IAF Chief Jokes With US Commander About F-35 Access, Says ‘They Don’t Let Us Near’ As US Weighs Potential India Pitch

Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has publicly highlighted the strict security surrounding the United States' F-35 stealth fighter, remarking that American personnel do not even allow Indian officials close to the aircraft despite recurring discussion about a possible sale to India, NDTV reported.

Speaking during the concluding events of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026 in Jodhpur, Air Chief Marshal Singh shared the stage with General Kevin Schneider, Commander of the US Pacific Air Forces, when questions were raised about a potential F-35 acquisition by India.

Responding to speculation about the aircraft, the IAF chief said that no official American offer for the F-35 had been received by India. He added, in a light-hearted but pointed remark, that US personnel do not even allow Indian representatives near the aircraft while discussions continue about its possible sale.

The comments came after six US Air Force F-35 Lightning-II fighters participated in Exercise Tarang Shakti for the first time on Indian soil. The deployment marked the aircraft's debut in the multinational exercise and provided Indian personnel with a rare opportunity to observe the world's most widely deployed fifth-generation fighter operating in India.

Asked how much access India had been granted to the aircraft, Air Chief Marshal Singh said Indian personnel were not shown the cockpit. However, Indian aircraft were permitted to fly in close formation with the F-35 during exercise activities.

He noted that such restrictions are standard practice when nations seek to protect highly sensitive military technology, particularly advanced stealth, sensor and mission-system capabilities.

General Schneider responded by explaining that access to the F-35 is governed by strict security and classification regulations. He said decisions regarding the sharing of information are controlled through program-level security guidelines that determine what can be shared, when it can be shared and how the aircraft's sensitive technologies are protected.

The discussion comes as India evaluates options for strengthening its future air combat fleet while awaiting the eventual arrival of the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft, or AMCA, which remains several years away from operational service.

Air Chief Marshal Singh also confirmed that Russia has offered the Su-57 fifth-generation fighter to India. However, he clarified that no decision has yet been taken on whether the aircraft will be formally evaluated or considered for acquisition.

He stated that once the government decides on a course of action, the aircraft would be assessed against Indian Air Force operational requirements.

India's search for future combat aircraft has gained urgency amid rapid modernisation efforts across the region. China continues to expand its inventory of stealth aircraft, including the J-20 and J-35 families, while reports indicate that Pakistan could eventually receive Chinese J-35 fighters, potentially altering the regional air-power balance.

Defence analysts note that any decision involving the F-35 or Su-57 would extend well beyond the aircraft themselves. Factors such as weapons integration, access to technology, maintenance arrangements, logistics support, software control, upgrade pathways and long-term strategic dependence would be central to any procurement decision.

The F-35 remains one of the most closely protected military platforms in service. Designed around low-observable technology, the aircraft combines stealth shaping, specialised coatings and internally carried weapons to reduce its radar signature.

Equally significant is its sensor-fusion architecture, which combines data from radar, electronic warfare equipment and infrared sensors into a single integrated picture for the pilot. This allows faster decision-making and improved situational awareness during combat operations.

For India, the challenge is balancing the immediate requirement for an advanced fifth-generation capability with its long-term objective of developing and producing an indigenous stealth fighter through the AMCA program, thereby strengthening self-reliance in defence aviation while maintaining a credible technological edge.

Agencies

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Strategic Crossroads: India’s Aerial Combat Readiness And The Quest For Indigenous Sovereignty

The Capability Gap: Squadron Numbers And Two-Front Realities

India's aerial combat readiness faces a critical juncture as squadron numbers dip significantly below the mandated operational requirement. The national air arm presently fields only twenty-nine active fighter squadrons while the sanctioned requirement remains at forty-two operational units to ensure two-front deterrence.

The Indian Air Force currently operates around twenty-nine fighter squadrons against an authorised baseline strength of forty-two active squadrons. This growing capability gap poses acute strategic challenges for India's aerial preparedness amidst demanding regional security environments.

To mitigate this deficiency, policymakers are pushing aggressively for indigenous solutions spearheaded by domestic research laboratories and state-run production facilities.

External procurement strategies, including high-level governmental discussions surrounding additional French Rafale fighter jets, serve as crucial stopgaps while local production lines attempt to ramp up output. Additional acquisitions such as the Dassault Rafale jets are actively being evaluated to bridge the immediate numbers crunch and offset the retirement of older legacy fleets.

The Indigenous Push: TEJAS MK-1A And Manufacturing Bottlenecks

The indigenous Combat Jet Aircraft program aims to bolster domestic manufacturing capabilities through advanced variants like the TEJAS MK-1A, which features over eighty modifications.

The TEJAS light fighter platform represents a cornerstone of this domestic manufacturing drive, supplemented by ongoing orders for enhanced MK-1A variants equipped with advanced indigenous avionics and active electronically scanned array radars.

The cumulative orders for the TEJAS MK-1A now total one hundred eighty aircraft valued at approximately ₹1.1 lakh crore, including a follow-on order of ninety-seven jets signed for ₹62,370 crore.

However, persistent delivery delays from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) based in Bangalore have raised serious concerns among defence planners and military leadership. Production setbacks at manufacturing facilities located in Bangalore have unfortunately slowed down expected induction timelines, leaving the program running roughly two years behind schedule.

Propulsion Hurdles And The Quest For Self-Reliance

Concurrently, the historical and stalled Kaveri jet engine program highlights the ongoing technical difficulties in achieving complete self-reliance in high-thrust aviation propulsion technology. Recent testing milestones showing marginal dry thrust improvements indicate that indigenous powerplants still require substantial development before powering frontline combat aircraft.

Meanwhile, the indigenous Kaveri engine initiative continues to face developmental hurdles, underlining the complex technological and metallurgical challenges of modern military aerospace engineering.

Efforts to redirect the propulsion roadmap—including potential joint ventures with global aerospace firms—aim to resolve these roadblocks for future fifth-generation stealth programs. The success of upcoming domestic platforms like the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft depends heavily on resolving these industrial bottlenecks, engine delays, and supply chain constraints.

Outlook For National Security And Long-Term Supremacy

Can India successfully overcome these complex manufacturing hurdles to secure its long-term aerial supremacy and build a robust indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem? Overcoming these manufacturing delays and propulsion bottlenecks remains absolutely essential for realising future stealth programs, maintaining regional deterrence, and safeguarding national security.

