India’s Rafale fighter jets and C-17 transport aircraft have arrived in Australia to participate in the Roy­al Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier multina­tional air combat exercise, Pitch Black 2026, marking another step in expand­ing defence cooperation between the two countries.

Announcing the arrival of the Indian Air Force (IAF) contingent, the High Commission of India in Canberra said in a post on X, “The High Commission of India is proud to wel­come the Indian Air Force contingent of four Rafale and two C17 aircraft along with over 120 Air Warriors to Darwin to participate in Royal Australian Air Force’s premier air combat exercise Pitch Black 2026.”

The diplomatic mission added that the deployment reflects India’s commit­ment to strengthening military partnerships and enhancing operational co­ordination with friendly nations.

“Over the next three weeks, our Air Warriors will fly alongside counter­parts from participating nations towards enhanc­ing

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are poised to become a strategic gateway for India, a world-class transhipment and logistics hub for the Bay of Bengal, and a model of ecological steward­ship, with the government approving the ambitious Rs 81,000 crore Great Nicobar Island Development Project (GNIDP), according to a report.

An article in India Narrative highlighted that this holistic project aims to transform the GNI into a multimodal hub compris­ing a transhipment port, an international airport, a township, and a power plant, with the vision of developing Great Nicobar as a sustainable, green, global destination for business, trade, and leisure.

Its proximity to the Six Degree Channel and the Strait of Malacca and its position along major shipping routes make it a cru­cial maritime transhipment hub for India.

The dual-use Greenfield International Airport is planned to handle 4,000 pas­sengers per hour at peak capacity and will support both civilian and military flights, the article observes.

The power plant will have a capac­ity of 450 MVA. It will supply power to the ICTT and the integrated township, which includes two new greenfield cities at Campbell Bay and Galathea Bay, a cruise terminal, luxury resorts, and industrial facilities.

This project marks the first comprehen­sive attempt to integrate national security objectives with regional economic develop­ment in the Bay of Bengal by positioning the islands as a strategic economic hub.

Geography dictated the choice of Great Nicobar Island for the project, as it lies just 40 nautical miles from the East- West shipping line, which runs along the 6-degree channel and passes through the Strait of Malacca.

Galathea Bay, at the southern tip of the island, is thus an ideal location for a transhipment port as it has a deep 20-metre draft, enabling the entry of large super tankers, the article states.

It further points out that with a coastline of about 1,962 kilometres, the A&N islands also generate, under the provisions of the United Na­tions Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the eastern Indian Ocean of about 600,000 square kilometres, roughly a third of India’s total EEZ.

The article also highlights that the project has great strategic significance.

Once the GNIDP is established, combat aircraft can be stationed at the dual-use airport and battleships at the ICTT, keeping the entire area under surveillance from the islands themselves, covering the Andaman Sea and extending to the South China Sea. The 6-degree chan­nel is also used by military ships crossing between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. This fact, too, makes Galathea Bay an attractive option for monitoring military movements. This considerably enhances its strategic significance.

Another point of great strategic sig­nificance is the possibility of oil being discovered in the area. Offshore oil explo­ration in the Islands began only in 2020. Before this, the Andaman & Nicobar group of islands was designated a “no-go zone” for oil.

Besides, the article underscores the great importance that is being given to make the project environment-friendly. As part of the environmental effort, 65 sq km of the 130 sq km of affected forest area is green and will not be touched. The remaining area has 18 lakh trees, of which 7.1 lakh will be cut over the next 30 years.

Before a single tree has been cut, 2.4 lakh trees have already been planted under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” scheme. An ad­ditional 6 lakh trees will be planted under this scheme by the time phase one starts, making the total number of trees planted more than the number that will be cut. The issue of the preservation and safety of local tribes is also a high priority. The project is mandated not to disturb them or their habitations, the article added. IANS

The flames of war in the Middle East have reignited despite best efforts to mediate a cease fire between Iran and the US. It seems that both the sides have put forth maximalist demands and the ceasefire agreement hammered out between the two sides after painstaking negotia­tions was so vague that both sides interpreted it in the manner best suited to them. Little wonder, war has resumed with uncertain consequences for the rest of the world, especially countries like India in this part of the world which depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil supplies.

