Bharat Forge And Pratt & Whitney-Canada To IntegrateTurboprop Engines For India's HALE UAVs

Bharat Forge Limited has announced a significant collaboration with Pratt & Whitney Canada to evaluate the integration of advanced turboprop engines into the Defence Research and Development Organisation’s high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle program, Economic Times reported.

This partnership marks a major step in India’s efforts to strengthen its indigenous UAV capabilities for defence applications.

Under the agreement, Pratt & Whitney Canada will assess engine compatibility, performance and installation requirements. Bharat Forge will take the lead in engine-airframe integration, focusing on installation design and systems interfaces. The company will leverage its advanced engineering, manufacturing and aerospace systems expertise to ensure seamless integration.

Amit Kalyani, Vice Chairman and Joint Managing Director of Bharat Forge, stated that combining Pratt & Whitney’s globally proven propulsion technologies with Bharat Forge’s engineering and systems integration expertise will support the development of a world-class HALE platform. He emphasised that this initiative will enhance India’s strategic self-reliance and defence preparedness.

HALE UAVs are designed to provide long-endurance surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance across both land and maritime domains. Their ability to operate at high altitudes for extended durations makes them critical assets for modern defence forces.

Ashish Saraf, Vice President and Country Head of Pratt & Whitney, highlighted that this collaboration reflects the company’s commitment to supporting India’s aerospace and defence ambitions.

He noted that Pratt & Whitney’s turboprop engines have a proven legacy of reliability in demanding operational environments, making them well-suited for India’s HALE program.

This partnership comes at a time when India is accelerating its focus on indigenous defence technologies, particularly in unmanned systems.

The integration of advanced turboprop engines into DRDO’s HALE UAV program is expected to significantly boost operational capabilities, endurance and reliability, thereby strengthening India’s surveillance and reconnaissance infrastructure.

Agencies

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India Summons Top Pakistani Diplomat After ‘Collision Between Navy Units’ In Arabian Sea

Open-source illustrative photo  

India summoned the Charge d’Affaires of Pakistan’s High Commission in New Delhi on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, to lodge a strong protest against what it described as the unacceptable and unprofessional conduct of Pakistani naval units at sea.

The Ministry of External Affairs conveyed its displeasure after a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship during operations in the North Arabian Sea.

The incident took place on the evening of September 15, 2026, when a Pakistani naval ship approached a frontline Indian naval warship engaged in a routine surveillance mission.

According to sources, the Pakistani vessel manoeuvred at high speed in an unsafe and unprofessional manner, which led to the collision. Fortunately, no damage has been reported to either vessel.

The Ministry of External Affairs emphasised that the incident occurred in international waters and highlighted that the conduct of the Pakistani naval ship was in direct violation of Article 10 of the Agreement between India and Pakistan on Advance Notice on Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troops Movements of April 1991. This agreement was designed to prevent misunderstandings and ensure safety during military operations at sea.

The Pakistani envoy was advised to convey to Islamabad the importance of ensuring that all military units exercise due care and respect the provisions of bilateral agreements. The Indian side stressed that adherence to these commitments is essential to avoid any repeat of such incidents in the future.

In parallel, the Charge d’Affaires of India in Islamabad has been instructed to lodge a similar protest with Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This step underscores India’s determination to raise the matter at both ends and ensure accountability for the actions of the Pakistani naval units.

The collision, though not resulting in damage, has added to the already tense maritime environment in the North Arabian Sea.

Analysts note that such incidents risk escalating into larger confrontations if not addressed through diplomatic channels. India’s decision to summon the Pakistani envoy reflects its intent to prevent further provocations and maintain stability in the region.

Agencies

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Navy Opens Competitive Bidding For ₹70,000 Crore Project 17B Stealth Frigates

The Indian Navy has taken a significant step towards expanding its stealth frigate fleet by issuing a request for proposal for seven advanced warships under Project-17B, Times of India reported.

This marks a departure from the earlier nomination route, as the Navy has opted for competitive bidding to determine which shipyard will secure the contract. The program is estimated to cost around ₹70,000 crore, making it one of the largest naval procurement initiatives in recent years.

Unlike the nomination route, which directly assigns contracts to defence public sector undertakings without competition, competitive bidding requires multiple shipyards to compete based on cost and technical capabilities.

Category A shipyards such as Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited, Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers, Goa Shipyard Limited, and Cochin Shipyard Limited are expected to have received the RFP. This approach is intended to foster greater efficiency, innovation, and cost-effectiveness in naval shipbuilding.

Project 17B represents the next generation of stealth frigates, also referred to as Next Generation Frigates. These vessels are designed to conduct long-range precision strikes, multi-layered air defence, and anti-submarine warfare.

They are an upgraded and superior follow-on variant of the Project 17A Nilgiri-class frigates, which include INS Nilgiri, INS Himgiri, INS Taragiri, INS Udaygiri, INS Dunagiri, INS Mahendragiri, and INS Vindhyagiri. The new class will build upon the operational experience gained from these predecessors while incorporating advanced technologies.

The P17B frigates will feature enhanced low-observable stealth technology, advanced sensors, and powerful vertical launch systems capable of deploying long-range strike and air defence missiles.

Expected weaponry includes BrahMos cruise missiles, indigenous electronic warfare suites, and advanced missile defence systems. These capabilities will significantly enhance the Navy’s ability to project power, defend critical assets, and secure maritime interests across distant waters.