Key Technical Metrics & Strategic Roadmaps

Engine Supply Bottlenecks & Recovery Trajectory

GE F404 Supply Status: The primary catalyst for the TEJAS MK-1A rollout delays stems from GE Aerospace’s supply chain bottlenecks after restarting dormant production lines. However, delivery velocity has picked up: after delivering the first unit in March 2025, GE shipped four F404-IN20 engines in September 2026 alone, bringing the total delivered to 14 units.

GE aims to deliver 20+ engines by late 2026 to help HAL clear a backlog of roughly 27 fully built airframes awaiting engine integration and radar weapon flight testing.

TEJAS MK-2 Engine Commitment: HAL and GE Aerospace signed a agreement for the local co-production of the GE F414-INS6 engine (providing ~98 kN thrust) with up to 80% Transfer of Technology (ToT), which will power both the TEJAS MK-2 medium weight fighter and early prototypes of the 5th-generation stealth platform.

Advanced High-Thrust Propulsion Roadmaps (AMCA)

110–120 kN Joint Venture: To meet stealth and supercruise requirements without relying permanently on foreign engine sources, DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) is establishing a joint venture with France's Safran Aircraft Engines.

The proposed $1 billion project entails a 100% Transfer of Technology, including access to core "hot section" metallurgy, to co-design and co-develop a new 110–120 kN high-thrust engine for the serial production phase of the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA MK-2).

Alternative Partnerships: Concurrently, UK's Rolls-Royce and India's private sector partners (including Reliance Defence and Bharat Forge) have engaged in joint initiatives to construct dedicated aero-gas turbine complexes, expanding the domestic industrial base for future combat engine capabilities.

Operational Timeline Targets

Interim Deliveries (2026–2028): The IAF expects its first operational TEJAS MK-1A squadron formation to stabilise as HAL ramps up output towards a target capacity of 24 jets per year, leveraging assembly divisions across Bangalore and Nashik.

Next-Gen Horizons (2028–2035): The 5th-generation AMCA stealth fighter program is slated for its first prototype flight around late 2028, with full serial production targeted for 2035. Resolving local engine production delays today directly safeguards these flight-test timelines.

Avionics And Radar Integration Roadmap (TEJAS MK-1A)

The Radar Transition: From Israeli EL/M-2052 To Indigenous Uttam

First Batch Strategy (Initial 83 Jets): To avoid pushing the initial delivery timelines back even further, the first batch of TEJAS MK-1A fighters utilizes imported Israeli EL/M-2052 Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radars alongside the ELINT/EW suite. However, software configuration and source-code integration bottlenecks involving these foreign systems have contributed heavily to the program's overall delays.

Second Batch Shift (The 97-Jet Follow-On): The transition to full domestic independence scaled up significantly when HAL awarded a ₹2,205 crore contract to Astra Microwave Products to produce core electronics and subsystems for the indigenous Uttam AESA radar. Unlike the first batch, these subsequent 97 airframes are designed to receive the Uttam radar natively from the production line rather than via a future retrofit.

Technical Performance of The Uttam AESA Radar

Tracking & Range: Developed by DRDO’s Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE), the baseline solid-state Gallium Arsenide (GaAs) Uttam radar has demonstrated exceptional capability, successfully tracking medium-to-large RCS targets at ranges exceeding 240 km during test flights on TEJAS Limited Series Production (LSP) platforms.

Future Gallium Nitride (GaN) Variants: Advanced variants incorporating higher-efficiency GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology are being integrated into heavier platforms like the TEJAS MK-2 and future upgrades, offering superior thermal management, enhanced resistance to electronic jamming, and greater power scaling.

Strategic Implications For Weapon Integration

Breaking Foreign Dependencies: Relying on a completely indigenous radar architecture removes the traditional roadblocks associated with foreign proprietary source codes. This software sovereignty allows Indian defence planners to natively integrate indigenous weaponry—such as the Astra MK-1 and MK-2 Beyond-Visual-Range (BVR) air-to-air missiles—without requiring foreign OEM permission or costly interface software updates.

IDN (With Agency Inputs)

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No Formal US F-35 Offer Yet; Government Still Weighing Su-57 Evaluation, Says IAF Chief

The Indian Air Force has not received any formal proposal from the United States for the acquisition of the F-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter, Air Chief Marshal A P Singh has clarified, even as discussions surrounding India’s future fighter requirements continue to attract significant attention.

Speaking at the conclusion of Exercise Tarang Shakti-2026 in Jodhpur, the IAF chief said there has been no official American offer to supply the stealth aircraft to India.

His comments came as six US Air Force F-35A fighters, supported by more than 200 personnel, completed their participation in the multinational exercise, marking the first time the aircraft has taken part in a military exercise on Indian soil.

During a press interaction alongside US Pacific Air Forces Commander General Kevin Schneider, Air Chief Marshal Singh responded light-heartedly to questions regarding a potential F-35 acquisition.

He remarked that Indian personnel are not even permitted close access to the aircraft, joking that discussions about selling it to India appear premature under such circumstances.

The F-35 had previously attracted considerable interest during its appearance at Aero India in Bangalore, where both the American F-35 and Russia’s Su-57 were displayed, highlighting growing international competition in the fifth-generation fighter segment.

On Russia’s Su-57 stealth fighter, Air Chief Marshal Singh confirmed that the IAF is aware of Moscow’s proposal but stressed that the matter remains under government consideration.

According to the IAF chief, the Air Force will only undertake a formal assessment of the aircraft after receiving directions from the government.

He stated that once such a decision is communicated, the service will evaluate the Su-57 against its operational requirements and future capability needs.

Russia’s proposal is understood to include local production in India along with technology transfer provisions.

A Russian technical team has already visited and assessed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited’s Nashik facility, which currently manufactures the Su-30MKI combat aircraft.

The possibility of an eventual F-35 sale first gained prominence in February last year when US President Donald Trump, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington, stated that the United States would pave the way for the aircraft’s future supply to India.

Interest in the American stealth fighter has remained high following the visit of US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Samuel Paparo to India and engagements involving senior defence officials.

Speculation about Indian interest in the platform also intensified after Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was photographed holding a magazine featuring the F-35 on its cover.

The discussion comes at a time when India is evaluating options to address emerging capability challenges in the region while simultaneously pursuing indigenous fifth-generation fighter development through the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft project.

Air Chief Marshal Singh had recently warned that the growing induction of fifth-generation combat aircraft in India’s neighbourhood could widen existing capability gaps if not addressed in a timely manner.

China already operates stealth fighters, while Pakistan is expected to bolster its own air combat capabilities through the planned acquisition of Chinese J-35 stealth aircraft, increasing the strategic importance of India’s future fighter decisions.

