The construction of India’s first indigenously built Air Cushion Vehicle (ACV) for the Indian Coast Guard began on Wednesday at the shipyard of Chowgule & Company Pvt. Ltd. in Goa. The milestone was marked by the girder laying and erection ceremony in the presence of Inspector General Sudhir Sahni, Deputy Director General (Materiel & Maintenance) of the Coast Guard.

The hovercrafts are based on proven Griffon Hoverwork designs and are being adapted with Indian expertise to meet a variety of coastal security needs. According to the Ministry of Defence, these ACVs will significantly enhance the Coast Guard’s speed, shallow-water access, and tactical flexibility for patrolling, interdiction, and search-and-rescue operations along India’s vast maritime frontier.

The project is being executed under a contract signed on October 24, 2024, for six ACVs. It marks a critical step towards bolstering operational self-reliance in maritime defence, in line with the government’s Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently highlighted the broader achievements in India’s defence manufacturing sector. He noted that the country’s indigenous defence production has reached an all-time high of ₹1.46 lakh crore in 2024–25, with exports soaring to ₹24,000 crore. The private sector alone contributed over ₹32,000 crore to this growth.

He emphasized that indigenous systems played a key role during Operation Sindoor, demonstrating India’s ability to breach enemy defences. The minister also said that the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme will allow the private sector to collaborate with public enterprises on a major defence project for the first time, reinforcing the momentum of Make in India.

The ACV project is seen as another step forward in enhancing India’s maritime response capabilities while supporting domestic manufacturing in defence.

India remains confident that its strategic partnership with the United States will continue to grow despite recent geopolitical challenges and leadership changes, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Friday. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal affirmed that the India-US relationship is rooted in shared democratic values, mutual interests, and strong people-to-people connections.

“India and the United States share a comprehensive global strategic partnership anchored in shared interests, democratic values, and robust people-to-people ties,” Jaiswal said during a media briefing. “This partnership has weathered several transitions and challenges. We remain focused on the substantive agenda that our two countries have committed to and are confident that the relationship will continue to move forward.”

On defence cooperation, Jaiswal emphasized that India-US defence ties remain robust and have steadily strengthened in recent years. He said there is potential for further growth under the framework of the India-US COMPACT for the 21st century.

“The sourcing of our defence requirements is determined solely by our national security imperatives and strategic assessments,” he added, in response to reports that India had declined a US offer to procure F-35 fighter jets following new US tariffs on Indian goods.

The comments came amid rising tensions after former President Donald Trump reportedly criticized India’s ties with Russia and imposed a 25 percent tariff citing India’s purchase of Russian oil and weapons. Earlier on Friday, the Indian government told Parliament that it had not held any formal discussions with the US regarding the procurement of F-35 jets.

Addressing questions about India’s relationship with Russia, Jaiswal said New Delhi’s bilateral relations with all countries stand on their own merit and should not be viewed through the lens of a third country. “India’s partnership with Russia has been steady and time-tested,” he noted.

Responding to reports that some Indian companies may have halted Russian oil imports, Jaiswal said the government was unaware of any specific instances. “You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements. We look at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation. We are not aware of any specifics,” he added.

Vice Admiral Vineet McCarty has officially assumed the post of Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Policy Planning & Force Development), a position central to India’s evolving defence structure. The appointment was made on August 1, following his tenure as Controller Personnel Services at Naval Headquarters.

A decorated naval officer, Vice Admiral McCarty previously served as the Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet. His leadership during that period earned him the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in January 2024. His vast operational and administrative experience is now expected to strengthen India’s tri-service coordination, particularly in policy planning and capability development.

Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, and senior personnel at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff extended their congratulations and support to the new Deputy Chief. His responsibilities will involve shaping integrated strategic policies, overseeing future force development, and enhancing the synergy among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

With regional security challenges increasing, Vice Admiral McCarty’s role is expected to play a key part in steering India’s military integration efforts and refining the strategic roadmap for future warfare.

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan expressed deep admiration and national pride after spending an entire day aboard an Indian Navy warship. The actor shared his reflections across social media and his personal blog, paying tribute to the sacrifice and discipline of India’s armed forces.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Bachchan wrote, “T 5457 – An experience of a lifetime – an entire day spent on an Indian Navy Destroyer… pride, and honour for our fighting forces.”

Later, in a detailed blog post, the 81-year-old actor shared photographs from his visit and elaborated on the emotional impact the experience had on him. “You hear about the strength of our Forces… the stories of valour… the armoured vessels that fight, so you and I can get a peaceful sleep,” he wrote.

He described being moved by the dedication of India’s uniformed personnel, stating, “You marvel at the dedication and will of our fighting men and women… they that fight for your peace and calm and the very existence.”

Bachchan also reflected on the often unseen side of military life, saying the experience gave him “utmost learning for the day” and brought him closer to “an aspect of our forces which is never well known.”

Concluding his blog with patriotic fervour, he declared, “I am a citizen of Bharat… and filled with admiration and pride for them that give their all, for us… BHARAT MATA KI JAI.”

Known for his strong nationalistic voice and support for the armed forces, Amitabh Bachchan’s tribute has struck a chord with fans across the country, many of whom praised the actor for highlighting the silent sacrifices of India’s defence personnel.

India has informed the United States that it is not interested in purchasing the F-35 stealth fighter jets, even as it considers increasing imports of certain non-defence goods to ease trade tensions. This development follows U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a 25 percent tariff on imports from India.

According to a report by Bloomberg citing sources familiar with the matter, India is not planning any immediate retaliatory measures. Instead, it aims to maintain a positive environment for ongoing trade talks. As part of this approach, India may raise imports of U.S. natural gas, communication devices, and gold. However, the report clearly states that India has no plans to acquire new defence equipment from the United States.

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the White House earlier this year, Trump had offered to sell the fifth-generation F-35 jets. Indian officials reportedly declined the offer, expressing preference for joint development of defence systems and manufacturing them domestically under the Make in India initiative.

India’s decision not to pursue the F-35 purchase is seen as a significant signal amid U.S. expectations that India would expand defence cooperation. Trump has also warned of possible further penalties due to India’s defence and energy partnerships with Russia. Despite these pressures, the Modi government is unlikely to make additional U.S. defence purchases beyond the contracts already in place. Many of these existing orders are facing years-long delivery delays.

India is now expected to move forward with the purchase of around 50 to 60 Russian Su-57 fighter jets to meet the Indian Air Force’s requirement for fifth-generation combat aircraft. The IAF is planning to induct three squadrons of such jets to strengthen its air dominance in the region, especially in the face of increased aerial capabilities of China and Pakistan.

While India is developing its own fifth-generation fighter jet under the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) program, the indigenous aircraft is not expected to be operational before 2035. Until then, India will rely on foreign purchases to bridge the gap.

With the F-35 ruled out, and the Su-57 as the only viable alternative currently available in the global market, India’s move signals a strategic tilt towards Moscow. It also reflects New Delhi’s emphasis on defence self-reliance and multilateral partnerships rather than dependency on a single global power.