Stealth frigates form the backbone of the Indian Navy’s surface combat capability. They play a crucial role in protecting aircraft carriers, securing vital sea lanes, and enabling offensive and defensive operations in modern naval warfare.

Their design integrates advanced weapons, sensors, and aviation facilities while optimising radar, infrared, and acoustic signatures to reduce detectability. This ensures that the Navy maintains a qualitative edge in maritime operations.

The decision to pursue competitive bidding for Project 17B reflects a broader policy shift towards transparency and efficiency in defence procurement. It also aligns with the government’s emphasis on strengthening indigenous shipbuilding capacity under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

By involving multiple shipyards, the Navy aims to distribute workload, encourage competition, and enhance the overall resilience of India’s naval industrial base.

Agencies

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DRDO Showcases Indigenous Defence Systems At Africa Aerospace And Defence Expo 2026

DRDO has begun showcasing its latest indigenous defence technologies at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Expo in Tshwane, South Africa, marking India’s growing presence in the global defence market.

The exhibition highlights advanced systems such as ASTRA MK-1, Akash-NG, AEW&C, and maritime reconnaissance platforms, while simultaneously unveiling new industry synergy initiatives back in New Delhi.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is participating in the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Exhibition from 16–20 September at Hangar 2, Stall 2W 15 in Tshwane, South Africa. The organisation emphasised that its participation underscores India’s indigenous defence capabilities and its commitment to strengthening international defence cooperation.

DRDO is showcasing its advanced weapons systems and cutting-edge technologies at the Africa Aerospace and Defence (AAD) 2026 Exhibition in Hangar 2, Stall 2W 15, being held from 16–20 September 2026 at Tshwane, South Africa.

The participation highlights India’s indigenous… pic.twitter.com/bEsuAUJ3LP

— DRDO (@DRDO_India) September 16, 2026

The major systems on display include the Medium Range Maritime Reconnaissance (MRMR), the Airborne Early Warning & Control System (AEW&C), the Wheeled CBRN Reconnaissance Vehicle, and the PDDS-X Portable Diver Detection Sonar. These platforms demonstrate India’s ability to deliver advanced surveillance, detection, and reconnaissance solutions across multiple domains.

The exhibition also features the ASTRA MK-1 Beyond Visual Range Air-to-Air Missile, the Akash-NG Surface-to-Air Missile, the Low Frequency Variable Depth Sonar (LFVDS), and technologies for an Active Protection System. These systems highlight India’s growing expertise in missile technology, air defence, and naval warfare solutions.

AAD is Africa’s only aerospace and defence expo that combines a trade exhibition with an air show. Held biennially in Tshwane, it attracts delegations from over 30 countries, with more than 250 exhibitors and tens of thousands of visitors. The event is regarded as a national asset for South Africa, contributing significantly to its economy during show years.

Alongside DRDO’s participation in South Africa, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh unveiled key policy initiatives in New Delhi during ‘VIMARSH’, a DRDO-Industry Synergy Meet. These initiatives include a comprehensive framework to lower technical and financial entry barriers for MSMEs and deep-tech Start-Ups, offering direct funding, incubation support, and access to DRDO testing facilities.

A secure framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with licensee industries was also launched to accelerate software-defined defence capabilities and manage obsolescence.

Nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology (LAToTs) were handed over to 13 manufacturing partners, enabling commercial production of state-of-the-art systems. Strategic MoUs were exchanged with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Laghu Udyog Bharati (LUB) to expand industry outreach and foster grassroots participation.

DRDO also signed a contract with the Quality Council of India for the System for Advanced Manufacturing Assessment and Rating (SAMAR) version 2.0, which will benchmark the manufacturing maturity of domestic defence enterprises. This initiative aims to strengthen India’s defence industrial base and ensure quality standards across production.

In his address, Rajnath Singh emphasised that DRDO-Industry collaboration must extend beyond production to encompass research, design, testing, certification, and manufacturing.

He stated that DRDO brings knowledge and technology, industry provides scale, Start-Ups contribute innovation, and youth embody the vision of a New India. Together, these forces can achieve seemingly impossible goals.

He underlined that the vision of Viksit Bharat is not only to build an economically strong nation but also to make it technologically self-reliant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and strategically secure. By 2047, India aims to achieve Aatmanirbharta in critical technologies, significantly increase indigenous content, expand defence exports, and establish a robust presence in global supply chains.

This dual effort—showcasing indigenous systems abroad while strengthening industry collaboration at home—demonstrates India’s determination to position itself as a global hub for defence manufacturing and innovation.

ANI

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Defence Firms To Face Maximum Ten‑Year Blacklisting, Indefinite Ban Scrapped

The Defence Ministry has formally decided that no defence firm supplying weapons to the Indian armed forces can be blacklisted indefinitely.

According to a report prepared by senior officials, the maximum period for which a company can be blacklisted has been capped at ten years. This report has been cleared at the highest level, including by the Defence Acquisition Council, which is the apex body overseeing procurement decisions.

Highly placed sources confirmed that the decision was taken after extensive deliberations on balancing accountability with fairness. The ministry has long grappled with the challenge of ensuring that firms found guilty of malpractice or corruption face strict consequences, while also avoiding a situation where the armed forces are deprived of critical suppliers for an indefinite period.

The new framework is expected to bring clarity and predictability to the procurement process. Defence firms will now face a defined ceiling on punitive measures, which will prevent indefinite exclusion from contracts.

Officials explained that this move is aimed at maintaining a competitive environment in the defence sector, while still enforcing discipline among suppliers.