For now, however, the IAF chief has made it clear that no formal American F-35 offer has reached India and that any assessment of Russia’s Su-57 will depend on a government decision before the Air Force begins a detailed evaluation of the aircraft.

Agencies

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IAF Chief AP Singh To Mark Final Sortie In TEJAS Fighter Before Retirement

Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is set to undertake his final flight as Indian Air Force chief aboard the indigenous TEJAS Light Combat Aircraft from Jodhpur on Sunday, ahead of his retirement on October 31, Hindustan Times reported.

The symbolic sortie comes during the concluding phase of the multinational Tarang Shakti air exercise and highlights both the achievements and ongoing challenges of India’s indigenous fighter aircraft program.

Air Chief Marshal Singh will fly the TEJAS MK-1, the original operational version of the aircraft that formed the foundation of India’s long-running effort to develop a home-grown combat jet.

His final flight also places renewed focus on the delayed TEJAS MK-1A, the latest and more capable version of the fighter, which is now expected to enter Indian Air Force service before the end of the year after missing multiple delivery deadlines.

The Indian Air Force and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited remain confident that induction of the TEJAS MK-1A will begin in the coming months, marking a significant milestone for India’s aerospace industry.

The Air Force currently operates 30 TEJAS MK-1 fighters along with eight trainer variants.

These aircraft serve in both Initial Operational Clearance and Final Operational Clearance configurations and represent the first operational generation of the TEJAS fleet.

The aircraft participating in Tarang Shakti has reportedly completed more than 600 sorties and accumulated around 800 flying hours during operational activities and exercises.

Tarang Shakti has emerged as one of the largest multinational air exercises hosted by India, bringing together around 150 Indian and foreign aircraft.

The exercise features participation from eight air forces and representatives from 32 observer nations and concludes on Monday.

Foreign aircraft involved in the exercise include US F-35 and F-16 fighters, French Rafales, A400M transport aircraft, A330 MRTT aerial refuelling platforms, KC-135 tankers, C-130 transport aircraft and several specialised aviation assets.

These aircraft have operated alongside Indian Air Force platforms including Sukhoi-30MKI fighters, Rafales, Jaguars, Mirage-2000s, MiG-29s, TEJAS MK-1 fighters, Mi-35 attack helicopters, Mi-17 helicopters and IL-78 aerial refuellers.

The exercise has drawn particular attention because it marks the first occasion that F-35 stealth fighters have participated in an air exercise held in India.

The United States Air Force deployed six F-35 aircraft to Jodhpur as part of the exercise.

However, Air Chief Marshal Singh publicly disclosed that Indian Air Force personnel were not permitted close access to the F-35 during the two-week engagement.

During a media interaction attended by senior international air force leaders, Singh remarked that Indian personnel were prevented from approaching the aircraft despite ongoing discussions in some quarters about the possibility of India acquiring the platform.

He also clarified that no formal offer from the United States currently exists for India to purchase the F-35.

The Air Chief raised the issue on multiple occasions during the briefing, underlining the restrictions placed on Indian access to the stealth fighter during the exercise.

Air Chief Marshal-designate Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was among the senior officers from approximately 40 global air forces present during the interaction.

Responding to Singh’s remarks, General Kevin B Schneider, Commander of the United States Pacific Air Forces, said access to advanced military systems is governed by strict American security protocols and that such decisions are determined at higher levels.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of continuing debate over the future composition of the Indian Air Force fighter fleet, with the service facing pressure to modernise while expanding indigenous capability through programs such as the TEJAS MK-1A, TEJAS MK-2 and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.

For Air Chief Marshal Singh, whose tenure has been marked by a strong emphasis on indigenous aerospace development and combat readiness, the final TEJAS sortie represents both a personal milestone and a symbolic endorsement of India’s long-term fighter aircraft ambitions.

Agencies

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Rolls-Royce Holds First India Board Meeting As AMCA Engine Pursuit Gains Momentum

British engineering giant Rolls-Royce has underscored the growing importance of India to its global strategy by holding its first-ever board meeting in the country, a move that comes as the company intensifies efforts to secure a role in powering India’s future Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) fighter program.

The three-day visit saw Rolls-Royce Chief Executive Officer Tufan Erginbilgiç meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the company’s long-term ambitions in India and opportunities across the defence, aerospace and energy sectors.

Erginbilgiç described India as a key market for Rolls-Royce’s future growth plans, stating that the company aims to strengthen its role as a strategic partner supporting energy security, infrastructure expansion, national security and connectivity.

He further indicated that Rolls-Royce is focused on building long-term partnerships that can contribute both to India’s industrial development and to the company’s own global growth ambitions.

The board meeting was attended by Chair Dame Anita Frew and other directors, who engaged with Indian government stakeholders and the company’s leadership team during their visit.

As part of the program, the board also visited Rolls-Royce’s Global Capability and Innovation Centre in Bangalore, where teams demonstrated work spanning engineering, defence technologies, digital operations, information technology and business services.

The visit carries particular significance because it coincides with India’s search for a long-term propulsion solution for the AMCA, the country’s planned fifth-generation stealth fighter aircraft.

In August, Rolls-Royce and Reliance Industries announced their strategic intent to collaborate on the design, development, manufacturing and delivery of an indigenous combat engine for the AMCA project.

The proposal centres on establishing a dedicated Aerospace Gas Turbine Complex in India, with the AMCA engine serving as the anchor project.

According to the companies, the facility would create a comprehensive domestic aero-engine ecosystem covering design, development, manufacturing, testing, production and through-life support.

The envisioned complex could also support future military, naval and civil aerospace requirements, helping to build a broader propulsion technology base within India.

Aero-engine technology remains one of the most challenging areas of aerospace development and continues to be a major capability gap within India’s indigenous defence industry, despite significant progress in aircraft design and airframe production.

A successful engine co-development arrangement would provide India with greater control over intellectual property, maintenance, future upgrades and supply chains, while supporting the country’s wider drive towards strategic self-reliance in critical defence technologies.

However, Rolls-Royce is not the only contender for the project. French engine manufacturer Safran has also submitted a proposal and is seeking to work with India’s Gas Turbine Research Establishment on an engine for the fighter aircraft.

The competition has gained additional relevance because the initial AMCA prototypes are expected to fly with General Electric F414 engines, while supply-chain challenges affecting deliveries of those engines have strengthened India’s interest in developing a sovereign long-term propulsion solution for production aircraft.