Now more than the nuclear ambitions of Iran, it is the control over this vital waterway which has become the bone of contention. Iran says it will exclusively control the waterway and will charge a fee from ships passing through it. The US says that it will control the waterway and ensure that it is free to use by ships from around the world. The US President, briefly toyed with the idea of charging a fee for ensuring safety of ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz but has since backed down on this.

In the meantime, the US intensified its strikes on Iran, hitting targets farther north and firing into a ship the US accused of trying to break its naval blockade on the Islamic Republic. Iran retaliated by launching missiles and drones at US allies in the region, and warned its attacks may escalate.

The interim ceasefire agreed to last month has collapsed, and the region risks tipping back into all-out war after days of back-and-forth strikes by the U.S. and Iran as they wage for control over the Strait of Hormuz. For the first time in this latest round of violence, strikes also reached into areas around Tehran, showing a widening set of targets for the Americans.

The Iranian military has threatened that Iran could launch widespread attacks on “all the infrastructure in the region” if the US acts on President Donald Trump’s repeated warn­ings that America could hit Iranian bridges and power plants. Under no circumstances and in no way will Iran allow America… to interfere in the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also asked Houthis to stand ready to close the Red Sea oil route if the US strikes Iranian power infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Houthis warned they will tar­get Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities and other infrastructure if conflict escalates between the two sides, days after the airport in the rebel-held capital Sanaa was struck. The US strikes have hit around Tehran. American at­tacks also targeted Semnan province, home to Iran’s ballistic missile production and space programme.

Iranian media also reported strikes around the provinces of Hamedan, Hormozgan, Khuzestan, Lorestan, Markazi, and Sistan and Baluchestan, as well as on Iran’s Qeshm island, near the Strait of Hormuz.. An attack on Greater Tunb Island targeted Iranian de­fense and missile sites. Greater Tunb Island is one of three small rocky islands that sit at the confluence of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz — seized in 1971 by Iran from what would become the United Arab Emirates — and have become a garrison for Iran that help it exert significant control over the strait.

The Seahawks have a crew of 3–4 people, with a capacity of five passengers in the cabin and a load carrying capability of around

The Navy is set to add three more specialised submarine hunting helicopters, the MH-60R Seahawk, to its fleet.

US Helicopter maker Lockheed Martin has delivered one copter last week while two more are expected this week. Once the paperwork is done and the copters are validated, induction into the Navy shall follow over the next few days.

With the addition of these three copters, the Navy’s fleet of such specialised submarine hunting helicopters would be 21 strong. India had sourced 24 of these copters – produced by Lockheed Martin — for $2.6 billion, and the deliveries had commenced in 2021. 

These copters replace the ageing British-origin Sea King helicopters.

At present, 15 Seahawks are deployed across Naval warships. Another three have been delivered to the Navy but are stationed in the US and used for ‘training’ of its pilots. 

The three copters which the Lockheed Martin is delivering now would take the number to 21. Sources said the delivery of last batch of three copters remains.

US Ambassador to India, Sergio Gor posted on X: “Excellent  news for growing US-India defence partnership! Great to see this advanced capability strengthening maritime security and our shared commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific.” 

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What does the Seahawk mean to the Navy

The Seahawk provides a fillip to the Navy’s integral air capability on warships and adds a greater punch to frontline platforms. The MH60R Seahawk, has world-class sensors, advanced avionics and potent weapons suite, that enhance Maritime Domain Awareness and enable rapid response across anti-submarine warfare, maritime strike, and search and rescue missions.

It has a glass cockpit with multi-function displays fully integrated with night vision goggles, missile approach warning system, laser rangefinder, decoy dispensers and infrared jammer, electronic support measures, a multi-mode radar with automatic radar periscope detection and discrimination capability.

The Seahawks have a crew of 3–4 people, with a capacity of five passengers in the cabin and a load carrying capability of around 3,000 kg. Having a top speed of 330 kmph and a range of 830 km, it can be armed with various types of torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles, machine guns and an airborne mine clearing system.

The MH-60Rs have been integrated with the indigenously made aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. According to the Navy, it has been rigorously tested in Indian Reference Atmosphere (IRA) conditions and enhances India’s blue-water capabilities, extending the operational reach of the Navy and supporting sustained naval operations across spectrums and vast maritime domains. 

SouthAsians & Diaspora

The Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission maritime helicopter. It is similar to the Black Hawk variant used by the US Army, the difference being, the folding main rotor blades and a hinged tail for easier stowage onboard warships.

