of Indian officers training Armenian personnel on the Akash air defence system, combined with Armenia's participation as an observer in Exercise Tarang Shakti, illustrates the steadily deepening nature of bilateral military cooperation.

What began as defence procurement has evolved into a broader strategic relationship encompassing training, operational collaboration, military education and long-term defence engagement.

The latest developments therefore mark another important step in the continuing expansion of India-Armenia defence ties and highlight the growing importance of the partnership in both countries' strategic calculations.

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Tirupati Forge Secures Artillery Shell Manufacturing Licence, Strengthening India’s Indigenous Defence Production Push

Tirupati Forge has achieved a significant milestone in its growth journey after receiving an arms licence to manufacture artillery shells, a development that substantially expands the company’s presence within India’s rapidly evolving defence manufacturing sector.

The approval enables the company to formally enter the artillery ammunition segment, adding an important capability to its existing portfolio of defence-related products and engineering solutions.

The licence represents a strategic advancement for the Gujarat-based manufacturer as it seeks to establish itself as a larger participant in India's defence industrial ecosystem.

Artillery shells remain among the most critical consumables used by modern armed forces. The increasing importance of ammunition stockpiling, operational readiness and sustained combat capability has elevated the strategic value of domestic shell production across major military powers, including India.

The licence approval comes at a time when New Delhi is intensifying efforts to expand indigenous production of defence equipment and reduce dependence on overseas suppliers.

By obtaining permission to manufacture artillery shells, Tirupati Forge joins a relatively small group of private-sector companies authorised to participate in this specialised segment of the defence supply chain.

The development is expected to strengthen the company's long-term prospects in a sector that continues to witness rising procurement requirements from the Indian Armed Forces.

Tirupati Forge has steadily expanded its defence-related activities over the last few years. The company has already developed capabilities associated with defence manufacturing and supplies components for armoured platforms, missile systems and various military applications. Its expertise in forging, precision engineering and specialised metalworking has created a foundation that can be leveraged for defence production programmes requiring high levels of quality assurance and reliability.

The new licence effectively broadens the scope of the company's operations from defence components into ammunition-related manufacturing. Artillery shells are highly specialised products that require stringent manufacturing standards, precise metallurgy, advanced machining processes and rigorous inspection procedures.

As a result, obtaining regulatory approval under the Arms Act is considered an important step for any company seeking entry into the military ammunition sector.

Industry reports indicate that the licence covers multiple artillery shell calibres ranging from 105 mm to 155 mm, encompassing several ammunition categories commonly used by artillery forces worldwide. The approved range reportedly includes 105 mm, 120 mm, 122 mm, 125 mm, 130 mm, 152 mm and 155 mm variants.

Within the strategically important 155 mm category, the approval is understood to cover several prominent shell configurations, including High Explosive M107, High Explosive L15A1, Extended Range Full Bore, Extended Range Full Bore Base Bleed and Extended Range Full Bore Boat Tail variants.

These categories are widely associated with modern artillery systems due to their operational flexibility and extended engagement ranges. Available industry information suggests Tirupati Forge initially intends to manufacture empty artillery shell bodies, which constitute a critical element of the ammunition production chain.

The shell body manufacturing process involves advanced forging and machining operations before subsequent stages such as explosive filling, fuse integration, assembly and final certification are undertaken.

The company's entry into shell-body production therefore represents an important capability addition within India's expanding ammunition ecosystem. The arms licence is also expected to support the Government's broader Atmanirbhar Bharat vision. Over the past several years, India has implemented various policy measures aimed at strengthening domestic defence production, increasing indigenous content and encouraging private-sector participation.

The government has consistently emphasised reducing import dependence while fostering a competitive domestic industrial base capable of addressing both national security requirements and export opportunities.

Private companies are increasingly being encouraged to play a greater role in defence manufacturing, a domain that was historically dominated by public-sector entities and ordnance establishments. As India's defence requirements continue to expand, additional manufacturing capacity from private industry is becoming increasingly important.