Rolls-Royce’s decision to bring its global board to India reflects the country’s rising importance within the company’s international strategy, as well as its desire to deepen industrial partnerships, expand its engineering footprint and participate in some of India’s most ambitious aerospace and defence programs.

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Pakistan's Missile Gamble Meets India's Layered Shield

Pakistan's latest test of an extended-range Fatah-4 ground-launched cruise missile highlights Islamabad's growing emphasis on missile-based deterrence and long-range precision strike capabilities.

The launch on 6 October drew praise from Field Marshal Asim Munir, President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, while official statements emphasised improved avionics, navigation systems, accuracy and survivability. Reports suggest the missile's range may now exceed the previously disclosed 750 km, although no official figure has been released.

Also Read: Pakistan’s Extended-Range Fatah-4 Missile Test Highlights Evolving Strike Capabilities And India's Air Defence Challenges

The test reflects a broader shift in Pakistan's military thinking. Following the establishment of the Army Rocket Force Command in 2025, Pakistan has moved to place greater reliance on conventional missile forces and precision-strike systems as a central component of its military strategy.

This approach mirrors developments seen in China's People's Liberation Army Rocket Force, where large inventories of precision-guided ballistic and cruise missiles are intended to compensate for other military limitations and provide strategic deterrence through conventional means.

The Fatah-4 forms part of Pakistan's expanding Fatah missile family and is designed for terrain-following flight at very low altitudes. Such a flight profile reduces radar visibility and complicates interception by ground-based air-defence networks.

According to publicly available specifications, the missile is designed to fly at altitudes as low as roughly 50 metres while maintaining high levels of accuracy against land targets. Its terrain-hugging capability is specifically intended to evade detection and increase survivability during combat operations.

For India, the challenge posed by such systems is not their speed but their ability to exploit gaps in radar coverage. Cruise missiles operating alongside drones, guided rockets and other precision weapons can be employed in coordinated salvos intended to saturate defensive networks and complicate engagement decisions.

An additional strategic concern stems from the overlap between Pakistan's conventional and nuclear-capable cruise missile inventories. The Fatah-4 belongs to a broader missile ecosystem that includes systems such as the Babur cruise missile, creating the possibility of ambiguity during a fast-moving crisis.

Military planners have long warned that such ambiguity can increase escalation risks. A radar operator detecting a low-flying cruise missile may be unable to determine whether it carries a conventional or nuclear payload until very late in the engagement cycle.

India, however, has spent years building capabilities specifically designed to address these threats.

The Indian Air Force's NETRA airborne early warning and control aircraft were developed to detect low-flying targets that may evade conventional ground radars. Additional A321-based airborne early warning platforms are expected to significantly expand persistent surveillance coverage and long-range detection capability.

Detection is only one element of India's defensive architecture. Once a target is identified, it can be engaged through multiple layers of air defence.

These layers include the Russian-origin S-400 system for long-range interception, the Indo-Israeli MR-SAM network, and indigenous Akash air-defence systems operating at shorter ranges.

The entire architecture is increasingly supported by the Akashteer command-and-control network, which links sensors and shooters across the battlespace, enabling rapid target assignment and engagement.

India is also advancing indigenous long-range air-defence capabilities. DRDO's Kusha program is expected to add an additional domestically developed layer to the country's integrated air and missile defence shield, providing greater autonomy and upgrade flexibility.

Defence planners also view offensive capability as a key component of deterrence. India's inventory of precision-strike weapons has expanded considerably over the past decade.

The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile remains one of the most capable conventional strike systems in the region and is integrated on a growing fleet of Su-30MKI fighters, allowing deep strike options against high-value military targets.

Alongside BrahMos, India is inducting the Pralay tactical missile and continuing development of long-range land-attack cruise missiles intended to provide a broader range of conventional strike options.

Mobile missile launchers, despite their flexibility, remain vulnerable once located. Modern surveillance networks, airborne sensors, satellites and long-range precision weapons have significantly reduced the survivability of launch platforms operating during sustained conflict.

Pakistan also faces the challenge of scaling production. Successful tests demonstrate technological progress, but operational effectiveness depends upon the ability to manufacture, deploy and sustain large missile inventories during prolonged hostilities.

Missile-intensive conflicts can rapidly consume stockpiles, placing significant pressure on defence-industrial capacity and national finances.

As a result, many analysts believe that any future India-Pakistan confrontation could feature extensive use of missiles, drones and stand-off precision weapons from the very opening stages of the conflict rather than relying primarily on combat aircraft.

Pakistan is clearly investing in that future battlefield through systems such as the Fatah-4 and the Army Rocket Force Command. India, meanwhile, continues to strengthen both its layered air-defence network and its own precision-strike arsenal.

The Fatah-4 therefore represents a capability that deserves close monitoring, but it does not fundamentally overturn the regional military balance. India's combination of advanced sensors, integrated air defences, indigenous programs and established long-range strike systems provides a substantial counterweight to Pakistan's evolving missile strategy.

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India Rejects UN Rights Office Criticism Over Delhi Detentions, Calls Remarks 'Internal Interference'

India has strongly rejected concerns raised by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) over the detention of hundreds of Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) supporters in Delhi, describing the comments as an unwarranted interference in the country's internal affairs.

In a sharply worded response posted on the India at UN account on X, New Delhi said the OHCHR's concerns were misplaced and suggested that the UN body should devote comparable attention to large-scale protests in other parts of the world.

India stressed that it is the world's largest democracy and said the right to peaceful assembly is protected by the Constitution and supported by robust institutions, an independent judiciary and a free media.

The government noted that, as in all democracies, the exercise of this right is subject to reasonable restrictions in the interest of public order. It further stated that authorities act in accordance with the law and that Indian courts remain available to address grievances and provide legal remedies when required.

The response came after large-scale detentions in the national capital linked to protests organised by the Cockroach Janata Party.

According to reports, nearly 3,000 individuals, including CJP leaders, supporters and opposition figures, were detained by Delhi Police while attempting to reach Jantar Mantar for a planned sit-in demonstration.

The protest sought the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

To prevent supporters from converging on Delhi, police imposed restrictions affecting internet connectivity and transportation networks. Measures included curbs on Delhi Metro services, bus operations and railway connectivity.

In a statement issued on Saturday, UN human rights spokesperson Thameen Al-Kheetan said the OHCHR was concerned by reports of mass detentions involving demonstrators, protest leaders, members of civil society organisations, lawyers and journalists before and during the demonstrations.

The UN office called on Indian authorities to ensure that the right to peaceful assembly is fully respected and protected.

It also stated that any restrictions on peaceful protests should satisfy strict tests of necessity and proportionality.