The Defence Acquisition Council’s clearance of the report signals a broader effort to streamline procurement rules. India has been pushing for greater transparency and efficiency in defence acquisitions, particularly as the country undertakes ambitious modernisation programs across the Army, Navy, and Air Force. The decision also reflects the government’s intent to ensure that punitive measures do not inadvertently harm the armed forces’ operational readiness.

Industry experts noted that the ten‑year cap aligns India’s policies more closely with international practices. In several countries, blacklisting periods are limited to ensure that firms can reform and re‑enter the market after serving their penalties.

This approach is seen as a balance between deterrence and rehabilitation, encouraging companies to improve compliance standards while safeguarding national security interests.

The move comes at a time when India is expanding its defence industrial base, encouraging both public sector undertakings and private Start‑Ups to participate in large‑scale projects.

By setting a maximum blacklisting period, the ministry is signalling that while misconduct will be punished, firms will not be permanently excluded from contributing to national defence once corrective measures are taken.

The Defence Ministry’s decision is also expected to reduce litigation and disputes between companies and the government. Indefinite blacklisting had previously led to prolonged legal battles, delaying procurement programs and affecting delivery schedules. A fixed timeline will provide greater certainty to both the government and industry stakeholders.

This policy change is part of a larger effort to reform India’s defence procurement ecosystem. Alongside initiatives such as the Positive Indigenisation Lists and import bans on specific items, the government is working to create a more robust and accountable supply chain.

The ten‑year cap on blacklisting is therefore not just a procedural adjustment but a strategic measure to ensure continuity in defence supplies while maintaining strict oversight.

Agencies

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India-Russia Defence Partnership Strengthened As Army Chief Dhiraj Seth Lands In Moscow

India-Russia defence ties are once again in sharp focus as Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth undertakes an official visit to Russia from 16 to 18 September.

The visit is aimed at further strengthening the longstanding defence partnership and enhancing military-to-military cooperation between the two nations.

General Seth will be accorded a ceremonial Guard of Honour in Moscow and will pay tribute to fallen soldiers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This solemn gesture underscores the respect India attaches to Russia’s military traditions and sacrifices.

He will hold discussions with Colonel General Andrei Nikolayevich Mordvichev, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Land Forces. The agenda includes professional military cooperation, training, and broader issues of mutual interest. These talks are expected to reinforce operational-level understanding between the two armies.

The Chief will also visit the National Defence Control Centre in Moscow. Here, he will interact with senior officials of the Russian Ministry of Defence, including Deputy Defence Minister Vasily Sergeyevich Osmakov, who oversees defence industry and procurement. This engagement highlights India’s interest in Russia’s defence industrial base and procurement processes.

As part of the itinerary, General Seth will travel to Saint Petersburg. He will visit the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy, engaging with its leadership and faculty. This interaction is designed to foster academic and professional exchanges between Indian and Russian military institutions.

The engagements will provide both sides with an opportunity to exchange perspectives on contemporary military developments. They will also explore avenues for further enhancing defence cooperation, particularly in training, doctrine, and capability development.

The visit underscores the importance India and Russia attach to sustained military diplomacy and Army-to-Army engagement. It is expected to deepen cooperation and reinforce the longstanding defence relationship that has been a cornerstone of bilateral ties for decades.

Agencies

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Pakistan Snubs Saudi Arabia As Kingdom Turns To Israel For Houthi Fight

Pakistan’s refusal to commit forces against the Houthis in Yemen has created a significant rupture in the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement, leaving Saudi Arabia to seek unconventional partners.

Despite being a formal ally under the pact with Türkiye, Islamabad has drawn a sharp line between defending Saudi territory and engaging in combat operations abroad.

This distinction has effectively side-lined Pakistan from Riyadh’s immediate military campaign in the Bab el-Mandab Strait, where Houthi forces have intensified their maritime restrictions and expanded control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.

Saudi Arabia has now turned to Israel, a country it does not recognise diplomatically, for intelligence assistance. The outreach, conducted indirectly through US Central Command, underscores the severity of the threat posed by the Houthis.

Reports indicate that Riyadh’s request centres on intelligence to track Houthi deployments and anticipate operational plans. Israeli intelligence, particularly in maritime surveillance, has previously supported US efforts against Iranian forces, making it a valuable resource for Saudi Arabia as it faces mounting pressure on its energy and trade routes.

The Houthis have escalated attacks on Saudi cities and energy infrastructure, employing missiles and drones to strike critical targets. Their advances along the Red Sea coast have brought them closer to Bab el-Mandab, a strategic chokepoint for global shipping.

The group’s maritime restrictions have been described as a blockade, directly impacting Saudi oil exports and threatening international trade. A separate strike attributed to Iran-aligned forces disrupted the East-West oil pipeline, further compounding Riyadh’s energy security concerns.

In response, Saudi Arabia has sought assistance from multiple partners. Britain has agreed to send military advisers, though no additional aid has yet been committed. US President Donald Trump declined to authorise direct strikes against the Houthis but offered intelligence-sharing and targeting support. These measures highlight Riyadh’s reliance on external partners as it struggles to contain the growing threat.

Pakistan’s stance has been particularly notable. While part of the Mecca Defence Alliance, Islamabad has ruled out deploying forces to Yemen, signalling that its military assets would only be used for defending Saudi territory.

This position reflects Pakistan’s broader strategic calculus, balancing its ties with Riyadh against the risks of deeper involvement in regional conflicts. The decision also underscores the limits of the Mecca pact, which was intended to present a united front but is now strained by divergent national priorities.