The new capability could contribute towards strengthening ammunition self-sufficiency and enhancing resilience across military supply chains. The licence also has significant implications from a strategic industrial perspective. Artillery ammunition has assumed renewed importance globally due to rising geopolitical tensions and increased demand for conventional military systems.

The approval opens the possibility of supplying artillery shells to the Indian Armed Forces after meeting all required qualifications, standards and procurement conditions. In addition to domestic opportunities, the company may eventually explore export markets as India continues expanding its profile as a global defence manufacturing and export hub.

India's defence exports have witnessed consistent growth in recent years, with ammunition and artillery-related products emerging as important categories of interest among international customers.

Reports indicate that Tirupati Forge has established manufacturing infrastructure that is being prepared to satisfy the quality, consistency and production-volume requirements associated with artillery ammunition manufacturing.

Industry sources have suggested an initial production capability of around 1.5 lakh shell bodies annually, although production is expected to be scaled progressively as the programme matures. Pilot manufacturing activities are reportedly expected to commence before full commercial-scale operations are undertaken.

With the arms licence now secured, the company is positioned to strengthen its role in supporting military supply chains while contributing to the country's objective of achieving greater self-reliance in defence production.

The development marks a significant strategic milestone for Tirupati Forge and further reinforces India's growing indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.

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Pakistan Conducts Fresh Drone Hits On Ten Afghan Targets

Pakistan carried out precision aerial and drone strikes targeting ten distinct locations across Afghanistan early on Thursday morning. The military operation followed accusations by Islamabad that drone attacks were launched into Pakistani territory from across the border a day prior.

Pakistani Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed the developments through a social media post, stating that the action was taken in exercise of the nation's sovereign right to self-defence.

According to official statements, the targeted sites were specifically chosen as they were allegedly being used by hostile elements for launching and storing offensive drones. Minister Tarar emphasised that the operational response was strictly limited to identified military objectives directly linked to the attempted cross-border incursions.

He characterised the strikes as deliberate, precise, calibrated, and proportionate measures intended to neutralize active threats while minimizing unintended damage.

The latest aerial action marks a sharp escalation in ongoing cross-border hostilities between the two neighbouring nations. Just days before these strikes, Pakistani fighter jets conducted air raids in Afghanistan's Kunar and Paktika provinces, triggering severe opposition from Afghan authorities.

The Afghan government had vowed an appropriate response to those earlier attacks, raising regional tensions and concerns over a wider military confrontation.

Afghan government spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid strongly condemned the previous bombardments, accusing the Pakistani military of targeting civilian inhabited zones. Describing the actions as repeated aggressive crimes, Mujahid stated that the strikes in Kunar resulted in the deaths of three local civilian residents, including a woman and two men, while four others suffered injuries. In Paktika province, aerial strikes damaged a residential home and a local shop without causing any reported casualties.

Mujahid further claimed that the Pakistani military establishment was attempting to divert public attention away from its own internal security failures by launching attacks on Afghan soil.

Reports from local media networks, including TOLOnews, corroborated that military jets had struck the Rakha and Torkandi areas of Barmal district in Paktika province alongside targets in Kunar. Despite these allegations, Pakistani officials maintained that their military operations strictly aimed at dismantling anti-state threat vectors.

The intense cross-border violence reflects a wider pattern of increasing military engagements along the frontier, which has exacted a heavy toll on non-combatants. A quarterly report by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) covering the period between April and June documented 399 civilian casualties arising from cross-border armed clashes. This toll included 57 fatalities and 342 injuries, with a notable proportion of victims being women and children.

UNAMA attributed all the documented cross-border civilian casualties during that specific three-month window to actions carried out by Pakistani security forces. Provinces such as Paktya, Paktika, and Kunar consistently recorded the highest frequency of air raids and ground engagements.