Al-Kheetan urged law enforcement personnel to exercise the utmost restraint in dealing with peaceful demonstrators.

The spokesperson additionally encouraged authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue to address the concerns being expressed by protesters.

India, however, firmly rejected the criticism and reiterated that the OHCHR's observations amounted to unwarranted interference in domestic affairs.

New Delhi further argued that the UN rights office should maintain impartiality and non-selectivity by paying similar attention to major protests elsewhere.

Delhi Police had earlier denied permission for the pressure group's proposed protest at Jantar Mantar.

On Saturday morning, CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke and fellow leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka were detained shortly after arriving in Delhi on a flight from Mumbai. Most of those detained during the operation were subsequently released.

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Embraer To Acquire Majority Stake In Mahindra Defence's Novavayu Aerospace

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. has announced that Brazilian aerospace manufacturer Embraer S.A. will acquire a 51 per cent equity stake in Novavayu Aerospace Limited (NAL), a step-down wholly owned subsidiary operating under Mahindra Defence Systems Limited (MDSL).

The transaction marks a significant development in the growing aerospace cooperation between the two companies.

The investment is expected to be completed on or before 1 December 2026, following which Novavayu Aerospace will no longer remain a wholly owned subsidiary of MDSL.

Instead, the company will transition into an associate entity of Mahindra Defence Systems, with Embraer becoming the majority shareholder.

NAL was incorporated on 29 July 2026 as a wholly owned subsidiary of MDSL.

Mahindra Defence Systems itself is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mahindra Advanced Technologies Limited, which in turn is wholly owned by Mahindra & Mahindra.

The proposed acquisition has been structured through an investment agreement signed between the parties.

Mahindra clarified that the transaction does not qualify as a related-party transaction.

The company also stated that Embraer is not related to Mahindra's promoter group or associated companies.

As a recently established entity, Novavayu Aerospace did not exist during the financial year ended 31 March 2026 and therefore made no contribution to Mahindra & Mahindra's consolidated turnover, revenue, income, net worth or profits for that period.

The company has also not generated any operational revenue since its incorporation.

The development is being viewed as a strategic step that strengthens Embraer's long-term industrial presence in India while giving Mahindra access to a deeper aerospace partnership with one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers.

The move comes as Embraer and Mahindra continue to explore opportunities in India's military aviation sector, particularly around future transport aircraft requirements and potential local aerospace manufacturing initiatives.

The transaction is scheduled to close by 1 December 2026, after which Novavayu Aerospace will operate under a new ownership structure with Embraer holding a controlling 51 per cent stake and Mahindra Defence retaining the remaining interest.

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Morocco-Built TATA WhAP 8×8 Takes Centre Stage At Marrakech Air Show

TATA Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) has showcased its Morocco-built WhAP 8×8 armoured vehicle at the eighth Marrakech Air Show, held from 7 to 10 October, underlining the company's growing ambitions in both the African and global defence markets, North Africa Post reported.

The vehicle is being manufactured at TASL's Berrechid facility in Morocco, which the company intends to develop into a regional production and export hub for defence equipment.

Alongside the WhAP, TASL is also displaying its LAMV 4×4 light armoured vehicle, the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) 155mm howitzer, and a range of unmanned systems, highlighting the breadth of its land systems portfolio.

The Berrechid manufacturing complex, spread across 20,000 square metres, was inaugurated on 23 September 2025 by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Morocco's Minister Delegate in charge of National Defence Administration Abdellatif Loudiyi.

The facility marked a significant milestone for India's private-sector defence industry, becoming one of the country's most important overseas defence manufacturing investments and strengthening the industrial partnership between India and Morocco.

According to TASL, production at the plant commenced three months ahead of schedule, demonstrating a faster-than-planned industrial ramp-up.

Around one-third of the vehicle's components are currently manufactured or assembled locally in Morocco, with the localisation target expected to increase to 50% over time.

The company delivered the first batch of WhAP vehicles to the Royal Moroccan Army in December 2025 under a three-year contract covering 150 vehicles.

TASL has also indicated plans to manufacture approximately 400 WhAP platforms at the Berrechid site, supporting both domestic Moroccan requirements and potential export orders.

Jointly developed by TASL and India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the WhAP is an amphibious infantry fighting vehicle designed to combine mobility, protection and battlefield versatility.

The vehicle weighs between 25 and 26 tons and is powered by a 600-horsepower engine.

It can attain road speeds of up to 100 km/h and offers an operational road range of roughly 500 kilometres.

Its protection package can be configured to meet STANAG 4569 Level-III and Level-IV standards, providing enhanced survivability against battlefield threats.

The Moroccan configuration displayed at the event features the Elbit Systems UT30MK2 remotely operated turret, significantly improving the platform's firepower while enabling protected operation from within the vehicle.

TASL is also promoting the ATAGS artillery system, one of India's most advanced indigenous gun programs, which is capable of engaging targets beyond 40 kilometres.

India signed contracts worth approximately ₹6,900 crore in March 2025 for the procurement of 307 ATAGS guns, reflecting growing confidence in the system's capabilities.

The company's LAMV 4×4 weighs approximately eight tons and is intended for a variety of protected mobility missions.

Meanwhile, the Sky-I unmanned aerial platform on display can remain airborne for as long as two hours, offering tactical surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities.

TASL has stated that its Moroccan operations are intended to function as a regional defence equipment sourcing hub, supporting its broader "Make for the World" strategy aimed at expanding Indian defence exports.

The initiative reflects a wider trend of Indian defence manufacturers establishing overseas production capabilities to improve market access, localisation and export competitiveness.

Nearly 200 companies representing 27 countries are participating in this year's Marrakech Air Show, making the event an important platform for showcasing emerging aerospace and defence technologies from around the world.

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India’s Three Red Lines: Terror Will Cost, Nuclear Blackmail Will Not Work At UN

India delivered a forceful rebuttal to Pakistan at the United Nations General Assembly's First Committee on Disarmament and International Security, asserting that nuclear weapons must never be used as routine instruments of statecraft and making clear that New Delhi will not bow to nuclear blackmail.

The remarks were made while exercising India's Right of Reply in response to statements made by Pakistan.

Speaking on behalf of India, First Secretary Anmol Sher Singh Bedi underlined that India's military capabilities are defensive in nature and shaped solely by its own security requirements rather than being directed against any particular country.

Bedi also defended India's response following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians. He described New Delhi's actions as measured, targeted and non-escalatory, undertaken in exercise of its right to self-defence.