The indirect Saudi-Israeli security cooperation remains separate from broader normalisation efforts. Israeli officials have expressed concern over Trump’s decision to allow Saudi Arabia to pursue a civilian nuclear program, linking progress on that front to potential diplomatic recognition.

Riyadh has maintained that any formal process with Israel would only follow resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. For now, the intelligence discussions represent a pragmatic response to immediate threats rather than a shift in diplomatic policy.

The developments highlight the complex web of alliances and rivalries shaping the Middle East. Saudi Arabia’s reliance on Israel for intelligence, Pakistan’s reluctance to fight beyond its borders, and the Houthis’ growing influence along the Red Sea all point to a volatile security environment.

The Bab el-Mandab Strait, a vital artery for global trade, has become the focal point of this struggle, with implications that extend far beyond the region.

Agencies

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India Must Build Missile and Ammunition Capacity Before The Next War

by Darpan Agarwal

Modern warfare is teaching one lesson repeatedly: having advanced weapons is not enough. A country must also be able to produce and replenish them at scale.

The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East have demonstrated how rapidly modern militaries can consume missiles, air-defence interceptors, rockets and artillery ammunition. The United States, despite possessing one of the world's largest military arsenals, has faced significant pressure on stocks of weapons such as Tomahawk, JASSM, Patriot and THAAD interceptors during the 2026 Iran conflict.

The Russia-Ukraine war has provided an equally important lesson for Europe. Artillery ammunition, precision weapons and air-defence interceptors have been consumed at rates that exceeded many pre-war assumptions. European nations have consequently had to expand production capacity while simultaneously supporting Ukraine and maintaining their own stockpiles.

India should draw the same lesson during peacetime.

India has already developed an impressive indigenous weapons portfolio. BrahMos provides a powerful long-range strike capability. Astra is building an indigenous air-to-air missile family. Rudram provides an anti-radiation capability against enemy radar and air-defence systems. Akash and other indigenous air-defence systems contribute to the defensive shield, while Pinaka provides large-scale rocket artillery capability. India is also progressing with systems such as Pralay and longer-range air-defence programmes. The next challenge is therefore not simply developing another missile. It is producing the missiles we already have in sufficient numbers.

India should steadily expand manufacturing capacity of:

BrahMos and other long-range precision weapons

Astra and future air-to-air missile variants

Rudram and other anti-radiation weapons

Akash and future air-defence interceptors

Pinaka and guided Pinaka rockets

Pralay and other precision strike systems

Anti-Tank guided missiles

155 mm and other artillery ammunition

Rocket and Howitzer ammunition

Air-Defence interceptors

Propellants, seekers, electronics and warheads

The important word is capacity.

Factories should not be designed merely to meet today's peacetime requirement. India needs a defence-industrial ecosystem capable of maintaining substantial reserves and rapidly increasing output during a crisis.

This is particularly important because missiles are not simply assembled from a few large components. Their seekers, propulsion systems, guidance electronics, control systems, warheads and specialised materials all require resilient supply chains. A factory capable of assembling 100 missiles is of limited value if a foreign component limits production to 20.

India has already begun moving in this direction. The BrahMos production facility in Lucknow, for example, has an announced capacity of approximately 100 missile systems annually. The government has also been expanding private-sector participation in ammunition and missile manufacturing, including the transfer of DRDO-developed technologies to Indian industry.

But the objective should go further.

India needs depth, redundancy and surge capacity.

Multiple companies should be capable of producing critical components. Ammunition plants should maintain the ability to expand production rapidly. Large inventories should be continuously rotated and replenished rather than allowed to become obsolete. Private industry, DRDO, DPSUs and the armed forces should operate as one larger industrial ecosystem.

There is also an important economic benefit. Building this capacity during peacetime creates skilled jobs, strengthens domestic manufacturing and develops technologies that can eventually become exports.

The central lesson from Ukraine and the Iran conflict is therefore straightforward:

Wars are not won only by the weapons that exist on the first day. They are sustained by the weapons that can be produced on the hundredth day.

India should therefore avoid waiting for a crisis to discover that production lines, specialised components or ammunition reserves cannot keep pace with wartime consumption.

Prepare in peace. Produce continuously. Maintain reserves. Build surge capacity. That is not preparation for war.

It is preparation to ensure that, if war ever comes, India is not forced to fight its first battle while simultaneously trying to build the weapons needed for the next one.

Darpan Agarwal is a defence enthusiast. This essay reflects author's opinions alone

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India’s Eye In The Sky: EOS-05 Geo-Imaging Satellite Secures Continuous Watch From Space

India’s EOS-05, launched on 4 September 2026 aboard GSLV-F17, is now positioned in geosynchronous orbit, marking a historic milestone as the country’s first dedicated geo-imaging satellite.

It provides near-continuous coverage of the Indian subcontinent, enabling disaster monitoring, precision agriculture, and strategic surveillance.

A few days ago, India successfully launched EOS-05, also known as GISAT-1A, from Sriharikota using the GSLV-F17 rocket. This mission represents a crucial technological advancement, expanding India’s ability to monitor large areas of its territory at frequent intervals.

The satellite’s true significance lies in its orbital position. Unlike conventional low-Earth-orbit satellites that revisit locations every few days, EOS-05 maintains a steady view over a broad region from geosynchronous orbit. Positioned nearly 36,000 kilometres above Earth, it provides uninterrupted coverage directly over India.