Previous findings by the UN mission highlighted a single incident on June 28 where airstrikes across those three provinces caused at least 28 civilian deaths and left 49 individuals injured, drawing international scrutiny toward military operations conducted along the porous border.

Agencies

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NATO In Crisis: Europe Forms ‘Secret Bloc’ As Trump Threatens Exit Over Iran War

A historic shift is unfolding inside one of the world's most powerful military alliances, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, or NATO.

As uncertainty grows around America's commitments to the bloc it once led, Europe is quietly preparing for a future, this time without the US at the centre.

According to a detailed report by The Wall Street Journal, European officials are now developing contingency plans for what some are calling a European NATO.

Senior officials from the UK, France, Germany, Poland, the Nordic countries, and Canada have been holding quiet side meetings and informal dinner discussions in and around NATO headquarters to sketch out this blueprint.

The primary ambition of this strategy is to ensure that if Washington withdraws, or refuses to come to Europe's defence, the continent does not find itself completely defenceless.

This contingency plan is gaining momentum after receiving crucial backing from Germany, which had previously opposed a go-it-alone approach in favour of relying on the American security umbrella.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius stated that while discussions within NATO are not always easy, finding workable solutions will ultimately create new strategic opportunities for Europe.

The underlying plan seeks to gradually move European officers into key command and control roles currently held by American generals, including the management of air and missile defence networks.

It also focuses on accelerating European industrial production in capability areas where the continent has long depended on Washington, such as space surveillance, satellite reconnaissance, in-flight refuelling, and air mobility.

To strengthen military hardware production, Germany and the UK recently announced a joint program to develop stealthy cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.

Conscription is also returning to national agendas across the continent, with several European nations that scrapped compulsory military service after the Cold War now reconsidering it, using Finland as a operational model.

The most politically sensitive aspect of the transition involves the nuclear umbrella, leading to direct discussions between German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron on extending France's nuclear deterrent to cover Germany and other European allies.

Underpinning all these moves is a push to build independent satellite, surveillance, and missile-warning systems to reduce dependence on American intelligence, which experts identify as the hardest capability gap to close.

This drastic European pivot comes amid escalating rhetoric from US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly threatened to pull the United States out of NATO due to European unwillingness to support military operations regarding the Iran war.

Trump expressed deep frustration over European nations refusing to join the US blockade of Iranian ports, open their airspace for strikes, or participate in military missions to unblock the Strait of Hormuz, where massive volumes of global oil flow.

Lashing out at European allies, Trump called the alliance ineffective and referred to NATO as a paper tiger while criticizing leaders, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over diplomatic disagreements.

The White House has also weighed punitive measures against allies deemed unhelpful, including initiating the withdrawal of 5,000 troops from Germany following public disagreements with German leadership.

European anxieties were further heightened by earlier disputes, including Trump's controversial suggestion regarding Greenland, which accelerated efforts toward self-reliance.

Finland's President Alexander Stubb noted that a managed burden-shifting from the US toward Europe is actively ongoing as part of broader national security strategies, emphasizing the need for an orderly transition.

Despite these efforts, significant structural challenges remain, as no single European nation possesses the comprehensive military capabilities or nuclear firepower needed to entirely replace the US presence overnight.

Financially, European allies have pledged massive increases in military spending, targeting 3.5 per cent of gross domestic product on core defence alongside an additional 1.5 per cent allocated to critical infrastructure.

To fund these massive defence initiatives, European nations are reallocating strategic reserve funds, moving upwards of  $100 billion directly into continent-wide procurement programs.

Furthermore, military logistical corridors spanning across Europe require heavy reinforcement, involving the transport of thousands of tons of heavy military equipment through key transit routes into Poland and the Baltic region.

Europe is also boosting support for deep-tech defence start-up ecosystems to accelerate domestic innovation in artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, and modern warfare tools.

