The US will give Pakistan the latest missiles that can be launched from F-16 fighter jets, a move that could pose challenge to the Indian Air Force in any future skirmish with the neighbouring country.

The missiles have the ability to hit targets in air up to 200 km; the range is greater than that of Pakistan’s PL-15E, which is an export version of the Chinese-made air-launched missile. The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) already flies the F-16.

Can hit targets up to 200 km

The C8 and the D3 versions of AIM-120, an ‘advanced medium-range air-to-air missile’ known as AMRAAM in military paralance, have the ability to hit targets in air up to 200 km

These radar-guided missiles engage enemy aircraft at beyond-visual ranges, and can be used in the air defence system. Pakistan’s air defence failed badly during Operation Sindoor

The US Department of War has issued a contract to missile-maker Raytheon for “advanced medium range air-to-air missile variants — the C8 and D3”.

Expected to be ready by May 30, 2030, the latest versions will be supplied to Pakistan, the United Kingdom, Germany, Finland, Australia, Switzerland, Portugal, Singapore, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Japan, Denmark, Canada, Belgium, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Norway, Spain and Israel, among others.

The C8 and the D3 versions are Raytheon’s under-development iterations of the AIM-120, which is an ‘advanced medium-range air-to-air missile’ and shortened in military parlance as AMRAAM. These radar-guided missiles engage enemy aircraft at beyond-visual ranges. The missile-maker has a $3.5 billion contract for the next lot of missiles.

The AMRAAM is integrated on 14 types of platforms across 43 countries and can also be used in the air defence system. Pakistan’s air defence failed badly during Operation Sindoor as the Brahmos missile struck 13 PAF bases. A new software gives AMRAAM the capability against a wider variety of threats and increase the probability of hitting the targets.

India’s military calculus on Pakistan is undergoing a reset amid the renewed US-Pakistan military ties. A concern in South Block was about Washington DC’s potential to re-arm Islamabad with the latest missiles, jets and radar. In the past decade or more, fresh US military supplies to Pakistan had tapered off. However, after operation Sindoor, the US-Pak military and strategic ties are getting renewed.

In July, PAF chief Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu was in the US to discuss technology and military hardware at the Pentagon. Post-operation, Pak army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has made three visits to the US. In June, a Pakistan delegation to the US, led by its minister for energy Musadik Malik urged the US to supply air defence systems and additional fighter jets.

Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has stirred a major controversy with his recent comments on India’s history and political unity. Speaking to Pakistan’s Samaa TV, Asif claimed that India was “never truly united” except under Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, a remark widely dismissed as historically inaccurate and politically provocative.

His statement comes just days after India issued a sharp warning to Islamabad, accusing it of continuing to sponsor cross-border terrorism and cautioning that such actions could threaten Pakistan’s own territorial existence.

Asif’s assertion that India’s unity existed only during Aurangzeb’s reign ignores centuries of evidence to the contrary. Long before the Mughals, the Maurya Empire under Emperor Ashoka in the 3rd century BCE unified most of the Indian subcontinent, establishing one of the largest and most efficiently administered empires in world history.

Later, successive rulers such as Samudragupta of the Gupta dynasty and Emperor Harshavardhana also achieved extensive political consolidation. Even under the Mughals, historians generally regard Akbar’s era—not Aurangzeb’s—as the period of greatest stability and cultural integration. Aurangzeb’s rule, by contrast, was characterized by internal strife, rebellions, and religious intolerance that ultimately weakened the empire.

India’s Modern Stability Vs Pakistan’s Political Fragility

Since gaining independence in 1947, India has sustained a democratic system marked by stability and constitutional continuity. Over the same period, Pakistan has experienced repeated military coups, political turbulence, and internal divisions between provinces and ethnic groups. Analysts note that Asif’s remarks appear to be an attempt to distract from Pakistan’s deepening domestic crises—ranging from economic collapse to ongoing internal instability and international isolation due to its tolerance of extremist networks.

Escalation Fears And War Rhetoric

In the Samaa TV interview, Asif also declared that “chances of war with India are real,” though he claimed not to desire escalation. His remarks came amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. The Indian Army Chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, recently delivered a strong warning to Pakistan, asserting that India would not show the same restraint as during “Operation Sindoor 1.0,” a past counterterror strike. General Dwivedi stated that India was now “fully prepared” and that continued support for terrorism by Pakistan could lead to its “geographical disappearance.” The statement underscored India’s sharpened posture in the face of persistent cross-border threats.