Satellite imagery has long been a cornerstone of governance, supporting agriculture, forestry, water resources, urban planning, and disaster response. EOS-05 enhances this capability by delivering frequent, near-real-time imagery.

During cyclones, it tracks atmospheric development and landfall paths. In floods, it maps inundation spread. It also aids in monitoring forest fires, landslides, and other fast-evolving crises.

Weighing approximately 2,367 kg, EOS-05 is the heaviest operational payload launched by the GSLV to date. The mission demonstrates India’s growing maturity in delivering heavy spacecraft into high-altitude transfer orbits. While PSLV remains the backbone for low-Earth missions, GSLV provides the heavy-lift capacity essential for geosynchronous operations. The success of GSLV-F17 strengthens confidence in indigenous launch systems.

The mission also represents recovery from past setbacks. In August 2021, ISRO’s attempt to launch EOS-03 aboard GSLV-F10 failed due to a cryogenic stage anomaly. Engineers used the intervening years to analyse failures, re-engineer systems, and add redundancies. EOS-05’s success highlights resilience and technical learning.

Beyond disaster response, EOS-05 supports precision agriculture, forestry, water management, and environmental monitoring. Farmers benefit from crop health tracking and climate impact assessments. Urban planners gain updated imagery for expanding cities and industrial corridors.

EOS-05 also strengthens India’s situational awareness. Continuous surveillance of border zones and maritime regions complements low-Earth satellites. Its dual-use nature addresses both national security and civilian priorities, from monitoring extreme weather to tracking strategic frontiers.

The mission arrives as India’s space sector expands with private companies, Start-Ups, and academic institutions. High-frequency Earth-observation data unlocks opportunities for precision farming, climate risk modelling, and infrastructure monitoring, aligning with national economic growth.

EOS-05 imagery is expected every five minutes for selected regions and every 30 minutes for the entire Indian landmass, with a spatial resolution of 42 metres. Its nine-year mission life ensures long-term monitoring. The satellite uses multispectral and hyperspectral bands, supported by a 700 mm Ritchey–Chrétien telescope and advanced detectors.

The GSLV-F17 rocket stood 51.7 metres tall, weighed 420.5 tons at lift-off, and used a three-stage configuration with a cryogenic upper stage. It injected EOS-05 into a Sub-Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit with a perigee of 170 km and apogee of 28,934 km. The satellite then used its Liquid Apogee Motor to raise its orbit to geosynchronous altitude.

EOS-05 places India among a select group of nations, including the US, China, and ESA, operating dedicated geostationary observation satellites. Its success depends on converting raw data into actionable decisions, enabling faster emergency responses, improved resource management, and informed agricultural planning.

Agencies

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New Zealand Parliament Ratifies India Trade Pact, Landmark FTA To Take Effect In October

PM Modi with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon

New Zealand’s Parliament has formally approved the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with a decisive 93–29 vote, paving the way for the pact to take effect in October 2026.

The deal will eliminate tariffs on 95% of New Zealand’s exports to India and grant duty-free access for all Indian exports to New Zealand, opening a market of 1.4 billion consumers.

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon hailed the parliamentary clearance as a landmark achievement. He emphasised that the agreement would generate more jobs, raise incomes, and expand opportunities for New Zealand exporters by unlocking India’s vast consumer base. Luxon described the ratification as proof that his National Party had delivered on its promise to secure the FTA within its first term.

The legislation was supported by both the ruling National Party and the opposition Labour Party, ensuring a clear majority. The FTA was originally signed on 27 April 2026, and Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal has indicated that India is working to operationalise the agreement by October, with 19 October cited as the likely date.

Under the terms of the agreement, New Zealand will provide duty-free access for 100% of Indian exports, covering all tariff lines. This is expected to boost India’s labour-intensive sectors such as textiles, apparel, leather, footwear, gems and jewellery, engineering goods, and processed foods.

The pact also includes a commitment of $20 billion (₹1,66,000 crore) investment by New Zealand in India over 15 years, aimed at strengthening long-term cooperation.

For New Zealand exporters, 57% of exports to India will become duty-free immediately, while tariffs on 95% of exports will be eliminated or reduced once the agreement is fully implemented. Sensitive Indian sectors such as dairy, sugar, and certain agricultural and metal products have been excluded from tariff concessions.

Products like wood, wool, sheep meat, and raw hides will see immediate tariff elimination, while others such as wine, pharmaceuticals, polymers, and aluminium will benefit from phased reductions. Tariff-rate quotas will apply to items like Mānuka honey, apples, kiwifruit, and albumins.

The agreement also covers agricultural cooperation, focusing on productivity improvements in kiwifruit, apples, and honey. Joint work will include planting material, orchard management, post-harvest practices, supply chains, and food safety. In services, New Zealand has committed across 118 sectors, with Most-Favoured Nation treatment in 139 sectors.

Mobility provisions are a key highlight. A Temporary Employment Entry visa pathway will allow 5,000 skilled Indians to work in New Zealand for up to three years in fields such as IT, engineering, healthcare, education, construction, AYUSH, yoga, culinary arts, and music.

Additionally, a Working Holiday Visa scheme will enable 1,000 young Indians annually to stay in New Zealand for up to 12 months. Student mobility is also addressed, with Indian students permitted to work up to 20 hours weekly during studies and eligible for extended post-study work visas.

The FTA further provides for cooperation in investment, research, innovation, renewable energy, digital services, and infrastructure, reflecting its broad scope beyond trade in goods.

