News for 'Defence Ministry'

77th Republic Day parade to witness many firsts

77th Republic Day parade to witness many firsts

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

The upcoming Republic Day Parade will center around the sesquicentenary of 'Vande Mataram,' featuring themed decorations, performances, and special guests.

Over 200 killed as Israel, US strike Iran; Tehran retaliates across Middle East

Over 200 killed as Israel, US strike Iran; Tehran retaliates across Middle East

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

Iran launched retaliatory military strikes targeting Israel and American military bases across the region, including in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain and Jordan.

Vietnam Emerges As India's Key Defence Partner

Vietnam Emerges As India's Key Defence Partner

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

The 15th India-Vietnam Defence Dialogue signalled a move from routine talks to deeper cooperation, with new deals on submarine rescue and defence industry to support stability in the Indo-Pacific, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.

Army goes to governor over Mamata's SIR allegation

Army goes to governor over Mamata's SIR allegation

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

The Indian Army's Eastern Command has sought the intervention of West Bengal Governor CV Ananda Bose in connection with Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's recent allegation that a senior army officer was using the command base at Fort William and working on the SIR exercise at the behest of the BJP.

Defence ministry hit by fresh land scam

Defence ministry hit by fresh land scam

Rediff.com3 Oct 2011

The defence ministry has been hit by a fresh land scam with an in-house inquiry finding that about 70 'adhoc NoCs' were issued to private realtors flouting norms for defence land which included the Srinagar air base.

A Big, Big Push for Defence Self-Reliance

A Big, Big Push for Defence Self-Reliance

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

Defence Procurement Manual 2025 lays down the guiding principles for revenue procurements in the defence ministry worth around 1 trillion in a financial year.

Defence ministry may set up land regulator

Defence ministry may set up land regulator

Rediff.com7 Feb 2011

The ministry holds about 1.73 million acre of land.

India rejects Pakistan's claims on Islamabad mosque bombing

India rejects Pakistan's claims on Islamabad mosque bombing

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

India has strongly denied Pakistan's accusations of its involvement in the suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad, calling the allegations baseless and a deflection from Pakistan's internal issues.

Boost For IAF: Free Hand On Weapons For 114 Rafales

Boost For IAF: Free Hand On Weapons For 114 Rafales

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

'The additional Rafales will be from a vastly improved version compared to the 36 acquired for the IAF under the 2016 deal.'

Modi, Merz set for Ahmedabad talks amid rising global tensions

Modi, Merz set for Ahmedabad talks amid rising global tensions

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

In their talks, Modi and Merz are likely to deliberate on trade and investment ties as New Delhi is looking at deepening economic engagement with Europe against the backdrop of Washington's 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, people familiar with the matter said.

Defence ministry dismisses troop build-up report

Defence ministry dismisses troop build-up report

Rediff.com4 Apr 2012

The defence ministry was on Tuesday dismissive about a media report that the Army moved two units towards Delhi in January without informing the government, saying such exercises are conducted from time to time. "The points raised in the report have already been clarified by the Army. Such exercises are conducted by the Army from time to time," defence ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar said in a statement. He also dubbed the report as "baseless and incorrect".

Bhairav Battalion, Suryastra: Many firsts at R-Day Parade

Bhairav Battalion, Suryastra: Many firsts at R-Day Parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

61 Cavalry, Bhairav light commando battalion, DRDO's Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) and many more key military assets were part of a grand Republic Day Parade in New Delhi.

21st century warfare is of ideas, tech and adaptability: Rajnath Singh

21st century warfare is of ideas, tech and adaptability: Rajnath Singh

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh lauded the armed forces' performance during Operation Sindoor, emphasizing the importance of technology and adaptability in modern warfare. He urged air force commanders to learn from the operation and stay prepared for future challenges.

Army moves to boost strike power with 120 km Pinaka upgrade

Army moves to boost strike power with 120 km Pinaka upgrade

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

The Army is also looking at strengthening the existing Pinaka regiments and had recently placed orders for buying the area denial ammunition for these rocket regiments.