Setting out India's position in unambiguous terms, the diplomat outlined three principles that would guide the country's response to future security threats.

First, any terrorist attack against India would receive a fitting response.

Second, India would not submit to nuclear blackmail.

Third, India would draw no distinction between those who sponsor terrorism and those who plan or mastermind it.

He stressed that the use of non-state actors as proxies does not absolve a state of responsibility for violence carried out in its name.

According to Bedi, attempts to hide behind proxy groups cannot dilute India's right of self-defence or shield those responsible from consequences.

Addressing concerns about escalation, he argued that actions matter more than rhetoric and warned against the practice of invoking nuclear capabilities to restrict responses to sub-conventional attacks.

He stated that reliance on a nuclear overhang to limit the consequences of such activities increases the risk of escalation rather than promoting restraint.

Drawing attention to recurring regional tensions, Bedi said crises often follow a familiar sequence consisting of provocation, denial of responsibility and subsequent calls for restraint after a response has been delivered.

He further remarked that when decision-makers are not accountable to their population, instability can become a useful political tool and crises can be turned into instruments of power.

On the Indus Waters Treaty, he maintained that the agreement was built upon good faith and mutual goodwill.

He argued that a state cannot continuously undermine trust while simultaneously expecting all benefits arising from that relationship to remain unaffected.

The comments reflected India's broader position that international agreements depend not only on legal provisions but also on sustained confidence between the parties involved.

Bedi also referred to the AQ Khan proliferation network, whose activities contributed to the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540.

He urged all countries and responsible suppliers to apply the highest standards of vigilance in matters relating to nuclear cooperation and military transfers.

Reaffirming India's overall approach, he said the country does not seek conflict and remains committed to peace with all nations.

However, he warned that without accountability for reckless actions, peace risks becoming merely a temporary pause between successive crises.

The exchange came against the backdrop of continuing diplomatic tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad following the Pahalgam terrorist attack and India's subsequent counter-terror operations, which Indian officials have repeatedly characterised as carefully calibrated measures aimed at terrorist infrastructure rather than broader military escalation.

Separately at the United Nations earlier in the week, India also accused Pakistan of presenting itself internationally as both a victim of terrorism and a frontline state against it while ignoring its long history of nurturing extremist networks.

Speaking in a separate Right of Reply before the UN General Assembly's Sixth Committee, First Secretary Raghoo Puri stated that the terrorist organisations created and supported by the Pakistani state had ultimately turned against their own creators.

He said this reality had been acknowledged even within Pakistan's own political leadership and called for stronger international action against states that sponsor terrorism.

Puri further criticised what he described as Pakistan's attempt to simultaneously support and combat extremist groups, warning that such contradictions cannot be sustained indefinitely.

His remarks were delivered in response to comments made by Pakistan's Deputy Permanent Representative Usman Jadoon during proceedings of the UN General Assembly's legal affairs committee, underscoring India's continuing effort to keep the spotlight on terrorism and state accountability at multilateral forums.

Agencies

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TEJAS And Prachand Spotlight Indigenous Air Power At Tarang Shakti 2026

India's indigenous aerospace capabilities were on display during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, with the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) TEJAS and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand performing aerial demonstrations alongside some of the world's most advanced military aircraft.

The multinational air combat exercise is being conducted from 26 September to 12 October 2026 under the theme 'Power in Partnership', reflecting the emphasis on cooperation, knowledge-sharing and interoperability among partner air forces.

TEJAS and Prachand were among the Indian military platforms taking part in the exercise, showcasing the progress made by the country in developing indigenous combat aviation systems and strengthening domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.

Their participation alongside advanced international aircraft highlighted the growing maturity of India's home-grown aerospace sector and provided an opportunity to demonstrate operational capabilities before a global audience.

Among the foreign aircraft participating was the United States' F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter, whose presence underscored the scale and strategic importance of the exercise.

The exercise has brought together air forces from Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, while several other nations are participating as observers.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, who witnessed the exercise, pointed to TEJAS, Dhruv, Rudra and Prachand helicopters, the Light Utility Helicopter and the Akash air defence system as examples of India's expanding indigenous defence ecosystem.

The aerial displays by TEJAS and Prachand formed part of a broader demonstration of India's indigenous aviation and defence capabilities during the multinational engagement.

Aircraft and aircrew from all participating nations also conducted a combined formation flight, symbolising trust, precision and camaraderie among the partner forces.

Building on the inaugural edition held in 2024, Tarang Shakti 2026 is designed to strengthen operational coordination through advanced joint training, mission planning and the exchange of combat experience between participating air forces.

The exercise enables aircrew, mission planners and support personnel to gain a deeper understanding of one another's procedures, operating philosophies and capabilities while improving interoperability and aerospace safety standards.

The event also features a diverse mix of combat, transport and air-refuelling aircraft, including the F-35 Lightning II, Rafale, F-16, A400M, MRTT, C-130, C-130J and KC-30A, creating a realistic multinational training environment.

In addition to flying operations, the exercise includes professional seminars, industrial visits and cultural engagements aimed at strengthening professional relationships and fostering greater cooperation among participating contingents.

Speaking on behalf of the Sarang display team, Squadron Gautam Tyagi described participation in Tarang Shakti 2026 as an absolute privilege and said the team was honoured to share the skies with some of the world's finest aviators and professionals.

He noted that the exercise offered a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, build trust and enhance interoperability between participating nations while showcasing India's indigenous aerospace capabilities on the international stage.

Overall, the appearance of TEJAS and Prachand alongside frontline international aircraft reinforced India's growing status as a producer of advanced military aviation platforms and highlighted the Indian Air Force's commitment to deeper international cooperation through high-end multinational training.

Agencies

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CIYES Systems Wins CII R&D Excellence Award For Commercialisation in Electronics, Space & Defence–MSME

Bangalore based CIYES Systems Private Limited has been honoured with the CII Award for Excellence in R&D 2026 in the category of Excellence in R&D Commercialization – Electronics, Space & Defence (MSME), recognising the company’s contribution to translating indigenous research and engineering capabilities into commercially relevant technology solutions.

The award was presented at the CII Global Summit on Industry R&D and Global Competitiveness – “Powering India’s R&D for Global Impact”, held in Bangalore on October 7. The summit brought together industry leaders, technology experts, researchers and innovators to discuss one of the most critical imperatives for India’s next phase of growth—building R&D capabilities that can create technologies not just for India, but for the world.