Trade Minister Todd McClay highlighted that the kiwifruit industry alone expects to save around ₹1,040 crore in tariffs over five years, underscoring the tangible benefits for New Zealand exporters.

The parliamentary approval marks a decisive step towards implementation, with both sides committed to doubling two-way trade by 2030. Current bilateral trade stands at approximately NZ$3.99 billion (₹19,000 crore), with India ranked as New Zealand’s ninth-largest export market.

ANI

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Defence Sector Cornerstone of India’s 2047 Vision of Self-Reliance And Strategic Security Says Defence Minister

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday declared that technological leadership would define strategic advantage in future warfare, stressing that the imagination of today would become tomorrow’s military capabilities.

Speaking at the DRDO-hosted ‘Vimarsh 2026’ event at Dr D.S. Kothari Auditorium in DRDO Bhawan, New Delhi, Singh said the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 was not only about building an economically strong nation but also about creating a technologically self-reliant, socially inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and strategically secure India.

He emphasised that the defence sector was the cornerstone of this vision. By 2047, India must achieve self-reliance in critical technologies, significantly increase indigenous content, expand defence exports multi-fold, and secure a strong presence in the global supply chain.

Singh underlined that such goals could not be achieved without collaboration, urging greater partnership among all stakeholders in the sector. He said the synergy between DRDO and industry should not remain confined to production but must extend to research, design, testing, certification, and the entire manufacturing value chain.

He insisted that MSMEs and Start-Ups must be made integral components of this value chain alongside large industries. He noted that emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and drones, would play a decisive role in future warfare, and urged the sector to accelerate innovation.

Referring to the viral ‘in the 80s’ AI-driven trend online, Singh remarked that while AI today can render images of the past, true joy would be when it could present an image of the future 40–50 years ahead. He encouraged stakeholders to work towards such imagination, saying that envisioning India’s future itself would energise enthusiasm.

He stressed that companies investing in new and emerging technologies would emerge as technology leaders in the future. He said India must not only imagine the technology of tomorrow but develop it today, because in future warfare only the country leading in technology would secure strategic advantage.

The event was attended by senior DRDO officials and representatives of defence industry firms. Singh said the partnership between DRDO and industry could transform India into a global hub for defence manufacturing, adding that there was no alternative.

He highlighted that reforms in the defence sector over the past few decades had been unprecedented. He explained that self-reliance was not merely about developing machinery, parts, or platforms, but about cultivating a mindset. He said the soul, mind, thought, and consciousness must all be imbued with the idea of Atmanirbharta.

Singh asserted that the country which possesses its own technology has the power to build its future. He praised Start-Ups and MSMEs, describing them as new flag-bearers of the defence sector. He said they were innovative, agile, and disrupting traditional defence models.

He added that MSMEs must focus on quality, delivery, innovation, and global standards, while strengthening partnerships with larger industries. He said a new wave of defence Start-Ups was emerging in India, and they would play a critical role in achieving the goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

PTI

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Army Goodwill Schools: Where Students’ Aspirations Are Indian Army’s Mission

A Celebration

Last week’s celebrations at Army Goodwill School (AGS) Pahalgam (J&K) marked 10-years of the Indian army’s Udhampur based Northern Command’s partnership with Bharti Airtel Foundation and this school. This occasion was far more than just routine observance of a mundane time-linked milestone marking a decade-long fruitful association- it was a special occasion for two reasons.

One, it reflects the Indian army’s unconditional commitment towards creating requisite infrastructure for providing quality education to children in remote areas of J&K and Ladakh, and two, it highlights active corporate participation in an army welfare initiative undertaken to provide quality secondary education. It also serves as a classic endorsement of the age-old “truth outlasts malice” adage.

That Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and Bharti Airtel Foundation Co-Chairman Rakesh Bharti Mittal made it a point to attend the celebrations organised by AGS Pahalgam indicates the importance being accorded to education in J&K. Speaking on the occasion, Lt Gen Sharma aptly summed up the purpose of the army’s AGS outreach by saying, “your peace is our purpose, your aspirations are our mission and your success is our pride.”

AGS Saga

AGS are today extremely popular in J&K and its people consider it an unalienable asset. However, its story definitely hasn’t been a walk in the park. Au contraire, this well meaning and genuine educational initiative was maligned by the pro-Pakistan separatist lobby through a vicious misinformation campaign. Ironically, the most vocal critic of AGS was separatist leader SAS Geelani-the man who claimed to be the representative of Kashmiris.

A person who saw a conspiracy in everything, Geelani alleged that “Goodwill schools are part of their (Indian army’s) long term policy to strengthen occupation,” adding, “they are psychologically preparing our new generation to accomplish their nefarious designs.” He even claimed that AGS “have been set up for indoctrination of Kashmiri students, and these institutions run by the army make students indifferent towards their religion and culture.”

Besides the elaborate vilification campaign, in 2013, separatist sympathisers even tried to torch AGS at Hajin in Bandipora district of North Kashmir. However, the blaze was quickly extinguished by fire fighters with the help of locals who turned up in large numbers- an indication that this arson attempt did not have any public support and subsequent events confirmed this.

Soon after this arson attempt, rumours that the military authorities would be permanently closed down started doing the rounds. The locals made a collective appeal for reopening AGS Hajin and even gave an assurance that they would ensure that no harm would come to the school and it has been functioning since then without any disruption.