Agencies

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India's Stake Goes Beyond Buying Reactors: The True Economics of Indigenous Small Modular Power Generation

India has officially committed ₹20,000 crore under its Nuclear Energy Mission to Small Modular Reactor (SMR) development and deployment, setting a ambitious target of at least five indigenous SMRs operational by 2033.

An August 5, 2026, parliamentary reply formally identified the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre's (BARC) BSMR-200 and SMR-55 power-reactor programs, alongside a specialized high-temperature gas-cooled reactor intended to supply process heat for green hydrogen production.

The parliamentary disclosure noted that the Atomic Energy Commission has approved Tarapur, Maharashtra, as the official site for constructing the lead units of the two power-reactor designs, while the high-temperature unit is earmarked for BARC's Vizag facility.

Crucially, the reply placed the baseline establishment period at 60 to 72 months following the grant of administrative and financial sanction.

This qualification represents a vital timeline condition when realistically assessing the feasibility of achieving the target of five operational plants by 2033.

For India, the overseas strategic alliance creates both an international performance benchmark and a clear strategic choice.

Domestic nuclear programs will need to rigorously demonstrate their own commercial costs and construction delivery schedules while deciding precisely where international technical cooperation brings true value.

The editorial question extends far deeper than whether India should simply import a specific power machine from foreign vendors. The fundamental core of the matter is determining how much value Indian engineering, domestic manufacturing, and local operating capability can capture as this dynamic global nuclear market expands.

To capture this value, Indian supply chains—spanning advanced steel forging, specialized reactor pressure vessel alloys, and precision control mechanisms—must be fully integrated into both local and export supply lines.

The ultimate proof of success for any nuclear power program will always be found in the performance and economics of the second reactor.

The overall progress of any international alliance or domestic program must be judged through concrete operational milestones rather than initial pledges.

These essential benchmarks include securing committed commercial customers, obtaining firm project financing, acquiring formal regulatory safety licences, executing site construction, delivering reliable electricity to the grid, and achieving significantly lower capital costs on repeat units.

Each completed milestone systematically resolves a different underlying technical, regulatory, or financial uncertainty.

A signed memorandum of understanding can never serve as a substitute for these tangible operational outcomes. Small modular reactors offer a genuinely plausible route toward building a far more repeatable, scalable, and commercially viable nuclear power industry.

The first operational working plant serves primarily to establish that a given engineering design performs safely and functions according to design parameters.

However, the subsequent fleet plants must conclusively demonstrate that serial manufacturing and repetition dramatically improve the overall project economics.

That crucial commercial transition is precisely where the original promise of "small" modular power will directly impact the end consumer's electricity bill.

Agencies

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A Snag In The Supersonic Sky: Telangana High Court Reinstates Dr Jaiteerth Joshi As BrahMos Director-General

The Telangana High Court has set aside the Central Administrative Tribunal's order that previously cancelled the appointment of Dr Jaiteerth Joshi as the Director-General (BrahMos). The High Court has directed that the selection made by the Defence Research and Development Organisation be allowed to stand.

A division bench comprising Justice Puthichira Sam Koshy and Justice Nandikonda Narsing Rao pronounced the common order on Wednesday. The court allowed the writ petitions filed by the Union of India alongside another petitioner.

The legal dispute stemmed from the appointment to the prestigious post of Director-General (BrahMos), which involves overseeing the strategic BrahMos supersonic cruise missile program. The high-profile position fell vacant in December 2024 following the retirement of the previous incumbent.

Following the vacancy, the DRDO issued an in-house notification inviting applications from eligible senior scientists across its ranks.

As per the official criteria, the selection process required candidates to be scientists holding the grade of scientist H or above. Candidates were also required to have served as a laboratory director, program director, or corporate director, while possessing at least 12 months of residual service. Additionally, an MTech or PhD degree was listed as a desirable qualification.

A dedicated screening committee initially shortlisted the eligible candidates. Subsequently, an expert selection committee interviewed them and recommended a panel containing three prospective names.