India-specific usage

In August 2024, the US approved an Indian order worth $52.8 million for three types of high-altitude anti-submarine warfare sonobuoys, that are expendable sensors for detecting and tracking submarines, and related equipment. The Indian Navy is acquiring over 500 sonobuoys for the MH-60R fleet.

In October 2024, the US further cleared the sale of 53 aircraft-launched MK-54 Lightweight Torpedo, that has a range of around 10 km, for the MH-60R along with associated equipment, support and training.

Last year, India signed with the US a sustainment support of Indian Navy’s fleet of MH-60R helicopters. This will be worth Rs 7,995 crore.

Having a sustainment programme for the copters is a comprehensive package which includes provisioning of spares, support equipment, product support, training and technical support, repair and replenishment of components and setting up of ‘intermediate’ level component repairs and  periodic maintenance inspection facilities in India.

In-country development of these facilities will ensure capability build-up in the long run and reduced dependence on the US Government, thus aligning with the vision of self-reliant India, the Ministry of Defence said.

History of the copter

The MH-60 first entered US service in 1984. Development of the more advanced ‘R’ began in 1993, with the first flight being made in 1999 and deployment with the US Navy in 2006.

About 940 MH-60s have been built and it has also been widely exported with Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Greece, Israel, Japan, Norway, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and the US operating different variants.

A few years ago, the Lockheed Martin had acquired Sikorsky Aircraft which made the helicopter. Based in Stratford, Connecticut, Sikorsky was established by the Russian aviation pioneer Igor Sikorsky in 1923, and was among the first companies to manufacture helicopters for civilian and military use.

The 12th Meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the SCO Member States is attended by representatives of Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, along with officials of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure

India on Friday attended a meeting of border security chiefs of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Islamabad, marking another instance of official engagement between New Delhi and Islamabad under a multilateral forum despite strained bilateral ties.

The 12th Meeting of the Heads of Border Services of the SCO Member States was hosted by Pakistan and attended by representatives of Belarus, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, along with officials of the SCO Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS).

It was not immediately clear at what level India was represented at the meeting. However, sources told The Tribune that a senior official from the Indian High Commission in Islamabad attended the event. 

According to Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry, participants exchanged assessments on the security situation along the international borders of SCO member states and discussed emerging challenges.

The meeting approved the results of the joint border operation ‘Solidarity-2025’ and endorsed the plan for conducting ‘Solidarity-2026’. Delegates also approved the 2027 work plan of the SCO Group of Experts on Border Services.

The participants backed Tajikistan’s proposal to host the ‘Solidarity-2027’ joint border operation and discussed the venue and timing of the next meeting of the heads of border services.

According to the Pakistani statement, the delegates agreed that greater coordination and common approaches to counter emerging cross-border threats would strengthen cooperation among SCO member states and enhance security and mutual trust along their borders.

The meeting concluded in what the host described as a “constructive and cordial atmosphere”.

The Supreme Court on Friday clarified that removal from electoral roll didn’t mean loss of citizenship as it agreed to examine the exclusion from welfare schemes of persons deleted from the list during Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in West Bengal.

The SIR is currently underway in several parts of the country, including Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh.

A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant reiterated that deletion from the electoral roll after SIR exercise would not automatically result in the loss of citizenship status. 

The Bench – which also included Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana — pointed out that it had made it clear in the Bihar SIR judgment that the ultimate authority to determine citizenship was not the Election Commission and that the removal from electoral rolls cannot, by itself, result in the deprivation of citizenship. “Our judgment (in the Bihar SIR case) is clear. The EC is not a constitutional authority with regard to (citizenship) status under Articles 9, 10 and 11… The EC has control over electoral rolls. It can decide not to include someone. However, that does not result in loss of status of citizenship per se,” Justice Bagchi said.

The Bench said, “We made it clear that EC has a corresponding duty that as soon as there is a decision (to exclude someone from electoral rolls), it (EC) has to refer to the Ministry (of Home) for adjudication under Citizenship Act. Unless that is done, status (as a citizen) must go on.”

The clarification came after senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan submitted on behalf of Prasenjit Bose, chairperson of the SIR Committee of West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee, that 34 lakh appeals were still pending before the 19 appellate tribunals. Only around 38,000 appeals had been decided and 70 per cent of those were allowed, he said.

