In a significant step toward environmental conservation, offices under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), including the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), planted more than five lakh saplings across the country on Friday as part of a nationwide plantation campaign. The government has set a target of planting seven crore saplings this year.

The initiative is part of the MHA’s tree plantation campaign launched in 2020 under the leadership of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Since the programme began, over 6.67 crore saplings have been planted nationwide, demonstrating the ministry’s continued commitment to increasing India’s green cover.

MHA officials stated that the target of planting seven crore trees is expected to be achieved within the current year. The CAPFs have been playing a major role in carrying out plantation activities across different regions of the country and are preparing to expand the effort further. According to officials, the forces plan to plant 40 lakh saplings in 2026, with the number expected to rise to 2 crore in 2027. Officials also highlighted a major achievement from July 14, 2024, when the Border Security Force (BSF) conducted a record-breaking plantation drive at the Revati Range in Indore. On that day, 12,41,017 saplings were planted, earning a place in the Guinness World Records.

The large-scale plantation drives are intended to support environmental sustainability, enhance biodiversity, and help combat climate change. Officials added that the campaigns also encourage environmental awareness among security personnel and local communities. On the occasion of World Environment Day, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched the latest plantation drive in Agartala, Tripura. During the event, he planted an Agar sapling at the BSF’s Lankamura Border Outpost (BOP) and also visited the post during his trip.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@AmitShah.

The Indian Army has launched an ambitious modernisation programme to convert a large portion of its ageing T-72 tank fleet into remotely operated combat systems capable of operating within manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) frameworks. Designed for dangerous frontline tasks such as minefield clearance, reconnaissance, and decoy missions, these upgraded platforms aim to reduce risks to soldiers while enhancing battlefield effectiveness. The initiative will cover nearly 2,400 tanks and is expected to extend the service life of the T-72 fleet by another 15 to 20 years, offering a far more economical solution than acquiring entirely new armoured vehicles.

Introduced into service in 1979, the T-72 has served as the backbone of India’s armoured forces across terrains ranging from Rajasthan’s deserts to Ladakh’s high-altitude regions, as well as in overseas deployments like Sri Lanka. Although the tanks have undergone multiple upgrades over the decades, emerging threats such as advanced anti-tank missiles, drones, and loitering munitions have increasingly challenged their survivability. Converting them into unmanned or optionally manned systems is therefore seen as a practical way to maintain combat capability until the Future Ready Combat Vehicle (FRCV) begins entering service after 2030.

The project is being developed under the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiative through the ADITI 4.0 challenge, which promotes indigenous defence innovation. The upgrade strategy focuses on integrating IP-based digital systems and autonomous control kits that can transform existing T-72 platforms into remotely operated combat vehicles without replacing their proven mechanical structure.

By combining reliable legacy armour with modern sensors, electronics, and communication networks, the Army plans to create vehicles capable of sharing real-time battlefield data with command systems while still allowing human operators to retain decision-making control. In combat, these unmanned tanks are expected to function as “loyal wingmen” alongside crewed platforms such as the T-90 and future FRCVs.

Their battlefield responsibilities could include leading assaults, breaching minefields, conducting reconnaissance operations, and attracting enemy fire away from manned units. Operating ahead of crewed formations, they would help identify hostile positions and absorb early attacks, allowing safer movement for conventional forces. The concept draws heavily from lessons observed in recent conflicts like Ukraine, where unsupported tanks have proven especially vulnerable.

India’s effort mirrors a broader global trend toward autonomous warfare systems. Countries such as China and Australia are also developing advanced MUM-T armoured platforms, though India’s approach differs by modernising existing tanks rather than investing solely in new designs. This strategy lowers costs while making better use of current military assets.

The programme is also expected to strengthen India’s domestic defence industry. Through iDEX participation, local companies and MSMEs will contribute technologies and components, boosting innovation, employment, and self-reliance in defence manufacturing. The T-72 conversion project signals a major doctrinal evolution for the Indian Army. Instead of retiring older platforms, the Army is adapting them for future warfare, ensuring sufficient combat strength during the transition to next-generation systems while improving troop safety and supporting the broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

The government has assigned Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh the additional responsibility of heading the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) following the completion of DRDO Chairman Dr Samir V. Kamat’s extended tenure on 31 May 2026. According to an order issued by the Ministry of Personnel, Singh will continue serving as Defence Secretary while also taking over as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and Chairman of DRDO. The arrangement has been approved to ensure uninterrupted leadership at one of India’s key defence research institutions.

Dr Kamat, who assumed charge as DRDO Chairman in 2022, served two additional one-year extensions during his tenure. As his term comes to an end, the government has opted for an interim leadership arrangement by entrusting Singh with the organisation’s top role until a permanent successor is appointed. The move is aimed at maintaining continuity in DRDO’s ongoing programmes and preserving momentum in critical defence technology and research projects.

The Personnel Ministry also announced similar interim appointments in other departments. N. Kalaiselvi, Director General of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Secretary of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, has been given additional charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Earth Sciences following the retirement of M. Ravichandran on 31 May. Her appointment is intended to ensure uninterrupted functioning of the ministry, which oversees key areas such as climate science, oceanography and disaster management.

