Author: Defenceline Webdesk
Francis P. Sempa, Asian Review of Books Admiral Liu Huaqing and the Rise of the Modern Chinese Navy Source link
Live firing of RBS 58 anti-tank missle system. Here, the conscripts are said to have had no prior practice. Credit: FMV. RBS 58 anti-tank rounds are on the way to the Swedish military The missile is a Swedish designation of the French Akeron MP system Saab and MBDA France will conduct joint studiesto advance system functionalities, perhaps incorporating AI enhancements among other things The first RBS 58 anti-tank missile units are on their way to the Swedish military after the Nordic nation first approached France for the design five years ago. Designated RBS 58 by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration…
The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Thursday that eleven Indian ships have successfully exited the Strait of Hormuz, while thirteen vessels continue to remain in the Persian Gulf.Official spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated that this progress was the result of sustained diplomatic engagement and conversations with Iranian authorities, which have facilitated the movement of Indian vessels through the tense maritime corridor.He emphasised that India remains in touch with Iran to ensure that the remaining ships can also cross safely and reach their destinations in India.Jaiswal was responding to questions about reports suggesting that Iranian ships might be navigating through Pakistani…
Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared that India remains “steadfast as ever” in its determination to defeat terrorism and dismantle its enabling ecosystem, as the country marked one year since a deadly clash with Pakistan.The statement came on Thursday, coinciding with the anniversary of Operation Sindoor, India’s retaliatory strikes against Pakistan following the April 22, 2025 attack in Pahalgam, Kashmir, which killed 26 men, mostly Hindu tourists.The attack, which India blamed on Pakistan-backed militants, triggered the worst conflict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in decades. Islamabad denied involvement, but the incident led to tit-for-tat diplomatic measures and a sharp military escalation.On May…
The economic fallout from the war in the Middle East has dominated talks between senior Southeast Asian officials at the 48th ASEAN Summit and related meetings, which got underway in the Philippines yesterday. Philippine Foreign Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro, chairing the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM) in Cebu, said that the ongoing conflict in Iran had disrupted energy flows, trade routes, and food supply chains within the 11-nation bloc. “The crisis has also disrupted several sectors, including transportation and tourism, while putting millions of ASEAN nationals in West Asia at risk,” she said in her opening address to the AMM,…
India’s maritime nuclear deterrence is entering a decisive new phase with the induction of the INS Aridhaman, designated as the S4 nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine.This marks a transition from regional strike capability to intercontinental deterrence, a transformation that fundamentally alters the strategic balance in Asia and beyond.The submarine, while currently armed with the K-4 missile capable of striking targets up to 3,500 kilometres away, is being readied for the next leap in capability with the K-5 submarine-launched ballistic missile.Testing of the K-5 missile, including preliminary “pop-up” launches and full-range trials, is expected to begin between late 2026 and early 2027.…
Lieutenant General Rajiv Ghai marked the first anniversary of Operation Sindoor with a powerful declaration that the mission was not an end but the beginning of India’s sustained campaign against terrorism.His words underscored India’s determination to maintain zero tolerance towards terror and to continue strengthening its sovereignty through decisive military preparedness.On the solemn occasion of the anniversary, Lt Gen Rajiv Ghai delivered a stirring message that Operation Sindoor was far more than a single military strike. He emphasised that the operation represented a turning point in India’s counter-terror doctrine, setting the stage for a permanent and proactive stance against cross-border…
European missile and defence systems giant MBDA has entered into a landmark agreement with the Indian Air Force to establish a homegrown capability for the Maintenance, Repair, and Mid-Life Overhaul of MICA missiles.This initiative represents a significant stride in India’s defence sustainment ecosystem, aligning with the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2020.By localising such critical support functions, India is not only reducing dependence on foreign facilities but also ensuring faster turnaround times and greater operational readiness for its frontline combat aircraft.The MICA missile system, known for its versatility, is deployed on both the…
India’s bid to supply seeker-equipped Akash-1S and Akash Prime missile systems to Malaysia has injected fresh momentum into a strategic contest that stretches across the Indo-Pacific, as per a report here.Malaysia’s requirement for two medium-range air defence batteries, valued at RM1.9 billion, has evolved into a high-stakes competition involving India, China, South Korea, and potentially European defence manufacturers.The tender, known as MERAD, is no longer a simple procurement exercise but has become a geopolitical referendum on regional military alignment, industrial cooperation, and strategic interoperability.New Delhi’s offering of the Akash-1S and Akash Prime systems represents a significant step in India’s defence…
May 1, 2026, marked the 60th day of Operation Epic Fury in Iran – a symbolically significant date designating when a president who has mounted unilateral military operations must receive Congressional approval or wind it down. However, the complex history of the War Powers Resolution clock demonstrates it is a toothless milestone.The Trump administration signaled on April 30, 2026, that it would ignore that deadline, set by the War Powers Resolution. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee that “we are in a cease-fire right now, which my understanding is that the 60-day clock pauses or stops in a cease-fire. That’s our understanding,…