Defense News - Latest Updates & Headlines
Taiwan reports 20 PLA sorties 7 naval vessels, 1 official ship near its airspace
Taipei, March 13: Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) reported 20 sorties of People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, seven People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels and one official ship until 6 am (local time) on Thursday.
Europe's major military powers reaffirm support for Ukraine
Paris, March 13: Defence Ministers from Europe's top five military powers, France, Germany, Britain, Italy and Poland, met in Paris and voiced support for the Ukrainian army.
Tejas LCA MK1 test-fires indigenously developed ASTRA Missile
New Delhi, March 12: India has successfully conducted test-launch of indigenously developed ASTRA Missile. This Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile (BVRAAM) was launched from Tejas LCA AF MK1 prototype fighter aircraft.
Excited for an excellent march past: Indian Naval Contingent rehearses amid heavy rains for Mauritius National Day
Champ de Mars, March 11: Braving heavy rainfall, contingents from Mauritius and the Indian Navy conducted a full dress rehearsal at Champ de Mars ahead of the 57th Mauritius National Day celebrations.
UAE Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed meets French Minister of Armed Forces in Paris
Paris, March 11: Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Sebastien Lecornu, Minister of the Armed Forces of France, as part of the UAE Top Diplomat's working visit to Paris.
China continues to hike its defense expenditure
Hong Kong, March 11: On 5 March, at this year's 14th National People's Congress, China announced its defense budget for 2025. The latest figure rises 7.2% year on year. Interestingly, Beijing maintained the growth rate of its military expenditure at precisely the same percentage as last year, and the year before, as Chairman Xi Jinping prioritizes development of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).
India, Kyrgyzstan Joint Military Exercise 'Khanjar-XII' begins in Tokmok
Tokmok, March 10: The opening ceremony of the Joint Military Exercise Khanjar-XII, between special forces of India and Kyrgyzstan, was held at Tokmok, Kyrgyzstan.
Brigadier General Efi Defrin named new Israeli Military spokesman
Tel Aviv, March 9: IDF (Israel Defense Forces) Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir on Sunday appointed Brigadier General Efi Defrin as the new IDF Spokesperson. The appointment was approved by Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Japan, Philippines strengthen defence cooperation to counter China's aggression
Manila, March 9: Japan and the Philippines have agreed to strengthen their defence ties in response to China's growing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific, as reported by Indo-Pacific Defense Forum.
Indian Army contingent departs for joint exercise in Kyrgyzstan
New Delhi, March 9: With the aim of addressing common concerns of international terrorism, an Indian Army contingent, comprising troops from the elite Parachute Regiment, left for Kyrgyzstan to take part in a joint exercise starting Monday.
Israeli military says missiles, weapons seized in raids on Syria
Jerusalem, March 9: Israel's military has said that it carried out raids in Syria over the past week, seizing missiles and weapons belonging to the Syrian army.
North Korean leader inspects project to build nuclear-powered submarine
Seoul, March 8: North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has inspected a project to build a nuclear-powered submarine, warning that his country's maritime defence capability will be 'fully' projected "in any necessary waters without limitation," the North's state media reported on Saturday.
Israeli Forces Dismantle Weapons Depot, Explosives Laboratories in Tulkarem
Tel Aviv, March 7: Israeli soldiers uncovered and destroyed a weapons depot and multiple improvised laboratories for explosives and drone production, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday.
Zelenskyy meets Belgian PM, hails decision to transfer F-16 Jets
Brussels, March 6: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday met with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever in Brussels, expressing gratitude for Belgium's support, particularly the decision to transfer F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine.
China targets 7.2 percent defence budget hike, 5 percent growth despite trade war with US
Beijing, March 6: Even as China faces a potential Trade War over tariffs with the United States, Beijing has pledged to make domestic demand its main economic driver. It has its annual growth targets to about 5 percent, and along with that, it has called for a 7.2 defence budget hike due to rising regional tensions.
Taiwan urges Beijing to exercise 'self-restraint' amid hike in Chinese defence budget
Taipei, March 6: Taiwan has called for "reason and self-restraint" following reports that China would increase its military spending by 7.2 per cent in 2025, according to local media reports.
New Israeli Military Chief of Staff fills frozen senior positions
Tel Aviv, March 6: On his first day as the Israeli military's Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir filled several senior positions that Defence Minister Israel Katz had placed on hold.
Human body's protein recycling system fights bacteria like antibiotics: Study
Jerusalem, March 6: Israeli researchers have discovered a surprising immune defense role of the proteasome, a cellular structure known for degrading and recycling proteins.
Israel's new military chief takes office, vows to strike enemies with 'tremendous force'
Jerusalem, March 5: Eyal Zamir took over on Wednesday as the 24th Chief of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), warning that Israel's multi-front conflict would be ongoing and vowing to strike its enemies with "tremendous force."
IIT Madras researchers develop framework to protect critical infrastructure against Ballistic Missiles
Chennai, March 5: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) Researchers have developed a framework that can boost the protection of critical infrastructure in the country against the threat of ballistic missiles.
