On Tuesday, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), led by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved 10 major acquisition proposals totaling Rs 1,44,716 crore. Most of this budget, 99%, will support indigenous products under the Buy (Indian) and Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories. The approval includes the procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs), which are advanced tanks with superior capabilities for mobility, protection, and real-time awareness. The DAC also approved Air Defence Fire Control Radars for tracking aerial targets and Forward Repair Teams (Tracked) for in-field repairs by Armoured Vehicles Nigam Limited. Additionally, three proposals were greenlit to boost the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) abilities, including Dornier-228 aircraft and advanced patrol vessels. The meeting ended with a tribute to the late ICG DG Rakesh Pal, who passed away on August 18, 2024. The Defence Minister and DAC members honored his significant contributions with a moment of silence.
04 September,2024 12:15 PM IST
On the 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War at the National War Memorial in Delhi. This day commemorates the bravery of the Indian Armed Forces during the Kargil conflict of 1999, when soldiers reclaimed Kargil's peaks from Pakistani infiltrators. The war, which lasted from May to July 1999, saw significant sacrifices from the Indian Army.
26 July,2024 11:00 AM IST
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held a press conference on April 07. During a press conference in Rajasthan’s Jaipur, Defence Minister outfoxed the reporters with his witty and humourous replies. Be it the question on the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 result or Pakistan’s remark on the General Elections, Singh gave chucklesome answers to the reporters which left then cracking. Rajnath Singh said, “When results will come, see the margin… If there was no democracy, you wouldn’t be able to ask questions now… Let it be…Don’t compare us with Pakistan,” said Rajnath Singh. Watch video for more.
08 April,2024 11:19 AM IST
For the first time in the history of Independent India, defence exports touched a record Rs 21,083 crore in the financial year 2023-24. India’s defence exports saw a record growth of 32.5 pc over the last fiscal year when the figure was Rs 15,920 crore. The recent figures have indicated that the defence exports have grown by 31 times in the last 10 years. Meanwhile, PM Narendra Modi called India’s defence sector growth a “monumental achievement”. The Prime Minister lauded the team’s hard work those who propelled India onto the global stage in defence. Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh hailed PM Modi’s visionary leadership and congratulated all stakeholders. The defence industry, including private sector, has made tremendous efforts in achieving the highest-ever defence exports. The private sector and the DPSUs have contributed about 60 per cent and 40 per cent, respectively.
02 April,2024 01:47 PM IST
While replying to Motion of Thanks on the President's Address, Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Adhir Chowdhury slammed Centre over India vs Maldives row and China’s intrusion bids along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Defence Minister Rajnath Singh objected to the Congress leader’s comments in the Parliament and said India “shouldn’t be defamed in the Parliament”. He also said that the country is not weak anymore and it has emerged strong. "I would like to assure the House that India is not weak anymore. India has become strong. If someone dares to stare at India, India has the capability and strength. to give a befitting reply...The country should not be unnecessarily defamed in the forum of the Parliament," the Defence Minister said. Union Minister Kiren Rijiju waded into the debate and countered Adhir Chowdhury’s claims.
06 February,2024 11:57 AM IST
Indian Defence officials on January 29 informed that the Indian Navy warship INS Sumitra rescued fishermen hijacked by Somali pirates. In the latest update the Indian Navy on January 31 shared a video of the rescue operation. In the video, the Pakistani-Iranian crew expressed gratitude and explained how pirates dumped their weapons after seeing the Indian Navy and they also raised Indian Navy zindabad . Later in the video, the crew chanted ‘All hail Indian Navy’ and ‘Thank you for saving our lives’The incident happened about 700 nautical miles west of Kochi in the Arabian Sea. The Iranian fishing vessel FV Iman was boarded with around 17 crew members which was hijacked by pirates. INS Sumitra intercepted the vessel and acted by the established SOPs to coerce the pirates for the safe release of the crew. Later, the FV was subsequently sanitized and released for onward transit. The latest attack came amid a series of attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels on cargo vessels in the Red Sea and other crucial business routes
02 February,2024 11:38 AM IST
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on December 27 visited Rajouri to review the security situation in the Kashmir valley. While addressing the media persons, Raksha Mantri issued a stern warning to Pakistan and assured that the required steps are being taken on the Poonch Terror Attack. On top of that, Rajnath Singh boosted the morale of security forces in Jammu and Kashmir. “I would pray for the speedy recovery of the army personnel who sustained injuries and like to assure you that keeping in mind the severity of the incident, required steps are being taken. Each of our army personnel is important to us,” Rajnath Singh added.
27 December,2023 03:44 PM IST
Days after, MV Chem Pluto, a merchant ship, was hit by a suspected drone strike in the Arabian Sea near Gujarat coast on Dec 23, India has issued a stern warning to the attackers of the merchant vessels near the Indian sea borders. Defence Minister, in an event in Mumbai, openly said about the India drone strike that “they will hunt down the culprits from the bottom of the sea.” Moreover, Indian Navy also assured that they will take ‘robust action’ and will intensify monitoring. Notably, 20 Indians were onboard the ship during the incident that took place 217 nautical miles off the Porbandar coast. While, no one has claimed responsibility for the drone strike in the Arabian sea, US Central Command claimed that the drone attack was fired by Iran-backed Houthi militants. Houthi forces in Yemen have been targeting commercial ships in the Red Sea, claiming the attacks as revenge against Israel. However, the Indian Navy on Dec 24 clarified that it wasn’t an India-flagged vessel, as claimed by the US earlier. India, a strong advocate for the free movement of commercial shipping, is monitoring these attacks.
27 December,2023 01:39 PM IST
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh met Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin in Chennai on December 07 and reviewed the situation in wake of cyclone Michaung. Earlier today, Rajnath Singh conducted an aerial survey of flood-affected areas of Tamil Nadu. Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu government announced a holiday for schools and colleges in Chennai, Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, and Chengalpattu on December 07 due to severe flooding in several parts of these districts in the aftermath of Cyclone Michaung.
07 December,2023 04:45 PM IST | Mumbai
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 26 hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decisiveness to avenge Uri and Pulwama incident by ordering surgical strike. The Minister also said that India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not the same as before and it will not hesitate in taking decisive military action to defend its borders.
27 June,2023 11:02 AM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