The competent authority, namely the Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development who also serves as the chairman of DRDO, ultimately selected Dr Jaiteerth Joshi for the top post.

However, Dr Sivasubramaniam Nambi Naidu, who was one of the shortlisted candidates, challenged this appointment before the Central Administrative Tribunal. Dr Naidu contended that he was a distinguished scientist at pay level 16 and thus superior to Dr Joshi, who was an outstanding scientist at pay level 15. On these grounds, Dr Naidu argued that he should have been preferred for the role.

The tribunal accepted Dr Naidu's challenge on 29 December 2025, proceeded to set aside Dr Joshi's appointment, and directed the authorities to reconsider Dr Naidu's candidature.

Aggrieved by this decision, the Union of India challenged the tribunal's order before the Telangana High Court. The Union contended that the tribunal had exceeded the permissible limits of judicial review by re-assessing the comparative merits of the shortlisted candidates.

The High Court agreed with the Union's argument. It noted that the official advertisement, the standard operating procedure, and the Defence Research and Development Service Rules, 2023 did not grant any extra weightage to seniority, a higher pay level, or the status of being a distinguished scientist.

The bench observed that both Dr Naidu and Dr Joshi fulfilled all the prescribed eligibility criteria for the strategic position. The selection committee had evaluated the candidates and found the shortlisted scientists to be equally meritorious.

The competent authority selected Dr Joshi after taking into account various decisive aspects, including his extensive experience in managing complex international joint-venture projects.

The bench affirmed that courts and tribunals cannot sit in appeal over the assessment made by an expert selection committee unless the process is proved to be vitiated by illegality, mala fides, arbitrariness, or a clear violation of prescribed rules.

It further highlighted that the post of Director-General (BrahMos) is a highly sensitive and strategic position directly linked to national security, defence preparedness, and international collaboration. Consequently, the court emphasised that greater judicial restraint is necessary when examining such selections.

The bench also pointed out that Dr Naidu had fully participated in the selection process, including the interaction with the selection committee, without raising any objections regarding the criteria or procedure. It was only after his non-selection that he chose to challenge those aspects.

Furthermore, the court rejected the tribunal's reliance on a confidential note concerning the number of distinguished scientists within DRDO. The bench held that the note did not create any automatic preference for distinguished scientists over eligible scientist H candidates for the position of Director-General (BrahMos).

In conclusion, the High Court held that the tribunal had crossed its legal mandate by substituting its own assessment of seniority, grade, awards, and other factors for the expert judgment of the selection committee and the competent authority. The bench allowed the pleas and set aside the tribunal's order dated 29 December 2025.

Agencies

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Italy To Relaunch Atomic Power Generation Almost Four Decades After National Ban

The upper house Senate of the Italian parliament gave its final clearance to a comprehensive plan put forth by the government to restart nuclear power generation across the country. The decisive step comes nearly forty years after a public referendum effectively forced the closure of all existing nuclear reactors in Italy.

The administration aims to deploy state-of-the-art advanced modular reactors to assist in decarbonising the industrial sectors and to fortify national energy security. Officials contend that substantial advances in safety protocols and nuclear technology have rendered the historic anti-nuclear vote of 1987 completely obsolete.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni led a right-wing government that sought to shield the domestic economy from sharp escalations in energy pricing caused by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The move reignited widespread calls to lower overall dependence on foreign energy suppliers and build domestic self-reliance.

Speaking after the parliamentary vote, Energy Minister Gilberto Pichetto Fratin emphasised that sustainable nuclear power, when combined with renewable energy infrastructure, would transform Italy into a safe, independent, and highly competitive nation.

Presently, Italy relies very heavily on external energy imports, which includes electricity generated directly by nuclear power plants situated in neighbouring nations like France.

Conversely, anti-nuclear campaigners contend that persistent safety concerns and the prolonged timeframes needed to construct new reactors far outweigh any potential advantages of resurrecting the sector.