Khawaja Asif’s Record of Controversial Statements

This is not the first time Khawaja Asif has attracted criticism for his comments. In September, he sparked ridicule by suggesting that Pakistanis in flood-stricken regions should “store floodwater in containers” rather than let it drain, calling it a “blessing” in disguise. During previous India-Pakistan tensions under “Operation Sindoor,” Asif also embarrassed Islamabad by promoting false claims about Pakistan downing Indian aircraft. When asked for evidence by CNN anchor Becky Anderson, Asif cited “social media” as his source, prompting a pointed rebuttal on air.

Political And Strategic Implications

Observers view Asif’s latest remarks as a continuation of Pakistan’s long-standing political narrative aimed at invoking anti-India sentiment to unify domestic opinion amid crises. However, Indian policymakers have responded with confidence, emphasizing that historical revisionism and war rhetoric will not alter the country’s defensive readiness or its enduring democratic cohesion.

Asif’s claims not only distort well-documented historical facts but also illustrate the enduring pattern of provocation that Islamabad’s leadership employs in the face of mounting internal and international pressure.

Based On NDTV Report

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh holds bilateral talks with his Australian counterpart Richard Marles in Canberra

India and Australia on Thursday discussed a new mutual maritime security framework aimed at deepening cooperation for a ‘free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific’.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on a two-day visit to Australia (October 9–10), held bilateral talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister of Australia Richard Marles in Canberra.

In a post on X after the meeting, Rajnath Singh said, “Together, we will deepen cooperation for a free, open, and resilient Indo-Pacific.”

The phrase “free and open Indo-Pacific” is a euphemism aimed at countering Chinese hegemony, which seeks to unilaterally change the maritime status quo in the South China Sea.

India and Australia are part of the four-nation Quad, along with the US and Japan. The group is scheduled to conduct a joint military exercise next month at Guam, a US base in the Western Pacific.

Meanwhile, during the meeting, the two ministers reviewed the full spectrum of India-Australia defence cooperation, including the defence industry, cyber defence, maritime security, and regional challenges.

Rajnath Singh also highlighted the rapid growth of India’s defence industry and its rising stature as a credible global source of high-quality defence technology. The two sides discussed the potential for deeper defence industry partnerships between India and Australia.

Defence and security cooperation has become one of the strongest pillars of the bilateral partnership. Australia and India are considered top-tier security partners. Over the past decade, the frequency of annual defence exercises, meetings, and activities has tripled, with 33 such events conducted in 2024 alone.

India and Australia are considering the renewal of the 2009 Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation, which will address the expansion of military ties between the two countries over the past decade. This was a key topic during the bilateral talks.

Additionally, a Joint Maritime Security Collaboration roadmap is being prepared, with both sides aiming to finalise it soon. This will enhance maritime domain awareness and guide military cooperation between the two nations, with detailed discussions on its finer points expected.

Earlier this week, Australian High Commissioner to India Philip Green stated, “India is an indispensable security partner for Australia. Our defence cooperation delivers tangible effects to uphold Indo-Pacific stability. This visit is a unique opportunity to deepen our defence partnership, including though enhancing strategic dialogue and information-sharing, and increasing the complexity of our exercises.”

Australia’s first defence trade mission to India is currently underway, with visits to Chennai and New Delhi. The mission focuses on connecting Australian firms with Indian counterparts, particularly in the sector of C5ISR — which stands for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber-defence, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance.

Earlier, Rajnath Singh was welcomed at the Australian Parliament House, where he will witness parliamentary proceedings during his visit to Canberra.

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Lieutenant General Vikas Rohella has been appointed as the Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, officially taking command of the Corps of Engineers in a ceremony filled with tradition and gravity

Lieutenant General Vikas Rohella has been appointed as the Engineer-in-Chief of the Indian Army, officially taking command of the Corps of Engineers in a ceremony filled with tradition and gravity.

During the event, Lt Gen Rohella paid tribute at the National War Memorial by laying a wreath to honor the Bravehearts who have made the ultimate sacrifice for the nation.

In his address to the Corps of Engineers, the newly appointed Engineer-in-Chief emphasized the importance of maintaining a legacy of selfless service. He also encouraged the adoption of innovation and the integration of technology to boost the Army’s operational readiness amid changing battlefield dynamics.

The Corps of Engineers, a crucial component of the Indian Army, is instrumental in combat engineering, providing mobility support, developing infrastructure, and engaging in nation-building efforts. With Lt Gen Rohella at the helm, the Corps is anticipated to continue its pursuit of technological advancement and operational efficiency.

President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday said the country’s armed forces demonstrated the strength of jointness and strategic foresight during Operation Sindoor, which also resulted in dismantling of terror infrastructure across the Line of Control (LoC).