From “Make in India” to “Innovate for the World” For a country aspiring to become a global technology and manufacturing powerhouse, R&D is no longer an option—it is a strategic necessity. India’s competitiveness will increasingly depend on its ability to develop indigenous technologies, create intellectual property, commercialise innovation and reduce dependence on critical technologies from elsewhere.

The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D have been established to strengthen India's industrial R&D ecosystem, encourage sustained investment in research and innovation, recognise indigenous technology and IP creation, and accelerate the country's journey towards technological self-reliance and global competitiveness.

The evaluation process was rigorous, assessing organisations on their R&D vision, investments, innovation pipeline, execution, talent development, IP creation and management, impact, future roadmap and commercialisation of research. The awards also recognise excellence across R&D governance, collaboration, commercialisation, breakthrough innovation, impact and future readiness.

The first edition itself attracted more than 250 entries, and 80 awards demonstrating the growing importance being attached to industrial R&D and innovation across India's business ecosystem.

R&D must move from laboratories to the marketplace. The discussions at the summit reinforced an important message: India’s R&D story must go beyond research papers and prototypes. Innovation must reach the marketplace, solve real problems, create businesses, generate employment and build globally competitive intellectual property.

For MSMEs in particular, this transition can be transformative. Companies such as CIYES Systems demonstrate how focused R&D, engineering capabilities and commercialisation can contribute to strengthening India's broader technology ecosystem.

The summit also explored emerging technologies, sustainability, industrial competitiveness and international collaboration, including India-Russia cooperation, highlighting the need for Indian industry to remain adaptable as technology and global markets evolve rapidly.

For CIYES Systems, the award represents more than a corporate achievement. it is an acknowledgement of the belief that Indian companies—especially MSMEs—can develop, engineer and commercialise technologies that have relevance beyond national borders.

“India has immense scientific, engineering and entrepreneurial talent. The next challenge is to convert that talent into intellectual property, products and globally competitive solutions. R&D must become a stronger bridge between knowledge and economic value,”

The recognition is a proud moment for the entire CIYES Systems team, its customers, technology partners and stakeholders, whose continued support has contributed to its innovation journey said Suresh Babu, CEO

As India moves towards greater technological self-reliance, the message emerging from the CII summit is clear: the future competitiveness of the country will be determined not only by what India manufactures, but increasingly by what India invents.

For CIYES Systems, the CII R&D Excellence Award 2026 is therefore both a recognition of the journey so far and a call to go further—to innovate with purpose, commercialise with impact and create technology for India and the world.

Agencies

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Lockheed Unveils New PAC-3 Edge Patriot Interceptor To Counter Hypersonic Missile Threats

Rendering of the Lockheed-Martin-PAC-3-Edge (Image: Lockheed Martin)

Lockheed Martin has revealed the PAC-3 Edge, a next-generation interceptor designed to strengthen the Patriot air and missile defence system’s ability to defeat hypersonic and other advanced aerial threats.

The new interceptor is being developed as part of the US Army’s Future Interceptor program, which is intended to deliver a more capable successor to the current Patriot Advanced Capability-3 Missile Segment Enhancement (PAC-3 MSE).

PAC-3 Edge has been designed to engage challenging targets at greater ranges and higher altitudes than existing Patriot interceptors.

The missile incorporates a newly developed seeker, upgraded flight-control systems and a multi-pulse solid rocket motor supplied by Northrop Grumman.

These enhancements are intended to improve the interceptor’s ability to detect, track and destroy advanced airborne threats, including manoeuvrable hypersonic weapons.

Lockheed Martin has indicated that the PAC-3 Edge is expected to cost roughly the same as the current PAC-3 MSE interceptor despite its significantly enhanced capabilities.

The company plans to begin flight testing of the missile in 2027, with deployment targeted for 2031 if development progresses as planned.

The project reflects a broader US effort to modernise missile defences as rival powers continue to field increasingly sophisticated ballistic, cruise and hypersonic missile systems.

Hypersonic weapons present one of the most difficult challenges for modern air-defence networks.

Travelling at speeds exceeding Mach 5, these missiles are capable of altering their flight paths during engagement, making them considerably harder to track and intercept than traditional ballistic threats.

PAC-3 Edge seeks to address this challenge through a more sensitive seeker, enhanced manoeuvrability and a multi-pulse rocket motor capable of delivering thrust at multiple stages of flight.

The combination is intended to improve engagement opportunities against fast-moving and highly manoeuvrable targets, although the interceptor’s real-world effectiveness against hypersonic threats will ultimately be determined through future testing.

Lockheed Martin has also stated that the missile builds upon the combat-proven PAC-3 MSE architecture, allowing it to leverage decades of operational experience while introducing substantially upgraded technologies.

Company officials have indicated that PAC-3 Edge will provide greater manoeuvrability, power and velocity than existing Patriot interceptors, extending the defensive reach of the US Army’s layered air and missile defence network.

The unveiling comes as Washington seeks to increase interceptor inventories amid growing global demand driven by regional conflicts and rising concerns over advanced missile proliferation.

Earlier, the US Army awarded Lockheed Martin a contract valued at up to approximately ₹4.88 lakh crore ($58.6 billion) to expand production of existing PAC-3 interceptors.

To support that effort, Lockheed Martin is working to increase annual production capacity from around 600 interceptors to approximately 2,000, helping replenish US stockpiles while also supporting allied nations that rely on Patriot-based air-defence systems.

The PAC-3 Edge initiative therefore represents both a technological upgrade and a strategic effort to ensure future missile-defence networks remain capable of countering increasingly sophisticated hypersonic and advanced missile threats.

Agencies

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‘Hero of Humanity’: Israel To Honour Captain Smit Machchhar With Presidential Civilian Heroism Award

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has announced that Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar will receive Israel’s Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism, one of the country’s highest civilian honours, in recognition of his actions during the dramatic flydubai Flight FZ1073 incident on 30 September.

Herzog made the announcement while praising the Indian aviator for preventing what he described as a potential catastrophe and safeguarding everyone aboard the aircraft.

In a message shared on X, the Israeli President described Machchhar as a hero not only of Israel and India but of humanity as a whole.

He said he had conveyed his wishes for the pilot’s full and speedy recovery and looked forward to welcoming him to Jerusalem once he had regained his strength.

Herzog stated that, on behalf of the people of Israel, it would be an honour to personally present Machchhar with the Israeli Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism following his recovery.

In a letter dated 4 October, the President thanked the Indian pilot for his exceptional courage and determination in bringing the aircraft safely through the crisis.

Herzog noted that while reports of the incident resembled a thriller, the reality faced in the cockpit would have involved immense fear, urgency and danger.