Truth Triumphs

Despite their all-out efforts to mislead parents and repeated directions not to send their children to AGS, locals paid no heed to separatist leaders. This was because after seeing the professional manner in which AGS were functioning, the people realised that the army had no hidden agenda or ulterior motives behind this critical educational initiative.

It would be pertinent to recount an incident that unambiguously reveals the high degree of public faith which the people of Kashmir have in the army and the contempt with which they treat orders from separatists. It is related to Dukhtaran-e-Millat (DeM), an all-women Kashmiri separatist organisation that advocates establishment of sharia and merger of Kashmir with Pakistan through jihad.

As part of its curriculum to enhance general awareness of its pupils, AGS organises regular outstation tours for students. In December 2015, DeM chairperson Aasiya Andrabi strongly objected to one such tour organised for 30 girls studying in class 11 and 12. She termed the consent of parents for this tour “shameful and deplorable,” and told a local news agency, “I am not appealing to these parents but warning them to desist from such activities.”

Since the early 90s, DeM acquired a notorious reputation of using physical force including acid attacks on women defying its moral code diktat of wearing a face veil and burqa. Probably that’s why Andrabi may have assumed that her explicit warning would terrorise both the students who had signed up for this educational tour as well as their parents. However, she must have got a rude shock when not even one of the 30 students opted out from this trip.

Why did AGS students and their parents dismiss the DeM chairperson’s threat? The answer is simple. In July 2010, Andrabi took the high moral ground by saying that “Losses of life, material and the education of children are inevitable in our freedom struggle.” However, the public was aware that while she was asking people to accept disruption in their children’s education, she herself had already applied for her teenage son’s passport to study abroad. Who can forgive such brazen duplicity?

Growth Story

Starting from humble beginnings, the AGS initiative has braved a hostile environment intentionally created by separatists and emerged victorious thanks to the army’s sincerity and dedication in ensuring that education is kept fully insulated from all extraneous considerations. Full credit also goes to the people of Kashmir, who by putting their children in AGS displayed their unflinching faith in the Indian army and for seeing through the web of lies and duplicity woven by separatists.

Today, UTs of J&K and Ladakh have 43 AGS with about 17,000 students, 43 percent of whom are girls. AGS students are doing extremely well and making their alma mater proud. And by observing that “AGS are the critical substrate in making winners out of ordinary people,” Lt Gen Sharma has his appositely captured the heart and soul of this project, which has (and will continue to) help thousands of students from marginalised sections of society residing in remote areas in fulfilling their aspirations.

Nilesh Kunwar is a retired Indian Army Officer who has served in Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Nagaland and Manipur. He is a keen ‘Kashmir-Watcher,’ and after retirement is pursuing his favourite hobby of writing for newspapers, journals and think-tanks. Views expressed above are the author's own

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Defence Minister Says Firms Investing In Emerging Tech Today Will Lead Tomorrow

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has strongly urged companies to invest in emerging technologies, stressing that indigenous innovation is the key to shaping the nation’s future. He emphasised that a country which possesses its own technology holds the power to determine its destiny.

Speaking at a DRDO-Industry meeting on Tuesday, the minister announced a series of initiatives aimed at lowering technical and financial barriers for deep-tech Start-Ups and smaller companies. These include incubation support and access to testing and certification facilities, designed to encourage participation in advanced defence innovation.

He declared that companies investing in new and emerging technologies today will become the leaders of tomorrow. He explained that in future warfare, the nation that leads in technology will secure the strategic advantage, underlining the importance of technological dominance in modern conflicts.

A standardised framework for sharing DRDO-developed software source codes with industry was launched at the meeting. This initiative is intended to accelerate software-defined defence capabilities and ensure effective obsolescence management, thereby strengthening India’s defence technology ecosystem.

In addition, nine Licensing Agreements for Transfer of Technology were handed over to thirteen manufacturing partners. These agreements are expected to boost indigenous production and expand the industrial base in critical defence domains.

The minister also highlighted that collaboration between industry and DRDO should not remain confined to production alone.

He urged that cooperation must extend across the entire value chain, encompassing research, design, testing, certification, and manufacturing, thereby creating a holistic ecosystem for defence innovation.

Singh’s remarks come at a time when India is intensifying efforts to build self-reliance in defence technology. The government has already earmarked a significant portion of the defence R&D budget for private industry and academia, with DRDO transferring thousands of technologies to industry partners. 

These measures are intended to ensure that India remains at the forefront of technological advancement in defence.

His call for investment in emerging technologies reflects the government’s broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, where indigenous innovation and industry participation are seen as critical to securing strategic autonomy and future leadership.

Agencies

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SpaceX’s Starship Set For First Orbital Flight With 26 Starlink Satellites

SpaceX has confirmed that its Starship rocket will attempt its first orbital flight on 22 September 2026 from Texas, carrying 26 next-generation Starlink-V3 satellites. This marks the 14th test flight and the first time the massive rocket system will aim to complete multiple Earth orbits before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

SpaceX announced that lift-off is scheduled at 7:15 am Central Time (5:45 pm IST) from its Starbase facility in South Texas.

The mission, known as Integrated Flight Test-14 (IFT-14), is expected to last nearly 10 hours, with Starship completing about six orbits at an altitude of approximately 275 kilometres before re-entering Earth’s atmosphere and splashing down west of Chile.

The flight will deploy 26 Starlink V3 satellites, each capable of adding 1 terabit per second of capacity to the constellation. This represents a significant upgrade compared to the Falcon 9’s V2 mini launches, with the mission alone expected to add 26 terabits per second of network capacity. SpaceX currently operates more than 11,000 active satellites, and the V3 generation is designed specifically for Starship launches to expand broadband coverage and reliability.