Ursula Von der Leyen hints at mobilising 800 billion euros to 'ReArm Europe'
Brussels, March 5: European Union (EU) leaders will gather in Brussels on Thursday for a summit which could see member states mobilise up to 800 billion euros to 'ReArm Europe' as proposed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to ramp up the defence spending, Euro News reported.
Ukraine can withstand Russia for six months without US support: official
Kyiv, March 4: Ukraine has enough reserves to withstand the conflict with Russia for about six months without US support, the RBC-Ukraine online media outlet reported Tuesday, citing a senior parliament official.
Israel's Defense Minister Katz thanks US counterpart for 'Accelerating Shipments of Weapons'
Tel Aviv, March 4: Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz spoke with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, whom he thanked, for President Trump's support for accelerating shipments of weapons and security equipment to Israel, and for his commitment to the "strong alliance between the countries."
EU chief proposes 'ReArm Europe Plan' to boost common defence fund
Brussels, March 4: Emphasising on the "momentous and dangerous" times and 'grave nature of the threats" faced, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday announced a plan to boost Europe's defence spendings throughout the European Union.
Indian Army's Trishakti Corps conducts month-long live firing exercise with T-90 Tanks
Guwahati, March 3: The Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army, responsible for defending Sikkim and the strategically vital Siliguri Corridor, successfully conducted a month-long live-firing exercise featuring T-90 tanks, a PRO (Defence) said in a statement.
Israeli forces eliminate 25 terrorists, arrest 350 in February crackdown
Jerusalem, March 2: Security forces intensified their operations in Judea and Samaria, eliminating approximately 25 terrorists and arresting 350 wanted individuals during the month of February, the Israel Defense Forces said on Sunday.
Israeli Army to share its October 7 probes with State Comptroller
Tel Aviv, March 2: The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said it would present State Comptroller Matanyahu Englman with its internal investigations into the military's failures of October 7 and in the time leading up to Hamas's attack.
Taiwan sanctions seven Chinese Universities over security concerns
Taipei, Mar 1: Taiwan has sanctioned seven universities, dubbed the "seven sons of China's national defence," that pose a security threat to the nation, according to local media.
PM Modi welcomes European Union joining Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative
New Delhi, February 28: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded the European Union joining the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative and enhancing defence and security cooperation for both the regions.
Army Chief General Dwivedi pays tribute to soldiers at War Memorial in France
New Delhi, February 28: Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi laid a wreath at the Indian War Memorial in Neuve-Chapelle, France, honouring the brave Indian soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice during World War I.
Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces attends Partners Forum 2025
Abu Dhabi, February 27: Major General Pilot Sheikh Ahmed bin Tahnoun Al Nahyan, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and a number of senior officers and officials attended the "Partners Forum 2025", organised by the Ministry of Defence, represented by the National and Reserve Service Authority, at the Earth Hotel in the capital, Abu Dhabi, under the slogan "Partners for Success".
Trump says he supports NATO's mutual defence obligations
Washington, Feb 28: US President Donald Trump has said that he supports NATO's Article V clause that obliges members of the alliance to come to each other's defence.
Iran unveils new warship, military equipment
Tehran, Feb 27: Iran's armed forces received a new domestically built warship and several pieces of homegrown military hardware in two separate ceremonies on Thursday, local media reported.
India successfully tests short-range anti-ship missile with re-targeting feature
New Delhi, Feb 26: In a boost for India's maritime power capabilities, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Navy have carried out successful flight trials of a first-of-its-kind naval anti-ship missile (NASM-SR) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR), Chandipur.
No power supply problems, Taiwan says first indigenous submarine to begin sea tests soon
Taipei, February 26: Taiwan will begin sea acceptance testing (SAT) of its first locally built submarine prototype named Hai Kun or Narwhal in April this year as per schedule Taiwan News has reported.
Israel strikes 'military targets', weapon storage sites in Syria
Tel Aviv, February 26: The Israeli Defence Forces struck military targets inside Southern Syria along with weapon storage sites in the past few hours, the IDF announced in the early hours of Wednesday.
Canadian PM visits Kyiv on third anniversary of Russia-Ukraine conflict; discusses defence, sanctions
Kyiv, February 26: On the third anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. During their meeting, the two leaders discussed key topics including defense cooperation, sanctions against Russia, and continued financial support for Ukraine amidst the ongoing war.
HAL, BEML sign MoU for collaboration in training programmes
Bengaluru, February 25: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Tuesday to collaborate on leadership and technical training programmes aimed at skill development and professional excellence.
Rajnath Singh highlights unconventional threats, asks Coast Guards to remain alert
New Delhi, February 25: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh highlighted the emergence of unconventional threats in Indian waters due to the latest technological advancements on Tuesday at an event in Delhi.
Israel Imposes New Sanctions on 'Pay for Slay' Recipients, Seizes Terror-Linked Funds
Tel Aviv, February 25: Defence Minister Israel Katz announced new sanctions on Tuesday targeting security prisoners and their families who are Israeli citizens and residents receiving "pay for slay" payouts from the Palestinian Authority.