Author: Defenceline Webdesk

Democrat Congressman Ro Khanna has declared that the US–India relationship is at its lowest point in three decades, blaming President Trump’s unilateral foreign policy decisions, particularly the Iran conflict and tariff disputes, for eroding trust and credibility. His remarks at the IX USISPF Leadership Summit 2026 sharply contrasted with other voices at the event who claimed ties were regaining momentum.Khanna, speaking in Washington, DC, refused to soften his critique of the Trump administration’s approach to global affairs. He argued that the decision to pursue aggressive policies toward Iran without consulting allies had destabilised global markets and directly harmed India by…

Vietnam has intensified its crackdown on activists, dissidents, and other critics of Communist Party rule, with arrests reaching a seven-year high in 2025, a human rights group said in a new report published yesterday. In the report, Project88, a Bangkok-based human rights organization focused on Vietnam, documented 56 such arrests in 2025, “the most in any year since 2018, and double the number recorded in 2022.” Fifteen of these have already been sentenced, while the remaining 41 are “awaiting trial or [being] held without one.” The report put this spike in arrests down to the rise to prominence of To…

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) researchers in Bangalore have achieved a breakthrough by developing smart materials capable of reversible magnetic switching near ambient temperatures, paving the way for next‑generation quantum processors, advanced sensors, and energy‑efficient data storage systems.This innovation addresses long‑standing challenges in materials science and could significantly reduce energy demands in modern data centres.IISc scientists led by Abhishek Mondal, Associate Professor at the Solid State and Structural Chemistry Unit (SSCU), have synthesised novel chemical frameworks composed of self‑assembling metal‑organic layers.These highly porous crystals can change their physical properties in response to light, heat, or mechanical pressure, making them ideal…

A US Air Force Beech C-12D Huron aircraft. Credit: InsectWorld/Shutterstock.com. Vertex Aerospace has been awarded a firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract with a ceiling of $500m to deliver contractor logistic support services for the US Air Force’s C-12 fleet. The contract, announced by the Department of War (DoW), covers “time-sensitive” movement of personnel, cargo, and medical evacuation. Discover B2B Marketing That Performs Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms. Find out more In addition, Vertex Aerospace will deliver test support services for the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), the Defence…

India’s Ministry of Defence is poised to finalise a ₹30,000 crore ($3.2 billion) production contract for the indigenous Anant Shastra Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) system in the coming weeks, marking a decisive step in strengthening mobile air defence capabilities for the Indian Army. This deal will transition the system from successful trials into full-scale induction, providing a modern shield for mechanised formations.The Ministry of Defence has been working towards clearing this landmark contract since early 2026, with the Defence Acquisition Council already granting Acceptance of Necessity. The deal is expected to be signed before the end of March, ensuring that…

Operation Amistad, India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief mission, is now fully operational in Venezuela following the devastating twin earthquakes that struck the northern regions of the country.The Ministry of External Affairs confirmed on Monday that Indian Army medical teams are actively providing emergency healthcare and humanitarian relief as Venezuela struggles to recover from the widespread destruction and loss of life.The MEA has shared multiple updates on social media, including videos and messages highlighting India’s relief efforts. These include the deployment of an Indian Army Field Hospital and the distribution of humanitarian assistance to affected communities.In one video, a Venezuelan…

Just as loitering munitions, swarming drones, and other unmanned aerial systems (UAS) advance in capabilities and proliferate to adversaries on both the eastern and western fronts, the Pakistani armed forces are, correspondingly, investing more in counter-UAS (C-UAS) solutions. Thus far, Pakistan’s C-UAS efforts have materialized in different forms, with induction being led through electronic warfare (EW)-based solutions aimed at interfering with the drones’ communications, either to satellite-based guidance/location systems or to remote operators. In tandem, Pakistan’s hard-kill element has largely trended towards anti-air guns (AAG), with, potentially, interceptor drones also being added to reinforce the hard-kill element. So, as it…

The Global Gender Gap Report 2025 by the World Economic Forum once again ranked Pakistan at the bottom of the global index — 148th out of 148 countries. Pakistan’s overall gender parity score also slightly declined from 57 percent in 2024 to 56.7 percent in 2025. These numbers are hardly surprising. They show the inequalities that Pakistani women face daily across social freedoms, economic participation and independence, political representation, education, health, and overall personal agency and autonomy. Statistics and lived experiences point toward inequalities, where violence against women is widespread. For women and young girls, navigating public spaces remains challenging…

Pakistani airstrikes on 29 June 2026 killed at least 36 Afghan civilians and injured 163, according to Kabul, with Islamabad insisting the operation eliminated 29 militants. The strikes, carried out in Paktia, Paktika, and Kunar provinces, have reignited tensions and shattered recent peace efforts.The Taliban-led Afghan government reported that Pakistani fighter jets bombed Mandokhail Village in Chamkani District, Paktia Province. An elderly man and a child were killed, while other family members were injured. When villagers gathered to rescue survivors, a second strike hit the same area, killing 28 people and injuring 158. This double strike was described as a…

The jet engine remains the biggest stumbling block in India’s bid to achieve military modernization through self-reliance. India is in talks with U.S. engine manufacturer General Electric for its F414 jet engine to power the five prototypes of India’s fifth-generation fighter jet under development, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Several reports indicate that the ongoing negotiations have hit a roadblock as the cost per engine has tripled. This comes amid already delayed development and deliveries of fighter jets. The F414 engine has also been chosen to power the Mk2 variant of the indigenous single-engine Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) and…