Defence ministry orders 118 Arjun tanks at Rs 7523 cr

Defence ministry orders 118 Arjun tanks at Rs 7523 cr

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

The defence ministry on Thursday sealed a contract to procure 118 main battle tanks Arjun for the Indian Army at a cost of Rs 7,523 crore, in a major move to boost its combat capabilities.

Defence ministry withdraws controversial note on rank parity

Defence ministry withdraws controversial note on rank parity

Rediff.com5 Jan 2018

The ministry said "local designations" assigned to both service and civilian officers in Service Headquarters/ Inter Service Organisations is also withdrawn.

DRDO transfers surveillance app among 7 technologies to armed forces

DRDO transfers surveillance app among 7 technologies to armed forces

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has transferred seven technologies developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme to the armed forces, enhancing indigenous defense capabilities.

India, US in talks for mutually beneficial trade agreement

India, US in talks for mutually beneficial trade agreement

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

The Indian government informed Parliament that India and the US are engaged in negotiations for a mutually beneficial multi-sectoral bilateral trade agreement. The two countries also cooperate on strategic, economic, and defense matters, managing divergences through high-level dialogues.

Russian missiles hit Kyiv ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meet

Russian missiles hit Kyiv ahead of Trump-Zelenskyy meet

Rediff.com27 Dec 2025

Ukraine's capital Kyiv came under a large-scale missile and drone attack overnight on December 27, with multiple explosions reported across the city and surrounding regions, one day ahead of a meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as diplomatic efforts continue to end the four-year-long war.

Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025

Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

In 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a multi-domain combat mission against Pakistan in response to cross-border terrorism. The operation involved precision strikes, military retaliation, and diplomatic measures, marking a significant shift in India's security policy.

Will defence ministry okay Anil Ambani's Reliance Naval?

Will defence ministry okay Anil Ambani's Reliance Naval?

Rediff.com28 Sep 2018

Warship building projects worth at least Rs 630 billion have ground to a standstill. The defence ministry has halted tendering in wait for a government decision on whether to allow, or to exclude, Anil Ambani's shipbuilding firm from those contracts.

Scorpene deal: PAC slams defence ministry

Scorpene deal: PAC slams defence ministry

Rediff.com10 Mar 2010

Slamming the Defence Ministry over the nine-year delay in awarding contract to French firm Thales to build six Scorpene submarines in Mumbai, a Parliamentary Committee on Wednesday said the indecisiveness resulted in cost overruns and undue favour to the vendor, besides adversely impacting Navy's operational preparedness.

Will the defence ministry shift gears?

Will the defence ministry shift gears?

Rediff.com22 Mar 2017

Jaitley can make his innings -- notwithstanding its likely length -- to be a watershed tenure, or just add to the image of the MoD drifting rudderless, says Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd).

CBI seeks chopper deal documents from defence ministry

CBI seeks chopper deal documents from defence ministry

Rediff.com27 Feb 2013

The Central Bureau of Investigation has sought from the defence ministry documents related to the AgustaWestland helicopter deal as it prepares to question suspected beneficiaries about alleged kickbacks received in the Rs 3600 crore deal.

'Nehru Believed India And China Should Be Brothers'

'Nehru Believed India And China Should Be Brothers'

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

'Nehru was an idealist, he was certainly a visionary in one way, but Mao Zedong was not. Mao Zedong was a very down-to-earth strategist. He wanted to take Tibet, to take the plateau, to take the rivers, to take the minerals.'

PLA Top Brass In Turmoil After Zhang Youxia's Dismissal

PLA Top Brass In Turmoil After Zhang Youxia's Dismissal

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'As the PLA higher command is almost dismantled and instability spreads, India needs to be prepared for any eventuality,' cautions China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

Defence ministry warned of ISI-operated 'spy ring'

Defence ministry warned of ISI-operated 'spy ring'

Rediff.com30 Dec 2015

The Union home ministry has alerted the defence ministry about an alleged spy ring being run by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence, which is trying to use ex-servicemen in the garb of providing job opportunities and financial aid.

India awaits Bangladesh election outcome before addressing issues

India awaits Bangladesh election outcome before addressing issues

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

India has stated it will wait for the outcome of the elections in Bangladesh and the resulting mandate before addressing any existing issues. The country also affirmed its support for free, fair, inclusive, and credible elections in Bangladesh.