The Super Heavy booster, equipped with 33 Raptor engines, will provide the thrust for lift-off. It is scheduled to separate from the upper stage about seven minutes into flight, perform a boost-back manoeuvre, and attempt a splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico. Unlike earlier tests, SpaceX will not attempt a tower catch of either the booster or the upper stage during this mission, prioritising safety and reliability.

This orbital attempt follows 13 previous suborbital flights, many of which ended in explosions or what Elon Musk famously calls “rapid unscheduled disassembly.” The most recent test in July was largely successful, validating several systems and marking the first deployment of Starlink-V3 satellites, though those were short-lived. Flight 14 is therefore seen as a critical milestone in proving Starship’s capability for orbital operations.

The mission will test several key systems, including stage separation, orbital insertion, payload deployment, deorbit burn, and controlled re-entry. SpaceX has made multiple hardware and software modifications to address issues encountered in earlier flights, particularly with the Super Heavy booster’s engine relight reliability.

Starship is central to SpaceX’s long-term ambitions of building a fully reusable launch system capable of supporting missions to the Moon and Mars.

The company has invested billions of dollars into the program and intends to eventually retire its Falcon-9 and Falcon Heavy rockets once Starship achieves reliable, frequent orbital flights. Elon Musk has stated that Starship must fly “several times per week” to meet SpaceX’s ambitious launch cadence and resource efficiency goals.

This flight also carries financial significance. It will be the first Starship mission to generate revenue, even though the customer is SpaceX’s own Starlink division. The company became publicly traded in June 2026 through the largest IPO in history, and investors are closely watching Starship’s progress as a measure of SpaceX’s future growth.

If successful, Flight 14 will mark the beginning of a new phase in SpaceX’s test program, moving from suborbital safety demonstrations to operational orbital missions. It will also pave the way for future milestones such as in-space refuelling, lunar landings, and eventual Mars missions.

Agencies

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India Showcases Energy Security And Clean Power At G20 Houston

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar highlighted India’s progress in strengthening energy security, expanding clean energy and improving regulatory efficiency at the G20 Energy Abundance Working Group meetings in Houston, Texas.

He also held bilateral discussions with senior US and Canadian officials on cooperation in emerging energy technologies.

According to the Ministry of Power, Khattar participated in the G20 meetings on 15 September, where he addressed ministerial sessions under Pillar 1 on ‘Energy Security and Affordable Baseload’ and Pillar 2 on ‘Permitting and Regulatory Efficiency’.

Under the energy security pillar, the minister noted that India’s installed power capacity has reached 552 GW and emphasised that the country’s non-fossil energy share has crossed 50 per cent. He pointed to advances in solar power, energy storage, nuclear energy and clean cooking access.

He stressed India’s approach towards ‘technology neutral, inclusive energy pathways’ and highlighted international cooperation through initiatives including the International Solar Alliance, One Sun One World One Grid and the Global Biofuels Alliance.

Addressing regulatory efficiency, Khattar outlined measures aimed at streamlining approvals and improving regulatory predictability through digital platforms such as the National Single Window System, PARIVESH and PM Gati Shakti. He underlined that efficient permitting is essential for timely infrastructure development and called for greater G20 cooperation in capacity building and regulatory modernisation.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Khattar met US Energy Secretary Chris Wright and discussed India’s plans for power infrastructure to support artificial intelligence, high-performance computing and data centres, alongside the country’s nuclear expansion roadmap. Both sides reaffirmed cooperation under the US-India Energy Security Partnership, with focus on clean energy, resilient infrastructure and emerging technologies.

Khattar also held talks with Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, on cooperation in energy efficiency, low-emission technologies and offshore exploration under the Samundra Manthan scheme. He encouraged Canadian companies to participate in India’s expanding exploration and production sector and deepen engagement in emerging energy technologies.

The Ministry of Power said Khattar reaffirmed India’s commitment to strengthening national energy security through diversification of energy sources, expansion of clean and reliable baseload capacity and faster adoption of emerging technologies.

He emphasised India’s pursuit of a balanced and future-ready energy strategy while deepening international partnerships to ensure secure, sustainable and affordable energy for its citizens and contribute to global energy stability.

India’s participation in the Houston meetings also reflects its broader ambition to position itself as a leader in clean energy transitions while simultaneously addressing the challenges of energy resilience. 

With rising electricity demand driven by artificial intelligence and advanced manufacturing, India’s focus on both baseload reliability and regulatory efficiency is intended to ensure that infrastructure development keeps pace with technological innovation.

By engaging with the US and Canada, India is also signalling its intent to integrate advanced energy technologies into its domestic ecosystem. This includes nuclear expansion, offshore exploration, and digital permitting systems that reduce delays and improve transparency. Such measures are expected to strengthen investor confidence and accelerate project execution timelines.

The emphasis on international cooperation through platforms like the International Solar Alliance and the Global Biofuels Alliance further demonstrates India’s commitment to shaping global energy governance. These initiatives are designed to foster collaboration among major energy-consuming nations and ensure that clean energy pathways remain inclusive and technology neutral.

India’s energy strategy, as outlined by Khattar, is not only about expanding capacity but also about building resilience, diversifying sources and ensuring affordability. The Houston meetings provided an opportunity to showcase this integrated approach and reinforce India’s role in contributing to global energy stability.

Agencies

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