Minority Affairs Secretary Srivatsa Krishna has been assigned the additional responsibility of Secretary of the National Commission for Minorities after the retirement of Alka Upadhyaya on 31 May. These appointments reflect the government’s approach of ensuring smooth administrative transitions by temporarily assigning senior officials to oversee multiple responsibilities until permanent appointments are made.

Rajesh Kumar Singh’s appointment assumes significance at a time when India is accelerating efforts to strengthen defence capabilities, expand indigenous weapons development and enhance strategic preparedness. Holding both the Defence Secretary and DRDO Chairman positions places him in a unique role that could facilitate stronger coordination between defence policymaking and technological innovation. His tenure in the additional role is expected to attract considerable attention as DRDO continues advancing programmes central to India’s goal of achieving greater self-reliance in defence technology.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

India has officially initiated the ₹65,000 crore "Super Sukhoi" modernisation programme, taking a major step by issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to equip its Su-30MKI fighter fleet with advanced indigenous anti-jamming and anti-spoofing multi-constellation GPS antenna systems, according to Times Now. The upgrade aims to provide reliable navigation capability even in intense electronic warfare conditions by enabling simultaneous connectivity with NaVIC, GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo and GAGAN satellite networks.

The Ministry of Defence has limited the bidding process to Indian companies, seeking technically competent and financially strong Indigenous Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or suppliers. The Directorate of Projects, Su-30, representing the President of India, stated that non-OEM bidders must submit certification proving authorised access to equipment and spare parts from the OEM. The move aligns with India’s Defence Acquisition Procedure policy focused on boosting domestic manufacturing and reducing reliance on imports.

The Indian Air Force currently operates nearly 260 Su-30MKI fighter jets, most of them produced in India by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited under licence from Russia’s Sukhoi Design Bureau. As the backbone of the IAF’s combat fleet, ensuring these aircraft remain operational in contested environments is considered vital. Electronic warfare threats such as jamming and spoofing can disrupt or manipulate navigation signals, but the new antenna system is intended to counter both by leveraging multiple satellite constellations simultaneously.

The technology will integrate with India’s indigenous NaVIC navigation network developed by ISRO, ensuring sovereign and uninterrupted navigation coverage over India and surrounding regions. It will also support GAGAN, the satellite-based augmentation system jointly developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India, improving navigation precision and compatibility with global systems like WAAS and EGNOS.

The technical requirements outlined in the RFP are extensive. The antenna must operate throughout the Su-30MKI’s flight range, including altitudes up to 21 km, speeds of Mach 1.5, and manoeuvres between -2g and 9g. It should be capable of suppressing single jamming sources by up to 85 decibels and multiple simultaneous threats by up to 80 decibels, placing it among high-end military anti-jam solutions.

Under the contract, 300 antenna units, 50 field-level testers and 10 base-level testers will be delivered. Before fleet-wide installation, certification trials will be carried out on two aircraft. IAF personnel will also undergo specialised training at the 9 TETTRA School, the Air Force’s advanced avionics and technical training centre.

The programme is expected to be completed within two years of contract finalisation. Bids are due by 22 June 2026, while technical evaluations will begin the following day. The anti-jamming navigation upgrade forms part of the broader “Super Sukhoi” enhancement initiative, which also includes the indigenous Virupaksha AESA radar based on Gallium Nitride technology, upgraded electronic warfare systems, and self-protection jammer pods. Collectively, these improvements are intended to keep the Su-30MKI combat-ready for future network-centric warfare scenarios and extend its operational relevance into the 2050s, while strengthening India’s domestic defence manufacturing ecosystem.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Economic Times.

Amid rising tensions in the U.S.–Israel–Iran conflict, airlines are diverting flights away from major Middle East routes that connect Asia and Europe. This shift raises the question: could new aviation hubs emerge beyond established centers like Dubai and Doha? How might this affect ticket costs, cargo transport, and the broader landscape of global air travel? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore these issues with Shantanu Gangakhedkar, Principal Consultant and Commercial Aviation Lead at Frost & Sullivan.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Whether it is issuing military threats toward Colombia and Cuba, suggesting the takeover of Greenland from Denmark, or capturing oil tankers in European and Caribbean seas, Donald Trump’s actions are forcing global leaders into constant crisis management. His renewed brand of American imperialism is reshaping international politics at a rapid pace. Jonathan Freedland discusses this shifting global landscape with Pulitzer Prize–winning author Anne Applebaum, examining what lies ahead in a world being rapidly transformed by the decisions of the US president.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

The United States’ confiscation of a sanctioned Venezuelan oil tanker represents a significant escalation, denounced by Caracas as “international piracy.” Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the underlying strategic signal the Trump administration is sending to Latin America in the context of China’s expanding influence, alongside Ross Feingold, Head of Research at Caerus Consulting. They assess whether this aggressive move qualifies as a justified national security action, whether it accomplished its intended objectives, and how neighbouring countries have responded in the immediate aftermath.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

On September 3, China held its largest military parade to date in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event featured tens of thousands of soldiers, along with hundreds of aircraft, ground vehicles, and advanced weaponry. More than just a show of military might, the parade was intended as a symbol of deterrence, national solidarity, and a display of Xi Jinping’s authority in a period of global uncertainty. Andrea Heng discussed the significance of the event with Dr. Mustafa Izzuddin, Senior International Affairs Analyst at Solaris.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.