While most of the appeals were pending, the West Bengal Government has issued notifications excluding deleted voters from benefits under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and various welfare measures such as Annapurna Yojana, Sankaranarayanan submitted. “Even caste certificates are being denied to the excluded persons,” he added.

The petition sought Assembly constituency-wise data relating to the West Bengal Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, including the number of Forms 6 and 7 filed, admitted and rejected as well as details regarding the pendency and disposal of appeals before the appellate tribunals.

Asking the Election Commission, the West Bengal Government and the Chief Electoral Officer of the state to spell out their respective stand on Bose’s petition, the Bench posted the matter for further hearing on August 25.

The SIR exercise in West Bengal resulted in the exclusion of over 58 lakh electors during the enumeration phase. While 9.64 lakh applications for inclusion (Forms 6 and 6A) and over 99,000 applications for deletion (Form 7) were received during the claims and objections phase, only around 1.82 lakh additions were ultimately reflected in the final electoral roll published on February 28.

One Ride. One Nation. One Salute.

Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh flagged off the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, a motorcycle expedition from the National War Memorial in New Delhi to the Kargil War Memorial in Dras, to commemorate the 27th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas.

Comprising 28 riders, including serving and retired Defence Forces personnel and their family members, the 13-days expedition will cover around 1,900 km, passing across the rugged terrain of the northern Himalayas.

Through the Shaurya Vijay Yatra, the nation will honour the courage, determination and supreme sacrifice of the bravehearts whose valour secured India’s victory in the 1999 Kargil War.

During the Kargil War of 1999, Operation Safed Sagar emerged as a defining chapter in India’s military history. Conducted under some of the most challenging conditions ever faced by air warriors, the operation showcased the Indian Air Force’s courage, precision and unwavering resolve, playing a decisive role in turning the tide of the conflict.  In this special episode of Raksha Sutra, we are joined by Group Captain Anupam Banerjee (Retd.) – fighter pilot, veteran air warrior and a firsthand witness to the events of Operation Safed Sagar.  From the challenges of operating in high-altitude combat zones to the untold stories behind the missions that shaped India’s victory, this episode offers a rare and insightful look into one of the most significant air campaigns in the nation’s history.

“Even as state-of-the-art weapons and platforms are being inducted into the defence forces to address the challenges posed by the evolving nature of warfare, ports, airfields, roads & tunnels will continue to play an indispensable role in the future,” said Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh at the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) Strategic Infrastructure Conclave in New Delhi on July 16, 2026. He emphasised that while the outcome of war is largely determined by military prowess, precision capabilities, and modern technologies, basic infrastructure is central to enabling military operations.

“Sometimes, the first front of a war is not at the border itself, but on the road that leads our soldiers to the frontline. Therefore, the person who builds that road is as vital a guardian of national security as the soldier who stands at the border,” said Shri Rajnath Singh as he commended BRO for adopting niche technologies to establish robust infrastructure and carry forward Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi-led Government’s resolve of building world-class infrastructure, continuously strengthening national security, and transforming India into a Viksit Bharat by 2047.

Raksha Mantri highlighted that, over the past six and a half decades, the BRO has transformed itself from a mere road construction agency to one of the world’s most respected strategic infrastructure organisations. He stated that achievements such as Atal Tunnel, Umling La Pass, and Sela Tunnel stand as living testaments to BRO’s capability and hard work, adding that its dedicated personnel have repeatedly proven that with a spirit of service to the nation, any challenge can be overcome even in harshest of conditions.

Terming BRO as a frontline organisation in adopting latest technologies, Shri Rajnath Singh made special mention of ‘tunnelling technology’, which has brought about the revolution from metro construction in cities to highway development in mountainous regions. The speed with which BRO constructs roads and highways across some of the world’s most challenging terrains is unprecedented, he said, calling it a reflection of the combined strength of human resolve and modern technology.

Raksha Mantri described ‘connectivity’ as an essential component of civilisational development, reaffirming the Government’s resolve to provide all forms of connectivity through roads, rail, air, and digital infrastructure. “The focus laid on infrastructure post-independence did not match the nation’s capabilities and requirements. We have ensured that no citizen residing in a remote area feels cut off from the mainstream. We are developing border villages, once referred to as the last villages, into the country’s first villages under the ‘Vibrant Village Programme’. A nation with robust infrastructure is the one with a bright future. The infrastructure we are building today will define our civilisation for the next one or two centuries,” he said.