India, US to sign interim trade deal in March: Goyal

India, US to sign interim trade deal in March: Goyal

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced that an interim trade agreement between India and the US is likely to be signed in March and operationalised in April, with chief negotiators meeting in Washington to finalize the details.

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

If Xi Jinping can establish control over the PLA Ground Force, relations between India and China will settle down to an even keel. The next few weeks will show whether Xi has finally succeeded in gaining control over the PLA Ground Force. That could bring about the substantive shift in India-China relations that both our leaders have been working for, observes Ambassador Prabhat Shukla.

Dhoni named in 15-member defence ministry panel on NCC

Dhoni named in 15-member defence ministry panel on NCC

Rediff.com16 Sep 2021

Cricket icon Mahendra Singh Dhoni and industrialist Anand Mahindra were on Thursday named in a 15-member panel constituted by the defence ministry to carry out a comprehensive review of the National Cadet Corps (NCC) in order to make it more relevant.

Morbi man captured in Ukraine appeals to Modi for help

Morbi man captured in Ukraine appeals to Modi for help

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

A 22-year-old man from Gujarat's Morbi town, captured by Ukrainian forces while fighting for the Russian military, has sent a video message to his family here, making an emotional appeal for help from the Indian government for his release.

Suicides by soldiers: Defence Ministry flayed

Suicides by soldiers: Defence Ministry flayed

Rediff.com21 Oct 2008

The report took offence to the Defence Ministry playing down the phenomena by claiming that 'the overall psychiatric mortality in the Armed Forces has been less than the national figures' and that there was a rising trend of psychiatric illness in India over the last few decades and 'Armed Force personnel drawn from the same society are not immune to these influences'.

Rajnath announces 10% quota for Agniveers in defence ministry jobs

Rajnath announces 10% quota for Agniveers in defence ministry jobs

Rediff.com18 Jun 2022

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday approved a proposal to reserve 10 per cent of the job vacancies in the defence ministry for 'Agniveers' who meet requisite eligibility criteria.

After Decades IPKF Set For Overdue Official Honour

After Decades IPKF Set For Overdue Official Honour

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'Why are IPKF martyrs not being officially recognised and appropriately honoured? And is the government really changing its mind on this now?', asks Aditi Phadnis.

Tatra deal: Case against defence ministry, army officials

Tatra deal: Case against defence ministry, army officials

Rediff.com27 Aug 2012

The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against the owners of a UK-based company and officials of defence ministry and army to inquire into alleged irregularities committed in procurement of Tatra trucks for the Indian Army, government told the Lok Sabha.

Defence Ministry goes easy on blacklisted firms

Defence Ministry goes easy on blacklisted firms

Rediff.com31 Dec 2009

After the Ordnance Factory scam, Central Vigilance Commission's (CVC) and the Law Ministry's comments were sought and they advised us that these (blacklisted) companies should be allowed to participate in field-trials in contracts where multiple vendors were participating so that the acquisition process was not stalled, Defence Ministry sources said in New Delhi.

Tatra case: BEML chief suspended by defence ministry

Tatra case: BEML chief suspended by defence ministry

Rediff.com11 Jun 2012

BEML Chief V R S Natarajan was on Monday suspended by the defence ministry in connection with the Tatra case on a Central Bureau of Investigation recommendation after former army chief General V K Singh levelled allegations that he was offered Rs 14 crore bribe to clear a deal for 600 trucks.

India offers Akash missile system to Brazil during high-level talks

India offers Akash missile system to Brazil during high-level talks

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

India has proposed the supply of its Akash missile system to Brazil during discussions between Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin, focusing on enhanced defence cooperation and potential co-development projects.

Lack Of Political Unity Is India's Greatest Challenge

Lack Of Political Unity Is India's Greatest Challenge

Rediff.com6 Feb 2026

'No, India and China were not about to go to all-out war over a few rocks of Galwan.' 'The full picture of what went on at the highest level between two heads of State will not be known for a very, very long time and rightly so,' points out Colonel Anil A Athale, former head of the history division, ministry of defence.