The general public in Italy remains deeply divided on the proposal to reintroduce nuclear facilities. A survey conducted by Demopolis revealed that while 51 per cent of citizens supported restarting atomic power generation, a clear majority expressed strong opposition to building any nuclear plant near their own homes.

When the administration first unveiled its strategic framework, the government estimated that maintaining nuclear energy at a minimum of 11 per cent within the national energy mix could yield savings of approximately ₹1,61,500 crore (€17 billion or $19 billion) in overall decarbonisation expenditure by the year 2050.

According to the official national energy and climate plan formulated by Italy, the overall share of nuclear power could progressively rise to as high as 22 per cent over time.

The newly approved law grants the administration a period of 12 months to adopt necessary implementing decrees to officially relaunch nuclear power production. Furthermore, the legislation establishes explicit provisions for the decommissioning of legacy facilities and sets up a dedicated independent regulator to oversee all operations.

Opposition political factions on the centre-left broadly resisted the legislative measure during debates and strongly urged the government to refrain from allocating any fresh land parcels for constructing new nuclear reactors.

Elena Sironi, a prominent senator representing the Five Star Movement, stated that any newly planned facilities should be positioned primarily in regions that are already fully developed, degraded, or impacted by past decommissioned industrial activities, without consuming any additional virgin land.

Beyond political debates, Italian energy companies have actively pursued technical collaboration by establishing specialised entities, such as Nuclitalia, formed jointly by energy producer Enel SpA, engineering firm Ansaldo Energia SpA, and defence entity Leonardo SpA.

Italian authorities have also explored reactor options across various international markets, examining foreign systems to decide which technology best fits their long-term power grid objectives.

PTI

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Judicial Setback For Trump Administration As Federal Court Orders Restoration of White House Press Credentials For CNN, MS NOW, And Politico

In a major legal setback for President Donald Trump’s administration, a United States federal judge on Thursday directed the White House to immediately restore press access for journalists representing CNN, MS NOW, and Politico.

US District Judge Timothy Kelly, who was appointed to the federal bench by Trump himself during his first term, issued the order in response to a joint lawsuit filed by the three prominent news organisations challenging the administration's decision to bar their reporters from the complex.

The legal battle commenced after the administration abruptly revoked the hard press passes of the three media outlets over the weekend, barring their correspondents from accessing the White House grounds and taking away their credentials.

Trump had previously defended his decision on social media, alleging that the three news outlets should not be allowed to repeatedly publish what he characterized as false reports, fiction, and lies regarding his presidency.

In response, CNN, MS NOW, and Politico filed a lawsuit on First Amendment grounds, arguing that the administration's arbitrary ban was a clear case of unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliatory action against critical journalism.

During a crucial hearing on Wednesday, Judge Kelly expressed deep scepticism regarding the administration's actions, noting near the start of the court proceedings that basic constitutional due process was clearly not followed in this instance.

The judge pointed out that the administration had revoked the press credentials without giving the news organisations prior notice or a fair opportunity to contest the decision, which runs counter to established legal precedents regarding press access.

Appearing for the media organisations, prominent attorney Theodore Boutrous urged the court to step in immediately, stressing that the administration's unexpected action came completely out of the blue and severely harmed the public interest.

Boutrous emphasised the extreme urgency of the matter before the judge, pointing out that critical global events were unfolding, world leaders were arriving in Washington, and the nation was effectively at war.

The media organisations' counsel further argued that the administration was attempting to use national security as a convenient magic word to justify what was fundamentally a retaliatory move against routine press coverage.

On the other hand, the US Department of Justice stoutly mounted a legal defence for the administration, insisting that press access to the presidential complex is not an absolute constitutional right.

Department of Justice attorney Michael Velchik argued in court that access to the White House remains a privilege rather than a right, asserting that the president retains the inherent authority to exclude anyone he chooses from places like the Oval Office.