Asserting that infrastructure development is not solely the Government’s responsibility but a collective effort, Shri Rajnath Singh urged the industries to innovate, academia to advance in research, engineers to develop solutions, and administrators to implement them on the ground. “Together, we must create an ecosystem that fosters excellence, where every stakeholder performs their role with utmost dedication,” he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Director General Border Roads Lt Gen Harpal Singh stressed that the measure of strategic capability is no longer defined solely by what we build; it is increasingly determined by how intelligently we plan, how rapidly we execute, how effectively we monitor and how sustainably we maintain infrastructure assets. He emphasised that BRO has embarked upon a journey of organisational transformation driven by technology, innovation and institutional reforms. He added that emphasis is being laid on digital planning, AI-enabled solutions, modern construction methodologies, mechanisation and stronger collaboration with industry and academia to build resilient and future-ready strategic infrastructure.

During the event, Raksha Mantri presented awards to various BRO Projects recognising their outstanding performance and excellence in infrastructure development. He also launched two digital platforms for Project Management and Recruitment, marking another significant step in BRO’s digital transformation and organisational modernisation.

Shri Rajnath Singh also released three flagship BRO publications ‘Path Pradarshak’, ‘Oonchi Sadken’ and ‘Path Vikas’ which document the Organisation’s achievements, engineering innovations, best practices and future vision. As a tribute to the indomitable spirit, unwavering commitment and selfless service of BRO Karamyogis, the BRO Anthem was also unveiled.

The two-day conclave, which commenced on July 15, 2026, served as a platform for deliberations on emerging technologies, innovative engineering solutions, digital transformation in planning, project monitoring and execution to improve productivity, sustainable construction methodologies and best practices aimed at accelerating the development of strategic infrastructure in India’s border regions. The event brought together senior military leadership, policymakers, infrastructure experts, BRO officers, industry leaders and technology partners to collectively deliberate upon the future of strategic infrastructure development.

The conclave was organised into various thematic sessions covering the complete lifecycle of strategic infrastructure development – from planning and design to execution, monitoring and adoption of future technologies. Each session involved deliberations on topics related to the theme ‘Enhancing Capability through Technology, Innovation and Execution Excellence’ with an aim to arrive at practical solutions for development of future strategic infrastructure, emphasising that future strategic infrastructure must be delivered not merely by working harder, but by working smarter through technology, innovation and execution excellence.

The conclave also hosted an industry interaction session involving leading infrastructure companies, equipment manufacturers, academia and technology partners. Participants showcased specialised expertise, advanced equipment and emerging technologies relevant to strategic infrastructure construction, with particular focus on solutions suited to BRO’s unique operational environment.

रक्षा मंत्री श्री राजनाथ सिंह ने आज नई दिल्ली के मानेकशॉ सेंटर में सीमा सड़क संगठन (BRO) द्वारा आयोजित स्ट्रैटेजिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर कॉन्क्लेव को संबोधित किया। रक्षा मंत्री ने कहा कि पिछले साढ़े छह दशकों में BRO ने स्वयं को एक सड़क निर्माण एजेंसी से बदल कर विश्व के सबसे सम्मानित स्ट्रैटेजिक इंफ्रास्ट्रक्चर ऑर्गेनाइजेशन्स में अपनी पहचान बनाई है।

इस अवसर पर अवसंरचना विकास में उत्कृष्ट प्रदर्शन और श्रेष्ठता के लिए पुरस्कार प्रदान किए और प्रोजेक्ट मैनेजमेंट तथा रिक्रूटमेंट के लिए दो डिजिटल प्लेटफॉर्म (सॉफ्टवेयर) का भी शुभारंभ किया। साथ ही BRO के तीन प्रमुख प्रकाशनों ‘पथ प्रदर्शक’, ‘ऊँची सड़कें’ और ‘पथ विकास’ का विमोचन किया।

Chief of Defence Staff & Secretary, Department of Military Affairs General N. S. Raja Subramani paid a courtesy call on Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Sanjay Seth in New Delhi on July 16, 2026. The interaction focused on the current security environment, enhancing jointness and integration among the Defence Forces, capability development, operational preparedness and ongoing defence reforms aimed at strengthening India’s military capabilities.