He praised Machchhar for continuing to exercise sound judgement despite suffering severe injuries, describing his conduct as a reflection of remarkable character and bravery.

The Israeli leader also linked the pilot’s actions to the long-standing historical connection between India and Israel.

He observed that Indian troops who fought in the Holy Land more than a century ago became a lasting part of Israel’s history and said Machchhar’s heroism would likewise be remembered by future generations.

According to Herzog, the pilot’s actions further strengthened the friendship and goodwill that have developed between India and Israel in recent decades.

The President also expressed confidence that Machchhar was receiving excellent treatment in the United Arab Emirates and reiterated his hope for a complete recovery.

The award announcement came after Herzog honoured six Israeli civilians who helped prevent an alleged attempt to hijack and crash the aircraft.

During the ceremony in Jerusalem, he acknowledged that Machchhar’s courage, professionalism and determination had played the central role in averting disaster.

The six Israeli recipients of the Presidential Medal for Civilian Heroism were Tali Manes, Zvika Manes, Yaniv Hayoun, Dr Shota Musayev, Asaf Rajuan and Or Pardilov.

They were recognised for assisting in restraining the attacker and helping ensure the safety of passengers and crew during the emergency.

Machchhar is currently recovering in a hospital in Abu Dhabi after sustaining serious injuries during the mid-air confrontation.

According to reports, his Omani co-pilot, Hamam al-Hammami, launched a violent attack inside the cockpit.

Despite being wounded, the Indian captain reportedly succeeded in unlatching the cockpit door, enabling passengers and off-duty crew members to enter and overpower the attacker.

The confrontation triggered a rapid descent, with the aircraft reportedly losing around 16,000 feet in approximately two minutes before a hijacking distress signal was transmitted.

The flight was subsequently diverted and carried out an emergency landing in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

All 180 people on board, including passengers and crew, disembarked safely.

The incident drew international attention and widespread praise for Machchhar’s actions from political leaders, aviation experts and the public.

The Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism was established to recognise civilians who display extraordinary courage while risking their own lives to save others, making the honour particularly significant.

Reports indicate that Machchhar will become one of the very few non-Israeli citizens to receive the distinction, underlining the exceptional nature of his actions. The Indian Embassy in the UAE has remained in regular contact with the pilot, his family, hospital authorities and local officials, providing assistance throughout his recovery.

As Machchhar continues his rehabilitation, Israel has made clear that his actions aboard Flight FZ1073 will be remembered as an extraordinary act of courage that prevented a far greater tragedy and saved the lives of everyone on board.

ANI

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Trump Weighs U.S. Role As Deadly Riyadh Airport Strike Escalates Saudi-Houthi Conflict

An attack on King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh has killed 12 people and injured more than 300 others, making it the deadliest attack in any Gulf Arab state since the outbreak of the Iran war.

Saudi civil aviation authorities said several of the injured remain in critical condition and are receiving treatment at multiple hospitals across the capital.

The fatalities included four Saudi nationals, two Bangladeshi citizens, and one citizen each from Palestine, the United States, Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Sudan.

The strike is the latest in a series of attacks targeting Riyadh’s main international airport over the past week and is expected to intensify Saudi efforts to secure greater military backing from allies, particularly the United States.

Shortly after the attack, U.S. President Donald Trump said Washington was assessing whether it should join Saudi military operations against the Iran-backed Houthi movement in neighbouring Yemen.

“We may. We’re going to look at it,” Trump said, adding that the administration had only recently received details of the attack and would make a rapid decision.

According to regional officials, a missile struck a section of the airport complex housing Terminals 3 and 4, which primarily serve domestic flights.

The Houthis had previously claimed responsibility for earlier attacks on King Khalid International Airport this week that killed three Saudis, including a pilot. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Saturday’s strike.

The incident comes amid a sharp escalation in fighting between the Houthis and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces after a Saudi-led coalition launched a major offensive aimed at reversing recent Houthi territorial gains.

The rebels earlier accused Saudi Arabia of carrying out strikes on Sanaa International Airport in Yemen’s Houthi-controlled capital.

Saudi authorities temporarily suspended operations at Riyadh airport while emergency teams assessed the extent of casualties and damage. An official notice to aviators stated that the closure would remain in place until midnight.

Security around the airport was significantly reinforced, with police sealing access points and reducing lighting levels throughout parts of the complex.

Flight-tracking data showed aircraft being diverted to alternative destinations, while several governments, including the United States, Britain, Germany, Australia and Canada, advised their citizens to avoid the airport.

The attack has renewed concerns over regional security and the vulnerability of critical infrastructure in Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter. Despite the disruption, Saudi officials continued preparations for a major international energy conference scheduled to begin in Riyadh.

Military and energy markets are closely monitoring developments, particularly given the growing threat to transport and energy networks across the Gulf region.

Fighting in Yemen has intensified along the Red Sea coast, where Houthi advances have improved the group’s ability to monitor maritime traffic moving through one of the world’s most strategically important shipping corridors.

That route has gained even greater significance as Iran continues hostile actions against vessels operating near the Strait of Hormuz, increasing concerns about wider disruptions to global trade and energy flows.

While the Houthis maintain that their maritime campaign is directed only at Saudi shipping and forms part of a retaliatory blockade, international observers remain concerned that attacks could widen further.

The group previously targeted commercial shipping following the outbreak of the Gaza conflict, claiming solidarity with Palestinians, although earlier U.S. military operations substantially reduced its operational capacity.

Regional officials have indicated that Saudi Arabia is facing shortages of missile interceptors and has sought additional air-defence assistance from France, Britain, Pakistan and Egypt.

Officials have also said the United States has provided intelligence sharing, target identification and operational planning support for the current Saudi-led offensive against the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister and his Omani counterpart held discussions on Saturday regarding efforts to support diplomatic solutions and reduce tensions across the region.

Oman, which sits across the Strait of Hormuz from Iran, has frequently acted as a mediator during regional crises and remains one of the few channels for dialogue between competing actors.

Meanwhile, Saudi authorities have warned members of the public that filming, publishing or distributing information related to missile interceptions, drone attacks or impact sites could expose individuals to legal penalties.

The latest attack highlights the increasingly regional nature of the conflict, with the Yemen front now emerging as one of the most dangerous and strategically sensitive theatres linked to the wider Iran war. Recent reports indicate that repeated attacks on Saudi airports, oil facilities and military sites have exposed strains on the kingdom’s air-defence network, raising the prospect of greater international involvement should the security situation continue to deteriorate.

Agencies

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