Addressing the faculty and course members of the 65th National Defence College course, who had called on the President at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here, Murmu emphasised that national interests and objectives form the foundation of India’s security framework, while universal values remain at its core.

“Indian tradition has always viewed humanity as one family. Universal brotherhood and peace have been our articles of faith,” she said, adding that the nation simultaneously prioritises readiness to counter threats to humanity and the nation.

She highlighted structural reforms undertaken to promote jointness, including the creation of the Department of Military Affairs with the Chief of Defence Staff as its secretary, and ongoing efforts to establish integrated theatre commands and integrated battle groups.

“In a changing geopolitical environment, India is transforming its armed forces into a technologically advanced, combat-ready force capable of multi-domain integrated operations,” the President said, underlining the importance of dynamic responses to emerging security challenges.

The President also praised the National Defence College for its international programme, calling it a benchmark learning intervention that fosters better understanding, mutual cooperation, and linkages in national, regional and international security affairs.

INS Sahyadri’s deployment marks second Indian Navy operation in two weeks

Indian Navy warship INS Sahyadri is currently on an operational deployment to the South China Sea, marking the second such maritime activity by India in the disputed waters in the past two weeks.

The Navy said on Sunday that INS Sahyadri had made a three-day port call (October 2-4) at Kemaman, Malaysia, as part of its Eastern Fleet’s deployment in the South China Sea and the broader Indo-Pacific region.

“INS Sahyadri’s ongoing operational deployment underscores India’s stature as a responsible maritime stakeholder and a preferred security partner in the Indo-Pacific,” the Navy said.

Less than two weeks ago, Indian warship INS Nistar conducted a ten-day deployment as part of Exercise Pacific Reach-2025 (September 15-25), a multi-nation submarine rescue exercise. Uniquely, the US, South Korea and Japan were among the 40 participants in the drill hosted by Singapore.

Meanwhile, the INS Sahyadri’s visit to Malaysia aimed to strengthen India-Malaysia naval cooperation, enhance interoperability between the two navies, and facilitate the exchange of best practices. Malaysia is one of five countries engaged in a maritime territorial dispute with China in the hydrocarbon-rich South China Sea.

Beijing has unilateral overlapping maritime claims in South China Sea with Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei and Taiwan. 

With the increasing significance of the Indo-Pacific in the geopolitical seascape, both nations have increasingly recognised the importance of building regional partnerships based on mutual interest, the Navy added.

During the three-day visit, the ship’s commanding officer paid courtesy calls on Royal Malaysian Navy officers. The crew also conducted a yoga session and charity event, reflecting the Navy’s commitment to wellness and humanitarian engagement, and strengthening India-Malaysia friendship.

INS Sahyadri, a guided missile stealth frigate, has visited Malaysia twice before – at Port Klang in 2016 for a goodwill mission and at Kota Kinabalu in 2019 for Exercise Samudra Laksamana. These visits underscore the strong and evolving naval ties between the two countries.

Live data is collected by integrating feeds from all sensors, drones, radars, and satellites onto a single screen for the commander to take action

A mix of modern-day technology juxtaposed with 26 years of historical data and processed through artificial intelligence (AI) provided the Indian Army with information on Pakistan Army’s movement during Operation Sindoor, enabling pinpoint targeting. Lt Gen Rajiv Sahni, who was the Army’s Director General Information Systems during Operation Sindoor, said today that the system’s accuracy in locating and enabling targeting was more than 94 per cent.

Explaining the working, he said live data is collected by integrating feeds from all sensors, drones, radars, and satellites onto a single screen for the commander to take action. “Everything is aggregated, and that includes data about enemy positions, assets, and logistics,” said Gen Sahni, who is now Director General Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (DG EME).

The modelling of the battlefield was done using 26 years of data that had tracked and stored each radio emission and every frequency signature. This included where each equipment had moved in the past and was tasked with which unit in Pakistan. “With this modelling and live feed, 94 per cent accuracy was achieved, allowing us to pinpoint where a particular machine, such as a gun or missile unit, would be located on the border,” Gen Sahni added.

The infrastructure enables other services – the Navy and Indian Air Force (IAF) – to use the same data. The Army even got the India Meteorological Department (IMD) to provide weather data. A specialised ‘app’ developed in-house by the Army makes a forecast of 200 km into enemy territory, providing usable data to military commanders on wind speed, wind direction, and other factors needed to calculate the trajectory of long-range missiles using AI.

The data-based targeting was possible because the home-grown application for ‘electronic intelligence collation’ was modified in record time during Operation Sindoor. This enabled a common surveillance picture, allowing for target acquisition. This enhanced coordination of resources, improved decision-making, and provided commanders at all levels with greater agility and situational awareness, Gen Sahni added.