In its official court filings, the Department of Justice argued that the White House functions as both the primary workplace and official residence of the Commander-in-Chief, giving the government a compelling interest in enforcing standards.

Government lawyers claimed that the president concluded the three outlets failed to maintain minimum standards of professionalism and decorum required of White House correspondents, specifically accusing them of publishing sensitive or classified information.

The government filing went so far as to assert that the administration possesses the authority to regulate reporters' entry to restricted presidential spaces, such as the Oval Office, even if such decisions were motivated by viewpoint discrimination.

Furthermore, the Justice Department denied that the ban was retaliatory in nature, claiming that identical actions would have been taken regardless of the media houses' critical stance towards Trump.

To support this claim, the Department of Justice noted that the administration had not revoked access for several other media organisations that had published similarly critical reports about the president.

Although the government cited grave national security risks and breaches of journalistic decorum to bolster its stance, attorney Boutrous countered that the reporting cited by officials was merely garden-variety reporting.

Boutrous highlighted that the administration's legal defense shifted toward national security concerns only after Trump's initial public statements focused almost exclusively on his personal dissatisfaction with negative news coverage.

The ruling by Judge Kelly represents a significant initial victory for the press freedom lawsuit, requiring the White House to reinstate full press credentials while the broader legal proceedings continue.

ANI

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Pacific Island Nations To Receive Sea Ambulances From India: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Outlines Progress At FIPIC Meet

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar discussed the progress made under the India-Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation framework and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund at the India-FIPIC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New York on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.

Addressing the gathering, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar extended a warm welcome to the representatives of the Pacific Island nations at the Permanent Mission of India to the United Nations in New York, stating that the discussions would center on reviewing the progress achieved following the third summit of the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation held in 2023.

He emphasised that India's relationship with the Pacific Island nations, particularly regarding its development partnership, has expanded significantly through two major institutional mechanisms, namely the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation framework and the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar noted that through both these mechanisms, India has undertaken numerous project initiatives aimed at highlighting its strong commitment towards enhancing local livelihoods, building institutional capacity, and promoting sustainable development across the region.

The External Affairs Minister also highlighted India’s ongoing efforts towards the procurement and supply of specialised sea ambulances to the Pacific Island countries.

He stated that requests had been received from 12 member states for a total of 20 units of sea ambulances, adding that active procurement work is currently going on in India and expressing confidence that delivery will be achieved by 27 March.

Furthermore, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar proposed the creation of customized capacity-building training modules specifically tailored for the Pacific Island countries based on their explicit national priorities.

Reflecting on earlier commitments, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar mentioned that a set of key development schemes had been announced when Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the region, noting that good progress has been achieved since then.

Elaborating on the new proposal, he invited the member states to share their specific regional priorities and focus domains where professional capacity or technical expertise needs strengthening, offering to design exclusive modules for participants from the Pacific Islands.

He added that this capacity-building initiative would enable professionals and officials from the region to travel to India for dedicated training programs in key focus domains over a period of time.

In addition to bilateral development issues, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called for urgent structural reforms of the United Nations Security Council, remarking that the inability of the international body to address ongoing global conflicts and threats to international peace and security highlights the compelling need for change.

The External Affairs Minister made these remarks while co-chairing the L.69 Consultative Ministerial Interaction on United Nations Security Council reform alongside Foreign Minister Alva Baptiste of Saint Lucia.

Expressing gratitude to C-10 coordinator Swaray Rahman of Sierra Leone for his presence, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pointed out that countries across the Global South have been at the receiving end of unprecedented global shifts, while the United Nations has consistently fallen short of expectations.

He asserted that the persistent failure of the United Nations Security Council to effectively address ongoing conflicts and emerging security challenges underlines the pressing urgency for systemic reform.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded by stating that continued delays in reforming the United Nations Security Council serve to perpetuate historical injustice, asserting that member states of the L.69 and C-10 groupings are joining forces to push for comprehensive multilateral reforms.

ANI

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